The Miller's Blog

Friday, February 8, 2013

New Year's resolutions

So my New Year's "goal" was to become a more organized person. And to get back on a strict budget and cook at least 5 nights a week and use coupons. Well, now that we are about 6 weeks into 2013, I can PROUDLY say: we have success!!!!!

I have planned a menu every week. I ONLY go to the grocery store every 2 weeks (as opposed to 2 or 3 times a week, when I'd easily drop $75 - $100 each visit). I have used coupons. I even dusted off my coupon binder and painstakingly took the time to organize it again and rely on it on my grocery store visits. I have cooked like a mad woman. We haven't eaten out since...... Well, I can't remember. We haven't eaten out at all. Unless you include the one date night Chad and I had the first week in January. But that's been it. Oh, and there was that one night I went out with my best friends from high school. So I guess that counts too.

And as far as organizing. Wow. I have earned bragging rights here..... About myself! I'm one of these that always thinks three steps ahead. It's what has made me a good dental assistant for 12 years (you have to make the boss think you read his/her mind! Ha.) and it overflows into other parts of my life. And unfortunately it overwhelms me at times. Instead of taking things in small steps, I see the whole big picture. And then I freak out! Well, I decided, I'm not going to jump in and try to make myself reach all of my goals in a week or two. And I'm not one that can wake up with expectations of how my day will go. Or how I want it to go. Because I know, in the end, something will go wrong, I'll freak out, and then I'll give up. Yes, I'm a quitter. Unfortunately.

However, I've learned, waking up with NO expectations is the answer for me. Because then I won't disappoint myself and beat myself up. So, when the mood strikes, I chip away at my goals. Whether it's organizing my grocery list and menus and coupons. Or organizing my cabinets and rooms one by one. And it feels GOOOOOD to accomplish a goal I set for myself. My laundry room is so clean and neat and organized you could roller skate in there! I organized my pots and pans and baking dishes. I've thrown stuff out. And let me tell you, I get a RUSH off of throwing things out. You've heard of hoarders, but I'm just the opposite.

It feels great to have some organization in my home. And car! I'm not sure if its my B-12 vitamins or what, but I'm going to keep on chipping away. Cabinet by cabinet, room by room. And sit back and SMILE. Cleanliness and neatness make me happy, happy, happy.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Hot Mess

Mary Grace woke up with wings that would have made Farrah Fawcett jealous. If you know Mary Grace, you understand that this picture truly represents her personality. She is a HOT. MESS.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

And now you know the REST of the story.....

So there's always that ONE commercial that everyone is still talking about days after the Superbowl. I didn't get to watch the Superbowl this year, but nonetheless there was a commercial so powerful it made headlines minutes later. You already know the one I'm talking about here. Paul Harvey, Dodge Ram, and "The Farmer".

In a society where outspoken liberal democrats (if that offends you, I'm sorry. No, I'm just kidding, I don't really care if it does) and morals that have been watered down and our nation is killing babies and saving trees, it is SO refreshing to know that Paul Harvey has made his voice known to a new generation. And that shows like Duck Dynasty have made such a HUGE impact. In all of the trash that is on television (I mean, did you catch the halftime show during the Superbowl?! I almost threw up the 30 seconds I caught it passing through the room) there are still the "small" people making such a big impact. Liberals (really, I'm sure that's not a politically correct word, but again, I don't really care about being politically correct) stir, stir, and stir. But it takes just 30 seconds on national television of a late legend, who brought common sense, humor, and morals to America's families for so many years, to leave a huge impact in 2013.

Sometimes when you hear a song out of the blue or smell a scent out of nowhere, they have the power to stir up old memories. Whether good or bad. And for a brief moment you are transported back in time. And it either haunts you or makes you smile for the rest of the day. Paul Harvey's voice does that to me. He stirs up memories, wonderful ones, of my childhood. Every day at lunch, my Poppa and Grandmama would turn on Miss 103 and sit down and listen to Paul Harvey. Every day. They had an orange radio that belonged to my great grandmother. My Poppa was a Southern Baptist preacher, and he never listened to country music , but he would dial into the country music station straight up at noon, and eat his tuna sandwich, or cornbread and buttermilk, and black-eyed peas while my grandmother busied herself filling our glasses with sweet tea.

Thank you, God, for Paul Harvey, grandparents, and memories.

And now you know the rest of the story..... Good day....

Monday, February 4, 2013

Words I needed to hear!

I had a patient say the most beautiful thing today.... And it was something I NEEDED to hear. I wanted to write it down before I forgot it. But it reminded me of some negativity people gave me after I picked up a crippled man on the side of the highway a couple of months ago. (FYI, I don't regularly pick up strangers. EVER! But something prompted me to this time). Anyway, my patient today was telling us some amazing stories of hearing the Holy Spirit speak to her throughout her life. And then she said this: "If you feel the urge to do something you might otherwise find foolish, ask yourself-- is it immoral, is it illegal, or is it unkind? If not, then that is the Holy Spirit speaking". WOW!!!! Love it. Good refresher for me.