12 for '12 - Life Challenges

So many people dislike the term "resolutions" - I suppose because it is difficult to find the "stick-to-it-tiv-ness" to follow thru.  I've decided to give myself some life challenges instead.  Seeing as the "12 for 12" mantra is all over the Internet, I've decided that it's a good enough number for me as well!

12 - Get back to blogging regularly!!  I think my problem is that I dont' know where I fit in.  I homeschool.  I am Christian.  I love to cook.  I'm a mom.  I love to read.  I love to write.  I LOVE fashion.  I am single and dating.  I am plus-sized.  I try to be a couponer & frugal.  So it just feels so unfocused and tangential and all over the place - so I wonder, where would I fit in?  But I decided just to blog what I want, how I want - and hopefully someone will get something out of it!!

11 - I really want to get my FLYLADY group up and running again.  My friends (these a-ma-zing women) who I really admire and I used to meet several times a year and keep in touch daily via FB or Yahoo group.  We still talk but it's not the same FlyLady support as it used to be.  No better time of year.   This "life challenge" also includes FOLLOWING FlyLady - getting organized, menu planning, etc.

10 - Eat more healthfully (more veggies, less crap) Drink less pop, much less fast food

09- Move more!

08- Do something NEW!  Join a book club, take a class - do something to become more sociable.

07- Become better at my job.  I learn new things all the time - now I want to be more organized with paperwork, more meticulous, more professional, etc.

06- Read a minimum of 52 books this year.  To some of you that sounds like nothing!  But for me it is a good challenge number, seeing as I read 40-some books last year & felt like I didn't read very much.

05- Get to know more people from my church.  1700+ members and I know a handful by name.  I'm very shy to say the least, but getting into church activities & small groups should mend this!

04- Make Jennah (my oldest) feel special (she is the best 15 year old ever - & due to her perfect grades and sweet countenance, she gets overlooked somewhat as my attention is demanded by the other two)

03- Make homeschooling more fun for Em (she is doing an online accredited homeschool program now & while she is doing well, she's definitely not excited about it - so this is something I need to work on for the rest of the year)

02- Become more involved in Bible Studies (*see #1)

01-  I've been doing the Beth Moore Bible study on the book of James.  It has been so remarkably incredible and not only have I been touched by the teachings, but by the people in my study group as well.   I haven't been as active in the group as I should have been - but their support through the study has been amazing.  One of the biggest themes in the book of James is that of WORKS.  Faith without works is useless.  2012 will be a year of WORKS. 

I'm sure I forgot something important! :)  I always do..... 

Happy New Year!

Sherry

Where Less Will Be More

This past week has been very difficult.  I think I've been pretty difficult to be around too!  A lot of my stress is coming from my job.  Part of me thinks my job is such a blessing and I can't imagine working anywhere else.  On the other hand, the stress that comes along with it is so overwhelming at times that I can't always focus on what is REALLY important.  So I am at a crossroads.  I've been praying for months and months about whether or not to change jobs, and I believe God is telling me to stick it out.  Yet His voice is not always easy to determine......

I LOVE my life.  I have incredible children.  An amazing family and extended family.  Wonderful friends.  And so many Internet friends who bring such joy, wisdom, and community into my life.  Right now it's just the job that overshadows everything. 

So ........  my hours were cut, yet again.  I will make just enough to survive on, barely.  And I am ok with that.  There are people all over the world that quantify the word "enough" with a temporary structure for a home, one change of clothing, water they have to walk a mile for and boil before drinking, and a burlap sack of rice.  My "enough" is a kingdom compared to this.  And I try never, ever to forget that.

Anyway - so why am I complaining on my blog?  LOL!!!  I just want to do an about-face and make this blog more about how to do more with less.  How to make people and situations more important and "things" less important.

I also intend to really utilize those drug store bargains and grocery coupon near-freebies work for me in a tangible way.  I am going to pick and choose those that will give my family the most bang for my buck!

This week the only thing I'm doing is the Rite Aid Pantene deal.  2/7 and there is a 2 dollar +up reward making them 2/5 and there was a coupon in Sunday's paper for 3 dollars off - which will make Pantene 1 dollar per bottle.  I have +up rewards from last week to pay for the 2 bucks. 

I spent most of my life being in the throng of shoppers on Black Friday.  The past ten years or so whipping out my credit card on Cyber Monday.  Was it hard not to do it this year?  I won't lie - yeah - a little bit.  But not enough to matter :)

Blessings,

Sherry

Thank You

This has been a big year of changes in my life.  Not all of them were especially positive, but I have faith that God has a plan for each shift.  I lean on Him, knowing that His ways are the only ways for me :)

I moved twice last year.  I am very happy and content in my current home.  It suits us just perfectly.  Not too big, not too small.  Just enough.

"Enough" has become my mantra over the past few months.  Every time I have looked at something and wanted to buy it, I have to tell myself that I already have "enough", and to be thankful for all that I have.  As long as I have enough to pay my rent, utilities, have gas in the car, and food in my kitchen - then I am above blessed.  

My hours have been cut at work recently, and I know that Christmas morning my family won't see as many presents under the tree as they did the past few years.  But for each gift that is left on the store shelf, I plan to exchange with a few traditions.  Baking together.  Making Christmas ornaments.  Reading aloud of "A Christmas Carol". 


The special man in my life (Mr. Military) is in Afghanistan right now, and will be for the next year.  Knowing that technology enables me to hear from him more frequently than women did in the past who were privy to only letters also makes me thankful.  Knowing that he is thinking of me and that I can give him any source of comfort in his current situation, makes me humble.


My children are all remarkable human beings.  Jennah has a brilliant mind and a compassionate heart.  Jacob is full of humor and mischief, yet finds simple ways to show me his love.  Emily is steadfast and true, dependable and gentle. 


My family is crazy and dysfunctional (in the best way!) but loyal and loving.  When it comes down to it, there is nothing we would not do for one another.  I'm proud to be a part of it.


My friends are hard-working, respectful, dependable confidants.  They bring me laughter, love, and a further sense of stability in life. 


I have no place in my life to complain, not even for one bitter, thoughtless moment.  I am blessed beyond measure and God has seen fit to give me this life.


Psalm 136:1  ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

Thanksgiving Drugstore Plans

I am very, very short on funds this Christmas - so I need to make do with the little I have!!!  Here is my plan for Thanksgiving shopping at Rite Aid and Walgreen this year!  Going to do 2 trips to each store.

Rite Aid - 1st Trip

1 pair of ear buds (asked for by my daughter)  5 dollars (receive 5 dollars back in +up rewards)
2 bottles of Revlon Top Speed nail polish (for myself!)  6 dollars (receive 4 back in +up)
2 Dove deoderants (a necessity with 3 girls) 4 dollars (receive 2 back in +up)
2 Wet N Wild 9-piece Little Luxuries nail polish (Christmas gifts) 6 dollars (receive 4 +up)

1st trip:  Out of pocket cost:  $21 dollars - receive back in +up $17.50

Rite Aid - 2nd Trip

1.99 for 18-pack of Scunci bands (Stocking stuffers) (get 1.99 in +up)
1.50 for 2 Hot Wheels (stocking stuffer for my nephew) (get .50 +up)
5.00 for 2 Secret deoderant (get 3 in +up)
Fuzzy socks 4/2 (stocking stuffers)
2/3 throws (always need more blankets!)
3/2 VO5 shampoo & conditioner (get 1 +up)

Out of pocket  -  ZERO (pay with +ups) and receive back 6.50 +ups for next week



Walgreen - 1st Trip

2 Secret Body Splashes (ss for girls) 7.50 (get 550 back)
Revlon lip gloss (for me!) 4.99 (get 4 back)
Covergirl Wetslicks (ss for girl) 3.99 (get 2)

Out of pocket cost:  16.50 & get 11.50 back in rewards

Walgreen - 2nd Trip

Walgreen pain reliever PM .99 cents w/ coupon x2 = 1.98  (I use these)
32-count eyeshadow kid (Gift for daughter) 2.99
Tuf paper towels x2 w/ coupon = .78 cents
Oral B toothbrush 1.50 (get 1.50 back)
Cottonell bath tissue 12-pack 3.24 (with WG coupon & .75 manu q)
2/3 Scunci hair bands (more ss) (get 3 in rewards)

Out of pocket 75 cents!  Rewards for next week $4.50


So for $37.50 I will have:

6 small Christmas gifts
12 stocking stuffers
2 bottles of nail polish and a Revlon lip gloss for myself
4 sticks of deoderant
2 papertowels
12 rolls of toilet paper
1 toothbrush
2 bottles of pain reliever PM
3 bottles of shampoo/conditioner

and another 11 in rewards to spend next week :) 

I know I am not the best shopper and definitely not a coupon queen - I am sure that many others will show better deals and spend nearly nothing -  but I am happy with what I can do with what I have!!

Sherry

Menu Plan Monday - Getting Organized!

Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  I always feel encouraged to get organized and bring out my control journal and start menu planning again.  This year I want to keep those good intentions going and carry them through into the new year!  I am linking this post with Laura at Menu Plan Monday at the Org Junkie blog!

SUNDAY:  Today I am going to make a pot of soup.  There is a chill in the air that none of us can deny and it always makes me crave soup! 

Tuscan White Bean and Cabbage Soup

The soup is for lunch today and leftovers will serve for lunch several days this week. 

Dinner tonight will be Rachel Ray's Buffalo Chicken Chili Mac and roasted vegetables

MONDAY:   I'm making one of my absolute favorite meals (very tasty and cheap!)  Lentils and brown rice topped with salad

(It looks a little something like this - trust me it is really delicious with the salad on top!)

TUESDAY:  Haluski with Polish Sausage  ( I do NOT use all the butter in the recipe!  I use hardly any at all and it is still delicious)

WEDNESDAY:  My boy has a football game so it is a perfect day to use the Crockpot!  One of my very favorites is turkey ham, potatoes, corn, and mushroom soup.  Yum!  Green salad on the side.

FRIDAY:  Kid's night!  Turkey burgers, baked french fries, raw broccoli and carrots

THURSDAY/SATURDAY: We have dinner with my parents :) 

Breakfasts this week will be either oatmeal with fruit or  yogurt and fruit.  One morning I will make breakfast burritos and since I have a lot of bread getting stale soon, french toast!!!

Lunches will consist mostly of leftovers.  On Saturday I do plan to make some toasted subs with the kids!

Have a wonderfully blessed week!  Take time to really appreciate your family and friends.  Notice all the blessings in your life and give thanks! 

Sherry aka The Blonde Muse :)

Women in the Word Wednesday

.................why are you fearful? - Jesus

I've been really fearful lately. I've been saturating my thoughts and actions with the rapidly spinning whirlwind of my emotions. I worry about my finances. I worry about how my children are growing up. I worry that the man in my life doesn't truly love me. I worry that my health may fail. I worry about my parents. I worry about not knowing. I worry that I worry too much. I worry that I will have a breakdown.

But I am a strong woman. I sometimes forget that. I am strong because my foundation is the Lord. He is my strength, my help, my calm in any storm. He is what holds me up when I am falling apart. If God is for me, who can be against me? What can I NOT get past?

I just started reading Joyce Meyer's "Battlefield of the Mind".

I am a big fan of Joyce's. She tells it like it is. She doesn't sugar-coat what needs to be done. And I really like that a lot.

I am also re-reading the book of John. It seems to be the absolute best place to start reading the Bible. After that I am going to re-read the book of Acts. My church is in the middle of a big move. They purchased a building, but before they can move in, they are currently utilizing the local high school. Reading Acts, seeing how the first churches were "built" - well, it just feels timely!


I feel a little lost right now - but I know where to look in order to find my way again. The Lord is steadfast and will never let me down. He is always good.

There is nothing worse than not knowing (i.e. feeling insecure or unstable) to get my emotions to defeat me. I feel like I"m currently in a battle with my emotions. They are trying to overrun me.

I put far too much weight on certain areas of my life. I let them rule over every other area. There is so much goodness and beauty in my life - and I am greatful for everything. I truly am. But I have GOT to defeat this negativity that is trying to ruin me!

One thing I heard today on a Joyce Meyer CD really made me think. I am paraphrasing: It's not what you do when you are at church that shows what type of Christian you are - but what you do when you are all alone. She said to tell yourself 20 times a day: God is right here with me! He sees what I am doing right now! I put something away in the wrong spot at the grocery store today because I was too lazy to walk back to the right place. I looked around to make sure no one was watching before I slid it on the shelf. But you know what? God was watching. HE knew what I did.

Sorry I am rambling. I have so much going on in this battlefield I call my mind.

S

A Walk Through the Graveyard

I've been thinking about death a lot lately. My grandmother passed away 2 months ago, my Dad wrote his will, all of the tornadoes, tsunamis, and tornadoes.... It makes me realize how delicate life is.

My girls and I went for a walk in the cemetary today. It got us all thinking about life and death. One thing I realized is that I want to be buried somewhere under a tree. I want windchimes, bird feeders, and bird houses hanging above me.

I want a cemetary that has beautiful stained glass in the chapel. One with somber church bells ringing.

I want a cemetary where people who loved me can leave flowers - and hopefully be able to plant my favorite flowers near my headstone; tulips, daisies, hyacinth and other colorful springtime blooms.