Happy Monday, Friends!
Today I am linking up again with that adorable Becky who blogs over at Choose Happy. One look at her “welcome” photo and you can tell that Becky has definitely chosen hAPpY! She serves as a great reminder to me that there is always so much to be happy about and grateful for. I linked-up with Becky in mid-June for one of her Currently posts, read that post here, and would like to make doing so a monthly habit.
Hey, maybe I will add it to my goals!
As I type this, I am unpacking and settling back into a routine after a week-long vacation. We left last Sunday for a road trip to San Antonio for the night, then on to New Braunfels for three days, Galveston for two, and a 799 mile, 12 hour drive back home to El Paso yesterday.
Have much I want to do this coming week: spring summer cleaning, laundry, back on track with exercise and diet, my devotional routine, cooking Weight Watcher-friendly meals, working on my art projects.
But for today, I am currently…
Thankful for time spent with loved ones last week. Grateful that all of us traveled safely from all over Texas and as far away as Kentucky to be together.
Planning a DIY project for Motivational Monday with Carrie over at Curly, Crafty Mom. I have been decorating our two spare bedrooms for when my daughters come to visit. The room downstairs is Lauren’s former bedroom and I have used bright colors in there to reflect her love of all things orange. I’ve used a kind of an Indian theme with elephants and mandala-type shapes and patterns. The DIY project I am thinking of trying would be for Lauren’s room.
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Contemplating how to go about setting up a book study. My sister Valerie shared an article on Facebook today entitled “Three Daily Rituals That Stop Spouses from Taking Each Other for Granted” by Peter McFadden for verilymag.com. Click here to read the article. Apparently the article is based on the book Why Marriages Succeed or Fail by relationship specialists John M. Gottman, Ph.D., and Julie Schwartz Gottman, Ph.D, Val thought maybe I would be interested in reading the book with her, and that maybe my daughters Brennyn and Lauren would join us. I have been married more than once. Ok, more than twice. That makes me an expert on what not to do in a marriage. I know I could benefit from reading this book but have never lead a book study before. So, over the next couple of weeks, I am going to research how to organize a successful book study and then maybe I can get this launched in early August. I am looking at a couple of possible books, would love to find a workbook-type format we could all do with our spouses. If you would be interested in joining me, us, please leave me a comment below or message me on Facebook.
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And finally, still and again, gearing up for spring summer cleaning. Wrote about this in June but it is going to happen in July. Been taking my vitamins. And thinking a lot about it. Have pinned lots of great things on organization and how to make spring cleaning fun and easy. Check out my “Tips and Time Savers” Pinterest board here. In anticipation of the great summer cleaning, I purchased and downloaded this book onto my Nook, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. Several of the Summer Style 2015 challengers were talking about it. I also signed up for the “Free Printable 2015 Declutter Calendar: 15 Minute Daily Missions For Year” offered through Home Storage Solutions and have been saving each printable in a folder in my email inbox. I am ready to do this. First up, the kitchen. Tomorrow.
Love the way that I look so busy in these Currently blog posts and yet I am typing all of this from the comfort of the recliner in the den. If my body isn’t all that busy, my mind certainly is.
If only thinking = doing!
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Maybe by next month’s Currently post, I will have finally gotten underway with some of what I am currently just pondering.
Please stop by to see what Becky is currently up to and check out the blogs of some of the other participants in the link-up. And take just a minute to let me know in a comment below what you are currently doing at your house.
Hugs and kisses,
I’m glad you’re linking up with Becky! I love finding new folks to follow.
I love the graphic you posted at the bottom, I find that went I overthink something I don’t actually do anything. I just stress myself silly.
I am the queen of overthinking and over-worrying. I come from a long line of professional worry-warts. It is hard to get anything accomplished when you are wringing both of your hands the whole day! Thank you for stopping by, sweets! Look forward to getting to know you better.
I just ordered the Marie Kondo book. Can’t wait to read and start on my clothes, but I often overthink and then nothing gets done! So glad I’m not the only over thinker.
I always enjoy reading your posts 🙂 I am currently (ha, ha) doing the Currently post once a month and I really enjoy it. I’ve always thought that too when I look at Becky’s photo, she does look happy! She is such a sweetie. I am so excited you’re planning to share something on my Motivational Monday party!!! YAY! And, I did not know you’ve been married more than once. I am married to my childhood sweetheart, first kiss, etc., but he is my second husband. I had my kids with my ex, who I was married to for 8 and we’ve been divorced since my daughter was 1. SO, I could probably read all of that material you are sharing today, too! lol! 😉 Glad you had fun on vacation, my husband’s best friend just got back from a trip to San Antonio!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Loved your Currentky post! Your road trip sounds like so much fun. San Antonio is one of my favorites. I keep wanting to take my husband there, as he has only been for work and didn’t get to see anything…even the Alamo! I am so intrigued by the Marie Kondo book. If I could have any job I wanted, it would be a professional organizer! My friends and family just shake their head at me regarding my organization projects. I just realized that I’ve never blogged about organization! I need to remedy that very soon. I am excited to follow your projects and journeys!
Michele @ Gardenia Living
Hey Michele! Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving a comment. You would love the Marie Kondo book. I haven’t finished it yet but it is full of wisdom and encouragement for those of us tackling heavy, duty cleaning but what she refers to as tidying up. In fact, probably more heavy duty than you or I am doing. She gives an example in the chapter where I am currently reading of a gal who had to constantly clear a path on the floor of her apartment to get to the door! And moved things off the bed to sleep, then back on the bed when she got up in the morning. That is more than tidying up in my book!
If you blog about organization, holler at me! Maybe we could do something together on that subject. Thank you!
I;m thinking of reading the Tidying Up book but I don’t know…seems overwhelming me sometimes! LOL! Especially with 3 little kids..geez, where to begin!?? XOXOXO
Actually, the tidying up book talks about more than what I consider tidying up. Having to remove stuff from your bed before you can sleep, and putting the stuff back on the bed every morning. Clearing a path to the front door. Yikes! I feel pretty tidy! Maybe that’s why it is so popular, it makes us feel better about ourselves! I used baskets in my den when my girls were growing up. They had a basket that they put everything in at night and took up to their rooms and put it all away. Then I brought the baskets down for the next day. They had a basket for laundry, too. I washed and folded, they put it away. If someone was coming over and there was stuff on the floor or laying around in the den, we would grab things up and put them in the baskets real quick. Sure helped me keep my sanity. And kept me from harping absolutely all day long! But if I was a betting man, or woman, I would say your house is probably spotless!! XOXOXO
You are seriously the sweetest person ever!! thank you sooooo much for your kind words. It means so much to me!
YAY for DIY projects. Can’t wait to see how they turn out and I just love Carrie at Curlycraftymom!!
Thank you for joining my Currently link up this week! I so look forward to reading what you are up to! Have a great weekend & Choose Happy! XO Becky
Thank you, sugar, for coming by. Hope my DIY is worth posting. Keep your fingers crossed for me, please. So glad I found your blog, your smile and your Currently series. XO