Miss Know It All

Once my sister-in-law gave me a compliment......she was thanking me and said "Sara, you know everything." Oh, doesn't that give one warm fuzzies! I'm so smart!

But then I got worried....maybe people think I'm a "little miss know it all." I finally stopped worrying about it......cause I know I'm not...I just love to share the things I do know, or things I have learned through experience. Everything doesn't work for everyone, that's for sure. Ask my siblings, sometimes I give my opinion or "advice" when it isn't wanted or needed.....that is probably where the weakness lies ;)

Then I started to get worried, I don't take time for learning in my life. Since I graduated from UMass Boston in 2004, besides continuing education which is mandatory for my licence, I haven't tried to learn anything. After chewing on that thought, it occurred to me.....in the last 5 years I HAVE learned a lot.

I know I've increased what I know about my religion.

I taught myself to sew.

I've taught myself to shop

I've learned to be more frugal through several methods

I've learned to preserve food

I've learned to garden

I've learned to care for my child

I'm still learning to be a better wife....kind of slow on that one :)

I've learned to cook different things

I've learned how to be a Critical Care Nurse

The list could go on and on. I felt better after I started listing things....because I realized I'm not just a bump on a log.....I have continued to learn and I've enjoyed doing it. I hope I can continue to learn for the rest of my life, and I hope I'll always be humble enough to admit when I need to learn something or learn it better.

One thing I may never learn.....Calculus.....call it pride, or a recognition that I'll never need to know it.......whatever. I can still titrate a highly potent analgesic drug or vasoactive medicated drip and not kill someone......and never know Calculus!

Happy Learning!

Toddlers, Winter Wonderland, and other Randomness

This morning we woke up to a winter wonderland. How fun. Before the day got started, we came down stairs, turned on the Christmas tree lights, opened the curtains, and listened to Snow (see below for the movie version).

Speaking of Jacob and music. He loves listening to "songs." He has his favorites. Snow ---White Christmas, Going on a Bear Hunt --- SteveSongs, On a Flying Guitar ---- SteveSongs. And if it were up to him, we would listen to these songs constantly. Thankfully he can be appeased by telling him it all over and another song is coming on. At the end of a song you'll quite often find him clapping and shouting...."GOOD SONG!"

I've been sewing a bit so far this week. I made 2 skirts......I'm using them instead of wearing PJ's at home all day....a skirt is even more comfy. I used this super easy tutorial. Although I wouldn't wear these out and about...they are perfect and modest for lounging around the house....and NOT scaring the neighbors when they come knocking on the door. One of the skirts I made, I used a Maxi dress I picked up on super clearance this fall. I just cut off the bottom part and made it into a skirt. Easy Peasy! Yes, that is one I'm wearing above.

I'm also sewing the bedding for our baby's crib. I'm going slow, since it is probably the most detailed/big project I've done, and I have some super nice fabric....I'm so scared to ruin it! But so far so good. I'll post pictures when I'm all done.

Jacob has been staying up late because he keeps getting hungry between 8-9:30 at night. He must be heading into a growth spurt. It isn't like I don't feed him, but he doesn't eat well for me, only his dad. So if John isn't home for dinner.....it tends to be a long night. This morning he woke up before he had enough sleep because he was so hungry.....so he is back in bed for some quiet time...I couldn't stand the whining any more.

But he seems to be doing better, so I'd better go get him. We'll be staying home today doing housework and sewing. Have a wonderful day!

Quiet Day at Home!

p.s. Macy's sale starts today. Not sure how great it will be, but I may check it out...armed with my $10/$25 coupon of course.

Is It The Recession or Have I Just Become Cheap?

I mean....THRIFTY.

So, I don't do Black Friday shopping, but each year I spend a couple of hours shopping the day after Christmas. Usually I'm at Target when they open at 7AM and then I pick another store where I want to get Christmas decor on sale (Some years it has been an upscale nursery that sells beautiful decor, other years it is Pottery Barn or Michael's Crafts).

This all started in 2006 when we lived in a new house with NO Christmas decorations. I just couldn't bring myself to pay full price, even 30% off, when the day after Christmas everything was at least 50% off or more.

Each year I budget a certain amount and I take inventory of what decor I would like to add around the house. Some years there is more $$$ to spend, some years I don't want as much. I usually scope out the shops of my choice in the weeks leading up to Christmas, just to see if they have stuff I want.

So each year I head to Target with the HOARD of other women with the same idea. The Parking Lot is always packed and you always see tons of people you know. I love it, I've gotten great stuff at great prices. But this year it was different.

Target was NOT packed as usual. Also, everything was JUST 50% off. Which is a good deal, but I feel like in years past there were better prices the day after Christmas. I got through the line so quickly, which is unusual. I know this year people have many reasons to cut their budgets...job loss, pay cuts, illness, upcoming business changes, moving, retirement, and debt repayment. And boy was that evident in the isles of Target this morning.

Also, since last year I have become more of a Thrifty Shopper. Maybe I've changed, and my expectations of what I spend my money on have changed, or how much I pay for it?

I actually got out of there with only $22 worth of wrapping paper (the stuff I had from last year was so hideous. What was I thinking?????)....no other Christmas clearance. Oh, don't worry. Target didn't let me go so easily. We needed a plunger, hangers, binkies (got to have pink ones!), and a toy on sale for Jacob.

So, I'm glad I saved my money......and I know that after the first of the year Target clearances stuff from all over the store to upwards of 70%-80% off. Maybe there will be Christmas decor left over then too. Until then, me and the other hoards of women, we decided to hang on to our money today. It actually feels great!

Small Children and the Mundane

I just read this, and loved it! It is true, but boy do we as parents, especially full time stay at home parents, forget the importance of our day to day mundane tasks.


“Sometimes I feel like all I do is change diapers, cook food, and clean up
messes,” sighed Ann.
Glenda smiled. “I remember those days well,” she replied. “It is a hard season of
life, but I want you to think about how important those tasks are, dear.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” said Ann. “They certainly don’t feel important.
Now, reading a book together or teaching Troy a new word—those feel important.”
“Do you remember when Tim and I went on that trip last summer?” Glenda
asked, “I’ll never forget the sight of those children in that orphanage. There were
so many of them, and so few helpers, that those basic necessary tasks didn’t get
done. There was no one to change their messy diapers, no one to feed them when
they were hungry, and no one to clean. Dirt was everywhere.” Glenda looked into
Ann’s eyes. “You are ministering to your children, Ann. You are nourishing their
spirits just as much as you are caring for their physical bodies. I know it doesn’t feel
important sometimes, but let me assure you that it is one of the most important
areas of ministry that you will ever have. Thank you for being faithful to take care
of your children’s needs.”
Little Troy appeared in the doorway, rubbing the afternoon sleep from his eyes.
“I’m hungry, Mommy. And Sammy has a stinky diaper.”
Ann smiled as she opened her arms wide for an after-nap hug.

~excerpt from The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook by Sonya Shafer and Karen Smith p.19

Getting Ready for Baby---Take 1

In our house, I put things together....for the most part. John always helps out with the huge stuff, his big desk, beds, and large book shelves....but for the most part, I put things together. Toys, computers, A/V setup, etc. That's fine with me...I'm pretty good at it. So, getting ready for baby involves some setup......bassinet put back together, crib mattress heightened (eventually, she won't be in there for a while...Jacob still sleep there), Swing assembled (I refuse to do that one), car seat installed, rocker moved around (once again not giant pregnant lady's job). So, as I was putting the bassinet back in order I thought of sharing a couple of things we did to get ready for baby this weekend.


1. Walgreen's had a super sale (with coupon OF COURSE) on Huggies Supreme diapers. So John and I bought 42 packages in 42 separate transactions over the course of 2 days at 2 different stores. Now....where to store them all. I think if you look under the beds at our house, you will find diapers.


2. Put the bassinet together. Here is the lowdown....I love my bassinet. It is an Arm's Reach Co-sleeper. It sits along side the bed so your baby is close but not in bed with you. I love it. But it has it's draw backs.


Cons:

• It is expensive. We bought it and didn't buy other things like a stroller or crib for a while.

• It just about kills you to put it together. Here are pictures of me putting it together for the first time a week before Jacob was born and a week after he was due. Yikes! My mom was there just to make sure I didn't hurt myself or go into labor because she doesn't put things together :)
  
  
  
  • Because it is hard to put together, it is NOT portable. It is too heavy.
  
  
  
  Pros:
  
  • It is sturdy
  
  
  • It can be used as a free standing bassinet in another room if you want.
  • It can be used as play yard...as long as you just leave it in one place. See above. I used it as a nap place for visiting children and time out place for Jacob. It has hardly moved in 2 years in the play yard position
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  This is pretty much the one I have. I have it sideways against the wall by the bed right now, because 8 month pregnant women cannot get in bed with it in the way.
  
  
  

  Next weekend's to do list:

  • Finish putting away all Jacob's baby clothes
  • Hang up/put away all Baby sister's clothes. They are organized already.
  • Put away a huge pile of Junk I have upstairs. It has been waiting for a day when John and I can do it together.
  • Possibly put Jacob's car bed together and start "helping" him sleep in a big boy bed. Oh that is going to STINK!

  So, now you know more of the obsessions of a pregnant lady. Probably the most boring info you've ever read...unless you are looking to buy a bassinet, want to see pictures of a huge pregnant lady, or you are my mother and interested in EVERYTHING I do! But you can always count on a mother for that!

What Will You Give?

Here is another wonderful message for Christmas. Also, I posted a wonderful video of a selection from Handel's Messiah last year, which continues to infuse me with the wonderful message of Christmas with it's powerful music and prophetic words.

Christmas is so wonderful. We do wonderful things around and at Christmas. We carol, give gifts, decorate, sing songs, attend and throw dinners and parties, and cook up a storm just to name a few. At this time of year many of us also focus more on the Savior, His miraculous birth, life, and death. I always feel a twinge of guilt though....in the back of my heart, because I feel guilty that I may not take His name on me in the same way through out the year. Am I being hypocritical to make a big fuss at Christmas and Easter? Well, I've come up with an answer, maybe not the whole answer, I'm sure I'll learn more to add to this idea as the years continue.

Celebrating the birth of our Savior through acts of charity, kindness, love, and cheer is not hypocritical at any time, and not at Christmas. BUT....... I have thought of 2 ways I can continue to take His name on me and share the light He brought to the world through His birth, death, and Resurrection. Let me illustrate them through 2 stories that come from my parents' lives.

1. When my mother was 10 years old, in El Salvador, she was roller skating in the neighborhood with two girls. The 10 year old girl asked my mother, "have you ever heard of the Mormon church?" To which my mother responded, "no." The 8 year old pipes in, "would you like to know more?" Of course the story has many more details, but it comes down to the faith and love of those two girls. They were ambassadors of Jesus Christ in such a casual and unassuming manner, but what they did saved lives, more than they would ever know. And guess what? It wasn't Christmas time!

By sharing the gospel we can share and feel the "Christmas Spirit" through out the year. The story of these little girls shows how simple it can be.

2. My dad was just telling me that there was a time in the late 1970's when he was very poor. He had almost nothing. He was remembering fondly and lovingly all the people who came out of the wood work to help him. While he was reminiscing, my mother asked, "how did they know you were in need of help?" My dad said he never knew, he was just always so humbled and thankful for people's desire to give to him, no questions asked and so happy to do it.

People all around us are in need. In need of monetary things and even more people are in need of emotional support. So many people have periods of being lonely or feeling unnoticed. We can be ambassadors of Jesus Christ, who knows all His sheep, by showing love to one another all year. If it is to take dinner to someone, pray for someone, make a phone call, remember someones name and something about them, or give of our belongings to someone who has none. Attending the temple for endowed members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is a wonderful way to serve those who cannot help themselves. What ever the need may be, and whatever capacity we can help......we can keep the "Christmas Spirit" all year long through love and charity.

I hope each of my family and friends can come up with ideas different or similar to these to help them feel the love of the Savior and love for Him all through the year. That Christmas may be just a special time to punctuate our year long honor of Him with beautiful decorations, wonderful music, and fun parties.

Happy Anniversary

See this great guy? He married me 10 years ago today. What a wonderful day that was. We were so young, so excited. We had no idea! We had no idea what was in store, that we would have a best friend through life, that we would have a crazy person to live with forever, that we would be able to love each other and our children so much through good and bad.

When we got married 10 years was half my life. We grew up together, we've relied on our commitment to our marriage and temple covenants to get us through some rough times, but mostly we would rather be together than with anyone else.

John is so PATIENT. He never raises his voice at me. He listens to my details. He is a super dad. He is such a hard worker. He was so committed to me getting through college, it was a struggle, but he really supported me. He is faithful to his temple covenants. He honors his priesthood. He loves me, even when I don't deserve it.

Thanks honey, wonderful, fun, crazy, hair pulling, a couple of grouchy but mostly excellent 10 years. Here is to 10 times infinity more!

Feeling the Pressure

Do you remember the first time one of your parents didn't know the answer to a question you asked? I do. I don't remember the question, but I remember the SHOCKED feeling I had when my dad (who up until that moment I thought had WRITTEN the dictionary and encyclopedia single handedly) told me he didn't know.

Well today is the day I felt the pressure. Jacob has been asking non stop all day, and I'm planning on it going on for a while, "Where this go, mama?" Translation = What is this, mama? Or sometimes he just points to something and asks, "this?" I feel the pressure....he's learning about his world from me. I can slant this any way I want. I can be lazy and make up stuff like Calvin's dad in Calvin and Hobbes. Or I can try to keep up with his 2 year old mind and answer as honestly as I can. I'm sure a lot of things he won't understand, but he just looks at me so trusting as tell him what the turret on top of his toy castle is.

This may get old fast, but I hope I'm up to it. I hope he isn't too disappointed on Thursday, when he realizes I'm not the smartest person in the world ;)

Leave A Candle in the Window

Last night I heard this song again for the millionth time (you can listen to it by scrolling to the very bottom of the blog)......seriously I've grown up listening to it......but this time it reminded me of someone in my life. I wondered if he knew that I'd always be here for him? Have I made sure to tell him lately?

Maybe this is a stretch.....maybe I was in the right frame of mind to attach a popular song from the 1970's to an essential teaching of Jesus Christ. But I wanted to share both, and get you thinking......Is there someone you care for who is "moving" (as the songs says)? Do they know you'll "leave the light on?"

Sometimes when we don't share our feelings of love and compassion with one another.....someone ends up feeling lost. Take a minute to make a call, send an email, give a hug, or say a prayer for someone who may need to know they will always have a friend in you.

Have a great weekend!

LONG AS I CAN SEE THE LIGHT
(J.C. Fogerty)
Put a candle in the window, 'cause I feel I've got to move.

Though I'm going, going, I'll be coming home soon,'Long as I can see the light.
Pack my bag and let's get movin', 'cause I'm bound to drift a while.

When I'm gone, gone, you don't have to worry long,'Long as I can see the light.
Guess I've got that old trav'lin' bone, 'cause this feelin' won't leave me alone.

But I won't, won't be losin' my way, no, no'Long as I can see the light.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Oh, Yeah!
Put a candle in the window, 'cause I feel I've got to move.

Though I'm going, going, I'll be coming home soon,

Long as I can see the light.

Long as I can see the light.

Long as I can see the light.

Long as I can see the light.

Luke 15: 4-7

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

“And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

Tid Bit

Hey Everyone.....Here is a tid bit about me....I think most of you know....but maybe some of you didn't.

I was Home schooled. It was awesome. AND SHOCKER........I can read, I graduated from college, AND I CAN CARRY ON A NORMAL CONVERSATION!!!! Yes I'm being a bit sarcastic.

It really was awesome though.

One of my favorite memories: When I was around 9-11 years old, every couple of weeks our home school would head to the library. Where we would be loose for a couple of hours. I found so many wonderful books that way. In fact, some I can't remember what they were called, but I could pull them of the shelf if I went back to that little Ketchikan library. And let me tell you, I can use a library like no body's business.

p.s. My grammer is not a reflection of my great education....it is just a reflection of my stuborness to fight for the right to be myself......fiesty = my dad's hardest student!

Enduring

" With enduring comes a willingness...to 'press forward' even when we are bone weary and would much rather pull off to the side of the road."
Neal A. Maxwell

April 2009 General Conference

General Conference ended today. It was wonderful. Life gets so busy, insignificant things fill my mind everyday. Conference jolts me back into reality. Reality:

• Heavenly Father loves ME
• I have something, a lot actually, to share with my friends and neighbors = Love.
• I need to serve more, both in action and word.
• As I take time to listen to the Spirit in my daily life, and ignore the urgent "rush" from the world around me, I can be happy and encourage those around me to be happy too.

The doctrine taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought nothing, NOTHING, but happiness in my life. I am so thankful to be able to count myself as a member of that church, but I am more grateful to call myself a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. I hope, after what I have learned and been reminded of during this conference, I can be kinder to everyone I come in contact with. I hope I can eliminate "garbage" from my life...all the extraneous stresses that remove my focus from my family and from my faith. I hope I can attend the temple more often. I hope I can share my love of the Savior with everyone I know.

I invite everyone who reads my blog to read, watch, or listen to the transcripts of General Conference when they are available.

I am thankful for a living Prophet and for his careful and relevant guidance in a world of treacherous pathways.

Amen

I found this on the Miss Thrifty Blog. She also talked about the word "thoil." Which is being able to afford something, but not being able to justify the expense. I need to thoil more ;)

Things I can do

Sometimes I feel like there are things people don't know about me that I think are cool....but I can't share due to time or situation. I'm not talking about private or personal things of course. I'm talking about things I do at work, things I learned about in a different time in my life. I'm good at things or are interested in a lot of different things, so I thought I'd share.

Here is one. I'm actually pretty good at this to:

Starting an IV

Tips if you ever have to get an IV placed in YOU:

1. Put your two (first and middle) fingers on the inside of your wrist just under your hand., covering the delicate blue veins you see there. NEVER let anyone try to start an IV there! If they are trying, they don't know what they're doing. JUST SAY NO! Ask for someone else. These little veins look tempting, but are too small and delicate, and they are too close to your tendons in that small area, all the movement from the tendons on the veins would cause irritations and possibly infiltration and infection. The only reason you would let someone stick you in that area is for a Radial Arterial Line, that is completely different than an IV.

2. Ask your nurse if he/she can use lidocaine to numb the area before starting the IV. I SWEAR by this technique. It allows me to be slow and careful, not worrying about hurting my patient, so I don't miss or blow veins. But, if the nurse has never done it before, you're better off just going with what they are good at...don't want to be their guinea pig ;)

3. I have a personal rule, only try 3 times. If I'm unsuccessful, I ask a collegue to come start the IV for me. After 3 attempts, I feel as if I just get worse because of frustration and the patient doesn't like it either. So, if a nurse is having a hard time starting an IV, after the 3rd try ask for someone else to try. It is your IV, your care....you are in charge! I'm pretty good at IV's (you don't have to actually see an vein to start an IV. Cool huh!?!), but sometimes timing or anatomy are just not with me.....just because someone can't start an IV on you doesn't mean they aren't good or at least competent....it just isn't in the cards sometimes. That's why you should be proactive in your IV placement.

Too Busy To Care

I thought I'd share some cute pictures of Jacob, soften things up. He is a doll. He finally figured out how to put on my shoe...only one....but he's got it. So cute! He turned 18 months on Friday.

My pictures have been really dark lately....I've been messing around with my camera, so I've just got to figure it out I guess. Oh well!

So, here is my beef today....I was so mad I cried this morning. Yup! CRIED! I'm rarely ever that mad, and it is usually about something very personal. But today I cried in the car outside of Jacob's pediatrician's office (as he sat in the back cheerful as a bird), too mad to drive anywhere. I was turned away for being 11 minutes late. Some new lady at the front desk (because Jacob has been so healthy we haven't been in the office in 6 months) welcomed us after I apologized for being a few minutes late, pulled Jakie's file, and after a minute, turned around to tell us "I'm sorry, our policy is: we have to reschedule you after being 10 minutes late."

Me: "What? How late was I?

Lady: "11 minutes."

Me: "I'm going to make a huge fuss about this, I need to talk to someone about this."

So, she disappears in the back, only to return all apologetic with the same answer. I declared (never raising my voice mind you) that I am a good patient, always on time, and I think this is the most ridiculous thing in the world. She gets the office manager, who is nice and I've spoken with her about other more pleasant things before. She stays firm of course (why else would I have been so mad!) but in the course of our discussion I realize, I am not a valued customer there anymore. So, I leave after letting her know I want to talk to the Dr NOW or leave a voice mail. She takes my number because neither are an option, OF COURSE! After some discussion, she tells me nicely that the likelihood of the Dr returning my phone call is slim! WHAT!!!! I told her nicely but firmly that I would keep calling her, the office manager, until I heard from the Dr. Here are my issues:

• This Dr is so busy she can't take any new patients, she has finally become so busy, faithful patients such as our family are not important anymore.
• I was told if my child was sick I could get in immediately. Of course if my son was sick I would want him, or any other child, to have priority.....but I should not be sent away because he is HEALTHY.
• I was told the policy was to respect of the Dr's time? What! I don't care about the Dr's time. I am the PAYING (in cash mind you...thanks to high deductible health insurance) customer and I have waited many a visit up to 30 minutes to have time with the Dr.
• This was my first "late" offense. I have always been on time, paid on time, scheduled well ahead of time, and waited patiently when the Dr was running behind.
• I was told they could reschedule me soon, because the Dr had openings. Me: "What! Always before I've had to wait to get appointments and scheduled months in advance, and NOW I can get in right away!?"
• The parking lot was only 1/2 full
• The waiting room was EMPTY. Jacob was the only kid waiting in the front.

Now, I am a reasonable person. I also am a business owner similar to this Dr. I understand having patients come late, and when the Dr runs late, it infringes on other patients time. I also understand the idea of not letting one patient/customer become too demanding and trying to compromise the service you give to others. But, NEVER in 1,000,000 years would I have turned me away in this situation. In cases such as mine, when I have been the "front office girl" I have welcomed the patient in. If the patient is more than 15 minutes late, I'll let them know we'd love to see them but may not be able to complete all the procedures during this visit. I give them the opportunity to wait and "squeeze everything in if possible" (per Dr's discretion) or reschedule some of the procedures. It really depends on the patient and how their schedule is looking. I appreciate them CHOOSING to do business with us. I realize they probably made more of an effort to come to the appointment than I will ever know about.

I know.....There were many children waiting to see the Dr in the back rooms today. I know the medical assistants and nurses were very busy in the back. But I've seen it busier! I'm pretty mad. This Dr is good.....better than a lot I've heard of. This is also the first problem I've had with her office. So, I'm sure I'll get over it. But the problem is, I only have 2-4 interactions with them a year now that Jacob is older....so this "bad" taste I have in my mouth will last too long. The frustration will die, but the resentment and worry about how I'll be treated next time will linger.

Don't worry, I was nice enough to tell the office manager that I was not upset with her personally, but I was MAD about this situation.

Does anyone know what our next staff meeting will be about? You've guessed it: Patient Policies & Customer Service.

Housework

Okay, it has been a while since we've had a "keeping it real" post.
So, my reality. I'm not much of a housekeeper.
I don't LIKE to do housework. I don't need things to be neat and tidy.
I DO need things to be CLEAN.

The history on me: I was taught to clean by my father straight out of books. I was taught to clean things the RIGHT way. Top to bottom, left to right, using the correct amount of cleaner, etc. Then, after I was taught and shown how to clean (I still remember the day I was taught to clean a toilet), I had to actually clean, along with my siblings, every day of the week. I read Don Aslett books cover to cover. They are great by-the-way.

Honestly, I don't enjoy cleaning like some of my friends do. I would rather do almost anything besides clean. Including going to the gym, that's how much I dislike cleaning. But I have over the years, come to terms with the level of disarray I'm comfortable with, and in the last few years I have become less comfortable with it. As many of you know, I don't do SCHEDULES. Some schedules are mandatory (work, school, church, jury duty, etc), but otherwise I'm more into "ROUTINES."

So here is my new "routine" that seems to be helping me feel more "domestic," it helps me feel more like a good mother and wife, and it helps me be less embarrassed when the neighbors come over.

Daily

45 min Kitchen

35 min Living Room/Family Room/Dining Room

10 min Bedroom

30 min Lunch (check email, talk on phone)

30 min Weekly Chore

I've also adopted the make my bed each morning idea. Yes, that's a novel idea for me. Then in the evening just before bed, I do 5 minute frenzies (I learned it from Pretty Organizer) in the main rooms.

Downside: I "WASTE" my quiet time during Jacob's nap on cleaning. LAME.

Upside: Each day it seems to take less time, so I can spend more time on deeper cleaning...thus getting more done in less time.

Keeping it Real: If I miss a day, I really don't care. Life is more important than cleaning to me, and I've proven in the past I can have a wonderful life with a bit of a mess ;)

What "routines" work for you?

Hopeful

So, in the spirit of addressing a problem and having hope in finding a solution, here a few links to some great blogs, articles, and talks.

I really think that we can each have joy in our homes and lives as we strive to do what is right.....or as we struggle to figure out what "right" is.


I'm so thankful for a Thomas S. Monson, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His leadership and hopeful attitude give me energy to keep trying to "figure it out."


Elder L. Tom Perry gave this talk in October. This spoke to me like no other talk has done in a long time.


Links to thrift and simple living blogs


Get Out of Debt


Constant Truths for Changing Times

Save Until You're Broke

Shop 'till you drop?  

So, I'm confused?  I need to hear people's ideas? 

The economy, housing market, jobs, industries, EVERYONE is in turmoil.  I hesitate to use the BUZZ words flying around, such as "Stimulus, Economy, Downturn, Recession, Bail Out....etc," but I'm sure I will.  They are good words, but over used in the media.  So, as I'm getting ready in the morning (every morning), the news talks about bail outs, stimulus packages, and new businesses going under.  It is clear, we need to keep spending money to keep the economy afloat while the government boost the economy from the underside.....or so I'm told each morning.  

                                   WHY DOESN'T THAT SEEM LIKE THE RIGHT ANSWER?

Why does my gut feeling tell me to save, be thrifty, get out of debt, make do or live without? Don't worry, I'm not on my high horse.  I am going on a mini getaway this weekend, I buy nice clothing, and live in a nice home......I'm not preaching.....I'm sharing what I feel in my gut.  

SAVE, BE THRIFTY, GET OUT OF DEBT, MAKE DO OR DO WITHOUT! It is persistent feeling I'm having, but I'm conflicted in a way.  I understand the rationale behind the idea of continuing to infuse the US market with consumer $$ to keep businesses afloat while they downsize and get out of debt themselves.  Our family's livelihood it based on a service industry where we rely on people spending their hard earned money on our services.  

Don't even get me started on the fact that our consumer spending is most often done on credit, and always post tax dollars, which is then taxed when we purchase goods, and then the retailer or service provider is paying taxes on his/her end.  Then the much of consumer spending $$ go to countries outside the US who own the companies manufacturing our goods.........Blah Blah Blah.  

But, if we continue to spend money, that isn't ours as long as we are in debt to a creditor of any sorts, how will we help?  It seems like a band-aid on an arterial bleed.     I truly believe, the answer is going to hurt.  Businesses will fail, homes will be lost, bankruptcies will happen, jobs will be lost......ugh just writing this brings me to tears.  These things could happen to us too.  But I have a strong belief in consequences.  We can choose our actions but not the consequences of our actions.  This "downturn".....and I believe all my friends who have lost jobs, homes, etc would call it much worse than a DOWNturn, is a consequence of debt.....isn't it?  Debt at all levels?  World, National, Regional, Personal levels?  

So, what do you think?  Should we keep spending?  Do we need to attempt a temporary fix while we figure things out?  Will this temporary fix give the Obama leadership time to overhaul things?  Do we need to save?  

I support Obama as President as long as he has our best interest at heart, but he personally can't fix the problem, we have to be the change he speaks of.  What change do we need?  Spend or Save?  

I'm leaning toward saving.  I think it makes the most sense in my life.  But I don't want to be naive and think I'm a solitary island.  I am a proud citizen, how can I act that way while keeping my family's best interests at heart? 

Hmmm....I do love shopping, I really wish that is what my gut was telling me.  But it isn't! 

Purposeful Living

While I was pregnant with my son, the scriptures in the Old Testament, that recant the story of Hannah and her son Samuel impacted me very deeply. Hannah covenanted with the Lord, if He removed her inability to have children, and blessed her with a son, she would give that son to Him. She consecrated the life of her son to the service of the Lord. Samuel was blessed, because of his mother's faithfulness, to be sensitive to the Lord's voice even as a young boy. He heard the Lord calling him and was quick to respond.

Link to my life: When I strive to consecrate my life, my day to day living, my thoughts and actions to following Jesus Christ I am blessed with increased sensitivity. I become more sensitive to hear the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. I am more sensitive to notice the needs of those around me, more sensitively quick to patience, more sensitive to find joy in my surroundings. Sigh. This ideal of heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is not a constant quality I possess. I fail A LOT. Here is the true LINK from ideal to my life.....the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Each day, I beg for forgiveness as I lay my head down, each morning I pray for the opportunity and desire to show Christ-like attributes.

I want to be a mother like Hannah, for so many reasons. One is so I can have the sensitivity she instilled in her son. The ability to hear the whisper of God, even when life is roaring around me.

When my son snuggles himself in between John and I, with a look of complete happiness and innocence on his face, I hear that whisper, the call of a loving Father in heaven.....calling me, urging me, telling me He loves me like that...times infinity.

Can you hear the Whisper today?

"And it came to pass when they heard this voice, and beheld that it was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul..." Helaman 5:30