What I've Learned Wednesday

• Homemade is much better than store bought, even when you mess something up. I’ve learned how to make some of the essentials like pizza dough, pie crust, bread, spaghetti sauce, and pizza sauce. Now, I’m working on perfecting them and making different varieties. Although it’s work, it’s SO much more gratifying then opening the can/pkg I paid too much for at the store.

• LOVE THE ONE YOUR WITH with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul and all your strength! I know this is that way we should love God, but think about it. If we follow this for our relationship with our heavenly father, why not with the number 2 man on our list? That way, Satan will have no opportunity to find cracks in your relationship.

• By definition, insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.

• Matt doesn’t like Grandma’s pumpkin chocolate chip cookies; however he’ll eat two or three with a glass of milk before he’s done reminding you of that!

• The EAS is testing nationwide today for 30 seconds. This has never been done before. Do you think they know something is about to happen??

Fix it and forget it!

Last week I painted my nails a blueish purple. Actually, it is OPI blue Suzi Says Feng Shui mixed with Mary Kay Chocolate Spice (yes, that last bottle is an OLD one!) When I bought the blue, I thought that I would like it but it's TOO blue so I needed to fix it before wearing it.

As I was painting my nails, I thought about how I do this a lot; "fixing" things.

In middle school and high school I used to take out the hem because they were 'too short' and cut the bottoms open because they were 'too tight' and didn't fit over my shoes. In college I would make shorts and capris out of pants I'd grown weary of, long sleeves short, cut off turtle necks and sew on patches.

Within the last few years I've started 'fixing' with more than just scissors. I've been using my sewing machine, acquiring all sorts of fabrics and coordinating threads, and actually have more than one pair of good scissors. And yes, this DIY soul has actually taken in a few tutorials, not relying on just my own expertise any longer.

After repurposing a few clothes and making my own bag, I've learned that using the right tools with the right knowledge seems to make my 'fixes' easier, better, and more reliable.

It's sort of that with life too, isn't it?

Dinner Plans for this week:
Monday: cheesy buffalo chicken & veggies *Matt had seconds, and thirds! I won't dare call this a casserole E-V-E-R. that will be the end of his liking it.
Tuesday: lasagna roll-ups (but I'll be using lean ground beef and homemade sauce)
Wednesday: pizza (homemade dough)
Thursday: pumpkin crusted chicken, sweet potatoes and brussel sprouts
Friday: TBD / leftovers??
Saturday: out for a surprise birthday party!!

*It may still be too blue, by the way. The verdict's not in yet*

He's last minute; I'm year in advance

I LOVE CALENDARS!! Big ones, colorful ones, ones that go on the desk, hang on the fridge / wall, and ones that fit in my purse. I will definitely take a free one from the meat market and enjoy the ones Grandpa Koch gives to me. I have a Franklin Covey at work, I have an everyday one that I made on Snapfish, and 'we' have one that hangs on fridge. Last night, I even told Matt that it was a good idea for him to share his work calendar with me. Okay, I'll honest. I may actually have a calendar hording problem. BUT, I love calendars because they help me plan, remind me of important events, and provide us with opportunities for "free time."

Matt, on the other hand, is not a planner nor does he share my love of calendars. He's last minute and I'm year in advance. When we were first married, you can imagine he was overwhelmed by my great love of planning. "What is that pad of paper hanging on the fridge? Why do you keep printing out weekly schedules? And, can you please explain why you keep asking me what I want for dinner next week during Tuesday breakfast?"  Ha, oh it makes me laugh out loud thinking of this!

One great thing about "learning how to be married" is through bumps and bruises, we have met in the middle on lots of things, this 'planning issue' included. I've committed to speaking to him before putting something on the social calendar. He helps with the grocery list Saturday morning before our trip to the store. And, last night during my "you need to share" plea (maybe it was a whine), we agreed that Mon-Thurs is hectic enough without trying to add Friend Dinner Dates; those can be resevered for the weekend and written in my planner.

I do write down the meal plan and stick that on the fridge, but don't get bent out of shape if we end of up having Monday's dinner on Wednesday.

Here is this weeks Menu Plan: (yes, I'm aware it's Thursday, but I'll still share)

Monday: dinner with small group (sloppy joes... YUCK!)
Tuesday: mustard pork chops (Bon Appetite)
Wednesday: Cheesy Sour Cream chicken (SUPER easy and Matt actually likes it!)
Thursday: steaks, mashed potatoes, and green onions
Friday: dinner with friends
Saturday: wedding reception
And, here are my goals for this week with updates from the last list:
1. organize decorations to get ready for fall *the house looks great!
2. purchase pattern and start my Abby Tote *it is my new favorite bag!!
3. Find WGW leaders for January event
4. Find next book to read. Any suggestions?
6. Lunch with Helene & Mary to start our new bible study
7. Talk to Judy about quiting Lily's *this one is going to be tough, but it's definitely the right decision. I'm getting more involved with WGW and know that is where God wants me.


Oh, I know that this is already a LOOOOOOOOOOONG post, but just an update on exercising / working out. Amanda and I have found some awesome new work outs, that we're loving, on pinterest. Plus, we're still doing the Ripped in 30 with Jillian. I think I'm in the best shape of my life and loving it! I'm working on not getting bent out of shape when my body changes because of kids; that might take a lot of coaching.

What I’ve Learned Wednesday

I’m taking a cue from some of the other blogs I read and creating a WILW schedule, I hope. I’ve learned so much since becoming a wife and turning 30 that I don’t want to forget it. Also, someday I hope that I my failures / mistakes and praises / triumphs can help others. Mainly I’d like to help the girls that I don’t have, but that’s a whole other ‘schedule.’

•  save, Save, SAVE!! The earlier you learn this lesson, the more financial freedom you will have. 
• Live each day as your last. No really… I mean it. If you keep a mindset of ‘any day now’ you’ll love more, argue less, and look at the world differently than those around you. We weren’t meant for this world anyways. Remember, it is nothing compared to what heaven will be like. 

• Grandma Reeher’s ruby ring wasn’t real, but she wore it every day. My parents gave it to me for my 31st birthday. So now, so will I. 

• Speaking of Grandma Reeher, no matter what my mom says she was pretty neat. She was a whiz in the kitchen: cooking up a storm, baking the best brownies, making pies from the berries she picked in the backyard at the lake. She was completely domestic! She may have only been 4 foot nothing but she was special. I wish that I would have learned more from her before she passed away. 
• Act on those feelings inside of you, even if it feels funny. Chances are God has a blessing for you in them.
• Don’t hold back an ‘I love you squeeze’ or holding hands in church because ‘he doesn’t like that.’ You’d be surprised at how your man reacts to your slightest touch.

•  Don’t play with your ring! You may just lose it at work, freak out for a short second, and contemplate asking your boss to come to your cube to ‘help you look.’ Then, on your way to his office, realize it fell in your cardigan pocket and look foolish just standing in his doorway.

 

Fall Decorations

I have the day off today and finally figured out how to get my crappy cell phone pictures uploaded and on the blog. Hopefully I'll get a new phone soon!

Here are mall fall decorations. Again, please forgive the crappy photos and the funny background / home decor. Other than changing the mantle (not the picture), the piano, and the table I'm somewhat limited.

Enjoy!

And, decause these two are so cute and my two favorite guys, and because they both just celebrated birthdays (George turned 4 last Tuesday and Matt's birthday is today), here's one of my favorite pictures of them. We were getting ready for the OSU v U of M game last yearl!

 

Need more time...

Okay, so I definitely didn't get to #10 on my "to do" list last week, but I felt like it was a successful week non-the-less.

I've been cheering one of my bestest friends on, via texts, in her endeavor of qualifying for golf. I'm not entirely sure where she's ranked or if she's going to make "pro" status by doing this, but I'm cheering and praying her on! She's been on my strongest rocks since God made us friends. I'm not entirely sure that I could do 'life' without her.

Westgate Women has also been gaining momentum. My co-lead and I have very similar ideas, with lots of head nods and "oh yeahs" during our conversations that it's not a coincidence. God is doing amazing things in our church and in our lives.

Again, if I could just back into the swing of I'd be a happy camper. Our house isn't messy to most standards, but the OCD in me is on high-alert because my drawers need special attention. I feel like we need to spring clean even though I did that just a few months ago. I have a plan of how I'm going to rearrange the kitchen cabinets, yet I haven't been able to do it yet. Again, that OCD thing is sort of driving me crazy lately.

So, since I'm killing time before 'quittin' time' I'm going to again take a queue from Mandy and do this week's partial meal plan and goals. Here we go:
Menu Plans this week:
Tuesday: Cheesy Sour Cream chicken, homemade mac & cheese, and steamed veggies
Wednesday: leftovers from the weekend
Thursday: lamb chops, mashed potatoes, and asparagus
Friday: homemade pizza with chicken feta sausage, Alfredo sauce, and artichokes on the Big Green Egg (best pizza ever) *this didn't happen last week so I'm hoping that it will this Friday
Saturday: dinner at friends
Here are my goals for this week. Some I didn't get to from last week, some are in continuation of the ones I did last week, some are just plain needed:
1. organize decorations to get ready for fall
2. organize dresser drawers
3. purchase pattern and start my Abby Tote
4. catch up with Helene / pray for her
5. finish Created to Be His Helpmeet and find next book to read
6. save $50 spending fast! (don't spend money until Saturday)
7. start "the morning efficiency project" - this will help me be more effective in the a.m. before work.

Okay... it's 1 minutes past quittin' time. I'm outta here!

Weekly Menu and Goals

Hi all! We've been enjoying the nice weather, gone on a few trips, and been super busy the last month. I can't believe how time flies!!

Two very fun things to update you on is that I now have finished my first month at two jobs and, with a few bumps, it's going well. I had to cut down my availability so that I didn't overlook my household duties or so that Matt & George feel my absence as much. Like I said, a few bumps but work in progress. I also  accepted a volunteer leadership position at church and couldn't be MORE psyched about it. Me and another gal, who I knew in college, are co-leading the women's ministry at church!! Seriously, I am tickled pink and loving every minute of it so far. We have a lot of work to do, with restructuring a few things and a big kickoff for something new scheduled in January. Oh, it's going to be awesome!! God is doing some amazing stuff at Westgate and I'm so blessed to be a part of it.

Okay, now if I could just back into the swing of blogging. To start things off, I'm taking a queue from Mandy at Biblical Homemaking and will do this week's meal plan and goals. Here we go:


Menu Plans this week:
Monday: Wanchai Ferry Kung Pao Chicken *we have Young Marrieds and I didn't prepare, so we need something quick and simple. I know... FAIL!
Tuesday: Paula Deen's lots o'meat lasagna with my homemade sauce, steamed veggies, and Janelle's cheesy garlic bread *this meal is a big deal to me. Matt didn't really like pasta when we first got married [WHAT!?!?], but I'm slowly turning him to the light*

Wednesday: TBD - any ideas??
Thursday night is STEAK NIGHT! I love MEExton Steak Nights :c) *Friend's may be coming over to enjoy in the gourmet cooking*
Friday: homemade pizza with chicken feta sausage, Alfredo sauce, and artichokes on the Big Green Egg (best pizza ever)
Saturday: dinner at St. Catherine's festival with friends. *have I ever mentioned that we live next to a Catholic church? This is the craziest weekend in our neighborhood.

And, here are my top 10 goals for this week:
1. workout everyday, including the weekends!
2. organize decorations to get ready for fall
3. purchase pattern and start my Abby Tote
4. purchase card for my camera so I can start living up this blog!
5. make Matt's fav cookies, pizza dough, pie crust
6. catch up with Helene
7. finish Created to Be His Helpmeet and find next book to read
8. save $50
9. start "the morning efficiency project" - this will help me be more effective in the a.m. before work.
10. blog one more time before Friday

happy Monday all!!