I was/still am, when I think about it, on a message board when it was once a big drama to post song lyrics. As much as music has been a part of my life I can find solice in music and take the deeper meaning into my life. I can hear songs now that will bring back specific memories as to what was going on in my life at the time when I was listening to a particular song. Ok that didn't make sense...but that's ok. You understand. Same thing with smells. I can smell something and it will bring back a memory.
I like to make new memories and good ones. This song has been playing just about every evening on either youtube, spotify, pandora or slacker. With the book series that I am blogging about I can find several similarities.
Hear Our Praises
"may our homes be filled with dancing
may our streets be filled with joy.
may injustice bow to Jesus
as the people turn to pray.
from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air.
may Your light shine in the darkness
as we walk before the cross
may Your glory fill the whole earth
as the water o'er seas.
from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air.
hallelujah.hallelujah
hallelujah,hallelujah...
hallelujah,hallelujah
hallelujah,hallelujah.......(x3)
from the mountains to the valleys
hear our praises rise to You,
from the heavens to the nations
hear our singing fill the air."
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Day 10...31 Days to Clean
Do you realize today should have been Day 26? I am catching up slowly and am determined to finish this project. Hoping my hospital visits will be few and good days are ahead.
Feeling Overwhelmed.
I feel like we covered this in Day 9. But I see there is more to it.
Feeling Overwhelmed.
I feel like we covered this in Day 9. But I see there is more to it.
- When the house is a mess, only work on one room at a time. * I can see this working but I would have to say that the kitchen would be chosen first over any of the other rooms. I couldn't handle cooking or eating in a room that is a mess. Thankfully, I have 4 capable children that know how to straighten up and get things done. So I could easily just give all of us 1 room to clean if it gets that bad.
- Be generous to your trash can. *I love my trash can and would tip it money if I could get it to grab stuff by itself. Getting a big black lawn trash bag is one of the best motivators for the kids. If I have that bag out then they are usually scattering around picking up all of the things they want to keep so it won't end up at the landfill.
- Get rid of half the toys. * Like I said earlier...the big black trash bag gets the job done! If you are a frequent visitor to McDonalds (we are not) get rid of all those cheap plastic happy meal toys. We had some kind of toy years ago in the van and every time I went down hill or used my brakes it would say something. It took me forever to find that dumb toy!
- Do the 15 minute thing. * Ever heard of FlyLady...yeah, that's her! She has a strategy of turning on the timer for 15 minutes and see what you can accomplish in that timeframe. Would this challenge you or hinder your progress? I can see it from both point of views. I would take the challenge but if I am getting in a good cleaning groove I don't want to be distracted by a timer. But putting my shoes on early in the morning and shining my sink works wonders on getting my endorphins going!
- Just get moving. * "Action is the antidote to despair." Joan Baez. My husband always says to make a complaint you should be part of the solution and not the problem. If you have the complaint find a way to fix it instead of dwelling on the problem and letting it consume you.
- Envision the big picture. * The example that the book gives is about the feeling you get when walking into a well kept home where things are put in place, warm and inviting. I don't think my feeling and their feeling would be the same. I would probably walk in and start drooling. HA HA...that may give me a big picture but this would be my issue to work out on my own
- Get off the computer. *Shut the computer done friends. Limit your time online with socially addicting websites. When I first started using a smartphone I thought how wonderful it was that now I would be able to keep up with everyone on my facebook no matter where I was. Every email would come instantly to my phone, every text, every calendar date...oh the list goes on and on. It finally came to the point when I had to change my notifications on the phone. It was making me anxious every time I would hear it "ding" which became way too frequent! So my friends, its not just the computer...it can be your phone too.
- Keep you eyes on the goal * Do you have any goal setting experience? I know that I try and set goals for the children. But in the mornings I know that I can reflect on how my day should go and hope that everything runs as smoothly as my intentions. My goals are daily and small....I can work up to the bigger ones but for now I choose not to have high expectiations right now.
- get Something new for your home that brings a smile to your face. * They are thinking of small things like a new picture, knick knack, pillow or a great yard sale find. To me if I just buy a new sponge/cloth and a cleaning spray I am a happy camper!!!!
Mary's Challenge. Light a candle and find a cozy spot to be able to reflect and see your big picture. Think of your home and how you hope it will bring you to a place of refuge.
Martha's Challenge. Clean window treatments and the inside of the windows. I found this to be rewarding as it is like instant gratification. We use blinds and have never been a big fan of curtains so I am able to just put the feather duster to the slats.
Day 9...31 Days to Clean
Confronting Laziness
I know I can fall into this rut very easily. I actually wanted to come on here and blog about the new Space Angry Birds that was released yesterday. Yes, it is cool...something different to get the hang of (spend useless hours playing). I will just get to a point when I will just delete it for awhile so its not a temptation to me.
I wish I could delete a lot of things in life that seem to be a distraction. I think these distractions are what fuels my laziness. And only I can call myself lazy when I think I am lazy...don't anyone else call me lazy! If you do, I will throw out a long list of things that I am responsible for. Rant over...lol!
Mary's challenge is for us to recognize each time that we say "I will do that later" and pray to receive a diligent heart. I think that my way would be for me to cry out " Why do I procrastinate "? Why do I get to the point when I don't care and when I do care...it is hard to fix the times when I didn't. Ugh!!!
Martha...Your challenge is pretty easy for me because all I had to do was provide the fresh flowers. The kids help out with chores and everything fell right into place today!
I know I can fall into this rut very easily. I actually wanted to come on here and blog about the new Space Angry Birds that was released yesterday. Yes, it is cool...something different to get the hang of (spend useless hours playing). I will just get to a point when I will just delete it for awhile so its not a temptation to me.
I wish I could delete a lot of things in life that seem to be a distraction. I think these distractions are what fuels my laziness. And only I can call myself lazy when I think I am lazy...don't anyone else call me lazy! If you do, I will throw out a long list of things that I am responsible for. Rant over...lol!
Mary's challenge is for us to recognize each time that we say "I will do that later" and pray to receive a diligent heart. I think that my way would be for me to cry out " Why do I procrastinate "? Why do I get to the point when I don't care and when I do care...it is hard to fix the times when I didn't. Ugh!!!
Martha...Your challenge is pretty easy for me because all I had to do was provide the fresh flowers. The kids help out with chores and everything fell right into place today!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Day 8...31 Days to Clean
Putting pictures in the posts are proving to be difficult...I need to put that on my mental list!
Today we are Overcoming the Curse.
If we keep looking at each day and the things we have to do that is what will cloud our eyes. So why are we to write down our lists? I don't get it? I think it would make my eyes well up with tears if I had to look at everything I am to do each day. Instead we are supposed to look forward to our future and eternal life with our Lord. That doesn't mean leave everything to pot here and be on the show "Hoarders". We should still keep ourselves neat and tidy. If you are a hoarder i am sorry if I poked fun at you. If you would like some help let me know and I will try and recommend a local therapist for you.
Remember everything we have here on Earth was given to us for a time period. Our children are God's children and we are to raise them according to his teachings. Our food is from God who provided the soil, sun and rain to help them grow...that is why we give thanks at our meal times.
Today we are Overcoming the Curse.
If we keep looking at each day and the things we have to do that is what will cloud our eyes. So why are we to write down our lists? I don't get it? I think it would make my eyes well up with tears if I had to look at everything I am to do each day. Instead we are supposed to look forward to our future and eternal life with our Lord. That doesn't mean leave everything to pot here and be on the show "Hoarders". We should still keep ourselves neat and tidy. If you are a hoarder i am sorry if I poked fun at you. If you would like some help let me know and I will try and recommend a local therapist for you.
Remember everything we have here on Earth was given to us for a time period. Our children are God's children and we are to raise them according to his teachings. Our food is from God who provided the soil, sun and rain to help them grow...that is why we give thanks at our meal times.
image source: Purging my Soul: One Blog at a Time
Disclaimer: I just like the pictures I post from various blogs...I don't have wheat growing near me to get such a beautiful picure therefore, the views expressed in other people's blogs may or may not be the same as mine. But I can add it to my list of things to read if I can find that specific list.
Mary Challenge:
Back to a time when God changed my character. I think that my character is ever changing. I change with the tide. Experiences whether they are bad or good will influence me to change how I think about things and how I may approach situations. Thank you God for making me a free thinker and to always have You in my life to be my consult. To having your Word as a book to abide by and find comfort within. Thank you for allowing us to make our own choices and know that we may fail but you will always be there for us to pick us up and dust us off. Amen.
Martha...your challenge will have to wait until later today. I have an 8 year old girl that is waiting on me to help her determine place values in math. ttfn!
Day 7...31 Days to Clean
The Curse (What We're Up Against)
Yep I have all of the listed curses. And here I thought the only curse I had came from Adam and Eve. Hmmm?
I really like the Characteristics listed of the Curse:
1. All of creation now tends toward death, decay , and disorder.
This is so true! Our future holds death, decay and disorder. We all have to die sometime and everyone has heard the saying "You can't take it with you".
2. Work is not the Curse; unproductive work in the Curse (destroys your labor).
This would have to be true. If we don't work towards something then it doesn't get done and things become a mess. I used to say all the time. Cleaning is like shoveling snow while it is snowing. Cleaning when you have kids makes you feel the SAME way!. Why make your bed if you are just going to get in in it again after a few hours has passed.
There is just a special way your bed makes you feel when you get under the covers and they stay attached to your sheets and not piled up in a wad. If I don't keep going the mountain gets harder to climb
Yep I have all of the listed curses. And here I thought the only curse I had came from Adam and Eve. Hmmm?
I really like the Characteristics listed of the Curse:
1. All of creation now tends toward death, decay , and disorder.
This is so true! Our future holds death, decay and disorder. We all have to die sometime and everyone has heard the saying "You can't take it with you".
2. Work is not the Curse; unproductive work in the Curse (destroys your labor).
This would have to be true. If we don't work towards something then it doesn't get done and things become a mess. I used to say all the time. Cleaning is like shoveling snow while it is snowing. Cleaning when you have kids makes you feel the SAME way!. Why make your bed if you are just going to get in in it again after a few hours has passed.
There is just a special way your bed makes you feel when you get under the covers and they stay attached to your sheets and not piled up in a wad. If I don't keep going the mountain gets harder to climb
image source: Alive in Grace Reflections of A Seminary Student
3. Pollution pictures sin
I have no comment on this as I don't really understand this...but if you do! Let me know!
4. Evil is temporary and abnormal.
God did not intend for us to have evil chosen for us. He knew it would be there but he also hopes that we will make good choices and live for Him. Evil is not the social norm. The social norm to me is the old saying " Do unto others as you would want done to you" . Would you go and throw your trash in someone else's yard? I know I wouldn't...because what if they had done that to me? Would I like that....NOOOO!!!! That is just adding to my mountain and lists of things to do already!
Martha's Challenge. Clean out and organize your pantry. I may need to go shopping...
Day 6....31 Days to Clean
Wow...talk about me feeling like a big failure! I am determined to finish this out but some things just can not be planned in to my calendar!
The $25,000 Piece of Advice...
I read this and laugh, she said she used to be a Mary Kay lady (still waiting on that pink car), I did this and Avon too. Also, did Thirty-One. I liked doing all 3 but each had their drawbacks. The MK was pretty much a lot of meetings, the Avon did ok unless you were in leadership and then it started to get old really fast. I really enjoyed Thirty-One and can still do it if I want to but in this economy it has been hard for people to order such luxuries. I like nice things too but even I have a budget.
1. Every night before bed write down the top six things, in order, that you need to accomplish the next day (no more than six). Complete tasks in order and crossing them off. I think people can get addicted in crossing things off. I don't tend to write things down and it looks as if I have already blown the first principle as I have way more than 6 things to do in a day. Like the owl and the tootsie pop commercial when we were kids! The world may never find out what is on my list!
My Martha Challenge! My husband is a collector of salt/pepper shakers
The $25,000 Piece of Advice...
I read this and laugh, she said she used to be a Mary Kay lady (still waiting on that pink car), I did this and Avon too. Also, did Thirty-One. I liked doing all 3 but each had their drawbacks. The MK was pretty much a lot of meetings, the Avon did ok unless you were in leadership and then it started to get old really fast. I really enjoyed Thirty-One and can still do it if I want to but in this economy it has been hard for people to order such luxuries. I like nice things too but even I have a budget.
1. Every night before bed write down the top six things, in order, that you need to accomplish the next day (no more than six). Complete tasks in order and crossing them off. I think people can get addicted in crossing things off. I don't tend to write things down and it looks as if I have already blown the first principle as I have way more than 6 things to do in a day. Like the owl and the tootsie pop commercial when we were kids! The world may never find out what is on my list!
There is a 6 step program on thinkrightnow.com that can be printed out for your convenience. For me...I think I will keep it in my head. I keep things under control better there than if I have it staring at me in my face...LOL!
My Martha Challenge! My husband is a collector of salt/pepper shakers
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Big Apologies...
Big Apologies from here. I have been in and out of the hospital twice for awhile! I have diabetic gastroparesis and had a major flare up! Haven't had such a big problem in about 3 years! I am still recovering and waiting for certain processes to occur but I will be working hard this week on getting caught up. My house is in such a state as mama hasn't been around much! Thank you for your understanding!
Much Love!
Much Love!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Day 5...31 Days to Clean
My Priorities...Hmmm? My priorities are definitely with my family.
My priorities are probably not in the order they should be in but they would fall into this sequence:
Children
Husband
God
Home
Myself
They should be in this order:
God
Myself
Children
Husband
Home
This is really hard for me to grasp who comes next? The way that my brain works it tells me that God should be first no matter what...but then I should be next because if I don't take care of myself before the others who is going to be there for them? I put the children after myself because they are children and we have 3 children that do have Type 1 diabetes and need consistent care around the clock. But if I put my husband before the children then does that mean I neglect them or that we take care of them together? So confused????
My Martha Challenge was to wash the windows on the inside. I did that but it is a pretty windy day today and think the wind has thrown things at my window!!!
My priorities are probably not in the order they should be in but they would fall into this sequence:
Children
Husband
God
Home
Myself
They should be in this order:
God
Myself
Children
Husband
Home
This is really hard for me to grasp who comes next? The way that my brain works it tells me that God should be first no matter what...but then I should be next because if I don't take care of myself before the others who is going to be there for them? I put the children after myself because they are children and we have 3 children that do have Type 1 diabetes and need consistent care around the clock. But if I put my husband before the children then does that mean I neglect them or that we take care of them together? So confused????
My Martha Challenge was to wash the windows on the inside. I did that but it is a pretty windy day today and think the wind has thrown things at my window!!!
Day 4...31 Days to Clean
Can I put my feet up while I write this post?
Good thing I don't have plastic coverings...reminds me of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"! Love that movie!! But the couches we have are ones that we bought at the furniture store after telling them we needed something we could take outside and hose down if we needed to! LOL It had to be kid friendly...and that it is. We have a blue/greyish microfiber set. I have matching pillows on the couches that came with them. No throw blankets on it as they usually are put away. Our home is so far from being perfect. We have a large family or what I consider being large with 4 kids anyhow. How can it be perfect...it is definitely lived in!
Good thing I don't have plastic coverings...reminds me of the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"! Love that movie!! But the couches we have are ones that we bought at the furniture store after telling them we needed something we could take outside and hose down if we needed to! LOL It had to be kid friendly...and that it is. We have a blue/greyish microfiber set. I have matching pillows on the couches that came with them. No throw blankets on it as they usually are put away. Our home is so far from being perfect. We have a large family or what I consider being large with 4 kids anyhow. How can it be perfect...it is definitely lived in!
Day 3...31 Days to Clean
Sorry sorry Sorry sorry...life worked fast this week and I am catching up!
10 Ways to Give Life to Your Home
I know I need to work on number 1. I am not one to use bad language at all and it stuns me when I hear others speak that way but to encourage, comfort and edify others. Putting others before ourselves is usually the mom motto but these are specific ways to help others. Remembering this.
Yes, I agree...clutter causes stress. I have been telling my husband for awhile now that my goal is to find the simplicity in life. Clutter doesn't have to always be about papers and knick knacks. You can have clutter in your heart and become stressed. Clean your heart first and then see from the inside out.
I love this Scripture and may print and post this in the house:
"And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:10-11 (NASB)
My husband rebuilt our home and to him feeling loved means taking care of what he built with his own hands. So having piles around of just stuff bothers him. So if the piles are gone then he feels loved. Asking him further why that is contigent upon me loving him and he responds that if I intentionally put it there then I am intentionally hurting him and his hard work. While I did understand and took to heart how this made him feel we were also able to come to the conclusion that we both have a lot on our plates and time gets by us quickly. Shelves are waiting to go in to the downstairs closet so that some things that I have in a small "pile" can be placed easily in the new storage space.
10 Ways to Give Life to Your Home
I know I need to work on number 1. I am not one to use bad language at all and it stuns me when I hear others speak that way but to encourage, comfort and edify others. Putting others before ourselves is usually the mom motto but these are specific ways to help others. Remembering this.
Yes, I agree...clutter causes stress. I have been telling my husband for awhile now that my goal is to find the simplicity in life. Clutter doesn't have to always be about papers and knick knacks. You can have clutter in your heart and become stressed. Clean your heart first and then see from the inside out.
I love this Scripture and may print and post this in the house:
"And if you give yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness, and your gloom will become like midday. And the LORD will continually guide you, and satisfy your desire in scorched places, and give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:10-11 (NASB)
My husband rebuilt our home and to him feeling loved means taking care of what he built with his own hands. So having piles around of just stuff bothers him. So if the piles are gone then he feels loved. Asking him further why that is contigent upon me loving him and he responds that if I intentionally put it there then I am intentionally hurting him and his hard work. While I did understand and took to heart how this made him feel we were also able to come to the conclusion that we both have a lot on our plates and time gets by us quickly. Shelves are waiting to go in to the downstairs closet so that some things that I have in a small "pile" can be placed easily in the new storage space.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Day 2...31 Days to Clean
Ok so I see that today's Martha Challenge is to Clean out and scrub down the refrigerator and freezer. I can do this...I haven't yet, but I will today. I was thinking about this a little deeper. Deep for me :)
If you were to stand in front of the refrigerator with your back to it (for an upper freezer and lower refrigerator...won't work for the opposite or a side-by-side) there are different shelves on the left and right and in the drawers.
Our main shelf is the milk shelf...it has more room for things. I could think of this as my food shelf. Am I eating right? I was just telling my husband today that I was feeling better when I was dairy/gluten-free. I weighed less too. I think I am at my highest weight ever without being pregnant. I feel like garbage all the time. I think I will be gradually switching over to dairy/gluten-free again. There...that shelf is clean and sparkly.
My next shelf would be on the opposite side, the top one. that would be my heart shelf. How does my heart feel? Am I holding on to more than I should be? Of course...I am woman, hear me roar! I take everything to "heart" and tend to keep it in and bottle everything up until my heart just hurts. And when this happens I am usually a slobbering mess. Letting go of things that I can not fix or do not have any bearing on my happiness has to go. Saying goodbye to those stale or moldy leftovers in my heart. Shelf clean!
The middle shelves would be those that carry my food around in my body. Stress can determine how quickly or how slowly things can move. I have to say that my middle shelves stay pretty clean as I have been taking oral probiotics for a few months now and there is a huge difference. I have diabetic gastroparesis and not really suffered for years but it had been problematic at times. So I can say these shelves are CLEAN!
My bottom two shelves (Drawers) are not touched very often and I would call these my exercise drawers where my feet are. I HATE to walk!! Yesterday, Elizabeth and I got up early and called the shop to see if my van could get in to be fixed. It is probably 1/2 mile away from the house. We took it down (yes, down the hills) and then walked back home. OMGoodness!! Uphill, was I crazy?? We did it though and I thought my lungs were going to explode! Poor Elizabeth wanted to hold my hand as we walked and I couldn't do it! I told her I had to use both my arms to get up the hills! We had to walk back to the shop later to pick the van up...but that was downhill and much easier. I was even able to carry on a conversation with the kids while we were walking. By the end of the day (before going to zumba) the top of my feet and ankles were so sore and tight. I did go back to Zumba last night and the nice weather will bring my bike out of the basement and to the pavement again soon. I should make a goal of riding the minimum of 10 miles a week. Ok, I will do it! Zumba once a week and maybe Qigong another day of the week. Gotta keep my feet moving. These were hard shelves to clean out...lots of cobwebs! Done!
Next I have these shelves in the door to clean out too. Ever heard the saying "you wear your emotions on your sleeves"? I try not to do this, but it happens. If you have too much weight on these shelves it will offset the way your refrigerator door closes. Would you say that your emotions offset the way you are or how you feel? Remember, "ain't nobody happy if mama isn't happy"! My emotions have been up and down with different stressors going on right now. I said goodbye to one stressor today and traded it for another. How do we not have stress? Sometimes talking to a trusted person helps alleviate the stress or helps figure out ways to work through it. As the door keeps your other foods nice and cool by closing it our emotions can keep things bottled up in our heart, stomach and digestive areas too. I am still working on this area. It may not totally be clutter free but it is somewhat organized and carefully put in its place.
The freezer!! My head. I try to get to the hairdressers as often as possible (about once every 3 months is good for me). New glasses on my face after having corneal ulcers due to staph in my eye. I really don't like wearing glasses but I can appreciate the blessing to be able to see. I see the dentist twice a year. The stuff that floats around in my head seems to be doing ok. My thoughts are solid and I am not feeling as scatter-brained. I am getting enough rest. Sleeping has been a trial for me in the last 6 months. I am finally on a good regimen now. Freezer is clean!
How am I doing so far?? Is this the right refrigerator they were talking about? Probably not, but this is how I identified myself with cleaning out the refrigerator. I will edit this post later with a picture of my cleaning fridge after dinner tonight.
If you were to stand in front of the refrigerator with your back to it (for an upper freezer and lower refrigerator...won't work for the opposite or a side-by-side) there are different shelves on the left and right and in the drawers.
Our main shelf is the milk shelf...it has more room for things. I could think of this as my food shelf. Am I eating right? I was just telling my husband today that I was feeling better when I was dairy/gluten-free. I weighed less too. I think I am at my highest weight ever without being pregnant. I feel like garbage all the time. I think I will be gradually switching over to dairy/gluten-free again. There...that shelf is clean and sparkly.
My next shelf would be on the opposite side, the top one. that would be my heart shelf. How does my heart feel? Am I holding on to more than I should be? Of course...I am woman, hear me roar! I take everything to "heart" and tend to keep it in and bottle everything up until my heart just hurts. And when this happens I am usually a slobbering mess. Letting go of things that I can not fix or do not have any bearing on my happiness has to go. Saying goodbye to those stale or moldy leftovers in my heart. Shelf clean!
The middle shelves would be those that carry my food around in my body. Stress can determine how quickly or how slowly things can move. I have to say that my middle shelves stay pretty clean as I have been taking oral probiotics for a few months now and there is a huge difference. I have diabetic gastroparesis and not really suffered for years but it had been problematic at times. So I can say these shelves are CLEAN!
My bottom two shelves (Drawers) are not touched very often and I would call these my exercise drawers where my feet are. I HATE to walk!! Yesterday, Elizabeth and I got up early and called the shop to see if my van could get in to be fixed. It is probably 1/2 mile away from the house. We took it down (yes, down the hills) and then walked back home. OMGoodness!! Uphill, was I crazy?? We did it though and I thought my lungs were going to explode! Poor Elizabeth wanted to hold my hand as we walked and I couldn't do it! I told her I had to use both my arms to get up the hills! We had to walk back to the shop later to pick the van up...but that was downhill and much easier. I was even able to carry on a conversation with the kids while we were walking. By the end of the day (before going to zumba) the top of my feet and ankles were so sore and tight. I did go back to Zumba last night and the nice weather will bring my bike out of the basement and to the pavement again soon. I should make a goal of riding the minimum of 10 miles a week. Ok, I will do it! Zumba once a week and maybe Qigong another day of the week. Gotta keep my feet moving. These were hard shelves to clean out...lots of cobwebs! Done!
Next I have these shelves in the door to clean out too. Ever heard the saying "you wear your emotions on your sleeves"? I try not to do this, but it happens. If you have too much weight on these shelves it will offset the way your refrigerator door closes. Would you say that your emotions offset the way you are or how you feel? Remember, "ain't nobody happy if mama isn't happy"! My emotions have been up and down with different stressors going on right now. I said goodbye to one stressor today and traded it for another. How do we not have stress? Sometimes talking to a trusted person helps alleviate the stress or helps figure out ways to work through it. As the door keeps your other foods nice and cool by closing it our emotions can keep things bottled up in our heart, stomach and digestive areas too. I am still working on this area. It may not totally be clutter free but it is somewhat organized and carefully put in its place.
The freezer!! My head. I try to get to the hairdressers as often as possible (about once every 3 months is good for me). New glasses on my face after having corneal ulcers due to staph in my eye. I really don't like wearing glasses but I can appreciate the blessing to be able to see. I see the dentist twice a year. The stuff that floats around in my head seems to be doing ok. My thoughts are solid and I am not feeling as scatter-brained. I am getting enough rest. Sleeping has been a trial for me in the last 6 months. I am finally on a good regimen now. Freezer is clean!
How am I doing so far?? Is this the right refrigerator they were talking about? Probably not, but this is how I identified myself with cleaning out the refrigerator. I will edit this post later with a picture of my cleaning fridge after dinner tonight.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Day 1...31 Days to Clean
If you saw my post yesterday I was afraid that I would start organizing and cleaning today. Today is NOT a cleaning day!! Today was a prep day to get ready to complete 31 days of cleaning. Ugh! But, you tell me how I am not supposed to clean with a family of 6? Well, I did it. I cleaned! Not everything but some much needed shelf clearing and scrubbing. There is still a lot I can do over 31 days...honest!
Mary Challenge
We were supposed to identify specific reasons why we want to make our home a haven and create a mission statement.
It was hard to make a mission statement because all I could think of is the saying you hear all the time...cleaning is like shoveling snow during a blizzard. This is SO me! I feel that the kids are behind me leaving a dirt trail over the clean trail I already made. But my specific reason is that I want people to feel comfortable to come over. I get very anxious if someone just "stops" by...an hour notice is good for me. But I don't want this. I want a warm and inviting home for others. My mission statement would have to be: "A Clean Home Is An Inviting Home". Yep! That sounds really good for me! Will I frame it? I don't know...looks like a good cross stitch pattern to me! Then I can frame it! :)
Martha Challenge
Making your list of supplies.
Not sure about anyone else but I think the most motivating cleaning tip I could ever give someone is to tell them to go buy a new bottle of cleaning spray and a sponge or cloth. You will get home and be excited to use the new stuff! I bought a spray of scrubbing bubbles! Heaven! Love to see the bubbles and then watch it clean. My list would be needing a couple of spray bottles of the Pledge Multi-Surface, Bleach, Bleach wipes and trash bags. I am planning on downsizing as I go along.
Mary Challenge
We were supposed to identify specific reasons why we want to make our home a haven and create a mission statement.
Martha Challenge
Not sure about anyone else but I think the most motivating cleaning tip I could ever give someone is to tell them to go buy a new bottle of cleaning spray and a sponge or cloth. You will get home and be excited to use the new stuff! I bought a spray of scrubbing bubbles! Heaven! Love to see the bubbles and then watch it clean. My list would be needing a couple of spray bottles of the Pledge Multi-Surface, Bleach, Bleach wipes and trash bags. I am planning on downsizing as I go along.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
The Eve Before...Stocking up, Freezer style
As I embark the journey starting tomorrow of "31 days to Clean" I begin to wonder how it will all pan out. I can see me getting excited on the first day. Like a kid in the candy store told to only buy one piece of candy. I will succeed in completed the first day but I am worried that the excitement will cause me to do more than just the first day's assignment. Not only will I be keeping a journal of each day I will also have a photo journal running. I will be posting them on here as well.
So on this eve...I am reading about stocking up my freezer. I found this Freezer Friendly website called Simple Organized Living. If you go to the tab: From My Kitchen you will find a bunch of Freezer ideas! I never knew all of these foods could be frozen...and didn't think of freezing my herbs in ice cube form for later. Here she will show you all the ins and outs of this kitchen art. What kind of freezer do you have? Upright or Chest? We always said we didn't want a chest style freezer because you have to bend over and dig through the frozen goods to find that steak you have been craving for days! The upright freezers seem to look so organized. I would love to just label each shelf with veggies, breads, dairy, cheeses...agh!!
So on this eve...I am reading about stocking up my freezer. I found this Freezer Friendly website called Simple Organized Living. If you go to the tab: From My Kitchen you will find a bunch of Freezer ideas! I never knew all of these foods could be frozen...and didn't think of freezing my herbs in ice cube form for later. Here she will show you all the ins and outs of this kitchen art. What kind of freezer do you have? Upright or Chest? We always said we didn't want a chest style freezer because you have to bend over and dig through the frozen goods to find that steak you have been craving for days! The upright freezers seem to look so organized. I would love to just label each shelf with veggies, breads, dairy, cheeses...agh!!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
31 Days to Clean Study...Monday!
I have bought this book for my kindle fire and am committing to follow through with this book study. Would love if others would like to follow along with me. But I will be starting it on Monday. The download price is only 4.99 and you can get it through the link on my right sidebar. Even if you don't have a kindle you can download the kindle app for just about all smartphones, computers, laptops and ereaders...and its free. My plan is to post pictures along with each day's challenges along with keeping up with a journal. I am striving for the simple life and looking deep down to correct some unhealthy challenges in my life. If you are interested leave a comment on here and let me know you would like to join me. I have nothing to hide so I will probably share my journal entries for the Mary challenges and pictures of my Martha challenges! Fun!
Amazon Links 4 You!
While at our Fingerprint Science lab yesterday many asked about the laminator that I use. I love this laminator...its the best tool I have for homeschooling. We laminate just about everything around here!
Click on the links below to order!!
Click on the links below to order!!
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