tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84943000604569843702024-02-19T10:51:12.876-05:00This Mom Grows Up!I've been a mom for over 30 years, but with 10 kids and six grandchildren, I'm still learning as I go! I've got hundreds of articles on common sense motherhood, spiritual inspiration, practical homemaking, and more. All the answers? No way! Something to think about? I hope so! Join me! Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-25069077806757402942020-12-12T12:00:00.003-05:002020-12-12T12:02:15.249-05:00Your Own Planning System for 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnqb7AaBwpekhmiEAd7gizOnFeeMA4shxEzggd2_XXPugUGRPAHTeGyarfEMLDKkcEDbkOham2f2rs273Fh5J9BI9G3KhyGEAmJce64VMgKFpcN7dEirC5zGNScjmaiWsxCjdJKax_GN8/s2048/notebook+clipcoard+and+journal+stack.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1780" data-original-width="2048" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnqb7AaBwpekhmiEAd7gizOnFeeMA4shxEzggd2_XXPugUGRPAHTeGyarfEMLDKkcEDbkOham2f2rs273Fh5J9BI9G3KhyGEAmJce64VMgKFpcN7dEirC5zGNScjmaiWsxCjdJKax_GN8/w418-h363/notebook+clipcoard+and+journal+stack.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Hello friends!</p><p>It's mid-December, and I'm seeing so many tempting Facebook ads for pretty, clever, and amazing planners that promise to transform my life. I've used a bunch of different planners and phone apps, and I have even customized my own daily forms. But...</p><p>Now heading into 2021, I'm back to SIMPLE, or at least simpler. I cobbled together my own flexible system with a sensible mix of digital and paper formats. When part of it stops working for me or my ADHD brain gets bored, I tweak it. No big investment. No guilt over buying something that I won't use and then seeing empty planner pages.</p><p>Here's what I've got. Maybe a few of these ideas will spark something for you.</p><p>First, let me acknowledge that I've got a lot of plates spinning in my life. I am a single mother of 10, though only the youngest three teen/adults still live with me. I am still homeschooling one teen, as I have even before COVID. (I started with my oldest in the early 1990s.) I am a part-time seminary student, working through an independent study course this semester as I write a new book called <a href="https://www.virginiaknowles.com/burned-rising-from-the-ashes" target="_blank"><b>Burned: Rising from the Ashes of Spiritual Crisis</b></a>. I work part-time (as needed) for the seminary as a course assistant helping masters and doctoral students with the research and writing process. I also work part-time regular hours for a local community crisis helpline. So, yes, I have a lot going on right now and lots more big stuff coming up in the future.</p><p>Even with my Attention Deficit Disorder, I can hyper-focus to complete big tasks. However, I still get distracted with a lot of little details. I need help keeping it all together. Unfortunately, no single packaged system had everything I needed and many of them had extraneous features that distracted me even more.</p><p>So I designed my own system just for me. I used ideas from other systems and customized them for my life. It has some concepts from <a href="https://lifebywhitney.com/bullet-journal-ideas/" target="_blank"><b>bullet journaling</b></a>. It also incorporates <a href="https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm" target="_blank"><b>SMART goals</b></a>, which are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timebound. It covers daily all the way through long-range plans. It also has a reflection facet. Best of all, it is intuitive yet semi-structured. </p><p>Here's the short story: I use a simple handwritten daily To Do list, supported by a variety of other printed lists for longer time periods and more specific categories. Nothing is bound, so pages can be swapped in and out as necessary. I can keep what I want and throw away the rest. I also use apps for scheduled tasks and events. </p><p>You want the more detailed version? Here are the main elements:</p><p><b>Clipboard portfolio and/or 3-ring notebooks: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My clipboard portfolio has the clip on the front cover. On the inside of the portfolio, there is a pocket on the left and a pad of paper on the right. </li><li>I use the clipboard portfolio daily for my current lists which I describe below.</li><li>If I have time-sensitive pieces of paper that I will need in the next day or so, such as forms to fill out, I tuck them into the inner portfolio pocket. </li><li>My main 3-ring notebook holds any other papers I need handy, such as notes from meetings, reference materials, and assorted other papers. </li><li>I have more than one notebook either because some categories (like school or personal Bible study) need their own, or because I want to archive older information. </li><li>If you want to keep your main list visible but you don't want to use a separate clipboard, you could also attach a binder clip to the front of a 3-ring notebook. (Yes, I've done this before!)</li><li>If you like the pretty packaged planners but don't want to buy one, get some inexpensive stickers or colored pens at the dollar store and jazz up the pages on your own. Or buy a pretty notebook and/or clipboard that you can use from year to year. I found my lovely Vera Bradley clipboard portfolio on clearance at Staples, and I had a $5 coupon, so I paid only $4. It goes with the colors in my bedroom, as do my notebooks. They have the kind of plastic cover where you can insert a page of your own design.</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoS4j3M-vBlX3xyhkE5sQBzS-FfwZhMLWqr02dZAQBB_bS8ILuHO-oomjZ1z97bE26nJnogjuoALKKhGRRaTquw549LSnnKFBB8D0JU6BjuzfCPnGfJNr_dOFnBcv_xZBFn7VSLowE4t9/s2048/clipboard+portfolio.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1548" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoS4j3M-vBlX3xyhkE5sQBzS-FfwZhMLWqr02dZAQBB_bS8ILuHO-oomjZ1z97bE26nJnogjuoALKKhGRRaTquw549LSnnKFBB8D0JU6BjuzfCPnGfJNr_dOFnBcv_xZBFn7VSLowE4t9/w303-h400/clipboard+portfolio.jpg" width="303" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><b>Simple Daily To Do List:</b> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This is at the top of the stack on my clipboard. If I were using a regular notebook, it would be the first page.</li><li>Each day (or the evening before), I handwrite a list of the main stuff I think I need to do for that day. </li><li>I might write it in chronological sequence, or in order of importance, or just get it out on paper as it comes to mind. It's usually short enough that I can figure it out as I go, no matter what order it's in. </li><li>Any scheduled events go in a boxed section to the right of the page. </li><li>I might fit two or three days on one page. </li><li>I try to keep it uncluttered and uncomplicated so I don't write all the little routine stuff, but just what is unique for that day. If my laundry is piling up, that item goes on my list. If a project is due soon, I write down what specific part of it I want to work on that day. </li><li>I check off the items as I go. I also add in new ones that I've done that day and then I check them off too. It's fun that way, and I can look back in the evening with a sense of accomplishment.</li><li>Whatever I didn't do either gets shifted to the next day or cancelled with an X. Some things just don't get done. Oh well! </li><li>I don't keep these pages long-term. I save them for a week at a time so I can look back over the patterns of my productivity. If I want to "save" a page for posterity, I can take a picture of it and throw away the paper. </li><li>I've tried putting habit-tracking features and food logs on my daily pages (the ones I have designed on the computer in the past) but right now this is just too much for me. To be honest, I am more likely to avoid my planning page if it makes me feel guilty. I can do those separately when I want. Little bits at a time here. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03F8J7PQizT7xYtmKidIyTZoxQeiPW8SNQ5Shbz_Ih7o7rqrtZeucLuKoV6lzm_tmeUD9plFGcReyEG_vxpaQyrKa4UHUxaGC6T1femFGe55x0PN7viOn4HAQXV3ljip3KhlxJbErmXcw/s2048/To+Do+List+on+clipboard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1525" data-original-width="2048" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03F8J7PQizT7xYtmKidIyTZoxQeiPW8SNQ5Shbz_Ih7o7rqrtZeucLuKoV6lzm_tmeUD9plFGcReyEG_vxpaQyrKa4UHUxaGC6T1femFGe55x0PN7viOn4HAQXV3ljip3KhlxJbErmXcw/w424-h315/To+Do+List+on+clipboard.jpg" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><b>Ongoing To Do List:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>This is stuff that should be done soon, but not necessarily today. I add to it as I think of something. </li><li>I consult this list when I'm writing my daily list. I keep it clipped just under my daily list on my folio, so I can easily flip the pages to see it.</li><li>When most of it is crossed out or obsolete, I start with a fresh list. </li></ul><p></p><p><b>Daily/Weekly Routines:</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>For my daily routine of little tasks, I have a printed reminder list of specific things I could do on any given day, such as laundry or dishes or exercise. It jogs my memory when I am handwriting my list for a particular day. </li><li>I also have a Google Docs table with time blocks for my general daily/weekly schedule. This page has columns for days of the week and rows for each half hour. I can merge table cells to make larger time blocks. </li><li>This daily/weekly overview table has my scheduled work hours, church meetings, meals, blocks for studying & writing, etc. Though there are variations, my weekdays have a pretty regular rhythm. </li><li>I don't follow this strictly, but it's a good overview guideline to structure my days. </li><li>In addition to the printed version of my regular schedule, I also set alarms on my phone to help me transition from one time block to another or to remind me of essential short tasks, like taking my medicine. You can set alarms for certain days of the week if your schedule varies. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtbMhdyIKPsSH-clE2crJWQXj89C7OpaNx2_bT3f2hLnfTO52tnhmdmL_n6S5GiDRw_MahkrJkEl9XrUfrlpWkt9J5i2uUv59awCf7EuCKEqvO7B5Fp0vEd7GsCw94vgD2ET9gwQWw_hz/s2048/Clipboard+portfolio+inside.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1910" height="523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtbMhdyIKPsSH-clE2crJWQXj89C7OpaNx2_bT3f2hLnfTO52tnhmdmL_n6S5GiDRw_MahkrJkEl9XrUfrlpWkt9J5i2uUv59awCf7EuCKEqvO7B5Fp0vEd7GsCw94vgD2ET9gwQWw_hz/w487-h523/Clipboard+portfolio+inside.jpg" width="487" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Master Lists of Future Tasks, Events, and Goals:</b> </div><div><p></p><ul><li>I have lists for this month, next month, the next six months, and the next five years. I do these on the computer and often copy items from month to month. If I know the date of an event or deadline (even it its tentative), it goes on the this page. </li><li>My lists are in categories: Kids, House, Homeschool, Seminary, Book, Health, Personal Growth, etc. </li><li>Every month I print the list of tasks, events, and goals for that month. I put into my my clipped portfolio paper stack so I can refer to it when I make my daily and ongoing To Do lists. Much of it is copied from month to month.</li><li>I also write and print a 6 month version, which I refer to when making my monthly lists. </li><li>My longest range goal page is a 5 year version, with sections for each year and categories within each year. Obviously, what I have here is general goals rather than specific plans. I find that this is very powerful in helping me move forward by working backward. For example, since I know I will be selling my house within the next few years, I have to work backward and plan for intermediate goals of downsizing and doing home repairs before then. I even put things on this list that I am considering, such as getting a doctorate degree or writing more books. This will help me discern my path as I keep my options in mind. </li></ul><p><b>Other Categorized Lists:</b></p><p></p><ul><li>These include upcoming house projects, books I want to read, Christmas presents to buy, etc. </li><li>I type them into Google Docs where I can read them from my phone or computer. </li><li>I may or may not print them out to put in my main notebook.</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Calendar, Clock, Notes and Other Apps: </b></p><p></p><ul><li>I use the Notes app to jot down whatever I need to remember as I go along, whether I'm at home or not. I can add these into my other lists as needed. I can also email information to myself from here. This is often a reminder of what I need to get at the grocery store, or a website I want to look up.</li><li>The Calendar and Clock app alarms alert me to pay attention to things like taking my medicine, picking up a teen from work, getting on Zoom for an appointment, paying my electric bill, or setting up my desk to work from home that day. </li><li>My Calendar app events are color-coded: purple for church, blue for school, red for medical, yellow for work, orange for birthdays, etc. </li><li>The alarms I set to remind me of time blocks each day are actually songs relevant to the tasks, such as Andra Day's "Rise Up" to get me out of bed, or Sandra McCracken's "We Will Feast in the House of Zion" when it's time to make dinner. </li><li>When I am taking seminary classes that have a syllabus of assignments, I track my progress using <a href="https://trello.com/" target="_blank">Trello</a>. It is a free planning system you can use on any of your devices. You can set up a Board for each topic in your life, then lists for sub-topics, cards for tasks, and checklists within the cards for sub-tasks. So I can have a board for seminary, a list for each class, cards for assignments, and checklists for the steps I must complete for that assignment. I will be using Trello again in the spring semester. I like having this digital because I often read textbooks on Kindle when I'm away from the home, and it's nice to be able to see what's next and to check off the chapters as I go.</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HNeDtKPety3tQZA1hrZatzYRC1w0WdFZifYuyezdiONj7Wb8nGT22Eyu1woq8phwazv4GPQc1k6BBD7wXPvIkmpo_YAPrAePN8XGlzdOMlC7HWk1MYglM8t8kR21eIWyjYZGkVFdfo2c/s1334/daily+alarms.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HNeDtKPety3tQZA1hrZatzYRC1w0WdFZifYuyezdiONj7Wb8nGT22Eyu1woq8phwazv4GPQc1k6BBD7wXPvIkmpo_YAPrAePN8XGlzdOMlC7HWk1MYglM8t8kR21eIWyjYZGkVFdfo2c/w225-h400/daily+alarms.PNG" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b>Journals:</b><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Journals are not technically for planning, but many packaged planner systems include a section for reflecting on the day or the week or for dreaming for the future. I appreciated this feature in the <a href="https://monkmanual.com/" target="_blank"><b>Monk Manual</b></a> and want to continue it. However, I want to preserve my reflections and dreams, rather than discard them with my daily To Do lists. They belong in one of my journals. </li><li>Right now I'm mainly using one journal for everything - diary of recent happenings (and my thoughts about them), prayers, reading notes, abstract musings, angst, etc. </li></ul><p></p><p><b>Paper and Online Storage: </b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Online in Google Drive</li><li>Pictures on my phone of receipts and documents</li><li>Two-pocket folders for specific categories of papers that I don't want in notebooks (mementoes, letters, artwork, etc.)</li><li>File cabinet near my workspace</li><li>Plastic file boxes in my closet and storage room</li><li>Archive notebooks</li><li>Paper piles that migrate around my bedroom (I gotta work on that!)</li></ul><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>~*~*~</b></p><p>One of the books I chose to read for my independent research course in seminary is <b><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crafting-Rule-Life-Invitation-Well-Ordered/dp/0830835644/" target="_blank">Crafting a Rule of Life: An Invitation to the Well-Ordered Life</a></i></b> by Stephen A. Macchia. Though its primary focus is on spiritual growth, it gives much needed insight on creating productive rhythms for accomplishing goals. </p><p>If you're interested in planning and time management, you might like these two blog posts with videos that I made last spring, as well as a few posts from previous years. The first video, featured in my post <a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/talking-about-time-video.html" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b>Talking About Time</b></a>, gives a flexible framework for getting stuff done. The second video, <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/time-and-time-again.html" target="_blank"><b>Time --- and Time Again</b></a>, talks about time in the <i>kairos </i>sense, which focuses more in being attentive to opportunities. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wlTYIZQwy0w?list=TLPQMTEwNTIwMjCrHrlzTwvuQg" width="250"></iframe><br />
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</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/time-and-time-again.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Time --- and Time Again</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FGVBCJQO7OA" width="180"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A few other related blog posts:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><ul><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-goals-gatherings.html" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 19.32px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The Goals Gatherings</b></span></a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 19.32px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</b></span></a></li><li style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" style="color: #0c343d; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 19.32px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Focus (One Word)<br /></b></span></a></li></ul></div></div>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-640731252156272182020-05-25T18:30:00.001-04:002020-12-10T11:56:50.801-05:00Brainstorming and Problem-Solving<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hello again!</div>
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This next video is about brainstorming and problem solving using the scenario of setting up for Zoom calls and video production.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Seg2yXiAyz4" width="450"></iframe><br />
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I mentioned the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07837W5NX/"><b>UBeesize Phone Tripod</b></a>. It cost me $21.99 on Amazon and can also be used for cameras. This is not an affiliate link, just a courtesy to y'all if you are interested!<br />
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After I made the video, I realized I could not only trim the length of the video, but I could also resize it right on my phone! I hadn't known that before. I had shot the video in horizontal mode, but made it more narrow before uploading it to YouTube. When I embedded it here on the blog, I also changed the width in the HTML code.<br />
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While the video covered how I worked through the aggravations of setting up my physical space and phone for Zoom calls and making videos, the general concept is brainstorming and problem solving. I didn't go into too many details on this process, but the main gist is to:<br />
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<li>stop and think of what is bothering you (what problem you need to solve)</li>
<li>brainstorm for possible solutions (even if they seem silly)</li>
<li>consult with others (those who know you and/or those who know the topic)</li>
<li>check websites or other sources for information</li>
<li>assess the alternatives and choose the option or combination of options which looks best</li>
<li>try it, reassess, and shift to something else if that doesn't work</li>
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<span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">You might also find these links helpful.</span><br />
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<li><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-goals-gatherings.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #38761d;">The Goals Gatherings</span></a> </span></b>(more extensive section on Brainstorming near the bottom)</span></li>
<li><b style="font-size: 19.32px;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #38761d;">Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</span></a></b></li>
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<a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-do-i-juggle-it-all.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #38761d; font-size: small;">How Do I Juggle It All?</span></a></h3>
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These are the two most recent videos in my practical encouragement series.<br />
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<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/time-and-time-again.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Time--and Time Again!</span></a> (a look at chronos and kairos time)</li>
<li><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/talking-about-time-video.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">Talking About Time!</span></a> </b>(a simple framework for time management)</li>
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-51828553957091983202020-05-25T17:16:00.001-04:002020-12-10T13:30:10.327-05:00Time -- and Time Again!<div style="text-align: center;">
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Dear friends,</div>
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In the last post, I featured my 10 minute video called <i><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/05/talking-about-time-video.html">Talking About Time</a></b></i> which provided a simple framework for time management. In this edition, my topic is <b><i>Time--and Time Again</i></b> which is another look at time. The Greeks had at least two words for time, <i>chronos, </i>which is more quantitative and measurable, and <i>kairos, </i>which is more about being aware of the opportunities that each moment brings.</div>
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What I didn't specify in my story about waiting was that it was 70 minutes before I got my groceries from Walmart curbside pickup, and as you may remember, that was the second time I had tried that day! Phew! Usually it's just a few minutes!</div>
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In this video, I mentioned the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Liturgy-Ordinary-Sacred-Practices-Everyday/dp/0830846786/"><b>Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life</b></a> by Anglican priest Tish Harrison Warren.</div>
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<img alt="Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81dVy8V9UFL._AC_UY218_.jpg" /></div>
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And before I go, I wanted to let you know I have another video post ready to go too, this one on Brainstorming and Problem Solving -- or how I keep my sanity when setting up for Zoom calls and video production with my phone. </div>
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Until next time,</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Virginia Knowles</div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-10901713952846088152020-05-11T20:21:00.000-04:002020-05-15T14:53:29.806-04:00Talking About Time! (Video)<div style="text-align: center;">
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Hey friends!<br />
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Wondering how to get stuff done during the wonky daily schedules of quarantine? Got 10 minutes? Here's my not-so-secret strategy!</div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="440" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wlTYIZQwy0w?list=TLPQMTEwNTIwMjCrHrlzTwvuQg" width="250"></iframe><br />
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A week after making this video, I figured out a way to use my apps to follow this framework, so I'll put that in my next blog post!<br />
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I'll be making more of these videos this summer during my seminary internship. If you want to suggest topics, leave a comment and let me know!</div>
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In the meantime, here are some related blog posts!<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-goals-gatherings.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>The Goals Gatherings</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Focus (One Word)</b></span></a></li>
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All the best to you!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Virginia</div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-21914653685559954082020-01-04T17:17:00.000-05:002020-01-04T17:17:59.909-05:00The Goals Gatherings<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Goals gatherings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's what I've been up to this past week! Let me back up a bit. A year ago, I posted on Facebook asking if any of my local friends wanted to get together to talk about goal setting. We never did end up doing anything, but the post came up in my memories feed earlier this week and I decided to try again. So many people said they'd love to come but either were too busy or lived too far away, so on a whim, I decided to start a new private Facebook group called "Goals with Virginia Knowles" to share inspiration and resources. That was on New Year's Eve. It kind of took on a life of its own, and now, four days later, we have 282 members who are actively posting and interacting with each other. I love this!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still wanted to do a local gathering. Some people said they could make it on a Friday evening, and others on a Saturday morning. So I did both. I didn't know exactly who would show up even though I had an RSVP list that kept changing. I had four pages of handouts ready, which I'll share later in this post. I also bought supplies for making vision boards, which we didn't end up having time to do. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Four women showed up last night and two more came this morning! Most of them are pictured with me here. I tended to do too much talking in the evening session, but fortunately one of my friends who was helping me moderate, redirected by asking each of us why we were there, and what was our biggest need for goal setting. I am so glad she did that! It's amazing how women can equip one another when we know what each other needs!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ngQwr5vzfwHLhyphenhyphen-wTBpOVvYMipvCfkSoay9Wy-xPBOxsVWyTQiqk8dfdouzfzJzsG82kitP8Gpfl6iFsh6D-97leIRKc12eD_aR_gNlbTHNDuAmoRZ1JVQN2yRH7bcMGiVJpeDeFx1zS/s1600/Goals+Gathering+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="283" data-original-width="480" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ngQwr5vzfwHLhyphenhyphen-wTBpOVvYMipvCfkSoay9Wy-xPBOxsVWyTQiqk8dfdouzfzJzsG82kitP8Gpfl6iFsh6D-97leIRKc12eD_aR_gNlbTHNDuAmoRZ1JVQN2yRH7bcMGiVJpeDeFx1zS/s400/Goals+Gathering+1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjazoLah2iCZ6VR4URO1a0ISaKYuGqAamlTuuE6Y2Fpx4tghLUempoTZkrSVR2FoNzTmX2N4RxIvDctH6qpyZWfr3HheT2Ybys3RJX3atp1L6pPkw9-lPwrts0M11ovknNsGdoQsOkKs-G/s1600/Goals+Gathering+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="437" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjazoLah2iCZ6VR4URO1a0ISaKYuGqAamlTuuE6Y2Fpx4tghLUempoTZkrSVR2FoNzTmX2N4RxIvDctH6qpyZWfr3HheT2Ybys3RJX3atp1L6pPkw9-lPwrts0M11ovknNsGdoQsOkKs-G/s400/Goals+Gathering+2.jpg" width="363" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's an outline of what we talked about! It's not a very linear approach, but then I'm not a very linear person. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Goals Gathering</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-515f6ac1-7fff-a4e9-64bc-dfa52af151f1" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Identity >>> Vision >>> Goals >>> Plans >>> Actions >>> Assessments</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Identity:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Who you are - gifts, personality, opportunities, experience </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vision:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> What you dream - big picture desires and passions </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goals:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> What you’ll do - what you specifically want to accomplish in real life </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plans:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How you’ll do it - detailed steps you will take to make your goals happen </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Actions:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Doing it - carrying out the plans, adjusting as you go </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Assessments:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> How you did it - reviewing how it went, tying up the loose ends, and deciding what you would change for next time</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Centered Life:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think of a circle with a core and radiating spokes. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is at your core which keeps everything else in place?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">My center is my faith in God that overflows into a desire to serve others. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Simplify! Tend to the inner first, then work outward along the spokes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Key facets of life: Spiritual, Emotional, Physical, Mental, Social </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Key spheres of influence: Family, Home, Work, Service, Friendships, Hobbies</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you live from the center, you can work with peace, joy, and confidence no matter what else is going on around you.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Don’t forget holistic self-care, tending to who you are and the body you are in. </span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Starting Over:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moving past failures and disappointments is a part of life!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Allow yourself to grieve your losses. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn from your mistakes! Reframe them as life lessons!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Own your own responsibility, but don’t take the blame for what is not your fault.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Recycle the trash!” Use your experience to help others heal and move forward!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let go of bitterness for your own sake. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean trust or reconciliation. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shake off the shame and stigma. Seek out professional help if you’re having a tough time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Start fresh, looking to the future! God gives beauty for ashes, and the oil of joy for mourning! His mercies are new every morning!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><span style="font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Timing:</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What legacy do you want to leave for the future?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Set long, mid, and short term goals. Work backward from the future and then work forward from now to fill in the gap between here and there.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Overwhelmed by the immensity of the future? Stick to “just for now” for now. Sometimes it’s all you can do to take the daily steps as you receive a little light for the path. Still try to think a little about the distant future as you are able.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">You may have an idea or dream now that won’t come to fruition until much later! Sometimes you have to let a seed go dormant until it’s ready to sprout. Be watchful! Or maybe it will show up in a different way? Be open!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What dreams have you had in the past that might be ready to burst into bloom now? What would it take to water and tend them?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Other times, you </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">could </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">do something now, but it’s not the best time. Save it for later? Or just minimize your time investment for now?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our opportunities build with our experiences. You are equipping yourself now for things you don’t even see yet. Be faithful.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Case Studies and Case Management:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Case Study:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Take a step back and look at your life as if you were observing from the outside. Write down everything you can about the situation: the atmosphere, key players, the relational dynamics, what is working, what is not, areas where there has been progress, areas that still need improvement, trouble spots, constraints, resources, anything else? Analyze it from as many angles as you can. Pretend you are a business consultant.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Manage:</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Based on your findings, come up with an integrated plan for progress that will holistically and realistically address the major concerns. Make it like a business plan if that helps. Think about people, time, money, and other resources.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cooperation and Collaboration:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our lives involve others, but we can’t control them. Our goals have to acknowledge that and be more focused on our own actions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will you motivate other people to work with you? What will you do if they don’t? How can you idiot-proof your goals? (We can't completely, but we can try!)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We can’t always remove negative people from our lives, but we can counteract that by surrounding ourselves with encouraging people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pair up for follow up! Share strengths. Ask for help with what you find hard to do. Offer your help in areas where you have seen success.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Time Management:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Habit stack” into a scheduled routine (little to big). When I get up… When I get to work… When I get home… Before I go to bed…</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What are your “time sucks”? Do you need to eliminate them or just limit them?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you use timers or alarms?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Consolidate similar tasks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More ideas at </span><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: black; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> category “Get It Done”</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Efficiency and Effectiveness:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Efficiency is doing things the right way. Effectiveness is doing the right thing! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What will it take to do the right thing the right way?</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Specific - Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Details!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Measurable: How much? How many? How will I track progress?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Attainable: Reasonable? Doable with your resources and constraints?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Relevant: Worthwhile? Consistent with your own life? </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Timely: Timelines? Deadlines? Urgency? Rhythm? </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">We need to think of both the big picture (telescope) and the little details (microscope).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The big affects the little. The little affects the big. They are intertwined.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Big rocks in a jar - get the priorities in first, then work in everything else as it fits.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Little things - daily habits can make or break your life. Don’t neglect them!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Baby steps! Don’t get too overwhelmed by the enormity of the goal. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time? The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Brainstorming:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would you do if time and money were no object?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What would you do if you could overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Think and write now as it comes, even if it’s random or crazy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let it flow freely. Save your tweaking for later. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you see any themes? Any weird possibilities?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Essentials may reveal alternatives. Take it down to the basics and think what could possibly work for </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this</span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> need, even if it’s not a traditional approach. You could get what you really want by decluttering a bunch of peripheral desires.</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Organizing Your Thoughts:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lists - any kind! Where will you keep them?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Planner - digital and/or paper - buy it or design your own</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Vision board - pictures or words</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">What apps or computer programs help you most?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">I like Trello, gTasks, Calendar, Notes, Evernote, email</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Since we didn't have time to do the vision boards, we're going to schedule another evening later this month to do that at someone else's home. I'm looking forward to that! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm glad I did the Goals Gatherings and hope to do more in the future. We may also try to get some of this on video, but I will probably do this separately since much of our interactive discussion is private. I am guessing I will do very short videos for each section. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Have you ever done something like this?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Virginia</span><br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-128058616756254162019-09-13T16:17:00.001-04:002019-09-14T22:16:30.500-04:00Lessons for Me at 56<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzgWlj2dLL6RYxbjvhH3PhnlJq_UcTmeJL9H5le07ij49I9IJBmci42_M_VS_TW7dbXDBvWaAfPlndl6NuENqLpUQqb5o-XaFIVkqXU9TGpsB_7_ZHDNCImKBZJnqlNwrUCIC-anPwtPf/s1600/Portrait+of+Virginia+September+6+2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzgWlj2dLL6RYxbjvhH3PhnlJq_UcTmeJL9H5le07ij49I9IJBmci42_M_VS_TW7dbXDBvWaAfPlndl6NuENqLpUQqb5o-XaFIVkqXU9TGpsB_7_ZHDNCImKBZJnqlNwrUCIC-anPwtPf/s640/Portrait+of+Virginia+September+6+2019.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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I turned 56 last weekend! My birthday wasn’t much hoopla coming the day after my daughter’s wedding and a few days after a near miss with Hurricane Dorian. I enjoyed going out to lunch with four of my kids, and tomorrow night I’ll have a belated birthday dinner with another daughter’s family. Besides that, I think what I really enjoyed was all of the Facebook greetings from friends and family near and far. I also loved editing and uploading wedding photos. I'll do a blog post with those later, when the professional ones are officially in. The picture at the top of this post was at my friend Sunny's house after she did my hair and makeup for the wedding. Love it!<br />
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I’m learning so much at 56. I always do, at any age. I don’t ever want to be closed off, stagnant. I always want to be able to say, “This Mom grows up!” like the title of this blog. So, in that spirit, here are some things I’m personally musing about. Let’s start with what I posted on FB in the wee hours of my birthday:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1A5AZLcU_Ui-nYaoti_t_MiJIADyhd4CEPNUn2VrxwWd4ogi3f6uk7iFrR7J9Gxcu1ZYVmEanstpmlOW738-FxD0Dlu3Z0fKUbAgqvD9_QzIds8fKSFes8rlQNxVWJ8DX9HazOg-KpS9/s1600/tabebuia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1A5AZLcU_Ui-nYaoti_t_MiJIADyhd4CEPNUn2VrxwWd4ogi3f6uk7iFrR7J9Gxcu1ZYVmEanstpmlOW738-FxD0Dlu3Z0fKUbAgqvD9_QzIds8fKSFes8rlQNxVWJ8DX9HazOg-KpS9/s200/tabebuia.jpg" width="150" /></a><i>It’s midnight and officially my 56th birthday. Here’s my thought tonight: figure out what you think is a worthy goal, what’s really most important to your life. Then go for it - and try to work all the other things around it. I think you may be amazed at how everything can fit together with prayer, planning, preparation, patience, and partnership. Another thing: situations can change for you unexpectedly, serendipitously. Be open to new possibilities, new goals, new adventures. We can’t always see the end from the beginning. What we can do is choose to move forward through little and big decisions every day.</i></blockquote>
When we are living authentically, we are free to take risks and offer ourselves outward. We can walk with joy and confidence. I loved the sermon that Father Tom preached the day after my birthday. He stood near the pulpit holding a fish bowl with water, a fake plant...and no fish. His kids had recently had a beta fish in it, but beta fish don’t play well with others. So they live by themselves in a little glass bowl until they die. And too many of us are just like that, isolated and self-protective within the walls we build to keep others out and keep our own stuff to ourselves. We need to get out of the bowl and experience the abundant life that God intended for us as his disciples - giving ourselves away for the kingdom in the big world outside our doors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qoNNvvkXSL2rUSlxIwtF62JuHSmpGVOa7P9T9viApUWbFog226jfq_y1BfSSF5Rz87ebOozrK0Up1_WoAWxFCuixxN2fT7qqPMb6ZHMAorOvliTc7d9w7YyZwJta4nBXuLA0WCAoxTPD/s1600/Man+in+snake+enclosure+at+zoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qoNNvvkXSL2rUSlxIwtF62JuHSmpGVOa7P9T9viApUWbFog226jfq_y1BfSSF5Rz87ebOozrK0Up1_WoAWxFCuixxN2fT7qqPMb6ZHMAorOvliTc7d9w7YyZwJta4nBXuLA0WCAoxTPD/s200/Man+in+snake+enclosure+at+zoo.jpg" width="150" /></a>I wish I'd gotten a picture of my pastor with the fishbowl, but maybe this will get the same concept across. I took my daughter to the zoo the other day. We were in the herpetarium building with the reptiles. Turning the corner to the copperhead snake enclosure, I was so startled to see this instead: a man with a paintbrush in this hand, sitting wedged in behind the glass, working in rather cramped quarters. Good thing there was no snake in there with him, but I'll bet it felt good to get out of there and go on with his day!</div>
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Just that morning, I'd taken my teen son to school and stopped at Red Bug Lake Park on the way home. I love to get out in nature and see the beauty of God's handiwork along the boardwalk and the pond there. Such infinite variety, all dwelling together in the same habitat. We humans, though so different from one another, dwell together too. Thinking of this, as well as Tom's sermon, I know we are all created for connection in some way. Yet each of us connects differently due to our own unique personalities. This can be so tricky, but we can learn to respect the dignity and liberty of others, to value and honor them in a way that’s good for them and good for us. It takes patient communication to clear up mixed signals and work out misunderstandings.</div>
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Imagine then, how I was struck by these sentences yesterday morning when I read Dallas Willard’s Knowing Christ Today as an assignment for my seminary class Gospel Catechesis:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_GNY9KTThhroY6VV8sUoD7K1P5wRqKWbMHZo0uQiQSPnETx6F4_FFC3lZFnJZv3Tge3yV4mq5Y1WSTorIW0ul1qPim6QEa_BrKDt06MCOmmeEXF4hLhtFo-LBArs2fw2HbsiVaiDMn6Y/s1600/Knowing+Christ+Today+by+Dallas+Willard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="506" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_GNY9KTThhroY6VV8sUoD7K1P5wRqKWbMHZo0uQiQSPnETx6F4_FFC3lZFnJZv3Tge3yV4mq5Y1WSTorIW0ul1qPim6QEa_BrKDt06MCOmmeEXF4hLhtFo-LBArs2fw2HbsiVaiDMn6Y/s320/Knowing+Christ+Today+by+Dallas+Willard.jpg" width="215" /></a><i>"We may wish to be loving—to be kind and helpful in our relations to those near us. But we do not trust love, and we think it could easily ruin our carefully guarded hold on life. We are frightened of the world we are in, and that makes us angry and hostile, and contempt makes it easier to harm or disregard the good of others…. It takes little intelligence to know that to live in love is the morally good and right way to live. But entering into and growing in love—actually being it and doing it in the context of real life—is quite another matter. Many misunderstandings of what love is have to be worked through before one can come to peace in it. Evil has a vested interest in confusing and distorting love. Above all, one has to find by thought and experience that love can be trusted as a way of life... Love is not God, but God is love. It is who he is, his very identity. And our world under a God like that is a place where it is safe to do and be what is good and what is right. Living in love as Jesus defines it by his words and deeds is the sure way to know Christ in the modern world. On the other hand, if you are not reconciled to living in love as the center of your life, and actually living that way, any knowledge you may have of Christ will be shallow and shaky at best.” </i></blockquote>
And so we love sincerely, even when it means putting ourselves out there not knowing what will happen next. We can genuinely care for others, open our hearts and hands without agenda or expectation. We extend ourselves in friendship. We make the connections, even when it’s complicated. </div>
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Can I tell you how much it means to me that others have done this for me? That others are willing to stay in it with this quirky middle-aged single mom of many: listening well, making space, offering their insight and inspiration with integrity - that is such a gift. I don't always get to see people face to face, but phone, email, Facebook Messenger, and texts all work well enough for me when I can't talk in person. I love the ongoing conversations, a little snippet here, a little snatch there, that turn into so much. </div>
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My sister, dad, teen and adult kids, and several sweet friends have all blessed me just in the past few days. My friend Karen messaged me this morning that she was giving me a Spiritual Middle Name: Resilience. I'll take that! </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Resilience! Yes!</span></b><br />
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A few days ago, I jotted in my journal some encouraging thoughts related to resiliently navigating through life.<br />
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<i>Let your life unfold in God’s time. Enjoy the process. Life is like a game of chess. </i>(What I meant here is that we lose some pieces of ourselves, and move around in unexpected ways, sometimes feeling cornered. We may or may not even win this match. But still we play. Which brings to mind another phrase that’s been rattling around in my mind: “Play hard or go home.”) </blockquote>
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<i>Whatever happens, real life holds incredible blessings better than any fairy tale. You can live in God’s embrace. </i></blockquote>
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<i>You will learn and grow into genuine maturity. You will earn trust and respect.</i></blockquote>
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<i>You have so many things to do in life right now, and some of them will prepare you for the future in the areas where you are not yet ready.</i></blockquote>
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<i>Your life is incredibly complicated. Honor that. Identify the obstacles that are keeping you from moving forward with your goals, and start to dismantle and disentangle them. It needs to be done anyway.</i><br />
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<i>In what ways are you prepared to sacrifice? What are you willing to cut back or give up to reach your goals? How do you prudently practice self-care? How do you need to change your habits?</i><br />
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<i>Keep praying boldly, with an open and devoted heart, fully yielded to God.</i></blockquote>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Take the long view. Your life is an epic novel, not a short story.</span></i> </b></blockquote>
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And that last one is so true. I don't know what's coming in the next chapters of my life throughout and beyond my seminary years. It may be beautiful. It may be painful. It may be both at the same time. Bittersweet.<br />
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My sweet mother had been planning a trip to Europe with my father, and wanted to be able to travel comfortably. So she had back surgery in 2013, but died from a MERSA infection that she contracted in the hospital. I miss her so much. I determined to live my life well, and do some of the things she loved to do. A few years later, I traveled to <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Switzerland"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Switzerland</span></b></a> and <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Paris</span></b></a> with my daughter when she was presenting at a mental health conference in Geneva. My mother had also taken each of my first eight children on a trip of their choice when they were around 12 or 13. My ninth child was ten when Grandma passed away, but I promised him he'd get a "Grandma trip" anyway. He finally flew to New York City this morning with one of his travel-loving older sisters. I drove them to the airport and then stopped at Cracker Barrel on the way home just because I love their gift shop. I can always find something there to beautify and inspire my day. I bought this candle and mug as belated birthday presents for myself. For all things I can give thanks! I can enjoy every little thing and I am clothed with strength & dignity so I can laugh without fear at the future. Can I get an amen to that?<br />
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Thanks for reading this! I'd love to hear what you think!<br />
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You might enjoy posts I've written on my other blogs recently, as well as several of my poems related to the themes in this post.<br />
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Recent posts:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2019/09/travel-2019-maryland-pennsylvania-dc.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Travel 2019: Maryland, Pennsylvania, DC, Virginia</b></span></a> - spending time with my dad and sister in MD, organizing and attending a reunion for my mother's family in PA, falling off of a waterfall, touring the Museum of the Bible in DC, and visiting my aforementioned friend Karen in VA</li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2019/09/simple-womans-daybook-september-2019.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Simple Woman's Daybook, September 2019</span></b></a> - a hurricane, a wedding, starting my new seminary semester, and decorating for autumn all in the same week!</li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/07/give-me-ears-to-hear-eyes-to-see-heart.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Give Me Ears to Hear, Eyes to See, a Heart to Love</span></b></a> - enjoying the beauty of another nature path and simultaneously musing about caring for those who have been abused instead of loved</li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/06/how-do-i-juggle-it-all.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">How Do I Juggle It All?</span></b></a> - confessions of the crazy single mom of 10 who home schools, works, goes to seminary, and tries to tame the messes </li>
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Related poems:</div>
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<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/09/your-kindness-gave-me-courage.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Your Kindness Gave Me Courage</span></b></a></li>
<li><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/09/pilgrimage-and-jubilee.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Pilgrimage and Jubilee</span></a> </span>(from my 50th birthday)</li>
<li><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/07/disentangle-poem.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Disentangle</span></a> </span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-harp-in-willow-poem.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Harp in the Willow</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2012/02/shimmer-and-shadow-poem-p52-photos-more.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Shimmer and Shadow</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/04/this-is-where-i-am-in-time.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">This is Where I Am in Time</span></b></a></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2014/03/lift-up-your-head-and-laugh.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Lift Up Your Head and Laugh</span></b></a></li>
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Grace and peace and love to all of you,<br />
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Virginia Knowles</div>
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<a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/">www.ThisMomGrowsUp.blogspot.com</a></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-40273889150720164562019-06-28T23:37:00.001-04:002019-06-28T23:37:33.339-04:00How Do I Juggle It All?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">People sometimes ask my how I manage to do what I do, how I juggle it all as a single mother of several children. That's a good question. I don't always do it well. Other times, I do well enough, but not as well as I'd like. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am a seminary student (usually full-time with 9 hours a semester in fall and spring, but only 3 in summer), a part-time crisis hotline specialist (15 hours a week), I am resuming home school with my youngest teen in about a month, I have four other teen/adult kids still living at home, and then there is plenty of housework. Add in paperwork, personal care, downtime, and myriad other stuff that needs to be done. Plus, I love to spend time with my five other adult kids and my six grandchildren. One of my daughters is getting married in about two months, too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Let's just say the house is the thing that suffers most. As I say, if the kids want a cleaner house, they know what they can do... And they do all know how to cook, or at least heat up corn dogs and pizza rolls. I occasionally take a stab at something a little fancier than chili and spaghetti for dinner.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So yeah, it's kind of crazy here. I'm still wondering how I'll manage when school ramps back up for me, my home schooled daughter, and my teenage son in public school. Should be fun, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I think the trick for me now is just trying to layer in what I need to do and make it fit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This morning I woke up before 7, but lay in bed and scrolled through my FB feed and memories to find good stuff to repost to my new page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/EmpowerChristianWomen/"><b>Empowering Christian Women</b></a>. Then I ate a quick breakfast and headed to my study table to do my seminary homework for two hours. I had a five page paper due tonight, but I worked ahead and wrote most of it last week. I still had to finish the final edits and format my footnotes before submitting it this morning. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I posted my responses to assigned topics on the class </span><span style="font-size: large;">discussion forums. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I updated my list of assignments on Trello (project management app and online program) and checked off what I'd finished. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Next I cleaned out old food from the refrigerator, attempted to tidy up the kitchen, and packed my snack bag for work. I took a shower while listening to a friend's Facebook Live video on self-care for advocates of abuse survivors. I ate leftovers for lunch while reading a theology textbook on Kindle. I dabbed on a little concealer and blush.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I left for work in the early afternoon, spending five hours talking to people in crisis. I was on a call deescalating a very depressed and anxious client when I accidentally knocked over my drink onto the carpeted floor. My supervisor quietly came over and wiped it up for me. Bless her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As soon as I arrived home in the evening, my youngest climbed in the van and we headed to a youth event at church. I've been chilling in my room since we got home, talking with some of my other teens. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I don't even want to look at my cumulative to-do list. Oh eek, I just did, and I apparently forgot to make sure the trash went down to the curb this morning. Oops. At least my daughter watered my flower garden for me! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now it's almost midnight, and I'm off to bed after my evening routine of flossing teeth and moisturizing skin. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tomorrow (Saturday) I will try to sort all of the clean laundry that has been piling up in my dining room so the kids can put it away, tame the dishes in the sink, run a few errands, and finish the last several chapters of reading assignments for the week. I also need to finish up some of the arrangements for an upcoming out-of-state family reunion that I'm organizing. I'm sure I'll squeeze in a nap too.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I don't think I'll ever get the house the way I want it until I have an empty nest in several years. That's just something I have to accept for now, but I still keep plugging away at it with the help of my kids. I can at least keep my own bedroom mostly tidy most of the time.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So how do I get it all done? I don't. But I do what I can and call it good enough. And when it's not, I take a rest and give it another try later.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How about you?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Related blog posts? Sure thing! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /><ul>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2019/01/arise-one-word.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Arise (One Word)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/10/a-vision-of-mother-life-poem.html"><span style="font-size: large;">A Vision of Mother-Life (A Poem)</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/06/this-mom-starts-new-chapter.html"><span style="font-size: large;">This Mom Starts a New Chapter</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Focus (One Word)</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/07/super-summer-2-smile-focus-begin.html">Smile. Focus. Begin.</a></span></li>
</ul>
</span><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Grace and peace,</span><div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-12708616124989270972019-01-08T16:48:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:23:58.526-04:00Arise (One Word)<div class="separator tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hello friends!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Like me, you've probably seen plenty of social media posts about friends choosing their "one word" for the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I've been doing this for a few years:</span></div>
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<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Focus</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/01/strength-and-creativity-in-my-blue-haven.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Strength</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/12/move-forward-in-2015.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Forward</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-word-refresh.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Refresh</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My "one word" for 2019 is ARISE! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I chose ARISE because</span> I<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> want to encourage myself to rise up and overcome the many challenges in my life. Last year's word FOCUS ended up putting me on the path of going back to work part-time and starting <a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">seminary</span></b></a> full-time after 26 years of home schooling. This is in addition to caring for my five remaining teen/adult kids at home (though they are pretty self-sufficient), trying to keep the house clean, and coping with multiple physical disabilities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It's sometimes hard for me to get up in the morning, so ARISE takes on the literal meaning every day. But it's not just that. It is more a sense of empowerment for myself as a an ezer-woman in God's eyes. Rising from a religious paradigm where women had no voice and no choice about so much of their lives, to <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">one where they do</span></b></a>, well, that was quite a switch for this 55 year old mama of 10. Then, building on that, attending an egalitarian seminary (<a href="https://asburyseminary.edu/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Asbury</span></b></a> Orlando campus) has been so much of a breath of fresh air for me! I still wonder what I'll end up doing, how I'll rise up and find my way in ministry in the community. It's a walk of faith from first to last, as it has been for the past 42 years since I first embraced the gospel of Christ for myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my classes, Church History I, delved into Celtic Christianity toward the end of the semester. <b>I'm smitten. </b>Starting in medieval Ireland and spreading throughout the British Isles and western Europe, Celtic Christians nourished an abiding devotion to God, deep spirituality and worship, and a love for creation, beauty, the arts, adventure, and yes, empowered women! What more could I ask? I've ordered a few different Celtic Christianity books from Amazon:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005DIAVS0/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o07_?ie=UTF8&psc=1"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic Tradition</span></b></a> </span>by Esther De Waal (This one was recommended by my professor. I have the Kindle version.) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F50B7W/ref=oh_aui_d_detailpage_o06_?ie=UTF8&psc=1"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life</span></b></a> by Kenneth McIntosh (I have the Kindle version.) </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060013249/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community</span></b></a> (This one, in print version, is supposed to arrive within the next few hours - I can't wait!)</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then there is the Celtic prayer St. Patrick's Breastplate (see chalk art at top of this post), which starts with the words "I arise in the strength of heaven..." I also created a photo calendar for 2019 with Celtic prayers and blessings and some of my flower photos from last year. Here is my October page with more "arise" inspiration.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A little more story that puts me in awe of God...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My friend Patricia, who started me on my seminary journey, decided last month she wanted to visit the church where her friend and former Asbury classmate Tom Phillips, is the pastor. <a href="https://www.incarnationcfl.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Church of the Incarnation</span></b></a> is an Episcopal congregation. I decided to show up that morning too, and we've been going ever since. I love the old liturgy mixed with contemporary worship music. (Church History class also gave me a fondness for weekly Eucharist, which our professor Dr. Chilcote served each week in the style of whatever ecclesiastical period we were studying that week.) Anyway, on Epiphany Sunday this past week Father Tom's sermon at Incarnation was, of course, about the magi (also known as the wise men or the Three Kings) traveling to visit the infant Jesus. Of course we sang the carol, "We Three Kings"! To my delight, the Old Testament reading was Isaiah 60:1-6, which starts with "Arise, shine; for your light has come..." (I already had that loaded in my Bible app, because I had just looked it up.) Reading further in the passage, I see the prophecy about the nations and kings following the light to the messiah, bringing gold and frankincense. Mind-blowing! I had never made that connection before!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can watch Father Tom's Epiphany sermon on this passage <a href="https://www.facebook.com/incarnationoviedo/videos/377103019740920/" target=""><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">here</span></b></a> on Facebook. So encouraging! The people of God radiate the brightness of God to the nations, drawing them to the good news of Jesus. It's not bootstrap moralism, but being filled up with God! I'm listening to it again right now: "When your heart settles into the radical truth of the grace of God... you wear the very perfection of Jesus, then your heart starts to shine with the radiating grace... and your neighbors see it."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ARISE, shine! Your light has come! The glory of the Lord has risen upon you!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Virginia </span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S. Actually, I'm a bit torn between Arise and Rise, so I'm using both, as you'll see in my 2018 Advent poem, <a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/12/we-can-rise-advent-poem-2018.html"><b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">We Can Rise</span></b></a>. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">P.P.S. I'm actually writing three blog posts today, which is notable since I sometimes go months without writing any. The others are <a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2019/01/inductive-bible-study-on-discipleship.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Inductive Bible Study on Discipleship in Matthew 8-9 (Seminary Notes)</b></span></a> and A Simple Woman's Day Book post which I haven't done yet. Little bit of overlap here, but I just had to include a Francesca Battistelli's "The Breakup Song" (Fear You Don't Own Me) in both this one and the Day Book post. It will help me ARISE!</span><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-75666290482144306552018-10-18T11:29:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.994-04:00A Vision of Mother-Life (A Poem)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This morning I dreamed</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">a friend rose to greet me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">with a dark smudge </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of ash on her chin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">And as I wondered on this,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the blot transformed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">regathering into the outlines</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">of an intricate tattoo,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">spreading across her cheeks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Then vibrant colors seeped into</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">the empty spaces, and a full scene</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">emerged on her face:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">a vignette of a radiant woman </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">quietly tending her garden </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">with peacocks and gladiolas, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">sculptures and fountains,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">sunrise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My friend smiled at my astonishment. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">“I want my children to have</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">something interesting to look at</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">in the morning...”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Indeed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">This is the mystery of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">mother-life:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">a vision of glory,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">bright and beautiful story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Who knows where this dream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">would have taken her, and me,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">if I had not woken up just then?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">But is it just a dream?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few thoughts:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Why didn't I see children in the tattoo/dream rather than just their mother? I think it is because the child is the beholder, watching the life of her mother in a moment in time. The mother is in the child's world, but the mother and child are distinct from one another, with their own identities and interests. The garden is also not the only scene she sees in her mother's life. There are so many other realms in which women flourish. As I said, who knows where else the dream would have gone? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My own amazing mother was a skilled computer trainer, a talented stained glass artist and seamstress, a member of the National Christian choir, a devoted wife & mother & grandmother, a travel lover, and an avid gardener. This is just a tiny description of a large life. She was my mother, but so much more! (If you'd like, you can see more about her here: </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/in-memoriam-tribute-to-my-mother-mary.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">In Memoriam: A Tribute to My Mother, Mary Quarrier</span></a><span style="color: blue;"> </span></span>and<span style="color: blue; font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2013/07/radiant-nurturer-recent-photos-of-my.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Radiant Nurturer: Recent Photos of My Mother</span></a><b style="text-decoration-line: none;">.</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, I am a black thumb gardener, but I still try to keep plants alive. My days find me in many places: working at my writing/art table, cooking and cleaning in my kitchen, answering crisis calls in the 211 center, listening to a lecture in a seminary classroom, typing away at online class assignments, shopping at the grocery store, in my mini-van picking up my kids or going through a drive through, strolling through botanical gardens and art museums, preparing for a family birthday for one of my adult children, visiting my adorable grandchildren... I am a mother of ten amazing kids, but I am more than a mother.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do think an important milestone in maturity is for children to see their parents not as extensions of themselves, present solely for the purpose of attending to their every need, but as unique and distinct people with lives of their own. Our children do things <i>with</i> us that they will someday do themselves, or maybe even later with their own children. And they will accomplish many other things that we never even thought to do. And we will do other things not only when they have flown the nest, but while they are still with us. They need to see that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">As part of one of my seminary assignments, I watched a movie called </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Life-Hildegard-von-Bingen/dp/B004KCAYXC/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Vision</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;"> about Hildegard von Bingen, a medieval German nun. She excelled in so many areas - </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">founding abbess/magistra of two cloisters, </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">visionary mystic, traveling preacher, philosopher,</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> poet, composer, playwright, gardener, herbalist, naturopathic medicine expert, scientist, ecologist, and so much more. She was "Mother Hildegard" to the nuns in her care, yet she was so much much more. In the movie, a very somber magistra from another cloister rebukes Hildegard for writing and producing an amazing musical play,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;">Ordo Virtutum,</span><span style="color: black;"> </span>on</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> the moral virtues. How worldly and immodest to see nuns out of their habits, dancing and singing! Hildegard sagely responded, "God loves beauty! In paradise there is no ugliness." Ah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #222222;">On the dark smudge... So many dark things happen in life that dominate our mother-days at times. In this poem, the pieces of ash reorder themselves into art and come alive with color. This picture of grief and redemption makes me cry. Why did I dream of ashes and mothers? Maybe this: earlier in the morning, I had scrolled through my On This Day memory feed on Facebook feed. I saw pictures of a trip I took to Acadia National Park with my daughter, sister, and niece. We were scattering the ashes of my mother in the ocean at Thunder Hole. That poignant experience turned into a poem which you can read here: </span><a href="https://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/10/new-england-road-trip-3-thunder-hole-in.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thunder Hole</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back to the present, and to the future...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is your vision of mother-life?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">P.S. I </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">found the stained glass picture at the top of this post on Pinterest. There is no identification to it. I wish I knew the title and artist!</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-12410999712370378122018-06-13T12:39:00.001-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.521-04:00This Mom Starts a New Chapter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg6mLvxrt43c4ZvX3zWQbfaEZWiYj5mz9_0xZppZLES2QAJINQ6jcedWeGvdBQc_p98KtqY0c_zeSz3H00Yyi6E7QRbwV-XqMakCn4A8wl8AGnSe9uMk8btXJLVF8WwloKvcdV_lxKrRM/s1600/Virginia+at+job+fair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="751" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyg6mLvxrt43c4ZvX3zWQbfaEZWiYj5mz9_0xZppZLES2QAJINQ6jcedWeGvdBQc_p98KtqY0c_zeSz3H00Yyi6E7QRbwV-XqMakCn4A8wl8AGnSe9uMk8btXJLVF8WwloKvcdV_lxKrRM/s400/Virginia+at+job+fair.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm starting a new chapter in life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the last post on this blog, I wrote about my One Word for the Year, which is </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2018/02/focus-one-word.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Focus</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was trying to figure out what to do next with my life. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's funny how once I really focused on it, the way became more clear. Here is some of it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also wrote in that last blog post about my friend Patricia leading a Lectio Divina Bible study. That opened a new door for me: I'm starting a Master of Arts in Ministry at Asbury Theological Seminary (Orlando campus) this fall, partly funded with two of their scholarships. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCKRBvbSc3MXsBwr2dsmlgZ8bExOJLfZlPXoZRmzdKx7tKXY1yVtuFud6SYLTNrvT-fVzJn4afIBko2CrGltDf_Ec9XJ20hnSn4Z_z3apA0vXmM3JhtETJ2-JfmPjwweHFZ-iWRF7y4K/s1600/Asbury+seminary+banners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oCKRBvbSc3MXsBwr2dsmlgZ8bExOJLfZlPXoZRmzdKx7tKXY1yVtuFud6SYLTNrvT-fVzJn4afIBko2CrGltDf_Ec9XJ20hnSn4Z_z3apA0vXmM3JhtETJ2-JfmPjwweHFZ-iWRF7y4K/s320/Asbury+seminary+banners.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">B</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ut this leads to other transitions. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After 31 years as a (mostly) stay-at-home mom, I'm looking for a part-time job to help pay for my tuition. I went to a job fair last week, and as a result of that, I have an interview tomorrow at a social services agency working with people in crisis. (Update: I got the job!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because I will be going to grad school full-time and (hopefully) working part-time, I won't be home schooling my youngest daughter, so she will be going to public school for 7th grade.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">During the summer, I'm scrambling to get a lot of stuff done around the house and with my kids before I don't have as much time. Big clutter purge going on here!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm also getting a jump on my seminary studies since there is a ton of reading due pretty quickly. I took home school books to <a href="http://brightlightbooks.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Brightlight Books</span></b></a> (my favorite used bookstore) and traded them in for several of my theology text books, which is one of their specialties. I downloaded several texts in Kindle version, which is much easier for me to read since I can adjust the font. I ordered a few other books new on Amazon, and now I have just one left to find at a decent price. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5CmiBSCWrzMixFJlsVWerR6HRjzGXTUywb4hGOd8Xc3qrGAGtE1WeRCPE9UvJdUEuwKjtve03ZFm4gCEaL9fLEaZJFYT9ITYtFDHwezDnsJKGzNtDEbXTrzdDU23IrLbQ54iYiOpp-hH/s1600/Inductive+Bible+Study+on+Kindle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="803" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5CmiBSCWrzMixFJlsVWerR6HRjzGXTUywb4hGOd8Xc3qrGAGtE1WeRCPE9UvJdUEuwKjtve03ZFm4gCEaL9fLEaZJFYT9ITYtFDHwezDnsJKGzNtDEbXTrzdDU23IrLbQ54iYiOpp-hH/s320/Inductive+Bible+Study+on+Kindle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Side note: My son just came in and said, "I think someone's been using my debit card on Amazon." Oops. We share an Amazon account, and for some reason his debit was listed as the default. I now owe him $80. Of course, he owes me his very existence, but that's beside the point. 😉</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Digital Organization</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Getting my digital life organized helps me get the rest of my life more organized. I have used Evernote and gTasks for quite a while, but my friend <a href="http://www.susanemoore.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Susan Moore</span></b></a> clued me in to <a href="https://trello.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Trello</span></b></a> and I'm hooked! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not quite sure how to describe it, but Trello is an organizing system that you can use on your computer and all of your devices. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trello has boards for the major project areas of your life. These boards can have really cool photographic backgrounds of your choice.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckMyYieJJnNqDqvTa7aptVsfb1STEuRICXapRTQkCVtGfBTNObXuk5Gef6RN54jxMaw38UD2zNEDPvB35uZDoQFip9SpRHq1hbddWvjMcppB8Yl_LWW0EgaseHBO4oVEQwAaCTk-2RZg0/s1600/Screenshot+%25282%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1193" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckMyYieJJnNqDqvTa7aptVsfb1STEuRICXapRTQkCVtGfBTNObXuk5Gef6RN54jxMaw38UD2zNEDPvB35uZDoQFip9SpRHq1hbddWvjMcppB8Yl_LWW0EgaseHBO4oVEQwAaCTk-2RZg0/s400/Screenshot+%25282%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Each board has categorized lists with cards (tasks) on them.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGk9kLIEZvTK-hZCXjELXIxOMSeBK5DriQB2mw273iMLo7Ihyphenhyphen6zcNXyDnv1IJSdWnvUjRxD1t1NnuiIX5jlNewZKnhIQdcl4oBCeFWEG-duf5R8kSCcOY39tuJhDMnSs_gbZGzfceS3GG/s1600/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="1366" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAGk9kLIEZvTK-hZCXjELXIxOMSeBK5DriQB2mw273iMLo7Ihyphenhyphen6zcNXyDnv1IJSdWnvUjRxD1t1NnuiIX5jlNewZKnhIQdcl4oBCeFWEG-duf5R8kSCcOY39tuJhDMnSs_gbZGzfceS3GG/s400/Screenshot+%25281%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The task cards can be opened to enter more details, such as check lists, due dates, labels, and file attachments.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk5V2OjE0INdTyfJvQbJuAif_FWHZnXaanh9PeWUpckSoSPIpEndil3yxZzUzNyTjB6Mq05YS83i7A7trRn9Cuqze5MD87EBklaNaJfItLaZ582bQSfec9EaX4Xzh2D9_uXVotvi0S48K/s1600/Screenshot+%25283%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="605" data-original-width="756" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGk5V2OjE0INdTyfJvQbJuAif_FWHZnXaanh9PeWUpckSoSPIpEndil3yxZzUzNyTjB6Mq05YS83i7A7trRn9Cuqze5MD87EBklaNaJfItLaZ582bQSfec9EaX4Xzh2D9_uXVotvi0S48K/s400/Screenshot+%25283%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I opened two windows in my browser and set up tabs for all of my Trello boards. Then each day, I click through the tabs to see what I need to work on. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I'm away from home, I can open the app and swipe through my boards on my phone. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For some reason, this is just so much more satisfying than my gTask checklist, which I still use for some things. Plus, it's more comprehensive and intuitive.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition to my Trello windows, I keep another window open with tabs for my email, Facebook, Google Calendar, and Mint financial tracker.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Wisdom from James</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also started another blog, but this one is not your typical format. It's a study of the book of James. Each passage has separate pages for Read+Reflect+Respond (study questions, applications, a hymn, a prayer), My Reflections (an extended paraphrase) essays, poems, links), and Study Helps (alternate versions, related verses, commentaries). I'm about a third of the way through it! Links to each post are below, but the main link is <a href="http://www.wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Wisdom from James</span></b></a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRugA35Nnmvo_2OIG5r_UOyVC_gMiOG4FyOCDz9c44XdQeuXdn1FtGQ2E-zg4RQmA6CMeVf9UBoytPDYFZ8dKVPKjA9wRAAARdJWyEGXhiZxtAUu4DjBUGqgYw3ZFijCyMpsoJGZLp1FC/s1600/Wisdom+from+James+header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="238" data-original-width="400" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRugA35Nnmvo_2OIG5r_UOyVC_gMiOG4FyOCDz9c44XdQeuXdn1FtGQ2E-zg4RQmA6CMeVf9UBoytPDYFZ8dKVPKjA9wRAAARdJWyEGXhiZxtAUu4DjBUGqgYw3ZFijCyMpsoJGZLp1FC/s400/Wisdom+from+James+header.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's about all for now, except for links to my recent blog posts below! I'd love to hear what you are doing, too, so leave a comment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much love,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Recent Blog Posts</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b>Virginia's Life, Such As It Is</b></span><br />
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<li><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/06/simple-womans-daybook-june-2018.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Simple Woman's Daybook - June 2018</span></a></b> - a more detailed update on my life.</li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2018/04/the-simple-womans-daybook.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Simple Woman's Daybook - April 2018</span></b></a></li>
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<b>Watch the Shepherd</b></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/06/the-power-of-christian-womans-voice.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">The Power of a Christian Woman's Voice</span></a> </b></span>- a gender manifesto of sorts - PLEASE READ!</li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/soul-musings-from-old-journal.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Soul Musings from an Old Journal</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/lift-high-cross-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Lift High the Cross (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/03/ptsd-pain-that-keeps-on-giving-while-we.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>PTSD: Pain that Keeps on Giving While We Go on with Living</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2018/02/human-trafficking-community-conversation.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Human Trafficking: A Community Conversation</b></span></a></li>
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</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wisdom from James</b></span></div>
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<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/joy-wisdom-james-11-8-1-read-reflect.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Read + Reflect + Respond with James 1:1-8</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-reflections-on-james-11-8.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Reflections on James 1:1-8</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/study-helps-for-james-11-8.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Study Helps for James 1:1-8</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-reflect-respond-with-james-19-18.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Read + Reflect + Respond with James 1:9-18</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-reflections-on-james-19-18.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Reflections on James 1:9-18</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/study-helps-for-james-19-18.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Study Helps for James 1:9-18</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/read-reflect-respond-with-james-119-27.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Read + Reflect + Respond with James 1:19-27</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-reflections-on-james-119-27.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Reflections on James 1:19-27</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/study-helps-for-james-119-27_13.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Study Helps for James 1:19-27</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/readreflectrespond-with-james-21-13.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Read+Reflect+Respond with James 2:1-13</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/my-reflections-on-james-21-13.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Reflections on James 2:1-13</b></span></a></u></li>
<li><u style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: -15px;"><b><a href="https://wisdomfromjames.blogspot.com/2018/05/study-helps-for-james-21-13.html" style="font-size: x-large; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Study Helps for James 2:1-13</span></a></b></span></u></li>
</ul>
</div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-30953992045854890822018-02-06T16:13:00.002-05:002019-03-18T10:23:58.665-04:00Focus (One Word)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60uTmkgEmILGbL3da4yrU2b7INEqQa1cDDbbwe8nrrWdKlb3aUALV0Gx2pWC7PYQrjelyxZugkDJu2W0N6Y37TXTGTTPYOFFqsik37dunWjfIc8kX9oyWfcDj-fWIct2exublIfP1LtN0/s1600/IMG_E0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60uTmkgEmILGbL3da4yrU2b7INEqQa1cDDbbwe8nrrWdKlb3aUALV0Gx2pWC7PYQrjelyxZugkDJu2W0N6Y37TXTGTTPYOFFqsik37dunWjfIc8kX9oyWfcDj-fWIct2exublIfP1LtN0/s320/IMG_E0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">OK, so it's only been like, what, eight and a half months since I posted on this blog? Eek! Oh well! That's life! There's only so much I can do sometimes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But here I am. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's now February 2018, and back at the end of December, I thought about my new "one word" for the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>FOCUS.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because that's what I need to do. <b>Focus.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have a lot of growing up to do - as the title of this blog suggests - and so much progress to make in areas where I've been lacking. I need to sit down and take a good hard look at what I still want to do in this life, where I want to go on this journey I'm on. This takes planning and preparation and productivity. And focus, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To be honest, this morning I had a hard time focusing. I was tired and stressed and had a headache. It took effort to move forward with the day. After I returned from running errands and eating a little breakfast, I tackled the dishes and other basic household chores. That put me in productivity mode so I could focus on creating this blog post that I've been meaning to write for a while. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I won't be able to cover everything rattling around in my brain about this, but I'll write more in the coming weeks. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For now, I'll just share a few things which remind me to stay on track.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vis</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ual Cues</span></u></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I created this framed picture by adding the word "Focus" to a photo of one of my tie dye creations. Focus encompasses creativity, too, not just dry logistics.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lCaa3lD4UjRgp0cWaLkr2s_cxDlZrJHJbZAyBnw2sdysIQ36X1-ZJabUONtTfpbxKVwn_Iq4u-D0vv3x4YC8Td2ucEKxPl_P-84oyaw2awmXo14-g3F1NVzC2tKJ8vHzj7KfS5OUmvzd/s1600/Focus+tie+dye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1600" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3lCaa3lD4UjRgp0cWaLkr2s_cxDlZrJHJbZAyBnw2sdysIQ36X1-ZJabUONtTfpbxKVwn_Iq4u-D0vv3x4YC8Td2ucEKxPl_P-84oyaw2awmXo14-g3F1NVzC2tKJ8vHzj7KfS5OUmvzd/s320/Focus+tie+dye.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This large montage reminds me </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">of what areas</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> need my attention this year. I listed several key words for each one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzG0yc3kJ0UrBtzBU6MCgWqAjZqTLxssrm8KBoG-VMqIXuUJ8F-sZKI_jNi89-eeegBop3ZAE54XzPCewTW11NNupWtvUc5UX3kGUkbgkM75bIR3voj_XZAQfGsLUUCqt18KCEIUQwloq/s1600/IMG_E0457.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1317" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzG0yc3kJ0UrBtzBU6MCgWqAjZqTLxssrm8KBoG-VMqIXuUJ8F-sZKI_jNi89-eeegBop3ZAE54XzPCewTW11NNupWtvUc5UX3kGUkbgkM75bIR3voj_XZAQfGsLUUCqt18KCEIUQwloq/s400/IMG_E0457.JPG" width="328" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0_J0001wnV6q_uOEx6tNpCnbivnXINF13h12AC2ASHIYnvQMEY-3MLlHecX3-SC5TZMaohS80AWHWjmmdsjcoSKwVGlL0HYXRyggj4p3ZM2brhwrUVZl7ExARv07SIo4rQcOu2QYFxox/s1600/IMG_E0460.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0_J0001wnV6q_uOEx6tNpCnbivnXINF13h12AC2ASHIYnvQMEY-3MLlHecX3-SC5TZMaohS80AWHWjmmdsjcoSKwVGlL0HYXRyggj4p3ZM2brhwrUVZl7ExARv07SIo4rQcOu2QYFxox/s320/IMG_E0460.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRvxzxmS0RS-fRuHotCZa4DRDCJjg0l31c5AI6_9Ledik8rTQ64ZJ3mgI9abIEHsVdI_cqkGRKYo6gzFuy3MeRKvjHIL13qolsvTo8YhW6P_8ubrv-1fUo8wbPLT0fMImsrGYgzHxbuyZ/s1600/IMG_E0463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1408" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRvxzxmS0RS-fRuHotCZa4DRDCJjg0l31c5AI6_9Ledik8rTQ64ZJ3mgI9abIEHsVdI_cqkGRKYo6gzFuy3MeRKvjHIL13qolsvTo8YhW6P_8ubrv-1fUo8wbPLT0fMImsrGYgzHxbuyZ/s320/IMG_E0463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaBnFB_oxymoEAggPr6jeOHMJ4NKZm2mHDurFCo3nPTUFcfpSJ8SY7Wr4tncN0KpcRNfXEkz-6FwdcYCJsnfDE7-g7rAbqauvJQ3joFD2o-vKzfwjODZnvL8TqMwpcnPEFMCxRWvsMfVW/s1600/IMG_E0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1129" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaBnFB_oxymoEAggPr6jeOHMJ4NKZm2mHDurFCo3nPTUFcfpSJ8SY7Wr4tncN0KpcRNfXEkz-6FwdcYCJsnfDE7-g7rAbqauvJQ3joFD2o-vKzfwjODZnvL8TqMwpcnPEFMCxRWvsMfVW/s320/IMG_E0461.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInt9DpdxbzEJSxwW2iiGZfCxEEbX5uzJCNPQXZ1Vvu8OC27dV7gKsX4NgzR2rGYNUmdUIs2Zjj3iNFTPDA3g5tmhFg-wJm4mmoSvlgKQK7T2WbIxTWb6hJ6qpVYo5EzWAyhvHYueZfsYr/s1600/IMG_E0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1276" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInt9DpdxbzEJSxwW2iiGZfCxEEbX5uzJCNPQXZ1Vvu8OC27dV7gKsX4NgzR2rGYNUmdUIs2Zjj3iNFTPDA3g5tmhFg-wJm4mmoSvlgKQK7T2WbIxTWb6hJ6qpVYo5EzWAyhvHYueZfsYr/s320/IMG_E0458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xzrIkyEF5Ps_VWv9qpRHTejl7HVE7KyiV9qvAluIoo4jd12xRjeUMR0ZGtmI-NgK4GLwY7ph1rMEZLsu6lMyNtvYHES93IoKwuitdTxGN53dGKrtHkgJhD4_xsvFyXJG5URGgZC37kp/s1600/IMG_E0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0xzrIkyEF5Ps_VWv9qpRHTejl7HVE7KyiV9qvAluIoo4jd12xRjeUMR0ZGtmI-NgK4GLwY7ph1rMEZLsu6lMyNtvYHES93IoKwuitdTxGN53dGKrtHkgJhD4_xsvFyXJG5URGgZC37kp/s320/IMG_E0459.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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I also created my own calendar on Snapfish</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">. I thought of several Scripture passages that I felt would be powerful encouragement toward focusing my life. I used The Message paraphrase since it's poetic, and I paired the verses with some of my nature photos from the year. Here is my February page.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4U9vty75mM-W3oAmICVJVfhrL_AtzTdhHGXqm4TL-92gNRnKfGG1tu3RCLObQlgc_2cDxlxZ-exrq4ZNWs_sEU0vB3qmW5OlJvD-xT_5HDwsfHL6JwwjkS35r5LhyptzD2iL1LtN1QRd/s1600/February+calendar+1+Peter+1+vs+13-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO4U9vty75mM-W3oAmICVJVfhrL_AtzTdhHGXqm4TL-92gNRnKfGG1tu3RCLObQlgc_2cDxlxZ-exrq4ZNWs_sEU0vB3qmW5OlJvD-xT_5HDwsfHL6JwwjkS35r5LhyptzD2iL1LtN1QRd/s400/February+calendar+1+Peter+1+vs+13-17.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For my front hallway, I just created my new chalkboard design for the spring season. As a visual metaphor to go with it, I set out a vintage Polaroid camera and its case. They belonged to my late Grandpa Quarrier in the 1970's.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqNaeHyKlnhBo46lFHiDHelOjiYXHSC4X3h3pBmSfRq4pT_5SlQ1xiJaUt10sbonRNQn0LcgU-LXL-RXYGxa5N5Z_iULXSpGl7DO-cQaFL_8wsQkoHJHrgEKUgiG2ZeIxTb0C7JrdqHRr/s1600/IMG_E0453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1409" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZqNaeHyKlnhBo46lFHiDHelOjiYXHSC4X3h3pBmSfRq4pT_5SlQ1xiJaUt10sbonRNQn0LcgU-LXL-RXYGxa5N5Z_iULXSpGl7DO-cQaFL_8wsQkoHJHrgEKUgiG2ZeIxTb0C7JrdqHRr/s320/IMG_E0453.JPG" width="281" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Apps & Planners</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In my last post on this blog,</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-unexpected-ritual-of-my-daily-do.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The (Unexpected) Ritual of My Daily Do List</span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">, I shared about how I had stopped using apps for planning, and was using a Daily Do sheet that I had designed. That worked well for many months, but then it didn't anymore. A few weeks ago I replaced a malfunctioning phone, and when I set up the new one, I decided to give the</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> gTasks app another try. I'm glad I did. I also switched from the default Apple Calendar app to the Google Calendar app. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, even with the apps, I'm still using a paper planner as a backup. Writing things down physically helps me remember them, and it's also helpful as a backup for when I accidentally delete an event from my phone calendar. The book on the right is my planner, and the one on the left is a journal with writing prompts and beautiful illustrations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I really like about <i>this</i> planner, which I bought at Walmart, is that for each weekly page spread, there is an extra lined page for writing whatever is needed. Monday and Tuesday are my high productivity days since my home schooled daughter is in classes, so I can do a more detailed to do list for them on this lined page.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(This was actually my second attempt at using a paper planner this year. I bought a much more complicated loose leaf system at Michael's Crafts, but it was confusing and overwhelming to me with all kinds of different pages. This new one shown above is much more doable for me.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Books</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently purchased several books on focus, planning, brain boosting, and financial management at our library's used bookstore. Please note that I haven't read them yet so I can't exactly recommend them, but for less than a dollar a piece, I figured I couldn't go to far wrong grabbing a pile. Perhaps I'll be sharing some of what I read in future posts!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Lectio Divina Study</u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So many lovely people have taken their time to help me learn vital skills and to grow as a human being. Besides my own family, I have a circle of friends, both on-line and IRL (in real life) who have been priceless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently joined a Bible study that my friend Patricia is leading each week at a local church. Connecting with a small group of women there has been such a gift. The study style - Lectio Divina - helps develop focus, too. It's not a teacher imposing her own opinions on a subject for everyone else to hear. Instead, w</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">e carefully listen as Patricia reads the Scripture passage three times slowly. We try to be attentive to what God wants us to take into our hearts from the passage, reflecting on the words and phrases, and then jot this down in silence. This is called Meditatio. Then we write a prayer based on this, which is Oratatio. Third, for Contemplatio, we write down how we plan to apply the truths and ideas this week. After this, we briefly share our thoughts and pray for each other. Later on at home, I spend a more extended time with the same passage, perhaps making a list or an outline, or reading it in another version. This practice - or spiritual discipline - helps me to focus better on God's word, which in turn brings clarity to my life and decisions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And now I'll just leave you with some links to other posts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some of my earlier "One Word" posts:</span></div>
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<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/01/strength-and-creativity-in-my-blue-haven.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Strength</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/12/move-forward-in-2015.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Forward</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/01/one-word-refresh.html" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Refresh</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Two other related posts on this blog:</span></div>
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<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html" style="font-size: 30px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/07/super-summer-2-smile-focus-begin.html" style="font-size: 30px; text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Smile. Focus. Begin.</span></a></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Recent-ish posts from my other blogs... </span></div>
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<b><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/10/what-about-privilege-justice-and-social.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">What About Privilege, Justice, and Social Responsibility?</span></a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></b></b></div>
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<a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/12/god-of-joy-i-see-thee-advent-2017-poem.html" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>God of Joy, I See Thee</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/08/mutual-by-design-2017-christians-for.html"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Mutual by Design 2017 Christians for Biblical Equality Conference</span></a><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">and </span><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2017/07/no-little-women-cbe17.html"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>No Little Women</b></span></a></span></div>
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<img height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsjDtAyisJPM_j69lmVGvhfO8TNRen1_2X2IW710VkP4ce_LK7gWeVLrNoJsKpT3DfmjpX5tpADf_KPf1qHUqm1tpcIipHqc_8bWZvkyNyhw24k-UqBH0rp8w3lQEIB5F5O1PVg-0q6U/s200/Liberty-Enlightening-the-World2.jpg" width="137" /></div>
Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-45924708550512981542017-05-21T17:24:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.767-04:00The (Unexpected) Ritual of My Daily Do List<br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">True Confession: I have a complicated history with To Do lists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have tried all kinds.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've used pre-designed To Do lists. They didn't fit my fluid, artsy, distractible personality.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've custom-designed countless To Do templates on my computer over the years. They would always get lost and neglected in a notebook somewhere.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've used excellent apps like ToodleDo and gTasks for years. I like their alarms and the ability to categorize, prioritize, and reschedule tasks. And gTasks pulls in events from Google Calendar, which is cool. But I found myself resisting and then ignoring them. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But now... I've got something that <i>actually</i> works for me.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's uniquely mine. It evolved over a period of months. Its focus and line items reflect what is important to me, which I described in </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/seven-gifts-visions-values.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-indent: -15px;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Seven Gifts </span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">and</span> <span style="color: #38761d;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/visions-and-values.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; text-indent: -15px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Visions and Values</b></span></a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's the story.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Like I said, I have been using gTasks for a long time. Unfortunately, it doesn't provide a lasting record of what I actually did on a certain day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So in February, I gradually embraced the habit of sitting down each night (see </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-art-and-soul-of-my-blue-haven.html"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>The Art and Soul of My Blue Haven</b></span></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">) to write down what I had done: </span>an<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> "I Already Did It" list. It gave me a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. I realized later that it was a kind of bullet journal, a technique that has become quite popular recently.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, then I decided to start jotting (at the bottom of my "Did It" list) a short list of things I needed to remember for the next day. Which, when I thought about it, is a kind of To Do list. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So then I decided to flip this, and </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">start</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> the page with the list of what I needed to do the next day at the top. Then I could check it off as I actually <i>did</i> the things, adding whatever </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">else </i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did that day at the bottom.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And then I decided that I needed a daily habit tracker to make sure I was doing certain things every day. For example, as a diabetic, I need to exercise, keep a food log, take my medicine, and check my glucose levels. Before bed, I need to shut down the house for the night, as well as do some self-care tasks.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I didn't want to handwrite those every day, so I decided to take another crack at creating a To Do template.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted something that gave me flexibility with certain tasks like organizing. I wanted to be reminded to organize something every day, but then be able to write down exactly <i>what</i> I was organizing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wanted space to write down stuff that didn't fit into a regular category.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted my list in basic chronological order, to give a sort of sequence to the routines/rituals I have embraced for morning and evening.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I created a hybrid form: part habit tracker, part task reminder, part free-form journal. I tried it out. I tweaked it. I tried it some more. I tweaked it some more. I'm using it every day, and I'm sure I'll tweak it even more as my needs change.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The thing is, I got in the <i>habit </i>of working with a list every evening and morning and sporadically throughout the day. That's what made it work, even before I had the list itself fully functional. It works because I <i>love</i> it, and I <i>want</i> to do it, and it makes me <i>happy</i> to be more productive, and I'm <i>on a roll </i>that I don't want to stop.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ta da! Here it is!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here is a filled-in list for </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wednesday, when I was home</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">most of the day, had pretty good energy, and was able to get a lot of different things done. My daughter was sick for a few days, so I didn't need to home school her. Thursday (when I was a little sick and very tired, but still able to get some low key stuff done) and Friday (when I was driving all over town with various teenagers from one event or appointment to the next) were quite different from Wednesday, but all three days were directed and curated by the same flexible Daily Do List format. Works for me!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few other notes...</span></span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I put these Daily Do forms in the front section of my notebook, not behind a tabbed divider. I leave the notebook open on the desk I use for my morning and evening planning ritual. I have a Food Log and space for Health Notes on the back side.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I keep my glucose monitor, hand weights, medicines, Bible, and other necessary materials within easy reach of the same desk, so I can do them and then record them.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have other custom designed forms in various tabbed sections of the same notebook. I glean information from these for filling out the Daily Do forms. For example, I have a list of home projects I want to complete in the near future. I can look at that and decide when to schedule them.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I do not usually bring my notebook or my Daily Do page on errands. I don't want to risk loss or damage. If necessary, I will snap a photo of the current page on my phone for reference while I'm gone. Or I will enter an errand sequence or short shopping list in a simple note on my phone. If I must bring paper along, I put it on a pretty clipboard.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a fun game for me to see how well I can check it all off. I might even put a snazzy star by something that was a substantial project completed. Yay me! I circle the checkoff boxes of key items that must be done. Or I put an arrow by a task I am postponing until another day, or an X through it if I'm not going to do it at all.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It still use my Clock and Calendar apps on my phone, with alarms to remind me of events, appointments, pill times, wake up times, and bedtime. I have Attention Deficit Disorder, so this is a must. It's also necessary since I don't have my notebook with me all the time when I'm out and about. I also like that I can enter a location in the Calendar app, and then access Google Maps directly from that.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't feel like I have to do something in every category every day.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I print a week's worth at a time, so if I know I want to do something on a particular day in the near future, I can go ahead and jot it in.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I'm done with one day's page, I move it to the back of the section, so the next day is on top.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I designed all of my forms in Google Docs. I imported the check box bullet. I use the columns function to fit more on the page. </span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The AirPrint feature doesn't work from my laptop, but I have both the Docs app and AirPrint on my phone so I can print forms without taking my laptop into the room where the printer is.</span></li>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What is "Laundry Landing" in my evening section, pray tell? Glad you asked! That'll be in an upcoming blog post.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's another post that might help!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html"><span style="color: #38761d;">Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</span></a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can do it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-18776708281661132212017-05-15T23:14:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.557-04:00The Art and Soul of My Blue Haven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfCsHKIyrFN0CPNXKdO-KCfHSzWqnc5D4A6e9nFbrAuyICMvYCx5Dkw8KYZXFj84SpPkms1p2pBN49ihmz6xnk5X0Mr-yYwKPCU2njDdBWrHKUt8XV1i6TJdzUhQMSgE0YE6MvAyXPaO4/s1600/blue+haven+intro+pic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfCsHKIyrFN0CPNXKdO-KCfHSzWqnc5D4A6e9nFbrAuyICMvYCx5Dkw8KYZXFj84SpPkms1p2pBN49ihmz6xnk5X0Mr-yYwKPCU2njDdBWrHKUt8XV1i6TJdzUhQMSgE0YE6MvAyXPaO4/s400/blue+haven+intro+pic.JPG" width="398" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Welcome to the newest installment of the <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Blue%20Haven" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">My Blue Haven</span></b></a> series. My Blue Haven is my affectionate name for my bedroom, which has undergone multiple transformations over the past few years as I have found out more of what works for my fluid, poetic, ADD personality.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;">completely</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> rearranged and reorganized the room since I wrote </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/01/strength-and-creativity-in-my-blue-haven.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Strength in My Blue Haven</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> back in January. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It may be hard to believe, but I now have three desks in my room, and I use them all for different things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>My Original Desk</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA7oqtePPF9dr4jB-TafduCOoDMqkT7GU4F8Fr_OlQJmhOnF7YUQ6aWVPXVsbgjebCHIru5-DXuvAZyf3Bkch8g80gBoWt-f3CDQzglNC2_9JnJctVKiRFNKiSsS3nUldT55jgO_y-nQJ/s1600/D01+desk+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoA7oqtePPF9dr4jB-TafduCOoDMqkT7GU4F8Fr_OlQJmhOnF7YUQ6aWVPXVsbgjebCHIru5-DXuvAZyf3Bkch8g80gBoWt-f3CDQzglNC2_9JnJctVKiRFNKiSsS3nUldT55jgO_y-nQJ/s320/D01+desk+area.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You may have seen this desk on the blog before. Still the central spot for my office supplies, it also has its own library hutch on top. I mainly use this one for doing logistical work and on-line writing with my laptop computer. The books are food for my soul. And the art? I try to add little crafty touches here and there. I painted that wall shelf to the right, and the vintage chair to the left. I hand-mixed the colors so the chair and shelf would match the room and each other.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqBKIox1KmknQW584cLbST_YUKxEYghU1m9MyfI85oWdQOW_Bqf668W3Co1N7L_SRCrienNZCqTYLa85qSZ3SMHtrzsd0gaVvvGDqZzXfKzxaR_IQLNrnMGNxtU2Te_AIovkcvYLRFGuq/s1600/D02+blue+wood+shelf+with+knickknacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCqBKIox1KmknQW584cLbST_YUKxEYghU1m9MyfI85oWdQOW_Bqf668W3Co1N7L_SRCrienNZCqTYLa85qSZ3SMHtrzsd0gaVvvGDqZzXfKzxaR_IQLNrnMGNxtU2Te_AIovkcvYLRFGuq/s320/D02+blue+wood+shelf+with+knickknacks.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On this wall shelf, I display dainty things that my loved ones and I have collected from our travels. Always a little beauty for the eyes and soul.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rR9lCeSv6CUkgsJtNSgAUOxu5De6ytJNqBsPo3vqDC44j_imNkY8zqnc_9zGEp4WIwQir5mH8XgWJ3kcVFY4oSgkVnZEFCJ0wjKEUREPnmE-TCpNdDMeSARSjT5khWQkEAk5pfY0Zqf/s1600/D03+a+coloring+jar+with+permanent+marker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2rR9lCeSv6CUkgsJtNSgAUOxu5De6ytJNqBsPo3vqDC44j_imNkY8zqnc_9zGEp4WIwQir5mH8XgWJ3kcVFY4oSgkVnZEFCJ0wjKEUREPnmE-TCpNdDMeSARSjT5khWQkEAk5pfY0Zqf/s200/D03+a+coloring+jar+with+permanent+marker.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I bought this frosted glass jar at a craft store and added the blue with a permanent marker. It holds miscellaneous small items on my desk.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u>My Morning and Evening Desk</u></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GyxYIwOOlwZzbfP1s3hhPb3hyBoDEzk0Vm_ykEalyWi000VyA5gjqiL9SUKQ6WRvtBrCoweHzjw94SVyW8ptqphcqPDYoQB92jTINXSmOAW49pF1Bqmp6uP3kueDnoZCKHdVnxYf0bjU/s1600/T07+finished+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GyxYIwOOlwZzbfP1s3hhPb3hyBoDEzk0Vm_ykEalyWi000VyA5gjqiL9SUKQ6WRvtBrCoweHzjw94SVyW8ptqphcqPDYoQB92jTINXSmOAW49pF1Bqmp6uP3kueDnoZCKHdVnxYf0bjU/s320/T07+finished+table.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This is where I start and end my day, sitting with my notebooks every morning and evening. I'll have to write about that in a separate post, but this daily ritual has been transformative, not only for my emotional health but for my productivity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The bottom ledge says, "Fill your soul with all good things and let the beauty pour forth." Those are the words I live by in My Blue Haven.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BX40R93LIZYHyhmwIyOqO4sv_Pi9egiS66aZH4N7yvDlviWRhps0mzM3EJ1pHUGRboEbzVmQTRf7LiNnQzfUrPajYSj_CnBCP6CwBodwLOHDy9EUx9cZRvykwUeTiuh1xT9VyE7yo3n-/s1600/Original+tilting+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BX40R93LIZYHyhmwIyOqO4sv_Pi9egiS66aZH4N7yvDlviWRhps0mzM3EJ1pHUGRboEbzVmQTRf7LiNnQzfUrPajYSj_CnBCP6CwBodwLOHDy9EUx9cZRvykwUeTiuh1xT9VyE7yo3n-/s1600/Original+tilting+table.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I crafted the blue desk by sanding, dyeing, and wood burning a 2' x 3' pine board, and mounting it on the base from this smaller rolling table that can be adjusted to tilt or raise at the turn of a knob. You can see that whole process here: </span><b style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2017/03/first-attempts-at-furniture-restoration.html" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">First Attempts at Furniture Restoration</span></a></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BX40R93LIZYHyhmwIyOqO4sv_Pi9egiS66aZH4N7yvDlviWRhps0mzM3EJ1pHUGRboEbzVmQTRf7LiNnQzfUrPajYSj_CnBCP6CwBodwLOHDy9EUx9cZRvykwUeTiuh1xT9VyE7yo3n-/s1600/Original+tilting+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkau6XYQhCrutL78mSG_2kK5pncHtfgiCL7_qz56YcetUJOV7Yj98JV8Upc1n87S5Zt0fsEqV7nPASSDXQUW-S44ikmHfnDDlaEmPc7CWp-BLvULTp-ieuOkUFSHKyXdGa2SBC9dyalkeH/s1600/C04+chair+and+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkau6XYQhCrutL78mSG_2kK5pncHtfgiCL7_qz56YcetUJOV7Yj98JV8Upc1n87S5Zt0fsEqV7nPASSDXQUW-S44ikmHfnDDlaEmPc7CWp-BLvULTp-ieuOkUFSHKyXdGa2SBC9dyalkeH/s320/C04+chair+and+table.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I moved the chair from across the room to improve the traffic flow. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's the most comfortable spot for reading, journaling, chatting, and just sitting to relax. Later, I brought in the wooden bench and organizer that is on top of it. The bench, which had been in our front hall, serves as a divider to create a cozy nook, as well as a place to keep vital daily supplies (like my glucose monitor and purse) close at hand. I'll write more on the logistics of this area later, too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkau6XYQhCrutL78mSG_2kK5pncHtfgiCL7_qz56YcetUJOV7Yj98JV8Upc1n87S5Zt0fsEqV7nPASSDXQUW-S44ikmHfnDDlaEmPc7CWp-BLvULTp-ieuOkUFSHKyXdGa2SBC9dyalkeH/s1600/C04+chair+and+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7B1Z7b_xO3ALbOpX8rfWWD6FcA35eEyRiSfgD3oV_ETorZqaztN9m5IpAIPbE1zPr0uCcXOLQZI5siYnweFSCBe-TMrGH4vx46uNyap5fLbs-_C77P6ifvKbIzkKm6KHEjvzkMwvyPeZ/s1600/C04+d+Bible+and+notebook+spread+on+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP7B1Z7b_xO3ALbOpX8rfWWD6FcA35eEyRiSfgD3oV_ETorZqaztN9m5IpAIPbE1zPr0uCcXOLQZI5siYnweFSCBe-TMrGH4vx46uNyap5fLbs-_C77P6ifvKbIzkKm6KHEjvzkMwvyPeZ/s200/C04+d+Bible+and+notebook+spread+on+table.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My original reason for making the table bigger was so that I could open both my thinking/writing notebook and my new large print study Bible side to side. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH659LK9Qs-iXAnST91IiiqiCdNqALUcEXjWspupyRp6P7vle-nv_x2aJjbcC5W6mSYytqIaB6BzL4ydXElwctwrrLMLv87DT7-O0Jb25SSOiXLlDpjriot7IXxP0VFdgWkMRmIon7siKn/s1600/C06+sunflower+drawing+on+reading+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH659LK9Qs-iXAnST91IiiqiCdNqALUcEXjWspupyRp6P7vle-nv_x2aJjbcC5W6mSYytqIaB6BzL4ydXElwctwrrLMLv87DT7-O0Jb25SSOiXLlDpjriot7IXxP0VFdgWkMRmIon7siKn/s320/C06+sunflower+drawing+on+reading+table.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also use this blue table for tidy artwork, like drawing and calligraphy.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif;"><u>My Art Desk</u></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqlkXVLYjD7r2ygHUCSRW73BJDaDSS6LzoweNOLuoiJcCtMu27OhITuwTjheC6B2aryYYugwDNDWiDYo7S3y3nC_PTVdRFHgpULiLzVZS6Slgg1prlWdSW7YcnYsvBuiPG9Z5sJQFvR5I/s1600/C01+art+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqlkXVLYjD7r2ygHUCSRW73BJDaDSS6LzoweNOLuoiJcCtMu27OhITuwTjheC6B2aryYYugwDNDWiDYo7S3y3nC_PTVdRFHgpULiLzVZS6Slgg1prlWdSW7YcnYsvBuiPG9Z5sJQFvR5I/s320/C01+art+desk.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am an artist at heart. I don't sell my work (yet, but maybe in the future?), but I love to create for myself and my loved ones. I don't want to mess up my blue desk with paint, dye, or glue, so I cleared out a corner (moved my elliptical exercise machine to another room) and brought in a small white laminate desk. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I use the tri-fold display board to protect the wall and a piece of foam board to protect th</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">e desktop</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">. When the foam board gets messy enough, I replace it with a new one. I buy them at the dollar store and always keep a few on hand. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When I'm not doing artwork, I put away all the supplies and the foam board. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkBAyuOrI_Kd3Fbn2hxNsbR-yI5-rTXunTxneQV4M6em1IWCA7E6aQVikxxHBI4WwMWqUjJILsuneZkZ2rW5nmr51jqV1c0lMIwfmAHsLMQsFbbdfVWkibC4S1myVjH9WqQ_HVPY_TODB/s1600/A01+art+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkBAyuOrI_Kd3Fbn2hxNsbR-yI5-rTXunTxneQV4M6em1IWCA7E6aQVikxxHBI4WwMWqUjJILsuneZkZ2rW5nmr51jqV1c0lMIwfmAHsLMQsFbbdfVWkibC4S1myVjH9WqQ_HVPY_TODB/s640/A01+art+wall.JPG" width="292" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Where do I store my supplies? I have a huge bookcase that is my pride-and-joy organizing project! Most of my art supplies had been stuffed in a spare dresser in my walk-in closet. The drawers were so crammed that I could barely open them. It was all a muddled mess, so I decided on drastic action. First, I moved hundreds of books from this bookcase to sell, give away, or store elsewhere. I bought bins at the dollar store and filled them with art supplies that I had sorted into categories. Wood burning. Wood dyeing. Furniture restoration. Acrylic and gouache painting. Chalk pastels. Art markers for sketching and calligraphy. Laces and trims. Crochet. Stencils. Tie dye. Scrapbooking. And, when I get around to learning it, stained glass from the supplies I inherited from my artistic mother. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I also have art and craft instruction books, as well as travel books for creative inspiration, on one of the lower shelves.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6iy2YuINSNLR7ifPJPQCCiTJcPzk5tNSW7-Du43nhSm-PF7cjI1tPRbt8giTc-OqfKl1Frf2Enayuawl24uCLFYEGezNS8O7Z_Azl9b_ACk6bo30jWBWT1ZlcWFVZdzUQjnwXrlPuVn4/s1600/A02+art+wall+bins+labels.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6iy2YuINSNLR7ifPJPQCCiTJcPzk5tNSW7-Du43nhSm-PF7cjI1tPRbt8giTc-OqfKl1Frf2Enayuawl24uCLFYEGezNS8O7Z_Azl9b_ACk6bo30jWBWT1ZlcWFVZdzUQjnwXrlPuVn4/s400/A02+art+wall+bins+labels.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So that's the story of the three desks (and the shelves that love them) that call forth the "art and soul" of My Blue Haven. I'll just leave you now with these.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmqgwPIHEHl9AQoRzdMCqs6i-U4zTzk0Ll1KOdPItOoM-9a4hMkp8hsoIi5rza0sX6_einmqwE_3plDbAltNMgGvPMU3BMouNTl4HXsunCjvP0aQtKcK3B5YBzRlajeVdcCkWkQGG5Trh/s1600/D06+card+on+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcmqgwPIHEHl9AQoRzdMCqs6i-U4zTzk0Ll1KOdPItOoM-9a4hMkp8hsoIi5rza0sX6_einmqwE_3plDbAltNMgGvPMU3BMouNTl4HXsunCjvP0aQtKcK3B5YBzRlajeVdcCkWkQGG5Trh/s640/D06+card+on+wall.JPG" width="482" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw13lDhqqQ4iv3C7_2FiFx4hV4g5VRuLq_7cW0U3ep2FEr8_lecXPcwLnlXp0OdtdAidgwnswUDKJlMGYIemY3M898T0Ue0OZDWKncpidflpYOBAjwoDkK5bETfRdsBKQAfjFFlkNUW6d/s1600/B01+magnet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkw13lDhqqQ4iv3C7_2FiFx4hV4g5VRuLq_7cW0U3ep2FEr8_lecXPcwLnlXp0OdtdAidgwnswUDKJlMGYIemY3M898T0Ue0OZDWKncpidflpYOBAjwoDkK5bETfRdsBKQAfjFFlkNUW6d/s400/B01+magnet.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Other My Blue Haven posts:</b></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2017/01/strength-and-creativity-in-my-blue-haven.html">Strength in My Blue Haven</a><br /><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-big-makeover-for-my-blue-haven.html">A Big Makeover for My Blue Haven</a><br /><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-cleaning-and-creating-in-my-blue.html">Spring Cleaning and Creating in My Blue Haven</a><br /><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-blue-haven-for-new-year.html">My Blue Haven for the New Year</a><br /><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-blue-haven.html">My Blue Haven</a><br /><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/10/more-beauty-for-my-blue-haven.html">More Beauty for My Blue Haven</a></span></b><br />
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-74693593618406921352017-01-01T23:23:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:23:58.974-04:00Strength in My Blue Haven (One Word)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">"So what is your word for 2017? Inquiring minds want to know."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My sister Barb asked me this via FB message a few weeks ago. I hadn't thought about a "one word" for the new year yet, so we joked around a bit about it. Bacon?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then she wrote, "I've had 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' running through my head this morning and I'm stuck on one word. I guess I could just Google the lyrics. I've got 'something for today and bright hope for tomorrow.'"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That was a no-brainer fill-in-the-blank question for me since I used to sing the hymn as a lullaby for my children and still sing it to myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I replied with the missing word: "Strength. That's my 2017 word. Thank you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I had my word, but why did she want to know it?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A felted bowl. She was making me a felted bowl for Christmas, and wanted to know what words to embroider onto it. So, STRENGTH for today and bright HOPE for tomorrow. (It's a reversible bowl.) I should note here that my sister is pretty much housebound with chronic migraines (pretty much every day for a decade). She tenaciously knits through the pain.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSYWatAGGz9GurmfVo_zbZxdJBuH9AeXXGkUzkpeUy9__8zKIkNv2LFcGblkB76nDsqOA7-U8BOVYVikTI9eUt311k85VlwaIjt-ATYGYvP6JdCeNiMkQ78WSf-vfLe7xWZLrf6gn4igw/s1600/02+hope.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSYWatAGGz9GurmfVo_zbZxdJBuH9AeXXGkUzkpeUy9__8zKIkNv2LFcGblkB76nDsqOA7-U8BOVYVikTI9eUt311k85VlwaIjt-ATYGYvP6JdCeNiMkQ78WSf-vfLe7xWZLrf6gn4igw/s400/02+hope.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And there it is now, on my desk.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC3R4rqrNYMGjHCl1HFt9nr-H77dtbSDQBKa6Ts6niGdyErdtODUOXvu4EO6sN3xWBM_hBx_qAZEFPSyd3RKFznTZabSWtVCf5xV7vNlz1ZXQFxJuY_tofyBouzFJNEpj9dyQrBXi2N2o/s1600/03+felted+bowl+on+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXC3R4rqrNYMGjHCl1HFt9nr-H77dtbSDQBKa6Ts6niGdyErdtODUOXvu4EO6sN3xWBM_hBx_qAZEFPSyd3RKFznTZabSWtVCf5xV7vNlz1ZXQFxJuY_tofyBouzFJNEpj9dyQrBXi2N2o/s400/03+felted+bowl+on+desk.JPG" width="393" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you see it there on the shelf above my computer?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDsaWBHjfmNJv0GklRougzttQJJJfCBYbwyc03KR3IrhnCVOD7FVa1_ju6qvk8CZegQZIl-r31IYFZyaKtA5Jftf4B3L5gAIjs9cdKHu7YnCEzuIxkgwqE0e700Gh2ng5sV_9xFg6j5S1/s1600/04+Mom%2527s+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDsaWBHjfmNJv0GklRougzttQJJJfCBYbwyc03KR3IrhnCVOD7FVa1_ju6qvk8CZegQZIl-r31IYFZyaKtA5Jftf4B3L5gAIjs9cdKHu7YnCEzuIxkgwqE0e700Gh2ng5sV_9xFg6j5S1/s400/04+Mom%2527s+desk.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that was the start of my "one word" for the year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's what came next:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10j5Mu2zLYY57aV1DpxRU64rbUleP61X9pym4pwGIq2uFsj6F-N8ho4M6sd8MkG166MAi4NQsU8H4cyAHXGpa_lY53tesdUc88ai8kGrk7nkFS83ZmN0uU3-HTKGu11_OfSxXKVl6Ktol/s1600/05+Strength+Bible+verses+in+frame.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10j5Mu2zLYY57aV1DpxRU64rbUleP61X9pym4pwGIq2uFsj6F-N8ho4M6sd8MkG166MAi4NQsU8H4cyAHXGpa_lY53tesdUc88ai8kGrk7nkFS83ZmN0uU3-HTKGu11_OfSxXKVl6Ktol/s640/05+Strength+Bible+verses+in+frame.JPG" width="475" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had the frame for a while. Yesterday I decided to look up eleven Scripture verses about strength and print them out on blue paper in a pretty font. Here's one.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpqd12SFGizsjwBRCIODuc8bPlJWIhZHMsmAMW6b-ACerSc6O-NvOHO83vlbjWDdKz-EhaLN1OKrS0ugqOyJiN13tcEjxqwQ2Gny5YV2AFp0cifLZv43RXBTTouLZyZPChCZapX9opLnw/s1600/06+In+quietness+and+trust+is+your+strength.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpqd12SFGizsjwBRCIODuc8bPlJWIhZHMsmAMW6b-ACerSc6O-NvOHO83vlbjWDdKz-EhaLN1OKrS0ugqOyJiN13tcEjxqwQ2Gny5YV2AFp0cifLZv43RXBTTouLZyZPChCZapX9opLnw/s400/06+In+quietness+and+trust+is+your+strength.JPG" width="310" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next? A step stool. I've been learning how to use a wood burning tool (made a bunch of Christmas presents!), and I finally found the right kind of wood dyes. I bought the stool and more dye colors and other cool stuff with a Michael's Crafts gift card that three of my adult children gave me for Christmas. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-EaZVlS8zOdhkT3GLMrGAmWIy3jkF5ivOEx1pQLGom4iDPpifxl4v90AHBWz97gOQEvxHJgGjwbVEbMFwsz9xFWqGnpsm_6sBMPSq9odPrwGACaJkSQD9C2MyxKme4mHgAGDeOVakukE/s1600/07+sanding+a+wood+stool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-EaZVlS8zOdhkT3GLMrGAmWIy3jkF5ivOEx1pQLGom4iDPpifxl4v90AHBWz97gOQEvxHJgGjwbVEbMFwsz9xFWqGnpsm_6sBMPSq9odPrwGACaJkSQD9C2MyxKme4mHgAGDeOVakukE/s400/07+sanding+a+wood+stool.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the electric sander at Walmart today for less than $15. It made the stool much smoother than I could have done by hand, and much faster. Easier on the arthritis, too. Speaking of power tools, last month I bought a cordless screwdriver and drill combo to fix stuff around the house. I'm learning bit by bit, strengthening my practical skills and my confidence!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is an electric wood burning tool from Jo-Ann Crafts. I stenciled the letters in pencil first.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqp637eFypaAz6i5wBPccgHRQpHYJkIb7JpjS4FwzTnbX_eHOAL9rXmiexO82DPMyFmRbDJ45mkO2nZrZPSVyPuGY-5TbsfXSsBuKA5VG69aaif0mqetVfro6sUEzlf58F8GuaLch2_I4/s1600/08+wood+burning+strength.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqp637eFypaAz6i5wBPccgHRQpHYJkIb7JpjS4FwzTnbX_eHOAL9rXmiexO82DPMyFmRbDJ45mkO2nZrZPSVyPuGY-5TbsfXSsBuKA5VG69aaif0mqetVfro6sUEzlf58F8GuaLch2_I4/s400/08+wood+burning+strength.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The stool is actually more of a deep turquoise color. I couldn't get the shade to come out right in the photo.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iq2JZ_axAL4wNF7sqWrnSMAM7PdlykssnV6OwUY4vEA0g6ThKri3gEPLjq20ntG4znD89y78lHvrKPsk8f2HMQSzsTG8e2uqceYtxAqk7M2VavY3CA3xTxF4U9YLJvaGIZNfKaQxSsU/s1600/09+painted+STRENGTH+stool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9iq2JZ_axAL4wNF7sqWrnSMAM7PdlykssnV6OwUY4vEA0g6ThKri3gEPLjq20ntG4znD89y78lHvrKPsk8f2HMQSzsTG8e2uqceYtxAqk7M2VavY3CA3xTxF4U9YLJvaGIZNfKaQxSsU/s400/09+painted+STRENGTH+stool.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I store the wood dyes along with my paints and brushes (that my kids may NOT borrow!) in a flip top box in my closet. I have a whole stash of art and craft supplies in there!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCavDVjQUO-dfxoeLLPI-PGfbdcXJO-K7JA96YgH4zszMEPp8aSSbKKMliTEeEMTv_hYlAWYeL0b7cjV6zz7NGDDUNd-53gppcKn4hTA6LbL7dN1KKqYJmi066rNWB7iFAT3Bvxf0E_UGR/s1600/10+paint+storage+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCavDVjQUO-dfxoeLLPI-PGfbdcXJO-K7JA96YgH4zszMEPp8aSSbKKMliTEeEMTv_hYlAWYeL0b7cjV6zz7NGDDUNd-53gppcKn4hTA6LbL7dN1KKqYJmi066rNWB7iFAT3Bvxf0E_UGR/s400/10+paint+storage+box.JPG" width="321" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My other big creative endeavor this past month was creating photo calendars on-line with <a href="https://www.snapfish.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Snapfish</span></b></a> to give to some of my family members. It even has all of the birth dates and anniversaries printed in it. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The theme? I took an amazing eleven day trip to Switzerland and France with of my daughters in October. We went to Geneva, Lauterbrunnen in the Alps, and Paris! I chose several photos for each page.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBthkS4WW4yBeD0NQp24dNFdIGo9ndX4Oo8GgOq9BQA0QXugerNLWcpgaMuROlkFGCAIv979-EF987x5ia2l07EMNQS-NPrhyphenhyphenQuSGA5K8e5smvIwM-5MprXAw55BrtkWFJVxhmKN6LjhZ/s1600/11+photo+calendar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBthkS4WW4yBeD0NQp24dNFdIGo9ndX4Oo8GgOq9BQA0QXugerNLWcpgaMuROlkFGCAIv979-EF987x5ia2l07EMNQS-NPrhyphenhyphenQuSGA5K8e5smvIwM-5MprXAw55BrtkWFJVxhmKN6LjhZ/s400/11+photo+calendar.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is one of my Geneva pages.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWZz1QA9wCCUE1a-NHjgPffoG_MHCCgNC8aQxdSrRSeXQGzAmAfyA9Y4oU8Eqq-J7w8NXDbUhyubkkxchyoSPKCZDuoQo2Dm-XC9EeUNB2XePbe-UTbrlXvhMN2hAWlKQX6iG_F4omk2m/s1600/12+photo+calendar+Geneva+page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWZz1QA9wCCUE1a-NHjgPffoG_MHCCgNC8aQxdSrRSeXQGzAmAfyA9Y4oU8Eqq-J7w8NXDbUhyubkkxchyoSPKCZDuoQo2Dm-XC9EeUNB2XePbe-UTbrlXvhMN2hAWlKQX6iG_F4omk2m/s400/12+photo+calendar+Geneva+page.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While in Geneva, I had wanted to buy a Huguenot cross in honor of my French Protestant refugee ancestors, Andre and Suzanne Lamoureux. They showed great spiritual strength through their compassion and courage as they smuggled persecuted Huguenots out of France. I found some of the crosses at the Reformation museum in Geneva, but they didn't take the debit card I had on hand that day. Another adult daughter ordered this cloisonne one for my Christmas present instead. I love it! It didn't come with a chain, so I'm using white ribbon from my craft supply stash. The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, the source of spiritual strength.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E1lkKPh-6R3IyhFiA1yciJUXrAkl4uxoclgH4p08cXJNjp3v5ogCKCpfs4w05IeuIpCzB3NTfitJSQc6vfTIMN4qKqG0ZoISo6afin98_Lcu17WAn2qxp4UNVCkJXFTTn5e1VGoJ6LI9/s1600/13+Hugenot+cross.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E1lkKPh-6R3IyhFiA1yciJUXrAkl4uxoclgH4p08cXJNjp3v5ogCKCpfs4w05IeuIpCzB3NTfitJSQc6vfTIMN4qKqG0ZoISo6afin98_Lcu17WAn2qxp4UNVCkJXFTTn5e1VGoJ6LI9/s320/13+Hugenot+cross.JPG" width="216" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_krtTnejW1wLv8VCqVdkJLYjrsOaGBrUt_YcTECEciT1vqaL4-ok0jjjXrG9he-5fP5hy8KIx8jOFLruNOxosRgoE0YsGOuCLbyWZS-sK91HRbJtF0ScKPRSZDDSSInX3rLPdjtP2B80n/s1600/13b+Huguenot+cross.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_krtTnejW1wLv8VCqVdkJLYjrsOaGBrUt_YcTECEciT1vqaL4-ok0jjjXrG9he-5fP5hy8KIx8jOFLruNOxosRgoE0YsGOuCLbyWZS-sK91HRbJtF0ScKPRSZDDSSInX3rLPdjtP2B80n/s320/13b+Huguenot+cross.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the wood cube with prayers in French at</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/12/basilique-de-sacre-cur-in-paris-europe.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Basilique de Sacré-Cœur</span></b></a> in Paris.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> There's a prayer on each of the six sides. Here's one on </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">strength</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43JU0ni6NVtlEXZHx85a8nCnuuQ3AbCq3o6v7_NgYCmFOS_zfNPRWfoaOXKgn8uh5_qCPYcqh4iuFSWLxfi_uhOo2wvVxIjBbzsDqkkFiRNE8_XK8LxGhaUDeXL5hTBOAmpMgKNOEKC3n/s1600/14+wood+cube+in+French.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43JU0ni6NVtlEXZHx85a8nCnuuQ3AbCq3o6v7_NgYCmFOS_zfNPRWfoaOXKgn8uh5_qCPYcqh4iuFSWLxfi_uhOo2wvVxIjBbzsDqkkFiRNE8_XK8LxGhaUDeXL5hTBOAmpMgKNOEKC3n/s400/14+wood+cube+in+French.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">According to the translation on my phone, i</span>t means, "Strengthen me, Holy Spirit, that I may keep what is holy." Such a lovely prayer for my strength quest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My eleven year old daughter made this encouraging sign for my Christmas present.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1SZUmmQOen9vTuTlHShFnHFjW7sKxMqpCllwNkrZrVSXDOwhchMCFh7c_uUfPTwpk1yRjz9qwLGA6394MYAo9LPEbeRS0dBj79nojMjFstGhLAqyj17hV9SejcUH64EblEW2vupnXBJP/s1600/16b+Trust+in+the+Lord.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1SZUmmQOen9vTuTlHShFnHFjW7sKxMqpCllwNkrZrVSXDOwhchMCFh7c_uUfPTwpk1yRjz9qwLGA6394MYAo9LPEbeRS0dBj79nojMjFstGhLAqyj17hV9SejcUH64EblEW2vupnXBJP/s320/16b+Trust+in+the+Lord.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's right next to my dish of word stones on a book shelf. Yes, I have a STRENGTH stone. And it's blue. Of course.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmfhPIATner91bgppzq6v6KA8bMoj-elhn_GXFRzxDakT0DBlRrkpKwIjb8AwQJHiLSM8SACLGZJks1sBI_E-dToZo_aA8vcYcD2RZjQ7x5cko8Rs_7DKw2514hDYavNmxUfo3UDb5OU/s1600/16c+heart+word+stones.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_BmfhPIATner91bgppzq6v6KA8bMoj-elhn_GXFRzxDakT0DBlRrkpKwIjb8AwQJHiLSM8SACLGZJks1sBI_E-dToZo_aA8vcYcD2RZjQ7x5cko8Rs_7DKw2514hDYavNmxUfo3UDb5OU/s400/16c+heart+word+stones.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my goals is to build physical strength. I don't know how I could have done so much walking and climbing in Europe if I hadn't worked out on the elliptical machine I got for free from a neighbor. I should have done it much more often! Now I need to get back in the groove again. (The curtain is actually a flat sheet from the turquoise sheet sets I finally found at Walmart to match the comforter.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjb2fPP5lnCl980JKAi-D3ssUQyH-LayuRq9GnFG74BllKjsVlPsZv72jUnSpXhiFnVPZnDVMHXnwkRCtHHZrThIizGLuWUUzj45Ud43I83GbZgDuIyXPMfowLpFbhUEu_kihIjEoD-7W/s1600/18+exercise+machine.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjb2fPP5lnCl980JKAi-D3ssUQyH-LayuRq9GnFG74BllKjsVlPsZv72jUnSpXhiFnVPZnDVMHXnwkRCtHHZrThIizGLuWUUzj45Ud43I83GbZgDuIyXPMfowLpFbhUEu_kihIjEoD-7W/s320/18+exercise+machine.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And spiritual strength. I need a core of courage and fortitude. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I haven't exactly been ultra faithful at daily Bible reading lately. So here's what I'm doing to get back on track there. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I chose a plan to read through the New Testament this year, and put the bookmarks in my Bible. Each night, I am putting my Bible on this small tilting desk in front of my recliner, opened to the passage for the next morning. I also put a journal there for my study notes or verses I want to copy. And I put a small "to do" list pad there. I'll get to that in a minute.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Verses on strength in my journal from several days ago...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's my To Do list page. Yes, I still use the gTasks app on my phone, and it beeps at me at strategic times. However, I find that I also need a hand written list of top priority tasks specific to just that day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have two new devotional books. One is Savor, a daily book by Shauna Niequist, and the other is Earth Psalms, a weekly photographic book by Francine Rivers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I opened to the first devotional in Earth Psalms, and what did I see? That lovely old phrase: "Great is his faithfulness"!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">God <i>is</i> faithful. He makes me bold and gives me <i>strength</i> in my soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Strength in my blue haven, and wherever else I go.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know this has been a really LONG blog post, but I've got some related links (some of them from my other blogs) to share!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Blue Haven:</b></span><br />
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<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/08/a-big-makeover-for-my-blue-haven.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>A Big Makeover for My Blue Haven</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-cleaning-and-creating-in-my-blue.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Spring Cleaning and Creating in My Blue Haven</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-blue-haven-for-new-year.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Blue Haven for the New Year</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-blue-haven.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>My Blue Haven</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/10/more-beauty-for-my-blue-haven.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>More Beauty for My Blue Haven</b></span></a></li>
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<b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Europe Travel Photos:</b></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Paris" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Paris photo posts</span></span></a> </span></b></li>
<li><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/search/label/Switzerland" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Switzerland photo posts</span></b></a></li>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the Spirit:</span></b><br />
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<li><b><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/09/great-is-thy-faithfulness-thomas.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Great is Thy Faithfulness hymn reflection</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/adding-wisdom-to-strength.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Adding Wisdom to Strength</span></a></b></li>
<li><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/06/power-what-price-and-purpose.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Power: What Price and Purpose?</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year, friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. Here are all of the verses from my STRENGTH frame.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10</span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lord my God is my strength and my song. Isaiah 12:2</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Isaiah 40:31</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can do all things through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In quietness and trust is your strength. Isaiah 30:15</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Psalm 84:5</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in him and he helps me. Psalm 28:7</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5</span></span></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She is clothed with strength and dignity. She can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16<br /><br />May the Lord encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17</span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-30543713766380354162016-09-13T23:12:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.659-04:00Wild and Free: My Rambling Introduction to a New Study Group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a Sunday morning over a week ago, I sang in the hymns and worship choruses in church and felt uplifted and refreshed in my spirit. An hour later, I stood in my kitchen trembling with PTSD. I had only been looking for something healthy to eat when a cluster of memories whispered to me, suddenly triggering sadness for the past and fear of the future.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first impulsive thought was to find a box of donuts and eat every one of them. But I didn't. I had no donuts. I didn't even have any chocolate. And anyway, I knew that sugar would be an ineffective escape from anxiety. Instead, I needed a way to fully face and then safely process my feelings. So first I ate a little chicken salad on whole wheat and tried to breathe. I managed to pull myself together a little for the moment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Driving my son to his friend's house a little later, the overwhelming feelings welled up again into quiet tears. My son turned to me with a questioning look, laid a warm hand on my arm, and offered words of comfort before we arrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alone again in my van, I sobbed. I could not go home just yet. Mama needed some time to herself to clear her head. Mama had a Barnes & Noble coupon. Mama was going to the bookstore.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm flying to Switzerland and France with one of my adult daughters soon (she's a grad student presenting a paper at a mental health conference), so my first stop in Barnes & Noble was the travel section. I already had tourist guide books, but I picked out a tiny French phrase book to help me on my adventures. The very thought of our upcoming trip brought joy to my heart.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I wandered around the Christian inspiration section and browsed through several books. Maybe one could help me focus my thoughts and soothe my soul. This one here looked interesting, right where I was at in life. I could have bought it then, but didn't. I wanted to keep looking. At least I snapped a picture of it on the floor for future reference. (You can click on the title below to see my affiliate link at Christian Book Distributors.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;"><u>Wild and Free: A Hope-Filled Anthem for the Woman Who Feels She Is Both Too Much and Not Enough</u></span></b> by <a href="http://jessconnolly.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #45818e;">Jess Connolly</span></a> and <a href="http://www.hayleyemorgan.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #45818e;">Hayley Morgan</span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next I went to the bargain section and found another cheaper book to buy on the same general topic as Wild and Free. Reading that one later at home, I wasn't impressed. I knew I should have spent the extra money and bought Wild and Free instead. More on this later! Stick with me to the end here, OK?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My final stop in the bookstore was the huge magazine section that had hundreds of different titles. I decided to try a little personality experiment. I walked around and took note of what appealed to me. Sports? No way. Cars? Guns? Fishing? Nope. Fashion? Celebrities? Nah. Gourmet cooking? Not so much. These just aren't me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Who am I?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am a Christian. A mother of 10. A nurturer. A reflective thinker. A blogger. A poet. A longtime home school mom. An artist. A nature photographer. A beauty lover. A home creator. A penny pincher. A peacemaker. An advocate/activist for women's and children's justice issues. An adventurous soul. A wanna be world traveler. Don't box me in. I'm WILD AND FREE. That's all part of how God wired me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So what magazines there reflected these facets of who I am? T</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hese are a few of the dozen I actually picked up to look through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Artful Blogging: I blog. I love art. I try to make my online space attractive with pretty photos. Yet words and ideas are the main focus of my blogs. I put it back, along with another one on blogging as a business. Maybe in the future. Not now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Home: Why yes, I love my home. You probably know from reading this blog that I'm always puttering around trying to make my house prettier and more practical. Yet this magazine was full of complicated projects that didn't interest me and that I would never get around to doing. I put it back too, along with some other homey magazines. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Womankind: Hmmm. I love being a woman. I want to see women empowered for life in the real world. This one had an intellectual flavor and featured women around the globe. I figured it could be very enlightening for me to broaden my perspective. I nearly bought it. I looked at the price tag. I put it back. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQXobH2b0LLM4TYJgHsrKBt6wrWXgeT1OPLd1YI-1tdSVqW6g4ts7yA15GesC_krDma0hyphenhyphenMn9tv54_YjrUrWebJJDkmZSUi8NFvTpiEsKp-5iLQOZi7fmfwVa6EUbDrdGBFTPk6azjwSN/s1600/Womankind+Magazine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQXobH2b0LLM4TYJgHsrKBt6wrWXgeT1OPLd1YI-1tdSVqW6g4ts7yA15GesC_krDma0hyphenhyphenMn9tv54_YjrUrWebJJDkmZSUi8NFvTpiEsKp-5iLQOZi7fmfwVa6EUbDrdGBFTPk6azjwSN/s400/Womankind+Magazine.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hey, most of these magazines are pretty expensive. For $10-$20, I'd usually just buy a book instead. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did buy this one magazine - <a href="http://lifebeautifulmagazine.com/"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">life:beautiful</span></b></a>. I've read a few issues of it before.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> It's Christian. It's pretty. It's got a variety of articles on inspiration, health, recipes, home decorating, crafts, and community service ideas. And it's only $5. I brought it home and enjoyed it. I'll pass it along to a friend when I'm done with it. Let's spread the joy, eh?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After over an hour at the bookstore nourishing and tending my soul, I had settled back into peacefulness and hope, unshackled from my sadness and fear. My mind was stimulated to think of bolder solutions. I could breathe and think and embrace my life again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But this story isn't over. It isn't just about me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's about all of us women.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's about being WILD AND FREE.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I mentioned the book to my oldest daughter, a busy working mother of four. She decided to order it for my birthday. It arrived last night, and I snatched it from the mailbox just as I was leaving to take a teen to a sports physical. I flipped through it in the doctor's office and read several pages that night at home. Yep, right up my alley. I could really use this book in this season of my weird life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a whim, I posted a photo and synopsis of it on Facebook. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On a whim, a local friend suggested getting some ladies together at her house for a study group on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then another friend across the country wanted in on the fun, so on another whim, I mentioned the possibility of an online study in a private Facebook group. A friend who had moved to Japan then quickly jumped on board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A day later, we now have eight members of the group with more still considering the opportunity. We're in the "getting to know you" stage now, and we'll start our actual study on September 24 when everyone has their book.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are precious Christian women who, like me, have often been made to feel like they are both too much and not enough. Most of them don't know each other at all. We're each in unique circumstances, but each of us has perspective, comfort, and good cheer to offer to one another. We want to be set free from unrealistic expectations and legalistic assumptions that Christian women so often face. We want to move beyond the hurtful memories and hindering habits that hold us back. We want to venture into the vast wildness of our faith, to be bold enough to step forth into all that God has for us as his liberated and empowered daughters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This isn't about me. It's not even about us as a group. It's about being all that God has called us to be so we can reach out with healed hearts and healing hands to a world that is hurting like never before. Blessed to be a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't wait!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">~~~ Virginia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. We still have room for a few more women to join our group. If you are interested, message me on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/virginiaknowles"><b><span style="color: #134f5c;">Facebook</span></b></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Related posts:</span><br />
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<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2013/07/for-all-faithful-women-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For All the Faithful Women (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2016/09/wonderful-words-of-life-strength-in-hymn.html"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Wonderful Words of Life (Strength in Hymn)</b></span></a></li>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-30000968377801605172016-09-03T19:53:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.653-04:00What's Working in My Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Do you get frustrated in the kitchen? I sure do! I hope this post gives you some ideas and resources to make your time in the kitchen a little more pleasant and productive. I'd like to share some items that I've been using (which I am not selling and in no way profit from sharing) and strategies that are keeping me a bit more sane.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's my youngest daughter up there, happily helping out in the kitchen. I'm glad somebody does this without being asked! She's home schooled, so she has a bit more time than the other four kids who live at home. My teens are so busy with high school and middle school that they tend to ignore the mess and wait for someone else to clean it up. I had them taking turns unloading the dishes and taking out trash, but here is what's working so much better. I have to pick one or two teens up after ROTC competition team activities each weekday afternoon. In exchange for the ride, the deal is they have to do a kitchen chore right away when we get home. While they don't always get it done (sometimes they walk straight to bed and crash) they are doing chores more promptly and cheerfully. I have the same deal if they miss the bus and need an early morning ride. Works for me!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This same youngest daughter loves to cook, and we work well together in the kitchen. She often makes me breakfast, lunch, or snacks just to be nice. Every time we're in a store with a home goods section, she wants to check if they have Kitchenaid mixers. She's obsessed with them, even though it's not likely I'll ever buy one!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_mD_LwLNDNqO1elTl-NvuJBr5Rg09-UawPrmKrojwqnyoDJnDXrH8EbAFm-pAZ1mxmPQgMrQaAPlrG5HpG87NSRcmJnkNlQ5G0xv85OmIJ5Dk8uqyZdxMHvyMwkkp0k2mRAS8PZGEao0/s1600/01+girl+near+Kitchenaid+display.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif_mD_LwLNDNqO1elTl-NvuJBr5Rg09-UawPrmKrojwqnyoDJnDXrH8EbAFm-pAZ1mxmPQgMrQaAPlrG5HpG87NSRcmJnkNlQ5G0xv85OmIJ5Dk8uqyZdxMHvyMwkkp0k2mRAS8PZGEao0/s320/01+girl+near+Kitchenaid+display.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Even though I'm not in the market for a Kitchenaid, I try to keep my eye out for products that will make it more effective and efficient to work in my kitchen. After she ogled the mixers at Sam's, we saw this.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27ctdzKxTEY3C52uoAaq-Q9nDLyZApLYPLikyCB3ttyFhKgtDylsV_WLMY4N0xx928rDPzGVsA8P_ONexOEfP7uAE6T7M_JnzEqWisMHunDko1kIm_CXV9L2_Eyz-1duTclZlyRbN48b2/s1600/01+wrought+iron+basket+display+at+Sam%2527s+Club.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj27ctdzKxTEY3C52uoAaq-Q9nDLyZApLYPLikyCB3ttyFhKgtDylsV_WLMY4N0xx928rDPzGVsA8P_ONexOEfP7uAE6T7M_JnzEqWisMHunDko1kIm_CXV9L2_Eyz-1duTclZlyRbN48b2/s400/01+wrought+iron+basket+display+at+Sam%2527s+Club.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But instead I decided to buy this. I stocked it with disposable dishes, napkins, bottled water and tea, powdered drink packets, popcorn packets, and other things I like handy. More paper plates and cups means less dishes!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJQ6YhPlmQNYRaB-TKArA3YgLQeRmhbWUCZ8BA_Ly_ssG59n65kBUr9uaMyCUtWe16S7xG9y1mFABxajZQMixg11bKFFBdE7QHgz0cfBIG1gcQTZz16JcOUiEEgglZSTYot_TbJRGl8tT/s1600/01b+three+tier+wire+basket+in+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIJQ6YhPlmQNYRaB-TKArA3YgLQeRmhbWUCZ8BA_Ly_ssG59n65kBUr9uaMyCUtWe16S7xG9y1mFABxajZQMixg11bKFFBdE7QHgz0cfBIG1gcQTZz16JcOUiEEgglZSTYot_TbJRGl8tT/s640/01b+three+tier+wire+basket+in+kitchen.JPG" width="340" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought of buying a matching dark paper towel holder but decided to be content with this one we've had for a while. I found the paper towels at Walmart and stocked up. <a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/2016/09/bliss-or-what-were-doing-for-5th-grade.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">BLISS</span></b></a> is the name of our home school so I snapped up a bunch.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uB-WVyykrMThf-zLYBSK1dZeSoNagWM5lmUILEGYz5qBbjK1fT5EfxUIW9iccBqurfjyBOcgwh3DKclOPurrDqIydTWlioQbyWAD8A_lPdN22naFZyN5_wNdr4pRxh9vdLSdJtCu00VD/s1600/01c+paper+towels+with+bliss+live+smile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uB-WVyykrMThf-zLYBSK1dZeSoNagWM5lmUILEGYz5qBbjK1fT5EfxUIW9iccBqurfjyBOcgwh3DKclOPurrDqIydTWlioQbyWAD8A_lPdN22naFZyN5_wNdr4pRxh9vdLSdJtCu00VD/s320/01c+paper+towels+with+bliss+live+smile.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like little things, too. These bag lock clips from Publix (less than $2 per package) are a perfect alternative to frustrating twist ties on bread bags.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cGUqHXpYIzIiBLNQKenjl1P9-IemFIp5grEbDOHQQvw96LROANumNduw-4i-jr9WBHWYEYnBNndKgE_ZT0mvnSiLmdHtSsfWZP7GcvHNuffOzhJPPGsBSTbF3hZ_pdVcCroCSnN5uYrD/s1600/02+bread+bag+lock+clips+from+Publix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2cGUqHXpYIzIiBLNQKenjl1P9-IemFIp5grEbDOHQQvw96LROANumNduw-4i-jr9WBHWYEYnBNndKgE_ZT0mvnSiLmdHtSsfWZP7GcvHNuffOzhJPPGsBSTbF3hZ_pdVcCroCSnN5uYrD/s400/02+bread+bag+lock+clips+from+Publix.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN1nMBZTZc06JRtgTclJJv7X6E3FJ934wPwF0MJm58xVzjA5o1Y-4bIgAZy_n4ka0A8vK_oFxGLP5usIxGNG5EXzMS_znqcf5lmyIX_BDn8RNs12lHddeSlWlrh5edNsx9k7uUeLMHe7t/s1600/02+bread+bags+with++clips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjN1nMBZTZc06JRtgTclJJv7X6E3FJ934wPwF0MJm58xVzjA5o1Y-4bIgAZy_n4ka0A8vK_oFxGLP5usIxGNG5EXzMS_znqcf5lmyIX_BDn8RNs12lHddeSlWlrh5edNsx9k7uUeLMHe7t/s320/02+bread+bags+with++clips.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My bread is in a large white wire basket on the counter, just behind the bin that holds reusable water bottles and smoothie mixing cups. I can also slip the bread bag locks onto the wire basket when they aren't in use.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaf3joXkpvxRv8FoetRuqprPVSsGI9J65CGQ1uShzwtRUjCwaQFxuGDB91YvkVSzVzGxuVn1xD6ESYCVbk10TnFzMf-sxwiJKeILUamzDyk4N3iBA-z0SD_88LgWdDJ-YB_3hXEoSY_H9/s1600/02+bread+basket+and+water+bottle+bin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSaf3joXkpvxRv8FoetRuqprPVSsGI9J65CGQ1uShzwtRUjCwaQFxuGDB91YvkVSzVzGxuVn1xD6ESYCVbk10TnFzMf-sxwiJKeILUamzDyk4N3iBA-z0SD_88LgWdDJ-YB_3hXEoSY_H9/s400/02+bread+basket+and+water+bottle+bin.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This counter was completely different just a week or so ago. I moved the little shelf from the counter where I put that big three tier rack thingy.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgXBcCkhbiKPij4i2Zh8XfWG1ST0HdCq59ds8Jt6rzig93pqyacm94BAQd1h7rfzrgKxBSieIi2kHrlGwuUX1_JfrfgwB7hwqKOIASxk3T034Y-Ahal8DomSCCDsFaWlnUf4hzCLysGc9/s400/03b+organized+kitchen+counter.JPG" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had a four slice toaster but it took a lot of room. There are less kids at home making toast now, so I figured the smaller one at the left would be fine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also had a much larger electric skillet which I used nearly every day since some of the burners on our old stove don't work. Unfortunately, the glass lid suddenly shattered with a loud pop when I was making bacon. Boo for lost bacon! Since the skillet also took a lot of room, I decided to buy this smaller one, which cost half as much. (The brand is Bella. It was $20 at Walmart.) Ironically, I later found an extra lid for the big one when I was cleaning our storage room. So now we have both. I keep the big one in a cupboard now. The new one slides nicely under this wood shelf.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgXBcCkhbiKPij4i2Zh8XfWG1ST0HdCq59ds8Jt6rzig93pqyacm94BAQd1h7rfzrgKxBSieIi2kHrlGwuUX1_JfrfgwB7hwqKOIASxk3T034Y-Ahal8DomSCCDsFaWlnUf4hzCLysGc9/s1600/03b+organized+kitchen+counter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This area is now also our smoothie making center. The small blender can puree frozen fruit for the kids. I don't have a large blender anymore. I have bought several in the past few years but the blender jar has always broken. It either falls out of a full sink, gets crushed in a full sink, or gets knocked off of a full counter. So there's that. No more. They have to make do with that little blender with the plastic cup.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I found the three plastic storage canisters at Dollar General for about $3 each. The key is that you don't take the lids off to get food out since they flip open. One of my big frustrations is kids getting out food containers, losing the lid, and putting it away wide open. Ick. As it is, I have to save extra peanut butter lids and milk jug caps for when we lose the current ones. Anyway, I love love love these canisters. One has stevia sweetener, another has chocolate protein drink powder, and the other has peanut butter powder. The pink cup/lid below is about $6 at Walmart. I can use it to shake up my protein powder with almond milk and/or regular milk without using a blender.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLJyfs10CKN2NzPZAaHiPHk-E9pdc5cs8TCvYVMUC06QDUn1sGPefQtA5WWt8v9d7TfX-xh1w2V1EaHwz2khiICD0jqGXVFwXJexpR4PPMgrr_9adwLln9O0BvfKzS2McL9fZHPHxq4ac/s1600/03c+making+a+protein+shake+in+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLJyfs10CKN2NzPZAaHiPHk-E9pdc5cs8TCvYVMUC06QDUn1sGPefQtA5WWt8v9d7TfX-xh1w2V1EaHwz2khiICD0jqGXVFwXJexpR4PPMgrr_9adwLln9O0BvfKzS2McL9fZHPHxq4ac/s400/03c+making+a+protein+shake+in+kitchen.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I actually like these blue cups better. I bought two of these at Publix for about $2.50 each. They are smaller, which is a better serving size for me, and they fit in the dishwasher better. This is also a great size for tucking in a purse for traveling, so I've already packed one away for a trip I'm taking next month. I don't want to risk it getting lost before then.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LbwIo8TGVuAXr4BqYE4dcIHTYnZDpYzYvSOw5xpFr9CuskyPOCQg8O_T_N8le4AIXPD1UF_I6SQh92_Xzpv6zb39OwXPcEOzBjnzl5bwo3O1z1r98WTHkZwOcEZF1-ZA3b4IhbHtD24j/s1600/03d+Rubbermaid+water+bottle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LbwIo8TGVuAXr4BqYE4dcIHTYnZDpYzYvSOw5xpFr9CuskyPOCQg8O_T_N8le4AIXPD1UF_I6SQh92_Xzpv6zb39OwXPcEOzBjnzl5bwo3O1z1r98WTHkZwOcEZF1-ZA3b4IhbHtD24j/s640/03d+Rubbermaid+water+bottle.JPG" width="315" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What I love about both kinds of cups is that they are so easy to clean. No place for yuck to hide in the cup or the lid!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxTK_CgLoCIOhpZOlh6eSVvdrJtmDEOrWVsp0SnK_qeIIkiOsERM2dPqIq35P4xFIzP83-31tdV7Pd27Z8x916Sgfcvlv_cQJq-Vcyv4rJG9wGeBhcopRyBcjGI6HJ7Eww0SJztVQOD8y/s1600/03e+Rubbermaid+water+bottle+easy+clean+lid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxTK_CgLoCIOhpZOlh6eSVvdrJtmDEOrWVsp0SnK_qeIIkiOsERM2dPqIq35P4xFIzP83-31tdV7Pd27Z8x916Sgfcvlv_cQJq-Vcyv4rJG9wGeBhcopRyBcjGI6HJ7Eww0SJztVQOD8y/s400/03e+Rubbermaid+water+bottle+easy+clean+lid.JPG" width="283" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Contrast this to a squirt style bottle lid I just threw away today. EWWW!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArl4NDnFQHWQCcZumsHtCpo5ySsJ5pbvYuNKjUWZsT0MmTv5jQJ6GwIpO9O-faURDCEHdulpz7LK8tURoIyiUWWFjZ__VfgkLAq0tV5LgULGcqKPYaiUMBPfCg85V33irOZqiocMz7hFO/s1600/03f+dirty+water+bottle+squirt+top.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgArl4NDnFQHWQCcZumsHtCpo5ySsJ5pbvYuNKjUWZsT0MmTv5jQJ6GwIpO9O-faURDCEHdulpz7LK8tURoIyiUWWFjZ__VfgkLAq0tV5LgULGcqKPYaiUMBPfCg85V33irOZqiocMz7hFO/s320/03f+dirty+water+bottle+squirt+top.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought this one a while back but have never ever used it. It has a juicing section to make fruit infused water. I thought it was cool but I just haven't been motivated to try it. And it gets in the way. It's going in my giveaway pile along with a bunch of other kitchen clutter that wasn't "sparking joy" in my soul. I guess you could say this is one thing that's not working in my kitchen. Oh well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7BNkVdidhMQ9X5eFL3ulsdUR08WVEBiPJxJVyfqBJ5FqxMLQGKb6TSNd9Qwa_z_1glnwvpD3n0wDcm1r_-r2GO4QOTjyzw48BOo1GmkVq_S0nIvBcZx96iSwAsRV2qa6Ub0b_YX73nYB/s1600/03g+juicer+bottle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7BNkVdidhMQ9X5eFL3ulsdUR08WVEBiPJxJVyfqBJ5FqxMLQGKb6TSNd9Qwa_z_1glnwvpD3n0wDcm1r_-r2GO4QOTjyzw48BOo1GmkVq_S0nIvBcZx96iSwAsRV2qa6Ub0b_YX73nYB/s640/03g+juicer+bottle.JPG" width="265" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've been using Anchor Hocking glass bowls with lids for months. I bought three sets which each have four different sizes of bowls. Then I threw out most of my plastic Rubbermaid storage containers. The glass bowls can go in the refrigerator, microwave, and oven, which means I use less dishes with leftovers since I can take it right out of the fridge and heat it up. I can also see what's in them, so I'm more likely to use leftovers before they go bad. These are definitely keepers in my kitchen!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5nRCTW5VPLubXprpAzX71cbfY8TvjamkNjTFUy66Q1408q_z3uIAkdvV2wX31utQGQvN2t6CfI8g8kOhg2DgEeO4cABo0zmCZM9rLxzp2rooaJr8vPSdqMP7VT-0UOIqbku9BTuVohq4/s1600/04+Anchor+Hocking+glass+bowls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5nRCTW5VPLubXprpAzX71cbfY8TvjamkNjTFUy66Q1408q_z3uIAkdvV2wX31utQGQvN2t6CfI8g8kOhg2DgEeO4cABo0zmCZM9rLxzp2rooaJr8vPSdqMP7VT-0UOIqbku9BTuVohq4/s320/04+Anchor+Hocking+glass+bowls.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought this wood spice shelf with steps at Walmart to replace a lazy Susan carousel.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5lQZchzXIKFqEPT4-KJ4M7Bl18PDEdw1otby46zM1DR4jCeFf3T7XUVV59XiICP15bELZ4O981FML-dCEGfy3DYo0sr_u3XYXYjGSLA23EVh8mfDa7HWGxo8VH79gtU0y0SxtlLx4OGt/s1600/04+spice+rack+in+cupboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju5lQZchzXIKFqEPT4-KJ4M7Bl18PDEdw1otby46zM1DR4jCeFf3T7XUVV59XiICP15bELZ4O981FML-dCEGfy3DYo0sr_u3XYXYjGSLA23EVh8mfDa7HWGxo8VH79gtU0y0SxtlLx4OGt/s320/04+spice+rack+in+cupboard.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last week, I bought several mini green kitchen accessories. The grater is only a few inches high, perfect for shredding just a little cheese for a single serving without dirtying up a big grater. (We don't actually grate cheese often. I buy shredded cheese in bags.) The measuring spoon is adjustable. One spoon, many sizes!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39VRwCkW-h2tBTL2xV6N_7tciSeEAkgEpR9hUzpUckKxpcbwMXd2NKA7-6-pMnyy159OHLChaRXG0SxgtQjfs5N-cQhuNb6fuA8-WEUvUdeW8DmK3gPj13hVv9j5CRwQgU9d2qABsNfZv/s1600/06+mini+measuring+spoon+and+grater.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg39VRwCkW-h2tBTL2xV6N_7tciSeEAkgEpR9hUzpUckKxpcbwMXd2NKA7-6-pMnyy159OHLChaRXG0SxgtQjfs5N-cQhuNb6fuA8-WEUvUdeW8DmK3gPj13hVv9j5CRwQgU9d2qABsNfZv/s320/06+mini+measuring+spoon+and+grater.JPG" width="235" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Look at these little rubber tipped tongs compared to the big ones! They take a lot less room, which is good because I often keep them on the shelf by the toaster for getting toast out without burning fingers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBJiczKJzOqQAfm9wpo4qx_0pCrlPWF4VxLfpacE6ebzZxQT8OOcNFJ6-nuIu-7vYjjO_1r1danGG_uEuDUeRCrCZx6J-nJPrwjVYE42qTkPMvdAXNWK1TxLBGm0hV6RPkwns0X-Th-oS/s1600/06b+mini+tongs+and+big+tongs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZBJiczKJzOqQAfm9wpo4qx_0pCrlPWF4VxLfpacE6ebzZxQT8OOcNFJ6-nuIu-7vYjjO_1r1danGG_uEuDUeRCrCZx6J-nJPrwjVYE42qTkPMvdAXNWK1TxLBGm0hV6RPkwns0X-Th-oS/s320/06b+mini+tongs+and+big+tongs.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had this big red food chopper tool for months. You can use it to break up ground meat while it's cooking, as well as mash up soft fruits and veggies into small pieces. But compare the thickness of the blades with the little green one I just got at Bed Bath and Beyond. The smaller one does a better job because the blades have more of a thin chisel edge. And it takes less room in my utensil jar.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi-CSZ-mOuZibDHtpi-eqYLftm4l9A2oFTY6ugB9h8-VHqtZyWhysydXy-4_UKEmrtTvvZlPvTpPkDlca-WoArDHOy2_rn2eUsjKMq9PNoQcriWfP4k41OVPjb7kc8FU2bUXUxezbL5yS/s1600/07+comparing+big+and+small+food+mashers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMi-CSZ-mOuZibDHtpi-eqYLftm4l9A2oFTY6ugB9h8-VHqtZyWhysydXy-4_UKEmrtTvvZlPvTpPkDlca-WoArDHOy2_rn2eUsjKMq9PNoQcriWfP4k41OVPjb7kc8FU2bUXUxezbL5yS/s320/07+comparing+big+and+small+food+mashers.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also got green spatulas and a small rubberized whisk to match! Cute, yes?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcytr_tUVF74qVrW8TdYvLqgmJpAXd2Orkcuf2rqK_X0COv90rwcmoNixzAWXUKrL7QuH16vJHIMbmCICTJ9t0Ss1MNmgAS-DkUkjfTKr_Oc-cw4vS5tBDUSJnfwbczp1RSU6j9Nyy5eC/s1600/07+flower+pot+with+green+kitchen+utensils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcytr_tUVF74qVrW8TdYvLqgmJpAXd2Orkcuf2rqK_X0COv90rwcmoNixzAWXUKrL7QuH16vJHIMbmCICTJ9t0Ss1MNmgAS-DkUkjfTKr_Oc-cw4vS5tBDUSJnfwbczp1RSU6j9Nyy5eC/s640/07+flower+pot+with+green+kitchen+utensils.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My kitchen is dark green with a butterfly theme. This is what I had on the back of the stove last week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd7AVYZY9_UNmACe8nicsN3gpRtZA7WbeB_ySTm4qupNy_P_Pig-Sy-GCrkqOHU3FyMQyMNEE65BQsTjh2XTxxYXvrx4J8xgxfY6ERvF91U-pQjYXJx46WMhVKO38aS92mJSkj-LtPt6n/s1600/08+summer+stove+decor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFd7AVYZY9_UNmACe8nicsN3gpRtZA7WbeB_ySTm4qupNy_P_Pig-Sy-GCrkqOHU3FyMQyMNEE65BQsTjh2XTxxYXvrx4J8xgxfY6ERvF91U-pQjYXJx46WMhVKO38aS92mJSkj-LtPt6n/s320/08+summer+stove+decor.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But now it's almost autumn! While I'm not switching over the decor for the entire kitchen, I am adding in a few touches for the season.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiVeCrDkVmvvg0-fl3TPqCaR_h4rG5JLNFbQYvLVOk21Z1ucNMtUhFavaII6PDOIUhWi8THAoKFD_sfueu4lcjSSW_kN8QplQSeZV-z7BaGllc0Vll6qCsL9-ZS_d45YBaUnF7m2kA280/s1600/09a+butterfly+calendar+September+page.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiVeCrDkVmvvg0-fl3TPqCaR_h4rG5JLNFbQYvLVOk21Z1ucNMtUhFavaII6PDOIUhWi8THAoKFD_sfueu4lcjSSW_kN8QplQSeZV-z7BaGllc0Vll6qCsL9-ZS_d45YBaUnF7m2kA280/s320/09a+butterfly+calendar+September+page.JPG" width="257" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is my new stove decor. The little pumpkin is a salt shaker from Cracker Barrel. The pilgrim figurines are flat on the back, so they stand nicely against the stove back splash.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyQe93MBpF67NYCQfiyVd2Ez4hO-zujEgP94jK4K9JnqKjQ19q0RTZejxURKvHOfq03YQTmv8lZ8gdpq4xUnlSi-95VVm_4VjsrG93SC0CVVHrWid3MefSn2hHf-ZFT4PCPC8JvjiYGVd/s1600/09b++autumn+stove+decor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMyQe93MBpF67NYCQfiyVd2Ez4hO-zujEgP94jK4K9JnqKjQ19q0RTZejxURKvHOfq03YQTmv8lZ8gdpq4xUnlSi-95VVm_4VjsrG93SC0CVVHrWid3MefSn2hHf-ZFT4PCPC8JvjiYGVd/s320/09b++autumn+stove+decor.JPG" width="274" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I brought out the autumn hot pads and dish towels, too. They go in a basket on the microwave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0wAS0KCFJxO9hwVU5EQpNfHQCV0lnIoB3MyIcTUoxHs11l3i8L9e8BXE-nNnu5SdlXO2wr4ZeJsbBGZOchmcs-bz8gH5snPgt6ph7z8qujxO51u-zKOa6rIXZUPTo7aTGRm8qKdVjZdbB/s320/11a+basket+of+autumn+hot+pads.JPG" width="320" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since we don't usually use the right hand stove burners, I put this rack here for drying dishes. We can move it as necessary.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEo0kNQESG-BXuQYIxwI8wLsiBWXyJr3AN8z9CITxnrvkYDG_O17NdhBD_o9oVhg1F_IZ0aIHGelF3_I9isIcBejRLCN98vj6-x1KLlu3W8FKiz2NXWmkbf4z_6melTfg7n-2ItdWyIn8/s1600/10+drain+rack+on+stove.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEo0kNQESG-BXuQYIxwI8wLsiBWXyJr3AN8z9CITxnrvkYDG_O17NdhBD_o9oVhg1F_IZ0aIHGelF3_I9isIcBejRLCN98vj6-x1KLlu3W8FKiz2NXWmkbf4z_6melTfg7n-2ItdWyIn8/s320/10+drain+rack+on+stove.JPG" width="243" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Parchment paper on cookie sheets saves washing time and prolongs the life of the pans.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wT5rTckYsjZls6ErZSmUo7KvCs3fdoNGlN0aQIHljLlAk5gVeH7ix-evjGV5yICTbBdO0RTvFK_mYtrSoF2dZQF0y9VqaMS1wIhJzxWUgzU_8cQLMLz-rKZrUbDkcnti4MXLIY0OPw4J/s1600/10+parchment+paper+on+cookie+sheet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6wT5rTckYsjZls6ErZSmUo7KvCs3fdoNGlN0aQIHljLlAk5gVeH7ix-evjGV5yICTbBdO0RTvFK_mYtrSoF2dZQF0y9VqaMS1wIhJzxWUgzU_8cQLMLz-rKZrUbDkcnti4MXLIY0OPw4J/s320/10+parchment+paper+on+cookie+sheet.JPG" width="246" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another basket on the microwave holds scissors, kitchen shears, tape, a dry erase marker, sticky notepad, and other things I might need to open, fasten, or label food packages. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-v9kzF3gMLxBv3NiudouJhaZexLSq4Wv07yT6RsZ0jHC_Dmu2dFO35MSUrpnUMer_9yZaSo3VVKHsbt8dOmQEfdxLCwNkE4tzjHfQDaeGMFEaV39sn_FhEzBUKlyYFsBbjZjhySn4uO6u/s1600/11b+basket+of+supplies+in+kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-v9kzF3gMLxBv3NiudouJhaZexLSq4Wv07yT6RsZ0jHC_Dmu2dFO35MSUrpnUMer_9yZaSo3VVKHsbt8dOmQEfdxLCwNkE4tzjHfQDaeGMFEaV39sn_FhEzBUKlyYFsBbjZjhySn4uO6u/s320/11b+basket+of+supplies+in+kitchen.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My kids like to eat baked potatoes for snacks but they always go rotten if we leave them in the cupboard. I tucked a big bowl of raw potatoes in between the microwave and sink so they're easy to wash and bake, without getting in the way on my other counters.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyopFVx1tT4931-9O1PuQFd456XvL6CrCJmCGJn8xYQodhl4du7y8p2nHMsu7xGwu1NfCoO7-JeZSGUV4loNhHw4c2gfu_bbg-ZxXLgZaNYz9oJvQ3arQAjijHpmZvKs0hJmjwMwMAIPSi/s1600/12+bowl+of+potatoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyopFVx1tT4931-9O1PuQFd456XvL6CrCJmCGJn8xYQodhl4du7y8p2nHMsu7xGwu1NfCoO7-JeZSGUV4loNhHw4c2gfu_bbg-ZxXLgZaNYz9oJvQ3arQAjijHpmZvKs0hJmjwMwMAIPSi/s320/12+bowl+of+potatoes.JPG" width="219" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This basket holds measuring cups for baking, as well as our vintage crank hand mixer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8oYswPr3xnHoBci_lq2iIP4B0WExgpVcTe6meKicBabwzmWQjWThQNFL9cST6UC2mWwiiQ-t5tDjhALVL3DskJWj__u3-9avrHBmhi-tL2_hyzED8eDHNzQ4Ks2D1p336-yl0qnyBcj/s1600/12b+measuring+cup+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhka8oYswPr3xnHoBci_lq2iIP4B0WExgpVcTe6meKicBabwzmWQjWThQNFL9cST6UC2mWwiiQ-t5tDjhALVL3DskJWj__u3-9avrHBmhi-tL2_hyzED8eDHNzQ4Ks2D1p336-yl0qnyBcj/s320/12b+measuring+cup+basket.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While I was editing the photo above, I realized there was a dirty item in the bin that isn't even a baking cup. So I went through the basket and sorted out what didn't belong.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxRtlwb9eHdhZHoORamI20HrWs-TMKfiODxI2U8Uh5_dVUHzbsUQjLGgwIg7XFMK0VRMnRqkM2k2FLWteZRFEiLLHx3XpzllATOvx6Owj_rKJV8KlTdnDmHMH_H_B_WLn1B4vy4GcFNbp/s1600/12c+measuring+cup+basket+cleaned+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxRtlwb9eHdhZHoORamI20HrWs-TMKfiODxI2U8Uh5_dVUHzbsUQjLGgwIg7XFMK0VRMnRqkM2k2FLWteZRFEiLLHx3XpzllATOvx6Owj_rKJV8KlTdnDmHMH_H_B_WLn1B4vy4GcFNbp/s320/12c+measuring+cup+basket+cleaned+up.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is one of the items I found misplaced in the baking cup bin. It's a small crinkle cut chopper that I bought recently. I haven't even used it yet!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ipmUZrzmZx3EuhdnLfrV7rMv0WJgpDYc18vj-Wd7tPtvO210yAhmBWm6DZXDHo8Xg5ZJdm9z0MPDTL0v1iIGhvW56S92NLi9bi6GeZw_8LWvma740Ni1SBDm2GL4gHWt1p62aHZFWNRk/s1600/12d+green+veggie+cutter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ipmUZrzmZx3EuhdnLfrV7rMv0WJgpDYc18vj-Wd7tPtvO210yAhmBWm6DZXDHo8Xg5ZJdm9z0MPDTL0v1iIGhvW56S92NLi9bi6GeZw_8LWvma740Ni1SBDm2GL4gHWt1p62aHZFWNRk/s320/12d+green+veggie+cutter.JPG" width="277" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the biggest hassles in my kitchen is the sink. My kids tend to pile the dishes on top - that is, if they even make it that far. I regularly have to round up dishes from other rooms, checking in the couch cushions for silverware, under beds for cups... Either way, look at the crime scene I found this afternoon! Yuck! How can I even get to the faucet to wash my hands or rinse off a dish?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT8WzcGfBYK9M2fQzxj0kfCRPiDQdy5g7q5lJTxlur8Q81HTDe2KxJycbW2Et-jkqG0O4VwClCD4jclqncqnoQsq8hfdM20v5VvnL3QLPqi8Q9ioxHbgHN-6TK9TCCpsZ1RY9eFkfFB6w/s1600/14+sink+full+of+dirty+dishes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPT8WzcGfBYK9M2fQzxj0kfCRPiDQdy5g7q5lJTxlur8Q81HTDe2KxJycbW2Et-jkqG0O4VwClCD4jclqncqnoQsq8hfdM20v5VvnL3QLPqi8Q9ioxHbgHN-6TK9TCCpsZ1RY9eFkfFB6w/s640/14+sink+full+of+dirty+dishes.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I dutifully set out to rinse and stack the dishes in preparation for loading the dishwasher. But...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While rinsing, I discovered that my sink drain was clogged. Neither side would drain. If I ran the disposal, the water from the left side would back up into the right side along with a bunch of drain crud. Then the right side water level would go back down, but only because it was draining back into the left side again. Blech! I took all of the dishes out and stacked them on the stove. Then I bailed out the dirty water with a big cup into my utility bucket that I use when I do tie dye. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kx3kh2cCHcZzGx91LQDSTw8lti_NmZMDYenRbbCRk-_MogPQfLK5yQy5nk9cIsP3zshxM7hw9hyphenhyphenxr4OHWYVPUUbO3HIA_SHJSQkuY4fnC9SpA49KQA_xJlHcq6-ZpzWoW8f30Lj-6LfA/s1600/15+kitchen+utility+bucket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kx3kh2cCHcZzGx91LQDSTw8lti_NmZMDYenRbbCRk-_MogPQfLK5yQy5nk9cIsP3zshxM7hw9hyphenhyphenxr4OHWYVPUUbO3HIA_SHJSQkuY4fnC9SpA49KQA_xJlHcq6-ZpzWoW8f30Lj-6LfA/s320/15+kitchen+utility+bucket.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I reached for a bottle of Drano Max Gel. I used the whole thing as recommended for the worst clogs. I took about a half hour for the clog to clear. Next I had to scrub down the sink to get rid of all of the stinky dishwater residue.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3yB09_8Q3Iwbyb1DzYu-NfISI9XomNEgla359ANxK1bkHaIVUXyfgh9rsaexA7_oML2deMhpXSwU03EGFlEwKV_viszgNq3hCVbXJZn4To8oymQVsTT5ho242UsfGuIQRjdnScAxYgWG/s1600/16+Drano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3yB09_8Q3Iwbyb1DzYu-NfISI9XomNEgla359ANxK1bkHaIVUXyfgh9rsaexA7_oML2deMhpXSwU03EGFlEwKV_viszgNq3hCVbXJZn4To8oymQVsTT5ho242UsfGuIQRjdnScAxYgWG/s320/16+Drano.JPG" width="170" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I finished rinsing and loading the dishes. Ah!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another problem we have is that the sponges and dish brushes get buried in the sink because the kids don't put them back where they belong. I just bought a new clean set of green brushes for dishes and popped them into a pretty canister. The detergent, dish soap and hand soap have their own plastic tray. The sponges have a little dish.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLF3F263cDh9pM4XVKvAvA8wRwCPdTht6vRbomQXp_nfW4BQbz9W4GtuGQw2azihuMhbRuETqCfBcv0qrphl_L5tNuiHc0m0vRIeQjYdIKU0KEBb8ZWa9vJC4STmyNKRsuy93kvcbr4Y3/s1600/13+dish+cleaning+soaps+brushes+sponges.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLF3F263cDh9pM4XVKvAvA8wRwCPdTht6vRbomQXp_nfW4BQbz9W4GtuGQw2azihuMhbRuETqCfBcv0qrphl_L5tNuiHc0m0vRIeQjYdIKU0KEBb8ZWa9vJC4STmyNKRsuy93kvcbr4Y3/s640/13+dish+cleaning+soaps+brushes+sponges.JPG" width="416" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't want the dish brushes and sponges to get mixed up with the sink cleaning brushes because the latter get quite germy. So I bought blue brushes for cleaning and put them in a well labeled plastic flower pot on the opposite side of the sink, along with disinfectant cleaning wipes and powdered scrub cleaner. Now if everyone can just remember which to use!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwi6SUzuVOeahIB_iNqxXSZmdVL0dGgcl1WUKUN6WUyytJ3Ek2w3onfVXq5Svl1pyZmDgbXJClOSJ9kujHH8SFsJ7JQlqGsKv0_GRN5JEEuRSHC3WDgV8p7H_Ddmc3vS6g3uicvURFQdi/s1600/17+sink+cleaners+and+brushes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwi6SUzuVOeahIB_iNqxXSZmdVL0dGgcl1WUKUN6WUyytJ3Ek2w3onfVXq5Svl1pyZmDgbXJClOSJ9kujHH8SFsJ7JQlqGsKv0_GRN5JEEuRSHC3WDgV8p7H_Ddmc3vS6g3uicvURFQdi/s320/17+sink+cleaners+and+brushes.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Coming down the home stretch here. Long blog post, eh?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was presenting a Homeschool Hangout morning retreat for a bunch of ladies with two friends recently. Jennifer's session was on homemaking. After some introductory inspiration, she asked each of us to share the one chore that gives us most trouble, and she would tell us her best tips for that area. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My trouble spot? I have a hard time getting motivated to make dinner every night for a few reasons. It's hard to work in the kitchen when it's messy. My kids are busy and it's a challenge to get all of us to the table at the same time. I do a lot of chauffeuring near dinner time, and I'm usually tired at the end of the day. I could never find the ingredients I needed. And isn't it easier to pick up a rotisserie chicken or frozen convenience foods at Sam's Club, a pizza at 7-Eleven, or a bag of Wendy's burgers? (True confession time!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I was thinking about this later, I realized I just need to make my kitchen work for me no matter what it takes and no matter who is helping me. If I personally clean and tidy the kitchen every day, they are more likely to keep it that way. It's too easy to dump more mess on top of an existing mess, especially if you can't even get to the sink faucet because it's so piled with dishes. Am I right? That's why I've been looking for all of these ways that I've shared to make kitchen life easier.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The evening after the morning meeting, I was finally ready to tackle my two freezers with newfound enthusiasm and determination. I have a big freezer drawer at the bottom of my kitchen refrigerator. (Which, by the way, I hate. I much prefer a regular freezer door at the top of the fridge. The drawer is a pain in the butt. Understatement, there.) I also have a chest freezer in our storage room. Everything was all mixed up in both of them. I took some time to think it through before I did anything. After I formulated my strategy, I took everything out of both freezers, and cleaned them out. I found a lot of unrecognizable food to throw away. This process also meant de-icing the chest freezer. My 13 year old son saw me leaning into the freezer to do this, and grabbed the spatula from me to finish the job himself. Kudos to him! There is hope in the universe!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I determined that the kitchen freezer should be for food the kids need to grab for a quick meal or a snack. In the left bin, I stashed lunch items like burritos, pocket sandwiches, microwave dinners, pierogies, single serve chow mein noodle & veggie packets, etc. In the right bin, I put breakfast foods like sausage links, waffles, and bags of fruit for smoothies. Weeks later, this freezer is still organized!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gOANpy3OIrGEW_km5INnqBPaMt1PA9qT3I7aaK1H3dxXHXh_Ft4UAt8s1mQ-oq7r9gxU_km44xtYpXtpxUdaVr1fupDWbOQvL7fUm7SVEB2nsQZBtAi0Y4nnPCmUvgkW86q7qspxI-GV/s1600/29+kitchen+freezer+drawer+with+lunch+and+breakfast+items.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gOANpy3OIrGEW_km5INnqBPaMt1PA9qT3I7aaK1H3dxXHXh_Ft4UAt8s1mQ-oq7r9gxU_km44xtYpXtpxUdaVr1fupDWbOQvL7fUm7SVEB2nsQZBtAi0Y4nnPCmUvgkW86q7qspxI-GV/s400/29+kitchen+freezer+drawer+with+lunch+and+breakfast+items.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The storage room freezer is all mine! This is the dinner prep freezer. This is where I stash frozen vegetables, skillet dinner kits, raw meat, and meat that I've cooked and divvied up into gallon size bags for quick prep later. Yes, this freezer is also still nicely organized with very little effort weeks after I cleaned it out. I'm delighted! I can find what I want! And I'm making dinner more often!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i-xB2KgMTZw6_B6FslqTVJuylXRAtju6wMO59Nu2-O-hVR6yzpwdOc7hwmvcHpiVnx4M0DKP422zRWlRHKHmipisvj-hQVEu34imkgd7oyBmxr_suX33f_CIt87_JGiXo1QNKP2vTBYD/s1600/30+chest+freezer+for+dinner+prep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4i-xB2KgMTZw6_B6FslqTVJuylXRAtju6wMO59Nu2-O-hVR6yzpwdOc7hwmvcHpiVnx4M0DKP422zRWlRHKHmipisvj-hQVEu34imkgd7oyBmxr_suX33f_CIt87_JGiXo1QNKP2vTBYD/s400/30+chest+freezer+for+dinner+prep.JPG" width="278" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just two more pictures, and these are actually not in the kitchen. Instead, they are of things that used to be in the kitchen but were taking too much room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Since our cupboards are full of other food, I used to store plastic cereal containers on top of the refrigerator. However, my youngest daughter couldn't reach them and she's the most frequent cereal eater. So I set up a cereal bar on a shelf in the dining room right next to the kitchen counter. I also put the kid vitamins there and the extra protein drink powder there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The china cabinet, which I bought at a thrift store last year, holds all of our company dishes down below. This is the hutch on top. I just put my apple basket decor up for the autumn season. Isn't it lovely? This is also where all of my cookbooks go since there is no room in the kitchen. I always wished there was space above my kitchen cabinets for baskets and plants because they look so pretty there in other kitchens I've seen. My kitchen cabinets go to the ceiling, but now at least I have one place to get the same effect!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2MaLAulcTvL0OKme4qeaAPIraDGUTUKNOsV8h63WXu7USQVqMb-K5CJh-cbdsJXKPatuzJNftbHLz-x9g9lm8p4XtLlBITZxcHW_mS5G3hTZLlfFd39FyIiIAEvHBGcPKkqNCiay3U0a/s1600/40+china+cabinet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf2MaLAulcTvL0OKme4qeaAPIraDGUTUKNOsV8h63WXu7USQVqMb-K5CJh-cbdsJXKPatuzJNftbHLz-x9g9lm8p4XtLlBITZxcHW_mS5G3hTZLlfFd39FyIiIAEvHBGcPKkqNCiay3U0a/s640/40+china+cabinet.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's it for my kitchen (and dining room) this time, but here are some related posts with more ideas and information!</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/06/my-butterfly-kitchen.html">My Butterfly Kitchen</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/01/kitchen-organization-ideas-from-mom-of.html">Kitchen Organization Ideas from a Mom of 10</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/08/reclaiming-our-real-dining-room.html">Reclaiming Our Real Dining Room</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/03/menu-planning-tips-links.html" target="_blank">Menu Planning Tips & Links</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/11/prepping-your-kitchen-to-fix-feast.html" target="_blank">Prepping Your Kitchen to Fix a Feast</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/03/cooking-ahead-without-too-much.html" target="_blank">Cooking Ahead Without Too Much Complication</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/10/autumn-grace-22-my-glorious-dish-towel.html">My Glorious Dish Towel</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.thismomsgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/04/the-blue-bowl-and-thoughts-on-making.html">"The Blue Bowl" and Thoughts on Making a Home</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-cottage-dreams-why-not-now.html">My Cottage Dreams (Why Not Now?)</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/09/autumn-decorating-2015.html">Autumn Decorating 2015</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/01/organizing-and-laundering-your-linens.html">Organizing and Laundering Your Linens</a></b></li>
<li><b style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/05/a-day-in-my-kitchen-nine-years-ago.html">A Day in My Kitchen 2003</a></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">What's working in YOUR kitchen? Do tell!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-86445073090731404542016-08-09T00:53:00.001-04:002019-03-18T10:23:59.069-04:00A Big Makeover for My Blue Haven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgananY16N00tzCMVouWiCrcOle95PADv7ip3A_gvYtQ2gGbFmuYP0YuYH49TyDGQTAgttSFD2d9sC1oBkifyIkJToEsgDOkx34mwBBzZUIuBt0g7xoMGjcrFefkSNcuIFFSruf2O7ZPTyN/s1600/00+Sanctuary+painting+over+bed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgananY16N00tzCMVouWiCrcOle95PADv7ip3A_gvYtQ2gGbFmuYP0YuYH49TyDGQTAgttSFD2d9sC1oBkifyIkJToEsgDOkx34mwBBzZUIuBt0g7xoMGjcrFefkSNcuIFFSruf2O7ZPTyN/s400/00+Sanctuary+painting+over+bed.JPG" width="380" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you've been reading this blog a while, you may know that "<span style="color: #45818e;"><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/search/label/My%20Blue%20Haven" target="_blank">My Blue Haven</a></b></span>" is my affectionate name for my bedroom, which I'm trying to make into a restful and inspiring place to sleep, think, talk, read, write, and create. It is mainly decorated in robin's egg, aqua, turquoise, and teal shades of blue.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This summer, My Blue Haven got a big makeover! I didn't replace the carpet or repaint, but I do have several ideas here for making a bedroom practical and pretty while being creative and resourceful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It started with a bed bug invasion in a child's room, which soon spread to the rest of the house, including my very own bed. Itchy itchy bites! We called an exterminator who came out four times to spray. We also decluttered most of the rooms and washed loads upon loads of laundry in hot water. I think all the bugs are gone now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the process, I realized that the old queen size bed was probably harboring lots of bugs in the wooden grid below the platform frame. The frame was over 30 years old, clunky, and too long for a standard queen mattress since it used to be a water bed frame. The 20 year old mattress was completely shot with lumps and holes galore. I disassembled the whole thing and had my teen sons drag it outside the house for the trash folks to haul away. I had to sand and spackle the wall where the frame had badly gouged it. I still need to touch up the paint, but it's good enough for now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I bought a universal bed frame at Sam's Club for less than $40, a beautiful Ethan Allen headboard at a thrift store for $60, and a queen size pillow top mattress and box springs set on clearance at a furniture store for about $250. I quickly put it all together in a new spot in the room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I decided I needed new bedding for it. I found a gorgeous teal blue quilt with matching pillow cases at Ross for less than $50. I chose king size instead of queen size because I wanted it to drape down the sides and cover the box springs so I could avoid buying a dust ruffle. As it turns out, I turned it sideways, and it covers the foot end of the bed, too. Yay!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I did have one problem with the bed. Since I sit on the edge of it so frequently (and my kids plop on it), it seemed like the top layer was getting squished down and tilted to the side. When I climbed in at night, I felt like I was about to roll out of bed just a little bit. I tried rotating the mattress, and I checked the bed frame to make sure it was level, but none of that helped. After a few weeks, I added two layers of 1" thick 10" wide foam sheets under the mattress along the edge where I get out of bed. After I took this photo, I tucked them in under the fitted sheets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66d2TNCjpR0nAwDvU-ETEpM0_MJPYPfqeRE8-mbx65iDBSmFylDp3-yG4F_uF04J6FnPhz0GcjQlbotuxMJNYCp69BErEVo197Qv-uXmdFFq2Ubp3K40hQw2mhUv5d5TVp0NaxtheRCcT/s1600/B4+foam+sheets+used+to+raise+mattress+edge.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66d2TNCjpR0nAwDvU-ETEpM0_MJPYPfqeRE8-mbx65iDBSmFylDp3-yG4F_uF04J6FnPhz0GcjQlbotuxMJNYCp69BErEVo197Qv-uXmdFFq2Ubp3K40hQw2mhUv5d5TVp0NaxtheRCcT/s320/B4+foam+sheets+used+to+raise+mattress+edge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also bought a really soft fluffy blanket for underneath the quilt. There are two standard size pillows under the quilt for sleeping, and the big king size one with the teal pillow case goes on top as decoration after I make the bed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKd8OzKKhZp4_vzfb16lFjIJyedZ-HlZhh6sEECr38oB0uXgiRHkd_ouDcZa5hVw0fLeL9D8eFLkFiUdBVYi9nxBlCeKnzrZPnsW9yocBHRivOPJYmYrG9U3f3jD3r2UUnVKnPcUfzRoq/s1600/B2+bed+with+blue+blanket+and+quilt.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKd8OzKKhZp4_vzfb16lFjIJyedZ-HlZhh6sEECr38oB0uXgiRHkd_ouDcZa5hVw0fLeL9D8eFLkFiUdBVYi9nxBlCeKnzrZPnsW9yocBHRivOPJYmYrG9U3f3jD3r2UUnVKnPcUfzRoq/s400/B2+bed+with+blue+blanket+and+quilt.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The place where I put the bed this time has wall space above it. I looked for coordinating artwork in a bunch of stores and couldn't find what I wanted, so I decided to paint my own. It's inspired by cathedral rose windows and you can read more about its creation here: </span><span style="color: #45818e;"><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/08/sanctuary-new-blue-painting.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Sanctuary: The Story of My New Blue Painting.</span></a></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDR_8Cew-uAoTzKldZ19dX8au9O9vlo_0cuydU5C3eQTct2FkqFnkeujriAgo-yfTRxzoAHwPOT4Bl-UWmC6kQ7SF_NwuHvGFJLJle_-3pzMiVIZzG3NSCtn7FqgGqOsf7CUEgcwOdWq0/s1600/00+Sanctuary+painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDR_8Cew-uAoTzKldZ19dX8au9O9vlo_0cuydU5C3eQTct2FkqFnkeujriAgo-yfTRxzoAHwPOT4Bl-UWmC6kQ7SF_NwuHvGFJLJle_-3pzMiVIZzG3NSCtn7FqgGqOsf7CUEgcwOdWq0/s400/00+Sanctuary+painting.JPG" width="398" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You may remember that I bought this blue IKEA cart for our school room, but then decided to use it by my desk in the bedroom. Well, now it's my bedside "table" since what I had before won't fit in this spot. I love that it has multiple levels to store my lamp and medicines and tissues (top bin), CPAP machine (middle bin), and miscellaneous supplies (bottom bin). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I was diagnosed with diabetes this past spring and take metformin orally twice a day. Though my doctor didn't tell me I needed to test my blood sugars yet, I decided last week to get a glucose monitor anyway and keep track of the levels occasionally. I bought an opaque blue mason jar with a straw hole in the lid. I drop my used lancets and test strips into it so I can dispose of them hygienically later on rather than dumping them in the regular trash with blood on them. I store the jar on my bedside cart, where I also keep my glucose monitor.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTAhoTgqk71K_CtYdKRCzxrhULAiQyKPyQxOk3tNYaTWJaFbHY6U8iuWC49TywQ_WiKvGdzezfat3TJ_ynzX-3EGukNvZYYppsQ2BCLLsm5-aALOA-SKlQQkGmQqY0nM22mOJqP0Oa_Ih/s1600/B3+Mason+jar+with+straw+hole+to+store+used+lancets+and+glucose+strips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTAhoTgqk71K_CtYdKRCzxrhULAiQyKPyQxOk3tNYaTWJaFbHY6U8iuWC49TywQ_WiKvGdzezfat3TJ_ynzX-3EGukNvZYYppsQ2BCLLsm5-aALOA-SKlQQkGmQqY0nM22mOJqP0Oa_Ih/s400/B3+Mason+jar+with+straw+hole+to+store+used+lancets+and+glucose+strips.JPG" width="306" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I took down the net layer of my curtains, and left up just the muslin under layer. It has a more subtle look.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmL8vGW1cfJOITrJDM8rR0ukHXcHPaQZr8W1zCw6eZ3yutCRtxiFlasYIqgzzp8-SktZcbm4ipZKlVxj3P36nRB_5wi0CjMFbP1SwsObuZklhdB-OFlWwDrY9KGoVOk8W_kih9bafixTZ/s1600/B5+muslin+curtains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigmL8vGW1cfJOITrJDM8rR0ukHXcHPaQZr8W1zCw6eZ3yutCRtxiFlasYIqgzzp8-SktZcbm4ipZKlVxj3P36nRB_5wi0CjMFbP1SwsObuZklhdB-OFlWwDrY9KGoVOk8W_kih9bafixTZ/s400/B5+muslin+curtains.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found the light blue and white basket at a yard sale for $1. It sits on the file cabinet next to my desk along with my magnifying mirror and my tweezer jar. (When I moved the cart, I replaced it with a file cabinet from the closet. The cabinet now holds my tools and sewing kit. I put a decorative blue medallion dish towel on top.)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lhQHpmtzw6d3SsgECSHA_19EZAZviVqzHFG0Lj9X9rmjWpSd3o6rsy2DKBBtNiRQ9pQGfwUaGCr4S1Zf98ZJGmmKNaX_JuhUXTZbm4Jp3-ag0iLeEMsKbv_U_HGzOkw_CqEx5v0Z-F6v/s1600/C1+blue+basket+and+mirror.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lhQHpmtzw6d3SsgECSHA_19EZAZviVqzHFG0Lj9X9rmjWpSd3o6rsy2DKBBtNiRQ9pQGfwUaGCr4S1Zf98ZJGmmKNaX_JuhUXTZbm4Jp3-ag0iLeEMsKbv_U_HGzOkw_CqEx5v0Z-F6v/s400/C1+blue+basket+and+mirror.JPG" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found these closet organizers on clearance at Ross for about $5 each.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TSEHEyvzGmYi9j2sMZszlt4FR78zbwtxdKq5-1hXYvf_4R5kraGV9_-xR14rFZosqhU4A5jcuVJWHLPE-zm_khq9LZ2qr0iIoHmSs9oOa4T538muwZkLDVNr1GchLdqP-yGzmhuEKd9M/s1600/E1+blue+closet+organizers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TSEHEyvzGmYi9j2sMZszlt4FR78zbwtxdKq5-1hXYvf_4R5kraGV9_-xR14rFZosqhU4A5jcuVJWHLPE-zm_khq9LZ2qr0iIoHmSs9oOa4T538muwZkLDVNr1GchLdqP-yGzmhuEKd9M/s400/E1+blue+closet+organizers.JPG" width="256" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After our bed bug crisis, I took my four younger kids on a 15 day road trip to visit family in Maryland and New Jersey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I brought home a whole box more of my late mother's pretty things. The newest additions to my bookshelf on my desk are the little vase and jar that are near the left side of this picture. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHw0l5jUWXhpQ52u8ULbzjFT6pd4VNFiNabNg13qzsIIXEk2U0zvvujEY3uHqsW0xSxLjTP-A4L8iiQXCoz9UoNYbUoHyvF_P8miT8c6vM8ZQT1K9YyjIKYIhuuwTzX-ApfFcrecAMfiK/s1600/C3+bookshelf+with+blue+and+white+porcelain+decorations.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixHw0l5jUWXhpQ52u8ULbzjFT6pd4VNFiNabNg13qzsIIXEk2U0zvvujEY3uHqsW0xSxLjTP-A4L8iiQXCoz9UoNYbUoHyvF_P8miT8c6vM8ZQT1K9YyjIKYIhuuwTzX-ApfFcrecAMfiK/s400/C3+bookshelf+with+blue+and+white+porcelain+decorations.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The calming glitter jar sits on my desk. I made it last week, and I love to turn it over and see the colored glitter swirl around. You can read more about that here: <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b><a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/2016/08/calming-glitter-jar.html">Calming Glitter Jar</a></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">While on our trip, I bought a lovely blue sun hat at the Jersey shore. It is now perched on the top shelf of my desk.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I rearranged this bookcase with other treasures!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On top, I put a sign that I bought for half price at Cracker Barrel on our way home from Maryland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The stained glass piece on the right was made by my mother.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_qRtwHxLUbVw2gjPjNUSpIbawsR7NMaUq8QJfzekfg0tNhXENuoiLmJmHNJieEaDA0ic7T642mX-Xrc840QbT_HJYWOhd6Tzy88tw7N5GWBQTi6MN_rwAadXjda3eQVT2xsz4L9DdR4w/s1600/D2+blue+decorations+on+shelf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_qRtwHxLUbVw2gjPjNUSpIbawsR7NMaUq8QJfzekfg0tNhXENuoiLmJmHNJieEaDA0ic7T642mX-Xrc840QbT_HJYWOhd6Tzy88tw7N5GWBQTi6MN_rwAadXjda3eQVT2xsz4L9DdR4w/s400/D2+blue+decorations+on+shelf.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This platter that I painted used to sit on my bedside table, but there's no room for it on my cart, so I moved it to the shelf. The crystal pieces were my mother's. I brought them home with me when we were visiting my dad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought the tea cup on the right at an antique store at <b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/08/savage-mill-antiques-and-art-in-maryland.html" target="_blank">Savage Mill</a></b> in Maryland.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I already had a hymnal collection, but found a few more, along with a Book of Common Prayer, in a box in the basement in Maryland. I brought them home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This one belonged to my great-grandmother Olive (Mrs. C.B.) Ransom.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And finally, I bought new pull thingies for my ceiling fan and light at Cracker Barrel on clearance. I love the encouragement that I see every time I turn them on or off!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can read the other Blue Haven posts here!<br /><b><span style="color: #45818e;"></span></b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-cleaning-and-creating-in-my-blue.html">Spring Cleaning and Creating in My Blue Haven</a> </span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-blue-haven-for-new-year.html">My Blue Haven for the New Year</a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-blue-haven.html">My Blue Haven</a></span></span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/10/more-beauty-for-my-blue-haven.html">More Beauty for My Blue Haven</a></span></span></b></li>
</ul>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-85220678381360788432016-06-22T01:30:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:59.063-04:00Seven Gifts in Summer (Visions & Values)<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hello friends!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy summer to you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last month, I wrote about <b><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/seven-gifts-visions-values.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">seven gifts in my life</span></a> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and how I need to be using and caring for them. Today I'd like to share a few tidbits about what I'm doing and reading for each area during the summertime, when my schedule is a little less structured. </span><br />
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<img height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60mcKYTF4pfHgFKxMA-eElnqbN2V-piANwJ0khrGOUfoRSj0OzZ0u1XB-cc5KlvrpIJzpDoIVFaw-qDiwy_-cF9MDwXgYu6OTPVTzWz-CoXFBW9IKBpcWtHc524GwcV6vXui6MsxGWcL/s320/7+Gifts+Board.jpe" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Spirit: </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgH_i3_yvpDKkhj7qg2HiTcrd5yizVLTDcvPmeUWjXzDOdAsjszSmWKdiHpnLASOkmvVgCvXZZEOnYwIcsA-I5ejKkMHrujkuYPALUf8PVatKqVvrYMbPJVTi9wntlNUDwREYj5mO5bXfganRewAfdu06otodi2Yu2l=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Roots and Sky: Following the Sacred Contours of Everyday Life - By: Christie Purifoy
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One thing I do for my spiritual life is read books that feed my soul. I just finished </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=726663" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Roots & Sky: A Journey Home in Four Seasons</span></b></a> by Christie Purifoy, a reflective and inspirational memoir of her family's first year in a vintage Pennsylvania farmhouse. I loved it and I'll have to write a separate post on it soon. Meanwhile, you can read her blog here to get a taste of her writing: <a href="http://www.christiepurifoy.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">A Spacious Place</span></b></a>. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj1x-BWwopJzhC6BtE1jewpJx4jrJwmexQYoG69Od2K5-Nihp0RBkJWp0Jwo_lGeg-TTZhb_nkEzhyffhz0wHafHPlXErE90ujOLQ9TcJ6EVpQF39xLyGTlus_QJCXmdQVJcdJbUMuJtWJYCEuN4JisFFU1b6wQFjal=" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Bandersnatch: An Invitation to Explore Your Unconventional Soul - By: Erika Morrison
" border="0" src="http://g.christianbook.com/dg/product/cbd/f400/036220.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm about to start reading <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=036220" target="_blank"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Bandersnatch: An Invitation to Explore Your Unconventional Soul</b></span></a> by Erika Morrison. I also try to keep a pulse on my unconventional soul, especially when I find myself unsettled. I like to stay on an even keel, but that's a challenge. Reading is good for me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This next month is a special spiritual anniversary for me. July marks 40 years that I have been a Christian. You can read about it here: <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-story-of-liberty-in-1976.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">My Story of Liberty in 1976</span></b></a>.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1976</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylsFxYQ6Iuc4a3zZu4uUMNgNi3QFBf0_2DDFEIJZKPWboVa3E5j3fFsfVQscoimWYF_IDNszeUHHHmP7wWgyc-PEBKQfZ787oK_Hf4YUnnqWFoY8UOy1KrOfRa6fV-2MgbLnoyV4bLSbD/s1600/Virginia+in+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgylsFxYQ6Iuc4a3zZu4uUMNgNi3QFBf0_2DDFEIJZKPWboVa3E5j3fFsfVQscoimWYF_IDNszeUHHHmP7wWgyc-PEBKQfZ787oK_Hf4YUnnqWFoY8UOy1KrOfRa6fV-2MgbLnoyV4bLSbD/s200/Virginia+in+2016.jpg" width="147" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2016</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Family and Friends:</b> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is so easy to get overwhelmed as a mom with five kids still at home. I am trying to get better at setting and maintaining personal boundaries, as well as clearly and calmly communicating expectations. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next month, I am taking my four youngest on a road trip to Maryland and New Jersey to see my dad and his wife, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my sister and brother and their families.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've got a whole lot of planning and preparation to do! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also love to spend time with my five adult daughters and six grandchildren whenever I can. I often host family events at our house, and help with babysitting when needed.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hulk still loves his pacifier!<br />~~ my grandson Lucas ~~ </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I want to start getting together with friends "in real life" more since I hardly do this at all in my crazy life. Tomorrow I'm meeting up with a sweet friend I met a long time ago but don't know very well. We were chatting in the grocery store last week and realized we had more in common than we had realized. So I'm going over to her house tomorrow! What a treat! And this Saturday I'm having breakfast with some of the ladies from Bible study, even though we're off for the summer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking for ideas of fun things to do with kids? Read here: </span><span style="background-color: white; letter-spacing: 1px; line-height: 1.2; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://howdoesshe.com/34-activities-to-do-with-family-that-do-not-include-the-tv/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">34 Activities To Do With Family That Do Not Include the TV</span></b></a><span style="color: #231f20;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Health: </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO4tnfTYxGlVmkwaHQ5UDxi-UmVehnSb0ZSCrDhii_Ala3cxvCBlP28rYUoDz8zQhCSbDeF6Bby2jQ_tCxwg2OVILVyEhk5rgn7iE8OH7jhp54EFZJ673Syb4urliO0QcB0-pe5BC-JqC/s1600/09c+bedside+with+blue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKO4tnfTYxGlVmkwaHQ5UDxi-UmVehnSb0ZSCrDhii_Ala3cxvCBlP28rYUoDz8zQhCSbDeF6Bby2jQ_tCxwg2OVILVyEhk5rgn7iE8OH7jhp54EFZJ673Syb4urliO0QcB0-pe5BC-JqC/s200/09c+bedside+with+blue.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my daughters, a hospital nurse, sat down with me and reviewed all of my prescriptions and supplements for several chronic health issues. We put a detailed list of my medical conditions and treatments into both Evernote and my phone's emergency page. I also set up a weekly pill box with four sections per day. It's on my bedside table, and it's really helped me be more faithful at taking them when I should.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For exercise, had to find something that would w</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ork for me. I don't have the time or money to go to a gym, and there are some things I can't do because of joint problems. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am mainly using weights that strap onto my wrists and ankles for daily workouts at home. I can lie on my bed to do leg exercises. It helps me to spend a longer time at it if I read on my phone at the same time. I was also looking for an elliptical machine at thrift stores, but then found one on my next door neighbor's curb in good working condition. Free! Yay! I can still only manage about 10 minutes at a time right now, but I'm working up. I also still walk in my neighborhood, usually when I'm talking on the phone.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stretching</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wrist weights in the morning</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Home: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm about to put my summer <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/05/simply-spring-11-americana-and-bird.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Americana</span></b></a> decorations back in the front hallway again, after a springtime floral theme.</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I just worked a lot in my own space again, as you can see here:</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"> </span><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/06/spring-cleaning-and-creating-in-my-blue.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">Spring Cleaning and Creating in My Blue Haven</span></a><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-weight: bold;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am reading <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=403372" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">The Life-Giving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming</span></b></a> by Sally Clarkson.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Life-Giving Home: Creating a Place of Belonging and Becoming - By: Sally Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In less cheerful news, I had to hire an exterminator to treat the whole house for bed bugs. We had to throw a bunch of stuff into laundry baskets and move them into the dining room temporarily. (He's coming back to spray there and two other rooms this week.) We're also having to wash a ton of clothes and throw stuffed animals and pillows in the dryer to sanitize them. I'm using this occasion to get brutal about dejunking the house. If we don't need it and don't </span><i style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">really</i><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> want it, why are we keeping it? The trash man cometh.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I gave up on trying to get the kids to load the dishwasher on assigned days of the week. What works now is having them take turns unloading it, and then I load it the way I like it. We still get sink pileups, but this is better than it was.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Mind:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a really general category that includes intellect, imagination, and creativity. Or, in terms of activities, reading, researching, writing, remembering, organizing information, and art work. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can see some of my recent art projects here: </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/05/my-new-blue-art.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">My New Blue Art</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I set up a file system in two of my deeper desk drawers so I can access information faster. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A little later in the summer, I will plan out the first month of home schooling for my upcoming fifth grader and decide if I need to buy any more curriculum. I already have an overview mapped out in Evernote.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have some books on </span><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2010/09/add-and-me-well-manage.html" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">adult ADD</span></b></a><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> that I need to read soon. This is definitely an issue for me at times, though I already compensate for it in so many ways.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am trying to force my brain to be aware of my surroundings, memorize information, and recall sequences. I jumped one of my kids' cars three times this week and now I've got the process down pat. Learning something new and learning it well is a sweet deal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Money:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I use the <a href="https://goodbudget.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Goodbudget app</span></b></a> on my phone to track my expenses in the discretionary spending categories. This version is free, but if I needed more categories or wanted to sync it with another device, I would have to pay a monthly fee. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had been using Mint, which synced with my computer and also automatically pulled in transactions from my bank. Unfortunately, it was not as user friendly on my phone and there was a delay getting new transactions downloaded. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Goodbudget is friendlier and I can easily enter transactions even without a download. If I have a few extra minutes waiting in my car, I pull the current receipts out of my wallet and enter them in. I also check the transactions in my bank account using my bank's app to make sure I haven't missed anything. (I can also use the bank app to transfer money into my checking account.) My Goodbudget categories are Groceries, Eating Out, Kids, Home, Gas, Personal, and Other. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In addition, I keep a Kids Owe Me list in Evernote on my phone for when my kids borrow or pay back money.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>Time:</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My summer schedule has been pretty loose since the kids got out of school at the end of May. I did have to do a lot of driving since two teens were taking Driver Education in summer school for a few weeks and my youngest had Vacation Bible School. I'm glad all of that is over, even though they were good things! It would be easy to just let everything slide, but I've got to make progress in a lot of areas this summer while I have the chance. It is so much harder during the school year when I am home schooling my youngest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still use the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gtasks-tasks-manager-for-google/id428249408" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">gTask app</span></b></a> for my To Do List, which syncs with the Calendar app. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am also working on goal setting and life planning. I just read <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&amp;p=1136043&amp;item_no=018820" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want</span></b></a> by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy. They recommend setting aside one full day each year to formulate specific goals for each area of life. I did something like this in 2015 but didn't follow through very well. I may give it another try.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img alt="Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want - By: Michael Hyatt, Daniel Harkavy
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, that's it for now, friends! What are you all doing this summer?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My Blue Haven</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(my bedroom),</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ready for spring cleaning!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbziFVGITJ10xiDCe9vye8Hkjj5ojEAsw53hqvue92LCmVAJi1f6_bZI_kTCxjKU2wtKiQ99Ju4NC7b1_dbz6ePeauxf9x_yPdQnLOmY-T9gHSzAIHfMsSblxrRO24NoNZDXVDWnn82b/s1600/01+messy+bedroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUgbziFVGITJ10xiDCe9vye8Hkjj5ojEAsw53hqvue92LCmVAJi1f6_bZI_kTCxjKU2wtKiQ99Ju4NC7b1_dbz6ePeauxf9x_yPdQnLOmY-T9gHSzAIHfMsSblxrRO24NoNZDXVDWnn82b/s400/01+messy+bedroom.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here we go!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2m6FCi-Uy7Qu8MRUiLMtUAS1l50rGA8clY3AF4cf6whZDYfGndrwxqHUNetI2VoTwn49POUhC8oC-oLaIOvqj7VWYh5hdEPtWlsGbxb1gp5-YRpR2U8UFgYzvckzhh7ye2GycY-IY57b/s400/02+empty+bookcase.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Everything off the desk </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and its bookcase...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wipe it all down! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVA_jEqCwJn_3b2YXB9JZhhPRJycWw1LW2KXiMhctPvFug1jqXbdg44Y9V1UNaaRae4UnrTcGILrPQLqWWo-sHSIiN9nn82wrb1h6ukxirw5Gp2JkhwTpTaG42KZru3s8zSeCRMzoBZG/s320/03+book+sorted+in+piles.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I choose the books I still really want to read this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In piles on my bed, I sort them into categories:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">spiritual life, health, education, family life, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">creative thinking, l</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ife management, and </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">decorating.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I put the other books on another bookcase,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">or in bins to sell or give away. Clutter must go! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jVA_jEqCwJn_3b2YXB9JZhhPRJycWw1LW2KXiMhctPvFug1jqXbdg44Y9V1UNaaRae4UnrTcGILrPQLqWWo-sHSIiN9nn82wrb1h6ukxirw5Gp2JkhwTpTaG42KZru3s8zSeCRMzoBZG/s1600/03+book+sorted+in+piles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiauW7ZYa8U-gLTnLgik8iKLGyhNNu8NyUcVkHTy35In__dQxdcjdC-2HZGJ2xJPeLoHkKLE6qPvuiepnShxvQxpTMol8KeZx-F3VQPjgiIKYRLnwA4HZrSXUyfi1TRg8adKZNICoU3RL/s400/05+desk+drawer+with+files.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I removed the colorful cart</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">that held many of my papers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was too wobbly and too bright.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But now I needed a place to store them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I turned my bottom desk drawers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">into file drawers: kid stuff on the left,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">adult stuff on the right.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought two large packages of </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">colored folders, gathered my papers</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">from the cart and elsewhere,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and got busy. Very busy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm still not done.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And oh yes, I threw a lot away!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGiauW7ZYa8U-gLTnLgik8iKLGyhNNu8NyUcVkHTy35In__dQxdcjdC-2HZGJ2xJPeLoHkKLE6qPvuiepnShxvQxpTMol8KeZx-F3VQPjgiIKYRLnwA4HZrSXUyfi1TRg8adKZNICoU3RL/s1600/05+desk+drawer+with+files.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HY3aaPocurWLnSvxpu_vpjbfvBEpyzkPpFkDquAc8bTR-mlzLhjYsMeQLHuI8d4mrogJzEWhhRf4KySENu4UdmPGdiZXJCd1j2aElYgOOCcvmFVimA5e4_rkd4P9Fw1RgY24f6nq-2iL/s320/06+ikea+blue+raskog+cart+pieces.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I still needed something alongside</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my desk to hold miscellaneous stuff</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">like mail, purse, book bag, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">wet wipes, makeup kit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought this cart at IKEA for $30.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I priced similar ones at $60 at other stores,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">but saved money by </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">assembling it myself. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-HY3aaPocurWLnSvxpu_vpjbfvBEpyzkPpFkDquAc8bTR-mlzLhjYsMeQLHuI8d4mrogJzEWhhRf4KySENu4UdmPGdiZXJCd1j2aElYgOOCcvmFVimA5e4_rkd4P9Fw1RgY24f6nq-2iL/s1600/06+ikea+blue+raskog+cart+pieces.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyZgdldimVDmeL8UWRxuBk911pS4mwv8kbNY6kd7rPzqLSrfFeJXFEfKoipJ0LTqs6-AseBcY94FLOgy4RrWFiDj4KsW7FXtjKzbyypH-iU-BJqZSWmd12MTWvw9EJ_tBMRNekORYlAMr/s320/06b+ikea+blue+raskog+cart+assembled.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="176" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Much better, thank you!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyZgdldimVDmeL8UWRxuBk911pS4mwv8kbNY6kd7rPzqLSrfFeJXFEfKoipJ0LTqs6-AseBcY94FLOgy4RrWFiDj4KsW7FXtjKzbyypH-iU-BJqZSWmd12MTWvw9EJ_tBMRNekORYlAMr/s1600/06b+ikea+blue+raskog+cart+assembled.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWHmbSFWu8Xr14uiz2TtAVEMJ3q4wqWkFWVFo761Yq3QLNuHmSLKMGtMCqKtcuQq_5tWIwizfj4wtQv0-wvvIvG4de1a4GT7NMxJSlmPcQpoGrqNcHMs0qIEbOFs7GI-crzOl7Zl8j_aW/s400/07c+finished+desk+area.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A much more streamlined look, I think.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I removed some stuff from the top shelf,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">like a wicker drawer unit and a box of CDs. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWHmbSFWu8Xr14uiz2TtAVEMJ3q4wqWkFWVFo761Yq3QLNuHmSLKMGtMCqKtcuQq_5tWIwizfj4wtQv0-wvvIvG4de1a4GT7NMxJSlmPcQpoGrqNcHMs0qIEbOFs7GI-crzOl7Zl8j_aW/s1600/07c+finished+desk+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMHM2AVcqxNlRYmToHr3Xr8yDaqfGiy5gPL0oPR1loz3UH42qx6x7k6CzL6DlVhKPYSageDGXJzFV7DUKjagn0TQnAxBkEpD_swXhiXr-5bfTaEMirkh8BMBK3jdrLXgxf3XfzHq5Q9N8/s320/07c+boxes+on+desk+shelf.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I moved my personal tool box </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(the one in the middle)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">from my bottom left desk drawer </span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">to make room for all those files.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The box on the left holds </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">so</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ft pastels and markers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The one on the right has </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">health </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">insurance books and papers.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMHM2AVcqxNlRYmToHr3Xr8yDaqfGiy5gPL0oPR1loz3UH42qx6x7k6CzL6DlVhKPYSageDGXJzFV7DUKjagn0TQnAxBkEpD_swXhiXr-5bfTaEMirkh8BMBK3jdrLXgxf3XfzHq5Q9N8/s1600/07c+boxes+on+desk+shelf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">On to the bedside...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFJSU_sZ_5tGIyxL0RmoSMz3kOewxbv7-IwEQkawrT_OdOXWHxNnMKs5wnFxiQyJWhKTCZRsyngMzc7hIb6OM2rKrlcmb7j0sDcDjLFlG-P90Prarz0ohfYqMBKF_8gjczm-w8nHZjn70/s320/09b+blue+lamp+with+blue+bulb+on+nightstand.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="255" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My blue tabletop globe lamp broke,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">so I've been using a desk lamp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't like the looks of the lamp base</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">with its organizer thingy,</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">so I set it in a blue box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I don't like it too bright at night,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">so I replaced the bulb with a blue one,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">which gives it a </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">softer glow.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIK2WcVdYAlc-NfCNW5HHPj0R6B3DPDx9uCSBvG8YM3aqnxzI26lqfLJ-F1AWPcDVhyw8S2lkSG1Exfxytkd77JHxwSiAMUdC8TA3uMRVYOF4CBivbPX2kjNNUdxWaT8yK5ufYdp-TsW4/s320/09b+kaleidoscope+image+of+blue+light.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A view through my kaleidoscope.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am such a kid at heart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIK2WcVdYAlc-NfCNW5HHPj0R6B3DPDx9uCSBvG8YM3aqnxzI26lqfLJ-F1AWPcDVhyw8S2lkSG1Exfxytkd77JHxwSiAMUdC8TA3uMRVYOF4CBivbPX2kjNNUdxWaT8yK5ufYdp-TsW4/s1600/09b+kaleidoscope+image+of+blue+light.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I painted the platter at a pottery shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">as you can see more here: </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "trebuchet" , sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; text-decoration: none;"><b><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/05/my-new-blue-art.html" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-stretch: normal; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">My New Blue Art</span></a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Read about my Seven Gifts board here: </span><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: none;"><b><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/seven-gifts-visions-values.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #45818e;">Seven Gifts</span></a>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the seven gifts I have is my home.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like to care for my blue haven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another of the seven gifts is my health.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have to remember to take all of my pills every day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">A letter holder that had been on my desk</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">now holds my weekly medicine organizer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">right where I can see it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Another camouflage job to do:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my CPAP nighttime breathing machine.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought a "fat quarter" at Walmart. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then I fastened the fabric to a shoe box</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">with </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">double sided duct tape.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The back is open for ventilation and hoses.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The little blue gem on top is to show me</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">where to push the ON button.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(I cut a hole in the box for that.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And more tulle ribbon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The porcelain cottage is from </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">a local tea shop I visited with the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">ladies from my Bible study group.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The blue fabric bins from Ross are </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">$3.99 each.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one is for stuff I need to reach while I'm in bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This one on a high shelf holds my </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">medicines and supplements for refilling</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">my weekly pill box.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">These two on a table near my bed </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hold small </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">exercise equipment</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(more on that in another post)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and magazines.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The yellow sign had been on my headboard</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">but now it's on the wall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I added the fabric banner that I bought.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">How can I "create a beautiful day"?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">COURAGE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DREAM</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">GROW</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">PEACE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">LOVE</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">BELIEVE </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sure do want to grow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all, this blog is called</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">This Mom Grows Up!</span></b></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4XPvoyGnMxTvuPptfLl1DVhHAHkMToUr2U0cpiI6pcSLj79x44CwZrlQ-yymrrlE9oSOY-JYi9ILShFhlcWVd8Ekv52b9bEYfvtyIeHf2rqUb8hyphenhyphen4W1j8iK583giurtVLQv3gl90RVjY3/s400/20+tie+dye+panel+1+with+Choose+Joy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The tie dye panels I made last year</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">hang above my rocking chair.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had mounted the small chalkboard </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and written "delight in diligence" on it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It just didn't show up well with the lighting angle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So after a few months I erased it </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and mounted the Choose Joy</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">painted wooden piece on it instead.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLZFNhKnMrXTnUkR_JqNGv54xH7dVSvhFp-gW5ngNxHQL4Ev6Wh8u_QDwTh4YGMrNuq4oOLCAAaHoCjUzXuV21uw4nEQJdY4zSfmmHngkoxUzfSNN5kBdPRJF64FQfEmk2BiWMAokM1hS/s1600/20+tie+dye+panel+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLZFNhKnMrXTnUkR_JqNGv54xH7dVSvhFp-gW5ngNxHQL4Ev6Wh8u_QDwTh4YGMrNuq4oOLCAAaHoCjUzXuV21uw4nEQJdY4zSfmmHngkoxUzfSNN5kBdPRJF64FQfEmk2BiWMAokM1hS/s400/20+tie+dye+panel+2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">An extra dresser is a great spot</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">for craft supplies, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">extra linens, medical supplies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is my wood painting drawer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think I'll make some </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">pencil and pen holders for my desk!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought the wood boxes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">and ornaments at a craft store.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw89VGrY07HVsKzndCPpJlXzqxSzfcsu1-nEHn9f90W8uZkkzo0PjLzJxo2KRm_2CgQjDkGTLti3EFl81nalLFW9YJPMHDpvNeUBLvsZYYc6FfJbFNZs1B3qqZt9EM3ZtUENMLTdQsxbnD/s1600/22+wooden+boxes+to+paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOPKM45zcs4n-J4iXWFDRKPddtttEu01r1vNGAvtDhDGidr41vLhrKSWjjkrK_lcqcvaUKxrHUCJseojAESbE0fcI5x3LshTPpNpwD5ydXsfEvjmBo2MO2a1g9K5wVSjSA2BlmGM0rvJn/s1600/Blue+painted+pencil+boxes+for+desk.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOPKM45zcs4n-J4iXWFDRKPddtttEu01r1vNGAvtDhDGidr41vLhrKSWjjkrK_lcqcvaUKxrHUCJseojAESbE0fcI5x3LshTPpNpwD5ydXsfEvjmBo2MO2a1g9K5wVSjSA2BlmGM0rvJn/s320/Blue+painted+pencil+boxes+for+desk.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I've been cleaning, organizing, and creating My Blue Haven this week. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've had to be resourceful and think of ways to solve some of the practical problems I face in my bedroom and in my life. I want my room to be an inspiring and restful place to sleep, work out, read, write, think, relax, chat with loved ones, and get ready for my day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love my blue haven!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Read my three other My Blue Haven posts here:</span><br />
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<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/01/my-blue-haven-for-new-year.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">My Blue Haven for the New Year</span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-blue-haven.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">My Blue Haven</span></a></b></li>
<li><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/10/more-beauty-for-my-blue-haven.html"><span style="color: #45818e;">More Beauty for My Blue Haven</span></a></b></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/"><b><span style="color: #45818e;">www.ThisMomGrowsUp.blogspot.com</span></b></a></span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-82025555861236475022016-05-25T14:03:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:59.041-04:00Seven Gifts (Visions & Values)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60mcKYTF4pfHgFKxMA-eElnqbN2V-piANwJ0khrGOUfoRSj0OzZ0u1XB-cc5KlvrpIJzpDoIVFaw-qDiwy_-cF9MDwXgYu6OTPVTzWz-CoXFBW9IKBpcWtHc524GwcV6vXui6MsxGWcL/s1600/7+Gifts+Board.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60mcKYTF4pfHgFKxMA-eElnqbN2V-piANwJ0khrGOUfoRSj0OzZ0u1XB-cc5KlvrpIJzpDoIVFaw-qDiwy_-cF9MDwXgYu6OTPVTzWz-CoXFBW9IKBpcWtHc524GwcV6vXui6MsxGWcL/s400/7+Gifts+Board.jpe" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Welcome back to my </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/search/label/Visions%20and%20Values"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Visions & Values series</span></b></a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After I made my <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/05/visions-and-values.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Visions & Values board</b></span></a>, I had the idea to make a smaller board as a motivational reminder. I want to take care of the things that are most important to me in life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's one thing to want whatever it is you want, or to desire an improvement in something you already have. It's quite another thing to actually work toward it and to make sure you're being a good steward of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So... I made a seven gifts board. I had never seen anything like this, so if it seems weird, well, what can I say?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t8xololUyXFR3LEJeXUazlzUnmFhUaBXv8A5XzuBaAXg7H0a1kxIXo_RkM_TwRW-_48MyvjFQsHEBDhngV9qowZORGr_SqSjoWEV3pdbLGeV-31C79-eXkCWgTIULh8y98nkO0vrDfAm/s1600/7+Gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-t8xololUyXFR3LEJeXUazlzUnmFhUaBXv8A5XzuBaAXg7H0a1kxIXo_RkM_TwRW-_48MyvjFQsHEBDhngV9qowZORGr_SqSjoWEV3pdbLGeV-31C79-eXkCWgTIULh8y98nkO0vrDfAm/s400/7+Gifts.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The seven gifts: SPIRIT, FAMILY & FRIENDS, HEALTH, HOME, MIND, MONEY, TIME. Just about everything I value and that I need to care for each day can be tucked into one of those categories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>SPIRIT:</b> my relationship with God, my emotional well-being, Bible, prayer, worship, inspiration, counseling... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>FAMILY & FRIENDS:</b> relationships with others (starting with those who live with me) including spending time with them, serving, encouraging, peacemaking, hospitality, advocacy for the vulnerable, home schooling, social media...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HEALTH:</b> diet, exercise, medication management, sleep, water, doctor visits...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HOME:</b> organizing, decluttering, cleaning, decorating, shopping, cooking, laundry, home repairs, gardening...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>MIND: </b>mental growth, reading, writing, creating artwork, problem solving, memory, brain storming...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>MONEY:</b> budgeting, penny pinching, contentment, planning, record keeping, giving, resourcefulness with my possessions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TIME: </b>schedules, eliminating time wasters, using the little minutes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What did I do with my "seven gifts" board?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I put it by my bed to look at each morning, evening, and in between.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYum0R0uZimOeeLNnGruPnkBtr_klexQ466raVxjaHHNndBEvHB5qvaTyC6KowE-AI9tWrONMZMg7HAbBk2jc2GQ_2WrGbLEDL3KDAVkQVVmvvpyXDyLNYGSBciPt007_OWPXpB3iBdC-/s1600/7+gifts+board+on+bedside+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYum0R0uZimOeeLNnGruPnkBtr_klexQ466raVxjaHHNndBEvHB5qvaTyC6KowE-AI9tWrONMZMg7HAbBk2jc2GQ_2WrGbLEDL3KDAVkQVVmvvpyXDyLNYGSBciPt007_OWPXpB3iBdC-/s400/7+gifts+board+on+bedside+table.jpg" width="333" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And I think, "What do I need to do today to take care of these seven gifts in my life?" or "How did I do today?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I usually get a sense of satisfaction as I mentally go through my day. Maybe I didn't do as much in one area, but I focused on another. Or maybe I need to get back in gear on all of them; tomorrow's another day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found the blue board (with two thin metal rods across it) at Target for $3. The rods had little clothes pins on them. I tried using them with card stock tags for about a week, but it didn't look right. Just temporary-ish.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnqssPmIij3YWew9zlKQGPhScLtd0-rZ5GKeyze9y3HBRoE1T1yhC5xBwbIUuE9wlzAydFaP8hsk-F8vulY5Vfi1UorH6DoU4PCJwuMjsPNh_m_t_bqOYupwCwp-cJROeEFRed5B2aJgN/s1600/paper+tags+on+blue+board.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnqssPmIij3YWew9zlKQGPhScLtd0-rZ5GKeyze9y3HBRoE1T1yhC5xBwbIUuE9wlzAydFaP8hsk-F8vulY5Vfi1UorH6DoU4PCJwuMjsPNh_m_t_bqOYupwCwp-cJROeEFRed5B2aJgN/s400/paper+tags+on+blue+board.jpe" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So I bought wooden mason jar tags on sale at Jo-Ann Crafts and painted them with acrylic paint. It took several tries to get the color right, and I ended up redoing them. Messy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gMiu_xcY0whgBLre8LHWK1J_E_zBeStFW2REBelaDzJGfDCY4JvzSG7y1IFMUp2s6jSYOlw-cETrIHwzuAZAE8M3M7PeEtShlznCbHI9QIBUPyrPMAmKuFtcpBxj9pnUtNqoBUUQ7eN6/s1600/Painting+the+wood+tags+for+Seven+Gifts+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9gMiu_xcY0whgBLre8LHWK1J_E_zBeStFW2REBelaDzJGfDCY4JvzSG7y1IFMUp2s6jSYOlw-cETrIHwzuAZAE8M3M7PeEtShlznCbHI9QIBUPyrPMAmKuFtcpBxj9pnUtNqoBUUQ7eN6/s400/Painting+the+wood+tags+for+Seven+Gifts+board.JPG" width="396" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I took colored permanent markers (the same ones I used for my vision board) and drew on the symbols and words. If I did it over again, I would use a <i>very</i> fine tip permanent marker.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR6Ohe-tGxVm0WoBTUXgxh_1BIkrHbVywzF888FgNTxS7V76WtAtu-d9xpIwYIMarThAO8WkKVpxQY8ztnIPBA3CcoYzPJPb64BFAhKKTCdnvdhaZQ8cIk7f3q92Bp-ITL25voBHs7CgU/s1600/7+gifts+board+-+family+and+friends+tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFR6Ohe-tGxVm0WoBTUXgxh_1BIkrHbVywzF888FgNTxS7V76WtAtu-d9xpIwYIMarThAO8WkKVpxQY8ztnIPBA3CcoYzPJPb64BFAhKKTCdnvdhaZQ8cIk7f3q92Bp-ITL25voBHs7CgU/s320/7+gifts+board+-+family+and+friends+tag.jpg" width="243" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I attached the tags to the board with light blue lace that I already had. Blue - from robin's egg to teal - is my signature color in my bedroom, so I keep this pretty lace on hand for whatever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f8SfCwWbLyxS94C8gkIBA48hCErbnqsJ2p88R9ONwEHoOzIF2PsW3YAbT6vwZ-aQgbg-z9XSBuP9J7vMfP4WVTqPSXCw89Ax_Vvg97OdjUJ9FMEmQxKB11kQ6pMjExlSEHVwokrBxMhV/s400/FullSizeRender_2.jpg" width="293" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I propped up my seven gifts board on my bedside table with one of those little picture display racks. Voila!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Spirit, Family & Friends, Health, Home, Mind, Money, Time: How are you doing with<i> your</i> seven gifts? What would you add to the list?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60mcKYTF4pfHgFKxMA-eElnqbN2V-piANwJ0khrGOUfoRSj0OzZ0u1XB-cc5KlvrpIJzpDoIVFaw-qDiwy_-cF9MDwXgYu6OTPVTzWz-CoXFBW9IKBpcWtHc524GwcV6vXui6MsxGWcL/s1600/7+Gifts+Board.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS60mcKYTF4pfHgFKxMA-eElnqbN2V-piANwJ0khrGOUfoRSj0OzZ0u1XB-cc5KlvrpIJzpDoIVFaw-qDiwy_-cF9MDwXgYu6OTPVTzWz-CoXFBW9IKBpcWtHc524GwcV6vXui6MsxGWcL/s400/7+Gifts+Board.jpe" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-42249636203631636812016-05-19T00:23:00.003-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.737-04:00Visions and Values<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZQl3EKPqSDHPhLIl5aKHrA_XOvfkSfO0Du4gcqUYCgaWtldB4C2R-ZEz-_6yzanYtKIz5QZ6TaDqywq74j7F2RfHlfUzjygepe-VZ3N-PNwz8vouoybWTdZUBQzkAAJxfRqqucJGC0lv/s1600/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZQl3EKPqSDHPhLIl5aKHrA_XOvfkSfO0Du4gcqUYCgaWtldB4C2R-ZEz-_6yzanYtKIz5QZ6TaDqywq74j7F2RfHlfUzjygepe-VZ3N-PNwz8vouoybWTdZUBQzkAAJxfRqqucJGC0lv/s1600/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dear friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's a new series: Visions and Values!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In my <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-homeschool-hangout-day.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">last post</span></b></a>, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I included two photos of my "Virginia's Visions and Values" board and promised to write a little about it. While I'm at it, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm going to use it as the springboard for a new series. I've got lots of stuff to share over the next couple of months. I've had it bouncing in my brain a while, and now it's time to get it on the blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've been meeting with Christian therapists on and off for several </span><span style="font-size: large;">years. For quite a while, we were focusing more on solving the most pressing problems I was facing. More recently, we turned a corner to more of a life coaching approach of planning and progress for the future. This is encouraging and empowering for me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of the assignments that my therapist </span><span style="font-size: large;">gave me a couple of months ago was to make a vision board. I had heard of them as a means to motivate people toward their big goals in life. Many people include pictures of the things they want to obtain through their work and wealth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mine is a bit different. I bought a three panel folding display board from the dollar store. I thought about it for a while, and decided I didn't really want pictures on my board. I am totally a word person and many of my visions are non-tangible anyway. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I still wanted it to be visually appealing, so I pulled out my set of colorful permanent markers and got to work.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJvgZFG37XtKzNsKy9nigtKxPZFZB-eWlclULmjcgaXtwxSybI2hxx04dHlg_jnDnOul5oIIfA8zWh30ONnwCEbrYkady3zNdAaU7SYpZ4WSVXh8mOglyfmahM_60ytTPk50vjuXx-nD/s1600/02+Virginia%2527s+Visions+and+Values+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaJvgZFG37XtKzNsKy9nigtKxPZFZB-eWlclULmjcgaXtwxSybI2hxx04dHlg_jnDnOul5oIIfA8zWh30ONnwCEbrYkady3zNdAaU7SYpZ4WSVXh8mOglyfmahM_60ytTPk50vjuXx-nD/s400/02+Virginia%2527s+Visions+and+Values+board.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I started in the middle with a big heart filled with words describing what values I want in my life: reverence, compassion, wisdom, integrity, hope, diligence, wonder, creativity, joy, justice, peace, faith, patience, courage, inspirations, responsiveness, and responsibility. What we do flows out of who we are. I've got a long way to go, but this is what I want as my strong core.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZQl3EKPqSDHPhLIl5aKHrA_XOvfkSfO0Du4gcqUYCgaWtldB4C2R-ZEz-_6yzanYtKIz5QZ6TaDqywq74j7F2RfHlfUzjygepe-VZ3N-PNwz8vouoybWTdZUBQzkAAJxfRqqucJGC0lv/s1600/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZQl3EKPqSDHPhLIl5aKHrA_XOvfkSfO0Du4gcqUYCgaWtldB4C2R-ZEz-_6yzanYtKIz5QZ6TaDqywq74j7F2RfHlfUzjygepe-VZ3N-PNwz8vouoybWTdZUBQzkAAJxfRqqucJGC0lv/s400/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the bottom of this middle panel, I wrote three practical areas which need the most work for the foreseeable future: family, finances, and health.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbkEHzcXx9CI_TDRe79ujvB8fnPy46_bVCV0a6bgf5DZ8ZX2Luv2jq0lqb0RxDYhbcVvg-gTqsR6nMkUZurPLT225GDNrUSn3B-L5-jOJuql1Cp1UDQ2xzmA4jLUvPgnb5JMSm78Ete-U/s1600/Focus+areas+on+vision+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbkEHzcXx9CI_TDRe79ujvB8fnPy46_bVCV0a6bgf5DZ8ZX2Luv2jq0lqb0RxDYhbcVvg-gTqsR6nMkUZurPLT225GDNrUSn3B-L5-jOJuql1Cp1UDQ2xzmA4jLUvPgnb5JMSm78Ete-U/s400/Focus+areas+on+vision+board.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I chose to do the left section on what I already love to do by myself or with a friend. This gives a clearer picture of my unique personality, lifestyle and giftings.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFoY294_lgm0HVbNuwNvM6vErdPGOn5rnEDAdeLybqPAQeR-6fkrr-2fvtFqdVrMyD6BpSO1z_fOjbvAJuDtMcfhn1EIgdHlBsq79wyuMCYIqN6VTiWW0zKvh7scwzXfclFKBkPev8Bj/s1600/What+I+love+to+do.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQFoY294_lgm0HVbNuwNvM6vErdPGOn5rnEDAdeLybqPAQeR-6fkrr-2fvtFqdVrMyD6BpSO1z_fOjbvAJuDtMcfhn1EIgdHlBsq79wyuMCYIqN6VTiWW0zKvh7scwzXfclFKBkPev8Bj/s640/What+I+love+to+do.JPG" width="248" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Finally, the section on the </span><span style="font-size: large;">right lists my Future Dreams, which are mainly extensions of my present life. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf78BjU8v0NpRMFDe6oZgIiYfVA0AMw00Pwtlda0aZZl1qD4RNqykxdkjwhMnnTTk-BKjklWPVU7ibv_ZePV1eqYtO6WLguIPiKAT66BgDMHxPoPWGJnSm4uwWe14ulXywLbV6qklB5Msd/s1600/Future+dreams+for+vision+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf78BjU8v0NpRMFDe6oZgIiYfVA0AMw00Pwtlda0aZZl1qD4RNqykxdkjwhMnnTTk-BKjklWPVU7ibv_ZePV1eqYtO6WLguIPiKAT66BgDMHxPoPWGJnSm4uwWe14ulXywLbV6qklB5Msd/s640/Future+dreams+for+vision+board.JPG" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, I want to travel as much as I </span><span style="font-size: large;">can. Maybe I'll never get to tour Europe in person, but I can browse through pictures on-line or in books. I could take a virtual tour of the great art museums. And I can continue to take trips with my kids </span><span style="font-size: large;">up the east coast to see my family, visiting historic and scenic places along the way. </span><span style="font-size: large;">O</span><span style="font-size: large;">n the home front I seriously want a sweet little cottage when all of my kids move away. I actually have a file in Evernote describing my dream cottage in detail. There is a time to get specific!</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">But again, most of my vision for the future as well as the present </span><span style="font-size: large;">is about who I am and how I affect other people.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not like I'm doing anything spectacular. Since I'm i</span><span style="font-size: large;">n my fifties with multiple p</span><span style="font-size: large;">hysical </span><span style="font-size: large;">disabilities and my kids still need me so much, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm not planning on launching any new </span><span style="font-size: large;">lucrative career. I will likely be going back to work part time in about a year. For now, </span><span style="font-size: large;">I'm taking care of my family and my home, trying to be a good steward of my time and resources and health, and seeking to make a lasting impact in my spheres of influence. I have a lot of on-going challenges in my life, but I'm taking this step by step with confidence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">~*~*~</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I brought the board in to my next appointment. I think my therapist was surprised </span><span style="font-size: large;">to see that I hadn't printed out any pictures to go with my goals, but she understood once she took a good look at it. Weeks later, we're still talking through it, especially those three practical work areas of family, finances, and health. I'll share some of this in future posts, and include pictures of some other visual aids that I've made to remind me.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I find that the simplicity of these visual reminders (all near my bedside) is even more motivating than the detailed list of goals that I made at the start of 2015. (I didn't follow through on big chunks of it. Too complicated!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am a rather fluid ADD mama with five of my ten children still living at home. I need a lot of flexibility and spontaneity in how I move forward in life. However, I also still need <i>some</i> structure to keep me on task and out of trouble. I keep current checklists for upcoming stuff in the gTask app, which also lists the events in my Google calendar app.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">With this more simplified interactive approach, I pause each morning when I wake up to glance at my visual reminders, check my To Do list in gTask, and think: <i>What am I going to do today to move forward into my future? </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">Before bedtime, I check all of this again and think: </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">How did I do today? What progress did I make?</i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Think about what you would put on your own visions and values board. Give it a try! It doesn't have to be fancy!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to sharing with you some of the other tools I'm using to develop my visions and values.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In the meantime, you might want to take a peek at the Move Forward series I wrote last year. I reread it recently and it was good </span><span style="font-size: large;">to be reminded of some of the concepts and practical ideas. It's amazing how much I can forget if it's not right in front of me. Here are some of the posts in that series.</span><br />
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<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/02/move-forward-in-pain-and-weakness.html">Move Forward in Pain and Weakness</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/02/move-forward-when-life-is-hectic.html">Move Forward When Life is Hectic</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/01/move-forward-build-habits-for-future.html">Move Forward: Build Habits for the Future</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/01/move-forward-within-loss.html">Move Forward Within a Loss</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/01/move-forward-by-letting-go.html">Move Forward by Letting Go</a></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/03/move-forward-one-day-at-time-and-more.html">Move Forward, One Day at a Time</a></span></i></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You may also like these posts on productivity:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/09/just-few-more-things-to-do.html" style="font-size: x-large;">Just a Few More Things to Do...</a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/pull-it-together-and-push-it-through.html" style="font-size: x-large;">Pull It Together and Push It Through: How to Get It Done When You Think You Can’t</a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">God bless!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-81630170643612787512016-04-03T22:24:00.002-04:002019-03-18T10:23:59.035-04:00A Homeschool Hangout Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3p1V0d9BJqgSLtnoOoK75IGQ4lvRJl_jlHk1D_3Ei1AE_OZbGi7QjKVBpPIRi3t14nJTPwu9h2P5Nlfdk5IRyog5Gyh3-OMIwWJO25PN1WjridP7Fg2FgcfGT_n8CmjYFCSlxee_tkNQ/s1600/11+Teatime+at+Homeschool+Hangout+encouragement+day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3p1V0d9BJqgSLtnoOoK75IGQ4lvRJl_jlHk1D_3Ei1AE_OZbGi7QjKVBpPIRi3t14nJTPwu9h2P5Nlfdk5IRyog5Gyh3-OMIwWJO25PN1WjridP7Fg2FgcfGT_n8CmjYFCSlxee_tkNQ/s400/11+Teatime+at+Homeschool+Hangout+encouragement+day.JPG" width="396" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can't we all use a little more encouragement as moms? Sure thing!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On Saturday, my friend Hannah hosted her first Homeschool Hangout at her home. Our mutual friend Jennifer and I agreed to come share about different topics. We didn't really advertise much, other than on Facebook, and weren't sure how many ladies to expect. Two other women, Angie and Colleen, joined us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jenn (seated on the right) shared about taking field trips in Florida. She blogs at <a href="http://jennonsafari.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Jenn on Safari</span></a><b style="color: #38761d;"> </b>and recommends these sites for getting the best travel deals:</span><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.hotels.com/" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>www.Hotels.com</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.restaurant.com/" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>www.Restaurant.com</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.groupon.com/" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>www.Groupon.com</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/" style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>www.LivingSocial.com</b></span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I talked about my home schooling and mothering journey, discernment of issues in the larger home schooling movement, gentle mothering, and flexible education (especially the Charlotte Mason approach). </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see some of my previous posts on these topics here:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2010/03/tender-compassion-for-mothers.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Tender Compassion for Mothers</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2010/03/joyful-liberty.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Joyful Liberty!</b></span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-is-charlotte-mason-approach-to.html"><span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><b>Charlotte Mason Approach</b></span></a></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also showed them my vision board and gratitude journal. (More on those in an upcoming post, I promise!)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceYjuYwm-nOQ7iIPOGtqi6UlJ3vtJs5GExJmf4TNP2NkzuUhkz-z3grp3OSo0Pstwkqfu9JGl3hcVadk6h_D1ofGagk7PQ8ccKBuIZpbAgP2vVDf1E2PSFlsPg6YhFnTfl668JirXF2fE/s1600/02+Virginia%2527s+Visions+and+Values+board.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceYjuYwm-nOQ7iIPOGtqi6UlJ3vtJs5GExJmf4TNP2NkzuUhkz-z3grp3OSo0Pstwkqfu9JGl3hcVadk6h_D1ofGagk7PQ8ccKBuIZpbAgP2vVDf1E2PSFlsPg6YhFnTfl668JirXF2fE/s400/02+Virginia%2527s+Visions+and+Values+board.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOefWYqLNaiHm_2dh5agY-VjEl6srdzTiKL4MVy6UN3tDg0uGkAdLsObP-_P2ZmF41Qjs4DZBa_4FwfDO53w4GA3Z73PdWmfzTkb03qeQ2YRjHO_fJJUoxtH5A4ef6ylgkTnazOdBx06/s1600/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOefWYqLNaiHm_2dh5agY-VjEl6srdzTiKL4MVy6UN3tDg0uGkAdLsObP-_P2ZmF41Qjs4DZBa_4FwfDO53w4GA3Z73PdWmfzTkb03qeQ2YRjHO_fJJUoxtH5A4ef6ylgkTnazOdBx06/s320/03+It+Starts+with+a+Heart.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I had two extra vision boards to give away, as well as a basket full of goodies to pass along like the new Third Day worship CD </span><a href="http://www.familychristian.com/catalog/product/view/id/324977/" style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Lead Us Back</span></b></a><span style="font-size: large;">, journals, art supplies, emoji cups, a mug, and more. I still have some left over for next time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_uOBPGYS3hhFZpKoWfeCdMFoJt4ldk_sA6HI-R8P-Q3HxpdDr9Vlb5v9sgQDMVuPQghnOu0X-7G-BU59rgfCZRxUvVn0nITJJrAtKsHzkhFApM1lDV2hJxklO4rdoq6186urOrD1RagH/s1600/06+Journal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_uOBPGYS3hhFZpKoWfeCdMFoJt4ldk_sA6HI-R8P-Q3HxpdDr9Vlb5v9sgQDMVuPQghnOu0X-7G-BU59rgfCZRxUvVn0nITJJrAtKsHzkhFApM1lDV2hJxklO4rdoq6186urOrD1RagH/s400/06+Journal.jpeg" width="253" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hannah finished out the day talking about nature study while we enjoyed tea and treats.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0-T5iAXob0cXyonoYCxRacaR9ZqrfZKOPWLfJfW4GCBOqaOPB5Bk45o_zxJ3F3GCy5JtvERmdVpkg8fTQ81rvIcDD3HMTOHgPW5kDPrcpoBLicfbT4nKhyphenhyphenrxfHNXUMHSQYyTAXGEH3Vh/s1600/07+Pink+teacup+and+tea+pot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD0-T5iAXob0cXyonoYCxRacaR9ZqrfZKOPWLfJfW4GCBOqaOPB5Bk45o_zxJ3F3GCy5JtvERmdVpkg8fTQ81rvIcDD3HMTOHgPW5kDPrcpoBLicfbT4nKhyphenhyphenrxfHNXUMHSQYyTAXGEH3Vh/s400/07+Pink+teacup+and+tea+pot.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGBm-NJKVk8CSCOH_O5RBVlxoY9uT5E9LWCBMF983pnNGKkGMcL0-2e2dVde2mDIB2NJ2fuTzMSZPIzoU3n3FXCSi_GHunY9I5gdXI4EDEc7rcMqCt1TLvIkNc-OLrf20iIps8NFaH62y/s1600/08+Mom+shows+up+nature+study+notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrGBm-NJKVk8CSCOH_O5RBVlxoY9uT5E9LWCBMF983pnNGKkGMcL0-2e2dVde2mDIB2NJ2fuTzMSZPIzoU3n3FXCSi_GHunY9I5gdXI4EDEc7rcMqCt1TLvIkNc-OLrf20iIps8NFaH62y/s400/08+Mom+shows+up+nature+study+notebook.JPG" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~ a child's nature journal ~</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnVzzw4WssmQ_GgTrU8Az2C5g0Qnj4RuQVUbw026zeen2XSD_tRGwevVWPjAPgKwCmiXSH6isYsV08rXkIDTjuNi8XqEsaubgBiHStJY6x0Tvl2GctCvqjEFv6n0U7GtcR2aPdqL84GDU/s1600/08+Nature+studies+with+Florida+Butterflies+and+Moths+fold+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAnVzzw4WssmQ_GgTrU8Az2C5g0Qnj4RuQVUbw026zeen2XSD_tRGwevVWPjAPgKwCmiXSH6isYsV08rXkIDTjuNi8XqEsaubgBiHStJY6x0Tvl2GctCvqjEFv6n0U7GtcR2aPdqL84GDU/s400/08+Nature+studies+with+Florida+Butterflies+and+Moths+fold+out.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~ show and tell ~</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmysvyxq2IwUx-dfMQox8-eNI9i-sxLEtr9WMdhRtW0NdRiWpE0Hw6sb91RYYXww8u6GPUgR6LmkUATs-Gfz25lspcqdXCTxn7CtIGLkDdmkObmLNKCQUdB5ZTrpgg73X6-4w8dCGs7_p/s1600/08+Nature+study+tote+with+clip+boards.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmysvyxq2IwUx-dfMQox8-eNI9i-sxLEtr9WMdhRtW0NdRiWpE0Hw6sb91RYYXww8u6GPUgR6LmkUATs-Gfz25lspcqdXCTxn7CtIGLkDdmkObmLNKCQUdB5ZTrpgg73X6-4w8dCGs7_p/s400/08+Nature+study+tote+with+clip+boards.JPG" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">~ nature tote for their car ~</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYu3Ex_T-WyS0CXxj75A40JZ8zVlepjQNvAGg6l73oKcJ9ag71uwO2tL-M7flK3FQ8eybgC3cXaVyUKtv3fN9VwyXyADoHseaCmLQKER9oY-l31F7q9PAWcNQd7yLCu1t7-jUfSxQgMMV/s1600/09+Nature+study+car+tote.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyYu3Ex_T-WyS0CXxj75A40JZ8zVlepjQNvAGg6l73oKcJ9ag71uwO2tL-M7flK3FQ8eybgC3cXaVyUKtv3fN9VwyXyADoHseaCmLQKER9oY-l31F7q9PAWcNQd7yLCu1t7-jUfSxQgMMV/s320/09+Nature+study+car+tote.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">art supplies, binoculars,<br />field guides, clip boards,<br />so much more!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo5iHJxrM2rCwg9olo0TEcseLczOXxu3YVxkynOO1mQsCIg4jl6Y2e_W8yc_nvnx04yuQOLWqY17EOh-GvKml70q8um2qIOJ7qi0IpNxhsuHx0bGf-vXp6mmEVPDRjgux67kV2pYwVeZW/s1600/10+Ordering+nature+study+books+on+the+spot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMo5iHJxrM2rCwg9olo0TEcseLczOXxu3YVxkynOO1mQsCIg4jl6Y2e_W8yc_nvnx04yuQOLWqY17EOh-GvKml70q8um2qIOJ7qi0IpNxhsuHx0bGf-vXp6mmEVPDRjgux67kV2pYwVeZW/s400/10+Ordering+nature+study+books+on+the+spot.JPG" width="321" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenn got so excited about all <br />of the vintage and new books <br />which Hannah showed us,<br />that she started ordering them<br />online immediately with her phone!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fMAtIrdsdhB7eTln5hGQFXIJXzwwXw9St6t6oshnx4HgXoSk9gcYHDqgxp7O4V5MDRi8GKGo-Fk_E91QKRMtaUKqSjVjea2nsUWUy7u-KSEyteWj2Wznzl1eEAgqPwJElqn2svz-w5dM/s1600/01+Wild+Sweet+Orange+tea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-fMAtIrdsdhB7eTln5hGQFXIJXzwwXw9St6t6oshnx4HgXoSk9gcYHDqgxp7O4V5MDRi8GKGo-Fk_E91QKRMtaUKqSjVjea2nsUWUy7u-KSEyteWj2Wznzl1eEAgqPwJElqn2svz-w5dM/s320/01+Wild+Sweet+Orange+tea.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Orange Spice tea,<br />just right for me!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAwfKNu83YvoGJavh35wuvVtLplKgxoiOt6VqwAr9y88T6Nmr21yTmU25gxbwK07qFx-PdCB1yD4p6HQypvamNCwCoBnmSQghEwQk1hU-cvdXXXbRz5yZd6doKCl7AXpColEoI03iA2YK/s1600/11+Teatime+at+Homeschool+Hangout+encouragement+day-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAwfKNu83YvoGJavh35wuvVtLplKgxoiOt6VqwAr9y88T6Nmr21yTmU25gxbwK07qFx-PdCB1yD4p6HQypvamNCwCoBnmSQghEwQk1hU-cvdXXXbRz5yZd6doKCl7AXpColEoI03iA2YK/s400/11+Teatime+at+Homeschool+Hangout+encouragement+day-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We all had an amazing day. Jenn and Hannah and I are already plotting another Hangout for summertime at Jenn's house, which is larger and more centrally located. We loved having such a small group for our first Hangout, but we'll be sure to advertise more next time. We love to encourage others toward excellence and wholeness as moms!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Blessings,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Virginia Knowles</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-25622795651176730922016-03-25T18:09:00.000-04:002019-03-18T10:23:58.611-04:00Our Seaside School Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F0KsKdBjH8-bDMI3fVgs_Z6VM-7bcilCR4Hta-wlzzY1Mv_Ijwtb97jB3s7mUq6KZjKYi5Kt6pjjDqPgfJyDDvmJLU8Lo0aWv9J-0uMtFlGURVplDXpkfIBZxULtVoBN6NKNK3VPC83s/s1600/00+seashell+ornament+for+book+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F0KsKdBjH8-bDMI3fVgs_Z6VM-7bcilCR4Hta-wlzzY1Mv_Ijwtb97jB3s7mUq6KZjKYi5Kt6pjjDqPgfJyDDvmJLU8Lo0aWv9J-0uMtFlGURVplDXpkfIBZxULtVoBN6NKNK3VPC83s/s400/00+seashell+ornament+for+book+basket.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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After 25 years of home schooling, now that we're down to one child doing school, I finally consolidated all of our educational stuff in one room.<br />
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I started this just before our school began in August. On the advice of one of my adult daughters, I cleared out several massive bookcases in our dining room so it could be... just a dining room. (See <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/08/reclaiming-our-real-dining-room.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Reclaiming Our Real Dining Room</span></b></a>.) I sold and gave away hundreds of books, and moved the rest onto one huge bookcase in what we called our computer room. And that room became a bona fide junk room. It was horribly messy, with piles of boxes and stuff overflowing. We also had an over-sized desk and an air hockey table with a large dog crate under it. Oy.<br />
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After Christmas, I decided to make a push, clean it all up, and start actual school work in there with my youngest daughter.<br />
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I originally bought the blue curtains for the living room, but I needed something for the sliding glass doors so I moved them last year. Then I found the blue love seat at Salvation Army a couple of months ago and it seemed like a good color match. It has sea shell designs on the cushions, so I decided to theme the room around that. I am generally not into tropical beach decor with flip flops and palm trees, so I tried to make it more quaint northern seaside with muted blue and tan tones.<br />
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I got rid of the bulky cruddy old desk and asked my son if he wanted to trade this desk below for a more minimalist one that I got for free from a friend of a friend. He agreed. The blue trash basket and supply bin came from the Ross store, about $5 each. I found the seaside painting for $20 at Christmas Tree Shoppe.<br />
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This is our one big book case after I did another huge book purge. That blue bin at the left is just one of three containers filled with books to sell at an upcoming used curriculum sale. I don't need primary grade or high school books, so those were pretty simple to cull out. I don't have any other place to stash the bin for now, so I put the floor fan on it. It can get pretty hot in that room! We already had the white board with black board on the back side. I got it at IKEA on clearance for $7.50 last year, and we use it nearly every day for math. There is also a small bookcase for DVDs off to the left. Our school room is adjacent to the living room where our TV is.</div>
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I bought the small round table at Christmas Tree Shoppe on clearance for about $25. One of my kids threw it down on the floor (in a big grump) and the top broke off. I fixed it with copious amounts of duct tape on the underside. Yay me. My daughter does her workbooks on this table as we sit side by side on the love seat. I like how the bottom tucks under the love seat. The base can be pushed all the way under the edge of the couch when we're not using it.<br />
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The printer is on the antique side table to the very left of the picture since there isn't room on the desk.<br />
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The school room is also adjacent to the kitchen. Our lovely doggy Persephone sometimes scatters trash in the doorway so there were some stains on the carpet that I wanted to cover. I found this throw rug at Ross for under $10 after wandering around and around at Old Time Pottery for one that I liked. I love it! Well, apparently so does Sephie. It's a good things its reversible and washable, but I do have to flatten it down every day since she plays with it and sometimes sleeps on it.<br />
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This inspirational sign also came from Ross. Good for educational motivation!<br />
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Here's our big basket holding books for our current unit study, this one on Africa. I have to say that Mary Slessor is one lad who imagined life's possibilities - a Scottish mill hand who ventured to untamed Africa as a missionary in the late 1800's and transformed the darker aspects of village culture. She had to beg the tribal chief for a school building.<br />
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I found this seashell ornament on <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2016/03/castillo-de-san-marcos-in-st-augustine.html"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">our day trip to St. Augustine</span></b></a> this week and tied it on with brown raffia.<br />
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Also from St. Augustine, I found a light house and a seashell with the Lord's Prayer written on it.<br />
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I am glad we set up our new seaside school room. It gives focus and beauty and organization to our educational efforts. Now if I can just find the pile of workbooks that got misplaced elsewhere in the house when I was sick? They've got to be around here somewhere!<br />
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To read more about our elementary home schooling check out this blog: <a href="http://startwellhomeschool.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>Start Well Home School</b></span></a>.<br />
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Blessings,<br />
Virginia<br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-20037630371035275452016-01-02T13:57:00.002-05:002019-03-18T10:23:58.569-04:00My Blue Haven for the New Year<b> </b><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pvtFliQuVdLaHUavZf8u9ZB5k5cAPN0sMt9nbDGSwsDOq831BfQhAyvXp6z8PZN3pQwfNAHohyphenhyphenPiRXKy4Xd3coLFKSaR7KtitlbRx7a-907rQdp9vLbACoGiU_UKiYMWhEHYnB8vh5oz/s1600/01+Blue+knicknacks+on+bookcase.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pvtFliQuVdLaHUavZf8u9ZB5k5cAPN0sMt9nbDGSwsDOq831BfQhAyvXp6z8PZN3pQwfNAHohyphenhyphenPiRXKy4Xd3coLFKSaR7KtitlbRx7a-907rQdp9vLbACoGiU_UKiYMWhEHYnB8vh5oz/s400/01+Blue+knicknacks+on+bookcase.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My Blue Haven is the name I've affectionately given to my bedroom. Though my walls are light yellow, the dominant accent colors range from robin's egg blue to turquoise to </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">teal, while </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">other items are a </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">more traditional dark blue. I've had a lot of fun gathering the art and accessories. My Blue Haven is supposed to be a calming and quiet place for me to recharge from the busy life of mothering my five youngest children, ages 10-18.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes, however, it gets a bit crazy messy. This especially happens at Christmastime when I am super busy with holiday preparations AND gathering/storing gifts for 30 people in the bedroom A</span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">ND everything gets dumped in my room when we tidy up the public areas for guests. So there's that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When I'm totally over looking at and tripping over</span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">the mess, I carve out time to reorganize and clean. I gather up everything that is out of place and dump it on my bed to sort. I have a bin for stuff that doesn't belong in my room right now. In fact, I gathered up all of our junk bins from all over the house onto the dining room table yesterday and did the same thing. Progress!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here were my messy shelves before organizing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And here they are after. My third </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">daughter gave me the three blossom shaped candle holders on the middle shelf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">That blue checkered bin holds exercise supplies like my massage ball, my resistance bands with handles, and my hand weights.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ov2RYigIYI21dt-VoiYKhW28lDc3EQO8BwpQ9pLzRTxru2ypxqyV52vL_5LBYqGSOLbGc-PJO-L_vqt9kRQZzJoF80RSe6dg9NFWkrycSO2Dlc7WP0zRAX5tgV33-pPxHyoxJdO06WO/s1600/06b+Excercise+supplies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2ov2RYigIYI21dt-VoiYKhW28lDc3EQO8BwpQ9pLzRTxru2ypxqyV52vL_5LBYqGSOLbGc-PJO-L_vqt9kRQZzJoF80RSe6dg9NFWkrycSO2Dlc7WP0zRAX5tgV33-pPxHyoxJdO06WO/s400/06b+Excercise+supplies.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also have an exercise step across the room. Blue!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs86bBD03UAwE1L9SnJlBy8ZhBmX1lnvh7IVRxxKRNq-W1DiGuLML9-rtObTL0Dl0NFDr47cVQSGe_rw1m9-VDcASWygO9p1xo23JPqS64PCJqNxRFo_O8g13z7nu89GE1p32Rc8Q2NdeS/s1600/06c+Excercise+step.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs86bBD03UAwE1L9SnJlBy8ZhBmX1lnvh7IVRxxKRNq-W1DiGuLML9-rtObTL0Dl0NFDr47cVQSGe_rw1m9-VDcASWygO9p1xo23JPqS64PCJqNxRFo_O8g13z7nu89GE1p32Rc8Q2NdeS/s320/06c+Excercise+step.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here is my desk area after organizing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UNaD4Hk8umM_BEJtkAc40Tjgge-p1CvbpR6gE7Z6mv9qOF9JK2-wmO6kIBCYNPvh9-iG1UX90OpYPCmcmVZ7_jkG73_WZKzxSqcgWAg1vebwiBPRuSSmBt7PgwbO3kydT2rNoU6xRqwf/s1600/07+Desk+area+organized.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UNaD4Hk8umM_BEJtkAc40Tjgge-p1CvbpR6gE7Z6mv9qOF9JK2-wmO6kIBCYNPvh9-iG1UX90OpYPCmcmVZ7_jkG73_WZKzxSqcgWAg1vebwiBPRuSSmBt7PgwbO3kydT2rNoU6xRqwf/s640/07+Desk+area+organized.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A little more detail?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My brother John and sister-in-law Dana gave me the windmill for Christmas, brought back from the Netherlands on their recent Europe trip. (I am jealous of their international travels, but I did a lot of USA trips this year - Maryland in February, North Carolina in July, and New England in October.) My sister Barb made the Peace vase for me. Perfect! She knows that "peace" is one of my key words in life. I bought the flowered vase at <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/07/north-carolina-biltmore-estate.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Biltmore Estate</span></b></a> in NC this summer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pvtFliQuVdLaHUavZf8u9ZB5k5cAPN0sMt9nbDGSwsDOq831BfQhAyvXp6z8PZN3pQwfNAHohyphenhyphenPiRXKy4Xd3coLFKSaR7KtitlbRx7a-907rQdp9vLbACoGiU_UKiYMWhEHYnB8vh5oz/s1600/01+Blue+knicknacks+on+bookcase.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9pvtFliQuVdLaHUavZf8u9ZB5k5cAPN0sMt9nbDGSwsDOq831BfQhAyvXp6z8PZN3pQwfNAHohyphenhyphenPiRXKy4Xd3coLFKSaR7KtitlbRx7a-907rQdp9vLbACoGiU_UKiYMWhEHYnB8vh5oz/s400/01+Blue+knicknacks+on+bookcase.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought the Mary Engelbreit "There's no place like home" </span><span style="font-size: large;">print at a yard sale for $1. For all my love of traveling, I still love to be home, especially in My Blue Haven, and especially with my crazy big family. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The framed photo is our Thanksgiving picture with all 10 kids, 2 sons-in-law and five grandchildren. (One more granddaughter due next month!) </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2DAwEov1V_xKY2x7Ewddmt5iM6LWfcuW_N5oJMkuDm5mx-U9ur6BZTs6Tfuj8-nrQVY4trydpueBX1otTqL8ZxSFQiEPtX5KtkkAUd-VVGV_oM_rSLNJWVdwBKLUY1fq2jLlLJwJnIJE/s1600/07b+Framed+pictures.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR2DAwEov1V_xKY2x7Ewddmt5iM6LWfcuW_N5oJMkuDm5mx-U9ur6BZTs6Tfuj8-nrQVY4trydpueBX1otTqL8ZxSFQiEPtX5KtkkAUd-VVGV_oM_rSLNJWVdwBKLUY1fq2jLlLJwJnIJE/s640/07b+Framed+pictures.JPG" width="377" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I organized a desk drawer that my youngest </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">daughter had accidentally dumped on the floor, and then my cosmetics drawer, too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">A pretty new calendar next to my desk covers up a damaged area of my wall. Are you at all surprised that it has gorgeous architectural </span><span style="font-size: large;">photos from around the world, along with inspirational Scripture verses? You can find yours here: <b><span style="color: #0b5394;"><u>Our Daily Bread Sojourn of the Soul</u></span></b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxZ8siexjM4Nk51rqFaG4Cj-Xetn6PfK5K9OmU3HeWHZXAbn8YyIs3LbhcWowYvX-fY7lBU50xgc67g7f9zRjf_gFlT1GHXWoAuqkn2xkZnLjb6j5H_1jUguHaNHZr5ALUnVMzRb2Woex/s1600/10+Calendar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxZ8siexjM4Nk51rqFaG4Cj-Xetn6PfK5K9OmU3HeWHZXAbn8YyIs3LbhcWowYvX-fY7lBU50xgc67g7f9zRjf_gFlT1GHXWoAuqkn2xkZnLjb6j5H_1jUguHaNHZr5ALUnVMzRb2Woex/s400/10+Calendar.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My oldest daughter gave me this beautiful pansy heart ornament. She knows I grew pansies when I was a child in California and I sometimes plant them in my Florida garden. They are my favorites.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBLG9DJ51Zq8vKJtzcjg2uEDfRukpQmldt5WTfhwPylHhr-XSQV1MTavcZhqEdtBY1Hac3BTZFAgK1DWtr5rEbqyZEdakbLVLH_Rmrq04EdnoCFQdyz5dlRE8gXfN6bqeMCKmYIISpA8G/s1600/10b+Glass+heart+with+pansies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBLG9DJ51Zq8vKJtzcjg2uEDfRukpQmldt5WTfhwPylHhr-XSQV1MTavcZhqEdtBY1Hac3BTZFAgK1DWtr5rEbqyZEdakbLVLH_Rmrq04EdnoCFQdyz5dlRE8gXfN6bqeMCKmYIISpA8G/s400/10b+Glass+heart+with+pansies.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In one of the photos above you can see two pencil and pen holders at the right of my desk. These were supplements for my main one, but I decided I didn't need all of that stuff there. Some went into a desk drawer, and some into my other desk top container, but most of it got put into the "take out of this room" bin. You can see below how I now have more room to spread out my work! The decorative box holds receipts and other small papers to sort later. I have another larger paper sort box covered up by a quilt behind my reading chair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ujGmrzCOLv8HpmhTMPjQW4OU1aS6OSCr2qZzjvXglZdI7wijFzvef2Vxf2sbV_-F4cP-1YoRnge0ZHCH41Z6V2NCVZc2C_W89OYOQtf68oS7g7KpAfkBRZn_5E2A4j6ZOQVafkVTILdj/s1600/11+Desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ujGmrzCOLv8HpmhTMPjQW4OU1aS6OSCr2qZzjvXglZdI7wijFzvef2Vxf2sbV_-F4cP-1YoRnge0ZHCH41Z6V2NCVZc2C_W89OYOQtf68oS7g7KpAfkBRZn_5E2A4j6ZOQVafkVTILdj/s640/11+Desk.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I listen to music on my lap top - I love Itzhak Perlman playing </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">Bruch's Violinkonzert. And there's my main pencil holder and another jar for my powdered drink packets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZaH6tMiZdeKfbSJGSHqyfuApyj5eft4obg1nAyny9d61wU0yjMOFqNhjy5o_LJxMBQisJDOhohgwSSJQTYadMu3FHAZI35tE4Yh9ZKTbyvxYcLCsPHNaAOuFA8_DDW48B1l0AgVhvKkY/s1600/12+Listening+to+music+on+laptop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZaH6tMiZdeKfbSJGSHqyfuApyj5eft4obg1nAyny9d61wU0yjMOFqNhjy5o_LJxMBQisJDOhohgwSSJQTYadMu3FHAZI35tE4Yh9ZKTbyvxYcLCsPHNaAOuFA8_DDW48B1l0AgVhvKkY/s400/12+Listening+to+music+on+laptop.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I get a lot of my style inspiration from <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-cottage-journal-magazine-autumn.html"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Cottage Journal</span></b></a>, my only print subscription.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEHwgI990cPq6WnBVvQpbbSYPLVqZY3rPii3iLNxNrE98TDLkzWN8p7LCPfjRltEaH55J3ZWOvTMTVrvg6wgrx56tv7jvrTBTIFjoo6ZOk9jtpIlIIH29t7kjD9ZOIfyz2PreZmkBzEpH/s1600/12+Cottage+Journal+magazine+on+desk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEHwgI990cPq6WnBVvQpbbSYPLVqZY3rPii3iLNxNrE98TDLkzWN8p7LCPfjRltEaH55J3ZWOvTMTVrvg6wgrx56tv7jvrTBTIFjoo6ZOk9jtpIlIIH29t7kjD9ZOIfyz2PreZmkBzEpH/s640/12+Cottage+Journal+magazine+on+desk.JPG" width="491" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My kids like to hang out in my room and sit at my desk!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-trEZMUNiv9ncpet67XpTAbTHSiditWxOep3UQFNIcOVFLxdNIuuYbLNQDDmFEDNMjxMxqhEhotKY8k36APcjk4m1i5AA23LAMQtr5HzyeJsA_MedZ41yqUS3_Vgp48UzvnNasN_Lk1S/s1600/12+Emoticon+pillow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-trEZMUNiv9ncpet67XpTAbTHSiditWxOep3UQFNIcOVFLxdNIuuYbLNQDDmFEDNMjxMxqhEhotKY8k36APcjk4m1i5AA23LAMQtr5HzyeJsA_MedZ41yqUS3_Vgp48UzvnNasN_Lk1S/s640/12+Emoticon+pillow.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next to my desk chair I also have my comfy reading chair. I made the tie dye panels several months ago, and I often do chalk board designs. This time I decided to combine them and mount the chalk board onto the tie dye panel. I can change out the message whenever I want.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH32ILvTBnfQRar9iwQ3byJoPqHJ6VY3c1KjeeZ4kdCjlHKtO5Wlk7S-_75zJBvaubz1t7yhYFeY0jAQe6DDoombOwCBjAMRr0AWkHhBaj1aHGlk-tlMxe0zoxSunLU4ETb50Aw3oJvStF/s1600/13+Delight+in+Diligence+chalkboard+mounted+on+tie+dye+panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH32ILvTBnfQRar9iwQ3byJoPqHJ6VY3c1KjeeZ4kdCjlHKtO5Wlk7S-_75zJBvaubz1t7yhYFeY0jAQe6DDoombOwCBjAMRr0AWkHhBaj1aHGlk-tlMxe0zoxSunLU4ETb50Aw3oJvStF/s400/13+Delight+in+Diligence+chalkboard+mounted+on+tie+dye+panel.JPG" width="391" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my motto for the year: Delight in Diligence. More on that later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zQvf3hqCG-Yfea29KWgTxL76MwtIKovr2Y0SAU0BBgwnfIfSPQXpZI0xlJJJR2aKgrgCztIYYXe5c8FZVPp04PaUiueNqRFhLbY9FTf3rL8-bv9DBUdEYwOZXtITyX4vYEvLRlzMmHkD/s1600/14+Delight+in+Diligence+chalkboard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zQvf3hqCG-Yfea29KWgTxL76MwtIKovr2Y0SAU0BBgwnfIfSPQXpZI0xlJJJR2aKgrgCztIYYXe5c8FZVPp04PaUiueNqRFhLbY9FTf3rL8-bv9DBUdEYwOZXtITyX4vYEvLRlzMmHkD/s400/14+Delight+in+Diligence+chalkboard.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of tie dye, I made about 20 shirts for Christmas and need to order dye to make a few more. I cleaned off all of my squeeze bottles (mostly empty) and organized everything into a bin.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsxVEGXWELvim_w-Fkn9V3YSawLUe1gRxcZeew8P-SlXDG0GM-rOjokfCQ6WtE8mlO31IU1Cbs2MPBIBJWtbvRB1ZVRzMR76au5hPEiGHVqy6oqv-UjVtEcJJdKQujxSCxbCM2oUj9qhC/s1600/20+Tie+dye+supplies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsxVEGXWELvim_w-Fkn9V3YSawLUe1gRxcZeew8P-SlXDG0GM-rOjokfCQ6WtE8mlO31IU1Cbs2MPBIBJWtbvRB1ZVRzMR76au5hPEiGHVqy6oqv-UjVtEcJJdKQujxSCxbCM2oUj9qhC/s400/20+Tie+dye+supplies.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">One of my sons decided to dye his own shirt, but the kitchen sink was full of dishes so he rinsed it out in my bathroom sink and got pink stains in it. It didn't come out with my usual cleaning wipes, but the Magic Erase sponge worked well. While I had it out, I also wiped dirt stains from the door frame, bathroom door, and around light switches.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRN6KQ4IFYdfkkC_yjwHL95zaq4hAhxU_cdgb-hATFq5JDkN3Q3h9FnWJLAz8kFwVsgmh4ktrjR18ggkSfrvC6z4HEASIVQJNOxPk3u34PNxAIxEEs3co-kowlgoMT4DFTFykfCxXx3Xt/s1600/21+Dye+stains+in+bathroom+sink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRN6KQ4IFYdfkkC_yjwHL95zaq4hAhxU_cdgb-hATFq5JDkN3Q3h9FnWJLAz8kFwVsgmh4ktrjR18ggkSfrvC6z4HEASIVQJNOxPk3u34PNxAIxEEs3co-kowlgoMT4DFTFykfCxXx3Xt/s320/21+Dye+stains+in+bathroom+sink.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM_HtUqsMn9FQ6pi1MHCeku2PokGXm6S4QlRgpE6EVquOYbm6OrMpl5-FkMB8aoXg2KizDHp1NVTLjuOcBgexq2KIGaL9xU4DCe7xbj8LB6-e6jgNCPlgNbB7CKd6Qwu8E3iclFX6BMWK/s1600/22+Dye+stains+removed+with+Magic+Eraser+sponge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWM_HtUqsMn9FQ6pi1MHCeku2PokGXm6S4QlRgpE6EVquOYbm6OrMpl5-FkMB8aoXg2KizDHp1NVTLjuOcBgexq2KIGaL9xU4DCe7xbj8LB6-e6jgNCPlgNbB7CKd6Qwu8E3iclFX6BMWK/s320/22+Dye+stains+removed+with+Magic+Eraser+sponge.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Between the bathroom and the closet I have a dressing area.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHbjtWs8wZnd2Vp3KtOgNi0RnXSHCszl32HUYNn5fJiQz-ZWGfCZnRdZpR97q8pef8_lKzc1RmxTwIwxHKUkUdSiL8QSPM22EmW4XxudE-9f7LGYtodc32u0L1jKuw8elRfbE-idv25U1/s1600/15+Dressing+area+of+bedroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHbjtWs8wZnd2Vp3KtOgNi0RnXSHCszl32HUYNn5fJiQz-ZWGfCZnRdZpR97q8pef8_lKzc1RmxTwIwxHKUkUdSiL8QSPM22EmW4XxudE-9f7LGYtodc32u0L1jKuw8elRfbE-idv25U1/s640/15+Dressing+area+of+bedroom.JPG" width="513" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I've had this God Bless Our Home rack since I visited Israel as a teenager, but just decided to pull it out of a storage bin and hang it to hold my bracelets.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uDjBjspOTdfp_kEwSFJa4bcj82A2C5qb6s5GAXkb69oZILeNN1j-ERvQHcunRZKZgIU-8GZioslIfpzHpfelxib7KKHGY4Px7OBnB-MI-fHyIreS6Eo8YwF0v5KLJpOIwa31shrU1ci3/s1600/16+God+Bless+Our+Home+jewelry+rack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uDjBjspOTdfp_kEwSFJa4bcj82A2C5qb6s5GAXkb69oZILeNN1j-ERvQHcunRZKZgIU-8GZioslIfpzHpfelxib7KKHGY4Px7OBnB-MI-fHyIreS6Eo8YwF0v5KLJpOIwa31shrU1ci3/s400/16+God+Bless+Our+Home+jewelry+rack.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This wood and wicker cabinet holds extra toiletries. I bought it at an estate sale years ago and it's been very versatile for whatever I need to store. My dad took the two matted black and white photos in the 1970's when we lived in California. He was quite the avid photographer back then, and taught me to use our home dark room. I love digital photography and appreciate the ease and power of editing with Picasa.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j6V9-yOnDON4WBpHo-DKlNdrWLYrDeGrcksGUShk0wa6lZDWgiAXOGVIi3OYirDZo4rY2mbu1luwLtLKTkn4D7Vkxp7fjES7EU_RbndxoBb0rVYTCXspCV-0SvzrUnCIfwsvs8CEadbJ/s1600/17+Wicker+toiletry+cabinet+and+old+photos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2j6V9-yOnDON4WBpHo-DKlNdrWLYrDeGrcksGUShk0wa6lZDWgiAXOGVIi3OYirDZo4rY2mbu1luwLtLKTkn4D7Vkxp7fjES7EU_RbndxoBb0rVYTCXspCV-0SvzrUnCIfwsvs8CEadbJ/s400/17+Wicker+toiletry+cabinet+and+old+photos.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I adorned the top of that cabinet with a vintage doily and part of my word stone collection.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuq0XvftrQRukxXx5CHI77Vt1_NzVCC_2TTgcZJTmOchQvUqAVpXLXiI_wKu3fsub8UbdebARj5a1eS59PRFhTIyAm5QVQulkgqZY6sz4HjudAJUVCAN7jsLpUyY5hPKFb-e-N0SjoJJU/s1600/17+Word+stones+on+vintage+square+doily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuq0XvftrQRukxXx5CHI77Vt1_NzVCC_2TTgcZJTmOchQvUqAVpXLXiI_wKu3fsub8UbdebARj5a1eS59PRFhTIyAm5QVQulkgqZY6sz4HjudAJUVCAN7jsLpUyY5hPKFb-e-N0SjoJJU/s640/17+Word+stones+on+vintage+square+doily.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I need all of these words! You do, too! I picked out a related blog post for each one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/07/adding-wisdom-to-strength.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Strength</span></b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/03/bella-sophia-lady-wisdom-sets-her-table.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Wisdom</span></b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2013/08/sanctuary-big-words.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Peace</span></b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://watchtheshepherd.blogspot.com/2014/03/if-you-expect-real-respect.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Respect</span></b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-golden-hour-by-joanna-knowles.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Imagine</span></b></a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/08/stones-of-hope-and-joy.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Joy</span></b></a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2009/10/parable-of-grace.html" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;">Celebrate</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2012/03/hope-joy-and-pineapple-coconut-bundt.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Hope</span></b></a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I should add a stone for PATIENCE. One of my pet peeves is that my kids take showers in my bathroom and leave their dirty clothes on the floor. Fussing and fuming didn't help. Now I just set aside an extra laundry basket for their clothes just outside the bathroom door. If they are missing something, they can look for it there, or in the five net bags (one for each child) that I hung in the laundry room to harness stray dirty clothes. They all do their own laundry. This is just one way to pick my battles and reduce mama stress.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SmME7PFm9AqNhSZQt97hHJhyphenhyphenM20FuLOoIctE_bLX1WeroEYsj7rAZmqG2GGxu2A2T9ld9Q0mr6E7AUEU_9bpATPvK7PcV0_MtV4iY_m_p7UH80KMXpx-GdZX8LJxZ85FuO7VLYV_6eSX/s1600/18+Laundry+baskets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SmME7PFm9AqNhSZQt97hHJhyphenhyphenM20FuLOoIctE_bLX1WeroEYsj7rAZmqG2GGxu2A2T9ld9Q0mr6E7AUEU_9bpATPvK7PcV0_MtV4iY_m_p7UH80KMXpx-GdZX8LJxZ85FuO7VLYV_6eSX/s400/18+Laundry+baskets.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I also bought a shoe rack for my walk-in closet. The rest of the closet needs a lot of work. I'll get to that after I tidy up the rest of the house.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7JE33DXDwedsdW5JmirIx2vadaUn2Fu3ktIFoDnMeTvykeDpw81iRpFKRgojiADTH-LuihVXlvgy_FLt7ksx25acEjTKYzuPaWf-WSusjYPTrCXjRRdxvNa2mu0JA3X5dms1nVy9RIfC/s1600/19+Shoe+rack.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7JE33DXDwedsdW5JmirIx2vadaUn2Fu3ktIFoDnMeTvykeDpw81iRpFKRgojiADTH-LuihVXlvgy_FLt7ksx25acEjTKYzuPaWf-WSusjYPTrCXjRRdxvNa2mu0JA3X5dms1nVy9RIfC/s400/19+Shoe+rack.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I also tidied up my bed area. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMe_cTAnMe6d4zb-buX6GvVHWBM9aW_2eKOrYRN19PU0vEvBT_Xdso1UZMhX4WQxDAC4Xx-qKz9s_9jZATZ1OUbqEES56TBkJAbwgu1N1fJcAHiDdLx4RDwp-tULS7c_JF6HOoggcThaF/s1600/23+bed+and+window+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMe_cTAnMe6d4zb-buX6GvVHWBM9aW_2eKOrYRN19PU0vEvBT_Xdso1UZMhX4WQxDAC4Xx-qKz9s_9jZATZ1OUbqEES56TBkJAbwgu1N1fJcAHiDdLx4RDwp-tULS7c_JF6HOoggcThaF/s400/23+bed+and+window+area.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At Christmastime, I bought myself a little tree and decorated it with blue ornaments to match my globe lamp. I replaced the burlap base wrapping w</span><span style="font-size: large;">ith a light blue cloth topped with a blue doily that I slit to wrap around the base.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPzcrLrYWcPr1W6mbR2VrrBLRcN_IXbU-vfl1QJk03GAx__BoHeb_Mu6Qj3JO203qQIjTATck5SYVk51Vejfg4t9IeBn79iFw8CEHPY1fQYc1qQSGxNdXHXJnVlae4f6tDMrzl5FwN2j5/s1600/02+Mini+Christmas+tree+with+blue+ornaments.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPzcrLrYWcPr1W6mbR2VrrBLRcN_IXbU-vfl1QJk03GAx__BoHeb_Mu6Qj3JO203qQIjTATck5SYVk51Vejfg4t9IeBn79iFw8CEHPY1fQYc1qQSGxNdXHXJnVlae4f6tDMrzl5FwN2j5/s640/02+Mini+Christmas+tree+with+blue+ornaments.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">After Christmas, I replaced it with a stuffed lamb that one of my daughter's found while cleaning her own bedroom. It belonged to my oldest daughter when she was a very small child, and I have a sentimental attachment to it. I took the little jeweled star from the top of my mini tree and used it as a necklace for Lambie. Her original owner is about to have her fourth baby (first little girl) next month, and I'll return it to her then as a nostalgic baby gift. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtzqS6YOChyphenhyphenRQLwX2_WADhGAR47BOGpoDrwt07gLlq1p6th2i6xjGi0CZ7xhErRzcbQs1B3-6fSV-ARGUgp0u50jVdB40rvhFsjaZ2ejDwRu_I26qt4qQKTGQmWCBkdWC-uK9R_lnKvBZ/s1600/25+Stuffed+lamb+on+a+pile+of+books.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtzqS6YOChyphenhyphenRQLwX2_WADhGAR47BOGpoDrwt07gLlq1p6th2i6xjGi0CZ7xhErRzcbQs1B3-6fSV-ARGUgp0u50jVdB40rvhFsjaZ2ejDwRu_I26qt4qQKTGQmWCBkdWC-uK9R_lnKvBZ/s400/25+Stuffed+lamb+on+a+pile+of+books.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lambie's seat is a stack of books: a photo album I bought so I can create a visible memory of my adventurous year (once I get the physical prints!), a souvenir book from <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/10/autumn-in-acadia-national-park.html" style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Acadia National Park</a><b style="color: #0b5394;"> </b>on the coast of Maine (one of said adventures), and a vintage book, inherited from my mother (whose ashes we scattered at <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/2015/10/new-england-road-trip-3-thunder-hole-in.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Thunder Hole</span></b></a> in Acadia) called Rainbow Cottage by Grace Livingston Hill. Coincidentally, the book's setting is coastal New England. You may know that I have a fascination with cottages, as I described here:<b> </b><span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-cottage-dreams-why-not-now.html" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">My Cottage Dreams</span></a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-weight: bold;">. </span>Also c</span><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">oincidentally, that was fueled by another of my mom's old books, Where Beauty Dwells, by Emilie Loring. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">A few days ago, I took the time to imagine </span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">a little more about my dream cottage </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">when the rest of my kids leave home and </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">I have an empty nest. </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">I wrote </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">a detailed design </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">list in</span><b style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #0b5394;"><a href="https://www.evernote.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Evernote</span></a>.</span></b><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;"> Barb and </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">I used to plan out dream houses when we were kids, complete with drawings of </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">floor plans and lists of </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">items picked out from the Sears catalog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">Of course, whatever home I have </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">will still need a lot of seating for when all of my family c</span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">omes </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">for dinner! I should also note that when I am purging excess stuff, I often think, "Is this something I will want in my cottage?" Or, as Marie Kondo says in her popular book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Unkempt;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">"Does this spark joy?"</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">Joy is a wonderful word. I bought a stencil kit before Christmas to do a wood panel in red and green paint </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">with white</span><span style="font-family: Unkempt;"> mini-lights. Then I used the stencil again to paint a canvas for my bedroom wall to hang year round. </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">But the thing is, I don't like how it turned out. It doesn't "spark joy" in me. So I took it down. I will cover it with primer and repaint it later with something else. I don't have to keep something if I don't like it.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA90TvzNBi_1Zn_jHxg14-23ah_IxyoHKp-4OtaHY4bTvvOkcDIYdpC3bpoU2ZUTAZDMUfXeu9d3dB13YIUYPxCB8tdqWA5mDI5yli0X9XAVwfMz3MDl2l96kZKTGELxVNYGxNXPr8pOWU/s1600/26+Joy+painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA90TvzNBi_1Zn_jHxg14-23ah_IxyoHKp-4OtaHY4bTvvOkcDIYdpC3bpoU2ZUTAZDMUfXeu9d3dB13YIUYPxCB8tdqWA5mDI5yli0X9XAVwfMz3MDl2l96kZKTGELxVNYGxNXPr8pOWU/s400/26+Joy+painting.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">What does spark joy for me</span></span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">? This pair of blue snowflakes that I bought at Wal-Mart. They were in the </span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;">Christmas decorations</span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;"> section, but I like them enough to keep them up. I hunted around for a place to hang them and settled on my lace-over-muslin</span><span style="font-family: Unkempt; font-size: large;"> curtains that hang over the bed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp6I-X7oox4mm0Iwa8KuRAC3VZpjmIGk5hNFFR_dTw0kPszXtar1KeoPQoDGWFQ4wJLtn_uYtSWcndvjjzA-luFgc5Rtru-chd6yEHTrNJPpISlJyZWTArkM_Vt8iB8SbwCd3mb9FWhQo/s1600/24+Blue+jeweled+snowflakes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLp6I-X7oox4mm0Iwa8KuRAC3VZpjmIGk5hNFFR_dTw0kPszXtar1KeoPQoDGWFQ4wJLtn_uYtSWcndvjjzA-luFgc5Rtru-chd6yEHTrNJPpISlJyZWTArkM_Vt8iB8SbwCd3mb9FWhQo/s640/24+Blue+jeweled+snowflakes.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b> </b><span style="font-family: Unkempt;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I still have my magazine basket that matches my bedside trash can, too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeqHBP0KbxQaxBvrtZi-59TflNxZaPbx5cx5LEWsmdDiEKOfHHmNlyNs3UJjy-1qYmhLGVMAyJ2qUu8Bvk6T_KPdYoe3BcKeSRJis2LtGmlT-5sOWb7Z_bdWfdTYPV8XIlrQB0E5ghXxS/s1600/26+Blue+magazine+basket.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeqHBP0KbxQaxBvrtZi-59TflNxZaPbx5cx5LEWsmdDiEKOfHHmNlyNs3UJjy-1qYmhLGVMAyJ2qUu8Bvk6T_KPdYoe3BcKeSRJis2LtGmlT-5sOWb7Z_bdWfdTYPV8XIlrQB0E5ghXxS/s320/26+Blue+magazine+basket.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I bought the "</span><span style="font-size: large;">Create a Beautiful Day Wherever You Go" </span><span style="font-size: large;">sign at a gift shop </span><span style="font-size: large;">in Bar Harbor on our A</span><span style="font-size: large;">cadia trip. It sums up one of my core life philosophies. It's what I think about as I clean, organize, and decorate not only my bedroom but the the rest of my house and my whole life, too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRaDUv97OF5Lx1TalVA8sGroGFkXI4fBsT6Uw_1hZOy0OLpvLWfcSjHwCyFHRb9mk6uxju80iYqAA5MWHLo-vKMY5anvvgS4OR-v9Q3ulRYjdngaR2x0BCbKouXckmWWSB33_-4m3oIAH/s1600/27+Create+a+beautiful+day+wherever+you+go.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRaDUv97OF5Lx1TalVA8sGroGFkXI4fBsT6Uw_1hZOy0OLpvLWfcSjHwCyFHRb9mk6uxju80iYqAA5MWHLo-vKMY5anvvgS4OR-v9Q3ulRYjdngaR2x0BCbKouXckmWWSB33_-4m3oIAH/s640/27+Create+a+beautiful+day+wherever+you+go.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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I hope you've enjoyed this most recent Blue Haven posts. You can find the others here:</span><br />
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<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Unkempt; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: none;"><b>My Blue Haven</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Unkempt; font-size: x-large; text-decoration: none;"><b>More Beauty for My Blue Haven</b></span></li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I </span><span style="font-size: large;">am still </span><span style="font-size: large;">working on goals and plans for the new </span><span style="font-size: large;">year, but as </span><span style="font-size: large;">I start 2016, I am glad I took the time to refresh the space </span><span style="font-size: large;">where I relax, recharge, </span><span style="font-size: large;">read, and create.</span></div>
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Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8494300060456984370.post-28720390384515091732015-11-17T22:30:00.000-05:002019-03-18T10:23:58.634-04:00The Cottage Journal Magazine (Autumn Grace 2015)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9Mdkq2FpHX8bT9BpDD-ZfIyDY-KvR73cec53Aq7OcOzZbqPtOfUKl6B_Uw7AYy3R82nasQAk6oQW7S2Xs_a1H9R_9E51clMIHeopUozR4pqOkjvDjNmHiiHycc07PLxPYzK8nV2xl5Wn/s1600/Cottage+Journal+autumn+2015+cover.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs9Mdkq2FpHX8bT9BpDD-ZfIyDY-KvR73cec53Aq7OcOzZbqPtOfUKl6B_Uw7AYy3R82nasQAk6oQW7S2Xs_a1H9R_9E51clMIHeopUozR4pqOkjvDjNmHiiHycc07PLxPYzK8nV2xl5Wn/s320/Cottage+Journal+autumn+2015+cover.jpe" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.thecottagejournal.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><b>The Cottage Journal</b></span></a> is my favorite magazine. Maybe that's because <a href="http://thismomgrowsup.blogspot.com/2014/11/my-cottage-dreams-why-not-now.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">I'm dreaming of downsizing to a quaint and cozy cottage</span></b></a> when my kids are grown up! Or maybe it's because it is a beautiful publication full of gorgeous and doable home decorating ideas, as well as a few luscious recipes. The style leans toward tasteful vintage and country. Even if I can't use all of the ideas, I just love looking at them. Eye candy, for sure! I find plenty of new ways for using what I already have, too.<br />
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The Cottage Journal is published five times a year (quarterly, but with an extra winter issue) so after I purchased the fall edition in a store a few months ago, I had to wait patiently until the next one. I savored every page over and over. This is the one magazine that nearly always went with me in my tote bag for when I was waiting at appointments. There are only about 10 full page ads out of 129 pages total. The paper is heavy, high quality, and not overly glossy. Just the way I like it!<br />
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I decided to treat myself to a subscription. The Christmas issue arrived in my mailbox today. Ahhh!<br />
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I especially love the holiday tour of artist Mary Engelbreit's home, and later in the issue, a feature on her art and life. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2lFl-A7E4yfwG1UOiXmP4N2pIWqpl6fcWc6L0gyvGSOyrPB8h0fKIcmxpbCzvkDjxH6H7RdmOVU2nwJnBRP5EerQxJr3rN-hh4yXbaVWZXD-eM2vvVUg2Wu00XoWTRYXKWtppsqYMBUg/s1600/Mary+Engelbreit+Christmas+in+Cottage+Journal+2015.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2lFl-A7E4yfwG1UOiXmP4N2pIWqpl6fcWc6L0gyvGSOyrPB8h0fKIcmxpbCzvkDjxH6H7RdmOVU2nwJnBRP5EerQxJr3rN-hh4yXbaVWZXD-eM2vvVUg2Wu00XoWTRYXKWtppsqYMBUg/s400/Mary+Engelbreit+Christmas+in+Cottage+Journal+2015.jpe" width="400" /></a></div>
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Right now you can subscribe to The Cottage Journal for $22.95 per year. They also have a lovely <a href="http://www.thecottagejournal.com/" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">web site</span></b></a> with lots of great decorating and other homemaking ideas. You can sign up for their e-mail newsletter, too. You don't need to be a paid subscriber.<br />
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I'm not getting any compensation for writing this brief review. I just thought I'd share my joy! This one would make a wonderful Christmas gift.<br />
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Grace and peace,<br />
Virginia Knowles<br />
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P.S. I just put my <a href="http://virginiaknowles.blogspot.com/p/autumn-and-thanksgiving.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Autumn & Thanksgiving page</span></b></a> back on my main blog. Check it out!<br />
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<br />Virginia Knowleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13851255511747838013noreply@blogger.com0