No more piles or stacks!!!
01 Sep 2009 3 Comments
Last week sometime, I was having a conversation with my husband via the cell phone. I was talking about how it seemed I was always trying to find a place for everything. Then my wonderful hubby (he really is, though at this time I didn’t think so) said that he didn’t think the house was too little, that we had too much junk and it was really a matter of lifestyle! I was offended, though I didn’t let on. How could he say that! We have 5 people living in a little house that is less than 1,000 square feet. And I homeschool the kids, so yes, we do have a lot of stuff, but a “lifestyle”. Then, I looked around. I started to see the piles and stacks of my papers and stuff. Yes, some of this stuff was mine and I was determined to get rid of it by the time my hubby came home for the weekend. Well, it took determination and will power, but I got it done, and amazingly, I didn’t need all those clippings, articles, etc, that I thought I needed. I did do some filing of things, but all piles are gone! It is rather freeing to see all my (and the kids’) stuff is put away. However, my hubby’s desk and dresser are a different story. But, hey, my stuff is put away or thrown away!
I have one part of the cabinets that is full of recipes, clippings, etc. that will be dealt with this coming winter, when it’s too cold to go outside and all the canning/freezing is done. I am also getting rid of all the cooking magazines that have been stockpiled in there as well. I have great intentions on some things, and that’s as far as it gets. I read somewhere that creative people have a really hard time getting organized, cleaning out their stuff, simplifying their lives. For example, they (I) don’t see just a sock that has no partner. They (I) see a would-be puppet, duster, etc.
On Sunday, I had a conversation with another mom who is feeling overwhelmed with the stuff in her house. I told her what I did and how great it is to see no piles/stacks. She was going to try to do the same with her house this week, while her husband is gone. I encouraged her to attack the small piles first, and keep the larger, out of sight ones for a later date. I hope she is doing well, poor girl!
Cleaning out/new curriculum
10 Jun 2009 1 Comment
in books, Countrylane Beads and Things, gardening, homeschool, small home challenges
One of the “joys” of a small house, with no room dedicated to just educating the children and house the computer desk, copier, fax machine, etc, is the lack of space one has to hold all the things this mom loves to bring home. Books! I love these things! I know, some say, “Why keep these things after you have read them?” My answer is to enwrap the boys with well-loved books that someday they or their wives, or even their children, will read and, hopefully, enjoy as much as I do. But I also have brought home lots of other books, workbooks, educational games, flashcards, etc, that I thought (at the time) that we couldn’t live without. But, in a recent conversation with another homeschooling mom and kindred spirit, I was made to realize that I really, really didn’t need all these books, etc. Many I could get rid of and just go to the library when we needed to study up that subject/person. This has been quite a revelation to me. So, I’ve been “cleaning” out the shelves and shelves of books and workbooks and the many containers holding extra flashcards, games, etc. Now, I’m looking for a used curriculum sale to set up a table. I am afraid, though, that I have waited too long for that this summer. I am hoping that toward the fall, there will be a few around town. It would be nice to take something that has been stuffing my house and make some extra money with it.
As far as new curriculum, I am very excited about a math curriculum that I have found to do with the twins. One of the twins is a visual and audio learner, the other is kinesthetic. Plus, I needed something that was easy for me and one that I didn’t have to re-learn math in order to teach it. Found it!!! It’s called Right Start Mathematics. It’s based on the use of an abacus. Most of the teaching tools, advice, etc. can be downloaded right off the computer and you first work with the children on using their left hand (first) and then their right hand to count (we read left to right!). When this is second nature to them, then you introduce them to the abacus. Oh, it is so neat and easy! I’m very excited! Even our oldest will be able to “see” how math works too. Multiplication and division is also figured on the abacus.
Heard a startling discovery that scientists have found: women who stay at home are more likely to develop cancer than those who work away from home. Why?!? Because of the household cleaners we use every day (or at least once a week). The chemicals found in these things can linger in the air and cause asthma and cancer and other diseases. Also, fabric softener sheets. They make our bodies produce a type of poison. Those who make/sell these know about it, but they smooth it over by saying that it’s such a small, insignificant amount that it won’t harm us. But if we allow a tad here, a bit there, it all adds up and packs quite a punch to our systems/bodies. The worst cleaners are window cleaners, furniture polish, everyday cleaners. There are recipes that uses baking soda, vinegar, water, and olive oil that take care of all of the cleaning that needs to be done. Plus, you can add essential oils to make it “smell clean”. The recipes are on cbn.com
Planted more carrots, some acorn squash, 26 strawberry plants, and lima beans the past few days. And today, the Lord has been watering the seeds and plants for me. He does a much better job than I ever could!
I recently bought some paper off the clearance rack at Michael’s and some beaded stickers. I have plans to make new business cards that one will be able to put up on their fridges, due to the magnetic strip that will be placed on the back. Mom’s home party is coming up soon. I would like to have them done for that and the ice-cream sundae earrings, too.
Help! I am becoming overwhelmed!
27 Mar 2009 5 Comments
in small home challenges, Uncategorized
I can feel it. I am becoming overwhelmed with all the things that have to get done, if I want to keep my sanity. Or at least have some semblance of sanity. The outside garden beds need to be prepared for planting, raised beds need to be built (but first I need to call for prices for the There’s the house and the messes inside that need attention. I am bound determined to get rid of the endless piles in our bedroom/office. Not everything has a “home” and I don’t know what to do with some things. I need to get ruthless, yet keep the things we really need. I admit that when I see a bedroom that really is used as a “bed” room, I do get a little envious. These rooms always look so calming and relaxing. Isn’t that what a bedroom should be?
Then there’s the summer things just begging to come out of storage and the winter things just getting in the way. And there’s school stuff. I also admit that I am a sap for books. I love books! Yet I realize I can’t possibly need ALL these books. I only have 3 children. Surely I can clean some of these out. Ugh! I am feeling frustrated with all of this. I seriously need someone to come over and help me see what I need and don’t need. Any volunteers?! What am I thinking? There’s not a sap out there who would choose to come over and do this. I know, I’ll kidnap someone! (Ha! Just kidding. I love my friends, and therefore wish to keep them my friends. I don’t need anymore enemies!) And to think some people think I’m organized! HA-HA-HA-HA!
Lots to learn about veggies!
17 Jan 2009 3 Comments
in gardening, small home challenges
I thought I knew a lot about the different kinds of veggies, yet after reading the Baker’s Creek Seed Catalog, I know just the basics. They specialize in heirloom varieties of veggies, keeping some going that are rare and from around the world. I really don’t know what to do with an eggplant, in order to eat it. I don’t know what lentil bean plants look like. I don’t know how to prepare soya beans to eat. I really don’t know what to do with a squash, like a butternut or acorn. Hmmm, I don’t know much! Hoping to probe people’s minds and find some of this out, before it’s time to buy seeds for the spring planting.
I’ve been doing some serious consideration for the veggies I plant this coming summer. After dealing with temps below O degrees, I am sooo ready for spring! I envision the gardens blooming and growing when I am out walking in the snow with Lady. Hard to believe just a few months ago, I was harvesting veggies. The Lord blessed the gardens so last year, I am praying that He will do the same this year!
I have also been cleaning out things. Amazing what I have saved or am hanging on to, for I don’t know what! I would really like to have a notebook filled with inventory lists of foods in the pantry and freezer, and of cleaning items, personal items, etc. THis way, I won’t be buying another can of Barkeeper’s Friend, when I already have 2 unopened cans under the sink! I believe this household could run smoother, if I knew what I had and/or needed. Ahhh, I can dream, can’t I?!?
Why huge houses?
15 Dec 2008 4 Comments
in Lord's blessings, small home challenges
Sunday, I had a nice talk with another lady my age. We discussed our “dreams” of houses and what we would like to have. She was voicing her concern over a young couple that are building a huge house and have sunk all their money into it. Their kids are almost grown and yet their house is over 5,ooo square feet. I often wonder why some people think they have to go all out on a new house. Have they thought about when the children are grown and on their own, what are they going to do with all that extra space? Now, I know living in a small house has its challenges, yet it also has its pros. I can say this because I have lived in a house less than 1,000 squ. ft. for 14 1/2 years with my husband and a growing family.
For years, I was unhappy where the Lord had placed us. Or to be more correct, unhappy with the size of the house. I love the location! But the size was a thorn in my flesh. But over the past two years the Lord has been working in my heart about this. The idea of contentment. In whatsoever state I am, I am to be content! Ah, harder done than said. But the Lord is gracious and merciful and full of goodness. He has changed my outlook and I am more content today than I was yesterday, yesteryear! But at times, I fall into a state of discontent and murmur. Then I remember that this is where God has put us and in knowing that, I am happy. I am better off than so many people who do not have a home or even a family to love them. I am so blessed. It’s when I stop looking and counting my blessings and start focusing on what others have, that I become discontent.
Yet, I do wonder why some young families sink their money into a huge house, work the rest of their life to pay off this huge mortgage and miss the best days of their life (days spent with their families, enjoying their new house that’s not quite so monstrous).
This lady and I both agreed we would love to have new houses, a little bigger than the one we’re in, but we both wanted huge pantries. I would love to have one more room added on to our little home. THis room, if I had my way, would be quite big, in that it would be the office/library/schoolroom. The Lord knows that this is one of my earthly desires. But whether I get this or not, I know that He will help me deal with the inconveniences that this small house presents to us. He is merciful and full of grace.
Challenges of a small home
10 Dec 2008 2 Comments
in small home challenges Tags: family
#1 son has voiced his desire to not have all the toys in his room. In the past, it has worked out well, in that since he has an area rug in his room, this is where all the boys can go play and be comfortable. But he is getting older, almost double digits to his age, and wants to have his room BE his room. This was a challenge, since both bedrooms are 9.6 feet by 9.6 feet. Doesn’t leave much room for much at all. But, I love a good challenge, esp. when it comes to making room for stuff/ designing. So, I told #1 son that he could have his wish, but that one tub of trucks/tractors would have to stay in his closet and that the suitcases would be in his closet as well. That was fine with him. This freed up the twins’ closet. I thinned out toys, got rid of broken ones, donating the others (or giving away), and made good use of the space available. Also, the twins’ beds have storage drawers underneath, and these are being used for out-of-season clothes, sweaters/sweatshirts, toys that can be contained in small boxes, semi trailers/swords/shields/light sabers/rifles, and one to hold the keyboard and exercise step. Wow! I even amazed myself. Literally, everything has its own space. (We would have gone with bunk beds, but there is a ceiling fan in the middle of each room, which could complicate things!) Others have suggested taking down the wall between the boys’ rooms, but I’m not sure that would help or just create more problems. We would have to find some way to hang the kids’ church clothes,etc. Since #1 son’s room has been freed of bins of toys, I moved his school desk into his room. Now we have school in there, he can do his work in his room and shut the door to block out the noise of playing brothers. (There is no TV or computer in there.) When we get his room repainted light blue (the color he chose), I will be hanging maps and charts on his walls.
#1 son desperately needs a new matress and hubby has voiced his opinion that we should get him an extended length twin bed. This sort of throws a wrench into the gears, but it is another challenge that I will face with eagerness. His bed will not fit where we have it now, because then he will not be able to close the door. Hubby suggested putting the bed with the head in a corner coming out diagonally to everything else. This will mean we will be moving his furniture all around to make room for it all. Well, I’ll face that challenge when the time comes…
