Day One

The first day went well. My decluttering quest for ten items only took about ten minutes.

  Actually I have more than ten items in this somewhat harried looking pile.

 I probably won't itemize my pile every day, but since this is the first day--here goes.

I have.......

3 window blinds

1 shower curtain rod

2 CD holders

1 wall plaque in a language I can't read (don't ask)

1 plant hanger

2 over the shower organizers

4 books

1 stack of old paper dolls

and a partridge in a pear tree (not really)
 
Not bad for just a few minutes of work.  Surprisingly enough it was a painless process.  Almost all of these items came from the same closet--which is now much tidier. 

So, what did you get rid of today?

A New Week A Fresh Challenge

I love this time of year, but one of the down sides to autumn is the neglect my house suffers during canning season.  When I am preoccupied with jar washing and peach peeling I tend to ignore the overall appearance of my closets and cupboards. 

So I am going to challenge myself this week, and anyone who wants to join me is welcome.

In one week I am going to get rid of/donate 50 items.  I will try to post pictures of some of the many things that will no longer be cluttering my home.

 I've warned my children that I am on a mission, and they are currently pondering what junk toys they are willing to part with.  As added incentive I have reminded them that they have birthdays and Christmas coming--so they need to make room for the new loot gifts they may receive.

To accomplish this goal I will need to have ten items per day to reach 50 by Friday.

Come along with me on this adventure to clutter-free living!

Inheritance

I recently inherited a cedar chest from my aunt.

 It's truly a very nice piece of furniture with a lot of practical uses.

This made me think of some other not so tangible things that I've inherited.

I grew up in a safe and happy family.

We always had plenty to eat, and I had more love lavished on me than you can imagine.

I was never left alone and no one ever hurt me or yelled unkind things at me.

This may seem rather simple, but for many children this isn't the case.

"Safe" is not a word that describes their homes.

Many of them aren't even safe before they are born.

Our inheritance or heritage of safe happy homes shouldn't be taken lightly.

I'm planning to take very good care of my "new" cedar chest.

I'll use it to store blankets, and sheets, and I won't leave it outside.

In the same way our inheritance should be used well too.

That's one of the reason's that we decided to become foster parents.

To give back a little--when we've been given SO MUCH.

I've been inspired by different ways that others give back.

Some go on short term mission trips.

Some give their entire lives on the mission field.

Some are powerful prayer warriors here at home.

Some are simply available--if you want help you only need call them.

How are you giving back?

What I Did Today

Sometimes at the end of the day I like to review what I've accomplished--thought maybe you'd like to review with me.

I made three meals.

I washed 3 loads of laundry one of which is still in the washer. :(

I homeschooled.

I re-rolled the toilet paper and removed little hands from the toilet you see above.

I had a case worker visit.

I read several chapters of "Where the Red Fern Grows" out loud.

I put all the diapers back in the trash can after the little person mentioned above pulled them all out.

I blogged a little.

So......what did you do today?

I can't believe that I just posted a picture of my toilet on my blog--sometimes I embarass even myself.

Cheerful

Somehow, the sight of all these eggs on my counter makes me feel cheerful on this gray rainy Monday morning.

Oh, and if you have any good recipes using LOTS of eggs please share them!

Too Many Balls In The Air

Lately--I feel like I can't keep up.

If I get the laundry done then the dishes fall behind.

If my house is tidy then I snap at my children.

If homeschooling goes well then we eat junk food instead of nutritious stuff.

If I remember to blog then I forget to feed and water my chickens. (No kidding I did this yesterday--poor chickens.)

My mom would say I have too many irons in the fire.

My hubby says I'm trying to do too much too perfectly.

I feel like I'm a juggler with a ton of balls in the air and I can't keep catching them.

Oh, and my eye is twitching uncontrollably--stress maybe?

I'm so glad that God doesn't love me based on what I get done or how well it gets done!!!

Staggering Statistics

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself uspotted from the world."  James 1:27