Happy Tuesday, friends! I'm talking about more things I'm saying yes to this week. I'm also linking up with Amy for the weekly Fashion Files and Joanne for Tuesday Talk. I'll jump right in!
This week I'm saying yes to:
- leisurely mornings at home
- lunches with friends (I had plans yesterday and so far I have more plans on Friday)
- easy, simple dinners that are healthy and delicious
- weeknight date nights with Chris
- more home improvement projects
- more blog ideas (thanks, Amy!)
- afternoon pool time as my personal time permits
- more phone conversations with my people
- more family dinner nights (Sunday night's was different and amazing...more details after this portion)
- more sourdough baking
- more cooking in general, even when nobody is here to eat with me
- more comfortable shoes
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I'm still living in dresses, because it's hotter than Hades. I'm wearing a mix of sandals and sneakers; speaking of sneakers, I will need to replace some soon with school starting back. I like the Dr. Scholl's brand that I've purchased several times through Amazon. Here's a link for the ones in my cart! These are the easy dresses I bought this summer at Old Navy; they will transition into fall perfectly by adding a denim jacket and flats or sneakers.
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Speaking of school, there are some things I know now that I didn't last year when I went back to work full time. A couple of times last year I regretted what I wore on certain days; I'm not willing to do that again this year. Life is way too short to wear clothes or shoes that are uncomfortable! One day was really bad; I was so hot in my synthetic fabric sweatshirt that I had to have Jonah bring me a change of clothes and shoes. I changed in the bathroom as soon as he left! I'll be more careful in what I wear and what I purchase for the year because of the couple of days that were like that.
I know that I will need to keep an umbrella on me 24/7, and also a rain jacket. I will keep both of these (and some rain shoes) in a bag that I'll keep at school all year. I need to invest in some rain boots and a better umbrella. I like a golf umbrella for the car line on the mornings it rains.
I have figured out what I need to eat for lunch to keep me full; I've also discovered which snacks I need to take with me each day. This year I'll grocery shop for things to keep at school like condiments, utensils, peanut butter, crackers, popcorn, granola bars, water flavoring, and maybe even the occasional soft drink. I plan on taking a sandwich on healthy bread each day; I prefer something like turkey or salami with mustard, something crunchy and salty (tortilla chips or white cheddar rice cakes), fruit, cheese sticks, granola bars, and something sweet if I have a sweet tooth. I think this will make my life easier each morning; I'll know that I have a lunch already there waiting on me and I won't have to think about it at all as I get ready for my day.
I will meal plan this year; I've already been doing this for the last few weeks in preparation! I knew yesterday morning what the dinner plan was for my week here at home. My new church is helping me with this! The service I love the most is the 9 o'clock service; by 10:15 I'm in my car. On Sunday this week, I went straight to the grocery store and picked up what I needed for lunches. I was home unloading before eleven, eating lunch by noon, and prepping for family dinner by 3:30.
I have learned how to better stay on top of things at home by doing certain things everyday. I know it's easier to do these things while I'm off work, but I'm hoping that I can stay more on top of things so that I don't get overwhelmed with a dirty home and laundry piled up high. I know that anything will be better than how things were last year, so I'm thankful for what I've learned.
It's your turn to chime in! Do you have any thoughts or recs that you can share with me regarding these things? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. I'll see you back here tomorrow; love to all!
Jen
It sounds like you've got just about everything figured out! When I was working, it was so hard to be organized with lunches for work, food for dinner, etc. When I would get home I was so exhausted, all I wanted was food and the couch. (I was getting home at 6:30). It turned my whole life upside down. It sounds like you learned so much in your first year. Hopefully this next year will be smooth sailing for you :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I don't have ALL the things figured out, but I'm definitely going to be better at this work this this year than I was last year. Ha! I know what you mean about just wanting food that was easy and the couch most nights; there are days that I feel like that. Most days I'm fine, though; there are also the days that I leave my home at 7:30 and don't return again until after eight. Those are not the easiest days, but in a way I'm good as long as I don't stop. Sometimes if I sit down, I'm done. Thank you for the well wishes!
DeleteGreat plans for school! My co-worker kept a salt and pepper shaker in her room.
ReplyDeleteI love a clear umbrella - you can see! I bought the cutest one with a black trim at Target. Also, yes to rain boots. I wear mine everyday even in the summer to walk doggie. The short ones are the easiest to slip on and the most practical. I need new ones so let me know what you find. Costco has had my favorites and maybe they will be out soon? Let me know if you see them before I do. They are in the $20 range and great quality.
Thanks, friend! I get that; my co-worker bought some last year for our room, as well. Maybe I'll look for a clear umbrella; I have always wanted one, honestly. It's good to know about the shorter rain boots...I kind of wondered if I should do those or the taller ones. There were several days last year when I needed the taller ones! I'll let you know, and maybe you can do the same!
DeleteWeirdly I LOVE those Dr. Scholl's sneakers in pink but then I ordered the same pair in gray and the material is just slightly different... and they give me blisters on my heel every time I wear them. I was so annoyed. Because the pink pair I can easily wear all day long with zero issues.
ReplyDeleteI experienced that last year! I ordered two pairs at once, navy and maroon. The navy ones were fine and I wore them all over Maine and Salem, Massachusetts, but the maroon ones I never could wear comfortably. I've learned to either make sure the fabric is leather or the canvas style. The maroon ones I ordered and hate are a velvet looking fabric.
DeleteSo much goodness in one post! Those sneakers are so cute and I bet they are really comfy. I love your planning for the school year. I think your plan sounds solid and will save you so much time. I always recommend meal planning- we do it all year and it eliminates so much stress and time!
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend! I love the sneakers; they are SO comfy. I can and have walked in them all day long while traveling and also while working and walking on concrete floors at work. Yes to meal planning! I've seen how much easier it makes life in the last few weeks.
DeleteHi Jen! I love all the planning ahead! I'm a huge planner girl! I do my weekly reset on Sunday afternoons -meaning my outfits are planned for the week, laundry is done, meals are prepped and my daily journal prompts are ready as well. It helps my anxiety to have as much done as possible. My meal prep/planning helps me the most. If a casserole is on the menu for the week ahead I have it completely made so that all i have to do is put it in the oven once I'm home after working. If a roast for the slow cooker is on the menu I will chop all the veggies ahead of time so they're ready to toss in the slow cooker. Basically any step I can save myself. Prayers and well wishes for a great school year!
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