Mystery Solved!

For several months construction crews have worked on a new building in my area. Every time I passed it I would ask myself the same question: "I wonder what that is?" I got my answer this morning; it's an Aldi supermarket. I have heard that this store has great prices, and I hope that is true, because I am always looking for a deal. I also hope they that they have affordable natural/organic products. The grand opening is scheduled for November 3rd and I may have to sneak a peek. Do you have an Aldi in your area? What do you think?

Isn't She Lovely?

Well, isn't she? There is a silent strength about her that I love. I also get a kick out of the afro, because I got me some big hair too! Groovy Lady is finally hanging in my office after several months in hiding behind an armoire. I have commitment issues when it comes to decorating. Groovy Lady is the name given to here by the artist, but my daughter keeps trying to name her Sally, Annie, or some other name that doesn't reflect the way she speaks to me. This was painted by P. Lewis, a good friend of my mine from college. From time to time she displays her work at art exhibits in the Atlanta area. To see more of her beautiful work, check out the P.Lewis collection here.

What's For Dinner?

Lately I've been in a cooking rut. My use of the word lately probably isn't accurate, because this rut has lasted several months. You know what I'm talking about.  I never know what to cook, and when I do, I prepare the same meals over and over again. By the way, the rut applies to every meal, not just dinner. At some point my children will start picketing my use of PB and J. I've had enough exposure to know that the appropriate thing to do in this situation is to develop a weekly meal plan, but just between you and me, laziness is preventing me from doing that. If you are in the rut with me, I just found a website that I think will give us the direction and motivation needed to become well oiled, meal planning machines. Go over to Meal Planning Magic and check out the ideas for starting a basic meal plan, freezer cooking, and making life easier in the kitchen. The Resource Guide on the site is definitely the place to start. It has links for information on the topics I mentioned, plus it features help for folks with special dietary needs, such as gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian. If you aren't used to meal planning, I hope you feel inspired. If you do plan meals weekly, what's your system?

Warning: Disaster Area

Is your house a wreck when you come home from a trip? I came home Monday from a quick trip to the land also known as "Hotlanta", and my house is a hot mess. For example, the suitcase hasn't been unpacked but we've been taking things out of it as needed, laundry everywhere, etc. It wasn't a mess when left, but I haven't been on my household maintenance game this week. So here is quick tip before I attempt to get this place in order: invest in a timer. Nothing fancy, just a simple digital timer that you can probably get from somewhere like the Dollar Store. Set the timer for about 15 minutes and pick a room. Look here girl, this ain't deep cleaning. This is straightening, clearing surface clutter, making the bed (no, I didn't make the bed today). You will be amazed at what you can do in 15 minutes, and it helps build cleaning momentum because you know you are only working for short periods of time. Give it a try, and let me know what you think!

Making a List, Checking It Twice

Good Morning!
This weekend I was thinking that it would be great idea to begin sharing some of my frugal living tips, particularly when it comes to  preparing meals. Today we'll start with grocery shopping.

What is your shopping strategy? Do you walk down the aisles tossing items into the cart that you think you need, or do you use a list? I must admit I used to do the former, but my memory ain't what it used to be, so it's easier for me to make a list. At this point in the game, my list making has three components. Right now this is working for me, but I am the type of person who likes to streamline periodically, so next month I might refine this strategy again.

1. The Running List: I have a small magnetic dry erase board on my refrigerator specifically for this purpose.  As I run out of something, I write it on the board. When I make my official list, I copy the items from the board.
2. Menu Ingredients: When it's time to go shopping, I try to list some of the meals that I plan to cook and write those ingedients on the shopping list. I'm in the process of learning to menu plan so I've modified this step just a little. We'll chat about that later.
3. Putting It Together: I like to use one of the shopping list templates from Microsoft Works because it helps you categorize your list, for example, dairy, cereals/ grains, produce, etc. It's kinda like using a map. This also cuts down on running in circles to buy milk, cheese, and butter. If they're listed together, you'll pick them up together. I also check my fridge and cabinets when I'm creating the master list to make sure I covered everything.

Aside from helping you remember what you need, making a list can help you stay focused on what you need. Focusing on what you need keeps you from blowing money. There times that I'm in the store and I realize that I still forgot something, and I will add it to the cart. However, you better believe it's not some random item that I can do without (like oreos).

Kaos!

This week is my first time participating in Company Girl Coffee, a virtual meetup for bloggers to share a cup of coffee and a little fellowship.

I think I hit a wall this week. I'm realizing that my life is Kaotic. I know that it should be spelled chaotic, but my inner craziness is better portraited with the incorrect spelling. Let me clarify that my husband and kids aren't causing the Kaos. It is my lack of discipline and organization. So, I've been on a mission to establish order in my life. Here's the plan:

1. Wake up by 6a.m. for devotion- For the sake of transparency, I will say that my greatest weakness as a Christian is that I don't spent enought time with the One I'm supposed to be following. Some of you might think 6a.m. is nuts but my hubby is up and out by 6:30, so he's agreed to make sure that I am up when he leaves.
2. Develop and keep a daily schedule- laundry, cleaning, etc. The daily small things at Home Sanctuary  will be an instrumental part of this.
3. Start menu planning - I'm trying to get ready for Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie

I started this yesterday, and so far so good. My prayer is that I can develop the discipline to maintain these areas, for the sake of all who have to endure living with me !