Productive

I woke up feeling GREAT today! It's amazing what fresh air and warm weather will do to you! It's not too hot to leave our windows open yet, and I do so much love fresh air. I got a few things done and I'm so proud of myself.

* Cleaned the bathroom (except for the tub). It needed it, as it hadn't been cleaned since December or so. Paul has many wonderful traits, but cleaning isn't one of them. :-)

* Loaded and ran the dishwasher. Yes to working on the pile of dirty dishes on the counter!

* Washed the quilt we got for our wedding. It has never been washed, as I haven't had a full-sized washer until recently. I have two black cats. I'm sure you can imagine the condition of the light-green-and-light-blue quilt.

* Washed the sheets and the rest of the white load. Paul needs socks, or I'm guessing that's true since there were like 10 pairs of socks in the load. I don't wash my sheets enough.

* Vacuumed the ENTIRE apartment! (Less impressive than it sounds.) Another thing that hasn't been done since I entered hiding in December. Already looks better!

* Put away piles of clothes on top of the dryer. I had washed and folded two loads of laundry a long time ago, only to leave them on the dryer. I finally put them away and I bet Paul is very happy.

* Wrote a few emails I've been meaning to write. Wrote a blog post. Reviewed all recent status updates on Facebook, Twitter, and read the non-flu-related articles on CNN. Sent a coworker icanhascheezburgers. These are all important things.

I have about 2 hours until Paul comes home. Let's set some goals:
* Dinner. Nah, I don't want to think about it. Because it involves shopping. Perhaps I'll stop by the store when I pick Paul up from work.

* Put away dishes from the dishwasher and wash the rest of the dishes on the counter.

* Sweep the kitchen floor, and spot-clean the dirty parts. Take out the kitchen trash. Yay for clean kitchens! (Ours needs it.)

* Find a box to mail a hamster cage. Mail said cage to my sister in Asheville.

* Wrap my friend Beth's birthday present. Her birthday was MARCH 28TH, y'all. I'm horrible. I need to make her a card too, since I promised I would. It would be awesome to even MAIL the package today, but I don't want to push my luck.

Decluttering

I really haven't done housework in 3 months. With an overnight guest coming today, I did a quick spot-clean of the apartment (vacuumed, straightened, dishes, etc). I realized as I was straightening that our paperwork has gotten out of control. I desperately need to do something about it before it overtakes us!

There are a few "problem areas" that I'd like to see tidied up: my desk, the bookcase in the dining room that houses our office supplies, and the table that's supposed to be for the sewing machine but has so many papers piled on top that the sewing machine doesn't actually fit. All three are visible from the living room and I feel like their messiness makes the whole apartment feel messy and cluttered.

The first thing that needs to be done is for me to get new tape for the label maker. I like using the label maker, and I think it makes everything neater than my handwriting. :-)

Next, the filing cabinet needs to be tackled. I'm sure a lot of papers I've saved can be tossed (i.e. things pertaining to our last apartment). The folders need to be redone, and perhaps I should get some more folders as I feel like I'm running out.

Once those two things are done, then I can file all the existing paperwork that has already been dealt with.

Now I need to come up with a system for dealing with paperwork. A bill, a letter I need to respond to, etc. And perhaps a running to-do list that I can keep to remind myself of specific things that need to be dealt with.

I also need to come up with a way to organize the bookcase so it holds everything without it looking trashed. I'd love to keep my desk clear of paperwork, and of course the sewing table really shouldn't be for paperwork either. :-)

Of course, I resolve to do this on the day that we have company coming, making it more difficult to start. ;-) Hopefully I still have the motivation after she leaves.

To-Do: Pre-Train-Trip

• make bread
• wash whites
• wash darks
• wash diapers
• make more bread
• wash dishes (two loads done, at least one more to go)
  
• dust mop floors
• um... pack
• freeze leftovers
• put frozen leftovers in a big bag so Josh can readily identify his dinners from the frozen mashed bananas and chicken broth.
• fold whites
• fold darks
  

To-do's in Gmail!

OK, just wanted to share... Gmail (in the Labs section) now has a to-do list that can pop up like a chat window, where tasks can be added & checked off. Emails can be attached to the tasks, too. I just started using this today, so we'll see how it goes. So far, I like it.

Goals for today

I found out late yesterday that I am going to be working again starting tomorrow, until Christmas. So today is my last "free" day. I need to get stuff done!

- Work out
- Do Bible study for tonight
- Take pictures of Paul's car and post on Craigslist
- Take pictures of BlackBerry and post on eBay
- Take pictures of shelving unit and post on Craigslist
- Write three two blog posts (terribly behind on payu2blog! - 2 posts due yesterday, 4 posts due today... my realistic goal is getting three done today)
- Make a menu for this week (go shopping?)
- Clean cat boxes; wash and refill food/water bowls
- Find paper to print Christmas letters

I might add more to this later.

To-Dos for Thanksgiving

The plan this week is to eat simply, so I'm not worried about fixing dinner... it's just everything else.

Monday

• Buy pie crusts (I know, I should make it... I don't have time today. Sigh)
  
• Buy french fried onions
  
• Make puddings, fill existing pie crusts
  
• Bake more mini-pie-crusts
  
• Fill those, too
  
• Straighten the house for guests
  
• Oh yeah, feed husband, take dog out
  
• Be done with all of this before 7:00 when people show up
  
• Lead bible study

Tuesday

• Feed husband by 6:30
  
• MAKE pie crust (2)
  
• Make pumpkin pie (1) for parents/sister
  
• Drop off pie at parents' house
  

Wednesday

• Figure out something light for dinner
  
• Clean library after work
  

Thursday

• Make another pumpkin pie
  
• Make green bean casserole
  
• Remember to be Thankful

Friday-Sunday: 

• Clean library (Friday or Saturday)
  
• Set up Christmas decorations
  
• Josh wants to get up early to snag a laptop Friday... we'll see.
  

Beth's To Do List - 11/12

• Make a menu/shopping list
  
• Print internet coupons for krogers
• organize paper coupons for krogers
• GO TO KROGERS Paid $6.80 for $33 in sale items - receipt says I saved over $52!
  
• fold laundry
• wash diapers
• put away dishes that my dear husband washed last night
• dust mop floors
• dust
• clean shower
• Keep whiny kids entertained - ongoing
  

Meal plan through 11/17

OK, Josh & I just reworked the budget, & I'm in charge of the grocery money, because I think that will motivate me to plan meals. Previously, I didn't carry (or spend) any money at all. Here's my attempt:

Monday: Chicken sandwiches & potatoes
Tuesday: Spaghetti & meatballs (Meatballs in the freezer!)
Wednesday: Baked tilapia & green beans
Thursday: Grilled cheese & tomato soup
Friday: Breakfast
Saturday: Pizza pasta casserole (in the freezer!)
Sunday: Tacos & refried beans (Made this Wednesday instead)
Monday: Dinner with the small group

What're ya'll making for Thanksgiving? Anything?

Borrego Menu 11/11 - 11/17

Meal #1: Beef-a-roni and garlic bread
Meal #2: Pinto Bean and Ham Soup (Crockpot, pg. 202)
Meal #3: Slow-Cooker Stew (Crockpot, pg. 70)
Meal #4: Chicken and Vegetable Casserole (Crockpot, pg. 26)
Meal #5: Turkey-Tortilla Bake (Mexican, pg 114)

I probably should look up the points values of all these foods... but I think it will make me depressed, so I won't. :-) Now to make the grocery list and get going! What should I make for dinner tonight? (Hmm, methinks it will be meal #5 since I doubt I have enough time to do any of the others! Though I really really want beef-a-roni tonight... have to wait until Monday for that. Oh well.)

Goals for 11/11

Goals for today:

1. Put away clean clothes in bedroom and make bed.
2. Make a menu for this week.
3. Go grocery shopping.
4. Clean cat boxes.
5. Start the process to find cheaper car insurance.

Motivation 11/7/08

Ok... two days ago I had this house spotless. After just one day of a crazy 2 year old running around and me not keeping up with laundry and my paper piles it's a mess again. I have motivation this morning, so I'm blogging to keep me accountable and motivated to get this stuff done! Here's the list, Ladies.

• put away clean dishes in dishwasher
• hand wash dirty dishes
• fold laundry load #1 from yesterday
• wash darks
• wash lights/whites
• fold load #2 and#3
• stuff diapers
• wash diapers
• pack for VA
• find anything we're not using to sell at yard sale
• clip coupons and file
• put away papers that are all over the table and counter
• vacuum upstairs and down!
• hang pictures
• return movie
• mail Beth Sea Bands
  
• clean microwave (it was gross)

There, now to convince myself to stop chatting on AIM and get to it... :)

Goals in the next few weeks-months

I'm writing these down so I don't forget. I won't implement them all at once, but I'm hoping to get to the point where they are all part of my routine.

DAILY TASKS
- Do devotions in morning
- Get dressed
- Open curtains/windows (if the temp. is right)
- Clean cat box, sweep up stray litter
- Wash dishes
- Read
- Make lunch/dinner

WEEKLY TASKS
- Clean bathroom (wipe down counters, clean toilet, clean mirrors and shower if needed)
- Make a menu plan
- Go grocery shopping
- Write in my pet blog at least 3 times
- Laundry
- Change sheets on our bed

I have more, I am just distracted right now...

I gotta get organized

I have a lot to do for the party tomorrow!

* Finish wedding card for Sarah and Nathan (just need to glue it together!)
* Package Sarah & Nathan's wedding gift (will mail tonight at the post office in Norcross when we go there for a banquet)
* Put menu together for tomorrow
* Go shopping
* Put away clean clothes
* Put up pictures around the apartment
* Email everyone directions/reminder
* Fill Brita pitcher
* Wash & put away dishes
* Find a place to put bills and such (or just pay them!)
* Pick music to play in the background and make a playlist on iTunes
* Take pictures of the things to sell on eBay and Craigslist; find a place to put them until they sell
* Straighten living and dining rooms

To Do - The Craziness

• Make banana bread, apple bread, or pumpkin bread (or all three) for bible study tomorrow
• READ A WEEK'S WORTH OF BIBLE STUDY MATERIAL.
• Wash dishes
• fold two loads of laundry and stuff a load of dipes.
• sweep up the cracker crumbs. ::Sigh:: I appeased the kids this morning w/ crackers so I could post my meet-and-greet. Now I pay the price.
• Oh, right. Make dinner. Should do this one first, as it's a crock pot meal. Good thing Josh'll be home late tonight!
  

Meals this week

Monday - Chicken tetrazini - from the freezer. Yay for cooking ahead
Tuesday - Tacos.
Wednesday - Beth's pizza recipe? Or chili. We'll see if I get around to making pizza dough or browning meat Tues. night.
Thursday - Spaghetti & meatballs
Friday - Breakfast

EDIT: Why can't I make a meal plan I actually follow? Case in point(s):

• Got home late Tuesday, ended up eating out.
  
• Had Tacos Wednesday
  
• Friends called Monday night, they're coming to dinner tonight, so I prepared the chicken pot pie filling last night for tonight's dinner. Josh requested it. I'm going to try to get an apple cobbler or pie made for our guests this afternoon, as well, since I have PILES of apples.
  
• During a meeting yesterday I made a long list of stuff I want to cook. It must be fall, with Baking Season fast approaching.