Saturday, July 18, 2015

Time management

I often have well-meaning friends or family members that criticize my choice to do certain time-consuming things - baking my own bread, planting a garden, building and painting things, tackling home improvement projects, etc. They have even suggested that our family is too committed to church. 
While I can understand their concerns about all the demands I have in my life, I really believe that how we spend time reflects our priorities. If I want to prepare preservative-free homemade food for my family because their health is a concern to me, then that is my priority. If I have more time available to do projects myself than I have money to pay someone to do them for me, then that is my priority. If I believe the warnings of Hebrews 10:25 about being faithful to the church and brethren, then that is my priority. 
Also, by the same token, there are many things I do not consider a priority, some of which might should be. I am striving to exercise more regularly and eat better so I can lose some weight. I am really working hard to read through my Bubble this year in it's entirety. In the past I always seem to fizzle out after a few months, I am over half way there now and keeping up momentum.  I wish I had more time to sew. When we first moved to the panhandle, learning to quilt helped me keep my sanity and I miss it dearly. However right now educating my children is my priority. 
My priorities are not fashion or high style. It has been over a year since I saw a hairdresser for a trim or cut. I haven't colored my hair since I was in high school, though I keep noticing more gray hairs appearing. 
I have not made a priority of developing a lot of deep friendships. This is not to say I don't have friends. I have a few ladies I keep in touch with or go to church with who I consider great friends, though we don't go many places together or really hang out. For the most part we are busy take care of kids (or parents), without a lot of time to go get a coke or shop together. However, we have a connection in Christ that transcends spending time together. Even if I haven't talked to them in weeks, we can pick up wherever our conversation left off. Rather, I choose to make my husband and children my priority. My husband is my best friend, and after 15 years of marriage, I feel like we have a great marriage. By making each other our priorities, rather than hanging out with buddies, we don't deal with a lot of jealousy, discontentment, or problems. I also believe our marriage will remain strong even after our children are grown and gone, because we haven't let their activities consume all of our time. 
I do believe that staying busy keeping my home and even working my job makes me prioritize and spend my time wisely, so I don't spend a lot of time watching TV or looking at Facebook (I don't even hav.e an account!). 
What does your time management say about your priorities?

Friday, July 10, 2015

Summer days...

Today was such a nice day! We finished all the school we needed for today and I got work done around the house. It got a little toasty this afternoon, but this evening was cool and breezy. We all went and splashed around in my mom-in-law's pool for a little while, then ate a late and light supper, after which I walked for a while longer. Finally I hit my 10,000 steps a day goal, so I came home for a shower and bed!  Hope tomorrow is as nice