Organizational Revolution Challenge

Well, well, well...It has been a LONG while since I blogged. This year has been NUTS since DH went back to school and J-baby has learned to walk and get into EVERYTHING.  Although it has been a crazy year a lot has been accomplished.  We moved from a large log cabin with a ton of storage to a small 3 bedroom town house.  Our Brother in law moved in, we have a one year old and we have so much stuff.  You would think that after all the yard sales and trips to the consignment store we would have purged enough items...

Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be swallowed alive by this place...As a couple DH and I have been really challenged this year to live contently and simply.  So, why not do it willingly and with STYLE! :)

Please join me as I participate in the Organizational Revolution Challenge!

I'm so super stoked about this.  I will be reorganizing our Office Area for week #1. You can Check out my blog tomorrow and I will have before and during pics. Good Luck and Happy Organizing!

~M

Sharing is Caring

Hi friends and family.  I apologize for the long absence from blogging about my domestic endeavors and mishaps.  I ran into what I like to call a creative blockage of some sort.  It seems every once in a while I have an impossible time writing, sewing, decorating or coming up with anything original or fun.  I think summer must have worn me out BUT now we are back to fall.

Ahhhh, the end of fall.  My very favorite time of year.  Halloween is over and now we have the onslaught of parties, dieting dilemmas, runny noses, chapped lips and then straight on to winter.

As penance for my long absence I would like to provide you with my very favorite links that have seriously helped me become a better housewife.  These websites will help you meal plan, budget, get out of debt, feel better about yourself and challenge you in new ways. 

But first I would like to reassure the Domestic Do It Alls, Stay at Home Super Moms and the Wonderful Working Women in my life.  Remember this my beautiful woman friend: You are a treasure, far above rubies, and are created just as you are.  This season is known for it's depression and discouragement, it's known for its commercialism and comparisons.  So when your stretched for cash and your tired of attending countless parties and you've about had it with your friends and their countless diet restrictions remember this one thing: "your shoe is untied..." Just kidding.  The moral of the story is to laugh it off.  Don't take it all so seriously. Remember that your creator is the same creator who created the platypus....When things get too tough, to serious, to obnoxious, watch your favorite hilarious youtube video and move on.  Yup, that's all I got for you. :)

Now to the goodies:


Learn how to effectively coupon and not end up on TLC:
www.couponmom.com

 My favorite website as of right now, so practical and wonderful:
www.moneysavingmom.com

Get out of debt!
www.daveramsey.com

Lovely Lady with a passion for Christ:
www.pasionatehomemaking.com

Organizing Junkie, Type A personalities beware, your mind will be blown:
www.orgjunkie.com

For those of you with babies, this website gives great advice.  She follows the babywise books but if that doesn't jive with you she still has amazing advice and tips.
www.babywisemom.com


Always,

M. 

Same ol' Same ol'

Sometimes being a Domestic Goddess is seriously boring...at times super lame.  Since I have a tendency for having a not so positive mind I can get pretty bogged down in the day to day stuff.  It is so easy to forget how blessed you are and how much we have when we get into the "same old thing" attitude.

Romans 12:2 says:  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will. (NIV)

Which reminds us that really our daily life is formed by our thoughts.  Let's read chapter 12 so we can get some context on what this verse challenges us to do.

Romans 12

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.
¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d] says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”^[e]

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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 When I read this I am convicted, because lately my attitude has been so sour and negative.  I keep thinking of escape routes and easy way outs...but listen to what Christ is telling us.

1. Renew your mind in Christ and you will know his will for you. (Romans 12:2)

2.  Christ has given you a gift-that gift is today and you must used whatever resource or talent God  has given you. (Romans 12:6)

3.   Don't get stuck in the same ol same ol. (Romans 11)

Lastly he gives us instructions on how to live a good Godly life.

You can't live life dependent on our feelings.  Being Joyful, patient, faithful are all choices.  It is a choice to use what God has blessed us with.  If you are a stay at home mom or a working woman or man you have resources that we would never use for God's glory.  

Let me challenge you:

I know how this feels...

Do you use Facebook to share God's love?  Are you kind to your neighbors? Do you volunteer or serve in your church? What are you good at and how can you use it to share the love of Christ?  How can you better your relationships with your spouse and children?  How can you better yourself? 

If your stuck or feeling stagnant, stop it.  Stop feeling and start doing.  When your mind feels negative then fill it with positive things.  Because if your reading this-most likely you have most everything you need and most everything you have ever wanted.  

Always,

M.

P.S. Your feelings called-they are tired of being your excuse

There is no substitute for Ranch Dressing

There are some things in life that just aren't worth it.  One of those things happen to be Fat Free Ranch Dressing.  My brother-in-law and I discovered that last night as we poured ranch dressing on our pizza and salad---it was disgusting.  Never again will I buy fat free ranch dressing, it is simply not worth the it.  My low calorie substitute was not even close to being comparable to the real thing.

Often we make decisions (conscious and subconsciously) to substitute what we know is good for something that is mediocre.

Do you find yourself speeding through things?  Do you find yourself irratated if your phone doesn't load up the Facebook app in 3 seconds?  In our microwave mentality we literally fly through our day. For social interaction we have Facebook, for our family we have 'quality time,' we eat at our desks, we have the 5 minute cookbook for dinners and we have tv on demand...do you get the picture?  We have substituted a full and abundant life for something less than.

Those things that I listed earlier are great and they are supposed to enhance our productivity and time.  But just like the fat free dressing, Facebook doesn't taste as good as having a coffee and conversation with a friend.  Or spending a Sunday with the family with no agenda other than to enjoy eachother's presence.

I'm telling you right now, if you buy into the Quality Time notion-your full of it and your family needs you.  You can't qualify time.  It is simply a measurement.  You can't measure laughter, love and the presence you bring to your family.  Your work isn't that important, there were always be a chores, there will always be ministry needs and there will always be something to distract you (satan will make sure of it).  For those of you who are 'martyrs,' ask someone for help with your work, your house, your ministry and spend some time with your family.  For those of you who are workaholics, your are being disobedient to God by not honoring your spouse and your family with your presence.

There is no substitute for your presence.

You can apply this to every aspect of your life.  Ask yourself this question: What have I been substituting for real wholesome things?  Whether it's social interaction, physical or mental  presence, unhealthy eating habits, vices or  relationships, we all fall to the microwave mentality. But remember shortcuts aren't always satisfying. 

And yet our society praises shortcuts.  Our society praises quality time, whirlwind affairs, quick money, the latest gadgets and the hottest bods.  They praise things that  are quick, easy substitutes promising an amazing end result.  So often their amazing end result is a 72 day marriage, or a stressed out dad or mom trying to give their kids every thing under the sun, or an unethical decision---because the end justifies the means right? 

The best things in life take time and presence.  This is your life, so show up.  Don't fast forward.  Don't substitute anything for what God has given you.  You are responsible for your life and responsibilities.  Oh, you can blame society and others for being less than.  But the truth is: it is a daily decision whether or not substitute things of this world for the things God has given you. What decision are you making today?

Always,

M.

Grocery Store Strategy & Psychology

It was brought to my attention at one of my Weight Watcher meetings that Restaurants and Grocery stores are using in depth psychology reasoning for marketing their products.  Even grocery shopping is rife with conflict:  I want to save money and 'they' want me to spend money.  Off the top of my head I was trying to think about everything I've ever told about the best way to grocery shop.

1) Write a list
2) Eat before you go
3) Stay on the out skirts of the store
4) The lowest priced items are always below eye view

I decided to do more research on the art of grocery shopping and how those grocery store chains are using our impulses and predictability to their advantage.   I learned from Psychology Today that Dole is planting a specific banana whose color is Buttercup Yellow, this color of banana compared to other colors is by far more pleasing to the eye and sells at a higher rate than other color of bananas.  Stores also strategically place necessities such as milk, eggs, meat and cheese at the back of the store so that you must walk through the entire store.  I've even heard of stores using certain fragrances that may trigger your subconscious to spend more and linger longer.

I kind of want to scream after reading all this research...as if we weren't getting bombarded enough with advertising.

Tonight I make my meal plan, my shopping list and I look at the grocery ads. Tomorrow I attempt my shopping (or should I say battle) and I'll be ready. I was reading a blog titled "Frugal For Life," Dawn has some really great tips and tactics for grocery shopping.  The link is provided HERE for you.  Please be sure to comment on her site and to let her know how much you appreciate her tips!

Until next mine,

M.

Why!?

Question: Why manage your household?

Answer: Because if you don't, it will manage you.

I want to clarify, my house often gets the best of me.  EVERYONE knows that my house is not the most picked up and spotless house in the block, far from it.  Cleaning is not my strong suit, BUT I have many other talents that helps me manage the chaos of being a stay at home mama.  I'm good at budgeting, shopping, sewing, creating meal plans and decorating.  I'm NOT good at gardening, keep things picked up, folding laundry and keeping projects from going out of control.

With that said, there are 3 things you need to ask yourself when deciding how you are going to be a domestic goddess.

1) What am I good at?
2) What do I enjoy?
3) Why should I ______ (be frugal, live on a budget, shop second hand..ect)

First find what you are good at.  I am good at organizing, creating, decorating, analyzing.
Now, what do you enjoy.  I enjoy sewing, cooking, being outdoors, crafting, shopping, being girly.

Often I have found that these things coincide with each other.  You will use these skills and abilities to save you $! (on to that later)

Lastly, why should I be frugal, live on a budget, shop second hand.....This list is personal to you.  I really think before you start to try to go through all these steps to save money or manage your household more effectively that you need to know why.  Have a purpose and a reason for the madness before you start couponing or using cash envelopes for everything.  Here are my reasons.

The reason why we live on a budget and try to be as thrifty as possible:

1.  To save money (on a macro level) to accomplish our dreams : (get out of debt and for DH to graduate college and for me to stay at home...and eventually so we can give back and honor God with the mission he has given to us).
2.  To save money (on a micro level) monthly on our bills (and sometimes out of absolutely necessity).
3.  To be a good steward of the environment: reduce, reuse, recycle.
4.  To make living life more enjoyable and with less chaos (that's where meal planning comes into play)
5.  To be content and live within our means.
6.  To set a good example for Baby Boy and so we can provide him with the best future possible.

It CAN BE really difficult to live on a budget and to change your habits and to get out of debt or meal plan or make hand made gifts and ect.  BUT once you have the reasons why (goals) and a vision (where you want to be in 5 years) it comes easier.

We are in our 2nd year of paying of debt and living on a cash budget.  It's not easy, but I am confident the reward is going to be super SWEET when we finally get there. :)

Until next time,

M.

Bringing sexy back to Meal Planning

Ok, can you tell I was listening to Justin Timberlake when I came up with the title?  There is really no way to glamorize grocery shopping, and drafting a meal plan is really not cool or sexy (unless your doing it in your lingerie... I've not tried that one yet much to DH's dismay).  But I have found that in order to save my money (and sanity) that I must have a plan. 

The Objective: Save $ and trips to the grocery store.
The Plan: Create weekly meal plan

How to:  It's as simple as grabbing your recipe books and sitting down with a pen and paper and writing down what your going to have for dinner each day.  To make life easier here are some things I do.

1) Designate certain days of the week for certain meals or types of food.  We always have homemade pizza on Fridays and now I am starting Soup Sundays.  You can do this for other days.  For instance, we have church on Wednesdays so I usually make a casserole on Wednesdays so that it is quick and easy and yummy.  A certain friend of mine always makes spaghetti on Sundays because that's what her mama did.  Don't be afraid to jazz it up!  If you are a creative type and like trying new things allocate one of the days to trying a new recipe out you found on pinterest.  If you do a certain type of food on a day make it different every time.

2)  Create a meal plan based on what's on sale.  You have to do a little research on this.  For instance, I knew that hams where going to be on sale during Easter time.  So I bought this giant ham for Jesse and I, I knew I could make at least 4 meals off of one ham.  Safeway does a really good job of letting you know what's on sale (check online) and often has coupons in the Sunday paper and in store coupons, as well as using your member card.  Here is a Safeway hint: Often I will make my meal plan first, then go to Safeway to the clearance meat section and make minor adjustments if there is a specific cut of meat that is 30-70% off.  I have talked to the butcher and there is nothing wrong with the meat they can only have meat on the shelf for a certain amount of days, they just suggest freezing it immediately when you get home.  Here where I live they have 12 hour sales at Roseurs and Super 1, if it is a 12 hour meat sale...get on it!

3)  Make sure your pantry has the necessary basics.  Rice, Flour, Salt, Pepper, some canned veggies, some canned soups, ect.  Or hopefully you have a nice neighbor you can run to and ask for a couple cups of flour (I had to do that one 2 weeks ago on pizza night....DOH!)

4) Have a good recipe book.  I don't know what I would do without my Better Homes and Garden Cookbook, My Cambells Cookbook and my own personal cookbook.  The internet is great, but I know the recipes in these books are time tested and approved!  I recieved a photo album with recipes as a wedding gift and I have kept adding each time I find a good recipe I love.  This makes for easy meal planning. 

5) Sit down and actually write it.  Doesn't have to be neat, doesn't have to be pretty, just do it.  The first couple times I tried meal planning...it got all messed up.  This week got all messed up for me, but that is ok, keep on keeping on.  The goal is to save money and not go out and to have all that you need so you don't make impulse trips. 

6)  Leave yourself a couple of free days.  DH and I like to to enjoy 1 night out every 2 weeks.  It keeps us from going insane.  I think going out to dinner twice in one month is not going to kill the plan (as long as it fits in the budget).  Also, you will notice on my meals plan a day will just say 'meat.'  In order to fulfill my creative side I buy some type of protein and figure out what I want to do with it on that day.  That's when I get my pinterest on.  :) Keeps me challenged.

7)  JUST DO IT!  Take the meat out the night before, follow the recipe, make the dinner and ring the dinner bell.

There you have it.  Here are some examples of my meal plans, if you can decipher them:

Here is to successful meal plans and fatter wallets!

M.