January Personal Life Goals Review

On the last day of every month I will be reviewing my Personal Life Goals for that month and figuring out my goals for the next month. By reviewing my previous goals I can better incorporate areas that I lacked in for the new month.

In the marriage category, I think we've adjusted fairly well to being together again. We haven't had any major fights and have worked together to get things done.

We have yet to plan a big activity to do as a family, but it is winter and there's not much around here. That one will carry over until we figure out something to do. We have sort of implemented family game night. We got Monopoly for the Wii and have played it together. We have been eating dinner together at the table every night.

I haven't really made any new friends here yet. I did go over and give my neighbor a starter for Amish Friendship Bread and she seems really nice, so who knows. I haven't found a playgroup yet, not sure if there are any really. Once I become more comfortable with the area I may try to start one myself. Once the weather gets nicer it will be easier.

I haven't done much on the Self front so that's something that i'll need to work on in the coming month.

On the home front, we've moved and gotten settled. There are still boxes to unpack but we're taking it slowly. If I can't find a place for something i'm getting rid of it. We have started on the baby's room- purchased a new crib and some other items. The furniture is all in the room, just needs to be arranged.

Chad has his unit but hasn't really been there yet, so hopefully in the coming month I can get setup in the FRG. I have yet to do any research on the job front, not that i'm in a rush because I don't plan on working right now.

As far as hobbies go, I haven't had much time to do anything. I hope to sign up for a class in the coming month.

I still have lots of work to do on the spiritual side. I still need to get the book Simple Abundance.

Happy Birthday to my mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Roasted Chicken and Vegetables

4-5 lb. whole roasting chicken
1/2 c. butter, softened
1 tsp. Rosemary, crushed
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. minced garlic
6 new red potatoes
6 carrots, halved cross-wise
2 med. onions, cut into quarters
2 T. Parsley

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Secure wings to body of chicken. Stir together butter, rosemary, salt, pepper, garlic. Rub chicken with 1/2 of butter mixture. Put chicken on rack in roaster. Place carrots, potatoes and onion around chicken. Dollop w/rest of butter mixture.

Bake, basting all occassionally for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with parsley.

Self-Discovery Journey 2

Every now and then i'll be posting questions that a member of MHH has posted so that we can really get to know ourselves better. I've been recording all the questions in a journal, but some of the answers require lots of space so i'm thinking of converting to a document on my laptop. Anyway, here are a few of the most recent questions. Feel free to answer in the comment section if you like!

Name 5 of your favorite places to shop.
* Walmart
* Old Navy
* Barnes & Noble
* Hobby Lobby
* Dollar Tree

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
I really like humorous mysteries by authors such as Janet Evanovich, Joan Hess, Joanne Fluke, etc. I also like regular mysteries and some sci-fi/magical type books like Harry Potter and the Twilight series.

What kind of movies do you find most enjoyable?
I like a variety of movies. Comedies, drama, chick flicks, some horror and action.

Better Life Tip #2

Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

I think clutter can damage more than one area of your life. It can block your senses and cause chaos in your everyday life. Moving is a great time to declutter and really start anew. I did throw things out while packing up our house, but not enough. As i'm unpacking one box at a time, i'm finding more and more that I can live without. There's still lots of work to be done but I have the motivation to declutter our lives of the unnecessary junk that accumulates and clogs the mind and soul.

Weekly To-Do

January 26, 2009 - February 1st, 2009

HAVE TO DO:
[X] Make Amish Friendship Bread
[X] Commissary
[/] Clean kitchen and bathrooms

NEED TO DO:
[/] Start washing comforters and restoring
[/] Work on storage closet upstairs
[X] [X] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Follow menu plan
[X] Get mom's birthday card in the mail
[X] Pick up stamps

WANT TO DO:
[ ] Work on knitting
[X] Find self-discovery journal and update (hasn't been done since DH got home)
[ ] Start on fairies for mom

Menu Plan Monday

January 26, 2009 - February 1st, 2009

Monday- Baked chicken w/new potatoes and slow-cooked green beans

Tuesday- Tacos

Wednesday- Chicken and rice in foil packets

Thursday- Meatloaf w/mashed potatoes and peas

Friday- Juicy Burgers

Saturday- Crockpot Pizza

Menu Plan Monday

January 19, 2009 - January 25, 2009

Monday- Easy night

Tuesday- Stromboli

Wednesday- Homemade Pizza

Thursday- Country Pasta

Friday- Chili

Saturday- Baked chicken

Sunday- Tacos

*All are subject to change or rearranging as needed.

Update!

I have not abandoned my blog, I promise! Chad came home late on the 8th and then on the 9th we got a house on base. We had to go home and pack up everything last weekend and then move here to Kansas on Monday. We've been here 1 week already and just got our internet working. We have the house pretty well set up but there are still lots of boxes that need going through and putting away.

So, once I get a chance i'll schedule some posts for the blog so it's not empty and lonely!

Stromboli

This is one of our favorite meals and it's not hard to see why.

1 lb. hamburger
1/2 lb. sausage (you can use hot if you like but I use regular)
1/2 c. chopped green pepper
1 c. chopped onion
1 6oz. can tomato paste
1 8oz. can tomato sauce
1/4 c. grated Parmesan
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/4 tsp. rosemary (optional)
1 6oz. package Mozzarella cheese slices
1 loaf of French or Italian bread

Remove sausage from casing. Cook hamburger, sausage, onion, green pepper. Drain. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 10 minutes.

Cut the top, in one big slice, off the loaf of bread. Cut the bread out of the middle, making a shell. Line the bread shell with mozzarella. Pour in the filling. Top with more mozzarella. Put the "lid" slice of bread back on. Wrap in foil and bake at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes.

The Twilight Series

I have finished all 4 books in the series and I must say they were all excellent. Of course, I had my favorites but they were all definitely worth reading. I'm sad that the story is over but happy about the outcome.

Bella and Edward are the perfect match. It's true, he may not have been the best choice for her but they make it work and I couldn't ever picture either of them with anyone else. There's simply no contest, they are that perfect and in love with each other. It's like their love transcends time and space and has its own realm in the ether. It was really a love that could probably move mountains.

Of course, reading the books was not free of experiencing pain. It wasn't just a happy love story series. There were many trials and difficulties, lots of near death experiences as well. Once I started reading I was drawn to the books like a magnet. I couldn't put them down....really. Now that i'm finished with them I feel at peace but also craving more, although I know there really isn't anymore to tell.

Anyway, if you haven't read this series it's wonderful and I highly recommend it.

Ranch Dressing Recipe

I got this recipe from www.topsecretrecipes.com under Outback Steakhouse. I've always loved their ranch dressing and was so excited when I found this.

Ranch Dressing

1 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix (buttermilk recipe)
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup buttermilk
¼ teaspoon coarse grind black pepper
1/8 teaspoon paprika (possibly substitute red pepper for paprika)
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine all ingredients in medium bowl, mix well. Cover bowl and chill dressing for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Makes 1 ½ cups.

I used cayenne pepper in place of the paprika and it came out great.

Weekly To-Do

January 5, 2009 - January 11, 2009

HAVE TO DO:
[X] PAT (Monday)
[X] Grocery Store (Monday)
[X] Laundry
[X] Vacuum
[X] Dust
[ ] Go to License Bureau and get tags for boat trailer (Tuesday)
[X] Gather all documents needed for Housing into expandable folder (Wednesday)
[X] Pack for trip to KC (Thursday)
[ ] Pick up Chad in KC (Thursday)
[ ] Fort Riley to housing (Friday)
[ ] AT&T to turn phone back on and see about an upgrade (Friday)

NEED TO DO:
[/] Continue packing up areas of the house (Samuel's room-DONE, movies, laundry area, bathroom-DONE)
[X] Make poster for Chad's homecoming, hang balloons
[X] Go through kid's rooms and declutter toys

WANT TO DO:
[X] Work on scarf
[ ] Follow meal plan
[X] Finish The Shack
[X] Make mocha chip bread

Menu Plan Monday

January 5, 2009

Monday- Ham steak and au-gratin potatoes

Tuesday- Homemade pizza

Wednesday- Easy night

Thursday- Out of town (Chad home!!)

Friday- Stromboli (recipe to be shared on Friday)

Saturday- Taco Dip

Sunday- Country Pasta

Self-Discovery Journey

On MHH, one member is posting a question each day in order to better know yourself. I'll be sharing most of the questions here unless they are just too personal. I'm also recording them into my journal for 2009. Here are the first questions:

1. Name 5 things about your body that you like:

* Eyes
* Lips
* Breasts
* Neck
* Hands

2. Name 5 things about your personality that you like:

* Punctuality
* Stubbornness
* Empathy
* Honesty
* Logical thinking

3. Name 10 songs that make you want to sing along or get up and dance.

* Bad- Michael Jackson
* Baby Got Back- Sir Mix-A-Lot
* California Dreaming-
* Witchy Woman- Eagles
* Hotel California- Eagles
* Ice Ice Baby- Vanilla Ice
* Inside Out- Eve Six
* In the Still of the Night- The Temptations
* American Woman- Lenny Kravitz
* Hicktown- Jason Aldean

4. Name 10 songs that bring a tear to your eye.

* Just a Dream- Carrie Underwood
* Come Home Soon- SheDaisy
* Travelin Soldier- Dixie Chicks
* Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)- Dixie Chicks
* Bella Wood- Garth Brooks
* If You're Reading This- Tim McGraw
* What Hurts the Most- Rascal Flatts
* Stay- Sugarland
* When You're Gone- Avril Lavigne
* It's All Coming Back to Me Now- Celine Dion

Please feel free to share your thoughts on these questions in the comment section!!

Taco Dip

This is a favorite that I learned from my MIL and that we like very much!

8 oz. cream cheese, softened
8 oz. sour cream
1 pckg. taco seasoning

Mix together until well blended. Spread onto a platter or cookie sheet. You are going to be dipping chips into this so make sure you use something easy to dip into.

You can basically use any toppings you like. This is what we use:

shredded lettuce
diced green pepper
diced green onion
shredded taco cheese
taco sauce

Sprinkle these on top, usually I put the green pepper and onion on first, then the lettuce and the cheese last. Then top with the taco sauce in a spiral pattern. We use the tortilla strip chips at Walmart to eat with this. My MIL puts tomato on this but none of us like it so we leave it off.

Better Life Tip #1

On MHH in 2007 I believe, someone posted this list. I think they got it from a magazine but i'm not sure. Anyway, it's a list of 40 Better Life Tips and i'll be showcasing different tips at different times.

Today i'm going to talk about this one: "Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present."

I was talking to my mom earlier in the week about a book that she read called, The Shack. She was telling me about how in the book Jesus asked this man where he lived and the man replied that he knew where he lived. However, this wasn't what was meant by the question. What was meant was where did the man live, in the past, present, or future? The man lived alot in the past worrying about past mistakes and things that he should have done differently or wondering how things would be different if he had made different decisions. He also lived in the future worrying about what was to come and the road it would take to get there. I found this very familiar.

I am a person who has always tended to live in the past. I think about the past frequently and never really live in the present. I think about things I should have done or could have done but didn't. I think about how my life would be if I hadn't made certain decisions and where I would be now. I have a big problem letting go of the past and that is something I plan to work on this year. The past is the past and has already been lived and there's nothing I can do to change it, it's time to let it go!

I also, like the man mentioned above, live in the future. I constantly worry about what's coming or how a decision will affect the future. I worry so much about the past and the future that I don't live in the present at all. I don't allow myself the time to enjoy the moment i'm in, instead i'm thinking about what's next. This is another area I plan to work on this year. While I do feel that some worry and thought is necessary for the future, I don't think it should run anyone's life. Being able to live in the moment is something I want to strive for.

Where do you LIVE?

January Monthly Magic

Along with the goals for each month and the entire year of 2009, I like to use the Monthly Magic format that Ginger on MHH has set up. Each month has different things to help you stay organized. I don't follow all of the things on the list so i'm going to edit mine to reflect my own needs. You can find the entire lists at MHH.


Tracking Magic:

1. Get a calendar, a calendar that works for you, that you love. It can be a planner, single pages in your notebook, or a premade hang on the wall calendar. Now go through it one month at a time and write down ALL important events…even if they are not holidays…you will need to plan around them. Write down birthdays, anniversaries etc. Even if you do not celebrate them, it’s nice to know them. You can then wish people a happy birthday verbally or asked how they celebrated etc. (Done)

2. Go back through your calendar and put a seasonal sticker or draw a small symbol on Rudolph Days, GPD, and Turkey Day each month.

3. Now look just at January: Use a highlighter and highlight any events that you plan to celebrate or “do” something for. Create a mini “to do” list for each one. Use a single sheet of paper so you can see all of them at once but give each one its own little list. If you have four events (big or small) Divide the paper into four sections. Now you have an idea of WHAT you need to do in January!!! (Done)

Celebration Magic:

1. Buy all cards for the month and for Feb also…this will let us buy the month before for the rest of 2008. Sign, Address, and Stamp them. (Need 2 cards)

2. Any Major January Events? Birthday party? Make your party planner list now. (Chad comes home, move to new base/house)

Creative Magic:

1. Crafty: Pick a craft (maybe Valentine’s one or a Christmas 2009 gift) Buy or gather all your supplies. Set aside time each week to work on it. (Done- will be making a scarf)

2. Self Discovery: Start a Journal for 2009 focusing on self discovery. (Done)

3. Kids: Pick a family craft for the month or get party favors ready for Valentine’s Day.

Future Magic

1. Look ahead to February. Any events in the first seven days? If so those need to be planned now. (Chad's birthday)

2. January Rudolph Day:
*Update Christmas card list and all addresses
*Clean out notebook. (Done)
*Print new forms (Don't use forms)
*Update gift closet inventory (Done)

3. Year Round Christmas Prep: Make a craft list for the year. (Working on- i've made list just need to set deadlines)

2009 Goal List

I'm really not one of those resolution people. Making resolutions intimidates me and discourages me from actually accomplishing what I want to do. It feels like there's a time limit to complete a resolution, whereas with a goal, it can take all year to master or accomplish. So, I prefer goals.

Here are my 2009 goals thus far (definitely subject to more being added):

* Spend less time on electronics to include watching less TV and being online less. Remove the TV from the bedroom. Do crosswords at night, read books before bed or do couples yoga.

* Spend more time as a family doing things that make us happy (i.e. playing games, being outdoors, reading books, etc.).

* Work hard to make some friends after moving. Set up play dates for DD when possible, get to know some couples that DH and I could hang out with (BBQing, game nights, etc.).

* Work on my path to self discovery. Recognize my triggers for anger and work on techniques to minimalize my reactions. Work out a plan for yelling, for example every time I yell I have to put money in a jar or something to that effect. Same for kids. Find a way that I can really, truly relax and take some "me" time every now and then without feeling guilty for doing so. I need to take care of myself in order to better take care of others.

* Live more simply, spend less money. Budget and weigh decisions about whether we actually need something versus just want it. We have been pretty fortunate to just be able to buy whatever we have wanted or needed when we want to, but I want to work on putting more money into savings and cutting down on clutter and mess. If there isn't room for something it doesn't get purchased. This also includes Christmas 2009. I want to cut way back on gifts for the children and everyone else will be getting homemade items. I have already started my list of goods I hope to make, but won't start until early in the New Year, after our move and we are settled.

* Be more prepared when it comes to meals. Implement freezer cooking (after we purchase a freezer when we move) so we can just pull out and cook when needed. Also implement more veggies and fruits into our diets, lean meats and proteins. Basically a more balanced meal plan. This will also include always eating at the table together!

* Spend more time outdoors. We have a boat now so i'm pretty sure our summer will be spent on the lake and camping and such whenever we get the chance. DH and DS can go fishing together.

* Exercise to live healthy. I would love to find a yoga class and I think they offer one on the base we are moving to. After I have the baby this will be a big priority for me.

* Learn a new hobby every chance I get. From the research i've done about the base we'll be going to, it seems they offer several classes that I would love to take. I want to take these classes one at a time and give a few months between the classes to really practice and get skilled in the new hobby i've learned.

* Read more books, laugh more, play more, allow myself to let go and just be.