I Love it When a Planner Comes Together
By CoffeeMom | February 7, 2010
Did you ever watch the A-Team? Mr. T in all his glory. It wasn’t by MY choice that I watched it. It was the 3 males I lived with – my dad, and my 2 younger brothers.
The one catch-phrase I can always remember is “I love it when a plan comes together…”
Well, here’s my new catch phrase: I Love it When A Planner Comes Together.
I love planners. For all my love of technical gadgets and software, I still resort to paper and pen for keeping track of my days. I have a weekly calendar for my family that I post on the refrigerator to help me TRY to stay on top of everything each week. But I have always loved using a Daily Planner to track the many tasks and appointments I have to remember, as well.
It’s a tangible record of my day. While I don’t ALWAYS write down every single thing I do, having a list to start from really keeps me focused. That’s important for me since I’m easily distracted.
I’ve been refining my Daily Planner for about 2 years now. I waffle between using a full Notebook size and the Classic Desk size. I always used the desk size while I was still working. I could keep a host of information at my fingertips and it was a good record of the work I had completed, as well.
Customizing my Daily Home Planner has required a lot of adjustments. I’ve used a ton of different forms and lists, switching back and forth from Notebook to Desk, and am finally settling in.
It’s hard for me to know WHAT to track where. I can’t possibly record every single thing I do every day. I can’t just use a form from the Flylady for housework and a calendar page for appointments and another page to track homework, bills, and other notes. I need ONE form that allows me to record everything I need.
A few months ago, I shared a new planner website, Graceworks Purpose Planners, here and shared the excitement of having found some really great forms. I’m a vintage kind of girl cuz I like pretty stuff; but I desperately need someone else to be organized for me. The planner pages at Graceworks fit my needs really well.
The pages are pretty – pretty font, a nice design – and easy to use. They are NOT expensive, either, and the vintage photos and feminine embellishments really appeal to me. The layout has been a real key in helping me stay on track. I’ve been able to use the desk size forms in a beautiful tapestry binder which I love to carry.
Why am I writing about them again, you ask?
Well, because Tricia has created some “Dream-Come-True” forms in the NOTEBOOK size. WOOHOO!!!
For appointments and general schedules, I love the monthly calendar in my desk size planner. It’s an at-a-glance record of important events I need to remember.
For tracking things every day from housework to devotions, schedules and appointments – I really prefer to use the notebook size pages. I need the room to list my daily responsibilities, homework requirements, schedules for my husband and daughters and more.
The cool part is that they are DOWNLOADABLE and PRINTABLE at will. So not only are they Beautiful and Efficient, they are absolutely right on with my Techy nature!!! You will find the currently available pages here. She is working on other pages in the notebook size, and if you prefer the desk size, be sure to check out the website for the entire product line.
If you love beautiful products that help you work more efficiently, I highly recommend you check out Graceworks Planners!
(FYI – I am not affiliated with Graceworks Purpose Planners in any way. I am just a really huge fan of the products.)
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Hope 4 Petyon
By CoffeeMom | February 4, 2010
I heard about Anissa Mayhew just before Thanksgiving 2009. She began her blog about her daughter Peyton’s battle with ALL (leukemia), and was a fairly popular blogger, and built a really informative and meaningful blog about childhood cancer.
My nephew Caden has the same kind of leukemia.
Honestly, I didn’t know about Anissa until I saw all the tweets asking for people to pray for her. Then I began visiting her blog and learned that Anissa had suffered a very serious stroke and was in critical condition. She is a young mom with young children, and it was big news.
I read a couple of followup posts written by her “tech ninja” husband, and decided I had to follow her story.
Oh. My. Word.
Every post I read makes me cry. Her husband writes so beautifully about their story that I am moved to pray and feel like I’m getting to know Anissa through these posts. What a battle she is in. What a fighter she is.
I complain about a pile of laundry.
She can barely move her right arm.
Hello Perspective…
I invite you to follow their journey – and pray for this family. You will find the blog here. You will find the first posts about Anissa’s stroke and recovery here.
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Tea for Tuesday: Sweet, Sweet Raspberries
By CoffeeMom | February 2, 2010
Mmmmm – Raspberries are one of my favorite fruits. Mostly Sweet with a sometimes slightly Tart edge. And don’t get me STARTED on Raspberries with chocolate. Only one of my favorite flavor combinations…
While it’s still cold outside, you can brew a nice pot of hot tea with a sweet twist. Or, if you love iced tea all year ’round – raspberry iced tea is so refreshing with a twist of lemon or sprig of mint.
For February – the “Color” of Love, enhanced by the flavors of raspberries – is on special with Teaporia. All of the teas listed below are 25% off for the entire month! Whether you enjoy a cup of tea with someone special, or want to treat yourself to a sweet cuppa love yourself,
- A Raspberry in Paris: A Raspberry In Paris has wonderful spritely notes of raspberry that come to the fore above mellow rooibos character. Perfect raspberry jam finish.
- Artic Raspberry: Great tasting tea. Piquant and fruity raspberry notes. Very flavorful because of its short growing season!
- Bohemian Raspberry: A Green tea with raspberry pieces and natural flavors.
- Raspberry Honey: Terrific black tea with natural raspberry and honey flavors. Great to the last sip!
- Raspberry Leaves: These leaves carry a neutral flavor tending towards a grassy character. Many claim this tea is good during pregnancy for the stomach and to help with nausea.
Along with these delicious teas, you’ll also find White Chocolate Raspberry scone mix, Raspberry Pecan Topping (delicious with waffles, pancakes, or even ice cream) or Raspberry Cheesecake Brownie mix… Talk about a TREAT!!!
Click the link below to visit the Teaporia site and find a special treat for Valentines Day – either for your special someone or yourself!
I am a sales consultant for Teaporia. Sales purchased through my links will result in earned commissions. You can read my disclosure policy here.
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Man! I Feel Like a Woman!
By CoffeeMom | February 1, 2010
As women, we seem to more easily succumb to whatever standards or ideals someone else wants to put on us. I’m not saying this exclusively – or that men don’t ever fall pray to idealistic expectations.
What I’m saying is this: As Women, we seem to be so easily knocked off our feet by the newest fad or craze, and struggle with keeping our feet planted in the reality of who we are and what our life really is.
Why is that?
Why do we think we have to be a certain size to be beautiful?
Why do we think we have to wear a certain label to be fashionable?
Why do we think we have to complete the impossibly full daily checklist of our lives to be successful, and then assume the unbearable weight of guilt if we don’t?
Why do we think we have to earn a paycheck in order to be esteemed valuable?
I’d love to have your opinion or input for the ways that YOU struggle as a woman.
Insecurity. Feelings of worthlessness. Guilt. Shame. Embarrassment.
What do you struggle with MOST as a woman?
Feel free to share your comments below (you can remain anonymous if you wish)… I am exploring this on a personal level, and also in a counseling class. All information shared here is for my personal use, and Your privacy will NOT be compromised in any way.
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Chocolate Cake Day!
By CoffeeMom | January 29, 2010
Ahhh, what a fun day to celebrate: Chocolate Cake Day! It was actually Wednesday, but we can still celebrate it today with one of my all time favorite family cakes. We called it Texas Sheet Cake – but it goes by other names as well. You can try to make it without the pecans, but it just isn’t the same. Our favorite way to eat this cake is slightly warmed in a bowl of milk. Mmmmmm!
Texas Sheet Cake
Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk or sour milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
Chocolate Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
3 tablespoons buttermilk
2 1/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Preparation:
Grease a 15X10X1-inch or jelly roll pan or a 13X9X2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt; set aside.
In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup butter, 1/3 cup cocoa, and 1 cup of water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. With an electric hand-held mixer on medium speed, beat chocolate mixture into the dry mixture until thoroughly blended. Add eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Beat for 1 minute (batter will be thin). Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake in a 350° oven about 25 minutes for the 15X10-inch pan or 35 minutes for the 13X9-inch pan, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out clean.
Pour warm chocolate frosting over the warm cake, spreading evenly. Place cake in pan on a wire rack; cool thoroughly before cutting. (or not…)
Frosting: In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter or margarine, 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, and 3 tablespoons buttermilk. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat; add 2 1/4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until smooth. If desired, stir in 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans.
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Are You a Wise Woman?
By CoffeeMom | January 28, 2010
This week, I’ve been writing much about home and family, and touching on our roles as a woman in the home and family. It’s a hotly debated topic – even in the churches, and often causes division and much upheaval.
I myself struggle with fully understanding and embracing the role of wife & mother within the home. It demands self-sacrifice (gasp!) and service (no!) and death to myself (oh, poor girl, she’s just a doormat).
I don’t take to those thoughts kindly. I’m smart. I’m well-educated. I have many qualities and attributes which have often put me in a leadership role. Who am I to serve anyone?
Um, yeah, it always goes back to Jesus Christ, doesn’t it?
The Creator of the Universe, the Great I Am, the Lord of Hosts, the Holy Lord – who came to earth in human form – who ate food and slept and had to be potty trained – humbled himself before the men and women who surrounded him and laid down His life – in every way – for each of them.
So to live a life pleasing to my Lord, I must do the same. For there is a reward in choosing this path. And there is a consequence for choosing anything else.
EVERY WISE woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. ~ Proverbs 14:1 (Amp)
Will it be a struggle? As long as I am human, there will be. But with much prayer and surrender to my Lord, maybe one day I will be a Wise Woman.
I have been much inspired by a beautifully written and composed blog that just speaks to the core of my womanhood, and I want to invite you to visit her: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home .
Enjoy!
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Keeping House or Keeper At Home
By CoffeeMom | January 27, 2010
The idea of the housewife in apron and pearls permeates even my line of thinking when it comes to the title “Homekeeper”. The problem is, that is where the trivialization of this role began. Being a Keeper At Home is far more valuable than Keeping House.
Keeping House implies housework, drudgery, and simple servitude. A housekeeper in apron with a feather duster in one hand and a mop in the other.
Keeper At Home indicates more responsibility, an active role in not just making a house look nice, but finding a way to manage all of the responsibilities of HOME. While a Keeper at Home may indeed use an arsenal of housekeeping tools, she is also responsible for seeing to the general affairs of home: finances, schedules, meals and planning, as well as raising children.
A Keeper at Home is no simple babysitter. A Keeper at Home is entrusted with the life of a child, or more than one child, not only to provide safety and security – but also child and character development.
Titus 2: 3-5 is a passage of Scripture that talks about the real priorities of a Wife & Mother, Keeper at Home:
Bid the older women similarly to be reverent and devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel and be teachers of what is right and noble,
So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children,
To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited). (Amplified)
Not only is this role NOT without value, it is one of great emotion, personal investment, and even magnificence. For it is in this role that a woman can uphold the word of God.
This is a hard thing for me to hear sometimes, I’ll be honest. I wrestle with the need for attention, the need for recognition. I want to be applauded for my work during the day, and yet when I find myself grumbling or complaining about it, I am not fulfilling my role as Keeper at Home.
When I listen to the winsome lies of the enemy (you know – the ones that tell me I deserve to be treated with respect and recognition, and I have to stand up for my rights no matter what it takes) – I reach out for that fruit of discontentment and self-sufficiency that is, in reality, only bitterness and ruin.
However, when I recognize and fulfill my role as wife and mother – Keeper at Home – I am filled with satisfaction and joy in the work of my hands and in the relationships that are cultivated because of my willingness to love my husband and my children as I take care of the necessary tasks at home.
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