Spiritual Clutter vs. Balance

I haven't posted for the past few days for a number of reasons.

1)  I am trying to be more disciplined in different areas and found I was spending way too much time on the computer.

2)  Remember Good Morning Girls I wrote about in an earlier post?  I am re-committing myself to being disciplined to have my daily time with the Lord. 

We are studying the book of James right now...verse by verse.  This week was the beginning of James chapter 3, which covers the topic of our 'tongue'.  It's such a small, untamed part of our body...but it can be oh, so destructive!  We are expected to tame our tongue, or it will be like fire kindling that can set a whole forest afire!  Just a spark is all it takes to set something on fire.

I have been challenged to look at how I am using my tongue!  How do my words affect my husband?  Are they uplifting, encouraging, motivating, loving?  Or am I tearing down my husband?  Are my words 'biting'?  Are they judgemental?  I am asking myself the same questions regarding my children.

Proverbs 18:21 says "death and life are in the power of the tongue".  Is my tongue bringing LIFE to people I am around?  Or is it bringing DEATH?

Another thought that has been brought to my attention is this:

How do I speak or act when I'm away from my home?  In other words, do I act the same outside my home as I am when I'm at home with my family? 

The enemy, the devil, would like nothing better than to have us tear one another down, especially those we love the most!  Getting caught up in the spirit of gossipping, backbiting...all with the excuse of "this way I will know how to pray"...or maybe we share what doesn't need to be shared because, if we're honest with ourselves, it makes us feel good to 'know' something someone else doesn't know!  Maybe we've been hurt by someone...we may feel that we 'deserve' to talk to others...it's going to help us to feel better!  Not true!  I've been there!  I KNOW the lies the devil tries to get us to believe!  Talking about the one who hurt you, what happened, etc., only 'feeds' the spirits of unforgiveness and bitterness.  What happens is that the root of bitterness begins to grow and to take hold, which will ultimately lead to a spiritual death if not pulled out!  Our tongue can be sooo deadly!

Oh, I so want to create a Women's Ministry Program where I can share this message with ladies all across the nation!  I am praying about this...I have so many ideas of how I can use my ventriloquism to reach ladies with this message!

Maybe you're wondering what in the world this has to do with organizing?  Well, to me, it has everything to do with it!  You see, having a  personal spiritual life that is cluttered with ungodly attitudes, words, and thoughts, is as wrong as having a cluttered, dis-organized home.  We must have our spiritual life in order! 

Let's take all of the spiritual clutter to God in prayer, asking Him to help us to discipline and tame our tongue...and move onto the next level in our walk with Him!

Do you have anything to share on this topic?  I'd love to hear from you!

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari



Managing the peace and order!

One thing I often wonder when I read about other's organizing and de-cluttering progress...how are they doing in managing their peaceful and ordered homes?

So...I thought I'd write about how I'm managing MY peaceful and ordered spaces.  You were curious, weren't you?

I'm not going to show you any pictures, because there is nothing different to show!  Yes!  I, along with my family, have been able to maintain the order that I have been working so hard on!  I am finding that when I keep areas cleared out, my children (for the most part) are 'seeing' the change and helping out...mostly without being reminded!

This is what I'm doing to maintain and manage what I've already put in order:

1.  Swish and swipe Master Bathroom toilet (I have moved those wonderful LYSOL cleaning wipes to a cabinet next to the toilet...handy and quick to use)

2.  Quickly wipe down the bathroom countertop and sink (using those cleaning wipes)

3.  Look around the Master Bathroom to make sure I've put all my clothing away!  Yes, I like to throw them over the edge of the bathtub.

4.  Make the bed...right away after getting up!

5.  Put everything in it's place...easier to do it right away, rather than later.

6.  Continually remind the family to put their own dishes in the dishwasher. 

7.  Clothing gets put away as soon as they are washed and dried.

8.  Living room--I walk through it to get to my bedroom, so I take a quick look while passing through...everything must be in it's place!

9.  Family room--before going to bed, be sure blankets are folded, end tables cleared off, my 'area' picked up and in order...recliner foot rests are pushed in...yes, my family likes to leave them up!

10.  Make a 'to-do' list for the next day...before going to bed!

11.  Command Center--be sure to sort through papers ASAP, avoiding a huge pile!  Cut and file coupons and important papers!

These are just a few things I'm doing to be maintain order in my home.  Of course, I have more to work on, but I am on my way! 

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari 

Special Dishes cupboard

Well, here is another project completed!  Yes!  I cringed every time I opened this cupboard...can you see why?

I just knew something was going to fall out when I opened the doors!  This is the cupboard that is between a wall and the refrigerator.  It started out being for my glass serving dishes...boy, do things sure change!  This took about 5-6 years!  LOL!

Well, I did it!  Here is what my cupboard now looks like:

All my special serving dishes are on the top shelf.  I know the paper towels are ugly, but they're protecting the dishes from each other.  I don't know what else to do. 

On the bottom shelf, I found a basket that I had around the house, and placed all my seasonal salt and pepper shakers in there.  The kids occassionally use straws, so they are in a plastic cup on the right side.  I like to use a small glass pitcher for pancake syrup and a couple of other misc. glass pitchers.

There you have it!  Yet another quick and easy organizing project completed...and it's done...bit-by-bit!

Shari

My day today...

Today was a very profitable day as far as de-cluttering and organizing goes.  I had the whole house to myself and decided to get down to business. 

First of all, I spent time doing my Bible reading as I'm following the goodmorninggirls.org James study.

The previous post was one of the projects I completed.  I am feeling so good about my home.  I love it!  I am making so much progress and can't wait to share with others what I am accomplishing!  God is so good...He gives us strength to do what we need to do to bring peace and order to our homes.

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Cupboard above Stove

You know that little cupboard above our stoves?  I've always wondered what others put in theirs.  It seems like such a silly place to have a cupboard.  So...Here is what I've had in mine...up until today:

As you can see, there is a little bit of everything in here!  I completely emptied it, decided what could go...you know...to Thrift Store Heaven.

THIS is the end result:

(sorry about the glare on the jars)

The basket holds baking items seldom used: cupcake liners, sprinkles and extra toothpicks used for 'testing' to see if cakes are done.  The jars are extra ones I have been moving from one place to the other around the house because I didn't have a home for them.  I WILL be using them...eventually...they are for future projects and storage.  For now, they are in the 'wonder-how-I-should-use-this' cupboard! 

This took very little time, but looks great!

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari

Home Management Control Center

Do you remember when I created my "Home Management Guide"?

I realized that I didn't have a space to keep it...what good was it going to do my family and I if we couldn't even find it to use it???  There is a space on my counter-top that I would call one of many 'hot spots'...by the phone.  Here is what it looked like BEFORE started de-cluttering it:

Yes, this picture is for real!  I keep receipts here, address labels, mail that I don't know what to do with, 'things' I don't know what to do with.  And, if you look closely, the skirt I wear every week for 'weigh-in' at TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is sitting there under the 'stuff'!

Obviously, this was not going to be a help at all in my journey to de-cluttering and organization, and keeping my household running smoothly.  So I took about 30 minutes, sorted through every piece of paper, item, receipt, and even found a new home for my skirt!

Now...here it is:



A distant view...right on my counter by the phone.
Everything is at my fingertips...and my family's, too!



So much nicer!  My Home Management Guide is right where I can find it.  See "The Household Money Organizer"?  This is also the year I am going to do much better with how I spend money.  This nifty little book has a pocket for receipts to go with each month.  My goal is to file receipts according to their month...right away!


That's it!  What do you think?

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari

Gift Wrapping Re-organized!

For many years, I just haven't had the right arrangement for keeping wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, cards, etc. organized.  About 6-7 years ago, I found a Christmas wrapping paper storage container at Target.  Here it is, unorganized...

The other white storage unit on the left hangs from a clothing rod.  I was using the basket for extra items that I couldn't fit in either container. 

So...last night, I worked for about 15 minutes (thanks to flylady.net, I can do something for 15 minutes!) and had it all organized.  Here are the organized containers, minus the basket!

 

I designated this one for
Christmas wrapping
paper only!

Just a peek inside this one...
sorry it's so hard to see!

I'm finding that I can organize bit-by-bit!

And, I'm having fun doing it, too!
So...what are YOU working on?  Share with me, and send me pictures, too!

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Putting MY HOUSE in ORDER!

I follow a couple of wonderful blogs...Courtney over at womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com is so motivating and such a wonderful, Godly woman!  Also, goodmorninggirls.org where I have been blessed with new friends through the Word and prayers for each other.

Today is beginning a new challenge over at Women Living Well...


Isn't this exactly my heart's desire?  Feelings of frustration have been overcoming me, as I look throughout my home and see what is left to do.  However, I know I am going the work that I am to be doing, because this is what God is asking me to do.  HE will give me the strength.  There's just sooo much to do!  In my Good Morning Girls group, we have begun reading the book of James together.  Chapter 1, vs. 2 says, "...count it all joy when you fall into various trials."  So...I am trying to "count it all joy when" I look around my home and see what is left to be done!  Thank you, Jesus for my home!

Hubby, daughter and I are hooked on the show mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/cleanhouse/ What motivation we receive after watching an episode!  My son is hating it!  LOL! 

But, for today, I am striving to work on my home, bit-by-bit, working today in my daughter's room.  I will post a before picture soon...just keep in mind it is NOT her fault for it looking this way!  She will be so embarrassed, because she has done very well keeping it clean.  However, when I worked in another area of the house, all the mess moved into her room...poor girl!  Also, working on revising my Home Management Guide, too.  My son is bucking it (surprise).

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Pots 'n Pans Cupboard

So...I had a bit of time before going to a friend's house tonight, and thought "what can I accomplish in a few minutes?"  I opened my pots and pans door and knew that was the place to start!

But, now that I've shown you the 'bad' and the 'ugly', let me now reveal to you the 'GOOD':

And, I even found a few things to put in the Thrift Store box.  Which, by the way, is an ever-growing amount!  What a burden is lifted when things like this go OUT the door!

Here are a few close-ups of the  shelves...



Most-used items



Less-used items





Re-organizing and de-cluttering this cupboard took me 10 minutes!  That's it!  It's true...I CAN do something productive within 15 minutes or less!  What can YOU accomplish?  Let me know!

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari





Home Management Guide

Quite a few years ago, I made an "Ellingson Home Guide", but didn't stay with it.  I found www.wantingwhatyouhave.com and discovered a better, more improved way of putting together a plan that will keep my home running more smoothly!  Thank you, Heather!

Here is the beginning of MY HMG, Home Management Guide.  Unfortunately, mine is quite 'blah', due to the fact that I have NO colored ink, and must wait until some more monies are available!  However, I am thinking of doing some 'creative' crafting and using some scrapbook paper, our family picture, etc.  Hmmm...maybe I'll have to add that later!

I am using a 1-1/2 inch 3-ring notebinder with a clear cover in the front AND on the spine. 

As Heather does, I am having my Prayer/Bible Study section next.  God should be first in EVERYTHING!! 

 Proverbs 3:5-6 is a very special verse to me, so I have added it to the bottom of this page.  Remember to watch for updated decor of the page.

In this section, I have also added a "Victory and Praise Reports!" page.  I have tried to keep track of the awesome blessings from God, but never in one collected place.  I will also be adding a "Prayer Request" page, too!

  This is the 'not-so-fun', yet 'must-have' section.  My Daily and Weekly Routines!  But...wait for it...not just mine...the kids', too!  Check my lists out...



My "Daily Tasks"...things I want to accomplish, or MUST accomplish to keep the house running smoothly and orderly.  (sorry about the flash glare)

My children's tasks are next!



  

This is the list I have put together for Jordan.  It is not a complete list, as I am just beginning to work on this guide.  I must say, though, that I see some things at work already!!  Yeah!

Here is Kayli's list.  I have forgotten a few things on her's, but again...I'm not done!  She really likes checking things off, so I know this will work for her. 

 This will be my Menu/Food planning section.  I won't be keeping my recipes in here, because I have another binder for that (I do have SOME things organized!!).  This section will be for making my plans, grocery shopping lists, and so on.

I'm not done, and will post more when I've completed more!  If you have any tips or ideas, please send them my way!  Thanks for reading!

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Pantry Organization

Here is the first job that I did after deciding to begin my journey of organizing my home...bit-by-bit!  I was reluctant to post the following pictures, but it is something I must do!  My family was blessed in November with an abundance of groceries.  However, due to my dis-organized pantry, many of those food items were being stored in my...bedroom...romantic, huh?  LOL!  Here are some BEFORE pictures:

In the above picture, most of the groceries in the bag and surrounding floor area are there to be thrown!  What a waste of what God has given me...

HERE IS THE END RESULT:

A few things I did, was put my cereal containers on the lower shelf.  This made room for my box mixes, pastas, rice and such on the shelf right above.  I can now see them better, so nothing should get out-dated.  The shelf right above holds my canned goods.  I put the Ramen-Noodle packages in Rubbermaid containers I had lying around.  This helped to keep them organized and in order.  The same with baking chips.  The top shelf holds other baking ingredients, all labeled, along with the coffee maker (used only when we have company!).  My aprons are easily accessable on the back of the door, and my crockpot on the floor of the pantry.

Sorry for being so wordy...getting used to this blogging thing!

Bit-by-bit,

Shari