Blogtober Day 6: Retail therapy is good for the soul

Happy Saturday - otherwise known as errand day in our house.  There was a trip to the Commissary, Walmart, Tractor Supply (for dog food...I swear I'm not a redneck), the AT&T store, and finally Rite Aid.

My BFF, Kimbo and I have made it our weekly routine to go grocery shopping together.  I used to think it was silly for people to need to go to the store with someone.  But let me tell you - once you go shopping for mediocre things like food ;) you just don't ever want to go alone again.  It doesn't feel like a chore...You're just shopping with your girlfriend.  We have decided after this week that we really need to have a camera with us.  I am thinking that will be a vlog at some point; how fun!  

I was flying solo for the rest of my shopping today but I have to let you know...There is an untapped market in Rite Aid.  I went in there on a whim to see if they had a couple of beauty products.  Not only did they have them, they were insanely discounted!  I paid for the few Maybelline items that I went in there for and when I saw how deeply they were discounted, I went back and got one of each of the other items in the Limited Edition line.  Yes I was that girl that said to the poor man behind the counter "Oh - let me go grab a few more things."  I'm certain that he was convinced that I had NEVER been to a store before in my life.  At least that's how I would have looked at the crazy lady hoarding eye shadow and nail polish.

A good time was had by all.  And by all - I mean me. :)

I hope you have had a wonderful Saturday!  

Blogtober Day 5: Thanks for the Memories

Thanks for the memories, Chipper.

Baseball won't ever be the same again.

Blogtober Day 4: Words of Wisdom

I was reading a blog the other day and I saw a newspaper clipping posted with some awesome words of wisdom.  You can see the original blog post here.

There are some things witten that were no brainers to me, and others that I have never thought about.  Either way, they all made me smile.

A Great Recipe for Life:

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. 
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Talk to God about what is going on in your life. Buy a lock if you have to!
3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: "My purpose is to......... today. I am thankful for.........."
4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 
5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, and walnuts. 
6. Try to make at least three people smile each day. 
7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 
8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card. 
9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good. 
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. 
11. Don't take yourself too seriously.
12. You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. 
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 
14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. No one can take it away; don't let them!
16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
17. Forgive everyone for everything. 
18. What other people think of you is none of your business. 
19. God heals everything- but you have to ask Him. 
20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 
21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch!
22. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 
23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for......... today I accomplished............"
24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. 
25. When you are feeling down, start listing your many blessings. You'll be smiling before you know it.

Blogtober Day 3: Meal Planning

I love to cook.  I mean, LOVE IT.  There is something so satisfying about having an idea, gathering the ingredients, and working almost like a mad scientist to make some tasty treats for your family.  I have however, been feeling quite overwhelmed about cooking.  I am always careful to not make the same meal more than once - maybe twice a month.  I want to keep things yummy, healthy, affordable, and convenient.  About 6 months ago, I was done.  I was tired of dreading going into the kitchen after a long day at work, only to realize that I didn't take anything out for dinner.  Something had to give.  Then I realized that my problem was simple, I needed to prioritize my needs and wants and come up with a solution to better suite the needs of my family.

For the past 6 months or so I have been working really hard at meal planning.  I sit down a day or two before I am headed to the Commissary (military term for grocery store), and I make a list of all of the meals I want to prepare for the week ahead.

I grocery shop on a weekly basis for no other reason than, I get paid weekly.  If I waited to go to the store when my husband got paid it would be a nightmare.  All military wives know - you DO NOT go to the Commissary on a military payday.  It is a MADHOUSE!  

Once I have made my list of meals, I move on to my grocery list.  I do checks and balances against my list of meals for the week to make sure I have every ingredient that I need.  That way, there is never the issue of it's 6:00 PM - the family is grazing in the kitchen wondering if they will have to hit the streets [again] with a sign that says 'WILL WORK FOR FOOD'.  You have the meatballs browning, sauce simmering, and UH OH - no pasta. :)  It just makes life easier.

After I have done my big grocery store haul, I transfer the meal choices to the Meal Board on our counter.  This meal board has changed my life.  I know it sounds funny, but...there is something so nice about taking the guesswork out of the dinner hour.  Now, my family never has to question what is for dinner (well, in the kids' case, they will have plenty of notice which meals they will be gagging over), and I never have the issue of not taking something out of the freezer to thaw.  After dinner every night, I look at the meal board and take whatever meat we are having the next night and put it in the fridge to thaw.  Seriously - life is so much better with a plan, and you end up saving so much time and money!

I would love to know what you do to plan for meals and grocery shopping!

Daily Randoms 

• I have been shamefully wearing black glitter nail polish for about a week now.  I have yet to decide if I can pull it off.
• After my nice and relaxing bath tonight, I came into the kitchen to find coffee brewing on the counter.  After excitedly fixing myself a mug full, I realized it was strong enough to strip the nail polish right off of my fingers.  The Mr is fired from touching the coffee until further notice.
• We had a nephew born yesterday.  He is beautiful, and pink, and perfect.  And he was born on our anniversary. :)

Blogtober Day 2: Our Anniversary

Today is our 14th Anniversary.  I can't believe how fast the years seem to be flying by.  I did a cute status on Facebook that listed some crazy stats...14 years, 12 homes, 5 states, 2 countries.  WOWSA.  We have been through so much over the last 14 years but I can't imagine life without my wonderful husband.  Through our ups and struggling with the downs, we have never stopped being a family, and we never will.

Here's to many more years together making memories.

I can't wait to see what the future holds!

Blogtober Day 1! I'm Back...Again

I've decided to attempt jumping on the Blogtober bandwagon.  What that means is that I will be blogging every day in October!  I am hoping that by setting this goal I will be motivated to keep going after October is said and done. :)

I have a list of posts that I have wanted to write to catch up - just haven't found the time to do it.  Blogtober will make it happen!  I am also hoping to do a bit of vlogging as well.  Some day in the life vlogs would be fun, I think.

I hope everyone is having a great start to Fall.  It is still rather warm here in Southwest Georgia but we are very much looking forward to some cooler weather and warm colors adorning our trees.  Any day now...any day.

Daily Randoms:

• I am a die hard Atlanta Braves fan and will be grieving the end of the baseball season (thank goodness for playoffs)
• There might be a need for me to go to rehab over my obsession with home decorating blogs.  I.CAN'T.GET.ENOUGH.
• My sweet husband bought me a new cell phone case tonight.  He was either being a cute boy or he was tired of hearing me complain about the jacked up rubber case (that looked like tire tracks) that was on my phone before now.  I'm going to stick to him just being a cute boy. ;)

End of School: Awards Day(s)

The school year is a vicious cycle.  It seems to take forever to end but then when it does, I don't know how that happens so quickly.  This year was no exception.  Since the boys go to different schools (in different counties) their last days of school are different which in turn means that the Mr. and I are able to go to both Awards ceremonies without having to sacrifice and have it seem like we are playing favorites.

I mentioned that the kids go to different schools in different counties.  I don't think I have explained that before, so let me do that now.  Both boys started the school year at the Elementary School in the County that we live in.  Half way through the year, we made the decision to have Zachary switch schools.  The school he is going to now caters more towards kids that have special challenges in social situations and behavior.  Zachary has always had such a hard time coping with the challenges of the school day as most teacher's haven't been able to recognize the needs that he needs met.  That was all until we moved here.  We have been blessed with a wonderful staff at the Elementary School that realized the things Zachary needed would be better met at this other school.  And let me tell you - they were spot on!  Our sweet little man did not go willingly as he learned quickly what was expected of him and he could not sweet talk his way out of it.  (And by sweet talk - I mean throw desks and scream at the top of his lungs.  To  know him is to love him! :P)

This brings me to Zachary's Awards Day.  We got a call the week before and they told us that he would be getting an award and that it was very important for us to be there.  We wouldn't have missed it!  Zachary didn't know that we were coming so when he walked in an spotted us - he was thrilled!

His teacher, Ms Cristy went up to the front of the room to present the awards.  To our surprise Zachary didn't get one award.  He received the Math Award, Science Award, and Most Improved Behavior.  We were SO EXCITED.  Anyone that knows us, understands what a huge milestone this was for our guy.  We couldn't be more thrilled!

We went to Andrew's Awards Ceremony two days later and we were so proud.  He received an Honors Certificate for his Art skills.  Andrew is such an amazing artist.  I could really see his talent turning into more than a passion.  Don't be surprised if you see him working for Disney one day as an Animator!

Andrew with his teachers, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Butler

The Boys with the Elementary School Principal, Dr. Miller!

Such amazing boys.  We are so blessed with our kiddos and we are so thankful for all of the joy that they bring to our lives. :)