Saturday, March 30, 2013

Day 30 of Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days

My kitchen on Day 30

Day 30- last day
This morning I got up at 9:30am. Yes it was later than normal but I didn't roll over an go back to sleep. I also didn't have an alarm set. Today was my day to sleep as much as body needed.
Andy had may questions and I'm going to answer them for you.
Did it work? Yes getting up early and having a plan time for me worked.
Did I change my life in the last 30 days? Yes, it gave me time to work on my blog without losing family time.
Did I make friends with Siri? No I don't like getting woken up. I don't think I will ever get like being woken up, but I don't hate her as much.
Did I watch less tv? Not really, but I have recorded the shows that I like to watch, and watch them only and while I was home alone, and working on couponing and blogging. I, just not sitting and watching tv. I am also not staying up to watch the shows that are on late.
Do I check my email as much? No I don't. I have times on checking my emails, and only check those emails time and that is all.
Did I create something my kids will appreciate when I'm gone from this world? I hope I am. I love my blogging and helping out people though both my experience. I'm hoping her and her kids will read it an learn from it.
Did it help my relationships? I want to say yes. I use to come home and blog for 1-2 hours each night. Now in the morning, I work on my blog and get a chance to write with out losing any family time. I also get it done quicker and better because I'm more focused.
Do you look at your days and tell them who is in charge? Yes I look at my life and tell it who is in charge. I make a post ever morning about my daily goals. This has put me in charge of the day.
Has it changed my life? Kind of, I don't wake up early every morning. But it has helped me stop over sleeping and get more focus.

How has this challenge helped you?

Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days

Day 27 -28 Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days



My surpise for the morning for Day 27

Day 27- I was up by 5:30 and I picked up Wawa coffee creamer. It was nice to have in the morning. I don't normal spend more that $1 on creamer so this is a special treat.
Andy talk about things you don't like. Honestly there is not a thing I can think about in my life right now that I don't like. Here is the thing, if I don't like it I speck up. I have an amazing husband and awesome daughter. I love my job. The other things in life work themselves out. I believe in God and that he has a plan and I pray when times are tough. Right now we are happy and health.
Andy's tip- buy a small gift for someone you had a conflicted in the past.
I will do that tomorrow anyway. I'm talking Cass out to plants for her stepmother and her dad for Easter. I believe you should put things in the past and move each day to be a better one.
My drive to work on Day 28

Day 28- praying
I got up at 5:30 on Wednesday. Today I have work and I do my couponing with my little man. It gets use out of the house. Cass has off school and will be enjoin us.
Andy talked about praying. This is something I do everyday. I pray about everything, big or little. I believe God will listen about everything.
Andy's tip - think about a treat on the last day.
I think about it but still not sure, I didn't do very well with this, so I don't think it will be anything huge.
Time I was up on Day 29

Day 29- don't be average
During this post he writes about his birthday and how to challenge yourself. I challenge myself all the time. Getting up before I normal do, is a huge challenge.
Andy'sTip- share your writing
I have been doing that daily with you guys.

Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days

Daily Goals- March 30th, 2012

Yesterday was a nice day, I just pretty much sat around and read the end of my book. Cass and I did plant our Easter gifts and hung out about that watching TV.

Daily Goals
1. Dishes and clean bathroom or what I can. - we are still working on finishing the bathroom. So we are doing what we can.
2. Errands- run to the bank, dollar store, fruit stand, and Walmart. I don't need much but a little from everywhere.
3. Work on harden plants. Today is day two with cold crops in the green house. I will have them in there from 12-6. This gives them time to get us to it.
4. Hopeful get to clean up the basement where my plants were. And start planting the plants I'm behind on.
5. Make dinner and have it ready for when hubby gets home.

I have a lot to do. What are you doing today?

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Free Gardening Kindle Books- 3/26

These books are free at the time of making this post.

Day 26 of LearnHow to Rise Early

Today I got up by 5:30am. I was very helpful being able to get up early. I ended up having to run to the grocery store this morning. I plan dinner but didn't have the cream of chicken soup. I also got to get my face book page up and moving. If I would have gotten up on a normal tip, I would have not been able to go to the store.

Andy Action tip - get something special for breakfast for tomorrow morning.
Andy talked about this journey being a lonely one. I am lucky because I have you guys to go though this journey with me! I want to thank Money Saving Mom for setting up this goal for me.

What am I going to have tomorrow morning? You are going to have to wait and see! How are you doing on your early to rise challenge? Let me know

Weekly goals- March 25-31

My weekly goals on top of my weekly life
I haven't written down my goals in a few weeks, I think that it has made me behind in my goals. Therefore I am writing down my goals again.
Weekly goals 
1. Make Easter Card- this week, my little one is off. We are going to help my little ones make Easter cards, and gifts.
2. Make Dinner - I want to make dinner all week. No eating out!
3. Finish reading "Mini Shopaholic" by Sophie Kisella- I love her stories and have read I thought them all or so I thought. I found out I didn't then I grabbed it at the library. I'm 1/4 the way though it.
4. Gardening~ 4 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals - Finsh my garden goals for this week. The garden in coming a long so nicely. Hopeful by the end of the week 3 of my garden box will be planted. I'm so excited!
5. Gardening ~ 6 and 5 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goal - I am a little behind on my gardening goals. It happens, lol I have a life and job. I can get caught up this week.
6. Finish my lesson plan for letter Pp- I have decided that my lesson plans for a letter is going to last two week. I decide that because I feel like 3-4 day just isn't enough time to pick up a letter. My little man (18 month old) might have told me I was wrong when I asked this morning (I have had the last 4 days off) what does a p say and he answer "pu".
7. Plant My Mother's Easter presents- I decide that I'm going to plant her some pansey seeds and zinnia seeds.
8. Finish listen to Genesis - We are listen to Genesis thoughout the day.
9. Write business bill- I am two weeks behind on writing my bills. I need to get everything in gear.
10. Write a book review on "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn

The last two weeks, I have let myself get behind on my life. I'm glad all my bills aren't behind. I need to get my goals and writing them seem to help me. How are you doing on your goals?




Gardening~ 4 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals


According to my book Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, I am on Week 4. I'm so excited, because it is now spring and there is so much going on in my garden beds! I already have 2 beds full planted. What is going on in your gardening beds?  

Weekly goals
1. Plant herbs in pots to grown outside. You can do many different types in the pots.
2. Harden off - broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi, lettuce,cabbage, and brussels sprouts. Do this by using a green house before planting into the ground.
3. Plant seeds outside- mustard
4. Check inside plants for right amount of water and light. Adjust if needed.
5. Plant inside- Zinnia seeds other plant mixture seeds  
What are you doing in your garden this week? What week are you on? Let me know!

Follow the other Weeks Before Last Frost Weekly goals with the links below.
Gardening 20 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals
Gardening 19 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals
Gardening 18 Weeks Before my Last Frost
Gardening 17 Weeks Before My Last Frost Weekly Goals 
Gardening~ Weeks 16 and Weeks 15 before My Last Frost - Weekly Goals 
Gardening~ 14 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost
Gardening~ 13 & 12 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost
Gardening~ 11 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost 
 Gardening ~ 10 weeks until my last frost - Weekly Goals
Gardening ~ 9 weeks until my last frost ~ Weekly Goals

Gardening~ 8 weeks before my last frost - Weekly Goals
Gardening- 7 weeks before my last frost~ weekly goals

Gardening tip- planting tomatoes

I have learned a lot about planting tomatoes from reading books and other people's blogs.
Here is what I do when I plant tomatoes. I dig the hole 2 inch deeper than then the whole tomato plant. Ok I know you are thinking I'm crazy. Here is why;
In the hole I put
1 peal of banana skin
1 aspirin
1 egg shell crunched.
Cover it with 1 inch of dirt and then put the whole plant in the hope and cover it up.
There should only be about 1-2 inch of the tomato plant showing.
By planting my tomato plants this way my tomatoes have fresh fertilizer all season long. Also by planting my most of my tomato plant I'm giving it a great root system.
How do you plant your tomatoes?

Daily goals- Tuesday, March 26, 2013

This morning has already been packed and crazy. Already this morning I have ran to the grocery store,did my daughter's hair, made breakfast, wash dishes, made dinner, and now heading out to work. I love late mornings!
Today's goals
1. Write this week's daily goals
2. Write and have weekly garden goals
3. Text my brother and see how he's making out on the addresses for the invitation for my moms party
4. Work 9 AM until 6 PM
5. Take Cass to dance class
What are your goals for today? I hope you have a good day :)

Monday, March 25, 2013

Gardening ~ 6 and 5 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goal


According to my book Week-by-Week Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook, these two weeks are not combined but I'm behind on my weeks so I'm combining these two week with 4. 

Weekly goals
1. Garden boxes- plant lettuce, chard, kale, carrots, radish, beet, turnips and kohlrabi seeds in the garden
2. Onions- hardening off transplants, plant seeds outside
3. Rhubarb- divide crowns, plant new roots
4. Potato - plant potato seeds
5. Leeks- Hardening off and plant outside 
6. Plant inside- marigolds, tomatoes, basil, rosemary 


Follow the other Weeks Before Last FrostWeekly goals with the links below.
Gardening 20 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals
Gardening 19 Weeks Before My Last Frost- Weekly Goals
Gardening 18 Weeks Before my Last Frost
Gardening 17 Weeks Before My Last Frost Weekly Goals 
Gardening~ Weeks 16 and Weeks 15 before My Last Frost - Weekly Goals 
Gardening~ 14 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost
Gardening~ 13 & 12 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost
Gardening~ 11 Weeks before Average Date of Last Frost 
 Gardening ~ 10 weeks until my last frost - Weekly Goals
Gardening ~ 9 weeks until my last frost ~ Weekly Goals

Gardening~ 8 weeks before my last frost - Weekly Goals
Gardening- 7 weeks before my last frost~ weekly goals

Meal Plan for 03/25/2013 - 03/31/2013


Mar 25 -◦ Monday
Cream Of Wheat (Breakfast)
Banana (Breakfast)
Pizza (Lunch)
Fresh Fruit (Lunch)
Corn (Dinner)
Ribs
Tossed Salad (Weekly Salad)
Fruit Salad (Weekly Fruit)

Mar 26 -◦ Tuesday
Bagel With Cream Cheese (Breakfast)
Grapes (Breakfast)
Chicken Nuggets (Lunch)
Carrots (Lunch)
Strawberries (Lunch)
Slow Cooker Creamy Pork Chops And Potatoes (Dinner)
Green Beans (Dinner)

Mar 27 -◦ Wednesday
Pancakes (Breakfast)
Blueberries (Breakfast)
Mac And Cheese W/ Hotdogs And Mix Veggies (Lunch)
Banana (Lunch)
Leftover (Dinner)

Mar 28 -◦ Thursday
Cereal (Breakfast)
Banana (Breakfast)
Pizza Bits (Lunch)
Mix Veggies (Lunch)
Strawberries (Lunch)
Noddles (Dinner)
Chicken With Mushroom Gravy (Dinner)

Mar 29 -◦ Friday
Bagel With Cream Cheese (Breakfast)
Grapes (Breakfast)
Uncrustable (Lunch)
Watermelon (Lunch)
Red Pepper (Lunch)
Leftover (Dinner)

Mar 30 -◦ Saturday
Cereal (Breakfast)
Banana (Breakfast)
Leftovers (Lunch)
Hamburger Helper (Dinner)
Baked Potato (Dinner)
Corn (Dinner)

Mar 31 -◦ Sunday
Cereal (Breakfast)
Leftovers (Lunch)
Leftover (Dinner)

Free Kindle Gardening Books ~ 3/225/12

This books were free at the time of posting and prices could change at anytime.
'Garlic - Herbs and Spices (All About Garlic)' by Colin West
'How to Easily Grow Organic Superfoods at Home Without a Garden (Backyard-Ideas.org Guides)' by Nate Lemmon
'herb gardening-the best herb to grow in your gardening(2 books in 1:one more free book inside) (gardening:tips&techniques)' by denny hamlin
A Guide to Gardening and Growing Best Herbs Anywhere
'HERBS - THE BOXED SET' by Sankhya Shana
To get updated on my free kindle gardening books join me on Facebook at Pa Gardeners.

Garden tip - plant companion plants together

Plant work together to help each other survive. This is an awesome fact. They help repel bug and feed each other. This type of thinking goes back to the American Indians. They would use the Three Sister- which is where they would plant corn, beans, and squash together. I did this last year and it was first year I got corn!
Other thing that work good together;
Sunflower and peas
Strawberries and borage
Peas and carrots
Tomato and basil
Grapes and hypos
There are many more things too, what are you favorite thing to plant together?

The Three Sister

Daily Goals ~ March 25th, 2013

This weekend went by fast. Friday, I had my nephew! He is so cute. Saturday Cass had a school event and then we had date night. Sunday we ended up missing church, I got sick Saturday night. We went out to tractor supply and then clean up the year a little. How did your weekend go?
Today's goals
1. Clean the rest of the kitchen- It look so nice having the kitchen clean all week. I have been trying so hard to keep up with it.
2. Write out Business bills~ I need to get my boss's bills out.
3. Plant My Marigolds~ I should have planted them 2 weeks ago.
4. Run wood Stove all day~ With the snow I need to stay on top of it today.
5. Read some of my new Book~ I am loving this book!
What are your goals for the day?

Day 25 of Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


Today I end up getting up around 7am. I knew I had off today and was alone all day today. I made breakfast for my little one and put her one the bus. I love Monday mornings, because me and Cass get one on one time.

Andy Action Tip~ Tell people you are getting up early.
I try to get up early and know that when I do it effects my life in positive ways. I get time to blog and enjoy my blogging with out cutting off time with my family. On days I work I like t be up by 5am, and days I'm off around 7am. This gives me time to work without bothering anyone.

The 5 people I'm telling
1. Hubby
2. You guys
3. My mother
4. My boss
5. My best friend

Who are you sharing your journey with? 
Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Gardening- Planting My Garden Box 1

Today I got a chance to get outside and plant my Garden Box 1, this box will have potatoes in it. Last year it had lettuce and califlower in it.

Tilling up the gound in garden box 1
Frist thing I did was till the box. By tilling, I was breaking up the ground for the potatoes.

All tilled
I till all of the box but a small corner, which have strawberries in it waiting to find a new home.

I love my bulb plant tool
I use my bulb planting tool, to make a 3 inch hole. I love this tool for the potatoes because it removes that dirt from the area and there is not dirt trying to fall in the hole.

The eye peaking out
Then I put the cutting of the potato in the hole making sure the eye was facing up. Click here to see how I prepared the potatoes for this box.

Cover the potato
I covered the potatoes with the dirt around the hole.

Covered flat to the ground
When the ground was flat, add the dirt from the bulb tool.

Putting the dirt on top
I did this to make a mount where the potato seed was. I will be doing this all thought the season. I did not have compost ready for this so I will end up side dressing them with in the up coming weeks, when I side dress all my annuals.

Whole box Planted!

I plan on planting potatoes in potato garden bags after the last frost too. My family love potatoes and eats them all the time!

Are you planting Potatoes this year?

Free Kindle Books

I just download all these books get yours while they are still free.

'The Practical Guide to Wwoofing: Volunteering with W.W.O.O.F - 'WORLD WIDE OPPORTUNITIES/ WILLING WORKERS ON ORGANIC FARMS'' by A Greenman
'Starting a New Garden (VOL. 1): How to Transform Your Yard and Patio Into Beds and Container Gardens (Growing Organic Vegetables at Home)' by R.J. Ruppenthal
'Gardening In The City & The Country' by Rachel Lynn
'Planting Plan Design - how to combine plants to create beautiful planting schemes for stunning garden borders (How to Plan Your Garden Series)' by Rachel Mathews

'Vegetable Garden Pest Control' by Richard Rossbauer
'DEFENSE GARDENS' by Eric Ericksen
'PBA Guide to Garden Flowers' by Dean Ravenscroft
Join me at Pa Gardeners on face but to get my free kindle book updates.

Gardening- Preparing Potato seed for planting



Red Potato seeds, Purple Potato seeds, and Yukon Gold Potato seeds
I went to Lowes yesterday and decide that I was just going to buy my seeds there. I got Red Potato seeds, purple potato seeds, and Yukon Gold Potato seeds for $3.97 a bag.

Red Potato Seeds cut up
I pick out 1/2 the seeds from each bag, and start to cut up the potato seeds. I'm saving the rest of the seeds, that way I can plant them in my potato bags.

Purple Potato Seeds
The way you do it is you cut the eyes into chunks.

Yukon Gold Potato Seeds
Every chuck should have at least one eye. I also try to keep them about one inch or bigger.


Ready to plant

Are you planting potatoes this year? How do you start your potatoes? 

Day 23 of Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


Today I woke up before Siri at 7:20. I hung out in bed with Hubby and the dog until 8:00am when my little one got up. I didn't rush to get my coffee (for one thing I’m out of creamer and knew I had to buy my coffee today) nor did I rush to write on my blog. Why? I knew today hubby and I won't see each other until 6ish, and I want to spend some time just enjoying him. We had fun just playing with the dog. Also I thought I would be stuck at my daughter’s school for 5 hours and have more time to write.

Andy Action Tip ~ Write 1,000 words a day so you can write a book

Right now I'm just getting use to writing a blog. I would love to write a book one day. Right now I want to use my morning time working on the blog. At some point in my life a book would be nice. Just not right now.

How are you doing in getting up early? What is your goal time for tomorrow? Mine is 7am.


Daily goals

My everyone is home today. I want to start to garden off my plants but with the snow on Monday I'm going to wait.
Today's goals
1. Doom Dome- this is a school activity my daughter is taking place in. It is like dodgeball but with hula hoop not people.
2. Clean kitchen- I can't stand the bomb that the bathroom project is taking up all over my house!
3. Plant potatoes- I want to get the potatoes in garden box 1
4. Cut coupons- I'm so behind on cutting them!!
5. Date night- hubby and I are going on a double date tonight! I'm so excited.
I hope you are having a wonderful Saturday! What are your plans today?

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Split Custody


Last night at Girl Scouts, my daughter's stepmom and I made a few moms feel weird.We had a mom say to us, "this is not normal". Do you want to know what we were doing and why people thought we were 'not normal'? When she walked in we greeted each other with a smile. We were talking, smiling and getting along.

Why is it so out of the normal that parents learning how to co-parent? I will be honest. It did take some time to get to this point. This point is the best place for my daughter, so we all work hard on being there!

Now I do not always get along with her dad, but we have over 10 years of fighting, disagreements and hurt feeling. Therefore working together with her stepmom really helps. We are both mothers and love our children.

What I have learn though God? That no matter what Cass is my daughter! She is my life and I love her. I know she knows this because I tell her all the time. I have also come to learn that my daughter's stepmom and dad both love her and want the best for her. Just like my hubby and I want for her. My husband came from a split family and had a horrible childhood of being in the middle. He told me that’s not what he want for Cass and to put things aside and work toward what is best for her.

We don't always agree. Why would we there are reasons why my ex and I decide not to raise our daughter together and there are 4 of us raising her. There are bound to be disagreements. We have all learn to agree to disagree. To know that we all love Cass and want what is best for her.

What is better for her than 2 sets of parents working together and getting along?

How do we do it? Understand and manners, honestly they are the ways we do it. We understand we aren't going to always agree and that each person loves Cass and wants what is best for her. Please and thank you, they go a very long way. We also get to together weekly and talk about what is going on in each other homes that week, how school went and trade stuff off. My daughter is not in charge of bring her stuff back in forth. We as parents are and the people in charge of this situation my daughter is in. She did not choose this, we did as the parents.

This works for my family, and has made this easier on everyone. My daughter has learning by seeing in every bad situation you have to learn to do the best!

Plus last night, us talking and getting along made my daughter at be able to play with her friends without being stressed out. That is honestly the best thing for her. Even though we freaked out other parents.  

(This works for my family, we believe that God has helped is through it. I know it won't work with everyone, and I am not judging you and your family situation)

Sorry for the long post had to get this out! Have a wonderful day!

Day 21 of Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


Siri won today

Siri won today. I did not want to get up, I did though but wasn't a big fan of it. I was over sleep, but once I started moving I felt better! I know this is a life changing event but I don't know if I ever will look at the morning and choose to wake up early instead of staying up and watching a movie with my husband.

I have learn from reading Andy but is family should be 1 on your list. I understand taking time for yourself. I do that but I'm not going to miss out on the time with my family.

Last night I stay up until 11:30 watching a movie with my hubby. Lying in bed and just cuddling. I could have rolled over and went to bed. But I decide sleeping in was better then getting up at 5:30am.

Andy action tip - Smirking
I am smirking this morning. I'm smirking that even though I didn't beat Siri up, I did get up 10 mins later and kept my day going.

How are you doing on this challenge? Are you getting up earlier and is it easier?

Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

20 day of Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days


I won
After a hard day and amazing night (I have the best hubby in the world!). I decided not to set an alarm. Yes it was crazy but hubby leaves the house at 5:20am. I knew he would wake me up and I would have to get up because there was no alarm.

Andy passage, about quiet made sense, it is nice to be in quiet but it is hard. I’m going to give myself 10 minutes of quiet today at naptime. See what happens, I don’t know if I can do it.

Andy Action tip- turn of the radio in the car. I personal cannot do that. The music helps me relax, I’m driving during rush hour and people are not the smartest. I cannot go to work even a little stressed.

How are your mornings going? Are you getting up early?

Early To Rise: Learn To Rise Early in 30 Days



 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Daily goals- March 19, 2013

Last night we ended up not going to the gym. Hubby hung drywall all day and was too tired to go to the gym. Instead I clean the kitchen.
Today's goals
1. Work- From 8 AM until 6 PM
2. Make bread-this will be a lot of fun with the little ones
3. Do yoga- I can do a program on TV let me stretch out and relax
4. Write out weekly goals-I got done was writing out the menu that yesterday.
5. Do something special for hubby- I don't know what yet but I'll figure something out.
Today is a rainy yucky day. I have two projects we can do with the kids plus make bread so we to be busy indoors today.
Have an amazing day!

Free Kindle Garden books

Not as may as yesterday, but they are free. I will take what I can get. This books we free at the time of posting and are subject to change at anytime.
12 Best Herbs For Flavor + How To Grow Them: Includes Recipes!
'12 Best Herbs For Flavor + How To Grow Them: Includes Recipes!' by Jackie Johnson
A Guide to Gardening and Growing Best Herbs Anywhere
'A Guide to Gardening and Growing Best Herbs Anywhere' by Kelly T Hudson
Easy Orchid Growing: 7 Simple Steps To Growing Your Own Exotic Orchids
Easy Orchid Growing: 7 Simple Steps To Growing Your Own Exotic Orchids
I have learned so much from books about gardening, hope you enjoy them! To find me update on my free garden book fines join me on Facebook at Pa Gardeners