The Daily Docket Saves My Day!

I mentioned the daily docket in my last post, and I would now like to let you in on my little secret. I received this link from a friend and soon implemented it in my house. It has been working very well, and for the first time in a long time I feel organized! ...Did I just use the "O" word? Yes, it is possible! I had tried a couple of other things like making a detailed timed list of the things I had to do during the day, or designating certain days to certain chores ie. Monday - laundry, Tuesday - bathroom etc. Unfortunately it didn't work because stuff always happened... life happened... and I would find myself getting discouraged when I had to go out Monday and then Tuesday would be a dreaded day of many chores. My biggest problem was that I was so overwhelmed by all the things I thought I had to do that I never started on anything. And by the end of the day my baby was cared for but my house was a mess.

In came the daily docket.

I am a list person. I love to check things off a list. It makes me feel accomplished somehow. I think that's why this system has finally worked for me. Each week I print off 5 pocket dockets (two to a page) and fill one out each morning.

First I fill out the top - "what's for dinner?". This has been a lifesaver for me. No more scrambling at 5 pm when your options are greatly limited because everything is either frozen or sitting sweetly on the supermarket shelf. You can also estimate what time you need to start making supper depending on what you are having.

Then the to do list. You are supposed to jot down no more than 10 things to do that day. More than 10 things is just not reasonable. Then mark no more than 3 of those things as MIT's (Most Important Things). If you get these three things done by the end of the day, then feel good! If you accomplished more, fantastic! Simple hey :)

The third box is to mark down your schedule or appointments if you have any. I've used this for doctors appointments, putting dough in the breadmaker etc.

The fourth box is for notes, I usually just doodle or leave it blank :0 On the larger docket, there is a space for a quote or scripture passage to reflect on during the day. That could be a good idea in this space.

And here is my passage for today,

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"

Now I just have to share a couple of pictures of tiny tot. This was bathtime last week :)

Homemade Bread & Lululemon

Yesterday I was a busy lady. Monday's always seem to be busy for me. It is my designated laundry day and I usually try to throw in other things as well. So I got up on time, tidied my house (which always needs tidying after the weekend), threw a load of laundry in, organized my closet so it now looks like this.....




and this.....






instead of something like this!








Then I baked these....




and these.....

and after I breathed a sigh of relief that I had completed all the duties on my daily docket (more on the daily docket later, but if your curious check out http://www.simplemom.net/tools/downloads), I turned around to see this bag....

What's that you ask? It's a Lululemon bag. This bag has been haunting my thoughts for the last week and a half. What's in the bag? The most cutest, darling speed running skirt you have ever seen. I purchased it from Lululemon Athletica because I was looking for some sportswear that I could wear to the beach this summer. Since tiny tot was born I now have some unwanted areas that need some extra coverage at the beach. I also want to look decent and still look like a young mom fashionista.

So what's the big deal? This skirt cost *drumroll please* $54 plus tax!!!
I slipped it on the card a couple Saturday's ago and brought it home to show hunky husband. His jaw naturally hit the floor, but as the days went on and I explained all the wonderful features of the skirt he "allowed" me to keep it. It had evaded my thoughts for a few days until yesterday when I saw it and realized the irony of my baking homemade bread and buns and this lululemon skirt. SAHM's who do countless loads of wash and bake and organize etc. DO NOT buy from Lululemon. Or do they? ARGGGH! Now I'm struggling with it all over again. Is it okay to splurge once in a while to look good and decent on the beach? I think so....
I think I am going to put it in my newly organized closet and forget about it till summer. That way the 14 day return window will be over and it will have to stay :)

Now, about my date on Friday... Hunky husband first took me to the imax where we watched Wild Ocean 3D. It was fabulous! Definitely worth the watch; God's creation is Awesome!

After the show he took me to an exquisite restaurant called Joey's. The food was ridiculously good and the romantic ambiance divine. It was such a treat to get out with him alone and spend an evening together. It was so fun not knowing where we were going either. And tiny tot was safely at grandma and grandpa S's so we didn't have to worry about her at all.

We'll I better go and fold all that laundry I washed yesterday!

Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my
rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my
stronghold."

My Lovely Valentine

Besides my husband, my tiny tot is my favorite valentine. She recieved her first peice of personalized mail yesterday, with her very own valentine inside! She was quite excited as you can see... THANK-YOU Grandma and Grandpa L!

I gave her the valentine...

And she promptly proceeded to taste it!

YUM!

I think she loved it :)

My hunky husband has planned a surprise valentines date for me for this week friday. I am pretty excited; I think this is the first date that he has actually kept a secret since we've been married! I will have to let you know how it goes!

Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may
lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for
you."

Whatever Is Lovely

I've finally become part of the blogging world! I never intended to be, but there are so many reasons it will be a good thing, more so now than ever.

To explain the reason I invited you all to read my blog is that I am finding it hard to keep in touch with you all. You are all so dear to me. It's been 2 1/2 months since Darcie and Gavin passed away, and so many of you have made a great effort to send me a little note every now and then. I appreciate it more than you know, but I am finding it hard to respond to all of them. Firstly, I am often left teary eyed at the end and cannot see the keyboard properly to type back. Second of all, I don't always know what to say right away; it's hard to always know what you are feeling, or how to thank-you sincerely. Thirdly, I didn't think that any of you would really want to know what we were/are up to, but I've come to the realization that apparently you do! I'm hoping that this blog can give you all little updates, and sneak peaks into how we are doing and what we are up to these days.

It's an interesting season in our lives right now. My hunky husband and I have been blessed with each other and our wonderful tiny tot, but we greive for our sister and her fiance still each and every day.

Now just a little note about the title of my blog. Maybe you recognize it from Philippians 4: 8 & 9,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or
heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be
with you."

Over the past couple of months it has been easy for me to fall into dispair. Thoughts of why me? why us? why them? often come to mind. It is easy to wonder what the purpose is for us left on this earth. Why should we continue on in this sinful world? Would'nt we love to get to heaven with Darc and Gav right now and forget living day after day in the here and now? I came across this text and it was very comforting to me. It gave perspective for me right now. We are supposed to think and focus on things here in this life, even as we look heavenward. Even lovely things! Anything excellent and praisworthy - think about such things! Isn't that wonderful! "And the God of peace will be with you." So comforting.

And we have been comforted with so many texts from the Bible. I would like to share one at the end of each post. May they comfort all of you as well.

Now to share a cheesy smile from my tiny tot. I hope it can make you smile :)