Goals: Week of 7/30

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My goal for the week is to actually accomplish everything on this list. Pretty big goal, huh?!! I can do it, just need to get myself motivated!

This Weeks Goals-

1. Figure out next your group activity
2. Run or walk 10 miles
3. Finish wedding picture book
4. Back up my pictures on my computer
5. List items on eBay
6. Clean out freezer
7. Make curtains for the kitchen

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Finish tie skirt
2. Figure out next youth group activity
3. Pull weeds in garden and around the house
4. Make a wedding picture book- started. Need to get some input and finish this week.
5. Call about subbing and make a sub bag
6. Finish coupon class
7. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k. We did go running once.
8. Make a trip to deliver Medical Missions stuff We had a great trip! 

Vistaprint: $2 t-shirt

Need a fun gift for someone? Not bad based on the fact that you can design your own. Will come to the total of $6.14 (4.14 for shipping) for a shirt. Go here to look at their designs. What will you be making a shirt of?

Hurry! This offer expires on July 31st!

$2 Customized Premium T-Shirt! Choose from over a thousand designs and add your own text to make your design unique! For just $2 get access to all kinds of designs- from funny to sophisticated to adorable and more! The T-Shirts are made of 100% Pre-Shrunk cotton and are available in sizes from S to XXL.

DIY: Homemade 409 Recipe

The other day, I ran out of 409 cleaner for the kitchen. I have seen all these recipes online for homemade cleaners, so I decided to check out trusty pinterest for some ideas.

Sure enough, a recipe was found! I mixed up a batch and then had to try it out for a little while to see what I think. My husband was the tipping point. Definitely a keeper!

My husband misses a little bit of the lemon smell, so one of these days, I might buy a lemon and add to the cleaner. Until then, we will enjoy having this around to clean up the kitchen (I even used it in the shower the other day). Sure came in handy the other night with our meat mess. 

Below is the recipe that I used. Everything I had on hand since I have started making my own laundry detergent. What kind of homemade cleaners have you made?

Homemade 409 Recipe:

• 2 Tbsp. Distilled White Vinegar
• 1 Tsp. Borax
• 1/8 cup Dawn dish soap
• 1 cup Hot Water
• Triggered Spray Bottle {16 oz.}
• Optional: Your Favorite Scent of Essential Oil

• Pour vinegar, borax and hot water into spray bottle.
• Then continue filling spray bottle with cool water.
• Add Dawn Dishsoap last. {no need to shake}
• Optional: Add in a few drops of your favorite scent of essential oil.

It’s as easy as that!

Linked to Romance on a Dime, Green Willow Pond, and The Pin Junkie.

Proverbs 31:18- A Taste of Success

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Proverbs 31:18 "She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night."

The Proverbs 31 woman makes sure that she makes the best things for the people in her house. She finds what she is good at and excels at those things. Once her house is provided for, she goes above and beyond and sells what she had already excelled at.

What a great example of success, diligence, and priorities. 

Is my priority to provide the best for my home first? Am I doing the best in everything that I do? What great questions that I need to ask myself. 

Elizabeth gives us some ideas of what women have done at home to make money for their family. I like the one where the family was paying out for someone else to clean their pool. The woman decided to figure out how to clean the pool and then saved the money for her work. She then cleaned friends pools and earned more money. Great resourcefulness!

So what do we need to do to increase our level of success?

How-to's of Beauty:

#1 Listen to others- what do people tell you that you do a good job at? That is something you might want to consider taking to the next level.

#2 Move Forward- don't let your mistakes get you down...they will happen! Keep going and learn from them.

#3 Develop your skills- Keep learning. Don't be satisfied with where you are, keep going. 

#4 Redeem your time- Don't just sit in front of the tv wasting time. I need to put this one in to practice soon as we are getting cable back...

#5 Take risks- Don't be afraid to step out and do something that you haven't done before. 

#6 Do your best- This is important in everything you do, not just the big stuff.

#7 Do your projects unto the Lord- When we are truly focused on him, it will be a change in our attitude as we do things.

#8 Manage for profit- Be wise in helping the family situation.

#9 Be convinced that what you're doing is viable and worthwhile- Sometimes the last person to convince that something is good is you. Give God the credit and know that He has allowed you to do a great job!

#10 Family first- She provided the best for her family before she did anything else. Am I doing my best for my family?

Has the Proverbs 31 lady been a challenge to you recently? How?

You can find the previous posts here:

Proverbs 31:17 An Eager Attitude

Proverbs 31:16- A Field of Dreams

Proverbs 31:15- A Pattern for the Household

Proverbs 31:14- An Enterprising Spirit

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Book Review: My Stubborn Heart

Kate Donovan. Oh how I could relate with her. She is in her late 20s and still single. Waiting on the man that God would have her to marry.

 She was on an adventure! She went with her Grandma to help her work on restoring their old family house. Their contractor use to be a professional hockey player. He had something that caused him to be very standoffish. As a social worker, this interested Kate.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the challenges they each faced as they tried to figure out what God's plan was for their life.

Bethany House Publishers gave me this book to read and review. If you are interested in reading this book, you can check it out on amazon, or you are more than welcome to borrow my copy! I highly recommend this book!

Where is my treasure?

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Matthew 6:19-21

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

These verses kept playing through my mind after my MIL came to visit us last night. She had gotten corn out of their freezer that had turned rancid after the last power outage we had. They decided to clean out the freezer and get rid of stuff. She had ice that she wanted to store in our freezer. She went to put it in our freezer and came in to let us know that our freezer door was part way open and that most of our meat was soft.

Adventure begins! We had lost some of the food in our freezer during the power outage, but had taken the meat to my parents and were able to save it. At this point, part of the meat was able to be saved. My parents agreed that we thought that the meat needed to be cooked and then refrozen to have the best chance of success.

I just kept thinking that we can do our best to prepare for things, but ultimately, we have no control over what happens here on earth. Anyone can rob us of our treasure that we have here on the earth. Only our treasures that we have in heaven will last. I need these reminders...a lot!

Here is my husband cooking up hamburger for the first time. I think that he is a pro now! 

When I got up this morning, I read in my Bible. Part of my reading for the day was from Habakkuk 3. Verses 17-19 say the following:

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls (Or no food in the freezer): Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments."

Thank You God for being patient in reminding me things that I should already know!

What has God reminded you of recently?

Goals: Week of 7/23

image from here

I got a lot started last week, but need to take the time to finish it up. I get to spend some time this week with my husband, which I am super excited about!

This Weeks Goals-

1. Finish tie skirt
2. Figure out next youth group activity
3. Pull weeds in garden and around the house
4. Make a wedding picture book
5. Call about subbing and make a sub bag
6. Finish coupon class
7. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k. 
8. Make a trip to deliver Medical Missions stuff

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k- Did run twice but not week 4....
2. Get coupon class ready to go
3. Decide how I am going to make curtains for 2 windows- I would love to have your input!- Now to buy!
4. Make tie skirt- need to figure out sizing to finish it
5. Write 2 book reviews
6. Clean the caterpillar that is in my trunk- I found out that this caterpillar that I got free on the curb would have cost about $100 brand new. Wahoo!
7. Update our budget

Book Review: Lewis: The Fiddler

Beverly Lewis is a very well known author to me, although I don't know that I have read any of her books before. I have to admit I was probably just a little leery. I really enjoyed how she combined the Amish lifestyle with the English lifestyle.

Amelia take a wrong turn, gets a flat tire, and ends up at a cabin. This cabin is being occupied by Michael, an Amish young man who isn't sure what path his life is going to take.

Amelia needed a small break from her life and she goes back to the Amish community for a few days. Oh what fun it would be to observe the Amish from the inside.

These two young people deal with their differences in backgrounds as they try to forge ahead with a friendship.

Bethany House Publishers gave me this book to read and review. If you are interested in reading this book, you can check it out on amazon, or you are more than welcome to borrow my copy!

If interested in getting books from Bethany House, you can fill out the application here.

Proverbs 31:17- An Eager Attitude

"She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms." 

Proverbs 31:17

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How often do we not get things done because we lack motivation, focus, and discipline. Elizabeth focuses on these as she looks at the Proverbs 31 woman.

Man, can these be hard. I am very good at making a list, but not always as good about following through and finishing this list. 

The Proverbs 31 woman knows that her goal is to build her home. Do I keep that goal in the back of my mind? If my mind is not ready to go, then I will never get anything done physically.

Have you ever done a job, not really wanting to do it? Did you get the job done quickly? Probably not! I need to get my mind in gear so that I can complete a job quickly and efficiently.

How-To's of Beauty

Get ready, there are several. If you are anything like me, then they will be a good reminder!

#1 Embrace God's will for you life- This passage in Proverbs 31 gives us a good outline of what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like. Study out her goals and make them yours!

#2 Stay in God's Word- I read this one and think, oh that is easy. How easy is it just to check it off the list and get nothing out of it?

#3 Develop a vision- Look at the big picture and what you are trying to accomplish by doing the little mundane things.

#4 Tap into the why- "The secret of discipline is motivation. When a man (or woman) is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself."

#5 Pray for an eager attitude- Be thankful for another day to serve and love

#6 Create a schedule- I want to know if any of you have any sort of schedule that works for you for daily and weekly jobs around the house?

#7 Develop a routine- I never thought about this, but the more of a routine that you have, the less that you have to decide in the mornings. Interesting.

#8 Read books on time management- This makes me think of my days on encounter. Very helpful!

#9 Tackle the worst first- Ugh! Very true, but not fun...until that grossness is over.

#10 Play music- Give yourself some energy.

#11 See how quickly you can work- I love a little competition. Even if it is with myself!

#12 Consider yourself- I really like this poem

"You"

All that stands between your goal

And the deeds you hope to do

And the dreams which stir your soul----

Is you!

-Mac-Sim-Ology

You can find the previous posts here.

Proverbs 31:16- A Field of Dreams

Proverbs 31:15- A Pattern for the Household

Proverbs 31:14- An Enterprising Spirit

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

What is important to our planet?

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Goals: Week of 7/16/12

image from here

Ellie did not look like she was going to make her appearance this week, but she managed to sneak in the week by being born Saturday morning. I have to admit that I was a little surprised that the baby ended up being a girl.

We enjoyed the extra time with Cooper and Addison! What a blessing that new life brings!

This Weeks Goals-

1. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k
2. Get coupon class ready to go
3. Decide how I am going to make curtains for 2 windows- I would love to have your input!
4. Make tie skirt
5. Write 2 book reviews
6. Clean the caterpillar that is in my trunk
7. Update our budget

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k
2. Get coupon class ready to go
3. Clean bathroom
4. Make tie skirt
5. Pick up auction donation at blue fusion
6. Get some activities ready for the kiddos while they are here
7. Welcome a cute bambino into the world- hopefully

Curtain Ideas

I need your help! I have two windows that I would like to cover somehow. I am not always the best at coming up with ideas on my own though. I can see pictures, but then have problems translating them to my windows. My friend has given me suggestions, but I am curious what others think.

In the following two windows, what would you do to them? I still want to make sure that light is coming through when they are open.

Curtain 1- This is in my kitchen. 

Curtain 2: This area tend to be a little dark.

I would love for you to comment and let me know some idea that come to your mind!

Freebies and a Baby!

Yesterday started out to be a day that I was planning on just spending around the house with my husband. I got online in the morning and saw that Chick-fil-a was having their dress like a cow and get a free meal day. Scott looked at me and said, we can go and I can get a phone while we are out. I wasn't sure whether to believe he wanted to go or not.

I had a few things that I needed to get done, so Scott started working on making our cow costumes. Can't way that we went all out, but they worked! 

Starbucks was also giving away a free refresher yesterday. We stopped on the way down and we both got one of these. Fun to try, but not sure that I will get one again...unless they are free!

Next stop, Chick-fil-a. Yay for a whole free meal! Can't beat that! Here are our exciting costumes. Thanks Scott for making them :)

While we were out of town, we also picked up a tire rim so that we can have campfires in our backyard. Super excited!

I got together with some friends for some shopping that evening. My friend Sara had printed off the Bath and  Body Works coupon. They lady at the store was nice enough to give all four or us the free lotion for the one coupon.

As I was leaving from hanging out with them, I get a phone call that my sister-in-law is ready to head to the hospital to have her baby. Wahoo! Two kids coming our way.

Finished off the night getting the niece and nephew. I woke up to  "No, not Mickey," "Where am I?" and "Train, another train, another train, that is one noisy train."

What a great unplanned day! Those can be the best sometimes :)

Proverbs 31:16 A Field of Dreams

The title of this make me think of the movie Field of Dreams. "If you build it they will come." My family did make the trek all the way to this corn field. They built it and we came! 

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Proverbs 31:16

“She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.”

We are told that this woman considers, acquires, and renovates this land. I love the fact that this lady is a visionary about what is in front of her. Not only does she have a vision, but she follows through on getting it started.

A lady I use to work with said that she starts many businesses in her head, but never does anything with them. She said it saved her money that way!

Sometimes we need to research out those dreams and pursue them! 

Elizabeth’s How-To’s of Beauty

#1 Desire God’s beauty

#2 Devote yourself to God’s goals- Elizabeth quickly points out that this means that family comes first.

I also serve because I want God’s beauty and not because of what I can get from serving. Many times, I try to figure out what I can get in return for what I do. Not always a good thing.

#3 Your husband is paramount

#4 Creativity abounds- find something you love to do for your family. Once you have mastered this, let it grown into something more!

#5 Dare to dream!

#6 Do the work! Behind every success is hard work.

I am not on this earth to build a business. I am on this earth to build a home. I need to make sure that I keep that in perspective. 

What have you been doing for your home recently that you would like to take to the next level?

You can find the previous posts here.

Proverbs 31:15- A Pattern for the Household

Proverbs 31:14- An Enterprising Spirit

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Goals: Week of July 9th

image from here

This Weeks Goals-

1. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k
2. Get coupon class ready to go
3. Clean bathroom
4. Make tie skirt
5. Pick up auction donation at blue fusion
6. Get some activities ready for the kiddos while they are here
7. Welcome a cute bambino into the world- hopefully!

Last Weeks Goals-

 

1. Clean Windows
2. Nike Plus Post on blog
3. Clean out cookbooks
4. Make a skirt
5. Once we have power, clean fridge and freezer
6. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k
7. Coupon class notes
8. Make belt

DIY: Nike + Knock Off Holder

For my birthday...yes that was in March...my SIL got me a Nike + sport kit. I had heard of these, but was never super interested in one. I couldn't justify buying a new shoe just to use the tracker.

This little device is suppose to go into the sole of your shoe and let you know how far you have run or walked. I was pretty excited about the possibility that was there, but new shoes?

Well, there is this handy place called pinterest. I decided to see what I could find. I came across this idea that involved making a pouch to go on your shoe. All I needed was fabric and Velcro! I had both those on hand. I was ready to try it out. Here is what my finished product looked like.

The pouch works great! I can now run and see how far I have gotten...and how much father I should be going! I recently installed a Couch to 5k app on my husband's ipod and the app will tell me when to walk and when to run. The walking part is never long enough :)

If you are interested, the tutorial is very informative. Anything that will help me to run a little! What a great birthday present!

York Photo: Free Pictures

York Photo is currently selling their Grocery Tote Plus for $1.00.

If you are new to York Photo you get 40 free prints.

Have any pictures from the holidays that you are waiting to print?

Electricity!!

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The last week on our home front has been interesting to say the least. Five days without electricity made me very thankful that we have electricity! I couldn't help but think of the great power that my God has. He sure displayed that power last Friday.

Scott and I were on the way to my parent's house to celebrate my dad's birthday. Scary! I will be ok to never drive in a storm like that again. I could not help but think of the great power of my great God.

Psalm 136:4

"To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever."

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There were several things that I had taken for granted, that I learned to be thankful for. Things that we would say are essential. I would have to say that I survived without them, but man, how much easier do they make life!

• Being able to flush the toilet without dumping water in the bowl. Yes, we learned that you do not dump the water in the tank, but in the bowl! Umm...good thing to know!
• Flipping a switch and having light. I am thankful for all the flashlights that my husband has. I also, flipped many switches wiht nothing happening!
• Having a fridge to keep food cold. How did people do it before they had fridges? I would have a hard time surviving.
• Air conditioning. It was a scorching week not to have it!
• Running water to brush your teeth, wash your hands, take a shower, and do laundry.

I was very thankful for our families that let us take showers at their house and to enjoy their air conditioning.

There was this calmness in our village as the only thing that was heard was generators. The moon provided the light for the city. It was serene.

It was also very nice to take a little break and enjoy just spending time with others. Electricity provides a lot of benefits for us, but it also makes our lives a little more busy. The trade offs in life!

What part of having electricity are you thankful for?

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Proverbs 31:15: A Pattern for the Household

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Proverbs 31:15 “She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids.”

I don’t like this verse J Oh how I love to stay in my comfy bed in the mornings. I can say that I got up at a decent time this morning, but only because my husbands alarm didn't go off and he needed to get up for work. Silly power outage!

Another verse that has been a challenge to me lately is the following:

Proverbs 26:14 "As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed."

Elizabeth was able to observe a Jewish woman early in the morning on her trip to Israel. She had her laundry hung out to dry and her windows open to let in the cool air early in the morning. This makes me think of my mom. On Saturdays, I usually woke up to hearing her hanging laundry on the clothes line in the back yard. Oh, to be more like these ladies!

Elizabeth gives us 3 disciplines in order to be successful in the home:

#1 An Early Start

The Proverbs 31 woman rose early in order to keep the fire going in her home. She also rose in order to spend time with her God and then to pass that knowledge on to her children.

#2- Food for the Family

She needed to grind the grain and make bread for her household. They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I love breakfast, just not getting up early to prepare it! I have an amazing husband who like to make breakfast. Pancakes anyone!

#3 A Plan for the Day

She planned out her day and also gave jobs to those who were under her roof. What would it be like to have maid’s working for you? I am sure that she needed them!

How-to’s of beauty

Oh how simple they seem, but how hard they are to follow through.

#1 Determine a time- when will you wake up?

#2 Get to bed- determine when you need to get to bed in order to get up when you need to. Sometimes I lack the gumption to get up and go to bed. Rather just chill out on the couch for a while. Anyone else there?

#3 Say a prayer- I need this one J

#4 Get up!- any advice on this one? I think I need a bed that ejects me. I would probably end up back in it though!

You can find the previous posts here.

Proverbs 31:14- An Enterprising Spirit

Proverbs 31:13- A Fountain of Joy
Proverbs 31:12- A Spring of Goodness

Proverbs 31:11b- An Unfailing Prize

Proverbs 31:11a- A Solid Rock

Proverbs 31:10b- A Sparkling Jewel
Proverbs 31:10a- A Rare Treasure

Goals: Week of July 2nd

image from here

Things are interesting at our house right now, no power equals a not very 21st century lifestyle. It is kinda nice to be able to just chill out and not feel so bad about it! Not so cool to not be able to take a shower or flush the toilet!

This Weeks Goals-

1. Clean Windows
2. Nike Plus Post on blog
3. Clean out cookbooks
4. Make a skirt
5. Once we have power, clean fridge and freezer
6. Complete week 4 of the couch to 5k- hopfully we will get power so that I can take a shower- this is my excuse for not running...lame I know!
7. Coupon class notes
8. Make belt

Last Weeks Goals-

1. Completer week 4 of the couch to 5k program
2. Clean the bathroom
3. Contact companies about the upcoming school auction
4. Finish 5 headbands I made a few extra!
5. Make 1 bib and 1 belt
6. Finish Reading Showdown
7. Coupon class notes