I was so happy when I pulled onto our street tonight.  Josh was over.   I was so happy I cried in the van.  I pulled myself together and came into see him.   He wasn't gonna stay for supper as he needed to do laundry as he didn't get it done on his day off. 

I love seeing him, but it is so hard.  When I see him it makes me realize how much I miss him.  And then he leaves again to go home.  The leaving is the hardest for me.  I tried so hard to not cry in front of him as I don't want to make him feel bad, but I really miss him so much.   It is like he is a part of me.  It has always been Jenny and Josh.   Then I got married and then we were a family and along came Tommy as well.  But there are times I am so happy to just sneak off to the store with just Josh and have a small taste of old times.....Jenny and Josh.

I am finding I am having a hard time imagining my life without children living in my home to take care of.  That is who I am and what I do.  I take care of kids at home and work.  I know these are all good thing.  My son is a mature young man who I am very proud of.  He just got a promotion at work and he is really valued there for his intelligence and work ethic.  He has moved up to an ITS2 an equal position to my husband.  He totally skipped being an ITS1.   Josh will be the Share Point Adminstrator.  He will be running the share point server at the college. 

I do know that the time will come that I will have grandchildren and they will be the loves of my lives......just like my sons.  I am sure I will drive my sons NUTS!!    I am off to bed to read.....

Good Night!!!   Go hug your children and be thankful for needing to go pick up their socks and junk, soon enough that stuff won't be there to annoy you any longer.   I always called Josh leaving his junk all over the house, "Josh Droppings" and believe it or not I miss them.

Jen C 

The Coyan Family Menu: September 8^th – Sept. 14^th

 Monday

LEFTOVERS

Tuesday

Frozen Pizzas x 2

Wednesday

Salisbury Steak and Gravy (9/28) and Green Beans

Thursday

NO MEAT - Stuffed Shells http://www.menus4moms.com/kitchen/weeklymenu/2008/080707.php

Friday

Chicken- Bacon Sandwiches (8/19) - Chips and Dip.

Saturday

Pork Loin - Plain - Honey Roasted Pork Loin http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/01/honey-roasted-pork-loin.html

Sunday Baby Back Ribs - Macaroni Salad - Vegetable

Macaroni Salad -(no real recipe - I just throw it together)

2 cups Elbow Macaroni, cooked
Thawed Peas to your liking
1/2 cup or so Cheddar Cheese Cubed
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup mayo (approximately)

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl.  Stir in enough mayo to coat.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Menu planning will save you money and time.  Stop by Organizing Junkie and get ides from over 200 other menu planners!

I can't believe it is Monday.  Our weekend was so busy that it was over and I hadn't done a single declutter project or did laundry.  ARGH!!!

Friday I worked.  I came home and made Meat Ball Subs and relaxed for the evening.   We were in bed early as we were all tired after our first week of school.  

SATURDAY

 Everyone was up early, but me.  I didn't get out of bed until after 8:00.  I need to work again with getting up earlier, especially during the school week.   I would like to get more chores done in the morning as I don't have time in the evening with school things etc. 

Tommy had a soccer game at 10:30.   He even scored one goal.  He was so excited.   We had to be there early as hubby was subbing in a coach as Coach Steve wasn't able to come.  After the game we went to Cub to buy a few groceries and get stuff to make a dish to pass at the school picnic.

We came home and made lunch and our dish to pass.   We then all laid down and Hubby and I fell asleep.  OOOPS....we wont up at a bit after 3:00.  We were suppose to be at the picnic at 3:00.   So we got everything together and then went to the Hanson's farm in Hugo for the all school picnic.   It was alot of fun.  The boys went on a hayride and we enjoyed visiting with other parents for the afternoon.

We left the picnic around 7:00 and headed to Fleet Farm.   We needed to buy a dog clipper.  I tried to groom Teddy to save a bit of money, but the clippers I had didn't work well enough.  We bought some as I don't plan on paying to have him groomed very often anymore.  It is too expensive.  Once home it was time for bed.  

SUNDAY

We made our way back to church.  we have been terrible about attending church all summer.  It felt so good to be back at church and see our church family.   We signed Tommy up for Sunday school and attended service.  We came home and changed clothes and returned to church for the Rally Day celebration.   We ate lunch at church and then visited and played for a bit.  Our neighbors were there with their son and granddaughter so we spent some time with them.

After Rally Day, Josh came over and we went to IKEA.  We bought 5 bookcases to go in the office/guest room.   I am hoping to have all books in that room instead of in different places in the house.   Josh and Amy went with to IKEA.   After shopping we decided to go to Raising Cane in Apple Valley.  A Favorite place to eat.  

After eating we came back home and I started on Laundry and paid bills.   My allergies are just terrible, which is making me miserable.   My eyes itch so very much. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!!!   

Jen C

Windy820 -  I have tried to go to your site and the page doesn't load.  I wanted to stop by and see your before and after pictures.   When I go all I get is top pink box, but there is no content to read at all.  Thought I would let you know.  Maybe it will work for others...but I can't get it to load. 

Jen C 

I just stumbled across the following post that has MANY reading/book blogs to check out!    I could spend a day surfing through these and probably will !!!

This is the post from My Friend Amy's Blog.   Check it out as she lists all the finalists of the Book Blogger Appreciation Week!  

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/2008/09/bbaw-awards-finalists.html

I decided that it would be better for me to simply do 30 decluttering projects than to try to do one each day.   Some days I am just too busy and will not be able to do a project...even a small one.  And some days like on the weekends, I can do more than one project!!!   Either way if I stay at it and do 30 projects it will make a difference in our home!!

Tonight I decided to straighten out our linen closet.   Mainly the bottom two shelves.   I wanted to stock up on some winter things like cough medicine, but didn't know how much I had.   I thought I had alot of bandaides, but it seems I have 4 empty boxes in there.   I really wish my children would throw away a box when the take the last item.  It makes me think I have alot of something and find out all the boxes are empty!!!!!! 

BEFORE:  This is called strategic stuffing.   Just shove things where ever they might fit.  

AFTER:   Like items are once again together.  First Aid container has all the bandaides and ouchie supplies, cold medicines all together, etc. 

WEIRD/EMBARASSING or ANNOYING THINGS:

1.  Four tubes of cortisone cream all opened.   I usually keep my extra supplies that I buy on sale or what have you in the linen closet.  Frequently people in our house just grab whatever and never looks if there is one open already.  Drives me nuts!  So annoying...... 

2.  White Curling Ribbon - I have no idea why or how this got in the linen closet.  Someone must have been too LAZY BUSY and didn't put it where it belonged!! Probably ME!!

3.  Red Heart Tag - Rabies tag for one of our four pets.  I have no idea which one.  If they bite someone we can call our lovely vets at banfield!  They keep track of those type of things.

4.  White Little Round things -  I have no idea what these are!!!   They look like mouth fresheners but I am not sure if they are for humans or pets.  I was tempted to try them.....but I don't need fresh breath that badly!!

 Really I am not kidding you when I say, if there is a flat surface, in our house it will have a pile on it.  ARGH!!!  I only had a moment to declutter last night so it was something little.  The top of our microwave.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

WEIRD OR EMBARASSING THINGS:

#1 - piece of garbage - yep, we are too lazy busy in our house to throw the garbage in the can right next to the microwave!!! 

#2 - coupon - why you ask is a coupon embarrassing.....well.....it expired in 2006.  So how long do *you think it has been on top of the microwave. 

This took me about 15 minutes including the quick little post.   I will have to do another challenge tonight!!   Later off to wash dishes and go to work!

Jen C

I have to say I am so happy that the Republican convention is coming to an end.   I live and work in the St Paul area.   I have to drive from our home north of St Paul to my office in West St Paul each day.   I have to go through/around the downtown St Paul area to get to work.   Needless to say it has been interesting.  

This evening I was coming home later in the afternoon and was traveling along 94 coming back into town from being at Willmar.   As I am coming into the cities every overpass that goes over 94 was closed off by squad cars.  Strange...I think, but there have been a HUGE increase in police and secret service coverage.   I go under three over passes and on the 4th, there is a person dressed in full black garb resembling a (Burqa) of sorts.   The person is climbing the fence on the overpass and pacing and carrying on.   I say a little pray and drive under hoping nothing will be dropped on my vehicle or God forbid the person jump.   The next overpass is filled with police officers.

I am now getting closer to downtown St Paul (thinking why didn't I take 694 around the North to get home!!).   I am driving along and my heart is back to beating normal.  WHEW....I am in fairly heavy traffic and all of a sudden all the cars in front, behind and beside me ALL turn on their flashing lights.   I am in the midst of about 6 to 7 unmarked vehicles.   My heart is racing again....they all raced by me and my took a deep breath.  

Yep, I am ready for everyone to go home.  This little social worker still needs to be out driving in the area serving the people she works for.  

Of course I get home and hubby tells me about the big protest that was going on by the capital and that the police were trying to hold the protestor back from crossing 94.  OH, I guess my timing was great I think I was driving right under all the action!   No wonder...................................

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=523952&catid=2

http://www.kare11.com/news/elections/protests/default.aspx

Good Night Everyone......

I have been decluttering a bit around the house as you know.   I was surfing around a bit today and stumbled across a new blog called "Saving with the Modest Momma".   She just started a Declutter Challenge!  I thought it looked like fun and I would give it a whirl.   Care to join me?????

Today I chose to declutter my dresser in my bedroom.  I know if I could always follow the rule of putting things where they belong, I would not have the projects to always do.  But I am just to LAZY Busy to do that!!  Anyways, what would I blog about then????

Ready for a little Photo Show and Tell???

BEFORE:

  Yes, it looks like a dumping ground.  I have no one to blame but myself.  So I guess I am the one to clean it up.   My bedroom always seems to be the dumping ground for many things.   It is one of the only locking rooms in our house.  So if anything needs to be kept away from a child in the house, it goes in our room.  ARGH!!   Gotta change that!

When I declutter I like to take everything off and sort it.   A pile of things that should go to the bathroom, garbage, etc.  Then I only put back what really should be on the dresser. 

A few of the things that should not have been on my dresser.   The top of the picture:  A number of doggy poo pick up bags, sewing supplies, pens, sunblock, medication and painting supplies.  

These items have all found there way back to their proper places. 

END RESULT!!!  

Total Time Spent:  About 30 minutes. 

  WEIRDEST THING FOUND ON MY DRESSER: 

A Missing Hand of an action figure. 

Join me in decluttering our homes now that the children are back in school.   Just put a link to your Declutter Challenge in the comments.   I look forward to seeing what we all accomplish!  Make sure you share the weirdest thing you found in the wrong place!

Jen C

I am starting to feel a bit more ready for school to start.   I am a very visual person so I have to organize visually.   Two things that have worked very well for me are to use the side of our fridge as calendar central and the living room closet door as our Tommy's reminders!! 

 This was the closet door over the summer.   We used it as a gallery of all Tommy's projects from Busy Bee's.   Once we have had his art displayed for a while and have taken a picture, he is ok with me throwing it away.    Really....I can't keep everything!

This is the closet door ready for the first day of school.   We are still featuring two wonderful summer projects.    Also on the door is the school calendar for September. 

I started putting things on this door last year half way through the year and it really helped.   Last year I put up Tommy's weekly memory verse on the door and we would stop and recite it everytime we went by.  That worked really well when I remembered to tape up the verse. 

This year I made a copy of the classroom calendar.  It lists the bible verse for every week of the month as well as the days he has chapel, library and phy Ed.   I have to admit last year I forgot to send his offering for chapel with him many weeks. 

Now each morning Tommy and I will look at the calendar before leaving the house and make sure we have everything he needs!!  We also recite his weekly bible verse when we go down the hall to the bathroom or our bedrooms.   Now that I see it, it is a constant reminder to practice his verse with him.  

The last very important place for information in our house is the side of the fridge.    Everyone in the family knows to look here to see what is going on.  Erik always likes to know what is going on so he frequently is looking at the calendar or reading the menu.   

I don't have a place for a real launch pad for our day, but this sure helps keep us organized.    I buy the same calendar each year.  I love it!!   It has big squares to write in.   You can buy is at flylady.net.  I have been buying this calendar for at least the last 5 years.  

The pink laminated sheet on the upper left side of the fridge is important/frequently called numbers.   It has all the contact numbers for my hubby and I so Erik can always find the number he needs.   There are also a couple of magnets with numbers we frequently need above the pink sheet.  

We have a magnetic pen/pencil cup on the side of the fridge so you can always find a pen when you need to jot down a note, etc.   In between the pink sheet and calendar is the print out of our weekly menu.  I have been thinking of putting it on a magnetic white board, but paper seems to work the best.  I love the magnetic clips to hang papers from my fridge.   I always get a bunch of them when I go to conferences.   I usually have three weeks of menus clipped together on the fridge at a time.  As my mom found out when I came to stay with her, I really need to have a menu to feel less anxious.   I made her make on for the time I was there.  

Lastly we have magentic key hooks.  This is a MUST!!!   I also hang my work ID on there everyday when I get home from work.   I never (hardly) ever forget it anymore.  I grab my car keys and put my ID on and head to work.   

**Note to self:   Clean off the top of the fridge!!  It looks very messy.  I am pretty short so I hardly ever see up there.  Well until I take a picture from standing on the bench that is!!***

I hope this gave you some ideas on how to help yourself to become more organized this year!!!    It is always a challenge, but one I am always working on. 

This is what Works for Me!!!

Jen C