Normal...with a Schedule

Happy New Year everyone!

Now that the holidays are officially over, it's time to get back to "normal" life. Which makes me wonder...what is normal?

When I figure it out, I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, I've come up with a plan for postings. It's me, on a quest for normal.

Here's the plan...

Sunday....Meal Planning...This is one of the best changes of 2009. We went from spending around $1300/month for groceries (even with gardening, canning and hunting!), to around $500/month. And I'm having fun preparing new recipes!

Monday...Grocery Results...I got away from posting my results. I had set such a strict budget for $100/week, that whenever groceries went over budget, I'd feel like a failure. My husband has to remind me daily, that sometimes I'm my own worst enemy. So, no more strict guidelines, but posting the results will help me stay accountable to frugal shopping.

Tuesday...Gratituesday...This is hosted by Laura at Heavenly Homemakers. It is a time to reflect on the good things that God has given us. It is a reminder to find the blessings in everyday life, even if the "everyday" is not going so well in the moment.

Wednesday...Crockpot Wednesday...Debbie at Dining with Debbie hosts a crock pot recipe exchange every week. Crock pot cooking is a homeschool mom's dream. After spending an afternoon dissecting biological "icky's", the last thing I want to think about is cooking. Trust me. It is gross. Even if I can't bear to eat, at least the family won't starve.

This is my normal.

Thursday...Recipes...I just watched the movie, "Julie & Julia". I am inspired to cook. I am inspired to try different recipes. I am inspired to use more butter.

Hopefully, more butter will inspire me to take more walks.

Friday...Frugal, Farm, Family...Large family + farm + no money = lots of stories! And pictures! One of the homeschool websites that I follow has a section called "Redhead Ramblings". I'm not a redhead, but I do tend to ramble, so this will be a good day to do that.

I'll call it therapy.

Saturday...Homeschooling...Most of what I've learned over the years about homeschooling, I've learned from other homeschooling families. I've been inspired to try different curriculum's and move outside of my comfort zone from mom's who've blazed the trail before me. Sometimes, new ideas work. Sometimes, they fail miserably.

That is my normal.

Having a schedule doesn't mean that I won't deviate now and again though. My daughter, Kelsie, has a saying that fits her to a T..."I am not A.D.D...Oh look, a kitty!" She must've gotten it from me.

That is my normal.