Mail Call

What do you do when you have too much?
Please don't assume I'm asking because I have the perfect answer. I no expert on this topic. I readily admit, I have a strong tendency to hoard papers. I keep letters, notes, and pretty much everything my kids have have ever written, drawn or touch! I also confess, that I hang on to mail (junk or not) way longer than necessary. I mean, so what Papa John's sent you a really good coupon! If you have no plans to use it, then what's the point in keeping it right?
For the past few years I've been working on simplifying and streamlining life. I started by cleaning out my closet.  Literally. I got rid of  my "fat clothes." I got rid of my "someday I'll lose the weight and they'll fit clothes." I even got rid of shoes, (that's a small miracle). I got rid of papers. I got rid of magazines and books. Now don't get the impression I have mastered organizing my home. Wrong. Instead, I've mostly organized my home. The biggest obstacle to overcome? The mail. It keeps coming, and coming. I keep collecting. I bring it in. I wait a few weeks, (months if I'm busy). Then, I'll get sick of it, sort it, and throw it out. I hate this pattern, but it's the one I'm stuck on. What prevents me from throwing it in the trash immediately? I don't know, but I so over it.  I'm in the market for creative ways to organize and deal with mail clutter. If you have any, do share. In the mean time here is what I found:



There were no shortage of ideas to be found. It appears I'm not alone in my mail clutter battle. These seemed easy enough to try. I'll decide on one and give it a try.

Knock Knock and P.S.

Yesterday I visited a beautiful home. It was large home, but it wasn't the size of the house that I found impressive. This home was just so inviting. I'm not easily impressed, especially by things, but there was something about the way things were used in this space. What was even more amazing was, no one at the home knew I was coming. 

Here is what happened: My daughter accepted an invitation to a Christmas party. I took her.  It had been a busy morning. I was running behind, but I packed the kids, and hauled them nearly 40 minutes across town. My daughter used the drive to decorate an ornament gift for the party. So I'm driving, she's painting an ornament, and yes I'm going a little over the speed limit, because we are late for this party, 30 minutes late. I found the home, and dismissed the fact that there were only two vehicles in the driveway. I reasoned that parents sometimes drop their kids off at parties and leave. I went to the door, rang the bell, and a familiar face answered. She's dressed in jogging pants, and a long sleeve shirt. She's clearly not ready for a party, nor is her pajama clad daughter standing behind her. One look at them and I knew I goofed up. Turns out I was actually early for the party, one week early! I showed up at that house on the wrong date! Yet, that sweet lady was gracious enough to let my kiddos have a play date with her daughter anyway. She invited us into her home, despite our impromptu visit. I was amazed. Everything looked so good, so tidy, so prepared. I didn't see the entire home, but I saw a lot of it, including the master bedroom. And FYI, it was stunning!

I couldn't help but think two things: First, my mental calender is subject to glitches, and I need to start writing appointments down. 

Secondly, if someone showed up at my house unannounced would I be able to show them around my home like that? Don't get me wrong, I no slob, but if you showed up at my house tomorrow, somehow I doubt I'll let you in my bedroom. This lady inspired me. She motivated me to always be prepared for strangers, to decorate, and to allow my plans to be interrupted. We had a beautiful, unplanned visit. Turns out it was just what I didn't know I needed. *smiles* 

P.S.

Remember I told you I was going to start reading again? Well, selecting a book actually took some thought. There are so many that I want to read. The biggest question was, do I want to read something for pleasure, or for knowledge, or both? I decided on this one: 

I'll let you know what I think...

A Few Words

You know those commercials where the kid knocks over something and mom is all sweet and smiling and cleans it up with a Brawny paper towel or something? Yeah those. We'll that's not me! I'm that mom that is all snarling, and growling and junk. In fact, if they made a commercial about what happens when one of my kids is in timeout, escapes, and spills a red drink all over the counters and floor, I'd probably be investigated by social services. Despite myself, impatience and all, I've been doing my mommy job the best I know how. It seems my "know how" often falls a bit short. My biggest problem, my mouth! I really trying to change that. Words are powerful, and I'm very sarcastic, VERY sarcastic. Sarcasm is often condescending.  It can communicate thoughts, and ideas that I and do not believe, and wouldn't dream of verbalizing. It might send the message that my kids are inferior, or not intelligent, and worst.

Most parents are wildly protective of their kids. If our children are overtly offended, we'd fight to the death to protect them. Yet we use our words often to send them subtle, and destructive messages. I believe this is the design of our enemy, Satan. He uses their love for us, and our brokenness as humans to communicate lies to our children via our words, and actions. It's not a direct attack by him, it's an inadvertent attack through us. It is more damaging, and I believe it to be among the more hurtful things we can do to them. 

There are no perfect parents. I'm not trying to be overly critical of myself or anyone else, just wise with the words I use to my kids. Whether it be a criticism, or sarcasm, the end result should not be a defeated child. Our words should serve. They should edify. I've been challenged this week to use mine wisely. I just thought I'd share what I'm learning with you. I know this won't be easy, in fact that's what I said when I began having this conversation with myself. This is the verse that came to me:

 Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.....

Little by Little

                                                      How do you eat an elephant? 

I have such good intentions. I even made a few lists about them. Turns out I'm an excellent list writer. List follower...that's another topic. Recently, I've been thinking of two list in particular, my bucket/ amen list, and my "nice to do" list. The "nice to do" list is more like a list of good habits I'd like to put in practice. Sadly, both list have been suffering their fair share of neglect. The closing of yet another year has brought them to to forefront of my thoughts. Perhaps it's a good time to edit them.  I don't see myself learning to speak the 5 romance languages any time soon. On the other hand, I did wear a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. Even if it was for a very short time, it has been done. I can cross it out.  I'm not sure what other goals I'll let go, and which ones I'll add. I do know that I have changed since the list was made, so I'm sure the new list will reflect that. Also, more important than writing a list of all the things I want to do, it would be nice to make a list of all the things God has already allowed me to do. It might serve to encourage me, and change my focus a bit. 

I'm the type that tries to do everything, or I do nothing. This will sound silly, but it takes a REAL EFFORT on my part to go slowly. That attitude can be death to an accomplishment. When I'm overwhelmed I respond with either a frenzy of activity, or not at all.  Where the lists are concerned, it's been mostly nothing at all. It's time to change that. I might not be able to do everything, but I can do something. I decided I'll start with my "nice to do list." "Read one book week is a bit ambitious, but once a month I can handle. Who knows? Maybe I'll be able to recommend a book or two by doing so. God willing, I''ll have more on this in a few weeks.

OK, I'm off to eat my elephant, "one bite at a time."  

Giving Thanks

Needs are many.
Wants are endless.
Lusts are plenty,
Soul restless.

Distracted by desires,
heart be content.
Absent the ideal,
Life is blessed.

God is my riches.
What could be more?
I'm living Thanksgiving,
Like never before.

Yesterday, I spent the majority of the day on the couch. I wasn't sick. I didn't lack things to do. I just couldn't motivate myself to get started. Sometime after 3 o'clock, with the day almost done, and the hubby due home any moment, I finally got up and got started. I'm not sure if I was embarrassed by all that needed to be done, or all that I didn't do. Whatever  it was, I had had enough and got started. I'd like to tell you I got everything I wanted to accomplished, that would be a lie. There are consequences to wasting time. What I can tell you is, even though the day began contrary to plans, it ended well. Life is a lot like yesterday. You may not have started out great, or in the way you wanted, but it's not to late to change all of that.  Each new day brings it's own challenges, but it also brings abundant opportunities. I'm not sure how this day will end, or any of the tomorrows God shall give. But it's important to me that I learn from all my yesterdays, make the most of all of my todays, and approach each tomorrow with hope. Life is a good, not because of our circumstances, but because our God is. As long as we are here we have the luxury of time. Yesterday was just a reminder to use time wisely. Lesson learned. On it!

A Challenge

Yesterday I did NOT want to go to church, which is precisely why I went. I've found that on the days     I don't feel like going, it does me the most good to go. I was not wrong. The message was interesting. I haven't been able to get it out of my head. It was about the power of complaining. We were challenged to go one month-no complaints! I have to admit my first thought was, "this is no challenge for me." I tend to be more internal with my junk, so the whining/complaining thing didn't phase me, well not until later. I got to thinking more about it and realized, I'm more of a baby than I acknowledge. Maybe I don't whine, but I do critique, correct and....ahem...nag. Apparently my family knows it well. Too well. The hubby and kiddo were smiling, giggling and throwing knowing glances my way. After NOT much thought, I concluded that they were absolutely right. 

I'm going to do this. Challenge on! In the month when we celebrate being grateful, this seems a fitting undertaking. The preacher's point: "it's not hard be thankful one day of the year, when you spend the whole year complaining." He wasn't talking solely about imposing self control on the tongue. He was encouraging a change of focus. It was a call to turn from self, and all the ways I'm offended (not getting my way) to the only one great enough to put me in my place, God. Yesterday I barely made it out of church before I noticed that I was doing it again, complaining.  Hmmm... one month huh? This is gonna be a long, rough one.