momstheword

Making Your Home Sing: You May Not Get A Do-Over

2012-01-22T23:00:00.000-08:00

Making Your Home Sing: Do You Have Things In Your Life That Need Doing?

2012-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Making Your Home Sing Monday meme! Every day you are doing something to make your house into a home for yourself and your family (if you have one). My point with each Monday post is, what are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing?

It can be an attitude or an action. Motivation, our attitude, baking, encouraging our husband or children (if we have either one), organization, cleaning, saving money....the opportunities are endless.

As much as I've enjoyed my break I figured I probably should come back at some point and start blogging again, lol! We had a lovely Christmas and I hope you did too. I enjoyed having my oldest home from college. Both my boys home in the "nest"....it just doesn't get any better than that, lol! A few weeks relaxing at home while my back was healing and I have lost much of my motivation.

Have you ever given much thought to motivation? Have you ever found yourself lacking in it? Have you ever found yourself wishing or praying for it?

I think that motivation is what gets you going, but determination keeps you going and keeps you committed to accomplishing a goal.

Motivation can be internal or external factors that move you to do something. Determination is a decision you make, you resolve to do something.

Sometimes you can wait a very long time for motivation. Sometimes you just don't "feel" like doing something.

Determination doesn't wait to feel anything. Determination decides what needs to be done and does it. Determination doesn't care if you feel like it or not.

Motivation makes it easier to do it. Motivation makes you excited and want to do it. Motivation makes you get up and do it today.

But motivation can be easily put off until tomorrow. Motivation can easily be discarded for a cookie, a good book, or a friend calling. Motivation knows that there is always tomorrow.

Determination doesn't like to wait until tomorrow. Determination can be firmly resolved to do what needs doing today. Determination can see that it gets done. Determination is willing to wait weeks or longer to accomplish a goal, even in the face of discouragement.

Motivation can often be lost, but quickly regained in the face of determination. Determination can often become weak in the face of an obstacle, but quickly regain strength with motivation. They need each other.

Motivation is nothing without determination. Determination is nothing without motivation.

There has to be a reason or a value to do something, and then there has to be a commitment to keep doing it to the accomplished end.

Do you have things in your life that need doing? Do you have things around your home that need doing? Sure you do, we all do!

Don't ignore the motivation and determining factors in your life. Sometimes motivation is as simple as "We will lose our electricity if I don't pay this bill." That's an easy motivator set by someone else.

Set your own motivator. "If I don't clean the kitchen before I go to bed tonight, I will have to clean up two messes in the morning, breakfast and last night's dinner mess, and then I won't have time to relax with my coffee." Determine to clean the kitchen that night.

Make a list of things that need doing and when you want or need to do them by. Throw in a few fun rewards along the way. Sometimes I will reward myself with ten or fifteen minutes reading time in between cleaning chores that I don't want to do. I make sure and set a timer and I make sure that I put that book down and get moving again when the timer goes off. The book is my motivation, the decision to get up and doing it is my determination in action.

Exercise your motivation and determination muscles and make your home sing this week!

What are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing? Please go here for instructions and/or ideas and come back here to link up to join us today! Please do not put your own "Making Your Home Sing Monday" Linky on your blog. As always, please don't forget to link to this post. Also, please don't forgot to leave me a comment!

If you want to use your blog header or profile picture, use the "from the web" button on your right (after you click to link up). If you want to use a picture from your computer use the button on your left (unless the picture is on your blog). Please let me know if you have any problems with linking up.

Making Your Home Sing: Merry Christmas!

2011-12-18T20:17:00.000-08:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-12-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Wednesday
Blue shirt: Chaus, Sam's Club
Blue & white cadi: Liz Claiborne, thrifted
Red & white scarf: Thrifted
Jeans: Levis

Lousy shot, I know. Ever so often I get the desperate desire to mix up my wardrobe, "be creative" and try something new. So, I wind up doing weird things and the other problem is, I don't really care if they match or not.

Friday
Black tank: Target
Blue Sweater: Moda International, thrifted
Jeans: Gap
Necklace: Kohl's
Boots: Thrifted

What this picture doesn't show you is me crashing into the sink as I tried to put the boots on. Sometimes you just have to suffer for the sake of fashion. I did a little country "line dancing" of my own as I was hopping around trying to keep my balance and pull my boot on at the same time.

Saturday
White turtleneck: Old
Black & White shirt: Walmart
Scarf: Thrifted
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

Sunday
Green shirt: Sears, thrifted
Hoodie: Disney
Jeans: Levis

My toe looks like it's waving at the camera, doesn't it? It's very friendly.

I don't really have any funny stories this week and no other pictures. I tweaked my back a bit again and am on pain pills and have been spending much of my day lying down. So, for now it's a sweatshirt and Tinkerbell jammie bottoms. Oh, and a good book!

Making Your Home Sing Monday

2011-12-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Profundity Just Oozes From My Brain

2011-12-10T00:18:00.000-08:00

Me: "Who broke the Corelle dish?"
Hubby: "I don't know. Wasn't me."
Me: "One of the kids must have broken it while we were gone this morning."
Hubby: "Gee, honey, you're profound."

I am profound, aren't I? Profundity just oozes from my brain. So do brain cells.

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-12-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

Thursday
Purple turtleneck: Sonoma
Purple scarf: Don't remember
Black vest: Jennifer Moore, Macy's
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

I think I'm "layer-happy." Just one item isn't enough, I've got to add to it. Perhaps there is a support program for people who layer too much.

Friday
Black, tan, maroon & white plaid shirt: Erika & Co.
Maroon sweater: Target
Jeans: Gap
Fake Uggs: Thrifted
Necklace: Kohl's

These are my fake uggs, or Fuggs for short. I ran some errands and suddenly found myself trying on clothes at the mall. Do you know how annoying it is to remove a shirt, sweater, necklace AND a coat just to try on a $3.98 top on clearance??? And then, after all that trouble, you don't like the shirt after all.

If a shirt looks better on the hanger than it does on you, what does that mean? Should I be insulted that the hanger obviously is more attractive than I am? Should I be jealous that the hanger has a better figure than I do?

Heartbreaking, just heartbreaking to go to all that work for nothing. I am soooooo hiring a body double.

Saturday
White tank under: Target
Green & White top: Target, thrifted
Green hoodie: Sag Harbor, thrifted
Jeans: Levis

I ran several errands this day. Apparently, the concept of personal space disappears during the holiday season. The gal behind me in line placed her stuff on the counter before I could get mine on there. She then proceeded to stand so close to me that she was practically wearing my clothes. I believe we are now married in several states.

I later wore this outfit to a casual Christmas party. Within an hour I was also wearing caramel dip and pink frosting. I wasn't alone, the gal next to me was wearing her food too. Let the holiday eating begin!

Sunday
Purple sweater: Kohl's
Necklace: Kohl's
Brown jacket: Sam's Club
Brown pants: Sam's Club
Brown boots: Hand-me-down

(Would somebody please come over and clean that mirror???)

This is the day that I vacuumed and sucked up a 6 inch Christmas tree with my Dyson. That takes real talent, people.

All is well, my friends. The tree is a bit wonky and frankly, I am afraid of my vacuum cleaner but the mini trees are even more afraid, as they should be.

This is also the day that we were having about 35 people over,and I was frantically washing my couch slipcover to get the "throw-up" smell out, and praying it would dry before they all came. I was also thinking bad thoughts about a certain dog who shall remain nameless. He is dead to me now.

Tuesday
Black turtleneck: JC Penney
Black hoodie: Costco
Black/Gray/White scarf: Thrifted
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

Nothing particularly exciting happened this day. Just some cleaning and me wondering "Does this scarf make my neck look fat?" You know, same old stuff.

Making Your Home Sing: Today You Can Decide To Be Different

2011-12-05T00:10:00.000-08:00

Overheard In A Store

2011-12-02T00:00:00.000-08:00

Recently I was at a store returning something and the lady next to me was trying to make an exchange with another clerk. I found their whole conversation highly entertaining and thought I'd share it with you to the best of my ability.

Woman at the store: "I bought a lamp and I want to exchange it for this."

Clerk: "Certainly. Can I have the lamp, please?"

Woman: "It's at home but here is the receipt."

Clerk: "I'll need the lamp, ma'am."

Woman: "But I have the receipt. See, it shows that I bought the lamp. I'll bring it back later."

Clerk: "But I can't let you walk out of here with THIS one without returning the lamp first. It's an exchange, and I have to have the lamp. I need proof."

Woman: "My receipt is my proof. I am a very honest person!!!"

Clerk: "I'm sorry but I can't do an exchange without the lamp."

Woman: "Do you mean to tell me that I have to drive all the way home and get it?"

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-11-29T22:40:00.000-08:00

Day of the week?: Don't remember
Black tank: Target
Black, tan, maroon & white plaid shirt: Erika & Co.
Black hoodie: Costco
Jeans: Don't remember that either
Boots: Thrifted

I seriously have no idea what day I wore this outfit. I blame the microwave. You know how they warn you not to stand in front of those things? Well, I have spent many an anxious moment waiting for my popcorn to pop. I have probably sacrificed many a memory cell in order to have some of that buttery goodness, but frankly I am o.k. with.......sorry, what was I saying?

Sunday
Black turtleneck: JC Penney
Green & Black vest: Target, thrifted ($3)
Jeans: Gap
Necklace: Kohl's
Note to self: long necklaces are not a good idea in the nursery.

I just now noticed that I forgot to cut the head out of these pictures, but I am not going back. I was not impressed with this outfit, but I was working in the nursery at church so figured it would be good enough to crawl on the floor with babies in it.

The poor sentence structure of the previous sentence might lead you to believe that I was going to crawl around the floor with babies tucked into my clothes. Not true. That would just be too weird. I tuck them into my shoes instead.

Please ignore the garbage which I am pretty positive that you didn't notice it but now feel the need to notice it. That is due to laziness, allergies, an empty facial cleanser, and dogsitting a dog with a serious paper fetish. So I find little papers and things all over the house and somehow it just seems easier to toss it in the bathroom, where the dog finds it and drags it out again.

I also blame the microwave for that because if the dog knew how to make popcorn he would be too busy to chew up paper.

Yes, those are little mini Christmas trees on those shelves and you probably didn't notice them either. I am o.k. with that. I put them up there as a joke because I was getting tired of decorating and didn't know what to do with them, and there they stayed. They are probably going to stay there until August. I blame the microwave for that as well.

Tuesday
Pink turtleneck: Old
Brown hoodie top: Target
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

I feel the need to apologize for this photo. Maybe grovel at your feet and promise to make you hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies every week for a year? Well, I suppose this is better than wearing a raggedy old sweatshirt and sweatpants, right? Some clothes look better in person than they do in a picture, and some cookies look better in a box than they do on my hips. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Making Your Home Sing: A Head-Start On The Holidays

2011-11-27T19:15:00.000-08:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-11-23T00:30:00.000-08:00

Today I am linking up with Lindsey at The Pleated Poppy for her fabulous "What I Wore Wednesday" meme. This meme is designed to give women accountability and encourage them to get out of their daily sweats or pajamas or rut that they're in and document what they wore each day and post it to their blogs.

You guys should try this! Not only is it great for accountability, it can break you of the habit of saving your "good" clothes for anyone except your precious family who sees you in the same t-shirt and jeans/sweats every day. Plus, you can get some fun, creative style ideas (not from here though, sorry but I'm not that cool. Make sure you pop over to the meme itself, lol!)

Friday
Blue turtleneck: Old
Black vest: Jennifer Moore, Macy's
Jeans: Gap
Boots: Thrifted
Scarf: Thrifted

Only three outfits this week. I did get dressed every day, I promise.

In this picture the scarf almost looks like a vest. I was determined to wear it because of its "Fall" colors. Well, if Fall is orange, purple, green, maroon, and blue.

I stared at my closet and mourned the fact that I didn't have a bright orange or purple hoodie. Well, I don't have a maroon one either but I didn't mourn that as much because I like bright colors. The green and blue hoodies that I do have don't "match" the scarf.

So I wore it with a blue color that didn't really match and black that definitely didn't match. And black is supposed to go with everything. Except Fall. Unless you're a bat. The kind that flies, not the other kind.

But at least I managed to squeeze the scarf in before Fall disappears. It's kind of like buying reindeer earrings and forgetting to wear them until Christmas is long over. Not that I've done that, of course.

Saturday
White tank: Target
Red & White hoodie:
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

We have four dogs this week because we're dogsitting my friend's two dogs. I had this hoodie hanging on a door handle, and one of her dogs "christened" it for me. Everybody's a critic. Just in case you're wondering, I did wash it before I wore it.

Sunday
Brown shirt: Costco
Brown & White cardi: Urban Diva; thrifted
Brown pants: Sam's Club
Brown boots: Hand-me-down

I think it's hysterically funny that I bought my pants and shirt at the same place where I buy groceries. Just imagine me walking around......"Let's see, I need milk, cheese, butter, m&m's (duh!), and oh, yeah, I need a shirt and a pair of pants." If I tried that at some other grocery store I'd be wearing lettuce and coconuts.

Somehow, in the writing of this post, I found myself scrubbing the toilet at 12:20 a.m. In case you're wondering how that happened I'll explain. But in another post, because, as I said....it's after midnight and I am going to bed! So come back!

Making Your Home Sing Monday

2011-11-20T23:11:00.000-08:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-11-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thursday
Coca Cola sweatshirt: Old
Jeans: Levis 515, bootcut

I always feel like a traitor when I wear this sweatshirt because I drink diet pepsi. So I'm either a traitor to diet pepsi or a hypocrite to coke.

Friday

Black and white shirt: Walmart
Lime Green hoodie: Sag Harbor; thrifted
Jeans: Levis 515, bootcut
Polka dot rain boots: Costco

This hoodie is the generation gap. In person. In all it's lime glory. My friend saw it hanging in my home and loved it, asking why I'd never worn it (I have, just not around her, I guess). Her daughter, a college student, saw it and said "Ummm....no.....it's lime green....." And there you have it, folks. The generation gap all wrapped up in a lime green hoodie with black stripes. Who knew?

Saturday
"Moody" hoodie: Disney
Blue shirt: Old
Jeans: Gap, thrifted
Slippers: Macy's

This is one reason why I haven't been linking up lately. It's just an endless parade of me wearing sweaters or hoodies. Love this one, though. It says "Moody" across the front and has Eeyore on it.

When my oldest was three we took him to Disneyland and we turned on the video camera and filmed him with Eeyore. Unfortunately I kept calling Eeyore, "Igor," (think hunchbacked evil scientist's helper). "Look, it's Igor! Let's go get your picture taken with Igor. Go stand next to Igor, honey. Say thank you to Igor........."

No wonder everyone kept staring at me funny. Pretty sure they wondered what kind of movies I allowed my three year old to watch. I am so blessed to have it immortalized on camera forever.

Sunday
Black Pea Coat: Hand-me-down
Gray dress/tunic: Yard sale
Necklace: Kohl's
Leggings: TJ Maxx
Boots: Thrifted

Today I broke out the wool coat. Does anyone else note the subtle humor of wearing a pea coat while next to the toilet? Yeah, me neither.

This is what was hidden under the coat. I actually wore a black sweater over the gray sweater/tunic for awhile. There's nothing like layering in the Fall.

Monday
Hoodie: Disney
Scarf: Old

Can you believe I am subjecting you to this horrible picture? It was late and I was determined to get the shot after I returned home from hanging with my peeps. Well, it was only 9 p.m. but if it's 9 p.m. and I am not in my jammies then something is wrong somewhere. Let me tell you, I love the nightlife. As long as I'm home before 9:00 p.m.

Tuesday
Striped shirt: Target
Purple sweater: Admit One
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut
Slippers: Macy's, gifted

Another great shot. Think it's time to wash that mirror again. And maybe my hair. And de-dog the slippers. Nothing but the best for you people.

Making Your Home Sing Monday: What's YOUR Mom Uniform?

2011-11-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Making Your Home Sing Monday meme! Every day you are doing something to make your house into a home for yourself and your family (if you have one). My point with each Monday post is, what are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing?

It can be an attitude or an action. Motivation, our attitude, baking, encouraging our husband or children (if we have either one), organization, cleaning, saving money....the opportunities are endless.

What do you think of when you hear the words "mom uniform." What image comes to your mind?

If I dropped by your house for lunch today or tomorrow and surprised you, what would I find you wearing? Would you still be in pajamas? Are yoga pants and your husband's t-shirt your daily clothing of choice? Would you be all cute-tified and looking like you should be on the cover of a fashion magazine?

When my husband and I were dating I dressed up. A lot. I always did my hair and I always put on makeup and I wore dresses, slacks, sweaters/blazers, and nice shirts to work and quite often at home too.

After we married, I "relaxed" my wardrobe a bit and wore lots of jeans, but still with nice tops. I almost always wore makeup. I continued to wash and style my hair.

After the children came I "relaxed" even more. Way more. Makeup became a thing of the past. My hair went up into the requisite pony tail and didn't come out of it for eighteen years. ;0)

T-shirts and jeans were my style of choice. I began to "save" all my nice clothes for Sunday and the occasional dinner out. If you're a mom on a budget you know those dinners out are few and far between.

I began to view anything other than a t-shirt and jeans as "dressing up." Why should I "dress up" when I was only going to be drooled on or spit up on or po0ped on? Why should I "dress up" when I was only going to change diapers, wipe runny noses, and pick up after my lego-dropping children all day.

As the years went by my husband and children saw me day after day in an endless parade of t-shirts or sweatshirts and jeans. I don't mean those cute fitted tees that you can get nowadays. I mean those big, roomy t-shirts that usually have labels on them.

Do you recognize yourself at all here? Have you "relaxed" how you look, dress and how you wear your hair over the years? Step away from the computer right now and go look at yourself in a full-length mirror. Does it look like you care about how you look? Do you care?

Please don't think that I'm saying you can't be cute in yoga pants or leggings and a big sloppy shirt or sweater. I've seen gals in leggings and oversized shirts or sweaters and they look cute and fashionable to me!

But I suppose if we can go from bedtime to daytime without even having to change our clothes, maybe it's time to think about the message we're sending to ourselves and to others.

While we don't want to be vain, shouldn't we be taking care of this body that God has given us? Look at all the beauty that God has created on this earth, a sunset, a hillside of flowers, a waterfall. Our God is a God of mercy, love, forgiveness, and beauty. Should we seek to reflect God's beauty on the inside and ignore the outside?

I think there is a difference between "relax" and simplify. I have seen lots of moms over the years who have streamlined their hairstyles, makeup and clothing, and yet they look adorable and like they take ownership over how they look.

If you have streamlined your look, good for you! That is awesome. I did not simplify. I just got lazy. I did not take ownership. Ownership means you care and accept responsibility for something.

I used having children as an excuse to not care about how I looked. Because I was too busy and because who saw me anyway? Just my family, and they are supposed to love me no matter what, right?

The kids got older and no longer drooled and spit up on me, and yet still I maintained my mom uniform. Because now it was all about comfort. I still saved my cute clothes for something other than my daily wear.

Recently I had been participating in a meme called What I Wore Wednesday to encourage myself to get out of my mom uniform rut. Except I haven't participated in it for a few weeks. Once that happened I started slipping into old habits again.

This week I am getting back on board with What I Wore Wednesday. If you find yourself getting lazy about your personal appearance, I encourage you to rethink your mom uniform this week. After all, why should we only look our best for other people? What about for our family? Aren't they worth "dressing up" for? What about you? Don't you deserve it?

What's your mom uniform? If you're not a mom, what's your "weekend" uniform? Get out of your rut. Put on some of your cute clothes (instead of "saving" them), fix your hair and slap on some makeup (if you wear it) and make your home sing this week.

What are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing? Please go here for instructions and/or ideas and come back here to link up to join us today! Please do not put your own "Making Your Home Sing Monday" Linky on your blog. As always, please don't forget to link to this post. Also, please don't forgot to leave me a comment!

If you want to use your blog header or profile picture, use the "from the web" button on your right (after you click to link up). If you want to use a picture from your computer use the button on your left (unless the picture is on your blog). Please let me know if you have any problems with linking up.

Sidetracked And Forgetful. I Am Doomed.

2011-11-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

Earlier today I was unloading the dishwasher and I went to get a clean dish towel out of the drawer. The drawer was empty so I went to the laundry basket to get a dish towel.

The next thing I knew I was folding laundry while watching t.v. Then somehow I wound up on facebook while watching t.v. Then I walked over to the sink to get something to drink and I wondered why the dishwasher door was open.

So I found myself unloading the dishes again.

Full circle.

Later I realized I needed to run to the store to pick up some bread but decided to put it off for the moment, and then I forgot. Then my mom needed someone to run an errand for her. Eventually, in the process of running my mom's errand, I found myself running my own errand.

Full circle.

Then I was working on this very post that you're reading right now but was called away, so I "saved" it. Later I was reading some blogs on my reader and read one about a woman who got distracted while shopping, and I thought it was so funny how easily she was distracted. Then I remembered THIS post and so found myself back on here again.

Full circle.

A friend asked me (on facebook) to send her the recipe that I use for Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo. I found the recipe online that I use (with a few changes) so I sent her a message saying "Here's the recipe."

Later I decided to delete my old messages on facebook and I noticed that while I sent my friend a message, I never actually included the recipe link.

Full circle.

I take comfort and hope in knowing that no matter what I forget to do, somehow, someway, someday I will stumble upon it again.

Making Your Home Sing: What Are You Saving For "Someday?"

2011-11-06T14:48:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Making Your Home Sing Monday meme! Every day you are doing something to make your house into a home for yourself and your family (if you have one). My point with each Monday post is, what are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing?

It can be an attitude or an action. Motivation, our attitude, baking, encouraging our husband or children (if we have either one), organization, cleaning, saving money....the opportunities are endless.

Last week my husband repaired the cabinet under our kitchen sink. The wood had some water damage so he had to replace it. Prior to it being repaired I had moved several things out from under there and stored them elsewhere.

A couple of days ago my husband added four long shelves to the back of my upstairs pantry. This enabled me to add more storage to our kitchen, and will save me running downstairs when I need an extra can of tomato sauce for a recipe, etc. I can now store more food upstairs.

But it also got me to thinking about what I wanted to store in my kitchen and what I already have stored in there.

We have amassed a nice collection of water bottles. But do we need every single one of them? How many "fun" coffee mugs do we really need?

What are the chances that we are going to entertain 30-40 people on the spur of the moment who all desperately want coffee? And if that did happen, are we really going to use mugs? Wouldn't we use disposable cups instead? (Answer: oh yes, most definitely)

How often do I use those crystal candy dishes that I have? (I only have two of them but do you know that I only use them once a year, if that?) Why am I keeping them if I really don't use them. Because" someday" I might need them.

I think I'm keeping them for a dream. Because someday I may want to use them to impress somebody. Or maybe offer someone a pickle or olive or piece of candy that did not look like it just came out of a bag or jar. Even though everyone knows it did.

I have four little glasses (the rest broke) to serve orange juice in the morning when we have one of those awesome family breakfasts where the table is nicely decorated and I am humming and singing as I make breakfast, wearing my adorable little apron. The sun is shining and the birds are singing and it's just like you see on t.v.

Except that we never do that because no one but me likes to eat breakfast, and I don't think I've used those little glasses in years and I am not a morning person anyway. So why do I still have them (the glasses, not the family)? Because "someday" I might need them.

I have my husband's grandmother's beautiful candy dish hiding in a cupboard because we never use candy dishes and I'm afraid it will break anyway. So instead I hide it away where we can't enjoy it.

I have way to many dishtowels and not enough room for them. I have too much tupperware and even though I have enough room to store it all, do I really need them all? It's always annoying to find the right size and lid of the ones that I use the most, as I'm picking around the ones that I rarely, if ever, use. But "someday" I might need them.

I have three crystal or glass serving bowls of different sizes that I have in my kitchen. I think I've only used one of them in the last several years. But they're still there "in case" I want them. I am not a "crystal" person, I guess. I reach for my Pyrex or stoneware. But I keep them because "someday" I might need them.

We keep a lot of things because "someday" we might need or want them. But some things are inexpensive and can be easily replaced if we find a use for them later. Some things can be borrowed. And some things we just don't like and are never going to use. Period.

Have you ever heard the suggestion that things should earn their way into your kitchen? Some people suggest that you take your cookware, mixing bowls, spoons, dishes, pans, etc. and put them into a box and put it somewhere. Then, when you need to use something you take it out of the box and put it back in the kitchen (after using it). Whatever is left in the box after 30 days or so doesn't deserve to be in the kitchen and should be given away or stored away (such as a turkey platter).

Some things are saved because we're hoping that maybe "someday" we'll become more like Martha Stewart and actually carve a water melon into a shark, or make a souffle, or make an eight course meal complete with handmade place cards.

Nothing wrong with holding onto some things and dreaming, but let's know ourselves. Do we really want to do that? If we do, then let's do it, people! If we don't, then let's let it go and move on to the things that we really DO want to do.

As I get older and the kids move out and I have grandkids someday, I don't see myself getting fussier about the details. I see myself wanting more space and room and ease and simplifying.

What are you saving for "someday?" Take out the item and look at it. Is it you? What use are you saving it for? Maybe you won't ever be the gourmet cook that your mom was, but isn't that o.k? Maybe you will never can your own applesauce, but isn't that o.k? And if it's not, and you're saving the canning supplies for "someday," then can that applesauce, girl and make your home sing!

So this week I plan on making my home sing by making some decisions as to what I want to store on those shelves. I also want to rethink my kitchen cupboards and drawers and simplify a bit more. I want to "know myself" and realistically assess some of the things I'm keeping for "someday."

And That's Why Men Snore

2011-11-04T01:15:00.000-07:00

It is 12:45 a.m. as I write this.

12:45 a.m.!!!!!!!

Will somebody please tell me why I am sitting here at the computer instead of going to bed?

I really never get on the computer this time of night (or rather, this time of morning).

I blame the caffeine.

I don't drink pop as much as I used to. And usually not pop with caffeine in it. But sometimes I just gotta splurge.

It's gotta be the caffeine.

Not much happens at 12:45 a.m., people.

Hmmmm.....maybe I should go to Walmart. I wonder if Walmart is open right now? I'll bet it is.

I know that some stores are open all night. Except then I'd have to get dressed, because unlike some people, I refuse to go out to the store in my pajamas. It's a generational thing.

And can you imagine what would happen if my family woke up in the middle of the night and wondered where I was?

Yeah, like they're going to do that.

They are men. Men are programmed to sleep through the night.

Unless they're baby men, and by that I mean actual babies. Then they wake up and scream "Feed me! Change me! Where is the t.v. remote?" and wake the mommies up.

While the daddies sleep peacefully on. Snoring blissfully.

And that's why men snore. To drown out the baby's cries. Only my babies are no longer crying and my hubby still snores sometimes. However, I have a sneaking suspicion that I might too.

Sigh.

Making Your Home Sing: Meal Planning

2011-10-30T17:36:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Making Your Home Sing Monday meme! Every day you are doing something to make your house into a home for yourself and your family (if you have one). My point with each Monday post is, what are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing?

It can be an attitude or an action. Motivation, our attitude, baking, encouraging our husband or children (if we have either one), organization, cleaning, saving money....the opportunities are endless.

When the kids are little you can come up with play dates and trips to the zoo and all sorts of family fun. But when they get older and have jobs, school homework, ministry things that they do, and a "life," it can be a lot harder to find family time.

One of the ways that you can almost always have family time is around a meal. Except in cases like ours, lol! One of the kids generally works morning hours and the other works late afternoon to evening hours. So we're rarely all home for meal time together anymore (when the oldest is home from college, I mean). Except on Sundays.

I love meal planning. I really do. But I haven't been doing it. I HAVE been cooking, of course, but it's not planned a week in advance. I usually decide that morning. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I love the idea of having a whole week planned out at a time (some people do a whole month at a time! They are my hero!).

Of course, there are those times when I am involved in a project and it's getting later and later and my hubby will come and say "We ARE eating tonight, right?" and he'll ask what my plans are for dinner. He just needs to know if I'm cooking or if he should do something. Those are the times when I am like "Dinner? What's that?"

I have one child who always asks "What's for dinner?" In fact those were his very first words. Not mama, not dada, but "dinner?" Not only that, the minute the doctor delivered him my newborn son turned to me and asked "What's for dinner, mom?" and he hasn't stopped since. Pretty sure his future wife is going to love that someday.

When I have a meal plan he knows to go look at the fridge where it's posted and he can rest assured that, yes, indeed, he will eat again that night so all is well in his world. He will not starve. Did I mention that this is the kid that wants to be a chef??????? Yeah, I know. Go figure.

Meal planning is a great idea because it can save time, money, and stress.

You save time because you already have a plan in place, and you know what you're going to make. You don't have to agonize over that question day after day after day. It's already been decided for that week and you don't have to rethink it. You don't have to sit around and try to decide what you "feel" like cooking that night. It isn't an emotional decision.

Since you planned your menu in advance you already know that you have the ingredients in the pantry, so you don't have to run to the store at the last minute.

You save money because you can buy ingredients when they are on sale, thereby building a stock pile and purchasing items when they are at their cheapest. You also save because you are cooking from scratch more and eating out less! You also save because you aren't shopping when you are hungry and desperate for a meal idea, and are more apt to make an impulse buy.

You save stress because who wants to grocery shop at 5:00 p.m. when the stores are crowded with other desperate people who have no idea what to feed their family for dinner? You know how they feel, because you are one of them. And so am I!

If you want to meal plan but aren't sure where to start, sit down and make a list of your family's favorite meals, or ask them to make you a list of their favorites, then add in a few recipes you've been wanting to try. Now look at your pantry and see what ingredients you have on hand, then make up your shopping list. Also look at store ads to see what's on sale and choose your meals from what you have on hand and/or what's on sale that week.

I want to get back to some of the basics, like meal planning, and having batches of pre-cooked chicken or ground turkey in the freezer, ready for a quick meal. I want to try some new recipes from scratch and eliminate buying some convenience foods.

Ultimately it comes down to making a choice to be organized and plan my meals. We all have the same amount of time in our day. Sometimes we use our time wisely and sometimes we don't. So this week, I am hoping to make my home sing by doing some menu planning!

What are you doing or going to do today to make your home sing? Please go here for instructions and/or ideas and come back here to link up to join us today! Please do not put your own "Making Your Home Sing Monday" Linky on your blog. As always, please don't forget to link to this post. Also, please don't forgot to leave me a comment!

If you want to use your blog header or profile picture, use the "from the web" button on your right (after you click to link up). If you want to use a picture from your computer use the button on your left (unless the picture is on your blog). Please let me know if you have any problems with linking up.

Cough Wheeze Hack Sniff

2011-10-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I have a cold. I am personally offended.

Cough syrup sucks. It really, really sucks.

You can't take cough syrup without gagging and having your head swivel around 360 degrees. It's that bad.

I mean, I understand the whole "make it taste bad because it's medicine" idea. Assuming that IS the idea behind the reason it tastes so bad.

But does it really have to taste that bad?

Couldn't it taste like vegetables instead? That wouldn't be so bad. It's not like I'm asking to have it taste like ice cream. Or chocolate.

Maybe I'm just taking the wrong kind of cough syrup. Somebody told me that you can get cough syrup in a capsule form. Hmmm, who knew? (Well, she did.)

Still, I'd rather gag down some cough syrup than hack up a lung. Wouldn't you?

Have you noticed how a well-placed comma and a single letter change can make a difference? Read it again:

Still, I'd rather gag down some cough syrup, then hack up a lung.

Wouldn't you?

If you don't get this please look up the difference between "than" and "then," sooner rather than then. (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Making Your Home Sing Monday

2011-10-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-10-18T23:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
T-shirt: Who really cares?
Jeans: Old Navy
Bare feet: God

Just keeping it real. This is pretty much what I wore nearly every day before discovering this meme (except Sundays). Endless t-shirts and/or sweatshirts. I was in a rut.

For those that like to know these things, the shirt says "Caution ASL student" both in written English and ASL. I got it when I was learning sign language a few years ago.

There is something incredibly awesome about wearing an old t-shirt and jeans. You are up for anything. Mud wrestling, food fight, getting lost in the wilderness, changing a tire, throwing up on yourself, etc. The opportunities for fun are endless.

Thursday
White tank under: Target
Turquoise hoodie: Goodwill ($2!)
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut
Tie-Dye Shoes: Keds, thrifted

When I was cooking dinner I put on an apron just in case. Good move. As we started to eat dinner I decided to take the scarf off. Good call as I spilled something down the front of my shirt. What am I? Two?

Does anybody else ever think about what might happen if they're driving and get in a car accident and they roll their car or get jostled around and their scarf wraps around the steering wheel or parking brake or stick shift and they can barely whisper so they can't yell for help and they slowly choke to death, gasping for their last bit of air while wishing they'd taken the scarf off before they put the car in gear because who wants to die for a fashion accessory anyway? Yeah, me neither.

Friday
Black & White striped shirt: Walmart
Black hoodie: Costco?
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

This is my new haircut that I got last week. Aren't you thrilled?

I am pretty sure that these next couple of months are going to show me in endless hoodies or cardigans of excitement. I may even totally freak you out and wear a sweater instead, just to shake things up a bit. I live on the edge like that.

Saturday
Brown Mickey tee: Disney
Brown sweater cardi: Costco
Jeans: do you have to ask?

It's a sad day when your toilet looks better in a picture than you do. Sad, sad day, people.

Sunday
Turquoise top: Sam's?
Purple cardi: Eddie Bauer, thrifted
Jeans: Gap
Belt: Walmart

Not sure if purple and turquoise go together but I hear they're dating.

I don't know why but I feel the need to tell you that this is NOT the outfit that I wore to church. I didn't get a picture of it. I hope you can sleep tonight not knowing what I did wear. Because I'm not going to tell you. So there.

Just know that it was absolutely incredible and I looked the best I ever have and I will never, ever, ever top that and I didn't want to desecrate or trivialize the moment by taking a picture of it. Or maybe I just forgot.

Tuesday
Red top: Gap
Black vest: Jennifer Moore, Macy's
jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

Red is not just for Christmas people. By the way, there are only 67 days until Christmas, depending on if you're reading this on the day that I wrote it. You have plenty of time to buy me something but please start now and avoid the rush. Did I mention that I like diamonds?

Please don't feel like you have to buy your husband and children something and buy me something as well. I don't want you to feel like you have to. It's o.k., so don't worry about it. I am sure your husband and kids will understand if you don't buy them anything.

Making Your Home Sing: When Does "Tomorrow" Come?

2011-10-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2011-10-15T00:06:00.000-07:00

Some time ago my oldest, who is 22, was sitting at the table drawing a picture of a strand of DNA as part of his college homework. As he was drawing his picture, he said "You never heard of this stuff when you were in school did you?" The dude was totally serious.

He was also totally stupid as I was standing right behind him with a writing tablet in my hand. Instead of answering him, I playfully whacked him on the head with it instead. Then I said "Does that answer your question?"

I'm not sure he heard me as he was laughing at the time. I should have hit him harder.

As a kid, I remember seeing a picture of my mom when she was in junior high. I still remember looking at the picture and thinking how "old" she looked. To me, she looked like a 40 year old junior high school student! The hair, the clothes, it just dated the picture, I thought, and so, to me, she looked older than she was at that time. (Do I win some kind of award for having so many commas in the previous sentence?)

I also remember looking at a picture of my dad when he was five. He was the only five year old I know who looked like he was in college already.

As I get older, my kids are getting younger. Seriously. Have you seen that commercial where the dad is looking at his teenage kids, but they still look like children to him? His son walks by with his jacket and the dad says "Where are you going?" and this little boy (in his eyes) says "Work."

When my kids were little they asked me questions like "Did they have cars when you were a kid? Did they have t.v.?" and they were totally serious.

It is a little weird when I think about the things I've seen in my own lifetime. I mean, when I was little we didn't have cellphones or microwaves or dvd players. We didn't have a computer in our home either.

We had to watch a show when it came on or you hoped to catch it in reruns. Cellphone? Nope. My mom just hollered out the window or called the other moms in the neighborhood to find out where we were.

Microwaves? I wish. We had to heat things up on the stove or in the oven and just wait and wait. I never had one until we got married, because my parents never bought one when they first came out.

Blow dryers? Not when I was little. My mom had some strange contraption that had a cap that you put over your head and plugged the machine in. Then you sat in one place while it blew warm air into the cap and dried your hair.

Fast food? Well, not like it is now. I didn't even hear of McDonald's until I was in high school, but then I had lived in a little town and we never had one. We did have a DQ though, but my parents rarely took us out.

So, what changes have you seen in your lifetime?

What I Wore Wednesday

2011-10-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Wednesday
Red hoodie: Disney outlet
Red shirt under: JCPenney
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut
Slippers: Macy's, gifted

Pretty sure you really don't care, but the hoodie says "Minnie" across the front.

I could not keep my hand out of the m&m's this day. Why don't vegetables taste as good as chocolate? Does that seem fair to you?

Vegetables taste good, don't get me wrong, but they don't rate up there with chocolate in my book. If they did I would have a chocolate garden like you wouldn't believe.

Thursday
Blue plaid shirt: American Eagle, thrifted
Blue shirt under: JCPenney
Jeans: Gap
Belt: Walmart
Slippers: Macy's, gifted

I'm not sure but sweats or pajamas may be preferable to this outfit. Nothing against American Eagle, it's purely operator error. I have a feeling that my fashion sense (such as it is) is just going to go downhill from here. At least, that's what I'm thinking if my first two outfits this week are an example.

How many of you read the above word "sweats" as "sweets?" Get your mind out of the chocolate gutter and let mine swim by, people.

Saturday
Black turtleneck: JCPenney
Hot Pink Hoodie Coat: Xhilaration, Target
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut
Pink plaid shoes: Kirra

So far I've been busy and cold and just want to wear a warm blanket all day. I thought of buying an electric blanket with a really long extension cord, but I'm pretty sure the cord would trip me up every time. However, I would love to go from room to room and plug my cord in, just because I could.

Sunday
Brown shirt: Bill Blass
Jeans: Levis 515 Bootcut
Slippers: Macy's, gifted

I wore this shirt to church with light brown slacks, brown boots and a denim jacket, then I changed out of them into the jeans and slippers.

I told you that my fashion style was going downhill. Just remember the camera adds ten pounds. So does eating lots of chocolate m&m's.

Why did I say "chocolate" m&m's? I mean, of course they are chocolate. They wouldn't be m&m's if they weren't chocolate. They'd be Skittles.

Monday
Hoodie: Disney Outlet
Jeans: Levis 515 bootcut

I got my hair cut on this day. How do you like it? Bwahahahaha!

I have several pairs of these jeans. I must admit that I like them. Do you know WHY I like them?

I am lazy.

I don't like having to take my shoes off when I change from my jeans to my workout clothes (running shorts), and back again after I work out. Yes, I am that lazy.

Tuesday
Black top: JcPenney
Purple sweater: Admit One
Jeans: Gap
Belt: Walmart
Necklace: Kohl's
Black boots: Thrifted

You can't really tell that I got a haircut but I did. She gave me some bangs and more layers. I call her The Hair Whisperer.

I have a love/hate relationship with my hair. Sometimes I refuse to speak to my hair until it behaves itself. Twice we broke up and once we even almost got divorced. It apologized at the last minute and I called off the lawyers but it was close, y'all.

My hair is thin and straight, but for some reason I imagine I have thick, wavy, bouncy hair. I imagine my hair and I running in slow motion through a field of flowers.

Then it becomes a problem when I look at myself in the mirror and my hair is just hanging there on my head. Like, well.......hair.

It does not conform to the image that I have of myself. Pretty sure Pantene will not be calling me anytime soon. However, No More Tears may want to give me a call and I have Head & Shoulders on speed dial.

momstheword

Making Your Home Sing: You May Not Get A Do-Over

Making Your Home Sing: Do You Have Things In Your Life That Need Doing?

Making Your Home Sing: Merry Christmas!

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing Monday

Profundity Just Oozes From My Brain

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing: Today You Can Decide To Be Different

Overheard In A Store

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing: A Head-Start On The Holidays

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing Monday

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing Monday: What's YOUR Mom Uniform?

Sidetracked And Forgetful. I Am Doomed.

Making Your Home Sing: What Are You Saving For "Someday?"

And That's Why Men Snore

Making Your Home Sing: Meal Planning

*Cough* *Wheeze* *Hack* *Sniff*

Making Your Home Sing Monday

What I Wore Wednesday

Making Your Home Sing: When Does "Tomorrow" Come?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

What I Wore Wednesday

Cough Wheeze Hack Sniff