Manage It Monday: Managing Your Own Expectations

Posted on May 20, 2013 by bethp146

In college, I was in the Computer-Based Honors Program at UA. A unique part of the program was having the opportunity to do research as undergraduates with professors in our interest areas. We were responsible for organizing and completing our own projects each semester, but we met once a week in class with the director of the program to present, give status updates, and learn skills and tips for what we were working on. One of the topics from those weekly seminars that has stood out in my mind even after graduation was the advice to “manage expectations.” Since we were responsible for our own projects, we needed to clearly communicate with our project manager and the CBH director our goals, timeline, progress, successes, and possible roadblocks. It was a valuable life lesson. Today I want to apply that same idea to something more personal – learning to manage your own expectations of yourself.

I’m all for having big dreams and aiming high, but sometimes you have to realize you can’t do it all.

This is a hard pill for me to swallow and a lesson I still haven’t learned. Every day I have the expectation that I should be able to go to work, cook dinner, keep the house clean, blog, sew, write, and hang out with my husband. I rarely get through it all, and when I do I don’t get to spend the amount of time on each thing that I think I should. Then I start to beat myself up for not accomplishing every little thing. It’s not healthy. I need to learn to let go of the little things and work on the big picture.
I need to manage my own expectations of myself.

Have goals and work towards them, but realize you can’t do everything no matter how much you may want to. Look for things that can wait and work on the things that will help you reach your goals. Manage your own expectations.

Am I the only one who struggles with this? Does anyone have any advice for me?

About these ads

Lunch Break Check-In

Posted on May 17, 2013 by bethp146

Hey y’all! I am posting this from the Kroger parking lot while on my lunch break. I had to run in and grab a few things, and now I need to pick up something for lunch and take it back to work. Since I didn’t get a real post written for Thursday or today, I just wanted to pop in and say hi. It’s been one of those blah, discouraging weeks, and I just haven’t felt like myself. Our house has been a mess with dishes piled high in the sink and dog food spilled all over our bathroom thanks to two doxies I know. I finally got caught up on my cleaning last night, and I’m ready to put this week behind me and enjoy the weekend! Some weeks are just like this, I guess, and that’s okay. It makes me appreciate the sunny, happy, glorious days!

One of the passages in my daily reading plan yesterday was Psalm 136.
Psalm 136:1
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.”

God is good all the time! Through sunny weeks and blah weeks. Through messy houses and sleepless nights and days when you’ve got your act together. I’m so thankful for His love!

Next week I have some posts planned that I’m really excited about – cheese straws, managing your crazy expectations of yourself, a small historical town, and more! Until then, I hope you have a fantastic weekend! – Beth

Some Things I’ve Learned

Posted on May 15, 2013 by bethp146

This week’s Year Long Blogging Challenge topic from Rocket City Bloggers is about the most important life lesson learned to date.

There’s a lot I don’t know, but I am learning all the time. I couldn’t pinpoint some large, profound defining life lesson to discuss. Instead, here are several life lessons I’ve learned. They are things I’ve been taught by family, friends, teachers, and my own experiences. Some are silly and some are serious. That’s life!

Work on one thing at a time and see it through to completion.

The little things you are stressed about right now will probably not matter in a month.

Wear sunscreen. Reapply.

Always say “I love you.”

Don’t dump a ton of flour in the stand mixer at once while it’s running.

Be positive. Don’t complain.

Don’t touch your lips or eyes after slicing a fresh jalapeño.

“Read your Bible and pray everyday and you’ll grow, grow, grow.”

Soak up as much family time as you can.

Take long walks.

Remember who you are.

Stand up straight.

Throw away your gum before English class.

Set goals.

Don’t leave the bait on the hook when you put away your pole.

Fold laundry as soon as you take it out of the dryer. Don’t keep letting it pile up.

Don’t turn left out of Sonic.

What are your life lessons?

Flipping Through My Camera Roll

Posted on May 14, 2013 by bethp146

Photography is definitely not my thing. I admire and am in awe of those who can take beautiful photos! That’s my disclaimer I felt I needed to throw out there before I posted this tonight.

Because I need to do a better job at documenting some of our normal days and special days, I started flipping through my camera roll on my phone tonight. I was surprised at some of the moments I’ve already forgotten about from this Spring. For my own memory’s sake, here are some (not so spectacular) phone photos from our life lately.

Several weeks ago, I went with Papa, Ree, Laura, and Mama up to Sir’s Fabrics in Fayetteville, TN. It’s one of my favorite places to go, and I have so many memories of going up there with my grandparents. We went because Laura was looking for curtain fabric for her dining room, but I managed to find some fabric I may use to recover a rocking chair. I took the photo of the calico quilting fabric just because I thought they were so pretty on that table. It was a great morning!

That same Saturday, I read a little on the porch while M grilled for the first time this spring.

Another Saturday, Laura came with M and I to Lowes & Home Depot. The back of my car was quickly filled up with our purchases, so the ferns had to ride in the backseat with Laura.

I have a thing for Gerbera daisies.

My girls.

We went down to Mountain Brook for the wedding of one of M’s college roommates. It was a beautiful wedding! I’m just drinking Sun Drop

Laura and I had our Planner Party we have every other month.

My parents are the cutest! This was taken at my cousin Rachel’s graduation Friday night. I’m so proud of you, Rachel!

This past Saturday, we went up to Springfield, TN to see M’s grandparents. AND his mom and brother James were also in town for the weekend. It was SO exciting to get to see them!

I love the yellow finches that gather outside their window.

On Sunday, we went to the river for Mother’s Day. Laura gave mama and me gel manicures while we were there. Now I want gel nails all the time.

I feel like we have been going non-stop lately. We’ve also been to two softball games, to a fish fry at the river, on a date night, and to see Iron Man 3. I’m grateful for a chance to sit down and document some of these memories!

The Best Day

Posted on May 12, 2013 by bethp146

I chose the song “The Best Day” by Taylor Swift for the seating of the mothers and grandmothers at our wedding. I cry literally every time I hear this one. It brings back so many memories of my childhood, and one lady that stands out in my mind through it all.

Mama has become one of my best friends. She has guided me, taught me, and loved me. Through her relationship with my Daddy, she’s taught me how to be a wife. Through her relationship with Christ, she’s taught me how to be a daughter to our Heavenly Father. Thank you for everything, Mama! I love you Muches and I had the best day with you today.

The Best Day – Taylor Swift

I’m five years old, it’s getting cold, I’ve got my big coat on
I hear your laugh and look up smiling at you, I run and run
Past the pumpkin patch and the tractor rides, look now, the sky is gold
I hug your legs and fall asleep on the way home

I don’t know why all the trees change in the fall
But I know you’re not scared of anything at all
Don’t know if Snow White’s house is near or far away
But I know I had the best day with you today

I’m thirteen now and don’t know how my friends could be so mean
I come home crying and you hold me tight and grab the keys
And we drive and drive until we found a town far enough away
And we talk and window shop ’til I’ve forgotten all their names

I don’t know who I’m gonna talk to now at school
But I know I’m laughing on the car ride home with you
Don’t know how long it’s gonna take to feel okay
But I know I had the best day with you today

I have an excellent father, his strength is making me stronger
God smiles on my little brother, inside and out, he’s better than I am
I grew up in a pretty house and I had space to run
And I had the best days with you

There is a video I found from back when I was three
You set up a paint set in the kitchen and you’re talking to me
It’s the age of princesses and pirate ships and the seven dwarfs
And Daddy’s smart and you’re the prettiest lady in the whole wide world

And now I know why the all the trees change in the fall
I know you were on my side even when I was wrong
And I love you for giving me your eyes
For staying back and watching me shine
And I didn’t know if you knew, so I’m takin’ this chance to say
That I had the best day with you today

Lovely Little Blessings – 5/8/13

Posted on May 8, 2013 by bethp146

“When upon life’s billows you are temptest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And if will surprise you what the Lord hath done”

Because sometimes you are just having a blah day/week/month and you can barely keep your eyes open because you haven’t been sleeping well and nothing major is wrong but you could easily write a post full of whining anyway but instead you write a terrible and long run-on sentence that makes your English major heart cringe all because you just want to say that you realize you are blessed, so blessed. These are the things I’m particularly thankful for these days – my lovely little blessings:

a hard working husband. I don’t know how he has kept up the pace he’s been on lately. I couldn’t do it. He never complains, and I’m just so proud of him.

today’s sunshine

not having to water the yard because of all the rain we’ve had lately

not having to run the air conditioner much because of how cool it’s been. Those high utility bills and humid Alabama summer days will come soon enough.

health

good friends

getting to celebrate those we love. It’s the time of year for weddings, holidays to honor parents, and graduations.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

Isaiah 55:9

these two:

What are you thankful for?

Mothers and Daughters

Posted on May 7, 2013 by bethp146

These ladies are two of my best friends. There’s something so special about having a sister you love to be around and a mother you want to be like. On Sunday, I got to go to a mothers and daughters tea with ladies at the congregation I grew up attending. I’m glad Mama called and asked if I wanted to come. Fancy hats, punch, Mama’s chocolate peanut butter oatmeal cookies, photos, and fun with these women who are two of my biggest blessings. It was a wonderful tea party!

Love You Muches

documenting this lovely southern life