back to routine

the kids started school this week and I went back to work. Besides the most obvious trauma that caused me, I have taken well to the fact that I am at least 50% more organized than I would have been going into this week by 'sort of' planning the week than not. I think so much faster than I can do. by the time I can articulate what I am thinking, I have changed that thought at least 3 times. Not a good trait to have, indecisivness, as it always feels as if things are not done, not resolved and not put to rest. This is something I have been thinking of for 2009 as one of the placed where I need to make a change, since it would lessen my stress level and allow me to practice more compassion and love toward those who reside in my house.
So, steps I need to take are:
1. planning out weekly meals. (it will save $ and eliminate the crazy what to do every nioght after work)
2. picking out M - F outfits for all the kids and myself. (i will not waste pecious time in the morning looking for clothes or helping little people choose theirs)
Right now, there are really just two, but two big ones that would really ease the amount of pressure I feel each week.
But that being said, out of my two, I have done 1, and I can already feel the pressure down as we ease into Wednesday.
I think this might just work :0)

Yeah! I excercised self control today! and my comitment to eating frugal...

Today we took my mother in law out for 'dunch' (dinner and lunch) b/c she was craving Mexican food. YUM! We went to Ay Carumba in Park Ridge. It was a yummy meal and I was very proud of myself for excercising portion control and not allowing myself to fill up on chips and salsa (although the salsa is FAT FREE and healthy) and I had a portion of a steak I split with Jim and 2 fajitas (on corn tortillas). No beans or rice (count up those calories saved baby!)
I was thinking (later of course) that we have such an abundance of everythting in this world and the first thing that comes to mind is obviously food. I know in this country 'we' as a nation are blessed, but my family is blessed beyond belief. As I have been thinking about the crab legs we indulged in on new years eve, i find it amazing that we have so much. I feel like my family wastes SO much food every week. I go to the store and place all of the food 'wants' and 'ideas of meals' into my cart and walk out without a second thought. i don't purchase the store brand all the time, nor do i worry about the price of too many things in my cart. i also don't worry a week later when i open the fridge and wonder why i didn't make half the things i purchased and why the $4.00 buttermilk is sour after I used the 1/4 cup i needed for that 'one' recipe.
i have been wondering this week about the reason why these things don't bother me, and the only resaon I can come up with is desentisization. I have become desensitized to the needs that others have. yeah, i know about the food crisis in other countries and it breaks my heart when i see, hear or think of the suffering, but that is not what i'm talking about. i think i am numb to the fact there are real people and real families here in our country, in our state, in our, my, city that are not as blessed as my family is.
so now here is the verb part.... what am i going to do about it? truth is, i'm not really sure. yeah, of course i have ideas, but when you don't have the time, tools and resources to make thoughts turn into plans then turn to action, it is still, well, just an idea.
so i have an idea (and i'll call it what it is. for now at least), that i want to try, and i know it's not going to help another family eat this week (at least not right away) but it is a step that i need, my family needs, to start becoming more aware.
so stay tuned... i will lay out my plan this week. in action of course.
have a great evening readers.
nikki