(Not sure why my caption isn’t showing, but photo credit goes to flattop341 at Flickr.com.)

I’ve been feeling a bit uninspired lately.

Projects, cleaning, everything I need to do just hasn’t seemed all that…well…interesting. What gives? I’ve been thinking about what some of the reasons for this bad attitude might be. I’m hoping that writing about it will make it go away.

This is the longest we have ever lived in a house, and it is no fun to re-do the old.

In twelve years of marriage, we moved five times. From condo to new house to really old house to new house to beautiful new-ish house to this house. There was always something new to plan for and to paint. Now, after living in one house for 10 years, everything just seems a little boring. (Not talking people, here. Only the house!) We need to re-paint, re-carpet, add hardwood, re-do, and just generally make something new out of something that is really lived-in. It’s a little overwhelming. It’s also difficult to imagine possibilities after having some things the same way for this long.

Life is busy.

This is not exactly news to anyone. Whether you are married or single or have children or not, life gets filled with carpooling, school, work, church, volunteering, cooking, reading, sewing, learning new things–you get the idea. It’s difficult to think about painting that ceiling after a long day doing other stuff. And the thought of undertaking a big project is way too enormous to try to fit into this busy schedule!

Money is tight.

Have you ever thought about how nice it would be to do a house project without giving a single whoop-ti-do about money? I have. In my heart, I know that money does not buy one ounce of happiness. I see too many people around me who seem to have the dough but are really pretty miserable. Still, I can’t help but think how fun it would be to redecorate a bathroom or living room without even considering cost. Wouldn’t it be amazing to pick the flooring you want without having to price shop and try to figure out if you and your spouse could suffer through sore knees, but just buy it and schedule the installation? Hey, I can dream, can’t I?

I don’t know where to start.

Recently, my parents moved from what was once a beautiful home to a beautiful, much-smaller-but-safer-and-easier condo. My siblings and I have cleaned out the old house and got it ready for sale. We knew there were some problems. The reality of the problems became evident as the prospective buyers came through the house. There were too many projects that the house needed. Deferred maintenance really came back to bite my truly wonderful parents. Instead of doing a little bit along the way, they just kind of let it all build up. They got tired and busy and found other things (children and grand children) to spend their money on. Then, when they had time and money (a little bit, anyway), it was overwhelming for them to start. So, they didn’t!

One thing always leads to another.

You know how this works, right? You fix the small hole in the ceiling with spackle, but the spackle is a slightly different color. You do not have any paint left from painting the ceiling five years ago, so you have to go buy two gallons and paint the whole darn thing. The new paint makes the walls seem dingy, but before you can paint the room, what about opening up that doorway a little to add some much needed height and openness? Oh. Then, the carpet either needs to be replaced or you can go ahead and lay the hardwood that would really give you the sense of openness you want…Ugh. It is a never-ending journey.

Sometimes you can’t change your situation. All you can do is change the way you think about it.

Here, we call that an Attitude Adjustment. We also call it a kick in the pants. Our thinking needs to move from victim to victor. From wimpy, whiny poor me to strong, glass-half-full I can. Caution:  Don’t ask your family to help you adjust your attitude. They will be too eager to comply, and you might not like the literal way they interpret things. Don’t even tell them you are changing your thinking. Just do it. (Thank you, Nike.) And do not let any negative talk (from them or you) get into your head. You have the power to do this, and if you are determined, no one can diminish that resolve.

Try spinning the negative reasons above, and see where your attitude ends up!

We have lived here a long time, but I am happy about that. We are building wonderful memories! Plus, now I know to plan on buying a new sump pump in three years because I know when the current one was installed. Knowledge is a good thing.

Life is busy, but it will not always be this way. Find the joy in every stage of life. It is there for the taking. The interesting thing about finding joy is that the more you take (or find), the more you can actually give. It is truly a contagious attitude!

Money is tight. Well, duh. Even if you have a healthy income, you probably still try to find good deals and be a good steward with what you have. Try to see it as a challenge. Homes can be beautiful on a shoestring budget. I once knew a woman who bought practically everything at the flea market or at yard sales.  Her home could have been featured in a magazine! The key is to budget for decorating and save up for the “stuff” you want.

Where to start? There is no easy answer here. Try making a list of what you want to do to your home. Then, prioritize the list. Then, just do something. Anything. It will give you that warm, fuzzy, glowy feeling to get started on something. Don’t forget to put some small items on your list for quick accomplishments! These are Baby Steps in home decorating. Achieving success on a small thing make bigger tasks seem more possible.

One thing leads to another. Again, duh. Suck it up, put on your big-girl panties, and move on. This is life. Your home is real, is biodegradable, and needs a little TLC. Every little thing counts, and you will pick up momentum as you roll along. You have the power to accomplish, to do, to cozy things up. Sometimes you just have to put yourself out there and do it. Oh, and who cares if you have to do things in stages? It will be worth the wait. Trust me.

Consider your pants kicked. Consider your attitude adjusted. Just take the first step. You will be surprised at how far it takes you.

At 20, there was the beige and white striped outfit that I had to have (coincidentally-not identical to one a friend owned.) It looked great on the friend, but on me? Not so much. Plus, I never could wear it around her or anyone who might bump into her. Copy cat style is not a good idea.

Then, there was the ugly old car that I felt pressured to buy but hated from the start. It was big and ugly and didn’t have air conditioning [gasp]. My parents knew it was a bad idea, but I ended up with it anyway. (That was the year I apparently had no backbone and wasn’t smart enough to listen to my parents…Uhg. My early twenties were not my finest 1/2 decade.)

Of course, there were lots of uncomfortable shoes that I desperately needed, projects that would relax me or make me extra money that were never completed, the high-style-low-quality couch that is very uncomfortable and always rumpled-looking, and a whole host of other stuff that prove I have wasted some money in my day. Sheesh. I would hate to see the total on that!

Now, I am trying to be a little smarter with money. Note:  I said trying, so I still make mistakes. (Don’t get me started on the dryer that I wish would just die, already.)

Wanting to focus on the positive side of buying, I came up with a little list of things that are well-worth the money. Some might seem trivial; none are necessities. But these are some things I think was money well spent:  (It occurs to me that our dog is expensive.)

• Sealants on kids’ teeth. Not sure of the up front cost, but both kids have healthy, beautiful teeth!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  
• Dog grooming. Around $50 every 3 months. This might seem frivolous, but the hair was driving me crazy! I lasted for 8 years…I am thinking of learning to do this on my own. Just thinking. Now, if I could just shave the people who live with me, my hair problems would be solved!
  

  Lily after grooming...Ok. The bows might be a bit much...

• Anal gland expression by the vet. $24 every 6-8 weeks. The vet offered to teach me how to do this. I declined. This is perhaps the best $24 ever spent.
  

  You'd look like this, too, if you needed your anal glands expressed.

• Generic clip-on sunglasses. $13. I just bought these today upon the suggestion of a friend. I can’t believe the difference–or that I hadn’t thought of buying these before! Thanks to my friend Cathy, I no longer keep vampire hours.
  
• Hubby’s Jeep. My hubby works hard and has always had practical, “family” cars. This purchase was pretty big ticket (though he got an awesome deal.) The reason it was money well-spent is the feeling it gives him when he is in in with the top down! Total relaxation and decompression. Definitely worth the cash.
• Quicken. Yeah, I’m talking software. This check-keeping, account-balancing, downloading program has made my life so much easier. I always know how much money we have (well, almost) and can download transactions with the push of a button. Balanced finances make me smile.
  

  Quicken

I am sure to think of other personal best buys, but these were some that came to me instantly. Any money well-spent in your life?

Happy Friday! Enjoy your coffee.

Coffee Mug

I have been missing in action–due to life. Sound familiar? The biggest project for me (and my siblings) has been helping to organize and pack my parents’ belongings (actually, a fraction of them), to move from their current home to a new one. The new home is in a city they know, having moved from there 32 years ago. So, it is kind of  “back home”, though it is very different.

The packing, or rather, the feeling overwhelmed at the packing, had me thinking about organization; more specifically, staying on top of it all. I have no intention of bad-mouthing two of the best, kindest, most-loving people I know, but may I just say Oh, my GOODNESS! These people are everything good you could ask for, but 1/2 of them have never been organized (sorry, Daddy) and the other 1/2 (Mother), I believe, just got tired of the battle (not with him–with the stuff.)

Yes, it is genetic. At least, for me, it is. I stack and become indecisive and keep and pile until I absolutely cannot take it any more. But after seeing all that we have done and understanding what still has to be done there, I realized that this is how many of us are…Then, life happens, sometimes quickly. Health changes, jobs change, life changes–and suddenly, we have to move. Things have to be sorted, packed, painted, fixed, and sold.

Messy Table--How does this happen so fast?

If only they had stayed on top of it…If only I had  stayed on top of it…

So, here’s a little advice that I am trying to give myself. If you get something from it, it’s even better:

• Pitch and purge stacks at least once a week.
• If something needs action, take it–now. Send the email; make the phone call. (That reminds me to make my hair appointment today.)
• Curb spending. Enough, already! Don’t bring it into the house if it is impulsive or just not necessary.
• Start with one closet (or one room) and go from there.
• Donate what you can. Or have a sale, if you’d rather. (You might think about giving away a part of the proceeds. It feels really good! )
• Maintain what you have. That means cleaning, painting, fixing as it comes. Budget monthly for this!
• Simplify. And be content with what you have. (Of course, I mean ME.)

Now, good luck with your mess…I’m off to organize and simplify. And maybe an afternoon cup of coffee! (Sounds a little wicked, but I’m good with it!)

Though it has nothing to do with visual decor, laughter is an amazing way to bring folks together and to make everyone feel all cozy inside. So, today, instead of trying to make my house cozy-looking, I’m going for the feel.

With two teenagers, there is a lot to laugh about. Parents (myself, included) need to remember that. Laughter is good for the soul–and for the family. It provides some sort of chemical release (I am positive there is some expensive study out there to prove that!) that just makes the world and my own home a much better place to be. I also think it opens our hearts just a little, and with an open heart, great things can happen!

Today, let’s find some humor in the every day. This is a short bit that came to me a few years ago via email. If you can listen to this without chuckling aloud, I would be shocked. I listen to it occasionally, when I need a quick laugh. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

mp3 Funny Voice Mail

May your coffee be hot and your laughter be genuine, fellow Company Girls! Happy Friday!

For the record, I have always resisted dictatorial demands. For me, it’s a lot about presentation. (Maybe that’s why I like decorating…and why I tried asparagus the first time.) So, when the “green” bandwagon tried to push me on board, I resisted. Hard.

I have recycled for 15 years–back in Indiana, where we had to actually take our stuff to a center. No curbside pick-up then! When we buy new appliances, my husband and I have always considered, and usually selected, the more efficient, often more expensive, items. We did these things because we CHOSE to do them. We believe our earth is a beautiful creation, and that we should be good stewards of what God has given.

Could we do better? Sure. And I think we are. I’m pretty sure the earth and air is a lot cleaner than it was 30 years ago, and I’m glad about that. I try to be half-way open-minded to new ideas–as long as the presentation is gentle and not bullying.

That said, I have been happily bagging my groceries in plastic (and paper to hold the recycling) for a long time. Secretly, I giggled at those women with their canvas bags. I won’t tell you what I thought. But then one day, I ran into a neighbor at the grocery. She’s a wonderful, practical, down-to-earth, person-of-faith mom–one that won’t be pushed to do anything unless she sees good reason. I noticed her canvas bags and commented (not in a snide way) about her efforts. She responded, not defensively, giving a couple of excellent ideas–all the while NOT judging me and my obvious addiction to plastic.

So, I did it. I spent $7 and bought seven bags. They held my groceries much better than the plastic, and I still used a couple of paper bags (for my recycling) as well. When I opened the trunk, my groceries had not tumbled out and rolled around. Yogurt was not all over the fridge stuff. It was a good day.

I still use and buy plastic items and use the occasional plastic bag. But now I’m using less, at least. And it’s not because somebody made me do it. It’s because I wanted to. The added bonus on the shopping bags is that it is actually easier!

We agreed many years ago that Valentine’s Day would be “cards only”. (Looking back, I think this was because had no cash…) We loved telling people that, at our house, EVERY day was Valentine’s Day! We still say that–and pretty much, it’s true. (Aren’t we fortunate?)

I wanted to show you what I saw this morning when I opened the cabinet for my mug…

 And then when I opened the silverware drawer…

There was another on my steering wheel!

I know he loves me, but it’s nice to know that he thinks about me–when he’s making my coffee the night before or when he offers to run to the store at 10:00 on a cold rainy night for the orange juice when I know he’d rather relax in a quiet house where children are sleeping.

Little things mean a lot–in love, in life, and at home.

Happy Valentine’s Day.