Tuesday TASK: What’s On Your Nightstand?

Finished this month:

American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld

Hello Goodbye - Emily Chenoweth

Finished for Review this month:

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little - Peggy Gifford

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Practicing the Piano - Peggy Gifford

Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Writing Thank You Notes - Peggy Gifford

Raising Boys To Be Like Jesus – Sharon Norris Elliott

God’s Girls In Sports - Holly Page

Currently Reading:

The Shortest Distance Between Two Women - Kris Radish

TBR This Month:

Every Secret Thing - Ann Tatlock

The Millionaires - Inman Majors

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx - Sally Koslow

Tuesday TASK: Parent Listener

On Tuesday mornings, I have the privilege of being the PARENT LISTENER in my 1st grader’s classroom.  This means that I spend 20-30 minutes listening to kids read out loud.  They take great pride in sharing their abilities and I love seeing their progress from week to week.  We get to talk about children’s book characters and I learn a little bit about their personalities during the few minutes I get to spend with them.

Today, I am thankful for the gift of reading.  Because I can read, I enjoy endless hours of entertainment and learning that I couldn’t experience without it.  Because my children can read, we share stories and time together traveling to places found only in our imaginations and the pages of books.  Also, because we can read, we can learn.  Being able to read means that we are never limited to what we already know. 

If you are able to read, be thankful to have been given that gift.  Visit Rebecca Writes to see what others are thankful for today AND figure out some way to give others this incredible gift.

Tuesday TASK: Laugh

You know when something is a little bit funny so you start to smile and realize that a little chuckle has sneaked out? 

Then, because there was a little thing that was funny, you start seeing something else funny.  Before you know it, the people in the room are starting to look at you because you seem to be laughing at nothing and you ARE laughing at anything and everything, whether it’s funny or not.

Finally, the full-blown giggles have hit and you can’t tell anyone what you are laughing at because you are laughing so hard you can’t breathe.  In fact, you are laughing so hard that a few tears escape from the corners of your eyes.  You know what I’m talking about?  I’m thankful for that! 

Let’s hope we all find something to laugh about before the day is over…

Don’t forget to visit Rebecca Writes to find out what others are thankful for.

Tuesday TASK: Thankfulness

Last night, I attended a memorial service for a woman I never met.  As I listened to scripture and stories about her life and, more importantly, her faith, I realized again how thankful I am to know Christ and to have an eternal home in heaven.  I cannot begin to fathom why and how God loves me enough to provide a way for me to be reconciled to Him.  Nonetheless, I am thankful every day that He has.

 ¹“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. ²In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. ³And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴You know the way to the place where I am going.”    — John 14:1-4

It’s only my 2nd post in the November of Thanksgiving  and I am already starting to have trouble narrowing down which blessings to highlight.  What about you?  What are you thankful for today?

Tuesday TASK: What’s On Your Nightstand?

There’s no real rhyme or reason to my choices this month.  These are just things that seem to “hit” me on my passes through the library.  I hope to get back to my running list of TBR during the holidays.

FINISHED:

Dating DaVinci - Malena Lott

The Secret Hour - LuAnne Rice

Sandcastles – LuAnne Rice

What’s Age Got To Do With It? – Robin McGraw

Rich Like Them - Ryan D’Agostino

The Visiting Physician - Susan Richards Shreve

CURRENTLY READING:

American Wife - Curtis Sittenfeld

TO BE READ:

Hello Goodbye - Emily Chenoweth

That Old Ace In The Hole - Annie Proulx

Logged On and Tuned Out - Vicki Courtney

Girl Meets God - Lauren Winner

Crossing To Safety - Wallace Stegner

Tuesday TASK: Meals for 4

I have a magnet on my refrigerator that says “I have a kitchen because it came with the house”.  Anyone that has known me for more than 7 minutes knows it isn’t there as a joke!  I REALLY don’t like to cook and, if I thought I could get away with it, I would get rid of my stove. 

The biggest problem with my not liking to cook is that I live with people that like to eat…on a regular basis…like several times a day…every day.  Consequently, I find myself doing lots of meal planning and grocery shopping and cooking.  If I am really honest about it, I think what I don’t like the most is having to think about what to fix all the time.  It doesn’t take long to go through my 3 “specialties”.  Then, I have to make sure to ocassionally include things that are healthy, add some variety and, don’t forget, stay within a budget!

Maybe I am the only one that feels this way.  Just in case I am not, here are a few tips that I find helpful when figuring out meals for 4 at my house…

1. Plan and shop for one week at a time.  I have never been one of those people that could shop and/or cook once a month.  There are just too many variables that change and my bulk purchases often go to waste.  I find that breaking meals down into weekly segments works in my brain better.  I don’t tend to make as many “impulse” purchases since I know I’ll be back at the store next week.  Also, deciding on 21 separate meals is easier to handle than 85.
2. Freeze extra.  I don’t cook double batches of everything I make.  I do, however, buy larger cuts of meat and freeze meal size portions to pull out later.  Also, when making some breakfast foods (like pancakes or french toast), I go ahead and cook extra and freeze for later.  It’s cheaper than buying small boxes of frozen waffles, etc. and they cook in the microwave just as fast.
3. Stop “short orders”.  For breakfasts and lunches, we have all started eating the same thing on the same day.  It helps with preparation, especially on school mornings, and it makes shopping easier (and less expensive) since I am not trying to make sure that we always have all of everyone’s favorites.
4. Have a meatless meal.  Especially in the winter, we have breakfast food for dinner on a fairly regular basis.  Omelettes are a great way to “sneak” some vegetables in.  Pancakes and French Toast are perfect with fruit and a great start to a cozy evening at home.  Certainly, soups are great for this too!
5. Recreate restaurant favorites.  Some of the things my family likes most were inspired by things I like to eat at restaurants.  In almost EVERY case, making them at home saves money.  Italian and Mexican foods may be the easiest to recreate but there are lots of ways to make something at home similar to what you eat when you go out.

Happy cooking, especially if you enjoy it!

Tuesday TASK: Holiday Headstart

I knew I was in trouble when, sometime in September, one of my Facebook friends posted a comment celebrating the fact that she had finished all her Christmas shopping for her kids!  Every year, around December 26 or 27, I promise myself that NEXT YEAR, the holidays will be different.  I have lots of ideas for ways to make the holidays simpler, cheaper and less stressful.

Since I seem to go through this exercise every year, I’m obviously still looking for the secret formula to make that happen!  Until I find it, here are a few things I try to do to get a headstart on the holidays.  ANYTHING I can mark off the list now will save time in December.

• GREETING CARDS – I like to get this job totally out of the way ASAP and this one is the easiest one to do ahead of time. 

We don’t always send family pictures but, when we do, I use a picture of the whole family (not just the kids) that was taken that year.  It is not necessarily a “christmas” picture so that means I can get copies made before the rush.  If I am ordering preprinted cards, I check for places that offer free printing.  Many stores will run this special for cards purchased in September and October.  If I am designing and printing my own cards, I try to get supplies during the “Back to School” sales and go ahead and get working.  What a great feeling to get these stuffed and addressed and waiting for the mailbox before the Thanksgiving rush hits!

• GIFTS

Some years, I have shopped throughout the year.  While some people are able to do that with great success, I have never really liked that approach.  I actually enjoy the Christmas season when people are out and about.  I like seeing all the stores decorated and having a mission to find the gifts I am looking for.  I do, however, try to keep from shopping aimlessly without any idea of what I am looking for.  To get ready, I make a list of gifts I will need and determine a budget.  If I already have small gifts that can be used for teachers, hostesses, etc., I label them and mark those off my list. Then, I make any gifts that are going to be handmade. I wrap all the gifts I already have.  Finally, I start researching where I can get the things I have left to buy and decide about any online purchases I need to make.  Once I know what I am looking for and where I’ll find it, I am ready to shop.  If there are items that I think may be hard to find, I go ahead and order online.  For gifts that will be opened when we visit out of town relatives, I have them shipped directly there so I don’t have to transport them.

• SHOPPING

Especially in this difficult economic time, I am trying to purchase locally whenever I can.  Also, I am always looking for stocking stuffers and small items that are easily stored.  For online puchases, I start watching for catalogs and checking websites for special offers and free shipping dates.  Finally, I try to give creative gifts for people that really don’t need more stuff – charitable donations, greeting card fundraisers, tickets to events, etc. are all great ideas.

• ENTERTAINING

We travel to visit both families during the holidays so we don’t do lots of entertaining.  My son’s birthday is the 1st week of December, though, so we do have to figure a party in somewhere.   When we do entertain, we schedule dates early and go ahead and book any help we need (cleaning service, caterers, neighbors, friends, etc.).  Menus are planned and anything that can be baked and frozen gets done sooner rather than later.

I love the holidays!  I think some of the hustle and bustle is part of the fun.  I just want to have a few things taken care of early so that the hustle and bustle doesn’t take over the whole thing.  What do you try to take care of ahead of time to ease your burden during the holidays?

Tuesday TASK: Reading

It’s time for WHAT’S ON YOUR NIGHTSTAND? sponsored by 5 Minutes for Books. 

What I finished reading:

The Mighty Queens of Freeville - Amy Dickinson

Wrapped In Rain - Charles Martin

Life After Genius - M. Anne Jacoby

The Condition - Jennifer Haigh

Money and Marriage God’s Way – Howard Dayton (I am reviewing this title for Christian Library Journal.  Check out their site for lots of great titles.)

What’s next on my list:

I See You Everywhere - Julia Glass

Dating DaVinci - Malena Lott

Safe At Home: Confessions of a Baseball Fanatic – Alyssa Milano

Shop Class As Soulcraft – Matthew Crawford

Tuesday TASK: Changing Clothes

Those of us in Alabama still have a couple of weeks of warm weather ahead of us.  However, as the calendar gets close to October, it’s time to change clothes. 

With an 8 yr. old and a 6 yr. old, there are plenty of shoes and clothes that won’t fit for a 2nd season! More than likely, though, lots of the things that won’t fit are not worn out.  Somebody, somewhere could use them.  After we get through the moaning and groaning of trying everything on, we look for somewhere to take the “hand me downs”.

Here are some of the best options we have found…

1. Friends with younger children – We have some neighbors that have 4 children under the age of 6.  They are happy to have the hand-me downs and we love knowing that someone close by can get some real use out of them.
2. Church Clothing Ministries – More and more, churches are reaching out to those in need by helping to supply some of their basic survival needs.  Call around to find churches in your area that accept donations of gently used clothing.  Be mindful that many of these programs can use adult and teen clothes also, particularly things that would be appropriate for interviews and/or work environments.
3. Non-profit schools and/or homes for at-risk kids – Many of the clients of these organizations come from broken homes and low-income areas.  With very tight budgets, these organizations can make their money go farther with gifts of clothes for their kids.
4. Local Preschools – Most preschools and mother’s day out programs keep a stash of extra clothes for kids that have accidents during potty training.  With the large amount of turnover of these clothes, it always helps to get anything that can replenish these items.
5. Consignment Sales – If you have the time and want to do a little bit of legwork, you can make some money from your clothes.  Find churches and preschools in your area that sponsor consignment sales.  Often, several churches/schools will have sales during the season and you can participate in as many as you wish.  You get a percentage of the price that is paid for your item and the church/school makes a little money for their programs as well.  Often, sellers and volunteers for these sales get the first chance to shop before the sale opens to the public and you can find some great deals!

As the changing seasons arrive, find someone whose life YOU can change with some gently used clothes!

TUESDAY TASK: Family Calendar

Sometime last spring, I began looking for my new calendar.  What I didn’t know then was that finding the right calendar would be harder than it seemed…

• Even though I have a laptop and a Blackberry and plenty of ways to track my appointments and activities electronically, I prefer a written calendar. 
• Because I was a teacher (and a student) for my whole life, the 16- month ACADEMIC CALENDAR has always made the most sense to me.  For the last couple of years, I have used the large, monthly wall calendar with lines on each day as a deskpad.  It probably worked the best of anything I have had since the kids became school age but it still wasn’t quite right.  I found that I still had multiple calendars to track multiple things.
• I like my calendar to be portable.
• I need my calendar to serve more than one function.  It needs to be a menu planner, chore chart, means of communication and appointment book for all 4 of us (myself, my husband and 2 children).

After looking throughout the spring and summer in every place I could think of that MIGHT have a paper calendar to fit my needs, I gave up and designed one myself using MS EXCEL.  It is not the perfect solution but it is the best one and the most functional one I have ever had.  We started using it the week school started and it has made the transition from summer to school much easier than in years past!

If you have an active family, a calendar can make a big difference in helping to organize your home.  If you don’t have a FAMILY CALENDAR, here are 3 things you can do to create one that works for you.

1.  Gather ALL the calendars and activity schedules for everyone in your family.

2.  Spend some time thinking about what you need your family calendar to do.  Make notes about regular events that you are involved in.

3.  Create a MASTER calendar with all the elements you need.  If you need something to help you get started, let me know.  I’ll be happy to share what I have created so you can customize it for your family!

							SATURDAY
							laundry
							change sheets