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Monday, January 23, 2012

Meal Plan Monday - January 23, 2012

at 2:26 PM

So much for trying to post more, eh?
Oh well, I've been busy living life and enjoying every minute of it.


(source)

Anyhoo.....here is my Meal Plan Monday post for this week.  Last week we did awesome sticking to our meal plan and I'm hoping this week is the same.  I've often found that I stray quite a bit from what is planned due to our crazy schedules or well, just plain laziness!  But last week was great, so here's to sticking to it this week!

Breakfasts
Cereal
Toast
Homemade Egg McMuffins
Oatmeal

Lunches
School Lunches for kids
Brown Bag Lunches for kids and Mr. CrazyLife
Lean Cuisine Meals for Momma

Dinners
Sunday: Crockpot lasagna w/crescent rolls, broccoli and corn, salad; chocolate cake w/raspberries
Monday: Turkey Roll-Ups w/oven potatoes, rolls, mixed veggies; leftover chocolate cake
Tuesday: Enchiladas w/Mexican Rice, cut veggies, salad, corn chips; fruit popsicles
Wednesday: Speghetti w/red sauce and sausages, garlic bread, broccoli; ice cream
Thursday: Grilled Cheese Sandwiches w/Tomato soup, applesauce, chips; fruit popsicles
Friday: Kids at Grandma's House; Momma and Daddy at the Youth Group Lock-In (probably pizza)
Saturday: Chicken Noodle Soup w/fresh bread, cut veggies; cookies

Linking to: 
Org Junkie Menu Plan Monday
Susie QT Pies Menu Plan Monday

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Simple Woman's Daybook - January 3rd, 2012

Labels: at 2:28 PM




FOR TODAY

Outside my window... The sun is shining and the sky is blue.

I am thinking...  That the sunshine is wonderful, even if it is deceiving...it's really cold out there!

I am thankful... That we all made it to school today on the first day back after break, especially Mr. CrazyLife who is going back after layoff.

In the kitchen... Speghetti Sauce is in the crockpot, ready for eating when we get home.

I am wearing... Khaki's, fuzzy blue sweater and black loafers.  My favorite blue jewelry.

I am creating... A new playlist for my preschool creative movement classes.

I am going... to work on new choreography tonight.

I am wondering... How Thing #2 did on the bus this morning.

I am reading... Nothing at the moment....need to hit the library!

I am hoping... That tomorrow morning goes as smoothly as this morning did.

I am looking forward to... the weekend!

I am learning... about homemade cleaners...again.

Around the house... we are in scrub-down mode from top to bottom.

I am pondering... summer vacation possibilities.

A favorite quote for today... The feet can learn the steps, but only the spirit can dance.

One of my favorite things... Andes Mints.

A few plans for the rest of the week: More housecleaning, dance lessons and hopefully a bit of relaxation in the evening.

A peek into my day...
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Monday, January 2, 2012

Meal Plan Monday - January 2nd 2012

Labels: at 9:00 AM

Happy Monday!!!


It's time to get back into meal planning.  I'm doing it a bit differently . . . again.  This time instead of doing a list of meals for the week, I've created a list of meals to last over two-three weeks.  Then I can pick and choose over time.  Makes it a bit less stressful when it comes to the last minute dinner planning and prep that happens at our crazy house!

Breakfasts
Daycare breakfasts for the kids
Homemade breakfast sandwiches for adults
Protien Smoothies for Momma

Lunches
 Daycare lunch for Thing #4
School lunch or sack lunches for Things 1-3
*PBJ/bologna/cheese sandwiches
*chips
*sweet
*cut veggies
*granola bar
*juice box
Leftovers or frozen lunches for Momma and Daddy

Dinners - 2 weeks worth to choose from
Rachel Ray's Not-sagna Pasta Toss with garlic bread and a green veggie
Farm Chick's Chicken Salad Sanwiches with chips and cut veggies
Rachel Ray's Openface Blue Moon Burgers w/shrooms with a salad and chips
Rachel Ray's Brutus Salads with a baked potato
Speghetti with meat sauce, garli bread and a green veggie
Garlic-buttered shrimp with angel hair pasta, fish sticks for kids, salad and rolls
Homemade Pizza and Breadsticks
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with tomato soup and cut veggies
Polish Keilbasa with potatos, colored peppers, onions and rolls and a salad

I checked out a couple cookbooks from the library this week (Rachel Ray's Express Lane Meals" and the Farm Chicks in the Kitchen).  Trying lots of recipes from those.  They all looked so yummy!

I'm also planning on doing some baking this week.  Bread is on the list as are more of the Pioneer Woman's yummy cinnamon rolls!

Will be linking up to the Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie.com!!!
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Sunday, January 1, 2012

Mama's Mission of the Month - January

Labels: at 10:10 PM

It's been quite a while since I joined in Mama Jenn's Mission of the Month.  In fact, I don't even remember the last one I did!  However, as part of my organizing goal, I'm joining back up.  Here are my goals for January:

1) Implement new laundry system.
2)Implement new chore chart system for the kids.
3) Walk at least 3-4 times per week.
4) Read Proverbs 31 and meditate on being a Proverbs 31 wife and mother.
5) Eat dinner at the table as a family 90% of the time (instead of on the run or in front of the TV as has become the norm)

Aren't mini-goals fun?  A good way to keep us on track with the bigger goals in life.  If you think doing mini-goals might help you, check out Mama Jenn's blog and challenge.  Lots of fun stuff over there and lots of motivation to stay on track!  Thanks, Mama Jenn!


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Happy New Year 2012!!!!

Labels: , at 9:35 PM


Happy New Year!!
(or Happy Hogmany as my Scottish friends would say)

2011 is over and 2012 is here.

I had a pretty good year last year, despite all kinds of unexpected happenings.  I gained a new sister-in-law, a new brother-in-law and two new nieces.  The kids made huge advances academically.  We figured out a lot of food/behavior/social issues with the children.  We started lots of home projects (unfortunatly, none of them finished!).  We bought a new car.  We bought a new furnace.  We established an emergency fund.  We spent the emergency fund!  Started it over.

It was a good year.

However, like everyone else on the planet, at this start of the year my mind turns to the future.  To what I want to accomplish this coming year.  To what lies ahead.

I've never been a good one at making and then keeping resolutions.  I'd rather make goals...something that I can work toward and keep working toward.  I don't feel so bad then if I don't accomplish it fully.

This year, one of my huge goals is to get more organized.  In the home and at work.  Another goal is to get the family involved in said organization.  Here are a few steps I am taking to help with this goal:
  • Employing a new Household Notebook.  It's still in the works, but I will blog more about it when it is finished and in use so I can report on how well it works.
  • Starting a new laundry system.  The days of the week system I was using is not working out well for us at all.  Trying something new.
  • New Chore Charts for the kids.  Something a bit more visual for them to see.
  • Utilizing my Motivated Moms calendar more for a cleaning system.  When I use it, it works SOO well.  When I don't....well, yeah.
  • Joining in two online challenges to help me stay motivated and organized: Mama Jenn's Missons of the Month and the 52 Weeks to an Organized House challenge.
  • And of course, continuing with meal planning and linking to the Menu Plan Mondays.
Another goal of mine is work on spiritual/family/emotional life.  I sometimes feel like in the craziness of our lives, we become disconnected from each other and from God.  We need to, as a family, re-establish this and nuture it in ourselves and our family members and our community.  Here are some steps we'll be doing to work on this goal:
  • Eat most meals at the table to together.  Learn and say new meal blessings.  Use manners and practice politeness at mealtimes.
  • Have a family day/night each week where we play games or do an activity together.
  • Establish a family motto/rules and post them in the house.
  • Read.  Alone and to each other.
  • Go to church and Sunday School every week (we already do this, but I think it is important to have it as a guideline.)
  • Volunteer as a family at least twice this year.
  • Personally, to meditate/pray every day.  To read books that will enhance my spiritual growth and connections.
  • Celebrate the every day.
And finally my last goal is a fitness goal.  Last year started off strong with my running a half marathon, but quickly slid downhill in to doing the bare minimum of workouts.  Outside of my dance classes, I really don't do much of anything.  I need to get back into gear and work. I would like to lose a few (or more) pounds of myself and to just feel better about the way I look. To help with this I will:
  • Walk at least three-four times a week.  Adding in running as I feel.
  • Do yoga at least three-four times a week.
  • Teach dance twice a week (already in progress)
  • Work on findng "clean" methods of personal care - shampoos/conditioners/face wash/deoderent/etc
  • Eat a bit more heathy
So....here's to a bang up 2012!  Working on meeting life goals that will lead to less craziness, more peace and happier families!!!!!
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