I think it's time for a spreadsheet...

I've been having a tough time keeping all of the resolutions I made for my Happiness Project straight and I'm thinking it might be time to make a list of them so I can literally check them off when I've done them each day. One of the frugal living/deal blogs that I read daily had a post about household management forms that had several templates I think would work well.

I'm also making a chore chart for Ada who will be getting a star each time she completes the activity listed (brush hair & teeth, help pick up toys & books, etc.) each day. Once she earns a certain number of stars/points, we're going to let her "cash them in" and select a prize. I've also been thinking about giving her some kind of small allowance, but I think she should probably understand money a little more clearly before I do.

Also, I am beyond thrilled that I had the foresight to create a playroom upstairs for this winter. It's SO nice to have somewhere for them to run, climb, and basically wear themselves out during the winter months when going outside would be a trial. It's a disaster zone most of the time, but always lots of fun.

Progressing Progress

I need to record, for posterity, how much easier life is when I do monthly meal planning because it is. It REALLY is. I just hated doing it but the dividends it's paying now during the month are so worth it.

I picked up a magnetic white board calendar that also has a place to a "to do" list on it to hang in the kitchen and that's also been helpful for any changes I've had to make to the menus. I did well with my goal of not repeating meals more than twice a month. I think, for the most part, most meals are only served once which is a HUGE change. We used to have pizza at least once a week because it was quick and crazy easy. This month? ONCE. To give you a sampling, here's a list of what we've had this month so far: (I'll link to recipes where available)

Special weekend breakfasts:

• French Breakfast Puffs - I want these EVERY day but my wasitline would not appreciate it.
• Buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy
• Sour cream pancakes

(All of these recipes are from a cookbook called The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes From an Accidental Country Girl which I'd highly recommend as everything I've made from it and her website are DELICIOUS.)

Lunches:

• Spaghetti Pie
• Potato & cheddar pierogies
• Grilled cheese
• Cheese bagel bites
• Macaroni & cheese
• Potato cheddar soup

(We like cheese in this house if you couldn't tell..)

Suppers:

• Corn dogs and fries
• Tacos
• Mini meatloaves
• Chicken fried rice
• Sloppy joes
• Lasagna roll ups

And leftovers. Lots and lots of leftovers. I have to say that's definitely at the top of my favorite things about meal planning list. Tomorrow, for example, I will only cook breakfast and then that's it for the rest of the day since we'll have lots of leftovers from today. Whee!

I picked up a very cheap six month subscription to a meal planning site (Relish) through one of the daily deal sites I get e-mails from, so we'll see if that makes planning for February even easier. All in all, I'd have to say that meal planning has been providing a large and lasting happiness boost.