Preparing for my son's first communion. Looks like it's going to be a rainy day...........
Well, It turns out that it was a beautiful day, full of sunshine. About 70 deg. (I know that answered a lot of prayers.) I found my keys that have been missing for 2 days. (My last set...I didn't know what I was going to do if I didn't find them soon.) Our company was a real treat. John is happy, we are happy. Thank you for everyone who came. Thank you to those who couldn't come, but were thinking of us and wishing the best. Have a blessed day.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
God allows U turns
I saw a bumper sticker today. It simply read .........
"God Allows U Turns."
Those four words say so much.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Cleaning out the Clutter
I had a moment last month. I watched my 3 year old dump out the toy basket. He spread the goodies out on the floor. After little evaluation, he went into his brother’s room and dumped out his toy box. It occurred to me, that he just wanted to see what is at the bottom of the basket. He has no real interest in the toys that are in there. I was left in a daze. Really, did that just happen? Why am I cleaning up toys that he doesn’t even want to play with? At that moment I realized, I spend a large part of the day cleaning up toys that no one has played with.
One of my personal goals this year is to get my house in order. I now know that this is only going to happen when I get rid of the clutter. I have to stop rearranging it, and just make it go away. With all the toys in plain sight I sifted through them. Keep, Donate, Throw Away. I didn’t make a big issue of it. No one even noticed the missing toys. I keep repeating the cycle. At this point I have slowly made several bags of toys, and clothes, and other odd items disappear. Yet, No one has even noticed they are gone. Well, no one except me. I’ve notice I don’t spend nearly as much time picking up toys.
Then I realized that my closets are a lot like Donnie’s toy box. I have things in there that I don’t use. They just hold space in the closet. I look at the stuff. I move it around, but I don’t use it. I used the same proven technique…Keep, Donate, Throw Away. I don’t miss any of it. I am enjoying a little more freedom.
I’m not brave enough to tackle the basement yet. I am working my way up to that one.
I’m not sure how it happens. Clutter can accumulate faster then we see it coming. I feel like I have to be on constant guard. One day off of clutter pattrol, and its obvious. Now every where I look I can find it creeping in. I find clutter on the counter, in the car, in my closets. Now that I recognize it, I realize clutter is not just in our closets and toy boxes, but in our daily lives. Have you checked your calendar for clutter? If you don't love it, use it, or want it.....then consider the possibility, it might be clutter.
One of my personal goals this year is to get my house in order. I now know that this is only going to happen when I get rid of the clutter. I have to stop rearranging it, and just make it go away. With all the toys in plain sight I sifted through them. Keep, Donate, Throw Away. I didn’t make a big issue of it. No one even noticed the missing toys. I keep repeating the cycle. At this point I have slowly made several bags of toys, and clothes, and other odd items disappear. Yet, No one has even noticed they are gone. Well, no one except me. I’ve notice I don’t spend nearly as much time picking up toys.
Then I realized that my closets are a lot like Donnie’s toy box. I have things in there that I don’t use. They just hold space in the closet. I look at the stuff. I move it around, but I don’t use it. I used the same proven technique…Keep, Donate, Throw Away. I don’t miss any of it. I am enjoying a little more freedom.
I’m not brave enough to tackle the basement yet. I am working my way up to that one.
I’m not sure how it happens. Clutter can accumulate faster then we see it coming. I feel like I have to be on constant guard. One day off of clutter pattrol, and its obvious. Now every where I look I can find it creeping in. I find clutter on the counter, in the car, in my closets. Now that I recognize it, I realize clutter is not just in our closets and toy boxes, but in our daily lives. Have you checked your calendar for clutter? If you don't love it, use it, or want it.....then consider the possibility, it might be clutter.
Clutter problem?
We all have it. If you are fighting clutter and need a little help, check out http://www.flylady.com/ . A friend told me about the site. Fly lady has lots of practical tips, and she's free.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Garden memories
Gardens are great places to make memories.
My family has a tradition of sharing plants and flowers from our gardens. My aunts give plantings and seeds to my mom. After they take hold, she in turn shares them with us. I have Gaillardia from my Aunt Aggie. I enjoy the Japanese Iris, and white Veronica from my mother in law. On the end of the garden are pink Peonies from one of my favorite neighbors. I have lots of interesting plants from my sister, including something we call “the mutant cabbage”. (It’s not really a cabbage. It just looks like one, and in the spring it shoots out a tall stalk with purple flowers”).
My favorite are the Lilly of the Valley. It is from a batch that originates from my Grandmother’s flower garden. They are my favorite for several reasons. They are a reminder of my Grandmother who passed away when I was very young. Having them here is like having a bit of her spirit in my garden every spring. They are also a piece of my past. My mother grew them in her flower box. They had a special spot where they flourished. As a child I would pinch off the blooms. I would pretend they were tiny bells that only angels could hear. I love having them in my garden. I smile when my boys call them “bell flowers”. I can picture my Grandmother in heaven listen to those “little bells”. I like to think she would be smiling too, knowing they were enjoying her flowers.
When these plants emerge from the ground after a long winter, they lift my spirits. Each one carries a memory of someone special. If you have plants that are taking over, think of sharing them with someone else. Spring is a wonderful time to make new memories. Have a happy spring, and enjoy the flowers.
My favorite are the Lilly of the Valley. It is from a batch that originates from my Grandmother’s flower garden. They are my favorite for several reasons. They are a reminder of my Grandmother who passed away when I was very young. Having them here is like having a bit of her spirit in my garden every spring. They are also a piece of my past. My mother grew them in her flower box. They had a special spot where they flourished. As a child I would pinch off the blooms. I would pretend they were tiny bells that only angels could hear. I love having them in my garden. I smile when my boys call them “bell flowers”. I can picture my Grandmother in heaven listen to those “little bells”. I like to think she would be smiling too, knowing they were enjoying her flowers.
When these plants emerge from the ground after a long winter, they lift my spirits. Each one carries a memory of someone special. If you have plants that are taking over, think of sharing them with someone else. Spring is a wonderful time to make new memories. Have a happy spring, and enjoy the flowers.
I love to hear about family traditions. Do you have any you want to share?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Morels
If you hunt Morels...Find them if you can.......
The Morels are out, but only for a short time.
We found these today. (4/22/09) I would write more, but I need to get out before the sun goes down. I would love to find some more. Yumm.
Thanks for the flowers Sis.
3 years ago my sister helped me build my flower garden. I was limited with a new born, and recovering from a c-section. She is a real go getter, and happy to help me. All I said was “someday I can see the flower garden there.” That was all she had to hear. That week I had a dump truck full of top soil at my door. With my husband's help they mixed in bags of fertilizer, and put the soil mixture into my flower box. They leveled it out. She helped me plant loads of tulip and daffodil bulbs. I have been enjoying it ever since. Thanks for the flowers Sis.Monday, April 20, 2009
Jumping Jelly Beans
When visitors come to my house they usually comment on our artwork. I love art. It can speak in ways that words can’t. What it says to one person, is not what it says to the next.
Lately, the artwork that they comment about most, are not the paintings framed on the wall. Our guests give the most attention to the murals drawn in crayon and marker. All three of my boys have considered “wall art” a prime medium at one time or another. I remind myself this is only a stage they go through. I try to keep it in perspective. In 10 years our problems will be bigger, and much more complicated. Unfortunately, I have a feeling most of our future problems will not be able to be fixed with a fresh coat of paint. I am going to enjoy this simple life while I can.
This doesn’t mean that I keep every creative item my boys leave on the wall. I believe there must be a place in heaven for the inventor of the Magic Eraser. That white rectangle has brought a small slice of sanity to my life. Every Christmas and Easter, I go through the house, and try to create a clean slate on my walls. There has to some since of balance to this chaos. There are a few pieces of art that last longer than others. The jumping jelly bean of course is one of those long term pieces. It has stayed with us longer than most, because it is drawn in permanent maker. Jelly Bean will be with us until we repaint the bedroom.
I have mixed feelings about Jelly Bean. My middle child drew him. He must have been standing on a box when he drew him. Jelly Bean is at least 4 foot tall. He is taller than Nicholas was when he created him. At the time Nicholas was not drawing faces, and had no interest in pencil and paper (obviously). So this was a bit of a breakthrough in his self expression. He was so proud of his creation. When I walked into the room, I held back my initial reaction. I simply asked him to tell me about his drawing. He exclaimed with a giggle and a hop, hop, bounce…”It’s a jumping jelly bean!” Of course it is. How could I miss that?
That has been two years now. Jelly Bean is still on my wall. I pick out colors to repaint the bedroom, but I can’t settle on anything. Maybe it’s the bean. I think I might miss him, and these memories, when we finally repaint.
I have a friend who says, “Perspective is key. Perspective gives you a since of calm. Calm leads to peace. Peace leads to happiness.” May your life be full of perspective, peace, and happiness. I also hope they are full of colorful memories that are treasured.
Lately, the artwork that they comment about most, are not the paintings framed on the wall. Our guests give the most attention to the murals drawn in crayon and marker. All three of my boys have considered “wall art” a prime medium at one time or another. I remind myself this is only a stage they go through. I try to keep it in perspective. In 10 years our problems will be bigger, and much more complicated. Unfortunately, I have a feeling most of our future problems will not be able to be fixed with a fresh coat of paint. I am going to enjoy this simple life while I can.
This doesn’t mean that I keep every creative item my boys leave on the wall. I believe there must be a place in heaven for the inventor of the Magic Eraser. That white rectangle has brought a small slice of sanity to my life. Every Christmas and Easter, I go through the house, and try to create a clean slate on my walls. There has to some since of balance to this chaos. There are a few pieces of art that last longer than others. The jumping jelly bean of course is one of those long term pieces. It has stayed with us longer than most, because it is drawn in permanent maker. Jelly Bean will be with us until we repaint the bedroom.
I have mixed feelings about Jelly Bean. My middle child drew him. He must have been standing on a box when he drew him. Jelly Bean is at least 4 foot tall. He is taller than Nicholas was when he created him. At the time Nicholas was not drawing faces, and had no interest in pencil and paper (obviously). So this was a bit of a breakthrough in his self expression. He was so proud of his creation. When I walked into the room, I held back my initial reaction. I simply asked him to tell me about his drawing. He exclaimed with a giggle and a hop, hop, bounce…”It’s a jumping jelly bean!” Of course it is. How could I miss that?
That has been two years now. Jelly Bean is still on my wall. I pick out colors to repaint the bedroom, but I can’t settle on anything. Maybe it’s the bean. I think I might miss him, and these memories, when we finally repaint.
I have a friend who says, “Perspective is key. Perspective gives you a since of calm. Calm leads to peace. Peace leads to happiness.” May your life be full of perspective, peace, and happiness. I also hope they are full of colorful memories that are treasured.
clutter bugs
Do you ever think about the clutter? How it collects? How it gathers in our closet, our house? How it can invade our callander, and even show up in our daily living?
more on clutter later.
more on clutter later.
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