tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36294425538132402202024-03-08T04:17:49.690-08:00There IS Enough Time in the DayHow to juggle everything life throws at you and come out aheadStephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-9200981372847617042012-09-05T19:54:00.002-07:002012-09-05T19:54:50.409-07:00Take Time OffYep, you read that right! I said, "Take time off." Rarely will you hear (or read rather) me say this, but I think it is important to take time off to enjoy life on occasion. It helps to balance things out a bit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CMWSJRsFaE/UEgPkEUevNI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ydUgvAApt3s/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8CMWSJRsFaE/UEgPkEUevNI/AAAAAAAAAEI/ydUgvAApt3s/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Image from: thekdu.net</div>
<br />
Being that Monday was Labor Day, my hubby and children were home with me. I did a little planning ahead so that I could get things done in order to be able to enjoy the day with my family.<br />
<br />
It's nice to take a day off every now and then to recharge yourself. The walls of your home on not going to cave in on themselves because you didn't do anything for one day. Spending time with family is far more important than having a super clean well organized home (I have to remind myself of this, often). <br />
<br />
We all, well except for hubby (he is an early riser by nature) slept in late and then lounged around in the afternoon. I prepared a nice dinner and dessert. What was for dessert you ask? A delicious triple berry cobbler that I used my simplest cobbler recipe to make. I wish I had taken pictures to share with you, but I totally forgot :(<br />
<br />
<h4>
Triple Berry Cobbler Recipe (or any fruit you wish to use)</h4>
<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1 cup sugar plus a little extra for sweetening the fruit<br />
1 cup milk<br />
1 stick butter <br />
2 teaspoons baking powder<br />
4 cups fruit (fresh or frozen)<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place stick of butter in casserole or 9" X 13" pan and put in oven until melted. Sprinkle a little sugar over fruit and set aside. Mix flour, sugar, and baking soda. Add milk to dry ingredients and stir until combined. Pour batter over melted butter and top with fruit. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake about 40 minutes or until golden brown. <br />
<br />
Serve topped with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. YUMMY!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPZufZ9UGpU/UEgPrLHrV4I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ErTChUtaYCU/s1600/images1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mPZufZ9UGpU/UEgPrLHrV4I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/ErTChUtaYCU/s1600/images1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Your finished cobbler should look similar to this!<br />
<br />
<br />StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-15177596378443272362012-08-26T00:51:00.001-07:002012-08-26T00:51:11.823-07:00Calling all artists: Smyrna Firehouse Art Competition<a href="http://www.examiner.com/article/calling-all-artists-smyrna-firehouse-art-competition">Calling all artists: Smyrna Firehouse Art Competition</a>StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-50380859137501623472012-08-26T00:06:00.001-07:002012-08-26T00:06:39.537-07:00DelegateFor people who like to be in control and want things done a certain way (like myself) learning to delegate can be painful. While trying to juggle two kids, school, home, work, and personal relationships I quickly learned that it was the only means of survival for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlCUfVEmIO4/UDnKuwgtHjI/AAAAAAAAADw/6SNmEsmxRDk/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KlCUfVEmIO4/UDnKuwgtHjI/AAAAAAAAADw/6SNmEsmxRDk/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Delegating meant that I would have to trust others to take as much care as I did in completing tasks or learning to be okay with things being done differently. I can be a bit self righteous at times, okay, okay, more than a bit. So this was not an easy feat for me.<br />
<br />
I realized that I would have to let go a little bit at the time and learn to be okay with it as I went. I also learned that when I asked others (especially my daughters) for help it gave them a sense of empowerment that they were able to help.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpV0r56QjJs/UDnK2limh1I/AAAAAAAAAD4/pLFYCbKXYio/s1600/kidschores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KpV0r56QjJs/UDnK2limh1I/AAAAAAAAAD4/pLFYCbKXYio/s1600/kidschores.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Delegate a little at a time and be careful to give people tasks that they will enjoy and be good at. Don't feel bad that you can't do it ALL. Asking for help is sometimes necessary to living a balanced life. StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-60212530396521441402012-08-16T22:44:00.000-07:002012-08-16T22:47:21.687-07:00Attitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InTNG5p-8xc/UC3Y70wW7XI/AAAAAAAAADY/JI-Tr9dOTEU/s1600/20336635786826937_bLk94h3R_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-InTNG5p-8xc/UC3Y70wW7XI/AAAAAAAAADY/JI-Tr9dOTEU/s1600/20336635786826937_bLk94h3R_f.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
These quotes speak volumes to me about personal attitude. Life is not always easy, but if you choose to be happy despite everything that is on your plate you are sure to accomplish so much more. You can't go wrong with a positive attitude and hard work!</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRmWHtPU3-E/UC3Y83t2beI/AAAAAAAAADg/b_yBLPr5vOU/s1600/281543696642224_8DgciEc2_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRmWHtPU3-E/UC3Y83t2beI/AAAAAAAAADg/b_yBLPr5vOU/s320/281543696642224_8DgciEc2_f.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-86283627813087861922012-08-11T19:43:00.000-07:002012-08-16T22:47:50.657-07:00What are your priorities?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You know that feeling when the
realization of I have to go to work/school, the kids need something or have to
be somewhere at a specific time, the house is a wreck, the laundry pile has now
turned into a mountain, and you have a big project due. Well the way I overcame
having to deal with that feeling on a regular basis was to prioritize my life leading
me to manage better my time. </span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
are your priorities?</span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mine are first and foremost my
daughters followed by my husband, work, and taking care of my home (not
necessarily in that order!). Defining your personal priorities is integral to
being successful, especially for those people who always have a full plate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oCXmzHDpbQ/UCcX3gLXjuI/AAAAAAAAADI/timst7e4Ujo/s1600/priority.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oCXmzHDpbQ/UCcX3gLXjuI/AAAAAAAAADI/timst7e4Ujo/s320/priority.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> image from:</span> raiseyourglassfridays.wordpress.com</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have found over the years that
when I begin to feel overwhelmed with everything life is throwing at me that if
I take time to consider what needs to be done and prioritize it, I am much more
successful in accomplishing my goals. I get the most important things completed
first and then I feel better about the situation and have renewed energy. The
renewed energy allows me to do even more than I thought I could originally. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<h2 align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">TAKE
TIME TO PRIORITIZE YOUR LIFE! </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once you have prioritized everything
then you can fill in your schedule and you will see better time management. I
cannot stress enough to you how important this step is in leading you to
successfully reach your goals and come out ahead at the end of the day. </span></div>
StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-6355748460492749082012-08-09T18:09:00.002-07:002012-08-09T18:20:53.737-07:00Thoughts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZTa65rWZDA/UCRe_n-bAuI/AAAAAAAAACs/9eu3D6IXzLM/s400/100275529174035082_WDE6KtwG_b.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<br /><div style="color: red; text-align: center;">
<h2>
Choose your thoughts and you will have a better mindset that will allow you to accomplish so much more. </h2>
<h2>
Go ahead and give it a try!</h2>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8CL-E97fNE/UCRggC9C1cI/AAAAAAAAAC0/9xpPA6M5SO0/s1600/100275529174037955_BeCPswIb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8CL-E97fNE/UCRggC9C1cI/AAAAAAAAAC0/9xpPA6M5SO0/s400/100275529174037955_BeCPswIb_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-1054970843572964702012-08-07T13:25:00.000-07:002012-08-07T13:25:23.731-07:00Time Management
<br />
So you have a gazillion things to do and are behind on a gazillion others.
You feel the walls caving in on you and you have no idea how you will ever get
caught up. Well my friend, it is all about time management and
prioritizing.<br />
<br />
Now is the hard part, you need to write down your schedule for a typical day
from the time you wake until the time you slumber. Why is this hard, because
this is where you will have to be honest to yourself about the amount of time
you waste in a day. Think about what you can get done in the time you are
veging out in front of the television. I know what you are thinking, yes we
all deserve free time in our day, and believe me you will get plenty of free
time once you get caught up and and learn to follow a schedule.<br />
<br />
Next, you have to sit down and consider all of your tasks. What is of utmost
importance, what would you make you feel better to get done, and what is not all
that important. Write it down, it helps one to remember when they can visualize
and by writing things down you can visualize your list as you go through your
day and if all else fails, you have your list to refer back to.<br />
<br />
As you complete a task that is on the list, mark it off. With each mark,
you will feel a sense of accomplishment and the walls will start opening
up.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snUon1ampBQ/UCF2UME8SUI/AAAAAAAAACY/qBkS0W74zVg/s1600/time_management.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-snUon1ampBQ/UCF2UME8SUI/AAAAAAAAACY/qBkS0W74zVg/s1600/time_management.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-7665165705945658612012-08-06T20:38:00.003-07:002012-08-06T20:40:39.140-07:00Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvwVb8p74RY/UCCNsOcIdII/AAAAAAAAACI/t-r-AaS1krM/s1600/tumblr_m8b61rDsnM1r0hlb6o1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvwVb8p74RY/UCCNsOcIdII/AAAAAAAAACI/t-r-AaS1krM/s320/tumblr_m8b61rDsnM1r0hlb6o1_1280.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-35277784237678555452012-08-06T12:10:00.002-07:002012-08-06T20:40:55.852-07:00Success<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UVc5mPz7Nw/UCAWgK2KGyI/AAAAAAAAAB4/M9Nj6BKPVXg/s1600/default.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1UVc5mPz7Nw/UCAWgK2KGyI/AAAAAAAAAB4/M9Nj6BKPVXg/s320/default.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3629442553813240220.post-27391021286286706902012-08-05T22:59:00.000-07:002012-08-05T22:59:23.194-07:00How to become a good face to face communicatorFrom time to time, we are all guilty of not being good communicators,
but then there are those people that it seems are never listening when
you talk to them. They are usually very overwhelmed and feel they have
too much to do to take a few minutes to stop, look, and listen to the
person speaking to them. This can be detrimental to even the best
relationships.<br />
<br />
Okay, so I have stated the three things that are integral to effective communication. Can you believe speaking isn't one of them?
So many times people talk incessantly because they are uncomfortable
with silence or maybe they are so wrapped up in getting their thoughts
out there that they can't fathom not talking. Silence really is golden! Listening is a very important part of communicating and if you are constantly talking or interrupting then you are NOT listening. <br />
<br />
So now, let me delve deeper into the stop, look, and listen part of communicating.<br />
<br />
<strong>Stop</strong><br />
<br />
Put
down whatever you are doing, turn away from the television, computer
screen or other device and place your attention on the person speaking
to you. Really, it is a matter of respect, at this point and you cannot concentrate on the person speaking if you are preoccupied. <br />
<br />
<strong>Look</strong><br />
<br />
Look
at the person speaking to you. Communication is not all about words.
Other factors such as body language, tone, rate, pitch, and breathing
are also part of communication. Paying close attention to these
factors will give you even more information such as how the person is
feeling; whether it is an urgent or emotional matter, etc.<br />
<br />
<strong>Listen</strong><br />
<br />
Let
the speaker finish speaking before responding. The speaker will get a
feel for your opinion on the matter through your own body language as he
is speaking. Once the speaker is finished, reflect on what was said and
then respond.<br />
<br />
Following these simple rules will drastically
improve your ability to communicate effectively with others. Remember to
stop, look, and listen the next time someone wants to speak with you.
You will see improvement in all of your relationships, personal and
business.<br />
<br />
- Stephanie Brendel<br />
<img data-mce-src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m809w0FQB11rupybh.jpg" src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m809w0FQB11rupybh.jpg" /><br />
Image from: <span class="rg_ctlv"><span id="rg_hr">alayerofchips.blogspot.com</span></span>StephieLeehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07196917717593512520noreply@blogger.com0