More Organizing!

So I'm back to organizing, trying to get every room of my home done by year end.   So far I am on track.  This past weekend we tackled the garage.  (Note the "WE".)   Clearly the garage is not my domain.   It does hold some of my stuff (coats, shoes, etc.) but I am sure you can see that this would be Wonderful Man territory.   Lately its been difficult to get to the tool bench and locate items so we both agreed it was time to tackle this.   And I learned that we have very different approaches to organizing!!

We sat and looked over the garage, pointing at some things, commenting now and then (his idea, I kept wondering the point but went with it!)    As we did this I realized that he was really looking at a partial organization project - not the full blown "Take Everything Out, Create Three Piles..." that I do.    (I need to give him credit, however, because he has been very good at "hanging" items in our garage to keep clutter to a minimum.)     I kind of put my foot down and said "Trust Me" (LOL!!!) you will be happy with results.   His point was he didn't want to do anything that would take all day (or even all afternoon!)   I promised it wouldn't take all day and not the "whole" afternoon.

It went very well actually if you discount the few tense minutes where we realized we don't agree on how to sweep a garage!!!    And this was really my fault.   I need to remember the wise words of my mother "Do not worry about how it gets done, just be thankful its done!"   The end result was three large trash cans full of broken and not-needed stuff.   As well we came upon almost empty items like paint, paint thinner, garden spray, etc.  Items you just can't throw away.     Wonderful Man remembered our county had a drop off but just not sure when, so I committed to handling the two boxes of chemical removal.   It was actually very easy.   Every Wednesday from nine to noon our county has a Household Hazardous Chemicals drop off.   There is no charge and this way you can be sure these items are handled appropriately.  So the garage looks great.   I am going to look at his tool box this weekend.  I bought some organizers for all the different type of screws, etc. that are "floating" in the drawers.

My dream is that someday I could have someone come in and put down that pretty vinyl flooring, paint and installs matching cabinets in my garage so that what is really the primary entrance into our home could really look neat!  (I should probably clarify.  This is only one of my dreams.  It would not be the top dream and should not be interpreted to be like on my Christmas list or anything!)

While looking for more organizing tips I came across the following at Real Simple.   For anyone with boys I thought this was a really cute idea and a way to keep some of those action figures boys play with so much!   There's other ideas here, too, like using old skateboards as shelves in kids room.  Cool stuff for a Friday!   Have a Good Weekend!!!

Action Figures as Hooks | 15 Double-Duty Decorating Ideas | Real Simple

Dynamic Duo

Dog 1 and Dog 2 were just referred to as "Beavis and Butthead" by Boy 2.   He needs to be careful.  Those dogs absolutely love him and he needs to be respectful of that.   They jump all over him the minute he comes home.   I remind him that dogs are so wonderful in giving unconditional love.   I know when I used to come home to my children, I never quite knew what kind of reception I would get.  It all depended on what kind of day they were having.    But with the dogs - it just doesn't matter.  Every morning they are happy to see me.  When I get home, they are happy to see me.    No wonder its been concluded that people with pets live longer.   Having that "love" around you all the time is definitely worth something.  

We've had both dogs since they were puppies.  The Corgi is older, and the Beagle was an impulse purchase (lol!) to take the place of Boy 2 when he left for college!!   But we couldn't be happier with the pair of them.  (LOL - I was just thinking of Wonderful Man's reaction to that statement!!  Oh well!)   Thinking about my babies and their personalities, I think there are many "duo" names that could apply and it could be great fun at Halloween:

• Batman and Robin  - the Corgi would be the brains of the group, with my Beagle the quirky little sidekick with the silly grin.  (Not to mention the Corgi's ears are kind of like a bats!!!)

• Starsky and Hutch - Hutch (the "blond") would be the Corgi, a little more intellectual while the beagle has those killer dark eyes, more like Starsky.

• Bert & Ernie - LOL.   Seriously I think I can just "hear" my Corgi talking in that whiny voice Ernie had, and Bert just kind of going along with whatever scheme Ernie came up with.  

Their actual names are Hendrix and Marley, both males, named after great guitar players!!  Had to be rocker dogs in this house given Boy 1's love of his guitar.  Actually all of us have a great appreciation for music.   And while I don't know if they really live up to their namesakes, they have added a dimension to my life that I am very grateful for.   

More Fall

Image by SomeDriftwood via Flickr

So here's where the leaves go.   Laying out a carpet of magnificent color and texture.   The sun bounces its light off the trees and mist, providing a picture I think only God can create.

I spent a good part of the day on a piece of property that provides these kinds of views and colors.  While the day started rainy and grey, by ten a.m. the sun was shining.  I am a lucky and blessed person to spend my day this way!

Tonight my husband started a fire in the backyard (well, not the whole yard! Just in the fire pit!)  a chance for us to catch up and still enjoy the outdoors before the cooler temperatures force us indoors.   We had some wood to burn and I watched in amusement as my husband wandered around the yard with a flashlight looking for twigs, etc, with both dogs chasing the beam of light from the flashlight.   Cheap entertainment for the easily amused!

(Side Note:  Boy 2 had one of those red laser lights and proceeded to amuse himself by having the beagle (Dog 2) chase it to exhaustion.   He wasn't there an hour later, of course, to appreciate Dog 2 sitting, staring at the corner waiting and whining for the red light to come out and play!    Needless to say the red laser light is gone!)

I plan on enjoying the colors and temperatures of Fall like never before!  Making time to enjoy instead of wishing I could.

Happy Wednesday.

Fall Floating

Image by Ev0luti0nary via Flickr

As I look at the picture I am trying to decide what it is that appeals to me.   Is it the reminder that Fall is here - normally my favorite time of year?   Is it the floating of the leaf, giving a sense of freedom?  Or, is it panic, a feeling of plunging to the earth (LOL!)

I think its all three.

Fall - definitely my favorite time of year.  Football is the best!   Games twice a week (Boy 2 plays JV and has made a couple of appearances in Varsity games).    Its the weather where you have rays of sunshine sending warmth to counter the crisp breezes!   The colors are like no other, reds of maple trees just brilliant against the remaining greens and browns.

The leaves floating give me a sense of peace, a time when you need to stop and enjoy what's happening right now.   Don't wait until there's time - make time!   It reminds me of a time when as a child we used to build leaf houses, setting up boundaries and "rooms" with leaves raked into lines, only to have the wind or some other child change their position, so you were left with a pile for jumping!    That was a good time - it cost nothing and resulted in getting the leaves raked and bagged for Mom and Dad (eventually!)

So what's this plunging thing?   Is it a reminder that eventually all the leaves fall, leaving a bare tree and winter around the corner?    Or  is it just that loss of control I am experiencing in my life?    The photograph catches the leaf not on the tree or on the ground - just somewhere in the middle.   Maybe that's it, just being somewhere in the middle.  Knowing life as you knew it has changed, but just not sure where you are going to land.   Softly, kind of status quo in a pile of other leaves?    Bumpy, bouncing along on the ground, alone until you find your way?  Or maybe with a splash, announcing your arrival?

I'm still in the middle.

A New Look

You might notice a new look on this Monday morning.  Decided to mix it up, expand a bit into something a little lighter, brighter maybe?   Its been four months since my overworked mind did something (?) and resigned my job a little prematurely.  How time has flown by! I can't believe I am actually 1/3 of my way through the one year mark I referred to in my early posts; the length of time I would allow to see whether I could change my life to focus on the important people in my life and to lessen the control of  "things" in my life. 

Pushing further into those lofty ideals are the concrete objectives of living healthier, family first, doing for others, and rediscovering my faith.    As well, there's the necessity of living without the income my previous position provided!   So far, so good.   On the professional front, real estate is going well (over $1.25 million of listings).    The schedule allows for me to continue pursuing some new found loves:  writing and running!  

Last week during a time when doubt crept into my mind, strangling my peace and confidence, I received a text from a friend reminding me that what I am doing is important.    Was the timing coincidence or intervention?    I have a difficult time believing in coincidence anymore; too many changes in my life, too many answered prayers.   So I will go with intervention on this one and be grateful not only for the friend but for the faith that keeps me focused on a changing life. A life changing for the better.