Fitness Challenge: #MakeFatCry

I have to do SOMETHING about my weight.
4-5 workouts at PFit just aren't doing it. (Probably because I sabotage myself in the drive thru lane, but we aren't talking about that right now) Anywho, I decided to take it up a notch by joining a 30 day challenge put on by Betty Rocker at #MakeFatCry. Well, she is kicking my heiny in unprecedented fashion. It's all body weight workouts and each workout is only 15 minutes, but there have been several days that I could barely walk. But I guess that means it's working, so I'm going to keep going until the end. I'm on day 10 today and I need to do day 9 because yesterday got away from me. But, I'm not quitting or giving up.
Anyone want to join me?

Coming Soon! The 100 Happy Days Challenge

Hi friends! I'm wanting to document some happiness around here. Life is sometimes hard, and often feels rather uphill-both-ways-in-neck-deep-snow blah blah blah. So to combat that feeling, I've decided to join the 100 Happy Days Challenge. Starting on May 30th (the day after Memorial Day) I will be doing the challenge. It's a great way to focus on the positive in our lives by noticing something that makes us happy each day for 100 days.

I chose May 30th, because to me, summer starts then. Memorial Day is official kick off weekend of summer. So from May 30 until a few days after Labor Day, I shall be documenting something that made me happy that day. I'll be posting on FB and also here. I'll be using the hashtags #100HappyDays, #100DaysOfSummer and possibly #TheManCrew as well.

If you want to play along, and I hope you do, you can join the challenge by heading to www.100happydays.com and signing up. You can choose your start date, your favorite platform for posting pics, and even choose a custom hashtag if #100HappyDays doesn't suit your fancy. Hope to see you there and here!

Screen Free Week is Coming!!

Yes, friends, it is time to start preparing for the upcoming Screen Free Week 2017! It's as simple as it sounds. No screens, except for the necessary like homework, email, and GPS.
We are opting for "just" a week right now, as opposed to our month like in years past. But I think we will have several Screen Free Weeks this year.
Don't know where to start? Here's a short list to get you started:

• Take a hike/skate/bike ride
• Go to the library
• Enjoy cooking and eating a meal together, uninterrupted
• Take a nap
• Read aloud to your children 
• Soak in the tub while music plays quietly
• Have coffee/tea with friends (and actually be fully present with them)
• Bake a cake
• Do a science experiment with the kiddos
• Swing at the park
• Go to the zoo
• Go Bowling
• Make a puzzle
• Blow bubbles
• Rock a baby to sleep
• Board/card/dice games
• Paint/sculpt/sketch
• sew/knit/crochet/tat 

Come on guys, who is with me? Let's do this! 

Look What I Did!

So, this happened. :)

Yep, I joined Planet Fitness this weekend. Dan is a member and totally loves it, so I figured I would give it a try. Pat will be my normal workout buddy, and we will go as often as we can when David is home. When D can't make it home at a reasonable hour, I'll have to go by myself or find another buddy to take, but it's a start. I'm too cheap to let my whole $20 go to waste, so that is just extra motivation, right?
 I've decided that I will never be good at working out at home. And that's not a character flaw, I'm just busy and often distracted, and always interrupted, so if I need to join a gym to get my workouts done, then let's do that.
We've been a few times already and I"m really enjoying it. I'm trying ALL. THE. THINGS.
Treadmills? Check
Ellipticals? Check
Stair Climbers? Heck NO
Weight lifting machines? Check
30 minute cardio circuit? Check
Hydro-massage? Check
Recumbent Bikes? Check
Total Body Enhancement thing a ma bobber? Check
I'll keep you posted on the long term results  :)
~K~

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#100HappyDays

 I was challenged by a friend today to take the #100HappyDays challenge. Post of pic of something that makes you happy each day for 100 days. And I think it's exactly the distraction I need while Dan is away. Being mindful of little things that make life more pleasant, more enjoyable, more blessed is never a bad thing. Perhaps I'll do it not only on FB, but post it over here for my viewing and enjoyment once the challenge is over.
If you are interested and would like to play along, it can be found over here.
    Always more blessed that I deserve, ~K~ 

A Book a Week in 2015 Challenge

I challenged myself and a few friends to read a book a week this year (or a day, month, year, whatever you can do). Then I printed out the owl-so-cute printables found here  and made myself a 3 ring notebook with enough pages for a whole year. I'll update this as I read through the books. If you want, feel free to leave the books you're reading this year in the comments, and we can use them as recommendations for our next book to read.

Here's my list:  
   1. Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine~Rating: 5 stars
~Notes: An excellent read for the overworked, overtired, over-everything person in your life (like YOU). Full of practical hands-on advice, interesting anecdotes from herself and other readers of her blog, and questions to make you pause, reflect and then redirect your life. Superb.
   2. The Imposter Bride by Nancy Richler~ Rating 2.5 stars
~Notes: This book did not interest me at all, and I considered just quitting it about 17 times, but I'm not a quitter, and hope springs eternal that the book will get better. But it didn't, so this one was a complete bummer for me. I don't care for stories that are told 'inside out' where you're just kind of tossed into the story and have no idea what's going on for most of the book, but perhaps that is just my opinion and not a faulty writing style. It just never really seemed to get to the point of the book, or even let you know what the point WAS.
   3. Confessions for a Raging Perfectionist by Amanda Jenkins~ rating 4 stars
~Notes: This book came highly recommended to me by a friend who enjoyed it thoroughly. It is a good good, especially if you struggle with perfection-ism (which I obviously don't. If you don't believe me, come to my house and admire my dog hair tumbleweeds, my boys' clothing that doesn't match and the clutter around my house. LOL) This book is well written, thought provoking, full of scripture and even has a small group study guide included. 
   4. Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline~ Rating: 4 stars
~Notes: Here's the review I posted on Amazon:
I don't normally care from books that jump back and forth in the time line and between storylines, but this one is done so skillfully and so artfully, that I could not put it down, and when I managed to put it down, I couldn't stop thinking about it, and what would happen next. Molly and Vivian's story is a fantastic piece of literature. A story of love, loss, redemption and the triumph of the human spirit. And a good amount of history thrown in for good measure. It even has questions at the end for a book club discussion. Read it. You won't regret it.
   5. A Hopeful Heart by Amy Clipston~ Rating 4.5 stars
~Notes: A delightful (if somewhat predictable) read. Amish woman meets English man, sparks fly and she has to choose between the life she's always known, and the possibilities of a new adventure. It's not too deep, not too complicated and it's a perfect book for some Sunday afternoon reading either on the porch swing in the sunshine, or curled up by the fireplace. Can't wait to read the next one in the series!
   6. Declutter: The Art Of Minimizing Your Mess (a Kindle QuickRead) by Daria Foster~ rating 4 stars
~Notes : Here's the review I posted on Amazon: This is a great reference for those just getting started on the decluttering journey, or someone who needs a reminder to stay the course down the road. It is well written, succinct, and touches on the most important topics without becoming bogged down with numerous details. I would recommend this to anyone thinking about downsizing, decluttering, or moving towards a simpler life.
   7. A Mother's Secret by Amy Clipston~ Rating 4.5 stars
~Notes: I said I couldn't wait to read the next one, and I meant it. :) Another lovely simple read about the Amish community. Amish woman with a secret meets confirmed bachelor Amish man. Sparks fly, but can she trust him with her secret...and her heart? Delightful. 
   8. 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess by Jen Hatmaker~ Rating 5 Stars
~I know I've read this before, but I can't stop reading it. It is reading perfection. It moves my heart every single time I read it. Funny, compelling, heart felt, and a call to live the Christian life the way Jesus meant it to be lived. It's so good, I've recommended it to everyone who will listen, I've read it aloud to Dan, I've quoted it on FB and in conversations, I've considered buying a case full and giving them as Christmas gifts, and I've read it nearly 20 times. Find it, buy it, read it repeatedly and be moved. It will change your life. I promise.

*update as of 3/18/15* It appears that I am about 3 books behind, but considering we are in the throes of gymnastics season and we are 6 weeks post-move, I'm going to call that a win. I'm hoping to be caught up by the end of screen free month. I'll keep you posted. 
     ~K~

 

Joy Journal 2015

Hi Friends!
Over at Ben and Me, I found this great printable to journal my joy this year. I printed it out, 3 hole punched it and put in multi-colored book rings to make my journal complete, and placed it next to my laptop on my desk so that I can record something from each day that brought me joy. I guess that makes it Grati-Tuesday every day this year. :)
Come along on the journey with me and add a comment about something you are grateful for this year.

January

1. A Fresh Start
2. SNOW!! In Cruces
3. A perfect BLT
4. A tidy junk drawer
5. Completed House Paperwork
6. ---
7. Time spent with Dan at the end of a busy day
8. A quiet evening at home
9. 7 Wonders (new game for Game Night)
10. A 'Welcome Home' card from the previous owner
11. Family Photos :)
12. Our credit score went UP, thanks Bob!
13. The check from Dan's retirement came in today!
14. A love note from Love Monkey
15. The B-Bunch's Buick
16. A delightful chat with 'Shua and Tony
17. Packing helpers
18. Patrick (Happy 16th birthday)
19. A day off
20. A great day of school with Derek
21. Dan's boss bragging about him to me
22. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!! (in a blizzard...in Cruces. Weird)
23. 1st Game Night at the new house (no, we haven't moved in yet)
24. David's 1st meet of gymnastics season
25. MOVING DAY! Best move ever
26. We found Thunder, who had become lost in the move
27. Kitchen is set up *enough*
28. Bedrooms are set up completely except for the master
29. Bathrooms are fully set up
30. Snake Atrium completed
31. Fish tank here safely

February

1. I met with Jesus at home while the Man Crew attended church. Jesus is easier to find when the house is empty of boys. ;)
2. ---Lost To---
3. ---The Move---
4. ---Aftermath and---
5. ---Ensuing Exhaustion.---
6. ---Good things happened, I just didn't record them in time to remember them. Oops---
7. Dan built me a spinning DVD rack. SCORE!
8. SEEK series started at church. Fasting, anyone?
9. Mike Eorio came to visit the new house.
10. Sister-Girl Night
11. Derek is nearly caught up in school after the move and subsequent mayhem
12. Autumn Rose (great niece) was born safely this morning.
13. Manicure with Grace for the Father/Daughter dance at MPCC
14. David's 2nd meet
15. Lunch with Doug and Amy.
16. A day spent at home.
17. A coffee date with Myra and Amy
18.  Being productive!
19. Road trip to Phoenix which included a sing-along <3 li="">
20. David's 3rd meet
21. Safe drive home
22. Setting up Game Room with Dan
23. Back to 'normal'
24. Happy birthday MOM
25. Happy 40th birthday Dan
26. Great chat with 'Shua
27. Met Autumn Rose. I have died and gone to great-auntie heaven!
28. David bought a car :) 92 Nissan Pathfinder...with his own money

March

1. HELLO SCREEN FREE MONTH!
2. David got his driver's license
3. Science experiments with Derek, thanks to Magic set from B&N
4. MORE science experiments
5. Free pecan firewood, just come and get it
6. GAME NIGHT
7. Pig Roast at Bobby and Julie's house. Good times!
8. Started 'GOD IS..." series at MPCC
9. ON schedule to finish school before July
10. Finally back to the library, and paid my enormous fine. Oops. LOL!
11. Dan got a new chainsaw and chopped all the wood for the fireplace this year.
12. Happy Birthday Lizzie!
13. Hanging pictures in the Living Room and new friends at Game Night
14. I remembered the time change, hurray!
15. A relaxing Sunday anticipating the WHOLE WEEK OFF of work
16. Hanging my star lights with Dan on the patio
17. Jodi's Learn for a Lifetime 5 year anniversary celebration
18. Rachel is arriving today for a visit!
19. Reviving my long neglected blog :) Hi friends!
20. Relaxing day off before Super Fun Game Night
21. State Meet with David in Abq
22. Church at R2R
23. Spent the day baking and hanging out with Rachel
24. Jay and Rachel cooked dinner for us. 
25. ---
26. ---
27. Dinner with Bobby and Julie (new friends through Dan's work)
28. Rachel arrived safely back home
29. Hercules and Ricky had such fun together working on RC cars
30. I had breakfast and a nice chat with Ricky before he left
31. Back to Sister-Girl Night (alone)

April

1. GoodBYE Screen Free Month
2. Hello NO Pants April
3. Good Frieday
4. Many compliment about NPA attire
5. Resurrection Day
6. Took my first ever decent selfie
7. Funny comment from Pat (him: Mom, when are you doing haircut? Me: Why? Him: Because my unicorn is dead, of course. Me: Bwuahahahah!)
8. More compliments on NPA
9. Road trip for Regionals with David and Karen: Hope to see Andy-Boy as well
10. Arrived safely in Co Springs, CO
11. REGIONALS!!
12. Home safely
13. Coffee with Karen
14. Thrift store SCORE: 6 new-to-me pieces for under $4
15. TAXES were paid months ago. Woot!
16. Keeping up with my blogging
17. 2 more new-to-me skirts for $6
18.  Created a fire pit in the courtyard: Thanks Hercules!
19. Started the 50 Shades of Black and White series at MPCC. GOOD STUFF!
20. David got new glasses
21. A great day of school!
22. Dinner out with the Benson ladies
23. Catch up on blogging
24. Birthday Game Night: Alex, Art, Charlie, Cody and David G.
25. Gymnastics Banquet
26. Homemade pizza and movies with the whole family
27. ---
28. ---
29. ---
30. ---

May  

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June 

1. Happy birthday G!
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6.  Happy birthday, Boss Man
7.  Happy birthday, A
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July

1.  
2. Ricky arrived :) I knew he was coming this time. 
3. Ricky + Game Night = too much silliness for this old lady. Good times
4. Happy Independence Day America! We relaxed at home. Alone. Perfection, even without a bbq, fireworks or multitudes of people at our house.
5. Lunch at Cracker Barrel with all the men, plus Ricky
6.  
7.  Started a Squats Challenge with the CEO Moms group on FB
8. Lazy day at work. 
9. Wrote some letters (way ahead on this yearly goal)
10. RAIN! In the desert
11.  
12.  Big Batch Cooking day, and free peaches!
13. 
    
14. Wet-N-Wild with D, P, DT, A and Merrick. Short but FUN!
15. Happy birthday Z
16. Chatted with 'Shua
17.  7 Wonders played at the new house. FINALLY! Woot
18.  David hosted a MtG Tourney. Fun was had by all
19.  Dan and Bobby arrived safely in Iowa City for their new jobs
20.  Mean Machines Camp for DT
21.  Long chat with Karen by phone
22.  Pat and Gracie attending Project Jerusalem
23.  Made a new friend (Melody) while preparing lunch for the Project Jerusalem kiddos
24.  Breakfast with the BossLady
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August

September

October

November

December

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 9

Today's focus is to break our goals into manageable piece, small steps, attainable mini-goals. This is a great plan, and one that I struggle with. I LOVE to just dig into a project with both hands, all my gusto and boundless enthusiasm. However, I often fall on my face a few days later since I'm exhausted and the rest of my life is a mess. Sooooo, I guess I'm in the right place and in good company. :) This challenge is so wonderful for me, even though the past day or two hasn't gone very well. Here we go:
Assignment 1: Small Habit (go for a walk as soon as Dan leaves for work on the weekdays)Goodness, another day that I didn't get it done. Dan had the day off, so we slept in and then hit the ground running since we had company coming.
Assignment 2: Continue with Life Hack
Terrible. It was game night and by the time everyone was gone, I was too tired to care that the kitchen was a mess of leftover veggie trays, empty soda cans, half filled glasses and chip crumbs. *ugh*
Assignment 3: Mega-Project:Never even went in there again today, but I'm thinking I'll have time on Saturday. Here's to hoping I can make it happen tomorrow. Today's assignment was to be digging through 3 boxes and either getting rid of things, setting them aside for eBay/Freecycle or packing them carefully to be taken into the garage. That was yesterday's assignment as well, so I am now 6 boxes 'behind'. A tad discouraging, but like I said, tomorrow is another chance.
Thanks friends for enjoying the journey with me. Here's a link to getting started if you are interested.
http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/10/30/21-day-self-discipline-challenge-kick-off-link-up-here/
     Blessings, ~K~

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 8

Today's focus is to keep your goals IN SIGHT, not in your head, tucked away on a list somewhere that you never see, or under a pile of clutter that you never get around to cleaning up. Thursday started out tough for me and only got more hectic throughout the day. To be honest, it was what I generally call a 'train wreck' day. Nothing went right, nothing of much value got accomplished and I was quite discouraged about it. However, I want to be authentic about my journey towards discipline, so here are my 'results' for the day.
Assignment 1: Small Habit (go for a walk as soon as Dan leaves for work during the week):
FAIL: Had a little one here that we do NOT turn our back on, let alone leave the house while they are in residence. I will report that I did get that walk in later in the day, so I suppose that means it's only half a fail? LOL, I didn't do it in the morning, but I did eventually get it done. I suppose I can deal with that.
Assignment 2: Continue with Life Hack
HUGE FAIL: Woke up to a messy kitchen. I had been out and about the evening before and I just went to bed instead of spending 10 minutes setting it back to rights. Very discouraging after doing so well up until now.
Assignment 3: Mega-ProjectFAIL: Never even went into the project room Thursday. I don't want to talk about it. LOL!

Thanks for coming along on the journey with me, even on the days when I fall off the wagon and subsequently get run over by said wagon. :) If you are interested in joining us, look here for today's assignments and how to join. http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/07/day-8-where-are-you-going/
    Blessings, ~K~

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 7

Hey everyone, this day is just getting going, but I wanted to pop over and say that today's challenges http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/06/day-7-avoiding-negativity/ and motivating chapter in "21 Days to a More Disciplined Life" http://crystalpaine.com/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life/ really touched me. The focus for today is breaking negative thought patterns and especially using the phrase, "I'll try" Why is this negative? Because you are admitting defeat before you even begin. Oops, that strikes a little too close for comfort for this mama. I 'try' to get everything done each day, but all too often, LIFE gets in the way of living. :) I am working in this area by practicing my option to say no to things that don't fit in my life, but I still have a ways to go before I can claim success in this area. So, with that in mind, here are today's challenges.
Assignment 1: Small Habit: Got up and went walking soon after Dan left for work. Even found myself running a good portion of my walk route. That, coupled with last night's leg workout, has me pretty sore today. I think that means I'm doing something right. Come on scale, MOVE on down!
Assignment 2: Continue with Life Hack:
Woke up to a shiny kitchen again today. I could get used to this :) Didn't inspire me to bake for the boys, but did make packing a lunch for Dan much easier as I wasn't pushing around dirty dishes, wiping crumbs off of everything, or getting stuck to the counter.
Assignment 3: Mega-Project:
I am still a bit ahead on this. Tomorrow, I'll have to get back to work on it. :D Today's project was to find, collect and label our 5 gallon buckets that we use for extra pantry storage. The popcorn bucket was in the Mega Project room, the flour was in the right place, but the others had all been dragged off to be used as stools elsewhere around the garage/yard. So they've all been collected, labeled and put back in the proper place. I know my spare room was the project, but the garage is getting a lot of love in the process. I can live with that. Hee hee!
This project/life discipline challenge is really really really just what I've been needing. I've been desiring to change, but hadn't put that in motion yet. Thank you Crystal for the book and thank you Mama Bear for creating this challenge!
     Blessings,
           Kristy

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~Day 6

Hello again, friends! I know, I know~ 2 blogs in one day, what ARE you going to do with yourselves? Ha ha ha! As stated in the last blog post, I goofed up and got off track with my daily challenges, so I am playing a bit of catch up. Today's post from 'serving joyfully' is found here http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/06/discipline-day-6-realistic/  and it's a good one. Discouragement can get the best of us when we are having an 'off day' as everyone does now and then. The important part is to get back up, stop beating YOURSELF UP (as the world is glad enough to do that for you) and move on.
Today's challenges are all about Being Realistic and since this is something that I struggle with, it's especially poignant today. Join me!
Assignment 1: Continue with Small Habit: Up and out for a walk in the sunshine as soon as Dan left this morning. I'm glad I picked this one. Gotta make this habit STICK!
Assignment 2: Continue with Life Hack:Hello, shiny kitchen! Lovely
Assignment 3: Mega-Project step 6:
Today's goal is to list things on Freecycle to make a little room in the garage. I need to tumble a few pieces of clothing that have gotten dusty, snap a few pics and get them up there. Don't want to fall behind. I'll update when I have it all accomplished for the day. :)
UPDATE: Got everything posted on Freecycle and even have a few 'takers' already. Bye bye stuff, go bless someone else's house!
It's still not too late to join the party. Check it out over here http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/10/30/21-day-self-discipline-challenge-kick-off-link-up-here/
     Blessings,
          Kristy

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 5

Well, apparently, I goofed (more likely had a computer glitch) yesterday when I said we weren't doing Sundays. So now I'm scrambling a bit to catch back up. Today there will be 2 posts, one from yesterday's challenge (that I thought was today's) and up next will be today's. If you are interested in reading the day 5 challenge post, it can be found here. http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/05/discipline-day-5-anticipating-obstacles/
So our challenges for day 5 are/were:
Assignment 1: Continue with Small Habit:
Got my walk done in the early morning sunshine today. Felt good. I can even do walking lunges without being sore for 2 days now. Guess that means it's time to dig out the hand weights :)
Assignment 2: Continue with Life Hack:Woke up to a clean and shiny kitchen today. LOVE it! Makes it much easier to prepare a nice breakfast for myself and the boys when it's not a cluttery mess. Also really aids in getting Dan out the door with his lunch in a timely fashion.
Assignment 3: Mega-Project step 5:
Well, to be honest, now that I need to re-arrange my 21 steps list again due to the misunderstanding, I am not sure if I've done this step or not. I will check my list, re-order and then post an update later. Isn't that what we are learning about today? LOL, the obstacle being that I thought we weren't working on Sundays and now I'm behind, but since I was ahead, I might not actually be behind. Ooo, brain cramp. I'll check my list and let you know!
UPDATE: Just checked the list and I'm pleased to announce that I'm still on schedule. Yesterday's task was to start an e-Bay selling shelf in the garage to place all the items we want to sell. I have a nice clean shelf just waiting to be used once I start digging through boxes. Yippy for not letting that obstacle get the best of me!
Play along and join us over at www.servingjoyfully.com if you want. It's not too late :)
     Blessings,
        Kristy

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 4

Hello friends, we are to Day 4 of the 21 Days...Challenge (we are skipping Sundays) and today's challenge is all about taking things one step at a time. You can check out today's post by going to http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/04/day-4-one-thing-at-a-time-a-blog-makeover/. It gives us 3 steps to work on today
Assignment 1: Follow through with small habit:
I got up and walked first thing after Dan left this morning. Although it was chilly and my nose felt a little nippy, it felt good to get out there and be doing the 'right' thing first thing in the morning. I also felt like I accomplished much today because instead of lingering in front of the computer screen for an hour (or two *gulp*) I just got started with the rest of my day after a quick perusal of my e-mail and an even faster check in on FB.
Assignment 2: Follow through with “life hack” habit:
My life hack it to clean the kitchen every night before bed. I am LOVING this one. It's so great to get up to a shiny kitchen instead of last night's dinner dishes still laying around and all the counters being sticky and covered in crumbs.
Assignment 3: Mega-Project:Officially, I am quite a bit ahead on my steps for this, so I'm taking the day off. But the task that was slated for today was to work in the garage for a while trying to make some more room. I wasn't as successful at this as I had hoped to be, but was still pleased with my time spent in there moving things around. Over all, I'm rather pleased with how the whole project is coming along.
Today’s Assignment: Make a list of habits:
In the interest of being very, very (read this as PAINFULLY) honest, I just don't think I can add one more thing at this time. I'm already adding working out, cleaning the kitchen, staying on task with schooling, setting stricter boundaries for myself so I'm not a continual doormat, and daily personal Bible study (not just what I'm doing with the boys for school) The last 3 I already started before this challenge came up and I don't think I can add any more without burnout and failure, so I guess my habit is to say no when my plate is full *winks*.
If you are interested in joining the challenge, or even are just wondering what on Earth I am talking about, check out the e-book that started it all and the blog that started this challenge over at http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/10/30/21-day-self-discipline-challenge-kick-off-link-up-here/
     Blessings,
            Kristy

21 Days to a More Discipled Life~ Day 3

1. Follow Through on yesterday's "small thing"
~DONE, or more accurately, I don't have to go walking on the weekends, so I guess PASS is more like it :)
2. Life Hack: Pick one bad habit to break or one good habit to add
~I'll be adding a quick tidy of the kitchen to my evening routine. This is something that I've really been good at in the past, but has kind of fallen to the wayside in the hectic summer we had and I just haven't gotten back to it. SO, onto the daily docket it goes! And just in time to make a new habit for the holiday baking mayhem!
3. Complete Step 3 of the MEGA project
~My job today was to take all of the empty boxes in the room, break them down and cart them out to the garage where they actually belong. I'm fighting for space in there since Dan has so many projects going on as well, but they need OUT of that room, so I made it happen. Shhh, don't tell Dan I moved some of his things. LOL!
If you're wondering how to join, or what the fuss is all about, check out http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/03/day-2-discipline-in-the-small-things/ for links to buy the e-book that inspired the challenge, and/or join the fun!

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 2

Hi there, it's day 2 of the challenge to be more disciplined. Today's topic is that discipline is a process and not something that magically happens overnight with LIFE ALTERING results. (If only, right?) So today we have 2 small assignments.
1. Pick one small task, do and commit to the follow through
~I need to get back to my daily walking as I've been rather lackluster about it now that it's getting cooler overnight. It's so nice to just crawl back under the covers once Dan is gone for the day. Or worse, go straight to the computer and spend far too much time on it. If I get up, go walking and get GOING, I am so much more motivated by the 'extra' time I have and use it for a much better purpose than staring mindlessly at the screen. So, I'm committing to walking all 5 of the weekdays.
2. Do step 2 of the MEGA project
~Yesterday I went into the back room, stood there and just acknowledged the huge mess that it is. I took a picture and shared it, and also counted the boxes as best I could. (45 boxes~ ouch) Today's project is to set up an e-Bay mailing shelf in the closet so that as I sell things, I don't have to be digging through piles of junk to find a box, bubble wrap, or the scale. I've got one started in there, but alas, never followed through with it. So, since I intend to sell a good amount of things over the next month or two, I need to be set up for that.
If you want to join in, here is today's post at Serving Joyfully http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/11/02/day-2-self-discipline-is-a-process/
There you will find links about Crystal's book that inspired the challenge, and links to the sign up page and the daily challenges. ENJOY
     Blessings,

 

         Kristy

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ Day 1

The challenge: To become more disciplined in my personal life. As Crystal pointed out, discipline is a choice (ouch) So if I am the problem, then I am also the solution. Touche. So our challenges for today are to
1. Do a small task that's been bothering you
~For me, that was filling the salt shaker. I know, minuscule and ridiculous to put off. BUT, filling the salt shaker would use up all the salt I had in the pantry container as well, so I had to go to 'deep storage' to retrieve more salt, fill the pantry sized container and then fill the salt shaker. I know, no big deal, but I've been putting it off until today when I realized that not only was the salt shaker low, it was completely empty. Oops. So off to deep storage I went...blah blah blah, and poof, it was done. total time taken? 5 minutes
2. Take your huge plan for the whole challenge
~For me that will be cleaning out the spare bedroom for my parent's arrival) and break it down into 21 manageable pieces. I don't think I'll do that here just yet, as a few steps still need to be tweaked, but I'll share all 21 steps sometime soon, I promise
3. Do the first thing on that list.
~For me, that means going in there and taking a BEFORE picture, and taking an honest look at how much is in there and how it will best be tackled.


OUCH, worse that I had hoped. This ALL needs to be taken out, sorted and dealt with, and also OUT of this room. Eek!

So there you have it, my DAY 1 Challenge and how I'm taking care of business :)
If you are interested in joining the fun, check out the How-To's over at http://www.servingjoyfully.com/2012/10/30/21-day-self-discipline-challenge-kick-off-link-up-here/ 

21 Days to a More Disciplined Life~ the WHY

Welcome friends! For the next 3 weeks, I'll be joining a challenge with some friends to read and apply the book '21 Days to a More Disciplined Life' written by Crystal Paine, otherwise known as the Money Saving Mom. I'm joining this challenge because despite all my wonderful plans, hopes and dreams, life/laziness often gets in the way and I end up feeling defeated and discouraged. I'm hoping that this will give me some great ideas in the way of practical tips and setting realistic goals for myself that are manageable.
The challenge for the first day is to come up with the WHY I'm participating. I guess it's because I always end up setting myself up for failure by either tackling these HUGE goals that aren't broken down into manageable steps, or I just fail to allow room for life. I find myself thinking, "If I could JUST have 3 days without the kids to get my life in order" or "If we just took a week off of homeschooling, I could get so many projects done" or something else along those lines when in truth, I need to just be more disciplined in my regular daily life so that I don't need a vacation from my life in order to organize my life. Does that even make sense? I hope so, because it's all I've got. HA!
Anywho, if you are interested in joining the challenge, you can purchase the book here at http://crystalpaine.com/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life/, and then join the challenge over here at http://www.servingjoyfully.com/ Hope to see you along the way :)

Too Many Games?

Q~ Is there such a thing as too many games for one family to enjoy?
A~ Only if the family does not play them. And at the Man Crew House, this is not the case.

BEFORE: I PULLED ALL THE GAMES OUT TO SEE WHAT WE HAD

I challenged myself and a few friends to go through the game cabinets in their homes today. Get rid of any that they don't play or that are missing pieces, don't work right, etc. I knew we had a bunch, but WOW, do we have a LOT! So I sorted and sorted and sorted. Came away with a few to donate to Goodwill, but mostly reorganized so that they were more usable and the ones we play the most often are at the top of the piles : )

AFTER: MUCH BETTER! Sorted them into the ones we use almost every week and the ones we play a bit less frequently and put them upstairs. (and the ones that toddlers don't need to get into as well)

More Thankfulness

Dear readers from wherever,

Thanks for following along with me as I've travelled down memory lane this past month, dug through some of my old history and recent life to be grateful for the people God has placed in my life. I've found old friends, rememberd some that I nearly forgot, found ways to be grateful for my failed attempts at relationships and even laughed at some of my own stupidity...LOL! Oy, that's what happens when ya start digging in the sands of time, right? Anywho, as I was gone over the weekend, I didn't have a chance to complete my own challenge...so I want to finish that now, if you don't mind. I'll start with my visit with EK and Linda and keep the last one for a surprise!

*EK and Linda~OH my, what FUN we had this weekend with them! How many friends do YOU have that rould drive 3 hours just to have lunch with you?? They drove from Tucson and we drove from Las Cruces....had lunch together, caught up with each other and played several rowdy sets of Dominoes...Good TIMES! We even found time to browse the downtown shops of Willcox, AZ, see the Rex Allen museum and get our picture taken where Warren Earp was shot...a busy day indeed! They filled us in on all of our friends from our home church in IL and we just laughed and carried on like old times! Ah, God is sooo good to suppply us with such great friends! So, we are extra thankful for them this weekend! Here are a few pics from that great trip!

OK and now for the lat one....drum roll please...............

***Dan, I know, he got top billing this month already a few times with being the first on the list and having a b-day, but he's my most favorite husband, best dad, great travelling companion and super Monkey, ever! We had SUCH a great time on our vacation this weekend...he is a trooper, doing all the driving, wrangling kids and still making time for lil' old me! He swerved around tumbleweeds to make the kids laugh, didn't get frustrated byt the long hours behind the wheel and even was kind enough to allow us to eat out after our return so the vacation feeling would last! Is he great or what?? He helped Derek climb the huge rocks at the City of Rocks state park, played dominoes with EK and Linda, fixed the DVD player so the kids could watch movies, reminded me a time or two that it was a vacation for the kids too, so they could have a bit more candy, took the day off so we could go at all, and then took the kids to the park on Sunday so I could enjoy a few minutes of quiet...seriously...he ROCKS! Anywho...all in all, he's a great guy and I'm sooo glad that he picked me! Well, I chased him until he caught me, but that's another story...LOL!

Thanks again for reading this from wherever you are....give yourselves a big hug or a high five from us out here in the wilds of NM....

Blessings,

Kristy

Props to the Man

Hey, didn't get a chance to post this yesterday but wanted to just shout out a huge HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sweet hubby, DAN. He turned 34 years old yesterday and I was glad. Glad that he managed not to get killed in a freak work accident like his brother did during his 33rd year, Glad that he is a great dad, a super hubby and a great son,friend, brother, SIL and BIL, and GLAD that he decided to turn his life around. My Dan ROCKS! Big hugs to you, my love! Hope your birthday was happy and there were no freak attacks by the mad monkey....LOL!
~Babygirl~