Early Morning

I usually go back to bed after james leaves for work. Usually because I always feel woefully behind in sleep. This morning though I feel a tad bit caught up. We will see if it lasts and if I give in to a nap later.

I feel as if I have been busy all week but still have so much to do. I guess it will always feel that way to a certain extent.

I have been inspired lately by a few websites that focus on how to live with less and on less. The Lord has blessed James and I so much in spite of ourselves. James earns a good income and outside of our home we have no debt. I'm afraid this knowledge has tempted me to be a little too carefree with the household spending.  I was appalled when James told me that he had averaged our grocery spending over the last 6 months and that it was . . . let's just say out of control.  Part of this was due to the fact that we moved, and have had a pretty needy baby. I have used this as an excuse to buy more convenience type foods rather than cooking from scratch. No more. It has to stop.

One of the things I have been doing to avoid over spending is planning a menu and sticking to it. Here is a link that has a lot of free downloads - menu planning forms and much more. I have also been writing down everything i spend. Trying my best to itemize and keep track of what each item costs (on sale, at different stores etc.)

I am also exploring the idea of couponing but have yet to actually implement it.

SimpleMom is also a great website for not only money saving ideas but for just creative ways to simplify life. And I'm all about that!

these days

These days I try not to lose myself in what I consider the upheaval of everyday life. There is always an upheaval. There is no escaping it. I am never going to have every single task complete at the same time and have the luxury of sitting and basking in a the serene knowledge of a job well done. 

(picture was snapped with my iPhone and makes me feel serene when i look at it. )

I am blogging right now because . . well I have been putting it off for awhile and because I am tired and am dreading the thought of tackling the mountain of work before me.  KL is napping and the house is peaceful. 

But there is a lot to do. Life comes at you fast and if you're not careful can steal your joy and your serenity. Lately I'm focusing on not letting that happen. That and avoiding muffins and cookies like the plague. (yesterday was a cheat day-otherwise i've been doing pretty good. . . sigh)