A Simple Way to Complete Large Projects

It's a new week and a new day!  Attack it!

Here is a jump start for you...do you have several medium or large projects around your home looming over your head?  However, you won't start any of them because they will take too much time and you won't be able to finish it?

Break that large project down into small steps or small mini projects.

If you are like me, my schedule is very full right now.  To include a project into that full schedule would mean that I slack on a regular duty.  

You don't want to take one step forward just to find yourself two steps back in something else.

One of my projects is to do some spring cleaning in my backyard.  This is a large project so I am going to break it down into small mini projects.

1.  Take the metal from the old trampoline to the scrap yard.

2.  Rake all old leaves, twigs, branches, etc. from the winter and dispose.

3.  Pick up and stack the extra wood.

4.  Disassemble the swing set that the storm destroyed.

5.  Discard of the swing set.

I have now taken a very large project and broken it down into hour long projects that I can fit into my day.

Baby steps.  

But you won't do anything until you create that plan...and then put it into action.  

Happy Monday!

Saturday

Today's adventures...

T-Ball game at 9 am.

Softball practice at 10am.

Lunch, laundry, cleaning.
Disassembled Summer's crib.  Finally.  Loaded in van and ready to give to a young couple for their new baby.  :)

Coffee with a friend at 2pm.  

Back to make dinner and finish prep to teach Sunday School and Jr. Church for Sunday.

Work at 8pm.

Have a great Saturday! :)

Budgeting Your Time

We are busy folks, aren't we?  Right now, I am finishing up our year of home schooling.  1 more day for Sierra in K-5 and 11 for Addie and Autumn.  I work 48 hour work weeks at my care giving job.  And I manage a household of four kids, a husband and two dogs.  LOL! Our girls also participate in a spring softball league which takes up to 5 days in the week.  In addition, I have many responsibilities in and for our church.  I oversee the nursery, teach Junior Church, teach a monthly ladies Bible study, manage the church secretarial and financial matters, oversee the music program, play the piano, clean the church bi-weekly.  

My plate is full.  I was thinking about managing your time. Everything in your life, if you want to be successful, must be on a budget.

 Two things that my husband and I are doing at this time is a budget.  A budget for our finances - including a debt reduction plan.  And a budget for our daily calorie intake.  

If I want to be able to pay my bills and pay off our remaining debt, I must stay on that budget!  

If I want to lose these extra pounds, I must stay on my daily calorie budget!

And if you want to be successful in your time management, you must stay on a time budget.

1.  Even if you think you are not a time waster, make a plan and follow that plan.

You would be surprised how many minutes in a day that you spend on Facebook browsing through your friends' lives.  

Time that you could use to read a chapter in your Bible...if you had it in your budget plan.

Time that you could use to write a note to a hurting friend...if you had it in your budget plan.

Time that you could use to take that walk...if you had it in your budget plan.

You see, you will accomplish far more, by simply having a plan and a budget for your time.

2.  Eliminate time wasters.

What do you waste time doing?  

Decide what your big time waster is...and eliminate it for one week.  

Use that time on the things you need to accomplish.  

3.  Simplify your life.

Clear out the physical clutter in your life.

Clear out the mental clutter in your mind.

You know when they say if you buy something new for your closet, you need to get rid of something?  The same applies with your schedule.  If you add something to your already full and complete schedule, you need to delete something that you already have in your schedule and replace it with the new thing.

Realize your capabilities and limits.  Don't use them as excuses.  Use them as your budget - your guidelines.  

Is your time on a budget today?  

Random thoughts...

Random things today...

Treat bags done for the softball game tonight...juice box, cheese whales and freshly made chocolate chip cookie. :)

Reserved our hotel and paid our conference fee for the Spiritual Leadership Conference in Lancaster this June.

Booked our flight to Las Vegas next month...no, not to gamble.  To visit a supporting church. :)

Watered the lawn...and three of my tomato plants got bitten by the cold.  Looks like I will have to replant those.  Jumped the gun on my planting. :/

Washing my sheets...ahh...I get to sleep in my own bed tonight.  With my husband.  :)

And praying to the Lord about many things.  Many things on my heart and mind this beautiful day.

Hope you have a great Wednesday!

Couponing-Week of April 14-20, 2013

Dollar Tree deals:

Cereal:  $.67 each

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner:  $.75 each

Mrs. Dash garlic and herb seasoning (large jar-over 6 oz.) - $1 each!  (The small 2 oz bottles are $2.38 at Wal-Mart.)

Wal-Mart Deals:

Turkey breast - Free!

Jenni-O turkey bacon - $1.48 each

Jenni-O turkey sausage - $1.88 each

Rice milk - $1.24 each (Regularly $3.24 each!)

CVS Deals:

Dawn dish soap - $.49 and $.74 each

Egg coloring kits - $.29 each

Fish oil pills (320 pills in each bottle) - $6.65 each

Wal-Mart Clearance:

Push pins, Magnetic Clips and Binder Clips

$.20 each!  Regularly over $3!

Smith's Deals:

OJ - $1.99 a gallon (It is regularly $3.99 a gallon at Wal-Mart!)

Milk - $1.99 a gallon

Organic yogurt - $1.50 each

Cute sandals I got on clearance for $5 for Addie!  And just the time she needed them!!

Healthy meals...doing it right...

My husband and are on losing weight and here are a few things that I have made to eat healthy...

Egg sandwich on 100% whole wheat thins topped with tomato and baby spinach.

I love potatoes but can't afford the calories of butter, cheese and sour cream.  I topped this potato with veggies!

Breakfast or lunch wrap...one scrambled egg on a tortilla on a bed of baby spinach topped with tomatoes, green onions, black olives and red peppers sprinkled with Tabasco.  Yum!

Apple slices...kept fresh in lime and lemon juice.

Baked sweet potato, chicken breast and sugar snap peas with red pepper strips and almond slivers.

303 calories for this filling and healthy dinner.

Snow?

April 16, 2013

Snow.  LOL! Gotta love spring weather.  78 degrees on Tuesday. ;)

First Sunday in our New Building - April 14, 2013

First Sunday, April 14, in our new building.

Sunday School - we have three classes in this one room. :)

Photos of New Church Building - SVBC

Here are pictures of our new church building.  This past Sunday was our first Sunday in the building.

Pay the rent...

I read this recently and wanted to share because it is so, so true.  In October, we began a debt reduction plan.  A week ago, I began a weight loss plan.  Those are a few things I am working on.  What are you paying rent on today...this week?

If you want to be successful at anything in life, you have to be willing to pay the rent. You have to work hard, persevere, and keep at it even when you’d rather be doing something else.

Every day you have an opportunity to pay the rent toward your current or future success. You can choose to make little steps in the right direction — not eating that piece of cake if you’re working on losing weight, getting on the treadmill for 30 minutes, making that phone call, honing a skill, reaching out to someone, and writing 500 words on your manuscript.

Or, on the flip side, you can choose to make deductions from your rent payment on your future success. You can choose to stay home from the gym, procrastinate on that phone call, say “no” to that opportunity for growth that scares you too much, eat that extra brownie, or skip working on that side project.

The choice is yours. What are you doing today to pay your rent on the future? 

Today...

Tuesdays are kind of my down day.  I work Monday and Tuesday nights so well, I am not so with it. :)

I am planning on two things.  Working out with a friend at her community gym.  And stopping for some veggies, sweet potatoes and chicken to roast for my husband and I for our dinner.  And if I don't throw in a nap, the hubby will not be happy with me. ;)

By the way, I am down 4.4 lbs using the Lose It app and counting my calories. You can do it too!

Have a great Tuesday!

Lose It!

So...it is time to confess.  I think if you can't be honest with others, you won't be honest with yourself and not get anywhere in your life's goals.

I have gained 10 lbs.  Yeah, that hurts to say.  LOL!  I stopped going to the gym (it is too far from our home and with work and gas - it was not feasible to stay there).  And I started working nights.  I relied on caffeine and sugar drinks to keep me going.  And it is pretty easy to pack on 10 lbs with these factors.

Now that summer is shortly upon us,  you don't have the layers of clothes to hide your rolls.  Ha!  So, with a little encouragement from an unknown source :), I decided to attack it now.  It won't get any better - probably only worse.

So I began using an app on my phone called Lose It!  You can also find it on your computer at www.loseit.com.  It is basically losing weight by counting your calories.  It is simple because you don't have to eat certain foods (but you will find yourself eating healthy!).  You simply input what you eat.  You input any exercise you do that day.  And you put in your daily weight (in the morning is the best).  It does the rest.

I like having plans.  We are paying off thousands of dollars of debt because we have a plan.  And we work that plan.  It is simple...but not easy.  You have to have commitment.  You have to have determination.  You have to be disciplined.

If you are struggling or have struggled with weight loss, try this.  It is fun and easy!

Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Need a quick and super easy crock pot recipe for a Saturday or Sunday dinner?

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

6 frozen chicken breasts
1 package ranch seasoning packet
1 package taco seasoning packet
1 can chicken broth
1 can chicken gravy

Place all ingredients in crock pot.  Cook on high for 3-4 hours.  Shred with forks and place back in crock pot to soak up juices for 45 minutes.

Serve on tortillas with desired toppings - sour cream, cilantro, salsa, lettuce, cheese, tomatoes or ranch dressing.  

This is our dinner for Sunday night after church. :)

Saving Dinner

Are you a busy mom?  I sure am!  Yesterday, I was listening to some workshops for moms (see yesterday's post :).  I was going to the grocery store, listening to the workshop with my earbuds, and thinking what to make for dinner.

Guess what the workshop was about?  Saving dinner!  Here I was running to the store...trying to think of something to throw together for dinner...and these ladies are talking about the importance of family dinner.  Way to convict!

I am fairly consistent at decent dinners.  There are some days that I just don't get it done...and we eat leftovers or ramen.  After listening to the workshop, I was renewed to stay on top of family dinners.  I want to keep it a time of togetherness and family.

I think back to my childhood.  So many good memories are centered around food.  I could go on and on about my memories of food.  LOL!  Not because I loved to eat but because they symbolize family time.  

I remember warm cinnamon rolls for breakfast...corn on the cob from the garden...shredded beef sandwiches for a simple dinner...homemade caramel corn for a night snack at my Grandma Holt's house.

I remember fresh garden strawberries...large, crusty homemade dinner rolls...pan fried fish caught at the lake...and homemade Christmas candy at my Grandma McCurdy's.

I remember fried chicken and roast on Sundays...canning peaches and veggies from our garden...my mom's warm sugar cookies...just the simple things at home as a child.

I want my kids to have special memories...about food.  About Mom.  About family.

It is important.  Make it important. It is my goal...make it yours too!

Seminar for Ladies...Check it out now!

www.mommasterysummit.com

YOU HAVE TO GET IN ON THIS SEMINAR!  It is going on right now.  Go to the website for more details.

I am listening to it with earbuds while I work - multi-tasking!!  I just listened to the Fly Lady on clearing the clutter in your life...amazing and so inspiring!  They ended the session in prayer.

Some of you could really use a restart right about now.  I know I could and I am already receiving it.  Check it out!

Goals for Thursday

Thursday already?  Today, I woke up to the smell of sagebrush.  It had rained some in the night and oh how sweet the smell of the sagebrush is when it is wet.  Just one of those things you come to love about Nevada. :)

The clouds are clearing and the sky is blue.  I hope to make a successful day out of today.

My main goal is to work on the school room.  We are nearing the end of our school year and we have received all our materials for next year.  So I need to organize those items.  The fifth grading period for Sierra and Autumn is nearly done and I have some items to grade for them.  I am thinking of moving out the desk that I have in our office/school room.  I rarely use it - I do my work at the dining room table or my secretary.  I am thinking it will help to declutter the space and give it a fresh look.

Later today, softball practice for Addie and Autumn.  

Hope you have a great day!

Monday

Busy work day today!  I wanted to move and organize all the small items at the church before our moving day on Wednesday.  (The more I can accomplish early in the week, the better the weekend goes. :)  I started by sweeping out the temporary space.  It was a messy disaster and I just couldn't bear tracking it all over and looking at it all day.  We then begin the process of packing all the small items in boxes and transporting them slowly in small groups to the new building.  Danyelle helped me and was a great blessing!  We then would unpack and organize them into the cupboards and such.  Some things back into storage.  Some garbage.  It went well and I feel great as I look at the organized areas. :)  I feel that Wednesday's moving day will go very smoothly as all those small items are out of the way. Praise the Lord!

It did not happen without some goof ups.  First, we woke up to snow!  Geez.  Never fear.  The forecast is back to 71 degrees for Wednesday.  I can handle that. :)

Then one of the girls dropped a box full of postcards, visitor cards, Bible reading schedules...blowing all over the parking lot.  Fiasco.

Then, because I hate spending money on gas, I ran out of gas at the church.  My car wouldn't start.  So I had to pay $15 for a gas container.  Then it still wouldn't start.  So I had to call a friend for a jump.  Another fiasco.  

However, the company came out and installed the push bar.  (THREE WEEKS that it took for it to be installed.  Yeah.  I know.)  And people wonder why we keep saying we are moving...and then we don't.  This is our luck.  Ha ha!

And Papa Vern and David are installing the handicap rails.  Tomorrow is our final re-inspection.  Hopefully and prayerfully...we pass.

So it is cheesy potato and kielbasa casserole for dinner and then off to work.  Have a great night!

Fab Friday

What a refreshing day!  I was able to stay home the entire day (well, until I leave for work in another hour :) and I was able to get SO much done!  Lately, I have been SO behind.  Just everything.  Today, my house is clean - even down to washing my bathroom rugs.  Laundry is done.  Kitchen is clean.  Just a great, great feeling.  

I even got to my office work which I was also behind.  Even some grading!

I am telling you...it just made for a fabulous day! :)

Tonight, work.  Tomorrow, softball practice at 10am.  T-ball game at 1:30pm.  Prepare for Sunday.  Then back to work Saturday night.  

The busyness has began again but that is OK.  I just need to take it one task at a time.  Have a great weekend!

Thursday...

Here it is...nearing the end of the week already.  

Yesterday, after I got off work, I met with the city inspector.  He was able to do a partial sign-off of the final building inspection.  We are required to put in the handicap rails in the new bathroom.  We also need to have a push bar installed on the back door. I have been struggling to have the push bar installed for two weeks and 3 days now.  It is something our management company is paying for...and therefore, the order had to be approved through them.  It ended up sitting on a desk and not being taken care of.  Then it had to be revised and so forth.  The parts are scheduled to come in today.  However, I am positive that we can not get it installed and have the re-inspection before Sunday.  I definitely have learned some good pointer going through this small building project.

Addie and Autumn had a softball game and Sierra had T-Ball practice last night.  My father-in-law was good enough to take Sierra to her practice while Eric, Summer and I went to the game. :)  This was their second game and for starting out knowing nothing, they have learned a lot.  I am very proud that they are doing their best to try.  Autumn even hit a foul ball (which we were playing a very good fast pitch team) and the look on her face was so funny!  She couldn't believe it. :)  I just hope we can make it through the season without my husband having a stroke.  (He is very competitive! ;)

Today, we have our monthly ladies Bible study.  I need to find a dish to make with fresh fruit for the meeting. :)  However, I am fighting a cold and am just not up to par.  

Happy Thursday!

Terrific Tuesday

Today, was a fairly accomplished day for a Tuesday.  Since I work Monday night plus have a 45 minute drive each way, Tuesdays are just a day to be tired. :)

On the way home, I was able to stop by the supply store and purchase two towel dispensers, a soap dispenser and a toilet paper dispenser for our bathrooms at our church.  I stopped by the church to drop them off and while I was there, the fire inspector came to sign off on his inspections.  PTL - even though there was one item not completed (the parts are ordered and we are waiting), he still signed off on it.  I then was able to call and schedule the FINAL inspections for tomorrow.  This may not mean much but we have trying to move into this suite since last Easter.  I am not joking.  If you ever want to do a renovation at your church, call me and I will fill you in.  LOL!

So, once the final inspections are signed off, we are free to move in and use this building.  What a relief.  What a blessing.

I also made a meal for a couple in our church who recently had a baby - Jake and Megan.  I made a pot of rustic Italian tortellini soup topped with shredded parmesan cheese, garlic bread, sweet tea and white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.

I made an extra pot for our dinner...yum! 

In about an hour and half, we will head out to T-Ball practice.  Then I will head to work.  Hope you have a great Tuesday!

Recipe: Oreo Puddin' Poke Cake

Last Friday, we attended a fundraiser for the girls' softball and T-Ball teams.  It was a cake auction.  We all contributed money to our team and then were able to bid on cakes for our team.  All cakes were made or purchased by the moms on the teams.  I made an Oreo Puddin' Poke Cake.  It is very simple. :)

Bake a chocolate cake.  While still warm, poke holes in it with the end of a wooden spoon.  Mix 2 boxes of Oreo pudding with 4 cups of milk.  Stir with a spoon then let set for 2 minutes.  It will thicken some but you will want it slightly runny.

Pour over cake and spread and push down into the holes.  

Refrigerate.  Add whipped topping and crushed Oreos.

Some of the cakes at the cake auction. :)

My cake went for $60.  Yay!

Good Monday Morning!

Good Monday morning!  I hope you all have a great week. :) 

Today's agenda:  Finishing laundry, ironing, wash bedding.

Help one of our church couples move into a new apartment later this morning.

Church paperwork.

Make stuffed green peppers for dinner.

Softball practice for Addie and Autumn at 6pm.

Back to work tonight - 8pm-8am.

This week should be beautiful in the 60's to even a 70 degree day. I need to begin to water our lawn and lilacs as I see little buds coming on. :)

I pray for a productive day for you as well!  

Signs From Above...

We had a few sprinkles of Thursday while we were working on the church.  And God gave us a beautiful rainbow as encouragement. :)  And the trees in bloom just add to it.

Double rainbow!

So beautiful!