Oh weekend...
You come with such excitement and fizzle out so quickly. That's the problem with hinging your happiness on the weekend. Yes the weekend is great! But you have 5 other days you have to endure to get there. I know I hear it all the time... "but you're a stay at home mom.. and your son is about to start Kindergarden so you're soon going to be a glorified housewife/homemaker what do you care about Monday?" Haha. Yup. Very true. I don't have to deal with the morning rush of getting ready and the hustle and bustle of going out to the door to some destination (unless it's grocery day or I have an appt) and I have one of the few jobs where naps are permitted but I did used to work. A lot. And now I run a family and household. I'd say it's a promotion... and with promotion comes more responsibility. In my household I am the first one up in the morning... I get my household going. I fix breakfast.. make lunches (or finish from the night before).. make coffee.. etc. Usually I start some chores. The point is my work day starts pretty much when I get up just like anyone else's really... So. I prepare for Monday and for the week.. because it's my job to make sure my family is prepared! If I'm running around like a crazy person and stressing about miscellanous lost or unclean items it will make a horrible morning and possibly day for everyone. I am in chare of the home thus I have to set the tone. In the past few years I have become quite the motivational guru lol I can pretty much psych myself up for anything.. as well as any others who are in my company. It's become an annoying (maybe) but effective and happier method of handling life. Okay so where is this post going. lol. Oh yes okay preparation for Monday.. My weekend is possibly so short because Sunday is really our first work day. I know Sunday is supposed to be the day of rest etc... Well in this household we have our Sabbath on Saturdays. This also takes some of the stress off of Monday. I know why on earth would I want to cut my mini break from life short?? Well. It creates more happiness than it destroys. Plus one of the many keys to enjoying life is organization/preparation for the future. Choosing/Intending life vs waiting for life to happen to you. Action vs Reaction. My weeks aren't perfect. I still find that my work load is heaviest on Monday and then tends to decrease everyday until Friday when I basically don't have much going on. I need to focus on having a more balanced week. I suppose there is no greater time than the present. Yes it's a gift oh the cliche's. Something I have shifted to doing monthly... This has also taken some of the stress of off my weekend and preparing for Monday. For example I have started planning my weekly menu's for the whole month so that way it's already done. I usually start planning the next month 2 weeks into my month or along the way etc.. This way I always have a dinner plan and making a grocery list when it's time has become a much simpler task as well.. I already have meals planned and then all I have to do is make my list and maybe switch a few things out according to what's on sale. It's great. So now all I have to do Sunday night to prep meals for the week is switch the menu on the fridge! (I do them weekly) {Sometimes I just jot them down on notebook paper and sometimes I use my own print outs - right now I'm out of printer paper) Without further babble here's a list of things to Make a Magnificent Monday! Whichever way you decide to do it 1.planning your menu for the week is a great way to get ahead! Having clean clothes on Monday Morning is definitely a stress reducer so be sure to 2. finish and put away all the laundry. Getting it all put away will only take a few minutes but save you precious time rummaging through closets and dryers in the morning. To make this deal even sweeter go ahead and 3.Pick out your wardrobe the night before this will save you from having to make that kind of decision first thing in the morning lol and if you're afraid you may wake up and have a change of heart than pick out 3 outfits or go ahead and do it for the week... maybe you decide to switch up the days but you will have outfits ready to go. Just get dressed. I am a coffee drinker. So 4.Have coffee ready in the morning. My coffee pot even has a timer/alarm thingy so my coffee is ready when I get out of bed. That's motivational. I am a list freak and I like to always try to be aware of what is going on so I always 5.Make a to do list on Sunday night. I like to go through my calendar see if I have anything that maybe I forgot about.. it does happen and it gives me a glance into my week. Also take the time to refer to your menu maybe you're making something that needs prep or needs to go in the crock pot or needs to be thawed or soaked etc! Be sure to get that on your to-do list!! A lot of thes things are pretty basic.. at this point I have adapted them into everyday routines. I do all of this stuff everyday to ensure that my days in general run smoother... and they do! Only you know what your schdule is like though... I find a lot of times when I go looking for articles and ways that other people do things I find good ideas but I end up having to adapt other things to make it fit into my lifestyle.. and that's basically all I'm offering is just a perspective on what things I do to prepare... If you're finding that this is doesn't fit and you're not sure how to organize and make life easier start with a master list of things you need to do. Just go ahead and write them all down. What can you start doing ahead of time or maybe something can be shifted to a "better" time? I have shifted my schedule many times to better fit our schedules.. Or. Make an evening list of everything to gather/do the night before so you are ready in the morning... things go so much more smoothly when you're prepared it's like clockwork and can leave you feeling refreshed vs drained before you even get out the door... Find a way to make things easier on yourself. Focus on solutions. If you find you're always misplacing your phone or your keys or you're forgetting about laundry or dinner... Then it's time to focus on a solution. Well this has become quite a lengthy post.. I have tried to "highlight" the key pieces.. for those of you who have something against reading ;) haha. Hope you enjoyed it and I hope you find a way to enjoy your Monday and the days that follow!! Leave me a comment. Let me know. What are you doing to make your life easier? Until next time. Much love. VintageModMom
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Sooooo much candy... you'd think Halloween would be the big candy holiday but idk Easter candy was pretty amazing.. I think I seriously almost fainted in the candle aisle..
Anyway. I made it out with plenty of jellybeans and chocolately goodies to fill up our son's Easter basket! We also splurged a big because we finally found the Trackmaster Flynn Fire Truck.. It was like a moment straight from Heaven literally... I pulled it out from behind some other box and there it was.. We've been searching for Flynn since his birthday last June so I went ahead and got it for him he is going to FREAK on Easter morning. I was also able to find some glittery eggs that had some red ones {his favorite color is red}. Red is really hard to find for Easter let me tell you.... But I'm going to hide some "golden" chocolate eggs in those and I also got a 3 pack of mini Thomas themed trains that I will hide in those. Pretty excited. I wasn't sure how we were going to make out for Easter but it's looking like we're going to have one very happy little dude. I also got things for hubby and I haha.. ;) Everyone ready for Monday?!
WHAT!? No!?? Pshh.. of course you are! Well. I'm starting the prep already this morning. First things first I have to get to the store today. We need a few things to make the week successful annnnd I need to go ahead and get some Easter things while I have time to go without little man. I have already prepared my menu plan for the week annnd I've started my to-do list for Monday. I love planning my menu ahead of time and since I had to go to the store I had to go ahead and plan it yesterday so I'd be ready to go today. As for tonight we're having spaghetti and meatballs. Thank God it's a beautiful day. Sun is shining. Although old man Winter has returned for a few short days and it's quite chilly out but that's okay. I am already missing my boots and scarves.. I really like fall and winter.. Mostly because I live in the South.. well.. not as far South anymore but still Alabama so it's not like we have the most epic winters but I enjoy them nonetheless. So I am most thankful for the sunshine and blue skies today. Especially since our future forcase is showing chances for rain everyday next week... Gotta love spring!! Well.. you don't have to. Speaking of spring. I have also started my spring cleaning list.. I'm pretty sure it's already out of hand but hey... I'm aware of my ambition lol I'm actually not sure when I'm going to start on my list. I was planning to start on the 1st but what kind of nonsense is it that the 1st is on a Wednesday. Eh.. idk. I will think on that further and let you all know. Also with a new month comes lots of other things liiiike... Monthly goals!! I'm going to have to revisit my March goals and see what needs to rollover to April haha and then I can start my April goals if there's room to start new ones!!! So what else is on the agenda for this Prelude to Monday>>> Well. What are some things are going to make my Monday successful? Hardcore night prepping. Just kidding it's not really hardcore. It's actually just a few simple things. Going to make sure coffee is ready and the alarm is set so I can wake up and my coffee will be there waiting on me =) Going to set up breakfast plates. I always set up breakfast plates the night before.. Seems like something irrelevant but I do my dishes at night and fumbling around for dishes first thing in the morning is not how I like my mornings to go... It works out much better for me if our cereal bowls, plates for egg & avocado and silverware are all laid out already. I also like to go ahead and get Jaxon a juice cup in the fridge so he can easily get to it in the morning. Finish all the laundry or prep so it's ready first thing in the morning. I will address the laundry situation. I like to check and make sure I'm not leaving too much laundry for myself first thing Monday morning... if I do have a load left to do I like to go ahead and get it in the washer so in the morning I just have to add soap and turn it on! Finish Monday to-do list. I like to have my to-do list as ready as possible.. sometimes I add things throughout the day but for the most part if I have my game plan set up the night before it helps my day get started faster and it's more efficient. I can already be aware of any appointments or pain in the butt tasks that I can just take care of first thing. Hmm okay.. so let's see. I think that's about it. I'm trying to see if maybe there's something I forgot but I suppose it really is just a few simple things that I shift to produce a wonderful Monday! Or at least a not horrible Monday! I think this will conclude my Prelude to Monday breakdown. Be sure you visit tomorrow I'm going to have some awesome stuff to keep your future organized! I have finally made Calendars and #CelebrateToday printables.. Which we shall talk about later!! As for now it's about time for some late Sunday breakfast and I gotta get myself moving!! Things to do the world to see and such! I hope you all have a fantastic Sunday with just the right amount of rest and productivity!! Balance is the ticket! Much love all. VintageModMom Well February was pretty fantastic!
One of my favorite months filled with hearts & chocolate.. But now it's time to move forward to spring!! {Hopefully} I know most folks are anticipating some warmer weather! Personally I am not one of those people lol. Since we live in the South it tends to get very very hot here and I'm not rushing it, that's for sure!! Although regardless it is going to come so I just have to accept it and move on forward.. so I will be {finally} talking down the Valentines decor and move into some St. Patricks/Easter/Spring decor/crafts. {ALSO March is National Craft Month!!} We are finally starting to build a collection of decor for seasons it's pretty awesome.. I know as humans we spend the first part of our lives collecting things and then the end of our lives purging things lol {generally} But I'm excited about it. Hoping to find a lot of cool crafts little man and I can do. I have started a to-do/goal list for March BECAUSE I do not do New Year's Resolutions. I have a hard enough time staying with a basic routine so I know that personally, a goal/change for a whole year is not my style.. I get much more accomplished if I simply make some monthly goals.. I got most of my February goals done.. I say most because I always pile my plate as full as possible and life happens and sometimes you just don't get every single last thing done, but that's okay... saves some things for later and it's helping me on my journey of ditching the idea of perfection. I do love the sense of accomplishment I get from achieving my goals however, if I'm unable to complete everything I'm okay with that.. my happiness can not hinder on my ability to complete goals.. it must live within me on it's own.. and I am working on this every single day =) #EnjoyLife Goals for March: IDEALLY I want to make goals for each of these areas.. I think I'm going to have to work on this further... I actually just got myself a cute little notebook so I can start writing to myself... I know, sounds weird.. but I don't mind my weirdness.. it makes me.. me. So these are the areas in which I would like to set some goals.. or at least define my current situation.. that's the 1st step.. defining the situation THEN writing the changes I wish to make or goals I wish to obtain.. I'm actually not even going to list my goals right now... But here are the catergories in case you are interested in setting some goals! I found this chart with these listed and it seemed to make sense to me.. plus I love catergories.. lol. Social Spiritual Financial Physical Intellectual Career Family Since March is National Craft Month I think I need to go ahead and break out the sewing machine.. I'm a bit intimidated.. since it's been about 10 years but if I don't get moving it's going to be another 10 years before I know it and that is... unacceptable!! The name of the game of life is #nofear after all so I need to get that started because I know once I refresh myself on sewing again I will laugh at myself for not doing it sooner =) Also with a new month comes new coupons!! I still have my coupon blog up with all the resources I use for getting the coupons I need!! If you wish you can check it out HERE! Yup definitely need to start couponing again.. my printer is inked up and ready to roll!! I definitely want to start finding some time to play the piano again and read sheet music.. I always start to do it but then get interrupted with a million other things.. my biggest goal right now is laying out my game plan.. Going to start on that asap. So that is all for now... It's been a very busy Monday for sure!! Looking forward to a chill and rainy rest of the week!! Just what I need!! Thanks for stopping by! Much love all. VintageModMom Good morning!! Hope everyone is doing well on this Monday morning! I know Monday's can be a drag BUT I'm feeling pretty good!! I have really been focusing on self esteem and worth lately. Trying to fill my personal cup so that I am able to give to everyone around me. I'm on a journey of happiness and health.. positivity.. love.. just general life enjoyment!! It's not an easy task.. it has to be created.. it does exist but so does all the negative energy that seems so much easier to slip into. So for today I have done an I AM exercise. Affirmations and defining yourself is so important.. because the words you put after I AM truly define you.. and whatever you say after those 2 words you will start to believe.. So be sure and speak nicely to yourself!!! I actually had to get the dictionary out to finish this exercise but that's actually not a complaint for me lol I love the opportunity to learn some new words.. and I did!! Xenial means.. hospitable.. (from Greek and New Latin) And also Zest actually means to enhance enjoyment.. I was kind of surprised by this one because when I think of zest I think of... food lol Or "Zestfully clean" which now tends to make not a whole lot of sense to me LOL. ANYWAY On with the sharing of awesomeness that I have created. I am truly proud of myself for finding 26 positive ways to describe myself and not to be vain or anything but I could probably do more... sometimes it was difficult to choose which adjective to use haha. But that's great!! If I'm at my full level of awesomeness then that means I have plenty to offer to those around me and that's what it's all about!! So I guess I'm a little nervous about bearing my soul to the social media world here but you know what my husband says? (No guilt, no fear, no shame) < the key to a happy life. So far it's opening doors. I would love to go on about how amazing my hubby is but that shall have to wait for another post.. just take my word for it for now haha ;) WITHOUT FURTHER ADO: WOOT!!
There we are. Now, the trick is.. you pick words that you either feel you are.. or that you WISH to be.. Even if you don't believe it right now.. you will. Display it somewhere that you can go over it everyday... It will only take a few seconds but the impact will be great!! You are reprogramming your thoughts about yourself!! If I can do this... I know others are capable.. If you have been following I always say that I was one of the most negative people in the whole galaxy.. most likely.. haha.. But my perspective and thoughts are starting to change and with it my life.. Our lives.. (hubby and I) So I guarantee you as silly or as pointless or whatever negative feeling you wish to have towards this I promise you that's just your fear speaking... THIS IS AMAZING. It is truly transforming me and I hope that I can be an inspiration for others to transform themselves!!! Alrighty folks well Monday calls and I have things to accomplish!! I hope you enjoyed my post today please show me some love!! Comment, Email, I'm also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Follow me to keep up with the latest!! Much love all!! VintageModMom Good Morning!!
Well it's back to the grind for us... We have returned from our final vacation until the end of next month... It sure was great being able to see so much family during the holidays!! A blessing indeed. Speaking of blessings. On our way home Saturday a couple paid for our meal at Wendy's because we let them in line at the drive thru. Hubbs and I have never had anything like that happen and it was truly magical. Once we got home I jotted it down and put it in our "Focus on the Good" Jar.. Our first one of the year! Pretty exciting.. only 3 days into the year and already something great to add.. it was truly inspiring.. We definitely plan to pay it forward in the future.. that was a really nice gesture.. The ladies in the drive thru loved it as well.. all we could say was "awwwwww!!" I sure do love those good vibes!!! So since we're back to the grind there is soooo much to do... I have already made our menu for the week so I'm ahead on a few things.. Got our bedroom cleaned too.. it's nice to have at least one clean room.. the rest of the house looks like a toy store exploded... I still need to take down our Christmas decorations.. Kinda sad.. but I'm preparing to start decorating for Valentines.. I love hearts so hence I love Valentines.. I figured decorating the house in hearts and sparkles will more than make up for taking the decorations down =) I've already started making goals for the year.. I like to do mine monthly.. Another reason I don't make resolutions... For this month I want to get my home management binder together.. I plan to offer tons of printables for the year.. Calendars, Menu sheets, to-do lists, weekly cleaning, grocery lists etc. I've tried really hard to switch to paperless but it seems futile with me.. I just haven't found anything to fit my needs... so I'm going back to what has always worked for me.. real life paper. lol. Granted I'm still using Workflowy.. it really is a great website. Great for making lists and stuff but I still need paper to copy things to.. As for today.. We're going to go over some addition for Math Monday. I'm going to bake some bread. Start taking decorations down. I have to work on some posts for my Influenster box!! (Free products I received for review) And who knows what else because I haven't filled out my Motivational Monday sheet yet haha. So. Join me! Here's some free printables to help get your week organized! Thanks for stopping by! Much love. VintageModMom Good Morning! Well this will probably be a longer post but I'm due so I don't mind. Trying to get my Monday rolling so the rest of the week just glides on from the initial momentum. Lots of keys required to unlock this door to awesomeness. Organization is key. Focus is key. Attitude is key. So. Get your coffee or tea or breakfast or whatever morning comfort you prefer.. Find a mantra or affirmation. I seem to add more each day. I really need to make a printable. Anyway. Currently mine is: *My mind is clear and flowing with bright and inspiring ideas. I am patient and well rested.* {Find something you're currently struggling with and own it} And lastly put your priorities in order. Make a few goals for the day or catch up on some things you need to do. Alrighty now let's get to work! So what's happening this week? Looks like grocery shopping is going to fall on Tuesday or Wednesday depending upon how quickly I get that together, but I've been working on it for a while so I have some worksheets to offer! So for a long time now I've been wanting to catalogue my purchases and prices. I wanted to keep a visual tally of what I'm spending on my groceries and when the prices are the best so I can attempt to be prepared for future purchases, especially when I keep hearing the news constantly tell me how much food prices are increasing... For starters I'm not a spreadsheet pro. I basically know how to add things up with the handy little feature and that's about it. Still, I've learned a little bit recently while deciding to go all-in on this venture. You can kinda learn along the way even if you're not real experienced with Excel. Basic tasks can still be functional and organizational. Side note 2.. I'm not a heavy couponer. I understand how "extreme" couponing is done I just try to stick to things that we need and buy frequently.. if I can get it free that's fantastic but I have not yet reached the level where I'm buying 30 of something... but one day. {Probably once we own a home} So with that being said this worksheet will be useful for cataloging your routine grocery purchases. You will be able to see how much money you are spending in each catergory and how helpful your coupons are. It will also help me keep track of the sales rotations. I've read that most stores cycle every 6-8 weeks but seriously.. I don't remember, by the time it comes up on me I'm unprepared so let's organize! Here is an example so you will know how to use the worksheet. It's pretty simple. I apparently love highlighting, but it helps. It makes the information easy to find. I have them highlighted per shopping trip. And so far the only "function" I'm using in Excel is sum. I've figured out how to pick where I want my total to end up etc. It's pretty simple but if you're new there's a good tutorial here. And below is the blank one I've created to share! It does consist of 12 pages. One for each catergory basically. I tried lots of different methods and ways to compact it but honestly it's just was NOT functional.. I want to be able to keep my entire month of shopping on one set. Anyway you can download here. Hope you enjoy your Monday and I hope the worksheets are helpful!
I'm still working on lots of other worksheets.. I currently just made one with my meal plan and grocery list. I'm sure I'll be adding those as well. If you have any questions please feel free to ask also feel free to comment! Much ❤ Always VintageModMom So. Let's take something generally despised and dash some positive energy on it! MONDAY!! Alright so let's start the day off with some Mantras.. I normally just scour the web for some.. or Pinterest =D Some that I'm using this morning are: “Challenges are gifts that force us to search for a new center of gravity. Don’t fight them. Just find a different way to stand.” ~Oprah Winfrey “I change my thoughts, I change my world.” – Norman Vincent Peale “I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.” ~Madonna (That's what's up Madonna... I feel that.) *And although these are general quotes I found them here and would like to give credit =) So just a few mantras.. they help me get my spirit going.. they remind me to accept things as they are instead of stressing over imaginary solutions to temporary problems. Some things can't be changed and the stress is useless. Wasted energy that could be used for GOOD!! So take a deep breath and focus on acceptance. I know it sounds so easy. It's not, I guarantee but with practice.. daily.. it can become easier. We all fall.. it's the getting back up that counts. Alrighty! Now that I'm motivated and ready for my day I have lots to get started on! I have buttermilk recipes to get a start on and I will be sharing them here with you! (Even if they fail.. at least then you will know what NOT to try LOL) I'm also about to post a segment on the Math Monday activity I did with my preschooler this morning!! So if you're interested in that stay tuned the link will be posted promptly today or tomorrow (today hopefully)! I hope that you can now look at your Monday's as an opportunity for a great start! If you need more tips on how to make Monday Awesome you can check out my previous post here! Thanks for stopping by! Much Love 💜 -VintageModMom I love to celebrate! National Upsy Daisy Day is definitely a reason to celebrate! To focus on positivity and being grateful!! Take today to reflect on all the reasons to be positive! To wake up with a grateful heart! 💜 I can definitely say that even though we're experiencing some turbulence in our current journey I can still find reasons to be grateful! I know we're experiencing what's necessary to build our best future!! And speaking of future... tomorrow is... MONDAY! Yes I hear you. I know we are still early into Sunday but nothing makes a great day like preparation and planning. So take a few minutes to prepare for your Monday. Treat it like the first day of school! Allow the positivity you create today to overflow into tomorrow... To help you prepare I'm offering a free Sunday printable! It will get your wheels turning and hopefully help you create not only a great Monday but a wonderful week! Think about your future self!! I hope you find these useful! Please feel free to leave feedback! I'm still in the training wheel stage but I'm determined to create a better future self and share the tricks of my trade! I'm going to continue working on providing printables to help create a happy future! Thanks for stopping by! If you enjoy this printable you can find more here! -VintageModMom |
Planner Things.Life. |