Winter Declutter

It all started on Wednesday last week. I was going crazy spinning in circles trying to accomplish something. There have been some problems around our house that have prevented it from being organized and tidy. We have had remodeling going on for what seems like years. All of it has been good in the end.

As many projects begin, we had water come in our window well & soak some carpet. After it was ripped up we decided to lay tile instead. There also was a need to have another drain(which meant busting up the concrete foundation) so we also decided to rearrange the drains in the bathroom so the toilet was in a better place. So our bathroom has gone from looking like this(which is actually better than when the shower & cabinets were still there) to this beautiful bathroom that is functional and we all are thankful to have. Yes my dog & cat are enjoying it too!

However, our main bathroom developed a leak and had to be gutted so now we are on to another project. I have been amazed that everyone hasn't been as sick as other years. I am wondering if the mold was causing some respiratory problems.


We are slowly getting the time to finish the drywall work. Steve is doing an awesome job. I often ask the kids when they are feeling overwhelmed "How do you eat an elephant?" They know the answer is "One bite at a time." That is how all our home remodeling has to be done as we are busy with LIFE!

Sometimes when I cannot figure out where to put something I dream of another garage sale to clean out somethings that we are not using. But then where would I store things for a garage sale? Such a fun merry -go-round that I ride on!

God always makes a way though! A friend of mine sent an email that Ellis Cancer Hospital was holding a Winter Clean out Garage Sale & they desperately need items to sell for their fundraiser. Wow! Only problem was time.--we had to deliver things by Tuesday. So that set the stage for the first ever Brush Winter Declutter! We got rid of roller blades, helmets, puzzles & some misc. Yeah 50 items GONE! Maybe in February I can do the same thing again. That would be so great! Here is what I packed in the Suburban and drove off today!

#3

This week I get to tell about my sweet Megan. I think one of the things I like best about her is her laughter. We giggle about a lot of things around this house but Megan loves to laugh & her laugh is infectious. Just this evening we were listening to Steve read to the kids & we both knew the story so as the funny parts came along she would start to snicker & then would just give up and giggle. I couldn't help it . . . . . I was giggling too.


At 11 Megan has started to get long legged and is beginning to loose that little girl look. She is fast growing up and becoming a young lady. She has been growing her hair out for a year and now doesn't have any bangs. She keeps it tucked behind her ear & likes to swing her hair around because it tickles her neck!



She is her brothers best friend and they play together all sorts of made up games. I have seen them lately building forts out of mattresses. Dressing up and chasing each other all over with swords in an elaborate game they invented. On the other had Megan loves to play on her own. She is content to do a puzzle for hours or get out her doll house & get it set up just right.

I often say Elizabeth is the creative one but Megan has some talent in that area too. She makes woven pouches that are incredible. Latch hook and cross stitch are fun too! Just the other night she surprised me with a drawing that was very accurate & I could really tell what she had sketched! Her creativeness needs structure--like in latch hook. She likes to know where the lines are and how to stay inside of them. As a little girl I remember her being this way and now it is surfacing again as she grows.


There is a tenacity in this girl--something that is very determine & won't let go. When she decides to do something then it gets done. A couple of years ago we started her in soccer. I was a little unsure because some of the girls were a lot bigger than her. But you know what she was FAST & she went after that ball like nobody's business! She is like that in learning something new too. She keeps after it and doesn't give up. I love this picture because it really shows her attitude. This was in a very cold game where it rained but she didn't stop for one minute!

Some things Megan loves--pink, chocolate, puzzles, hugs, dancing with her Dad, helping others, & babies. Things that she doesn't like--being unsure of what to do, having someone unhappy with her for ANYthing, or disappointing herself.

I think maybe it is because she is #3 but Megan is the flexible child. She likes her vegetables, she rarely fusses about clothes or chores. I will often see her pick up the slack when another person is unable or unwilling to pitch in. She doesn't ruffle when plans change. But she has a long memory--if I promise something you can be sure she will remember & remind me. I miss my little girl but I see that God has great plans for my young lady that is emerging from my precious sweet child.

Menu Monday

Ready to start a new week! Last week we were able to stick to our plan pretty closely--went out out to eat on Sunday instead of doing the crockpot meal but we will do that Tuesday night instead so it all works out!

Lunches

Pasta Meatball Soup, Beans & Rice, Spaghetti, Farmer's Casserole, Hamburgers, Stir Fry & Chicken in a pot

Suppers

Fried Chicken Salad, Swiss Steak, Rosemary Pork Tenderloin, Vegie Lasagna, DATE night, Ham & Beans & Sloppy Joe's

Kids are really learning some new recipes and it has put some variety back in our lunches. We were tired of the rut we were in so it has been very YUMMY!

Consistent exercise

Somehow homeschooling 4 kids, shopping for food, cleaning house, running errands & various other activities keep me from being consistent on my exercise. I know I need to do it--I even WANT to do it. But it is HARD to be consistent about it.

Looking back over 2009 showed me that I have made some improvements in my health & met some goals.

Bought a treadmill--no excuses anymore & don't want to waste the $ we spent
--I do walk more than I did a year ago just not 3X a week yet

Eating more balanced meals--I plan out a month at a time and for each week I make sure we eat a balance of chicken, beef, pork, fish & vegie meals. We also have a "bean" meal & a "salad" meal 1X a week too. There are fewer casseroles in our life and more lean meat.

Tracking my meals--on a site called www.myfitnesspal.com and that has been a huge blessing so I know when I am going over my calories or eating too much fat. I also have a group of friends there that interact & encourage each other. I think that has been spuring me on more than anything lately.

So THIS past week I didn't make the consistent goal but I did make the 3 workouts. Monday, Wednesday & Saturday. Actually Thursday might count too because I walked a lot on a college tour but had no way to keep track of my distance/heartrate or anything.

I am also trying to watch the salt intake & drink a TON of water. I didn't drink much on Thursday and I could really tell on Friday morning. I drank a couple of glasses over the morning & that made a big difference.

So goals this week? Walk on Mon, Wed, Fri or any other day that it is possible. It would be great to fit in some pilates on one day to help tone up these poor old muscles. We shall see . . . .