Clutter and Organization

Hi, my name is Erica and I am a perfectionist.  I have this crazy idea that the tasks on my extremely long to-do list have to be completed perfectly. 

My lovely and talented mother is a perfectionist so I come by it naturally.  Growing up, I watched as she seemed to breeze through anything and everything she had to do, and when she was done it was fantastic.  It looked amazing.  It was as if she was gliding on air in chores and activities.  She was and still is a very organized person.  In some ways, I am very much like my mother.  I love to organize.  When I was in high school and college my place was organized and clean.  I was able to complete things in a timely manner and with the simplest of ease.  

Recently I discovered that my perfectionist characteristics are holding me back.  Remember my post a couple of weeks ago about organizing?  I set my goal to one room a month.  Simple task right?  But what I am finding that I set my goals so obnoxiously high that I become discouraged when I am unable to obtain that goal.  I insist on dotting all the i's and crossing all the t's that I forget what is really important.  I know the first step is the realization.  Yes, I see this but I have been unable to change it. *sigh* This last week I have found myself reading numerous blogs that are riddled with ideas and suggestions, checklists, and guides and although they are all great ideas, it is just feeding this disability and my procrastination.

I think what really drew my attention to this was seeing my daughter and the problems she is having with the school.  Her 'I have to do it perfectly' attitude.  It really makes life difficult.  Wait I hear a commercial coming "Do you get frustrated when you cannot do something?  Discouraged that it didn't work out the first time?  Or maybe you find yourself procrastinating about a job?  This could be a sign of perfectionism. If you or a loved one suffer from perfectionism call this number right now to get help!"  If only it was that easy, right? 

For me the problem is my home.  I have always had a vision of my home is

a simple, picturesque place, that is neat and clean with a place for everything and everything in its place.  Then I think -- you have a husband AND a child, what you are dreaming will not never happen.

Thanks to HGTV (which I can no longer watch), my perfectionism has been fed by images of perfectly decorated and organized homes.  My question to those who get their room makeovers, where do they put all of your crap?  How do you let go of things that you once held so dearly?  Do you have the same problem I do in the fact that you think 'I might need this...'?  These decorating gurus give fantastic advice but how does the average person follow through?

I keep telling myself that by taking care of one pile of clutter I will not make my house perfect, but it will make a difference.  I have rejoined the Mama's Mission of the Month group which is helping my list of goals.  I now have broken my goal into smaller bit-size pieces.

Originally, my bedroom was my first project, and even the smallest little bit will help.  *deep sigh*  Now I have to take the time to do it and follow through.  Do or do not there is no try.  A good friend of mine told me that she didn't care what my house looked like she just wanted to visit.  I cringed at the thought of letting anyone in my home.  I was nervous and scared but I had to remember to stay focused.  Staying focused is easier said than done.  At that time, I just moved everything that didn't have a place in my living room to my bedroom.  Just some advice never, never, never do that because it never leaves!

Sure, I want to be in control of the clutter and dirt.  I need to learn to keep my feelings of anxiousness at bay.  I want my daughter to grow up in a home that is basically organized and tidy.  This is a house in which people live so it cannot be perfect (at least to my ultimate satisfaction) but it can look attractive.

I have to admit that it's okay if we stack movies on the end of the hutch, or books on the coffee table.  It's okay if we have toys on the floor during the day.  It's okay if my daughter tracks dirt in from outside, but dang it, I want to be Mary flipping Poppins!  I want to be able to snap my fingers and everything puts itself away.   

Giving up on perfectionism can be done, I am just not sure if it can be done by me.  Can I be satisfied if it is made better yet not perfect?  A fantastic friend once told me, "We may not be pleased with the way our homes look, your home looks wonderful to me.  Just remember we have children (and husbands!).  We can keep our houses mostly clean, most of the time, but it will never be perfect.  That's okay.  NOW GET OVER IT!"  I hate it when she is right! *stomp, stomp, stomp*

Now back to work.  I have a task that needs tending to and blogging about it procrastinating about it is not going to get it done.

Clutter and Anxiety

Do you ever look around and think you need more space?  That there just isn’t any more space in your home?  I don’t know if you are like me but as soon as I take a carload of bags or boxes to donation centers, it seems to immediately be replaced with more stuff.

I think everyone in this group is familiar with the late comedian George Carlin most famous routines, and it is one we can all identify. 

“That's all you need in life, a little place for your stuff. That's all your house is- a place to keep your stuff. If you didn't have so much stuff, you wouldn't need a house. You could just walk around all the time. A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it. You can see that when you're taking off in an airplane. You look down, you see everybody's got a little pile of stuff. All the little piles of stuff. And when you leave your house, you gotta lock it up. Wouldn't want somebody to come by and take some of your stuff. They always take the good stuff. They never bother with that crap you're saving. All they want is the shiny stuff. That's what your house is, a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get...more stuff! Sometimes you gotta move gotta get a bigger house. Why? No room for your stuff anymore.”

Each year I make it a goal to go through my desk and closet to clear out “my stuff” but I discover that as soon as I take a carload of items to donate or my storage unit, it is almost always immediately replaced with what?  More stuff!

It can be depressing because at the time I feel great.  I’ve accomplished something, but give me a couple of weeks or if I’m lucky a month or two, I feel like I’ve been defeating. My clutter, also known as organized chaos, can be disorganized.  It can be overwhelming and cause stress. 

 Over the last several years, I have discovered that my clutter isn’t just physical.  It is the overwhelming amount of files on my computer.  It is the pings every few minutes from text messages or social media notifications.  It is my to-do list of items floating around in my head.  All of these things are items that compete for my attention forming a digital clutter just like the physical clutter.  My brain doesn’t get a chance to fully process things. 

With all that being said, I have been witness to Kira getting frustrated enough to cause an anxiety attack leading to a glitch fest because she can’t find something.  Sometimes I can locate the item she is looking for and calms her down.  Other times she is determined to find the item herself. 

I have set a goal to focus on one room a month to downgrade the clutter.  It won’t be an easy process but I think it will be beneficial to our overall mental state.    

Socialization and Anxiety

We are always looking for ways to enrich our homeschool experience.  About two years ago, my kiddo needed friends and I really needed to get out of the house.  I needed more adult interaction!  So I turned to my fellow homeschool moms and discovered many of them were involved with a 4-H club called Hooked on Nature.  The kids loved it!  It was nature based and who wants to be stuck in the house all the time, right?  We signed up immediately...

Here's what I forgot.  Since I moved to South Florida, I have become more of a homebody.  I prefer to be inside.  I don't go camping.  I don't go for hikes.  I don't venture out in a canoe or kayak - I strongly dislike snakes and alligators.  I was learning to rock climb but Florida doesn't even have hills unless you count Mount Trashmore - and I don't.  I don't spend time at the beach because...that's tourist territory (and I can't swim).  But the big reason I don't go outside much is that mosquitoes are evil.  They grow them big down here.  They seem to think that I am candy.

The 4-H club was primarily fishing which at the time I didn't realize my daughter disliked.  She had problems with the reel.  She got frustrated when she got a snag.  She got frustrated when her friends caught fish and she didn't.  It just was one big giant mess.  Her frustration was causing me frustration and I didn't understand.

This was not my intent.  Being in the great outdoors is scientifically proven to be good for your health - fresh air and Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is essential for strong bones, it helps your body absorb calcium and it also helps with depression.  Studies have shown that being near water can improve your stress levels and it makes us happy!  (No wonder people move to coastal cities or go on cruises!)  Fishing is not something that you frequently converse while doing so considering her anxiety, I thought that having that solitude was something she would embrace.  She was still with her friends but could be alone as well. 

I thought of my own experiences fishing and apparently was trying to recreate them with her.  When I was her age (and much younger), I loved fishing with my Papa.  It was a bonding experience and I have so many fond memories of going out to the farm with him.  I learned you needed to be patient (which is still not my strong suit).  Yet, when it came to fishing, I could be out there for hours with him and the only complaint would be that I needed to use the bathroom.

I don't remember experiencing the anxiety she experiences so I have a hard time understanding what she is going through.  I know anxiety causes her heart to race, her breathing to become labored, she cries and wants to avoid all situations that cause these feelings and I don't blame her.  My heart aches for her because I want to help, I just don't know how.  Simple tasks that are simple to you or me are huge obstacles for her.  They are speed humps for us, but mountains for her.  I know she'll succeed but we have to find the right path for her.  I'll be the first to admit that there are times I lose my cool and I often turn to some of my homeschool moms for guidance.

At the end of her first year of 4-H, it turned out, her interest wasn't the only one lacking.  With dwindling interest in fishing, the kiddos voted to expand to archery.  Now we are having to turn kids away!

Panic Attacks are Evil

I woke up to the sun shining, the temperature cooler...and our neighbors in the process of remodeling resulting in constant sawing and hammering. I have absolutely no problem with the noise but my homeschooled daughter who suffers from anxiety, often related to noise, does.

Picture Source: A Nerd's Guide to Anxiety

A lot of her schoolwork is now completed online and in using my laptop she is able to go to another room. Unfortunately, with this particular noise, even on the other side of our small home, you could still hear the sawing and banging. She was able to get her writing class finished and had started on her daily reading when she crumbled. There was just no way for her to press on.


Insert lunch break and tv show downtime.

What's that? SILENCE?! Yippee! Back to school work.

But then, I ruined it. A friend of mine and former co-worker with my husband, Jennifer, is a mental health advocate. She suffers from postpartum and anxiety. She does a weekly vlog called "The Sunday Sprinkle". What is "The Sunday Sprinkle?" Well, Jennifer says it best - I share the darkest corners of my brain in shows about mental health and cover everything from tips on eating healthy to the best ways to cope with a panic attack.

Jennifer has decided to offer Anxiety Coaching. In my head, I thought great! Someone else that my daughter can utilize in her times of need. I contacted Jennifer for more information and she sent me this link which is an initial assessment so she has a sense of what they are dealing with. Together we watched the video and my daughter broke down. She sobbed. Everything that Jennifer mentioned is what she goes through.

I do not have anxiety so it is hard for me to relate. As a parent, it breaks my heart to see her hurting or unsure of herself.

On a positive note, while doing a little more anxiety research (and looking for a meme for this post) I came across A Nerd's Guide to Anxiety. My daughter and I skimmed through it and according to her it's a good read.

New Year, New Me...so cliché!

res·o·lu·tion
/ˌrezəˈlo͞oSH(ə)n/
noun

a firm decision to do or not to do something.
"she kept her resolution not to see Anne any more"
synonyms: intention, resolve, decision, intent, aim, plan;

People all around the world made "resolutions" for 2019, many of which will be broken within the first month, maybe even the first week.  This year is no different.  Gyms and diet programs are doing booming business because who doesn’t want to lose weight and be slimmer by summer?  Don’t get me wrong, I do too, but I know I cannot stick with it.  When I fail at something, I tend to be very critical and beat myself up for not accomplishing my “plan.”  Beating myself isn’t doing me any good but I do nonetheless.    

A good friend told me she didn’t make resolutions but goals.  Goals that are reasonable. 

goal
/ɡōl/
noun

the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result.
"going to law school has become the most important goal in his life"
synonyms: objective, aim, end, target, design, intention, intent, plan, purpose

While at lunch yesterday, my daughter brought up New Year’s Resolutions.  I told her I don’t make resolutions, I make goals.  As a family, we thought about things that we wanted to do or start doing again.  

Her request for a family goal is to go back to having a weekly board game night.  Weekly is hard to do for us because of my husband's work schedule so we decided on a bi-weekly board game on Wednesday nights!  She discussed how much she enjoyed our board game nights and since that is something that is important to her, I want to make it happen.  Sure there are weeks we may not be able to accomplish it, but we will aim for that goal.  Maybe it will be a family tradition she does with her own family one day! 

I have a list of goals I would like to accomplish but I decided to pick 3.  

Personal - For Christmas, I made t-shirts for my daughter and 3 of her friends, her "sisters", using my Silhouette Cameo.  Although I was intimidated, I really enjoyed the end result and would like to make more!   

Home - Continue the decluttering of my home, specifically my bedroom which has that storage unit look.

School - Organize 1 field trip for our homeschool group each quarter.

Bonus - Complete my Goodread's Book Challenge (number of books pending).

What are your goals for 2019?

January Q&A - Part 4 Requested by Facebook Friends

Day 16:  How did you meet your spouse/significant other?

In July 2000, I joined some friends and their children for the BDSRA (Batten's Disease Support and Research Association) Annual Family Conference in Orlando, FL.  Long story short, Kevin drove up from Miami to meet his friends and to spend a couple of days visiting.  As soon as he walked in the door he and his former classmate began picking on me.  It continued over the next several days.  At the end of the visit, we exchanged phone numbers and emails.  I expected to have an email from him when I returned from vacation but nope.  My email box was empty.  Of course, I instigated the friendship but never in a million years would I have predicted that we would date nor get married!  Did I mention I am so glad he made the trip to Orlando?

Day 17: Which of the four seasons do you love the most? Or hate?

If I had to choose a season from where I currently it would be the "dry season."  We really only have two seasons "wet" and "dry."  The dry season (December 1 - May 31) is typically dry.  In December - February the weather is cooler and we sometimes even have some "cold" nights.  If we are lucky temperatures will dip into the low 50s at night!  

Summer is the worst time in Florida.  For one, it falls in the wet season, and thus the heat and humidity are overwhelming.  Walking out your front door can feel like hitting a brick wall.  Come visit in the "winter".  You will enjoy it much more.  I promise.

Now if I were to choose a season from the Midwest it would have to be fall.  I love seeing the changing of the leaves.  The vibrant reds, yellows, and oranges are just beautiful.  I love being able to visit my family during that time.  At least until the leaves turn brown.   

The season I hate from back home is...winter.  I hated shoveling snow, thawing out the car so I could drive 15 minutes (or less) to work, or hitting that patch of black ice (YIKES!)  I do not miss any of that!

Day 18: What is your favorite board/card/table game?

Before I moved to Florida, Grandma taught me how to play a version of Canasta called Hand and Foot.  After much research, I discovered Grandma's "rules" were not the actual rules but they made playing easier for her.  Interested in learning to play yourself?  Check out this link!

Day 19:  When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you "grew up?"

I always wanted to be a teacher.  I love working with children (and adults) but watching children learn and finally understand what they are being taught to me is breathtaking.  I worked in a daycare while in college and right before I getting married.  I originally was the head teacher for the infant department (babies 3 weeks to 18 months).  I LOVED IT!  I gave up my position due to college class requirements and I missed "my babies" so much.   

Once the school year was over, I returned only to be the lead teacher for the two and three year old classroom.  It really wasn't where I wanted to work but something changed my mind.  One little boy who was mute.  With others at the daycare (and at home) he would cry and scream, but with me, he calmed.  His grandmother, who had custody, was in awe.  She was frustrated and you could tell taking care of a small child was not something she planned.  She said she would mention my name and he would run to get his shoes.  My heart swelled.  I went to the library and researched sign language.  Together with the grandmother, we taught him some signs that would help not only at home but also at daycare.  By the end of summer, I was getting married and moving to Florida.  There are certain people that come into your life that you wonder what happened to them...this young boy is one of them.

Rumor is that I have patience and I'm calm.  I'm not sure where they get that idea, because I honestly don't think I am and my family (husband and daughter) don't agree. 

Day 20:  What is your most disliked chore and why?

Dishes.  I hate doing dishes.  The big thing is that by the time we get done cooking no one wants to do them.  I don't want to wash them.  Unfortunately, leaving them to my family means they sit for a couple of days before being washed...

January Q&A - Part 3 Requested by Facebook Friends

Day 11: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Missouri.  I love being surrounded by my family (most of the time) and miss them dearly.  I hate missing out on birthday parties and holidays.  However, I don't miss the snow and ice or extreme flooding they have right now!  

Day 12: What was your favorite subject in school AND why?

My all time favorite subject was science.  I had two of the best science teachers, Mr. Ken Ralls, and Mrs. Gena McCluskey.  Science came easy to me but I had to work for it.  

Not to toot my own horn, but I frequently won my school science fair. :D

Day 13: If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to (and why)?

For me this would have to be a time frame.  After all of my seizures, I had a tremendous amount of memory loss - amnesia.  I forgot friends, their faces, their voices, how we met, what we did together and so much more.  I would like to travel back to 1998-2005.  I know it is a broad range of time but I missed out on a lot.  I have a hard time talking to some people because I don't remember.  I would not want to change anything but just retrieve those memories.  

Day 14: What is your favorite music group?

I really don't have a single "favorite" music group.  Currently my Pandora account is on Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, so anything that falls into that category I enjoy listening to.  I also frequently listen to Great Big Sea (which disband in 2014) and their lead singer, Alan Doyle (Alan Doyle and the Beautiful Gypsies).  

A couple of my favorites from Great Big Sea are "Heart of Hearts" and "Nothing But a Song".  "Dear Home Town" is another of my favorites but I couldn't find a good YouTube video.

Alan Doyle only has two albums out but there are several favorites there and some I discovered via YouTube.  Need a peppy song?  Try "I've Seen a Little".  I also like "So Let's Go", "The Night Loves Us," and this little romantic ditty "Don't Like to Dance."  It gets stuck in my head every time ♫ I'll just take my chances, I don't mind dancing with you...♫

Day 15: What's your favorite zoo animal?

Gorilla.  When I was little I wanted to study the lowland mountain gorillas.  I have always found them fascinating and gravitate to them when I visit the zoo.  Their facial expressions are so thought provoking.  

January Q&A - Part 2 Requested by Facebook Friends

I am finding out so much more about my friends with these questions.  Some I have pinpointed others I never would have guessed!  

Question 5: Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?

This is a trick question.  Some surprises are good, some are bad.  When I wrote this I was thinking of good surprises.  You know the ones that make you feel all warm and fuzzy?  Yep.  Those right there.  I don't like being told what gift I am going to be getting.  Surprise me!  Let me be excited when I open it up to see you got me...crafting vinyl or Twizzlers (just because) or a Great Big Sea album I don't have.  I also like to be surprised whenever.  One of those just because surprises because you love me. 

Question 6: What is your biggest fear?

I have multiple fears and they seem to rotate depending on my surroundings and what is going on in my life.  Currently my biggest fear is having another seizure.  We are currently dealing with the possibility of changing my medication which most likely will result in me having a seizure OR being put on "house arrest" for a couple of months to be monitored.  I haven't had a seizure in over five (5) years so yeah, I'm a little scared. 

Question 7: What did you want to be when you "grew up"?

I wanted to grow up to be a teacher.  I was one of the weird kids who loved to spend time at school. I remember spending time with my fourth grade teacher, Joyce Wilson, who is a long time family friend (plus my mom babysat her kiddos).  I also spent a lot of time in the Art Room with Mrs. Ruth Smoot.  It was just the place to "hang out" before and after school.  I remember one summer, my best friend, Boone and I, helped move the art room from one end of the school building to the other.  "Be careful with Oscar and don't bleed on the floor." We had a lot of fun together.  

Later my interests went into being a firefighter.  I loved the flashing of lights, the adrenaline rush, the smell of smoke (I know, strange), and the feeling of family that the fire service provides.  After joining the department in what was essentially a "fire explorer" program, I started a fire prevention program.  It was geared towards kids and senior citizens.  I loved it!  To me it was the best of both worlds.

Now I have the best of both worlds - I homeschool my daughter and am the Assistant CERT Operations Chief for the City of Fort Lauderdale!  

Question 8: What's the oddest thing you've seen a driver do behind the wheel?

Monthly I drive my daughter to various homeschool functions and it is not uncommon that we see some strange things.  Last week was no exception.  While driving to West Palm for our monthly STEM Challenge, I look over and as I am going 70 mph a gentleman is shaving!  As in with shaving gel and razor.  The whole nine yards!  All I could think about was him hitting a bump in the road or avoiding an accident and cutting himself.  Only in Florida right?  

Question 9:  Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?

This is a tough one.  Quite a few of my friends said soda or coffee which in my book equates to caffeine (I may be wrong.)  I have a strong addiction to that myself.  I love me some Mountain Dew.  I also love Twizzlers, Hersey's Chocolate Bars, Rice Krispie Treats and Butterfingers - all recent purchases in our home.  Now that I have thought a little longer on this I think the answer would be...my new phone.  

I haven't been asking my friends why for reasons on everything but I think it helps clarify or explain more about the answer.  The reason I chose this is I can call my husband, parents, friends, and co-workers.  I can receive text messages from all the above plus my daughter's little friends.  I can edit documents and send emails.  Then when all my work is done, I can play games, watch a TV show or movie, listen to music or read my book.  Ah, the world of technology!  

Question 10: If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? (Healthy or unhealthy, no judging!)

Since the question said "meal"  I have decided on a hand-tossed pizza (preferably ham, bacon, and pepperoni), Caesar salad with shredded cheese and bacon, slice of Angel Food cake with a glass of water.  

In our household we always get two pizzas (sometimes 3 depending on the special).  One is a hand-tossed ham and pepperoni and the other is a pan pizza with sausage and mushrooms.  I love Caesar salad and could eat it just by itself.  AND Angel Food cake is the best (in my opinion).    

January Q&A - Requested by Facebook Friends

For the month of December, a friend of mine began asking questions daily to try to get to know her Facebook friends better. For the month of January, I decided to do the same.  I will be asking questions daily to get to know each of my friends better. Please feel free to comment on the post and although I cannot guarantee I will remember every response I will respond to each comment individually. There is a reason that you are in my life and I want you to know I appreciate you!

During one of my posts, someone asked me to answer the questions.  Since this was meant to learn about my friends, I figured I would guide them over to my blog and answer them here.

WELCOME!

Question #1: Do you have any goals (not resolutions) that you have set for yourself for 2016?  

Merriam Webster defines a goal as "the object of a person's ambitions or efforts; an aim or desired result.  Synonyms include objective, aim, end, target, design, intention, plan, etc.

• Declutter my home:  If you read the previous post, it talked about this new calendar I found.  I have already completed 5 days which is a huge start in my book.  The 5 days didn't require a lot of effort but again it's a start. 
• Paint the daughter's bedroom:  This project is two-fold.  We must declutter and minimize what is in her room in order to paint it.  She is now a teenager so it is time to get rid of the little kid toys (some she still plays with!) 
• Paint the kitchen:  When we got our new cabinets two years ago we started painting before the cabinets were installed.  We didn't finish.  A friend of mine loves to paint and said when we are ready and the paint is bought, just call and she'll be over.
• (Optional) Redecorate the bathroom:  This would require a new sink (the old one leaks), new shower curtain, new towels (replacing old ones) and paint.  Our bathroom is small so it won't require a lot but it is something that I have wanted done for a while. 

As each goal is accomplished I promise to post pictures as proof!

Question 2:  Do you collect anything?  If so, what and why?

I am not an avid collector of anything really.  I do however collect Willow Tree figurines and I really like Peanuts characters.  I have a three (3) Christmas decorations that are Charlie Brown related.  A complete nativity set that my husband bought me last year, another nativity (maybe two) that are also Peanuts characters but plastic, and then of course the medium sized Charlie Brown with his famous Christmas tree.  

As a former volunteer firefighter, I also have a stash of firefighting memorabilia that I would love to display but do not have the room.  

Question 3:  What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment is not allowing my seizures to control me.  Believe me when I say it has been a difficult road.  Seven of the 13 years my husband and I have been married I wasn't able to drive.  I wasn't allowed to go up and down the stairs without an adult which makes it difficult when the laundry room is downstairs.  Climbing on chairs to dust cabinets or ceiling fans or just get something up high was a big no-no.  Cooking?  Yeah, unless it was in the microwave, it didn't happen.  I felt like I was on house arrest.  I couldn't do anything by myself.  I was frustrated and grew extremely depressed.  

For the last 5 years, I have been "normal."  I have been able to drive.  I have been able to cook.  I have been able to do laundry.  I feel normal.  Yes, I take medication daily to maintain control of my seizures.  We have our own rules in place on my driving and doing things around the house to limit the possibility of danger to myself and others.  

I may have seizures but seizures do not have me!

Question 4:  What is your favorite book(s) you have read so far?  (Note: This does not have to be "age appropriate because I love children's books!)

Children's Books:  

• No Matter What by Debi Gliori
• No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids by Jean E. Pendziwol
• But No Elephants by Jerry Smath
• The Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak
• The Giant Hug by Sandra Horning 
• Miss Brooks Loves Books! by Barbara Bottner

YA:

• The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
• The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Adult:

• The Sunday List of Dreams by Kris Radish
• Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral by Kris Radish
• Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA by Kris Radish

As I was making this list I wasn't surprised at the number of children's books.  I love little kids and often find myself gravitating to the children's department in any library or bookstore.  

Decluttering My Life

I won't deny it, my home is cluttered.  Each year my goal is to "declutter my home" or "get organized."  Each year I manage to fail.  I get one room clean and then for some reason that motivation vaporizes (or turns into dust) or if I move on to another room, then the room I just decluttered becomes cluttered again.

I need a schedule.  I need someone to say "today you will..." and I do it.  In the past I have found a number of decluttering calendars but have really never stuck with one.  While searching Pintrest for something crafty to make, I diverted to clutter cleaning.  I found the blog My Simpler Life by Beth Dargis and now I think I'm in love.  She has the one calendar I think I can finish.  In fact I know I can finish.

Each day you have one little task.  I'll be honest, when I first looked at it I wasn't sure how one simple little task was going to declutter my home but then printed it out.  I looked ahead...and I really think it might work.  I don't think I will get burnt out and the tasks are simple enough that my husband or daughter can do them if I can't.

Day 1:  Decide on your daily declutter time - Late afternoon or early evening (before supper time)
Day 2:  Write down what you want your home to look like - I want my home to have a welcome feeling.  Sure the people inside are inviting but the fact that there are boxes and books and school supplies piled here and there doesn't lend itself to a place for friends to come over.  I would like to not be ashamed of the way my home looks.
Day 3:  Spend time thinking about the year ahead - There are a lot of things that will be happening in 2016.  I've started a new job.  I'll be doing some traveling.  I'll still be homeschooling and there is so much more.
Day 4:  Get rid of extra bottles in the bathroom - Check!  Hubby helped.
Day 5:  Throw out makeup that is old or you don't use any more - Since I don't wear makeup there is little to get rid of.  I think there is some foundation or powder in the medicine cabinet.

I'm off to pitch some makeup...if your interested in joining me on this little decluttering spree feel free.  We can be accountability partners!

Little Known Facts: Q&A About Yours Truly

My friend, Crystal decided she wanted to learn more about her friends. So for the entire month of December she posted one question a day on Facebook for her friends to answer. Some I answered, some I didn't. Some I just didn't know how to answer but they are answered below.

1. What is your favorite memory from 2015? Why?
   For almost 4 years my brother and I barely spoke. He married and his "wife" and the rest of my family did not get along. It was a very difficult time for me because he and I were super close growing up and as early adults. My favorite memory of 2015 was being able to watch my brother marry a fantastic girl who the whole family gets along with!
   
2. What is your favorite color?
   Mine is navy blue but burgundy runs a close second.
   
3. Did you go to college or a trade school (or both)? Why or why not?
   YEP! I started at MACC as duel credit in high school, continued to Truman State University, and then after graduating MACC I moved on to Central Missouri State University (Warrensburg). I originally went to college to get my teaching degree. After being a firefighter for almost 5 years (and then 9-11 happened), I decided to officially change my major to Crisis and Disaster Management with a minor in Fire Science (against my parents wishes.) After getting married, moving to FL, and having a baby, school was not a priority, or financially feasible. I am 4 classes away from my BS in Crisis and Disaster Management.
   
4. Apparently she was busy on December 4 with her new baby because it is missing (or was deleted).
   
5. What is your biggest regret?
   My biggest regret is not finishing college but for the most part, I have taken everything in my life as a lesson. I may not have learned from everything, but specific things are a reminder. I think another regret is allowing things that do not affect me to affect the outcome of my life.
   
6. How many children do you have? I'm talking blood related, adopted, fur babies, etc. If you consider it your child, then it's your child!At the time I responded I had six (6) kiddos. One (1) human and five (5) furbabies. Since then one furbaby has passed away.
   
7. Are you a cat or dog person? If neither apply, what is your animal of choice?
   Cats. We currently have Grouchy Gracie (11), Pissy Missy (10), Sir Stink, King Louie the 3rd, and Abigail (aka "the kittens age 9).
   
8. What was/is your favorite subject in school?
   My favorite subject in school was science. In fact they started a Biology 2 class just for my friend, Boone and I.
   
9. Do you still talk to any friends you had in high school? I'm not referring to liking their Facebook status, I mean actually talk to them.That's a tough one. I moved out of the state a couple of years after graduating. Most of my close friends at the time are mere acquaintances right now. Those I still remain in contact with I chat with them via private message on Facebook or the occasional email or Christmas card. I agree just liking their Facebook status is not "talking" to them. When I travel back to MO, I try to touch base with as many friends as possible as our schedules allow, but sometimes it is difficult.
   
10. Who do you miss most during the holiday season?
    My Grandma. She is 94 years old and although she is slowing down nd her memory isn't fantastic, she is an amazing (stubborn) woman to me. Every time I see her, we play cards. Usually it is Hand and Foot but when we are short on time it is Skip-Bo. As she has gotten older it is easier for me to beat her but there are times she skunks me.
    
11. When do you typically put up your Christmas tree and decorations?
    Since we travel during the Thanksgiving holiday we usually are not in town until the 2nd week in December. Sometimes it has been as late as the week of Christmas, but I try to put it out sooner than that.
    
12. What is your favorite movie?
    This is another hard one. The Princess Bride is one of my all time favorites. I also love watching Serenity with Nathan Fillion. And then there Tangled and Brave remind me of me growing up (plus I love the songs). My household was very...sheltered. Then my romantic movies are Stardust, PS I Love You, What Dreams May Come, and Under the Tuscan Sun.
    
13. Of the places you have visited, which one is your favorite?
    It's a toss up between Washington, DC or Atlanta, GA. Both are wonderful places to visit. I went to DC when I was 13 and was able to see President George Bush (which was pretty cool to a 13 yr old). Riding on a train for the first time from Richmond, VA to DC, visiting several of the Smithsonian buildings, touring many of the monuments, and just the sights that have stuck with me over the years has been amazing.
    
    Atlanta we travel through almost yearly to go visit family in MO and although we have only stopped a couple of times I think it is a beautiful city. If you ever get a chance to go, make sure to visit the Georgia Aquarium. You won't be disappointed!
    
14. If you were on a deserted island what 3 items would you want with you?I would love to have my husband and daughter but I don't consider them "items." My first choice would be my go-bag. This bag is a large medical supply bag that has first aid supplies, water purifying tablets, three sets of silverware, flashlights (and batteries), 25 ft of rope, lighter/matches, a tarp, bug spray and sunscreen. I am sure there is more because it is a large bag, but that is what I consider the essentials. I can also use it to carry things that I find on the island. The next item would be a canoe or kayak to get around. Depending on the size of the island, there might be some better supplies on the other side. Last but not least a pan or other container that I could use to cook food, purify water, etc.
    
15. Favorite band\artist?
    Great Big Sea - The band broke up in 2013 but I was lucky enough to see them in concert before they split. They are a Canadian Folk Rock band. Although the band split the the lead singer, Alan Doyle, started his own band and sings many of the GBS songs.
    
16. Number 16 is AWOL. 
17. Are you a cake or pie kind of person?
    I really don't like pie unless it is strawberry or apple. I usually don't have cake either but when I do I prefer Angel food. I guess my answer would be yes?
    
18. What is one of your favorite holiday traditions?
    Making monkey bread Christmas morning with my favorite monkey!
    
19. Hum...19 too? 
20. What is your least favorite holiday food?
    My least favorite holiday food...well, I honestly don't know. I only eat what I like so it's hard to remember what is on the table I don't like. It used to be the stuffing because I couldn't eat it. I am allergic to onion. Now my Dad and Sister-In-Law make stuffing without onion.
    
21. Have you taken any trips this year?
    Of course! My annual flight to MO trip to visit family and friends, then we had a nice casual drive back.
    
22. What is the most unexpected thing that has happened to you, so far, in 2015?
    I have a freelance/part time job!!
    
23. What is one Christmas tradition of which you are not a fan?
    More and more I am hating this holiday. To me it was always a special time of year for all my family to get together. Since I moved away it has actually become depressing for me. I have tried to keep some traditions for Kira but it has been hard. The Elf on Shelf was my worst tradition started and was quickly given up.
    
24. What is the best Christmas present you have received?
    My Roomba! I don't remember if it was a Christmas, birthday, or Mother's Day gift but it is awesome! Rosie does a fantastic job cleaning my floors when I remember to turn her on. With cats I can't exactly put her on a schedule. I really don't want cat puke spread around my home.
    
25. What was your happiest moment from 2015 thus far?
    Did I mention that I got to see my brother marry a beautiful, fun-loving, sweet girl that our entire family likes?
    
26. When do you take down your holiday decorations?
    Usually it is around January 6th. It goes along with 12 days of Christmas. One year it was February!
    
27. Did you read any good books, thus far, in 2015?
    I truly can't answer this one. I have so many that I have read this year (mostly childrens books) that have just stuck with me. So since I am indecisive I will list those...
    
    Children's books: Puppies for Sale, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (pictures are amazing), I love it when you smile, Without You, The Giant Hug (sending to my Grandma because I miss her so), Miss Brooks Loves Books, I loathe you, Someday;
    
    YA: The One and Only Ivan, Stardust (prefer the movie), The School for Good and Evil
    
    Adult: Hearts on a String, Searching for Paradise in Parker PA (1st Chapter is my mother to a "T"), Annie Freeman's Fabulous Traveling Funeral
    
28. What is your favorite drink? Alcoholic, nonalcoholic, or both.
    Non-alcoholic: Mt Dew of course!
    Alcoholic: Rum and Coke
    
29. Do you prefer toilet paper over or under the roll?
    Over. Since we don't have room for a roll holder upright on the back of the toilet or sink is preferred.
    
30. What is something/someone you are the most thankful for this year?
    My husband. Being 1600 miles from our closest family and friends we have had to do a lot of things on our own for most of it and it hasn't been easy. I know I am not the easiest person to deal with and the stress that it put on him was/is tremendous. I am truly blessed to have him in my life. We have a feeling that 2016 is going to have a rocky start but with what we have endured thus far, I think we will manage.
    
31. It's only the 30th...still waiting on the 31st! 

This was a lot of fun and I think I learned some things about myself. My goal is to come up with a list of questions (some she asked) and post one each day for the month of January.

Working Wednesday

My List

The items in RED are the ones I got accomplished YESTERDAY!  I was so proud of myself.  Here is hoping that my motivation continues.

Kitchen:

• Wash, dry and put away dishes (ongoing)
• Find the table
• Wash shelves fridge shelves (save door for later)
• Clean off counters
• Clean off Stove
• Clean out microwave
• Vacuum under fridge & behind stove
• DUST
• Sweep
• Take out trash & recyclables

Bathroom:

• Clean top of sink (save inside for later)
• Clean tub
• Clean toilet
• Clean mirrors
• DUST
• Sweep
• Wash towels & shower curtains
• Take out trash

Living Room:

• Clean the top of the Christmas boxes
• Clean off the hutch (file papers, dust, etc.)
• Clean the top of the file cabinet (file papers, dust, etc.) (save inside for later)
• DUST
• Sweep
• Hang decorations
• Laundry

Kitchen:

• Clean out microwave
• DUST
• Wash, dry and put away dishes (ongoing)

Bathroom:

• Clean mirrors
• DUST
• Sweep

Living Room:

• Laundry - only have two loads left! 

I think I can accomplish this list...

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

A couple of friends have been on my mind a lot recently.  Two have cancer and another lost his mother (known to many as Yoda) and has had some other personal matters that have upended his life.

This gentleman is a huge Star Wars fan, and I mean HUGE!!  So when I saw in my Facebook news feed that someone had made Star Wars snowflake templates I immediately knew what I could do.  I was dreading to cut them out by hand because well, that takes a lot of time, but hey, some friends are worth it!

But I had this awesome idea.  Remember when my hubby got me that awesome craft cutting dohickamajiggy last year for my birthday?  Oh, yeah!  It cuts out intricate designs and it would be perfect for it.  Sure enough, I found the pictures, downloaded them.  I brought them into the software, traced them, and booyah!  It cut them perfectly.  It is up to him to figure out how to hang them, but I am thinking about laminating them so he can use them from year to year.

Since he is always on Facebook, I can't post them on there but since I don't think he knows about my blog, I am safe to write about it.  I cut out about 8 characters and will send them to him tomorrow.  Hopefully he will get them the first of next week.

Now in my family, we are huge Doctor Who fans.  My 13 year old daughter wants all things Doctor Who.  So I am in the process of cutting out Doctor Who themed snowflakes.  They aren't as popular so I am having to work harder at cutting them out than I did the Star Wars.  Currently she is staying at a friend's house and I am going to hang them on her bedroom door.  I'm excited to see her reaction when she sees them!

Tackle It Tuesday

Being on medication sucks.  Especially when it costs more than you can afford and the price is going up again after the first of the year.  I need this medication.  This medication is what keeps me alive and what helps keep my family stress free.

With the possibility of changing medications and not knowing what the could possibly happen I will be limited in what I can do.  Depending on what happens I could be on what I refer to as "house arrest".  At least that's what it feels like.  For me that is a big problem.  I like my independence.  Rumor has it that my parents will be coming to visit to help take care of me and my daughter.

My home is not organized and thus is not as clean as I would like.  I don't like people coming over because I am not happy with the way my home looks.  I guess that gives me a reason to not clean or organize the way I would want.  When I have people coming over I go into speed cleaning mode and that's where I am headed today.

My to-do list looks a mile long and although I do not plan to get it all done today, I plan for today to be "Tackle It Tuesday."  I'm going to stay away from the bedrooms because well...they are disaster areas and will require more time than I have to give them until the holiday break.

I frequently jump on and off the Mama's Mission bandwagon so this month I am hoping to stay on a little longer.

My Mission is to clean and organize (to the best of my ability) before my company arrives in January.

Kitchen:  Cabinets need to be wiped down, counters need to be scrubbed, fridge needs to be cleaned out (which needs to be done monthly anyway), curtains need to be washed, appliances need to be wiped down, table needs found (it's there, just buried under crafting and homeschool items), and last but not least vacuum the chairs.  Sweeping the floor happens on a daily basis, so that is covered.  I also need to tackle the homeschool cabinet as it seems to be the catch-all of things that don't get put away immediately.  It won't require a lot of time but it does need to be done before it takes on a mind of its own.  Prior to my guests I will wash the curtains and put out fresh hand and dish towels.

Bathroom:  As with all bathrooms they need to be cleaned much more frequently than they actually do.  Mine is no acceptation.  It need to get rid of items that we either a.) no longer use or b.) have never used.  The tub, sink and toilet need to be wiped down.  The shower curtain and liner needs to be washed.  The shelves need to be dusted and the floor swept and mopped.  It won't take a lot of time but it will require time.

Living Room:  Now this is by far my biggest obstacle.  Part of this room will not be tackled until the holiday break but the rest of it can be and I will this week.  I hate to dust and it always is the last thing I do so that is what I will do first.  My hutch needs to be cleaned off, the file cabinet needs to be organized (or something), the printer cart needs to be cleaned off, and well the white elephant in the room (a large white utility closet in the corner) needs to be gutted.

So that is my personal mission for the month.  I would love to get most of it accomplished before the end of the week but with Mama's Mission of the Month, I need to remember to pace myself.  Time to get started!

Stinker-Doo, I miss you!

Last night I said goodbye to one of my best friends - my handsome, sleek and sexy, lovable, bedtime buddy, Stinkie.  Growing up I had so many cats that I got to the point that I was desensitized to their passing, but Stinkie is different.  Stinkie was mine (or I was his).  

We had our routines like everyone does and those are what I am going to miss the most.  In fact, some he hasn't done for months but it seems like just the other day he was doing them.    

Mornings were...interesting.  He was definitely a morning cat.  He knew that I was not and usually let me sleep but once I started to stir, he encouraged the "wake-up" process.  He would sit on my nightstand and nibble my fingers.  Not hard, but just enough to say, "Hey you!  It's time to get up."  He would butt heads with me or pet himself with my outstretch hand.  Then if I still didn't get up he would wait it out by "holding me down."  He would lay on my side, his paws out stretched across my rump, his body following the curve of my body.  I don't know how many pictures Kevin has of him doing that but know we have plenty. 

For a while, he thought that after I got out of the shower he needed to reapply fur to my wet legs but more commonly would wait until I started to brush my teeth to pester me.  He would sit on the closed toilet seat, reach out with his claw to grab my hand just to get some of my love and attention.  He wasn't mean or rough but he would just let you know he was there.  Sometimes he would even stretch up like a dog with his paws on my legs. 

When I finally would make it to the kitchen sometimes I would find little slips of paper like business cards or a receipt in the food or water dish.  That was Stinkie's calling card.  I don't know what it was supposed to signify but it was just one of his little quirks.  Frequently those slips of paper were originally on the shelf above our stove or off the coffee table.  We would also find strange things such as unused feminine pads or used q-tips there too.  It got to the point that that was "normal" but our pet sitter would frequently say, "Where does he find this stuff?"

Stinker was not always well behaved.  He would chase one of the other cats or do something he wasn't supposed to and I would scold him - typically telling him to "go lay down."  He would slouch down and crawl away chattering or "talking" back.  I always thought of him as saying "I didn't do it" or "Sorry, Mom, I didn't mean too." 

During the day he really didn't do much other than sleep.  But don't most cats?  You'd find him sleeping on our bed, in a window or the back of the couch but most recently he would be curled up in the curve of my orange couch.  He wasn't one for snuggling unless you were in bed which was fine for me so I think our bedtime routine is what I will miss the most. 

While Kevin and I watched TV he knew that my "routine" was to go to bed around midnight.  When it was time he would stare at me from the hallway telling me it was time to go.  He wouldn't meow but just stare.  The routine carried on from there.  If I didn't do the typical routine of take my meds, brush my teeth, go to the bathroom, then off to bed, he wouldn't come to bed.  He would just sit in the doorway and wait.  Once I climbed into bed, he would stretch up and dig his claws into the top of my nightstand.  When he started doing that I scolded him, but now I am glad he did. I now have a little something to remember him by. 

The silly cat loved to butt heads with me, nibble on my fingers (or Kevin's) and when his bedtime "playtime" was over he would curl up on his purple pillow and go to sleep.  Believe me the pillow was not an intentional thing, it just happened and it stayed.  He was like a king on his throne.   

Stink was and will always be "my pretty boy."  His slick black and white fur made him one handsome devil.  Top that off with his red collar and his suave demeanor and he was ready for the party.  Not that he was a party cat, but he was dressed for one. 

Although I will no longer be able to snuggle with him at night or enjoy his company while I take a bath, he gave me and my family many memories.  Thanks for nine wonderful years, Stinker-doo!  I love you!