New Blog!

I've decided to start doing my blogging on my Mac and to stop using blogger. If you're not automatically redirected, click here:

http://web.mac.com/gracew0729/lola.makes.three/Blog/Blog.html

I'm still working on moving my archives, but I will be posting there from now on.

So, for ALL of you loyal readers (because of course I have TONS) be sure to update your bookmarks/feeds!

To be perfect...

I think I've written about this before, but sometimes, I just feel like I don't measure up as a wife/housekeeper. (Now, be kind, because I'm about to be really transparent about the kind of housekeeper I am. Note that none of this reflects on my Momma, who is an excellent housekeeper... somehow it just didn't seem to 'take' with me.) The feeling usually strikes when the sink is full of dirty dishes, the hamper is full of clothes, and I know good and well that the clothes in the washing machine have been in there for a couple of days and will need to be re-washed with white vinegar before I can start any more. Meanwhile, clutter is piling up on the coffee table, the bed's not made, and... I think you get the picture.

Bottom line, while I want my home to be a sanctuary for my husband, myself, our friends, and anyone else who happens to pass through our doors, I have some trouble executing that. And I don't even have kids to worry about!

Katherine, at Raising Five, has written a post that makes me feel a *little* bit better about that. She writes that we need to remember the difference between Homemaking and Housekeeping. Housekeeping is one job of a homemaker, but that's not all. Filling our homes with love, charity, and the warmth of the love of Christ is our primary responsibility. Also, she says that measuring ourselves by a fictitious "perfect" standard sets us up for disappointment in ourselves and, inevitably, failure.

Oh that I could remember these points! I know that the perfect standard I imagine is unattainable. I am not perfect. We're all flawed! I need to try, to do what I can, and to realize that there are more important things than having a perfect house--specifically, to work on having a warm, inviting home.

(excuse me, I have to go put those clothes in the dryer now, before they mildew!)

Bored to tears...

What is the origin of the phrase, "Bored to tears?" At any rate, I think it's possible. I'm actually so bored that I feel like tears could spring to my eyes at any moment. Rescue me! What do you do when you're this bored?

(note: I spent the last 15 minutes googling for the origin of the phrase "bored to tears". Now that that 15 minutes is over, what will I do for the rest of my 3.5 hour work day?????)

Menu Plan Monday: August 13

Monday: Stir Fry
Tuesday: Block Party Cook-Out!
Wednesday: Saucy Honey Mustard Chicken, Uncle Ben's Wild rice, mixed veggies
Thursday: Easiest Quesadillas, refried beans
Friday: Homemade Pizza Rolls, Un-fried French Fries
Saturday: Steuffer's Lasagna, garlic bread, corn
Sunday: Oven Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

Don't forget to look for more menu ideas at Laura's blog, I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Sleeeeeeeeep...

I am fully aware that any moms out there are going to roll their eyes and tell me to grow up when they read this, but...

Lola has stopped sleeping through the night. She no longer snuggles. She no longer lets us sleep for as long as she wants to. She gets up at about 5:30 each morning, bugs me for 10 mins or so, then gets up at 7 for good.

The sad thing is that there are only like 4 more days that I could sleep in before school stuff starts, but I think that I'm probably not going to get to for any of them. Worse than that is that Jon, who is not really a cat person, but got her to make me happy, is getting increasingly frustrated/angry with her waking him up.

*end whining*

I recommend...

There have been several things brewing around in my mind that I wanted to recommend to anyone who happens to read this, so I figured I'd just make a list.

Music

• My. Goodness. Monk & Neagle's "Twenty-First Time" is my new favorite CD! I am so glad that I got a review copy so that I can tell you guys to all go out and get it! Especially great songs: Beautiful You, Hallelujah Jesus, Wonderful Angel, Into Orbit... Basically, it's a great mix of Jesus songs and Love songs with an acoustic sound that just makes me grin.
  

Food

• Quaker Rice Snacks in Ranch Flavor- I've been bringing these in my lunch every day. They are SO good! :) They have just the right amount of seasoning, and the crunch I need to make me feel like I'm eating something bad for me.
  

Websites

• www.hungry-girl.com: I just found this website. It's written in a cute, funny tone, and has all kinds of great tips on healthy eating alternatives. I signed up to receive the daily e-mails, but in the mean time I'm having a great time going through the archives!
  

Menu Plan Monday - August 6

(Sorry I'm missing so many recipes; it usually bugs me when people do this! I'm just at work and don't have my cookbook with me.)

Monday - Oven BBQ Chicken, rice, green beans
Tuesday - Dinner with friends
Wednesday - Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin (purchased marinated from store), Cindy Davis Green beans (buttery & sweet--recipe to come), garlic cheese rolls (so easy; recipe to come)
Thursday - Sour Cream and Dill Chicken, egg noodles, mixed veggies
Friday - Tasty Taco Bake, Pico de Gallo
Saturday - Honey Mustard Chicken (husband's fav--recipe to come), rice, mixed veggies

As always, check Laura's site, I'm an Organizing Junkie, for more menu ideas. Thanks Laura!