Tag: life

My 40 Bags in 40 Days Update: Day 10

Posted on March 10, 2017 by Mama

Well it’s day 10 of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge, and I have purged four total items from my ever burgeoning house. What? Oh yes, didn’t I tell you I’m playing 4 Bags in 40 Days??? Okay, so that was not my intention, but I’m afraid I’ve not made much headway toward the real goal. One chair, two boxes of donations and one bag of trash — that’s it!

I started out with the best of intentions and even made a list of 20+ places that needed my attention, from the guest room closet to the work bench in the garage (my husband will appreciate that one); unfortunately, I have only managed a few minor spots here and there and the only area that has been sorted from top to bottom is the six little linen drawers in my small serving table. *sigh* But I did run across some super cute dish towels and table runners I forgot I even owned. . . I didn’t get rid of them, mind you, but at least I now know where to find them.

So I guess it’s time to get serious about this whole 40 bags thing, or should I say 36 (I’ll take those small victories where I can get them), and here’s the plan. I will start in the guest room closet and work my way under the guest bed and up the stairs to my son’s art closet. After that will be the office closet, my closet and the kitchen cabinets. Last but not least will be the huge storage area under the garage (yes, it’s the size of the entire garage, and yes, it’s full). Who am I kidding, I should just start in the storage room and be done with this project in one fell swoop. Hmm, or maybe I should just ~~waste~~ spend more time thinking about the best plan of attack before I jump into anything too taxing. . .

Clutter Begone: 40 Bags in 40 Days

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Mama

Today is the first day of Lent, which consists of 40 days leading up to Good Friday and Easter. People “celebrate” this time of sacrifice by letting go of something they value, improving upon an aspect of life or, as is my case this year, getting rid of 40 bags of clutter that is weighing down my house and weighing down my life.

Forty bags. That’s one bag or box of clutter for each day of Lent. It’s such a simple idea, but one that can make such a difference in your family’s life. This concept comes from Marie at White House Black Shutters, and she rallies the masses for this project each and every year. I started this challenge several years ago, but didn’t make it to the finish line (for whatever reason), but this year I am determined to meet my goal.

White House Black Shutters provides so many ways to achieve your decluttering goal like Facebook groups, free printables, tips, tricks, hashtags and access to a complete community of folks trying to achieve a similar goal. If you’re interesting in trashing, donating or recycling 40 entire bags (or boxes) of stuff you just don’t need in your home or life anymore, I urge to visit the 40 Bags in 40 Days challenge site and get started today.

When Your Child is Not Your Child

Posted on October 16, 2016October 14, 2016 by Mama

I absolutely love it when I catch a glimpse of my child. . . well, not being my child. It sounds harsh, but I bet you mamas know of what I speak. At home my six-year-old son burps at the table and laughs, he ignores instruction on a whim, “please” and” thank you” are apparently optional and an occasional meltdown for no apparent reason is deemed normal. So imagine my delight when his “other self” appears, usually in public, and he becomes the dearest, most considerate, polite and helpful child you have ever seen. What? It’s on these occasions that I realize, contrary to my popular parenting belief, that my child actually is soaking up some of what I say and do. *gasp*

I love to see my little man say “excuse me,” as he makes his way across a crowded room, or say “thank you” when a child shares his toy, and all this without my mama prompts. Nothing warms my heart more than when I see my son befriend the one kid in the room that no one cares to play with — yup, that will usually be my guy. Now that will put a smile on a mother’s face!

Just this week at church dinner, I asked my son to eat more of his chicken casserole, but instead he ate a green bean (and he doesn’t even like green beans). A few minutes later, he whispered in my ear that he didn’t like the casserole because it was too mushy and that he really didn’t want to eat it. Okay, so on the surface it sounded a little shady, but what his young little brain understood was that the lady who made the meal that evening was sitting right on the other side of me and he didn’t want to hurt her feelings. I was completely touched that he got it! He got the lessons I’ve been pushing for six years, he got the idea of sparing the feelings of others and he got the craft of being subtle. Eureka!

Okay now, this is where it got really weird. Long after he went his way and people were putting away the tables and chairs, my son returned and began folding up chairs (they are as big as he is) and carrying them to the rolling cart. He continued, one at a time, until every last chair was nestled away and he even enjoyed the whole event. Now granted, his favorite playmate wasn’t at church that evening, but still. Honestly, I felt his head for a fever and was slightly surprised when I found none.

So here’s a word of encouragement for you mamas of little ones. Don’t despair; don’t give up. Keep plugging away at those lessons of politeness, caring and social graces. My child has come a long way from blurting out every little thought that pops in his head, and although he isn’t usually on his best behavior at home (and that concept simply just slays me) our words and actions are sinking into their precious little heads — for better or for worse.

photo credit: *¦·twinderella·¦* Believe in Fairies via photopin (license)

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