I feel like lately we are in the winter slumps. We have been hibernating and not really doing too much of anything. Some days I am ok with this. But day after day. It gets a little wearing. Especially when you have a 2 year old who just wants to move and let out some energy. A couple weeks ago it was in the 40s here so we went outside a lot, which was messy. The snow was melting and it was wet. It was wonderful though.
So to the title of my post today is Goals for 2011. I'm usually not big into goals but since I am at home now I figure I need a few. So I had a little review of my job performance and I think I can do a better job. I'm sure we could all say this no matter what our jobs. There is always room for improvement. So the other night I started writing down some goals for myself and for my family. Some we need to do each day, some are for a month or two others are for the year. So here are my goals.
1) Hayden and I need to each get ready for the day by 9:30am. This is for the winter. In the summer we are ready and raring to go each day. The winter is a challenge to get each of us out of our jammies and ready for the day.
2) Structure our day better. Most days I feel like we just do whatever and go with the flow. I am trying harder at structuring the day so that we have time set aside to do projects, learning activities, etc.
3)Make our beds everyday. I am really bad at making my bed but I love nothing more than getting into a made bed. So wouldn't it make sense to spend the 1 minute to make the bed each day.
4) Hayden must help pick up toys each night. Hayden, like most kids, I'm assuming, loves to dump out every bin and toy onto the floor just to see what he has. Since we started this he doesn't dump everything out every day. I think he is starting to realize...If I dump this all out now, I will have to pick it up later. And I guess it doesn't hurt to have a little responsibility, does it?
5) For 2 months I am putting myself on a spending freeze (Jason is the saver in the family, I am the spender). Since being at home full time I have been very conscious of each dollar spent, but I know I can always do a better job. So until the end of April I am only allowing myself to purchase necessities. My motto is...if it's not on the list, it's not in the cart! :)
6) Clean one room each day. Cleaning is my least favorite thing to do in the entire world! I am not good at it and it gives me no pleasure. I think it's a thankless, fruitless job! Sorry for the rant, but I really do not like it. However, I do know it's not very good to ignore. So I am trying something new. Maybe if I only bite off one room at a time it won't seem so overwhelming. I'll let you know how it goes. I am really good at finding other things to do other than cleaning!
7) Email or call a friend I haven't talked to in a while at least one time a week. I have many great friends near and far. Some I talk to regularly and some I haven't been very good at keeping in touch with, so I am going to do a better job of staying in contact.
8) Walk 1-2 miles 2-3 times per week. I have really missed running/walking and haven't done it since September. Now that I am further along in my pregnancy I feel more comfortable with some leisurely walks.
9)Write thanks and prayers each night. I started this a long time ago and let it slip. I have a journal but I am not good at writing about my day to day stuff in it. So I started writing what I am thankful for that day or my prayers for that day. Sometimes they are pretty simple other times they are very meaningful. It definitely makes me realize how very blessed I am. I usually do about 2 or 3 things but sometimes have more to write. Try it....definitely worthwhile!
So here are my goals. I am hoping that I stick with them. We'll see! :)
Weekly Menus - Since I missed last week I'll post 2 weeks. I think I might have to start posting for the week after it's done because it seems to change regularly. Last week I had a little challenge for myself. Make meals from food already in the house. We only had to go to the grocery store for milk, bananas and cereal last week. Definitely up on my savings already! :)
Another thing I started doing - a Jason's meal night. I have started letting Jason pick and cook a meal each night. Even if I am home. I get a little burnt out of menu ideas and so I thought it might be good for us all to have a little variety. And maybe expand Jason's cooking repertoire.
Day | Lunch | Supper |
Monday | Fried Egg Sandwiches | Spaghetti & Meatballs |
Tuesday | Chicken Kiev and Rice | Roast Chicken, Mashed potatoes, Gravy & Green Bean Casserole |
Wednesday | LO | Jason (burgers on the grill!) |
Thursday | Forgot :( | Forgot :( |
Friday | Pizza Ranch | Forgot :( |
Saturday | Island | Pizza |
Sunday | LO | Chili |
Monday | Quesadillas | Pizza for Hayden/ Buffalo Supper for Jason & Betsy |
Tuesday | PB & Js | Italian Chicken (recipe below) |
Wednesday | Playdate @ friends | BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches |
Thursday | LO | Jason (Tacos) |
Friday | LO | Chicken Sandwiches & Tator tots |
Saturday | Subway | LO |
Sunday | ?? | ?? |
Italian Chicken - Found this recipe in a magazine and we all really like it. Very easy.
2 1/2 cups of mushrooms
2 tbsp. butter
6 boneless chicken breasts
1 package of italian salad dressing mix
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz. chive and onion cream cheese
1/3 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup milk
3 cups egg noodles
1 tbsp chives (garnish)
1) Saute mushrooms in better - set aside
2) sprinkle chicken with salad mix and brown on each side. Cut in half and place in a 9x13 baking dish.
3) stir soup, cream cheese, broth, milk and mushrooms together. Spoon over chicken.
4) cover and bake at 350* for 30-45 min (until chicken is done)
5) cook egg noodles according to package and serve chicken and sauce on top.
