Meal Plan Monday - Week of March 31st

I've carried over a couple of dinners from last week, for one reason or an other I didn't make the ham or raviolis.    I'm already starting to feel like I need new ideas and recipes.   I'm not too adventurous in the eating or cooking department, but it's getting b-o-r-i-n-g.    I also need to start making healthy dinners that my husband and son will eat.    

Do you meal plan?  I'd love to see what you make for dinner.  

Meal Plan Monday - Week of March 24th

This week is all about using up what's in my freezer and pantry.  I can't tell you how excited I am that I don't even have to go to the grocery store at all.    I'll only be making a quick trip to Walmart for a couple grocery items and cleaning supplies.   

Do you meal plan?  I'm always on the hunt for new and easy recipes to try.   

GoodBye Winter.... Hello Spring!

Today is the last day of winter 2014.  Can I get an AMEN?

I'm sure we've had worse winters in the past, but this one has been cold, long, snowy and did I mention cold?  We still have below normal temperatures for mid March but I'm trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel. (and by "light" I mean sunlight)

I never thought I say this but I'm looking forward to Spring cleaning both inside and outside my house. Plus, I'm planning on doing some redecorating in April and May.

Stay tuned......    

It's A New Day With A New Design

Hi, it's been a long, long time since I've done this whole blogging thing... too long.  To say life has been chaotic the last few months would be an understatement!

But last week I decided it was time to get back on schedule in my home, my life and with my blogging.  
I knew it was time for changes.  So I figured I'd start with a new blog design to help me get a fresh start.

I've been stalking the blog templates at Designer Blogs for almost a year now, never committing.  I honestly don't know why I couldn't just pull the trigger, pick one and order it.  

I'm so happy I finally did!  Isn't it cute?  The template is called Blythe.  Lindsey at Designer Blogs designed it and installed it for me.   She was quick, sweet and very professional.  I cannot say enough good things about Designer Blogs, I feel you get a beautiful template, great service at a reasonable price.    I'd use them again in a heartbeat!   Check them out if you're looking for a change.  

I look forwarding to writing and sharing my life and love of DIY, decorating and home decor in my new "online space."  
 

2 Easy Ways To Save $1378 In One Year

When I saw the 52 Week Savings Challenge chart come up on my Pinterest feed, I thought "I can do that."    I have to admit I'm not that great with saving money. For me, this plan seems simple and painless.
 

There are two different ways to do the weekly version, you can either start with $1 and increase it each week or start with $52 and decrease each week.   The end result is still the same, but I figured I'd have more money in the beginning of the year then at the end.   Obviously this is meant as a New Year's resolution type challenge, but you can start it at any time.  I'm starting this week but will save as if this is week 4 which means I'm putting aside $202.   It will be a nice chunk of change that sure will come in handy for Christmas gifts.  Although, you could use the money for a family trip, maybe new furniture or a household project that's been put off for too long.  You could just leave it and grow your savings every year, but that's no fun.

This chart breaks it down monthly, it might work better with someone's budget to do it this way. 

I've seen people tape it to a large jar, but I think it would be too easy to "borrow" from the jar if it was sitting right there.  I'm printing mine out and keeping it in my bill paying binder so it's always there to remind me.  I should frame it and hang it on the wall above my desk, that would be hard to miss!  

Do you have any tips or tricks for saving money?  I'd love to hear about them.  

Cleaning Out The Clutter... One Week At A Time (Master Bedroom)

With the new year comes all of the good intentions of being more organized in every aspect of life.
Since it's January, I am doing my BEST to turn all those "intentions" into reality.
I believe that when your household clutter is so out of control, so is your life and mind.    It's a lot easier said then done.   "Oh, just clean out, throw out and organize everything and it'll make your life better."   Well, when you really step back and look at all that needs to get done it's a bit paralyzing.   At least for me it is.

I know we are a few weeks into January already but it's been rough around here with my father-in-law in the hospital with serious heart and kidney failure.   I'm doing this now because, A) It's NEEDS to be done..B) I need to get my mind back in the game.. C) I could really use the distraction.  

Better late, then never...right?  

I originally was thinking I would do a 31 Day Cleaning/Organizing Challenge, but that quickly became too overwhelming.  After, I typed the whole list on my computer and printed it out, I instantly realized I was being unrealistic and setting myself up for disappointment. I just if I couldn't accomplish something everyday, I would get defeated and give up totally.   I decided it was probably a better idea to give myself a bigger goal but at the same time give myself a longer time frame.    So, I came up with this weekly "Cleaning Out The Clutter" challenge for myself.  

This week it's my bedroom.   I would normally start with an easier room, like the bathroom or laundry room. But I really wanted to challenge myself to get a big job done first.

Here's my plan:

• under the bed 
• both night stand drawers 
• both dressers 
• tv/entertainment center shelves and cabinet 
• closets  (This will be the worst job of them all.  Both my husband's closet and mine are packed  from floor to ceiling with clothes and shoes.    The saddest part is that probably 75% of what's in there, is stuff  we wouldn't ever wear or doesn't fit.)    
• vacuum and steam clean the rug 
• new curtain for window 

Are you doing a cleaning, organizing or decluttering challenge?    I love hearing about how other people tackle their household chores.  

I'll be back every Sunday to update my progress and hopefully move on to another room.  

This Year Was.......

This year was.... a year like any other with it's ups and downs.  Even though it's ending on somewhat of a "down" for me, I don't want to write the whole thing off and say it was totally horrible.

I've had some pretty big personal breakthroughs in the last few months.
It's honestly been the hardest 3 months I've had in a long long time, but sometimes hittin a mental rock- bottom is a good thing. I still have a lot of work to do on myself but for the first time in a long time I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I know I'll get through it and figure it all out eventually.

As a 43 year old women who has stayed home to raise my 2 sons for the last 20 years, take care of my husband who's had multiple neck and back surgeries, I never prepared myself for the time when my role of mommy and caretaker was no longer necessary.

This year was....the year that it hit me like a brick wall!  "What do I want to be when I grow up?"  
It's basically a women's mid-life crisis.  I want change, I need change, I WILL change.  

So, for me 2014 is going to be exciting.  I've decided,  it's going to be "The Year of Tina"  

It won't be easy to put myself first and I know it will take some time to retrain my brain, but I am determined more then ever.      

Good bye 2013........Hello 2014