days 30 & 31–get ready for Valentine’s Day
January 30, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
30 & 31
It’s the weekend! You made it through another week—congratulations! Do you have big plans, or are you laying low for the next few days? My goal is to get to the store for ingredients for some new slow cooker recipes. I’ve got a slew I’m dying to check out. Other than that, we’re laying pretty low.
But! We’re going to make some Valentine’s Day decorations, because the day will be here before you (I) know it. We (I) should probably get the cards for school out of the way, too.
Simple Craft Ideas for Valentine’s Day
–snowflake hearts
–red, purple, and pink paper chains
–heart mosaics
–heart mobiles
–hearts linked together (like paper dolls)
–bouquet of heart flowers
–magazine collage/decopage in heart shape
This Weekend:
family fun
clean out the family car/vehicle
yesterday: friday fun day; breast self-exam
day 29–Friday Fun Day; weekly reflection; breast self-exam
January 29, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
29
We made it through another week! I am so happy that the sun was out for the past two days, and I was able to soak up some Vitamin D. I hadn’t realized how claustrophobicy I had been feeling until I was able to get out of the house.
Take the time today to do a breast self-exam exam. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 40-55. Many of us know the importance of doing this monthly check, but we forget. Put it on your calendar—the last Friday of the month, get it done. If you need a refresher course on how to perform this important test, please refer to the Susan G. Komen website.
Today:
Breast self-exam
plan some fun!
day 28–schedule a family meeting
28
Happy Thursday! I’m totally bummed that The Office is a rerun tonight.
Set some time aside this evening or sometime this weekend to have a family meeting. Go over next month’s calendar, and do some meal planning. Schedule some time to do nothing, and RSVP for upcoming events.
Plan meals, and figure out Super Bowl plans. Are you staying home? Visiting friends? Do you need to plan on bringing a dish to share?
Today:
family meeting, or plan one very soon
catch up on anything you’ve missed. I was able to vacuum with the baby in the sling yesterday, but didn’t get to the ceiling fans.
Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. –Mother Teresa
27–Wednesday speed dusting and quick mopping
January 27, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
27
I’ve got a three-week-old today! This means that I’m only sleeping in 2-3 hour chunks, and the highlight of my day is when Adam comes home and I can take a shower. By myself. With the door fully closed.
it’s absolutely wonderful.
Today:
Speed dust and vacuum. Only dust where it’s absolutely necessary. If a room or side table can wait a week, let it. Wipe down ceiling fans with a wet cloth or disinfectant wipe.
Quick mop the kitchen floor.
yesterday: purchase greeting cards
January 26, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
26
It’s Tuesday, and Tuesday is the day where I try to run my in-town errands. Today I’ve got to go to the post office, and to the drug store. And Starbucks. I’ve got a gift certificate and I think I really deserve a mocha…
yes, definitely. I’m going to go there first.
Remember last week when we gathered all the important dates for your family and friends? Take your birthday and anniversary list and count them all up. While out running errands, pick up all the cards you’re going to need for the entire rest of the year. We’re a few weeks into January, so if you missed anyone these past few weeks, get cards for them, too. Next year you can send their greeting on time, but for this year, it’s better late than never.
It’s okay to buy 10 of the same card. If you find a good price, stock up! If your drug/card store doesn’t have anything suitable on sale, pick up a few packages of blank cards with a fun design on the front–you can personalize them yourself. Don’t obsess.
Today:
yesterday: weekend recovery
tomorrow: speed dust, vacuum, and quick mop
We cherish our friends not for their ability to amuse us, but for ours to amuse them. –Evelyn Waugh
day 25–last week of the month
January 25, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
25
Congratulations! You’ve made it a full 25 days into 2010. This year is going to fly by even faster than last year, which is nutty, because 2009 seemed to have only lasted a few months.
Research shows that it takes most people about 21 days to establish a new habit. January was the month where we we working on making the Daily 7 a normal everyday routine. How are you doing?
Let’s use this week to catch up, because we’re going to spend the month of February PROMing the rooms and corners of your home.
Today:
Weekend Recovery. We entertained over the weekend, and I still need to shrink the table, put away chairs, and sweep the kitchen. We also fell behind on folding laundry. AGAIN.
Exercise! the super bowl is coming—-you know you’re going to pig out, so try to really lighten it up in the next few weeks.
yesterday: weekend stuff
tomorrow: work on birthday/anniversary list and cards
The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want. –Ben Stein
days 23 & 24, the weekend
January 23, 2010 by Stephanie · 4 Comments
23 & 24
It looks like we’re going to have another soggy weekend around these parts. I’m going to bring in some board games and a giant puzzle we haven’t opened yet and try to keep the TV off as much as we can.
at least that’s the plan…!
This weekend:
keep up with the Daily 7
spend time with the family away from outside distractions such as the TV, computer, or blackberry
February is just around the corner. Was there a project you were hoping to finish this month?
yesterday: weekly reflection
day 22–friday weekly reflections
January 22, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
22
Today’s big adventure is to take our new little one for her 2-week doctor’s appointment. She’s supposed to get a shot, which means that I very well may be getting nothing done in the afternoon.
which means you don’t have to, either!
Today:
catch up day. Read through the archives, and do that which needs to be done.
reflection: what went well this week? what didn’t? anything noteworthy happen you should jot down? any important milestones met? how are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions and goals?
yesterday: bed linens!
day 21–change linens. it’s been a while.
January 21, 2010 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
21
Another week is almost over! Are you as screwed up as I am since Monday was a holiday? I can’t seem to get my head in order.
We’ve had terribly stormy weather, and because of that, I haven’t really left the house the past three days. I’ve got overdue library books, squishy bananas (I really should make some banana bread or muffins today), and a package that should have been mailed on Tuesday.
oops.
But! the power never went out, and I somehow found the way to make 8 new slow cooker recipes in the past few days. We woke up to a fabulous steel-cut oats bake this morning.
Today:
change the bed linens. You may not have done this since last year. It’s okay, I won’t tell anyone. 
answer 106 emails…
yesterday’s post: speed dust and quick mop
I have gotten into the habit of waking before everyone else in the house has risen–usually around 5 am. I nurse the baby one last time and sneak out of bed. I love watching the sun rise over a cup of coffee, and I can pop in a load of laundry and empty the dishwasher before I lose my momentum. I use the time to catch up on email, do some yoga, or just sit and be still. It’s my favorite time of the day. –Rebecca, mom of 5
day 20–speed dust and quick mop
January 20, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
20
It’s Wednesday already! This week is going to screw with my brain because of the holiday on Monday.
I’m going to speed dust and vacuum today, and quick mop the kitchen and bathrooms. If today isn’t a good day for you to do those things, make them up at a more convenient time during the week.
Today:
speed dust/vacuum (spend 20 minutes, max!)
quick mop kitchen and bathrooms
Quick Mopping Technique
Spray some all-purpose cleanser (you can use vinegar and water, if you prefer) directly onto a freshly-swept (or vacuumed) linoleum or tile floor. Let the spray sit for 10 minutes, then mop up with hot, clean water.
yesterday: gather important dates
