Tidying Up

It was Christmas Eve day and we were preparing for an annual tradition; a nearby outdoor candlelight service under the tall cedars, then an intimate gathering of neighbors at our home. My daughter sweeps in having read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo and decides this would be a good time to clean out and organize my kitchen drawers! We survived the ordeal and she has since given me my very own copy of the book. I understand her excitement and it has begun. I hope to share my progress and enthusiasm in the following weeks.

First, and just because it really needed to be dealt with, my husband and I cleaned out our too small pantry.

Top shelf didn't need much 

The rest of it, however, was in dire need

Yikes!

It's now 99% improved, but I'm not posting any pictures until it is 100%!

Here is before and after of one drawer I completed today.

T shirt drawer before

T shirt drawer after

Now it's a t shirt, tank top and cardigan drawer

I won't go into all of Marie's methods, the book is a great, short read. I have concluded that she has found a way to make a living out of her own personal OCD and that's not a bad thing. 

As I complete this process I will be putting my etsy shop on the back burner, leaving it open, but not restocking after the holiday busyness. I feel like I will complete this feeling refreshed and inspired.

Everyone isn't messy like me. However, if you are I suggest reading this book.  A lot of it just made me laugh, but it also got me pretty excited about getting my home in order.

I don't want to call this a New Year's resolution. I don't really like to make them, do you? I'm not saying I don't or have never made New Year's resolutions. In fact, last year on January 1st I began a schedule to read through the Bible in a year chronologically and I finished it December 30th (one day ahead of schedule.) But I think they can be defeating and limiting. One of my favorite verses is Lamentations 3:23 "Great is his faithfulness, his mercies begin afresh each day." Indeed, every day is a new day to our Heavenly Father. For that I am grateful!

Happy New Year!  

Linda <><

In 2014

Space Needle from Chihuly Garden and Glass

Some folks hate January. The decorations are down, the festivities are over for another eleven months or so and all there is to look forward to is picking up those stray pine needles you missed and cold weather. I love this time of year. There is so much hope, time to de-clutter, make resolutions and plan for the upcoming year. Do you have resolutions or plans? I do!

Putting them out here where all can see makes me feel a little bit vulnerable and, hopefully, more committed as the reality of 2014 bares it's ugly face. One of my favorite verses is Lamentations 3:23:

Great is his faithfulness;

    his mercies begin afresh each morning.
(New Living Version)

I know full well that if I mess up one day(or week or month) I can start fresh!

My first goal is to read through the Bible in a year. This will be my third time. I'm pretty sure it took my over a year the last two times, but I did read it all. By reading through it completely I get something quite different than my group Bible study or the daily devotions I share with my husband. This time, I've found an app for my phone that I can check off as I complete readings. There were several choices for the way I can achieve this and I have chosen to read it chronologically. I bought a new Bible with a gift certificate. So far, so good.

The next goal is health related. In my exercise class we are doing what our fearless leader calls "30 for 30". We are committing to cardiovascular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day for 30 days. Inspired by this neat Youtube video, 23 and 1/2 Hours, we will be connected by text and email to encourage and advise each other. My health and fitness level has been improving over the last couple of years, so I'm excited about this chance to up it another level. 

There are other things. Getting organized (hahahahaha). Cleaning things out. Actually, our plan is to go room by room and make extensive reductions. We have started, but this one is probably the most difficult. We are wedged between elderly parents(actually my father is the only one still living, he's 93) who have downsized and children who haven't completely flown the coop. Any suggestions on how best to organize a number of boxes of photographs dating from over ninety years ago to present? 

As I strive to achieve these goals and as we make our daily, weekly and seasonal plans I want this CS Lewis quote to be my mantra:

Look for yourself and you will find in the long run only hatred, loneliness, despair, rage, ruin and decay. But look for Christ and you’ll find Him, and with Him everything else thrown in. 

I hope everyone had a blessed holiday season and your January is inspired!

Linda<><

Sunset Christmas Day -- Burien, Washington