Simple Start to the Weekend

This is the third Friday now that I have cleaned the house by 5pm on Friday.  It is such a nice way to start the weekend.  The floors are scrubbed.  The laundry done enough to easily get us to Monday.  Rugs are washed and put back.  Plants are even watered.  It is a wonderful feeling.

I used to try to clean on Thursday nights and Sundays.  I always found ways to skip Thursday.  Sundays there will still be a little clean up to do, just to be ready for everyone showing up on Monday mornings.

The first Friday I tried this cleaning method was last month when I was planning the evening to myself.  I didn’t want to spend my free evening cleaning.  I liked it so much I decided to do it again.  And I learned that it really doesn’t take that long.  Maybe an hour and a half during the day, broken into small segments between kid activities and then an hour at nap time.

I think Dan really appreciates coming home on that last work day of the week to a tidy house.  A house that seems to be more home than business.

This is a simple way to improve the weekend.  Tune in next Friday to see if I can keep it up!

Oh, and don’t ask about the kids’ rooms.  Those are NOT included in this Friday clean up.  I’m proud to say that I’ve relaxed my stance on the clean room policy for kids.   Everything in it’s own time, right?

Cheap Treats

I’ve mentioned that SmallTown offers some great extras now and then.  This week would be another example.  DQ knows how to celebrate their anniversary!

Every year, the first part of February, DQ has an anniversary sale.  Every day of the week there is some phenomenal deal.  Today’s special was 29 cent Dilly Bars.  For just under $1.30 we all had a nice treat.  Saturday is a special on Blizzards…buy one regular price (any size) get one for 29 cents.  My kids will hardly believe TWO trips to DQ in one week.

Of course this is only frugal if you don’t buy anything else and stick to the sale.

Mmm…yummy.

A Motivated Monday

I was at Girl Scout winter camp with Grace on Friday night and Saturday, then Saturday evening was all about celebrating Grace’s birthday with a night out.  Yesterday was tough to get going.  I didn’t do much and consequently I was dreading this day.  Who likes to play catch up?

I am happy to report that I have been whizzing through my day!  I packed some bulk meat and cheese that needed done.  I cooked a chicken in the crock pot overnight last night and got it pulled apart this morning.  I baked bread and unpacked and put things away from the weekend.  Now it is nap time and I plan to work on laundry and cleaning up my office.  The feeling of accomplishment is uplifting.  I am looking forward to the week more than ever now.

So, I better keep at it…then I might get some down time with my hubby tonight without that guilty conscience from the work waiting to be done!

Menu Plan Monday: Groundhog Day

This week I plan on cooking a whole chicken so I will have several dishes from it in a couple of days.  Please remember that my children do not eat lunch here during the week and my husband likes leftovers.   I am having a little party here on Tuesday night so I need something quick and easy for my husband and kids.  Then I will serve a couple of snacks that evening.  Other than that we have a pretty normal week…the usual busy-ness.

Monday:

Breakfast – Oatmeal, apples & milk

Lunch – Turkey sandwich, spinach salad, grapes & milk

Snack – Bananas & milk

Supper – Chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli & cauliflower, peaches & milk

Tuesday:

Breakfast – Toast, bananas & milk

Lunch – Chicken noodle soup (homemade), crackers, apples & milk

Snack – Yogurt & granola

Supper – Crock pot cheeseburgers, apples, carrot sticks & milk

Party – Buffalo Chicken Dip with crackers & celery, and a sweet treat, still undecided as to what it will be…

Wednesday:

Breakfast – Cereal, 100% juice & milk

Lunch – Hot dogs, baked beans, potato wedges & milk

Snack – Cottage cheese & pears

Supper -Venison steaks, baked potato, corn, ranch biscuits & milk

Thursday:

Breakfast – English Muffin with peanut butter, oranges & milk

Lunch –  Chicken & rice casserole with broccoli, peaches & milk

Snack – Cookies & milk

Supper – CORN (clean our refrigerator night)

Friday:

Breakfast – Oatmeal, apples & milk

Lunch -Pizza, salad, bananas & milk

Snack – Peanut butter & crackers

Supper – Tacos, refried beans, salad & soda

Saturday:

Lunch – Fish, baked beans, cole slaw & milk

Supper – Stromboli, carrot & celery sticks, milk

Sunday:

Lunch – Venison Roast, peas, mashed potatoes, rolls & milk

Supper – Potato soup & sandwiches

Weekend snacks may include fresh fruits and vegetables, popcorn, cheese & crackers and granola bars.

Enjoy the other menus on this Monday over at org junkie’s site.