Show & Tell- I would like to know what you do to make life easier!

Now that plans are set for May and June I've got a few things I would like to share.

 

A Neat Website

A friend of a friend posted a link on Facebook for a website called Meetup.com . I joined a group a few weeks ago and plans haven't really panned out for me. It seems like that particular group always meets on the days that I work. HOWEVER, I found a new group, SLC Area Active Moms, that fits my schedule! I'm so excited about this website! It even has an app for my phone and when I RSVP it adds the event to my calendar!

There are a lot of different groups you can join- Drink Wine? There is a group that goes out for wine parties! Hike, Bike, Garden, Write, Have Pets? Check it out! I'm pretty sure there is something for everyone! AND it's not just for Salt Lake- Live in Texas? Find something in your area :)

My Way Explained

 

Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping:
Oh how I loathe both of these tasks! But running a household is my job as a momma and wife so I've figured out a few ways to make it run smoother, faster and save a few dollars (for shoes) along the way.

First, I do my menu planning... and shopping list! Yep! At the same time! Along with this I check in my "overflow" pantry to see what I need to restock. (I basically have a grocery store in my basement of the items I use most often. Every time I need an ingredient, like can of diced tomatoes, I double it and put the extra can in my storage. Over the last 6 months I've been doing this, thus creating food storage without going over budget. Best part is, if we overspend on another budget I can skip some items on my list to save money and just use my overflow pantry! No stress!)

 

Overflow Pantry (I'm only showing 1/2 because the other 1/2 is not all organized quite yet. But it includes water, hygiene products, paper towels, napkins etc.)

In my pantry I have two sheets always taped to the inside of the door. 1: Shopping List. 2: Menu.
I also have a place for a pen and extra lists. I then tape coupons for items on my list to the door so everything is in one place when I go shopping.

The Shopping List: This can be filled out by anyone and everyone. You eat the last cracker? Add it to the list. Want potato chips? Add it to the list. (I have a Misc. section so if the budget allows we can get potato chips) This is an ongoing list to be added to until we go shopping. (We go shopping once every week and a half or so. The less often we go, the less impulse we buy.)

The Menu: This is filled out by me... every week... It gets old, but I have a secret! Keep reading and I'll let you in on it.

 

How It Works: I take both sheets- menu on one side, 1/2 way filled out list on the other.  I have a pen and my go to cookbooks- What's For Dinner. I scour over Pinterest (a time waster but I LOVE to use menu planning as an excuse to take some time on Pinterest.) Then I grab a few cookbooks given to me from family/friends with recipes they have gathered. You know, the recipes people actually use with recipes that actually make sense...
On my menu I have a place for 5 lunches and 7 dinners. (My family has a habit of fending for ourselves on weekend lunches and breakfast is a free for all) You can add meals and details to your menu as needed. I find what I like to eat, what I feel like I can accomplish and I write the meal name an where to find the recipe on my menu. Then before I move on to the next menu item I write my grocery list for that meal. (I have a stock of food so if I already have an item I don't bother writing it) I do this until my menu is full.

My shopping list is separated into categories according to the layout of the store I go to. This makes shopping a breeze! And if its not on the list we don't buy it. Period. That's where most of our money saving comes in.

Now my secret! After each meal, I leave comments on my menu. "The hubby said more pepper" or "I would like more spice". Maybe my daughter actually ate it! After all of the meals have been made, eaten and commented on, I 3 hole punch my, now complete, menu and place it in a binder. When I am short on time or really don't want to think about a menu I pull out my trusty binder and find meals and where to get the recipe in just seconds. I can repeat a week, or grab a few recipes at a time. I also know which meals to avoid if nobody liked it or what to add if the meal needed improvement.

My favorite comment was on a vegetarian meal I tried for the first time. My husband wrote "Add Chicken" Haha! So much for trying to eat like a vegetarian for a night!

Tips and Other News

I have 1 "on your own" lunch and sometimes even do 1 "on your own" dinner. I plan for 7 meals, one full week, and it almost always lasts 10-12 days because we have left overs.  I also make lunches super easy like Tuna sandwiches or SpaghettiO Casserole.

 

SpagettiO Casserole Recipe:
2 Cans SpaghettiO's
1 LB Browned Ground Beef (or Turkey)

1 Cup Sour Cream

Pepper and Onion Powder to your likings

-Add items to a casserole dish and bake covered. 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes

 

Each week I challenge myself to make 1 meal I've never made before. Those meals are usually the hit of the week and I end up adding them to my circulation.

 

Stay on budget by using cash only!

Stock up when things are on sale (case lot sales are my favorite!) Also, right now with Memorial Day right around the corner stock up on BBQ Sauce, Mayo and Ketchup!

Go shopping on Sundays or Mondays. Early morning or late night. Less crowds, more time to focus and ads and coupons generally start on Sunday.

If you're like me and like to shop at one store find a high/low store, like Smiths, that has higher priced items for some things but when they have sales the price is really low- stock up when the prices are low, of course.

Did you know the average family spends $76-125 per week on groceries? How does your budget add up?

 

If you'd like my format for the menu and shopping list email me ladiesallday@gmail.com and I will forward them to you.

 

I would like to know 1 recipe that you like best and actually use! Even if its Ramen Noodle Soup! Leave a comment so we can all share.

 

 

Other Resources

Allrecipes.com has an app for your phone that not only has ideas for recipes but you can also get a  Menu Planner Use promo code PARENTS at checkout for a discount.

Cozi is a free app that I use for organizing my family. There is a shopping list that can be shared with everyone in the family. I love this feature!!

Recipe.com has an app will help you find best deals in your town. It even tracks seasonal sales for you!

Did you know the average coupon saves you $1.46! Start looking online for free coupons, gather the newspaper coupons. This can save you tremendous money! I use coupons.com. They have a coupon for milk and cheese- some of my staple items! Couponmom.com is another good one

What I Need From You

I am still taking RSVP's for the May Event and also if you would like to do the 5K in June you'd better get signed up right now! Tickets are selling out fast!

I also want to do a little "Show & Tell" in the mean time. Email me, ladiesallday@gmail.com what you know you rock at, with pictures if you have them. Let me know if I can post them for others to share as well. If it's easier to comment that works for me!

 

Last But Not Least

 

SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE, SUBSCRIBE
SHARE,  SHARE, SHARE

I have made this really easy. Just click on the Join This Site icon on the right side of this page. Follow the instructions and soon you won't miss a thing about this group!

I have also made it very simple to share this blog. Again, in the right column there is a place to share on Facebook and Twitter.
I appreciate your help promoting this blog :)

 

Thanks!
L

Planning, Planning, Planning!

First Things First

Are you subscribed yet? Look to the right of the page- There is a button that says Join Here. Click it and follow the instructions. This will allow you to see when there is a post made without having all the annoying texts/emails from me personally. You can unsubscribe at any time, but you won't want to :)

Also- If you want to contact me with ideas, dates that work for you, if you are interested in hosting, or if you are bored, I have set up an email for this web page: LadiesAllDay@gmail.com
I check it daily so I should be able to reply pretty quickly.

May- Vision Board

Alright! We locked down a date- May 18th at 11am. Plan on staying for about 2 hours. We can stay longer if needed/wanted. I've got the whole day cleared. :)
Once we get a head count I will set the location. If you have any friends that you want to bring please do! I want to have a large group! Even if you can't come, maybe they can? Pass out the web address so they can join us.

We are doing a Vision Board- Click Here and Scroll down to "Now What We Are Really Here For". You will need to bring supplies to share so start collecting now. Also, I'm asking that everyone bring at least 1 friend and be picture ready because I'm going to post about ya!

If you aren't able to come please use the email address to send me a picture of you and your vision board and a few lines about you. I will gladly add it to the web page.
(email: ladiesallday@gmail.com)

I'm so excited to see everyone!

June- Color Me Rad

Tierney is going to host the June event. I'm going to assist with putting everything on this page. She already has a group of ladies committed and again, we want as many as possible.

This is a 5k of colorful fun! You don't need to train or anything, lets just go and have fun! They even have places for volunteers to throw color on the runners! Whatever your cup of tea we want you there! We will meet before the race (at 7am) for pictures and I know there will be enough of us at all different paces to stick together with some of the group during the run- then we will meet back up at the end for more colorful pictures!
Click here to register Our team name is LADIES ALL DAY- last name registered is SWENSON. Be sure to enter the code ARTS for a 10% discount. It looks like these races sell out fast! Register ASAP so you don't miss out! Also the price goes up the longer you wait.
I'm all registered. Are you!?

To Those That Can't Make It

Go find a race in your area! The race is held all over the country and I'd love to see pictures of you and your team! If you just can't make it to a race paint your clothes and skin crazy colors and pretend you were there! I would LOVE to see pictures of that!

July

I am looking for someone to host this month. Patrice? I know you are itching to do your wood blocks! If anyone else wants to please contact me.

August- Should we skip this month? I feel like August is always super busy with weddings, end of summer vacations and school starting. If you want to get together lets do it! Wanna host? Contact me.

What I Need From You:

I would like some info about each of you reading today. Please email ladiesallday@gmail.com and let me know what you like to do in your spare time. REALLY- EMAIL ME! Or leave a comment if that's easier.

Thanks Ladies!

DADS!!

Are you supporting the mother of your kid(s)!? You can do this by getting together with other dad's this month! Please let me know if you want to so that I can get it put together with my husband. If not- you're on your own with the kids! Good luck with that! :)

 

Other Things To Do

There is an essential oils class on May 9th. It's $20 and includes the book of everything oils. Let me know if you are interested in going. I have the contact info. I wasn't planning on going, but if anyone wants to go I may reconsider. (I buy my oils from this lady- she is located in S. Jordan, Utah. Same stuff as competitors, but 1/4 of the price. Click here to get to her website)

Have you heard of this website? I'm super excited to do play dates with people in my area. I have a few friends signed up and I'm just learning about it. There is an app as well to make it easy to navigate. I am a member of the SLCParentsGuardians group. There are a lot of fun activities! Let me know if you join. I would love to go with people I know so I can meet people I don't. :)

Did you know that the Mummy exhibit ends in May? If you want to go make sure you do before the 27th!

May Plans- Please Reply

I've had some feedback about dates for meeting in May. It's looking like a Saturday morning/afternoon is going to work best for those that have replied. Which works better for you, the 18th or 25th? Again I will need RSVP's so we can plan the place so please contact me or email ladiesallday@gmail.com to let me know.

If you haven't seen the plans look at the next post for all of the information. If you are out of town and want to participate please send me and email with pictures and a bio about you. I will want this from everyone so start thinking about it :)

Let me know ASAP please?

Thanks!
Leslie

I Think We've Got a Good Thing Going!

First I want to say a few things- Then I will get to business :)

100 views in less than 24 hours and we just keep getting more hits!!!

Now I'm going to ask that you go a step further and subscribe to this blog. Subscribing is beneficial because it allows you to see a post when it's posted. When we schedule events or have new ideas for a day out you can check up as soon as you are notified.

Look to your right! You can subscribe by clicking on the "join this site" icon in the right column of this page. If you are on your phone, which most of you probably are make sure you are viewing in web version to this option.

Look down! I have added a few links to make this easy to share with other women.  At the bottom of each post there will be icons to share on Facebook. Twitter, etc (Does anyone have Twitter? How does it work! I think I need someone to show me!) You can also email a specific post if you would like.

AND- I created an email for direct communication to me about this blog and our plans. It's easy to remember- LadiesAllDay@gmail.com

A Little Inspiration

If you clicked on the links from the first post you probably ran across a website called Her Future. I haven't been on this site much, but its starting to look like a great place to be! I signed up for it awhile ago and have just received emails and deleted them. (Hey! I'm being honest!) But yesterday an email from them caught my eye and I realized that this is a great resource for what I'm going for on this blog. Here is the link from the email. Check it out. I'd like to know what everyone thinks. (Being honest again, I wouldn't include some of the information on this blog, but it is interesting and some of it scary to think about)

Here are a few passages I liked: "we need each other for inspiration, encouragement, support, and FUN as we work to heal and rebalance our world. It’s not enough to win at a man’s game; we need to create success on our own terms, in a radiantly feminine way."
"If you’re like most women, you’re ready to step into a bigger, bolder life. You recognize that this world needs YOU-needs all of us – to step up as fully empowered, inspired, engaged women waking up to our feminine fullness and offering it to the world in a bigger way."
Thank You Inspiring Women Summit!

Let everyone know what you think in the comments section below. What blogs do you follow? What do you do in your free time? (I blog and read blogs, obviously! I'm also a huge fan of Pinterest!)

Now What We're Really Here For

I have had a bunch of feedback for ideas on what to do. Now the question is WHEN?
I have a full calendar for the rest of April. How about we plan on May? It will be a simple get together with a craft to get to know one another. Please invite a girlfriend (or 2 or 3...), especially if you aren't comfortable coming alone for the first time. Lets make friends and connect with different women! I want everyone to be comfortable coming, knowing that we will probably all step out of our comfort zone.

The Plan For May

Melony suggested doing a Vision Board (<--- That's a link to show you what a vision board is)
I love this idea for the 1st event! Let's be selfish and create our own, with our own goals in life for the next year. Then maybe we can do this every May?

Come prepared with magazines, newspapers, scrapbook supplies, glue sticks and any other scraps you find inspiring. (Please don't spend money unless you have to! We can share supplies.)
We will find, cut out and discuss what our goals and dreams are. While doing that we can adhere everything on a sheet of card stock (which I can have ready for everyone). Then before we leave for the day we can share some of the items we placed on our board and why. I think this will create connections with each other that may otherwise never have been brought up.

What I Need From You

What date and time that works best. Since I will be hosting this month my calendar is where we should start. I think a weekend would be best. If not we can plan a weeknight. Tuesdays are always out for me and Thursday and Fridays can be hard as well. I have the following dates open: (Weekend days/nights) 5th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th and 26th. If a weeknight works better I will look into my calendar again for dates. Please email ladiesallday@gmail.com or leave a comment on what works best for you. Majority will rule.
I also need an RSVP so I know the amount of card stock/supplies I need to gather. Remember, you will need to gather things too and be prepared to share supplies and ideas.

Please plan on bringing your own food/drinks/snacks- and plan on attending for more than a few hours. I, again, want to encourage you to invite a friend and share this blog address.

ladiesallday.blogspot.com

When I have a count of people coming I will plan the place and time. It will probably be at a park or my house.

Our Kids

In a previous post (The Scoop) I talked about "The Trade Off". If you have kids and a husband willing please let me know ahead of time so we can plan where they will be meeting as well.

To Those Who Can't Make It

I encourage you to submit your picture, a picture of your board and a brief description of who you are and what your board means to you. We want to connect with everyone! You can contact me or someone you know in the group with your stuff. I will post it when I get it. (Emailing is probably the easiest way to communicate things like this to me. ladiesallday@gmail.com)

Finally

If you do not want your picture or information posted on this site I need to know so I can keep your stuff private.

The Scoop!

Here's The Deal

We've done this "Ladies Day/Night" before and I REALLY want to have my girls back! We had it going for about 3 years and I stopped planning them once I got pregnant. They are so, so, much fun and cheaper than therapy! Let's get back on track and get together again. Maybe every other month?

Here's The Trade Off

For every Ladies Night that I have, my husband gets a Guys Night. We trade days/nights watching the kids.

 

**I'm thinking killing 2 birds with 1 stone. We get to have our girl talk, the guys get to do whatever guys do AND the kids get social interaction with other kids! WIN WIN WIN!***

 

On Ladies Day/Night my husband is willing get together with the other dads/men and the kids can play together while they keep track of them. On Guys Night, we moms can get together with the kids and jab while they play. So we really get a night (or 2) every month to hang out (IF you would like to join in on a play date with your kid(s) - or someone else’s kids, all parents need nights off!) This is NOT a babysitting service- Just to be clear :)

Here's How it Works

I keep track of what we've done, what we are doing and I also add pictures after the fact on this blog. (If you don't know me well, you will soon figure out that I'm a freak about organizing!) This way we are all on the same page about dates, times, places etc. and can come get pictures that we want. (It’s also a great way to get new ladies to join in the fun!)

Here's What Is Needed From You

Your input on what to do. I really want to accommodate everyone so we can discuss which days/dates work for everyone (majority will rule). Please let me know what you can teach the group, if you have special discounts for places or supplies and/or what you would like to spend time doing. Some of my favorite girls’ days are just hanging out for some female "counseling" and I can never get enough of crafting!

I also encourage you to bring your other girl friends along- I know I could use as many women in my life as possible! Give out this blog address to new friends, old friends and those that you would like to be friends with. I figure if we have enough people interested we can keep this going a lot longer PLUS we all have different talents that we can share with each other.

Here's Why

I need some powerful women in my life to build up my "resume". I want to learn to cook different meals, to quilt, learn about your families, essential oils, business ideas, money saving, investing, yoga, what you are doing with your time. I even want to hear about how stressful your job is! It's been a pretty lonely year staying at home, rewarding, but lonely. I've been watching a lot of TV during nap time and I keep seeing the same theme on the shows- WOMEN BEING EMPOWERED BY WOMEN- I could use some of that in my life! I don't want to beg you to come, but I think once we get a group we can grow together into amazing women and we can rule this world! (That sounds crazy, but we've got to start somewhere!)

What do you want to learn? Why do you want to be involved?

 

Here's The Idea

I've already talked to a few of "The Ladies" and these are some ideas we shared:

Craft night- Patrice is experienced in making very cute woodblock creations! Using scrapbook paper and glitter (along with other accessories) we can create decorative words. I personally can't wait for this!! I want my last name and I already have a space cleared for it on my wall. You can buy shapes as well as letters- Like owls!! My favorite!

Counseling- Brittany and I decided that a night just talking to each other about anything would be a fun way to learn about each other, express our frustrations with whatever it is we are going through and just enjoy being girly. Maybe we can get all dressed up, or choose sweats with feather boas and have a night of counseling. We could "watch" Step Mom- That show always gets to me!

Belly Dancing- Laura knows how to shake her hips and she could teach a class for belly dancing! I'm a little shy about trying it, but if I had some other shy ladies with me I would love to open up to new things!

Pass of All Passes- Ok, have you heard of this!!? A few of us just purchased these this weekend. It is a season pass to all things 7 Peaks. This includes unlimited swimming (I'm a mom and not completely confident with my body, who is!?, this is another way we can break out of our comfort zones and swim without judgment), bowling, a few sporting events along with other things. Arcade!!? Who's in!? I highly suggest you look into this. Even if we don't do a ladies day at the pool. (A few husbands have this as well if we wanted to bring them. The kids would love it too, I'm sure!)

Anniversary Inn- This was a group discussion- We could tour the place and shop downtown and maybe another month we could book a room (like the game room) and stay overnight with just the girls.

Digital Scrapbooking- This would require computers (or a computer if you just want to learn). I've been doing them for years and I've tried many companies. I would like to know who else has worked with digital scrapbooking and what is worth it and what is not. Britt I will teach you even if we don't decide to do this for a Ladies Night.

What are you good at? What's something you love to do, but nobody else does? (I like to karaoke! I'm not great, but it is a lot of fun!) What have you wanted to do, or get done that we could help with?
(<---I want to build a garden like my sisters)

Please leave a comment letting us know.

(You can also contact me if you can't figure out how to leave a comment- I can teach you how!! :) )

One Last Thing

We put a lot of work into these days and look forward to seeing everyone. Please, please, be honest if you want to come or not. Also let me know if you need to cancel ASAP so that we don't plan on you being there for food/drinks/reservations or supplies. We will do our best to keep the activities under $20, if not free. I would like to have a different host every once in awhile, if not every month. That way we are all invested and take some time to really plan what we enjoy doing. I can add anyone to be an author on this blog if you'd like to do it yourself- and if you don't know how I can show you. (I love Blogs- they keep my life in order!)

Please RSVP Yes OR No when we plan a get together. I want to know who and if you’re really interested or not. I don't want to email or text you every month if you want nothing to do with this. Just Sayin'

Another big one! I don't want negative gossiping. I know we are all adults, but it is really easy for groups to fall into this old habit. Let's keep it positive and FUN! It's ok to vent frustrations and I want to be able to do that, but talking down on someone is not a fun way to spend a day together.

And Not To End On a Negative

I will also be using this blog for resources that I would like to share- Such as menu planning, organizing, recipes, cool ideas, pictures, other websites, calendars of things to do, etc. I encourage you all to do so as well.

We can have it all Ladies! We just have to work for it!  

We Are Woman Hear Us Roar!

*Did you notice that I put links to some things in this entry? Take a look.