Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. Whew! We made it to Friday. Another busy weekend is on tap for my family, as I’ll be a vendor for a Fall Festival at our church. Whatever plans you have penciled in, I hope you enjoy them to the full.
Quote of the Week: “A plan is what, a schedule is when. It takes both a plan and a schedule to get things done.” –Peter Turla
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: This week, I want to talk about the s-word. Not expletives or anything like that. The s-word I am thinking about is schedule. And what goes with a schedule more than time? As the ancients taught, time is the most valuable thing a person can spend. I know that the idea of being bound to a schedule makes some people groan; however, the beauty of a schedule is that it allows you to tell your time what to do instead of the other way around. If you are in control of your time, then you can decide whether or not to be free when someone asks you to help them move or go to the mall.
Having a schedule also keeps you from overbooking activities. There have been times when my husband and I have accidentally scheduled two events simultaneously. One of the worst feelings in the world, at least for me, is to tell someone I cannot keep a commitment because I forgot that I had a prior engagement. Putting appointments and volunteer dates on your calendar helps ensure that you are where you are supposed to be when you are supposed to be there.
Schedules also help you remember to stay fit and to exercise. Working out consistently two or three days a week is the best way to feel good during this time of the year. Having a designated time to drink water, deciding to add fresh vegetables and fruits to specific meals, or planning one or two times a week to enjoy sweets will make you feel like you are accomplishing something important.
Calendars and schedules are the best way to maximize our favorite months and seasons. Every year, my husband and I hit the end of December and ask, “Where did the time go?” The holidays seem to fly past at a dizzying speed, and you can feel as if you’ve missed them if you don’t plan moments to pause and reflect on treasured moments. We try to schedule nights to watch our favorite holiday movies. Puzzle nights are another fun activity to plan with your family or friends.
And speaking of friends, be sure to reach out to those who may not have a great support system and include them in your seasonal plans. You could make a difference in the life of others just by including them. Having too much free time can be distressing, especially to those who have lost loved ones. When you are alone with your thoughts for too long, it becomes easy to get sad and depressed. Should you know any individuals who fall into this category, invite them out to play miniature golf or something.
Joke of the Week: I got a job at a watch factory…it isn’t too hard. I just stand around all day and make faces.
Recipe of the Week: Baked Spaghetti Casserole
What you’ll need:
1 lb. ground beef or turkey
1 jar spaghetti sauce
spaghetti noodles
pepperoni
shredded cheese, either cheddar or mozzarella
Brown ground meat and cook the desired amount of spaghetti noodles to the desired texture. Mix meat, sauce, and noodles and place in a lightly greased 9×13 baking dish. Cover with pepperoni and sprinkle with cheese. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and the casserole has reached the desired temperature.
This recipe goes great with salad and any kind of warm bread. Enjoy!
Shout Out of the Week: This week, I want to shout out to all of the bus drivers and Uber drivers who help transport people to work and school and other important appointments. Thank you for being consistent and dependable with your routes so that people on a strict schedule can get where they need to go. My grandmother drove a bus in Englishtown, New Jersey. You are appreciated more than you know…
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.
