Small Successes

1. Pearl and I got the house vacuumed and mopped this week. She is a good little helper who likes to hold the vacuum and push it around. The house is reasonably clean this week. There are still the bathrooms to do...I'm gearing up:)

2. I saved more money than I spent my last grocery trip. Pretty cool to see that on the register.

3. I've been out and about enjoying some cooler temps with playdates at the park, walks in the neighborhood, and taking care of our container garden.

Small Successes

1. I made .96 at the pharmacy this week. That was cool. I need to learn a little more about how to shop the pharmacies in order to get overage. I also scored 6 free pints of blueberries from Publix. They were was a coupon out for $1.50 off blueberries, raspberries or blackberries. This past sale week the blueberries were priced at $1.50, so free berries! I'm in the process of freezing the lot and then bagging them. Pearl loves her "burrberries."

2. Caught up on the vacation laundry. Now regular chores can commence. The house wasn't too bad when we got back, but things just feel sticky. So vacuuming, mopping and wiping surfaces down is a must.

3. While we were away we got a notice that the house we like got listed on the market. We submitted an offer Tuesday night. Say some prayers!

Small Successes

1. Despite my bread disaster, I made Margaret's Almond Streusel Cake last night and it turned out delicious!

2. We created a Mary Mantle in our home for the month of May. I have hopes to create a small Mary Garden outside our back porch this weekend.



3. I have stayed under our grocery budget the past two weeks!! There is still work to be done, but we're getting there.

Small Successes

1. I didn't freak out when after putting items in storage this week in preparation for DH to work on the floors, we were informed that DH is going on a business trip soon and thus will delay floor work.

2. I didn't freak out when the house that we liked still hasn't been listed. I've really given our whole house hunting process over to God. He's in charge here. I keep repeating this to help it sink in.

3. I didn't freak out when the Penguins lost their opening playoff game last night. It's best of 7 to move on, so I hope they get their acts together.

Small Successes

1. I took a load to Goodwill yesterday and I'm still working on creating more bags to either toss or donate. Basically I look around our Condo. and see clutter. This amazes me since we really don't have a lot of stuff. I need to come up with better organization and display so it soothes my soul instead of making me reach for a trash bag.

2. Pearl and I made blueberry muffins today for the feast of the Annunciation. She helped put the liners in the pan and helped me stir the batter. Now she's enjoying her afternoon snack. It's really funny watching her pick the blueberries out of the muffin and eat them. I also offered her milk in her sippy cup. She's not quite sold on it yet. I wonder if it's too thick. She takes a drink and then signs that she wants "Mommy milk" and not "Cup milk."

3. I checked my receipt at the grocery store and found an error. So we went back in and got them to fix it. We saved about 31 bucks today at the store. Not bad, but still motivated to get better.

Small Successes

1. I saved $53 on my grocery bill this morning...yeah, that was awesome!

2. Am in the middle of my third budgeting book from the library. I'm getting some new ideas that I hope to put into effect soon.

3. I'm at the full dosage for the new vitamins I started. Feeling good and praying that my body is getting healthy.

Small Successes

1. This week has been a better week for sticking to our menu plans. Also found some great deals at our local Natural Food store. One being organic apples at 1.69/lb. and an in store coupon for a dollar off.

2. I haven't lost my temper this week (thus far) with Pearl and her midnight wakings. Not so much losing my temper at her but that DH can't get her back down.

3. I got my vacuuming and mopping done. Granted it looked like it needed to be re-done 5 min. later, but the point was that I did it in the first place:)

What are your small successes this week?

Small Successes

1. I turned a dishwasher box into a house for Pearl to play in. I'm still working on it as far as making it prettier, but it's totally functional and she loves it!

2. I went through the baby clothes boxes and pulled out items that are super stained and yucky or just items that I never really liked (well intentioned presents) and decided to get rid of them. Either turned into rags or the nice ones donated to the thrift store.

3. I survived the past two days...whew!

Small Successes

1. I've been menu planning like crazy. Instead of our normal three week rotating menu, I needed to devise a Christmas Week menu. Check. Also have been brainstorming the week after Christmas. We are hosting several groups of people throughout that week. The FOCUS conference is taking place that week, and a group of attendees will be staying with us the night before they check in. I'm coming up with menu plans to reflect feeding a larger group than I'm used to. We will also see DH's sister for a few days and then friends that have recently moved away will be visiting us. Exciting!

2. Along those same lines, I am trying to streamline as much as I can before Christmas to make it easier to prepare for those groups after. So I have stacks of towels, sheets, and blankets ready to go. Tidying as much as I can so that way all I'll have to do is clean right before they get here.

3. Finally used up my 50 free prints at CVS! Yesterday we went to pick them up and they turned out great. Now out photo album is up to date and I have a few extra to put into a Christmas gift for DH's grandfather.

Small Successes

1. Yesterday got me through 2/3 of my Advent Cleaning. Have the oven, small appliances, and back countertops left.

2. We've been really good at sticking to our menu plans this week. I'm liking my rotating menus!

3. Got all our Christmas letters sent out. The snail mail ones, that is. Still need to post the letter on our family's website and send a few email versions.

Small Successes

1. In the middle of the last week of October. There is no more money in the food budget for the month, so this week is very frugal. But we're doing it and staying strong!

2. Made awesome "Pearl-Safe" Zucchini muffins. Her favorite breakfast right now. They really are pretty good. I think the cloves give it that extra autumn taste.

3. Did a Christmas picture card this year. Picked them up today; the photo is a little blurrier than I thought it was going to be. I'm hoping it comes across as a "cool effect" :) But this is the first year we did this, so go us!

Small Successes

1. We've had a good week with sticking to our grocery budget and enjoying some treats we've saved up for.

2. A good week for home maintenance! Got my chores completed and a few extra projects tackled.

3. Took a family photo for DH's birthday; the last one had been at Easter!

Small Successes

1. Have crossed off 95% of my weekly to-do list thus far. That is a great improvement over my 50% the last three weeks.

2. Written three cards this week and put them in the mail...so they get there before the birthdays!

3. Maintained the house quite nicely this week.

*Disclaimer: I'm trying to encourage myself here. I'm not meeting my expectations for myself, but then do I ever? I'm my harshest critic. So in light of my husband's recent comments and encouragement, I hereby salute what I have accomplished and will be okay with it!

Small Successes

1. Was at the pool and took long walk this week. Hopefully we can keep it up.

2. Switched the decor from the Master Bath to the Guest Bath. Just for fun.

3. Got creative with some pantry and freezer items to make a tasty tuna dish. Not quite casserole quality, but surprisingly tasty.

Small Successes

1. Strapped Pearl on my back and cleaned the kitchen. Without her underfoot, much easier and quicker.

2. Read two books this week during Pearl's naptimes. Definitely refreshing.

3. DH and I started re-doing the budget. A work in progress, but it has begun.

Small Successes

1. Wrote a letter to a dear friend who I've been meaning to write to for a month. (She's in the convent, so letters are quite treasured) Whew!

2. Stuck to our menu plan for the week. Hurray! We're getting closer to a weekly rhythm.

3. Made it to a La Leche League meeting. Also got in contact with two persons regarding a nursing issue we have been having. Feeling better and more at peace with some decisions.

Small Successes

1. During my "Home Blessing Hour," I cleaned the bathroom (okay that's normal). But I used a toothbrush and scrubbed at old grime build-up around the base of the toilet. Didn't come up, but I scrubbed!!

2. I wrote up a weekly menu for last week and we surprisingly were able to stay with it.

3. Pearl has been able to sleep in a little longer in the mornings by herself. Before she had to have me there. It's not really my success, but I'm celebrating:)

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