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Apr. 6, 2008 - Hes an On-time God!
For those who are habitually early for everything, don’t bother to read this. For the rest of us trying to get from point A to point B, there’s hope.
Frankly, there are numerous days when there’s so much on my plate, I can’t realistically hope to reach point B. Some days I can’t seem to leave the point A starting gate.
The day begins with the intent of being on time to a meeting or some other homeschool function. Try as I may, life jumps in the way and slows me to a crawl. The next thing I know, I race out the door, hoping my son is behind me, do a poppa-wheelie with the van and drive on the other two wheels. And of course I always stop for a representative amount of traffic lights. I arrive just barely on time with my hair doing it’s own expressive thing only to realize that once again, I’m in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Aren’t you glad we don’t have to wait for God to get somewhere or have to remind Him that it’s next Tuesday not this Thursday? It is comforting to know that our God is an ever-present help.
Tips for success from point A to B:
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Start at least the day before ironing and getting other things ready.
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Make sure the jeans you thought were clean are clean
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If you’re into jewelry - lay out the earrings, etc. ahead of time
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If you have things to be packed (other than perishables), pack them ahead of time – night before if possible
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Always, always, always put the event on the calendar and CHECK THE CALENDAR DAILY
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Use post-it notes reminders all over the house if you have to
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If you only have 10 extra minutes, don’t start anything in the name of “it will only take a minute.” There is no such creature! Things that “only take a minute” generally suck up a minimum of 20 minutes, thus making you late once more. Unless it is life threatening, just leave the house! You’re almost never as early as you think.There is hope for us!
I know there's hope for us!
Thanks for stopping by and visiting. I would be delighted if you would also visit my Only on Mondays blog for a meal planning system sure to save you hours in the kitchen and help you to have fun for the time you do spend in the kitchen. If you don’t know the details on how it all works, you can read it here
With all the extra time, you can visit me on eBay too – just a thought.
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Apr. 1, 2008 - Why am I Wasting Time?
Why is it that when I’m up to my eyeballs and beyond with deadlines and stuff on my platter, I run around stressed – “Yikes, what do I do next.” My family probably looks at me thinking: “Look out, she’s gonna’ blow!!!” Yet when there’s nothing crucial on the agenda and I have time to actually accomplish something, I have zero get up and go. There are countless loose ends that need tending.
It’s a wise thing to rest. Constant working isn’t good or productive for the body. However, I am not resting. I’m just messing around wasting precious and valuable time doing nothing in particular. I think I’ll have to play a game with myself. I’ll take several things and break them into bit-size chunks so the tasks will be finished before I realize I don’t want to do them. Trust me it works. I multi-task so much that it’s really not that hard to fool myself into doing what I don’t want to do. Of course pumping myself full of brownies helps too.
Possible tasks:
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Tidy master bedroom
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Tidy master bathroom
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Kick son out of master bedroom and back into his own room
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Dust something
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Vacuum master bedroom and bathroom
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Research item on internet
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Write looooong overdue letter
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Have some more devotional time
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Delete a few hundred emails
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Answer one email
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Do some ironing (some is the best I can hope for)
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Remove niece from kitchen before she eats us out of house and home – you know “step away from the food!!!”
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Sort the laundry
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Put in a load of laundry
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Fold some laundry
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Fix a meal for my mom – not an option, must do
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Send in my group’s info for the newsletter
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Get more brownies for when the buzz from the 1st stack wears off
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Clean off the dining room table (put away the coat, wallet, mail, journal, packing tape, book, keys, magazine)
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Order coupons from eBay
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Sort some things to sell on eBay
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Mail a package to my son in college
My list could go on and on, but somehow the one thing I didn’t list is probably what is going to happen. I must prepare another meal for my mom and then I think I’ll just get in the bed and call it a day. I’ve already dozed off about 3 times while typing and it’s taking longer and longer to blink.
Check back soon, I’m sure I’ll have something purposeful to say eventually.
Thanks for stopping by. Don’t forget to visit my Only on Mondays blog for a meal planning system sure to save you hours in the kitchen and help you to have fun for the time you do spend in the kitchen. If you don’t know the details on how it all works, you can read it here
With all the extra time, you can visit me on eBay – just a thought.
Thanks again for stopping by.
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Mar. 30, 2008 - Hot Flashes from Hell
About a year or so ago, I started having hot flashes. This was a very new and disturbing experience. Those of you who have been there done that know it’s like your whole body is on fire. At first I had been just fanning and trying to manage.
The turning point was one Sunday during choir rehearsal and a hot flash hit. It was so intense it was as though something had taken over my mind. I started stripping!!! The jacket flew off and I was yanking and snatching off shoes and whatever else. I was down to the camisole when one of the members broke my trance and reminded me to not take off any more. (I was soooooo embarrassed!!!) For the 1st time, I became fearful of these hot flashes – these power surges. I was out of control and totally oblivious of the fact that I was not at home in my bedroom. It was at that point I realized this is now a spiritual battle. Anytime something takes over my mind like that. For me this is a spiritual battle. Following is how I dealt with them then and how I deal with them now. It amazes me that when I do the following, they disappear almost instantly. Yet when I start fanning and moaning and groaning, etc., they linger on and on and return several times a day.
I’m back on my hot flash ritual:
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Every hot flash is a reminder of the goodness, grace, and mercy of God.
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Every hot flash is the signal it’s time to praise God.
Hence, hot flashes aren’t so bad anymore. As soon as I start praising, the hot flash disappears as quickly as it came.
Stop by and visit my Only on Mondays blog for a meal planning system sure to save you hours in the kitchen and help you to have fun for the time you do spend in the kitchen.
With all the extra time, you can visit me on eBay – just a thought. 
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Mar. 27, 2008 - Only On Mondays
Only on Mondays
“Only on Mondays” is an ongoing series that I hope to be able to bring you each Wednesday or Thursday – I know I said Mondays, I’m getting to that part. J Anyway, this is about menus for the week. If someone had said years ago that I would be engaging in a weekly (or thereabouts) column/blog/whatever on cooking and menus, I would have assumed that one of us was confused. Let there be no mistake – I HATE COOKING!!!! I just can’t be bothered with it. I do it because I have to and I can’t afford to eat out everyday. This “Only on Mondays” blog is designed for the person who would rather be boiled in oil than cook AND for the person who lives to cook because they see it as therapeutic or something or another and for everyone in-between. I’ve been doing this for almost a year and it works every time.
I guess God got tired of my slamming pots around or forcing my family to eat one more meal of potato chips and hot dogs or cereal for dinner. Frankly, I don’t see the real harm in either of the aforementioned item, but a steady diet of that does NOT work. Anyway, as I was tossing some innocent food item across the counter, God dropped it in my spirit to cook 2 meals instead of one. My first thought was that I didn’t want to cook the first one much less cook two. I began to think about it and God laid it all out for me. It does involve leftovers. Some people take issue with leftovers. Here’s my philosophy on that. I always give two options:
· option 1:
o eat it or don’t eat it
· option 2:
o eat it or eat air (variation on option 1)
Sunday
· eat at mother-in-law’s
Monday/Tuesday
· meat/starch/veggie or casserole containing a meat/starch/veggie
Wednesday/Thursday
· meat/starch/veggie or casserole containing a meat/starch/veggie
Friday/Saturday
· fast food, or take out, or super simple meal
Here’s a sample:
Sunday
· eat at my mother-in-law’s or eat out
Monday/Tuesday:
· sliced turkey/sweet potatoes/ steamed zucchini & squash
Wednesday/Thursday:
· lasagna/bread sticks/tossed salad or mixed veggies
Friday/Saturday
· pizza!
The only thing I actually cooked was two meals. Most foods, not all, are perfectly safe for 3-5 days if properly packaged in the fridge. Some things I simply have to freeze. If we were having shrimp fried rice, then I would make sure we have that Monday/Tuesday because fish is one of those 3-5 day ain’t gonna’ happen foods.
Because I’m thinking about the meals in advance, I PLAN for at least a reasonably nutritious meal. Since I don’t bake bread, grow anything other than weeds (the legal ones) in the backyard (most of our backyard is now concrete – yeah!!! Ok, that’s another story for a later date), and the only thing I milk is my husband for cash (shhhhh, don’t tell him that), hence the best I could hope for is a reasonably healthy meal.
Here’s the deal – BEFORE you go to the grocery store write out the menu. Be certain to include everything you need to make that dish so you don’t have to go back to the store. List everything right down to the eggs and condiments. Even if you doing something as simple as burgers and fries – chances are you’ll remember the meat whether it’s ground turkey, turkey burgers, ground beef, or a lean ground beef, or some kind of ground of mystery stuff that was on sale. However, did you remember to list/get the hamburger buns, French fries, ketchup, and other condiments? Do you have a special spice or seasoning you use for your burgers? Do you have it? If it needs to be purchased, put it on the list.
Think about two meals to cook. Depending upon your circumstances, you may have to cook three meals. Either way, think of 2 (or 3) meats, 2 starches, 2 veggies. If you’re vegetarian then 2 veggies and 1 starch or however that works. OR!!!!! You can check my “Only On Mondays” blog for some menu ideas, tips, and shortcuts. I do hope you come back and visit. I’m going to help you get in and out the kitchen or if you actually want to be there, I’ll help you be able to do more and enjoy your time doing it.
I’ll give you the menu now and the rest in snippets later. I have company coming and it would be nice if I swept the floor or something. I also need to work on eBay a bit. And speaking of eBay… ok I guess I was the only one speaking of it…
Anyway, here are a few things I have for sale –
This week’s menu:
Monday/Tuesday:
· baked chicken breasts (or whatever part you prefer) / rice (white, brown, wild – it’s your choice/ mixed veggies / assorted fruit
Wednesday/Thursday:
· baked (or grilled) salmon / baked potatoes / asparagus (or whatever)
Friday/Saturday
· hot dogs / fries / tossed salad / red or black seedless grapes (or whatever fruit)
Enjoy the journey!
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Mar. 17, 2008 - A Matter of Common Courtesy
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My southern born hunk of a husband always says: “It’s just plain common courtesy to say Thank you when someone gives you something or does something for you.” He’s absolutely right. Isn’t that what we teach our children as well? As children of God should not we too do the same So, how about the next time you find a parking space downtown in front of where you’re going, tell God thank you. When my children did well on a test, found a missing toy, got a promotion on their jobs, or whatever it was, be it great or small, I taught them to “tell God thank you.” I don’t ever want them to think they accomplished anything on their own. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that all I have, do, and have become, is by the grace of God that has brought me thus far.
I thank God for my life, my health, and my strength. I thank Him for having not just a roof over my head but for having a reasonably nice one as well. Those are some of the “big” thank you’s.
Here is my list of thank you’s that I use to take for granted.
· Just the right shoes on sale
· My hair not frizzing before an important night out
· My children making me look good or at least not bad
· When I make more money than I’m paying out in eBay fees
· There are no screaming children next to me on the airplane
· My “skinny” jeans finally fit (well, not recently)
· My favorite movie comes on when I actually have time to watch it (The Glen Miller Story, Jimmy Stewart & June Alison – just love the Big Band era)
· Finally catching that pesky mosquito before it catches me
· Cash back at the gas station – hmmmm??? seems like I need to update this list, grin, grin
· Every Monday when I finish cooking for the week Extra thanks if I finish by noon
· My son not knocking on our closed AND LOCKED bedroom door to ask my husband and me what we’re doing
For every big and little thing, I give thanks and especially today since I was able to get home without having to call my husband 5 times to ask directions.
Stop by again for my, hopefully, regular blog series on taking the stress out of meal planning, cooking it up, and getting it all done with time leftover: “Only On Mondays.”
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Mar. 17, 2008 - Some Things are Just Worth the Wait
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As I last spoke in the Dell saga, I was driving on the highway praising God and in search of a Cracker Barrel. It took a lot longer than I thought but it was worth the wait. I passed dozens of places to eat. My mouth was watering. I was trying to divert my attention in hopes of not noticing the “hunger-headache” that was approaching.
Some time later….
I’m finally at Cracker Barrel and yes, it was worth every hunger pang. My son says I find a spiritual application to every event - perhaps not every but mighty near. Right now I’m thinking about young girls and their purity. The goal ought not to be just any man or even just any man who professes Christ and has a job. Hold out for the one God has set aside. There’s no doubt in my mind that waiting for God’s choice is always well worth the wait.
Well, it’s time to put the pen and paper away, gas up, and get back on the road.
See, there’s another lesson no matter how many times we have to detour, if we stay focused on the goal (in my case getting home), we’ll get there. Don’t give up, get back on the road, and keep going.
I’ll get the last installment on this road trip a little later. |
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Mar. 17, 2008 - It Does Get Better
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Do you remember the TV beer commercial from years ago with the guys in the boat proclaiming that “it doesn’t get any better than this”? Guess what, it does! It gets a whole lot better than what they’re proposing could ever be.
I’m on the open highway for another 3 ½ hours or so – just me and the trucks. We all know how much fun that is weaving in and out and trying not to get sandwiched between a convoy of 18-wheelers. Ugh!!!
It’s been stressful to put it mildly. It took everything within to keep focused on the road, the journey ahead, and not on that which plagues me. Once my radio stations were out of range I popped in a CD. Since I was on a rather curvaceous highway doing between 65 & 70mph, I figured that probably wasn’t a good time to start fiddling with the radio to find a Christian radio station. Anyway, the CD has the most wonderful praise/worship music. The title is: “Instrumental Praise – a piano collection. There are 10 hymns on it done in such a soothing and anointed manner. The more I drove and listened, my cares began to drop by the wayside. I began to have a nearly uncontrollable urge to lift my hands in praise and surrender to my Lord. Fortunately, my God does not expect His children to check their brains at the door when we enter His presence. Therefore, at home or at church hands may be lifted at will, however, behind the wheel of moving vehicle hands are to remain stationery on the wheel unless you’re homesick for heaven – lighten up, just kidding.
I just had to pull off the highway and write for awhile and I’ll type it at a later date. My circumstances haven’t changed, but once again God has granted me, what I like to call a “joy break.” There’s no hurry to get home. I’ll stop again, fill my belly, and write some more. My cares have been left on the highway. Would that I could sit at this rest area longer and enjoy the peacefulness, gentle breeze, and greenery.
I thank God for music. I thank God that He can even speak and heal through an instrument.
It’s back on the highway for me – renewed and in search of the nearest Cracker Barrel.
Just thinking about that food – yum!!!  |
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