let's start with a confession--I did not wake up before the rest of the house.
Scott woke up super early to go the gym before his final weigh in for his Biggest Loser contest at work. I haven't mentioned the contest lately because Scott didn't want anyone at work to know how hard he was working, hoping it would discourage the competition. That being said, that contest has been the center of our world for the past few weeks. Anyway, he went to the gym this morning for one last work out, and I was so fast asleep I didn't even hear him leave. He told me that he reset the alarm for 6 am, but I did not hear it go off. It is entirely possible that I turned it off without even realizing it. At 6:30, Ada woke me up, and so the day began. Needless to say, the day didn't start out as planned, but that's okay, there is always tomorrow.
Back to the contest, though. All the hard work was oh so worth it because SCOTT WON. HE WON. We are going to the beach for our anniversary, and we could not be more excited. I have found this cute little studio condo right outside of Rosemary Beach that costs next to nothing, and with gasoline prices down, we are going to do this thing the right way--on a budget. We plan to not spend one dime other than the prize money. We were talking about it today, and all we could talk about was how much sleep we are going to get. And how relaxed we are going to be when we come back. We plan to go away for three nights, and I think that will be just enough to come back very refreshed. Again, we are so stinkin' excited.
I am very proud of Scott. He stuck to this thing through Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I rewarded him with a very yummy pasta meal tonight and brownies for dessert. He hasn't had a single carb all week, so he was very excited about the meal. My hubby is the same weight he was when we got married. He's looking good, if I do say so myself;) I don't think he has big plans to actually keep the weight off, but we'll see. With no money to motivate him, the old eating habits may come right back.
Anyway...that's our big news of the day. I did wake up to a shiny sink, and I made my bed as soon as I got out of it. Now, if the alarm would actually wake me up, I might be able to complete the week's baby steps.
Tomorrow I will be back with all of my grocery shopping plans for the week. I feel like a kid in a candy shop with all the deals that are out there. I am slightly blown away. It's going to be a record week, I think. I'll keep you posted.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Menu Plan Monday
It's nearing the midnight hour, and Scott and Ada are both sound asleep. I need to head that way as well because tomorrow morning is my first morning of waking up before the rest of the household. I guess that's the life of a mom, right? The last to go to bed, the first to wake up.
The good news is the sink is clean, the dishwasher is loaded, and there are plenty of bottles of water chilling in the fridge. I am ready to get going with 2009.
Quickly, though, I need to type out the week's menu to keep us on schedule. Most of this is made up from what we have in the pantry and fridge, so there are no real recipes. I will be back tomorrow to provide the recipes that I do have.
Monday--chicken in vodka sauce over angel hair pasta (all of the items in this meal were BOGO at some point. The chicken from Kroger this past week, the pasta from Publix today, and the Vodka sauce from Publix the week before Christmas)
Tuesday--Steak fajitas (steak was marked down at Kroger for quick sale. I love to buy the marked down meat because it's still good as long as I either cook or freeze it the day I buy it. Taco Bell dinner kits were BOGO at Publix)
Wednesday--creamy chicken, rice, and broccoli (all of this is made from what is already in my pantry. The chicken is a Kraftfoods recipe. I will post it tomorrow. I haven't ever made it, but it looks good, and I have all of the ingredients on hand)
Thursday--16 bean soup and cornbread (in the pantry already. I will link to this recipe later)
Friday everything starts over.
Lunches--leftovers, ham sandwiches and chips
Breakfast--slim fast bars (my favorite breakfast, and there are sales everywhere thanks to the weight loss resolutions flying about), oatmeal breakfast cookies, peanut butter and crackers
snacks--chex mix (BOGO + coupons=I got four bags for about a quarter each), popcorn, and whatever else we might find in the pantry.
For lots and lots of great menu ideas check out Organizing Junkie.
The good news is the sink is clean, the dishwasher is loaded, and there are plenty of bottles of water chilling in the fridge. I am ready to get going with 2009.
Quickly, though, I need to type out the week's menu to keep us on schedule. Most of this is made up from what we have in the pantry and fridge, so there are no real recipes. I will be back tomorrow to provide the recipes that I do have.
Monday--chicken in vodka sauce over angel hair pasta (all of the items in this meal were BOGO at some point. The chicken from Kroger this past week, the pasta from Publix today, and the Vodka sauce from Publix the week before Christmas)
Tuesday--Steak fajitas (steak was marked down at Kroger for quick sale. I love to buy the marked down meat because it's still good as long as I either cook or freeze it the day I buy it. Taco Bell dinner kits were BOGO at Publix)
Wednesday--creamy chicken, rice, and broccoli (all of this is made from what is already in my pantry. The chicken is a Kraftfoods recipe. I will post it tomorrow. I haven't ever made it, but it looks good, and I have all of the ingredients on hand)
Thursday--16 bean soup and cornbread (in the pantry already. I will link to this recipe later)
Friday everything starts over.
Lunches--leftovers, ham sandwiches and chips
Breakfast--slim fast bars (my favorite breakfast, and there are sales everywhere thanks to the weight loss resolutions flying about), oatmeal breakfast cookies, peanut butter and crackers
snacks--chex mix (BOGO + coupons=I got four bags for about a quarter each), popcorn, and whatever else we might find in the pantry.
For lots and lots of great menu ideas check out Organizing Junkie.
Baby Steps
Okay, it's the first Sunday of the New Year, and I am here to set some baby step goals that I might actually accomplish my 2009 "to-do" list.
Because I am the world's worst housekeeper, I am going to use Flylady as my coach. Heard of her? She takes women just like me, who are drowning in the chaos of their homes, and she transforms them one baby step at a time. So...the baby step for this week is that I must shine my sink every night before I go to bed. The whole premise is that when you wake up to a shining sink, your day starts out better. I guess I'll buy that. It means no more going to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink, and I think that's a step in the right direction.
The other thing the Flylady encourages is getting dressed first thing every morning. Which, if you are not a stay-at-home mom, that might seem like an obvious statement, but there are days that I see noon before I take my pajamas off. And on a very bad day, Scott may come home to an unshowered wife. Not a good situation, folks. So...my new plan is to wake up at the stinkin' crack of dawn, take a shower, fix myself a nice cup of hot tea (not diet coke) and sit down with my bible all before Ada wakes up. It feels impossible to do this, but I know it would make my days go better.
** side note--I am a person who absolutely thrives on order and control, so when I don't have some sort of schedule going things just sort of fall apart around me. I think that I am into month 17 of being a stay at home mom, and I still haven't quite figured out how to make this my job. Everyday still sort of feels like a Saturday, so nothing gets done. I know this to be true because the first few months after Scott and I got married, I didn't have a job, and I had no children. I thought I would get so much done around the house, but I was going stir crazy. I finally found a tutoring job for the summer before I started teaching the next fall, and all of a sudden I could get things done again. Something about being inside my house ALL DAY LONG prevents me from getting anything done around the house. Combine that with a 17 month old trailing behind me all day, and well, our house is a bit of a disaster. Anyway...I am trying to turn that fact around starting this week.
And one last goal for the week, I have to make my bed first thing everyday. It's like the sink and the bed will be my control points. They will be the spring board from which everything else gets done. It's amazing how much it works. The other night it was nearly midnight, and I was not in bed and there were still dirty dishes in the sink. But I took the time to clean the kitchen anyway, and I was on top of the world. It made me feel a bit more in control of my home, so I am sticking to it. 2008 was the year I got our finances somewhat under control. 2009 is the year I get my housekeeping skills under control. I'll keep you posted.
p.s. the diet coke elimination starts this week as well. One a day. Oh, I hate to give it up, but I know that I have to once and for all. I am stocking my fridge with plenty of bottled water to grab when I want a diet coke. And hot tea in the morning. It's perfect timing to do this actually because Ada is just now old enough to want to drink a sip of my diet coke when I have it. I have a feeling that water won't have the same appeal.
Happy first full week of 2009, everyone. Let's make it a successful one.
Because I am the world's worst housekeeper, I am going to use Flylady as my coach. Heard of her? She takes women just like me, who are drowning in the chaos of their homes, and she transforms them one baby step at a time. So...the baby step for this week is that I must shine my sink every night before I go to bed. The whole premise is that when you wake up to a shining sink, your day starts out better. I guess I'll buy that. It means no more going to sleep with dirty dishes in the sink, and I think that's a step in the right direction.
The other thing the Flylady encourages is getting dressed first thing every morning. Which, if you are not a stay-at-home mom, that might seem like an obvious statement, but there are days that I see noon before I take my pajamas off. And on a very bad day, Scott may come home to an unshowered wife. Not a good situation, folks. So...my new plan is to wake up at the stinkin' crack of dawn, take a shower, fix myself a nice cup of hot tea (not diet coke) and sit down with my bible all before Ada wakes up. It feels impossible to do this, but I know it would make my days go better.
** side note--I am a person who absolutely thrives on order and control, so when I don't have some sort of schedule going things just sort of fall apart around me. I think that I am into month 17 of being a stay at home mom, and I still haven't quite figured out how to make this my job. Everyday still sort of feels like a Saturday, so nothing gets done. I know this to be true because the first few months after Scott and I got married, I didn't have a job, and I had no children. I thought I would get so much done around the house, but I was going stir crazy. I finally found a tutoring job for the summer before I started teaching the next fall, and all of a sudden I could get things done again. Something about being inside my house ALL DAY LONG prevents me from getting anything done around the house. Combine that with a 17 month old trailing behind me all day, and well, our house is a bit of a disaster. Anyway...I am trying to turn that fact around starting this week.
And one last goal for the week, I have to make my bed first thing everyday. It's like the sink and the bed will be my control points. They will be the spring board from which everything else gets done. It's amazing how much it works. The other night it was nearly midnight, and I was not in bed and there were still dirty dishes in the sink. But I took the time to clean the kitchen anyway, and I was on top of the world. It made me feel a bit more in control of my home, so I am sticking to it. 2008 was the year I got our finances somewhat under control. 2009 is the year I get my housekeeping skills under control. I'll keep you posted.
p.s. the diet coke elimination starts this week as well. One a day. Oh, I hate to give it up, but I know that I have to once and for all. I am stocking my fridge with plenty of bottled water to grab when I want a diet coke. And hot tea in the morning. It's perfect timing to do this actually because Ada is just now old enough to want to drink a sip of my diet coke when I have it. I have a feeling that water won't have the same appeal.
Happy first full week of 2009, everyone. Let's make it a successful one.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The coupons are rolling in
Okay ya'll, I just picked up the early edition of the Sunday paper, and the coupons are so very good. In one paper (not a double issue) I got two red plum inserts, two smart source inserts, and a General Mills coupon insert. It's worth buying multiple copies of the paper this week, even if you don't normally do it. It may also be worth a dumpster dive:)
Here are the best deals I am seeing--
In one of the Red Plum inserts, there is a 1.00 off Johnson's coupon, including Johnson's buddies products. Wal-Mart and Target carry Johnson's buddies soap for a dollar when on sale, so stock up on these, and get lots of free soap for the kiddos. Other stores carry the soap, but they are usually a bit more than a dollar. You could still get some super cheap soap using the coupon, though.
The General Mills insert has a .50 off Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers. These often go on sale for 1.00 at Kroger, and with a doubled coupon, that equals free vegetables. Again this means collect multiple coupons and stock up on the freebies!! I will let you know as soon as I hear that Kroger is having the sale. And if I here of other stores where they are on sale for 1.00, I will let you know. Do they go on sale for 1.00 at Publix? Does anyone know?
Also...if you live near a CVS, check out the Christmas 75% off section. They have a lot of chocolate candy on sale for .75 a piece. Combined with a coupon that could be almost free. This is great for baking, and for snacking:)
I haven't gone through all of the coupons yet, but those are the ones catching my eye. It's a great way to start the year, lots and lots of money saved.
If you are new to couponing or to the CVS game go here and here to get started.
Here are the best deals I am seeing--
In one of the Red Plum inserts, there is a 1.00 off Johnson's coupon, including Johnson's buddies products. Wal-Mart and Target carry Johnson's buddies soap for a dollar when on sale, so stock up on these, and get lots of free soap for the kiddos. Other stores carry the soap, but they are usually a bit more than a dollar. You could still get some super cheap soap using the coupon, though.
The General Mills insert has a .50 off Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers. These often go on sale for 1.00 at Kroger, and with a doubled coupon, that equals free vegetables. Again this means collect multiple coupons and stock up on the freebies!! I will let you know as soon as I hear that Kroger is having the sale. And if I here of other stores where they are on sale for 1.00, I will let you know. Do they go on sale for 1.00 at Publix? Does anyone know?
Also...if you live near a CVS, check out the Christmas 75% off section. They have a lot of chocolate candy on sale for .75 a piece. Combined with a coupon that could be almost free. This is great for baking, and for snacking:)
I haven't gone through all of the coupons yet, but those are the ones catching my eye. It's a great way to start the year, lots and lots of money saved.
If you are new to couponing or to the CVS game go here and here to get started.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Now, New Year's Resolutions
Again, Simple Mom has provided great questions for thinking through goals for 2009.
Similar to the 2008 reflection questions, I will answer a few here, though there are many more to think about than what I will post.
1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?
Oh how I want to pull that sewing machine out of the extra room upstairs and actually start using it. I have big plans to lug that thing home to either my mother's house or Scott's mother's house to have a little sewing lesson. So...resolution number one, sew at least one outfit that Ada can actually wear before January 1, 2010.
A few homemade drapes and pillows around the house wouldn't hurt either.
2. What is one skill you already have that you'd like to improve this year?
Hmmm...cooking maybe? I want to cook from scratch more. I have tons and tons of yeast that I purchased for free sitting in my cabinet, so maybe my first project will some type of bread. I have never made homemade bread before. I'll let you know how that goes.
3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.
Good question...I am not sure, and I am thinking this may have to be a completely separate post. Please, any readers out there, suggest some books worth reading. Fiction, parenting, money management, whatever, suggest away. What are your favorites?
I haven't read all of the Narnia books, so maybe I will mark those off of my list before 2010.
4. What are some specific ways you can encourage your spouse?
I am serious about the housekeeping, folks, I am terrible, so I would love to get a handle on that. I imagine it would be quite encouraging for Scott to come home to a clean rather than chaotic home.
I also want to be better about careless spending. Let's be honest, here, our biggest stress area is the budget, so the less I spend, the more encouraged he will be. I am bad about the occasional McDonald's hamburger or Sonic diet coke when it wasn't previously calculated in the week's budget. Those little expenses add up!
5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?
We want to be debt free. And I do mean debt free. Everything, house included, paid off. We are so far from that right now, but we want to mark off small goals this year. Emergency fund in place, debt snowball rolling, and hopefully all cars paid off before 2010.
6. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.
Well, let's state the obvious. I can eliminate the diet coke. I also really need to exercise more. This is good for my mental and physical health. I am setting a goal for exercising 3 times a week (at least).
7. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?
Since becoming a mom, I am terrible at letting my quiet times slide. In college I was so good at waking up early, going for a run, doing a bible study, and showering all before my 9 am class. Not so much anymore. Because I am a morning person, I want to start waking up before Ada, so that I can start the day with a quiet house and some time with the Lord. I think this would benefit everyone in our home. If I could be showered before she wakes up, that would be an even bigger bonus.
8. What is one thing you want to accomplish before your birthday?
My birthday is August 12th. I want my house to be painted, finally, before my birthday. I want everything downstairs to be painted. I have colors picked, I just have to get it done. I have big plans to paint my kitchen chairs red, my breakfast room walls gray, and the kitchen and family room "pale smoke." I plan to paint the guest room the same green as the dining room, and I am not 100% sure on the guest bath. Suggestions anyone? (Particularly you, Ann, since you helped me pick all of the other colors).
Even smaller goal. Before March 1st, I want wooden blinds on my front door. Our front door has a glass front, and the house came with blinds on every window and the breakfast room door, but not the front door. We just keep putting it off. We did put temporary blinds up one Saturday when I couldn't stand it anymore (you can find these at Home Depot), but the time has come to actually make the call and schedule a time for permanent blinds to be put up.
Okay, ya'll, I need accountability to actually make these things happen. From now on, every Sunday I will report on how the previous week went. I am hoping that if I have to actually tell someone that I didn't do one thing to make my house neater, well I will get off my tail and get it done. We'll see. What are your New Year's resolutions or goals?
Happy 2009, everyone!
Similar to the 2008 reflection questions, I will answer a few here, though there are many more to think about than what I will post.
1. What skill do you most want to learn this year?
Oh how I want to pull that sewing machine out of the extra room upstairs and actually start using it. I have big plans to lug that thing home to either my mother's house or Scott's mother's house to have a little sewing lesson. So...resolution number one, sew at least one outfit that Ada can actually wear before January 1, 2010.
A few homemade drapes and pillows around the house wouldn't hurt either.
2. What is one skill you already have that you'd like to improve this year?
Hmmm...cooking maybe? I want to cook from scratch more. I have tons and tons of yeast that I purchased for free sitting in my cabinet, so maybe my first project will some type of bread. I have never made homemade bread before. I'll let you know how that goes.
3. Name three books you most definitely want to read in 2009.
Good question...I am not sure, and I am thinking this may have to be a completely separate post. Please, any readers out there, suggest some books worth reading. Fiction, parenting, money management, whatever, suggest away. What are your favorites?
I haven't read all of the Narnia books, so maybe I will mark those off of my list before 2010.
4. What are some specific ways you can encourage your spouse?
I am serious about the housekeeping, folks, I am terrible, so I would love to get a handle on that. I imagine it would be quite encouraging for Scott to come home to a clean rather than chaotic home.
I also want to be better about careless spending. Let's be honest, here, our biggest stress area is the budget, so the less I spend, the more encouraged he will be. I am bad about the occasional McDonald's hamburger or Sonic diet coke when it wasn't previously calculated in the week's budget. Those little expenses add up!
5. Think of one of your major life goals. What will you do this year to make you one step closer to reaching that goal?
We want to be debt free. And I do mean debt free. Everything, house included, paid off. We are so far from that right now, but we want to mark off small goals this year. Emergency fund in place, debt snowball rolling, and hopefully all cars paid off before 2010.
6. Name a few ways your physical health could be improved.
Well, let's state the obvious. I can eliminate the diet coke. I also really need to exercise more. This is good for my mental and physical health. I am setting a goal for exercising 3 times a week (at least).
7. In what way do you want to draw closer to God?
Since becoming a mom, I am terrible at letting my quiet times slide. In college I was so good at waking up early, going for a run, doing a bible study, and showering all before my 9 am class. Not so much anymore. Because I am a morning person, I want to start waking up before Ada, so that I can start the day with a quiet house and some time with the Lord. I think this would benefit everyone in our home. If I could be showered before she wakes up, that would be an even bigger bonus.
8. What is one thing you want to accomplish before your birthday?
My birthday is August 12th. I want my house to be painted, finally, before my birthday. I want everything downstairs to be painted. I have colors picked, I just have to get it done. I have big plans to paint my kitchen chairs red, my breakfast room walls gray, and the kitchen and family room "pale smoke." I plan to paint the guest room the same green as the dining room, and I am not 100% sure on the guest bath. Suggestions anyone? (Particularly you, Ann, since you helped me pick all of the other colors).
Even smaller goal. Before March 1st, I want wooden blinds on my front door. Our front door has a glass front, and the house came with blinds on every window and the breakfast room door, but not the front door. We just keep putting it off. We did put temporary blinds up one Saturday when I couldn't stand it anymore (you can find these at Home Depot), but the time has come to actually make the call and schedule a time for permanent blinds to be put up.
Okay, ya'll, I need accountability to actually make these things happen. From now on, every Sunday I will report on how the previous week went. I am hoping that if I have to actually tell someone that I didn't do one thing to make my house neater, well I will get off my tail and get it done. We'll see. What are your New Year's resolutions or goals?
Happy 2009, everyone!
The money saved should be good this weekend
Just wanted to pass on a head's up that rumours are flying that this Sunday's paper should be full of good coupons. I suggest buying multiple copies. Usually Publix has a bundle deal where you buy two for the price of one.
Also, go here for a free sample of Nature Made Vitamins. The B Complex is great for providing much needed energy!! I already received mine, and it is quite the large portion for a free sample. Plus, you will receive a coupon along with the vitamins. These often go on sale BOGO at Kroger and CVS, so save those coupons!!
Also, go here for a free sample of Nature Made Vitamins. The B Complex is great for providing much needed energy!! I already received mine, and it is quite the large portion for a free sample. Plus, you will receive a coupon along with the vitamins. These often go on sale BOGO at Kroger and CVS, so save those coupons!!
New Year, New Look
Well, as I mentioned before, I thought it was high time for a new look around here. And not only a new look, but a new name as well. What better time to implement these changes than the New Year. Do you agree?
A long time ago, this blog became less about Ada and more about how her unexpected arrival has rearranged all aspects of our life. In a good way, of course.
One night at the weekly women's bible study that I attend, I shared that I often feel like I fell asleep in college, and I woke up in this life now--wife, stay at home mom, etc. Some days I can't really remember how I got here, but here I am. And that is where this life I've found comes from. Because most days it feels like I just woke up one day, and I found myself here. I am thankful to be here, but it is a daily challenge. I am in process of learning how to manage the house, budget our money, be mom to Ada, wife to Scott, and remain me in the midst of it all. This blog has become a place where I can reflect on how God is changing me, shaping me, and breaking me in the process.
A long time ago, this blog became less about Ada and more about how her unexpected arrival has rearranged all aspects of our life. In a good way, of course.
One night at the weekly women's bible study that I attend, I shared that I often feel like I fell asleep in college, and I woke up in this life now--wife, stay at home mom, etc. Some days I can't really remember how I got here, but here I am. And that is where this life I've found comes from. Because most days it feels like I just woke up one day, and I found myself here. I am thankful to be here, but it is a daily challenge. I am in process of learning how to manage the house, budget our money, be mom to Ada, wife to Scott, and remain me in the midst of it all. This blog has become a place where I can reflect on how God is changing me, shaping me, and breaking me in the process.
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