Our Monday started VERY early when Nora decided she really didn’t need to sleep in… I guess she doesn’t realize that Spring Break is not the time to wake up so early!
Even with the early morning, we were still able to cross several projects off our list; including reorganizing our master closet, defrosting {and restocking} our deep freezer, a bunch more yard work, new hair cuts, and more!
I’m always on the look-out for FREE tools to help improve my business. So when I got the iPhone, I immediately started searching for apps that would do just that.
Apparently there are a ton of free productivity apps, but I didn’t need or want them all, just the best ones. So for the past several weeks, I’ve been testing them out… and I came up with a list of 9 of my favorite free apps for small businesses.
I like to think that I’m pretty good at managing my time, being productive, getting things done, etc. etc. however as much as I might try, I can’t do it all. I have to make choices every day about what I will and will not spend my time on. Sometimes, it’s an easy choice, other times it’s not. Many times I make wise choices, but other times I don’t. It’s all just a balancing act I suppose.
So since a few of you asked, here’s a short list of things I do and don’t MAKE time for…
Ever since Dave and I tied the knot {almost 6 years ago} I’ve struggled with making REALLY good fried potatoes. I even resorted to using frozen potatoes in times of desperation.
I can still remember the first time I attempted to make fried potatoes… I set off the smoke alarm 🙂 Well, after almost 6 years of trial and error, I’ve finally figured out how to make really good fried potatoes.
Here’s how I do it…
The other day, I mentioned a handful of things we’re willing to splurge on… and after talking about splurging, I received a few emails and comments asking if we had cut back on anything in an effort to save more.
The answer is Yes! Yes, we are cutting back on some things… and yes, we are still splurging on others. I’m assuming many of you could say the same thing. I guess it’s a matter of where our priorities are!
Here’s a short list of things we’ve been cutting back on:
Whether you work in a corporate office, have a designated home office, or even just an area in the corner of the living room where you pay the bills, schedule appointments, and check emails; it’s important to keep that area clean and clutter-free.
So since I talk a lot about cleaning {and more specifically “Spring Cleaning”} I thought I should talk a bit about cleaning and organizing your office area.
Here in West Michigan, we’ve had record-breaking high temperatures the past 2 weeks {it’s been in the 80’s all week!} so it’s felt like Spring for while already — and I’m not complaining!
However, since it’s now officially spring, I thought I’d share a few simple ways I transform our home for Spring.
In my line of work, you can probably image how often I hear people complain about “not having enough time…” yup, it happens a lot! And while I too wish I had more time for certain activities… in most situations, I know that I COULD have that time if I wanted it bad enough.
The real issue is that I’m not choosing to MAKE time…
Yes, you read the title of this post correctly; I really have NOT purged much these past couple of months — and it’s not because I’m too busy, too lazy, or any other excuse!!
The reason I haven’t been purging is because I haven’t been bringing more stuff into our home.
See how we’re managing to keep the clutter out and save time, space, and money in the process!
I have a new favorite breakfast recipe… and it’s really, really easy!
This quiche has a simple crescent roll dough crust and can be filled with any of your favorite veggies, meats, and cheeses. It only take about 30 – 45 minutes to make and I can almost guarantee it will be a hit with your family!
I made this for dinner one night last week and we finished off the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. YUM!
If you’ve read my blog for any amount of time, you know that I’m all about time-management, productivity, and efficiency.
And while I appreciate time-saving conveniences like email, online shopping, online banking, drive-through windows, express checkout lanes, etc.; I sometimes feel like our lives are so automated that we never actually work with REAL people.
Over a year ago, I wrote about the 10 Things We Don’t Spend Money On… and then followed it up with 10 Things I’m Willing to Splurge On.
Well, over the past year, I’ve come up with a handful of other things I am most definitely willing to splurge on. Some are bigger splurges than others, but they are all completely worth it for me!!
What are your favorite {or most recent} splurges?
Dave and I have a lot of t-shirts, but we wear them all the time… so I can justify it! Plus, we keep them organized with a very clever folding method {see my very first vlog in this post}.
And while I was making the vlog, I decided it was finally time to clear out some of my t-shirt clutter to make a t-shirt quilt — so I packed up a bunch of my most memorable t-shirts and sent them off to be transformed into something a little more useful!
I have a ton of friends and family members with babies right now. Some of them stay at home with their kids, some of them work outside the home, and some of them work FROM home… like me. However, I find it interesting that most of my mom friends and relatives say they have “mommy guilt” — and in just 3 short months, I’ve had it too.
Besides just being confident in our own choices and knowing we are doing what’s best for our families, is there a way to push that mommy guilt aside?
Ever since Nora was born, I’ve gotten at least 3 or 4 emails each week asking me how I’m able to keep doing everything I do… even with a new baby. And while I’d love to respond by saying, “I’m super mom”, that’s just not the case!
Even though no one could have fully prepared me for how challenging and time-consuming motherhood really is, I wasn’t totally naive as to how much extra work a newborn would bring. It’s been 16 weeks, and I’m finally starting to figure out my “new normal”. I can be a work-from-home-mom… and here’s how!
If you’re looking for a really simple dessert or snack that you can completely customize for your family’s taste buds, I might just have the perfect recipe for you. All this recipe requires is a simple Graham Cracker crust and whatever toppings you have on hand.
I regularly make these Easy Layer Bars when I have a random assortment of half-empty bags of baking supplies to use up — I’ve yet to have any complaints about the deliciously sweet combinations I come up with!
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