Day 133 Just GO!

Do you ever make plans,

and then get tired or lazy and just want to break them?
As a teacher, I'm still on vacation,
(Sorry to everyone who is already back at work!)
and when I'm on break,
I switch back and forth between "seizing the moment"
and just wanting to laze around and do absolultey NOTHING.

My friends and I made plans to go bowling tonight:

8:00pm, Brunswick Zone.

But then two people backed out (valid reasons),

and it was snowing...
and my sister and I started getting tired...
and the thought of staying in, warm and cozy,
sounded better than a 25-minute drive to a packed bowling alley.

But then I remembered this journey.

At first, we were all uninspired and low-energy,

and the 45-minute wait for a lane didn't help!

But then we got some food and pop (Caffeine!!) and the games began.

It was a so fun! We ended up bowling for two hours

(I realized I had a coupon for 6 people, $24.99=2 hrs of bowling, shoes, and a pitcher of pop!)

and talking about the Lord the whole time.
It was fun, encouraging, AND,
I got my 2nd highest bowling score EVER... 151!
Not great, but hey, I never claimed to be  professional bowler
One friend commented during the night that I had so much energy,
and I realized she was right.

All it took was a choice to be with people and have a good time.
Needless to say, my caffeine intake kept me up way past bowling.
My light went out a little past 2:30a.m.

Lesson: just go--you WILL have fun!

Julie & Julia: A Realization

I feel as though part of me has died.
I haven't told you this,
but the inspiration for this blog started when I saw a delightful movie:
the popular hit "Julie & Julia."
Julie decided to take on a year-long journey of cooking,
in hopes of finding herself and changing her world.
And she did.
And she changed mine.
And Julia's story changed mine.
I went to see the movie twice in the theaters.
I got the book and DVD for Christmas,
and my mom gave me one of her pearl necklaces "in remembrance."
If you've seen the movie you understand.

Tonight I started flipping through the book,
curious to the true character of Julie Powell.
(Over the holidays, my brother mentioned he thought there must be a reason why Julia Child "didn't like" Julie.
I defended Julie all the way.)
But then as I started flipping through it tonight,
my eyes kept catching the same word,
over and over and over.
The more I saw it the more my heart sank.
The word? Dare I even say it?
It was the "F---" word.
Over and over I saw it.
My heart sunk with the realization that the character in my head did not align with the person of Julie Powell in real-life.
What was missing? Simple: Class.
Although Julie's story, and Julia Child's life,
have given me hope,
I need to remember what Julie's husband said to her in the movie when Julie found out that Julia Child supposedly didn't like her.
He told her that it didn't matter,
because it was the Julia that she knew,
that she found,
that had inspired her,
and that she herself accomplished this journey on her own.

I still love "Julie & Julia."
And I'm still going to read Julie's book.
Even if I am disappointed,
I know I will always be grateful for this journey and change in me.

Lesson: don't let disapointment discourage you from the task

Day 132 Be the first to...

Humility.
Such an elegant word for an uneasy task.
"Task" because sometimes it truly is a choice,
as in my story for today.

The night before,
my parents and I got in an intense,
but good, discussion...
Complete honesty,
with some tears (on my part),
and a loving conclusion.

This morning, as I reflected more,
I decided that the conversation wasn't quite over;
I needed to apologize to my dad for something he'd brought up.
Why is humility difficult?
Why the dry throat,
the quickened pulse?

He forgave me completely,
and it was all forgotten.
What freedom in forgiveness!

Lesson: gain humility

Day 129, 130, & 131 Vacation--in a Nutshell

I am back, dear reader,
from my escape into the wintery isolation of "home."
If you read my last entry,
you understand why I haven't typed in these past few days.
I was still claiming each day.
Here's the past 3 days in a nutshell:

Day 128
Christmas! Just Mom, Dad, and me
(my siblings all had inlaws' parties)
So, I convinced them to go Christmas caroling at the nursing home.
Our practice session brought much laughter--
goofyness and moments I'll never forget.

We talked with some of the residents and carolled through the halls.

It was a wonderful feeling to do something for someone else on this special day of the year.

Lesson: strive to make the holiday special for someone else

Day 129
Our family "Christmas."
All the siblings were home!
Claim?  Get in the right perspective right away.

(I started getting sad hearing about all the parties they went to and gifts they received;  silly, I know--it doesn't even matter.
But, I could feel a pity party coming on.)

So, I pulled out my Bible and read Isaiah Chapters 51 and 52.
It was about the Lord comforting us and bringing us strength.
As I read, the tune of an old song we used to sing came into my mind:
"For the redeemed of the Lord shall return,
and come with singing unto Zion,
an everlasting joy shall be upon their heads." (Isaiah 51:11).
Those words rang in my heart as I ate breakfast.  It was a joyous day!

Lesson: The Bible brings LIFE

Day 130

It's a Wonderful Life.
Have you seen it?

Surely you have!
If not, please do. 
My dad loves this movie,
and when we were little he'd have our family watch it.
Christmas comes and I tell myself I should watch it.
I never do.  But, no putting it off this year!
As we watched it together,
I was reminded of how rewarding relationships are.

Lesson: Jesus sees the good we do

Day 128 Christmas Eve Epiphany

Christmas Eve.
When a holiday rolls around,

homeward bound I go—

into the wonderful isolation of a tiny town,

and my parents’ “cottage”:

no T.V. and no internet;

only the quaint company of neighborhood rabbits and birds.

This morning, I politely expressed the need to use the internet.

So, to the small, local library we went.

Dad warmed up his truck and scraped off the strangely thick layer of ice,

and then we (Dad, Mom, and I) squeezed in

(squished, actually, shoulder to shoulder).

And then came the attempt to put on our seatbelts…

which took way too long and was about to cause me some irritation

(as I’d already been waiting to go and was anxious to write)…

But then I decided to claim the moment—

How often do I get times likes these with my parents??

Heaven knows I will miss it when they are gone.

As soon as I realized that,

I let the time-crunch go;

soon we were all laughing hysterically!

With all the to-do of getting there,

we only had about 35 minutes left before the library was closing.

Hence, I only got one blog post written.

All of a sudden, my land of escape became a land of restriction.

I am ashamed to admit that my mood turned fowl.

After mumbling my complaints, I sat in silence the whole ride home.

As I sat on my bed staring at my parents’ computer

(which, as you know, has no internet connection),

it hit me--the most wonderful epiphany of all.

It was simply this:

“Am I living to blog or blogging to live??”

See, I started this blog to simply keep me accountable.

Accountable to ME;

to get out of feeling stuck in this season of life,

to embrace the freedom of singleness, and to truly enjoy the NOW.

Blogging should be the RESULT of my life, not the center of it.

How and when did this get flipped upside down??

Maybe I should embrace this vacation as a haven of needed isolation,

and get back to the heart of this journey.

If you do not hear from me for a few days, please know why.

Maybe we all need to take some time to reflect?

Lesson: live to live, not to write

Day 127 An Angel

Road trip home!
Due to my mom’s request,
I got an early start.
Which, since I’m not a morning person,
meant no shower, no makeup,
and breakfast on the go.
(Dunkin Donuts, of course)
Word of a hail storm was spreading,
and none of us wanted to be stuck far away for the holidays.

I was making my merry way,
listening to Christmas music and munching on my donut,
when something strange occurred.
I started to feel something wobbling—was it my tire?
Yes, the back left one, I was sure.
Uh oh. Now what?
It was already drizzling out,
I had no idea if I had a spare,
and there was no way to see if it was wobbling since no one was with me!

I pulled off and into a gas station.
Got out and looked.
Now, how am I going to be able to tell when the car is just sitting there?
“This is ridiculous,” I thought.
And then I saw an older man,
a real grandpa-ish sort.
Maybe he could help!

So, I claimed the courage to go up to this stranger,
and he turned out to be the dear grandpa-type I’d thought.
I drove through the parking lot as he watched.
“No wobbling,” was the conclusion.
But “Your front tire is awfully low on air” was his advice.
Sure enough!
I pulled around to the back,
filled it up, and was on my way in no time.
No more wobbling, and no more worries.
I sang along to the Christmas music,
truly excited to be going home.

Lesson: a stranger just may be an angel in disguise

Day 126 Across the Abyss

Every year I tell myself that I’m going to write Christmas cards.
But every year I run out of time and brush them aside,
put off again until “next year.”

This year I was determined.

I picked out my cards ahead of time,

found my list of addresses,

and began to debate if I’d send a picture,

newsletter, or handwritten note.

But then things came up.

Each day passed and no cards were written.

When I was running out of days,

I had to make a decision.

The thought to wait ‘til next year was coming closer.

But then I concluded: it would be better to at least send some than none at all.

So I picked relatives and dear family friends that I haven’t seen in so long,
and finally set aside an afternoon.

As I began to write, a warmth and happiness began to fill my heart.
I know it sounds cheesy, but it really happened!
I wrote a letter in each one,
telling of my life, asking of theirs,
and expressing memories of them and feelings of love.

My grandparents on my dad’s side—

I haven’t seen them in 16 years!

Could it really be that long?

My “grandma” Louise who I used to write letters to in junior high…

My grandma on my mom’s side who is battling cancer—

have I really not seen her since I was twelve?!

It was the most uplifting, exciting feeling to walk through the post office line,

place the stamps on the Christmasy red envelopes,

and send them off into the void.

I wonder if anyone will write?

Lesson: rekindle family ties

Day 125 A Door… or a Window?

I am so excited!!
This morning I decided to not just sit and wait but to do something:
I emailed a few specific pastors at my church about my strong desire to serve.
My passion is to one day serve full-time through worship, speaking, and song writing.
I did this for a long time before moving to IL,
and often ask God “Why?” about where He has called me to at this time.

Do you ever feel Him pressing on your heart?
Leading you, or at least preparing your heart for change?
Stirring up the winds of change?
That’s how I have felt about serving for at least the last 6 months.
I submitted a form a few weeks ago,
but today I decided to take another step.
I sent a follow-up email today (with my resume) to a
to the head pastor, worship pastors, and a few others,
explaining my desire to serve and my areas of interest.
An hour later I got a phone call:
it was the main worship leader!
He left a message thanking me,
and saying he wants to meet with me.
He expressed that they have a lot of need in areas that I have “expertise” in!
I hope that this is finally an open door to start serving through music again!

Lesson: take a step of faith—who knows what God will do??!

Day 124 Fizzled Friendships Part 2

It’s amazing how this journey is helping me. It’s pushing my heart forward, towards newness of life.
It’s helping me stop and think about other people.
It’s showing me how tired I was of being tired,
and how happy and free I feel when my mind isn’t stuck in my little world.

Today was day two of connecting with old friends.
It just so happened that the church was having a potluck;
The whole day was spent catching up—
having personal talks that far passed small talk.
The highlight for me was visiting my MaryKay consultant.
(Don’t stop reading! It’s not because of the makeup I bought.)

I had planned to just pop in and pick up my purchases,
but as I started to ask her about her kids, the conversation turned.
She started to share her heart for them to find the Lord,
and some of the struggles they are going through.
As she talked about praying for her daughter who is away at college,
I thought of my own mom and all the prayers she prays for me.
I could tell that this mom was getting weary,
so I began to share with her about my mom and how much her prayers meant to me.
I shared of specific times when I could literally feel my mom’s prayers.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she thanked me for the encouragement.
I left knowing that God ordained that makeup meeting for His purposes.

Lesson: take every opportunity to share of His goodness

Day 123 Fizzled Friendships Part 1

People.
That’s really what life’s about.
Loving God and loving people.
So why are they the two things that I neglect when I’m busy?
What am I getting so busy with that I don’t find time for what’s really important?
How is it that I haven’t seen some friends for so long?
My claim for today,
for the whole weekend actually,
was to catch up with friends from my Whitewater days.
(I lived in Whitewater 8 years before moving here 2 ½ years ago).

The Lord was over the whole weekend.
Conversation after conversation drew me to Him
and connected me to old friends again.
Everything worked out—the timing to see different people,
the freedom in their schedule this particular day, etc.
My visits led me from lunch at China House,
to the home of a dear family in the church,
to a coffee shop downtown,
to a small apartment of a girl from the old youth group,
to the bowling alley,
to my favorite Mexican restaurant, Karina’s,
to the apartment of a boy who’s fallen away,
to a long conversation in my car,
to the warm kitchen of a friend who I was staying overnight with.
The night ended with baking Christmas cookies and watching a Christmas movie.

Lesson: don’t let friendships go

Day 122 Stake the Steak!

Do you have any holiday traditions?
Something you look forward to every year?
Today was one of my favorites:
the annual formal Christmas party that my sister and I started a few years ago.

The festivities include our siblings (and their spouses),
and close friends from WI...

and we always go all out to dress up and enjoy fine dining and friends.
This year?

Paisano's in Richmond, IL,

(an adorable, up-scale Italian restaurant),

followed by hot tub bubbles,
yummy cookies,
and a crazy White Elephant gift exchange!

Claim?  Live it up!
I started by ordering a simple chicken dish...
but by the time the waiter went around the table I knew I needed to change it,
for there was something I would much rather have to celebrate.
Yes, you guessed it---
STEAK.
A $25 steak.
(I told myself I'd be able to eat the leftovers for a 2nd meal...)
And then we (the ladies) split a rich chocolate dessert.
It was fabulous!

Lesson: if you're going to go all out, do it right!

Day 121 Sleep on It?

Tonight my feelings were hurt by a friend.
I know I was just being too sensitive.
Still, the feeling gnawed at me when I hung up the phone.
It was already late--
I'd be getting ready for bed as soon as I took my coat off.

I was reminded of the Bible verse:
"Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
I wasn't angry. I was hurt. And frustrated.
I thought a moment.
Time to choose:
be bothered all night and carry it into tomorrow,
or call back and work through it together.

So I went against all my natural instincts
(I get quiet when I get hurt)
and picked up the phone.
I felt so much better afterward.
...Why bring today's hurts into tomorrow?

Lesson: be hasty to reconcile

Day 120 Hardly fine dining

Today's claim was simple,
but made me feel great.
I came home from work,
tired and exhausted.

My first tendency was get fast food.

McDonald's drive through always works great for nights like these!

But then I thought about it.

It's horrible for my body!

Once in a while is okay,

but I've been eathing so much junk lately.

Anyone else?

Especially with the holidays here.

So I put for the effort and made supper.

I didn't technically cook,

but I saved money and ate healthy:
tuna sandwich, baked beans, and apple sauce.
I felt so much better than I do after those grease-covered fries!

Lesson: a dinner in can be simple and still do the trick

Day 119 Key Crisis

Jesus was a servant.

IS a servant.
He laid His life down that we may truly live.
That's what He calls us to, but it sure isn't easy!

Sometimes I get so selfish,
so centered on my life, my needs,
my wants and desires and stories and day.
Tonight a friend of mine came to help chaperone my choir concert at school.
It made such a difference to have her support.
It was the first night I was completely exhausted afterwards.
And, I was ready to go home 45 min earlier than usual!
Until "the event."

She lost her keys.

No where to be found.

We searched and searched.

As many places in the school as we could think of.

The tendency to get frustrated lingered near.

I had to shoo it away.

The thought came to me that I could be home,

relaxing and enjoying my evening,

but I had to fix my mind on the goal:

lay down my life for HER.
It's not about me.

I drove her to find her friend with her spare key
(who was not answering his phone).
He was not there.
Her roommate had the spare apt key and was gone until 11pm...
The Lord helped me get over me.
I invited her over to spend the night.
We chatted, ate ice cream and oreos,
and watched a cute movie.

She ended up being able to go home around midnight
(and sleep in her own bed around),
and we rode to work together the next day.

Even though no thank you was spoken,
I knew that God saw it.
He saw us helping each other.
And I know he smiled.

Two days later,
her keys were found and turned in by a student.

Lesson:  love your neighbor as yourself

Day 118 A Purposeful Pause

Do you ever subconsciously keep going,
just to avoid yourself?
Avoid hurt, or pain,
or an inner decision that you know needs to be made?
Maybe a letting go,
maybe forgiveness toward someone...?
We all have our stories.

I've been so busy.
Sometimes just because that's life.
Sometimes because I get tricked--
into thinking that inner struggles will just go away.
But I know what I need to do.
I know who I need to come to.
Because I need to bring those areas to Him.
Tonight I came home from work,
laid down on my bed,
and just talked to God.
Cried, talked,
and waited for Him.

It was so freeing to be vulnerable to Him.
To be honest with where my heart is at--
honest with Him, honest with myself.
T.V., a good book,
and even talking with a close friend doesn't make things go away.
Only Jesus can bring the inner peace we need.
He is ALL.

Lesson: don't take so long to come to Him

Day 117 Tame the...?

Dishes. Piles and piles of dishes.
This is my weakest link when it comes to organization.
See, the thing is:
it's a never ending task.
Just like laundry (my 2nd weakest link).

I can't just cross them off,
feel great about accomplishing them,
and move on.
See, an hour later I eat a bowl of cereal.
And then I dirty a cup.
And then a bowl for that yummy ice cream...
A pan for this or that,
and then that phone call that sends me racing out the door.
And I'm back at square one.
...And we have to wear clothes every day,
so that's self explanatory!!

I've been trying to tame the growing pile of dishes.
Honestly? It's a tough habit for me to break.
Today I came home and there were some dishes starting to pile up.
Claim it! And keep claiming it!

...My sink was glistening.
What a great feeling!
20 times to break a habit, right?

How about you?
What's a habit you want to break?
20 times--we can do it!

Lesson: patience and persistance

Day 115 & Day 116 Baby Bash

Day 114

My sister and I headed home to WI for the weekend;
we (mom, my sis, and I) were throwing a big EVENT:
a baby shower for my sister-in-law!
First grandchild on either side.

Will be a spoiled little one.

Have you ever had a day...

where everything goes wrong?
Not just one thing.
Everything??

Today was that day.

Slept through my alarm.

No time to shower.

A 3-hour car ride turned into 4 hours,

then almost got hit when the car behind us fishtailed,

a massive headache,

an afternoon of decorating went well past midnight

We were frustrated.

Exhausted.

And truly being tested!

Claim? To not stress out.

I had to keep telling my sister, "It will all get done."

Of course I was also reminding myself!

Lesson: a good mood can be a choice

Day 115

The big day!

Simple claim:

Do everything I can to help my sister not stress out

(I woke up at 7:10am to her stressed command that I needed to get up and start helping)

Somehow, having her well-being in mind helped me.

I found myself trying to serve and help her,

and it didn't leave time for me to think about me.

Lesson: make life easier for someone else

Day 113 & 114 Remember?

Day 112

Do you ever live your walk with the Lord more by memories than actions today?

I consider myself someone who puts God as #1 in my life.

But then when I stop and consider what I do with my time...

I wonder if that's what others would say?

What does God see?

I think back to junior high and high school--tough times.

Anorexia and depression.

I should have died.

Jesus saved me.
I remember how it drew me so close to Him.
Complete reliance on Him.

I prayed so much.

The Bible healed my mind.

He healed my body and brought me closer to Him.

Then I think about college.

I was so on fire for God!

I read my Bible and prayed so much,

was always reaching out to someone,
and saw major answers to prayer...

People coming to Christ,

youth miraculously healed...

Him freeing me from my own chains.

But what about today?

In the adult world, a busy career, bills to pay...

When was the last time I actually got down on my knees?

I do so in my heart, but I haven't literally in almost a year.

...Has it been so long?

I pray when I'm driving,

teaching, cleaning, laying in bed...

But what about giving Him 100% of my attention?

100% of my adoration and praise?

Tonight I got off the phone with a dear friend in need,

and their tears and pain stayed with me.

I decided to get on my knees for them.

I found that He met me there.

So strong.

His presence, His love.

His comfort.

And He showed me more of Himself.

What a wonderful Savior!

Lesson: live your walk TODAY

Day 113

A simple claim.

To call the dear friend I prayed for and follow up.

I want to make this a habit--really caring for people,

Remembering their situation.

Remembering their life,

instead of being so caught up in my own.

Unfortunately, I had to leave a message.

Hopefully their call comes soon!

Lesson: remember to remember them

Day 112 Click, Send!

I'm finding this journey is bringing me out--
outside of myself,
my needs, my wants...

Today I decided to send a close friend an e-card.
It's not her birthday.
And it wasn't for the holiday.

I decided to send it just because.

I picked my best friend that I've told you all about.
(For her privacy, let's leave her name out.)

You, dear reader, may recall those entries...

about our friendship drifting apart.
See, I've lost her to a new best friend--
her new groom,
the man of her dreams!
I'm so happy for her, but it still makes things hard;
I'm no longer the one she shares everything with.

If you're single, I'm sure you've been there.
Have you?  Do you know how that feels?
Watching friend after friend drift as they draw close to "the one"?
If you do, you understand how bittersweet it all is!
So much joy for the other,
yet sadness for yourself.

For me, not necessarily the thought of "when?"

but more the mourning of letting the friendship

(in the way I knew it), go.

I've decided to make more efforts to keep her.

...even though, now, we're states apart.

I smiled as I clicked "send" and away it went.

And then the next day when I saw her name on "missed calls."

We chatted away like old times--

I do love her, and miss her,

and need her still.

It's worth every effort!

We'll stay close, we will!

Lesson: be the one to reach out--it will be returned

Day 111 Merry when Sharing?

Jingle bells, a very merry sound.
I feel tingles inside, outside, and upside down!

Excitement and joy right down to my toes,

unless it's the frostbite that's tickling my nose!

But how do we feel, when that same merry sound,
greets us with smiles, and calls for donation?
Guilt seeps in, at least for me,

and a feeling of selfishness,

I walk away--quick, flee!

But today I decided to go out of my way,
to pull over, get out, and run to his aid.
With one quick motion, slipped in a donation,
simple, easy, with little commotion.

Shared smiles and greetings, and as I was leaving
I heard his "God bless" and knew the rest.
This season? The reason--
Jesus in motion.

Lesson: give a little--you have SO much!

Day 110 A Stepping Stone

Sometimes a step of faith is all we need.

Often, it's just that--a step.

One step.
And even that can be tough.

Today I took one.

Granted, it was a little one,

seemingly almost insignificant,

but who knows?

Maybe it will change the course of my life!

See, I go to this huge church--

3,000 people I'd say.

(I grew up in a tiny church--20 people at most.

Yes, you read that right.  Twenty.)

I feel so unconnected  in a big church.

And I've found that we

("we" as in all the "non-marrieds," ages 25-35)

are often overlooked. Forgotten.

This is not to be a pity party.

And yes, we can always do more.

But this seems very true in most churches.

Do you agree?

They have singles groups, yes,

which seem to attract those 40+,

and young adult groups...

that bring in those young 22 yr olds...

and youth groups, and married/couples groups...

but then there's us.

With friends who are married,

who have moved away...

a new life of their own.

And married siblings with new meaning to the word "family,"

and babies on the way.

And we feel stuck in the same place.

But we are not alone.

God sees us.  He has a plan.

I've looked and looked for a small church.

Nothing that "fit right."
And being new to Chicagoland,
I need "family"!

So today I chose my claim...

Two weeks ago,

my church passed out forms to sign up to serve.

It listed numerous ways/needs in the church.

I held onto it, contemplating:

Is this where God wants me?

Do they need me here?

Maybe all other doors have been closed to keep me here?

(Isn't all this figuring-out-life stuff exhausting??)

So today I took a step.

"Okay, God, I'll turn it in.

And if this is where you want me,

have them call me."

I placed it in the offering plate,

a rush of excitement shooting through me.

God has a plan.

If He closes this door, He's sure to open a window.

Lesson: just one step can put it in God's hands

Day 109 I'll Take Two, Please

Bed Bath and Beyond
(one of my favorite stores)
has the cutest coupon/receipt holders!
You have to get one.
They come in black,
purple, or lime green,
and look like alligator skin.
Adorable,
and all for $9.99
(not including using a 20% off coupon)!
They have them right by the checkout counter.

So today when I was picking one out for me,

I decided to buy one for someone else too.

Not for Christmas, or a birthday,

or any holiday really.

Just because.

That was my claim--

to suprise someone and see their smile.

The gift will be delivered soon!

Lesson: ah yes, "the gift of giving."

Day 108 Cleaning with Friends

So, company was coming.
And I still had mucho cleaning to do!
Maybe this has happend to you?
It's the day of....
and there's more to do than you realized?

Silly me--
I left only TWO projects for the day of,
but they happend to be the LONGEST ones:
1) Scrub down the shower
2) Conquer my huge pile of dishes
(I have no dish washer!)

Friday night--home from work.
Time to step it up!

...Do you ever have those lonely days?
That night was one of them for me.
I just didn't want to feel alone.
And music wasn't enough.
So I turned on "Friends"
(some of you know I have no TV channels,
but own all 10 years of my favorite TV show...).
A twinge of guilt--
"Really? TV in the background?
That's not very spiritual is it?
Not a way of seizing the moment,
being independent..."
I stopped the voice.
Hey, why not?
If I want to listen to the TV while I clean,
why not??
At least I was cleaning, right?
I claimed it.
I would like to say I felt guilt-free the whole time.
But it was nice to just have the sound of laughter around me.
And all the cleaning got done,
just in time (literally)!

Lesson: don't be so hard on yourself.

Day 107 Maximizing

Woman's Day magazine--
I've told you about it.
They have great articles about staying organized,
on top of house cleaning,
above piles of laundry, etc.
One thing I read this week was this:
use your spare moments to tidy up.

Maybe you're thinking you have no "spare moments"?

Their example was:

when you're waiting for the water on the stove to boil,

do a small tast to unclutter.

I've been meaning to dust my place FOREVER.

There is (now, was) a coat of dust on top of my entertainment center!

Tonight I got a long call from one of my best friends.

I decided to dust at the same time.
It was fabulous!

By the time we were done chatting,

my furniture was dust-free!

Lesson: maximize your minutes!

Day 106 Banished

2nd sick day.
In bed until two!
On the couch watching movies...
all afternoon.

By 5pm or 6pm I was getting antsy.

Energy was coming back.
A definite breath through!
Time to tackle that stack...

of paperwork
piled high above thae last box.
Yes, I moved in June and still havent unpacked that BOX.

What an accomplishment!
All major piles vanished!
Big box sifted through,
contents to storage... banished.

Lesson: it doesn't always take as you long as you'd think.

Day 105 Surviving

Stuffy nose,

scratchy throat,

achy muscles...

and so it goes.

A common cold.

An annoying cold!

Foggy, drifting,

fitful sleeping.

Stayed home from work.

Slept a TON.

Still "tomorrow' loomed before me.

Responsibility,

work was calling me...

Until a thoughtful friend reminded me

of what matters.

I claimed it:

one more day--my schedule shattered.

RELIEF.

Lesson: health comes first.

Day 104 Finally!

We're all busy,

we all know how it feels to have something hanging over our heads.

Isn't it funny how sometimes it's the simplest things?

Something that may just take 5 or 10 minutes to do?

But we're too busy to remove that little annoyance.

Like the dust layer on top of the entertainment center.

Or that last box to unpack.

Or the cleenex box to refill.

Today I decided to tackle some of those "small annoyances."

1) The birdfeeder that got rained out.

2) That pile of sandals that needed to be boxed up for the winter

3) Those summer clothes, wasting closet space, to go in storage

How nice it is to look out my kitchen window,

the tree free of the useless birdfeeder!
And to look in my closet and actually have ROOM for my shoes!
And to not have a pile of shorts cluttering up the shelf space I need.

Lesson: sometimes it's about accomplishing the small things