discipline

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i just wrapped up a book yesterday that might have been the best productivity book i've read (more to come).  but the author closed with a chapter on discipline and perseverance.  i do think i'm naturally strong at perseverance but discipline is where i feel i fall short.  ironically i gave up sweets over a week ago (being too reliant during stressful times) and if i look back to my life before kids i was far more disciplined.  so what happens after kids ... thinking about it more i'm very disciplined when it comes to the schedule for my kids ... but for myself i have no energy left.  so this month i'm starting with my biggest and most challenging "frog":  create more discipline in my life and hold myself accountable.  do you have any tricks you use to self-discipline?  

 

-k

a great lesson in balance

did you see this story this week ... it just brought a smile to my face - not only when i saw the picture but when i read the article {if you haven't you should here's the link}.  i love how erin doesn't really apologize - she does explain further the context of the picture, but i love how she's honest and shares this side of parenting.  we all do it ... we all make choices and like a tight rope walker we a lose our balance sometimes - but what we do to get it back is the brilliance.  thanks for sharing erin!! 

happy reading
-k

introducing bookshelf ...

a couple of years ago i was struggling with finding time in my day to do more reading.  at night didn't work for me because i would fall asleep and i couldn't find time during the day and then it hit me ... audio books.  my aunt {a former working mom herself} used to listen to them as she traveled between dealerships as a loan officer for GMAC.  i listen to them in the car on my way to and from work, when i'm working out {going for a long walk or jog}, and sometimes - if i'm really, really into a book i'll listen to it in bed before i go to sleep.  i've been doing it for a couple of years and i have to say i love it!  i actually look forward to picking out books and to my commute!!  

this morning i've started compiling a list of the books i've read ... and i thought i'd share with you.  there is a total assortment of books as i can't stick to any one topic or genre.  i've got some career & productivity books, some parenting & time management books, and then some fiction novels and self-help books.  one of these days i'll get around to writing some reviews as well ... but for now i just wanted to start the long list.  

while i purchase my audiobooks through itunes, i keep a "wishlist" in amazon.com for all of the books that i want to read.  now if i could only find a way to share my audiobooks with friends {and yes i'm that technologically challenged}.  

what are some books that you like? 

happy reading!

-k

birthday party ... supplies

ok so yesterday we had a marathon of birthday parties and while i was prepared with gifts ... i ran out of cards.  yikes.  

over the holidays when i was out and about i did stock up on gift bags and tissue paper.  my favorite sources are the dollar store and tjmaxx.  my theory - i'd rather put more money into the gift than the cost to wrap it.  

but let me get back to my delemma of yesterday ... cards.  so i got these custom "gift tags" a few years ago and i love using them BUT they are customized with both of my kiddo's names.  so yesterday i ordered a set for each with just their name so i'm good for 50 more birthday parties.  below is what i ordered {from one of my fav's ... shutterfly} ...

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but i got to shoppin' around a bit more and here are some super cute solutions so you never have to be as unprepared as i was yesterday.  :)  

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this one you'd have to hit during the season but look for classroom valentines that don't say "happy valentine's day" 

 

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i think these are all a great alternative to a card ... but then again a card is nice and you can pick them up for as little as $.99 cents each or you can purchase 6 or more in bulk too.  

 

hope this gives you some ideas so you're not caught off guard like i was yesterday.

 

 -k

p.s.  GO BRONCOS!!!!