Book review: Books 13, 14, 15 I couldn't STOP reading!!

 Book 13: Ready or Not by Chautona Havig

This book was simply captivating.  The writing was clever, and pulled you into the story. The story is about a young girl named Aggie whose family endures a devastating loss of her sister and her brother-in-law in a car accident, followed by a terrible mistake at the hospital.  With both parents now deceased Aggie finds herself inheriting the couples 8 children.  Aggie, just out of college is thrown into the role of Aunt Mommy, and all that goes with it. 

Thinking about my own 2 children it's hard to imagine how difficult being thrown into the role of raising 2 would be let alone 8.  She is alone, as her parents can't help even though they would love to as her Mother suffers from a heart condition and can't be over stimulated.  Her sister and brother-in-law also had been  wise in their planning for an emergency such as this, because they knew that the mother-in-law, was to put it mildly...CRAZY!  This can be evident as you find Aggie going through trying to undo the damage she caused by telling the children they could not cry after the loss of their parents as it wouldn't be appropriate to display such emotion.

Quickly she realizes that the home she also inherited is not going to be conducive to raising the children, so finding a new one becomes a priority.  She finds herself finding a wonderful home, further out in a small town, that is ideal.  Ideal aside from the fact that it is a complete fixer upper!  She begins to tackle the job with the help of Luke, her car dealer Zeke's nephew who turns homes for a living.  Project after project begins, and in the midst of renovations illness, schooling and life must continue on.  The author did a great job of making all of these events seem real, and remind you of similar events in your life. 

Does Aggie survive the GIL (Grandmother-in-law), renovations and becoming the Aunt Mommy?  Reading the book is the only way to truly tell, or reading the rest of this book review since I couldn't STOP reading!

Having finished book 1 of the series I quickly found myself screaming (silently of course) WAIT... you didn't finish the story!  Will Aggie make friends with those in the new community, will she finish the renovations, how will she survive the next step of child rearing?!  Luckily, a quick scroll down my list of books I had downloaded as they came up as FREE choices for my Kindle revealed book 2!!

 For Keeps (book 2) by Chautona Havig

Aggie has survived the move, some dealings with the GIL and now is about done with the home renovations, thanks to Luke, Luke's Uncle Zeke and his family, as well as her good friend Tina that has come to help her survive life as a Mom of 8. Yet, just like Motherhood the adventure does not stop there.  Now she is facing even more issues with the GIL, as well as realizing that getting 5 children out the door to school, especially now that they are dealing with a chicken pox nightmare is just not going to happen.  The most logical thing, especially since she did major in education in college, is to home school.  I know many people have more than 2 children, and home school, but personally I can't even imagine trying to run a household with 8 small children, home school them, and feed, clothe, and stay sane all without help.  While Aggie has friends, that have come along side her, it still isn't the same. 

 

Then a surprise letter arrives giving her another option.  Will she jump at it, and throw admit that she can't continue on the way she has, or will she look for her own option. Her one friend, William, an over protective policeman from the small town that she has moved to, decides he knows the solution. He tells, well I guess offers, to marry her.  What?!?  Not only can she not believe it herself, she is shocked as he seems to always be the one to tell her how she is doing everything wrong.  On top of that, he has a secret when it comes to the house, that she finds herself trying to unravel.

 

Aggie is doing her best, and thankfully Luke, the handyman, turned good friend, is there to remind her to be who she is and keep plugging away.  What will happen to their relationship....frantically flipping through the list of books on my Kindle I discovered that luckily I had previously downloaded

 

 

 

 Book 3 Here We Come

 

Luke and Aggie have become great friends in the first two books.  Now it's time for Luke's secret. He loves Aggie. During the end of book 2 he finds himself being forced to tell her, to hopefully save her from making a mistake.  Will she love him back. One look at the cover and you probably can guess the answer. Yet, again is there time with 8 kids to learn how to love someone.  Isn't it hard enough to learn how to survive?

 

As she falls in love with Luke, they begin to learn how to make it through wedding preparations, broken bones, homeschooling dilemma's and of course Christmas.  Will they be able to survive the biggest nightmare of all?  I would love to say what that nightmare is, and if they survive it or not together, but I should leave you with some mysteries, especially if you are willing to start reading the first book.  If you do pick it up, be prepared, you could end up like me, trying to find bits and pieces of time to keep reading!

 

Chautona Havig, has a gift of storytelling.  All 3 books, if I had time to read straight through would have only taken me a few days to read.  Not having that kind of time they took about 13 days to finish.  I realize for 3 novels that is still pretty fast, but it certainly helps when you spend a lot of time sitting in line to pick up kids, or unfortunately at the doctor's office with a child.  They were all easy reads, and well worth the time.  The stories not only were captivating they reminded me, like Aggie we all feel the need to give up at times.  To think "I can't do this", but God has other plans.  With Him we can do anything, and when we focus on Him, it becomes much easier to do just that, make it through anything.

 

I would give the whole series 5 stars. 

 

Next up on my reading list:

Always Looking Up The Adventures of the Incurable Optimist by Micheal J. Fox

February Organization Challange: Organizing Photos (Digital Photos)

I was so excited to start this new month's challenge with http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/02/february-challenge-organizing-photos.html, until I saw what it was.  This month's focus is on photos. It isn't that I'm not excited about organizing my photos, it's just...well I already do it!  If you know me, you know that I am a Creative Memories Consultant, who LOVES photos!  The reason I became a consultant was because I have a ton of photos, and wanted to get my products at cost.  Back 7 years ago, Happy Anniversary to me this month, it was all about the albums.  Yet, times have changed, my life has changed, and now it's about the software, and easy projects.  My life is so busy I don't have time for much else, but I FIRMLY believe that you need to get your photos in your life, if you are going to take photos during your life.

So, this month it's time to get them organized. That is another reason why I'm a consultant, so if you need help, here is my shameless plug...call me, text me, message me, it's really not difficult to get those photos organized, even if it's a few a day. I have some tips below, but if you need more help, please let me know.

Tips for Organizing Digital Photos
1. Find a system you like. Personally, being a consultant time for another shameless plug,  I could not live without Creative Memories Memory Manager

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/kropwithkathy/Content/Shop/Catalog.aspx?pr=BrowseCategory&s=/Hierarchy/Digital%20Solutions/Software/Software&dpr=BrowseCategory&ds=/Hierarchy/Digital%20Solutions/Software

This software allows you to pull in photos from your camera, phone, computer, flash drive, etc and easily organize them by categories. Unlike organizing them simply on your computer, with this software you can organize them in multiple folders at once, so that if you are ever looking for photos of a certain subject, for example photos of your kids together in the year 2013, you can click on the year 2013 folder, and your kids folder and ask it to show you only pictures that are in both folders. With 2 clicks  you would be able to find what you were looking for, instead of scrolling endlessly through photos. You can also rate your photos to narrow the search to those you absolutely love-5 stars, to those you kind of love-3 stars.  You set up your own folders, so the categories can be as broad as you want or, for me, type A crazy person that I am, as narrow as you want. Sharing to Facebook, or emailing is only a click away too.  On top of that you can get rid of the dreaded red eyes, or if you take lots of pictures that seem to dark or too bright you can change that as well.

2. Once you have a system, take time to use it.  I make a habit of monthly pulling all the pictures off of my phone, and camera cards.  I sort the photos into my folders and then BACK THEM UP on a dvd. 

3. Back up your photos!!!!  Once you've pulled them from a card or phone you need to back them up.  Computers are not safe, back up those photos! Memory Manager gives you periodical reminders to do just that, and is very easy to follow when you are ready to back up.

4. Once you back up, clear your camera cards, or phones of pictures you don't need access to all the time.  Camera cards were not designed to hold photos forever, and on the phone they take up space. Once they are safely stored in your file system, back them up and the delete them from the extra place they are.  Again, I do this monthly.

5. Finally, share them! On Facebook, via email, and PRINT some!  Put them on the fridge, in frames or in albums.  If you took the time to take them, take the time to share them.

I have a feeling a future photo organization tip will be about getting these photos in your life, so I'll save the rest of my ranting until then!

I LOVE photos, and I'm truly not trying to annoy anyone, but Memory Manager is so simple to use, and makes everything so organized, you really do need to check it out. www.mycmsite.com/kropwithkathy
Look for the tutorial/demo. It will be worth your time.

Book Review: Book 12

Book 12

Unforgetable

My Love Has Come Along

 by Ann Marie Bryan

 

This book was...I guess the best thing would be to say it wasn't for me.  I'm sure many people would enjoy the romance, and faith based aspects of this book.  I feel very strongly about  my faith, and agree that it should be the center of my life.  This book, just was a bit over the top with the mentioning of faith.  It made me feel as if I'm completely lacking in the faith that I have. 

 

To be honest I ended up doing more skimming than actual reading. I did finish the whole book, I have a hard time stopping reading something unless it is absolutely horrible, but I just never really got into it.  I didn't start the "skimming" reading until I was 78% done with the book though, so it was not that I didn't give it a try.

The main story is about Anna and Orane and their meeting, friendship and the love they find together.  Orane lives in Jamaica and Anna, whose family lives in Jamaica, now lives in Florida.  Will they be able to get together, and spend the time they need with each other to form a lasting relationship?  This may be the biggest test of their faith that they have ever faced.

 

For the right reader, this book I'm sure would be enjoyed. I give it 1 star, because it simply wasn't for me.

 

 

Up next on my Kindle:

Body Sculpting Exercises for Women Over 40

and

Ready or Not by Chautona Havig

 

 

Book Review: Book 11

Book 11

Getting More Things Done

Simple Secrets to Become Focused and Organized in a Productive Stress Free Way

by Michelle Evans

 

This book was a really quick read. I think it took me about an hour. The book was trying to help people become more organized with their time, which in turn will create less stress in ones life.  The main point was that "People who want to be more productive in their lives need to realize that in order for them to manage their time better, writing their goals down somewhere will make all the difference in being able to achieve those goals."  This truth is what has helped me in so many ways. 

 

The book discusses different ways to begin writing things down, but stresses that finding what works for you is the best idea. For me, personally, I use cozicentral.com as my primary list making area. It allows me to text lists to my husband and children when I make a list for them, as well as manage the lists on my computer, Kindle, and Iphone.  It is easy to use, and with it being with me where ever I go, it makes it easy for me to remember to use it.  It also can be FREE if you use the version with ads.  So far I haven't found a need to use the paid version.  The main system that the author suggests using is google calendar. I also use this app for my calendar, and it is able to sync with everyone in my family and again, it's FREE!

 

If you are struggling with getting things done, and need tips for figuring out a system that works for you, this quick read is a great place to start.

 

I give this book 5 stars.



Book Review: Book 10

Book 10: Restorations by Bonnie Blythe

 

This book was a delightful read. It's romance aspect was not sticky sweet, it was not perfect, and kept you hoping the main characters would figure it out. It was also clean, which is refreshing to read in a romance.

 

The story was about Sara, who has inherited her Grandfather's farmhouse.  She comes to discover her old boyfriend Brian, not only living in town, but living on her property.  He is a builder in need of a job, can she trust him and her heart to do the job she now has to do?   Sara's Aunt tries to help her along her journey, but sometimes, just like Sara, we have to learn to do things on our own.  This was such an enjoyable book, I don't want to give to much away.

 

I give this quick and light read 5 stars!



Book Review: Book 9

Book 9: Young Teens

Teenage Behaviour

A Parents Guide to Dealing with Communication

by Elizabeth Goodchild

 

 

I really don't like starting off saying DON'T READ this BOOK, but that's what I have to say.  I strongly believe that my job is not to be my child's best friend, and to support EVERYTHING they do.  My role is to be their parent, to guide them, to love them unconditionally, and to stand by them when they are doing well, as well as when they fail.  I will not support every decision they make, as they are going to make bad decisions.  I did when I was their age, and I will at my age.  Does that mean I won't be by their side if their bad decision leads to punishment?  No, I will be by their side, to lovingly guide them in their mistakes. 

 

Parents today are doing a disservice to their kids by being their friend at an early age.  If that upsets you, I can not apologize for it.  Our role as parents is to be the mature decision  maker, the director.  Sure, there are moments when we do things that are more "friend based", for example our date nights with our kids.  However, my kids know that while I hope to someday be their friend, as Mom I can't be just like their friends.  I need to stand a part as someone that will help them to become more responsible, educated, and aware of the world around them and what we believe, and why we believe it. Our kids know that they can talk to us about anything, and that they have permission to say "please listen calmly".  They know that we will listen, discuss and advise.  As they get older their choice to listen to that advice is more for them to decide, it comes with releasing them into the world.  They also know that we will not share what they have told us with anyone, without permission, with the exception of if they are in immediate danger, physically, mentally, or emotionally.  Due to this, they do talk to us.

 

I agree with the author that communication is important, and that we need to ask questions beyond "how was your day".  Those types of questions lead to the 1 word answer of "fine" which really doesn't tell us much about our kids.  I also agree with the author that we need to actually STOP and listen to our kids. Turn off the tv, turn the cell phone upside down and ignore it, turn the radio off.  We need to show them that they are valued and what they say matters.  Those were about the only things I agreed with in this book.

 

Moral choices are being taken for granted these days.  There used to be moral absolutes, right and wrong.  Now we are told to teach tolerance as if whatever choice you  make is fine, because it feels good to you.  I do not believe in teaching tolerance.  I believe in teaching respect, and loving people the way God loves them, which is by seeing them as people first.  All people, including me, and my kids will make mistakes. While I can be loved and respected through my mistake, it shouldn't be tolerated.  If a person gets behind the wheel of a car drunk, their action should not be tolerate.  Every choice is not ok.  I'm sure if you have a differing opinion you are not tolerating me right now, and you know what, that is fine!  You can still respect that we are people, and that we have different views, without agreeing with my views.  That does not mean that you should roll over and say "whatever you feel is fine!" BECAUSE IT IS NOT!!! There are moral absolutes, and since I'm on my soapbox, which considering this is my blog I'm allowed to be on, the #1 problem with the world today is that we no longer believe in right and wrong! 

 

The author has her opinion, I'm sure she has a background degree that makes her credible.  I can respect that she believes and agrees with what she wrote.  I can not however, suggest that the advice in her book be followed blindly.  She did have some valid points, and the book was a very quick read, I believe 30 minutes.  That is the best I can say.

 

I give this book 0 stars. 

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 5: Organizing Children's Papers and Paint Swatches

The month is almost over, which seems really hard to believe. The older I get the faster the time seems to slip away.  I feel pretty good about the organization that has taken place this month.  Some of that comes from the fact that I already have some paper organization systems in place, which has led me to not have too much "organizing paper" homework.

Organizing Children's papers certainly can be a chore, considering how much paper they use.  In fact, if I had more time in my life I'd probably start a campaign to get all schools to give kids Ipad's do do all their work on so as to stop the huge about of paper that is copied and then thrown out in some way after it has been used.  Yet, since I don't have that kind of time, I use the recycling bin at our house faithfully with kids papers.

Once again, the challenge organizer has some great tips for you to use on her blog about organizing Children's papers. 
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-papers_25.html#

Since I already have a plan in place here is what I do:
1. Birth certificates, SS cards, Passports are kept in a fire safe box
2. In my desk I keep a file marked with both of my kids names for papers that I need access too on a fairly regular basis. For example: shot record, current school schedule, my copy of any Dr notes that have been sent to school, current sports card information
3. In my kitchen I also have a file for each child. When they bring papers home from school they go in that file for about a month. That way I can make sure that their teacher has logged the grade.  Sometimes grades get missed and it's helpful to have that information.
4. At the end of the month those papers get sorted either into the recycling bin or into their papers to keep box which I keep on a shelf in my laundry room for easy access.
5. Once a year we go back through the papers to keep box to see if the papers in there are really ones that after a year we still care about.
6. I have a clip for each child on the side of the refrigerator for important papers that we need to refer to often.  Current newsletter, HW assignment information, etc. I go through those monthly too and recycle what we are done with.


Children's Art Work is a whole different beast of it's own. It gradually decreases, which is a little bit sad when you realize how much they've grown up.  I used to hang it all on a closet door and once a month take a picture of it.  I'd put the picture in their School Year's scrapbook, and then keep only those things that were really important to me.  As the art started to decrease I have framed, with Target frames, artwork from each of my kids that they were really proud of and have it hanging in various places in the house, as our home's art. 

I do scrapbook their school years, in their own albums so I have a file in my office, scrapbook area for school programs and ticket stubs or fliers that I may want for the album. I scrapbook their school year, each year, in June when school is over for the year.  It's a good way to be able to put all of the information together at one time. 

The big thing with children's paperwork, or any paperwork for that matter is pitch/recycle what you don't need. You really don't need to keep every spelling test, or math paper your child has ever completed.


Organizing Paint Swatches is something I haven't thought much about, however sounds like a good idea.  I don't really have any I need to organize at the moment, but do plan on adding a file folder to my desk labeled house information where I will place information about colors for the home, so should I need to purchase paint, or other items I will be able to access it.  I plan on seeing how the file folder works for me, before I consider purchasing a binder.

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 4: Coupon and Receipts

Week 4 of the Organization Challenge for the month of January is tackling coupons and receipts. These much needed, much space taker uppers can be a hassle to organize and a hassle to maintain, unless you have a system.  On the blog http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-paper.html she talks about using binders to organize both items.  I too use binders to organize coupons and receipts.

Starting with coupons.  I have used the little accordion pocket organizer in the past, but never seemed to be able to maintain a system.  About a year ago a friend mentioned that they used a binder with baseball card holders for the pages.  It took a little bit of time to get set up, but I have found this method works great for me as well.
Here are the steps I've taken:
1. Find a binder in a color you like
2. Purchase 1 pack of clear baseball card sleeves (can be found near baseball cards at least at Walmart)
3. Put the sleeves into the binder and use a labeling system of some kind, (I used post it note strips and scotch tape) to divide the binder into the various types of coupons. For example, breakfast foods, beverages, snacks, cans, meat, paper products, beauty products etc.  If you shop primarily at one store I suggest keeping the sections in order of the store aisle.
4. I use the front pocket of the binder for restaurant coupons and the back pocket for store specific coupons (Bed, Bath, Beyond etc)
5. Set up a place to put coupon fliers as they come into the house. Mine is a Tupperware container in my kitchen cabinet with my recipe books
6. Set a time to cut coupons (tv time, day of the week, etc)
7. File coupons when you cut them into the pockets of the baseball card sleeves
8. Once a month go through the binder and pitch expired coupons
9. Keep the binder where it is easy to access if you are at a store. My binder stays in the car. I just grab it out when I need to file coupons and put it right back so it is ready to go to the store with me.
10. For more information you can google search coupon binder, and find various ways to set one up
11. DON'T BUY THINGS YOU WILL NEVER USE!!!!  I know coupons are great, but is it really a deal if you don't use it, dislike it, or would never buy it without a coupon?  Just something to consider

Receipts are a whole different stack of paper that seems to be taking up space. I use a binder for receipts as well.
My set up looks like this:
1. Front pocket for paid bills: once I get the next statement showing the previous month has been accounted for I shred the already paid bill, and replace it with the bill I am paying for that month
2. Pocket for Large Item purchases
3. Pocket for Christmas Receipts
4. Pocket for Internet orders that do not charge tax (have to account for these on taxes)
5. Pockets for each month
I file the receipts as they come in after I've logged them in my Money Matters software.
I also shred anything that I don't need to keep, for example the Caribou Coffee receipt is no needed once logged, as I'm not going to be returning the coffee! Use a shredder and only keep what is necessary!!!

With my coupons and receipts filed, there is a lot less extra paper lying around.  I also have a accordion folder with a file marked receipts, where we place all receipts, bills or deposits coming into the house before they are logged, paid or taken to be deposited.  That way the financial stuff is always taken care of.

Happy Organizing!

Book Reviews: Book 8

 Book 8:

My Year with Eleanor by Noelle Hancock

 

This was the eighth book I've read this year, and the first one that, I'm sorry to say, I didn't really like all that much.  It had funny moments, and insightful moments, but some of it was just troubling.  The story is a memoir of Noelle's life having lost her job and trying to figure out what to do next.  She stumbles upon books about Eleanor Roosevelt and becomes intrigued on all that she overcome to be the person she was in the end.  The fact that Eleanor had a horrible childhood, and became a model for successful women is wonderful.  However, some details about her life that were shared in the book were troubling. I don't wish to share them here, as I have not researched to see if they are true or not, nor do I want to.  I'd honestly rather not know any more than I do about Eleanor.

 

I don't feel justified in saying that this was a bad story, afterall it was the author's life experience. How can I judge someone's life to be a bad story, as it is their story?  The events were told in a creative way, and I can certainly see how losing one's job would send a person into a time of trying to figure out what is next, and who they want to be.  I did finish the book, I have a hard time not finishing something unless it is horrible, and I would not by any means call this book horrible.  I'm sure many would find it a great book, and truly enjoyable.  I did find it on Kindle for very cheap, and had heard good things about it, which is what inspired me to actual purchase this one. I think I paid $1.99. 

 

 

I would suggest that if you are going to read it, you look for it at the library.

 

I would give this book 2.5 stars.





Organizational Thoughts for Digital Paper Piles

I'm convinced that a lot of people who are organized think that they aren't, just as lots of thin people think they are not at the right weight. Something weird is in our brains that makes us feel this way. If there is a good thing from this weird connection that is going on up there it's that we keep looking for ways to get more organized. Or, as we read all those organizational tips we read we think, maybe I'm already organized.

Regardless, I have openly admitted that I am one of those people that can't stop reading about being more organized.  On pinterest, I jump at the organizational pins, I've accepted the Organizational Challenge for 2013 on the Delightful Order Blog, and my non fiction books on my Kindle mainly deal with organization.  So, it would come to no surprise that when I opened up All You Magazines February issue and read the caption "Get Ahead, Organizing Papers" I couldn't wait to read the article.  Considering this lines up with the months challenge I was even more excited.

The magazine outlines 4 steps that they feel should be taken with paper organization.
1. Clear the clutter- they talk about not keeping physical junk mail, as well as not keeping digital junk mail.

 2. Sort documents- this was the magazines second tip.  Again, part of this month's challenge. They did include a place to go for a list of things to save/shred. http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/organizing-cleaning/

3. Maintain your inbox- suggestion is to take 10 minutes a day to organize this.  Don't have 10 minutes?  If you have a smart phone this can be done while waiting in line anywhere.  Use your time wisely.

If you follow my blog, you know that I've already posted this month about handling mail, but what about the digital mail that we get bogged down with. I try to get rid of things in my inbox as fast as I can. If it's junk email I just delete it as soon as I see it. If it's important and I need to take action of some kind on it, I flag it, and leave it in the inbox until I've done what I need to on it. If it is something that I might need to refer to later, I move it to a file marked with labels such as finances, school, hockey, diving and so on. Here's the big step though that we forget to do. Go back through those files too at some point down the road and delete unnecessary emails we still have. With January being about reorganizing files I've begun sorting through the digital wasteland again. Each time I check email, I have been taking 5 minutes to go through one of my digital files and delete things I know longer need. I know that digital files aren't making a mess on my desk, but for this organizational crazy person, it feels good to delete a file I know longer need.

I'm also doing this for the other digital forms of papers on my computer. I have a file for both of my kids for their school work, as well as a file for home, hockey, PTA, etc. When I save a document, I take the extra time, of 3 seconds, to save it to the correct file. Again, going back periodically and purging those as well.

4. Make a plan They suggest, as does anyone who ever has written about organization, that you have to have a plan and stick with it.  Find one that works for you. What I do, might help, but it also might be too much, or too little depending on who you are and what you consider important.  Pick and choose ideas from what you read, or hear about and go for it.  It's about you, not someone else.  We are all different, and need to find what works for us, or we won't stick to it at all.


Good luck, and Happy Organizing!!

January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 3 Organizing Papers (Inspiration)

This week, or last week as the case is at this moment, was about organizing the papers that we collect because they inspire us in some way.  These papers come from magazines, or websites that we've printed off information for.  While the challenge suggests using binders, my amount of inspirational papers don't take up that much space. I simply have a file folder in my "misc." category in my file drawer labeled magazine clippings.  If something in a magazine jumps out at me, I pull it out and stick it in there.  Occasionally, I go through this file and see if I'm still feeling inspired by it.

I also use pinterst http://pinterest.com/kathrandolph/ Feel free to follow me.  I think, if nothing else this is a great way to organize all those great ideas without having piles of physical paper stacking up on you in your home.  Periodically, I look at my boards and delete, or rearrange as I feel necessary. 

For recipes I use a website called http://saymmm.com/ you can copy recipes from pinterest there as well as from other sites.  You can also type in recipes, which means you really don't need to rip them out of your magazines, just take a minute or two to type them in. This site is also great for menu planning!

I also have a accordion file where I keep ticket stubs, or programs that I might want to use for scrapbooking purposes.  The file is organized by topic, school, sports etc, as well as months for things that would only go in our family albums. I really try to use the rule of thumb of "only touch it once" for all paper types.  Touch it once from the mailbox to the office, or from the school music event to the file for programs.  This way things stay organized without the pile up before it gets to it's final destination.

My biggest suggestion for this week's challenge is only save what you really need.  You don't need the whole magazine, if you are only interested in one article.  You can always scan and keep the article on your computer in a file and then pass the magazine onto a friend, or simply rip out the article and recycle the rest. 

Happy Organization!!

Book Review: Book 7

Book 7:

The Mother Daughter Book Club Wish You Were Eyre by Heather Vogel Frederick

 

I stumbled upon this series of books last year when I was looking for a way to get my daughter to be more interested in reading. As it happened she wasn't all that interested in starting this series.  Not because the books didn't appeal to her, but rather because she found herself hooked on a different series shortly after I started reading these books.  I read the other 5 in 2012, and found them to be addictive.  The books are based on a group of Mothers who decide to start a book club with their daughters. A club that at the beginning the daughters really aren't interested in. These middle school age girls aren't all friends, and certainly don't want to be friends. Through the series though a friendship is developed during interesting circumstances, and soon these girls find themselves to be true friends.  They also find themselves reading and learning about authors and seeing life through the eyes of the characters they are reading about.

 

In this latest adventure, the girls are reading Jane Eyre and learning about the life of Charlotte Bronte. They realize that Jane took bold steps in her life in the book Jane Eyre, and that sometimes you have to, as the girls put it "get your Jane on" and be bold enough to speak up for what you are feeling and thinking.  Not always an easy task for teenagers, or adults for that matter.

 

 

I know this book is geared towards the teen market, but I found the books to be enjoyable as well.  The characters were real, people you could truly find yourself meeting in schools across the world.  I would recommend these books for Mothers as well as Daughters.  I even found myself reading the books that were read in the book.  Some of which I haven't read since I was a teen, and others that I have never read before.  I'm pretty sure I will be encouraging my daughter to read these in the future. 

 

While this book is available on Kindle, I borrowed it from the library.

 

I'm giving this book 5 stars!  







Book Review: Book 6

 

 

Book 6:

Tell Your Time: How to Manage Your Schedule So You Can Live Free

 by Amy Lynn Andrews

 

 

This book was an extremely quick read.  The author was very concise in what she was saying, not wanting to use much of your time for you to read it. (sorry, there had to be a time joke involved!) She starts by saying "if you want to manage your time, the sum total hours of your daily activities should be less than twenty-four."  Most of us would respond to saying "well, duh!" when we read that, but most of us also schedule way more into twenty-four hours than will ever realistically fit in that time frame. It really is a simple formula for managing time, the problem is we don't think of time the way we do of money, or calories, when we are trying to control either of them.  We just keep using it up, not giving it much thought until it is depleted, and we are are desperately trying to find more of it.

 

She suggests that we look at time in two ways and that we adopt both of these principles. The first one: Envelopes of time.  Like money and paying bills we can only use as much time as we have.  We were only given twenty-four hours in a day, so trying to use twenty-six or more will never work. (unless you live on Bajor-google it, if you don't understand). The idea is that we should list the number of activities we want to accomplish in a day and then divvy up the activities in the frame of the twenty-four hours. If there isn't enough time for one of the activities, then we have to either take time away from a different activity, or give up that activity that we ran out of time for.  Of course we are masters of giving up the activity we ran out of time for, usually at the expense of our sleep, personal time, or exercise time.

 

The second principle: Freedom within boundaries. The author suggests that we are wired and function better within boundaries. That too  much freedom can cause chaos, and too little can also be harmful.  The trick is to find the balance.  As a teacher, I find it interesting that the classes and students that tell me over and over again that they like when I'm their sub, are the same classes that I won't  let get away with anything.  The reason I keep coming back to is that I set very clear boundaries for these classes, as do their classroom teachers, and when they function within these boundaries they tend to feel more freedom to make good choices as they are clear on what is expected of them.  Time management really is the same scenario.  When we set boundaries for what we are trying to accomplish in a day, we are able to feel freedom to make choices as we go.  Somethings might have to get moved, but with the boundaries of time working for us, it is easier to adjust when things need to be shuffled around.

 

The author said that "stress associated with too-full a schedule has little to do with time at all; it has everything to do with our choices." and that we need to "take control. Tell time how to work for you. Don't be subject to it".

Yet, how do we do that.  She quoted Annie Dillard " How we live our days, of course, is how we live our lives".  I've heard it said if you take out your checkbook and look at who gets your money you would soon see what you value in life. The same really can be said, as Annie did, about our time.  Who or what are we investing in.  Obviously, there are some things that we have to do. Yet, why are we doing those things.  When we start by deciding what matters in our lives, and what we want to invest our time in doing, we will be more productive in our tasks.

 

We must find purpose.  Don't tune out now, I know that it can be overwhelming to think about our purpose in life. Still, what are the reasons we exist?  If someone was to look back on my life, what would they say I accomplished? What really matters?  In the book she says we need to start by looking at our roles.  Our first role should be "self" and we shouldn't feel bad about that. Guilt is a huge deal for people, and I think especially women.  We need to put our selves at the top of our list in roles, as if we are not healthy and functioning well, the rest of our roles suffer.  From there we should list our other roles, and also within those roles what our primary job is. After we do this we are then able to focus on how we want to get those jobs, that are needed for our role, accomplished.

 

It sounds like a lot of work, but really it isn't.  Stop for just a minute and think about your role as, for instance a spouse.  What is your primary job in that role?  What kind of person do you want to be in that role?

 

Primary job in that role for me, is to love and respect my husband, and to be his help mate.  How can I do that?  By making sure I take time to spend with him.  On a daily basis, spending time with him can be as simple as eating dinner together, sending brief texts throughout the day, and finding time to talk before going to bed.  On a larger scale, planning and sticking to date nights. 

 

Once roles and jobs for those roles are established it's time to plot them out into your day. She uses what she calls the grid.  Stating that all jobs fall into a couple of categories. Nonnegotiable or Negotiable, and also within both of those categories you have flexible or fixed time.  Things that would be nonnegotiable would be things that we will do, some of them are set in fixed times, such as our jobs, others are set in more flexible times, such as how many hours we sleep.  Then there are the things we might do, again either fixed in a time, such as my son's hockey schedule, or have a more flexible time frame, such as going out for an evening to a movie, or a coffee shop.

 

All things we do fit into these categories. Once we place them in the grid we then put them on our schedule by listing out the number of hours in the day and blocking in first the nonnegotiable and then the negotiable items.

 

I know I took a lot of "time" to write my thoughts down on the book.  I feel it had some great suggestions.  I try to manage my time by looking at what is really important, and this year already feel as if I've given myself more "freedom" in my schedule by not planning to many things for one day.  I would recommend this book for anyone, whether they are struggling to manage their time or not as it gives a fresh perspective for everyone to consider.

 

When we get to the end of the day, the week, month, year, or our lives, will we be able to say we invested ourselves into what matters?  Relationships are usually what is most important to us, and while I'm not suggesting we never dust the house, or vacuum again as we need to spend more "time" on those relationships, I am suggesting that we think about whether we are too busy doing those things in a frantic way that we aren't allowing ourselves time for the things that really matter.

 

I would give the book 5 stars.  Check it out on Amazon, as this was another one of my "free" books for my Kindle.

 

Happy Reading, hope you can find the time!

Book Review: Book 5

Book 5 is The Perfect Hope by Nora Roberts

the 3rd book of the Boonsboro Trilogy

 

 

When I finished typing up my review for Book 4, also from this trilogy, I went to our library website and ordered the last book in the series. I was shocked when I went up to the library later that afteroon and the book was already there. When it comes to reading my biggest problem is, once I've started a book, especially if I am enjoying it, I have a hard time putting the book down.  This book was that type of book.

 

The Perfect Hope focuses mainly on the characters of Hope and Ryder.  Hope is the Inn Keeper, and Ryder the head of the construction aspect of the Montgomery brothers team.  They are as different as can be, and having read the other 2 books in the series, destine to be together.  The problem is, whether or not they will figure out that they truly belong together. 

 

All three books also contain a character named Lizzy, who is the inns resident ghost.  Throughout the series the reader learns more about Lizzy's story, and what she is looking for.  Book 3 wraps up her story, with an interesting twist. Love, is the underlying theme in all 3 of the books, and Nora Roberts did a good job of keeping the story moving along, the reader engaged, with only occassional adult themed material.  Having read some of her other books back in college, she has really toned down her romance material, which is much appreciated, as I like a good romance book without the imagery that it sometimes can go to far with.

 

I would recommend this whole series.  As the last words were read, I was regretting the fact that this book was a part of a trilogy, as it would be nice to follow the characters beyond this book.

 

I would give this book 5 stars.

 

Up next: Wish You Were Eyre from the Mother Daughter Book Club Series, as my fiction choice,  Crazy Love- an on going book I'm reading along with my small group Bible Study, and Tell Your Time: How to Manage Your Schedule so You Can Live Free

 



Quick Grocery Shopping Tips

Organization is something I haven't always had a good sense of control over. Trust me if you asked my Mom, my room was never clean enough or organized enough. I was for a long time a person who would tell you, "Don't touch it, I know exactly what pile it is in!" I'm really not sure what changed, other that getting addicted to organizational books, and finding that I needed to take control of my time, or it would get away from me.

Grocery shopping is one of those necessary evils.  I haven't met too many people who really enjoy going grocery shopping.  I think some of the issue is, it takes time to make a list, gather the groceries, remember the coupons and then load them from the cart to the belt, from the belt to the cart and back to the car.  Then to top it off, you have put them away.  I have found a few tricks in the last few years that really help with all of those issues.

First, let's start with the list.  In order to make the list, at least for me, I have to have menus established. I need to know what I'm planning on cooking and what ingredients I'm going to need. I discovered http://saymmm.com/.  This site allows you to plan a month, a day, a week.  There is an area where you can save links to create a recipe database, which if you are using Pintrest is wonderful! You can also create your grocery list on this site, however I don't use that feature.  It typically takes me about 15 minutes to plan a weeks worth of menus.  While planning menus I keep an eye on my google calendar.  This allows me to realize which nights we are going to need quick meals, and which nights I have more time to prepare.  We eat dinner together.  I know families find this hard, but we have made it work.  Some nights it means eating earlier some times later, but this is family time and with very few exceptions we make it happen.

Once menus are planned I go to http://www.ourgroceries.com , to enter my list.  I look through my menus and enter what I need to get.  Ourgroceries,  allows you to make multiple lists. We have a Target list, a grocery list, a Home Depot list, and I've also done school supplies, or trip lists on this too.  I love that I can access it on a computer, and type things in quickly, but also can fully access it on my phone.  In addition once I enter it, the item appears not only on my phone, but Phil's so if one of us ends up at a store we can look at the list, pick up the items and cross them off the list.

Once I finish entering the items I double check the pantry, fridge and freezer and cross off anything I added that we still have. From there it is off to the store.  I keep my coupon binder in my van, as well as my reusable shopping bags. So once at the store I simply grab both and head inside.

When I get to the checkout line I have discovered that I can quickly organize the groceries on the belt with my shopping bags. I put a bag down, then put the items I want in it behind it. I continue this process with all the items in my cart.  I organize them by what is going in my kitchen, outside fridge, or pantry. By having my groceries packed this way, I save time when I get home.  The reusable grocery bags also stand up better in the car, so my groceries are safer then when they were in the plastic bags.

Once at home I simply carry the bag to the area it was packed for, put the items away, fold the bags and stick them back in my car. I fold them, then stick them in one bag that I hang from the back seat rest.

Usually, the whole process from start to finish only takes about 90 minutes.  Menus/List/Store/Put away. 

Hope these tips help!

Book Review: Book 4

 Book 4 for 2013

The Last Boyfriend

by Nora Roberts

This is the 2nd book in the Boonsboro Trilogy, and should be read after the Next Always, which sets the characters and story in motion.

 

The book centers around Owen Montgomery and Avery MacTavish. Both characters have known each other for years, but perhaps something is changing in their relationship.  Owen is in charge of his families contracting business and is busy taking care of the final details of the opening of the Boonsboro Inn.  Avery is the owner of Vesta, a pizza parlor, and hoping to open a new restaurant/pup combination connected to the Inn. While Owen is very organized, detailed and scheduled, Avery is more carefree.  She is organized in her business and has laid out a brilliant plan, but will Owen be able to see it beyond what running practically 3 businesses will do to their beginning relationship.  Only time, and actually reading the book will tell. 

 

The theme of friendship, love, and trust run throughout the book.  I'm looking forward to reading the last book in the trilogy Perfect Hope as well.  I checked this book out at the library, although I'm sure it is available for digital download through Amazon. 

 

I would give this book 5 stars.

 

 

Book Review: Book 3

Book 3 is: The Daily 5 Fostering Literacy Independence In The Elementary Grades

By Gail Boushey and Joan Moser "the sisters"

 



This book is one that our school system uses in many classrooms as the Language Arts portion of the curriculum, in conjunction with other material.  I've had to run the Daily 5 many times in my years of subbing, but never really understood the reasons behind it.  I knew it had to be good concept in order to have so many of the teachers I respect using it, but it wasn't until I was invited to a grade level meeting in one of the buildings that the Elementary English Language Arts Coach made the suggestion that maybe I would like to read the book.

 

Honestly, when I took the book I intended to just glance through it.  Being an avid reader, I have a whole list of books I want to read this year, and this one was not already on the list.  Yet, since I highly respect the person who made the suggestion I decided to go ahead and read the book. 

 

Basically, there are 5 Daily Language activities that, during the course of the first weeks of school, the students are introduced to.  They are Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing, and Work on Words.  These areas are the ones that are foundational for developing readers, and writers.  The idea is that the more the students practice in these areas the greater their stamina to keep going in these areas will be. Students are taught to participate in these areas through modeling right and wrong ways to do each of these different steps.  Students are also taught how to sustain activity in each of these areas on their own.  First, for 3 minutes, and then gradually up to around 25 minutes.  After all areas are demonstrated and practiced the students spend time in each area on their own at the same time.  Eventually, they are allowed to pick which one they want to do first, or in some classrooms it seems to rotate which one they do first, with eventually all 5 areas going on simultaneously.  Again these are independent work activities that the students are working on. While they are working on their various Daily 5 activities the teacher is meeting with individuals or small groups to gather data on how the students are doing, reinforce concepts and encourage growth.  After each session the students come back to the group location for additional Language lessons, before being released to another round of Daily 5.

 

I believe the idea behind the Daily 5 is wonderful.  I feel that it does help teach stamina, and encourage reading and writing.  I've seen it used very successfully in various settings, and I've also witnessed rooms where it doesn't quite work. The book addresses the fact that for students with attention issues or for very young learners it is a harder concept.  The unfortunate problem is the schools have lots of children who have not had a good foundation of learning already. Children who have very short attention spans due to many hours of being entertained by computer and television graphics that move continuously. With this in mind I believe teachers will find themselves having to adapt the material a bit more for it to relate to their classrooms.

 

I'm thankful that I read the Daily 5 book.  I believe it gives me a better understanding of what the teachers I sub for are trying to accomplish and why things are happening the way they are.  Educators who read this book will benefit from the knowledge the authors have in their area of expertise and I believe will find ways to incorporate these ideas into their rooms.

 

I would give this book 5 stars.



January Organization Challange: Organizing Papers Week 2 Manuals and Warranties

Before I get to week 2 on this months challenge I feel the need to update where I am so far on the first week.  Organizing Mail and Bills was the 1st challenge, and while I didn't feel like this was an area I struggle with, as my current system of handling mail as little as possible, and my bill paying set up work for me, I did decide that it was time to purge the file cabinets. I am now using a Three Tiered System with my files.  Those I need immediate access to are at my desk, reorganized with any personal information I no longer need in a laundry basket that is currently overflowing with papers to shred, that is the first tier. The second tier is papers that I may need to access that are located in a separate filing area. Again, they have been purged as well.  It is amazing how much paper I have kept that I don't need any more.  Receipts for restaurants, and items purchased dating all the way back to 13 years ago.  The good news is the filing cabinets are cleaned out, labeled for easy access and papers not needed are being shredded before being added to the containers at my daughter's school where they earn money for the weight in recycled papers.  Win-win, if you ask me. The third tier is papers that we want to keep long term but do not need to access. These types of papers, mainly school paper and kids art work is already stored away in their closets and the attic.

Week 2's challenge: Manuals and Warranties

This is an area that I've been wanting to tackle for a long time, but honestly since I keep a binder of warranties in a closet, and the manuals in drawers I haven't thought about it much.  After reading the tips this week on Delightful Order
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-papers_7.html?spref=tw

I feel a new resolve to get this area organized.  The first step of course is weeding through those items that we no longer even own.  From there I plan on using the different areas she suggested: Home Manuals, Misc Manuals, and Electronics Manuals, Computers, Printers, and Scanners, but I am intending to use these sections in the top of my now almost empty filing cabinet.  I feel this will be a cheaper solution, as I have lots of file folders that are not being used, and they will still be organized, out of the way, but easy to access should we need them. 


I'm hoping to have this job done by the weekend!


After writing this I finished organizing the manuals and warranties in 15 minutes. They are now safely in their folder in the filing cabinet.  Although, I am considering as money is available getting 4 large binders, and separating them out in clear plastic sleeves in the binders, just so it would be even quicker to find them. 

Book Review: Book 1 and Book 2

The goal for this year is more than 55 books, so far I've managed to read 2!



Book 1: Design On A Crime by Ginny Aiken

This was a nice read to start off the new year.  I was able to download it for FREE on my Kindle, at some point this last year.  Although, I did just look when uploading this picture and it is still FREE!  The story is about Haley, who has gone through something traumatic in the past.  Due to this experience she had taken up martial arts and finds that these classes help to give her the strength she needs to handle stressful times.  She used to rely on her faith to do that, but after having gone through so many struggles she finds her faith to be lacking.  When she becomes the main suspect in a murder case, she is forced to deal with her lack of faith in a whole new way.  Through her journey to find the real killer, she discovers what she really needs to make it through difficult times. 

Normally, I find that I figure out the twists and turns in a book to quickly.  This one, however, kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had it figured out I discovered I was wrong!  I found myself reading as much as I could to discover who really had done it and was really surprised by what the outcome was.  The truth of the matter is, that none of us have led sinless lives, and when we don't learn how to deal with the sin in our lives appropriately, we never know what we could find ourselves involved in.  The book was not only an interesting read from an entertainment standpoint, but it was also allowed my mind up to think about what I've done in my life that I might like to forget, and how to use my past to help build my future.

I would give this book 5 stars!


Book 2:  Get Organized! Your Twelve Month Home Clutter Killer by Colette Leigh

I'm addicted to Organization books.  I've read quite a few of them, and this one I would say is geared towards the beginning organizer.  It contained many good tips, some of which I feel I will implement over the course of this next year.  The title however, I feel was misleading.  When I downloaded the book, again at the time FREE, on my Kindle, I expected it to have 12 chapters, 1 for each month. Instead, it had a 12 month plan in chapter 1 and then the remaining chapters were tips and strategies.

All organization needs to start with the idea of keep, toss or give away.  This tip was included right at the start and it is a great first step.  I liked the idea of having a clutter collector that you walk around the house with to put all the things that have migrated into, and then once a week emptying it out to where they really go.  I do this already, a bit, when cleaning or gathering things up.  The next tip that I found myself thinking more about is the Essential Three Tier System.  This tip talks about things in our lives being in 3 tiers. Those we need and use daily, use regularly-but not daily, and those seldom used. It discussed organizing things based on that. For instance: keys, and phones are used daily, whereas an umbrella would be regularly.  The keys and the phone should be immediately accessible and should have a spot where they can always be put that is easy to remember and logical.  The umbrella also needs to be able to be found, but it does not need to be left out.  It could be stored on a hook in a closet, instead of the entryway.  I believe I will look through my home and determine if I have 2nd and 3rd tier items out in the way, when they really could be stored for when they are needed.

I also liked the kitchen and laundry room suggestions. Going through both rooms this year I feel will lead me to decide what I really do need out and available, vs. what could be put away, or even given away.

This book was helpful, and I believe I will refer back to it when I get to different areas of my home.

I would give this book 4 stars!

January Organization Challenge:Organizing Papers

Challenge Week 1:
Today the challenge is to organize mail and bills. The tips shared on http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-challenge-organizing-papers.html are good.  When I start into a project, like reorganizing my home, I do it with a rule I learned from a book called Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel. In the preface of her book she states something to the effect of  "if you think this book will fix all of your problems take it back right now."  As she continues she basically says that when you read a book on tips you need to take what you think will work for you and not stress about trying it all.  Some things just won't work for your family.

While I like all the printable ideas that the Delightful Order blog offers, I don't plan on changing everything I do.  I did click on the link to mail organizer and printed off the picture because I think it would work on our closet doors.  Not to organize mail, because I have a system, (I'll explain in a minute), but for having things ready to go out the door the next day so that they don't have to lay on the ledge between our entry and living room.

My Mail/Bill System 

Mail should be handled as little as possible.  Sometimes my family brings in the mail, in which case I find it on my kitchen table or counter, other times I bring it in.  Regardless, here are my mail steps.
1. Sort it as I'm walking to my office.
- I move the junk mail to the bottom of the pile and as soon as I'm in my office toss it in my paper recycling bin. (which I empty at my children's school when it gets full-they earn $$ for weight in recycling!)
- Bills I immediately put into our Money Matters folder at my desk
- Mail other than bills, but needing to be taken care of goes into my to do basket on my printer
- Magazines go on the magazine shelf in our family room.

Once it's organized I know where to find it when I go to work on bills, or my to do items.

I process bills a couple of times a month. The last day of the previous month or the first day of the next month I process everything I pay online that I have received as well as a few paper bills that are due at this time.  Everything once paid and logged on my Money Matters Software gets checked off on my log of all the bills that come in. My log includes those items too that are deducted monthly from our account.  I list them on my log to make sure I've entered them into my software monthly.  I use an accounts ledger that I've organized by title of the bill down the left side and the month across the top.  On this ledger I also have a section to check off each month once the account has been processed. I keep all paid bills papers in my Money Matters file with the authorization code on it, until the next bill arrives then I shred the previous month.  At the beginning of the month I also list the next bill pay date on my calendar, usually this is for only the cable bill and our Visa bill which are both due later in the month, and arrive later.  Once I've paid everything I can at the beginning of the month I highlight the squares representing the bills not paid (cable/Visa) so that one quick look reminds me what I need to make sure to take care of.

My system could still use some tweaks, so I'm looking forward to reading more about paper organization this month.

Becoming More Organized in 2013

Yes, the new year always brings about a start of new ideas and new goals.  Something about starting over with a fresh slate that just gets under almost all of our skin.  I had decided that this was going to be the year where I finally finished off projects that I've started throughout the house, and also scaled down our stuff and got more organized.  (Funny, I can see my best friend rolling her eyes at me!) I admit I am addicted to books, magazines and posts about being more organized.  In fact that is what is drawing me to write this blog and accept the challange for the blog that I'm linking to.  Want to join me?  Want to get more organized in 2013?  I'm accepting the challenge, consider accepting it with me.

My Reading Challenge

In 2011 I decided it was time to start reading again. Not that I hadn't been reading, I just hadn't been taking the time to have "me" time which would allow for finding a good book to sink into.  My goal back then was 12 novels.  I read, or at least logged 44 books that I read during 2011.

This year, my goal was to read even more.  I know I read several books between January and March of this year, but in March I purchased a Kindle Fire and the reading took off.  Between March and yesterday, I read 55 books!!  I can't believe it.  What's even better is I didn't pay for any of those books.  I found 2 great links to follow that offer FREE kindle books on a daily basis. One is ereadernewstoday.com and the other is inspiredreads.com. I also found various pages to like on Facebook that also offer FREE books!  In fact at this point I have over 400 books on my amazon kindle list and I've only paid for 5 of them! 

With the goal of reading more than I did this past year, I also have the goal of writing up book reviews of what I have read.  Hopefully, 2013 will allow me to find the time needed to write a quick review after I finish a book.  To get started I've created a list of the books I read in 2012.

Happy Reading!!

2012 Book List
Mother Daughter Book Club
Mother Daughter Book Club (MDB) Much Ado About Anne
MDB Pen Pal
Stars Collide
MDB Pies and Prejudice
Longing
MDB Home for the Holidays
Confessions of a Shopaholic, Takes Manhattan
COS Ties the Knot
COS Shopaholic and Sister
COS Shopaholic and Baby
One Minute Organizer Plain and Simple
Chasing the Rainbow
Organized Simplicity
Always the Wedding Planner never the Bride
Girl Talk
The Rockstars Daughter
Must Love Dogs
My So Called Life As A Proverbs 31 Wife
Plan On It
Always the Baker Never the Bride
Always the Designer Never the Bride
Cool Beans
A Good Wife's Guide
Suddenly a Spy
Creative Chaos
The Last Good Man
Sweet Baklava
Search Committee
Chocolate Beach
Truffles by the Sea
My Stubborn Heart
One Crazy Summer
Stirring Up Trouble
Georgia On My Mind
The Perfect Blend
Dream Kisses
Around the World in 80 Dates
Head Over Heals
The Thirteenth Stone
That's My Teenage Son
Delivered with Love
In Between
North of Superior
More
Her Best Catch
Thirty Days Hat
200 Best Kindle Fire Apps
The Wedding Wager
Leave it to Chance
Her Minnesota Man
The Last Bride of Ballymuir
Winning the Clutter War
Across a Moonlit Sea
Think About Love

Life Flying By

While I hate to write this, summer is 1/2 way over. It seems hard to believe, but lately I've realized how fast life is really moving along.  I remember back, now 11 years, when people would stop me and say "enjoy them while they are young they grow up so fast" and I would think "if only they would!"  Usually, my reason for feeling that way was that it had been a difficult day with a toddler, or we were in some stage such as the dreaded potty training years.  Now, while I don't really want to revert to the toddler years I find myself thinking "Life is Flying By".

Both of our kids went off to camp this summer for a week.  Child #2 enjoyed a week of Horse Camp, while child #1 headed to camp with the Youth Group.  Youth Group?!?!?  How is he possibly old enough to be in Youth Group?  Not only did he go to camp for a week he came back as tall as I am.  Seriously?  I realize I'm not very tall, but still there is something about seeing your 12 year old look you in the eye that just makes you realize that time is Flying By, and life just keeps rolling along with it. 

I had goals this summer and am thankful that even with how fast summer is moving along that I've been reaching them.  So far we've managed to declutter mulitple areas of our home, as well as with just a few small purchase improve areas as well.  I've found a great website, imom.com, where I've discovered mulitple ideas that are helping the house run smoother.  Including screen time tickets!  The kids have been earning them for doing their summer reading and instrument practice as well as chores.  The best thing is, the house is getting cleaned without them realizing they are helping me as much.  Which is freeing me to do other things.  Week 1 has gone well with them, so only 2 more weeks to go to make it a habit.

Speaking of habits, we are also getting into the habit of making healthier choices.  Food wise, exercise wise, and reading wise.  It's not easy to make good choices, but it's the right thing to do.  The hardest part is the society we live in that feels a small soda should be the size of what was a large soda when we were kids.  Portions are out of control.  Which is why we, as a society, look the way we do.  So learning to stop it is the next goal for our family. 

Goal setting helps give us direction and helps us to really think about what is important.  As I look my son in the eyes these days, and watch my nephew go off to college (not sure how that happened either), I realize that with Life Flying By making our moments count is so much more important.  Yes each day offers a ton of things to get done, but by concentrating on the 10 things on the to do list only and ordering what really needs to get done each day, I've found for us that we can achieve those things and still have time to relax, and just spend time together.  Also, that times comes with less stress over "when am I going to get the things done", because the list each day is not overwhelming.

I guess these are just the somewhat random thoughts I have for today.  Now since Life is Flying By, I need to get out there and enjoy it!

When Life Gets in the Way

Funny how LIFE can just sneak up and get in your way! I don't really mean day to day life either.  We all have day to day life, cooking, laundry, making sure kids are not injuring each other as they display wonderful characteristics of sibling love. (yes, I'm being SARCASTIC! on the kid thing).  It's the other things though.  The extra things that swoop in and steal your time.  The truth of it is that they aren't always bad things, just things none the less.

I was crusing along through the first week of summer vacation.  Fridge, Freezers, closets...etc were cleaned out.  A small pile began to appear on the hockey table of things that we as a family do not need anymore.  When a friend who might need them came over I passed them on. Things were going along at a great speed.  I was feeling good about the fact that each morning I was spending time with God, getting a bit of exercise each day and spending some quality time with the kiddos that didn't involve raising my voice.  Then this week came along.  Sports Camp week!  Now, Sports Camp is one of those things that I choose to help out with.  It was not neccessary for me to function, but it was a bit neccessary for the outreach ministry to function for me to volunteer.  Could they have made it without me.  ABSOLUTELY! Just the same when the church asks you to consider giving up some time, that is a good thing.  How you do it though, is what I mean by "When Life Gets in the Way".

When things in Life come up, when extras start to fill your time, how are you reacting?  I could be sitting at my desk right now completely stressed out about the fact that my daughter's room is still not finished being reorganized (and trust me...it still needs it!), or that the family room really could stand a deep cleaning.  I could be stressed about the fact that this week, due to the heat from being outside everyday, my workouts have consisted of walking the dog and walking kids to and from first aid and the bathroom OR I can make another choice.
In Phillipians, 4:6 it says. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

My request this week is that I would see the benefit of helping out and giving of my time.  That I would get done what needs to get done at the house and feel the freedom to let the things that I would like to get done, but don't HAVE to get done wait. That I would find moments to relax and unwind even though the house is not what I would like it to be. Has it happened?  Have I not stressed out about the other things, I'm happy to say it has.  I decided to join up with some other Moms on a reorganize the house mission this summer.  Each day there is a suggestion for what we should clean or do.  Last week, no problem got it done and then some.  This week I have felt the FREEDOM to read the suggestions and think those sound like great ideas when I have the time to do them.  I don't feel guilty that the other  moms are getting them done and I'm not, I don't feel that I've let them down. It's not a competition, it's a way to help us all move forward.  Twice this week our family has shared meals with friends.  Does the floor need vacuumed, yes, is there stuff to do, yes.  Just the same I relized that this was a good week to kick back and rest and relax some because being out in the 90+ degree heat is draining, and that my family needs to use summer to reconnect with people not just reclaim the house.

Life will continue to happen.  Next week kids are at camp and the love of my life and I get to spend time together without them.  Good time to deep clean the family room huh?  NO WAY!  He and I need quality time, and that involves talking, and walking not vacuuming.  I'm not saying that I won't do my weekly cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and other weekly must do chores. I'm just saying that the Moms in the reoganize group will have to continue to move on without me, because my relationship with my husband is far more important than whether or not the baseboards have been dusted recently.  Will the baseboards get cleaned this summer, will those extra jobs that never get done be accomplished.  I hope so.  I plan to become a little more like Martha with each passing day, getting a little extra done and done right.  I just don't want to turn my back on Mary and realize that I missed what was really important when I get down the road further in this life.

May you too find your priorities this summer and learn to accept where you are on the journey.  Making it better as you go, without stressing yourself out as you move forward.  Time to go grab the comforter out of the washing machine!  Kids both have friends sleeping over, so getting a few extras done as they sleep then it's off to SPORTS camp for the last day!

Week 1 of a Very HAPPY Summer

Summer is moving along.  Hard to believe we are on day 4 of being out of school. It feels good.  While not everything is going perfectly, yes my kids are still fighting, I've decided to try my very best to choose joy and be clothed in humility.  I could grumble and complain about all there is to do around the house. I know friends who would come over and ask me how I can say that, as our house "appears" neat, but trust me the mess is there, whether evident or not.  We all have mess, we all have responsibilities, we all have things that we want to do or should have done.  So, why grumble and complain.  In fact God is very clear in Philippians about doing everything without grumbling or complaining.  I certainly don't do that very well, but I'm working on it. 

Since my last post I have managed to clean our main bathroom.  The floor still needs done, and the tub rechaulked (aren't you glad to know that), but the cupboards are reorganized, the mess is thrown out and the surfaces are cleaned.  Also got the pantry, and linen cabinet done. The kids have been asked to go through t-shirts and pjs, and I checked, they did pretty good. Today is DESK day.  We all are going to go through our desks.  Kids aren't so happy about it, but that's just part of summer too.

Fun wise, we've camped in the backyard, went to the beach, went canoeing, bought a slip in slide for $6, made shakes, ate ice cream, and saw the new Madagascar movie!  Not bad for a list so far.  Even better we haven't spent all that much $$$ either. Today, as I write this at 10:15 am only one kid is awake, and she just woke up. 

We will continue to enjoy this summer, get stuff done and choose joy for our day.  It won't be perfect along the way, but we're going to keep moving forward.

Off to clean my desk, might even tackle my whole office!!! Then I'm thinking a walk with the dog sounds like a good way to take a break!

Summer 2012 is finally here!!!

Honestly, it seemed as though summer was never going to truly be here.  With temps in the 80's in March (of course before we had spring break!) we started the long journey of being teased with summer.  Yesterday it arrived.  Ok, not officially as it's not yet June 21, but really how do the majority of us recognize that it's summer?  WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT!  So here we are.  I guess the question now should be now what?!? 104 days to plot a course of action, to reconnect with the family and to capture memories. In reality though shouldn't we spend 365 days connecting with family and capturing memories?  Guess that's a topic for another time.  Today I'm launching into my families summer with some goals.
The goals:
1 Spend time with God daily!  Without this, I know that the summer, and my life would not be the same.  Spending time with Him helps me focus on what is really important. I read today in Haggai (yes, you can learn from these books too)  “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁶ You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” Haggai 1. Am I being consistent.  I might be planting, but am I remembering to maintain, to check back on it, to keep the process going by weeding out what isn't necessary and fertilizing the good things.  Or am I just putting the idea out there and hoping it will take care of itself.  Am I fueling my body and my families bodies with good things that will really keep us going?  Am I wasteing money?  These are lessons I learned from one small moment with God today.  He wants to speak to me so much more, but am I listening, and taking time to do that? 
2 Spend quality time with family This one should be easy.  Yet, it's not.  It is so easy to get caught up in all that needs done and not really listen or know what my  husband and children would like to do.  Sometimes this costs money to find the right activity, but just last weekend we had a wonderful 2 hour time together walking a trail in the metroparks for FREE! Some creativity is in order, but especially since it is summer finding time to just stop and do what they are doing is important.
3 Reclaim the house If you know me, you are most likely going to say that the house is in good order.  If you lived here, you would know that I'm just good at hiding some of the mess.  This past year I worked practically full time, and got lazy when it came to time at home.  So this summer I want to get things put back together, know what needs to get put on the "what needs done" list and come up with a doable plan for keeping the house running whether I'm at work or not.

Those are the 3 main goals.  There are other things I hope to accomplish too, write more, read more, scrapbook more, exercise more...the list could go on and on. These are my starting point though.  I could spend another ten minutes writing about what is going to happen first, but there is a load of laundry to move to the dryer, two kids to try to get to go on a bike ride or walk with me, and then our main bathroom is going to get some attention.

Happy Summer!  Time to get moving!

Homemakers Challenge Day 13 Fighting Fatigue...well HELLO?!?!? (31 Days to Clean)

Seriously, Day 13 Fighting Fatigue? It is a grey and gloomy day here in Northeast Ohio where we have entered the gloomy zone. That would be the zone between the end of September and beginning of May when we often go stretches without seeing the sun. Sometimes this really, ok a LOT of times this really, affects me, especially at the beginning of the season of gloom. I need natural light and therefore I don't adjust well for awhile to not having it. So, add that into the fact that this weekend I went to bed at 12:30 or after every night, and due to other obligations played the part of single parent all weekend, so today I'm feeling extremely fatigued. God in His great wisdom did not have a sub job come my way this morning so I was able to meet my best friend for a mocha, conversation and prayer. As I was waiting for her to arrive I thought I'd read today's Homemakers Challenge and BAM the topic as you can tell smacked me in the face.

YES I wanted to yell, simply by reading the title alone I am fighting fatigue. YES I know I am not alone, but why are so many of us continually fighting it. The answer? We don't ask God for help. We seek Him in the big things, health issues, financial struggles but we think we can handle the daily stuff. The laundry that is piled up again, 2 loads to fold myself right now, the dishes that seem to never get done the things that weigh us down.

He tells us "come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I WILL give you rest" Matthew 11:28-30 I personally don't see anywhere in the scriptures where it says we can't be heaven laden with taking simply by taking care of the things in life. In fact I know it says to consider it pure joy when we face trials of any kind, not IF we face trials, which means WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TRIALS! The problem is, we, in our human nature, put everything on a scale. Person A is dealing with health issues, that's not as bad as me dealing with being over committed so I should just suck it up and deal with it. NO, I should go to God and ask for His guidance to deal with my issues too. Yes, for us over committed types we are going to have to learn from Him that we can say No (practice it now...NNNNOOOO) We are going to need to seek Him to prioritize our days and to truly become the givers of life to our homes that he wants us to be.

We need to lay our lives at His feet, daily, hourly, moment to moment. We are told to pray without ceasing, which I believe means to be in continual communication with God. Thanking Him for the time with my girlfriend, and the mocha (which he allowed someone to create, that helps with the tired feeling too!), but also thanking Him that when there when there is the time in the day to spend with her and have a mocha and when there is NO time in the day period, He is still there.

In 31 Days to clean she gives some helpful hints for fighting fatigue, have a snack, get moving, get the rest you need but not too much, and indulge in caffeine! (love that one) I would add drink water. Read at the dentist once that as Americans we are often dehydrated which can lead to feeling tired.

Mary Challenge: try some of the suggestions for a week. ( I can live with that) and see how you feel.

Martha Challenge: steam clean the carpets in your Living Room. Adding that one to the sometime this fall list : )