Small Things

I am once again joining Rachel Ann from Home Sanctuary in an attempt to bring some peace, order, and beauty to my home and life.

In reference to being organized she says,

"If you struggle to stay organized at home, part of the problem isn't so much with YOU.

It's with your tools.

You've GOT to have the right tools, or it will always feel too hard to do anything...

Today's Small Thing is to take stock of your cleaning supplies.  

Make a list of the things you need, and have them ready to go...by next Wednesday."

She recommends keeping the cleaning supplies near the area where you will be using them.  For example, get a plastic container or some kind of organizer in each room, particularly under each sink in your home.  She suggested this years ago when she was blogging about "small things" to do, and I did it.  I love having my cleaning supplies under the counter in each bathroom and the kitchen, right at my fingertips. After taking stock, I realize I need Comet and cleaning wipes.  It's a great tip and makes cleaning easier.

You can read her entire blog post here.

Happy organizing!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

I haven't had the chance to partake in "Company Girl Coffee" in quite a while, and I've missed it!  So, come on in, grab your favorite beverage (coffee, tea, soda for me), prop your feet up, and please stay a while. 

Today I want to talk about my adorable cat, Lacy.

Doesn't she look sweet?  Oh, she is!  I love her so much!

But... she does have a behavior that is driving me bonkers.  She's supposed to be an indoor kitty, but she's very curious, and my husband lets her out in the back yard.  From there, she disappears under our back fence into the area behind our house that backs up to the elementary school track and playground.

She has been "gifting" us with critters!  The first one was a locust.  Not a big deal, but super-hilarious because she had it in her mouth, and it was still buzzing, making that cicada noise, and she tried to run away from the noise not realizing it was in her mouth.  Up and down the stairs she went, buzzing the whole time!  It was a hoot!

Then she brought in a lizard, basically dead, or at least severely injured, easy enough to capture from her mouth.  Next was a gecko, not dead, that she carried through the house and up the stairs again.  I don't like geckos!  I was able to get it before it could slither behind a piece of furniture.

About a week ago, she was making a strange meowing sound, and I also heard a squeaking noise, as she walked around the living and dining rooms.  The noise was strange because her mouth was full... of mouse!  She had a baby mouse safely tucked in her mouth, injured I believe, but not yet dead.  I guess I scared Lacy because she dropped the mouse, and it sort of staggered a little bit, and mice really do squeak!  I ran to get a broom and dust pan so I could capture it and set it free, even though it was already half dead.  When I turned my back, Lacy picked it up in her mouth again and raced up the stairs, first to my daughter's room, then mine, then back into the hall.  She finally dropped the mouse again, and it tried to scamper behind my washing machine, but I got it.  In the process, it died, though I tried to save it.

Two days ago, Lacy caught another critter.  When I got home that night, she was in my bathroom, and she was looking down and pawing at something.  When she turned around, I saw it.  A snake!  A tiny snake (maybe the diameter of a pencil and about 8-10 inches long).  A dead snake (at least by the time I saw it).  But a snake nonetheless.  Understand this... I HATE snakes!  I don't like frogs, lizards, geckos, etc., but I abhor snakes.  The only good snake is a dead snake.  No, that's not true.  There is no good snake!  This is one varmint I decided I couldn't handle on my own, especially since I wasn't sure it was dead.  My husband did the clean-up on this one.

Good grief!  What next?  This is when I say, "Calgon, take me away!"

People say she is "gifting" me, but she doesn't bring her goodies to me.  She stalks and hunts, and I believe she wants to play with her prey then eat it.  Whatever the case may be, she has found her inner feline and it just may drive me crazy in the end!

Thanks for staying for "coffee" sponsored by  Home Sanctuary and hosted by the amazing and inspiring Rachel Anne.

Subscribe in a reader

Closet Makeover

Welcome!  Come in and see what I've been doing.

I'm usually a very organized person.  I have no idea how I let my closet deteriorate to the state it was in, but I decided I could no longer live with it.  I did most of the work one evening and finished the rest the next day.  Here's what I had to tackle:

Looks like the bear is trying to get in the hamper!  I don't blame him!  I would want to be rescued from this mess even if it meant going in the washing machine, too.

I am so proud of my newly reorganized space which includes a very clean floor.  I had to invite my husband, daughter, and you, of course, to bask in my closet awesomeness!  LOL

My shoes are my favorite part.  You can barely see my shoe tree to the left.  That is where I keep my sandals and flip-flops.  All of my other shoes are organized by color and type (casual, dress, boots, tennies) and labeled.  And I have plenty of items to donate to the women's shelter now.

This was part of my 52 Weeks of Organizing with I'm an Organizing Junkie. I'm determined to keep it neat! So, tell me, Company Girls, what projects have you been attacking this summer?

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

This week at work, we had a presentation that I have been waiting to hear for over a year: Rachel's Challenge. I am so excited about it! It's not just a presentation; it's a committment to start our own Friends of Rachel/Chain Links club. Do you know who Rachel was? Rachel Joy Scott was the first victim in the Columbine school shooting in April of 1999, the worst school shooting in our country's history. I had already been teaching 11 years at that point, and my own children were in pre-school, so I will never forget that tragic event.

But this is not merely a sad story. Rachel is a hero! After she died, her family found her journals and school essays, and the kindness and humanity of this 17 year old high school junior were incredible! She had insight beyond her years as well as a strong faith. Meet Rachel.

Some of her writing includes these quotes.

"I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion then it will start a chain reaction of the same."

"These hands belong to Rachel Joy Scott and will some day touch millions of people's hearts." (written on the back of her dresser next to a tracing of her hands.)

"My definition of compassion is forgiving, loving, helping, leading, and showing mercy for others."

"... how do you know that trust, compassion, and beauty will not make this world a better place to be in and this life a better one to live?"

Rachel's words inspire me. I've written about this because it is meaningful to me, but also because this reminds me so much of another Rachel. Our Rachel. Home Sanctuary Rachel. She is also an inspiration, encouraging each one of her Company Girls to create peace and harmony, not only in our own lives, but in the lives of others. Thanks, Rachel, for being an inspiration.

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Come on in! Stay and visit a while!

How did you do with your makeovers yesterday? Rachel Anne comes up with the best ideas to help us build peace and beauty in our homes and in our lives. I made over a couple of displays at work, made my bed (which I do every day), made over a couple of piles of things around the house, and made over my "tupperware" cabinet.

I took all this mess...

Cut it down to this....

And put it in the cabinet like this...

Feels good to get something productive done! My husband has been out of town all week, and I have gotten a lot of other things done that I wouldn't normally do, but he's coming home today, and I'm so glad! Rockets game tomorrow! I hope you all have a great weekend!

Subscribe in a reader

SuperWoman Syndrome

I was lying in bed last Tuesday night trying desperately to breathe through my stuffy nose and stifle my dry cough, and I panicked! I didn't publish a post that day! It was the first day in six months (that's half a year!) that I didn't post something. I didn't publish a post the next day, either. But the world didn't end!

I was feeling so crummy, I had to admit... I am NOT SuperWoman! I like to think I am. I can maintain a household of five, get the kids where they need to be, and go to church on Sundays. I can work full time and do a darn good job. And I can publish a blog post daily. Usually. "Can" is the key word.

Sometimes I think I place unnecessary expectations on myself. I expect more of myself than other people do. I need to admit to myself that while I CAN do all of these things, I don't need to do them all. Have you had a look at one of my typical days lately? Does anyone else have SuperWoman Syndrome? I think it's time to give ourselves a break!

Don't forget to check out my giveaways. They're linked at the top of the page!

Subscribe in a reader

5 Good Things

On Friday of last week, Rachel Anne of Home Sanctuary challenged us to NOTICE the good things around us and appreciate them. She awarded our small things points for noticing, thinking about, imagining, and intently picturing at least 5 good things in our life. How would you describe them?

I wrote this list last week but decided to save it for my Company Girl post. I hope you enjoy it.

I notice a positive change in my step-daughter since color guard practice started last week. Not only is she getting back into tip-top shape, but even her attitude is better. She is excited and enthusiastic about her performances, and it spills over into other aspects of her life. She is bubbly and agreeable.

I've noticed my son is very loving. At 14, he is not ashamed to kiss and hug me bye in front of his friends.I notice a difference in his voice, deeper than it sounded just three months ago. He's becoming a man right before my eyes. His sister says he even has fuzz on his chin.

I notice my daughter's eyes are a combination of blue, green, and gray in different shades. The colors she wears tend to bring out her eyes. I notice her light freckles on her nose and cheeks that give her that girl-next-door appearance and the natural highlights in her hair, various shades of brown and blonde that you can only get from nature.

My husband. He's a good man. Lately I've noticed the curve of his biceps. Very sexy. And the scattered grays in his beard that make him look so handsome.

Right now, I notice the flowers that my husband bought me, beautiful lilies. They burst with deep shades of pink which melt into white. They are quite lovely. And all this makes me happy and grateful.

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Come on in and chat for a while!

Isn't it great to have Rachel Anne back this month! I have to admit, I haven't done all of my small things this week, what with picking up registration packets for my twins (who are starting high school this year... augh!), medical tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, blook work, having a door put on the house, saving a dog by taking him in so he wouldn't go to the pound, dentist appointments, color guard equipment night, hair appointments, oh and about a "million" other things!

The end of summer is about as busy for me as the beginning of summer! July was peaceful, at least. Teachers return full time on August 13th. Why they're making us return on a Friday, I'll never understand! And I have a technology expo to go to this Monday. All in all, it has been such a fun summer! I hope yours has, too. When do your kids head back to school? Mine return on Aug. 23. I liked it better when we started earlier because we got out before Memorial Day. Now, our school year goes into June.

Thanks for visiting today. Have a look around my blog and see if there is anything else you'd like to read. I love to make new blog friends. Happy Friday!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Hello Company Girls, and all my other friends! I hope your summer is going well. Mine is coming to a close, unfortunately. I go back to teaching full time in less than two weeks. Bummer! The summer has been good, though. My twins turned 14, and we had awesome birthday celebrations, I got to go on vacation to Southern California for a week (during my husband's business trip), and I got a 2-day getaway with my sister. The twins return from their dad's house on Sunday, and I can't wait!

While I was out in California, I snapped this photo because I had never seen a flower like this. I had to touch it to make sure it was real! I asked some readers what it was, and they called it "Hen and Chicks." What was throwing me off was its color, a very deep purple, almost black. Very cool!

Rachel Anne will be back with daily "small things" at Home Sanctuary, and I've missed her! I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Company Girl Coffee

Hi Company Girls! Do you miss Rachel Anne's Small Things? I know I do! She keeps me motivated. But everyone deserves a break, and it looks like she's been busy with her mural. It's looking great!

I think I redeemed myself from the carrot cake disaster... at least somewhat. I made a simple yellow cake then I made the frosting that was supposed to go on the carrot cake (a lemony cream cheese concoction). The icing was delicious, but the cake was a little dense. I got the cake recipe from AllRecipes, and quite a few of the other comments about that particular cake was that it was dense, so I don't feel so bad.

I also made an awesome chicken salad. So easy. Chicken breasts, mayo, water chestnuts, pimientoes, celery, sweet pickles, garlic salt, and pepper. It was yummy!

No more cooking for me for a while, though. My husband has training to attend in Los Angeles, and I get to go along for fun! I'm really looking forward to my tour of Hollywood. I figure I'll get some time in the sun, too, but I'm taking some strong sunscreen because right now, I'm white as a ghost!

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Happy Friday to all! Come on in and let's visit! This has been a busy week, but it wasn't all work and no play. Last night, the whole family (5 of us - hubz, my twins D & A, my step-daughter, and I) went over my step-son's house to play with the grandkids (2 1/2 year old twin boys). After they went to bed, we ate some awesome chicken spaghetti, my daughter-in-law's signature dish. Then we played Uno Attack. So glad Mattel invented this twist on an old favorite!Do you have a signature dish that you prepare for relatives or company?

How about a favorite game you like to play?

If you're keeping up with your small things at Home Sanctuary, good for you! I'm trying. Even if we don't do every small thing, I think we draw inspiration from Rachel Anne. Her posts cause me to pay more attention to the peace, order, and beauty we create in our lives. I think a night like the one we had at my step-son's falls into the "beauty" category of life. Have a great weekend!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Hi! Glad you're here! Let's visit for a while, and I'll tell you about my week. Sunday morning, I took my kids to church at 6AM to leave in a caravan to go to six days of Summer Excitement. It is youth leadership training (and lots of fun) hosted at Lubbock Christian University. They'll be coming home tonight, and I miss them! To compensate, Sunday evening, we went over my step-son's house and played with the grand-twins and played Uno Attack.

Even though it's summer, I went to school mid-week to do some unpacking in my classroom for next year. I had to switch rooms. But this week wasn't ALL work! I also went to my first Scentsy party and to a retirement lunch. And as you're reading this, I'm either having lunch with my long-time Internet friend who I'm meeting for the first time in real life (Tamy of 3 Sides of Crazy, Always Eat on the Good China, and Our Crazy Kitchen), or I'm scrapbooking with my sister. If you're up really late Friday reading this, I may be at church picking up my kids from the long ride home from Lubbock.

I have done some work around the house, too, though. I've weeded flower beds, washed and hung curtains, and bought and hung some wall art I've been wanting. I've reorganized a closet and I'm currently working on the book case, not to mention changing sheets, doing laundry, cooking, and everyday cleaning.
Summer is shaping up to be both fun and productive. How was your week? Keep those small things coming, Rachel Anne!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Come on in for some "virtual" coffee! I'm glad you're here.

How did you do with your "small things" for Home Sanctuary this week? I racked my brain for something to fix today. The only things I came up with were fixing a torn paper, a pen, and a pencil (I used tape on all of them). I also "fixed up" my craft room. I ironed and hung some curtains and I hung a picture. Technically, it's a puzzle that my mom made years ago that I used to have hanging in the nursery when the twins were babies. They're almost 14 now. It's been in the attic for years. Well, I got it down and dusted it off and hung it up. I like how the room is shaping up.

I love what Rachel Anne said about fixing broken hearts, and how we are all at least a little broken, and God can fix us if we allow Him to. Of course, she said it better than I, so feel free to click over and read the bottom of this post.

Congratulations to the May winners! Way to go, Ladies!

Subscribe in a reader

Company Girl Coffee

Hello and happy Friday! I hope you have something fun planned for the weekend. I will be putting primer on cabinets, going to the orthodontist, buying some furniture, and best of all, getting a massage.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies! Does anyone have big plans? I had dinner with my mom last Monday and plan to see her on Sunday. I also sent her flowers. My kids aren't old enough to take themselves shopping, but I got a handmade card from my son already. And he's 13! And if that isn't a big enough accomplishment, I actually got him to do the electric slide with me last night, thanks to Rachel Anne. And my computer is nice and clean now, too.

My family and I are going to try to eat healthier than we have been lately, so I was looking for some recipes this week that would be low in fat but still taste great. I found this recipe from Laura's Lean Beef called Beef and Asparagus Pasta Toss. Think we'll give a try soon! Have a great weekend!

Company Girl Coffee

I'm so glad you're here! It's been a vicious week at work/school due to state-mandated testing, so it's a great time to get together with girlfriends and relax.

I got a wonderful surprise this week. I won a giveaway, a starter set of 3 body butters from Main Element Love in luscious fragrances (Mango Berry - my fave- Pomegranate Mojito - and Blue Rose)! Turns out that this company is right here in my home city, but it took the Ultimate Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom to get us together.
How did you do with your "small things" tasks this week? My favorite is "Minimum Maintenance Day." Straightening up for 5-15 minutes really makes my home feel more orderly and put together.

Since the main goal at Rachel Anne's Home Sanctuary is to "help create a sense of sanctuary in this busy world," I began wondering where I find peace in my life and where I can create some myself. Daily peace comes to me at the end of the day during prayers with my children and by myself, then again when everyone else is taken care of and in bed, and I can have a few moments to myself to unwind. When I know that my obligations have been fulfilled, that's when I can actually experience peace. Well, that plus an afternoon nap on weekends! LOL How do you create peace in your busy life?

Have a great weekend Company Girls!

Subscribe in a reader