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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

random thoughts from my couch

it's been snowing here... again. this is a big deal here, you see we normally get snow like once a year. but so far this winter we have gotten snow three times I think. anyhow, tonights snow is quite alot and it really made the roads slick. people were slip sliding all over the place.

mr.pate is working at the ol starbucks right now. i am doubting many people are heading out to get their favorite white cup of warmth, so he is probably bored.

i am on my couch with a large dog that keeps trying to play with a cat that just aint havin it. lots of meow-yelling going on over here. just finished watching biggest loser, which i have just had a hard time getting into this season.

anyhow here is the deal- i am liking this snow. i thought i would hate it and be sick of it, but its pretty. and i have decided if it is going to be cold anyhow, why not be white and pretty too?? i really like how it is bright at night when there is snow. it makes me feel like time is standing still and nothing bad can happen.

that is all... back to hgtv now. do you like snow??

27

27: Favorite books from my childhood

Monday, February 8, 2010

Why I love this Week!

  • I am starting the week with a super clean and organized house, that always makes me feel refreshed!
  • It's the first full week of the 5 o'clock club for me and really I am starting to look forward to it everyday!
  • It is looking like its going to be another girls week for me- On Thursday I am hanging out with Mya after what has seemed like an eternity, and on Saturday my girls are coming to bg (our last reunion got cancelled due to the snow)!! Yay!
  • We totally ordered a DSLR camera and there is a slight possibility that we may get it this week... slight possibility!! I am so so excited! I have wanted one of these for what feels like forever. More on this purchase later. We rolled tons of change on Saturday to put towards this purchase, yep we rolled change. Thats how we roll around here...
  • Just life, I am just excited for the normal schedule of life: youth, work, time with the hubby, fav shows, dgroup, etc.
Anything great happening this week in your next of the woods??

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Menu Plan Monday 2/8-2/14


Well the house has been cleaned twice this weekend (we had a super bowl party, so one can imagine a need for a second cleaning), the lunches have been packed, and it is time to get back to the weekly grind. Is it just me or do these weekends just fly by?? I am declaring this week leftovers week at the Pate for several reasons: 1. We have lots of yummy leftovers 2. We have a couple of nights were we wont be home or only one of us will be 3. Its my plan and I can do as I wish... There you have it folks.

Oh and I just need to tell you guys that I made the Lava cake all on my own Saturday night and I am absolutely in love! Mr.Pate thought it was wonderful, and guys it was sooo easy to make!! Try it!! Seriously!

  • Monday: Ranch Burgers (except we are just putting a slice of cheese on top, we decided you cant taste the shredded mixed in), green beans and chips

  • Tuesday: Leftovers

  • Wednesday: Dustin's

  • Thursday: Leftovers


  • Saturday: Steaks, Baked Potatoes, and broccoli

  • Sunday: I think I will make mr.pate take me out... It is Valentine's day after all! hehe

Options for Leftovers: Chicken Cordon Bleu, Pizza, Coca Cola Pork, One Dish Chicken Bake,

What are you having?? Head to Org. Junkie for more ideas!


The grass is greener...

Ok people, throughout January I read all of Mandi's "31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010", surprising I would read something titled that huh? Anyhow, I would love for you to read all of them, but I want to talk about her very last one today.

Go read about Enjoying Life to the Fullest now please... seriously... this post will make more sense if you do... pretty please... with sugar on top??

I think we all should identify with this. We all struggle with being content. All. of. us. I think its the very root of sin. Eve was afraid she was missing out, she was afraid of simply being content with what she had. And we make the same choices everyday. If we aren't careful, we will assume that only the people in the stage of life we want to be in are content (i.e. if you are single you may assume that married chicks are obviously content with their perfect lives, etc), but the truth is we are all discontent on some level. And we should be. We were made for somewhere else! This is not our home... we are stuck in a sin cycle... that should cause us to be discontent.

But we cant just be ok with that. We need to strive to be like our Savior. And he was not discontent. We need to make a conscious effort in this area, especially women because I think on average we are sooo bad at this. We spend way too much time wishing we had it made like so-and-so (me being the worst of these).

I love the beginning of Mandi's article when she quotes the Calm my anxious heart book:
:: Never allow yourself to compain about anything — not even the weather.
:: Never picture yourself in any other circumstance or someplace else.
:: Never compare your lot with another’s.
:: Never allow yourself to wish this or that had been otherwise.
:: Never dwell on tomorrow — remember that tomorrow is God’s, not ours.

So this is what I am going to try to do today, and tomorrow and the next day- obey this list. Really it is scripture, just rephrased. I challenge each of you to do this as well... I am going to check back in next week and tell you how great or horrid I did, maybe you'll join me? Try to see how many times you catch yourself complaining about the basic things in life. How often did you begin to picture yourself in a different circumstance?? Goodluck my friends!