It's Time

Seriously!

Does anyone else do this?

I think it's time to sort,

evaluate, discard,

and record if necessary.

Head Start

I spent the majority of 2018 trying to keep a calendar and other notes, shopping 

lists, birthdays, etc. on my cell phone.  

While there are many advantages to doing it that way,

I've decided to return to a more familiar format.

 I was really excited to find this beauty at our local Walmart!

The format is familiar--

one I've used several years in a row.

It fits easily into my purse.

I spent some time last evening recording birthdays

and look forward to a productive year

thanks to this head start.

I'm sure I'll be using my phone as a back up--

it IS helpful.

But for me, it's hard to improve on the security of paper and pen.

Pieces of Torn Paper

"The best of life is written on pieces of torn paper."  (The Web of Life, Richard Louv)

Can anyone else identify with this line?

My dilema?

What to do with the pieces of torn paper!

Day 2 in The Book

"Resolved: I will fight the distractions that keep me from God’s word

 and I will make reading it and studying it a top priority."  

I copied this tweet from Mike Fabarez this morning and added "and put it into practice".  This morning I successfully fought the distractions .  Day 2 in the books!  (And in The Book!)

This is the date book I use.  It begins in August of previous year so already shows signs of use.  Each year I check out different formats but return to this one.  It is familiar, affordable, and small enough to tuck into a purse, etc.

The only item on my Christmas wish list was the Bic four-colored pen.  Usually I get the orange barreled ones which are fine point, but these medium points work just fine.  They are harder and harder to find in stock, but my husband hunted them down and gave me three for Christmas.  Couldn't have been happier with a Christmas gift! 

The Business of Marriage

Coffee and conversation shared in front of this fireplace at a coffee house recently...

Recently, I was reading a post about how couples who run a business together protect their relationships in the middle of their busy lives.  A simple idea of Matt and Lentil Purbrick  regarding their working lives intrigued me.

As well as separate work spaces, Matt and Lentil make sure they have clearly defined roles, and a scheduled weekly meeting to go through everything they’ve been working on individually. "Throughout the week, we write things on a notepad that we might want to talk about, and then we meet once a week over coffee to talk through it all’ Lentil explained.  

To maximize efficiency and minimize frustration, Matt and Lentil will write things they need the other to do on a blackboard throughout the day. "Then you can each look at it when you’re ready, instead of interrupting each other all day!"

Though we (Gary and I) don't run a business-business together, our daily lives ARE definitely a partnership--a marriage-business.  Sometimes our schedules overlap.  Other times, we have separate appointments, and responsibilities take us in two different directions.  Our lives are not so busy that we don't informally connect throughout the day, but sometimes "things" slip my mind (or his).  So the notepad idea appeals to me--maybe for review even more frequently than weekly!

We have synced our calendars on our cell phones.  This is a huge help.  Quiet minutes shared every morning before we jump into our day provide time to review the plans for the day.  We also enjoy day trips or late afternoon walks together.  Adding intentional conversations about dreams, goals, and mutual and individual projects to these outings pays off BIG time.

Seasons in married life come and go.  

This is where we find ourselves currently when it comes to the business of marriage.

What do YOU do to keep communication and cooperation flowing well?

Somedays

Somedays my list looks like this!

It was composed at a table at Barnes and Noble yesterday afternoon.

If you're interested, you can see more HERE.

I've already accomplished #1, 2 and 4 this morning!

^16 [a]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish and thoughtless, but understand and firmly grasp what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

Ephesians 5, Amplified Bible 

Chain of Events

One thing led to another.  We heeded our children's urgings and got new Smart Phones.  While being informed about the various options, we discovered that we could get rid of our land phones.  We'd already discontinued long distance on them since we used our old cell phones for that.  We'd only hung onto our land line to  have wi-fi access for our laptops.

 NOW, for just a tad less $$$ monthly, we  have Verizon Home Fusion!  But the process of installation involved most of the day Saturday.  And the process is not over! 

 I cannot begin to describe the chain of events that began with taking books off a bookshelf in order to reach an old cable outlet...then a foray into seldom-accessed-under-the-eaves-storage (that's it behind the white desktop in the first photo)...

then a  frenzied purging, a few tears,

 and a determination to see this process to the end if it takes me FOREVER!

 

I'm thinking this Epiphany Sunday morning of another Chain of Events, summed up in The Birthday of a King (one of my favorite Christmas songs).

 

♪ From the manger bed 

what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.♪

And I'm also remembering that most every action I take sets off another chain of events!  You will always harvest what you plant.  (Galatians 6:7)  Decisions and choices I make today impact MY life and, frequently, the lives of others.  I guess that's why Paul wrote: So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 4:15-17)

So, while I pray for wisdom to know how to program and use my Smart Phone, I pray for wisdom for living every moment of my life for the purposes and glory of my Lord Jesus.

Note-Taking

A recent excursion to Barnes and Noble found me settled in a comfortable chair with a stack of decorating magazines.  I pulled out the calendar/date book from my purse and began to jot a note or two...or three.  I was so inspired!  Here's a sampling:

• ...a wonderful house where you feel like living, laughing, blossoming (Madeleine Castaing)
• Above all you have to love a house to make it a success; it's always a question of love (M.C.)
• (They) discover potential in the forgotten and beauty in the everyday.
• Live (their) art casually and naturally.  Not a contrived aesthetic.  (to which I added, "MY GOAL!")
• There are stories to tell all over this house.
• The room...a typical hodgepodge of artistic inspirations.
• Philosophy of design work: gentle, practical,inspiring, nurturing, purposeful.
• Don't be intimidated by audacity; be audacious, but with taste.  You also need intuition, originality, vigor...Don't get taken in by fashion.  A secret:  love your house; love makes miracles. (M.C. again)
•  Lily of the valley--mulch in spring; divide in autumn.
• For the chalkboard:  Yesterday is history; Tomorrow is a mystery; Today is a gift.
• My eyes and heart are always open to meaningful souvenirs of life.  (Rachel Ashcroft)
• It's amazing what you find if you look in the opposite direction.  (Kenneth Cole)

• Surround yourself with comfort and beautiful things. (adapted from Emma Freemantle)
• Eye-catching evidence of a passionate life.
• Note to self:  On coffee tables - bottles, books, flat silver bowl, flowers in a simple glass

Where do YOU write random notes?  

What do you DO with them if/after you write them down?

For me, NOTHING replaces hand-written notes to myself...at least not yet. 

When Life Gives you Lemons...

Yesterday our internet provider went down.  A lot of what I "do" depends on internet service--

not to mention the FUN I have on the side.  I waited until our local library opened this morning to take advantage of the free wireless available to me.

Meanwhile, I had some hours to fill so I started in on a distasteful task--

cleaning out one (of many) stashes of miscellany that has

accumulated over a period of time.

(By the way, does ANYONE else have stashes????)

I was successful!  I'd almost forgotten that I had this lovely

tole (I think that's what you call it) tray.

The experience reminds me of the importance of keeping "short accounts"

with the Heavenly Father--not letting junk ("little" sins of omission and co-mission) pile up and block the beauty of fellowship with Him.

If I'd just get in the habit of dealing with odds and ends as they "happen"

instead of tossing them into drawers, trays or onto countertops,

I wouldn't have to spend hours sorting, tossing, organizing and storing!

So,I'm thankful for the "lemon" of interrupted wireless today.

I accomplished something that's been bogging me down for quite awhile now, 

and have been reminded of a fundamental truth for my spiritual life as well.

13.  My very own personal copy of the Bible.
14.  Recovery from shoulder pain.
15.  Allen County Public Library - specifically today, free wi-fi there...

Fail to Plan? Plan to Fail!

Love the doilies.....my Aunt Gladys could crochet like that, but I just make plain round circles. 

Did you notice in the second picture how the blue thread ran out in the center? 

I wonder what the crafter was thinking!  

 So observed Mrs. Mobunny in comment form to my previous post.

I need a monthly calendar as well as daily pages...

I went back and took a look. Sure enough!  The blue thread DID run out in the center! What WAS she thinking?  (Or maybe the question is: WAS she thinking.)  

I've always attempted to be a good planner.  My efforts have taken many shapes as the seasons of my life have come and gone.  Currently, this is the primary planning tool I use.

It's small enough to be quite portable but large enough to jot down details.  I've also improvised to make it store odds and ends.

Daily pages and odds and ends

  

The thing I DON'T like about it is that it runs from August of one year through December of the next.

Awkward!  

WalMart - $3.99 plus tax.

Anyhow, yesterday I purchased my bright and shiny 2012 model.  I will spend the rest of this month transferring information.  I'll also give titles to some of the blank pages of at least July and August 2011 and use them for such things as recipes, gift ideas, places to visit, quotes, books to read etc. Every year I tweak "the system" just a little bit!

That's the way I roll (as Janie Fox would say)!

Luke 14:28 says, "But don't begin until you count the cost. 

For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost

to see if there is enough money to finish it?"

Wow!  The principle is a great one - whether crocheting a doily, 

preparing a recipe, organizing an event, or starting a new calender year!

Do you keep/carry a planner?  What's your favorite format?

Solutions

I've solved (at least temporarily) two puzzling situations in my life this morning.  Since going to the hot-air popper, this large blue pan was constantly on my countertop.  (It's REAL place was awkwardly and inconveniently nestled toward the bottom of a stack of bigger and smaller bowls.)  This morning I decided to store it in my oven which is NOT getting a lot of use right now and is near the popper!

The second dilemma has taken a little more thought.  It is how and if  to add Twitter to my on-line experiences.  In order to do it, I've defined my purposes broadly this way:  Blogging - to develop and utilize my God-given gifts and creativity to His glory, learn from others, and bless as many people as I can in the process.  Facebook - connecting and communicating at a more personal level.  Twitter - to be mentored by godly people whom I respect. (I will not use it primarily to connect and communicate information but more to "receive".)  I have ventured into Pinterest.  Still trying to define my purpose there and determine whether or not to develop my "presence" there... 

Now I'm eager to continue the use of this amazing technology with renewed commitment, purpose and wisdom.  These decisions have been stimulated by the line I've placed under my Life and Godliness blog header:  Keeping it Sane, Simple, and Sacred.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Have you solved any puzzling situations lately?

Are you working on any?

The Sweetest Things in Life

Francis of Assisi in our flower bed

The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

After reading this quotation at Lily-Rose Cottage, I felt less overwhelmed by the tasks ahead of me this week. (Don't worry about me!  My week isn't any more demanding than yours.  It's just that sometimes I try to ingest it in one big gulp rather than bite-sized pieces.) 

This morning I'll take some time to break the week's tasks down into smaller, manageable steps.  Paper and pencil will serve me well here.  On this Monday, I want to live "deliberately"--finding the daily duties, daily bread AND  all the extras to be the sweetest things in life.

Speaking of sweetness,
how about THIS! 

Join me in praying for Ollie Faith's surgery on June 9th.  You can read more about her and her sweet family HERE.

The Circle of Blogging

Thanks to my newest "follower" Betty (I dislike that "follower" tag but that's what we're stuck with)  I "discovered" Jeanette!   That's what happens!  I go to Betty's blog--read several posts, check out her sidebar, see who SHE reads, and discover Jeanette.  Thus, the "circle of blogging".  I'm sure YOU've done it, too.

The link I did to Jeanette's blog will take you to a most interesting way of planning a week.  I had never heard of her method before, but think I may try it for a month or so.  It makes a lot of sense.  I'm a list-maker and goal-setter like her.

Somewhere in the circle, I came across another woman's way of observing Lent. (Unfortunately I didn't make a note of where I found her and can't reconstruct the circle.)  It's too late for me THIS year, but I sure want to remember it for next year.  Even if I make great progress in getting rid of stuff before then, the idea of bagging up a bag a day (for a total of 40) of unwanted items to give away or throw away makes a lot of sense!

What have YOU learned recently while in the circle of blogging?

The Plan

#8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

Here's "the plan"--Devotions with hubby; breakfast; jump on trampoline/walk for 20 minutes; shower; straighten kitchen counter & island; go over script for drama Sunday; read chapter in Celebration for Discipline for tomorrow's study group; attend community Lenten luncheon; rest; pull out writing and give it the "college try"; sort through a pile of blankets, fabrics and pillows that have accumulated on a chair in our bedroom; watch Judge Judy (yes, I do this every so often); go practice drama with the other two participants (8:30); go to bed.

Looking back at "the plan", I realize that it's a little ambitious for me.  (I know.  Some people would whip right through it.  But ever since my bout with shingles that began late last year, I have slowed down considerably...)  Nonetheless, I've decided to keep it as is and remember the part of #8 that says, "I may not follow it to the letter."  I especially like the LAST phrase:  I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.  Both of these have been real "killers" in my personal experience when tolerated.

If you missed my previous post, you may want to slip down to see the other nine in the Decalogue for Daily Living.  One of my friends said she might be going through this list for Lent which would mean she would practice each one 4x's.  I would join her except I frequently make such big plans and then disappoint myself by not following through.  So instead...

Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.

Sortingly, Me

In a little nook across from our downstairs coat closet and just outside the bathroom & laundry closet stands this desk.  The top is a catch-all for loose coins, screws, paper clips, and other SORTS of pocket miscellany.

The scene inside is no better.  THIS happens to be what is left when all the greeting cards I've collected over a period of years have been removed!  (I'm talking NEW greeting cards, bought with the best of intentions!)

This is the scene at our table this morning.  In the box to the left are cards for which I've found envelopes.  In the box to the right are envelopes still to be matched up with cards lying to the right on the table.  (Are you following this?)  In front of the box are cards AND envelopes, still UNSORTED.  Picture all of this inside that desk, if you can!

I'm a bit out of sorts because I've allowed this desk to become so completely cluttered that it was of no use.  It had become a source of frustration and self-incrimination.  It represented a few other areas of my life that had been left unguarded and and untended.   

Sorting it out has spread into the third day--and not because it is such a huge project.  I think, after a sort,  it's because of what it represents.  I'm dealing with THAT, too.

 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! 
Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven:  
"We have transgressed and rebelled, and you have not forgotten."

Lamentation 3:40-42

sort [sɔːt]

n. 1. a class, group, kind, etc., as distinguished by some common quality or characteristic

after a sort to some extent

out of sorts not in normal good health, temper, etc.

sort of in some way or other; as it were; rather

vb. 1. (tr) to arrange according to class, type, etc.

2. (tr) to put (something) into working order

sortable ad j  sortably adv  sorter  n

My Trusty Date Book

Besides the usual shopping lists, appointments, birthdays, phone numbers and notes that are recorded in the small date book I carry in my purse, I frequently record quotations that seem important to me as I read magazines or books at Borders or in waiting rooms.  Here are a few of them:

"Collections reflect a life well lived." (Todd Richesin)
"Spend wisely, give wildly."  (Chinos.com)
"Giving  presents is a talent; to know what a person wants, to know when and how to get it, to give it lovingly and well."  (Patricia Glenconner)
"The soul is really like the earth itself.  It has to lie fallow for a while...." (Sue Monk Kidd)
"Thank God for what you have. Trust Him for what you need."
"A home is a place to do things not store things.  It's not meant to house your possessions but your life.
"Land of the free; because of the brave."

(I also record money spent, ideas, books I want to read, movies I want to see, things I want to do, things I NEED to do, recipes and blogs I want to check out...)