Reflect Refocus Reprioritize

I have neglected to post regularly on this mom I created mostly due priorities of being a wife and mom.

Also, due to lack of response. I know we all get busy cause I am not the best to respond promptly either if it not really important. If you need a drink, snack or clean clothes then I am on it!

Please do a quick favor and send me an email at tpbenham@sbcgloabl.net if you are reading this. I would appreciate it! I encourage feedback on what little I have posted so far.

I am praying about the direction I should take on some projects as whether it is something to pursue or not. As we are celebrating thankfulness and Christ's birth it also is a time of reflection for me on the year which passed so quickly. I desire not to participate or focus on projects and activities that are not meaningful, not part of God's purpose and plan for my life.

Blessings to your and your family this Christmas season!

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Meal Prep Tip

I recommend preparing things you can in advance to be used for a meal later unless you love cooking everyday. While you are in the kitchen cooking dinner for that night's meal you can also cook ground beef or chicken to use for a meal the following night. You could also cook and freeze the meat for an easy pull out and thraw to make meals. I'd much rather cook fresh ground beef then a frozen package of it taken out of the freezer. A ziplock bag of cooked ground beef will thraw quicker. I buy large packages of chicken breast since I cook a lot of casseroles. It's cooks quickly in a skillet. I buy fresh chicken breast for grilling outdoors since it's more juicy and flavorful. If you have not tried the frozen chicken you should and you will be surprised how it can save you some time in the kitchen.

I'll use the ground beef for meals such as taco soup, chilli, mexican casseroles and burritos. I'll use the chicken to make casseroles, fajitas, quesadillas, white chilli, enchiladas, chicken and dumplings. Those are are just a few of our favorite meals. There are lots of meals you can make with ground beef and chicken.

I hope you do some meal prep so you may enjoy more time with your family and less time in the kitchen.

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Sanitize to Protect

In order to protect your health and your family especially your children the house should be sanitized. By using a spray disinfect it eliminates a lot of germs. When spraying each room make sure you also include the light switches and door handles. I wipe these down but not daily.

I santize before guests come over and after they leave as well. It is a way to prevent and reduce germs from spreading from one home to another home.

Often we do not think of thse things during warm weather and just focus on more during the winter months.
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Lists

Use lists to manage the tasks you need to accomplish. Depending on your preference you can do this using you pc, phone or the old fashioned paper and pen which how still prefer to make my daily lists.

These are some examples of the types of lists you can use to organize your time and monitor your progress. We are all busy and it is easy to forgot something. If you have a list handy and in front of you it will more likely be accomplished.

Types of Lists:

Errands
Bank, Post Office, Store...
Grocery store
Milk, Bread, Veggies, Fruits...
Chores
Dishes, Vacuum, Sweep, Mop...
Things to do
Bible Study
Prepare lesson
Plan Birthday Party
Lunch with a friend
Take child to their activity
Appointments
Dr checkup
Hair Cut

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A Break

There are some days or even the entire week when you really just need a break. I take some days and just get the basics done and let the rest go. Once rested physically and emotionally then I tend to be more productive and accomplish the to do list quicker.

Take time to rest and relax so you can enjoy the moments with the ones you love.

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Shopping Time!

We all love to shop, right? Me, not really. Of course we love the glamour shopping for shoes, clothes, purses and jewelry!

Then there is non-glamourous shopping for household consumables. I prefer to do that shopping once a month for things like toliet tissue, paper towels, diapers, wipes and household products. I do some of this shopping online for our tolieties, cleaning supplies, health supplements, skin care and cosmetics. Let me know if you are interested and I can assist you in this kind of shopping.

Grocery shopping is done on a weekly basis. This requires planning meals for an entire week. I try to write out a menu or at least have a menu in my head before I make a grocery list.

Manage your time by utilizing online shopping, stock up on those non perishable items so you do not need buy those as often, make a menu and make a shopping list.

The fewer times you have to go shopping means saving time and money!

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A Happy Home

A clean and organized Home is Happy!
Well, my home is not always happy but it makes me happy when it is! We certainly live in our home but eventually you have to clean or the clutter and dirt will take over.

I use a few tricks to keeping our home tidy especially when I do not have the time or energy to do the deep cleaning.

Do a quick pick up in areas guest would be in if they came over. This should include the Living Room, Kitchen and Powder Room. When the floor is clean and no clutter is in plain site then it looks clean even if no time to dust or vacuum before a guest is about to drop in.

Make an effort daily to put everything up where it belongs. Ask your children to be responsible for their belongings. My 6 year old puts away his own clothes, shoes, backpacks and toys. If the toys do not get put away when asked then it is taken away. We have a time for play and toys are going to be out and everywhere but a time to clean up nightly before bedtime routine begins. Even my 1 year old puts her dirty clothes in her hamper or the laundry room whichever is closer. She also knows to put her shoes in the shoe basket in the coat closet. It is organized in a way that my children know where things belong.

The daily chore that is a must to keep a kitchen clean is the dishes. The best routine for me is to unload, put away, load and wash. If I wait to unload then the dishes pile up and require 2 loads to be washed.

Clean off the counters on a regular basis. Again, put it all away where it belongs. If you do it the first time then you will not have to do it again.

Powder Room or Guest Bathroom should be clean. It takes 5 minutes to clean the mirror, wipe down the sink, counter and clean the toliet. A dirty bathroom says your house is dirty so try to make it a priority.

I find it easier if I pick up as I go. I finish my quick clean up before going to bed. I try to do this while the kids are having their last snack or right after they are in bed. The time does not matter just make time or the tasks of cleaning will take over your time.

Once you find your own organizational system and make it a habit then a clean home will be simple and you will be happy!
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