So. You might have gathered from my previous posts that I’m trying to organize, simplify, take more time for family, etc. Oh. And be healthy, err, healthiER, to be honest about it. Not trying to run any marathons this year, just trying to stop the ever-spreading backside.

So one of the things I wanted to get a handle on was cooking. Eating at home is infinitely better for so many reasons. I can control what goes in our mouths, I can control how much goes in our mouths, its cheaper, and its faster than getting in the car, deciding where to go, sitting down, ordering, waiting, eating, waiting, and driving home. I would rather spend that extra time doing something else. So in one of my many blog reading sessions, someone (sorry, don’t know who) posted a link to Once A Month Mom which caught my eye and being the type-A person I am, decided instantaneously to give it a try. Last Saturday, Scott and I shopped from her grocery list, using some of what we already had in hand. We got everything we needed for a marathon cooking session on Sunday.

And marathon it was. I took no photos because I was too busy cooking but from 9am to 5pm, we cooked. With a 1 hour break for lunch.We ended up with about 30 dinners, 20 breakfasts, and about 10 lunches. Seriously, in 8 hours. Our freezer was completely confused when we got ready to load it up. Had no clue how to handle that much food, but where there is a will, there is a way. So now, we have meals.

We’ve been eating them this week and I have to say, they are all yummy so far, and our dinner time is easy. We spend more time talking, less time cooking, and we don’t have to GO anywhere. I love that. So, the food and dinner situation is under control. And even school day breakfasts for Isabella and breakfasts and lunches for Scott. Sweet. Oh. And the entire grocery bill for everything we cooked, plus some extra snacks for Isabella, and some household cleaning items, was under $450. I don’t know how that compares to your food budget, but that is HUGE for us when I think about how much we have spent on restaurants, fast food, and even groceries bought several times a week for various meals.

And yes, we’re still married after spending 8 hours in the kitchen. We rocked it. It was fun and awesome. Reminded me how totally GOOD my husband is. Did I mention how much I love him so? Well, I do. He’s the best. And I will try to remember to take photos next month.

I have chosen. Its going to be HEALTH. I thought a lot about this and as much as I hate to admit it, that’s what I need right now. I am going to work my way through the Word of the Year Discovery Tool I posted about yesterday. I have it printed which I suppose is the first step – ha!

Physical health – related to weight, skin, better foods going in, all that stuff.

Mental health – related to being happy with where I am and what I have, not putting too much on my plate, finding balance, accepting what I can’t change, all those things that stress me out and make me want to go hide under a pillow or drop out of society.

I can do this although I am quite certain it will be rough road. I’m going to work on committing to it today while my awesome hubby heads out into the world to run errands, take Isabella to lunch, and do some shopping for fishing gear at Bass Pro Shops.

Do you have a word for 2010? I would love to hear about it if you do. And if you don’t, DON’T STRESS. Really, it will be okay.

Wow. So I’m writing this a bit early so it will post in the AM while I am asleep. I’ve been thinking a lot about what the heck I’m going to do/change/focus/etc for the upcoming year. I’ve got some neat tools I found online related to my scrapbooking and crafting journey. I got a copy of Log Your Memories for 2010 and I’m going to try to use that to keep me inspired and positive about my scrapbooking journey. I also downloaded the Word of the Year Discovery Tool and its cool. I have no clue what my word will be, or whether I will even think of one, but I think tomorrow today will be a thoughtful day spent in my craft room.

I will say I am in the process of scrapping 2009 photos, things I missed during the year, so I can complete my album and order all my prints. My goal is to have the 2009 album ready for printing by the end of Jan 2010. We shall see. But while looking at photos, I found a few layouts that were created for Scrap N’Art a few issues ago and now I can share them here. Enjoy and hope you are having an awesome first day of 2010!

Credits: Polka Dots and Paisley, by Creations by Rachael and Wimpychompers Creations, available at Pretty Scrappy .

Credits: Hankey Pankey, by Stacey Crossley Designs and Teri’s Thing-O-My-Jigs, available at Pretty Scrappy.

Credits: Catch A Wave, by ScrapperGirl Designs, available at Pretty Scrappy.

Happy New Year everyone! I’m quite certain its going to be a good one!

During my blog reading tonight, I found a website called 6changes.com. The idea is that you choose 6 things to change in your life. You commit to each one for two months, 8 weeks, which is time to make it a habit. Then, and only then, do you move on to the next change. The site is interesting because he talks about breaking down the change into manageable steps, ie. you don’t leap in on day one. You take a step toward the change. So I’m thinking about things I would like to change and here’s where I’m headed.

1. Exercise more. Oh, who am I kidding? Exercise. Period.

2. Take better care of my skin.

3. Clean my own house. I know, you think I’m spoiled, but seriously? I’m ready to go back. I think.

4. Cook more meals at home.

5. Write in a journal on a regular basis.

6. Stop buying books. Not stop reading, just stop buying. Go to the library more often instead. You know, free?

So the key to this, apparently, is to choose one and start with baby steps. I don’t know if my husband is going to fully grasp how small a baby step is going to be so as much as the site says not to, I’m afraid that might get skipped for the exercise change, which is the first change. We’ve agreed to start walking. Wish me luck.