Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week! 

On Tuesday Josh and Nate along with friends from our Co-Op ministered in music at a local retirement home. 

On Thursday they went bowling with our Library teen summer program and got to bowl with friends. 

Nate got to attend a TKD pool party. 

We celebrated the 4th at my mom’s with a great steak dinner followed by games. 

Weekly Menu - Happy 4th of July!

 Happy 4th of July!  The unofficial mid-point of summer!  I would like to tell it to slow down but looking at the calendar I'm not sure that is happening!  

Friday - 4th of July - We will celebrate with my mom! 

Saturday - Since we had dinner with my mom yesterday we will eat at home tonight so I am planning Amish Baked Chicken, Buttered Noodles and Stuffed Mushrooms

Sunday - Crock Pot Ramon (this is a new recipe) 

Monday - Asian Beef with mushrooms and snow peas and sitck-of-butter rice.

Tuesday - Spaghetti Carbonara and Roasted Green Beans with French Bread

Wednesday - Easy Stromboli and Salad

Thursday - Baked Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops, Mac and Cheese, and Asparagus

June Goals - Recap

 I know it feels like I just posted my June goals . .. because, well I did!  They didn't get posted until two weeks ago because June was busy but I decided since this will get posted in July I would do the recap now.  June was super busy and extremely hot.  Those two things mean my time was much more limited than I originally planned.  During the extreme heat we had I focused more on just tackling some projects that were inside and did not involve being hot and sweaty!!  

Here's a quick recap of June: 

1. Complete all of the items on the June Declutter 365 calendar.  

2. Complete all of the zone cleaning from Flylady (I made my own master lists based on her suggested lists) 

3. Basement Declutter - Continue with the "bag/box/bin" cleanout each day.  Honestly, I almost always do more than one when I start working so it moves faster than it appears. 

4. Deep Clean the Garage - This is one of my main focus' during the month of June especially while the guys are at worship camp.  This really was my main goal but holy cow was it hot and humid so this did not even get touched.  

5. Finish the odds and ends in Josh's Room - I am keeping this on the list in case we get a chance to get it done but really, I'm thinking this will happen in July. 

6. I'm still working on deep cleaning the living room so that is the main goal this month.  If (and that is a big if) it is completed before month end the next room on the list is the bathroom. I tackled some of the smaller projects in the living room but didn't complete everything. 

7. Go on a date with Darryl - this month it takes just a little more planning :-) Done

8. List curriculum on sale on-line

9. Read at least 6 books this month Done

10. Do my daily Bible Study

11. Scrapbook Done

12. Clean my vehicle!  I always do this during worship camp :-) 

13. Now that school is done I need to wrap up Josh's records and make his transcript. 

14. Figure out the Google Work Space access so I can upload documents for anyone on our Leadership Team to access. 

15.  It is time to start planning my Joyful class.  My goal this month is to just get weeks 1 and 2 planned and prepped. 

16. Learn a second piano song and review the first one.  

17.  One of my yearly goals is to decorate my home for the seasons.  As we come into June-August I want a more clean feeling so I'm taking down the spring decor and not adding anything new.  So the goal is to just get the spring things done and put away. 

18. Attend our various field trips/meet-ups:  Honestly, I don't think there are any official items on the list for our Co-Op that we can actually attend.  I am hoping to do a meet-up with the teems at a local bowling alley.   There were no meet-ups we could attend due to other commitments and we didn't even make it to the bowling alley! 

19. Work on finances/budgeting - looking ahead and what is needed and sticking to our budget. Done 

20. Find time to have a bonfire or two including roasting hotdogs and smore's.  It was WAY too hot for this HA! 

21. Begin some planning for our 25th anniversary year.  I have some ideas in my head and it is time to start planning or it will be here before we know it! I did work on this.  I went through my scrapbooks and made some ideas of what I wan to -re-do for fun. 

22. Keep up with the yard.  To be honest none of us enjoy yard work.  So keeping the yard goal in front of me/us is a good thing.  My teens do a great job with mowing and weep whipping.  From there we just need to stay on top of the big things that grow, trim my tree (the one thing I actually love doing), and just do a general pick up periodically. The heat, rain, and super busy schedules have put us behind on this but hopefully we can catch it back up as we get into July. 

23. Computer clean-up.  There is a lot of stuff saved on my computer and it is time to start cleaning out the stuff that doesn't matter.  Just 15 minutes a day will clean it up pretty quickly. 

24. Make a weekly/daily plan.  I want to make sure I use my time during the summer in a good way.  Don't get me wrong, I do plan to read, enjoy my swing, and relax without the need to run around to all the things but trust me, I can read a day away without an issue if I don't have a plan. HA! Done 

25. Accomplish at least half of this months goals HA! (I like this goal very much LOL) Not even close this month.  

Even though it seems like slim picking's this past month, I did accomplish a bunch of things not on the list the least of which was driving my kids multiple places every day for camps and fun things with friends.  I also worked on some paperwork, menu planning, and cleaning out my recipe file (I know, thrilling).  Mostly, though, I just worked to stay cool so I also enjoyed reading quite a bit.  

Yesterday Is Dead

Josiah Queen is unique in both voice and story telling through song.  Nate introduced me to him a year or so ago and I really enjoy what Josiah creates.  

Our weekly snapshor

 Here’s a look back at our week:

Our werk started with a concert on Saturday.  We saw Andrew Peterson.  We also ran into friends too!  

On Sunday I had a choir concert.  (Thankful for great air conditioning on a very hot day!) 

Nate volunteered this week at a day camp where he played in the worship band and was a junior counselor.  

Weekly Menu

 June has flown by.  For real.  We've been super busy - all fun things - but whew.  My guys are enjoying all the things though and they are even scheduling things for themselves so that they get to do what they enjoy as well.  I love teenagers.  For real. 

Here is our plan for the coming week: 

Friday - My teens are at my Mother-in-Laws through Sunday so for Darryl and I we are going to cook chicken on the grill, and then have fried zucchini and "souper" rice. 

Saturday - I'm sure we will have a date day.  (We seem to be getting more of these this summer since my guys are so busy LOL)  I'm not sure what yet.  

Sunday - We are heading to my in-laws after church to pick up the teenagers.  So dinner will be with them. 

Monday - Shrimp and Grits and Cornbread.  It has been awhile.  

Tuesday - BBQ Cups and Fries.  This is been on-and off - the menu for a few weeks.  I'm working on cleaning out the fridge, freezer, and cupboards from planned meals that didn't get made when planned! 

Wednesday - As I write this, I'm guessing there are no youth groups this week so I have Pancakes and Bacon planned for dinner. 

Thursday - Nate has a TKD pool party this evening that he and I are attending.  I'm leaving tortellini with sauce for Darryl and Joshua. 

101 in 1001

 I have a great group of friends/acquaintances who love to plan like I do.  Do we all succeed at the things we plan, no - but that is part of being a planner.  You plan knowing that you might only complete 50% of what you hope to get done.  BUT if you don't plan nothing gets done!  My friend, Tracy, is great at coming up with unique ways to plan and do all kinds of things and this idea of "101 in 1001" days is another one of her great, mathematical ideas (She is a retired math teacher!) 

101 in 1001 is simply a list of 101 things you would like to be able to check off your list in 1001 days.  This event started on Tuesday, June 3rd and will end on Leap Day in 2028!  For real :-)  Now, when I first started this blog a lot of years ago I had seen an idea similar to this and I wrote up "40 by 40" which was 40 things I wanted to accomplish by age 40 and I had given myself about a year and a half to complete them.  I just read through the list recently and I accomplished a little less than 1/2 of the things on my list.  (actually a few of the things on THIS list come from that original list!) 

I sat down and made my list of 101 things with the disclaimer when I posted it to our group that I may make some changes as I rethink some of things or think of new ones that maybe fit better.  Admittedly some of things I came up with are a little "out there" especially near the end HA!  

Now I'll list my 101 items below - there are some of my goals that I consider "personal" and that is exactly what it will say.  I enjoy sharing goals but sometimes there are some I'd like to keep "close to the vest" and just see if they happen - maybe because they are ones I'm less confident about than others. I may or may not share if they get accomplished

 Here we go: 

1. Complete writing this list DONE! (HA!) 
2. Declutter, Clean, Organize the Basement Phase 1 is done
3. Plan and Execute Josh's actual graduation and an open house
4. Plan Nate's actual graduation and an open house (his actual activities will not happen until a few months after this challenge ends! So I just want it planned)
5. Write/Update Resume (My friend Tracy has a goal of doing a workshop on this - I sure hope she does HA!) 
6. Camp 4 times
7. Hang curtains in the Living Room
8. (Note: 8-20 are all scrapbook related) Put all memorabilia in Albums
9. Scrapbook to finish: 2017
10. 2018
11. 2019
12. 2020
13. 2021
14. 2022
15. 2023
16. 2024
17. 2025
18. 2026
19. 2027
20. Be current on 2028
21. Learn to bake Macarons
22. (Note: 22-25 all relate to celebrating our 25th year) Dinner at Chili's to celebrate the first time we met (We met Dec. 16) Done! 
23. Visit Metro Beach to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of engagement (March 19)
24. Plan 2-3 "re-do" activities that we did while we were dating - I plan to go back through my scrapbook and find a few of the fun things we did and re-visit those activities. (Some of those ideas may tie into other ideas on this list so that would be a 2-for-1 way to mark items off - a win-win!) 
25. Plan a get away for our 25th Anniversary. 
26. This item is something more personal :-) 
27. As is this one :-) 
28. (Note: If an item requires more funds than normal I'll include a $ sign; if it is something that requires someone completing like Darryl and/or my teens I will add a "need help" to it)  Repair our front porch (we think a deer took out one side of the railing) ** need help
29. Power Wash House.  
30. Take down the swing set **need help
31. Improve our back yard.  (I do have a few ideas with some simple "deck" furniture" and such) 
32. Plant a simple container garden.  Now, I do not love gardening but I wouldn't mind a few veggie plants to use fresh veggies in the summer. 
33. This item is something just for me :-) 
34. Repair garage door opener **need help and maybe $$ if it has to be replaced (as a side note: Darryl has repaired it multiple times and it keeps having the same issues - we are thinking it might be about done and need to be replaced but I figured we could try one more time before spending money on a new one) 
35. Replace some damaged boards on the garage **need help 
36. Replace the side door on the garage $$ and ** need help
37. Replace our Patio Door $$$$$$
38. Visit Michigan Sequoia Trees
39. Clean out my jewelry and keep only what I really love and will wear (I purchased Paparazzi jewelry a few years ago and have enjoyed it but find I wear less and less and only certain items.) Done! 
40. A personal goal :-) 
41. Move my FIL's piano to Josh's room.  My FIL has gifted his piano to Josh which is great - it is something Josh has really wanted as he loves the sound.  (And he already is planning how to rearrange his room so it will fit) 
42. Finish the projects in Josh's room
43. Fix boards on Nate's bed
44. Replace a couch with a couple of nice chairs - this is down the road like near the end of this challenge as Nate loves his couch :-) 
45. A personal goal :-) 
46. Re-learn to play Clair de Lune
47. Plan Nate's 16 birthday party
48. Update Heritage Scrapbooks
49. Attend a Tiger's game
50. Plan/take a family vacation
51. Figure out Google Workspace
52. Upload Co-op documents to Google Workspace
53. Write procedures for Co-op Secretary position
54. Visit a College/Help Joshua with decisions
55. Visit a College/Help Nate with decisions
56. Make a cheesecake
57. Attend a Sandy Patty concert
58. Ride on either of the car ferries to Wisconsin and back
59. Clean the outside of the windows **need help
60. Fix up/clean or sell the Pop-up
61. Watch a Lake Michigan Sunset more than once (Once in September 2025)
62. Visit Canada with the Family
63. Visit the church I grew up and my dad Pastored (we seldom get to visit but would like to - I have friends that still attend there) 
64. Teach more piano lessons
65. Decorate the Laundry Room
66. Re-decorate the bathroom
67. Re-paint all of the "white" in the house - trim, doors, etc. 
68. Touch up paint in all rooms
69. Help Nate paint basketball "lines" in the driveway (ok, really Darryl will help him - I just make sure it gets done HA) 
70. Sell unused Homeschool Books - Done
71. Organize cords and utilize plugs by having chargers/cords for ease of use (I know what this means and what I need to do even if it doesn't make sense in writing - Nate is in on this with and understands what we need to do too)  Done
72. Get Family Photos done twice (Once between now and next summer and then once between 2027-2028)
73. Senior Photos for Joshua
74. Senior Photos for Nathan
75. Update outdoor Christmas decor
76. Fix our Grinch calendar -- Done 
77. Discover 5 great new soup recipes
78. Discover 5 new amazing crock pot recipes
79. Discover 5 new amazing appetizer recipes
80. A Personal goal :-) 
81. Paint the bathroom ceiling ** need help
82. A personal goal :-) 
83. Re-learn/Master It is Well with My Soul piano solo
84. Master 12 piano solos
85. Make an emergency/death binder (again, my friend Tracy plans to hold a workshop on this concept)
86. A personal goal :-) 
87. Visit St. Joseph MI via the train for the day
88. Visit the park with the huge slide in Ravenna, MI - DONE! 
89. Visit the Henry Ford Museum
90. Visit Belle Isle Park
91. Take my teens to Michigan Adventure
92. Visit Tunnel Park in Holland (maybe even for a Sunset)
93. Memorize 33 scripture verses
94. Red 33 Non-Fiction Books
95. Scrapbook to finish 2011 (I forgot this one in the first list ) 
96. Purchase a new "good" camera - and update my skills (mine is over 12 years old and is showing its age) 
97. Declutter,/Deep Clean/Organize the entire upstairs
98. Power wash/Varnish my wooden swing
99. Get my dogs teeth cleaned/pulled as needed
100. A personal Goal :-) 
101. Finish half this list!!!! 

That's it!  :-)  Even as I was typing this up I had ideas pop into my head.  I'm adding them to the paper document I have as "extra/substitute" ideas.  Just in case some of mine totally fizzle and I need more.  Honestly, I'm pretty confident in about 50 of these ideas - the other 50 may or may not happened depending upon time, finances, and whether I change my mind.  (It is my list, I'm allowed to change my mind. 

Just like I did with my 40 in 40 list all those years ago, I will share update along the way.  Usually when I complete a few items, I will share some photos and update my list.  It is nice to see progress after all :-)  Will I continue with monthly goals?  Absolulty.  Many of the items on this list tie in with my normal monthly goals so it gives me even more motivation to complete those goals!