Personal Core Values

Set out 2016 right and read this article about the importance of defining your core values.   I know what my values are, but rarely consciously reflect on them and certainly not as a tool to save time and energy...but they are just that because it helps you weed out people and opportunities that aren't a good fit.  The first three the author lists of truth, diligence and consistency are definitely on my list too.

It's been a busy few days.  Our Christmas Eve plans were cancelled due to unexpected surgery for my Dad.  Thank god he is ok.  Had a house full of kids yesterday and today.  Looking forward to "Almost New Years Eve" party at school tonight...complete with noisemakers and hats for the kids to enjoy at 9 pm.

Nine Ways Mentally Strong People Retain Their Personal Power

Looking forward to a big chunk of time off after today.  My usual Christmas plans are turned upside down due to unforeseen circumstances so I am trying to re-organize the next few days so the kids get all the joy they can out of this special time.

Stress is synonymous with this time of year so this article about Nine Ways Mentally Strong People Retain their Personal Power is a good reminder for anyone who needs it. :)

Looking forward to cookie baking with one of my bffs and the kids tomorrow morning.  Then we'll go to an afternoon holiday party complete with Santa.  Will update on any good cookie recipes we make.

We never take the tree out of the netting until we get home, so we lucked out this year again with a nice one!  Although you'll notice the middle of the tree is absent of lights -- whoops. ;)

Happy Thursday!

Kicking it old school today with some Van Halen!

Financial Success

Someone posted a quote about how 85% of your financial success is due to your personality and ability to communicate, negotiate and lead.  I could not agree more and have noticed this time and time again.  

This is why I always say I am not worried about my oldest son's spelling test scores because with that personality he will go places in life. :)  

Quickest Banana Bread

The days are flying; hard to believe there are less than three weeks left to the year.

Very busy weekend with dinners out every night (and tonight again too - oy).   My house is in shambles with the basement renovations heading to the finish line this week and my big boy's new room getting squared away.  Furniture shopping was top of the priority list this weekend capped off with a win for his basketball team - yay!

I also managed to squeeze in making chocolate-dipped, frozen bananas and my go-to easy banana bread recipe.   This comes together so quickly and given I accidentally ordered a case of bananas from fresh direct last weekend I am making a loaf a night this week. ;)

We had about 70+ bananas.  Here is Chippy encouraging the kids to eat more!

Secret ingriedient - avocado oil - makes the crust crispy and the inside taste like buttah.

 

Easy Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake

I have been so slammed, but wanted to post quick that last weekend I made the kids this easy vanilla chocolate chip cake as a treat and it really was super easy to make and good.   Want to log this recipe on here for future reference. :)

I am looking forward to taking my kids to see the Christmas tree lighting in our town tonight.  All the families from school come out so it winds up being a big social event for the adults and the kids have fun playing while enjoying hot chocolate and cookies.  Can't wait! 

Love this.