Monthly Archives: January 2013

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Uh Oh!
Hey!
I’m having computer problems.  Don’t you hate  when that happens?!  I’ll be back hopefully next week.   I hope you’ll come back to see me — Please do!!!  I have been busy and have so many new things to share!
Blessings,
Mimi
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” 1 Timothy 4:15 NIV Bible

The Room No One Should See

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The Room No One Should See
Hey!  
I would really love to start this post with a disclaimer and some witty remarks but I’m fresh out of excuses.  And now as I’m writing, I’m starting to feel a little antsy about going through with this post because I would really like people to think I have it all together.  The answer is I really don’t and I don’t by a long shot.

My office is a room no one should ever see and unfortunately, the family computer is in there and people go back there and I’m ashamed and feel the need to explain why the room looks the way it does and say I’m sorry for it before they walk into it.  I like clean spaces and frankly, the clutter makes me crazy and I can’t think and I can’t be creative and I get frustrated and just want to pull my hair out.  Anybody else feel this way about a room in their home??

This year, the time has come to get my stuff together.  So here goes, with much trepidation… Drum roll, please  ……….. Tah  Dah!

Shockingly awful, isn’t it?!
I’d like to say the room doesn’t look this way all the time but the truth is, the room is cleaned up!  I took this picture after I had cleaned up a little because Honey Do and I moved the furniture around. 
My job for this weekend (or the next millienium) is to make some serious headway.  I’m planning to clean, organize, purge and fix up this sad, creativity-sucking space.   I want a place to think, a place to write and finish my book for publishing, a place to do craft projects and so much more.

I have big plans for decorating in here.  But first, I’m going to have to tackle the HUGE pile of pictures and memorabilia that need to be sorted and put into albums.  This job is the one that I have procrastinated the most because the pile is overwhelming and has stifled the creative juices out of me but I have a plan.

My plan for success is YOU!  I’m hoping you, my wonderful readers and friends, will hold me accountable to achieving this task.  I plan to keep you updated and I will give a report next week so I HAVE NO EXCUSE and a deadline, always a good combination.

Will you help me?
And while we’re on the subject… what about you, do you have any dirty little secret rooms that need help?  I won’t feel so lonely if you’ll join me in getting our stuff together.  What do you say???

Blessings,

Mimi

 “She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” 
Proverbs 31:17  NIV Bible

 

Books 2013

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Books 2013

Hey!
44 —- The number of books I read in 2012.  

My goal for 2013 is to read 50 books.  I’m planning to read 12 from my Already Own shelf, do you have one of those??  I also want to vary the genres and read some classics. 

If you’d like to see what I read last year or the books I featured in my 31 Day Challenge,  click on the books tab at the top of my blog or click here. 
My list for 2013 
Already Read in 2013:
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. LeGuin
A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study  by Jen Hatmaker
Divergence  by Veronica Roth
Free Four by Veronica Roth
State of Wonder by Ann Patchet
Inspired You by Marian Parsons

Working on: 

Aenid by Virgil
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin

Book Club Choices to Read:
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway
Run Away by Jeanhee Kang 
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Shoemaker’s Wife by Adrianna Triganni
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver
The Flight of Gemma Hardy by Margot Livesy
Metamorphosis by Ovid
Confessions by St. Augustine
Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
 
Hopefuls:
Insurgence by Veronica Roth
Seven by Jen Hatmaker
Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker
Sandstorm by James Rollins
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Faith Club: A Muslim, A Christian, A Jew  Three Women Search for Understanding by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner
Delta Wedding by Eudora Welty
Possession by A.S. Byatt 
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
The Skin Map by Stephen Lawhead
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor 
And many more….. 
 

Are you still craving more???
*Bookmarks magazine is a wonderful source for book ideas.  
*Goodreads is a popular book site for people who love reading.  I’d love to “friend ” you .  Just click on the Goodreads icon on my sidebar or click here.
*Sheila at The Deliberate Reader has a continuous supply of good choices. Check her out here.
*Shannon at Giraffedays has an Around the World Book challenge here.
 * Sarah at All manner of Inspiration has her list up for view here.
* Edie hosts an online book club at Life in Grace.  Click to check out the Classics Book Club here

What are you reading????

Wish me luck to reach my goal this year!
Blessings,

Mimi

“…and the books were opened.”  
Daniel 7:10 NIV Bible

Tears and Rain

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Tears and Rain
Hey!
This week has been a wash for me, literally.  We’ve had non-stop rain, in fact, another 5.5 inches for a total of 11 inches so far and the rain keeps coming down.  The weather man said the rain might possibly turn to snow in the morning.
I attended the funeral of a friend of 37+ years this week.  He had a love for life, a big bear hug and the light of Christ shone through him.  He chaperoned my youth trips back in the day.  He had been quite sick for some time but the loss is still felt.  I rejoice for him but grieve for his family and myself.
The pastor reminded his sons during the service that their father always asked them two questions when they went out, “Where are you going?” and “Who are you with?”.  He said they could know the answer to those two questions with certainty about their father.  He was in heaven and with Jesus. 
The tears coursed down my cheeks like the rain down the windowpanes.  The dreariness of the day only mirrored the sadness in my heart.  Tears and rain have much in common.  We use the same descriptive phrases for each — i.e. poured down, buckets, trickle-  They wash away but also allow things to grow; things implanted into the soil or the heart.   I intend to allow the memories and the tears to only plant goodness and joy as I celebrate his life and pass the example on.
I sat down at the computer to post about my book list for 2013 but the post evolved and became this memorial as I kept typing.  My sadness, obviously, is still spilling over.  Thank you for allowing me the space to share my heart.
Blessings,
Mimi
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; 
if it were not so, I would have told you.  I am going there to prepare a place for you.”  
John 14:1,2  NIV Bible

The Art of the Handwritten Note

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What to do??
Hey!
For a couple of days now, we’ve had rain.  My boots have been a permanent fixture by the back door because every time I go out I need to wear them.  My yard is soooooo saturated.  We’ve already had 5.5 inches and the forecast is more to come.   Last night, Honey do dumped the pool because the water was topping the edge.   I’m not a fan of the cold, dreary grayness of winter rain — makes me feel depressed and bored.
So, what to do?  Other than take a nap and read a book which I’ve already done, I think I need to write thank you notes.  I’m a little late in sending them but I think everyone appreciates a nice REAL letter no matter when it arrives.  I think my procrastination started because I never knew what to write or what to say.  Then, I found this book many years ago.
The Art of the Handwritten Note 
This small concise book covers all your needs: thank yous, apologies, death, congratulations.  Ms. Shepherd also gives a basic recipe for writing any note, sample phrasings, ways to improve your handwriting and tips about ink and paper.  In addition, she gives nine reasons why we should write by hand. One of the most meaningful reasons is that a handwritten note endures and can be held and read over and over again.  
“Writing is the best way to put into words what is in your mind and your heart.”
Do you remember the joy you felt the first time a letter or card came in the mailbox addressed just to you?   Reclaim that joy for yourself and others!
Now, if I can only get past the procrastination….
Blessings,
Mimi
“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” 
 2 Corinthians 3:2  NIV Bible

Ramblings

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Ramblings

Hey!
January is such a wonderful month to get organized: to plan for the year, buy containers and folders  to organize papers and pretend I’m not scatterbrained and to purge items that need to find a home in somebody else’s house or in the trash can.
Jen Hatmaker took purging to a whole other level when she decided to remove excess from her life. I’ve heard and read about her book, Seven: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, which I bought but I am procrastinating reading.  Reason—-I’m not sure I’m ready for the conviction.

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess
Then the other day, I ran across a blog post about someone somewhere who reduced her trash to one garbage bag for the ENTIRE year which intrigued me and, at the same time, made me really stop and think about my wastefulness.  I think it might have been this post here.   I’m starting to wonder if God might be trying to tell me something about my habits…
I spent some of the weekend purging and straightening the attic with Honey Do.  I know you’re dying to see a picture of my clean attic but let me assure you;  it’s clean but NOT worth seeing!   Honey Do laid down some additional insulation so money is not leaking out the roof.  Since we paid for 2 weddings this year (see here and here  (Love you Big A and Doodlebug!)), we’re trying to find recovery money anywhere we can find it!
I had a hard time parting with some of the items from the attic.  They’re really not worth much but I “know they’ll come in handy one day.”  Honey Do’s response, ” It’s time to upgrade, babe.”  He’s right.   I know he’s right.  It’s time.  My house can’t keep looking like it’s waiting to be finished or what I like to refer to as “Early Attic”.   After all, I’ve got a HUGE birthday this year and I need to spend some effort on my house so I can show it off!
 
I read this post Darlene wrote  at fieldstonehilldesign  about creating your own “style” words and “don’t buy” words that got me to thinking about my home and what I want it to say to those who walk through my door and live here.  I think the words will also really help me to make those decisions I find hard to because of sentimentality and indecision.  The Nester‘s blog is also a great place to find encouragement that your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.   Better choices to a better home :)

So, all of this rambling has led me to here.  I’m planning to ask myself these 3 questions while cleaning, purging and organizing.
1. Do I really love it?
2. Would the-sky-fall-and-the-world-stop-turning if I got rid of it today and couldn’t put something new in its place?
3. Does it meet my chosen style words?

What about you?  What has been tugging on your heart to change in your home? 

I’m still working on my style words.  I’ll share when I’m done :)
Blessings
Mimi
“My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.”  
Isaiah 32:18  NIV Bible

Hello 2013

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Hello 2013
The new year came filled with cold raindrops and a gray sky.
Quiet.

The decorations that were glittering and loud are now silent and removed.
Stillness.
 
The tree bare of the festive bits and baubles of the season lay nearby for storing.
Waiting.

The mantel devoid of the fragrant boughs that hung across it only days ago.
Expectant.

The new year brings the anticipation of beginning anew.
Refreshing. 

Blessings,
Mimi
“And the One seated upon the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new!”” 
Revelation 21:5 TLV Bible