There is never anything good to eat in this house!  Are any of you as tired of hearing this statement as I am?  If I had a dollar… I’d be rich.  Well, maybe not “rich” but certainly richer.

Being the Mom, I am the go-to person for most household-related tasks.  I try to keep things simple, so I use lists and checklists to manage daily chores.  For example, I use a weekly grocery-shopping checklist that identifies and categorizes the typical grocery items we tend to purchase.   This list enables me to stay within budget, ensure I have all supplies needed to prepare our weekly menu, and keeps me from buying stuff we don’t need.  I keep this checklist out in the open for all family members to view.  All family members are encouraged to circle, highlight or add foods to the list.  Do you know that in the 10 or so years that I have been using this list, not once has any family member circled, highlighted or added anything to it?

I am sure that it will come as a shock to some, but I actually don’t have any special powers.  I cannot read minds, see into the future or make food items magically appear.   The only foods that will be brought into this house are the food items that are circled, highlighted or added to the list.  So family…you know what you need to do!