Saving Money and Reducing Waste

I never considered myself one of those people who would make the switch from paper to cloth napkins.  Cloth napkins were for special occasions and restaurants - not every day use.  Right?  Right! 

That is, until I recently started thinking about all the trash we dispose of over the course of a week.  And how much we spend on all those cloth napkins over the weeks, months, and years.  YIKES!  Suddenly, cloth napkins seemed not only doable - but quite reasonable. 

I found a good deal on some nice simple white napkins through Amazon.  Which will pay for themselves pretty quickly, considering the cost of paper napkins!

I keep a few folded in the napkin holder on the table, where I used to keep paper napkins.  And now some also live in a little wooden box on the kitchen counter where I can grab one instead of always reaching for the paper towels.

I put a special little basket under the sink for the used napkins - which I take to the laundry room every other day or so when I do a load of whites. 

So far it's working out perfectly! Despite the male offspring constantly informing at first that "this is just a bad idea". 

Now, I'm thinking about "unpaper towels"...

Sunday Inspiration: Less is More

Quiet Time

We are surrounded by constant visual and audio clutter.
Crowds of people...
TV...
Cell phones...
Lap tops...
Tablets...
Social Media...
The voices inside our own heads...

All of this constant stimulation can drown out what we need to hear.  Our heart. Our dreams.  The voice of God.

We need quiet space.  Space to dream.  To be still.  To enjoy the quiet.

I am trying to spend at least 5 minutes each day to just listen.  To the sound of my breath.  My heart beat.  The voice of the Spirit inside me. 

I invite each of you to join me.  Declutter your mind.  And enjoy the silence.

The Simple Way to Wash Your Walls

I admit that I can not claim to be much of a role model when it comes to housekeeping.  One of the chores I only tackle when I feel I just absolutely have to it is cleaning the walls.  Because... ugh!  In a busy house with light gray walls - this isn't a good thing.  They start looking pretty dingy before I get around to washing them.  Unfortunately for me - it was time. 

Scrubbing down walls didn't really fit into the image I had of my "Simplified" year.  I mean, it's not exactly a quick and easy job.  It was time to hit up my favorite source for tips and tricks (Pinterest) to see if I can find an simpler way to get it done.  Pinterest didn't let me down!  I saw a few ideas I liked, set my mind to the task ahead and It. Was. On!

The first thing I did was to take the broom and sweep down any cobwebs and dust. 

Next, I fit my Swiffer mop with an old dishcloth that I use for cleaning.  I sprayed a section of wall with my favorite all purpose cleaner.

Then I "mopped" the wall using the Swiffer mop using firm pressure.   I worked in small sections, working from top to bottom. 

After I finished a wall, I took the cleaning cloth and wiped down the bsseboards and light switch. 

And... VOILA!!  Clean walls.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! 

Do you clean your walls on a regular basis?   Share your best tips for making the task easier!

Sunday Inspiration: A Quiet Life

In All Circumstances

You might never believe me if I told you it was possible to be thankful for a big nasty looking bruise on your child's body.  Until the day you see it there... and you are.  Just as I was a few days ago.

Last weekend, the man of the house and I made a last minute decision to drive up to Gatlinburg on Saturday.  We started out early in the morning and had only been in town for about an hour when his cell phone rang.   It was our son, telling us he had been in a wreck.  Of course this mama's heart jumped right into her throat, as her stomach felt like it hit the floor.  

Long story short - one of his rear tires blew, causing him to skid off the road and take out a telephone pole.  Fortunately he was alright, but sitting on the side of the road waiting on the police and a tow truck.  While we were now over an hour and a half away!   I was able to call my dad to go get him.  And of course, we cut our day short and headed right home. 

He is fine.  Except for a small cut on his hand from some broken glass and a nasty contusion on his shoulder/upper chest from the seat belt.  Which I am thankful for every time I see, knowing how much worse it could have been if he hadn't been wearing that seat belt.  Every time I catch a glimpse of it, I thank God for protecting him! 

Have you ever been grateful for something that would otherwise seem to be a negative?

Currently - January 2017

Welcome to 2017, y'all!  Don't you just love a new year?  What better way to kick things off than by taking a quick look at where we are right now!?

READING: Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin.  Not one I will be highly recommending.

EATING:  I have been eating SO poorly for the last few months.  And it shows.  Part of my year of "Simplify" is to simplify how I eat - less processed foods, more fruits, veggies, and grains

WORKING ON:  Starting some decluttering

ENJOYING:  Having my sweet hubby home in vacation for 2 whole weeks!!

ANTICIPATING:  All that empty calendar stretched out ahead of us.  Brimming with promise and unknown adventures, just waiting to be fulfilled!

FEELING:  Super optimistic about the new year!

What are you up to Currently?  Leave a comment and let me know!

My One Word - 2017

This year my One Word is:

For me, this means...

To simplify my possessions, my to do list, my activities, what I eat.

To simplify life in general. Making make room for what truly matters.

To make quiet spaces for focusing on my relationship with God and the people he has placed in my life.

To do less, so I can so it better.

To have less, so I can appreciate what I have more.

To get rid of old routines and habits that no longer work or make sense.


What are your goals or resolutions for 2017?

2016 - the Year in Review

2016 has been a good year.  They're all good years.  But 2016 has been especially  so!

The year began with a nice big snow storm (big for this area), and y'all know I love some snow!  We also celebrated the grandbaby's 4th birthday.

February brought us an ice storm - which I do NOT love as much as snow, Valentine's Day, and...

The Panthers went to the Super Bowl!!  Sure... they lost to the Broncos.  But, I was just happy to see my cats in the Big Game.

As spring arrived in March, the female offspring and I enjoyed a "girl's day out" at the Biltmore Estate.

The Man of the House and I also took the grandbaby to his first circus.   He loved the clown acts.  But, I think his favorite part was the popcorn and cotton candy.

April was a quiet month for us.  Which was good, since it allowed us to rest up for the whirlwind of activity in May and June!

The male offspring turned 18 and graduated from high school.  I felt appropriately  old.

The Man of the House and I made our first ever visit to New York.  The trip started out shaky as I spent the first full day laid up in the hotel with which was most likely food poisoning.  Fortunately things improved from that point.

I am completely infatuated with New York and hope to visit again soon!

In August we made our way south one Saturday to visit the Carolina Panthers Training Camp at Wofford College.  Another first for the grandbaby!

At the end of August and first of September we journeyed even further.  The Man of the House and I visited Tokyo, Japan!  It was the trip if a lifetime.  There aren't enough words to describe how exciting the entire experience was.

We spent a few September weekend evenings at Antler Hill Village on the Biltmore Estate listening to live music.

October brought the Man of the House's birthday, which was a quiet event.  The following weekend he and I went to see Styx in concert.

November opened with taking the grandbaby to see the big tree brought in to start the "Christmas at Biltmore" season.  This is something I have wanted ro do for some time and this was the year to finally check it off my list!

I celebrated  another birthday. The Man of the House and I marked 24 years of marriage. A good month, indeed!

As you know, once Thanksgiving arrives the rest of the year speeds past in a blur.  This year was no exception.  

The female offspring completed her degree in computer engineering and is eager to begin the next season of her life.  That makes two of us!

2016 was a fun filled and exciting year.  It makes me smile to look back on it.  It also makes me look forward to what 2017 has in store for us!!

A Naughty Little Elf

Y'all may be familiar with the phenomenon known as the "Elf on the Shelf".

A couple of years ago, one of these little creatures began to visit our home during the Christmas season.  He was named "Pie" by the grandbaby.

Pie keeps us on our toes every year.  This year was no exception...

Elf Under Glass

He brought an "Elf on the Shelf" gingerbread house kit

Just hanging out...

A bubble bath... of mini marshmallows

Relaxing with a cup of cocoa

Going bananas

Playing Xbox

All wrapped up

Enjoying some Christmas Pez

Keeping track of the Christmas countdown

Trying on the grandbaby's  R2D2 slipper

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of you!!

December

It's that time of year again.  Things can get a little (a lot?) busy.  My life is no exception.

There's the usual hustle and bustle of shopping, gifts to wrap,  parties to attend, etc.  This year my Etsy shop is keeping me on my toes.  I can't - and won't - complain about that! However, it has caused me to have to put a few other things on the back burner.

In an effort to maintain some kind of balance, I'm be taking a break from the blog until around the first of the year.

I wish each of you a joyous Christmas.  I pray that you experience the peace of God's unconditional love.  And that you know you are loved and cherished.

I look forwarded to sharing 2017 with you!

Twenty Four

Twenty four years ago today I became the Mrs to this Mr...

It's been twenty four years of ups and downs.  Laughter and tears. New jobs and layoffs.  Kids and grandkids born and family members lost.  Family vacations. Anniversary trips.  Business trips.  House remodels.  New cars and ones that left us stranded on the side of the road.

Most importantly it's been twenty four years of love.

And I am excited to see what the next twenty four years and beyond holds in store for us!

30 Days of Gratitude & Thanksgiving: November 16

Today I Am Thankful For:
Playing pretend with the grandkid that he is an elephant
Cardinals at the birdfeeder
Keeping dinner simple
The cat playing like a kitten