Making Decisions

So, we got the shaft with our trash service. They have just quit picking up trash in the area due to some unknown circumstances. We just figure they are going under. Who knows? So, this nice local company came around and picked up our trash and gave us a flyer with their info on it, in case we wanted to hire their trash service.

I call them and sign up. Well, the trash guy came back to my house and signed me up. I feel like such a sucker because I didn't even research this. Now I have already paid for 3 months of service, when I already paid my old company for this month. There hasn't been any resolution with our old company yet.

I always do this. I try to fix a problem quickly. I don't let things play out or take the time to research. I don't even know the new company's policies yet. How do I fix this problem. Maybe this situation will work out for the best in the end and I am very thankful that the new company came and picked up our overflowing trash, but I didn't feel settled about my decision.

Here are my steps to not make this type of mistake again:

1. Wait at least a week before I make a final decision. (I always do this with material purchases, but for problems or issues I always rush.)

2. Get my husband to take the lead on decisions I am struggling with a decision. (He gave his approval on this present decision, but I should have let him handle it.)

3. Call at least 3 places to get prices and info when purchasing something or hiring a service.

4. Pray (duh!)

5. Get advice from others.

Get Organized Month!

January is "Get Organized" month! I found this blog the other day and saw these two projects that rocked my world. I love the mudroom locker style cabinets and I know this would help organize jackets and bookbags so well.


I love the family calendar idea on the window. My mom and I are suckers for old frames and this is the perfect idea to reuse an old window/picture frame.

Parenting and Behavior Modification

Both my degrees are in special education and one topic I enjoyed studying was behavior modification. Most of you have probably heard the research about making a habit in 21 days, but many times as a teacher I saw new skills or changes in behavior in less than 21 days. Consistency and a good plan was all it took to begin changing undesired behavior.

So last Sunday Jeremy and I set our on our first parental adventure of behavior training. Haven slept like a champ for about 8 months and then she started waking up a few times a night again. Every night was different, but it finally got the point where it clicked that we could probably do something about it. So, we decided to be more firm on a bedtime and to let her cry it out. Now she is sleeping on average 11 hours even though she is really sick! It worked.

Now I know that this is just the first of many trials, but we had success and I am sleeping sweeter!

How do you like this big girl? She will 1 tomorrow.

Marriage

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences."- Dave Meueer

Values during the season of giving

"We can tell our values by looking at our checkbook stubs." Gloria Steinem

It's beginning to look a lot like....

CHRISTMAS!! I love the holidays. Luckily, I married into a family full of people that love Christmas as much as I do. Jeremy's dad, Jeff, is the ultimate Christmas man and I got some shots of his attic to share with you guys. He doesn't miss a sale after the holidays and once he organized he realized how much Christmas stuff he actually has. I thought he did a great job using their rafters as wrapping storage. He is a master packer and uses every inch of storage possible. He even used extra Christmas lights to brighten up the attic. Good job!

So True

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." Phyllis Diller