2012 Goal Update

Three months down, thought I would update my goals for this year, and tell y'all how I have been doing. Going pretty good so far! :o)

House:

• Basement Clean/Organized- This happened in 2011, however, my Father-In-Law gave Big Daddy about 2 truck loads of Nascar items so they are taking up his side of the basement. My side got bombarded with toys and other "crap" after Christmas! This will be done soon b/c I can not get to my stockpile, and that my friends is VERY frustrating!

*We have worked hard down there and about have it cleaned back up, about 60% done 

• Garden- I have been talking about this for a few years now but I really want to buckle down and do this! When I was younger we had a huge garden every year and I hated working in it...but loved the food! We live on a hill and its very rocky so we may have to do some raised beds.
• Clean Windows- Obviously I don't do this enough for it to make the big goal list HA HA

Finances:

• Maintain $1,000.00 Emergency Fund-This isn't savings, this is the "Oh crap I need new tires,washer,glasses,etc... money."

*Done so far

• Add to "Family $"

*Done

• Pay down 50% of our debt- We do not have any credit cards, but we do have a few things here and there that we need to work on.

*We paid a big chunk of this with tax return...YAY!

Marriage:

• Date Night once a month...at least. Movies,Dinner,etc...

*We have got to go out together a few times with no kids...

• SHOW Hubby I love him more often- After 10 years together he knows I love him but I need to make more of an effort to show him I do, and to let him know how much I appreciate him working so hard, so I can stay home with Brother!

*Trying my best :o)

• 1 Weekend Get-away

Family: 

• Family Vacation
• Take kids to the park and play/picnics
• Sissy 2nd Swimming Lesson

*Done, 3rd lesson starts next weekend.

• Sissy Bowling

*Done, Birthday Party at the Bowling Alley! FUN!

• Visit the Titanic Museum
• Family Pictures
• Brother potty trained
• 2 weeks no processed foods

*We ARE eating A LOT less processed foods but we still have some things...

• Craft Projects
• Spend focused time with each kid every day doing what they want to do
• More crafty with Sissy's Bento/Including notes

*Been doing good with this, averaging 3-4 days a week!

• Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze
• Christmas 2012- Buy through out the year
• Shadaracks Light Show
• Opryland Christmas

Personal:

• Sleep Schedule- I have to get more sleep so I can have productive days!!

*Some days are better than others...

• Start my day by getting dressed- Seems simple enough right? But no, there are many days where Brother and I do not get dressed until it is time to go get Sissy from school.
• Make a "To Do" list every day- At east 5 things...Laundry,Change Beds,Blinds,etc...

*Been doing good with this!

• Exercise/Lose Weight- Hope I can still do this with a bum knee :-(

* Late start but, Treadmill/Exercises for 1 hour most nights for 2 weeks! Have lost 5lbs so far...

• Read 12 books- Want more but at least 12!

*3 months in and I have not finished 1 book! BOOO!!

• Contact with Friends more- Need to put more effort into this as well!
• Girls Night- Hopefully a couple!!
• Cut TV/Computer time in half

*Been doing well with this the past 3 weeks! HaHa!

• 5 Pinterest projects

*I have done 3-4 so far(will post)

• Be positive/No yelling- I yell...a lot...I come by it honest but still need to tone it down...
• 2010/2011 photos printed and put in books
• Blog More/Make Blog schedule

*Trying  :-)

• Get Blog Button

*Anyone wanna help me??

• Make at least 3 recipes from the Ball Canning Cookbook- Strawberry Jam(with YaYa), Salsa, and Can Tomatoes
• Take more Pictures of my kids while they are kids....

*Doing good with this! :o)

• Have more Fun/Laugh more/Smile more- These things are very important!

Chocolate Toffee Bars

These are so good! Very rich, I could only eat half of a square at one time...

1/2 C butter, melted
2 C graham cracker crumbs (32 squares)
1 8 oz. bag toffee bits
1 roll refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough
1 12oz. bag chocolate chips
1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 T butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

Grease 13x9 baking dish and heat oven to 350.

Have the roll of cookie dough sitting out for around 10 minutes to soften up.

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs and 1/2 bag of toffee bits. Pour mixture into the greased pan and press evenly until mixture covers bottom of pan. Refrigerate for around 15 minutes.

In a 2 qt saucepan, heat the milk, chocolate chips and the tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Stir frequently until the chips are melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Spread the mixture over the graham cracker crumb mixture.

In another medium mixing bowl, break up the cookie dough and stir in the remaining 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs until blended. Crumble the mixture evenly over the chocolate layer and the sprinkle the remaining 1/2 bag toffee bits on top.

Bake for about 20-22 minutes or until it's golden brown. Cool completely before cutting, probably around 2 or more hours.


From: Pillsbury

Menu 3-26/4-1-12

Hello! Hope everyone is enjoying this LAZY Sunday as much as us! :o) 

I am working on my coupons and trying to match them up to some sales. Then meeting a friend to pick up Sissy's birthday pictures(excited!) I think we may work on some outside Easter decorations after that if the rain holds off.

On to the menu..I have lots of ? this week because I am really hoping for some good weather to get out and about and not be home as much, of course if this doesn't happen I always have things in the freezer that can be whipped up pretty fast  :o)   So here is what we are having...

Monday:
Cereal, Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
Bento/Sandwich w/Raw Veggies and Pickles
Balsamic Chicken and Roasted Veggies w/Sweet Potato

Tuesday:
Waffle,Yogurt,Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
Bento/  ?
Stuffed Peppers w/Corn and Cauliflower

Wednesday:
Breakfast Egg and Veggie Burritos w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/BLT w/Fresh Fruit
Healthy Loose Meat Sandwich w/Brussels,Zucchini and Squash

Thursday:
Mexican Egg Bake,Toast and Fresh Fruit
Bento/ L.O.
Queso Chicken Pasta w/Broccoli

Friday:
Oatmeal,Egg Whites and Fresh Fruit
School/ L.O.
     ?

Saturday:
Breakfast Casserole
     ?
     ?

Sunday:
Biscuits and Gravy w/Eggs and Sausage
     ?
     ?