let's go to Luckenbach, TX

Luckenbach, TX is a small little nugget in the middle of Central Texas. It is about 30 to 45 minutes from Fredicksburg. If you have not ever been, you should, it's fun. But let me suggest that you google yourself directions so you don't get lost. You see, this was our second attempt to head to Luckenbach. The first time we were SO close but gave up way too soon. At least I thought so but Jeff seemed to think driving for an hour and half to try to locate was plenty of time. To each it's own, I guess. This time I told Jeff come hell or high water, we are going to Luckenbach, TX. Thankfully my googled directions lead us right to it or I would have lost out again. Proof that Luckenbach is a very small town! :)



When we parked, in a open field Jeff was feeling a bit unsure. His first words were "It looks like we are interrupting a private party. I don't want to crash a party." This was the day I gave him a new nickname, "Listen hear, Mr. San Diego, this is how it is done in Texas. We have no rules in Luckenbach, everyone is welcome. So get your butt out of the car and let's go see the sights."

The Luckenbach Post office was built in the 1800's and holds souvenirs and the little bar in the back. Jeff and I talked about how if someone dropped a cigarette butt too close to the building the whole place would burn in an instance. Fortunately we don't smoke so the building was still standing when we left. Hee! Hee!

Here is Mr. San Diego himself enjoying a Lone Star beer. California has wine, Texans have BEER! And he is even wearing his San Diego ball cap. Why have I not bought him a cowboy hat? Probably because he wears a size 7 3/4 hat and that is super huge! {PS. I have been praying for small headed children...}




Later, I played him the Luckenbach, TX song sung by Waylon and Willie. Mr. San Diego said, "What's the name of this song?"

"Luckenbach, TX."

"Hmm, interesting."

Which looking back on this conversation, I think he was pulling my leg about not knowing the song because he is a huge Willie fan so how could he not know "Let's go to Luckenbach, TX with Waylon, Willie and the boys"?

Luckenbach was a fun side trip and one I think everyone should experience at least once.

Posts coming soon...

Jeff is heading back to work tonight which means I am going to have a bit more time to myself and can maybe update the neglected blog

I promise to post about the following topics:

1) Our mini road trip with a pit stop in Luckenbach, TX
2) the latest organization trick I put together for traveling
3) and maybe a random topic or two for old times sake

I will be back soon...PROMISE!

The Supporting Role

Above is Jeff, teaching Children's Church. Sadly I did not have the camera with me to illustrate the story I am about to tell.

A few weeks ago I was practicing with the praise team before church, while Jeff sat out in the pews. It's the same scenario every Sunday I sing. We arrive together two hours before church starts and Jeff sits and watches us practice. I do not expect him to do this but he says he doesn't mind. As I was practicing the other day, I looked out into the audience and saw Jeff sitting contently on the sidelines. I stopped and said a quick prayer to myself for God to reverse the scenario--Jeff serving in his ministry and me sitting on the sidelines, supporting him.

This same Sunday we were teaching Children's Church. During the Hug & Howdy time, I saw Jeff walking behind the row of chairs where the children sit during praise and worship. As he walks, he is smiling and talking to each of the children. A few he is having to quiet down but most are behaving. As I watched, I realized that Jeff is where he loves to be, the back row surrounded by a bunch of children. Later we take the kids out to the playground. For a few minutes, he and I are both sitting on a little bench that allows us the perfect viewpoint of the children at play. One child comes over and Jeff begins asking him about his recent family vacation to New Jersey. This little boy is laughing and enjoying telling us every detail, Jeff is actively listening to every word. While they continue to talk, I realize more and more kids are coming over to talk to Jeff. At this time there are probably 5 kids standing in front of us. I was perfectly happy to sit back and watch the kids and Jeff interact with each other. A few minutes goes by and Jeff says, "Who wants to play a game?" I kid you not, every single child came running over to join in the game.

The game consisted of Jeff taking the kids through an made up obstacle course on the playground. Each child had to finish each stage in order to move ahead. What made me laugh was watching Jeff demonstrate each obstacle for the children. He was in his element. As I continued to sit on the bench, I realized for the first time that during Children's Church I was the supporting player. There is nothing more rewarding than to see your husband thrive in the ministry that God has given him.

Even on Sundays that we are not teaching Children's Church, the kids still come up to Jeff to tell him about their week or the upcoming events in their life. The supporting role is really one of my favorite ministries that God has given to me.

Thank you Lord for all that you have done in our lives.

A Happy 4th of July

Jeff and I had so much fun this year celebrating 4th of July. We kicked off the weekend with fireworks at Jeff's cousin's house. Doug & Libby's backyard is the perfect viewing spot for the firework show.

(Click on the Picture to view the pictures bigger)

The next morning we celebrated Cousin Britt's first birthday which was duckie themed. Tim & Brandy filled the pool with rubber ducks, it turned out to be great fun for the little cousins to throw at each other. Baby Britt is such a honey with kissable cheeks, the best babies in my opinion are the ones with...kissable cheeks. At the end of the party, Brandy and I jumped in the pool with our clothes on, it was too hot not to.

We finished off the 4th with a cookout at the in-laws house. Every party has a pooper and this year's pooper was the little nephew. He is still the cutest littlest nephew yet.

By Sunday, Jeff and I were exhausted. After church we went to see Public Enemy...Sunday Movie matinee's are my favorite summer tradition. I ended the weekend falling asleep at 9 and slept until 7 that morning. Yep, I was tired but the weekend was chalk full of laughter and fond memories..

Happy Birthday America and Cousin Britt

Happy 4Th Of July!

This weekend is jammed packed full of 4th of July celebrations. I can't wait celebrating America's freedom, watching fireworks and spending the weekend relaxing.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

Let freedom ring!!!

Waving My White Flag

I have been working on a little ditty called surrender. Oh man, it hasn't been easy but it something that has to be done. I must surrender to the LORD'S PLAN FOR MY LIFE AND NOT SUSAN'S PLAN.

A friend asked me almost a year ago, "What will you do if you never have children?" In my head I thought to myself "Whatever, it will never happen. We will have children." Out loud I said, "Move ahead with joy, I guess, because I will not be a bitter, barren woman." And we laughed at the thought of me becoming bitter and the word barren. Yet, it has been my biggest fear thus far in my life. Bitter and Barren are strange words to me.

Hang with me please.

By no means are you to read this post and think Jeff and I are giving up on children. But I must tell you this in order to get you to the point I am trying to make. Sometimes life does not turn out the way we choose. If Jeff and I had our way, we would be spending this summer decorating our new home with hopefully a little one on the way. None of these things have happened though, so we are learning to move ahead.

Questions I find myself working through...Does it mean that God is not there because the Clomid didn't work? NO! Does it mean that He cares for us any less because we are still in a holding pattern? NO! God has shown us over and over that His hand is guiding us every step of the way. Over the past three years, Jeff and I have grown closer in our marriage and both of us would say that our quiet times have been sweeter because of the waiting period. To God be the glory great things He hath done.

But let me tell you about what God is doing in my heart, today. One, I am realizing that I don't need to plan the next detail or sit wondering about the what ifs, I can live fully even if the wait seems long (or if the wait goes on forever). I have found that I am more relaxed because I am not allowing the hope of a house or baby to be my ultimate joy. My ultimate joy is living in the moment, serving God fully and giving Him the reigns for every aspect of my life. I know one day I am going to look back on this season and shed a few happy tears. I can look back even now and shed a few happy tears because of all that God has done in our hearts. Again, to God be the glory great things He hath done.

Is it easy to let go? Hell, no! (Sorry I just had to say it with that amount of force.) But has it been rewarding? Hell, YEA it has! (Sorry, last time I say it like that, promise)

And to make this post even more hippity-hoppity-all over the place. When I was in high school, I was introduced to Rich Mullins music. I heart me some Rich Mullin's tunes.

One song, above all has stuck with me to this day. It's call Hold Me Jesus. There is one line that I have chewed on many times in recent weeks, it so describes what I am going through.

Surrender don't come natural to me

I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want

Than to take what You give that I need

And I've beat my head against so many walls

Now I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees

Last night I did something I have been meaning to do for sometime now. I went to my home Church's prayer garden. There is a section of open field where three crosses stand in the sun. I grabbed my camera so I could document this journey. Last night, before the sun went down, I sat at the cross and sang, "I Surrender All." I didn't really care if anyone heard me or saw me worshipping there. It wasn't about how I looked or sounded, it was what was going on inside my heart that really mattered.

When all was said and done, I left that garden a changed woman. I fully surrender to the Lord's plan for my life. Kids or no kids. House or no house. I rest in His plans for me. It feels good but strange at the same time. I was quite comfortable carrying that burden around with me these past few years. But not anymore, I am freed from the need to do things my own way. God, you are fully in control with whatever this life leads.








All to Jesus, I surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him, in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.

NOT A FAN...

I hate water bugs. They are gross and apparently they have decided that my bathroom is a nice place to dwell. This of course leaves me no choice but to send them to Thy Maker.

The First Incident:

It was a Friday night and Jeff and I were chilling at the house. I walked into the bathroom, set down to do my buz-ness and right at my feet was the first of the nasty offenders. I screamed loud. lifted my legs and begged Jeff to come save me. Thankfully I scared myself from having to do any buz-ness. Jeff says come out and I will take care of it. With one eye looking over my shoulder, I ran out of the bathroom while trying to pull up the pants. The blasted thing charged after me! I screamed and heard a loud WHAP! Jeff aka knight in shining armor whacked it with his shoe. I will never complain again when he leaves his shoes in the middle of the floor.

Jeff said later that he was surprised I was scared of bugs after spending my summers at Camp Deer Run. Water bugs and I are not friends!

The Second Incident:

Tuesday morning I was up before the sun heading to the summer bible study. I had just taken off my glasses when I saw something scurry on the bathroom floor. I quickly grabbed the glasses, since I am blind as a bat. This was the day I realized that my bathmat is the exact color of a water bug. I heard it move across the floor (isn't that gross?) and told myself to be a big girl and kill it...since Jeff was not home yet. I grabbed the roach spray and doused the bug's general area in poison. The result was a water bug spinning out of control. This bug was not as smart as it's friend and ran into the bathtub. I sprayed it some more and enjoyed watching it die. No that's not true, I grabbed the broom and dust pan and picked it up and flopped it into the toilet with my eyes closed. A flush for good luck and away it went...TO THY MAKER!

Now every time I go to the bathroom I turn on the lights and wear my glasses (if my contacts are out). This of course makes the middle of the night potty breaks a little rough since I am one who is blind without contacts or glasses. As I walk to the bathroom I say a quick prayer "Dear Lord, please keep the water bugs from my path tonight!"

Thankfully the bug man is coming today to aid our efforts in clearing out the water bugs.

Bug man=my second knight in shining armor.

Thank you and good night.

Elijah-Age 3

I am trying desperately to get back into scrapbooking and have enjoyed looking through some pictures from 2009. When I saw these pictures of Elijah-the three year old nephew- I just had to blog about it.

A few months ago, Gunnar & Missy were in Israel for a worship trip with Gateway Church. I had the joy of keeping the kids for a few days. G & M's living room has a great spot for natural light pictures because of all the great floor to ceiling windows. Elijah did very well posing for me in his natural state. Natural state being all smiles or trying to play a game with you. I thought the pictures turned out well and have been meaning to post them long before now. My favorites include the picture on the top left, the picture of his foot and hand and the picture of he and Maddie chilling on the sofa.

I would love to do this with all the nieces and nephew but somehow I don't think I could get as natural of poses from the bigger kids.

More pictures to come soon.

Good Times Ahead...

Jeff and I are strapping on the chef's hats and heating up the grill to cook for our church's youth group this weekend.

We are both looking forward to a game of corn hole, Ultimate Turkey Toss (playing football with a defrosted turkey---mmm, mmm good!) and enjoying the company of good friends. Yet we sure are going to miss the Green's.

Have a great weekend and we will see you guys when we return.

My Moving Beyond the Funk List

Have you ever had a day where you were in a funk for no reason at all?

I had one yesterday.

Today I am feeling much better and wanted to make a list.

A list in order to help me move beyond the funk (for the next time the funk returns)

Feel free to add to this list if you have any tips.

1. Take a nap- you are probably over tired and could use the extra sleep
2. Don't beat yourself up for having an off day-everyone has these from time to time.
3. Take a shower-you could be in a funk simple because you smell like trash.
4. Call a good friend and have a good laugh.
5. Eat ice cream with magic shell smothered on top
6. Cry-you always feel better after a good cry.
7. sit on the couch and watch aimless television (it's okay to be lazy every now and then)
8. order take out-who wants to cook when you are in a funk
9. light your favorite candle (sometimes that helps me)
10. get lost in your favorite movie and or book
11. just go with it knowing that tomorrow will be a better day
12. make a to do list since you know that putting things off automatically puts you in a funk (that one if my own personal one)

So...

You got any ideas to get beyond the funk? Please share.

2 Pounds A Week

I have a goal that I am working towards this summer. My goal is to loose 2 pounds a week by increasing my daily exercise and reevaluating the foods I consume.

When I told Jeff my goal, he quickly praised me for my efforts but then followed it up with a warning about how I should not be discouraged if the weight does not come off quickly. Instead he wanted me to focus on the benefits of exercise and a balanced diet and make it a lifestyle change not a crash diet.

You see, Jeff knows me pretty well. He has seen me crash and burn many times in the past two years when I have tried to get rid of the extra pounds infertility treatments has brought to me. Thank you Clomid for the 25 pound gift-you big jerk.

Usually after the first two weeks, if the scales are not heading south, I stop everything. I then get so mad at myself that I justify my feelings with a carton of Ben and Jerry's or greasy fries from Wing Stop. Both of which are super yummy!

On June 1st I started the Summer Workout Schedule of 2009 by signing up for three months at the local rec center. (Have you ever noticed that I title every season or big event in my life? Young Family Road trip, Positive Plus Sign Journey, The Great Escape of 2009, etc.) I refuse to quit during the time of June 1st to August 31st-that will give me 13 weeks to achieve the results I want.

For the past two weeks I have been faithful to workout Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I have been tracking my calorie intake as well. So far I have lost 4 pounds so yes, I have hit my goal of 2 pounds a week.

But last night something happened that I thought I should mention. I decided to try out a few of the fitness classes the rec center offers. As I was standing in front of the wall of mirrors, I started to evaluate my figure and let's just say I did not like what I saw. By the end of the class not only was I sweating profusely but I was feeling a little defeated. I had criticized myself to the point to where I was wondering what's the point with all the hard work? I was beating myself up and that was just plain stupid. Later when I was soaking my muscles in a hot bath, I took a few moments to reflect on what I saw in the mirror.

Here is what I came up with: it doesn't matter what I look like now, two weeks into my three month goal. What matters is that I am doing something to better myself today. Why would I allow myself to be berated by my own ugly thoughts when I was up off the couch, working out and loving every minute . (Any class that plays 2 Legit 2 Quit by MC Hammer or Baby Got Back is a class that I will come back to...in a heartbeat). I made a promise to myself that I will not allow the present image in the mirror to stop me from reaching my goals over the next few weeks. I promised myself that I would not become obsessed with my looks but focus instead on the beauty that God sees when He looks at me.

This summer I am doing the Beth Moore Bible Study on Esther and she has already reminded of this verse:

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." 1 Peter 3: 3-4

Today my goal is to slap this verse on my mirror so that I can see it every time I look at myself.

A sweet thing happened this morning that blessed me especially after last night's self inflicted berating of my figure. When Jeff came home from work he asked me how my workout went. Since I was still half asleep I only told him that it was good but now I am sore. He then put his hand on my waist and said, "I can tell your waist is getting firmer."

Those were the perfect words to start my day even with being super duper sore.

Goodbye Long Hair

You may have not known this but I have been growing my hair out to donate to Locks of Love.



I have always wanted to do this and have spent the last year and a half growing it out. Towards the end, it became a real labor of love and I was happy to chop it off on Saturday.


The process wasn't made easier by my co-workers who nicknamed me Penny Pentecostal due to my long locks. Or that I made the mistake of relaying this story to Jeff and he started calling me Penny as well. One night I was sitting in B & N when a guy started to hit on me. I was wearing one of my new summer skirts, a tee shirt and had my hair in a bun. I probably didn't have a lot of make up on because by 8 p.m. it had worn off already and why would I touch it up that late in the night? The conversation turned into a ministry opportunity for me and by the end I had invited him to church. You won't believe the first thing he asked once he heard I went to church.




"Is it a Pentecostal church?"



Seriously?!? I knew then it was time to cut my hair.



(Side note: I mean no harm to the Pentecostal religion, the women typically keep their hair very, very long---that's all)




This past Saturday was the day. As she was chopping off my hair I had a moment where I thought "Am I making a mistake?" Flashbacks to the haircut of 1996 were flashing through my mind. A haircut I choose not to repeat. Ever.




Thankfully, I am very happy with the results. I feel like I am getting a fresh start and that is a wonderful feeling these days. Not to mention that Jeff LOVES it! I mean LOVES. IT.


Here is the best picture I could get while home alone tonight. I went for the serious look in this one.




And here is another one...I was feeling a bit sassy. Can you tell?

I can't wait to send in my Locks of Love this week.

1) Because the "tail" kind of gives me the creeps and I have hidden it in a drawer.
2) Someone is going to be blessed with a wig from my long locks.

Celebrating God's Goodness

The other night I joined my mom and brother at a praise and worship night for small group leaders at their church. It was my mom's birthday and she wanted her kids with her so we could worship together.

Throughout the night, I was reminded of God's faithfulness to our little family of three. Who would have thought that 20 years after my parent's divorce that all 3 of us would be serving in some capacity at our churches. It gives me great joy to realize that God could us warts and all to further His kingdom.

We have been blessed throughout these years to see God's mighty hand at work in our lives. In recent years we have been blessed to see God turn the bad into good. And I want to take a moment to publicly applaud my mom.

This past two years she has been ministering to a group of ladies she calls Lemonade Ladies. Each one of these ladies are choosing to take the lemons that have been thrown at them and turn them into something sweet. My mom is pouring out her life experiences into each one of their lives and pointing them back to the only one who can fix the mess, Jesus Christ. I am proud of her and enjoy hearing how each Lemonade Ladies life has touched my mom.

I was reminded the night of my mom's birthday that God does hear our cries and answers our prayers. I have learned over the years one simple truth about God: if you seek Him, you will find Him.

MOM, you are doing a great job and I am proud of you for taking your lemons and turning them into lemonade. Continue the path that God has laid out for you and be still and know that He is God. XOXOX Love you to pieces!!!

- your blue-eyed Susan

P.S We may look a little rough in the picture because all three of us were a puddle of tears at one point in the night. Just keeping it real, peeps! Just keeping it real

Summer Reading 2009

Nothing says summer like a reading list, maybe this stems from my school days.

I absolutely love sitting by the pool and sticking my nose in a good book. This summer I am putting away the biographies and pulling out the fluff. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed the biographies but it's summer, I need a break. Oh how I love the slower pace that summer brings!

Random...

Do you ever have a bunch of posts you want to write but really don't have the time to write them all? My blog is feeling a bit neglected so I thought I would write a bunch of random things happening in our world. Photos will come later since they are all still on my camera.


1. May is a busy month in the Young household. Birthday parties,(12 total) mother's day, end of the school year events makes May a very busy month
2. June looks like it will be more of the same...sigh
3. I have turned my office inside out this week reorganizing and decorating. I am exhausted from all the moving and shaking I have done but very happy with results (photos coming soon)
4. I decided to hang curtains in my living room Tuesday afternoon, drove to wal-mart at 7 then had them hung by 10 that night. Jeff did not know I was doing this so when I called him at work he said, "Seriously, you did that tonight?"
5. Thankfully he came home and said, "It looks very nice. Great job!"
6. Yesterday afternoon I decided to clean out my storage unit on our patio. I threw away 5 bags of junk between work and the past mementos. I did not throw away my Bald Girls Have More Fun t-shirt from when I was a baby. I still can't believe that I was bald until I was 2, my mom has pictures to back it up though.
7. I found a box of old love letters that Jeff wrote me when we were dating. I cried when I read them probably because the letters don't come as often as they used to, say like um, never :)
8. He does tell me he loves me every day so I can't complain
9. I also found an outfit my grandmother made with the tag "Made with love by Granny" sewed in. I will never throw this outfit out because of that little tag.
10. I took my grandfather to get a cataract removed. Afterwards we feasted on Sonic burgers and had a nice long chat about life in general. I pray that God uses these conversations to open doors for me to talk to him about God.
11. Work just called, got to go be a good, hardworking employee now.


Man that was a random post
Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday Faithers!

Today my niece Faith turns 10! She makes being an aunt so much fun. I love our friendship and the special bond that we have simply because she was the first to call me Aunt Sue Sue.

But I was reminded the other night how fast she is growing up....

This picture was taken after she made a very funny comment to me. Well funny to me but not so funny to her mom and dad. In the middle of telling me about how she will be next year's school Treasurer she let a little confession slip from her mouth.

"And the boy in my life is the President!"

Right at that moment, Missy (her mom) walks by to refill her drink.

"What?!?! The boy in your life! Who is this?!?!?"

And her Dad pipes in and says, "There will be no boys in your life just yet. I am the man in your life and Elijah (her little brother) is the boy in your life."

Faith just laughs.

It's funny to me but also very sad at the same time. These kids sure do grow up fast and it makes me want to cherish every moment with them.

Notice in the picture below her dad's protective hand.


God help him the day she has her first date or maybe I should say God help the boy who is brave enough to knock on the door. :)

I love you Faith Gwen! You are a precious young lady from the inside out and God has great plans for you!

P.S. Mom's birthday celebration was yesterday and I promise you Mom you will get a special post all of your own in the next few days

Menu Planning: Grocery Shopping

One of my favorite household chores is grocery shopping. I guess it is because it makes me feel like a big girl. :) Or as Jeff would tell you, I love any excuse to plan and make a list.

When I make my grocery list, I first start with my menu plan. I write down the ingredients that I will need to make dinner. I also write down any items on my "short list."

Short List- an ongoing list of any items that you may be running low and or out of . I keep my short list on the refrigerator for easy access.

When I make my grocery list, I divide it into different categories. You know meat, dairy, can goods and household items. Here is a bonus tip, if you have an ITouch or IPhone you must get The Shopper App It is fantastic! It will divide it into categories for you plus it makes life much more simpler.

Here is what I used prior to being blessed with the Shopper ap.

I try to keep my grocery shopping simple. I usually shop at one store instead of going to where the deal is. It is just what works for me. I will buy the items that I use often in bulk because that saves us money in the end. But I have found that making a menu, grocery list and sticking to the list has been a huge help in the money saving department.

If you coupon shop or have any tips for saving on the bottom line, I would love to hear your ideas.

My New Summer Style

I have been on a hunt lately for some cute summer skirts. I am not usually in the mood for skirts or dresses but have found them to be quite comfortable lately. It also could because Clinton and Stacey (What Not To Wear) were telling someone the other day how practical a skirt can actually be and I wanted to be practical too. Although, let me go on record by saying I do not agree that you need to wear a skirt while walking the dog nor do I think there is anything wrong with wearing running shorts and a tee shirt while grocery shopping at Wal Mart. If you could see the people that shop at my Wal-Mart, you would realize I am many steps above the typical patron's attire of pajama pants and fuzzy slippers. Call me crazy but there is something not right with that.

I am happy to report that after a few weeks of trying on dresses and skirts, I found this dress **that I adore at my favorite store. I also scored a sweet deal on these shoes from my other favorite store. Tomorrow I plan on heading to the mall to see if I can find a good flowery skirt like the picture above. I am also looking forward to sporting the dress and shoes to church on Sunday because nothing says "Happy Sunday" like wearing a new dress. :)

**the link is not working for the dress, it's the blue trapanuto dress at the bottom of the page (you will understand when you click on the link)

Menu Planning-Phase One

I am working on stream lining my menu plan and grocery shopping. My goal is to be able to have a 6-week rotation established so that I can create a standard grocery list and buy what I need in bulk.

My post it notes have been a huge help in keeping track of what we eat. (Please note the lasagna listed twice in a four week period, it's hubs all time favorite food) I usually try to keep it simple during the week since hubs works nights and has to be out the door by 6:15. Because of his work schedule, I try to avoid recipes that take 30-45 minutes. Lasagna obviously takes longer but it is the perfect meal to prepare in advance so all you have to do is throw it in the oven an hour before you eat.

When I am planning my menu, I follow this simple list.

Monday- salad or soup, sometimes both
Tuesday- Mexican
Wednesday- Chicken
Thursday- Pasta (lasagna, manicotti, spaghetti)
Friday night- Pizza night (sometimes with the family but most times a pizza from sam's club)
Saturday & Sunday- usually the kitchen is closed but every once in awhile I will cook gourmet sandwiches or Jeff will grill out

As you can see, I like things quick and easy. Nothing too over the top and nothing that requires much time.

Come back next Wednesday for Phase Two: Establishing a Grocery List.

Feel free to share your menu planning tips as well.

Overhaulin the Living Room/Office

The biggest thorn in my flesh is my living room/office. I have not done anything with this little place because I kept thinking we were going to move. And as you already know that is not the case right now, at least for another 6 months. Now my living room/office is going to get a major overhaul because I am choosing to fully embrace this period of our life.

The plan is simple: throw away and redecorate.

Here is a few of the things I am going to do.

• I am keeping the desk because I really need the storage for catalog pictures.

• I am changing out the office chair to something with more pizazz. Maybe a zebra print dining chair
• I am adding a hutch to my makeshift desk to house my notebooks and other misc office stuff.
• I am adding curtains to the windows since Jeff refuses to paint.
• I am also giving the love seat that the in laws gave to us to my sister in law (she has the matching sofa)
• I am bringing in my favorite chair and ottoman from storage.
• I plan to add a few lamps since we do not have an overhead light in the living room.
  
• I have a rug that I am going to throw down on our worn, dull apartment carpet.

My goal is to have the office serve as an office by day and a living room by night. At the end of the day, I want to clean off my desk and sit in my comfy chair without having to look at all this junk.

I realize that this is going to be a huge challenge but I am looking forward to having this project to sink my teeth into. I will keep you posted as I progress.

P.S. The above picture is what my desk looks like during the middle of catalog update season. It can get to be pretty scary and messy at times.