Robbers!

     What robs you of your time?
  Right now, it's the computer. I limit my kids, but I don't always limit myself.

   Robbers sneak up on you.  I usually have to sit with my children during school. Sometimes, I can get a load of laundry or dishes done, but if I go too far, the kids stop working. While I'm sitting there, I will answer questions or teach my preschooler, but if he is watching a video, I will get out a laptop or tablet. I am not looking up helpful references or preschool worksheets. No, I am playing Words with Friends or Hidden Chronicles. Some play Farmville, Castleville or Bakers Life. You have friends that need your help getting a bucket of paint or they need some energy or it is my move and my friend is waiting for their turn. Before I knew it, an hour of my life was gone. The only way I can limit my time is to make sure everything I am supposed to do is done first. My "fun" computer time is a reward, after I have finished everything I needed to do for the day. I look forward to it, especially Words with Friends ~ can you say, addicted.
  Whatever it is that keeps you from doing the things you need to do, need to be put in check. If you have a mental or written list of things you want to get accomplished at the beginning of the day and by the end of the day, you were only able to do 2 of them, your time is being robbed. You need to sit down and retrace your steps or even journal your day, to find out what is robbing you of your time. Everyday should be balanced with work and play.  Make time for your husband and family. Make time for your daily routines. Make time for your chores. Make time for Yourself!

100 Days of Clearing Out The Clutter

Our winter has been so mild, maybe that's why I feel the need to start "decluttering." Each week, I will tackle an area of our home.  I am using the 5s Method. I will post before and after pictures. Wish Me Luck!

100 Day Clutter Challenge ~ Day 1

    I didn't do as well as I had hoped for my first challenge day. I started in my bedroom closet, because I knew that had the most stuff in it. In the whole downstairs, that is where I put most things I want to hide. I am tackling the biggest first. I sorted through my clothes, but my husband didn't get a chance to sort through his. I took out one bookcase and moved it to the entry way, with all the books. That was it, but it was a start. I didn't even get to the part where I establish good habits, a schedule or routines in the 5s System, but I need to come up with a good time during my day to spend some time on this declutter project. Let the juggling act of project, children, dinner, laundry, school and cleaning, begin.

It's Only By His Grace!

100 Day Clutter Challenge

I am so excited about my new organization project. I have lived in this house for 6 years. We bought with the intention of doing our first "flip this house". It was in 1980 original style. We replaced some appliances, floor covering and a couple of window's, then we ran out of money and the market dropped. When we first moved in, I had streamlined our stuff. I had 2 large moving boxes, one we filled with the items we keep and the other with things to give away or yard sale. I know less is more with me. I have a growing family and I don't really like cleaning all that much, but it's necessary. My piles grew, what feels like overnight, but now is the time to take care of the clutter. Send me a comment if you are going to join me on this journey.

Make it myself - Lemon Hand Scrub

I really enjoy a little pampering. This is a hand scrub a friend gave me. So, I had to try and make it for myself. All you need is:

12 Oz. Mason Jar

2 1/2 Cups of Sugar

1 Cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice (add a little zest for an extra touch)

You mix everything together until you get a nice paste and scoop it into the Mason Jar. The next time you want some really soft hands, just get a small amount on the spoon hung on the ribbon. Rub around your hands and in between your fingers, then rinse completely with warm water. Rinse off your spoon and hang back on the ribbon until next time. They make really nice gifts for friends and teachers.

Minute To Win It Birthday

   We have birthdays 6 of the 12 months. We have 2 in January, skip February, then one a month until July.   We usually have our birthdays at home and invite family and some friends. This year my daughter decided she wanted a Minute To Win It party. For the games, all of the blueprints are on their website, but for the games she picked out we would have to buy a lot of items. I switched it around, we were going to find items we have around the house and match it to a game. We have dice from Yahtzee and popsicle sticks from crafts, so thats our first game, balance 5 dice on the end of the stick held in your mouth. Next, I have a jar full of dimes. There is one game where you fill a large jar, like a pickle jar (we save a lot of jars), fill it with water, place a smaller container in the water then throw dimes in. See how many dimes go in the small container in 1minute. We have golf balls from our amateur golfers, game number 3, try and balance 3 golfballs on top of each other. Like I said, we do like games so I got some playing cards. You put the stack of playing cards on top of my dime jar and try to blow them off leaving only 1 card.  She and her friends had such a good time.
   Decorations were bought from Dollar Tree or I printed anything that went along with the theme. My mom wanted to get the pizza and I usually make the birthday cakes, but this year she wanted an ice cream cake (I am going to make one on my own one year with the yummy crunchies) so we got that for her. She turned 12 so the rest of the time was filled with talking and giggling. I love it when they get older and I don't have to entertain for the whole birthday party. She is such a special daughter. She is artistic, kind hearted, loves animals and athletic. She will always be my little girl.
   You can see it doesn't have to cost a lot to have a great party and a great time.

E-Meals

   I try to streamline anything I can to make my life a little easier. We have been trying to live on a good working budget for a few years. I had gotten in such a habit of buying the same things for dinner that you would know what day of the week it was  by what was cooking in the kitchen...boring. A friend tried e-meals and said she really liked it, so I thought I would give it a try. I have only used it for a few weeks, but the dinners I have tried have been pretty good. We went off plan this week because my kids really liked the taco pizza. I have a little trouble getting my menu on Sun., clipping my coupons and getting my shopping done before Monday dinner, but I'm working on it. My new dinner variety is worth the few extra bucks a  month.

Grace for another day

    Websters definition of Grace is unmerited, divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. I prefer a second definition, seemingly effortless beauty or charm of movement, like when you watch an ice skater "grace" across the ice. That is the grace I look for each day. Beginner ice skaters wear "bunga pads" for protection when they fall, and they will fall. Grace is  my bunga pad because I fall everyday. Everyday I come very short of the glory of God. Most days I get frustrated, feel like there isn't enough time in the day and hardly finish the things I start. I fuss about school work getting finished and messes being made. People are always watching you, like it or not. I want to make loving and serving others look beautiful, effortless and charming. I don't want to "fake it til I make it".  I want to spend time, First seeking the Kingdom of God and then Him adding all He is unto me. It's His grace that will make all I do seem effortless. It isn't always easy, but with God's grace, it's always worth it.