The Motivation Station

IT'S GITTING TIME

2012-01-28T05:16:00.001-05:00

The idea of a GIT Challenge is to play catch up with whatever we need to get done. Just leave a comment saying you'll play along, minimize this post so you can easily come back to it throughout the day, stop what you are doing (meaning get off the computer and stop procrastinating!), take an hour right now to catch up on things you need to do and work as fast as you can!

Come back every hour or two and leave a comment with your progress. Check out what other participants have accomplished - all in the comment section, no blog hopping necessary. After updating, get back to work for another hour or so until you're done for the day. We always accomplish so much during these challenges!

Jump in anytime, there's no special time to start or finish. It's fun working together - join us!

Thursdays With Linda

2012-01-26T11:56:00.001-05:00

In between all the decluttering for Martha’s 100 Challenge; We took a moment to celebrate a Milestone at our House…

Son2 turned 18 on Wednesday…

He now has a busy year ahead of him: learning to drive, graduating high school, getting a job, buying a car, starting college and learning how to play his new electric keyboard… he already knows how to play the drums, son1 plays the guitar and now wants to learn to play the keyboard and son3 wants to learn how to play the guitar…

And speaking of son3, he got a Perfect Attendance Award at school this past week…

What’s happening at your house… Please Brag about it in the comment section…

Happy January…

Update to Goals - Mid Week Check In

2012-01-25T11:30:00.018-05:00

Charley playing at our local park.

Happy Wednesday and today, I would like to share a Mid-Week Check In on progress to goals, as this helps keeps me accountable and motivated. (Hopefully it does for you too.)

Health and Fitness Goals- I have been going to the gym for Zumba two to three times a week. I was sidelined last week by a bad cold/bronchitis. Today, in addition to Zumba, I am taking a two mile hike with my cousin this afternoon. In addition to our glutes getting a good workout, our spirits do too, as we always have a nice chat.

I have scheduled my biometric screening for our health insurance, just had the annual "boob tortilla press" aka mammogram, my well woman check with oil change and tire rotation, with eye exam coming up next. The jokes about this flow easily for me with my black clinical sense of humor, but after acting as a "surrogate sister" for a dear friend during her recent lumpectomy, and now pending radiation treatment, I do take screening very seriously. DENIAL is the most deadly disease of all.

One objective our family really needs to work on is, improving our diets. It's a challenge with teenagers.

Decluttering Challenge- I have pitched, donated, or recycled approximately 575 items with lots more planned. Our youngest son and I went through his clothes, and organized his closet and drawers. I have to do the same with my oldest son, who did give me 6 clothing items to pass down to his brother or donate, when he got new jeans and shirt for school.

I also cleaned out my refrigerator, and probably some new strains of bacteria too, when I tossed over 36 bottles and jars of CONDIMENTS. Next, in the kitchen zone to tackle, are the kitchen and garage pantries. We have been cooking up freezer and pantry items too, which reduces cost and clutter!

Thank you for your support, motivation, and knowledge, in helping me accomplish my goals, one step, one piece of paper, one pair of outgrown jeans, at a time.

I try to foster an attitude of appreciation, to recognize the incredible abundance, (overload perhaps?), that these tasks represent. My cup runneth over, and I am reminded of a quote by Erma Bombeck about how dirty dishes meant the family is well fed.

Please let me know how you are doing this week towards all your goals, and again, thank you very much.

Motivation Monday - 100 Things Challenge

2012-01-23T05:20:00.000-05:00

Here it is Monday again!

I will say one thing - the hardest part is getting started. Once we take that step to start something it becomes easier immediately. This rule works with cleaning, decluttering, exercising, or any other changes we want to make or things that need to be done.

When I started my goal to to get rid of 100 things this month I imagined so much work to accomplish it, but once I got started I've had no problem getting rid of at least 100 things a week if not more.

Take the first step if you haven't already. Do you have a junk drawer? If so, start there, you will be amazed at just how many items you can toss just from that one little drawer!

How many things can you part with this week?

Wishing you a Motivated Monday and a great week!

R & R for Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

2012-01-22T05:48:00.000-05:00

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity... It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Melody Beattie

R and R tip # 85: Reduce stress with a spirit of gratitude

In todays world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress of some kind. Many find it increasingly difficult and seek relief for their problems through any remedy they can find. Too often we think it is an unavoidable part of living in the world. We carry it around like a hiker trudging out of the Grand Canyon with a huge pack on his pack. The pack seems to be a part of his own weight and he can't eve remember what it was like not to be carrying it. Only when he stops to rest for a moment and takes off his pack does he realize just how heavy it really is.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all we had to do to get rid of the stress in our lives was to rest a moment and take off those loads that we carry around with us every day. I've found that a very simple way to counteract stress is to take a moment and count my blessings. When we are thinking about all the good things in our lives, the burdens of the day seem to fade away.

People tend to take for granted the good that is already present in their lives, but if we take the time to think about them there are always many blessings in each day. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that you receive. It means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present

Giving thanks daily can result in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy.

Practicing gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25% and those who practice gratitude tend to be more creative, bounce back more quickly from adversity, have a stronger immune system, and have stronger social relationships than those who don’t practice gratitude

The act of gratitude is a powerful thing. Count your blessings. Make a list of everything you're grateful for and keep it handy for your next load of stress. Reduce the weight and feel light and free without it. Be thankful. Praise always brings freedom not only for ourselves, but for those around us as well.

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

IT'S GITTING TIME

2012-01-21T05:14:00.002-05:00

Jump in anytime, there's no special time to start or finish. It's fun working together - join us!

Thursdays With Linda

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-05:00

I am loving Martha’s 100 Thing Challenge…

I have tossed another 338 items bringing my total to 519…

The first three pictures are before pictures of areas I have been working on…

9 items were removed in the above picture: 1 diorama, 1 decorated valentine box for school, 1 gift packaging, 1 gift envelope from the mail, 1 empty box of dinosaur valentines, 3 shoe boxes… all items into the recyclable bin and 1 shirt into the Goodwill… Various items also got put away and the mending was done…

From the above two drawers: 106 pieces of paper trash was put in recyclable and 57 greeting cards, 17 notepads, 121 envelopes, 2 organizers, and 3 calculators went into the Goodwill…

Also 4 plates from the kitchen went into the Goodwill…

Wow there was a dresser under there… Still lots of drawers to go through too…

In this drawer is all my greeting cards that were in several boxes now all in one place…

And this drawer is almost empty with just a couple of mailing envelopes and Christmas cards for next year that I got for 50% off this year…

By cleaning up these couple of areas I was inspired to cut some roses to put on the dresser…

And write all the Birthday and Anniversary cards for January and February, write out my Thank You cards from Christmas and write a couple of letters to put in the cards by long hand…

Happy January…

Cookies 'N Cream Ice Cream "Cake"

2012-01-18T11:34:00.025-05:00

Our family hosted our son's friend's 17th birthday party recently, and the Birthday Boy requested "Cookies and Cream Ice Cream", instead of cake for his celebration. I hope you enjoy my spin of this festive treat for a special young man.

Ingredients- (for approximately 16 teenaged sized servings)

-Half gallon Each, of Softened Vanilla, and Cookies and Cream Ice Cream

-1 package of Oreos, or your favorite cookie, smashed into smallish chunks with the assistance of a ziplock bag and rolling pin. A clean wooden mallet may also be used.

-Whipping Cream to serve

To Prepare-

1.Leave ice cream out to soften as appropriate for your climate, don't let it get too runny.

2. Spoon and spread the Cookies and Cream ice cream in the bottom of a glass or clear dish or bowl, to approximately 2 inches depth. I found the bottom of a soup ladle worked best to smooth the ice cream evenly, better than a spatula and spoon.

3. Generously sprinkle a layer of the crushed cookies, (about half the package), on top of the ice cream.

4. Next, spread a 2 inch layer of vanilla ice cream over the cookies, then sprinkle remaining crumbled cookies.

5. Place an additional scoop of ice cream on top, serve with whipped cream, nuts, sprinkles, etc.

This recipe can be changed for all sorts of delicious combinations, strawberry ice cream with vanilla wafers and berries, chocolate ice cream with chocolate chip cookies,...

What are your favorite flavor combinations for sweets? Or are you a Salty snacker?

Thank you so much!

Motivation Monday

2012-01-16T07:35:00.003-05:00

This week Motivation Monday caught me by surprise. I've been sick and having a three day weekend I just suddenly remembered today is Monday not Sunday, good thing I get up early!

As far as our "Get Rid of 100 Things Challenge", I was already above and beyond last week. How are you doing? Have you reached 100? No worries, there's still half the month left if you haven't started yet!

This week I haven't had any major progress, although I did sit down yesterday and go through a box of paperwork - shredded most, probably another 500 items added to the list if we count each one - or counted as only one since it was one box, but the time it took deserves more credit than one item don't you think? You know how that is!

This week I'm going to ask for motivation from you to help me decorate the beach house over at Minimalist in the Making. Here are links to the three decorating ideas I've been thinking about - Beachy, Nautical or Colorful Tropical and here is the house as it looks now. I'd love your opinions.

Getting the rental home decorated will be fun and will also enable me to let go of all kinds of things I've been holding on to not knowing if I would be using them or not. This will be yet another huge decluttering step in my recent adventures!

Wishing you a Motivated Monday!

R & R for Sunday, January 15th, 2012

2012-01-15T06:58:00.000-05:00

Sundays, quiet islands on the tossing seas of life.

S.W. Duffield

R and R Tip #84: Rest assured, you too can be clutter free

I've been deep cleaning around the house lately: donating old clothes and getting rid of any extras that have been unused for sometime. In order to create ease with our daily routine, I’ve been simplifying my home and life.

Beyond physical clutter, most of us carry accumulated stuff with us each day – mentally. The new year is a good time to start getting rid of those extras too.

Sometimes we need to free our minds from the devils, hurry, worry and fear, in order to relax and live our lives to the fullest. We crowd our mind with extras each day with harmful self talks, incessant worrying, attention comprising multi-tasking, and unnecessary busyness that can muffle the simplicity we could be experiencing right now.

When you mind is clutter free, you can sharpen your focus on the things you need to do. It's important to reduce the mind clutter or you may not get anything done. I've found few ways to organize the clutter of my mind and maximize the use of my time to what’s really important to me. Try to free yourself from stress, relax and...

Take a walk or exercise. Step outside and walk, freeing your mind of any problems. Don’t think about where you’re going, just let your feet take you there as you enjoy the scenery.

Go near or in water. You can lie by the pool or walk by the beach, take a hot bath, or even soak your feet in a foot bath. Water has a calming effect. Be consumed by it and try to relax. Taking a hot bath can help loosen your muscles and soothe you, especially if you put on some music and place candles around you. Foot baths can also work; add some flowers, like lavender petals, and relax. Take this time to pamper yourself and do not rush, or you will become more agitated.

Listen to some music. Put on some relaxing music, or your favorite songs, and simply sit in a chair listening to them. Do not start working; do not start cooking; just let your mind get swept away by the message and tune you are listening to.

Free you mind and the rest will follow

Just as with our physical world, we can begin to organize our inner environment by creating space. We can begin to feel the simplicity of living each moment as it is meant to be. We can freely bask in the awareness of being alive and our lives will be happier and lighter

Being clutter free is essential to minds as well as our homes.

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

'ma'

IT'S GITTING TIME

2012-01-14T05:13:00.001-05:00

Jump in anytime, there's no special time to start or finish. It's fun working together - join us!

Thursdays With Linda

2012-01-12T13:23:00.001-05:00

Hello Everybody!

I am Back… Sorry about missing you all last week…

The laptop and I both had a few medical issues that we had to attend to… The laptop had to have windows completely reinstalled and reformatted… On Tuesday Hubby took care of that and I spent eight hours yesterday updating Windows back to 2012… And last week I spent a couple of days at Kaiser attending to several doctor appointments… Mostly routine and a couple still pending with more visits to come… I have still been having trouble with my neck since the car accident last summer and then this past month I have been having pain and muscle spams in my right arm… So far the XRay has shown that I have a degenerative spine (arthritis in my neck)… Next will be an MRI to see if any discs are pinching the nerves…

I am using the 2011 Live Writer, so fancy. that I now have since updating the computer… Picture loading is a little different so will see how this looks once it posts…

We are 11 Days into the 2012 New Year… Seems longer but not even two weeks yet… Making me feel very accomplished…

And crossing two items off my New Years Resolution List already…

Lose Fifteen Pounds
Paint the Inside of the House
Keep in Better Touch with Friends and Family
Plan More Dates with Hubby
Clean up the Laundry Room
Clean up the Master Bedroom
Declutter the House One Drawer/Room at a Time
Clean out the Garage
Sort out the Boy’s Baby Storage Tubs
Sort through all my Cards and Letters
Update all the Filing and Finances
~~Make and Attend Doctor Appointments~~
~~Feel Accomplished~~

I have also been working on Martha’s 100 item challenge…

I pulled all the DVD’s out of the entertainment center…

Hubby pulled all the VHS out of this bookcase…

Hubby and Son2 sorted all the DVD’s into categories…

After we sorted through all the VHS, 104 VHS went into the Goodwill bag and 31 DVD went too…

DVD’s back into the Entertainment Center by categories…

VHS now in the entertainment center as we don’t watch them as much… and they are slowly being replaced by DVD’s… DVD’s on the side panel by category…

DVD’s now in the bookcase by categories as they are smaller allowing more to fit and be more visible when deciding what to watch…

I also cleaned out the magazines and catalogs from the Christmas season… Total of 21 into the recyclable bin…

After photo of the magazine basket…

I also put 13 coffee mugs, 6 candle holders and 3 misc. items into the Goodwill bag… And 2 broken mugs and 1 toaster oven into the recyclable bin…

Bringing my total to.181 items purged for the challenge…

Now does the 1 toaster oven count as we brought a new toaster oven in… I’m loving my new toaster oven that we got for Christmas… Larger than our old one with many more features… It’s able to hold two loaf pans for making pumpkin bread… My requirement when we were shopping…

I’m also able to report at this time that hubby has taken down and put away all Christmas Decorations inside and outside…

How is your January going so far… Please share as we love hearing from you…

Happy January…

Virtual Closet Clean Out

2012-01-11T08:11:00.001-05:00

In addition to actual drawers and closets, I have also been cleaning up my "virtual closet", aka my Email folders and Inbox.

I spent over an hour deleting outdated and unneeded mail, thousands of emails. It's amazing how email is full of junk mail, that isn't even Spam.

I have been unsubscribing from all unwanted emails, to help stop the flow into my inbox.

I am also practicing the immediate delete, if I don't need to save an email or act on it, then off to the trash/recycle bin it goes.

What real life tools and tips do you use to help reduce virtual overload?

Thank you so much.

Photo of "Flying Spam" from Broad Contemporary Art Museum, Los Angeles, CA.

Guest Post

2012-01-10T09:00:00.004-05:00

Chris from RunHundred.com brings us the top 10 workout songs for winter. Go ahead and sample a few. Let's get motivated to get moving!

Introducing Chris Lawhorn...

Traditionally, winter is the time of year when folks find it hardest to get out and exercise. In the hopes of keeping folks motivated, readers from RunHundred.com--the web's most heavily-trafficked workout music blog--were polled regarding their favorite, current workout songs. The resulting top 10 list has a little of what you'd expect—and a little you might not. Flo Rida, who's no stranger to this list, shows up in two recent tracks. Enrique Iglesias continues his transition from balladeer to club rocker. And Kelly Clarkson, after faltering with the first single off her new album, bounced back ferociously with the second.

As for surprises, they're mostly entries from folks relatively new on the dance scene. Highlights include songs from Tim Berg (who remixed his own track under his Avicii moniker), Skrillex (whose collaboration with Kaskade is the first dubstep track ever the make the Top 10), and Wolfgang Gartner (who's made the chart with a little help from the Black Eyed Peas' Will.I.Am).

Here's the full list:

Tim Berg - Seek Bromance (Avicii Vocal Edit) - 127 BPM

Katy Perry - The One That Got Away - 135 BPM

Alexandra Stan - Mr. Saxobeat (Maan Studio Remix) - 126 BPM

Flo Rida - Good Feeling - 129 BPM

Wolfgang Gartner & Will.I.Am - Forever - 128 BPM

Hot Chelle Rae - Tonight Tonight (Goldstein Remix) - 118 BPM

Taio Cruz & Flo Rida - Hangover - 129 BPM

Enrique Iglesias, Pitbull & The WAV.s - I Like How It Feels - 129 BPM

Kaskade & Skrillex - Lick It - 128 BPM

Kelly Clarkson - What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger) - 117 BPM

To find more workout songs--and hear next month's contenders--folks can check out the free database at RunHundred.com. Visitors can browse the song selections there by genre, tempo, and era--to find the music that best fits with their particular workout routine.

Contact:
Chris Lawhorn
Run Hundred
http://www.RunHundred.com

Motivation Monday - 100 Things Challenge

2012-01-09T05:00:00.002-05:00

The first week of the "Get Rid of 100 Things Challenge" has come to an end. Don't worry if you haven't been playing along or haven't accomplished it yet, this challenge is for the entire month of January. There are still 3 weeks left to accomplish the mission!

I'm proud to say that I have gone above and beyond already. During the first few days I took well over 100 items to Goodwill - they were mostly the boys outgrown clothes, games and books that they no longer wanted, one box filled with throw pillows, several sets of sheets for a full size bed that we no longer have, and another box was just filled with miscellaneous items.

I've been so bad lately about taking photos of my progress. Once I start working I am going on high speed, I just don't think about it, and even if I did I just couldn't take the time to photograph each and every item (sorry Lydia). Someday when I have things a little more under control I will join 365 Less Things and then I will photograph everything leaving my home. Right now I just want the massive amounts of stuff out!

I do have one comparison photo to show from this week - a before and after at our vacation rental home. Mostly things were just moved around but I can guarantee at least another 10-20 items down for the challenge that went in the garbage or recycling...

A little decorating, a little more furniture exchanging, cleaning out the storage area, and we'll finally be ready for our first vacation renters!

I would love to hear about your progress this week. Wishing you a Motivated Monday!

R & R for Sunday, January 8th, 2012

2012-01-08T07:59:00.000-05:00

Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect.

Rob Reiner

R and R Tip # 83: Relax and Let Go

Do you remember learning to float? The moment I chose to challenge my fear, truly relax, and let go was when I began to float.

Sometimes you wonder how you are going to cope as demands continue to increases and you do not know where to start. Chaos leads to anxiety and overwhelm. And then you can not think clearly and panic sets in. And before you know it, more demands are piling up and you feel that you are sinking, maybe even drowning.

So you struggle to desperately paddle and kick with all your mights so you can stay afloat and not sink. The harder you kick, the more tired you get, and the more desperate the whole situation gets.

There is no need for kicking and screaming, it does not get you anywhere except to further tire you out.

Force yourself to pause, stop, and just be. Even if it’s just for a few moments, inside that calm space, beyond all your should's, to-do's and what-if's, where you can gather your thoughts, your strength, your senses, your priorities and your purpose. Inside stillness is a place in which you can float, chill out and hear yourself. You likely already know what you need and what comes next. Let yourself float and listen.

See and love each moment instead of what’s up ahead or behind. Stay right where you are and embrace the bright side, the upside, the half full, the wonder. Let go the weight of negativity. You are where you are. Love what you have and who you are. The rest will come.

Be ready to float for a while so that you can catch your breath and see where the ripples of life are leading you.

When you let go and create space, you become lighter, and you can stay afloat with your challenges, worries and pressures.

Enjoy the float, relax and let go, it will be the pause that refreshes you today, tomorrow and all through the year!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

'ma'

IT'S GITTING TIME

2012-01-07T05:11:00.004-05:00

Jump in anytime, there's no special time to start or finish. It's fun working together - join us!

Happy ChrisMess - Decluttering Challenge

2012-01-04T11:55:00.010-05:00

This is my office. This is my office at the holidaze. Any questions?

Welcome to my ChrisMess.

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, you have to make a mess to straighten things up, like the rats nest of wires and dust bunnies den, for my various peripherals, and voila, new computer!

Before-

After-

I have been participating in MarthaM's decluttering challenge for the New Year, and I am well over 300+ items that have been put into the recycling, pitch, or donate pile. And I still have a lot more to clean up in my office.

I am also gathering my old and broken electronics including a printer, cell phones, and hard drives, (erased with the aid of strong rare earth magnet, available at hardware stores), for an electronics recycling round up this weekend.

How is your mess coming along? Thank you so much!

*Motivation Monday - New Challenges for 2012!

2012-01-02T05:00:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year to all!

I don't make New Year's resolutions but do love to look at the New Year as a fresh start. I have many things I'd like to accomplish this year and lots of changes ahead.

This year for Motivation Monday I'll be bringing you a new challenge the first Monday of each month. I hope you'll join me!

For the month of January - Get Rid of 100 Things Challenge!

Unlike the original 100 Things Challenge to get rid of everything we own other than 100 things we will start much smaller - how about a challenge to get rid of 100 things in the month of January?

It doesn't matter if you donate, sell, giveaway, throw in the garbage, or recycling - the goal is just to get 100 things out of your home no matter how big or small.

I will update you with my progress on Mondays throughout the month. Will you join me? It's more fun if we work as a team - together we can do it!

Wishing you a Motivated Monday and a Happy New Year!

*Also posted at Minimalist in the Making

R & R for Sunday, January 1st, 2012

2012-01-01T08:10:00.000-05:00

Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits

Anonymous

R AND R TIP # 82: A resolution that will make this year the best ever!

The beginning of every year brings in new hope and enthusiasm. We look forward to a new beginning and hope things to improve from the last year. We like to forget about our pasts and its daunting memories and wish for a new start.

If you are feeling compelled to do so much that you are physically worn out, remember, you have to come apart from a busy routine before you come apart yourself. You have to get away from everything before you come apart physically, mentally, and emotionally. Give yourself time to get a good night’s sleep.

It is tempting to do everything that everybody else is doing, be involved in everything, know everything, hear everything, and be everywhere, but it isn’t what is best for you.

Be willing to separate yourself from compulsive activity before you come apart at the seams. Life is not meant to be a frenzied, desperate attempt to win acceptance by our performance.

Being content with who you are and what you have is one of the greatest ways to reduce stress that I've ever known.

Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right

Oprah Winfrey

Make deliberate choices about how you spend your time, so that you can have a balanced lifestyle. If you often feel stressed or hurried, this may be a good sign that you need some help with managing your lifestyle. A balanced lifestyle means having the time to choose doing the things you enjoy, rather than the things that you have to do!

Take the time to enjoy and do what matters most to you! It’s a New Year’s Resolution that you CAN keep.

Keeping this New Year’s Resolution could make a huge influence in your life in a positive way which will surely make your new year that much better.

Enjoy your family, your home, and yourself today.

Happy New Year!

Love, Live, Laugh and Be Happy!

'ma'

FROM US HERE AT THE MOTIVATION STATION

2011-12-31T00:34:00.001-05:00

A Giveaway!

2011-12-30T07:52:00.002-05:00

Head over to Minimalist in the Making before 3pm New Year's Day for your chance to win!

Question of the Week

2011-12-29T05:00:00.000-05:00

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential. - Ellen Goodman

What are your New Year Resolutions… And/Or, Reflect on 2011 and Share your Accomplishments…

My New Year Resolutions:

Lose Fifteen Pounds
Paint the Inside of the House
Keep in Better Touch with Friends and Family
Plan More Dates with Hubby
Clean up the Laundry Room
Clean up the Master Bedroom
Declutter the House One Drawer/Room at a Time
Clean out the Garage
Sort out the Boy’s Baby Storage Tubs
Sort through all my Cards and Letters
Update all the Filing and Finances
Make and Attend Doctor Appointments
Feel Accomplished

Happy New Year…

Green Christmas

2011-12-28T11:30:00.009-05:00

Happy New Year's, Festivus, Kwanzaa, and Winter Solstice too!

One of my goals over the holidays is to reduce the environmental impact of our merrymaking. We are avid recyclers at our house, as we divert over 75% of our household trash into recycling or composting. It is really helpful that our trash service provides unlimited pick up of unsorted recyclables and yard waste.
The disposal company also replaced our 96 gallon trash can, that was rarely more than 1/3 or 1/2 full, with a 35 gallon can. We received a 20% discount from our bill too, a very nice present anytime of year, :oD.

Some other things I did to have a "Greener" Christmas included shopping at thrift stores for books and kitchenware, reusing gift bags, boxes, and bows, and sending gift cards via email. We are also transitioning to LED holiday lights which are more energy efficient, and we always turn off our Christmas lights nightly.

We have an artificial tree now, but before we had real trees at Christmas, that we recycled by cutting up the branches and trunk, to put in our yard waste barrel. We used to keep a section of the trunk for our yule log for the following year, but that tradition went by the wayside, along with the real tree and wood burning fireplace, now converted to piped gas.

A lesson we try to teach our children at the holidays and throughout the year, is one of caring and kindness. This not only extends to each other, friends, family, neighbors, and the less fortunate, but to our home and world we share.

Thank you so much and wishing you a Wonderful New Years with much Health and Happiness to you and yours!

BEEF BARLEY PASTA SOUP

2011-12-27T10:37:00.000-05:00

It's cold over most of the country today and I thought you might like some soup to warm you up.

3 tablespoons butter
1 pound stew meat, in 1/2 inch pieces
flour
1 large carrot, diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
3 teaspoons minced garlic
½ teaspoon oregano
1/2 cup barley
1 cup pasta
1 cup White Grenache Wine
1-28 ounce cans Contadina crushed tomatoes
4-14 ounce cans beef broth*
salt and pepper to taste

Over low heat melt the butter.
Stir in carrots and saute until soft.
Add onions and garlic sauteing until fragrant.
Dredge beef pieces in flour.
Add beef to pan and saute' until beef pieces are browned.
Add the wine and simmer 10-15 minutes.
Add the tomatoes and broth. Stir well and simmer 1 hour or more.
Add the barley during the last hour and simmer slow.
Add the pasta during the last 15 minutes.
Enjoy with some fresh baked crusty bread.

*or make your own with 4 1/2 cups hot water and 3 teaspoons vegetable or beef bouillon.