Currently {9/30/2023)

 

 

Time and place: 12:33pm and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.

  
Eating: We just finished lunch. We had roast, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and carrots. It was delicious!

Drinking: A big glass of water (always). This afternoon I'm making frozen watermelon lemonade since it's still over 90 degrees in my neck of the woods.

Watching:  Manifest on Netflix. I'm also re-watching Gilmore Girls, and Cobra Kai

 

 

 

Reading: I'm still reading Flowers in the Attic and plan on reading the entire Dollanganger series over the next few months. 

I'm trying to find a new book to read either by Lisa Jackson or Fredia McFadden

Loving: Being able to sit down after a long day of housework and taking care of my family and read my book for a little while.

Working: I'm still working on my meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about and a note pad that I have been wanting to design for a while now. I am also working on a monthly/weekly planner (that's almost done and should be ready in the next few weeks). I can't wait to see how these turn out. We will be launching our 2024 Weekly Planner on Amazon the first week of November. So, stay tuned for that announcement. My Etsy shop is open and I am adding new listings every week.

 

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:

 

Pen To Paper Designs Inc  

 Listening to: the TV

Buying: Groceries for this month and stocking up on certain items that are needed. I'm also looking at clothes and other household items that are needed.

Planning: I have most of my posts planned for October, I just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner and other planners that I am working on. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

 

I'm working on homeschool lesson plans for my kiddos.

 

I'm trying to plan out a work schedule for this month. Hopefully I will figure one out soon.

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

 

 

Spetember 2023 Goals

 Hi Friends!!

I can't believe that September is already here! It's the time for chunky sweaters, boots, forts, movie nights, apple cider, and yummy fall inspired treats. Shorter days and longer nights are on the horizon. It’s ALMOST socially acceptable to have all the pumpkin things, and put that fall decor out. Football season is here and the temps are starting to somewhat cool down. And homeschool is in full swing! It’s time for me to share my September goals with you guys.

 Personal Goals

• drink more water
• practice yoga 3x a week
• eat more fruits and veggies
• walk 10,000 steps every day
• Complete one Bible study

Family Goals

• Take a special trip
• Create a better after school routine
• Revamp morning and evening routines
• Have a movie night with the girls

Blog Goals

• Post at least 3x per week.
• Make a new list of blog post ideas
• Schedule posts until the end of September
• Create an editorial calendar for the fall (in progress)
• Start a food blog (in progress)

What are your goals?

 

August 2023 Goals

 Hi friends and welcome back to the blog!!

I can't believe that summer is over that we start 3rd year of homeschooling tomorrow. It's been a slow and fun summer but I think we are all ready for more of a routine.

Today, I am sharing my goals for this month.

1.  Organize the kid's closets
2.  Create office space in the corner of the family room
3.  Add new listing to my etsy shop and open another shop
4.  Begin a new (slightly scary) venture with the Hubby
5.  Make at least 2 freezer meals a week
6.  Read 2 books
7.  Blog at least 3 times per week
8.  Menu plan consistently
9.  Use my planner consistently (my days would be less hectic if I would do this)
10. Eat more fruits and veggies

What are your goals?

 

 

Currently {7/29/2023}

 

 

Time and place: 10:57pm and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.

  
Eating: Nothing at the moment

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching:  Manifest on Netflix

 

 

 

Reading: I'm still reading Flowers in the Attic and plan on reading the entire Dollanganger series over the next few months. 

I'm also ready Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donleea

Loving: Being able to sit down after a long day of housework and taking care of my family and read my book for a little while.

Working: I'm still working on my meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about and a note pad that I have been wanting to design for a while now. I am also working on a monthly/weekly planner (that's almost done and should be ready in the next few weeks). I can't wait to see how these turn out. We will be launching our 2024 Weekly Planner on Amazon the first week of August. So, stay tuned for that announcement. My Etsy shop is open and I am adding new listings every week.

 

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:

 

Pen To Paper Designs Inc  

 Listening to: the TV.

Buying: Groceries for this month and stocking up on certain items that are needed. I'm also looking at clothes and other household items that are needed.

Planning: I have most of my posts planned for JulyI just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner and other planners that I am working on. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

 

I'm working on homeschool lesson plans for my kiddos.

 

I'm trying to plan out a work schedule for this month. Hopefully I will figure one out soon.

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

 

5 Tips To Getting Up Earlier

Getting up earlier isn’t all about getting more done, sometimes it’s about just sitting and reading or listening in quiet or drinking a cup of herbal tea at the dining room table by myself.  Some days it’s going for a walk around the block and returning before everyone is awake, working on the day’s cleaning tasks, and other days it’s getting caught up on some emails or working on a blog post.  Take the time to journal, plan in your planner, or even work on your devotions.  Whatever isn’t getting time during the day, make it your purpose to get up earlier so you can do it.

5 Tips for Getting Up Earlier

1. Start the evening before.  Making this a good, sustainable habit begins the night before. I recommend a clean kitchen at night as one of the things that really makes getting up earlier a little easier.  Why?  You won’t have to wake up to a mess from the day before – you’ve already reset your kitchen.  This is a huge component in keeping up with this habit because you aren’t waking up to work.  You’re waking up to do something that will make your day run more smoothly.

2. Turn off the screens.  Turning off phones and computers and televisions a little earlier is the best way to get yourself ready for bed.  Stop sleeping with your phone – the EMFs (electro and magnetic fields) aren’t good for you and it messes with your natural body rhythms. Get an old-fashioned alarm clock and use that instead of your phone.

3. Go to bed when you’re tired.  Stop fighting through the tiredness and just go to bed. If you are used to staying up late, try going to bed earlier and see how you feel.  See if it makes a difference in your day.  Everyone needs to sleep but everyone’s perfect amount of sleep is different.  Make your goal 6-8 hours and experiment to find what amount makes you feel the best during the day.

4. Get your morning drink going.  Coffee, lemon water, a smoothie,or tea – whatever you drink first thing in the morning, get that going.  While I’m waiting for my coffee to brew I empty the dish drainer that sits on my counter by the sink.  This is a small, but integral step in starting the day off well because the sink and drainer are empty and ready for dishes.

5. Start small.  If you want to get up at 5 am but you’re getting up at 7am, don’t just jump into the two hour time difference.  Set your alarm for 6am for a week or so and go to bed earlier.  When you’re ready to make the adjustment to 5am work in 15-30 minute increments over a week or two.  If you like the results, keep going to bed a little earlier and waking up earlier until you’ve formed this habit.

 What are some your tips for getting up earlier in the morning? Please share you tips in the comments below!

 

10 Way To Recharge

Mom burnout is very real. Burnout in general is very real and recently I experienced it badly. I felt like I was not the best version of myself for anyone. Not my kids, not my husband, not my friends, no one. I wasn’t doing my best work or my best at being a good mother and felt so much anxiety because of it. I had no idea that what I was experiencing was in fact,  burnout. I suddenly felt pulled in 100 directions and felt like I couldn’t catch my breath. What I needed was to recharge. I think there are so many ways you can do this depending on your personality and preferences so today I am sharing 10 ways to recharge when you really feel that burnout take over.

  

10 Ways To Recharge

Vent: I know personally venting to a friend or my husband helps so much. Sometimes venting to someone in the same season of life (another mom) is what I need because I need someone who just gets it. You know what? 9/10 times I feel better just getting all my frustrations out.  

 Take a step back: Realize that it’s only a season! I remind myself of this A LOT! But also ask yourself what truly matters and what you can let go of.

Go for a walk/exercise: This is number one for me. I truly feel my best when I work out. I have been waking up at 7:15 most mornings and getting in a full workout before the kids wake up and I feel so accomplished knowing that’s already done for the day. I also LOVE going for long walks in the morning alone or with my husband. 

Ask for help: Ask your spouse or a friend or a relative or outsource help! If you are able to outsource some of the things causing you burnout (cleaning, cooking, laundry, childcare, etc) do it! I know this doesn’t work for everyone but maybe see if you can trade some of it with a friend. Like hey, I can watch your kids on Wednesdays while you get things done and you watch my kids on Fridays.

Evaluate your routine/create a routine: I am big on routines and truly feel as though they make a HUGE difference in our lives. Without a routine, I really feel like I have no idea what’s going on. If you don’t already have a good routine make one and if you do have one but are experiencing burnout maybe reevaluate it and see where you can change things. I have to do this constantly! 

Simplify: A few things I have done to simplify: My oldest gets herself dressed in the mornings, and I lay the kid’s clothes out for the week on Sundays. I make lunches ahead of time, I lay everyone else’s clothes (my clothes and the girls') out the night before. I do a 20-minute clean and straighten in the mornings and another in the evenings. These things just make me feel a little more together. Even though we homeschool our girls, I find that doing this makes the mornings more efficient and we can get started with school at a decent time.

Make lists: I have a list going for everything! Things we need, daily to-do lists, weekly to-do lists, things I need to get done long term, work to-do lists, etc. Making lists relieves a lot of stress because then you can physically see written out what needs to be done.  

Read: Escaping in a book really helps me recharge! I love to take a few minutes a few times a day and read some of whatever book I am reading at the time. 

Get a massage: I mean when all else fails the spa always helps! Getting a massage and taking that time for just me, with no phones, no one talking to me, etc helps me recharge so much.

 REST: Nothing truly helps recharge quite like rest. So give yourself grace and time to rest. Rest will recharge you like nothing else.

What are some ways to recharge that you find helpful?

 

 

Happy Homemaker Monday {7/24/2023}

Good afternoon everyone and welcome back to my blog. 

I hope every everyone had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the week ahead. 

Ours was filled with watching movies, spending time together, and some yard work. The yard work was very limited because of the heat. We have been under heat advisories for the last month. I am so ready for the cooler weather to creep in, since I'm more of a sweater weather girl.

Any way, Happy Monday and have a wonderful and productive week!

Happy Homemaker Monday 

 

The weather outside is:

Monday- Mostly sunny 105

Tuesday- Sunny 106

Wednesday- Mostly sunny 106

Thursday- Mostly sunny 104

Friday- Mostly sunny 103

Saturday- Mostly sunny 102

Sunday - Mostly sunny 103

As I look out my window:

The backyard need to be mowed and branches needed to be picked up and moved.

Right now I am:

Sitting at the dining room table writing this post

Thinking and pondering:

Summer is coming to an end quickly. It's going by much too fast. We also start homeschool in about 3 weeks and I need to start prepping for that. I also need to start planning my youngests birthday.

Listening to:

An episode of Gilmore Girls and listening to my girls play a game together.

How I am feeling:

Ever since I turned 50 my sleep has been awful. Horomones, I guess. So, I'm feeling tired.

On the breakfast plate:

Scrambled eggs and toast

On the lunch plate:

Since it's hot, sandwiches and fruit

On the dinner plate:

Leftovers from yesterday, Pasta bake and salad

On my TV this week:

I'm quietly waiting for new episodes of "Only Murders In Our Building" on Hulu. So I'm watching Manifest, Stranger Things, and Cobra Kai (again).

On the Menu:

M- Pinto beans

T- Tacos

W- Baked potatoes and salad

T- Spaghetti

F- Pizza and bread sticks

S- Baked chicken, mashed potatoes, veggies

S- Chuck roast

As I look around the house:

The living room needs to be picked up and then kitchen needs to be cleaned

What I'm wearing today:

A blue t-shirt and gray sweats

Currently reading:

Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

To Do List:

Write this post

Deep clean the laundry room

Steam carpets

plan tomorrow's menu

Inspirational quotes:

 

 

 

Currently {7/8/2023}

 

 

Time and place: 4:09pm and I am in the dining room, typing up this post.

  
Eating: Nothing at the moment

Drinking: A big glass of water (always)

Watching:  Manifest on Netflix

 

 

 

Reading: I'm still reading Flowers in the Attic and plan on reading the entire Dollanganger series over the next few months. 

I'm also ready Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donleea

Loving: Being able to sit down after a long day of housework and taking care of my family and read my book for a little while.

Working: I'm still working on my meal planner. I cannot wait to see how it turns out! I'm so excited for this new project. I am also working on a weekly planner insert that I am excited about and a note pad that I have been wanting to design for a while now. I am also working on a monthly/weekly planner (that's almost done and should be ready in the next few weeks). I can't wait to see how these turn out. We will be launching our 2024 Weekly Planner on Amazon the first week of August. So, stay tuned for that announcement. My Etsy shop is open and I am adding new listings every week.

 

Here is the link to my Etsy shop:

 

Pen To Paper Designs Inc 

 

Listening to: the TV.

Buying: Groceries for this month and stocking up on certain items that are needed. I'm also looking at clothes and other household items that are needed.

Planning: I have most of my posts planned for JulyI just have to write and schedule them. I am working on setting up some deadlines for my meal planner and other planners that I am working on. I am also working on some planner inserts. This should keep me busy for a while!

 

I'm also working on homeschool lesson plans for my kiddos.

 

I'm trying to plan out a work schedule for this month. Hopefully I will figure one out soon.

Wondering: can I pull it off? How will I pull it off?

Feeling: tired, but happy, always.

 

 

Summer Blog Post Ideas

Summer plans have been made and some have already been accomplished. Summer is my favorite time of the year. Not so much for the heat, but for the slow pace and more fun attitudes that most people seem to have. So, tonight I am giving you 15 summer blog post ideas so you will have tons of fun things to write about during these summer months.

• favorite summer activity
• a summer recipe
• summer reading list
• June, July. August goals
• summer must haves
• kids crafts; summer ideas
• favorite summer TV shows
• recap of your favorite movies you saw over the summer
• share a summer playlist
• labor day/plans recap
• a full summer recap
• healthy eating tips/tricks
• favorite outdoor activities
• what's in your pool/beach bag
• Memorial day plans/recap

 

Interesting Facts About The Fourth of July

  Since today is Independence Day (more commonly known as the 4th of July), I thought I would share some interesting facts about this fun holiday!!

We all know the Colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776  and we are already familiar with the fireworks, parades, barbeques and other festivities like picnics, fairs, and concerts that take place on this day, but there are many things that people don't know about the Fourth.

Disclaimer: All facts were taken from this website: Academic exchange

1. Congress made Independence Day an official unpaid holiday for federal employees in 1870. In 1938, Congress changed Independence Day to a paid federal holiday.

2. Only John Hancock actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. All theothers signed later.

 

3. The Declaration of Independence was signed by 56 men from 13 colonies.

4. The average age of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence was 45. The youngest was Thomas Lynch, Jr (27) of South Carolina.  The oldest delegate was Benjamin Franklin (70) of Pennsylvania. The lead author of The Declaration, Thomas Jefferson, was 33.

5. One out of eight signers of the Declaration of Independence were educated at Harvard (7 total).

6. The only two signers of the Declaration of Independence who later served as President of the United States were John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

7. The stars on the original American flag were in a circle so all the Colonies would appear equal.

8. The first Independence Day celebration took place in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776. This was also the day that the Declaration of Independence was first read in public after people were summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell.

9. The White House held its first 4th July party in 1801.
  
10. President John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe all died on the Fourth. Adams and Jefferson (both signed the Declaration) died on the same day within hours of each other in 1826.

11. Benjamin Franklin proposed the turkey as the national bird but was overruled by John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who recommended the bald eagle.

12. In 1776, there were 2.5 million people living in the new nation. Today the population of the U.S.A. is 316 million.

13. Fifty-nine places in the U.S. contain the word “liberty” in the name. Pennsylvania, with 11, has more of these places than any other state. Of the 59 places nationwide containing “liberty” in the name, four are counties: Liberty County, Ga. (65,471), Liberty County, Fla. (8,276), Liberty County, Mont. (2,392) and Liberty County, Texas (76,571).

14. The most common patriotic-sounding word used within place names is “union” with 136. Pennsylvania, with 33, has more of these places than any other state. Other words most commonly used in place names are Washington (127), Franklin (118), Jackson (96) and Lincoln (95).

15. Fireworks are part of the tradition of celebrating this national holiday. The U.S. imported $227.3 million worth of fireworks from China in 2012. U.S. exports of fireworks, by comparison, came to just $11.7 million in 2012, with Israel purchasing more than any other country ($2.5 million).

16. In 2012, vast majority of imported U.S. flags ($3.6 million) was made in China.

17. Barbecue is also big on Independence Day. Approximately 150 million hot dogs and 700 million
pounds of chicken are consumed on this day.

18. Every 4th of July the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped (not actually rung) thirteen times in honor of the original thirteen colonies.

19. Traditions place the origins of “Yankee Doodle” as a pre-Revolutionary War song originally sung by British military officers to mock the disheveled, disorganized colonial “Yankees” with whom they served in the French and Indian War. It is believed that the tune comes from the nursery rhyme Lucy Locket. One version of the Yankee Doodle lyrics is “generally attributed” to Doctor Richard Shuckburgh,a British Army surgeon. According to one story, Shuckburgh wrote the song after seeing the appearance of Colonial troops under Colonel Thomas Fitch, V, the son of Connecticut Governor Thomas Fitch.[2]

20. The tune of the National Anthem was originally used by an English drinking song called “to Anacreon in Heaven.” The words have nothing to do with consumption of alcohol but the “melody that Francis Key had in mind when he wrote those words did originate decades earlier as the melody for a song praise of wine.” http://www.colonialmusic.org/Resource/Anacreon.htm

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July!!!!!

 

Happy Homemaker Monday {7/3/2023}

Good evening everyone and welcome back to my blog. 

I hope every everyone had a wonderful weekend and are ready for the week ahead. 

It's 4:30pm and I am just now sitting down to write this post. Today, I have finished 3 loads of laundry ( the last is in the dryer), cleaned the kitchen (we had an early dinner) and I have pick up the living room. I just hope my week will be as productive as this day has been.

Happy Monday and have a wonderful and productive week!

Happy Homemaker Monday 

 

The weather outside is:

Hot with a chance of rain throughout the evening.

What we had for dinner tonight (instead of the breakfast plate):

Burritos made with homemade tortillas

As I look out my window:

It's cloudy and rainy right now.

As I look around the house:

The living room needs to be picked up and then kitchen needs to be straighten.

What I'm wearing today:

A blue t-shirt and gray sweats

Currently reading:

The Ex- Wife

On the TV this week:

Right now I am watching How I Met Your Mother, Blossom, shows on Hulu and on Netflx I'm watching Cobra Kai and Manifest. On Paramount+ I'm watching Fatal Attraction.

On the Menu this week: (I'm still figuring out the meal plan for this week)

Monday- Burritos

Tuesday- Hamburgers, fries, brownies and cheesecake

Wednesday- Chicken tenders, mac and cheese and banana pudding (we are cooking across the states and Alabama was our first state)

Thursday- Spaghetti and garlic bread

Friday- Pizza and breadsticks

Saturday- Leftovers

Sunday- Beans and fried potatoes and cornbread

To Do List:

Write this post

Deep clean the laundry room

Steam carpets

plan tomorrow's menu

Inspirational quotes: 

 

 

July 2023 Goals

It's hard to believe that 2022 is now officially halfway over. Weren't we just writing about all of our resolutions for the year? Yikes! As cliche as it may sound, time has really flown by this year. Even with all of the craziness that has been going on lately.

July is one of my favorite months of the year because it's full of so many fun traditions like: celebrating Independence Day, going swimming, making ice cold pitchers of lemonade, breezy nights with the windows open, lazy summer storms.....so many good things. Even though we are still staying home and only leaving house when necessary (groceries and other essentials, this is our choice, so no judgement please) we are going to make the best of this summer.

Personal Goals

• drink more water
• meditate for 5 minutes before bed. Stretch for a few minutes when getting up.
• get better quality sleep by going to bed earlier
• walk 10,000 steps every day
• Complete one Bible study
• start a new online business
• start on a new and exciting project

Family Goals

• Bubbles in the backyard
• Celebrate Independence Day.
• Rent some movies and have more movie nights with the kids

Blog Goals

• Post at least 3x per week.
• Make a new list of blog post ideas
• Schedule posts until the end of the July
• Create an editorial calendar for the rest of summer (in progress)
• Start a food blog

I hope your July has started out as a fantastic month. Have you set any goals yet? Any fun summer plans? Have you started to cross things off of your Summer Bucket List? 

Please stay safe!!!!