Finding the Trail

Image by Krista76 via Flickr

Well, I have no answers to my questions.   I'm wondering if its my own impatience that's making me feel like I'm on some kind of race.  I had a reminder yesterday that its not my time line that matters.   The plan that's out there for me will happen, its just not for me to decide when.   As well, a friend reminded me that the frustration of not seeing our path brightly lit in NEON is not just something felt by me.   We all want it to be the "yellow brick road" so we are sure its the right path, but its not always (ever?) that clear.  I was very thankful for these reminders and offered prayers.

As well, in my readings yesterday it was discussed how nice it would be to have an angel to lead us.  There was caution, however, because even when we know the right thing to do, we still don't always do it.   I'd like to think that if I knew where / what and it was clear to me, that I would do it.  BUT . . .   you really don't know.   Today's readings (two different books one with an advent focus, the other a simple daily devotional) I was reminded that all journeys have ups and downs and that almost everyone loses the "star" along the way AND that when God leads you to do something, it will not be draining or a chore, but it will energize and fulfill you.   What timing on those messages!!   Is there really any such thing as coincidence?

I think most of all, these thoughts calm me and allow me to just kind of open myself more, trust and not worry so much.  That's the concept anyway, in practice its much harder!

Only Questions

Image via Wikipedia

I hate this.  I hate these moments (hours, days!) of disillusionment.  (Is that a word??)    What I mean is I seem to have lost my inspiration, my drive to find a new path - a new way.     Is it the weather, the holidays?  What is it that has me questioning my way?   Why can I not be as committed and positive as I was?

Is it reality setting in?    What I wanted isn't really attainable?    WHAT IS IT?????

Image by Zedzap via Flickr

The picture here inspired me to thinking about the season of Christmas.   I have been reading each morning some verses that help me to remember what the season is all about.   As I talk to others I know there is a struggle between the commercial and religious aspects of Christmas.  

I was a person very caught up in the decorating at Christmas.   Its a family joke that the lights on our tree would require a separate circuit!  I've found that each year I decorate less and less.     I wanted to share a couple of ideas that are simple, no-stress and inexpensive decorating ideas.

• Wrapping paper.   Call it whatever you want, but my wrapping paper used to have to match.   Two of my prettiest ever trees were when I used newspaper with red bows (only black & white - no color) or simple brown wrapping paper. with red bows.  One is complete recycling so not only inexpensive but good for environment!   
• Use any large glass vase and put small strand of white lights in bottom.   Fill with colored Christmas ornaments.   Makes a beautiful mantle or center piece and night when lit, fills the room with warm color.  An alternate is simply using the ornaments and no lights - silver and/or red look beautiful!
• Bake together with friends.  Gives a variety, turns what can be a chore into something fun, and you can share spices which cuts down on expense.

I always want to share Christmas cards received as I love the variety that you get, but am never sure how.  This year I want to try "hanging" them with tiny clothes pins on either a small wooden dowel or thin string.  I want to do this across the fireplace mantle but need to get the supplies to do it!

Project Organization Almost Complete!

Image by TypeFiend via Flickr

I have two words for everyone when it comes to kitchen organization:   Pull-outs!!!  (Okay - that might be one word since its hyphenated but I'm never sure!!!)   ANYWAY, one or two doesn't matter - the point is that these are wonderful!!!

When we built our home, we had the foresight to have the builder put pull-outs in our cabinet pantry.  This was a result of having a pantry previously where we could only use the front half because you could not see what was in back.   Unfortunately, that's the only cabinet we added these in.  BIG MISTAKE!   We've spent the past five years having Tupperware tumble from one cabinet and having to pull out all pots and pans from another every time we wanted to cook.   But problem solved this weekend.

Wonderful Man installed two pull-outs that have increased my storage by 50% in each cabinet.  Its so fun!!!  (Either that or my life has just reached a pitiful level where it no longer takes much to create excitement!!) SERIOUSLY these are wonderful!!  And, we did get the inexpensive "white wire" versions (Lowe's) - and not the stainless versions I was coveting.   But I don't care.  These are fabulous and by just adding these two, I re-did three other cabinets and now have one cabinet almost empty!!   Its made me see even more possibilities in my kitchen and I think I will add one or two more of these gems!  And, they were simple to install.   (I think they were; I didn't do it of course.  But there were no tools thrown or bad words spoken!)

After that, I will have only one closet to re-do and I will have re-organized my entire home in 6 months.    This last closet, however, could be a battle of wills!   This room was our office, but moving into laptop world we turned the room into a cozy sitting room.   I want to turn the closet into a kind of "desk"; an area where we can pull open the doors and be able to pull up a chair to write out bills, surf the web etc.   Another advantage to this is to keep the laptop out of the kitchen and far, far away from liquids!     My husband's objection is that in order to do this, I need a certain amount of built in shelving removed and he just isn't going for it.   I have this really cute design in mind where I paint the walls an accent color to the sitting room walls, too!   But again, he just isn't going for it.    I'm wondering if I like present a couple different ideas all planned out with costs, etc. he might feel differently.

 He really seems to be digging in his heels on this one.   He has a sound argument as well:  what happens when we move?  (Because we will move - we always do!!!)   The next buyer will want a closet. Understood and so I've proposed a design where we can keep some shelves and revert back to hanging spaces, too.  But still, solid reluctance.  Perhaps in my new-found sense of adventure and seeking, I should just start on this one all by myself, tackling the demo part while he is at work.  After all, once its started, we kind of have to finish right?   (Smile, Smile!!!)