Well, I don’t know about y’all but these summer days aren’t any slower and more relaxed than the busy spring months were!! I’ve been busy as a bee, but it has all been for the best, believe me! So here’s a little bit of me, a little bit of links, a little bit of fun stuff… enjoy!
~~~
Recently I sat down with my two best friends, Mr. Pad of Paper and Mrs. Ballpoint Pen. I found myself with a lot of opportunities staring me in the face and I needed to choose which items to pursue and which to let go, and I had to decide how in the world I was going to get them all done. I had been praying about each of them and felt pretty clear about what needed to go and what needed to stay so I sat down with my two friends and I began writing. What emerged was what I call my ‘action list.’ I came up with a list of actions to complete these goals, and a specific order to do them in so that I can work on each task simultaneously but successfully. Some of them have specific deadlines, others don’t. I am already done with number one and working on numbers 2 and 3 simultaneously. There are 8 actions, and the whole list should be completed by the end of October, before the holidays get here. My brain feels so much clearer and more focused for doing this!
One of the things on my list is to start working on my book again. I kinda put it down for a little while, but I’ve resumed with new fervor! I’ve designated Tuesday and Thursday evenings after the kids go to bed for working on this. The book actually takes up #3, #7, and #8 on my action list. #3 was to start working on it again after I got #2 up and running, #7 is to have a certain portion of it completed by October 1st, and #8 is to schedule a meeting with my publisher contact and then the publisher. Wow! It’s so exciting to say that!
~~~
I am on week 2 of my new cleaning plan. I really like it and I think it is going to work. Several of you mentioned that you use something similar and that you have had success with it. That gives me encouragement! Last week, I didn’t even finish all the daily tasks on any of the days, but I did get a lot done. But I have hope because so far this week (with the exception of being gone all day on Tuesday) I have completed almost all the daily tasks and I almost got to the weekly tasks for those days! I really think it will keep getting easier and easier and that this will prove to be a good way to keep up with the housework. Ahh, I have visions of clean rooms dancing in my head! 🙂
~~~
Free Homeschool Tracker Software – I found several free homeschool software sites, but after comparing them, I really liked this one the best. This is the one that I am going to be using when we start the new year in August.
I started looking for some kind of recipe database online and I found this free Recipe Manager download. I looked at several and I really liked this one the best. I have started looking for Weight Watchers friendly and lower fat recipes that hubby will actually eat so that I can start preparing healthier meals for the whole family. I’m going to compile a large selection of new and healthier menus and use this new recipe database to keep track and sort through them all.
For Weight Watchers menus, try here and here and here and here.
I’m reading this book by Elizabeth George, A Woman After God’s Own Heart… it’s really good! No, it’s not on my reading list in the sidebar, my mom gave it to me. I started reading it a few days ago and I really like it so far. It is easy to read and it just pulls you in. Mrs. George is so insightful and full of practical advice; you can tell that she has a close relationship with Christ and that she has sought Him fervently and been given much wisdom. I am recommending this book to all my friends, and all of bloggy-ville too!
And just for fun, check out Top Momma – I don’t think my picture is up there yet, but it should be soon.
My best friend, Mama Nut got a new site.. she’s still adding stuff, but go head and check it out! (I’ve converted her to WordPress.) 😉
And while you’re at it, I’ve finished tweaking my new site as well. My mom has joined me and Mama Nut has, too!
~~~
Well, tomorrow is Friday! Have a happy weekend!
Hi,
Congrats on the good start with your housework system. I do think it will get easier over time (and you may change things around as you get into the groove). Even if everything isn’t finished, it is probably much more accomplished than otherwise, and it takes the stress off of you.
I finished the list from your “tag” – thanks again for the chance to write about me, me, me. 🙂
I’ve just tagged you for a meme of your choice – come one over to see what I mean!
I’m so glad one of us is gettin’ it together! 😀 Maybe you’ll keep rubbing off on me. I could use some more organizing…
Your cleaning schedule will definitly get easier the longer you do it, and you will learn ways to tweak it and change it a little as you find shortcuts, and easier ways to do things. A friend of mine taught me some great shortcuts on things, like when she goes from one room to another, she is always looking for something to take with her that is out of place and needs to be put away. For example: if there is a pair of your shoes in the living room, and you are heading for your bedroom, pick them up… Read more »