Holidays
Wishing You a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wishing you a truly amazing and safe Thanksgiving Holiday if you will be traveling to see family and friends! I am thankful for the many wonderful blessings in my life. This year we are thrilled to spend some time with our extended family over the Thanksgiving Holiday! It is not every year we are able to get together for Thanksgiving! We also get to celebrate with my youngest brother as he marries the love of his life this Thanksgiving weekend. So many reasons to be thankful!
I love this quote because even during the difficult times we can “be kind, be thoughtful, be genuine, but most of all be thankful”. What a great reminder not just for Thanksgiving Day, but for everyday of our lives!
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Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
There is so much to be thankful for in my life. These last couple of months have been challenging for me, but my family and friends have been a huge source of encouragement with their help and prayers. I continue to heal, but seem to be making progress slowly in the right direction which is great.
I was able to do more activities this week as well as celebrate another birthday. Praying that this new year is full of great fun! There are still items I was not able to complete on my ever growing list, but at least I am moving forward.
With this week being Thanksgiving it will be a little different for me. I will plan on spending more quality time with my family. It will be week of celebrating various events with my extended family, including Thanksgiving and my brother’s wedding, so I am very excited!
Last week’s goals
Family Goals
Read the book Wonder’s Promise by Joanna Campbell to read to the kidsPlan one special activity with the familyPrepare for Upcoming Fall EventsSpend time Monday – Friday helping the kids with HomeworkAttend After School ActivitiesLunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night beforePlay a Game with the Kids– we played Sorry together on my birthday- Start Organizing the Kids Scrapbook Items – other activities took priority this week
Dr. Appointments for Kids
Personal Goals
Drink 8 glasses of water each dayContinue my YouVersion plan(s)Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day – took me 2 days, but getting it done!
Weekly Dinner Menu planned out for the week- Do at least one “Make 1 & Freeze 1″ Meal Prep (make a main dish to eat that day and one to freeze for later) – we had appointments / activities during the days AND every night after school this week so I was not able to get it done this week
- Clean House (Focus – Bathrooms) – got started….
- Organize Chaos (Focus – Storage Room) – going to have to put this one on hold for a week
- Yard Cleanup (Focus – Pool taken down and put away) – it was a rainy weekend and needed my hubby’s help on this one
Pet Care (Focus – Refill Dog & Goat Food Bin)
Business Goals
Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts- Respond to Inquiry – Business Relation Emails – got some progress made, but need to do more soon
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention – it was a wild week with extra activities that took priority
- Work completed for clients – got a good bit done, but need to put in some more time
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch – didn’t have a free breakfast / lunch this week
- Prep for our Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child boxes – gathering items
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car – working on it
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt) – working on it
Pay Bills & File Paperwork- Earn some Creative Cash – working on it
Go grocery shopping one time to one store this week and stay within budget
My goals for the upcoming week
Family Goals
- Read the book Wonder’s First Race by Joanna Campbell to read to the kids (The kids have been really enjoying this series. It was Brina’s turn to pick out the book and she choose this one for me to read to them!)
- Plan one special activity with the family
- Prepare for Upcoming Fall Events
- Spend time Monday – Tuesday helping the kids with Homework
- Attend After School Activities
- Lunch Boxes & Book Bags packed the night before
- Play a Game with the Kids
- Watch a movie with the Kids
- Listen to an Audiobook with the Kids
- Thanksgiving Holiday – So Many Reasons to be Thankful
- Celebrating Josh & Megan’s Wedding & Activities
Personal Goals
- Drink 8 glasses of water each day
- Continue my YouVersion plan(s)
- Go to my Doctor Appointments Scheduled this week
Home (Yard & Pets) Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Clean House (Basic Speed Clean before the Holiday Activities)
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
Ministry Goals
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
Financial Goals
- Payoff the Car
- Payoff Outstanding Debt – (replacement microwave, refrigerator, hot water heater, and other debt)
- Pay Bills & File Paperwork
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results.
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Holiday Gift Giving: Give the Gift of Amazon Prime
Over the next few weeks I will share a variety of Gift Giving ideas for the upcoming Holidays. We have all had those people on the gift list that we try to find the perfect gift for, but it takes time and a little extra creative thinking. This gift is perfect for anyone (men, women, kids, college students, couples, and more) on your gift list! You can now give the gift of Amazon Prime Membership.
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The Amazon Prime Membership is perfect for any family and friends that enjoy online shopping. They will get FREE Shipping and many other perks with their membership. It is a great gift that could be used for as a Holiday, wedding, birthday, anniversary gifts, and more!
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Free Ebooks: Smart School Time Recipes, 9 Types of Copycat Girl Scout Cookies, Baking with Kids, Just Desserts, and more
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Happy Veterans Day – List of FREE Food, Drinks, and Meals for Active Military & Veterans
A picture we took at the Vietnam Memorial earlier this year! Thankful for those who have served our country!Happy Veterans Day! I am grateful for all the veterans who have and are currently serving our country! I have several family members who are veterans and I am sure you know of someone you could thank too. In honor of Veterans Day several restaurants have extended a very special “thank you” in the form of discount or free meal or food item(s).It is always a good idea to confirm with the specific restaurant prior to going. Also, many require that you show military ID so be prepared. Here is a list of some honoring Veteran’s today – November 11, 2014:
Applebee’s Free Meal (Lunch or Dinner) – On Tuesday, November 11, 2014 Applebee’s is offering veterans and active duty military members free signature Thank You Meal menu meal from open to close. The menu includes some of Applebee’s favorite items – 7 oz. House Sirloin, The American Standard All-In Burger, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Double Crunch Shrimp, Chicken Tenders Platter or Oriental Chicken Salad. To receive the free meal you must present valid Veteran’s form of identification or be in uniform.
Carrabba’s Free Appetizer – Free appetizer of your choice for all active duty service members and veterans at participating locations November 8th through November 11th, 2014.Chick-fil-A Free Meal – Free meal to all veterans and those currently serving on November 11, 2014 at participating stores. Military ID required.Chili’s Free Meal (Lunch or Dinner) – All veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. They have a choice of one of 7 meals during the dinner hour, or any lunch combo during lunch. Dine-in only and from limited menu; beverages and gratuity not included. Must show proof of military service.
Chuck E. Cheese’s 20 Free Tokens – 20 Free tokens for all active military or veterans that visit participating locations from Sunday, November 9 through Saturday, November 15. Military ID or proof of service is required
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Free Dessert – Veterans and active military receive a free complimentary Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake dessert at participating stores on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Must show valid military ID.Denny’s All You Can Eat Pancakes – Free all you can eat pancakes for active military and veterans at participating stores on November 11, 2014 from 5:00 AM to Noon. Must show valid military ID.Fatz Cafe Free Entree – All veterans and active military will receive a free $12.99 entree credit on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating stores. Must show valid military ID.
Golden Corral Free Buffet & Drink – All active military or veterans will recieve a free buffet and beverage on Monday, November 17, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM (please note the date). All Golden Corral locations will be participating. Must show valid military ID.
IHOP Free Meal – All active military and veterans will received a free Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. At some locations, the Red, White and Blue pancakes will be featured as part of a free combo plate including eggs, bacon and hashed browns. Must show valid military ID.
Krispy Kreme Free Doughnut & Coffee – Free doughnut and small coffee to any active military or veteran on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. No ID required.
Longhorn Steakhouse Free Appetizer & Beverage – Active military and veterans receive a free complimentary Texas Tonion appetizer and non-alcohol beverage on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Olive Garden Free Meal – All active military and veterans will receive a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Outback Steakhouse Free Bloomin’ Onion® & Beverage – All active and retired military as well as veterans get a Free Bloomin’ Onion® and a beverage on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must have valid ID. Plus, all military personnel get 15% off from November 12 through December 31, 2014.
Red Lobster Free Appetizer – All active military or veterans receive a free complimentary appetizer from a special menu starting Monday, November 10 to Thursday, November 13, 2014 at participating locations. t receive a complimentary appetizer from a special menu. Must show valid military ID.
Ruby Tuesday Free Appetizer – All active military and veterans receive a free appetizer on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
Starbucks Free Coffee (includes spouses) – All veterans, active duty military and their spouses get a free tall 12oz brewed coffee at participating stores.
Texas Roadhouse Free Lunch (includes Sides & Beverge) – All active military and veterans can choose from one of 10 free lunch meals which include sides and a beverage on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Must show valid military ID.
TGI Fridays Free Lunch – Veterans and active duty military service members will receive a free lunch (11:00 AM to 2:00 PM) from a special menu on Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at participating locations. Valid on dine-in meals only. Must show valid military ID.
A great reminder! This quote is on a plague at one of our favorite parks in Charleston!
A big thanks to Military Benefits and The Military Wallet for their help in collecting this information for our service men and women! For a more comprehensive list of 2014 Veterans Day Free Meals, Discounts, Sales, Promotions, Deals, and More visit their websites. Both websites are great resources! Thanks for Serving! Hope you are able to get out and enjoy some delicious food today!
Iwo Jima Marine Corps Memorial that we saw in Washington DC earlier this year. We have several family members that have served and are currently serving in various branches of the military. We are thankful for each person who serves our country!Holiday Gift Giving: Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates
If you a looking for a wonderful and delicious gift to give this Holiday Season check out Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolates! Everyone loves a sweet treat! It is the perfect gift and will help you check one more name off your list!
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There was a time when Marie Cavanaugh spent hours in her South Dakota farmhouse each Christmas season making pecan rolls and homemade chocolates for holiday gifting. “It started when my aunt sent her pecan-rolls recipe,” Mrs. Cavanaugh recalled. “I gave the recipe my own touch and started making the yummy specialties. Then I began dipping chocolates. Our friends and neighbors loved these treats, encouraging me to start a candy business. Finally, I decided it might be a good idea.'”
Her husband George and children Carla, Lorraine, Calvin, Colene and Genise rallied, helping Mrs. Cavanaugh fill demands for her homemade sweets. In 1972, the family moved to Utah, leaving good friends and their beloved cattle ranch. “It was a difficult decision, especially for George,” Mrs. Cavanaugh said. “He was excited about making our new venture, which we chose to call Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Candies, a great success. We felt Utah was blessed with good chocolates and that we would enjoy – and could compete with – those who pride themselves on making excellent chocolates.”
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