{a better} ordinary

Nov
01

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 31 ~ an ordinary purpose



I can't believe this 31 days series is coming to a close. Has it really been a month already? I feel like I've gotten a great jump start toward a better ordinary....but I also feel like I have a long way to go.

I'm not a particularly patient person. I want my problems and difficulties solved and taken care of immediately. Like yesterday. Unfortunately, that's just not how life works for me. Change is a process, not an event.

I'm still working to achieve the changes I desire, but at least I'm working on them. Many of the topics I wrote about take constant effort on my part. I have to be intentional with making my calendar and weekly lists. I have to force myself to do my weekly cleaning (one of my greatest weaknesses). I must continually think about keeping up with the laundry or cleaning out the refrigerator.

And there are several things that I still need to implement, such as making a better master grocery list, writing my meal list, and starting my monthly menu plan. Hmmm......I guess I know what I'm doing with the rest of the week.

But the biggest change over the past few weeks has taken place in my attitude. I look at things differently. Instead of thinking about short-term cleaning or organizing, I find myself figuring out long-term solutions. I'm learning that changes that are backed up with routines become lasting improvements.

Suddenly, there's a greater purpose in tasks like organizing the kids' clothes or cleaning out my purse (two things that desperately need my attention). They are worth doing because I'm going to fix the problems rather than simply straighten them. That ordinary purpose will, hopefully, continue to make a better ordinary for me and my family.

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Oct
30

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 30 ~ do it now



Most of the time, my husband is a master of the do-it-now principle. If something needs cleaned, if a phone call needs made, or if a bill needs paid he likes to get it done right away. No waiting. No planning. No thinking about it (or having to remember it).

I, on the other hand, am not so disciplined with the concept. For example, two days ago I noticed that there's a ridiculous amount of crumbs under the edges of my kitchen cabinets. Instead of quickly grabbing a broom, I thought, I really should sweep this floor later. I'm embarrassed to admit that the crumbs are still there.

Sure, it's good to prioritize what gets done in the day and to work on what's most important. But there are many times that I put off simple little tasks that could be taken care of quickly and easily. If I want my ordinary days to flow more smoothly, I need to do it now. Not later. Why wait?

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Oct
29

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 29 ~ a day off (sorry!)

So, earlier in the week I got a day behind in this 31 days series. It drove me a little crazy, but I was going to catch up today. Instead, I think I'm going to give up. Just for today. You see, my day went from hectic to busy. Then it went from bad to worse.

I have a little sewing project that I must get finished this weekend, but, thanks to too many interruptions, it still isn't done. I went power grocery shopping this afternoon, and it was almost the end of me. I rushed back home in time to start an early dinner for the kids, put away the groceries, toss some laundry in the dryer, and get back to work on my sewing.

Then.....disaster struck. My sweet girlie's braces appliance broke. On Saturday evening. Big problem. She has this torturous metal bar that connects her upper teeth to her lower teeth to control the position of her jaw (it's called a "herps", if you're in the know). The top of the metal arm broke off the appliance on one side. She has a metal piece sticking out of the front of her mouth and making it so she can't chew anything. It's also tearing up the inside of her cheek. Oh, did I mention that it's Saturday? Since she goes to the orthodontist at our local university, that means she has to wait until Monday to get it fixed. It's going to be a difficult weekend.

My day ended with another trip to the store for lots of ice cream, whipped cream, and frozen treats. All that stuff just might be breakfast, lunch, and dinner for Mackenzie tomorrow. Not quite as fun as it sounds. My heart is broken for her, and I'm praying she'll be able to sleep in spite of the uncomfortable inch (or more) of metal sticking out of her mouth.

So there you have it. That was my day and my excuse. I'm sorry. I'll try to get back on track tomorrow (especially since Monday is the last day of the series). Sometimes it just feels like when it rains, it pours. It poured today. But God is still good. He will give me lots of opportunities to care for Mackenzie over the next couple of days. I hope He will use this trial to show her how much she is loved and valued by her Mama. God is already using it to remind me of how dependent I am upon Him. All I can do is pray....and trust....and pray some more.

Now it's time to finish that sewing. Um....actually, I think I'll sit down with my hubby and then go to bed. The project will get done tomorrow. I hope!

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Oct
29

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 28 ~ organized pantry

Last weekend I cleaned out and organized the kitchen pantry.  It's one cleaning task I actually enjoy.  What I do not enjoy, however, is the state of chaos and confusion that takes over the shelves for weeks before I finally do a proper job of straightening up.  So this time, instead of just sorting and rearranging, I did a complete pantry makeover. I'm hoping that I created the kind of clean that will last.

I started by tossing the cereal boxes with only a bowlful of crumbs in the bottom, the baggies of stale pretzels, and the taco shells from two months ago.  I threw away empty cracker boxes and expired jello (do you know how long I must have had those boxes of jello for them to reach their expiration date?!?).

Then I filled rubber-sealed canisters with things like snack crackers, Chex Mix, nuts, and dried cranberries.  Pre-packaged items like cereal bars and granola bars were put into cute lidded jars (containers picked up at Target, IKEA, and The Container Store).

Dried beans were poured into rigid, see-through containers from IKEA.

Teavana teas (my favorite in the whole world) were properly stored and organized in tins and rubber-sealed jars (also from IKEA).

I even made it easier to grab a plastic fork when I'm packing my son's lunch or a straw for a certain child in my home who thinks everything tastes better when consumed through a straw.

This new organization has had some lovely benefits:

- Since everything has a specific place, things are regularly put away by people other than me. Imagine that.

- Everyone can see exactly what snacks are available and can fix them for themselves.

- The kids tend to open the canisters and grab what they need without pulling the entire container all the way out onto the counter, leaving less mess to be cleaned up.

- I smile (at least a little bit) every time I open the pantry door.

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Oct
28

31 day to {a better} ordinary :: day 27 ~ rest

I needed to write this post yesterday. But I didn't. Instead, I did something much more important. I celebrated my youngest kiddo's ninth birthday. I've never seen anyone more excited to turn another year older. He adds pure joy to our family!



After the presents were opened and too much cake was eaten, I could have gotten a little work and writing done. But I didn't. Instead, I snuggled on the sofa with my sweet husband and watched a movie....in the evening....before the kids were in bed. Unheard of!

As the night wore on, I knew that I should be productive and accomplish a little something. But I didn't. Instead, I went to bed and got some sleep. I was tempted to stay up and finish all those tasks that were calling my name, but I decided to ignore everything and enjoy some rest.

To be honest, I have a very hard time resting and sleeping like I should. Please don't be fooled by that statement. I'm plenty lazy, and I'm great at wasting time. Still, I don't often take the opportunity to rest in a way that benefits my body, my mind, and my family.

I need to do a better job of just relaxing and refreshing from time to time. I need to communicate to my family that a few minutes of sitting with them is more valuable to me than a few minutes of washing the dishes. I need to rest so that I have the energy to keep working toward a better ordinary for us all.

(By the way, that picture is of Riley eating his favorite food: GRAPEFRUIT! He always makes us smile!!)

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Oct
27

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 26 ~ think of others

It's easy to get caught up in doing what I need to do and forget what I want to do. I need to wash the laundry and make a grocery list and clean the house. Those things bless my family. They matter.

There are other things that might not make it onto a list of necessities, but they still matter, too. They matter because they're important to the people I love. These little things might not be earth shattering tasks. They might not seem like a big deal. Doing them might even go unnoticed. That's alright. They matter. They make a better ordinary for my family, so that's what I want to do.

My husband likes to drink cold sodas. Lots of them. I can make sure the fridge is always stocked. Maybe I should add it to my morning to do list? My son wants a story before he goes to bed. We always run out of time. I need to plan our evenings better so I can make it happen. My daughter has the cutest fabric to make into a pillow. She's had it forever. A few hours of my time would make her day. Actually, it would make her month.

I do many things for others. I'm sure I could list at least twenty things I've done just today. But I need to remember to really think of others throughout my day. I need to plan them into my busy schedule. I can't just do for them....I need to love them.

What would put a smile someone's face? Think about it. It matters.

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