Spring Cleaning...

Well my Friends...It has begun....Spring Cleaning! I actually love this time of year...I go through everything, shake the dust off, open the windows wide to let the fresh cleansing spring air drive out all of Winter's staleness. I go through every closet, drawer, and under bed hiding spots to get a fresh start! 

The last few years I haven't done as thorough of a job as I normally do, leaving remnants of winters past to clean up this year. This homemaking bug or heart's leading that I am feeling is exceptionally strong this year and I am determined to get through my spring cleaning before the kids get into their end of year activities in May. This gives me a 30 day time span! While this sounds like more than enough time, please consider that I also work a full time job and am solely responsible for shuffling kids to and from extra curricular activities!

So far I have been able to accomplish much! My bathroom has been cleaned, re-grouted, organized, simplified and re-stocked. My closet has been cleaned, weeded out, and organized. My dresser drawers are now free of non-clothing related items and the clothing that remains is clean, stain and rip free and is the correct size for my body. My book shelf has been pared down and weeded out! (Don't worry, I just moved the books I have read into boxes in my newly organized closet, they aren't really GONE).

Next up...under my bed...the storage space for anything and everything..from gift bags and wrapping paper to kindergarten artwork and so much more...That should just about do it for my bedroom and then it is on to the Laundry room which I am converting into a Laundry Room/Pantry! I am claiming the space for stocking up! Once I get my new shed later this spring, most of what is in the laundry room can be moved out there (Fans, Christmas Tree stand, gardening tools, etc...) leaving more space for groceries and household necessities).

There are so many more places that need my attention!  My craft area (Lord help me there....) the kitchen cupboards, the game shelf, the kids rooms.... I can only take it one day at a time...but for now...it has begun in grand fashion!

Now, my next question...does anyone out there have fantastic organizational or space saving tips and techniques to help me out? Living in a trailer home does not lead to much storage..I have to take it where I can get it. Let me know how you do it and if you Spring Clean or not....

Well, I'd better go get some work done here...though the day is rather slow.....I am looking forward to getting home to my family tonight and to tearing into the next phase of my 30 day Spring Cleaning Blowout!

God's Blessings on you All...

Who/What I am Praying For Today:
My bloggy friend's nephew - severely injured in Service to his Country
My children, that God be a presence in their lives and watch over them
Myself...for the Strength and Wisdom to look for and follow in God's guiding footsteps
Our government as they face the trying times ahead
All of our service members near and far

What I am Thankful For Today:
Hearing the song of the Robins and Red-Winged Blackbirds
Having so much quality time with my Honey
The wonderful relationship I share with each of my children
Hope, there is always a new tomorrow

Prayer Request...

Asking for prayers for a service member severely injured in the line of duty...

Please check out his story at my friends' blog...Jordan

Thank you so much!

Heart's Leadings...Tug of War

 Well Dear Friends, today I am having a tremendous tug of war in my heart...As many of you know, I have been working toward finishing my schooling. In what, I haven't exactly decided, I have been praying on it, waiting on the Lord's guidance. It just doesn't seem to be forth coming. In fact, I feel that He is leading me in another direction altogether.

I have been going to school for over 4 years now and have accomplished much in this time, including making the Dean's List several semesters in a row, graduating with my Associate's Degree and proving to myself (and several friends and family) that I CAN do it. My children and I have sacrificed much in the last four years for me to accomplish these goals and I am so appreciative of that.  However, lately, it feels like things have started to change, that my life is being moved in another direction. I no longer have the drive and determination to finish my classes. I do not look forward to the start of a new class with the anticipation I once did. I dread having to write papers and read text books when I used to relish the challenge.

Now my days and nights are filled with thoughts of the math practice that my daughter and I do together when I get home. I dream of the late night graham cracker-fests I have been having with my 15 year old son while we sit and talk about everything, just the two of us. I look forward to cutting coupons, planning menus, deepening my pantry, flower gardens, canning, quilting, sewing..My heart is turning to homemaking instead of my schooling.

Now, this wouldn't be a bad thing, except for the school loans. I really am not in a place to begin paying them off and am afraid of what will happen if I don't continue in school. I am accumulating many student loans and in a few years will be looking at a drop in my child support. I currently have a vehicle payment and another loan that I am paying off and was hoping that both would be over before I had to start repayment on the student loans.

I know that if God is leading me in a direction other than school, then he will take care of the financial part as well. It is just very difficult to step out in faith, knowing that he has something so awesome already in control. In church yesterday, Pastor stated that "God has ordained our steps". Meaning, he already knows where we are to go and has gone ahead to prepare the way. Pastor also said that it is easier to follow the steps of someone (God) who has gone ahead to blaze a trail than it is to blaze our own trail. All this is true, but the fear makes it so easy to hold back, to continue as I have always gone, to just throw my hands up and say I can't...

And so the tug of war continues....

Looking Toward Spring

Whew...its done...my class, the one that has been bedeviling me for weeks is over! I can take a deep breath, stretch, rub the tension from my shoulders and finally, excitedly, look toward spring. I am anticipating the new green grass, the warm breezes through open windows and the scent of flowers on the air.

Lately there is something in me calling me back to a life of simplicity. Pare down, appreciate what I have, acquire less material goods, spend more quality time with friends and family, get back to a time when those things were valued.

I go through this many times a year.

In fall the harvest calls me, supplying for my family and putting up canning, firewood, whatever...My soul seems to long for these things. In winter I turn to my hand crafts, quilting, knitting, and to the home arts, laundry, homemaking, etc. And now, in springtime, my heart turns toward thoughts of a garden, clothes hanging on the line, flowers from my garden sitting in a pretty vase on my counter.

Now, here is the hard part. I live in a trailer, in a trailer court, in town. I do not own my own trailer and am not supposed to put anything into the ground that can't go with me when I move. I have lived here for nearly 7 years and don't really plan on leaving unless I win the lottery.

How can I reconcile what my heart is telling me, what my soul is longing for when realistically, there is not a think I can do. I keep trying, deepening my pantry when I can, putting in a few flowers, but it isn't the life or lifestyle I want and it is so hard to keep putting it off...I need to come up with a plan....

My first step, pay off debt and figure out a few ways to incorporate simplicity into my life...

Today, I finished the baby quilt I am making for a dear cousin...its a first step...

Well, its off to bed...I'm sorry this wasn't a deep or meaningful entry, but it is where my heart is right now.

Who/What I am Praying For:
That the Lord leads me in the direction I am to go and that He provides the time and resources I need to get there
Patience
My children
Paul....
Those near and dear who are near and far

What I am Thankful For Today:
A houseful of teenagers, they are here, where I know where they are, what they are doing and who they are with!
The gift of quilting ability
Loving Cats
French braiding my daughters hair (and having her ask me to)