Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Plan your attack on that Cluttered Room!





It is an accepted fact clutter cannot be organized.

You can go and hit the organizing aisle at your favorite store and buy all sorts of bins and boxes to put your clutter into. You could even buy shelves with little cubbies and pretty baskets to put your clutter into. But all you’re going to wind up with is clutter in boxes.

The minute you turn your back, it will creep right back out of those boxes to rest upon the level spots in your room. Vacancies on the table tops will disappear, the floor will soon follow suit and the next thing you know, you’re right back where you started. Maybe even worse off!

No, my friend, it is time for a change.

Step #1: Pick a room. It can be the room that you use most often, or the least. Don’t turn this into a trial. I recommend that you start with a small room like a bathroom or even a closet.

Step #2: Gather 3 containers (boxes are best), a roll of wide masking tape, some large trash bags and a black marker. Label the boxes using the black marker: TRASH, KEEP, DONATE. I recommend mid to large boxes and line them with the large trash bags. Put the marker and roll of tape aside, we will use them again later.

Step #3: Put the labeled boxes into the center of the room or an easy to reach location. Now give the room a glance over and do a quick toss out. This means grab a trash bag (I like the plastic bags from the grocery store, they work well for a quick toss.) and hold it in one hand while you quick toss with the other. Toss anything that is apparent trash into the bag in your hand. Don’t get derailed this is not a long term exercise; you should finish within 5 minutes. Tie it off and drop it into the box labeled trash.

Step #4: Choose your starting point and begin going through the items in the furniture you’ve chosen to work in. Remember to keep it moving; don’t touch any items more than one time.
As you hold the item, ask yourself these questions:
A. Do I love it?
B. When did I use/wear it last?
C. Is it in good working/wearing condition?

If you answer No to any one of these questions move it to one of the boxes. TRASH or DONATE. In the case of DONATE, ask yourself if you would wear it/use it and if not, TRASH it!

*As you fill the bags in the collection boxes, tie them off. Put a piece of masking tape on it and write: DONATE or TRASH. Then move it out of the room to the trash cans or to the trunk of your car in the case of the DONATE bags.

Step #5: Keep moving in the manner described above until you’ve either finished the room or have reached a point that you’re tired and must stop. You should move fairly fast through the room chosen depending upon the size of the room.

HINT: If you can find a buddy to help you and you let your buddy handle the items you will find your decision making is much easier. When you touch the items you set up an emotional response, even with things that you’d never dream would have an emotional connection.

HINT: Put on some snappy music, you’ll find yourself working quicker and maybe even singing as you work.

HINT: This is NOT a marathon. It is a path to a clutter free, stress reduced home! Take enough time to do it well, but do not dwell on any one item more than 10 seconds.

Try this method for De-Cluttering and you’ll love the results!

Now go and make your nest your haven!
Blessings~
Kat

Monday, March 7, 2011

Alternative fuel? You betcha!




What is it?
Where do we get it?
How expensive is it?
Who do we have to pay for it?

All good questions and not unexpected.

The answers will not come as a surprise to some but will be a complete surprise to others.

Who do we have to pay for it? No one. It’s already been paid for. There are no cash registers, not checkout lines. Not need to write a check or carry a plastic card.

How expensive is it? Not at all. It is a gift. Free. Foreign words too many people who are trap shy.

Where do we get it? Now that one is a really good question. You have to be introduced to the one that you’ll get this amazing fuel from. He is so very generous and giving. He wants to share this fuel with everyone. There are only a few that will actually accept this gift. That is very sad because it is so very easy to get this fuel.

What is it? This answer is short and sweet. It’s Jesus Christ.

"I Can Do All Things through Christ Who Strengthens Me” Philippians 4:13

His love gives me strength to fight the adversary. To go through the day to day living in this world that works so very hard to bring me down. I call on His name to bring me through the darkness to the light.

Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

We were given a play book. Much like a play book that sports coaches use to teach their players how to negotiate the playing field and make their goals. It comes in many languages, types of pages inside. It comes in leather bounding and paper bounding. You can get it on DVD, CD, MP3 and MP4. You can download it from music companies on the internet. It can cost hundreds of dollars to absolutely nothing. There is no reason for you not to be able to read the Word of God. It is called the Holy Bible, aka: The Scriptures, The Gospel, and The Good News that is only a few of the many names the Word of God can be recognized as.

Your task is to get into it, regardless of what form you use. Take it into your heart, burn it into your brain, memorize your favorite scriptures. When you need them they will be there to comfort you, ease your fears and give you strength in adversity.

So beloved, with this time of war, high prices on food, jobs lost and worry about the now rising fuel prices, remember that Jesus Christ can be your alternative fuel. Turn to Him with your worries, lay them at His feet and walk away. Live for Him, with Him and you will see, things will work out.


All things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I know it is hard to see when everything seems so desperately wrong, but God is in control. There is never a time that His children are forgotten and left to suffer His absence. The only time God is away from us is when we are the ones walking away. He is ever faithful to us, even in our human nature to forget Him when things are good.

Love God in bad times and good. He loves you during those times. It’s like the famous poem says, “When you saw only one set of footprints, I was carrying you.”

Now go out and take on this day….all for the Glory of God!
Blessings~
Kat