day 120–last day of the month

120

Another month has disappeared. Take the time today to do a breast self-exam. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women ages 40 to 55. Breast cancer is most treatable and curable if detected early. One of the best methods of early detection is through a breast self-exam. If you need a refresher course on how to perform this important test, please refer to Susan G. Komen’s website at komen.org.

Today:

daily 7

plan weekend fun

breast self-exam

Cinco de Mayo is this upcoming Wednesday. Get some chips, salsa, and margarita mix.

yesterday: catching up

day 119–Thursday

119

Hello there! How is your week going so far? Any big projects you’ve been neglecting? Dig out the punch list, and refer to your personal goals.

I need to go through our family photos and tag them appropriately, and print a bunch out to frame. I’ve got a nice stash of empty frames, and they are in desperate need of pictures. Whatever your big project is, schedule it out. Don’t try to do everything at once, or you’ll crash and burn. Take small bites and chew slowly.

Today:

daily 7

meal plan for the upcoming week

dust ceiling fans/wipe down blinds

yesterday: TGIW

day 118–TGIW

118

Happy Wednesday! All you need to do is get through today, and then tomorrow, and then it’s practically the weekend again. You can do it.

I’m typing this on Tuesday night, and it’s 7pm. I’ve been sitting at the computer for pretty much 15 hours straight, and I think my eyeballs might fall out and roll across the floor. The good thing is that they won’t get all dusty and gross because I found a way to sweep and mop while on a conference call yesterday afternoon.

How’d you do on your paperwork? I’ve got a bit more to do, and need to send off some faxes today, but am otherwise on track.

I think.

Today:

the summer is coming, whether you’re ready for it or not. Plan outings, activities, and fun stuff to do with the kids. This does NOT need to be expensive! Mommy camp totally rocks, and creates life-long memories.

catch up on missed things

daily 7

yesterday: do some meditation. it’s good for you.

day 117–catch up on paperwork

117

I caught up on housework yesterday, and am going to catch up on paper work today. Dig through your paper piles and get rid of whatever isn’t necessary, and follow through on the rest of the stuff. Sign permission slips, RSVP to events, file receipts, and anything else that you’ve been putting off. Today is the day.

Today:

paperwork

run errands

daily 7

set the timer for 5 minutes, and sit and breathe. No tv, no phone, no ipod. Just sit. 5 minutes doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but it’s amazing to me all the things I can think of in such a short period.

yesterday: back on track around the house

Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a polluted mind, suffering will follow you, as the wheels of the oxcart follow the footsteps of the ox. Everything is based on mind, is led by mind, is fashioned by mind. If you speak and act with a pure mind, happiness will follow you, as a shadow clings to a form. –Buddha

day 116–it’s Monday, again.

116

Welcome to a brand new week! I have my big deadline on Friday, which means the house is a mess. I’ve been doing the bare minimum, and the dust bunnies and unfolded laundry are ratting me out. I did vacuum the baby’s room on Sunday, and the kitchen is clean (although it could really use a good mopping), and the kids changed their sheets and cleaned their room, so that’s good.

Today I’m getting back on track, and I’m looking forward to it. I function better in a tidy environment, and my brain doesn’t seem quite as spastic.

Today:

get back on track

weekend recovery

yesterday: weekend post; gossip, yay or nay?

days 114 & 115 the weeked

114 & 115

I have been reading an awful lot of famous people quotes lately, and I’m really loving this page of Eleanor Roosevelt sayings.

The two that are really sticking out to me right now are these:

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.

and

If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault; if they betray you twice, it’s your fault.

I find the two kind of intertwined. My eight-year-old and I have been discussing “what makes a good friend” quite a bit the past few days, and the conversations have made me examine my own friendships. Women are so tricky. Sometimes I wish women could just be like men and go hit a bucket of balls or play tennis and nothing else. But that’s not what we do. We talk and talk and talk and talk, and no matter how you (I) try to steer the conversation, groups of women inevitably begin to talk about others. It’s kind of fascinating, really.

anyhow, that’s what I’ve been thinking about lately, and I even posed the question on BlogHer, with a chance to win $100.
What about you? How do you handle gossip amongst friends, either IRL or online?

This weekend:

count your blessings. write them down.

try to stick to the daily 7

work in the garden

Friday the 113th

113

I’m totally tripping out that it’s a Friday and the 113th day of the year. Last night we had a carpet picnic and watched the Project Runway marathon and ate Mexican take-out. It was wonderful!

I’m greatly looking forward to this weekend, because it’s the last working weekend I’ll have before turning in my manuscript. YAY!

Any big weekend plans? Do a quick company clean so you’ll be prepared for anything.

Today:

daily 7

catch up on the stuff you need to catch up on!

clean your desk area

yesterday: host/schedule a family meeting

day 112–Thursday! family meeting day

112

I was digging through the bookshelf last week to find things to bring to a friend’s house for a Mom Swap. Once a year, my friend Elaine encourages us to go through our china cabinets, linen closets, and book shelves to find forgotten items that other moms might find useful. Since I PROM pretty darn regularly, this poses a challenge, but I was able to dig up some books, dvds and picture frames to share. During my scrounge, I came across The Essential 55 by Ron Clark. I bought this book after seeing him on Oprah, and really liked the book. There was also a movie about Ron, and he was played by Matthew Perry.

Anyhow. This is a great book for your family library because it evokes discussion. I haven’t handed it off to my big girls (aged 5 & 8), but instead have randomly opened it to discuss whatever the rule is on the page. Since both of my kids are in school, they relate to the school rules, and I can discuss the life-lesson rules with them.

Needless to say, I didn’t bring Elaine this book to swap!

Today:

hold/plan a family meeting

daily 7

wipe down the baseboards in 2 more rooms

wipe down all mirrors

yesterday: Wednesday, clobber the cobwebs

day 111–Wednesday!

111

Hello to a brand new day! It’s the middle of the week–get as much done as you possibly can today so you can begin chilling in anticipation of the weekend.

Today:

daily 7

change linens (it’s been a while!)

speed dust, vacuum, mop

wipe down the baseboards in the front room

yesterday: tuesday string beans

I only want to spend time with the people who make me feel good, the ones whom, after they leave, I think, “Wow. I’m a better person, or at least have laughed harder, than I was when she arrived.” –Shauna Ahern, gluten free girl

Tuesday, April 20, the 110th day of the year

110

Today is Tuesday. Tuesday string beans..

but I think we’re having chicken cacciatore.

come and eat it up…

How are you doing on your meal plans? I’ve got a few more days of cooking until I’ve finished all the recipes in the book I’m working on, and am looking forward to planning regular meals again.

I’m not going to be getting that song out of my head all day now!

Today:

purchase Mother’s Day gifts and cards. If you’re ordering online, pay the bit of extra money and have the gift wrapped and delivered for you. Most places let you type in a personalized message. I was looking at Red Envelope for ideas, and I think Adam’s mom might be getting a baby giraffe ring holder this year. maybe.

daily 7

sweep/hose off front porch

yesterday: middle of the month monday

Don’t bunt. Aim out of the ballpark. –David Ogilvy

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