mindful moment :: Reading

As I lounge during my evening soak, I really like to read. Earlier this month, I hit the clearance table at Borders and picked up this book. I really enjoyed it, a nice mix of entertainment and advice.

Like other moms, I struggle with trying/wanting to do it all. This book helps to see that you are not alone and there is no reason to uphold this crazy expectation.

I see the authors have another book out, maybe I can hit that for February...but looking at that title, maybe that isn't such a good idea during the Valentine month!

mindful mistake :: laptop in bed

I suppose it is only fair to also bring attention to the mistakes I make during this journey.

I must stop this now.

Laptops in bed at night is a bad idea. It takes away from the obvious...my sleep (that's what you thought was the obvious too, right?!) But it also detracts from time with my husband. It is amazing how fast an hour can fly by while catching up on my Reader.

My new rule, no laptops in the bedroom.

...after 10:30.

January 2011 Meal Plan 2

I am pretty impressed how well my 2 week meal plan worked. It went really well until we started running out of the basics...yes, running out of a bread tends to be a deal-breaker for my family. I didn't think we'd go through 4 loaves of bread before the two weeks were up. There's only 4 of us!

So, I'm trying to be flexible and stop at the grocery store of needed during emergencies like the "bread shortage of 2011". This shouldn't stress me out, right?

Here is my tentative plan for the next two weeks. It should be easier since my husband is going to be gone for the weekend and my birthday is this week. Any time I can skip a night of cooking, I am a happy woman!

Monday: Tater Tot Rot
Tuesday: Roast Beef
Wednesday: Dinner at Church
Thursday: My Birthday...will be allergic to cooking!
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Roasted Chicken
Sunday: Potato Soup
Monday: Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Spaghetti
Wednesday: Dinner at Church
Thursday: BBQs
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Beef Stew
Sunday: Beer Butt Chicken

mindful moment :: evening soak

In an effort to focus on the things that bring me peace and make me feel grounded and mindful ....I bring you "mindful moments".

My evening soak.

I try to do this every evening...it is so very calming.

My soak looks a little different than the image. It always includes something to read...a magazine or book (Note: I really want to ereader, but I'm not sure that they work well in the tub. Nook + Water = ??). It is usually minus the wine and candles, although candles are a very warming addition.

Just thinking about a nice hot bath calms my soul.

Week 1 Report: Some Wins & Some Misses

This first week of January has been challenging. Honestly...getting back into our work & school routine after being off for Christmas was tough. Here is a recap:

Hits:

• Having meals planned and many times prepared already was wonderful. I didn't worry once about what we were going to eat.
• I exercised nearly every day. I typically have a difficult time fitting this in, but with more time in the evenings, I was able to exercise on 5 days. 
• Evenings were relaxing. I'm guessing this is due to the fore-mentioned items. We had time to sit on the couch, read and play in the evenings. I loved it!

Misses:

• All weekend I chased the urgent: URRG. I was disappointed with how busy the weekend was (possibly due to the relaxing weeknights??). Errands to run on Saturday and work to be done at home most of the day Sunday.
• Too many commitments for the coming week: Part of my busyness on Sunday was preparation for the coming week. I begin teaching a Jr. Achievement class, plus our church Wednesday school for my 4 year old's class this week, so I prepped for those. I also belong to a rubber-stamping club that meets this coming Friday night, and I needed to prepare. I really need to re-evaluate my commitments.
• Edgy: I was not relaxed and felt really edgy all weekend. 

This recap gives me some good food for thought.

I made a good, intentional decision to go sledding with my family this afternoon...although I was tempted to stay home and continue to chase the urgent things to be done. I am still smiling as I look at the sledding photos on my camera.

Onto week 2!

Word of the year: Gratitude

I've seen many people choose a word for 2011. I already wrote this post once, thinking that my word for the year should be Intentional. That would make sense, given our journey of slowing down.

But it didn't feel right.

I'm a very intuitive person, so if something doesn't feel right...I just wait and sit on for a bit. I like to see what feels right.

I decided that Gratitude is my word for 2011. It feels so good to sit back and breathe in all that we have to be thankful for.

And I want to do that more often.

I think creating gratitude journals would be an enlightening exercise for the family.

We recently heard that my husband's job is a little shaky...possibly some lay-offs on the horizon. I'd rather spend more time being grateful for what we have, than wondering about the future.

January 2011 Meal Plan 1

We've been doing well with our meal plan so far. We started last Wednesday, so it was a bit before 2011. Here is our two week plan (so I only have to shop once).

Wednesday: Swiss Steak
Thursday: Beef Stew & Chicken w/ Wild Rice Soup
Friday (New Year's Eve): Shrimp
Saturday: Left over soup

Sunday: Ham
Monday: Scalloped Potatoes & Ham
Tuesday: Mexican Enchilada Casserole
Wednesday: Hamburgers
Thursday: Pork Roast
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: Roasted Chicken

Sunday: Chicken Noodle Soup
Monday: Chicken Enchiladas
Tuesday: Meatloaf
Wednesday: Dinner @ church
Thursday: Potato Soup
Friday: Pizza

Currently, I am just planning out the main dish for dinner. As time goes on, I want to begin adding sides. We usually eat left overs for lunches.

I have a lot of soup in the menu as we live in the upper-midwest so this is an extremely COLD time of the year. Soup is great to help feel warm! During the warmer months I'll be able to add more grilled meals.

I am also trying to incorporate some meal time rituals, like Friday night pizza. Hopefully everyone enjoys it!