Doodle Acres

My bedroom was the object of today’s challenge at Biblical Womanhood.  This was another one of my hot-spots, particularly this time of year as I am doing a lot of sewing for Christmas.  We had a busy afternoon planned and I did not think I was going to get to this challenge today.  However, a snow/ice storm freed up our afternoon!!!

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Yesterday, Crystal’s challenge included taking on one project on which I’ve been procrastinating and decluttering one area.  Well the first part was easy - decluttering my purse and entering all our receipts into Quicken.  The second was another story.  It was a two day job (Hence the reason for this late post).  I attacked the home office.  I’m glad I took pictures because it was good to see before and after pictures.

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I will confess that there are a few odds and ends on the kitchen table waiting for my husband.  You can’t declutter someone else’s stuff unless you want to be very unpopular!!!

The focus of today’s challenge was the kitchen.  Clutter on my kitchen counters is a major struggle for me, a major “hot spot” as Flylady would say.  I didn’t get to as much as I would have liked.  The notch and the top of my refrigerator, among other things, are still in need of decluttering but I am pleased with the progress that was made.  We had a Christmas Party here this weekend and the remnants needed to be dealt with.

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Today’s focus was the bathroom and maintenance of the other previous addressed rooms.  Well it’s an amazing thing - you actually have to be home to make your home into a haven.  LOL  We had a day of dental cleanings, a recheck at the pediatrician, Hope’s citizenship club meeting, grocery shopping, etc.  In fact I logged over 100 miles on my car today.  Ugh!!!

So praise God, my bathrooms were already in good shape.  I did manage to “protect” the other rooms by picking them up.  This was especially important as everyone was quick to dump all their stuff near the entryway after our day’s adventures.

I look forward to tomorrow’s challenge, when I will actually be home!!!

P.S. My verses for focus today were Psalm 100.

Dinner was cheeseburgers on potato rolls with homemade oven fries, sauteed onions and mushrooms, corn, and sliced onions.  Quite yummy!!!

I am still pondering something special I can do for/with my family this weekend. 

When I read that today’s challenge involved the laundry room, I thought, “Oh, this will be easy!!!”  Well I guess since my oldest daughter does most of the laundry, I didn’t realize the state of my laundry area / pantry.  So glad that Crystal picked this area today!!!

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Here’s my “Thankful List” that Crystal suggested writing:

1- For a home in which to nurture my family

2- For my mother’s encouraging diagnosis

3- For a wonderful family - a devoted husband and loving children

Here’s my “To Do” list:

1  Rosary with children

2- Drop Stuff at Molly’s

3- Drop sandals at Trish’s

4- Continue Peter’s lap quilt

5- Look for Rosary pictures for CCD class

Well today’s challenge wasn’t too difficult as my living room wasn’t in too bad a condition.  It was mostly just putting away DVDs and straightening the “dog blankets” we keep on the furniture.  However an added benefit was that we found the top to the PB jar that went missing yesterday.  I wonder why I didn’t think to look under Lily’s boots??? LOL

P.S We’ve now covered my two easiest rooms - when we get to the kitchen and the home office, those “before” picture are going to be UGLY!!!

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Crystal over at BiblicalWomanhood.com has started a “Making Your Home a Haven Challenge”, which is just what I needed.  I encourage you to check out her posts (Day 1 is December 3rd - but feel free to just jump in whenever you are reading this!!!). 

Here are my before and after pictures for the entryway of my home.  My entryway is into my dining room.  It is generally one of my best kept rooms but as you can see, the clutter bug had left its terrible footprints.

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