Wednesday's Wisdom....

I've been following "The Inspired Room" blog for a while now. 

 The attraction to the site was that it is about organizing and simplifying life.  

Who couldn't use more of that, right?

Recently, I went on Amazon to check out the author's latest book.  

While skimming the pages of the sample offered, I came across the following:

"In order to manage my home and get control of my stuff, I didn't needed to work harder or stay up later.  I didn't necessarily even need a better household organization manual.  I simply needed to start becoming more decisive about everything." ~ Melissa Michaels

Whoa. 

".....becoming more decisive about everything."

And the light went on!!!

I don't know about anyone else, but I've realized lately that a huge source of my stress is the sheer number of decisions I make each and every day.  Think about it.  From the choices about what time to get up, what to wear, what to eat, what to read, what to deal with, what to ignore - the list is endless! And the number of choices for each item seems to be growing daily.

Back in the old days... I think our choices were fewer.  Coke or Pepsi.  Keds or P.F. Flyers.  Wrangler or Lee.   Seven television channels.  Just seven.  I think you get the picture.

The number of choices available to me each day can seem overwhelming.  And like many people, I'm sure, I want to make the right choice.  The perfect choice.  Which also adds to my stress level.

What to do?

Well, I've started by buying Melissa's book.  I'm halfway through and I have found there are "life lessons" sprinkled through her concrete suggestions which I plan to incorporate.  And I've also been working on finding and making note of products that I like and will stick with.  

Fewer decisions. Less stress.

I'm also working hard at simply making decisions and moving on. 

"Good enough" is acceptable to me at this stage of my life. 

 Time spent worrying about and postponing decisions is wasted time.

And now I've decided this post is long enough.  Thanks for listening!

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Wednesday's Wisdom....

Tuesday's Tip for the Day....

Continuing the recipe theme for the week....

Growing up, this was a staple on our holiday table.  Probably yours too.

If you want to "kick it up a notch" this year, I highly recommend the following recipe:

Cranberry Sauce

Source: AUTUMN

 by Susan Branch

From the Heart of the Home

                  zest and fruit of 2 oranges                                                1 cup sugar

                  1/2 cup water                                                                    2 - 3 sticks of cinnamon

                  1 lb. fresh cranberries                                                       3 whole cloves

Zest oranges, remove and discard peel, chop fruit and 

combine with all other ingredients in a heavy saucepan.  

Cover and cook over very low heat for 3 or 4 hours.  

Stir occasionally.  

Remove cinnamon sticks and cloves. 

Chill.

Easy Peasy and absolutely delicious!!

A Monday Memory....

B *I *N*G *O.....B *I *N *G* O....B* I *N *G* O...
(Admit it, you're singing the song now.  Me too.)
Quick story.  So, daughter #1 has started kindergarten in the local Catholic school.  Daughter #2 is quite happy to be with me all day long, while I recover from severe morning sickness which has just started to ease ever so slightly with daughter #3's pregnancy.
One night in late September the phone rings. The woman on the other end of the line introduces herself as "The Class Mother" and inquires if I'm coming to Bingo.

Um, excuse me? Bingo?
I sweetly replied, "No thank you."

I think my reply stunned her for a moment.  Once she had recovered, she went on to explain that as a parent of a child in the school I was required to work the Thursday night Bingo fundraiser several times a year.

News to me!!!

I  explained to her that I was now 7 months pregnant and could not possibly work Bingo. She informed me that many women worked bingo while pregnant. (Not me, I thought.)

As an alternative, she then suggested my husband could do it.  I pointed out that he left for work before 5 am and generally returned around 8 pm.  So no, he wouldn't be working bingo either. 

In the interest of shortening the story.... Fast forward to March and I'm now officially a Bingo Worker.
It is a job I hope never to repeat.  I was run off my feet as I used to be as a waitress. We began before 7 pm and by the time we finished up around 11, the cafeteria was a solid haze of smoke, necessitating a shower as soon as I got home.

Trust me, bingo players take their game very seriously.  Many arrived early in order to get the same seat each week, while others had lucky charms lined up on the table in front of them. And some of the players could be down right mean.  I admit, while close to tears one night, I did point out somewhat loudly to one particularly vocal woman that I was simply a volunteer. 

While rumor had it that this weekly event was a solid fundraiser for the school, they did eventually stop running it.  To my dismay, they traded it in for a yearly Carnival.  But that's another story.

The one positive from this whole experience was "The Crumb Cake."  In addition to working the game, each family was responsible for baking and wrapping up a large tray of squares of crumb cake.  The recipe was provided to us, so that they could sell uniform pieces to the bingo players.

I can honestly say it is the best crumb cake I have ever eaten in my life.

I used to make it for my extended family when they came for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit.
I've decided it's now time to revive this tradition and to also share the recipe!

Bingo Crumb Cake Recipe
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cake:
Duncan Hines Yellow Cake Mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil  
3 large eggs

Grease and lightly flour sides and bottom of a 9x12 pan. 
Blend cake mix, water, oil and eggs in large bowl at low speed until moistened (about 30 seconds). Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter in pans and bake immediately for 25 minutes.

Crumb:
3 sticks butter
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Melt butter, let cool.  Add vanilla and set aside.

3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
Mix together, then add butter and vanilla mixture. 
Continue to mix together with your hands until crumbs form.
Spread on top of cooled yellow cake.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Cool completely, then dust with confectioner's sugar.  
Cut into squares. 

Wednesday's Wisdom....

The passage below was a "forward" I received from a family member on New Year's Day, way back in 2001.  The chain seemed to have started with someone called "Serial Quilter" on December 2, 2000.  Today seems a good time to pass it along.  "Food for thought", as they say.

"The following is something to make us stop and think.  Take this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.  There are no second-rate achievers. they are the best in their fields.  But the applause dies.  Awards (?).  Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are often buried with their owners.  

Here's another quiz.  See how you do on this one:

1.  List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2.  Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3.  Name five people who taught you something worthwhile.

4.  Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5.  Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6.  Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier? The lesson? The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.  They are the ones who care.

Facts of Life:

 1.  At least 5 people in this world love  you so much they would die for you.

 2.  At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

 3.  The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

 4.  A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

 5.  Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

 6.  You mean the world to someone.

 7.  If not for you, someone may not be living.

 8.  You are special and unique.

 9.  Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

10. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

11. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you must likely turned your             back on the world.

12. When you think  you have no chance of getting what you want, your probably won't get it. But if         you believe in yourself, you probably, sooner or later, will get it.

13. Always remember compliments you received.  Forget about the rude remarks.

14. Always tell someone who you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know.

15. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they're great!!"

Tip for a Tuesday....

Get out there and VOTE!



My mother frequently said this.

Boy, was she right.

I'm voting today.

Are you?

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"If we don't change, we don't grow.  

If we don't grow, then we aren't really living."

Chicken Soup for the Soul

A Tribute to Moms by Gail Sheehy

Thursday's Thought for the Day....

"If we don't change, we don't grow.  

If we don't grow, then we aren't really living."

Gail Sheehy

Chicken Soup for the Soul

A Tribute to Moms

Wednesday's Wisdom....

I apologize for the small type.  Can't seem to get it larger.   

For the larger version: 

http://www.blog.daydesigner.com/fifty-best-practices-for-living-a-well-designed-life/ 

Great suggestions! Especially love #48.

source: DAYDESIGNER.COM Blog