19 for 2019 Update: March

2. Go to Archery Monthly
I went to archery, but since the facility moved, I asked Chris to build me a backing so I can shoot in the back yard.

3. Facts of Life Binder
I have not made any progress on this since February.

4. Crochet a Blanket
I crocheted a bit, but need to make it a nightly practice.

9. Read 65 books.
I am up to 7 books read...I should finish an 8th by the end of the month.

10. Continue Mental 20
I'm back on track with this one.

11. Adopt
I'm working on our profile and have 2 weeks to get it finished before we start working on our home study!

12. Keep Training Ellie
We are working on Quiet and Roll Over. Neither are 100%, but I think that is a stubborn issue and not a understanding issue. When we are at the park, I am also working on sit and come when she is excited.

13. Bake 2 items a month.
I did not bake, but giving up sugar made it difficult to bake this month.

15. $250,000 in Travel Agency Sales
I have run 2 ad and done 2 quotes. So things are moving!

17. Go 90% Gluten/Dairy/Sugar Free
I have accomplished 90% Sugar Free. Dairy is up next.

18. Get pearl earring fixed.
Accomplished January 22

19. Catch up on photo books
4 down!

I have a feeling April is going to be Adoption heavy and I plan to continue the course on the things I already have in progress.

This last week, I started a deep spring cleaning of the house. So far, I have completed our master suite and the laundry room. Next week, I am going to take on the guest suite and kitchen while focusing my attention on our adoption profile.

How did your March go? What is your focus for April?

Jennie's Kitchen Tips: Clean the Dishwasher

One thing that still eludes me after 15 years of home management is dishwasher maintenance. Why do dishwashers get so gross? I clean the dishes before I wash them and the dishwasher gets gross. I don't clean the dishes...same outcome. The dishwasher is just always gross.

Last year, after we got our new dishwasher, I started using Affresh dishwasher cleaner and it has helped tremendously! I am not having any issues with my dishwasher being dirty!

I will say that there is one area that needs assistance...the bottom near the door, but I just make it a point to wipe it down every week or so.

Do you clean your dishwasher? Do you have any tips for me?

Walt Disney World Trip Report Day 4

(Click here to start at the beginning)

We decided to sleep in and woke up to a complete wash out of a day. It rained ALL DAY LONG.

But we didn't let that stop us. We changed some plans and headed to Magic Kingdom. We watched Carousel of Progress, had lunch at Crystal Palace, then headed over to watch Hall of Presidents and Country Bear Jamboree.

After that, we took the monorail over to Epcot. We rode Spaceship Earth, Soarin', Living with the Land, and Soarin' again. We also had dinner at Garden Grill.

After dinner, we decided to brave the elements again and left the Land Pavilion with the intention of heading to Frozen Ever After, which was boasting only a 20 minute wait. We made a pit stop in Club Cool and I made the call that we needed to be out of the cold.

Chris was adamant that we stay for Illuminations because I love Illuminations, and with its imminent closing...it was my last chance to see it. However, I made the call that us not getting pneumonia was way more important than fireworks and we headed back to the resort...which gave us time to pack.

Motivational Monday: Create the Life You Want to Wake Up To

There is nothing worse than waking up to a life you feel stuck in or a life that is living you, instead of you living your life.

If you are waking up to a life that feels like a runaway train you didn't want to be on, think of one thing you can change to make it a bit better. It can be something simple. Do you hate the tone of your alarm clock? Change it. Do you wish you had a better shampoo? Go find a new one. Does it annoy you that your drawer is cluttered? Declutter it.

Now, take the feeling that gave you...a feeling of accomplishment and happiness (I'm guessing) and apply it to a different problem...maybe a more difficult problem.

Rinse and repeat. Create the life you want by making small changes. Keep going. The life you want is out there.

Housewife Life: Sugar Free Life

At the end of 2017, I did a Whole30 with my family. It was eye-opening. I am sensitive to gluten and dairy. And for me, sugar is a problem.

Since then, I have done my best to limit those food groups, but recently, it has gotten...out of control.

So, for my health, I gave up Sugar for Lent. It has been rough. The only processed sugar I am allowing myself is in my coconut milk that I use for coffee and smoothies. As I anticipated, my sugar dragon roared. I had headaches, I was moody, and I was really really tempted.

But I am happy to report that I am two weeks in, the sugar dragon is quieter and the headaches have passed.

Is there a food group you try to avoid? What strategies do you use to make it easier to abstain from that food group?

Jennie's Kitchen Tips: Clean the Kitchen at Night

I know this is not a new tip, but let me tell you about why this is one of my favorite tips.

Every morning that I wake up to a clean kitchen, I feel one step ahead of myself during the day. Usually, I just have to unload the dishwasher while I make breakfast and I can keep the kitchen in order all day long.

Every morning that I wake up to a dirty kitchen, it stays that way all day long. More and more stuff piles up...dishes, trash, clutter...it just acts like a magnet and collects more and more like items.

And let me tell you, when I finish eating dinner, I am pretty much done for the day and have no motivation to get off the couch and clean the kitchen. No matter how tidy I keep it until dinner time, things go downhill quickly when we are eating dinner.

But, I make it a point now to take 15 minutes, get the dishwasher going and wipe down the counters. Then, in the morning, I am one step ahead again.

Do you clean the kitchen at night? Is it a struggle?

Walt Disney World Trip Report Day 3: Part 2

(Click here to start at the beginning)

After a three hour nap, we headed to Hollywood Studios. On the bus, we put in a mobile order for some lunch at ABC Commissary. It was probably our least healthy meal of the entire trip, but it tasted great.

Mobile Ordering is the best thing Disney has instituted in ages. We got to look at the menu in a low stress situation and our food was ready about 3 minutes after we got to the restaurant.

After lunch, we used our bonus FastPass+ to go on Star Tours. We got to fight on the planet with that has red sand that flies around things fly over it...you know the one. (Please no hate...I love Star Wars, but I am new to the movies and can't keep it all straight...I can discuss Gilmore Girls in detail though)

Then, we met Olaf...the queue and meet area smelled like coconut sunscreen!

After Olaf, we headed over to Sunset Boulevard and made a PhotoPass photographer's day. See, Chris hates when the photographers are like "Look Scared" or "Look Surprised". So when this newly minted College Program PhotoPass photographer said "Look Scared" and Chris replied "I can't", I started laughing...then the photographer started laughing...and she was like..."I don't think I can recover from that."

Then, I rode Tower of Terror, which is my favorite ride. Chris, however, has refused to ride it the past two trips. So I went alone, I love that ride.

After ToT, we rode Rock 'n' Rollercoaster.

After RRC, we headed over to the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular and got a special show. One of the set pieces broke down and the side we were on, we got a view of the mechanics rushing around to get it moving.

Then, we went to visit Municiberg, where we met Edna Mode, went to a dance party with Mrs. Incredible and Frozone, and watched some spectacular streetmosphere.

We got a hankering for ice cream, so we headed over to Scoops on Sunset Boulevard for a delicious ice cream sundae.

By the time we finished our ice cream, it was time to head to Toy Story Land for our FastPass+ for Slinky Dog Dash.

Oh, my, gosh...I LOVED THAT RIDE. Chris did too...check out his smile!

We decided to go ahead and wait for Alien Swirling Sauces and it was so cute! As we were leaving Toy Story Land, Toy Story Mania dropped to a 10 minute wait, so we decided to forego camping out for the best spot for the fireworks and hop on TSM. I won...again.

After TSM, we headed to the center of the park and found an unoccupied bench off to the side. We decided we would rather sit and enjoy a less than perfect view than stand. Basically, by this point, our feet were calling the shots.

After an amazing show, we headed back to Coronado Springs.

Motivational Monday: Don't Call it A Dream

I don't know about you, but I have so many dreams.

I dream of traveling in China. I dream of retiring to the beach. I dream of traveling to Australia. I dream of spending more time with friends. I dream of having a successful business. I dream of growing old with my husband.

But when I change the word dream to plan...I can start making those things happen. I can work harder on my business. I can work harder on my marriage. I can save a few more dollars so we can travel and buy a beach house. I can make plans to spend time with friends.

Dreams seem ethereal...hard to reach...hard to touch...and they don't include action steps. Plans though...you can put an plan to work.

So try it. Choose a dream. Make it a plan. Is it something you can achieve? Is it something you are willing to fight for?

Plan it, don't dream it.

Housewife Life: Colonoscopies

Colonoscopies.

People give them a bad wrap. And I know. The thought of taking so many laxatives does not seem pleasant...and it really isn't. But in the grand scheme of things...it could be worse.

I send Chris away during the most unpleasant part of the prep. Then the next morning, I get a nice, drug-induced nap and a meal of my choice...probably Cracker Barrel this year.

Why do I have regular colonoscopies? My grandfather died of colon cancer in his mid-fifties. My dad was diagnosed (and survived) at age 43. Dad's oncologist recommended that I start getting colonoscopies at age 28, so I did and now I am on a regular schedule.

At age 28-clean colonoscopy...please return in 3 years.

At age 31-precancerous polyp...please return in 2 years.

At age 33-clean colonoscopy...please return in 3 years.

At age 36-4th colonoscopy pending.

The day before your colonoscopy, you are on a very light liquid diet. Yellow Jell-O. Yellow Gatorade. 2 cups of chicken or beef broth. 1 cup of black coffee. All the water you can stomach. But to be honest, once you start the prep...your appetite goes away.

I usually clean my bathroom really well, pick a book and a movie and settle in for a lot of bathroom runs. Oh and soft toilet paper is a necessity!

Chris usually comes home around 8 or 9, when the action has calmed down. I don't have to worry about anyone or anything else and its really the only way to get through the prep.

Have you had a colonoscopy? Are you putting it off? Send me a message if you need more information or support. Please...if your doctor has said you need one, just go for it!

Walt Disney World Trip Report Day 3: Part 1

(Click here to start at the beginning)

To my husband's dismay, I got him up to head to Animal Kingdom for Extra Magic Hours, which was another item I needed to check off my Disney Bucket List. Our plan for the morning was to head straight to Expedition Everest and then take some pictures at the Tree of Life. Then, when the park opened, we were going to head over to Na'vi River Journey to use a special FastPass+.

We got to the park at about 7:40 and they were letting people in, so we booked it over to Asia and were met with the news that Expedition Everest was not going to be opening any time soon, so we turned around and went over to Na'vi River Journey.

I loved that ride! It was so pretty and I can't wait to experience it again. By the time we got off the ride, the wait was too long, so we checked the app and found that Expedition Everest was still closed, so we took some pictures at the Tree of Life and headed back to the resort for a NAP.

I know that was a short update, but the second half of the day is picture and detail heavy, so I'm going to pause there!

Motivational Monday: You are loved

There are days when I feel so alone and so unloved. I'm not saying the people in my life don't love me and don't work to make me feel loved, but some days I just can't feel it. I'm so deep in my own sh*t, that my heart is incredibly closed.

When I have those days, I do my best to smile and be extra loving to the people around me. It usually helps me to feel the love, but I ran across the quote a while ago and it definitely helps on those days, so I wanted to share it.

19 for 2019: February Update

February started slow for me, but I got moving toward the end of the month.

2. Go to Archery Monthly
I made an appointment, but moved it to the first week of March because I was too overwhelmed...more on that later.

3. Facts of Life Binder
I got started on the binder! I have a lot of work left to do, but I got a good chunk of it done.

4. Crochet a Blanket
I started crocheting this month. I have four rows done...about 300 to go ;)

9. Read 65 books.
I have read 2...

10. Continue Mental 20
I've been having trouble with this, but I have started getting back in the practice.

11. Adopt
This was the surprise, but we started the process in the last few days of the month!!!!

13. Bake 2 items a month.
I baked funfetti chocolate chip cookie dough oreo cupcakes! I need to work on getting 2 items in every month.

18. Get pearl earring fixed.
Accomplished January 22

19. Catch up on photo books
2 down!

March looks like it will be a good month! My plan is to do 2 archery sessions, make 2 photo books, bake 2 items, continue crocheting, work on my Facts of Life binder, go sugar free, get a quote for the bathroom, teach Ellie 2 tricks and set an appointment with our adoption consultant.

Preparing our adoption profile and getting ready for the home study will be all-encompassing, but I think working on the items I have planned will be very relaxing.

I am also getting my regular colonoscopy this month! Woooooo!

How are your yearly goals going?

Jennie's Recipe Reviews: Mediterranean Bowl

I love Mediterranean food! So, when I saw this recipe, I was interested. For me though, I needed to add some meat, so I cooked up some chicken with some cumin, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and turmeric. And I used a cucumber dill dressing instead of tzatziki sauce. Oh, and I didn't get a cucumber with my grocery order, so I used some salad mix for my greens.

I really liked it!

Thanks Beauty Bites for the inspiration!

Click here for the original recipe!

Walt Disney World Trip Report Day 2: Part 2

(Click here to start at the beginning)

After lunch at Mara, we hopped on a bus to Animal Kingdom. We saw the cutest photo opportunity before we went in, so we stopped to take a photo to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Lion King.

We headed straight for Pandora to take a quick tour of the new land. It was so pretty and detailed. It was easy to forget you were in Animal Kingdom.

After our tour of Pandora, we headed to Africa and watched the Harambi dancers before going to our FastPass+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

The lions were out in full force...they were sleeping but they were out in front. It's crazy how they sleep just like domestic cats, all floppy over the edges of the highest ledge they can find.

After a really good safari, we went to our early Rivers of Light Dining Package at Tusker House to spend time with Mickey and Friends in their safari gear. The food was delicious...and pretty similar to how we eat at home.

After dinner, we went to see A Bug's Life, which is a really fun show and then we made our way to Pandora to see some entertainers, ride Flight of Passage and get a Night Blossom.

We got our Night Blossom from Pongu Pongu and made the long trek to the Rivers of Light seating area all the way across the park near Expedition Everest!

Rivers of Light was very pretty, but is definitely not my favorite night time show. I would probably choose to stay in Pandora or go see a late showing of the Finding Nemo musical instead of waiting for the show.

After Rivers of Light, we rode Expedition Everest...which was the first time I saw it after dark and it was beautiful! I loved riding it at night!

By this time, we were beat. We could not even fathom doing another thing, so we made our way back to Coronado Springs

Motivational Monday: You Are Enough

One of my favorite movies is Mom's Night Out. Now, I'm not lucky enough to be a mom, but this movie makes me laugh, cry and it strikes a cord every time I watch it.

Everyone, at some point, or at many points, feels like they are not enough. They feel like they aren't good enough, pretty enough, faithful enough, loving enough, funny enough.

I was having one of those days recently. It was a day I worked hard and still couldn't get enough done. I felt like I phoned it in during my devotional. I felt like I wasn't good at anything. And then, I found my favorite movie in my library and decided to turn it on while folding clothes.

I laughed, I cried and again was struck by the lesson of the movie. You are enough. You are exactly where you need to be and exactly who you need to be.

So, if you need more than this post to feel like you are enough, turn on the movie, grab a box of tissues and a bottle of wine, hide in the closet if necessary and soak the message in. You are enough.