Before we get to that, I wanted to tell you that last night, I realized that in yesterday’s Q&A post, I should have asked you guys to chime in with your advice about dealing with negative comments. I know a number of you have blogs of your own, and I’m sure you have some good thoughts to share. So, if you didn’t already, add your voice to the comments!
(I was going to say something right here like, “on to the topic at hand!” but really, since this is a random post, that paragraph above should feel right at home.)
I recently received 3 free bags of Oberto jerky to sample…one bag of beef, one bag of BBQ pork, and one bag of teriyaki turkey jerky.
I go back and forth with how I feel about beef jerky. Sometimes I love it, and sometimes I think it’s right on par with shoe leather. But, my kids love jerky, and since it’s not sugary or refined, I don’t mind if they eat it.
The Oberto jerky ingredients are pleasingly simple and real, which makes for a happy me. And it’s tasty…my kids and I managed to eat all 3 bags in short order. Our favorite variety was definitely the turkey jerky. It seemed a bit more tender, and the mildly sweet teriyaki flavor was so good.
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I recently helped my friend Elizabeth, of Ready, Set, Simplify., switch her blog from WordPress.com to a self-hosted blog. That all went smoothly, but her subscription service before was through WordPress.com and we were unable to export the list of email subscribers to her new subscription service.
So, if you were one of her subscribers, hop on over to her blog and get re-signed up! (the sign-up box is on the right-hand side…just scroll down a bit.)
And if you weren’t one of her subscribers, you could always become one…Elizabeth posts about her journey to simplify and declutter her life (and sometimes, I show up on her blog!)
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MoneySavingMom often posts a list of 10 goals for the week, and I thought I’d give that a try myself.
1. Paint new sample color on my living room wall
I already stopped at the store and picked up another sampler..I just need to roll it onto the wall!)
2. Finish editing photos from my shoot with the W family.
I want to get them done and delivered.
3. Finish money report for November.
I’m a little late getting it done because I was waiting to see what Mr. FG’s new paycheck amount was after taxes.
4. Figure out a new budget with Mr. FG.
As I mentioned before, he got a raise with his promotion, and we need to sit down and talk about exactly where the extra money will go.
5. Update Quicken.
Yes. I am still not terribly fabulous at this.
6. Post review/giveaway for Cook’s Illustrated’s new cookbook.
I know you guys are anxious for me to get that done!
7. Get Sonia started with piano lessons.
The poor girl has been anxiously waiting for me to do this since September, and I have not made the time for it. So, I’m publicly committing to getting this done. Hold me to it!
8. Try having computer-less mornings.
I’ve been trying to get all my blog posts done and scheduled at night, so there’s not really a reason for me to hop on in the morning. Plus, there are all sorts of reasons for me NOT to hop on (like, I have to cook dinner, exercise, shower, do family worship with Mr. FG and the kids among a zillion other things).
And there’s always the fact that hopping on to check email can speedily turn into 15-20 minutes.
9. Make a blog plan for November.
I never stick to these entirely, but having a month’s worth of ideas planned out does help to make blogging easier.
10. Figure out a new time for Bible reading.
I used to do this early in the morning, but since our schedule has changed, that’s not working so well. I’m still getting prayer time in (I do that while I go for a walk in the mornings) but I want to work Bible reading back in too. I think maybe I’ll do that at night before Mr. FG comes home or something.
Next week, I’ll let you know how things went with my goals.
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Today’s 365 post: Stick Men
Joshua’s 365 post: An Orchestra Trio
Dogs or Dollars
Tuesday 8th of November 2011
I love random posts days! Actually, I'm digging most of this.
I like the idea of weekly goals. Loved and appreciated the advice about nasty commenters. Also, a big fan of jerky. Although, I've designs on making my own.
Thats a Win. Win. Win. Sometimes you gotta keep it random.
Hanneke C
Tuesday 8th of November 2011
Hi Kristen,
re quicken, haven you tried YNAB? http://www.youneedabudget.com/?gclid=CLTV2KyVqKwCFWRNpgod03BDeQ. You could even have a free trial and maybe ask them for a discount of the full price (I got three friends to sign up and got a big discount).
I've been using this for the last 3 months after using Quicken and MS Money for the 10+ years. What a difference, you can even have YNAB to your phone, so that when you are at the shop you know how much is in your budget for that particular category! It took me a while to get my 'head' around the different way of doing things. Quicken does everything arrears but YNAB does everything in advance. It has made a HUGE difference in our spending!
Just a thought :), love your blog! Hanneke
Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy
Tuesday 8th of November 2011
Kristen,
I like the idea of ten goals for the week. I hate getting to the end of the day and feeling like I've accomplished nothing. I am w/you on #2, #8, #9 (this goes along w/#2), and #10.
Linda Sand
Tuesday 8th of November 2011
I looked at Oberto's website and it lists sugar as the second ingredient. So, I decided not to try it.
I just read an article that mentioned that the Marines only give their people three areas of focus because their experiments say that's all one can handle. Why do we give ourselves so many? Do we think we can do more than the Marines? :)
JOLENE
Tuesday 8th of November 2011
On the store bought jerky. (in this case free) I did not double check the Oberto brand but most jerky is covered up in MSG (even many local yocal vendors use it for preservation and addictive purposes) for those of you avoiding that vicious cycle you might try making your own. We make ours in the dehydrator or oven (when its cold weather). We are fortunate to have a variety of wild game in the freezer or purchase as natural as possible when on sale from a whole foods store or butcher. We have tried many flavors, black pepper, crushed red chile, powdered green chile or jalapeno, lemon, and plain with sea salt. To prepare - it is easiest sliced with an electric knife while frozen. PS keep the dehydrator away from the dogs and when finished you better hide some because the family makes fast work of devouring it.
JOLENE
Thursday 10th of November 2011
For Mellisa who asked about spices, I just sprinkle it over the sliced meat, that is about 1/4" thick. We prefer alot of flavor so I am generous with the application. No pre packaged seasoning as most have ingredients in them that I stay away from. We live in NM so chili is easy to come by, even powdered. You probably could find powdered jalapeno or habenero. Plus there are plenty of SW sites on the net to order from. If you are up for it, take fresh green chile, roast, peel,dry it then powder it. I suppose you could do something similar with canned or frozen. The lemon is just fresh squeezed directly over the meat. Recipes do exist to mix ground meat and partially freeze slice and freeze, but it is messy and time consuming - we just like the other better. You will know by looking at the meat if it is dry enough and that depends on what type of equipment you dry it with. As a child my dad rolled the strips of meat in black pepper and hung in on the barb wire fence till the donkey decided he liked it too. If I ever have enough to store I use a vacuum seal treatment on the bag or jar.