And then I look around me. At everything that I “let go” while I’ve been feeling so rough. Every room of the house screams that my family has been in survival mode too long, lacking my attention. Stacks and stacks of paper. Laundry bursting at the seams with mismatched socks, clothes from a whole different season, and plenty of the outdoors brought inside. Junk drawers that barely open. Cabinets with their contents all out of order. Duplicates of things we couldn’t find because things weren’t in their place.

So I’ve slowly been trying to dig my way out of the disorder, to focus on purging and organizing my poor house. And do you know what’s really helped? Pinterest! I have found so many great ideas on there that helped me with organization and storage ideas.

No more loose photos scattered all over!

Somehow I discovered Cathy Anderson of JustOrganizeYourStuff.com via Pinterest and her website helped me helped me decide which area to tackle first. I started with our home office because we really needed to get some storage in there and I HAD to wade through those papers for tax time anyway. Her free Ebook, Blueprint:JOYS the Creative Outline for a Home Filing System (and a good friend) helped me start wading through my papers and clear off the top of my desk for the first time in a VERY long time!

But our office really needed some storage if I was going to keep things tidy. Fortunately, I’d been “pinning” ideas for Making Use of Barn Wood since we have plenty of barn wood available.

I love the mix of old and new, beauty and practicality, with my barn wood shelves.

This pin was the inspiration for the shelving in our office. Although ours turned out a little more like this. I totally love my shelves. I love that they are made from wood from one of our old barns. Rustic charm? Oh yes, I love it!

And while the joy of Pinterest has been a lovely inspiration, there’s a part of me that always sees how much MORE needs to be done or how we could have done things differently. But Pinterest came to the rescue again. Emily Ley’s graphic reminds me to hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection. What a beautiful thought. (You can print a copy from her website in either pink of blue! Don’t you love options?!)

Graphic by EmilyLey.com

Even though the ink was running low in my printer, I printed a grainy copy to put on my fridge. I wanted it printed on a glossy photo paper to highlight the simple, but elegant bright crisp graphic. And I even thought I’d put it in a distressed shabby chic white frame.  It was picture-perfect in my head.

But I used what I had on hand and reminded myself that I would hold myself to a standard of grace, not perfection. Maybe later I can replace the ink and do the graphic justice, but for now my very imperfect blurry copy serves as a perfect reminder to me.

I’ll be sharing more of the projects that we’ve done that were inspired by Pinterest in the coming days. If you haven’t joined Pinterest yet, and would like an invitation, just let me know in the comments and I’ll send you one. Initially I couldn’t figure out the interest in Pinterest, but once I got on there looking for some quotes to use for a Christmas gift, I totally fell in love with it!

I think Pinterest makes the Internet a more lovely place.

Karo Syrup ad, circa 1903

I’ve been sharing with some of my friends about how I’ve been trying to cut out sugar and eat more healthy fats and proteins.  Thankfully it’s working, and I’m seeing results, but it’s been quite an education about reading labels and thinking about foods differently.

It’s amazing how many products contain high fructose corn syrup. Even if you don’t consider yourself “eating a lot of sweets”, you’re probably getting numerous small doses of high fructose corn syrup in a variety of products.

Check out this 1903 ad for Karo Corn Syrup. It was actually advertised as the appetizer that makes you eat.

I don’t know of too many people who actually *need* an appetite stimulant these days, but back in the early 1900′s folks were a little on the scrawny side and actually needed to bulk up in order to handle the harsher conditions back then.

Our world is much different now. We live a more sedentary life and cheap (not nutritious)  food is readily available.   In fact, corn syrup, the appetizer that makes you eat, is in most of the processed foods (and drinks) on store shelves.

Check out these facts from this 2004 Thriving Now blog entry.

The USDA figures show that the steady growth of high-fructose corn syrup, which ballooned from zero consumption in 1966 to 62.6 pounds per person in 2001 also corresponds to the rapid rise in obesity. It is believed that this high consumption of corn syrup is undermining appetite control, the very thing Karo used in its advertising. Also from 1965 to 1996 soft-drink consumption increased 287% in boys and 224% in girls, and corn syrup is the primary sweetener used in soft drinks.

I’m convinced that avoiding corn syrup will naturally help you to avoid cravings and overeating. So if you’re trying to lose weight, that’s one simple step you can take towards better healthy. Just read your labels and try skip ANY that have corn syrup in them or at least be very selective about the ones you’re going to eat.

Like posting on my blog: I’ll think about it, maybe even jot down some ideas, but I get overwhelmed with my thoughts and start second-guessing myself and then (you guessed it), not post anything.

It’s frustrating. I do that in other areas too.

We did a little makeover in our home office and I’m stuck not knowing how to organize things in there. Things are in boxes all over the place, but I just can’t figure out where they should go!

Then I discovered Pinterest. Wow! There are so many wonderful decorative, crafty, and organizational ideas on there, it’s mind-boggling. But here’s the thing. I’ve got to quit looking at what other people have done and just START.

The perfectionist in me wants to be sure that I’ve found the BEST way to organize and set-up the room, but I know I’m just stuck. I’ve got to quit looking at ideas and START.

My mom has often told me, “Just do something, even if it’s wrong!”

I guess I’ve been a procrastinating perfectionist all my life.

Jeff Goins has a great post on The Difference Between Dreaming and Starting.

It was just what I needed to read today. It prodded me to share this on my blog, and that’s a START.

Next I’m going to START on that office. It might not be perfect, but it’s sure to be an improvement.

A simple life has a different meaning and a different value for every person. For me, it means eliminating all but the essential, eschewing chaos for peace, and spending your time doing what’s important to you.

It means getting rid of many of the things you do so you can spend time with people you love and do the things you love. It means getting rid of the clutter so you are left with only that which gives you value.

Want some practical tips?

Read Simple Living Manifesto: 72 Ideas to Simplify Your Life and think about how you can simplify your life in 2012.

Have any of you already decided to make some changes? What ways are you simplifying your life?

Since she’s been gone, her sister, Laura posts things on her blog sometimes.

Tonight she posted, Thanks for saying “yes,” Sara!.

Here’s just a bit of it:

“You gotta just try to do every thing you can, when it’s your time to do it.”

I was watching Staff Sgt. Salvatore Giunta, who is from a small Iowa town not far from me, receive the esteemed Medal of Honor for bravery shown in active duty. Sal had told President Obama that he was just doing his job, and following advice he had gotten when he first became a soldier.

During his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, his Team Leader said to him:

“You gotta just try to do everything you can, when it’s your time to do it.”

It struck me as the most profoundly simple statement. And while I’m sure it is essential advice for a battlefield, it also occurred to me it’s advice that works in every circumstance for every person trying to follow in Jesus’ footsteps.

She goes on to talk about how Mary & Joseph just did what they had to do when Jesus was born. They had no idea what all would lie ahead for him. They were humble people just doing the best they could at the time. But God used them, and He can use each of us too!

Sara was so wise and encouraging. She ended with a challenge to all of us.

But this year, I’m wondering how I can be more like Mary and Joseph. How I can do everything I can… now… when it’s my time to do it.

Will you take that challenge with me? Will you look beyond the celebrations and the wrappings and the carols we hum as we busy about our lives – and pay close attention to the little details in the lives of those around you?

Because you never know when it may be your time to do everything you can.

It reminds me of the saying, “Whereever you are, be all there.” Sara’s entry was an encouragement to me and I hope it will be to you as well.

Merry Christmas, Friends!

We do slight variations of many things on her list, simply because I’m a rookie. For instance, we just use store-bought Sambucol for colds & flu, but she has a recipe where you can make your own Elderberry & Rose Hip Syrup. I’d like to get all of the supplies together and try making a batch.

What are some of your favorite homemade tips for keeping your family healthy during the winter?

Have you ever made Elderberry syrup? Want to come over and help me make some? Ha!

I absolutely *LOVE* Laura Story’s song, Blessings! And I was happy to see that she is one of the artists featured on Amazon’s 25 Days of Christmas. Click here to download Emmanuel by Laura Story.

 
Also, when I asked for some suggestions on books or courses for teaching kids about handling finances, one friend recommended Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. I was really excited to the Kindle Edition: Money, Possessions, and Eternity offered for FREE on Amazon now too!

Hope you all enjoy the freebies. You never when Amazon is going to change prices though so be sure that it’s still showing as free before you checkout.

If our greatest need
had been information,
God would have sent us an educator,

If our greatest need
had been technology,
God would have sent us a scientist.

If our greatest need
had been money,
God would have sent us an economist.

If our greatest need
had been pleasure,
God would have sent us an entertainer.

But our greatest need
was forgiveness,
So God sent us a Savior.

–Author unknown

As Christmas is approaching, I’m digging back through my archives to rerun some of my most popular Christmas posts through the years. I originally posted this one December 2007.

That’s my youngest niece, Gwenny in the picture. Tony took this picture while she was totally engrossed playing in the corn truck (yes corn!) when we went to Christian Way Farm this fall. She was so busy playing that he had to get her to ask her a few times before she’d look up at the camera to smile. She was just having SO much fun.

In case, you don’t do Facebook or you haven’t seen this article yet, don’t miss The 5 Best Toys of All Time | GeekDad | Wired.com. I’ll wait here, while you read it.

Kids don’t need a lot of “toys” to be happy. What they need is time to spend exploring and playing with normal stuff. Some kids have more “toys” than others. I’m not bashing on that. We have plenty of toys at our house, but this article reminded me of the joy kids have with simple things. And that made me happy so I thought I’d pass it along to you all.

It made me think of other non-toy stuff that my kids have had MAJOR fun with: bubble wrap, duct tape, piles of leaves, the creek, the perfect climbing tree, and the much harder-to-find, and requiring parental supervision, dry ice!

What about you? What are some of the best non-toy things that your kids enjoy?

Some people think if you just ignore the hard things or focus enough on the positive things, that things will get proportionately easier. My experience? Not so much.

They DO help, but sometimes you’re just dealing with really hard stuff. Stuff that people don’t like to talk about or stuff where there just aren’t easy answers. And sometimes, your body goes into panic mode.

For some people that comes out as anger.
For others it may be tears.
Perhaps it’s aches & pains?
Or a racing heart and feeling like an elephant is on your chest?
Maybe it makes you want to run away.
Or maybe it makes you want to sleep.
Maybe it makes you want to scream.
Or maybe it makes you want silence.

No matter what your body’s response is, the most important  thing is that you see it for the bright red flashing WARNING sign that it is. You are the only one who can take care of you.

Others can help, but you have to take responsibility for taking care of yourself. You know that verse about how our body is a temple of  the Holy Spirit?

Don’t take that as condemnation, take it as a reminder of the importance of caring for it.  Don’t ignore the warnings your body is sending you, even if you are a Christian.

Yes, we are to cast all of our worries and cares to Him. Yes, He is greater than any storm in our lives. Yes, He works all things for the good for those called according to His purpose.  Yes, the joy of the LORD is our strength. Yes, we are blessed in many, many ways. But you know what? Even Jesus wept.

I believe that God has placed doctors, counselors, and dear trusted friends in our lives as His special gift to us. People that have wisdom in areas that we need it most. People that have walked (in some ways) in our shoes.

You don’t go to them instead of Him. But they may be one of the ways that He wants to minister to you.

Months ago, I shared with a friend some of the details of the struggles I was facing. She shared some of her struggles too. And then she told me about Lobelia and Bach’s Rescue Remedy Spray. She gave me some other suggestions too and they all helped, but it was the first time anyone had told me about Lobelia. Have you all heard of it before?

It’s like nature’s little Xanax so it’s perfect for when you’re battling anxiety or panic attacks. It’s not too expensive and you don’t have to take it all the time, just as needed. It’s a very powerful herb. In fact, it’s sometimes called pukeweed because it  you take too much it will make you, ummm puke. And it tastes nasty too. Some people put 10-30 drops in water, but it’s easier for me to just put the drops under my tongue and get it over with! She told me to start with 10 drops. Some people need more.

This website had some interesting information on lobelia if you want to learn more about it. (I’m not endorsing or promoting that website, I just found it via google.) It actually makes me want to try it for some of the back trouble I’ve been having! They say it helps people quit smoking too. Here’s another website’s information.

I’m not a doctor and I don’t play one on TV, I’m just a person who is open to both medical and natural remedies, and am passing along some information that has been helpful to me.  Lobelia is controversial because it’s so strong, but all medications that we take have warnings on them too, now don’t they?

Want to read about some other natural ways to deal with anxiety? Check out The Healthy Home Economist’s Natural Remedies for Panic Attacks. 

I’d love to hear what you think about it and if you’ve ever tried dry brushing. I’ve been reading more about that, but I don’t know much about it.