Several things today...

First I want to share another thought provoking email from Spark People.  I like this one, if you take the time to think about it you can really see your life from a whole new point of view. 

 

"Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged."  -Helen Keller

 

Is the grass truly greener on the other side?

Do you ever feel that you're always getting the short end of the stick? Or do you constantly compare your life to others'? We are bombarded with daily images of the posh lifestyles of celebrities. Their pampering, expensive wardrobes, and status can entice even the happiest of people to drool over such luxury. But by thinking about the world as a whole, you'll find that your own life is wealthy beyond compare. Make a short list of some of your overlooked privileges. Owning a car (or two!), having access to television, computers, drinkable water, a respectable wage at your job, and all of the freedoms you enjoy that are a foreign idea to many people around the world. Be grateful for your life and over time maybe you will see that your plot in life is someone else's "greener grass".

 

So there are times when we just seem to live pay check to pay check, and we wonder if we will have enough to make it to next week.  But turn I can turn that around and think of it this way..."Yeah, it's going to be tight this week, but thank God there is a pay check coming next week."  Because some people don't have a job, maybe they've been laid off, maybe they have been disabled, whatever the reason. 

 

There always seems to be some sort of drama revolving around one of the kids.  (Ray has 2 from a previous relationship, I have 3 from a previous marriage, and we have one together.)  Thank God we were blessed with children at all.  Many people desperately want a child and we have been lucky enough to have been blessed with 6 beautiful kids.

 

There always seems to be a mechanical problem with one of the cars.  But thank God we even have a car.  At least we don't have to depend on the public transportation system every day.  

 

Sometimes I begin to feel like I am trapped in this house.  But I thank God that I have a house at all.  We aren't living on the streets or out of the car.  

 

There are times that I begin to feel resentful of the fact that Ray and I haven't been out on a date.  I long to go out to dinner and maybe shoot some pool or go to a movie.  Just some alone time with the man I love.  But I am thankful that we have food in the house and we've never had to go without food.

 

I don't have health insurance.  Thank goodness we found the county clinic where I am able to see a doctor and I am able to get my blood pressure medication at the Health Department at an affordable price.

 

There are days when I wonder how I will make it through the terrible two's with Rylie.  Thank the Lord, especially with all the medical problems during the pregnancy, that Rylie was born healthy and she is a normal (rambunctious) two year old.

 

For every thing I think of that we ever complain about I can think of how it would be worse, and why we should be grateful for what we do have.   

 

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Project 1: Learn the 5 causes of disorganization  (I've linked each Project because I am giving you the shorten description of each cause.  If you go to the link you will be able to read more about each cause and find out if it is really describing you.)

Before you can dig out of your disorganization you have to first understand what led you there. Here, Vicki Norris sheds light on five common causes.

 

1- Situational Disorganization
The cause: A precipitating life event that causes disruption and disorganization in your life.

 

2- Habitual Disorganization
The cause: Bad habits that have developed over time.

 

3 - Historical Disorganization
The cause: When your upbringing (either orderly or disorderly) impacts your state of order. You can either model or rebel against the environment in which you were raised.

 

4 - Social Disorganization
The cause: When you are influenced by your social world to create and exist with disorder as a way of life.

 

5 - Chronic Disorganization
The cause: When we live in a chronic, debilitating state of disorder even though we have tried and failed to help ourselves.

 

*I think I am a little bit of 2, 3 and 5.  Nothing really jumps out at me.  I tend to have good organization idea's and put them into effect most of the time.  It's just a matter of keeping it up. 

 

Project 2: Practice Good Organizing Habits (Again I've linked this Project in case you want to go to the site and read it there)
Is disorganization affecting your life? Here, a four-step process to help you get things in order.

 

1. Create appropriate systems
Being able to locate something—at the very moment you need it—is the result of putting the object in the same place every single day. To ensure your keys and other oft-misplaced items are always at hand, Socolow says to get in the habit of putting things away in a designated area, like a hook near the door for keys, an attractive box on an entry table for incoming mail, a basket or plastic container for children's artwork—whatever works for you.

 

2. Throw out paper
We're bombarded with paper at every turn and one of the keys to staying on top of it, says Socolow, is to immediately throw out information that has expired or has no value. For example, if you're holding on to a stack of newspapers so you can clip recipes out of the food section, don't bother—they're all probably online. Also, Socolow says to not keep paper around just in case you might need the information at a later date. If that's the case, write down the information in a designated place or enter it into your computer.

 

3. Create a schedule
Do you feel more productive if you over-schedule your day? A hefty to-do list may look good on paper, however if you underestimate the amount of time it takes to do something you may end up feeling stressed if you don't check everything off your list. For example, if it takes you 20 minutes to get to the grocery store and you have a long list, don't think you're going to be in and out and home in under an hour. If you give yourself a realistic amount of time to get things done, you'll be able to better plan your day.

 

4. Write it down
Take the pressure off your short-term memory and write down the information you only need to refer to later. Keep a small notebook in your purse for those little things that are hard to remember, everything from details for upcoming soccer registration to what to bring to the next potluck. Or make a to-do list that covers just a few hours or an entire month—whatever helps to ease the information overload.

 

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Here is a recipe from Pillsbury.

 

 

Summer Fruit Cobbler Prep Time: 30 min ; Start to Finish: 1 hr 35 min Makes: 8 servings  Nutrition Information Tender Grands!® biscuits melt in your mouth in a classic peach and pear dessert.

3 cups sliced peeled fresh peaches (4 to 5 medium) 3 cups sliced peeled fresh pears (3 to 4 medium) 2 teaspoons lemon juice 1/2 cup sugar 1/3 cup water 1/4 cup cornstarch 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup fresh raspberries 1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted 2/3 cup sugar 1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated shortcake or Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1 .  Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, toss peaches and pears with lemon juice. 2 .  In 4-quart nonstick saucepan, heat 1/2 cup sugar, the water, cornstarch and 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon over medium heat to boiling. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in peaches and pears. Cook until hot and bubbly, stirring frequently. Add raspberries; cook and stir 1 minute. Pour into ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Cover to keep hot. 3 .  In small bowl, place melted butter. In another small bowl, mix 2/3 cup sugar and remaining 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon. 4 .  Separate dough into 8 biscuits. Cut each biscuit into quarters. Lightly roll each biscuit piece in melted butter, then in sugar mixture to coat. Arrange biscuit pieces point sides down on hot fruit mixture. 5 .  Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until biscuit pieces are deep golden brown and bottoms are no longer doughy. Cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

 

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I haven't done a word of the day in a while, so here's one for ya.  

 

Bamboozle

 

Main Entry: bam·boo·zle

Function: transitive verb
Pronunciation: bam-'bü-z&l

Etymology: origin unknown
: to deceive by underhandedmethods : DUPE , HOODWINK

 

If you have children you probably know this one well.  Funny how they think they're getting something over on you.  Most of us know the "tells" of when they are lying.  You have those that can't look you in the eye, those that fidget, those that freak out and have tantrums when you question them on anything and then there are those that can look you straight in the eye and tell the biggest story as honestly as possible (funny how they never look you in the eye any other time, lol).  Bamboozle...it just sounds so much nicer than lying, deceptive, etc.

 

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Have a great weekend! 

Hugs,