15 Ways to Stay Motivated and Motivate Others from...

http://simple-green-organic-happy.blogspot.com/

15 Ways to Stay Motivated and Motivate Others From simple.green.organic.happy.

I am into blogging these days, I read/write them all the time, or at least the 3 minutes a day Henry is not awake or climbing out of his crib(2 nights ago....)
But I found this article on this wise ladie's website while seeking the bargains she was reporting on money saving mom Soo, I thought I'd 'share'. I really liked the part about 'paralysis', and why people are sometimes in paralysis. I'm not a 'green-gal' to the extent this particular blogger is, but I think/thought her points about motivation were well taken, and somewhat universal to any cause or interest. Perhaps you'll be encouraged on your way to Bible class today, or on your way to work on Monday. Whatever you need motivation for, or however you might encourage another to 'keep the faith', or keep your own, perhaps this article might help you. Her pictures are delightful, but the article is the jist of this blog. Just scroll down to find '15 Ways to Stay Motivated and Motivate Others '. I will not try to summarize but send you directly to her thoughts.
Have a wonderful Sunday- May God be glorified in all things, especially today.

Creativity or Copycat?

My Mom tells me sometimes how creative I am... I told her one day,"I'm not creative, I'm simply good at copying what other creative people do." I have enjoyed Pleasant View Schoolhouse Blog at http://pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Thrifting for this very reason. I love to find a super cheap deal (free is always the best), and make something super cute, special or just unique. This super creative person has used an idea I have fantasized about... making wonderful items, such as unique aprons, from out of style clothes, that are made of absolutely wonderful fabric. Fabric is my trivial love. I don't hoard like I used to, but I have a few piles in hidden corners waiting their day in the sun. I recently purchased a king set of Pottery barn sheets on e-bay http://www.ebay.com/ for much less that retail, to make matching light weight blankets for the boys for summer. It is the A to Z pattern and as usual, I LOVE IT. I will get these made,.. the design is simple. But the pants for which I have a pattern will just have to wait. I still owe the Raggedy Ann's I made at christmas for my nieces, pants and an apron. But quilt/blanketing is just straight sewing. With very limited intricate details. My Mom made one for me when I changed size beds. I still use it, in fact Jack has it on his bed. Sewing is so cathartic, and when VBS is over, I'll get it done.
But back to the thrift store. I didn't really shop items that can be recycled, as much as I did items that would go into immediate use. I used to shop everything and collect items that I might need in 2 years(children's clothes etc.) But I have a new rule these days. If I don't think I'll use it in the next 3 mos, especially children's clothes, I don't purchase. Which caused me to pass up a coat Jack might wear in a year. It was 7.50. It was perfect. I just can't buy everything. & that had to wait. However, I found several items of pajamas perfect for Henry in this summer sizes and fall sizes. He also scored 3 pairs of very lightweigh shorts, perfect for our hot weather. Now these I couldn't pass up because they were .39 each. One of them was Ralph Lauren. Jack found a toy oil tanker for .15 Yes .15. He also found a bug box, for all the super big black grass hoppers that eat all our plants, for a mere .59.
I knew I'd entered the 'thrift store zone', however, when a lady tapped me on the back and told me, in a Louisiana, cajun accent, 'Lady, yo baby is stickin his gum in his hair.' With my hands full, and the top of Henry's stroller loaded with my finds, I couldn't do anything but retrieve the gum from the side of his head, and hope that was the end of it. It was for the time being. However in the bathtub that night, ... I found the rest.
I've spent a little time organizing future purchases at CVS, with the $25 gift card I got for a new prescription. I'm finding with a little thought & planning I can stock up on items we use for pennies on the $. check out Money Saving Mom for details. http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

It's late, and gymnastics starts early. BTW, Jack is loving it!

Where did the day go?

As I talked to several friends and family throughout the day, I realized it was the first day in a while that I had successfully managed a day where Jack was happily busy, and I was too. He's four years old, and sometimes our ideas of a fun day just don't mix. Well, that's an understatement, but I'm addjusting to not having babies, but having kids. Kids need interaction and just don't sit in that shopping cart like they used to. Jack went to a gymnastics class today, where he was highly stimulated, while Henry & I worked the bargains at the Wal-mart. I did the coupon offer for V8 Splash juice. It's the fruit juice w/veggies. If you use the on-line coupon for $2.00 off at Wal-mart where it sells for 2.98, it's a deal. It contains no HFC(high fructose cornsyrup), and actually incorporates real veggie juice. No it is reconstitued, however, it is still nutritious, and low in sugar. See the deal for the on-line coupon at http://coupons.smartsource.com/ . I really will figure out how to hide the web address soon, but wouldn't you rather know about the deal instead. I also purchased Stouffer's frozen bag pasta & chicken dish for 3.92 a bag. Now, that is a serious convenience food. But I have needed a few quickie meals lately. That aren't papa johns pizza. One bag will feed our family of 4 (2/2) if I add 1 squash or 1 zuchinni, or one broccoli. Just wash, chop, & throw in. We usually always have salad, and that really seals the meal. The one I purchased today was the Chicken Alfredo. It is really delicious. I've had the others and they are good too.
I have to tell you about the first time I had my brother -in law Mike over for dinner. He & H, my SIL, were engaged, and we were just getting to know each other. They came for dinner.
I am a souther girl, whether I like it or not, and you must have 3 veggies with meat and bread at a formal dinner, even if everyone is wearing flip flops. So I cheated, in a Godly sort of way. I purchased 3 boxes of frozen Stouffers creamed corn at a premium price, I think they go for about $2 buck each right now. So $6 for a dish, and dumped those puppies in a casserole. Baked them, and served them as if I'd scraped it right off the cobb that afternoon. Mike raved. He of course had been a bachelor in recent months, and was enjoying food prepared with loving hands by his prospective bride. Heidi is no shabby cook let me add. But I fooled them all. Unintentioinally. But to this day, Mike looks in my garbage can to look for any evidence.
This is a belated happy father's day to many DH's. We celebrated at Bass Pro shop (?) eating in their new dining establishment. We saw the Adam's and heard the Shaw's were there too, but never saw them. We sat next to the fish tank, which helped keep Henry entertained. It was a fantastic lunch, and then off to the Capitol building to see the sites. Baton Rouge's Capitol building is a don't miss, even if you are driving through on your way to Texas. Stop, and take it in. HP Long had an Art Deco vision that is worth taking in. The steps leading to the doors have the states in order of their becoming states, with the 13 star circle emblem from the flag denoting the first 13. The year of statehood is beside each one. Their are enormous statues outside that represent the Acadian people coming from Cananda leaving religious persecution. The inside is breathtaking. The Senatorial halls are recently resorted and are a perfect example of the period. The chandeliers are fabulous. Here, I will digress momentarily, for at this point we went up the elevators. I am terribly, terribly afraid of heights, especially open spaces. I will never have a open loft style stairway in my home. I have been to the top of the world trade center, before 9/11, and pressed my nose to the glass, but I knew the glass would hold me. I can fly anywhere and and can be seen on a roller coaster. I've even been up the Empire state building. HOWEVER, when there are open spaces, over 30 stories high, with railing only at your waist. I told Eric, never, & I repeat, never will I go up there again. I left the elevator, to watch my children run to the observation deck, and almost collapsed on the floor. I suffered a mild panic attatck, and scared another family who had just been outside. I told the clerk in the gift shop, who said he'd never seen that kind of reaction before, that I'd be down stairs praying, and to tell my husband to bring 2 children back with him. Safely.
There is no describing a phobia. Can't put it into words, but if there was a check for a million at the top of the Eiffel tower made out to me.... it would eventually blow away, because I'll never ascend those open cages of elevators, leading to a window to the world.
Don't get me started on the Grand Canyon. Eric wants to go there too.
So, back to fathers. I'm grateful for all the Dad's out there, including my own, who are men of integrity, honor God, and love their families. Thanks Dad's for doing your best, giving when it hurts, & doing your best 'under fire'. Love you, Eric, Dad, Bob, Mike & Drake.
Must go and cook the Stouffers dish.
The boy's napped after our long, long, day. & time to wake them, so they'll go to bed!

Priorities

Priorities come to the forefront, if you let them. I spend my day trying to carve out a few minutes for what I really enjoy, but priorities seem to bubble to the top. With gas prices so high, I've been doing alot of thinking about where I shop. I clicked on http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ today where I found endless ideas for saving the almighty $. I actually ran into my friend Meg ( http://theinsatiablereader.blogspot.com/ ) at CVS where she and I were grabbing the same bargains that generate Extra Care Bucks (ECB's). We were both on our way to swim lessons, and both running late, I might add, but we got the bargain! We're both newbies at this CVS thing. I did it a while back before I had 2 children, but the multiple store thing just didn't work for me. Or at least I wasn't using it. I really went where my son's soy formula was sold. I followed the deals there, but really find when you can keep your driving down, it's worth it to go to 2 or more stores. I'm following money saving Mom's advice tho, and I'm going to give it 3 months. I'm going to track my receipts, which isn't difficult to do, and keep track of grocery spending. I think I've already done well. I'm pleased.
Back to priorities, I made a list of things that folks request from me and/or things I share with others. I'm not a recipe guru, but occasionally I have brought a dish to a party where the plate was licked clean. I read voraciously-- now there's a name for a blog--and I love to share books, or at least the title. I'm going to give the on-line swap I've seen a try... I'll have to find that link later, as my boy's are falling asleep while watching baseball, & I've got to get them in bed.
One thing I plan on sharing, from my list in the other room (HA) is some secular book titles and how I regularly read and how I mention God as we go. It's a natural thing around here. I teach little kids in Bible class, specifically 3's & 4's. I love it. I've taught this age for over 12 years. And now I actually have one of my own using material I've created. It's a real litmus test for how effective the stuff you've been using really is. I remember one of the mother's of one of my students 4 year old Nicholas, tell me she kept a waste basket in the car for all the stuff that came home from church. She is a teacher and a brilliant person I respect. I was stunned. But to tell you the truth, there are times I really think the glue and construction paper go to waste. Especially on boys, but that's another day. Finding a balance is where it's at.
I purchased a book today at Barnes & Noble http://barnesandnoble.com for my DH Eric, about Canoeing in Louisana. He purchased a canoe the week after Mother's Day, and we've been heading out to the lakes ever since. Alligator's you say? Yeah, me too. There's a regular debate about whether you can survive a canoe trip in the presence of a gator. But we've been in tame water so far. I'm much more prayerful, since our boy's have become old enough to fit in a life jacket. My husband is a dilligent father who is determined not to produce vidiots. Remember that word? When we married, he didn't own a TV. He's not opposed, just an active person. He also knew what kind of temptations are brought into the home. We limit our TV, to after 8:30, when kids are in bed (but why is Jack still watching baseball?), but occasional movie is selected and enjoyed during our opressive heat during the day. Actually Jack's library card is working overtime on media. It's just soooo hot in Louisiana. Did you notice how I completely didn't discuss my addiction to television......... so many blogs, so little time.
One of these times I will figure out how to code in the links behind the names & titles of websites, but you get the idea. I'm working on little sleep.
I hope you like the new format, I love the green, and the dots were groovy. I used to think blue was my favorite color, but it's not. It's green. All shades.. green, green, green.
Photo's to come, one of my ideas of how I used Eric Carle's The Hungry Caterpillar in Bible class a few weeks ago. And at home. See Deuteronomy 5 & 6 -- where is your 'doorpost'?
2 boys and one husband fast asleep- must put everyone to bed.
Sweet dreams everyone-

first on-line blog

Every blog spot must have a first blog. This is mine. I am a SAHM, homemaker, and christian who finds life very challenging & very enjoyable at the same time. I have greatly enjoyed reading other's blogs. I send links all the time, and hope that joining the blog world will only be beneficial to someone. I have life experience with family, marriage, adoption, interior design, parenting boys, gardening, cooking occasionally ... and I'm sure there is something else. Specialist in nothing, but dangerous in many areas. I've moved throughout my life, that finding a hometown has become a life pursuit. I find I am primarily from the south east. The South. But I was born in California, which gives me an entirely different perspective and appreciation for that which doesn't align with tradition. My values tend to be traditional, but that which pleases God is not always traditional. So I hope that the categories into which I divide my blogs will help me, if no one else, sort my priorities and interests.