Deep Breath

Depression,

great bargains,

hot muggy weather,

distraction,

disinterest

and discouragement

have all had their part

in my failure in housekeeping.

It is time

to focus

and take a deep breath.

Though I know

I am not capable 

of a perfect magical, overnight job,

today is cool,
there is nobody to chauffer
and I'm feeling good.
So...
Here I go.

Would you pray for me?

(and kindly note the
package of bankers boxes
I purchased -- the
one on the wing chair
is designated and partially filled,
which means
I really have started
in a tiny way.)

Am I the Only One?

Am I the only one who finds it

just a little difficult to throw

things out?

What an array of craft supplies

there are in the recycling bin

and the trash!

Here are some examples:

Milk and juice cartons make lovely
molds for candles and I've always
wanted to freeze large ice cubes
and build something outside
in the snow.
There is also that cute house
shape to work with and
I think I could make bird houses
and feeders with them.
Not to worry.  After I took the
picture, I squashed them down
and put them in the trash.

Plastic deli containers have all that nice
clear plastic that is so handy for so many
crafts.  This plastic is right for shrinking,
as well!  It had to be washed before
I could put it in the recycling bin.
It's in the dish drainer, now.
Next stop: the BIN! 

Pretty, clear glass jar.
So many things come to mind.
Wouldn't my spices and herbs
look nice in a collection of these?
How about a tiny diorama?
The label did not come off
easily when I washed it.
Unless I suddenly snatch it
out of the bin to store something
temporarily, off it goes.

Plastic shopping bags.
Small trash can liners.
Plarn (plastic yarn!)
Though they roll around
like tumbleweeds, I do
take them to the store to
be recycled... when I remember.

Well, I could go on,
but that's what caught my eye in my
messy kitchen, today.

Inspired by a Friend

I cleaned an organised one cupboard.

Seems like there might be a better
solution for my bagged foods
and maybe for that handy
hand blender, too.

New Year, New Thoughts

It is difficult for me to let anyone see
what a mess I've made for myself
and my family.

While some small corners are functional
and even have nice touches...

...others barely function.  There is a lot of
work to be done, here.

(The desk was recently moved from my son's room.
Two of the drawers had yet to be emptied and
returned to the desk.)

Thing is, I'm still working to get rid of
my perfectionist tendencies.
 In case you are on of those
people who is not a perfectionist,
congratulations.
There are folks who happily claim to be
perfectionists.

I don't believe them.

If their house looks nice
and
it is clean
and
they are able to do something
besides straighten
and clean
rather obsessively
and
they sleep at night,
I question the level of their
perfectionism.

It's kind of like skepticism.

I'm so skeptical that I think
your skepticism
is put on for effect.

See what I mean?

True, deep, dyed-in-the-wool
perfectionism is never
satisfied.

Never!

So, I aspire to be a
"good enough-er."

I'd like to have things
functional,
comfortable,
clean
and
even pretty.

If I can do this,
instead of being paralyzed
by the reality that
I will never get things
perfectly perfect...

WELL!

I might actually enjoy
my housework!

WHAT?

I hear it's possible.

Hmm!

Let's see, shall we?

If you have any wisdom,
any tips,
any encouragement
for me,
I surely would
appreciate it!

Thanks

Baby Step

OK, it's ridiculous.
OK, it's overwhelming.
Will one tiny step even help?

Well, yes.

Not Giving Up

My struggles have not come
to a fairy tale conclusion.

I have let things pile back up in the spaces I'd cleared.

Some things still look better than they did before I started this blog. 

I need to get serious with the clearing out and organising of my things. 

Inch by inch or in great strides, I'm trusting God that He will help me make this happen. 

I don't need a showplace.  I don't even want a showplace. 

I do want to glorify my heavenly Father in this area.  My family has suffered enough. 

My life has been restricted enough. 

I will trust and work for victory.

I Did...

1. got my breakfast and medications down
2. got a package prepared and put it, along with the one I prepared yesterday, out for pick up.
3. filled the ice cube tray
4. started a load of laundry
5. got dressed
6. chatted online with a dear woman who can use my support, now and then

If, dear reader, this list looks strange to you, you probably have not been faced with my kind of depression or anxiety or what ever this is.

I awoke, this morning, feeling good.  The long list of things I need to do did not oppress me.  I felt like I could do them all -- in a single bound!  By eleven o'clock I wanted to crawl back into bed.  I forced myself to do a little more, including starting that laundry load (modern conveniences are such a blessing in the household chores arena) then, since one of my tasks is to send an email and I had sat for an hour, in I came.  I wrote (typed?) the above list to remind myself that I actually had done something, this morning.  I didn't even bother with the fact that I put away a few dishes from the drainer. 

Seeing so much to be done often overwhelms me.  I feel there is no point in doing the little nibbles that I know I can do, because there is so much more to do.  I think I need to start celebrating the tiny triumphs; the little clear area, the meal cooked, the box straightened and put away!  Perhaps then I won't feel quite so worthless, when it comes to my housekeeping.  If I don't feel so worthless, maybe I will get more done.  We shall see.  It can't hurt to try, can it?