Just Our Thoughts

Tomorrow starts a brand new month!  I like to have a monthly focus or habit that I work on each month.  March will be a month of changes and I'm hoping that I haven't planned too many.

Flylady's habit of the month is getting dressed to shoes every morning.  Well, I already do that; it's a well ingrained habit for me.  I don't wear lace-ups; I wear croc-like shoes in the house.  Included in getting dressed to shoes is not wearing jammies.  I make sure I have my undergarments on and socks on my feet.  I do my hair and makeup.  Even jewelry.  I've learned that just because I'm always at home that doesn't mean that I have to look like a slob!  Getting dressed as if I were going out helps me to get a lot more done around the house.  I feel more productive.  This is even becoming a habit for my children now.

I am reading two months of Regina Leed's new book this month.  I am reading January and March.  She has included some special features in this book that I know I am going to love.  The first is a habit for each month.  January's habit is to drink two glasses of water a day; this is to get us on a good start toward drinking 8 glasses of water each and every day.  March's habit is to file away the papers for just 5 minutes each day.  I have a drawer in my desk that I just throw the papers in as I finish with them - entering them into the computer, adding the information to the calendar, etc.  I also have a box of filing (or 2) downstairs from just after we moved into this house.  We moved here in April of 2007.  I would like to think that by working on my filing 5 - 15 minutes a day that I could get all of that mess put away into files as well.

The second cool tool in Regina Leed's One Year to an Organized Financial Life are just that - TOOLS.  January's tool is a financial notebook.  I'm not entirely sure what this is going to be used for, but I have set aside a section of a three subject notebook for this purpose.  I suspect it will be for journaling throughout the year about money and the process we are on of getting organized in this very important area of our lives.  March's TOOL is music.  She says to use music to help get through the hard work that may be required in getting organized.  Whether you like fast dance music or classic rock or Mozart's symphonies it doesn't matter.  Play what music motivates you and gets you in the mood to organize!

Also, I am hoping to get us on a scheduled routine.  I want regular get up times and regular go down times.  I want a rest time every day for everybody.  I want schoolwork happening every morning and maybe into the afternoon.  I want less media (tv, computer, etc) and more play and reading.  (A more specific goal is reading aloud to the children 3 times a week.)

There are so many other organizing things I am implementing specifically in the area of homeschooling.   I want to regularly record what homeschooling we do.  I want to get us memorizing Scriptures and poetry.  I want us to play music together - such as singing together the girls' choir songs.  These things will develop over the course of the next few months, but I will be starting on them now.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Jehovah is for me among them that help me; 
and I shall see my desire upon them that hate me. 
~ Psalm 118:7 ~ Darby Bible Translation

But he said, The things that are impossible with men are possible with God.
~ Luke 18:27 ~ Darby Bible Translation

These are two verses that the children will be learning more about in their Character Studies lessons.
 

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

I'm getting a late start on One Year to an Organized Financial Life due to some shipping issues.  However, it is now in my hands!  I have quickly skimmed over the table of contents and am SO excited!  I can't wait to get started.  I know I have a lot of the tools and tricks in place already but there is so much that I know I am going to learn.  I'd really like to start in January and work my way right from the beginning.  Another part of me says, start the first week of March and then in the new year do January and February.  I am just unsure; I think that what Regina Leeds covers in January and February are points that are built on in March and the following months.

(I really can't believe that February is almost done!!!)

As I write this, I am reading the introduction.  The goal of this book is to "bring clarity, simplicity and order to your finances."  I'm excited.  Like I said, I have a pretty good system, but there is always room for improvement and hints and suggestions.  However, I think that I will find a lot of the information will be specific to the United States.  (We find this with Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University as well.)

So many times I skip over the introduction in a book.  I am glad that I didn't with this book.  Regina Leeds packs a lot of learning into her introduction.  This is general information to help guide us through the book and through the year.  In the introduction she explains the Magic Formula which is a three step process to organization. 

There are other things that we need to do in order to make positive change in our finances.  I will be working on these things through the process as well.  I am amazed that no matter what organizing book or person I am reading or listening to I find these same things to be consistently needed:

• make your bed every morning (sound like Flylady?)
• never leave dirty dishes in the sink (Flylady again???)
• don't leave clean dishes in the drain pan
• put your keys in the same place the moment you come home (launch pad??)
• create a set place for items that always get lost such as remotes and glasses

After reading the introduction entirely, I have decided to get through the first two chapters while also working on the current month.  I will do the first week of January and the first week of March.  I will continue through March and April in this manner.  At the end of April, I will be able to move just to May on its own.  I think that might get the job done.

Watch for more posts in the coming weeks.  I'll be starting full force on this book come the first week of March.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Good afternoon, Company Girls.  It's been awhile since I joined you on Fridays, or any day for that matter.  :)  My life kinda got away from blogging a bit, but I think I'm back.  I feel more like my "old" self.  However, I'm changing and growing and loving it.

I am 13 weeks pregnant; I have been very tired but thankfully have not had much in the way of morning sickness.  We are very excited.  August seems so very far away still, but I think part of that has to do with winter.  February is hard most years.  It's that in-between month - we know that spring is coming but it's not here yet.  Thankfully we have had a warmer than usual winter and we aren't quite as housebound.  Once spring gets here we'll hardly be home, I'm sure.  I can't wait to start walking again.  Then time will fly until baby gets here.

Hubby's job has been an adjustment for us, but I think we are getting the hang of his wacky lack of schedule.  We are just embracing the chaos and running with it.  We need to get a little better use of our time, but we are getting there.

School-y homeschooling doesn't happen very often, but there is lots of learning going on.  The kids are continuing with their reading progress!  I am amazed that they are learning new words all the time.  I can see that they are excited too.  We have been playing board games too.  K loves board games.  Their computer skills are also getting better.  I'm going to have to set up some online safety guidelines.  (Any suggestions for safe search engines and such?)

Oh, if you wanna see what books we are enjoying, there are a few listed on this post that I wrote last night.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

It's been a while since I posted one of my "Book It On Friday" posts.  We've really been enjoying books again, so I thought I'd share.

I am reading an e-book called: Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood.  I am loving it.  (Click on the title and you can download and read it for yourself!)  I have many other books on my list (see my Good Reads lists on the sidebars).  I just received today Regina Leeds' One Year to an Organized Financial Life and will be digging into that over the next year!

K has been reading The Cat in the Hat.  She was even reading it to her sisters one night as they were winding down one night.

CJ and W are loving Goodnight Goon.  I believe this is a parody on Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.  I've ordered Goodnight Moon from the library, so we can compare them.

M just goes with the flow it seems and has been enjoying all the books around her.  On one library trip, her sisters picked up a few books for M and she's been reading them all.

W loves anything firetruck or tractor.  One he's looking at quite a bit is called Tractor Trouble by David Poulson.  Oh, and anything Little Einsteins - Farmer Annie's Garden is his current favorite.  That goes right along with his new favorite videos - Little Einstein's The Legend of the Golden Pyramid and Little Einstein's Race for Space.

So, there's a short list of a few things we are enjoying these days.  I hope to go more into the Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood in the near future as well.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

When our son died in 2004, my husband wanted something that was his, that was also Harvey's.  He wanted that connection.  The hospital gave us a two piece heart (clay I think).  We put the larger piece in the grave and bought a chain for J to put the other piece on to wear.  We talked a lot about getting me something that had the same sentimental value.  I never decided what I wanted.  I wanted a charm bracelet with his name or initials or even a mother's ring that included his birth stone.  We never ended up purchasing anything.  (I think I would still love to purchase a charm bracelet of some sort that I can keep adding children to as we have them.)

When I found and was able to review something from Our Handmade Gifts, I choice their custom photo pendant.  The picture I chose was one of J and Harvey just after we'd removed Harvey from the life support.  There is such love and tenderness in J's face.  I don't have many pictures of the two of them.  We don't have many pictures of Harvey at all.  Had it not been for my aunt and uncle, we would have even fewer.

I received my pendant on a nice black leather cord.  The clasp is well attached.  My 3 year old boy did get his little paws on it and tore it apart.  I was not impressed.  However, my dh has put it back together and it's as good as when it arrived.  I love things that are easy to put back together or have parts that are easy to replace!

The pendant size is approximately 1.25 by 1.25 inches.  I find this a little big for my taste in jewelry and wish I'd gone with the key ring option instead (the directions for this option are on the site).  The picture is clear and seems to be well protected by whatever process they used.

I am very pleased with my photo pendant and I will cherish it and wear it for years to come.  Thank you Our Handmade Gifts for a wonderful product.

I just recently started wearing dangling earrings.  My mom had made a few out of old chains and gave me a few.  When the package arrived from Our Handmade Gifts, there was a couple of bonus items included and one of those was a set of earrings also from Our Handmade Gifts.  I can't find the link to them on the website, but they are three blue beads of different sizes separated by tiny tiny beads.  I love them!  They hooks don't hurt my ears, so they are a good quality and they are just my color!  I was so excited to have a new pair to wear with so many different items.

Our Handmade Gifts does not only carry earrings and custom pendants.  They also have necklaces, bracelets and rings.  There are themes for teams, or holidays, and those who are patriotic (US).  Very fun and affordable gifts for you or for someone else.

*****
Along with this pendant, Our Handmade Gifts sent a couple of coupon codes for my readers and friends!

Our Handmade Gifts is offering 25% off any order.  You may us this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends.  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Cool Butterflies (I reviewed some photos in this post) is offering 25% off any order.  You may use this coupon as often as you like, and share it with friends!  Use coupon code: REVIEW.  Expires 6/31/10 so as to cover Mother's Day and Father's Day.

Watch for more reviews to come from this great "family" of companies.  Thanks to Deborah Carney and crew for some great affordable products!!!!

Disclaimer: These products were given to me in exchange for my honest opinions.



Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

J and I spent a good chunk of the day cleaning the house.  It went well.  We had a pretty good time.  As much of a good time as you can have cleaning and trying to get five kids to clean.  I hope to keep it up now!

Today is Family Day here in Alberta.  We celebrated by having a family over for a turkey dinner.  We are seven and they are 6.  We had a great evening.  I think their older boys got a little bored.  However, we did try to include them in our conversation.  They cleaned up supper and chatted with the adults.

J worked a full week.  He came home very tired and then ended up being called back to work even though he'd booked time off for the weekend.  He has been home, though, since late Saturday morning.  It has been so nice to have him home for a good chunk of time.  We got a lot done on the house - not just clean up.  He did some more duct work and laid some lino in the kitchen (a temporary fix that makes it easier for more to clean in there).

Tomorrow he will be not be working either (unless it's in the evening).  We are taking the kids to Tammy-Lee's and spending most of the day in a neighboring town.  J got a job offer that requires us to think and figure and plan and see if we really want to take it.  We will be picking up a few (unrelated) things tomorrow as well as some groceries.  I will enjoy tomorrow - spending time with just him.  We did a lot of fun stuff this weekend, much of it without the kids, but with other people.  So I want to be just with him.  I am so thankful for Tammy-Lee's willingness to take all of the children.

Oh, we'd been having some trouble with the bus.  A couple of times the engine overheated on the way back from the neighboring town and we had to be picked up by the tow truck and his family's minivan!  However, we've now figured out what the problem is.  For those of you who know a little about engines and such - it only has three gears and is geared low (does that makes sense?  I could be describing it wrong).  Going over 100 km an hour (60 mph) is a no-no.  It blows the heater hoses off.  As long as we putt away down the highway we'll be fine.  Oh well, we are on the look out, now, for another motor and transmission (I think) that has more gears.  Another issue (now) is that it drinks oil!  Every couple of weeks it seems the oil pressure is too low and we have to top it up.  I guess the upside of that the oil changes will be far between????

I guess that's it for now.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Okay, so last week I went ahead and used my online calendar to make a menu until the end of March! I'm so excited. Now all I have to do is go to my calendar and write down what we are going to eat and type it up here! Yay, me!!! So here's this week's food!

Tonight we had a turkey dinner with friends. We had such a great night and my house looks great still! We worked hard today!


There you have it! Looks yummy actually. For more great menus check out I'm an Organizing Junkie.



Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

I just need to have a little more thankfulness in my heart. I need to convince myself today that I am really thankful for my husband's job, because it kinda sucks right now.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

I have waited a long long time to get new glasses. I am so glad that we were able to afford them in January. Here's a picture of me "sporting" my stylin' new pair.

Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Well, I don't have much of a plan. I have the ingredients for creamy lemon pork because I didn't make it last week. And I have most of what I need for hash brown casserole because I only made one last week. So those are two meals. As I write this, I realize I need to make a grocery list and at some point do a shopping trip. I need some more pork. I have burger for another meatloaf. So that's three meals. :)

****stepped away from the computer for a few moments****

Here's the menu:

MON - store bought nuggets and fries with veggies and plum sauce and ketchup

• (Monday's the two oldest have choir until 5 PM, so I try to put in supper while they are away.)

TUE - creamy lemon pork with mashed potatoes and salad

• (No extra activities on Tuesdays.)

WED - hash brown casserole with chicken and veggies

• (No extra activities on Wednesdays.)

THU - crockpot meatloaf stew

• (Thursday's are going to become chaotic! The oldest two have dance until almost 6 PM. This is going to be my crockpot / freezer meal day.)

FRI - nuggets and fries (see Monday's meal)

• (J and I are going to a Valentine's Dessert Night.)

SAT - Mac n Cheese (from the store)

• (J and I are going to a Valentine's Dance.)

SUN - spaghetti and sauce with salad

• (Sundays are pretty full so I like to do easy meals on Sunday evening.)

Menu Planning Monday is hosted by I'm An Organizing Junkie.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Three people are in line to use a toilet. Person one is male. The following two are female. Person one leaves the seat up (as most males do). Person two goes in and comes out. Person three (you) go into the bathroom after the woman before you leaves. The toilet seat is up. Do you wonder: Did she sit on the cold hard porcelain or did she put the seat up after she was done? And, why?

hee hee.



And, yeah, I'm having a better day. I am chalking yesterday up to being over-tired, J being gone for a week, pregnancy hormones, etc. It's all good.


Striving to learn and live God's purposes,

Grandma Irene came this morning and helped with a bunch of stuff. That was really nice. She even took some of Mt. Washmore home to her house. :)

I'm at the point in a depression or something where I don't want help. I want to live in my misery. I just want to sit and cry and do nothing; I don't care.

I don't like being here (in this state of mind).

I just want my husband home.

I want my house to clean itself. I want my basement warm so I want to do laundry and so it will dry.

I just want to curl up and cry.


Just existing today,