Emotional Noise

Have you ever heard the saying...

CLUTTER IS LIKE EMOTIONAL NOISE

I have been chipping away at all my clutter.  I do not have an elaborate system, but I do have motivation...and that is key.

Let it snow, Snow, SNOW!

Joining Like Mother, Like Daughter for some pretty, happy, funny and real family fun!

{pretty}

Our AHG Explorers group had planned a SNOW TRIP many months ago.  We have been experiencing a drought, with very little snow in the mountains this Winter...

So we prayed.  

When we drove up to Tahoe on Friday...it was beautiful.  But, there was NO SNOW.  We had packed our snow bibs, gloves, snow boots and HOPES of tobogganing.

Living in California, is living in the desert.  But living through a very long dry spell, is serious business.  
After several years of drought, we are parched.  PARCHED. 
So, any sign of precipitation is reason to jump for joy and thanksgiving!!!

The soft flakes from heaven were oh so pretty!

The girls were squealing and dancing and laughing in the falling flakes...

{happy}

Just as we unpacked our last bag...it began to snow.  And snow....and snow.
Records say it was 10 inches.  It certainly was at least 7 inches.  And most definitely it was enough snow to play and toboggan and build a snow castle. 

We had no snow, but we had hope...

{funny}

A lot of snow, snow, snow...a lot of fun, fun, fun!

{real}

Organizing my pantry:  What began as a small project...turned into a complete overhaul.  I worked on simplifying my storage system, rearranging the existing storage space to have more functionality, eliminating waste, and most importantly...cleanliness!

This "shoe rack" makes PERFECT shelves, for my pantry.  The shelves are set at the perfect height for canned goods, paper products, boxed goods.  It fit in my pantry's dead space PERFECTLY!  I had purchased a similar shoe rack for my family room.  Once the rack was assembled, I knew the shelves would fit nicely in my pantry...and sure enough, they worked.

I found that my empty glass milk bottles are perfect for storing and pouring flour, sugar, popcorn, etc...

I love using baskets, containers, and various jars to store my spices or any opened containers or packages (pasta, legumes, rice, nuts, chocolate chips...).

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment...

~ Airing Our Dirty Laundry ~ {phfr} style

I am always trying to find new ways to run an efficient household.  Constantly moving, changing, adding, removing...

As our family grows & ages, new techniques and ideas are needed in order to keep things streamlined; which is a perpetual goal of mine.

It always centers around "Simplify".  This is the key; keep things simple.  

Rather than spending hundreds on organizational gadgets & boxes & shelves & baskets, I keep those that work, while I move out those items that don't (or no longer) fit our needs.  This should help my laundry challenged child with her sorting limitations.

{real}

The black binder clips may not look pretty, however, they get the job done; and they were free.  Win-win.  Done.  Next...

{pretty} 

Our Home School group organized a fun Spring Formal Dance...

My Conductor & Butterfly looked pretty fabulous...If I do say so myself. :o)
How did these 'little' people, all of a sudden, become taller (& smarter) than me?  
'In the blink of an eye'...so very true.  

I am truly enjoying my children and I do not regret a single day of staying at home with them.  Those that questioned my husband and I and our wanting to take them everywhere with us; those that did not understand that we did not care to leave them to babysitters, daycare centers, ...so that we could 'take time for ourselves' or not give up 'my career'.  I say to you...I do not regret our decision.  Nope.  I do not regret a single second of staying at home with my babies.  Neither do I regret all the sacrifices or exhausting toddler (and now teen) days.  LOL.  I love how they now gently encourage me to go and take a nap...so sweet.

Did I ever want to pull my hair out?  Yes.
Did I ever want to quit being their teacher (or 'mama-teacher' as they used to call me).  Oh, ya.  There were days that I was tempted to throw in the towel.  Home schooling is not for the faint of heart.  It is also, not for everyone.  

And now...here they are, my oldest two, heading off to a teen dance.  Very much a lady and a gentleman.  Two creatures that I love with all my heart and am so very proud of...
In the blink of an eye.  Guardian Angel...please continue to keep them in your care.

Speaking of mamas...a Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the moms out there!
You are to be honored, appreciated and thanked!!

{happy}

I just love this bible verse:

A wife of noble character who can find?  She is worth far more than rubies.  Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  

She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.  She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.  She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.  She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.  She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.  In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.  

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.  When it snows, she has not fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.  She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.  

Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.  She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.  She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."  Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.  ~ Proverbs 31: 10-30
   

A few of my favorite things:  Champagne, Chocolate, Flowers &
my Husband (it doesn't hurt that he is doing the dishes, either) O:o)

{funny}

This lovely, large & lanky bird was spotted on the roof of a neighbor's house.  Maybe it wasn't too funny the gift that it left behind...(ahem).

If you are visiting for the first time, Welcome! I hope that you found something {pretty}, {happy}, {funny} or {real} here on my little blog.  For more {phfr} times, visit Like Mother, Like Daughter.

Speaking of LMLD...have you not purchased your THE LITTLE ORATORY book?  I am waiting for the upcoming, long weekend, so that I may savor every page in peace...I allowed myself one little peek.  Can't wait!!!

You can also visit other Family Journals over at Catholic Bloggers Network.

~ Things I Did Today... ~

Sometimes I feel that I'm just running around in circles...not accomplishing what I NEED to do.  I  tackle things as they come at me...then at the end of the day, I'm exhausted.

When I was working, outside of the house, I used to write out my list of things to do for the day, or month.

Actually, I continued this practice of writing down my 'list' until just about 4 or 5 years ago.  Occasionally, I would would start this practice up again, but it wouldn't be long before it just petered out.

Writing my list kept me, I felt, from wasting time.  I was able to accomplish so much...I could see all my progress as I would check off all the items on my list.  What I didn't finish, I would transfer to the new day.  But it made me feel "in control".  I knew I wasn't missing anything.

Lately, I've been "dropping the ball".  Which is not a good feeling for me. 
Overwhelmed.  That is what I start to feel if things are not getting done...

So I've decided to start a list again, ONLY this time, I'm going to include one for my children...why should I have all the fun!?

One morning, I took out my pad and wrote down all the things I had just accomplished or Things I Did Today!

Morning Prayer
Make my son's lunch
Drop son off at Math tutor
Read a few Blogs & write a few comments
Let dogs out, feed, walk...
Clean up dog area (usually the kids do this job as well as care for all the animals, but I gave them a break)
Sweep up leaves/rose pedals
Pull some weeds
2 loads of laundry
Sweep porch & decks
Water plants
Make oatmeal for girls
Bring in Birthday decorations
Load & start dishwasher
Start school...
ALL BY 8:30AM

For myself, I'd really like to use Marcia's idea to "Jot It Down!"...a practice that will help me when I start to get too busy, pulled in too many directions, or just plain distracted (I do tend to procrastinate).
"This gave me the idea to make a list for my children.  A pre-written check off list of what I want need them to accomplish...EVERY DAY.  Weekend's excluded (or not).

I'm looking at it as a Life Skills lesson.  Something that will help them with organization, and take some of the stress out of my our lives.  I've tried a Chore Board in the past.  Now I'm ready to try something new.  Something that will work for the every changing and growing family...

{pretty, happy, funny, real}, ~ The Master Bedroom Challenge Edition ~

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

 

{pretty}

 

My Our desk, in our bedroom, is *pretty* darn messy!

 

 

...but it is filled with some *pretty* neat things:

I began the challenge this morning at 7:05AM.

I had 3 bags and one pile to tackle.

Also, one VERY dusty (but pretty) lamp shade, books, pictures, treasure box and the desk itself was in need of a good dust.

 

I sorted through the piles/bags and divided them into 3 (more) piles:

1.  Garbage

2.  Memories

3.  File

 

Underneath my mess belongings, I found more treasures!  A *pretty* spoon that I had brought back from our family trip to Victoria, BC., a key (I still don't know what it opens), and *photos of our family trip to Alaska.  (*dangerous, as it slows me down; as I tend to reminisce)

 

I thinned out the book collection I had on my desk and just kept the following:

+ Thomas A. Kempis - The Imitation of Mary

+ Pope Benedict XVI Encyclical Letters:  Spe Salvi & Deus Caritas Est

+ Pope Paul VI Encyclical Letter:  Humanae Vitae

Debbie Lillard - Absolutely Organized (A Mom's Guide to a No-Stress Schedule & Clutter-Free Home)

Simon Tang - Kalwaria

and a couple journals & books on Home School & Virtues

 

{happy}

 

Now this makes me HAPPY.  Vintage things - so full of character and wonder.  I love it with all its marks and worn spots...but my favorite is the intricate little clasp.  I was so intrigued by it as a child...

Inside my treasure box, which was given to me by my mother, are pictures of me and my siblings when we were young...HAPPY memories.

 

my sister and me playing dolls - 1960's

Here is a peek inside and a close-up of the label inside the box.  A true trove of treasures.

 

 {funny}

 

Hidden underneath my pile...was this little gem.  FUNNY, it was still in it's original package - sitting and waiting to be put to use.  Now we will use it for our afternoon teas. 

The picture below is of my parents on a double date with another couple and their chaperone - my 6'3" grandfather - in full view!   LOL.  I LOVE IT!!! 

 

My parents are on the left...then my aunt (my mom's sister) and her date (my uncle).  On the right, looking dashingly handsome, is my grandfather.

Everyone seemed to dress so nicely, back then...men in suits and ties, women so proper and modest...

My parents have been married  54 years and my aunt and uncle, 62 years!

 

 

{real}

 

 

 

This is the *now* picture...but honostly, I don't know how long it will stay this way. In our house, horizontal surfaces are magnetically attractive to *stuff*! 

REALly. :o)

 

Thank you, Ladies over at LM,LD ~

For the very fruitful challenge!

 

 

 

 Addendum:  The *challenge* ended at 8:07AM, approximately one hour; including picture taking time and detailed vacuuming...which woke up my sleepyheads so we could start school.  :o)
 

Go to Like Mother, Like Daughter to find more contentment!