Monday Musings, January 4

Well, my friends…we made it! We all heard the universe exhale when the clock struck 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2021 (well…truthfully, I was sound asleep. But, I am sure I would’ve heard it had I been awake!)

And before I get too far down the road, let me pause and again thank you all so much for the outpouring of support and condolences I received following my father’s death. I was saddened to hear that so many of you are also traveling this Alzheimer’s/Dementia road with your beloved family members. Please know that I am here for you if you ever need an understanding ear to listen.

Have you taken down your Christmas decorations yet? I am always at the front of the pack to get my Christmas decorations up and then to get them back down. The only decorations we still have are the lights on the front porch, which I am still enjoying when we return back home from our evening perambulation.

Some tips to help you make next year’s Christmas more organized:

• If you really like the way you decorated your mantel, tree, table, whatever, take a picture of it. You can print it off or keep it on your phone.
• Before you pack up your Christmas boxes, is there something that you don’t ever use that you need to ‘rehome’?
• I label all my boxes, writing on the exterior of the box exactly what is inside each box.
• If you will need ribbon, lights, wrapping paper, gift tags, etc, and didn’t get them at the after-Christmas sales, make a note in your calendar for next November. I’ve already noted that I need gift tags and ribbon.

What are some of your suggestions for keeping your Christmas supplies organized?

While I truly LOVE having my home decorated for Christmas, I always am relieved when all decorations are packed away for next year. In general, I am not a ‘clutter’ person and Christmas decor can get quite ‘cluttery’. I’m good with the clutter for 6 weeks or so, but then I am ready for a deep declutter afterwards.

Over the next 6 weeks I will move from room to room in our home to rehome items that no longer bring me joy or that are useful. I’d love to have you join me in this decluttering endeavour! Sign up below to receive one email a week, for the next 6 weeks targeting certain areas of the home. You will receive a checklist listing items commonly found in those areas, as well as tips and suggestions for decluttering those areas.

I find the checklists useful as they help me look for items that I can probably rehome and really not miss.

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As you are decluttering, if you aren’t sure where to ‘rehome’ your discards, this post with suggestions on where to donate and recycle household items may be useful.

Just as I am decluttering my home, the turning of the calendar also prompts me to clean up my diet as well. After several weeks of indulgent and heavy meals, I crave healthier and lighter meals. We have been working to get more fiber in our diet and these high fiber cookies are one way we are doing so.

These scented sachets would make great Valentine’s Day gifts.

This living centerpiece with ferns and orchids is still going strong almost a year later. It is nice to have it back on the dining room table after all the Christmas and Winter decor has been put away.

Or maybe you’d like to make a terrarium? This one continues to thrive as well…the tip to a long-lasting terrarium is to use as little water as possible.

After the week we spent in hospital with my dad, my hands were a wreck from all the washing. I purchased a bottle of Gloves in a Bottle and have been very pleased with how they have remedied the dry skin on my hands and around my nails. I’ve even been using it on my dry heels and can see an improvement there as well.

When we lived in Nashville, I became aware of an artist named David Arms. Well, ‘became aware of‘ is probably not accurate; it would more honest to say I became a HUGE, slightly obsessed, fangirl of his work. Fast forward 20 years and I was finally in a position to purchase my first piece of his work.

David has a strong faith, and his faith is often reflected in his work. This piece is entitled ‘Fear Not,’ which just really spoke to me given the times in which we are living. I am still searching for the perfect spot for this painting, which won’t have light switches sharing its space. But for the time being, I am so happy to have his work to view and to be inspired by.

As we enter into this new year, join me in having the faith to ‘Fear Not’ more often.

Many hugs, to you, my friends.

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!