Regrouping When the Dominoes Start to Fall

September 5, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

After keeping it together for a good week, many of my plans started to fall apart. Getting ready for soccer this afternoon was a mess. Between my son’s frustration over his shin guards to a cranky 2-year-old who has not had a decent nap in a week, I know my schedule needs improving.

Falling Behind

Though I’ve got a handle on organizing and preparing the previous night, I am still very much behind in cleaning, filing paperwork, paying bills, menu planning, and sleeping. Realizing that I need to regroup and make a plan for this semester, I am going to bed early.

Finding my Solution

With my mind milling around lots of good things I need to do or should do, I jotted down my thoughts. Just writing down these items cleared my head, relieved the overwhelming feeling of losing control, and calmed my noisy soul.

In working through this new season for me, I don’t have it together. This journey is about using time wisely. What works for one is not guaranteed to work for another. Finding my way may take a few weeks, but I recognize I need a change and am regrouping with this simple plan:

Focus on my priorities

Feeding, clothing, teaching, and playing with my family are my priorities. If I do nothing else all day but these priorities, then I count the day successful.

Take a break

Finding even 5 minutes alone to think, read, or rest helps me regroup. My children chat and sing all. day. long. Though I love their zest for life, Momma needs a few moments of down-time.

Get some rest

By far this is my toughest obstacle. I just want to get that last e-mail sent off or read that next chapter or finish that Sudoku puzzle. In staying up, I only become more tired. As I make sleep a priority, I know I will think more clearly, operate with more energy, and accomplish more on the horizon.

During this time of transition, my simple plan will keep me afloat as I adjust and tweak our schedule to fit our family’s needs. If you are struggling with finding a routine or schedule for this season of life, take heart. You are not alone. Try a simple plan as you find your path to using time wisely. Happy scheduling!

Question: Anyone else struggling with a schedule?

2012: Happy Labor Day!

September 3, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

In celebration of the contributions and achievements of American workers, we celebrate Labor Day.

On this symbolic end of summer day, I wish you safe parties, summer picnics and barbecues, and parades while using time wisely with your family and friends.

Happy Labor Day!

What Do You Think?: Disposing of Your Own Trash

July 28, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Disposing of your own Trash?

Tracy’s 2¢: If you are on a shoestring budget and every penny counts, then you might consider using time wisely to dispose of your own trash rather than paying the city garbage bill. Knowing how fortunate our family is to live in a city where our taxes cover our garbage pickup, we do not write that $60 check each quarter for this service.

When I first read this Take Out the Trash: Reconsider the Cost of Garbage Service article, I thought how gross. But then I saw the price tag of $60 and understood the reasoning behind Audrey’s choice. For me, taking our family’s trash to the dump or recycling center is not worth the money, energy, and time.

Using our curbside service does not cost me more than dumping my own trash. I will still pay city taxes whether I use the service or not. So, in using time wisely, I choose to put our garbage at the curb each week. However, if you are seeking creative ways to stretching your dollars, then disposing of your own trash may alleviate a payment.

Is disposing of your own trash going too far or a viable option? What do you think?

What Do You Think?: Establishing a Designated Family Night

July 27, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Establishing a Designated Family Night?

Tracy’s 2¢: Our family does not have a single night dedicated to family night. I know of a family that declines all invitations on Monday evening to honor their family night. This arrangement works for that family, and I applaud them for building their family unit.

If you have a designated family night, how do you determined what you will do together? My children would choose a movie or play a game. However, my choice would lend more to a theme.

For example, with the Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics occurring tonight, I would choose an Olympic theme complete with games, like this long jump contest or online scavenger hunt, medal cookies, puzzles, and mazes.

At this time, our family incorporates weekly outings into our schedule, but the day, time, and activity changes from week to week. I often wonder if establishing a designated family night would help in planning and investing in our family relationships.

Though each family operates differently, I would love a designated family night. However, our schedule changes from week to week. What do you think?

What Do You Think?: Using Bananas Past Their Prime

July 26, 2012 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Around the blogosphere, many bloggers share their perspective on life. As I contemplate these many ideas (and some are really out there), sometimes I’m not sure what I think.

During this week of What Do You Think?, I share a topic and give you my 2¢. Please share your opinion.

The topics chosen will follow the posting schedule. Thanks in advance for your contributions on this journey to Using Time Wisely!

What Do You Think about Using Bananas Past Their Prime?

Tracy’s 2¢: I peel and freeze our overripe bananas for a baking day. Since bananas sweeten with age and banana bread makes great gifts for teachers and friends, I add the defrosted past-their-prime bananas to my banana bread dough for a sweet loaf of bread.

In reading Five Ways to Use Overripe Bananas, I loved the idea of freezing the bananas in cube sizes, and using them to chill a smoothie. When using ice, the consistency changes from thick and smooth to a watery texture. The frozen banana keeps the smooth consistency while chilling the smoothie.

Might try the shoe polish suggestion, but will definitely test the banana’s medicinal effects on a wart (directions listed in the comments). My kids get planter’s warts from the pool at the water park. The over-the-counter wart remover took 2-3 months to cure the wart on my son’s foot last summer. The banana option is worth my time and energy, not to mention that I usually have bananas around the house.

As bananas ripen past their prime and become too soft to eat, do you toss them, bake them, or find another use like shoe polish or wart remover? What do you think?

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