Spring Break

 I referenced some things in my April Goal Post about spring break.  I thought I would break that down a little more and (hopefully) give an update at the end of the week!  I'll try to remember to take before and after photos (I'm not great at remembering the before shots!)  

What exactly is spring break for me?  It's a week where I can focus on things I want to get done instead of focusing on school and making sure everyone gets everywhere they need to go. Music lessons are usually cancelled and there are no extra things like youth group or AWANA.  

Technically our break started this past Friday (Yes, April 1st - April Fools day!) I took that day off HA!  Actually after pushing super hard the last two weeks to end school at a certain place lesson wise, we were all ready for a break.  It continues through Sunday, April 10th.  Because we are going away in a few weeks, we won't be doing anything "fun" but rather just sticking close to home and just getting stuff done around home.  

My original plan including some out door projects but it is supposed to be colder and rainy so I changed gears and am going to focus on the inside! 

Here's my basic plan: 

Delcutter Calendar - I went through January-April and made a list of what I still need to accomplish.  I'm going to follow a plan I did a few years ago and that is to do the number of things that match the date.  So, April 1st, I need to tackle one thing, April 2nd, two things, and so on.  

Basement - I'm going to just tackle it by "date" - similar to above.  On April 1st, I'll clean off one shelf or empty one bin; April 2nd, two shelves/bins; Until Thursday, April 7th.  Why the 7th?  Because I want to give myself Friday to catch up or relax!

"Everything in it's place" cleaning - I have a list for each room that I want to accomplish - a lot of putting things away and getting things into their rightful homes is what needs to happen.  My plan is to tackle one room a day.  In reality it won't take long but a good 15-45 minutes should wrap up it up in each spot. 

Scrapbooking/Photos - This is my "everyday project".  I want to get things organized again, know where I'm at on projects, and be ready to scrapbook again!  I also have to work on getting my photos organized from my phone/camera onto my hard drive and then figure out an easier way to upload things again. 

Summer Clothes - It's time to update closets with summer clothes.  I also need to take both guys to pick up anything that they need for the summer.  

I'm looking forward to having some time to get some things accomplished on a week when we have nothing extra!  Once this week is done we have the big push through the end of our school year! 

April Goal Post

So, as I mentioned last week, a lot of March goals are carrying over into April.  I'm hoping spring break week will help me accomplish some things!  I mean, I technically get about 10 days with no school, our co-op is done, no field trips - nothing except (hopefully) hopefully working on projects!  

Here's the plan for April : 

1. I'm working on following a "Declutter" calendar from a blog that I've followed for years.  My goal is to finish all of the April tasks and also to catch up on any tasks from January, February, and March that are not done. This is a spring break project - my plan is to mark 1-2 items off each day. 

2. Work in the basement - we had made a lot of progress last year but then we added drums and a "band" space for all my guys to play together and stuff got "shoved".  The plan is to drag everyone to the basement one day in March and spend a few hours working together.  That way we can sort and get things out together.  Josh is really great at this - he worked by himself a few times last year.  

3. Scrapbooking - I was really organized and well planned the last year and a half but then I stopped scrapbooking for a bit and am now a little unsure of where I stand.  Therefore I have a few goals with scrapbooking.  A) Get all of my pages that are done into albums and make a list of where I'm at for the 4 years I'm working on B) Write down where I'm at ordering photos so I don't re-order photos.  C) Set aside one weekend at least to scrapbook D) Upload all photos from my phone and camera and continue work on organizing my photos This is my #1 spring break project.  First I have to figure out how to get photos off of my phone - something has changed with how the phone and computer talk and they don't like each other.  So it is time to solve this mystery and then move on from there! 

4) Lego Room/Play Room - We have some old bookshelves that we attached to the wall years ago but they are about ready to fall apart.  I want to get those emptied and taken down.  This will also open up a little space for storage and a Lego Building area. 

5) Reading - My goal this year is to read 52 books this year with 12 of them being non-fiction.  So my goal this month will be to read a total of 4 books - 3 for fun and 1 for learning.  I also want to sent up a Pinterest or Facebook page to record what I read all year. I did join an on-line book club this year so that will help with my reading too!  My added goal for April is to figure out what I've read so far and post those! 

6) Music - Learn one piano song this month and then play it at church as a prelude.  Also, work on a special music number. 

7) Family Fun - April's focus in my birthday.  We have some ideas but whatever we do will be the family fun this month.   Darryl and I also trying to go on a "date" once a month (even a simple coffee shop visit is fine).  Also plan some future events - maybe some concerts that are coming up or camping trips this summer, etc.  I just need to get an idea on some dates and costs to see what we can actually do 

8) Bible Study - Complete my Bible Study 3 days a week and create my prayer journal  

9) Make Darryl's to do list :-)  And then get some of those things done! 

10) Learn how to make a really good Shrimp and Grits. 

11) Restock our toiletry and medicine cabinet.  

12) Update my holiday plan - I still need to do Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and now Valentine's.  Plus plan St. Patrick's Day and look ahead at Easter. 

13) Usually planning for co-op goes here but since we just wrapped up the semester and I don't really need to plan for the fall yet.  Instead, I need to start planning our summer fun!  I'd like to get 4 weeks nailed down.   

14) Clean out my vehicle - it always gets a little crazy between October and March when I don't want to stand outside and clean it out! 

15) Work with Nate to clean his room and move stuff that he wants moved. 

16) April is the month where I like to clean out the garage.  It isn't too hot or too cold so we can get it done.  Along with this we start to clean up the yard.  

17) Put memorabilia in completed scrapbooks. This will free up some file space too! 

18) Spend less money :-)  Really it is "track our spending" - when I track it and plan it out each week, we spend much less because it is already accounted for and it gives me a goal to work towards each week.  (And in case you didn't know, I like goals!) 

19) Get my steps in every day.  Now the the weather will hopefully be slightly better for walking this will be easier. 

20) Do Yogo (or Mindful Stretching) once a week.  A few years ago, Nate did a "Yoga" style class at our Co-Op and I was able to help in it a few times and actually like it.  I'd like to find a super easy "beginning" program online to follow.  Who knows, maybe I'll like it more HA!

21) Go through my kids closets and figure out what fits (or doesn't fit!) for the summer.  It won't be long and it will be time to buy all the summer goods! 

22) Mattress shop.  Who knew buying a new Mattress is almost more stressful than buying a car (which we are in the process of doing right now!!) but it is!  Darryl's back requires certain things with a mattress so it makes it harder to find what will work.  So we will see! 

Weekly Menu

 I've recently learned that this post is a favorite of all of my brothers.  They look forward to it every single week !!! No Foolin'!  HA!  Actually, today is my least favorite "holiday" of the year.  When I taught school I always warned my students that April Fool's jokes were not something that I appreciated so don't do them!!!  Same with my kids.  I'm just not a fan!  I do normally make "Kool-aid" (Jell-O) for dinner because it is a long time standing tradition but no one even eats it HA!  

April - how crazy is that (I say that every month it seems).  This next week is spring break but we are sticking around home since we will be enjoying a get away later in the month.  I have some projects on my "to do" list along with scrapbooking and reading!  We also have to eat :-)  Here's the plan for the coming week. 

Friday - Cuban Pork Loin and Fries. 

Saturday - So, last week we had planned to head out to celebrate the anniversary of our engagement where we got engaged but we had to post pone it due to freezing rain.  So, we are going to try again this week! 

Sunday - Pulled Chicken and Chili Cheese dip and chips

Monday - Mississippi Roast in the crock pot, mashed potatoes and corn

Tuesday - Tacos (Because it bothers my brother Jeff when we don't have Tacos on Tuesday HA!) 

Wednesday - French Toast Sticks, Bacon/Sausage and Fruit

Thursday - Shrimp Fajita bowls and salad (because we did not get to this recipe last week! )

I decided to do some favorites this week since we did quite a few new recipes last week :-) 

March Recap

So, when I posted the March goals I ended it by saying I didn't think I could actually get it done well, I was right.  March started with food poisoning (thanks Dairy Queen)  then moved into a pretty great old fashioned head cold, followed by some super busy weekends.  Just when I thought things were slow down - March ended up being even busier then it has been!  

Anyway, I added notes.  You will see many of these again in April (I guess that makes writing April goals easier, right?) 

 Here's the plan for March: 

1. I'm working on following a "Declutter" calendar from a blog that I've followed for years.  My goal is to finish all of the March tasks and also to catch up on any tasks from January and February that are not done. 

2. Work in the basement - we had made a lot of progress last year but then we added drums and a "band" space for all my guys to play together and stuff got "shoved".  The plan is to drag everyone to the basement one day in March and spend a few hours working together.  That way we can sort and get things out together.  Josh is really great at this - he worked by himself a few times last year.  

3. Scrapbooking - I was really organized and well planned the last year and a half but then I stopped scrapbooking for a bit and am now a little unsure of where I stand.  Therefore I have a few goals with scrapbooking.  A) Get all of my pages that are done into albums and make a list of where I'm at for the 4 years I'm working on B) Write down where I'm at ordering photos so I don't re-order photos.  C) Set aside one weekend at least to scrapbook D) Upload all photos from my phone and camera and continue work on organizing my photos 

4) Lego Room/Play Room - We have some old bookshelves that we attached to the wall years ago but they are about ready to fall apart.  I want to get those emptied and taken down.  This will also open up a little space for storage and a Lego Building area. 

5) Reading - My goal this year is to read 52 books this year with 12 of them being non-fiction.  So my goal this month will be to read a total of 4 books - 3 for fun and 1 for learning.  I also want to sent up a Pinterest or Facebook page to record what I read all year. I did join an on-line book club this year so that will help with my reading too! 

6) Music - Learn one piano song this month and then play it at church as a prelude.  Also, work on a special music number. 

7) Family Fun - We always try to head to where Darryl and I got engage in March so that is on the plan.  Darryl and I also trying to go on a "date" once a month (even a simple coffee shop visit is fine).  Also plan some future events - maybe some concerts that are coming up or camping trips this summer, etc.  I just need to get an idea on some dates and costs to see what we can actually do  We DID go on our annual trip to the other side of the state AND Darryl and I got a date because we bought a car and then went out to dinner!  

8) Bible Study - Complete my Bible Study 3 days a week and create my prayer journal  

9) Make Darryl's to do list :-)  And then get some of those things done! He fixed our garage door opener :-)  He also hung up some of things in Nate's room that needed done! 

10) Learn how to make a really good Shrimp and Grits. I bought a cookbook specifically for this recipe so I'm half way there!  This was supposed to happen this week for dinner but I forgot to buy grits so I'm moving it to next week! 

11) Restock our toiletry and medicine cabinet.  

12) Update my holiday plan - I still need to do Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, and now Valentine's.  Plus plan St. Patrick's Day and look ahead at Easter. 

13) Wrap up our Co-op Semester and turn in my classes for the fall. 100% done! 

14) Clean out my vehicle - it always gets a little crazy between October and March when I don't want to stand outside and clean it out! 

15) Work with Nate to clean his room and move stuff that he wants moved. We started this project but only got a small part done 

16) Finish filing our Taxes - normally I'm done by now but we are waiting on some paperwork still that we've told should be here by the end of February so we will see! 100% done! 

17) Put memorabilia in completed scrapbooks. This will free up some file space too! 

18) Spend less money :-)  Really it is "track our spending" - when I track it and plan it out each week, we spend much less because it is already accounted for and it gives me a goal to work towards each week.  (And in case you didn't know, I like goals!) 

19) Get my steps in every day.  Now the the weather will hopefully be slightly better for walking this will be easier. 

20) Do Yogo (or Mindful Stretching) once a week.  A few years ago, Nate did a "Yoga" style class at our Co-Op and I was able to help in it a few times and actually like it.  I'd like to find a super easy "beginning" program online to follow.  Who knows, maybe I'll like it more HA!

21) Go through my kids closets and figure out what fits (or doesn't fit!) for the summer.  It won't be long and it will be time to buy all the summer goods! 

22) Mattress shop.  Who knew buying a new Mattress is almost more stressful than buying a car (which we are in the process of doing right now!!) but it is!  Darryl's back requires certain things with a mattress so it makes it harder to find what will work.  So we will see! 

Weekly Menu

 March is flying by!  I keep thinking things will slow down but so far they haven't!  I am slowly getting back into the cooking groove (after getting the boxed food delivery for 8 weeks!) I enjoy what I cook a lot more than the box we were getting, that's for sure!  

I have followed a blog for years called "Skinny Taste" and have tried her recipes periodically; they never disappointed.  I finally bought her first cookbook from a few years ago because it has a recipe for Shrimp and Grits!  Well, I'm planning on trying many of her recipes.  (I also follow a Facebook group and am inspired to try even more!) 

Here's the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - Nate has TaeKownDo testing so we will get McDonald's afterwards to celebrate him.  (It's his favorite)

Saturday - This is the day we take off to go back to where we got engaged.  It's a fun day of reliving memories and making new ones!  

Sunday - Pork Loin in the crock pot, mashed potatoes and cole slaw

Monday - Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches (From SkinnyTaste) 

Tuesday - Shrimp and Grits! (From SkinnyTaste)

Wednesday - This is the week we run in different directions so we eat what we eat! 

Thursday - Shrimp Fajita Bowls (From SkinnyTaste)  

Weekly Menu

I think I missed posting last week.  It's been busy around these parts plus throw in some good old fashioned head colds and well, things get forgotten!  We did still eat though :-)  

Here's the plan for the coming week. 

Friday - It's our Presentation Night for our co-op so we will be eating there.  Lots of good finger foods to be had by all! 

Saturday - We will head to my mom's! 

Sunday - Chili!  This is so great to have in the crock pot when we get home from church so we can just eat. 

Monday - Chicken, Rice and Veggies. 

Tuesday -  Pulled Pork Sliders, Cole Slaw, and French Fries

Wednesday - Tacos!  I know, it is not Tuesday but our Wednesday is a bit chopped up so Tacos are a great choice so everyone can eat when they are hungry! 

Thursday - Ham and Cheese Quiche, Muffins, and fruit

Weekly Menu

 Here comes spring!  Not that it changes much  . . .except I am looking forward to some home grilled hamburgers and steak before too much longer!  For now, we are "stuck" with kitchen meals though!  Here's the plan for the coming week.

Friday - Mississippi Crock-Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans.  This is such an easy meal since it books in the crock pot all day!

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's

Sunday - Chili.  Usually in March (and even into April) I try to slide in some of our "hot and hearty" meals before summer arrives.  Chili is a favorite and it's a great Sunday dish since it cooks in the crock pot and is ready when we get home!  

Monday - Baked Tacos.  These are just so yummy!  I'll add a "Mexican Salad" and chips and salsa. 

Tuesday - Pork Roast, sweet potatoes, and a salad

Wednesday - Tacos :-)  Yes, Taco's two times this week and that's ok. 

Thursday - Beef Tips and Noodles