Crafty Tuesday - Halloween Tricks or Treats

 I have been working on this edition of Crafty Tuesday for quite a few days.  That doesn't mean the crafts are difficult though, in fact they are really easy! And so fun and cute too!  So let's get right to it...

Halloween Mummies - Bub will be sharing these with all his classmates & friends.  I also put a few in each of the teacher's baskets. He and I made these in under an hour, it was a lot of fun!

Recipe:
Mini Hershey bars
white crepe paper
googly eyes

I took a serrated knife and cut a roll of crepe paper in half so I had 2 skinny rolls. I found this made for a much "prettier" mummy.  Wrap a piece of crepe paper around the chocolate bar and secure the end with some sort of adhesive.  Attach the googly eyes with tacky glue - do not use a hot glue gun or the eyes won't wiggle. :)

Teacher's Halloween gift basket - includes a few packages of Hot Apple Cider mix, a package of homemade caramel corn, a Coffin that contains a few mummies, and a couple of cake pops will be added once we make them.

Halloween box - Instructions for this box can be found here. Each of my baskets were made from a single 12x12 sheet of Stampin' Up! Ghostly Greetings DSP.

  Stampin' Up! Coffins - printable template can be found here

I also made each of the kid's teachers a Halloween card to match their Halloween treat basket. The cards were fairly easy and quick to put together.  They were CASED from some cards found on Split Coast Stampers.  I have no idea now who made them, but whoever you are thank you for the great idea!

 Inside each card it says: 

Scary, Scary

Screamie, Screamie

Happy, Happy

Halloweenie!

Ingredients for the cards:
Paper is all Stampin' Up!
 - Kiwi Kiss (also this ink)
 - Pumpkin Pie (also this ink)
 - Basic Black (also this ink)
 - Ghostly Greetings DSP
Stamp Sets are both Stampin' Up!
 - Batty for you
 - Eat, Drink & Be Scary!
Embossed Paper is done by using the Sizzix BIGkick and the Cuttlebug embossing folder D'vine Swirl

What are you making for Halloween crafts with your kids?  Are you making anything for the kids to take to school or for their teachers?

Crafty Tuesday - Halloween Tricks or Treats

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Menu Plan Monday - October 24 - 30

This coming Saturday is Halloween!  Yay!  I love Halloween, okay let's face it I love any holiday.  Any excuse to do something fun and different is a good excuse in my books.  So this week the kids and I will be making caramel apples, roasting pumpkin seeds, they have asked for more caramel corn, and I will also be making special Halloween cake pops for Bean to take to school on Friday. Look for a post about those on Thursday sometime. 

 

 Part of our All Hallow's Eve supper 2 yrs ago

On Friday we will be doing our traditional All Hallow's Eve supper.  Every year I make something gross, well it doesn't taste gross but the name usually is, for supper on the night before Halloween.  Halloween evening is just too busy running around getting costumes on and going to the mall for Trick-or-Treat, pop home for a quick bite to eat, then we head out into the neighborhood for some more Trick-or-Treating.  Do you do anything fun or extra special for Halloween?

Here's what we're eating this week:

Breakfast: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Yogurt, toast & juice
Tuesday: Whole grain waffle, pears and 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Cottage Cheese-n- fruit, cinnamon toast squares (whole grain bread lightly toasted)
Thursday: French toast, peaches, and 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Cream of Wheat (w/cinnamon & organic sugar), fruit and 1/4 cup milk

Mid-Morning Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Orange Slices & 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday: Cereal snack & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Muffin & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  No-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Friday:  Fruit slices & 1/4 cup milk

Lunch: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Grilled Cheese, 1/4 cup strawberries and 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday:  Whole Wheat cheese pizza, soft cooked veggie sticks & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Pasta & peas, cheese dough sticks, diced fruit & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  Salmon cakes, green beans, diced peaches & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Macaroni & Cheese, 1/4 strawberries & 1/4 cup milk (I'm going to try to pack a cool Halloween lunch for the big kids - not sure yet what all I will make.  Thinking carrot & raisin salad for one thing - orange & black...)

Afternoon Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: yogurt & graham cracker
Tuesday: no-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Wednesday: Homemade Applesauce
Thursday: Orange slice & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Apple Oatmeal Cookie & 1/4 cup milk

Supper for Everyone:
With printable recipe cards (click pics to save and print) & links to original recipes where noted.

Saturday - Chicken Noodle Soup (with homemade noodles)

Sunday - Leftover soup

Monday - Smothered pork chops, mashed potatoes, & green beans

Tuesday - Meat Pie & salad

Wednesday - BLT's or Grilled bacon & cheese sandwiches (DH doesn't care for BLT's), chips

Thursday - Calzones & garlic bread

Friday - Cheesy Monster Eyes (Cheese stuffed shells w/ an Italian meatball for the eye) Snakes on a Stick, Vampire Cookies (some sort of vegetable or salad - trying to come up with some yucky name)

What are you cooking this week?  Need more ideas for menu planning?  Head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie for hundreds of meal plans.

Menu Plan Monday - October 24 - 30

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Nine

We are half way through the Holiday Grand Plan! Can you believe it?  I sure can't! I really need to step up my game from now on out.  No more excuses!

Last week went a bit better.  I feel like I made better use of my time and really got some things accomplished.  Not all of the things on my list but some of it - more than lately anyhow.  That's a good feeling.  Makes me feel like there is hope for the remaining nine weeks. :)  This is going to be a fun week.  We are on the last week before Halloween.  I finally managed to get the house decorated for Halloween, made Halloween sugar cookies with the kids & caramel corn. I've started working on the kids treats they will be taking to school to share with their classmates.  You'll want to check back on Tuesday for sure to see some of what we are making. I'll probably have a second post Thursday for the treats my daughter will be taking, since I can't make those too far in advance. We will also carve our pumpkins this week and roast the seeds. I'm excited & the kids are excited.  

This is also the last week of October. *sigh*  That means that I have one month left to really get it together around here so that come December I am relaxed and ready for FUN!  I can do it right?  Yes and so can you. :)

The Holiday Grand Plan site says this week our focus is the Pantry and Closets.  So if you are following that plan you'll want to go over and print off the sheets for this focus.  I am of course following Flylady zones, so this week I'll be focusing on the living room.  This will be the last time I can focus on the room before starting to decorate next month for Christmas (I start the weekend of the American Thanksgiving), so I really need to do a good job in here.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Start addressing Christmas cards and writing Christmas letter.
4. This week I will also start talking to the children about what they would like for Christmas. Time to get a list going and watching for sales.

*Chores - FlyLady zone 5. For me that is the living room, entry, and front porch.

      1. Living room
          - Clean window, windowsill and screens
          - Windex pictures & mirror
          - Dust and/or vacuum furniture
          - Vacuum floor
      2. Entry
          - Dust
          - Straighten closet
          - Sweep and mop
      3. Front Porch
          - Sweep down cobwebs
          - Sweep off porch
          - Shake door mat

This week's list feels very do-able to me, so maybe I can get it all crossed off and maybe work on a few extra things if I have time.

How are you coming on your holiday prep?  Getting excited or starting to panic?  Don't panic, just join in with me.  Trust me you are not far behind at all - there is still plenty of time to get organized to have a peaceful holiday season. 

Be sure to stop over and see how my friends who are also doing the Holiday Grand Plan are making out with their goals.
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Nine

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Menu Plan Monday - October 17 - 23

We have a few things going on this week in the evenings, so I tried to plan leftovers for one night and we'll have hamburger helper on the other night.  I really don't like HH but the kids and dh looove it.  So every once in awhile you'll see that pop up on the menu when I need something quick.

Here's what we're eating this week:

Breakfast: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Oatmeal, fruit and milk
Tuesday: Whole grain waffle, pears and 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Cottage Cheese -n- fruit, cinnamon toast squares (whole grain bread lightly toasted)
Thursday: French toast, peaches, and 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Cream of Wheat (w/cinnamon & organic sugar), fruit and 1/4 cup milk

Mid-Morning Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Orange Slices & 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday: Cereal snack & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Muffin & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  No-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Friday:  Fruit slices & 1/4 cup milk

Lunch: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Grilled Cheese, 1/4 cup strawberries and 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday:  Whole Wheat cheese pizza, soft cooked veggie sticks & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Pasta & peas, cheese dough sticks, diced fruit & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  Salmon cakes, green beans, diced peaches & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Leftover cheesy spaghetti, 1/4 strawberries & 1/4 cup milk

Afternoon Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: yogurt & graham cracker
Tuesday: no-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Wednesday: Apple bread pudding
Thursday: Orange slice & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Carrot Cookies & 1/4 cup milk

Supper for Everyone:
With printable recipe cards (click pics to save and print) & links to original recipes where noted.


Saturday: Sausages, sidekicks, salad

Sunday: Panera's Cream Cheese Potato Soup in Bread Bowls and salad  - We had this last week & loved it so much I had to make it again!


Monday:  Crock pot Roast & veggies

Tuesday: Shredded BBQ beef sandwiches on homemade buns, creamy coleslaw & chips

Wednesday: Hamburger Helper, salad

Thursday: Cheesy Spaghetti, Garlic bread, and salad

Friday: Calzones and salad

What are you cooking this week?  Need more ideas for menu planning?  Head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie for hundreds of meal plans.

Menu Plan Monday - October 17 - 23

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Love Dare - Day Seven

Day Seven: Love believes the best
[Love] believes all things, hopes all things.
—1 Corinthians 13:7

Yesterday's Dare
For today’s dare, get two sheets of paper. On the first one, spend a few minutes writing out positive things about your spouse. Then do the same with negative things on the second sheet. Place both sheets in a secret place for another day. There is a different purpose and plan for each. At some point during the remainder of the day, pick a positive attribute from the first list and thank your spouse for having this characteristic.

This dare wasn't very difficult for me. My list of positives definitely outweighed  the negatives. I'm sure some of that was given that we have had a really nice last 7 days (at least I think so). So not much time was spent in my mental depreciation room this week.  I think when I do go there when I'm angry or hurt, it's a lot of nit picky things.  Not all of it, but some of it is for sure.  Over all I think I do have a really good husband.  I know we are only on day 7 here but I'm realizing that things that are wrong in our marriage are not just him.  Some of it is me, my attitude and how my own actions/reactions can create turmoil.  I know that it takes two, but this dare has really opened my eyes to my part of the problem.  The denial and blame isn't so strong now.  I think that is a good thing.

How did you do on day 7?  Was making the list easy for you or did you struggle with one of the sheets?

Today's Dare: Love is not jealous (I know without even reading this is going to be a hard one for me)

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@ChainedAngel - Wanna Know What's for Supper???

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)  P.S. It's never too late to join!

Love Dare - Day Seven

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eight & a Giveaway!

Winner announced at the end of the post!


Photo from jmtimages' photostream on flickr

Last week wasn't a great week.  I didn't get much accomplished on my list chore wise.  I've come to the realization I've not been using my time wisely.  This week I am going to work harder at that.  I'm sure if I can get that under control I would get a lot more accomplished.  I did, however, get the Halloween decorations out and mostly up.  Just have a few more things to put up later today.  The baby was very excited about the decorating and really wanted to help with everything.  It was really cute.  I can only imagine how he's going to react to Christmas decorating.  I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun!

I'm hoping that next Saturday we can head out to get some pictures taken with the pumpkin people and get our pumpkins for Halloween.  Probably should get the rest of the Halloween costumes dealt with as well.  This week I need to plan our All Hallow's Eve dinner, I want to make caramel corn too.

The Holiday Grand Plan site says that this week is kitchen week.  So if you are following along with the web site you'll need to check out the chores for the kitchen there.  I will be doing the FlyLady zone plan for my cleaning and this week for me it is the master bedroom and bub's room.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
6. Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.

*Checkpoint Week! Evaluate Your Progress:*

1. If unable to find an item for a person on list contact them or their family for ideas.
2. If a homemade gift is not going well, set it aside for after Christmas and decide on another gift.
3. Buy pumpkin for Halloween.
4. Review costume plans with children.

*Chores - FlyLady zone 4, for me that is the master bedroom & Bub's room*

1. Master Bedroom
    - Clean ceiling fan
    - Wash bedding & pillows
    - Vacuum & flip mattress
    - Straighten drawers & closet
    - Dust furniture
    - Sweep & mop

2. Bub's Room
    - Wash walls
    - Clean ceiling fan
    - Wash curtains & blinds
    - Clean windows, windowsills & screens
    - Wash bedding & pillows
    - Vacuum & flip mattress
    - Straighten drawers & closet
    - Straighten bookcase
    - Dust furniture
    - Sweep & mop

 So that is my plan for this week, we'll see how much gets accomplished with my new goal of using my time wisely.  Hopefully I'll have lots of good things to report next week.


Are you doing the Holiday Grand Plan or are you doing another plan to get ready for Christmas?  I believe FlyLady's Christmas plan starts this week if you are wanting to get started now on your holiday preparations. If you're doing a plan already, how are you coming along with your goals?

Oh I almost forgot!  This is my 100th post and well, knowing how I sometimes don't post for awhile, this is pretty exciting for me.  So I thought I would do a little holiday giveaway to celebrate.

 I'm going to offer a set of 4 handmade Christmas cards inside a folder to one of my lucky readers.

You can choose this one or

You can choose this one. :)

To win all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and next Sunday (October 25) I will pick a winner with the help of random.org.  Go get commenting! :)

The winner of the card set is:   

TopHat said...
Oh right! Christmas is coming and I need to do cards! Thanks for the reminder! Maybe I'll win some and get a head start! :)

Congratulations!  I hope that you enjoy the cards. :)

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eight & a Giveaway!

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Love Dare - Day Six

Day six: Love is not irritable
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
—Proverbs 16:32

Yesterday's Dare
Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life.

This dare was a bit confusing.  Even with the book I had to read it a few times to really understand the message of it.  I get how being irritable is hard on people, especially in a marriage.  Who really wants to be around someone who is grumpy all the time.  I'm not irritable all the time, but as a woman I definately have times that I am more apt to be irritable. There are times when I am at the end of my rope and I much quicker to snap.

A couple of things from this chapter that gave me something to think about are:

"Ask yourself, Am I a calming breeze or a storm waiting to happen?

Why do people become irritable?  There are at least two key reasons that contribute to it:
Stress.  Stress weighs you down, drains your energy, weakens your health and causes you to be cranky...It can be brought on by relational causes: arguing, division, and bitterness.  There are excessive causes: overworking, overplaying, overspending. And there are deficiencies: not getting enough rest, nutrition or exercise.
Selfishness: ....Lust, for example, is being ungrateful for what you have and choosing to covet or burn with passion for something that is forbidden...Bitterness takes root when you respond in a judgmental way and refuse to work through your anger...Greed for more money and possessions will frustrate you with unfulfilled desires...Pride leads you to act harshly in order to protect your ego and reputation.

At first it was hard for me to think about what I could marginalize in my life.  I had to think about times in our life where I am more irritable, quick to be impatient and what is going on when I react that way.

Here is what I have decided that I need to work on to help make me less irritable and more loving in my reactions.

To marginalize my life and reduce stress:
1. I need to work on becoming better at asking  for more help when I need it. I usually just wish for help and then get very short tempered with those around me who are just playing & relaxing while I do all the work.
2. Arrange some "me time" so I can recharge.
3. Make better use of my time - less time spent on the computer so that I can get my work done and have time with the kids and my husband.
4. Work harder at not procrastinating.
5. Go to sleep earlier - 10pm at the latest every night.
6. Maybe try to incooperate some exercise daily
7. Make sure I eat well and take my supplements

Releasing wrong motivations:
I need to work on releasing my pride. While doing this dare I have become painfully aware of how selfish I can be.  Many times I'll become irritable because I am worried about me...when I will get my break, when people will start helping me, and that's just a few examples.

Thinking about yesterday's dare where my husband said "that sometimes when we are having a discussion, I correct him and my tone makes him feel stupid."  I think sometimes I do that because I like to be right.  I like to show just how much I know about  a given subject.  Yes, just because I may know more than he does about some things doesn't make it right for me to make him feel stupid.  That is my pride.

What did you learn from day 6?  Was it hard to admit to any wrong motivations?  How are you going to work at reducing your stress?

Today's Dare: Love believes the best

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@ChainedAngel - Wanna Know What's for Supper???
@sherylk1515 - We are Never Alone 

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)  P.S. It's never too late to join!

P.S.S. If you are enjoying this series on The Love Dare posts please feel free to leave a comment.  Actually leave a comment even if you aren't.  If you aren't enjoying it I really don't want to bore you. :)

Love Dare - Day Six

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Love Dare - Day Five

Day Five: Love is not rude.

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to him.
—Proverbs 27:14

Yesterday's Dare
Ask your spouse to tell you three things that cause him or her to be uncomfortable or irritated with you. You must do so without attacking them or justifying your behavior. This is from their perspective only.

This dare wasn't all that difficult for me to do. Does that mean that I don't think I'm rude? Of course not, we all have moments of rude behavior. When I was reading the chapter for this dare several things stood out to me.

 "Do you wish your spouse would stop doing the things that bother you? Then it's time to stop doing the things that bother them.

Three guiding principles when it comes to practicing etiquette in your marriage:

1. Guard the Golden Rule: Treat your mate the same way you would want to be treated
2. No Double Standards:  Be as considerate to your spouse as you are to strangers and co-workers
3. Honor Requests: Consider what your husband or wife already asked you to do or not do."
   

Sometimes I know that I am acting in a rude manner but I justify it by saying he does it too.  That isn't right and that is something I need to work on.  I know when we were dating and when we first got married I would go out of my way not to be rude. I always tried to be pleasant and kind.  Oh how times have changed. 

I ended up waiting to ask R the 3 things when he came home from work while we were sitting folding laundry. I was really surprised by his answers, because I had figured I already knew the three he was going to say.  I have to admit I didn't just let him talk, well only on the first one  I tried to clarify but the rest I just kept quiet and took in what he had to say.
1. When the baby wants up sometimes I tell him just a minute and I finish doing what I'm doing. He says this bothers him when I do this.  I did clarify that many times I do this because when he wants up he wants to nurse.  Sometimes I don't want to nurse right that minute and I'm also trying to teach him that he sometimes has to wait to nurse.  He's 18 months old and sometimes we are in a situation where I can't nurse right there, so I think teaching him a little patience is a good thing. If E wanted up just to be held, I have no trouble stopping what I'm doing but I know how he works - he wants up, hugs me, then slithers into nursing position...
2. He says I'm harder on our oldest than I am the other kids.  I didn't say anything to this one, but I will now.  I don't see that I am.  I guess maybe sometimes I am because Bub won't whine and cry where Bean will. So maybe I let Bean get away with more because I can't stand the whining and crying.  I'll try to work on this.
3. He says that sometimes when we are having a discussion, I correct him and my tone makes him feel stupid.  This one I admit to easily. I can sometimes have a condescending tone or sarcastic tone and I can see how that would make him feel that way.  I will work on this.  I really don't want him to feel like I think he's stupid because that is so far from the truth.

I also know there are other things I do that bother him, so even though he didn't mention them I will work on those things as well.  I'm sure in the end it'll make me a much more pleasant person to live with.  Really no one wants to spend a lot of time with someone who is rude, so change is good. :)

How was this dare for you? Did you have a hard time admitting to your faults?  Were you surprised by the answers your spouse gave?

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@ChainedAngel - Wanna Know What's for Supper???
@sherylk1515 - We are Never Alone 

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)  P.S. It's never too late to join!

Love Dare - Day Five

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Love Dare - Day Four

 "When you first fell in love, being thoughtful came quite naturally.  You spent hours dreaming of what your loved one looked like, wondering what he or she was doing, rehearsing impressive things to say, then enjoying sweet memories of the time you spent together."

Day 4:  Love is thoughtful
How precious also are Your thoughts to me. . . .How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.
—Psalm 139:17–18

Yesterday's Dare
Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

Yesterday was overall an easy day for me.  I feel I am pretty thoughtful of my husband. We talk usually once or twice a day while he is at work, and I try to do things that make his return home after work comfortable.  I do try to give him some down time when he first gets home before bombarding him with my day and wants. I also try to pick something up when I'm out even if it's just small.  So today's dare really wasn't all that difficult for me.

However, many times when I am frustrated or mad my thoughts jump to how he does or doesn't do this or that.  When instead, if I was being thoughtful, kind, and unselfish I would be trying to think of a way to make up for the hurt or anger that we are dealing with.  I need to focus more on how much I love him and less on the ways he annoys me.  I'm really starting to see how negative thoughts can impact how I react or don't react.

Yesterday dh was home sick all day so I never really had the opportunity to call him.  Instead in the evening I just asked him if there was anything I could do for him.  He laughed and said "why are you asking that?"  I said "no, reason just wondered if there was something I could do for you."  He said "no, I can't think of anything."  Gee hun, thanks for making this dare so easy. ;)  So I thought of something on my own. He's been mentioning that his dresser is getting empty (I've been slacking on the laundry),  I decided to do a load of laundry just for him.  This morning he was very grateful to have nice clean clothes for work.  :)

Edited to add:   Today my husband is on day four. This morning before he left for work, he was reading the chapter for today's dare and he was ohhh and mmhmm.  Finally I had to ask what was so interesting.  He started pointing out part of the chapter that said:

"He's frustrated wondering why she speaks in riddles and doesn't come out and say things...

This also explains why a woman will get upset with their husbands without telling them why"

I, of course, rebuted with the part in the chapter where it says:

"...a wise man will listen like a detective to discover the unspoken needs and desires her words imply. If, however, she always has to put the pieces together for him, it steals the opportunity for him to demonstrate that he loves her."

We had a good laugh and I gave some examples and then he left for work.  Then when I was in the shower I started thinking more about this.  Because it's supposed to be about me right, not my selfishness that says "well if you would just listen to my tone or my hints you would get it".

I admit I do sometimes just hint around things.  He sometimes will ask do you want some help with ___?  I'll say no, that's ok I have it.  Secretly wishing he would just get up and help me.  Why do I always have to say help me, can't you just want to help me and then do it?  I don't know how to change this, because deep down I do just want him to want to help me.  I feel like when I ask him to do things he's only doing it because I asked not because he really wants to help me.  I want his desire to help to come from his heart sometimes not always from my mouth.  Right now I don't know how to fix this.

I was also thinking about all the other times I hint at things.  I hint at my needs.  That isn't fair to either of us, because sometimes I really do need something.  Yes, I would love for him to just notice that I am frazzled beyond belief and I need a break, and for him to come in and say "hey, I got this you go do something else."  Maybe that is wishful thinking on my part, I don't know.  One thing I do know is that my needs are valid and they need to be met as well.  I need to have a break every now and then from the kids, the house, ect.  Everyone says that mom needs to take care of herself to be a better mom and wife.  So I'm going to make a concentrated effort to be more forthright with my needs. I'm just going to say I need to sleep in this morning, can you please get up with the kids.  I'm just going to say I need a break, will you please stay home with the kids so I can get out of the house before I go completely bonkers.  And then I'm going to do it.  If he forgets he agreed to these things I will make an effort to not get mad and sulk all day about it.  I will just say remember today was the day you were going to do ____.  Hopefully this isn't being selfish.  I don't know *shrug*  I mean where do you draw the line between selfishness and actual needs?  At any rate I hope that by trying to do this I am being more thoughtful of my husband.  Since he doesn't think the same way I think maybe being upfront about some things will be helpful.

I also was thinking (can you believe I wasn't in the shower all morning lol) about the getting angry and he has no clue why.  I do this sometimes.  He will do or not do something and I get angry.  I am not the type of person that can just say it.  I worry that once I get started I won't be able to stop myself and I will say things I regret. That isn't something I want to do, never has been.  I also know that if I don't word it right, I will put him on the defensive and then we'll just have a huge argument. I don't like doing that either. But, then I stew on it and once I open that door I am able to find a zillion other reasons that I can be angry at him too.  That isn't fair to him.  So maybe rather than just being mad and he's clueless I can say "listen, I'm angry right now over something but I can't talk about it yet.  Give me an hour or so and then come ask me what is wrong."  I don't want to give myself too long so that I can find all the other things he's done in 9 years to be angry about too.  I think he does deserve to know what I am upset about it though.  Me being angry and not saying anything isn't very thoughtful or kind.

How was this dare for you?  Was it easy or do you really struggle with loving, caring thoughts for your spouse?

Today's Challenge: Love is not rude

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@ChainedAngel - Wanna Know What's for Supper???
@sherylk1515 - We are Never Alone

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)

Love Dare - Day Four

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Love Dare - Day Three

Day 3: Love is not selfish

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.
—Romans 12:10

Yesterday's Dare
Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It’s hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, buy your spouse something that says, “I was thinking of you today.”

Well that looks easy enough again doesn't it?  That's what I thought when I read the dare on the web.  Then I read the book.  Oh yes, once again it pointed out to me how this day wasn't going to be easy if I really wanted to do it with my heart in the right place.  I mean sure I could have just gone out and bought something and said "here dear, I was thinking of you today".  And then I would have been done.  But I read the chapter for this dare, and now it isn't so easy.

If there was ever a word that basically means the opposite of love, it is selfishness...

...It is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves. Yet you can not point out the many ways your spouse is selfish without admitting that you can be selfish too. That would be hypocritical.

...When a wife constantly complains about the time and energy she spends meeting the needs of her husband, that is a sign of selfishness.

One ironic aspect of selfishness is that even generous actions can be selfish if the motive is to gain bragging rights or to receive a reward...The bottom line is that you either make decisions out of love for others or love for yourself.

Remember your marriage partner also has the challenge of loving a selfish person.

 Oh yes, this day was quite an eye opener for me.  I mean, I know we can all be selfish sometimes.  That is just human nature.  But I sure have gotten good at being able to internally point out all the ways my husband was being selfish.  Yet I would conveniently forget how I was being selfish in the relationship.  My thoughts like "I spent all day cleaning this house spotless and he doesn't even say thank you or wow, the house looks great hun".  Shouldn't I be finding making the home nice for our family reward enough.  Don't get me wrong a compliment now and then would be great, but is that the reason I do what I do?  Cause if that's the case I am really selfish.  And that doesn't mean I won't clean unless I feel like I am in a "selfless mood" cause yeah, that's just an excuse to be lazy and that isn't good either.  Let's also take into account yesterday's dare - how kind am I being to my husband when I think those thoughts.  Again not very kind.  Mostly because yes, I only think those thoughts to myself but with the negative thoughts come a negative attitude.  I'll admit it, sometimes it can get pretty chilly around here and I'm not talking about the weather.  All because I'm worried about when I will get my turn for a break, when I will get some acknowledgment or appreciation for the work I do, and the list goes on.  I can sure be selfish too, it's defiantly not just my husband.  And yesterday I got a big dose of reality - again!

So I needed to come up with something to buy him to show him I was thinking of him.  Well great, since the day before I lost 20 dollars so I was down to very little money.  This in itself made things a struggle - do I go spend my last bit of money on him or...see there is that selfishness again.  When he came home from work, I went and got the chair massage/heating pad thing so he could sit and relax for a bit (His back has been bothering him).  Then I made supper and after that - still in track pants and sweat shirt (I hate leaving the house like that) I went up to the store and bought him a chocolate bar, a coke, and a lottery ticket - I didn't even by anything for myself.  I know it doesn't sound like much, but we really don't have treats in the house so I thought it would be something he would enjoy. He did, and he thanked me a few times for doing that for him. It made me happy to just do something nice for him even if it wasn't much.

Remember when you were dating and you would do all those kinds of things all the time and how you would be so excited to just do anything for the person you loved.  Yeah, that's what this reminded me of and it was nice.

So how did you do on day 3? Did you have a struggle with your inner selfishness or was this something that was easy for you?

Today's Challenge: Love is thoughtful - Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them.

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
ChainedAngel - Wanna Know What's for Supper???

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)

Love Dare - Day Three

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Familytime.mine® Planner - Review and Giveaway!

I don't know about you, but I have tried a few day planners since at least my college years. I would start off really excited to get organized and not forget an appointment and then carrying around this big planner or the cover would get ripped off or something would get spilled all over it and that would be the end.

Flash forward to now.  I'm a SAHM to 3 kids.  That doesn't mean I am always home and we have nothing to do. So I have my big calendar on the fridge that I use to keep pretty good track of things when I remember to take it down so I can write on it.  I needed something more.  Something I could keep on the counter next to the phone that wouldn't be ruined if someone spilled juice.  I needed something that I could toss in my bag on my way to school meetings or appointments, so I could immediately write down future events and it wouldn't get ruined in my bag.  Enter the planners from Dotmine Group.

Tan Pottery Familytime.mine® Planner

They sent me the only planner I am every going to need again. Well, I'll need a new one in 17 months, because that's how long this one will last me. Not only is this planner functional it is pretty!  The front and back covers are made from sturdy plastic that I can just wipe off if any spills happen.  I also love that it is spiral bound. That makes it very easy to write on both sides of the planner.

When you first open up the planner the first 2 pages are made from heavy card stock that read Fall and Winter 2009 Schedule.  In the back of the planner there are two more pages for Spring and Summer 2009 Schedules. This is a great spot to color code your family's schedule that repeats itself weekly such as, sports, music lessons, ect.

After the seasonal planner pages there are some instruction pages, a page with a bit about the company and then there is a page for personal information, emergency phone numbers and holidays.  Then we get to the planner!  This is where I get really excited. =)

At the start of each month there is a big monthly calendar.  The boxes for the days are nice and big. I need lots of room to write, because more often than not I have more than one thing going on for one day.

Then you turn to the weekly pages.  The weekly pages are a page per week. The boxes here are nice and big to hold lots of information. On the side is a gray column that is perforated and can be torn out.  You can write shopping lists, errands, ect there.  I have been using the light gray box to write my weekly dinner menu.  Works nicely for me so when I check my schedule each morning I just have a peek at the menu and take out something from the freezer if I need to.

At the end of the weekly/monthly planner pages are some fun extras! There are additional pages for you to write important numbers for coaches, dentists, banks, ect. A place for all those numbers you are always having to look up.  There are also a few pages to use as a mini-address book as well.  There is also a sheet for babysitters - a spot to write your address and important numbers.  Finally there is a sheet of stickers you can use to mark important dates on your monthly planner sheets.

I love using this planner daily.  There is only one thing I wish the planner had and that's an elastic cord so I could easily open to the week without having to search. I think that's a very small deal though because the rest of the planner is phenominal!

You can see a demo of the planner being used here:

Buy it: You can buy your own Familytime.mine® planner at Borders
or you can order online at Amazon.com.

Win it: Dotmine Group is offering a free planner to one of my followers.
So you need to make sure you are following my blog using Goggle Friend Connect and
then all  you have to do is become fan of Dotmine Group on Facebook
and send them a message that you found their page through my blog.
Once 50 of my followers have joined they will raffle off a planner and ship it to the winner.

Disclosure:  I contacted Dotmine Group about reviewing one of their planners.  They sent me a planner and I reviewed it.  I received no compensation for reviewing this planner other than the free planner.

Familytime.mine® Planner - Review and Giveaway!

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Love Dare - Day Two

Day 2: Love is kind

Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
—Ephesians 4:32

Today's Dare:
In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpected gesture as an act of kindness.

Well that dare looks easy enough doesn't it?  I mean really, how hard can it be to do something nice for the person you love, right? Yes, looks can be deceiving. Let me share with you a little of what is in the book that makes this dare so difficult for me.

"Kindness is love in action.  If patience is how love reacts in order to minimize a negative circumstance, kindness is how love acts to maximize a positive circumstance. Patience avoids a problem, kindness creates a blessing...

...break kindness down into four basic core ingredients:

Gentleness. When you're operating from kindness, you're careful how you treat your spouse, never being unnecessarily harsh. You're sensitive. Tender. Even if you need to say hard things you bend over backwards to make your rebuke or challenge as easy to hear as possible. You speak the truth in love.

Helpfulness. Being kind means you meet the needs of the moment...Kindness graces a wife with the ability to serve her husband without worrying about her rights...

Willingness. Kindness inspires you to be agreeable...stay flexible...Rather than complaining and making excuses you look for reasons to compromise and accommodate.

Initiative. Kindness thinks ahead and takes the first step....They don't require the other to get his or her act together before showing love...You see the need and make the move. First.

For me, this dare so much harder than day one. This dare showed me how my own attitude and what I think really does effect how I show my love to my spouse.  When I read this dare I thought "great, I already do so much, now I have to think of something else to do."  How kind is that?  Not very.  I don't mean to say that my husband does nothing.  He does do things, he goes to work all day and I appreciate that.  I appreciate the fact that he works hard all day and for the time being I am able to stay home with the kids.  When he comes home he does do things if I ask him to do something.  I cook, I clean, I look after the kids, make their lunches, do the laundry, and on and on and now you want to me do something more.  What about me?  Hmmm looks like I'm missing some of the ingredients for kindness.

So now I'm seeing this dare is so much more than just picking some random thing and calling it my "nice thing I did for you dear".  This dare is about changing my heart.  Doing something truly from the kindness of my heart.  Without worrying about what about me, without thinking "if he would just do ____ then I would be more than happy to do ____".  It's not about him and what he does or doesn't do.  It's about me being kind to him because I love him.

It took me most of the day to think of something I could do that really came from my heart. Something that I wasn't doing because I felt a sense of duty or being a martyr doing.  He has been saying how sore his back has been lately, so after I got the baby to sleep I gave him a nice back rub.  It was nice to sit with him and talk, it didn't take long time (I can't use that excuse "oh it takes so long, I'm so tired"...you know the lines) and he really enjoyed it.  Afterward he said how much better that made him feel and how nice it was to have a back rub.  And you know what?  I felt good doing something nice and really and truly out of kindness. So sometimes the things that seem the hardest to do, end up leaving both you and your spouse feeling rewarded.

I think this dare is something I will continue to work on each day.  Making sure my heart is in the right place when I do something for him.  Not just doing it to do it, but really finding the kindness in my heart and doing it out of love.

What are your thoughts on day two's dare?  Did you find it to be an easy dare or like me, something that needs more work?

Today's Challenge:
Day 3: Love is not selfish  (after reading the book for this challenge, I thought yesterday was hard - today doesn't get any easier.)

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys


If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)

Love Dare - Day Two

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Love Dare - Day One

Today was the first day of The Love Dare Challenge.  Today we were dared to be patient with our spouse. When I was reading the book last night a few things really struck a cord with me.  Since I know not all of you have the book that are doing the challenge I thought I would share them with you.

"...patience stops problems in their tracks. More than biting your lip, more than clapping a hand over your mouth, patience is a deep breath. It clears the air. It stops foolishness from whipping it's scorpion tail all over the room. It is a choice to control your emotions rather than allowing your emotions to control you, and shows discretion instead of returning evil for evil."

 That first bold statement I think not only describes what patience is, but also what I need to do.  Take a deep breath, clear the air - think before I speak. The second bold statement is so true for me.  I am a deeply emotional person and that in itself isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's when I allow my emotions to take control of my actions in a negative way that the problems arise.  I must learn to take a deep breath or two or three.

"Anger is usually caused when the strong desire for something is mixed with disappointment or grief. You don't get what you want and you start heating up inside. It is often an emotional reaction that flows out of our own selfishness, foolishness, or evil motives."

 Oh how true this is for me! The end of the day I just want a little time to myself and so many times it feels like I never get 30 seconds unless I'm cleaning or cooking so I start taking it out on everyone (mainly my spouse, since I feel it's his job to help me out and allow me some time to myself) around me.

So how did I do today? Well, for the majority of the day it went well. I was calm, patient - even with the kids (usually I am fairly patient with the kids but I figure it can't hurt to make sure I'm trying to think before I speak with everyone).  That doesn't mean it was perfect.  When I was making supper and was getting frazzled and hubby asked a question I was quick to snap back an answer.  It did apologize because my snapping at him had nothing to do with him.  And I notice the more tired I get near the end of the day, the quicker I am to be snappy.  Sometimes I didn't even say the words but I did think them and the anger I felt inside, wow. But at least occasionally this evening I was able to control my tongue. I do need to work on being in control even when circumstances make it difficult.  I think even being aware of this now is going to help me though.  You can't fix what you don't recognize right? 

Another thing I need to work on is patience with my "looks".  Hubby has said many times that I can say a lot just by looking at him and sometimes the looks I give him make him feel badly.  It's true, sometimes actions can speak louder than words.  So I am not only going to work on keeping my negative words but also my negative looks.  Dirty looks are just as bad as dirty words.  Thank goodness this is a journey, because it's defiantly going to take some time.

How did you do today on your dare?  Did you find it easy or were there times you felt badly that you let your emotions control you?

Tomorrow's Challenge:
Day 2: Love is Kind (I read the challenge for tomorrow already and tomorrow is going to be a difficult day for me, but not in the way you might think...)

See how my friends who are also taking the challenge are doing:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@CarriesCooking - CarriesCooking

If you would like to join in the challenge just leave me a comment and a link to your blog and I'll add you to the list. :)

Love Dare - Day One

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Menu Plan Monday - October 10 - 16

Happy Thanksgiving too all of my Canadian Friends! :)  I hope that you are enjoying the long weekend.  I am loving it.  It's been a very nice weekend, having the family home & just doing a lot of enjoying one another.  Today I'll be preparing our Thanksgiving meal and I'll also be preparing a meal for friends that had a baby last week and are just coming home today.  Needless to say it's going to be a busy day in the kitchen for me. :)

Yesterday I made these sorta healthy mini M&M oatmeal cookies. I was hoping that they would be more like another recipe I used to make, they weren't, but the kids sure are enjoying them.  I guess that's all that really matters right? You can find the recipe for them on my recipe site.

Here's what cookin' at my house this week:

Breakfast: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Shortcut Cinnamon Buns, fruit and milk {we all are having this}
Tuesday: Whole grain waffle, pears and 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Cottage Cheese -n- fruit, cinnamon toast squares (whole grain bread lightly toasted)
Thursday: French toast, peaches, and 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Cream of Wheat (w/cinnamon & organic sugar), fruit and 1/4 cup milk

Mid-Morning Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Orange Slices & 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday: Cereal snack & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Muffin & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  No-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Friday:  Fruit slices & 1/4 cup milk

Lunch: - Toddler Menu
Monday: Grilled Cheese, 1/4 cup strawberries and 1/4 cup milk
Tuesday:  Whole Wheat cheese pizza, soft cooked veggie sticks & 1/4 cup milk
Wednesday: Corn Chowder, cheese dough sticks, diced fruit & 1/4 cup milk
Thursday:  Turkey & rice, diced peaches & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Veggie pasta & cheese, 1/4 strawberries & 1/4 cup milk

Afternoon Snack: - Toddler Menu
Monday: yogurt & graham cracker
Tuesday: no-salt bread sticks & hummus dip
Wednesday: Apple bread pudding
Thursday: Orange slice & 1/4 cup milk
Friday: Carrot Cookies & 1/4 cup milk

Supper for Everyone:
With printable recipe cards (click pics to save and print) & links to original recipes where noted.
Saturday - Panera's Cream Cheese Potato Soup in Bread Bowls and salad {didn't have last week}- I made this and it was fantastic! I added some mild Italian sausage to it also. Everyone is asking me to make this again!  Very, very good soup!


Sunday - Meatloaf, Noodles & corn


Monday - Roast Turkey, dressing, mashed garlic potatoes & gravy, baked sweet potatoes, baked squash, steamed carrots, steamed peas, rolls, salad and some sort of pumpkin dessert.

Tuesday - Hot Turkey Sandwiches, with all the leftover sides.

Wednesday - Turkey Fried Rice & Salad (variation on my chicken fried rice)


Thursday - Turkey Soup with homemade noodles

Friday - Homemade Pizza


Lots of turkey going on this week. :) I love it though makes for a nice easy week of cooking and it's really nice on the food budget. What are you cooking this week?  Need more ideas for menu planning?  Head on over to Laura's at I'm an Organizing Junkie for hundreds of meal plans.




Children, Turkey and Pumpkin Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

Menu Plan Monday - October 10 - 16

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"The Love Dare" - 40 Day Journey to Unconditional Love

Tomorrow I am going to be taking The Love Dare Challenge.  A few of my twitter friends are going to be taking this journey together and when I saw them talking about it, I was reminded that my husband and I had talked about taking this challenge together.  Don't worry we both still love each other (You don't have to be on the brinks of divorce to do this challenge, although if you are, you definitely should do this challenge). I still think we are in love with one another, but sometimes I don't feel like we are as close as we could be.  I imagine that is a normal course of being married, but if this journey can help us be even closer then I think that is a good thing.

Tonight I asked him if he was still interested in doing The Love Dare with me.  Without even hesitating he said yes! :) So tomorrow we start day 1.  I have already decided that even if he starts out great and then falls away from all of the challenges that I will keep going.  I'm not going to nag or remind him each day, I'm just going to worry about me.  If I focus on what I need to do and not worry about if he is doing it or not, then I feel I will get more out of this.

I am nervous and excited to see what changes will happen in our relationship over the next 40 days. I hope that at the end of the 40 days things will be even better than they are now.

Tomorrow's Challenge:
Day 1: Love is Patient

Friends who are also taking the challenge:
@Peasinapod - Confessions Of An UnOrGaNiZeD Mom
@FlyingByFaith - Simply Complicated... That's Just Me...
@kjkmom2boys - Mom's Just One of the Boys
@CarriesCooking - CarriesCooking

"The Love Dare" - 40 Day Journey to Unconditional Love

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