Weekly Challenge #8 - Daily schedule and Finances (A Recap)

Weekly Challenge #8 - Daily Schedule

It is that time of week again!  Time to accept the weekly challenge from Toni at A Bowl Full of Lemons.  This week, she is challenging us to get our daily schedules in order.  For once I can say "This is done!!".  If you recall, this was on one of my first "Simplify" lists - to modify my daily/weekly to do lists so that they worked well.   I divided my tasks up that needed to get done each week and placed them on certain days:

Monday: Wash Towels; Weekly Home Blessing; Bake Bread

Tuesday: Wash my/Darryl's clothes; work on deep cleaning room

Wednesday: Changes sheets and Take out trash; Write Menu/Grocery list

Thursday: Wash kids clothes; updated budget/balance checkbook; pull coupons

Friday: Do wrong room rescue; wash my/Darryl's clothes; bake cookies; clean out the fridge

You may notice that I wash clothes every day but Wednesday - I tried washing clothes all on one day and found that I couldn't get everything done so by dividing it up over the week I only have to do one or two loads a day and it is easier to get done.  Plus, Wednesday gives me a free day or a day to catch up if I'm going to be gone on another day. 

I also have a Morning, Afternoon and Evening routine which takes care of everything from picking up hotspots to preparing for the following day. 

I totally agree with the guest poster, routines are the key for success. I have a new organizational blog that I enjoy and it is Organizaing Made Fun.(the guest poster!)   I enjoyed her post today and enjoyed other posts she has written as well.  I appreciate her simple ideas and taking one task at a time.

 

Most of you also know that I am a big fan of Flylady.  If you are looking for a place to start - start with her baby steps.  At first, it seems a bit overwhelming but, if you really follow her system, it does work.  If you check it out and have questions of how I made it work for me, please ask!  I've been a "Flybaby" for years!

Check out Toni's challenge for this week and read the great ideas given!

Recap - Week 7 Challenge - Finances

Last weeks, weekly Challenge was to get our finances in order.  As we all know, it takes a lot longer than that but this weeks focus was making a system to help us get those in order.  Each day Toni, at A Bowl Full of Lemons, gave a challenge for all of us to work on.

Sunday

Track what you spend.

This seems easy, doesn't it?  I've done this on and off for years but it is really hard to remember to write down all the little things.  Sometimes I feel like I nag my husband at the end of the day when I ask if he bought anything today so I can write it down.  That is why I love this concept of the receipt tracker from Clean Mama Printables.  It is just a calendar of the month and I write in the squares.  It works for me - for the first time - it works.  I've done ledger books, excel spreadsheets, notebooks -every idea under the sun but it was always so cumbersome whereas this - just jot it down quickly and once a week I update that old budget sheet with the breakdowns.  Eeasy Peasy.

Monday

Create an Envelope System

I've been working on this and had come up with a great complicated system that really wasn't working.  I had picked up a couple of these coupon expanding files.

I was using one for my "weekly" things like grocery money, gas, eating out, and crafts/teaching.  It was ok but was bulky and really didn't fit will in my purse. The other I used for my HUGE number of accounts that we use - everything from clothes to vacation to pets.  Yes, I tend to make things really complicated.  Than I read Monday's post.

In reading the post on Monday I loved what Kelleigh Ratzlaff designs created for her wallet.  I pulled out some scrapbooking paper and created the envelopes this week.   I also have been on the lookout for a new wallet as mine is about 15 years old and is coming apart. everywhere.  It's help up well but it is on its last leg.  I picked out a great wallet from Thirty one - I've been drooling over that stuff for awhile and finally had a reason to order something.   I really want to make the envelopes work for us (me- I'm the spender . .. ) so that we can live within our budget but this is an ongoing process.  Not fun.  I like to spend (Did I mention that) and could $2.50 us to death easily.  Which, I will point out, that is where tracking spending and keeping a budget come in - it allows you to see what you are spending and what you regret spending.

Tuesday

A Budget Box

I don't have one but I like the concept.  Right now I keep bills and such in a drawer in the desk which I like.  I also have a file drawer in the desk which is being very under utilized so I think I'm going to morph her concept into the drawer/file.  I don't have room for a box anywhere - my concept is to simplify which means no more clutter too!!  I think the biggest thing to take from this idea is that you need one place for everything.  My drawer is great - I keep the calendar with the bills so I know what is due when, I have a calculator in the drawer too.  When the mail comes in there is a slot for the bills to get dropped into until I put them on the calendar.  I also use my home management notebook to keep my worksheets in as well.  So I guess I do have a system . . .maybe I am already set.  Wow, I surprised myself LOL

Wednesday

Creating a Debt Snowfall
This was another idea that I love.  We've been working on getting this rolling but it is slow going.  We hope to see more progress over the coming months.  I love the simplicity of this concept and the way Toni explained it, again, I tend to get complicated!!! 

Thursday and Friday
An Interview and Success Stories
The last two days of the challenge, Toni shared an interview she had with Dave Ramsey as well as some success stories.  Take time to read them to be inspired!

You can find all of these posts and more over at

Happenings in this House

Welcome to another installment of "Happenings in this House" - enjoy a walk through our week!

 We made applesauce this week - it is the first time Josh has cooked with me and he really enjoyed use the Apple peeler/corer/slicer. 

 For some odd reason, the swing has become the best thing in the world.  The boys fight over who gets to sit in it.  I use it for the little munchkin I watch so I guess the other two see him have fun and want the same thing.  They actually like it more now than they did when they are tiny!

 Of course, we removed the old stove and got a new one.

 And celebrated St Patrick's Day!!

Finally, we ended our week with a surprise Birthday Party for Grandpa Charlie who is turning 70.  Darryl was off in Bay City learning how to drive a big rig so the boys and I took off out of town for the party.  The boys were awesome and had so much fun with noisemakers and the other little kids at the party.  Charlie was very surprised which is always fun to see.

So, that's our week!  Hope you had a great week too!

Creative Memories Spotlight - National Scrapbook Day Products

Nearly 20 years ago, Creative Memories had a little seed of an idea: establish one day dedicated to scrapbooking.  This idea has grown into an international celebration.  All over there will be "National Scrapbooking Day" Events held throughout the month of April.  So why not plan your own day - either just a day for yourself where you can work on projects or invite some friends over for a girls day and work on catching up on your photo projects.  I will be attending a scrapbooking crop this Tuesday, March 22nd, which I have deemed as my "National Scrapbooking day". I'll be busy from 10am - 10pm with some specific goals in mind.  1) Complete everything from 2008 2) Put all printed pages from 2009 in an album 3) Complete all editing on 2009 pages (which are done) and get them ready to order.  When I finish those three items, I will than continue work digitally on 2010 photos. 

There are some really pretty items that have come out for National Scrapbook Day and are only available from March 1- May 31st (wsl).  I'm saving my pennies to be able to get each of these items and hope you that they appeal to you too!

The Ltd. Ed. National Scrapbook Day Fun & Fab Album.  This is available for $32.00 - isn't it adorable?  It would be great for a yearly album or for a sweet little girl.  With all boys in the house, I don't get a lot of pink but I will be using this album for my 2011 photos.  I love the flower decal on it.  You can also get this as a bundle which would include 2 packs of white pages and 2 packs of page protectors for $62.00 (a value of $83.00)

Fun and Fab 12x12 sticker sheet that matches perfectly with the above album or stands on its own to work with current projects.  This sells for $5.00.

There is also a Fun and Fab Digital Kit for those of you with the Creative Memories Software.  This sells for $8.95.

I also wanted to share this - this is really an item designed for consultants to use at a National Scrapbooking Day event but, as I'm not actually hosting one (maybe in my next house LOL) and you may be gathering with with friends, well, why not share?  This pack includes all of the pre-cut cardstock needed for 12 people to complete three make n' take ideas with leftovers to do more.  The pack also includes three idea sheets to use to make the designed ideas. OR If you are like me, purchase one and use the paper however you wish!

The best part?  You can get this for $4.50 and includes:

Includes

� 12 x 1.5 cardstock strip � 4.5 x 6.5 cardstock photo mat � 5 x 7 cardstock photo mat � 3 idea sheets (one for each make n’ take opportunity) (which would mean 12 of each in each packet . .. )

 

If you are interested in any of the above items - they are only available through me!  Just contact me with your information and I'll get that order placed.

 

There's more . .. but this, you can order yourself from my Website.

 

To go along with that beautiful album there is also a new Power Palette Set called "Fabulous".  Between March 1 and April 30, 2011 you actually save $20.00 when you purchase the full power palette in honor of National Scrapbook Day.  You can get the entire system which includes:

16 sheets 12x12 Tone-on-Tone Papers 16 sheets 12x12 Designer-Print Papers 96-piece Storybox 3 sheets of Title Stickers 2 sheets of Decorative ABCs 4 rolls of Paper Ribbon 64 Paper Flowers 64 Paper Buttons

for $49.95.  (Reg $60.50 with a value of $70.50)

There, of course, is also a digital version available for both the PC and Mac for $10.95 each

There are so many great products to choose from and I always love the specials and Limited Edition Items that they display periodically.  And here's a teaser for you . .. I'm in the process of creating a Memory Keepers Club where you can earn free product.  This is something that Creative Memories endorses but currently is revamping . .. I'm tired of waiting so I'm putting together something for all of you that order! Points will be earned with any orders placed beginning . .. NOW!  LOL  I plan on having the details to post for you in the next Creative Memories Spotlight. 

Thank you and have a wonderful day making . ..and scrapping .. your memories!

Beef Drip

One recipe that I have looked for over the years that is actually something REALLY good is a French Dip type recipe.  Yes, I love them - the bread that turns soggy when you dip it into that oh-so-wonderful beefy liquid.  I've tried a few; some were ok, some where awful.  When I saw this one, though, it seemed really good . . .and boy was it good!!

I found this recipe over at Jenna's Journey who referenced Pioneer Women recipes.  This is defiantly a recipe to try - especially if you love that rich beef flavor!

Beef Drip

Ingredients:
1 whole 2.5-4 pound chuck roast
1/4 cups butter
1 whole large onion, sliced thick
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 cups soy sauce
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoons salt
4 cups water
toasted, buttered deli rolls

Heat butter in a heavy pot over medium-high heat.  Saute the  onions for a couple of minutes, or until starting to get brown.

Set chuck roast on top of the onions.  Add all remaining ingredients.  Cover pot and simmer (very low heat) on the stove for 6 hours or until beef is fork-tender and falling apart.  **If meat is not yet tender, retunr to stove for 30 minutes intervals till it's tender!**  Shred meat with two forks until all large chunks are gone.  Serve immediately or continue to simmer for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

*Mixture can be refrigerated overnight.  Remove hardened fat from top of pan before reheating.

Serve on top of toasted, buttered deli rolls.  Top with cheese and place under the broiler if desired.

A couple of things I did . .. .
* I used two onions based on Jenna's recommendation but next time I would use a few more since they weren't very big
* I seasoned my roast with salt, pepper, and garlic salt before putting it in the pan
* I served our sandwiches with the beef juice - you will want to drain the grease off the top though
* I used chicken stock in this but next time I might try a can of Campbells French Onion Soup. 

I'm linking up over at:

Mommy School - Happy St Patrick's Day!!

So this week we geared up to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.  But first, I used a chance of making some homemade applesauce to "teach" Josh.

 Josh learned how to use the Apple Peeler/Corer/Slicer this week.  He loved it and he loved the applesauce too.  I did manage to pick out the peelings and cores he threw in the crock pot before they cooked :-)

 On to St Patrick's Day - we started are day with Lucky Charms.  Or maybe I should say Lucky Charms Marshmallows because they got picked out quickly :-)

 For lunch we had Green Mac and Cheese and Green Smoothies.  I did not put spinach in the smoothies - that was too much for me - so I just added a few drops of food coloring.  Nate loved the smoothie and sucked that puppy right down; Josh preferred Chocolate Milk :-)

 The Little Munchkin I babysit brought the boys gifts - the headbands and necklaces that light up!  We all had a lot of fun with these items all day long.  Josh loved the flashing necklace the best.   Plus all the boys had on special St Patty's Shirts!!

 It is really hard to get these two to sit still for a good picture together so this is what I've got LOL  It kinda fits their personality perfectly.

 And dinner!  This was a first for me - I found a recipe for Corn Beef and Cabbage in the crock pot and put that together this morning.  It was surprisingly tasty - I enjoyed the potatoes and carrots that cooked in the crock pot too more than the meat though.  I also made some Irish Soda bread and a Rainbow Jello-O Salad. . .don't look too close, I messed up my layers so they aren't in order plus one is missing because I ran out of time . ..

 And I made treasure pudding cups too!  We had to eat to find the gold (chocolate) coin in the bottom.   Josh obviously loved his.

 After dinner we went on a treasure hunt for more gold (chocolate) coins.

And we ended our day with a green bath!!  It was a lot greener in person and the boys really enjoyed it.

We also had a great visit from Grandpa and Grandma Mac today too!

So, that was the main focus of our teaching this week - I will be posting some recipes for a few of the items we enjoyed today over the next few weeks in case you are interested too!!

Happy St Patrick's Day!!

Simplify, Simplify, Simplify part 3

I have to say, it feels good to cross projects off the list, to have working ways of organization, and to see all of the things that stressed our home life be resolved and made peaceful.  From a way to manage our home better to the "Spa" bathroom being complete . . almost there (can it be Spa with THREE, count them THREE boys in the house???)  to actually being able to use our games because we can get to them now!

You can check out progress on the other Simplify Posts here and here.  (Part 1 is completed!!)

On to the next few items.

The Kitchen

This is still a work in progress.  This project is going faster than I anticipated which is nice.  About 1/3 of the cabinets are painted and the handles are going up thanks to my hubby.  I've picked out the wall colors and even have picked out some tile for a back splash; but one thing at a time so first, the cabinets will get done! For progress on this return to Simplify post #2

The Closets and Dressers

It is that time of year again!  Time to clean out the closets, rotate clothes, and figure out what we need to get us through the summer

My goals for these areas are pretty simple

1 .Nate's Room - clean out his closet and pack away any winter clothes that don't fit; hang up the summer clothes he has; make a list of any items that are needed; clean out his dresser to make room for the clothes Josh will pass down from this winter; make sure the dresser and the closet are clean, neat and organized

2. Josh's Room - clean out his closet and pack away any winter clothes that don't fit; hang up the summer clothes (which = about zero so the boy will be naked for a bit LOL) and make a list of what to buy; clean out his dresser; make sure the dresser and the closet are clean, neat and organized.

3. Our room - clean out our closet and get rid of clothes we aren't wearing; move winter clothes downstairs/summer clothes upstairs; make a list of anything we need; clean out our dresser as needed; make sure closet and dresser are neat, clean and organized.
4. Jewelry Organization (for me LOL) - Clean out my jewelry; take anything I think is gold (hahahaha) to see if I can get money for it (the stuff that is broken or I don't want); Make a jewelry organization center. (I've seen a few ideas on various blogs that I may combine to use what I want - right now I don't even know what I have so even when I can wear jewelry, I often end up not finding what I want in the the drawer)

Vacation Planning

This is coming into play now because we have a little vacation planned at the end of May that I need to get moving on so I'm going to incorporate the few things that we will use for future vacations into this plan

1. Write up a master packing list

2. Create a binder of vacation ideas, fliers, packing lists etc.

3. Plan this vacation - menu, things to do, things to pack etc.

Gift Wrapping Center

This was one of the weekly organizational challenges that I did not complete on the given week.  It needed more time than what I had to give it.  I figured this was a good block to throw it in since the above items don't require a lot of extra work.

1. Clean out gift bags - get rid of the bad, broken and ugly

2. Put bows and ribbins in labeled bins

3. Clean out gift wrap

4. Figure out where to hang gift wrap to make it easy to use

5. Clear of work table downstairs to use for gift station Instead built a station in my bedroom by using under the bed storage - I've already used it twice to wrap shower gifts and L.O.V.E it!

6. Purchase needed supplies like scissors, tape, pens pencils, etc to use only at that station

Tot Time Storage
As I teach my kids more and more and have more supplies I see the need to create an easy, self-updating system to store our activities for each month.  This is something I want to be able to morph into more teaching things as the boys get older.  This is not something that was on my original 12 idea list but as I was shoving placing crayons and coloring books in a dark corner the other day it dawned on me, I need a better system! This may also accomplish another goal of getting my scrapbooks out into public so we can actually enjoy them - if there is enough room on the shelf!
1. Purchase or re-purpose a storage unit/bookcase into the dining room (the best place for my "classroom" - you have have multi-purpose rooms in a tiny house)
2. Purchase or re-purpose baskets/bins for storage of items like crayons, markers, paper, paint etc.
3. Have a home for the current month's sensory bin
4. Have a low basket for the weeks/months current storybooks that fit the theme.
5. Hang display "shelves" on the wall to display each boys artwork (this is an idea I posted about a LONG time ago so it is the perfect time to incorporate the idea)
6. Do touch up paint in the dining room (from removing pictures to do this project) and rehang only the most important things - to reduce eye clutter.
7. Bring Scrapbooks out of the bedroom onto this shelf (oh please let there be room LOL)
8. If the above works, almost move the shelf out of the bedroom!!! (Finally - a little room!)
9. Create an Artwork binder for each of the kids (another idea that I saw that I love!!)
10. Make sure I have the basic supplies to have tot time with my kids - scissors, crayons, markers, glue, etc.
11. Make a wish list of various toys/'games to use for teaching.

As you can see I have a ton of "little" (haha) projects I would like to get done.  I'm pushing hard to get some of these out of the way by the end of March as we have a HUGE project that we want to get done in April and May (well, huge to us . . .).  Than this summer I have some crafts I want to do for Christmas (seriously??YEP!) that I need the outside and sunshine to help with (like painting in the garage without freezing)  I just told Darryl recently that I feel like our home is slowly beginning to run like a well oiled machine.  We had so many changes in just a short span of time that we just keep moving forward, pushing things out of our way. Now that I've been home a year, I feel like we can slip into a pattern and, once that is established, make it work no matter what comes our way!

What I'm Loving Wednesday (Ode to a Stove)

So this week's "What I'm Loving Wednesday" is a little different than normal but it really shows what I'm truly thankful for too!!!


This is my current stove.

Yes, it is cooking its final meal.

Isn't that cute???

Daddy's helper :-)

It has served us well. It was a gift . . kinda.  See, when we bought this house with all of its "working" appliances, we soon discovered (after waiting for Chicken Enchilada Casserole to cook for 2 1/2 hours!!) that the oven did not work.  Seriously.  We had just bought a house, purchased new carpet (to replace gross, nasty 20 year old green shag carpet in the living room) and had to buy a lawn mower . .. so a stove was out of the question.  For 6 months I lived without an oven.  I cooked using the stove top, crock pot, or toaster oven.  We missed a lot of our favorites and ate a lot of tacos and beef tips and noodles. Than, my parents were able to buy a new stove and guess who got the hand-me-down???  US!!!!  We where thrilled because it also came with a well used portable dishwasher too :-)  So, our stove was once my parents and we've had it for over 7 years . . I would guess that baby is at least 15 years old.  We've noticed it doesn't cook as evenly, I have a burner ( or 2) that won't light anymore and, well, we've had a visit from the Fire Department too .. .. the stove likes to set off the carbon monoxide detector.  Not good.  Time to replace that old friend.

This is my new stove.

Out with the old

In with the new . . . well, not really.  See that stove was the wrong one - I discovered it after they left.  They returned a few hours later with the right one!

SWEET!!!

Yep, that sweet thing is mine.  It matches my new refrigerator (which was replaced this summer when the 20 year old item that came with the house, died).  Isn't that thing awesome????  I can cook 5 things at once if I want to. I love good sales at Sears - and tax returns - or I might be cooking in a toaster oven for awhile.  Oh, and just for the record, that portable dishwasher is long gone too . . we lived again without one for over a year and than bought a new portable dishwasher about 3 years ago.  My husband has promised me that when that one dies, the next one will match the other appliances, both in color and in the fact that it will be installed :-)  But first . . .a dryer is next on the list. .. another oldie but goodie . . we'll see how much longer it lasts.

So, that's what I'm loving today!!

Also I'm linking up at blog hops over at:

and