This morning, when I put up This Week's Inspiration, I had no idea how it would affect me. You see, there is more to motto's than just choosing one or two, there is living by them.
Love me or hate me, I am who I am.
I will not back down, just because someone does not like me. It really doesn't matter what anyone thinks of me, as long as I know what I am doing is pleasing to the Lord. If you don't like God, I am sorry. Sorry for you, not what I have said. I make my decisions based on what I know will please God. If I realize that what I am doing does not please God, then I will be changing.
Do what you know and the rest will be easy.
Doing what I know to do is not always easy. Sometimes, doing what I know is the hardest part of all, but that is were the true test of character comes in. Am I willing to do something, even when it is difficult and I don't want to? The answer is yes.
This post is about change. I need to change. I spend far too much of my time in front of the computer, wasting it on silly things.
The Bible says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." I Corinthians 10:13 KJV
I have realized that the 'way of escape' is for me to turn off the computer and put it away (I use a lap top). We really don't need to listen to Pandora, or watch YouTube. I really don't need to check my emails ten times a day. But my children need a mommy who will teach them what they need to know. Who will work with them and who will finish projects. I need to be an example of good things to them. And for my sake, to break my addiction, I am going to put the computer away for a few days, maybe a few weeks.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
List of Hopes
I've decided to share my list of extra things I hope to get done this week.
1. Finish the laundry room.
Edit: Done things will become blue!
1. Finish the laundry room.
- Clean the floor.
- Finish removing trim.
- Paint the walls.
- Figure out tile pattern.
- Lay tile.
- Grout.
- Plant tomatoes.
- Plant peas and stake, both kinds
- Plant lettuce.
- Flowers.
- Keep watered.
Edit: Done things will become blue!
Monday, June 21, 2010
Tiling the Laundry Room
Last week we tore the carpet out of our laundry room. I don't know what possessed someone to put carpet in a laundry room/bathroom. Carpet should never be put in a bathroom. It is completely unsanitary! It is gross enough in a living room, where dirt is the biggest problem.
We tore it out, to lay the tile I bought years ago at a garage sale. I saw the tile, and knew it was just what I wanted for the room. I got all the man had, plus the tools to lay it with, for $100. I brought it home, sure my husband would be equally thrilled. He was, but had different ideas about where it should go. "How about the kitchen? What about the entry way? Maybe the family room?" So, it has sat for years. It's fate undecided. But recently, my husband noticed how gross the carpet was, I think it was when the toilet overflowed again, and decided something should be done about it!
We washed all the laundry up, and took the machines out. We removed the toilet and the sink. We ripped the carpet out, and removed the baseboard. I spent two days scraping glue off the floor, and now I am ready to pain the room. I don't think it has ever had more than the initial coat that was put on when the house was built.
I am a bit nervous; laying tile is a job I have never done before, but the principle is simple. I don't see any reason I should not do well. The floor is terribly uneven, so it is going to take a while to get everything just right, but I know that I can do it. Other women can, so I can too.
We tore it out, to lay the tile I bought years ago at a garage sale. I saw the tile, and knew it was just what I wanted for the room. I got all the man had, plus the tools to lay it with, for $100. I brought it home, sure my husband would be equally thrilled. He was, but had different ideas about where it should go. "How about the kitchen? What about the entry way? Maybe the family room?" So, it has sat for years. It's fate undecided. But recently, my husband noticed how gross the carpet was, I think it was when the toilet overflowed again, and decided something should be done about it!
We washed all the laundry up, and took the machines out. We removed the toilet and the sink. We ripped the carpet out, and removed the baseboard. I spent two days scraping glue off the floor, and now I am ready to pain the room. I don't think it has ever had more than the initial coat that was put on when the house was built.
I am a bit nervous; laying tile is a job I have never done before, but the principle is simple. I don't see any reason I should not do well. The floor is terribly uneven, so it is going to take a while to get everything just right, but I know that I can do it. Other women can, so I can too.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Monday, Monday
Monday. It is one of those days that you either love or hate. I have never met someone who is neutral about the day, but like it or not, it comes once a week.
I think the reason it is either loved or hated is because it is a day of transition. A day of change. A day to get up early and pick up the pace. I know for me, it is time to clean up from all the weekend adventures, restore order, and pick up the slack of last week. That's a tall order, for one day! But the results are so worth it. By getting things back on track today, I will have the rest of the week to live normally and focus on projects. It will give a sense of peace to the entire week. I know from experience that if I put off restoring order, then the whole week will be an unproductive mess. I will feel presumed upon by any little thing that goes wrong. The kids will be crabby and behave in a spoiled brat manner. My husband will feel unloved, and like he is the only one who ever does any work. I hate those moods in this house, especially in me!
So, if you are like me, and really need to use Monday to get back into the swing of thing, what are you going to do today? What do you know to do?
I know to grab my box of cards, organize them by what is most needed and to make a short list of other things that need to be done today. I know to keep a good attitude, and not expect the kids to share it. I know to be realistic about what I can accomplish in a day and to leave room for interruptions. I also know to take time for some fun. *Ahem* Make that schedule some fun into the day. If it is not on my list, it is unlikely that it will happen today, because I tend to be either project or people focused. Rarely both.
Remember, do what you know first. Get it out of the way, and then, the rest will be easy.
If you are one of the many that hate Monday, but you have no clue why, take some time today to write down everything you dislike about the day. No, I mean Everything! I don't care if it is a little bother or a big 'I want to scream at it' moment.
When you have a list, look it over and ask yourself how you could either avoid those situations or make them easier to handle.
I think the reason it is either loved or hated is because it is a day of transition. A day of change. A day to get up early and pick up the pace. I know for me, it is time to clean up from all the weekend adventures, restore order, and pick up the slack of last week. That's a tall order, for one day! But the results are so worth it. By getting things back on track today, I will have the rest of the week to live normally and focus on projects. It will give a sense of peace to the entire week. I know from experience that if I put off restoring order, then the whole week will be an unproductive mess. I will feel presumed upon by any little thing that goes wrong. The kids will be crabby and behave in a spoiled brat manner. My husband will feel unloved, and like he is the only one who ever does any work. I hate those moods in this house, especially in me!
So, if you are like me, and really need to use Monday to get back into the swing of thing, what are you going to do today? What do you know to do?
I know to grab my box of cards, organize them by what is most needed and to make a short list of other things that need to be done today. I know to keep a good attitude, and not expect the kids to share it. I know to be realistic about what I can accomplish in a day and to leave room for interruptions. I also know to take time for some fun. *Ahem* Make that schedule some fun into the day. If it is not on my list, it is unlikely that it will happen today, because I tend to be either project or people focused. Rarely both.
Remember, do what you know first. Get it out of the way, and then, the rest will be easy.
* * * * *
If you are one of the many that hate Monday, but you have no clue why, take some time today to write down everything you dislike about the day. No, I mean Everything! I don't care if it is a little bother or a big 'I want to scream at it' moment.
When you have a list, look it over and ask yourself how you could either avoid those situations or make them easier to handle.
I ran into this type of situation yesterday morning. We were getting ready for church, and one child comes out of his room wearing his only clean pair of jeans. They had holes in the knees, big enough for a semi truck to drive through, and holes in the butt too. Let's just say, I was not happy. I know that he had had clean, hole free jeans just two days before. I had washed, dried, folded and put them aways myself! So where were they?
In the hamper.
Why?
Because he had decided to play in the mud with them, and when they got wet, he changed and hid them in the hamper. Grrrrrrrrr!
So what am I going to do about it? (Since this is not the first time we have found out the kids clean clothes were not available on Sunday morning?) I am going to hang a pair of hole free jeans in the closet, just for Sunday! Friday is the day I am going to make sure each child has a pair of hole free jeans ready and waiting, because that gives two days to correct it, if there are not. I am also going to use this for anytime we are planning a day trip somewhere.
Don't get me wrong. I love kids in play clothes, but they are not needed in airports and sporting goods shops.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Afraid of Running Out
Do you ever find yourself in a quandary over doing the projects on your list, because somewhere in your subconscious, you are afraid of running out of things to do? I know I get that way. I look around me, and there is no end of things to do, and yet I panic. What if I were to run out? What would I do then? *breathing in a paper sack*
The fear can be overwhelming, but so can the ridiculousness of the situation. This morning I was talking to a gal, who brought up this very point. She was asking how one is to stay motivated when it seems that the work will never be done and yet you are fearful of running out. My first suggestion was to make a bucket list. She started laughing, and said, "I think it would take about a 5 gallon bucket to hold my list! By the way, where did that term come from?" I told her that I thought it was a list of things you wanted to do before you died. She thought about that for a moment, then said, "In that case, I will never run out of things to do."
I felt like her response was key. So often we are absorbed by what we see, we forget to dream and we forget the dreams we have already had. We forget that if we fulfil one dream, there will be another one, ready and waiting to take it's place. If we finish one project, we will find another one to do. It is like the kitchen floor: Sweeping the floor today will not make it disappear. It will still be there tomorrow. It will need swept again tomorrow, and if your house is anything like mine, it will need scrubbed too. There will never be an end of things to be done! (I know, that can be good news or bad news, depending on your mood.)
I told her that me favorite way to keep moving was to come at the situation form a new direction. That is the reason for "Today's Inspiration", found at the top of the page. It is one way to come at things, from a new perspective, and at the end of the day, you will know that you got at least one 'big' thing done. One thing that will make a difference, even if the kitchen floor does need to be swept again. again. again. again.
Oh, and she decided that her 'big' thing was to fill up the scrub bucket with water once a day, and use it for whatever. Be it a shelf in her new home that has not been scrubbed in 40 years or the kitchen floor. It really didn't matter what. The point was to do it. To be able to say that it was done!
The fear can be overwhelming, but so can the ridiculousness of the situation. This morning I was talking to a gal, who brought up this very point. She was asking how one is to stay motivated when it seems that the work will never be done and yet you are fearful of running out. My first suggestion was to make a bucket list. She started laughing, and said, "I think it would take about a 5 gallon bucket to hold my list! By the way, where did that term come from?" I told her that I thought it was a list of things you wanted to do before you died. She thought about that for a moment, then said, "In that case, I will never run out of things to do."
I felt like her response was key. So often we are absorbed by what we see, we forget to dream and we forget the dreams we have already had. We forget that if we fulfil one dream, there will be another one, ready and waiting to take it's place. If we finish one project, we will find another one to do. It is like the kitchen floor: Sweeping the floor today will not make it disappear. It will still be there tomorrow. It will need swept again tomorrow, and if your house is anything like mine, it will need scrubbed too. There will never be an end of things to be done! (I know, that can be good news or bad news, depending on your mood.)
I told her that me favorite way to keep moving was to come at the situation form a new direction. That is the reason for "Today's Inspiration", found at the top of the page. It is one way to come at things, from a new perspective, and at the end of the day, you will know that you got at least one 'big' thing done. One thing that will make a difference, even if the kitchen floor does need to be swept again. again. again. again.
Is there an echo in here?
Oh, and she decided that her 'big' thing was to fill up the scrub bucket with water once a day, and use it for whatever. Be it a shelf in her new home that has not been scrubbed in 40 years or the kitchen floor. It really didn't matter what. The point was to do it. To be able to say that it was done!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Getting Started with an In and Out System
An In and Out System is designed for handling projects, not chores. To make one you will need a box or basket of some sort. Even a large paper bag will do. Sticky notes and scrap paper.
For a long time, I have haphazardly used this dollar store dish pan:
It has worked, but do to its size, things tend to get lost in the bottom of it. For this reason, I decided to replace it with this basket, which I found at a second hand store:
Since it is much smaller, I have to deal with what I put in it more often.
Once you have your container, gather up your projects that need to be done, but will take more than two minutes to do. Anything that takes less than two minutes, do! Write today's date on a sticky note and stick it to the project. If the project is big and/or already has a home, like a scrapbook or quilt, write the project on a piece of paper--one project, one page--with today's date at the top, and drop it in.
Why today's date? So you will know how long that project has been in the box!
Next, look around for non-gatherable projects, like painting walls, and add them to your box, using the scrap paper. Remember to date it.
Now, when you have your chores done, or a bit of time for a project, you will have a box of them waiting for you. It is recommended to work from the top down, so as you are setting up your box, you may want to sort things into the order you most want to get them done. When a new project comes in, it goes on the top of the pile.
When a project is finished, it will be gone from the box, hence, no Out box. If the project was written on a piece of paper, toss it when you are finished!
If you start on a project, but are unable to complete it, cross of the old date, and write today's date on it. I like to cross of the old date in such a way that it can still be read. This way I know how long it took and how often I worked on it.
For a long time, I have haphazardly used this dollar store dish pan:
It has worked, but do to its size, things tend to get lost in the bottom of it. For this reason, I decided to replace it with this basket, which I found at a second hand store:
Since it is much smaller, I have to deal with what I put in it more often.
Once you have your container, gather up your projects that need to be done, but will take more than two minutes to do. Anything that takes less than two minutes, do! Write today's date on a sticky note and stick it to the project. If the project is big and/or already has a home, like a scrapbook or quilt, write the project on a piece of paper--one project, one page--with today's date at the top, and drop it in.
Why today's date? So you will know how long that project has been in the box!
Next, look around for non-gatherable projects, like painting walls, and add them to your box, using the scrap paper. Remember to date it.
Now, when you have your chores done, or a bit of time for a project, you will have a box of them waiting for you. It is recommended to work from the top down, so as you are setting up your box, you may want to sort things into the order you most want to get them done. When a new project comes in, it goes on the top of the pile.
When a project is finished, it will be gone from the box, hence, no Out box. If the project was written on a piece of paper, toss it when you are finished!
If you start on a project, but are unable to complete it, cross of the old date, and write today's date on it. I like to cross of the old date in such a way that it can still be read. This way I know how long it took and how often I worked on it.
* * * * *
How I am Using My In and Out System:
Years ago, when I used this system before, I had every project in my house listed. We moved before some of them were completed, and, I hate to admit this, but several of those projects are still in boxes. I threw out the project from my old In box several years ago, because they were just a reminder of things not done, that I didn't have time for.
Because I do not want the box to overwhelm me--I know my tendency to run and hide--I am only working with one room at a time. Today, I went through the kitchen, gathering projects and getting things done. I collected, until the basket was full. Then I cleaned the surfaces thoroughly that I had cleared.
Is everything in the kitchen accounted for? No. I decided ahead of time where I was starting and what the stopping point would be. For me, the stopping point was when the basket was full. If I had been limited by time, then a timer would have told me when to quit gathering, giving myself five minutes to wipe down surfaces and finish up.
I decided, in order to keep my In box from becoming a dumping ground, to set up a second basket, where mail and such could be put until it was time to deal with it. Mail is on the left and my In box is on the right:
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
In and Out
Years ago, I read an organizational book that was aimed at those who worked in offices, to help them tackle the projects that fell outside of thier daily routine. What it suggested was to date each project that came in with today's date, and place it in an 'In' box. Then, in free time, work on the top project, doing as much as possible in the time available. The author also said that any job/project that could be done in 2 minutes or less should never be put in the In box. Just get it done!
This idea of an In box, and it's counter part, an Out box, really appealed to me, so I began using one for the mail and such. It was great for all paper things, but it didn't work so well for bigger projects. This is where I had to get creative, and come up with a way to make it work. I began using scrap paper, such as the print outs from the fax machine, to write projects on. One project per piece of paper. This way, like the box of cards, I never had more than one project to look at at a time. It worked really well. Then we moved, and I started a business. Everything in my life had changed, and any unfinished projects were in boxes, along with my In box.
Recently, I have been working to reorganize all areas of my life, and am seriously considering starting an In box again. There are so many projects to get done. When I look around my home and yard, I am overwhelmed. I think an In box for the projects would really help, because my present method of leaving them out, in site, is not working. They all look like clutter, and when I work on decluttering, I don't know how to handle them. They would be useful and lovely, if they were finished.
What are your thoughts?
This idea of an In box, and it's counter part, an Out box, really appealed to me, so I began using one for the mail and such. It was great for all paper things, but it didn't work so well for bigger projects. This is where I had to get creative, and come up with a way to make it work. I began using scrap paper, such as the print outs from the fax machine, to write projects on. One project per piece of paper. This way, like the box of cards, I never had more than one project to look at at a time. It worked really well. Then we moved, and I started a business. Everything in my life had changed, and any unfinished projects were in boxes, along with my In box.
Recently, I have been working to reorganize all areas of my life, and am seriously considering starting an In box again. There are so many projects to get done. When I look around my home and yard, I am overwhelmed. I think an In box for the projects would really help, because my present method of leaving them out, in site, is not working. They all look like clutter, and when I work on decluttering, I don't know how to handle them. They would be useful and lovely, if they were finished.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
done list
It is just after 4 pm, and I have done very little today. I feel lousy. It is my own fault, but I guess it is also one of those live and learn moments. Here is what I have done so far today:
My goal is to complete at least 10 things before 5 PM today.
- Made hubbies breakfast and lunch.
- Got the kids going.
- Redesigned this site.
- Wrote a couple of emails.
- Looked at the garden, decided it was too muddy to work in.
- Talked to my mom, on the phone.
- Played computer games.
- Answered a survey.
My goal is to complete at least 10 things before 5 PM today.
- Picked up the blocks in the hallway that my toddler dumped out. It was the most obvious thing to do.
- Hung a load of laundry on the line.
- Made bed.
- served the kids a snack and heard the worst song I thing I have ever heard. Does that count? Okay, I'll go for 11 things.
- Put my dough mixer away.
- Took extra groceries to the pantry.
- Cleaned up the glue the little boys spilt.
- Cleaned the stove top.
- Put away/threw away 10 things.
- Listened to all the damage my dog did to the neighbors dog, when they didn't keep the thing on a leash... Don't want your dog eaten? Keep it out of other people's yard! Okay, enough of that rant. I know, doesn't count, I'll go for 12.
- Started tonight's supper.
- Began marinating tomorrow's supper.
- Looked up the address and requirements for Locks of Love.
Doggy Meatloaf Recipe
10 pound hamburger
2 quarts rolled oats
1 quart calf replacement milk (mixed)
1 dozen eggs, soft boiled
1 head garlic, minced
juice of one lemon
Soak oats in milk while eggs boil. Mix all ingredients very well, and make into meat balls. Flash freeze on wax paper lined cookie sheets.
I used my mixer, small batches, to get it all blended together. Then I used my ice cream scooper to make the meatballs. When they are frozen, I will put them in a zip lock bag to keep. It will allow me to pull out a couple as I need them.
2 quarts rolled oats
1 quart calf replacement milk (mixed)
1 dozen eggs, soft boiled
1 head garlic, minced
juice of one lemon
Soak oats in milk while eggs boil. Mix all ingredients very well, and make into meat balls. Flash freeze on wax paper lined cookie sheets.
I used my mixer, small batches, to get it all blended together. Then I used my ice cream scooper to make the meatballs. When they are frozen, I will put them in a zip lock bag to keep. It will allow me to pull out a couple as I need them.
Monday, June 7, 2010
done list
- breakfast
- kitchen cleaned
- seller of dry calf milk located
- recipes found for fattening dog
- three loads worth laundry folded and put away
- learned how to add videos to blogspot
- lunch made and supper planned
- grocery shopping
- dog supplements and dewormer gotten
- dogs given their deworming tablet
- bed made
- made sure kids chores are done
- had kids each pick up and put away 20 things
- found recipe for making yogurt. The vet suggested it for helping to heal the dogs digestive track. I am going to make it with the calf milk.
- Made raw meatloaf for the dog, and have half of it freezing. The other half will have to wait.
- Supper
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Mario Brothers Bedroom
Mario Brothers Bedroom
There are so many places in life where doing what you know can put you ahead of the game. Lately, I have been working in the garden, trying to get it ready to plant, despite the rain. I have been writing, but have not taken time to backlink.
Truly, I think backlinking is more important than the writing itself, but it is not as much fun. Today I am taking time to improve the standing of this article on creating a Super Mario Brothers themed bedroom.
There are so many places in life where doing what you know can put you ahead of the game. Lately, I have been working in the garden, trying to get it ready to plant, despite the rain. I have been writing, but have not taken time to backlink.
Truly, I think backlinking is more important than the writing itself, but it is not as much fun. Today I am taking time to improve the standing of this article on creating a Super Mario Brothers themed bedroom.
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