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Getting Rid Of The Clutter

Oct21

It is difficult to see the beauty of a garden when it is taken over by unsightly weeds. In much the same way it is difficult to see all the beautiful treasures in your  home when there is clutter. Clutter is easy to accumulate but can be difficult to clean up.

Clutter, is not only distracting but it adds chaos to the home and for everyone in it! Clutter can literally suck the life out of you without you even knowing it! I have heard people say but I function best in clutter. To that I say Hog Wash! I believe people often use that excuse so they don’t have to deal with their junk!

Because we are created in God’s image we love the things he loves and because God is a God of order we too thrive in order! Think about it…even when He created, He did it in an organized fashion. Think about it…how silly would it have been for him to create the animals prior to creating the heavens and the earth. Sometimes it just makes common sense…right? I would like to encourage you to read

Genesis chapter 1&2 to fully appreciate God’s sense of order.

When  God created the garden of Eden He meant it to be an orderly, beautiful, and serene place for Adam and Eve. They too had a problems with clutter. Their clutter was in the form of sin. When they cluttered the Garden of Eden with sin the weeds began to grow and  it became known as the Garden of Weed’n…and God created work!

So thanks to Adam and Eve to take control of our surroundings and create a haven for our ourselves and our family is gonna take some work! Removing cluttering can be an overwhelming task especially if everything has emotional or sentimental attachment for you. Or, perhaps you are afraid to remove something from your home because you might need it again. If this describe you then perhaps you might want to begin your endeavor to declutter with a word of prayer asking God to give you the strength, wisdom, and courage to detach emotionally and to trust that He will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory.

When it comes to housework, my husband often says if you will tell me what needs to be done  I will help. This is such a foreign thought to me…I tell him, “It is really easy. Just stand back and survey the room. Look at the hard surfaces? If it doesn’t go there….Do something about it.” Items displayed that do not contribute to the beauty of the room just need to go away!!! So, store it, donate it, or just throw it away!

So with that said…let’s get started. Below are the steps that have helped me in this area. I encourage you to do what best works for you unless it means not doing it!

  • Grab 3 large tubs or cardboard boxes and label them
    • Store: For items you absolutely do not want to part with or can not replace
    • Donate: For items still in good condition but you will not use
    • Toss: For items which no longer have a use and must be thrown away
  • Focus on one room at a time to reduce feeling of being overwhelmed
  •  Begin on the far side of the room and work your way to the door so when you leave the room it is finished and you have a sense of accomplishment
  • Touch each thing only once by making a one time decision to put it away, throw it away, or store it. If you choose to toss it or store it then put the item in the appropriate box as indicated. This prevents re-work
  • Do not remove items  once the item is assigned to a box! Let go…this is where you must deal with the emotions attached to your “JUNK”.

    If you do not have the strength or in-sight to be able to perform the steps above, perhaps bringing in a friend to help will provide the encouragement you need.

 While getting the clutter out is not easy, you will be amazed at the difference a sense of order can add to your life! 

 

I Encourage You To… DEAL WITH YOUR JUNK!!!

Love Lee ♥

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Establishing a Routine

Oct7

Establishing a routine is not the same as being in a rut…Routine is conducive to peace and harmony in the home.

american breakfast

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When my girls were small, I was a stay at home mom. My success at motherhood was defined by the level of peace and harmony in our home. I wanted home to be a haven for my husband and children. This became the focus of my life and the core of my being. I wanted everything to be perfect. But, while trying to create the perfect home, perfect meals, perfect family…I became a perfect mess. I became increasingly tired and resented all the work it took to create the perfect world I so desperately longed for.

I now recognize life was not so perfect but my precious daughters did appreciate the stability which the routines in our home provided for them.  I realized this when I made the decision to go to nursing school just before my girls entered Jr. High. I had early clinical in Galveston one day and will never forget the phone call I received from my youngest daughter. She called and asked, “Mom, what do I eat for breakfast?” I recommended a bowl of cereal and she replied, “We have never had cereal for breakfast…you always cook”. It was then I realized in my efforts to create the perfect home, I had forgotten to encourage participation.   You see, had I allowed the kids to participate with breakfast preparations rather than just serve them a meal, my daughter would have been able to use those skills to prepare her own breakfast rather than eat out of a cereal box. Did it kill her to eat cereal? Absolutely not but had she had the skills to prepare her own breakfast she would have at least had a choice.  By establishing routines in the home and incorporating the family in those routines, our days will flow with greater ease.

I can hear you now…”I can’t get my kids to participate”. Well, been there done that and I do not have the perfect answer but I do have some suggestions based on my life lessons…

  1. Lighten up: Make things fun rather than a chore.
  2. Accept less than perfect: So the bed is made and it looks crooked…let it go
  3. Provide praise: Let them know when they do something right rather than remind them of all they did and do wrong.
  4. Make the consequences fit the offense: Minor and major offenses should not have the same consequence or outcome will not be as effective
  5. apologize when you screw up: Allow your child to see you handle mess ups and more importantly how you reconcile your ooopses in life
  6. Love freely: Never ever miss a chance to tell your family how much you love them and how important they are to you.

Now, you can establish routines incorporating the entire family. In doing so you will be providing some of the most important life lessons a child could receive.

Mornings:

When your children wake up do they know what to expect. Is your morning absolute chaos or is it even keel? By establishing a routine in the morning their lives become a little mor predictable. There are fewer unexpected and family time together is spent with the focus on family rather than the drama created by the unexpected. Break the big routine into doable pieces so the goal is no longer unattainable for them. Assign tasks that fit the child’s personality so they enjoy what they are doing. Often times prep performed the evening before can make a huge difference for your mornings. Prep could include: Loading backpacks, signing school work, baths, or laying out clothes for the next day

 Evenings

Ahhhh the moment everyone has waited for all day…Coming Home! No one wants to come home to chaos. Home is our haven and for most our greatest amount of time at home is in the evenings after school or work. Life at home can not be all work. By finding balance between chores and play home becomes more enjoyable. Allow you children to work with you rather than assign them independent tasks. In doing so, closer relationships are formed. Organization is key. Think about how you want your evenings to go and plan for them. Get your work list prepared, plan fun activities, and always allow time for talks and prayers at bedtime.

Dinner Routine

To this day my girls fondly remember our times around the dinner table. This was a time we all sat down and interacted with pleasure and respect. Dinner time was when we talked about the events of the day, shared funny stories or just relaxed and took it all in. Dinner was not a time for us to discuss negative subjects or to discipline the children. Turn off the TV and Radio; make dinner about the family. Allow your children to set and clear the table, prepare the meal, and wash the dishes. The result is two fold…the chores are done and excellent family time.

Bottom line is life is pretty unpredictable so why not add some predictability back into your home by establishing some routines.

Love Lee ♥

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Smith Family Reunion 2010

Oct6

The Smith Family Reunion was the vision of Richard’s brother Mike. He made the statement wouldn’t it be great if all the family could get together each year. So Richard and I volunteered our home and that is how it all began.

Menues planned√…House Cleaned√…Firewood for the Pit √…Yardwork done√… Pool Cleaned√…Sleeping Arrangements for All√…Towels, Floats, and Toys√…

Now they are on their way! Each year the last week of May, family and friends from all over the US begins to make their journey to Jones Creek, Texas. They usually begin to arrive on Wednesday and stay through Tuesday the following week. So it is a week of family, friends, and fun…coupled with food, swimming, and grotto chats!

So much fun for all and each year the number grows.  Family members marry, babies are born, and new friends are made…Therefore, the more the merrier!

We are so honored to have the privilege of hosting this annual Smith event! The Family Reunion was a great idea! Thank You Mike!!!

Love Lee ♥

Home is Good For the Soul

Oct6

  As the temperature begins to cool down and a crispness fills the air I get the urge to make those savory soups, bake breads, and make flavored coffees and hot teas. Then to enjoy it all out on the freshly swept patio, fragranced with my favorite candles, soft music playing in the background and birds sweetly singing overhead.

 As I look out across the yard I notice large yellow and orange leaves gently dancing as it floats to the ground while my precious pups are chasing squirrels and squealing with excitement.
 
Oh how I love Autumn and how I sooo love being home!!! Home  is when your spirit gets a chance to play and express itself. Home is where I can be me and do those things I enjoy. Home is my haven from the hustle and bustle of the world.  Home is where I spend time with my loved ones. And, most importantly, home is where I spend quality time with my Heavenly Father!
 
I am sure you have heard the old saying…”Home is where the heart is”. So I ask…is your heart at home? If not you might want to invite it in…
Love Lee ♥

Who Do You Trust?

Oct5

What do you put your trust in; relationships, money, job, education, home, or possessions.      

Relationships:    

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of th...

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Wow what a heavy load to put on any one person…to ask them to be responsible for our happiness and security. I have been married to Richard for 33 years but to make him responsible for my happiness would be so incredibly unfair. I am the only person who can determine my level of happiness. Abe Lincoln said “Most folks are about as happy as they want to be”. That is so true! It is all about a choice of mindset!     

  
Money: 

Hmm…in today’s economy, I am not sure this even requires a discussion. Granted we do need some money to take care of our basic needs but it is amazing how much we could do with a lot less. We are such a spoiled nation. Hurry up…I want it now…but I neeeed it. I love hearing stories from adults that grew up in poverty but never knew it because their home was such a secure and happy place for them.     

Job:     

Carpenter at work on Douglas Dam, Tennessee (T...

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

 

 Here today…Gone tomorrow. My precious husband can attest to this one. He had worked for Dow Chemical for 20 years; packed a pager, went out all hours of the night and day, dropped everything when Dow called. Then, Dow decided to downsize middle management and Richard was without a job. In my job I have watched people come and have watched people go and one thing I know is NOBODY IS INDISPENSIBLE!     

 Education:    

P Education

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 I have a dear friend with multiple degrees but has been out of work for several months now. The common response is “You are over qualified”. Go figure…you work your backside off for a degree to hear you over qualified… Interpretation: We are not willing to pay you what you are worth! I also have another friend with several degrees and she is struggling to find work…AGE does matter!     

     

Home:     

Home does not provide stability or security. Stability and security are intrinsic to the person. I lived in a 3800 square foot home and moved out of it to a 600 square foot home and I can tell you the house mattered not! It is the people who make a house a home. Some of my happiest memories occurred in 600 square feet!    

Possessions:     

Possessions can not bring security! When we moved from our large home in Brazoria to the little bitty place in Clute, I had to make some decisions about what I would take with me. I brought my kids in and said “take what you want”, let some things go with the house, and gave the rest to friends and family. You see, I have the attitude that God owns it all and He will provide. I knew I would not live in 600 square feet for the rest of my life but I also knew that when it was time God would give me exactly what I needed. And, that He did! I am now in 3100 square feet and have most everything I want and all that I need.     

Bottom line there is only one source of security and happiness and that is God. “But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ” Philippians 4:19     

Two young Nokota mares

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Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalms 20:7  

 So, I ask you…what are you putting your trust in these days? Have you tried God?     

Love Lee ♥    

Let’s Play

Sep26

Play: To occupy oneself in amusement, sport, or other recreation.    

Play time is a universal need. Learning occurs through experience, and play is a natural instinct which combines learning with pleasure. Throughout most of childhood, play is the way children learn about themselves and their environment.      

Playhouse:    

When I was a little girl we didn’t go buy a lot of toys. My mom was always able to take what we had and turn it into fun. I remember the most awesome play house was actually my dad’s storage shed. Mom push all his things to the back and the put plywood in front of it and viola, the open floor space was soon filled with our toy kitchen set, table and chairs, and anything else to doll it up. It was in this little play house my passion for home, decorating, cooking, and taking care of babies was born! I remember sweeping the floors, washing the dishes, and cooking the most awesome meals. Today, I continue to play. In fact, when someone calls and asks what I am doing, often Richard’s response is “Playing in her playhouse”…Translation: Cooking, cleaning, decorating or working on a project for the house.    

A European city bike, an example of a bicycle ...

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Bike Riding:    

I will never forget the freedom I gained when I got my bicycle. Off to explore the world. I put many miles on that bike…visiting friends and exploring the back roads. I loved packing a picnic lunch and heading out to explore for hours. Sometimes I would ride with friends and other times I was off on my own. Today, I still enjoy riding my bike. Whether it is a riding around the neighborhood on bicycle or across country on a Harley….    

 
Playing in the Woods: 

Living in Liverpool Texas as a kid we had a lot of wooded areas to play. Seedling Pine trees made the most awesome forts. Wooded areas made for a really good game of hide and seek too! I remember romping all over the place without even giving a thought to spiders or snakes. Today, I still love hanging out in the woods. Richard and I go camping frequently sitting under a canopy of trees drinking coffee and tinkering with a campfire is one of our favorite things to do.    

Sonny & Cher:    

  

The Two of Us (Sonny & Cher album)

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Living next door to us were 3 boys close to the same age as my sisters and me. For entertainment Rusty was Sunny and Yep, you guessed it, I was Cher. We practiced for hours and then would put on a concert for our parents. Our stage was the picnic table and Rusty’s, I mean Sunny’s guitar was a grilling basket for fish. We were incredible!!! Today, I love to sing and it was my passion for music that lead me to the love of my life; Richard. While we are not Sunny and Cher, we do make some pretty awesome music!    

It is amazing how the things which we do as children carries over into our adulthood as a favorite pastime. Now when I see a pretty for the house,  or feel the breeze across my face while riding, smell the scent of pine while camping, or hear a song that moves me I thank God for my childhood memories.    

When you work too much without interspersing some play into your day, you lose your vitality. Play keeps your heart light and your spirit lively.    

It is okay to play! Go back to your childhood, think about the things you loved to do, and incorporate them into your life today. Go for it…Be a kid again!    

Love Lee  ♥  

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