Misc. Monday

Let's try this again.  Why is it so hard for me to keep up?  Well, I have a new plan.  So to start with...Here is Misc. Monday...will be for recipes, life lessons, bits of randomness or whatever. 

I am getting back on track with my THM.  The holidays kind of threw me for a loop.  I've also started keeping a journal...using the Self Journal.  I'm really liking it so far.  Love how it helps set short goals and long goals.  I'm really excited about it and the goals I am setting for myself.

Today was a little crazy, but yet nice.  After everyone being on break for 2 1/2 weeks it is nice to get back to a routine.  I even woke before my alarm (that I actually forgot to set anyway...lol).  

We had a lovely Christmas and break.  A lot of it was spent running around, but that's ok.  At least we weren't bored!  LOL  Loved seeing family and friends we haven't seen for a while.  

Well, that's about it for today...Got to get back into the swing of things.  :)

Here is this weeks Menu:

Monday - Chili

Tuesday - Salmon

Wednesday - Salisbury Steaks

Thursday - Ham

Friday - Pork BBQ

Still,

Add caption

Attitude Adjustment

Money Saving Mom has inspired me with this post of hers.  I have already been working on getting rid of negativity in my life...because it just makes me feel terrible.  It affects everything about your day.

So after reading Money saving mom's post, I was inspired.  Some of the things I already do, but some are going to be added.  I hope she does not mind if I use some of her titles.  Descriptions are my own... I have since created my own list, in no particular order:

1.  Get up earlier.  I used to (waaaayyy back before we moved up north, from our slow paced southern life) get up between 6-6:30 a.m.  I loved it!  I loved how I felt, I loved watching the sunrise, opening windows, hearing the birds sing...quiet...loved the quiet.  It was my time with God.  Well, after moving here...schedules are CRAZY.  Life is so busy and fast paced.  I have already been backing off, and being less involved, as to slow it down a bit.  But still getting back on the early morning routine has been a struggle for me.  But I am determined to get it back!  (I'll keep you updated on how that's going!)

2.  Eat breakfast, make a cup of coffee.  Breakfast used to be one of those meals I would skip.  Not anymore!  It might be the same thing every single morning, but I do not skip it.  In my endeavors to stick to THM (Trim Healthy Momma), I've learned the importance of breakfast.  I love my hot drink in the morning as well.  It is one thing I am finding very difficult to give up.  I have tried, and it's not that I HAVE to have the caffeine, I just really need that hot drink in the morning.  Hopefully I will be able to find a better way of sweetening it, but as of this moment, it is my one thing that I still have not fully given in to plan on.

3.  Light a candle.  One of my most favorite things of all is a clean house, and candles burning.  Open windows are a plus!  I used to would only light the candles if the room was spotless.  Not any more!  MSM (Money saving mom)  inspired me to go ahead and enjoy my candles anyway!  I at least light the one in the kitchen first thing in the morning!  (Look out babe, I'll be buying more candles...hehe)

4.  Take time to brain dump.  I really hated to use MSM's exact words, but I just love how she put it!  Dump my brain out on the paper!  When I think of tasks, chores, DIY's, to do's etc.  It is getting added to a list.  Get it out of my brain and on paper.

5.  Organize a to do list for the day, and "time block" them.  Looking at my list from the brain dump, organize what needs to be done for this day, and put them in a time schedule.  To try to keep things in perspective.

6.  Don't over book myself for the day.  I guess 5 and 6 would kind of go together, but by time blocking it helps me to not over book myself.  I tend to bite off more than I can chew, then I'm stressed out and can get grouchy if I don't get done what I want to get done.  That takes me to number 7.

7.  Learning to let it go.  I know some hate the song from "Frozen" "Let It Go", but sometimes it is my theme.  Sometimes you just have to let it go!  Is it really worth getting all stressed out and grouchy over?  Really?

8.  Jot down 3 things I'm thankful for.  A thankful heart is a happy heart.  If you are being thankful you are not complaining.  It also helps drive negativity away.

9.  Read my Bible.  As I said this list is in no particular order, and this is usually one of the first things that happens in my day.  Gives me something to meditate on as well.  In addition to just reading a chapter or whatever I am also starting to do some more intensive personal studies...and examining my own self.  When we are being like Christ, that for sure drives negativity away, and makes us happier.

10.  Turn on music.  This is a new one for me, but it is so helpful!  Usually music is coming on while straightening up the rest of the house.  It drives the clouds away, and more often than not you end up singing all day.  

11.  Clean out the inbox.  If I don't stay on top of the inbox DAILY it gets away from me and gets overwhelming.  Take care of the emails...every day!

12.  Laugh...at the very least smile.  Anyone that knows me knows I love to laugh.  Laughter is the best medicine.  Laughter is a stress reliever.  Laugh a lot when you are young all your wrinkles will be in the right place when you are old....You get the point!  Seriously though, laughing just makes everything better.

13.  Blog.  I'm TRYING to do this daily.  I may not actually POST daily, but I am trying to at least type/blog for at least 20-30 min/day.  Also, goes with "brain dumping".  Some of my "dumping" will be here.  This ends up being more a journal for me.

14.  Hug my boys.  Life is short.  They grow up so fast.  I need them to know I love them.  And I need them to always know that affection is ok.  It's ok, to let those you love know you love them.

15.  Hug and kiss my husband.  He needs to know I love him too.  And like MSM said, there is no G-rating here!  My boys need to also know how to love their wives someday.

16.  Exercise.  This one is one of my hardest.  If I get up earlier it is easier.  But exercising is not my strong point.  However, I do feel better when I do it.  So that helps.  Exercise also helps clear the mind, and keep things positive.

17.  Shower.  Every.Single.Day.period.  I feel nasty if I don't!

18.  Love what I wear.  I actually have been working on this one for a while.  I have decided if I don't like it, if I don't feel good wearing it, then it goes.  Life is short...why wear clothes you hate? 

19.  Read.  Every day I try to read AT LEAST one chapter of whatever book I am currently reading.  As a busy mom, sometimes that's all I can get in, but reading is important.  I make the boys read, I must read.

20.  Do something for someone else.  Always looking for ways to help the other people that live in my house.  Doing for someone else makes everyone happy.

21.  Breath.  Just stop, relax, and take a deep breath!  Catch your breath...maybe with 22.  It makes a big difference in my day.

22.  2nd hot drink.  Or other favorite drink.  (depending on time of year)  Need it to help 21. ;)

23.  Eat healthy.  THM...makes me feel good.  Makes me feel good about myself.  

24.  Drink plenty of water.  Just because it makes me feel good to get my water in for the day.

25.  Take my vitamins.  I actually take several vitamins.  Yes, they make a difference.

26.  Daily run through straighten up.  I at the very least straighten every room.  (except the boys' bedrooms they are responsible for their own)  Keeps things from getting out of hand.

27.  Do 2 loads of laundry.  At least.  If I have time or feel like doing more, great, but at least 2, helps me stay on top of my game.

28.  Listen to or read something that makes me think.  Usually it is my Streams in the Dessert.  or an old message.  Keeps your brain in gear.   Spiritual growth.

29.  Post on Instagram and/or facebook.  Just to keep up.  To stay involved with my family and friends that I don't get to see often.

30.  Text a family member or friend.  Or my hubby.  ;)  Just to keep relationships alive.

31.  Clean up kitchen.  A messy kitchen DRIVES ME CRAZY!  I want clean counters when I get up in the morning!  Put things in the dishwasher as they are used...etc.  Cleanliness is next to godliness.  

32.  Chill with the fam.  In the evenings we chill together.  Whether just setting and talking, playing a game, listening to a story.  We enjoy each others company.  

33.  Clean a pinterest folder.  Each day I have been cleaning at least one pinterest folder.  once that's done I'll have to come up with another 33.  But that will be a while!  LOL

34.  Make my bed!  An unmade bed makes the whole room a mess.  Enough said.

35.  Discuss my day with my husband. We talk about our day with each other.  Keeping each other informed of our thoughts, feelings, frustrations, joys, fears, dreams.  Keeps us connected, and makes us understand each other.

36.  Dinner plan.  This is actually one of the first things I do in a day.  I figure out what we will have for dinner, so I will know all day what time to start preparing.  Makes life so much easier.

37.  Pray.  I have to talk to God daily!  I need his help and strength to get through each and every day.  Telling God all about everything, helps me keep things in perspective.  I NEED this connection.

38.  Go to bed at a decent hour.  If I can do this...it makes 1 so much easier.  Although, there are a couple nights...one in particular that messes with me every.single.time!  There is NOTHING I can do about it, but if I can get the other 6 in order, then I am happy.

Positively,

Burlap Canvas Makeover

I came across this on Pinterest, of course and wanted to try to recreate it using Uppercase Living.  I Pinned it and kept it in my mind as a potential project someday.  Then one day while in Hobby Lobby I came across a burlap canvas with a Paris scene (sorry I forgot to get a before picture! *gasp*) on clearance for $5!  Yes, $5!  So of course it went home with me!

I put several coats of acrylic paint on it, let it dry...and ordered my birds!  The tree was going to be a little more difficult and I only had one canvas at the time so I was focusing on the birds one for now.

I then put a coat of ModPodge over the entire canvas to help the vinyl adhere.

 Apply the birds...I also had help from my hair dryer and a dry cloth.  The burlap is a little tricky to work with, but we managed.  Once I got the paper all off I again blew the birds with the hair dryer while rubbing them into the burlap at the same time.  I then put another coal of ModPodge over the whole thing!

In the meantime, I found the canvas on the left at Hobby Lobby...already with a tree and a bird.  I waited for art/canvases to go 50% off and bought it.  The bird color does not match quite as well as I thought it would.  My other birds are all a different shade, but I'm still thinking I might put a UL bird over top of the one on the tree so it matches better, but I will need to order one...and I'm not sure we have one that looks like it's setting, but I will figure something out.  Now they will be carefully put into storage until we find a house.  As we are currently house hunting!  :)  (more on that another day)

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this little makeover.  I was pretty pleased with myself, and the results!

 

A life of,



Weigh In

I have decided on a "different tactic".  The scales drive me crazy and play with my mind.  If I don't see the numbers going down it discourages me.  SO!

I now am hanging an article of clothing the next size down in my bathroom, where I will see it multiple times a day.  I will try it on every Friday morning, and when I can comfortable wear it I will weigh myself.  My item at the moment is this jean skirt:

Excuse the mirror on it...should have removed it for the pic, but...

 

I tried it on this morning, and I can get it on, and button and zip it, but it's still a little snug...not comfortable.  But hey!  At least I could button and zip it!  I will try again next Friday!

 

New foods for this week?  Tried this THM Taco Soup.  I thought it was good, needed something but the flavor was good.  The rest of my family didn't care for it...I think mostly because it still needed something...beans, or quinoa, or...something. 

 

I have really struggled with my sweet tooth this week.  I think almost everyday I caved and filled it.  Yesterday I was determined not too...and I made it.  I kept thinking of that skirt hanging in my bathroom!  One day at a time!

 

IN OTHER NEWS:

 

Pilot has been studying all week preparing for his ACT test which is tomorrow.

 

LegoMan is reading Old Yeller this week, and doing well with reading.  Spelling is still a challenge but we are working on it.

 

Firefighter has been busy with school and work.

 

I am up to March 2008 on my scrapbooks!  (that's the pics that are printed!)  I have pretty much decided I am going to get caught up with what is already printed then print the others and fill them in.  I will take advantage of any "free print" specials that I can find in the mean time though. 

 

I scrapped some photos yesterday that made me really really miss the little boys!  I was working on February 2003...LegoMan's 7th birthday (goal is to do at least one month/day some days get more...).

 

He had asked for a "Horton".  At that time Kohls Cares had Dr. Suess creatures and matching books...SIDENOTE: I love Kohls Cares books and creatures...wish my boys weren't' too big for them now...LOL  His birthday "night" he was "reading" his new book to Yertle, and Horton.

He had wanted an "Awmy" (army) jeep cake.  I didn't know how in the world I was going to do that, but after some thought and "research" I came up with one!  I love making their cakes as creative "new ideas".  Not the star drop decorated shaped cakes.  I tried to be original.  This was one of the "funner" creations.  When he got home from school...the look on his face was priceless!  Made all the stress worth it! (of course...since it's a jeep...it had to have been mud running.) ;)

 

Hope you all have a blessed weekend.

 

We'll keep on,



 

Sycamine Tree Part V

This week will be the final sycamine tree lesson.  Part V.  Here is Part I, Part II, Part III, and Part IV if you have missed them.

As before, please keep in mind my (DISCLAIMER:  I know nothing of Rick Renner or Rick Renner Ministries.  I am in no way promoting them, only using this writing of his that was very good.)   And that all MY (and things the teacher added) thoughts will be in italics.
Part V

4.  The sycamine tree was pollinated only by wasps.

It is very interesting to note that the sycamine tree was not naturally pollinated.  The pollination process was only initiated when a wasp stuck its stinger right into the heart of the fruit.  Thus, the tree and it's fruit had to be "stung" in order to be reproduced.  Had to be stung to reproduce!

Think of how many times you have heard a bitter person say:  "I've been stung by that person once, but I'm not going to be stung again!  What he did hurt me so badly that I'll never let him get close enough to sting me again!"  It is likely that people who make such a statement have been "stung" by a situation that the devil especially devised to pollinate their hearts and souls with bitterness and unforgiveness.  When a person talks like this, you can know for sure that the wasp of bitterness got to them!

Jesus said that in order to rid this nuisance from one's life, a person must have faith the size of "a grain of mustard see."  The word "grain" is the Greek word kokkos.  It describes a see, a grain, or a very small kernel.  Jesus uses the example of a "mustard" seed in this example.  The word "mustard" is the Greek word sinapi, which refers to the small mustard plant that grows from a  tiny, miniscule seed.

By using this word, Jesus was telling His disciples that a great amount of faith is not needed to deal with bitterness and unforgiveness.  Any person who has even a tiny measure of faith can speak to bitterness and unforgiveness and command them to leave-IF that is really the desire of his heart.

So what is your desire today, friend?  Do you genuinely wish to be free from the bitterness, unforgiveness, and offense that has festered in your soul for so long?  Are  you ready to rip those destructive roots clear out of your heart so they won't be able to resurface in your life again?  Are you tired of those detrimental attitudes killing your joy, stealing your peace, and nullifying your spiritual life? 

I hope you have enjoyed these lessons as much as I have!  It definitely brought about some thinking and soul searching in myself!  Hope you have a blessed week!

Over here we are still,

Weigh In

Birthday week...need I say more?  LOL

Although, I did try something new this week.

I have had a bag of Quinoa in the cabinet for a very long time while...I have been scared to try it.  Never had it...never cooked it...I was scared of it!

Well...we were out of rice...and I NEEDED to make something to go with our stir fry.  SOOOO...I fixed it!  AND....

We liked it!  The 2 younger boys aren't sold (Pilot is a die hard rice lover) but the rest of us actually liked it!  YAY!  Another non-potato option!

I also tried this recipe for Italian Turkey Burger Soup.  Just use coconut oil in place of the olive oil.  Definitely works for THM!  And it was super yummy!  We LOVED it!

 

In other news:

 

The flu bug has been visiting our house this week.  Hopefully it is on it's way out the door!

 

Pilot has finished Driver's Ed, and got a 94% on his written test.  Now for the driving part...and to finish getting his hours in.  Hopefully we can get his license before his birthday!  He also has to take the ACT test next week...ugh.

 

We are still plugging along with school. 

 

Firefighter is doing good with classes, and work.

 

LegoMan is still LegoMan...LOL.

 

I am still working on trying to catching up scrapbooks.  I am up to 2007!  Only 7 years behind!  But I seem to be missing some pictures...Trying to find them!

 

As always, we are still,



Another Year

Has gone by, and I am blessed!

"MY" day began with finding this card 

propped up in the bathroom.  My hubby knows how to pick a good card!  It brought tears to my eyes.  Inside he had added this:

 

God painted my world a beautiful snowy white!  So I had snow for my day as well! 

 



I met and had lunch with my dad at a Mexican place...it was good!  And I had a good visit with my dad.  We were there for like 2.5 hours!  My dad gave me a card that also brought tears to my eyes. (Yes I know I'm sappy...can't help it!)

 

All day I received texts and messages from family and friends.

 

All "my men" fixed dinner.  My hubby got a Coldstone cake...(No it's not THM, but it's my birthday!) :P And they have DELICIOUS cakes!

He couldn't find any candles so this is what he used...LOL  And this cake was midnight (dark) chocolate!  MMMMMM!!!!!

 

Some friends came over and "shared" my cake with me.  And they brought me coffee shop gift card, and a massage certificate....AAAAUUUUUU!  I'm feeling relaxed just thinking about it!

 

Cards in the mail...

 

Phone calls...my 84 year old grandmother called me.  She also sent me a card with money in it, but she called me too.  I didn't have to get a card from her, just the fact that she called me...remembers to call, and is still here to call me is enough!  She NEVER forgets any of her kids, grandkids, great grandkids birthdays.  Even all the in-laws grandkid in-laws too get cards for their birthdays!  And it bothers her tremendously if she gets your card to you late!  She wants it to arrive ON your birthday!  She is amazing!  And I'm SOOO thankful for her! 

 

But my hubby scored the points AGAIN!   He got me my first EVER Coach!

I am so excited!  I love it!  I love the color!  And a Mophie!

 

I spent the day surrounded by family and friends and felt the love!

 

Blessed while,