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Thursday, September 15, 2011

Not a Morning Person . . . at all!

Labels: at 2:47 PM

I don't know about anyone else, but I am not a morning person.  I've never been a morning person.  I love my pillow and I love my blankets and I love snuggling into them and hitting the snooze button many, many once or twice in the morning.

Now, don't get me wrong.  Once I'm up - I'm up and moving.  No dwaddling along then.  Up, showered, dressed, and moving along with my day.  I'm not the type who sits around drinking coffee and watching the morning talk shows.

However, lately I've been inspired to get up earlier.  Since school started, I'm the only one up in the mornings and it is so nice.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  Calm.  And with four small children in the house, that doesn't happen very often!  Since Mr. CrazyLife was laid off at the end of the last school year, he gets up with the kids and takes them to school.  I get up about an hour and a half earlier and prepare everyone's "stuff" for the day and get myself organized and out the door to work.

But I still hit the snooze button many, many at least once each morning.  I probably could get up almost an hour earlier if I didn't do that.  Imagine what I could get done!

I've been contemplating this the past couple of weeks.  And then today while doing some blog hopping, I ran across this challenge quite a bit: Maximize Your Mornings Challenge.  What a great idea!  And what inspiration!

I missed the sign-up deadline.  But perhaps I'll start doing it on my own. And I did see that they might start an overflow group sometime soon...I'll be watching for that.  But until then, I'm going to set my alarm a bit earlier for tomorrow morning and maybe I won't hit the snooze button at all more than one time, anyway!

Anyone else interested?
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Monday, August 15, 2011

Meal Plan Monday 8-15-11

Labels: , at 1:30 PM

The days are long, but the years are short.  I read this quote on another blog today and it totally fits how I've been feeling lately.  Life has been moving at breakneak speed.  We've been spending lots of family time enjoying each other's company.  But the kids are starting to drive me crazy!  Thing #1 has picked up a "tween" attitude lately and all summer her rolling eyes have followed us around.  Things 2 and 3 are just busy being boys and wrestling and breaking things and yelling lots.  And Thing #4 is too full of her own cuteness and trying to get away with murder! 

It's been a hectic summer with lots of trips to Grandma's house, a family wedding, two new babies in our families (LOVE being an aunt!) and a couple of family funerals.  As such, I haven't been online much.  It seems that I'm too busy enjoying the days to go online and when I do have time, I'm too tired!  So here I am, attempting to write again and stay up to date. Thanks to anyone who is still following and reading along!

We've got two full weeks and a half week before I head back to school and three full weeks before the kids do.  We're still waiting to hear if Mr. CrazyLife gets called back to teach this year or if his layoff will stand.  He's got a couple of applications out, so keep fingers and toes crossed and lots of prayers for us.

Anyhoo....we plan on savoring and enjoying every last minute of our summer vacation!

On to business . . . .

Meal Plan Monday 8-15-11

Breakfasts - served with fruit
cereal w/milk and cinnamon toast
scrambled eggs w/sausage
oatmeal w/fuit and honey
granola bars

Lunches - served with fruit and veggies
Mac n' cheese
PBJ sandwiches
ramen noodles w/hot dogs
tuna salad sandwiches (or on a lettuce leaf for me)
muffin tin lunches w/fruit, veggies,  meat, jello, crackers and cheese

Dinners - served with veggie and bread
Nachos/tacos/taco salad night
homemade pizza
Grilled pork chops
sloppy joes
grilled cheese and ham sandwiches
do-agains
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011

It's Blueberry Picking Time!!!!!

Labels: at 6:12 PM

Blueberry picking is a HUGE family tradition for us.  I've been going with my Gram since I was just a wee little girl.  I've tried to continue that with my kids, because it was such a special memory for me.

So, each year, usually on the first weekend in August, we drive over to Muskegon to pick berries.  It's been wonderful and the kids really enjoy it!

This year, things got a little crazy and the weather is crazy and life is crazy and well, the berries came in a bit early.  So instead of driving across state, we went in our own area.  And man....was it great!

Despite the super-hot weather, we found a pretty cool morning to go.  And the bushes were loaded. And it was an organic farm.  And the berries were bigger than quarters!  And so sweet!!!

We only picked about 18 lbs this round.  We'll have to go again later this weekend to finish up as I usually do up about 25 lbs a year.




We're working on getting them cleaned and frozen now.  I have a special process for that.  It works really well to help the berries retain their shape and not get too mushy.  First you have to layer them on a cookie sheet in a single layer.  Pick out all the stems and leaves and yucky pieces.  Then place the cookie sheet in the freezer for about 45 minutes or until the berries are firm.  Take them out and measure out two-cup groupings of berries.  Then place in bags and put in freezer again.  I've been using my food-saver and vacuum sealing them, which works well and saves space in the freezer.

Now we're ready for berries all year long!!!

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A Meal Plan for the Week - Finally! (July 18th)

Labels: at 5:47 PM

What can I say?  It's been a busy week. I feel like I never have computer time anymore and when I do there are so many other things calling my name.  Plus, our meal plan this week is a bit crazy as we're running here and there and everywhere!  =)  But here it is:

Breakfasts
Scrambled eggs w/toast
Cereal
Fruit
Bacon

Lunches
PBJ's
Lunchmeat sandwiches
chips
fruit
mac n' cheese
ramen noodles
chicken nuggets
do-again's

Dinners
Grilled Brats/hot dogs
tacos/nachos
chicken wings
pizza
do-agains
grilled steaks
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Monday, July 11, 2011

You're Invited!

Labels: at 2:59 PM

You're Invited to our Grand Opening/Mystery Hostess Virtual Workshop!!!!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I recently became a consultant with Heritage Makers, a digital storybooking/scrapbooking company.  I've used their programs and recieved their products for several years and love the service and the products I've made and recieved.

Here is a link to the Heritage Makers website: Heritage Makers.

I'm really excited about my new venture.  I love the products and I love scrapbooking/storybooking and I love to share my books with other people.  Plus, as much as I loved paper crafting, I find that I just don't have the time to sit down at my craft table anymore - or when I do have time, I just don't have the energy.  Heritage Makers is perfect for that - it's all on a computer. I can work on it anywhere and anytime!

Right now I'm hosting a Virtual Grand Opening/Mystery Hostess Workshop to celebrate my new business venture.  Eveyone who particiaptes will receive an entry into the Mystery Hostess drawing and by doing extra "events" will earn extra entries into the drawing.  At the end of the week, I will have one of the kids draw a name out of a hat and that person will become the Mystery Hostess Winner and receive all the hostess benefits earned during the week!!!

And even if you particiapte and don't win the Mystery Hostess, you can still be a winner because of all the great Heritage Maker products you'll be introduced to and begin to work with.  At the end, you'll have a family heritage book (or canvas or calendar or deck of cards or other exciting project!) to share your stories with friends and families.

Every picture tells a story.  Every story deserves to be heard.
Wouldn't you like to share your stories?
I can help!

Please check out my Grand Opening/Mystery Hostess Virtual Workshop this week (July 10-15).  Ask me how to start a FREE Heritage Makers account and get started sharing those important stories!!

Thanks!

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