The reason I started this podcast was initially to share tips on my fitness habits because for the first time in years I felt like I was accomplishing something good and achieving my goals. Today I would like to share some info about some household stuff that seems to be working for the moment. Certain household hacks and incentives for kids to help have been successful lately and I just have to share! Here is Part 1, mainly dealing with a house full of kids.

Is it obvious that I'm a homebody? I'm not upset that we generally don't travel during Spring Break, but after I stop smiling about getting to sleep in all week I am terrorized by the images of whining children lamenting their boredom every day for an entire week. So here's my plan for the week so that everyone gets what they want. Is that possible? I have to think so, otherwise it's going to be a really long week.

I think we all understand that we cannot do all the things and that we need to learn to say no. Here are the really great things that I have had to decline lately in favor of what is best. How can we know what is best and be assured we made the right call? Let's talk about that, too.

In this episode I will tell you about our rather difficult first experience having a puppy, my changed perspective looking back, and a dogsitting opportunity that was just the thing we needed. I get more and more excited about new and unexpected things that happen these days and I will tell you why.

Do you have the car line blues? I used to dread afternoon school pickups, but now it's a very pleasant and calming part of my day! Let's talk about how I transformed the worst part of my afternoon into some wonderfully rare (and productive!) ME time.

I have struggled big time trying to keep our house clutter-free and organized over the years. As I think about how all of that could change, I wonder what I've learned through this small-home experience. Let's find out, and let's also talk about planning for change. How can I plan if I don't know what the change will be? Well, I'm pretty good at imagining things so let's start there. :)

Is this the tiniest breakthrough for me personally and one that I can share with my budding young pianists? I think maybe it is and will keep working on it. I am feeling very encouraged about enjoying music as I play it for others.

I like doing these kinds of episodes because who doesn't need a quick list of dinner ideas to set themselves up for the next week or month? I will also highlight the best meals and give tips. Thanks for joining me again for this! I hope to publish these menu episodes all year long.

Here's a quick and fairy concise (yay!) review of Jack London's The Sea Wolf. I'm so glad I picked this one up and added it to my library. The mystery of the sea, the clash of philosophies and thought-provoking dialogue made for a truly fascinating read.

Are you over-analytical? Do you think too hard? Are you always trying to problem-solve? Listen to this and see if it helps you understand your own mind a little better. Also, do my 2 suggestions make sense?