Monday, January 28, 2013

Recharging Your Batteries :: A Guide for Homemakers



Do you ever have a day when you just need a few extra hours of sleep (or maybe half a day’s worth), but will yourself out of bed because the household will not make it without you? Last week, I had several of those mornings; by Friday, I was done. What’s a homemaker to do?

The constant cleaning and cooking (and homeschooling) can put us in a rut. You know the one – “I’m tired,” “I can’t take it anymore,” and my favorite, “If I see one more dirty dish I’ll…” Yet, we continue to plod through our to-do lists and daily routines, all the while, deep down inside a little voice begs for a break.

Ladies and gents, that’s what I call needing to recharge your batteries because the Energizer Bunny has left the building! As busy as we all can be at times (whether it’s doing household work, schooling children, volunteering in our communities, or anything else), we must remember to recharge. We’re not made to run perpetually and as I’m often reminded, even our Creator rested.

How do we recharge in the middle of a busy week? I’m glad you asked!

Relax

Enjoy

Care

Hold-On

Ask

Realize

Get Over It

Enjoy2

 

Relax: I’m not saying you should grab a fruity drink with a tiny umbrella in it and sit by the pool (unless you want too!), but to simply take a moment to be still in your favorite spot. If that means you’ll have to be up before the kids, than get hopping! You’ll be glad you got a few golden moments in before the daily grind.

Enjoy: You need to enjoy the simple daily things in addition to the larger than life events we experience periodically. Take time for your child’s knock-knock joke (no matter how many times you’ve heard it!) or swing by a neighbor’s house for a small chat.

Care: I know you’re thinking, “Care? I care about everything!” Really? How often do you care about yourself or take care of yourself? Remember, the well-oiled machine of a household may break down if the home technician is under the weather. Again, take some time for yourself each day.

Hold-On: As a homemaker, days and weeks sometimes fly by; however, during those weeks that linger a little too long, make sure to hold on: to your sanity, your perseverance, your faith, your motto (my personal one: Keep Calm and Carry On), and your ability to see the good in the not-so-good situations.

Ask: Ask for help. This is one of my biggest areas of inadequacy. I rarely ask for help; but after last week, I’m trying my best to reach out to friends and family for a little more assistance. It may just be my personality, but I’m hoping to overcome the I can do it all myself attitude.

Realize: Oftentimes, the issues which seem important or stressful to us are only important or stressful to us. With the exception of major household damage or emergencies, most issues can be dealt with in a timely manner. I often realize most of my stress comes from first-world problems (the garbage didn’t get picked up; the grocery store doesn’t have our bread; or I double booked myself). Realizing the life I have is a blessed one helps me to reduce stress.

Get Over It: Why do we let the little things get to us? My husband, who is wise beyond his years, has a simple answer to this, “Get over it!”

Enjoy2: Enjoy made it on my list twice because it is the most important way to recharge. We are given these special moments in life – great ones, little ones, one of a kind ones – and we need to take the time to enjoy each of them. When we lose these moments or miss them because we are not recharged, we fail ourselves. Take the time to enjoy all of life’s blessings.

The next time your days seems a bit crazy and you find yourself wishing it wasn’t Monday, remember to recharge your batteries so you can keep going!

What are some ways you fight stress and the exhaustion of being a homemaker?

 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Guest Post by Sheri Rose Sheperd :: Raising a Man of Faith

Featured authors


Over the next couple of weeks, I am pleased to share with you all guest posts written by best-selling author and Bible life coach Sheri Rose Sheperd. Sheri is currently in the midst of releasing her newest book and Bible Study, Your Heart's Desire. In her own words, Sheri describes her novel as,
"...written for every woman who has ever loved a man, the married woman who loves her man but struggles in her marriage, the single woman who desires to find a good man to love her, the divorced woman who believed in her marriage only to have her man walk out and for the mothers of sons who desire their beloved boys to become men of faith. This book is written for you and every woman who wants to find the courage to take a step of faith and believe that God is bigger than any statistic and that He still has the power to rebuild what is broken and restore what is lost between men and women today."
I hope you all enjoy these guest posts and glean something meaningful from them. -- Michelle


Raising a Man of Faith
By Sheri Rose Shepherd
Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach
learn more ▶
She made this vow: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime."
1 Samuel 1:11

I was invited to write a book for mothers of sons titled Preparing Him for the Other Woman: A Mother's Guide to Raising Her Son to Love a Wife and Lead a Family. To be honest, this topic intimidated me on many levels. I had my own insecurities and fears of failing as a mom, and I grew up in such a messed-up family that I couldn’t see how I would ever be qualified to write a book on this subject.

As I always do before I write any book, I put this message to the test. I gathered a group of young men ages twelve to twenty and asked them if they felt they would be good husbands when they grew up. Sadly, their comments reflected their fear of women; in fact, they felt marriage was something to be avoided. Many talked as if marriage were a death sentence that caused a lifetime of pain. Others asked why they should get married since marriage usually ends in heartbreak, adultery, or divorce.

My mother's heart broke for these boys and all our sons, and their answers were enough for me to fight my fears and write that book for the sake of the next generation of marriages. As I began writing, I reflected on one of my favorite “mommy memories.” It took place on a gorgeous summer evening on a California beach with my husband, Steve, and our son, Jake, when he was three. As my husband tended the campfire, Jake and I snuggled together under a blanket and watched the sun set over the sea. A young couple walked past us hand in hand, with eyes only for each other. My little boy watched them for a couple of minutes before turning his sweet face toward mine and asking, "Mommy, will you marry me when I grow up?"

I gently explained that mommies can't marry their sons. I'll never forget the ache I felt as I saw tears well up in his big blue eyes and roll slowly down his cheeks. In that moment it hit me: not only was I raising a son, but I was raising someone's future husband. I decided that day to dedicate my time with Jake to helping him become a good husband when he grew up. I knew I needed to stop focusing on my fears that I would fail him and begin to focus on the fact that God appointed me as the first lady in his life, his mother. Later that night I got down on my knees and prayerfully committed my son's life to God once again. I felt a new sense of peace about being a mom as I realized that Jake ultimately belonged to the Lord and that my faithful God would cover my son where I could not.

Years later, just a few weeks before my son would marry his beautiful Southern bride, Amanda, I found myself in a reflective mood. On the one hand, I felt as if I'd done everything I could to encourage him to keep following Christ and to prepare him to be a good husband. I knew I needed to officially release Jake to his new life with his bride-to-be. On the other hand, I wondered, Have I done enough? I feared the years my husband and I struggled in our own marriage might affect Jake's marriage. In my inward battle to believe I had done a good job raising him, God gave me the desire to write Jacob a very personal letter the week before his wedding. With his permission and in my hope to bring some relief to your momma's heart, I want to share it with you now:

To my son, Jake,
This morning as tears fill my eyes, I reflect on the past twenty years of life with you, from Winnie the Pooh, goody plates, and snuggles to late-night talks when you were a teen. I remember when I first heard your heartbeat in the doctor's office and the doctor saying, "You are going to have a son." Joy and fear flooded my heart at that moment.

What kind of mom would I be, coming from a broken home with no foundation? And could I take on the task of raising a son in this perverse world?

I was so afraid of failing you, and I became desperate for God, which kept me in a constant state of prayer for you, knowing that our God would cover you where I could not and cover me where I failed. What I did not know is that I was not just raising a son; I was raising a warrior and a world changer!

Today I look at your fearful heart for your future, and I see a man who seeks God's face with humility, knowing your God is faithful. I see a man who is passionate to do something great for God's Kingdom. I see a hope in your heart that screams, "I will not settle for less than God has for me!"

Jacob, in all my imperfections and insecurities, I am honored God chose me to raise a mighty warrior like you. I know you don't know how your story will be written, and it seems unclear how you will fulfill your calling. Remember, you are not the author of your own life; therefore rest in Him. . . . He is writing your life right now. Any and everything you are about to walk through, good or hard, will prepare you for His ultimate plan.

So as I wipe the tears from my eyes and say good-bye as "Mommy," once responsible for your care, I now give you away to care for your bride. And say hello as a friend. I will always hold the memories of my little son as a hidden treasure in my heart. I pray that all you have seen and heard these past twenty years, "good and bad," will become building blocks, as you will now lay the foundation of faith and life for your new family. Jacob, you will fight the good fight, you will finish your race, and your faith will be passed down to many generations long after you’re gone.

I love you, Son.
Mom

For more teaching videos from Sheri Rose, go to www.biblelifecoaching.com.

30 Bags in 30 Days :: Update #3


Update #3: This past week, I was busy in life: school, volunteering, planning a garden, and a whole lot more; however, I still managed to remove more items from my home and hoping this next week will herald the last trip to our local donation centers.

My husband and I have really looked at everything we have decluttered and wonder why we spent money on some very unnecessary items? I think beyond lightening up the "things," we are learning what we really should and should not spend our money on. We've always been good at setting our budget, but now I can see how our budget will be changing to reflect how we can be even better stewards of our finances.

How has this challenge helped you in realizing your financial goals?

January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

1. Junk drawer in laundry room
2. Cabinets in laundry room
3. School closet
4. Attic
5. Attic (holiday bins)
6. Under kitchen sink
7. Pantry
8. Filing Cabinet
9. Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Simple Living :: Winter Bird Feeding



 

In the mornings (when it is warm enough), I sit on my patio sipping cocoa and watch birds flock to my feeders for a Winter meal. The doves, wrens, sparrows, titmouse, and even the wily woodpecker visit each day. Their melodies turning into a lovely song make the mornings pleasant. The cardinals and jays battle over the feeders mid-afternoon and by dark, all is quiet. {To keep the squirrels at bay, I leave corn cobs below my feeders for them to snack upon.}

In the Winter months, birds will gather for any free buffet of high protein seeds, suet, or peanuts. This time of year can be difficult for birds to find food; oftentimes, insects are dormant or dead and berries or seeds are buried under snow. If you hang feeders, be sure to keep them out of the wind and be prepared to fill them often.

This week, more birds have visited the feeders than usual; I've filled them each morning. To help offset the cost of seed (which can get quite costly), I look for seed to go on sale in October. The last seed I purchased cost $1 per 10 pounds. I bought all the store had!

All About Birds has a useful post discussing How to Choose Bird Seed. I highly recommend reading it before you begin Winter feeding.

I plan on participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count again this year. The count takes place February 15th through the 18th and anyone can take part in it. By providing a local bird count, researchers can track migrations, keep up with the effects of West Nile, and check biodiversity throughout the country. This is a fantastic way to introduce your children or yourself to bird watching. If you plan on participating, visit the website, have a field guide and binoculars handy, and don't forget the cocoa!

What type of seed do you prefer to feed to your local birds? Have you ever participated in a bird count?

Friday, January 18, 2013

The Review is In :: Stepping Stones to College

From time to time, I am asked to give reviews regarding products available to many different markets. I was approached by Stepping Stones to review their website regarding home educational tools and prepping for college. However, since my children our younger and Stepping Stones is geared to those parents homeschooling high schoolers, I asked a good friend if she would be willing to give it try and write a review for me to share with you all. Thank you, Tammy for all your help. ~ Michelle

 
Stepping Stones to College is a relatively new site that offers practical guidance for high school students and their parents on the path to college. They are currently offering a special introductory price of $9.95 for one year or $24.95 for all four years. The concept behind the site is good. Every student on the way to college needs a plan and regular reminders to make sure they don’t forget any important step (or test!).
 
Stepping Stones has set up a four level plan represented by a hexagon with six different areas (Information, Calendar, Educational Programs, Assessments, Technology, and Activities). Each level corresponds to a different grade level. I only looked at the 9th grade level, my oldest started her high school career in the fall.

 
Each section has specific activities listed along with whether they are a “must” or “optional”. For example, in Education Programs, Study Skills is listed as a “must”. There is a brief overview of study skills and then two websites and three books are listed to provide further information, tips, and guidance on developing better study skills. All the external websites I checked out were free with one exception. Each activity has a checkbox so you can indicate you are complete with this area. It is rewarding to see that you are already 25% complete! There is also an overall progress report that shows your completion in each of the six areas.
 
I initially looked at Stepping Stones back in September and just recently revisited the site in December. I am impressed with how much information (links, book suggestions, and explanations) they have added to the site in those few months. I’m sure this will be a never-ending process as more and more websites become available with useful information for the college-bound high school student. There are still a few sections where more resources are needed, but based on the improvement in three months, I’m sure these will be filled shortly.
 
Yes, you could search through countless websites and books to compile a good college-bound plan yourself, but Stepping Stones already has a nicely laid out plan containing a large amount of information for you-complete with resources for further research! This is a neat option to save yourself time and effort and take advantage of the work someone else has already done for you.
 
 
 

Thursday, January 17, 2013

A Pinterest Production :: Super Hero or Princess Fort Kit



 
 

Before Christmas, I scoured Pinterest heavily searching for cute gift ideas to make for family and friends. One of my favorite finds, the Super Hero Fort, made me recall childhood memories of stringing sheets across the living room and stacking books to anchor them to chairs. I fell in love with this idea and churned out several over a weekend for all the super heroes and princesses I know!

First, visit your local general merchandise retailer (Wal-Mart, Target, The Dollar Tree) and purchase the following items*:


  • 2 twin sheets
  • ribbon
  • rope
  • clamps
  • suction cups
  • clothespins
  • flashlight(s)
  • Glo-sticks
  • batteries
  • a canvas drawstring bag (You can also make a bag if you are inclined.)
*You can customize what goes into each kit, but these items give you a general idea of the basics.

Before putting the kits together, I modified one of the two sheets by adding ribbon ties. This will help children avoid using stacked books or other breakables as anchors! To make the adaptation, first turn each sheet corner under approximately 5 inches and sew flat. Using 24 inches of ribbon, per corner, sew the ribbon onto the bottom side of each tucked sheet corner. I made four passes to ensure sturdiness.


To give the kit a polished look, I created a special tag to let the receiver know exactly what was included in the kit. It makes for a cute label and a handy check-list to ensure all items return back into the bag. You can customize your label with the kit's theme, the child's name, and bag items. I also had it laminated.

Before gifting, I filled the canvas bag with the kit's materials. Since I purchased the sheets as Wal-Mart, they came in little pouches. I used those pouches to hold some of the smaller items. Don't forget to tie on your label!

Be prepared for lots of smiles and a, "That's cool!" or "Can we build it right now?"

These also make great birthday gifts or as a special rainy day activity!

Monday, January 14, 2013

30 Bags in 30 Days :: Update #2


Update #2: Over the past week, my husband and I have cleared yet another car load of items for Goodwill, a couple of boxes of donations to friends, items for family and more. All in all, we cleared 8 bags, 2 tubs, and a box of Lincoln Logs throughout last week.

I also did not realize how many items had been loaned to us with no specific return date and have simply been forgotten about. Those items will be making their way home this week. Friends, be on notice!

Jake's afraid the house is going to fly away with the next big storm since there is hardly any weight in it anymore! How are things going at your home?

January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

1. Junk drawer in laundry room
2. Cabinets in laundry room
3. School closet
4. Attic
5. Attic (holiday bins)
6. Under kitchen sink
7. Pantry
8. Filing Cabinet
9. Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

Guest Post of Sheri Rose Sheperd :: Building a New Foundation of Love

Featured authors


Over the next couple of weeks, I am pleased to share with you all guest posts written by best-selling author and Bible life coach Sheri Rose Sheperd. Sheri is currently in the midst of releasing her newest book and Bible Study, Your Heart's Desire. In her own words, Sheri describes her novel as,
"...written for every woman who has ever loved a man, the married woman who loves her man but struggles in her marriage, the single woman who desires to find a good man to love her, the divorced woman who believed in her marriage only to have her man walk out and for the mothers of sons who desire their beloved boys to become men of faith. This book is written for you and every woman who wants to find the courage to take a step of faith and believe that God is bigger than any statistic and that He still has the power to rebuild what is broken and restore what is lost between men and women today."
I hope you all enjoy these guest posts and glean something meaningful from them. -- Michelle
Building a New Foundation of Love
By Sheri Rose Shepherd
Bestselling Author and Bible Life Coach
learn more ▶
In Nehemiah 2:17 we read about a city that has been shattered: "Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." The walls that once protected God's people had been destroyed, and all that was left were brokenhearted people and one broken man of faith who saw the ruins of Jerusalem and cried out to God. I can imagine Nehemiah questioning why God did not stop this destruction from happening. Surely if God cared, He would have protected His own holy city. Today, many of us hold the ruins of our own lives, broken by the destructive behavior and neglect of others, and we ask God the same question. We are just like Nehemiah, living in a land of hopelessness when it comes to love and marriage.

We see the moral decay and devastation of shattered lives and the ruins of families from relational wreckage. There are many reasons we are in this mess, and we could continue to blame one another—but what good would it do? The truth is, none of us ventured into marriage to see it end in misery or divorce. It would be wise for us to look at our own wreckage the same way that Nehemiah did his. What I mean is, let's do something about it. We need a Nehemiah revival today if anything is ever going to change.

Nehemiah could have given up on God and his people and finished out the rest of his life depressed, bitter, and hopeless. Instead, he chose to fight the temptation to quit, to speak life into a dead situation, and to start building. Nehemiah took a step of faith and refreshed the people with a new perspective on the devastation around them.

Nehemiah did not deny that there was a problem; he didn't ignore the fact that God's people were discouraged and depressed. He himself was broken by what he saw. However, he took his brokenness and did something about it. He spoke words of life, and he inspired the people to take the broken stones from the wall and lay them down one at a time to build a new and stronger wall. With God, brokenness does not have to be the end. Pain can become the very thing that brings us into a closer relationship with God and transforms us from the inside out.

Nehemiah's broken heart compelled him to faith and action. He knew that what he was asking appeared to be impossible, yet he dared to believe God. His heavenly Father was then pleased to bless him with great favor. God used Nehemiah's compassion to rebuild what was broken as He gave Nehemiah the strength needed to help his people live for a greater purpose than their own personal loss. He showed them how to begin rebuilding a foundation with a thankful heart and renewed faith.

We have all been hurt, and our hearts need healing at some level. We each hold a stone that represents our reaction to those who have broken our hearts, and we all have a choice with what we will do with the stone we’re holding. We can throw it, or we can use it to rebuild what is broken.

For more teaching videos from Sheri Rose, go to www.biblelifecoaching.com.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Cleaning Tip :: Making Your Vacuum Smell Fresh Again



Every once in a while, my vacuum doesn't smell quite as fresh as it did brand new. I'm not sure if it is due to pet dander, dirt microbes, or boys. I just know it does not sit well with my nose!

When I was at Sears the other night I discovered tabs to freshen up your vacuum; however, they cost $7.99 for a pack of 8 tabs. I passed on those and decided to use something a little more cost effective.

Tip: Grab your favorite essential oil. Lemon or Peppermint oils are both very fragrant. Next, open your vacuum section where the vacuum bag is stored ( if you have one ) and place 2 to 3 drops of essential oil on your bag. If you have a bagless vacuum, place a few drops of essential oil onto a cotton ball and place that into your canister. While you are vacuuming, the room fills with the scent of your chosen oil and allows the vacuum to be fresh once again!

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

30 Bags in 30 Days :: Update


Update: Last week, our household began the 30 Bags in 30 Days challenge for January. We removed 11 bags from our house over the weekend. Prior to this, I did not believe we had a lot of clutter, but in reality, we did.

I had know idea how many bins of clothes (3) we had in the attic nor how many clothes my boys did not wear just hanging in their closets. We were able to find homes for the majority of the clothes and a few more pieces will leave later this week.

The worst realization came in the form of my youngest's desk. He had all these drawing and papers I always past over during our routine cleanings thinking he wanted to keep them; well, he didn't. I was responsible for adding clutter to his life - oops!

The house is already feeling lighter and we've got 3 more weeks to go. How are you holding up?

January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

1. Junk drawer in laundry room
2. Cabinets in laundry room
3. School closet
4. Attic
5. Attic (holiday bins)
6. Under kitchen sink
7. Pantry
8. Filing Cabinet
9. Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

Monday, January 7, 2013

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Monthly Housekeeping :: January



Aside from our daily and weekly chores, homemakers face chores and to-do items on a monthly and seasonal basis. Each month, I'm going to share my secondary homemaking chores. Please feel free to add to my list!

January

  • Check dryer vents for lint
  • Make a list of household repairs to be completed in February
  • Schedule annual medical check-ups
  • Schedule pet check-ups
  • Rotate toothbrushes
  • Check smoke detectors and practice fire drills
  • Change A/C Filter

Monthly Goals :: January 2013



With each new year, I try to change and grow in positive ways to enhance my life and make the most of my time. I usually blog about my weekly goals each Monday, but this year I think I'm going to take away the small goals and work on reaching my larger goals on a monthly basis. We will see how it goes!

January 2013 Goals

Home

1. Fill my freezer with meals
2. Take down all Christmas decorations
3. Begin 30 Bags in 30 Days
4. Create new home budget

Family

1. Date night with Jake
2. Begin Term 2 for school
3. Help youngest with his sewing project
4. Encourage eldest in his endeavors

Volunteering

1. Lay out Secret Garden program
2. Begin planning Spring garden
3. Get Archery program up and running

Personal

1. Read Rick Warren's What on Earth am I Here for?
2. File taxes
3. Carve new letterbox stamps
4. Begin 13 Things to Learn 2013

30 Bags in 30 Days :: Purging Your Home




January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

 1.  Junk drawer in laundry room
 2.  Cabinets in laundry room
 3.  School closet
 4.  Attic
 5.  Attic (holiday bins)
 6.  Under kitchen sink
 7.  Pantry
 8.  Filing Cabinet
 9.  Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

Simple Living :: 13 Things to Learn in 2013

Each year, many people make resolutions to uphold. While resolutions are not usually on my radar, I do pick a yearly theme and do my best to live up to that theme throughout the year.

2012 was a year of firsts for me. I had the opportunity to do quite a bit of things for the first time: feeding giraffes, traveling to Wyoming, South Dakota and Palm Springs, growing a produce garden, teaching JMG, hosting a cookie exchange, having a niece, starting a blog, and more.

This year, I want to continue my love of learning by learning new things as well as expanding my knowledge in areas I enjoy. Here are my 13 Things to Learn in 2013:

  • Learn how to fly fish
  • Properly care for Orchids
  • Perfect several French pastries
  • CPR and First Aide
  • Learn how to design and build a museum
  • Say Yes more to my family and No more to others
  • Understand how to use my DLSR and edit my photos
  • Learn a yarn craft
  • Expand on suburban gardening and raised beds
  • Take a Hunter Safety Course and a Concealed Handgun Course
  • How to maintain proper fitness
  • Waltz