Too Much Stuff

My house is out of control. Note: I was going to say a "little" out of control, but then I realized that doesn't really make any sense. Either it's in control or out of control, there's no middle ground.

I would like to blame it on the fact that our house is very small and has no closets and no where for me to work on projects. That's my normal excuse. And it may have some validity. But the truth of the matter is that I am to blame. I have a terrible history of starting projects and then not finishing them. I also tackle projects that are way too big for the amount of time I have to give to them. I don't want to put anything away once I've pulled it out and got it organized, so then it just sits. For days. Sometimes weeks. OK, maybe for a month or two. Until I come to my senses, realize I'm not going to get it done this time around and pack it all up. Until the next time I feel inspired.

This is where I find myself today. I started a photo project. The only place I have to work on it is our dining table. We ate off of folding tables in the living room for two weeks so I could work on the project. Then, it happened. I lost interest. Or I lost my momentum. Or my motivation. Or all three. So now, the project sits on half the table, spilling over onto the unused chairs around the table. Even I'm sick of looking at it!

So today, I will pack it up. Berating myself the entire time for my lack of discipline in completing a task. For creating chaos in my home instead of peace and serenity. For being human.

I tell myself that I'm not the only one. That other people fall off the wagon into clutter from time to time. But I really believe that everyone else is perfect while I'm... not.

Good thing I have some peanut clusters in the house to console myself with.

Monday Meanderings

Joplin - My heart goes out to the people impacted by the tornado that struck Joplin, Mo. The pictures are just devastating. I'm praying for those who are trapped. For those who have lost loved ones. For those who have lost their homes and possessions. For the emergency workers. The injured. The local government.

Faith - An acquaintance of ours lost his battle with cancer this past Saturday. We have known this family for about 20 years. Sometimes we have been more involved with them personally than other times. His wife, Ellen, wrote the most beautiful Facebook post about his passing. Her faith shone through brightly. She was unapologetic in her unswerving belief that he is Heaven with our Lord, Jesus Christ. Today, I am praying for this family in their loss. But I am mostly thanking God for this wife who in the midst of her sorrow, finds the strength to share the love of Jesus Christ with others.

Breaking the rules - I have to confess that I have been breaking the rules lately. One of the rules I try to live by is: when you bring something new into the house, something old must leave the house. I abhor clutter. I probably to overboard in trying to assure that my home is not cluttered. I haven't been doing so well lately. My downfall is in the craft area. I have been bringing crafts into the house and then letting them sit around making me feel guilty that the craft projects are not completed. Or in some cases, not even started. I have got to get a handle on this. My goal in June is to get this bad habit kicked. We'll see...

Potty training - Seriously, it never occurred to me that I would be participating in potty training again. When Zach was potty trained, I thought it was all over for me. I celebrated. I was wrong. Sunny is potty training and since she spends time at my house, I have a participatory role in this momentous event. The worst thing about potty training this time around is that I have to follow Katie's rules, instead of doing it the way I normally would. Oh well. Sunny is doing quite well. Katie's goal is to have her trained by the time Thunder arrives. She just may do it.

Appraisals - Dan had a phenomenal month in April, 26 orders! yippee! May has been quite a bit slower, but we still received more orders than we did in Jan, Feb, or March. What a blessing!

June - June begins next week. Seriously? I just know the summer will fly by. Before June arrives though, I will face May 25th. May 25th is traditionally the day that I get serious about my holiday planning. I start my Twelve Days of Christmas gift planning on that day. If you would like to follow along with me as I prepare for another stress-free holiday season, check out my Christmas blog. I'd enjoy hearing how you prepare for the holidays, your traditions, what works - what doesn't.

Have a great Monday!