Blog Makeover

I am very excited. I am going to have my Blog made over. As I blog more often and have started to do some reviews, giveaways etc I wanted something a little more organized. I wanted tabs and a blog button with a code etc. I am so excited that Becoming a Strong Woman for God led me to Traci at Ordinary Inspirations she also has a facebook page

So stay tuned, I know I can't wait!!

Dating Your Husband Challenge Monday

It is interesting to me that as I go through this challenge another week it becomes a little more difficult to find time to really connect with my husband. This week we started off with 3 nightly meetings, then a track meet Friday Night. Saturday we were split up in the morning, I volunteered and then we met up after he got off work at 11 to volunteer together with our oldest son at a BBQ benefit. 

Saturday evening I realized we had to do something. That became a little more chaotic as my son's friend came and spent the night. Our plan turned to a movie in. We made hot dogs/sausage for dinner- nothing special and then the boys all went and watched one movie (our daughter stayed with a friend) and we watched another. It was a tough choice. In normal circumstances we would have all watched both movies together. This time my need to have an at home date outweighed being such a great family. 

I have to admit that its so good for our children to realize we are "dating". I don't want them to think we are just going to watch a movie, rather I want them to realize that you don't have to go out to have a date you can have a date in. You have to make a plan though and find something you both want to do. For us it was watching X-Men First class. We had both seen the movie before but we enjoyed it enough to watch it together again. 

I am impressed that the kids really do just leave us alone. It is nice having teenagers. I feel like we can rebuild some crucial aspects of our marriage, and it is a great time to do so since we are being wonderful examples to them. Marriage takes a lot of work. You have to communicate, plan and in some ways be organized. Most of all you have to CHOOSE to stay in love.

I am still enjoying this challenge. Hopefully I can be a little more creative this coming week on finding something fun to do that doesn't cost anything. I am hoping each night we can connect on a daily walk this week. I discovered when reviewing my calendar that I have NO meetings this week. How exciting!

For more on the Dating your husband challenge please visit Becoming a Strong Woman of God

Oh and don't forget to enter my giveaway post

Menu Plan Monday

Here is another cute use for the MyMemories Suite Software
I took a background paper, added my menu items using fonts/colors on my computer.
Then added some cute embellishments and a Title and Presto I had a cute Menu to blog for this week.
It is really simple to turn the album page into a JPG too, you just click share and it does the work for you.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway which is in progress.

We have a very simple menu for this week. 

Trying to just draw from foods we have on hand.

More Menu Plans at OrgJunkie

Fun Creative Exciting Giveaway

This Giveaway is for a FREE COPY of MyMemories Software
Winner:
Kaitlyn said... I have shared the giveaway on facebook :)
Thanks :)
totallykait08@yahoo.com

I have had a great time using online software that I downloaded called MyMemories Suite

I have an upcoming Craft show in November and I wanted to experiment showing off the many different items that I create on one page. This is a great scrapbooking software that allowed me to do this. I loved that there are many free options for layout pages, kits etc to choose from. The software was easy to download, there is also an ability to purchase a copy of the disk online at MyMemories website for $5.

A bit of information about MyMemories Software
It is extremely easy and fun to use. It is rated #1 by Amazon and TopTen Reviews. Using this software, anyone can create digital scrapbooks, photo books, cards, calendars and gifts without having to buy expensive and complicated software programs. There are even tutorials on YouTube

You can see that I chose a solid background and arranged a layout of pictures by clicking the sides to size them how I wanted. I was able to insert a text in any font that was already on my computer, and choose the color that I liked. I was able to add an embellishment from one of the free kits to show off the Christian Side to my company.

What I really like about this fabulous software is that you can create a JPG after you are done, then you can insert it on your blog, send it to be printed etc. You can create photo albums, stand alone pages like this one. They have ways to create calendars, greeting cards, the list goes on. I am very pleased with this digital scrapbooking software You can be as creative as you want. You control how much you want on a page. You can also remain very simple and choose layouts that are already created for you. You then just insert the pictures you want from your computer. There are so many templates to choose from. There are also SO MANY features that you can include for example video, narration, and music.

The wonderful news is I get to offer ONE viewer a free copy of this software. 

You can also use the code STMMMS68721 to get a discount of $10 off the purchase of your own copy of the software.

Here are the guidelines:

Mandatory Entry: Visit  MyMemories Suite and choose your favorite digital paper pack or layout, come back here and leave a comment on my blog telling me which one you chose . 
For example I love Autumn Colors 

Don't forget your email address so that I can contact you if you win.

Extra Entries (1 Each)

Follow me on GFC 

Follow My Memories on their Blog via GFC 

Like Sunshine of Autumn Quilts on Facebook

Like My Memories on Facebook

Like My Memories on Twitter 

Share this giveaway on Facebook, Twitter (make sure you tell me your user name and link)

Share this giveaway on your own Blog and get 5 additional entries. If you do this please leave five separate comments, you can just indicate blog link and your email.

I will use Random.Org to determine the winner. 

This Giveaway will end on my Birthday Oct 26, 2011

What I am Learning Friday

Donation center. The whole room generally looks like this. Its hard to work at times because there is no space. It can be very overwhelming. I have been working since August to create a system that will be more efficient. I am hoping by next week it will look under control.

 So I missed my Thankful Thursday Post. I will have to go back and write that this evening. We have much to be thankful for this week.

I will say I am not all that thankful that I am up at 3 am full of anxiety over today's mission. I love love love volunteering at this clothing center. I am good at going through bags of donations, separating them, getting them into containers by like item. I then process the containers once I am done by tagging them with a color of card stock for that month via a stapler. I place them on a hanger and they go on the "to get put out" racks in the sorting room. I didn't get a before picture yesterday but I worked so many hours between Wed and Thur I was able to tackle every box, bag etc in the sorting room. 

I struggle between systems. I like containers. I like to have things in order. I put things against one wall systematically and then like to work off the tables. I have learned a clean working space promotes progress and organization. I have also learned that if you have people volunteer with you sporadically it is best to have an organized area instead of chaos in hopes that they will return. The worst thing is for people to constantly feel overwhelmed. I have a talent at this, and I love being able to use it. This is the area I work every time I volunteer. I look forward to it, like some look forward to going to school when they are young. It is strictly volunteer and I am okay with that.

This was my progress for Wed and Thur. All these bins/containers have clothing organized by type. There are no more boxes, bags. Its ready to be processed- I have created a processing center, leaving space to the left for the donation center, and a to be put out center on the racks.

I love the lady that runs the center. She works full time, cares for her aging mother, cares for many around her including a daughter that has health issues. She gives of her time several nights a week working at this center and then also every Saturday. She is a blessing to the ministry. Its hard to believe she is nearly the age of my grandmothers.  She has a system that works for her and it differs from mine. I have been trying to just continue to help her as I can, in the ways that I can.

This is the gone through area. These black bags indicate they are items that are torn, soiled, zippers don't work etc. I am totally amazed every week by what people feel is acceptable for others to wear. It saddens me sometimes that a place that is a non profit organization gets so many donations that are unworthy of donating. I feel like teaching a class at times on how we can better serve our community in these areas. It takes a lot of manpower to go through bags every week, so consider what you donate. If it is stained and torn it should not get dropped off.

The frustrating part is that we don't have any regular help. What we need is for the Lord to send in a person that loves and is good at hanging clothes correctly in the main buildings. For me that is a very overwhelming task. Just entering the rooms is overwhelming. It gets my bipolar going through the roof. It seems like it should be easy for me, it just raises my anxiety sitting here thinking about it. 

To others it may seem lazy. I tried expressing my obstacle but it was not heard. Now I sit this morning knowing I have to face this task alone, not totally, I will have the Lord, but with no physical help here on earth and I am anxious. I could not sleep, I just want to get it over with and go back to what I am good at. 

Its interesting since a group I am in has been focusing on Romans 7:15-24

This is the portion that sticks out in my mind. "So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me."

I do realize what I do is for the greater good of the Lord. I want to do his work and serve. I know I can fight through this anxiety. I just pray that it does not become overwhelming. I pray too that he sends us a helper once a week that has a talent where I lacking. Today I don't look forward to volunteering. That is a disappointing thought.

Mandisa ft. TobyMac - Good Morning

I am reminded of this song today. My daughter loves to hear it on the way to school. She is 12. She finds it encouraging. I face a day that is full of anxiety as I wake up. I have not felt this way in years. The kind where I just feel like I need to be rushed to the ER. I am thankful I recognize that it is the devil working sin within me and that The Lord can conquer this.

More Pillowcases

I was a little frantic today as I spent a ton of time at SOS this morning working. I just really wanted to get a lot accomplished. I also knew that I had planned to work on my pillowcase order, thus the emotions of uncertainty of how I would get it all done. Its interesting to me how I get that way. I know the Lord will give me the hours I need to do my job when I serve Him like I did this morning. Guess what I got it done. They look great too. I will be able to mail them tomorrow and start a new quilt order on time. I plan to put in two more 4 hour days, so I am praying the quilt goes quickly.

Oh and I used two new fonts today. I love them both. I like the chunkiness of the Andrew yet the delicateness of the Mackenzie too

Only thing I would have done different is used a HOT PINK on this one for the thread. The picture does not do it justice it just blends in too much unless you get a close up

Tackle it Tuesday

So can you believe I did not get a single thing accomplished at home today? Not a single one!!

I did drop kids off, sit in the parking lot at the school until 7:50 for my 8 am PTO meeting, leave there go get bloodwork done at the dr. Made it to Hobby Lobby for stabilizer for quilt orders, met Paul for lunch- i.e. our weekly date, went to the library, mailed quilts I finished yesterday, dropped homemade salsa to a friend and visited with her since she was needing it. Had a meeting for the Golf Tournament, visited there with another friend, picked up kids from Cross Country practice then made it home to check email, list some quilts, help with homework and now Blog. WHEW!!

What a day... I was hoping to finish the day out by doing some pillowcases for a customer, but after creating the fonts, getting the machine ready I decided it was enough for a day. I did finish a novel I was reading this morning too. I always love when I have time to read.

So more interesting news is the two additional quilts I created. That of course was yesterday not today, so while It might not be a tackle it tuesday post, well I mailed them today...so maybe that counts. Hope you are having  a great week. 

For more Tackle it Tuesday Posts see 5 Minutes for Mom

Menu Plan Monday

For more menu planning ideas please see Orgjunkie.com

This Week we cooked a couple of lbs of chicken Fajita Meat, and some Round Steak that was seasoned (for Jakob) on the BBQ, it will supply the meat for all the meals this week. We also made a batch of red and green salsa.

Monday

Quesdillas with meat, cheese and salsa

Tuesday

Taco Salad

Wednesday

Burritos

Thursday

Enchiladas and Beans

Friday

Tostadas

Saturday

Taquitos-Homemade (from the box for the kids)

Sunday

Tacos
For more menu planning ideas please see Orgjunkie.com

Dating Our Husband's Challenge

I came across this great challenge about dating our husband's on Becoming a Strong Woman of God's Blog
I started it last week. I am once again posting a little late but I had a very busy day yesterday. This week we did not do as well with our nightly walks, in fact, we did not get a SINGLE one in. I guess between my meetings and his side jobs there was not an evening free. By Friday I was desperate for a date night!
My plan was to go see Courageous. I really really wanted to see the movie. It however was not playing in our Cheaper theaters, so after much discussion, we did not go see the movie. My husbands points were that at a movie we would not be spending time together really, we could not talk etc. My point was the value of the movie itself. Maybe next time.
We did go to Outback Steakhouse. I had a gift card for a free steak. Of course, I forgot to read the fine print, here it was a Friday night and it was only good until 4 Monday-Thursday. It would be my luck that I did not see that, nor did he, until we had already sat down and ordered drinks.
I learned an important lesson this weekend- "Just roll with it".
I was so caught up in spending the "extra money" I had not planned that I actually briefly made my husband mad. We had not been out on a date without a single child in months and here I was worried about the extra $20 the night was going to cost us.
Once I got over that we had a really good time. He knew that a local DJ would be at a place near by and we went over there after dinner and enjoyed some music. I admit the date night was more about him this time then me. However, I think we still both had a great time and marriage is all about compromise isn't it?
I will say I am glad to be doing this challenge. We tried to even turn making salsa on Sunday into a sort of in home date, its the little things that make the difference!
This week will be a date night in. We will have to come up with something clever.

For more on the Dating Our Husbands Challenge see Becoming a Strong Woman of God