Old Books

I had a good day on Wednesday and was able to get a lot done. My hubby also pitched in and helped me to make a real dent, 

Remember how incredibly messy the room in this area looked? 

 Here's how it looks now

 ALL the books are in place now! It probably doesn't seem like a lot, but to me, it made a difference in helping me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hubby and I went through the books and picked out tons to trade in and a couple of boxes of special books, we used in our homeschooling, that we are saving for our sons. Both intend on homeschooling, so these books will mean a lot to them since we used them, too. 

Here's a close up of the old book shelves...

Next to the bookshelf, I placed an old table with a favorite lamp. This will be perfect for when we want to sit in this little area and read. I also have a couple of special books on the table. Aren't they beautiful? I just love old books!

I was totally exhausted yesterday and slept past noon! Now mind you, I wake up at least once a night and usually stay awake for at least 2 hours, so that also accounts for the late hour. The only thing I did was to pick up a few things and move our modem to a different area where we wouldn't be tripping over the cords (actually, my son did this, so I can't take credit for it! lol) I did some writing and things like that for most of the day. 

I have been having problems with my laptop for awhile. I finally called today and it's a cord problem. They suggested I don't use it until I receive my new cord. So...I had to get my old laptop out and, let me tell you...it's S-L-O-W! I'm thankful I have it, though...I can't imagine not having a computer for 5 days or more! I'm also so thankful that I always, always buy an extended warranty for all my electronics and appliances. I learned the hard way that not doing this is really silly. I pay very little for an extended warranty and it's so assuring knowing that if something goes wrong, they will take care of it. I bought my computer online from WalMart and I can tell you that their customer service is just the best! Every time I've had a problem, they take care of it - no questions asked - and are very nice! 

Today, I'm hoping to finish up one room completely and then finish up my living room. If I can get one room completely done, it's going to make me so happy! Already, it's just looking more and more wonderful!

Did you watch "Duck Dynasty" on Wednesday night? Oh - my - goodness...I love that show! It just makes me laugh and it's such a "feel good" show. I cried when Phil and Kay renewed their vows. You can tell they love each other so much. It just was so touching and so beautiful! I love that they always keep the Lord in the center of their lives and that they always finish the show with a prayer. They are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Such a wonderful family!

Have a happy, happy, happy (as Phil would say) Friday, dear friends! I pray your day is full of blessings and joy!

God bless you - Julie

Purging & Organizing & Letting It All Hang Out

I'm still working on my home - yes, I am! What a slow process!! However, I'm seeing progress. I decided to take pictures as I went along, to not only prove to myself that things are moving along, but to share with you all. This is where the "letting it all hang out" part comes in! 

This is how my family room looked on Saturday. I'm showing you the really horrible parts, first. Please notice the fan on the recliner! lol

This is another picture of the same area, plus you can see the next room over which is also a mess! We actually moved things between 3 rooms and these are the rooms I have left to finish.

What a mess!! It actually looked worse than this a couple days before this. Even my poor Sammy looks confused by all this mess! The curtain is even hanging crooked! (I'm going to be pulling those down and washing them).

One thing I am doing is purging and organizing as I go along. I don't want to put all this junk away that I don't want, so I'm going through it as I go.

This is how things were looking on Sunday. I didn't do a whole lot yesterday, but I did manage to go through a bunch of stuff and get some things put away.

One great thing I did was to get my tea cart put where I've always wanted to have it. I love this tea cart. I found it at a thrift store a few years back and fell in love with it. It's from the 50's and was looking rather shabby. I spray painted it gold and I just love it! I also have my beautiful tea set on the top. It's so nice to have one thing completed and done, even if it is just a tea cart! :)

I really am seeing progress. I know it just looks like a mess here, but truly, it was worse. I'm just taking it one day at a time and working as much as I can and it will get done! Thanks for letting me share my mess with you!

God bless you - Julie

New Year

Happy New Year!  Yes, I'm a little late with this greeting but it's heartfelt, nonetheless.  I hope you all have a blessed and joyous new year!

It's been an up and down week here.  New years eve morning, I woke up in horrible pain.  Not exactly how I wanted to start out the new year.  I've been having more pain but this day was especially hard.  My husband helped me to another recliner (sometimes changing chairs will help) and I took my pain meds, had my heating pad, and just relaxed the entire day.  I did have some "feeling sorry for myself" moments, I must confess.  I didn't want to think about starting out the new year with this kind of pain again. 

New years day, I felt a bit better and have been feeling a bit better each day since.  I did schedule a back injection for the middle of the month in hopes that it will help me.  I really don't want this year to be all about my pain or health issues.  Of course, I will accept God's will for my life but I am praying for a better year in both of these areas. 

Now on to other things.  I've been continuing to work on my goals for this year.  I didn't get everything all written out yet.  I'm not going to stress out about it and put pressure on myself.  I've already started implementing some of my goals into my life and it feels really great! There's nothing like working on your new goals to make you feel good. 

Our Christmas decorations are put away (pretty easy considering there wasn't much out - lol) and the Valentines decorations are out.  I've been going through paperwork and the "nest" around my chair today in hopes of bringing some kind of order to my area.  I tend to get tons of books, magazines, notebooks and such around my chair and then I have to dig out and keep the things I'm really using at the moment.  I have a large Longaberger basket that I've had for 25 years that I keep on a stool next to my side table and in it are my Bible, prayer request book, devotionals, and so forth.  Sometimes this basket gets quite full of things and I have to go through it.  I do love having these special things at my fingertips, though. 

I've signed up for the new Bible study that's starting at church in a couple weeks.  I do pray that I will be able to go as I've missed being involved in the studies so much.  I picked up the study at church before Christmas and it looks like it's going to be a great study.

Many blessings - Julie

Organizing Thoughts & Areas

Tomorrow I am getting knee shots and Thursday I'm getting a back shot.  Yep. Not only that, the needle is about as big as the one in the picture, too!! :)  My knees have been swelling up again, even during the night, so when I get up, it's just horrible.  I know it's time for the cortisone shots.  The back shot is much needed, too, and I'm more than ready for both of these procedures and so happy that there are these things available to give some relief!!

Today was a very productive day.  I was able to sit at my desk off and on today and finally get it cleared off! It's been so long since I've done that and through the months, things have just been stacked on the desk.  It was such a wonderful thing to get done.  I also have this wood wine box that I had put junk in, but now it's cleared out and has my notebooks and other things that I use all the time in it now.  It's so nice to have this organized!! When I sit in my recliner sometimes I just look around me and see the messes and it grieves me.  To have these two things done, just gives me such a lift.

I'm in the process of writing out what my goals are, what I want to do, and my plan for getting there.  It's a lot harder than it sounds, but I know that once I have it all done, it's going to give me a clear mind and a road map for accomplishing my goals.  I didn't do any writing today, but that's okay because having the desk cleared and the box organized is just so good for me to free my mind.  I know tomorrow I'll do a lot of writing because I'll have to sit with ice packs on my knees for the day.

Are any of you as addicted to "Deadliest Catch" as I am? My goodness, I didn't even know this show existed three weeks ago and now I know that Tuesday is my TV night.  I also am enjoying "Addicted to Food", which is also on Tuesday night.  I can so relate to what these people are thinking and feeling and it's eye opening.  I would love to be able to go to Shades of Hope, but I doubt that could happen for me now that I have these crazy physical problems. I'm so glad they have the show, though, because it really is helpful for people like me that have this problem.  I first saw Tennie, the therapist and head of Shades of Hope, when she was on "Ruby", another favorite show of mine. I saw so many things when she talked about things on there, but now it's more in-depth and really helps me to see some of my issues.  I really believe that because Tennie had this problem herself, she is more attuned at getting to the heart of the matter of this addiction, but more than this, she has compassion because she has been there and knows what it's like.

I have been crocheting more again and am in the process of making this

This isn't the greatest picture, but I'm sure you can get the idea.  It's a doily and it will have more roses and leaves around the outside.  I love lacy things like this and it's been pure fun working on it.  It's done with size 10 crochet thread and a number 7 crochet hook.  It's just a blessing to be able to do this and I think of my sweet Grandma every time I pick up a hook.

I had better get to sleep...I have to get up early for my doctor's appointment.

Planning for the new year

Are you making plans for the new year? Do you make resolutions?

I am planning for the new year. I will be figuring out some kind of schedule for myself and setting some goals. I enjoy doing this and it makes me feel like I'm a bit in control when I write out my plans.  I don't really like just drifting from day to day wondering what it will bring.   This year has been like that-so many things out of my control and I know that it's always possible, but having goals and plans gives me at least some peace of mind.

I like to use my own planner that I designed years ago out of necessity when I homeschooled my children.  I have forms that I designed that fit my life and I use a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 notebook.  The one thing I do buy for my notebook is a month-at-glance calender. I have always bought these at WalMart, but do you know, they are not carrying them anymore.  I was shocked.  I can buy them at either Staples or Office Max, but my goodness, they are almost $10.00 each! Outrageous!!! So...I will wait until the end of January or February and go and get one when they put them on clearance, or I'll figure out how to make one myself on the computer.  I guess most people either use their computer or a hand-held device to keep track of their schedule.  I still like writing everything down.  This really works best for me.  I do have a palm-pilot I like and I use, but I still like having a paper notebook.  I may have to change my thinking on this as time goes on, but I like to continue with what works for me.

I'm sick.  My oldest son got that flu again with the sore-throat and cold.  We all got it last time and then he caught it again and now I'm sick as well as my youngest son.  The sore-throat is just the worst! It actually woke me up in the night it was so bad.  I'm taking Musinex, which is a miracle drug as far as I'm concerned, and it has helped a lot.  I'm hoping I get over this quickly as it's the pits.  I'm also praying that my husband doesn't get it.  He just doesn't need to get sick again.

I'm going to take a nap and rest this afternoon and then get back to my planning!

God bless you - Julie