Organize It!

Yesterday, the hubby and I tackled cleaning and organizing the garage.  We have many projects we would like to begin this year but the garage was number 1 on the list.  In order to do the other tasks it was a must to get our garage in order!  This six hour task resulted in a few mini organizing tasks for me to tackle this week.  Rather than push it off, I decided I would get it done today as I knew it would probably reorganizing other areas of the house.  And did it ever!  Thankfully the bulk of it is done and it only took me about three and half hours with little breaks to run after my very active Hanna!

Here is a shot of my project at the beginning.

See when the hubby and I got married he had no "keepsakes," "memorabilia"or anything of that nature ... he is not sentimental about material items.  I on the other hand had boxes of belongings, not that were put to use on a daily basis but that I had kept and accumulated over the past 22+ years!  Everything from my baby shoes, first pair of ballet slippers to my last pair of point shoes, five American Girl dolls, high school programs ... the list could go on but I think you get the point.  I have managed to consolidate those original boxes into the above shot.  Oh and the tote on the left is wedding stuff ... NOT getting rid of that!!!

Anyway to make room in the garage we have to move these and so I am going to try to consolidate once again!

 

All you other sentimental readers I am proud to say I only ended up disposing of a handful of items.  But I was able to consolidate down to 1 large tote and 1 medium tote, pictured below.  And I found a new home for them in the small storage area in our basement.

I was able to take the following items and find homes for them elsewhere.

All in all a very productive day for me!  Any projects going on in your home?  Remodels, organizing?  Well off to read to my sweet Hanna!

Have a lovely evening.  See you tomorrow for our first Wordless Wednesday, can't wait!

Psst ... ignore the lovely green carpet ... that will be leaving someday!!!  A post all about it when it happens!

Compassion in the New Year

Many of you may have made a New Year's Resolution or set some goals for the new year.  Here we are, Day number 16 and you may be thinking ... I can't do this, I am a failure, it has only been 2 weeks and I can't even stay committed thus far ... but I have news for you!  You can do it!

I have learned over the past few years that life happens ... it is hard to say "no," to a chocolate chip cookie, my workout plan doesn't always mean strapping Hanna into a stroller and going on a 2 mile run, spending 30 minutes every day journaling or reading can sometimes just be praying during my shower because the day has already flown by.  All that to say, I am not perfect, I have set many goals for the year with the understanding that if I slip up I can choose to make tomorrow a new day.  To pick myself up, dust myself off and keep running.

This weekend I heard a comparison I thought might be helpful to get my point across.  In a race, if a runner stumbles and falls do the judges order that they go back to the starting line and begin the race again?  No!  Rather the runner is encouraged to get up and continue to run from where they fell.  The same applies to you and I.  I have a goal this year to make healthy choices for myself and my family, yet this weekend I indulged in one of my favorites, Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars (recipe will be provided on an upcoming Thursday I am sure).  Does that mean I say, that's it, I give up, it is no use, I can't do this!  On the contrary, I realize that a little is not going to set me back from my goals.  I can still make healthy choices!  I learn to forgive myself and move on.  I have some more personal goals as I am sure some of you might as well.  You might say it is not the same!  But what I can tell you is that in Lamentations 3: 21-23 we are reminded,

"Yet this I call to mind
   and therefore I have hope:
Because of the L-rd’s great love we are not consumed, 
   for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
   great is your faithfulness."


So have hope and know that you can begin again!