Are You Like the Rabbit?

My iPhone rang. Five-year-old Abigail appeared on the screen. “Nana, will you tell me a story?”

Three-year-old Annalise popped into view. Both girls looked expectant. They smiled simultaneously when I picked up The Tortoise and The Hare.

With my phone positioned so I could see the girls, I turned the camera so they only saw the book. As I turned each page, they stood like statues. Before long we blew kisses and said, “Good bye.”

The truth of slow-and-steady hovered over me until a thought bounced me backward.

All three of us enjoyed long-distance story time. They’re growing up. I should do this more often.

One day passed. I heard a familiar ringtone.

“Annalise wants to know if you’ll read to her again.”

I picked up the book and positioned it as I had the day before. The vivid pictures were in full view for Annalise.

Without Abigail’s spell-bound example, Annalise wasn’t into the story. She fidgeted and wanted a drink of water.

With lots of emphasis, I continued to read. As I turned a page she shouted, “I see your hand, I see you hand. Nana, that’s your hand!”

Annalise giggled. This wasn’t a magical, auto-page-turning book after all.

I wiggled my fingers and waved. Finally attentive, Annalise enjoyed my hand antics.

When we finished, I asked, “Are you more like the turtle or the rabbit?”

“The turtle.”

I should have congratulated her, breathed a sigh of relief, and pretended we’ll all live happily ever after.

Instead I elaborated, “The turtle focused on the race. He kept going s-l-o-w and steady. He won. The rabbit ran fast. Played. And ate lunch. He lost.”

She changed her answer: “The rabbit.”

I wasn’t surprised.

Do you like a hopping good time?

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Wondering What to Wear?

Consider the lilies of the field . . .

Both photos were taken with an iPhone 5, in my yard, today.

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Eliminating Excess: Part Two

Those of you who were Sick of Stuff finished cleaning out your closet and moved to another needy storage area. Right?

Shipshape surroundings produce energy. Often the best way to celebrate one achievement is to let it push you toward another.

After de-cluttering my closet, I moved to a nearby desk. Not yet confident enough to attempt areas that include Randy’s belongings, I stuck with personal places.

The pleasure of using the no-longer-cluttered closet and desktop made me want to continue. I moved to our tiny laundry room. The size of the room implied ease, but it wasn’t. With little to discard and cookbooks overflowing from the kitchen, I stared helplessly at the bulging shelves.

Paralyzed, I told myself, “You can’t stop now.” After all, I hadn’t tackled the kitchen, basement, and garage yet.

The laundry room’s limited space required tough decisions and creative solutions. Decisions made there provided the momentum to continue through other difficult areas.

Tough Decisions and Creative Solutions

After eliminating excess in my closet, the area seemed adequate. My cleared desktop felt spacious. But the laundry room is tiny and cleaning supplies, spare lightbulbs, and laundry-care items belonged there. My ironing board already camps-out in the basement.

I came face to face with the reason I’ve stopped in the past. This is too hard.

At that moment, jumping out of an airplane sounded more appealing than methodically working my way through the laundry room. My plan needed to push beyond: Get rid of stuff. The question was, “When there’s not stuff to discard, how do I make an area feel adequate and user-friendly?”

I recalled the storage system Donna Otto recommends in her book, Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time. Similar to the method I read about in Sidetracked Home Executive, I knew it was the key to success in the laundry room. It also remedied my reservation about eliminating excess in shared spaces: areas where my husband and I must decide together what should stay and what needs to go.

With renewed enthusiasm, my paralysis ended. I rushed to gather stackable tubs, index cards, and a permanent marker. Each shelved cookbook held valued recipes. Fortunately I resisted the urge to copy and organize all my recipes. The books referred to infrequently went into a tub. As I packed the tub, I recorded each title on an index card. I labeled the tub and card: LR #1. LR told me the contents were from the laundry room. I took the tub to a storage area in the basement and wrote the location of the tub on the 3 x 5 card and filed it.

With relief, I sighed. The laundry room looked better and the cookbooks were easily retrievable.

What should I do next?

Spare light bulbs were moved to a shelf in the entry room closet. No longer crammed full, my laundry room was finished.

Whew! With confidence I looked forward to de-junking my craft area.

How are you progressing?

(The stories you’ve shared through texts and emails are delightful. If you’ve tried to leave a comment in the past but couldn’t, please try again. Settings have been changed.)

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Do You Love FREE?

If you read Sick of Stuff you know I’ve been cleaning out every holding-space in my house. I’m transforming cram-packed zones into spacious homes for items I use and value.

When sorting through stuff my typical excuse has been, “It’s too good to toss.” I’m not sure why cramming my closets seemed preferable. Some items begged for a friendlier hand-off than a garage sale or donation box.

I like giving my stuff to friends if I know they want it.

Then came my excuse-killing idea. 

After I hinted at my brilliance in Sick of Stuff, I thought you’d beg to hear my dump-my-goods plan. Comments on Facebook exposed your greater desire. You want details about my method of annihilating junk.

I’ll tell you my system of eliminating excess. Not now though.

Today I must share my dispersion plan. I can’t wait any longer.

Instead of a garage sale, I’m hosting a Driveway Giveaway. That’s right; all my cool junk is FREE.

It’s a party! There will be light refreshments—on the driveway too, of course.

What if my friends don’t want my discards? I won’t take it personally. After all, I’m keeping my best stuff. They can come, socialize, and only take something if they want it.

What kind of junk do I have? Craft supplies, books, decorative items, office supplies, kitchen excess, and kids stuff. There won’t be any furniture or clothes.

Here’s the scoop:

• I’ve invited local friends.
• Next week I’ll put my giveaway items on the driveway.
• I’ll add balloons.
• Guests may come and go during a four-hour time slot.
• They’ll shop for FREE.
• I’ll serve refreshments.
• All remaining items will be donated.

What do you think of my plan?

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10 Ways to Feel Better When You’re Sick

Disclaimer: The content on this blog is not medical advice. Consult your physician for health care needs. 

Perhaps you expect me to suggest you swallow a mixture of honey and cinnamon.  Or drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. Nope.

These aren’t remedies for your symptoms; I simply want you to feel better while you’re ill. And afterwards.

I’m writing this while sick, and doing so is making me feel better. More than a stuffy nose, I’ll spare you my list of complaints. I’m miserable, wish-I-had-no-responsibility sick.

These recommendations are for those who have annoying symptoms but will soon be back to normal. If you feel lousy but messes or unfinished projects nearby irritate you, you’re at the right place. I hope you feel better soon.

1. Read the book on your bedside table. Or watch a favorite movie.
2.  Enjoy the freedom your condition provides and pull out an incomplete craft project, write a letter, or research an interest online.
3. Rest for fifty minutes of every hour and attack a chore that requires little physical effort for the remaining ten. (Such as: empty the dishwasher, fold laundry, or pay a couple of bills.
4. Fine-tune the action steps of a major project you wish you felt like working on. You’ll make quick progress when better.
5. De-clutter the drawer of your night stand while listening to your favorite music.
6. Make a list of things to prepare or buy before your next bout with a cold or the flu: freezer meals, spare box of tissues, cough drops, and juice.
7. Add to, or start, a list of things you’re thankful for. (Philippians 4:8)
8. Smile and say, “Thank you” to every family member who helps you.
9. Rest in a comfy spot. (Covered by an electric blanket or near a fireplace when chilled.)
10. Pray.

The first time I remember applying these feel-better-while-sick principles, I had three preschoolers. One afternoon, while they were supposed to be napping, I soaked in a hot, bubble-filled tub.

While gazing around the room I thought of all the things I needed to do. Dust on the wall hangings magnified my overwhelmed feeling. I determined, even while sick, I could take a few moments to dust the wall hangings and polish the decorative items on the counter. As soon as I dried off with my towel, I made that room sparkle. That tiny accomplishment boosted my energy and lifted my gloominess.

When you’re sick, what makes you feel better?

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