Stopping to Smell the Roses

February 21, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Recovering from entertaining last night, I kept a light schedule for today. In stopping to smell the roses, I played legos with Miss 3 this morning, visited with a friend, and browsed appliances.

My daughters love the Hello Kitty legos play sets. Miss 3 never ceases to amaze me with her conversations with her figurines. I love the time hanging out with her.

We then had a play date with a friend that lasted mid-morning through late afternoon. From dress up to a balloon hot potato game, the girls played hard. I really enjoyed the time catching up and listening to my friend while our children played.

This evening our stove was pulled out to identify the broken part, so we decided to adjust our menu plan and head to Chick-fil-A. We planned to go next week to use our calendar cards, but tonight worked out great.

We then went to check prices on scratch and dent ranges for information as we consider our options for repairing or replacing our 9.5 year old unit.

Though I walked into our house seeing cake crumbs still on the table from last night’s activities, toys strewn about, furniture out of place, and the kitchen sink full of dishes, I felt no guilt in stopping to smell the roses. Investing in my family and friendships far outweighs a clean and tidy home.

I’m so thankful that today was slow. I need more days like this to refresh my spirit, encourage my soul, and rest my mind and body.

In this fast-paced age, it is easy to zip from one activity to the next to get it all or mostly done. As you continue using time wisely, you will find some days busier than others. However, set your schedule so that you are not too busy for stopping to smell the roses. Happy stopping!

Question: What “roses” have been in your life recently?

Finding Your Momentum

February 17, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Welcome, Blogelina Commentathon participants! Glad you are joining us on this journey of Using Time Wisely. Jump right on in as we learn from each other.

Last week was a big hiccup from our family’s typical week. With light snow falling early Tuesday morning through the development of black ice on Friday morning, our family stayed home.

Of course, we ventured out to play in the snow once it accumulated, but we also enjoyed sleeping later and staying up past normal bedtime.

Don’t get me wrong, we loved it! However, all good things must come to an end.

As we moved bedtime back over the weekend, we are starting to find our momentum. If you are out of sync due to illness, snow, or other unusual circumstances, you might feel sluggish and unmotivated.

Recognize that a change is needed and that you can make that change. In finding your momentum, start with your routines, plan simple meals, and get your rest.

Start with your Routines

Routines are patterns of activities performed in a sequential order. For example, in our family’s evening routine, my children prepare for bed. These activities include:

Fill drink containers and take upstairs
Bath/shower
Put on pajamas
Brush teeth
Go potty
Lay out clothes for tomorrow

This routine is automatic for our 3 children. When Paul and I ask them to go upstairs, they fall into this routine and prepare for bed.

By starting with the routine, our family gets back into a rhythm. For resetting, I find the evening routine the most important because it sets us up for a great morning. At which time, we can implement our morning routine and then fall into our afternoon routine.

Once the routines start flowing, we find our momentum and get back on track.

FREE printable

Plan Simple Meals

During this time of transition, I find simple meals the best use of my time. I know I will need to help Mr. 8, Miss 6, and Miss 3 with extra homework, more reminders, and time to adjust as we find our groove.

By falling back on our list of 15 Quick Meals for Busy Nights, I create margin (extra time in our schedule) while feeding our family.

My other favorite dinner strategies include crock pot options and freezer cooking which I place on our monthly menu planner. (You are welcome to download my FREE printable menu planner).

This menu planning tool helps our family get to the table while using time wisely since we don’t have to wonder what’s for dinner at 5:00 p.m. Whether you use a menu planner or another tool, experiment to discover what works best for you in finding your momentum.

Get your Rest

As you get back into your routines with your well-fed family, take time to get your rest. As you are working diligently and exerting more energy to get back into your normal pattern, you will need rest.

Think of it as the first day of school. Do you remember how exhausted you or your kids are after that first day. Whew! It’s a whirlwind. My daughter did not even make it to her bed. She fell asleep out of exhaustion on the ride home.

You are tired. It is normal as you are gaining speed and finding your momentum. Realize that getting back to normal is going to cost you some sleep. Take it. The better rested you are, the more energy, more patience, and more stamina you will have to tackle the tasks at hand.

With a plan in place, are you ready to press forward? Begin with a mindset of “I can do it,” and then start with your routines, plan simple meals, and get your rest. Before you know it, you’ll be back into your groove and plugging along.

Hiccups will happen, so creating a plan for those bumps in the road will help you in finding your momentum while using time wisely. Happy momentum building!

Question: How do you find momentum when life happens?

Changing Weather Patterns

February 10, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In preparing for the changing weather patterns as snow is coming this week, we stopped by Aldi and Walgreens today for the essentials.

I also finished the loads of laundry for our clothing and put off the towels and linens in case we lose power before I get to those loads.

With a busy week on the horizon including science fair and Valentine’s Day, I knew I needed a jump start on the week. In alternating between a headache and a runny nose, I decided to get some extra rest this afternoon.

After rising from my 2 hour nap, I still felt sinus pressure. In concentrating on staying well and warm, I am taking time to get my rest.

With our downstairs picked up and our upstairs a work in progress, I am choosing only the important tasks. While I rest, I am taking in the Olympics. How impressed I am with the new snowboarding event where two Americas took gold in both the men’s and the women’s freestyle!

As you prepare for the change in weather patterns this week, listen to your body. If you need the extra rest, take it. Better to be proactive in your health, then working to heal after a cold or infection takes hold. Stay healthy while using time wisely!

Question: What changes in the weather patterns are the meteorologist predicting for your area?

Take Time for You

February 8, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Flickr (slgckgc)

For the past four months, I have been taking more time for myself. When I feel tired and worn out from a busy day, I rest in the evening and go to bed early. When my schedule gets overloaded and I need time to think, I stop.

By listening to my body, I have stayed very healthy. Besides a small cold and a day of achiness, I have not gotten sick. My family has suffered through the flu and week-long colds, but I was able to care for them without succumbing to their illnesses.

As I usually would just run myself into the ground trying to get it all done, I have found freedom in letting things go. Having read Say Goodbye to Survival Mode, I can turn a blind eye – without guilt – to the pile of dirty dishes in the sink, the mound of paperwork on my desk, and the 30+ e-mail messages staring at me from my inbox.

For my Type A personality, where I stop to organize something immediately before moving on, this has been a learning process. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m mellowing out. Not sure if it is because I turned 40 last year or my perspective on life has focused more on the big picture than the present moments, but I like the new me.

By concentrating on getting rest, good nutrition, and some fun, I have been more patient with my children, planned more outings, and have more free time to relax. This is possible because I have not taken on any projects. I have concentrated on my family and our home and declined other opportunities.

In seizing 2014, I am enjoying the more simple life without the distractions and expectations of others. I love it and will continue taking time for myself.

If you are feeling frazzled, exhausted, and impatient, please take time for you. When you are whole, then you can fully address your responsibilities. In using time wisely, take the time you need to heal, rest, and rejuvenate. I’ll be taking time for myself also. Happy resting this weekend!

Question: How are you changing these days?

Series Recap: Scheduling 2014

February 1, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I spread out the Scheduling 2014 series throughout the month of January to give time for researching and gathering the correct dates, the posts were not published on sequential days.

Though they are all filed under the miscellaneous category, other posts were published in the same category during the month.

In order to find the series posts, one must scroll through the category which takes time.

To make access to all these posts easier, I compiled the links to each post within this series recap:

Scheduling 2014

Preview :: Kicking off 2014

1-5 :: Scheduling: Holidays, Responsibilities, and Expirations Dates

6-8 :: Scheduling: Due Dates, Payday Deposits, and Credit Report Schedule

9 :: Scheduling: Finding, Using, and Evaluating a Savings Tracker

10-15 :: Scheduling: Keep your Priorities in Front

16-18 :: Scheduling: Deposits, Transfers, and Payments

19-23 :: Scheduling: Regular Maintenance

24-27 :: Scheduling: Time-sensitive Tasks

28-31 :: Scheduling: Feeding our Families

Getting our calendars planned in January, Scheduling 2014 sets us up for a great year of using time wisely. Now we just need to follow the plan, adjust as needed, and take it one step at a time. Happy planning!

Question: How often do you adjust your calendar?

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