Pinterest 3: Utensil Sort

Another great find at the dollar spot. I had bought this utensil tray several weeks and just used different things for the kids to sort (straws, pipe cleaners). But after I saw this pinned, I bought some plastic utensils, traced them on paper and put them in the compartments. Logan loves to help so he thought this was great fun!

Pinterest 2: Colander Fun

Here's another pin in reality not just on the board. You can find the original post here. I got the colander at the Target Dollar Spot and I really like it because it has different size holes. Sophie was able to put the pipe cleaners in the larger holes fairly easily. Logan had to work a little harder to get them in the top (or bottom?) because the holes were so tiny. The kids had fun and it was a nice treat before bedtime.

Pinterest 1: Busy Wallet

While Sophie and Logan napped today I watched some tv and went through some pins on boards. I went through the ones that were about printables and downloaded the things I wanted (and deleted a couple of pins that went nowhere). Once I downloaded them, I deleted the pin. I also ended deleting some that turned out to not be what I thought they were from the picture and description.

Before we left this morning to run some errands, I had looked at a couple of ideas to see if I could actually do one. I found this busy wallet idea. I decided that it would be a great one to attempt today since we were headed to church to drop off cookies at the garage sale. Figured I might be able to find an old wallet. And I did find ONE, but of course I need TWO. So as we were going to our next place I looked for other garage sales and stopped at one. Score! A wallet that the lady didn't even want to charge me for. I made her take a dollar for it since it was the only reason I stopped. (We also picked up some playdough, which has been entertaining the kids really well.)

Here are the wallets I got today for a total of $2.

Here's the finished products:

I have a ton of notepads I've collected through the years so I found ones that would fit it the card slots. I gave Sophie a pencil and Logan a small pen (because his wallet didn't have a pen holder, and the pen fit in one of the card slots). I use the keychain thingys from the store discount not the regular card size ones, so I gave them to the kids, putting a photo sticker of me and Maw Susan on a couple. I put a couple of drink hangers from Sonic in the slots (just because they are flat. In the dollar bill section, I put sheets of stickers as well as a larger pad of paper. As a final touch I put a small book in each (these came from Chick-Fil-A). I left the zippered change compartments empty so the kids can add their own stuff. I think the kids are going to like these the next time we have to wait somewhere (like the doctor's, but, shhh, don't tell them)!

Pinterest Craze

So I kept hearing about this but couldn't really figure out what it was. Some one explained it ans I thought isn't that what my "Favorites bar" is for. But I finally joined in and I do like it. Of course, I could just bookmark the website when I find something cool but pinning it is so much faster and I get a visual to remind me of why I thought it was cool.

Of course, that's not where the addiction or obsession comes from. That comes into play from looking at other people's boards and pins. I've spent way too much time the last few days repinning from others boards. And I'm only looking at boards of people who've repinned from my stuff and the few people I actually know in real life. Mostly, I'm pinning stuff for preschool and some organizational stuff. And most of it is repinned based solely on the thumbnail on the board (meaning I haven't even gone to the original website to see it).

I decided last night that the boards are sort of pointless if I don't actually do something with them. So, I'm setting a goal of one pin a week. That's one pin to make or find or do or whatever. I won't get through all of them, some are ideas for parties and some are resources I can continue to use. But there are a lot of things to make for both home and preschool. Plus there may be some pins I'd remove once I actually see the original site. I'm also toying with the idea that organizational professionals use: not adding a pin without removing one. Okay, probably wouldn't work. Maybe more like remove a pin for every 10 I have. Ha!

Happy Pinning! Or maybe it should be "Don't just Pin, Do!"

UPDATE: After doing the first 6, I created a list of pins I want to accomplish. On the pins, I tried to include what I needed to complete them in the description.

New GOAL: I've been on a roll, knocking out one a day for the last week. I know I probably won't be able to keep that pace when we all start back to preschool next week, but I think I can do 25 before I go on my cruise in early October...so 25 pins in 50 days!

EMM: No Fast Food

Actions for today:
1. Don't eat fast food today.
2. Start by switching 1 fast food meal a week to a healthier alternative.
3. If you do eat fast food, eat smaller portions.
4. NEVER super-size.
5. Plan your meals for the week to help cut down on impromptu fast food meals. Find helpful tips here.
6. Keep your fridge and pantry stocked.
7. Pack a healthy lunch or cook dinner at home tonight.

So here is how I tackled these actions this week. Here is my dinner meal plan:
Monday-Box dinner using chicken with applesauce (my kids are not eating much these days and Paul has been working late so this was a simple meal mostly for me)
Tuesday-Enchilada casserole with corn (I actually made 2 of these and froze one for later)
Wednesday-Easy Italian Chicken ( crock pot recipe) with green beans
Thursday-Round Steak with herbs and mixed veggies
Friday-Broiled chicken with oyster sauce with jasmine rice

Today I took the kids to McDonalds but we didn't eat there, just played in the the play area. The kids asked about eating but we came home instead. I will be at the office tomorrow and I am planning on taking my lunch (actually, I have a lunch there I think, probably tuna, crackers, protein bar). I have never super-sized anything, in fact I usually get the kids meal because it is just the right portion.

I would really like to find some healthy fast food options because sometimes I need the convenience.

EMM: No Nicotine

Okay, so I don't smoke (and never have) but my dad does. He had a cancer scare a couple of years ago and tried to quit. I know that didn't go so well, but I do think he's still trying to cut back. The book suggests helping someone else who's trying to quit so that is what I will do...help my Dad.

EMM: Read a Book

Actions:


1. Read a book you've never read.


2. Join a book club.


3. Give books to people as gifts.


4. Exchange books.





I would also add: donate books!





I've read 11 books so far this year which is more than the average. We have so many books in our home it's really kind of crazy. Lately, I have been trying to get rid of some of them (but usually not the children's books). I decided I was never going to have enough time to read all the books I have, much less re-read ones I've already read. Sometimes, I donate the books, sometimes sell them (to buy more). I've always liked the idea of a book club but never found one. I do enjoy small group studies at the church that use books as their basis. With the kids I haven't been able to fit one in my schedule, but maybe soon.