The Weekly Chase #14

So much to talk about today that I might have to break it up over a couple of posts! I love days like this!  First and foremost I have my goals to talk about and then you will hear about my “Married To The Army Alaska” recap – so many words for that show – especially since this is based from JBER – where I am right now.  I also have words about Christmas and buying local and making gifts this year.  So many good things going on! I am finally starting to get in a bit of the holiday spirit so I don’t want to waste it! I want to share it!!

 

Last Week Recap:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school – Check!

Practice memory verses with kids every night – nada…

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls – Check!

Write Nick a love note – nope – but will this week for sure!

Take kids to play once a week  *This one is already scheduled for Saturday and Sunday as we are going to a birthday party on both days!  We also went bowling in addition to this!

Personal Goals:

Start reading the books I picked out – started and stopped – I didn’t pick a good book sadly.

Schedule exercise for 3 days – nope.

Drink More Water – not exactly – I ende dup drinking iced tea that was watered down about 50% so I could have something that I liked to drink too 🙂

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week – no – but this week proves promising!

1 Load of laundry everyday – yes except for this weekend 🙂

This Week:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals:

Read to Abby her Bible every night for school

Read 1 storybook/chapters from a book each night to the girls

Write Nick a love note ***Our 8 year anniversary is tomorrow!***

Take kids to play once a week 

Personal Goals:

Find a new book or two to read

Schedule exercise for 3 days

Drink More Water

Homemaking Goals:

Make 1 new recipe this week **I got two planned for Thanksgiving!**

1 Load of laundry everyday

Get house cleaned BEFORE Thursday

This week’s details – this week should be a fun one. We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house and have invited friends, and those who have nowhere to go – mostly single soldiers in that respect. No one should spend the holidays alone as I see it. Each year on the holidays we try to have  people over, our own little band of misfits you could say. It is just too dang expensive to get anywhere from Alaska so we will all do what we can.  I love the fact that each year it is new and interesting and I am hoping to capture more pictures and fun than ever before. We will do it all over again at Christmas so I am going hunting for present deals so they all can have something under our tree. The military is family and I intend to keep it that way.

Tomorrow  Abby has a field trip to base to the play place that is so well-loved by kids. It is our beloved Arctic Oasis. I know that the girls and I loved it when we first moved here as I knew how to get there and it got us out of the house and was free. We found it to be a nice break from our house.

Married To The Army Alaska – No words for this show really. I think it is showing us in a bad light (not all of us but people will assume it is us all). I could care less if you met your husband at Hooters. It isn’t what is in your past – lets face it.  Divorcing an enlisted to marry an officer – yeah, people won’t like her, but it is mainly because of her attitude – not the rank she is wearing but says she is not.  The Brigade Commander’s wife seems like she has her head on her shoulders as she should – I am interested to see how they portray her when she has to deal with the loss of the first soldier. I think Rynn is going to be my favorite and Sara getting upper enlisted house is a joke. I had a friend who was on that same wait list but had 40 people in front of her. It is a wonder what cameras can do for you.  The pregnant one basically left the show after they got mad at her for having to take care of her newborn instead of doing some taping – good for her for having priorities. Shame on Oprah’s network for getting mad.  Tonight will probably be the last night I watch it because my husband might be able to be seen – he had to pull medical coverage for GI Jane Day and was so angry when he came home that day. So much re-taping and so on.  Also I might add that the only other reason I am watching it is because we got the channel for free for a month because it was filmed in Alaska.  Gee thanks.

So much for that. My Monday started with a bang – how about yours???

Talkative Tuesday

This is my excuse to pusblish a list like post – and for those you that know me – you know I love a good list!

I did not get in my Yoga last night as I forgot I had class from 7:30-9:20 last night and it is on chat. It was more interactive than my last class to I couldn’t even attempt to do it while in class.

I only slept 7 hours last night – which is not typical for the pregnant chick right now. However, I feel like I have more energy today than I normally do!

I have been getting the girls up at the same time for about a week and a half now and it seems to be getting easier! I also think that starting them off with eating first thing has been better than trying to get them dressed, brushing their teeth and such first.

I am OCD still and have a timer set for 15 minute increments that they girls have to get certain tasks done in. I think it is working though and it helps me!

My Abnormal Psych class started last night and I really enjoyed it – I keep thinking with each class I am in the right field of study – now to get studying for the MAT test I need to take to get the last of my graduate paperwork in line.

I already have a Bachelors and was halfway through my Masters for Business – and then decided it wasn’t what I wanted.  I want something that I can take with me and as much as I love fitness – I don’t want my hobby to become too much of a business.

My energy is gaining folks so watch out. I got all my household chores done yesterday that I have been slacking on and I think that it is a sign that I put make-up on today. Usually I don’t have that much energy 🙂

Work has been steady busy which makes for nice days that don’t drag too much. Only when I think it is Wednesday and it is only Tuesday does it feel that way – ahem, today. I just then ponder my workload and forget about it!

I have a couple new ideas for myself for this blog – and I hope you notice them and love them!

I am working on the move to self-hosted and I think it is scarey, but also fun! Who else out there is doing it?

I am working on erading a couple new books – who else out there has a good read for me?

Time to buckle down folks – business calls and Zumba is tonight! Yeah!!!

 

5 Things I Would Like To Start A Group About

#1 – Happiness Project – Seriously one of the best books about becoming happier and finding ways to smile again! You should definitely read it!  I would like to start a group of like-minded people who meet up once a month (virtually, or what not) to think of things they really want to do that month. If it works out great, if not no big deal – maybe in the process they discovered something else they want to try!  Some of the ones from the book were – make time for exercise, sing in the morning, be nice, meet 3 people….  I think we all have things we want to do again or for the first time…why not get some girls together – it would be great encouragement!

#2 – Operation Beautiful – I am loving the concept of this. Caitlyn did awesome when she did this. I have already decided to devote my Sunday blog to her…so why keep going? It isn’t hard – just help people end the dreaded “Fat Talk” in any way you know how.  This group would not have any requirements except that you participate. How fun is that? We would just talk about ideas of what we are doing maybe via a Facebook group or something. But no mar commitment and sending the pictures of the end result to Caitlyn to post on her blog.

#3 – Round Robin Book Club – 6 or 12 people are needed – everyone starts out with a new book to read – then each month it gets passed on to the next person. Fun, right? I know!

#4 – Accountability Group – People who need to get more on track with their reading of the Word and maybe a Bible Study in there. I had talked about this on Monday in my Weekly Chase post – but I am serious…I think this is a great thing and I am glad I have three people who are wanting to join in! No judgement – just encouragement!

#5 – Scentsy Month Club – yes I am a dork….but this is something I love. I love Scentsy! I am a person who is signed up to sell it, but I just don’t do it like that. I buy for gifts and myself. Yeah I am selfish! Every once in a while I get in to a sale – but not often.  SO – what I am curious of – does anyone what to join a club? Each month you would purchase a minimum of product…then once a month you would be “hostess” and can get the hostess benefits! So say you get 5 people – the club would run 5 months and you would have to spend $30 each month. 6 people is 6 months and $25 dollars. Best way to stock up on scents and then buy a warmer with your benefits! I am also thinking of giving the profit to charity….what do you think?  https://missmollydr.scentsy.us see what you think!

Sooooo – if you are interested – or have more ideas – let me know!

The Weekly Chase – Week #5

 

Wow – this past week was not a good one for goals – what has gotten into me????

#1 – Operation Beautiful – read the book and did a post yesterday and that is as far as it got last week.

#2 – Plank-A-Day – didn’t happen once – I am so sad…

# 3 – Read girls a bed-time story – this was an epic failure – but my kids did enjoy our last softball game of the season, they were served cake and fun time with Daddy on Thursday and a wedding reception Friday plus more over the weekend. Attention was kind to them.

#4 – Team Beach Body – did some major research and such – This next month is going to be busy of becoming being a product of the product!!

#5 – Vitamins – yeah…lets not talk about it because I didn’t think about it.

SO – on to bigger and better!!!

This isn’t really a goal – but it has been a challenge for Vlogging everyday please check out my YouTube Channel – MissMollyDR as I have some funny stuff for ya and is really making me happy!

#1 – Plank-A-Day – You are not going to escape me….I promise after doing nothing last week – I will meet you at 3 minutes this week.

#2 – Story Time – I bought two cute books to read to them that I got at the Target $1 Spot! The Little Princess and The Secret Garden – I might be more excited than them!

#3 – Marketing Me – I am really working hard on who I am and working my outlets. I have seen a traffic increase this past week and can’t wait to keep it up! I hope you all know I have to you thank for this!

#4 – Mamavation  Bootcamp – I want to get into this so bad it hurts…..can you all help me out some? Please do the following and thank you to those that already have!!

Can you please get out your Twitter profiles and tweet the following phrase to get me into Momavation Bootcamp please? I would to have it happen as much and as often as you can!! – please copy and paste to Twitter or to their Facebook page!!

Hey @bookieboo! I want @MissMollyDR to be the next #Mamavation Mom. She has my support! http://bit.ly/aorv3Y

 

#5 – Accountability Partners – I am getting more and more accountable to myself with reading of Bible Studies and the Bible and I would love to have you join me! I am looking for people who want to be involved in a daily text, email, or tweet to help them remember! If you are interested – please email me with how you want to participate!

mollyritterbeck at gmail.com

 

#6 – Team Beach Body – I am going to become a product of the product by finding which one I want to start with and ordering it, get really comfortable with the websites, and complete week #1 homework. I got this!!

 

This week will be better and I will make sure of it!

 

5 Things I Want To Change

Another awesome list like thing I call 5 Things where I list 5 things about a certain topic! I would love for you to link up at well by blogging your 5 things and then commenting with your link!

This week I am doing 5 Things I Want To Change – and trust me – it was not easy to narrow down to just 5. Sometimes I am an over achiever and can’t just take it slow, then I overwhelm myself….I am working on it – I promise!

#1 – What I do to get a paycheck.  @KellyOlexa and @YourInnerSkinny have taken the leap and left their jobs for what they love. They are making their dreams work for them. I want to join them. My goal is to narrow down exactly what it is that I want to do and make it happen by the beginning of 2013 so that by next summer I can make it happen. I figure this should not be a hasty decision, that is why I am giving myself time.

#2 – How I keep in touch with people. I don’t feel like I do a good enough job anymore. We are all busy people – I get that. I just never want to say – I will call them tomorrow and God forbid something happen today. Whether I start making Skype and FaceTime dates, phone call appointments, keep cards with me at all times to write letters, send photo cards – whatever – I just need to get it going.

#3 – My need to spend money. I like to shop. I do and it is for no real reason! I just know that if I want to be able to make my #1 happen – I need to stop this and focus my energies to working hard and not spending hard. I would really like to have some savings started!

#4 – My social media reach. Sounds kind of self-centered. I know. I just want to really show that I can be influential in the things that I am passionate about. I have already started to do some things differently this month and I want to just be able to keep it going and tweak it as necessary.

#5 – How we eat in our house. We have to re-think food. We used to eat so much better in North Carolina. Fresh fruit and veggies, and affordable priced items were everywhere. Up here it is so expensive and it has hindered our ability to focus our healthy eating habits. I want to make sure that we cut in other places (#3) so that we can make this a priority. Getting everyone else on board will be a little hard – but I think I can do it!

What are 5 things you want to change?

Thankful Thursday #9

Thankful for my FitFluential family that is so supportive and there to help out at any time to answer a question.

Thankful for the motivation for reaching my goals from friends I know and those I have never met.

Thankful for the power to go on when the weather outside is saying no, because I have to blog about it!

Thankful for the chance to review and show off new brands and ones that I love!

Thankful that I know that no matter what I try today, I will be better at tomorrow.

Thankful for the chance.

Thankful that I believe in myself enough that in a moment of doubt I can tel myself “I CAN DO THIS” and believe it.

Thankful for the people who have been placed in my life.

Thankful for a body that is still ticking after eight and a half years of abuse as a gymnast.

Thankful that I still continue to show that I am strong and I make the rules.

Thankful.

 

Thankful Thursday #5

After having a moment of clarity with how I want my life to be (my negativity post HERE ) I have realized how important it is to have my Thankful Thursday posts!  Research shows that saying “thank you” for the good stuff in life makes for a happier, healthier you. And it makes those around you feel pretty darn good, too. I found a cool website Thankfulfor that is a cool thing and another place I can go to clear my head when I need to re-group.

Take a look!

It made me realize some little things that I am thankful for.

Seeing my girls wake-up each morning and smile at me.

Kissing Nick goodbye every morning so he knows I love him.

Going to a job I like.

Seeing the daylight hours get longer!

Talking with friends almost everyday even though we are miles apart.

Hearing how happy my sister finally is.

Finding new things that spark my interest.

Doing random acts of kindness.

For a couple of quiet hours in a day.

Celebrating birthdays!

Cupcakes.

Gods Grace.

My husband remembering the little things I mention.

What about you? What are the simple things that you are grateful for that you may have overlooked?

 

Proverbs 31 Woman – Virtue #5

5. Service – A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

This one has always been a challenge as well. I struggle with wanting to do so much that I really dont’ get much accomplished.

Moving to Alaska kind of opened my eyes to time management as we thought some events were going to occur leaving me with the girls alone for a while.  I decided to schedule, schedule, schedule. Mary heart in a Martha world can come into play with this one as well – agree?

It worked!  I first and foremost hold me family first. So the laundry is done nightly (unless there is none, which never happens), dishes done in the morning along with folding the laundry that was in the dryer from the night before. I power clean on Saturday mornings so I don’t hate it as much.

I scheduled some me time during the work week to help me keep a clear mind while attending to my family. That has helped me too. Nick can babysit the girls so I can get out – it is okay, I just have to ask to receive!

My friends. They are so dear to me even though it seems like the number is smaller than I originally thought – and that is okay. I would rather have a few I can count on than 100 I can’t. I keep in contact and drop lines of love when I can on their phone via text or voicemail, or even Facebook.  I just want them to always know I think of them. They are on my prayer list at all times as well so no need goes un-requested.

Neighbors. Hmmmmmm…..interesting. People don’t talk to their neighbors up here – or at least not in my area. I am thinking this spring or summer I will have to change this.  It is too cold to visit right now! I think I will invite them over for a fun evening dinner outside, or maybe just leave them a plate of cookies, or something. I think I should try no matter what.

Managing Monday #3

I am back to my planner! I was so happy to get mine on sale for $2.50 this year! It is plain but it works! I literally have everything in it. No joke.  On Saturday or Sunday of each week I review the upcoming two weeks worth of things that are going to happen. I then plan when I need to have items done so that I am completely ready beforehand for it.  I write it all down – I mean everything no matter how big or small. I can’t rely on my brain to remember anymore after having kids – I swear it went out the window!  I give the girls a bath every other day and I have that in my planner so I can remember to plan for it that evening.

I have also started to use my phone for reminders as well. I always have it with me so why not? It is a smart phone, so it should start being smart!  I can use it to start lists or input quick reminders. Those on-the-go “ah-ha” moments don’t get lost that way!  I also like to use this tool on the weekends when I review my schedule and then I can write those things that have been captured all week into the planner with the rest of the items.  That way I don’t have to look to more than one thing each time I check what I am supposed to be doing.

This allows for me to start my week of right on Monday morning by already knowing what I am supposed to be doing. That way there is no surprises to ruin the day.

My other saving grace (I hope) starting this week is meal prep and menu planning. I stress over meals – especially the Monday night meal. I want a good meal my first day back to work for the week. I don’t get home till around 6 with my new job and I usually like to feed my kids no later than 6:30 pm.  Nick gets home anywhere from 30 minutes before us to hours prior. More of the 30 minute range on most days though. So to help everyone out this week I made meals for Monday-Wednesday yesterday, also yesterday’s meal was a soup that I could bring to lunch today and tomorrow.  It was easy to put together with a lot of the same items I used for during the week!  I am not talking silly meals….We had meatball soup yesterday, chicken salad today with chili and garlic crusted chicken, aloha chicken, and meatloaf. YUM!  I also was so inclined to make two pies!  One blueberry  that I am not so sure about and a pear pie which I can’t wait to try today – for national pie day.

These are some things that help me!