Do You Need A Better Plan?

Maybe I should just say, I need a better plan.

Okay, okay. I just need a plan. A plan for the morning. I don’t have one. Well - wait – unless you count the one about boiling the water for my morning French-pressed wake up elixir. Straight up. Black. Strong.

Yeah, I should have more of a plan than -

1. Get up.
2. Boil water.
3. Make coffee.
4. Drink coffee.
5. Don't burn mouth.

After I get the coffee down, it’s pretty much haphazard. What does haphazard actually mean, anyway?

Haphazard:

happening or done in a way that has not been planned

synonyms include: random, hit-or-miss, slapdash, jumbled, careless, irregular,

all over the place (haha – very funny)

Ouch. Guilty as charged. And sorry I asked.

You know, I used to be an organized person. When the kiddos were young and still at home, it seems I accomplished so much more. And I know I had a plan for each and every day. What happened?

When It's Hard to Not Look Back

Does so much of the past year beg to be forgotten? Never to be thought of again? 

Swept under the rug. Thrown out with the garbage. Burned. Buried.

...in someone else’s yard.

 ...in a land far, far away.

But, it can’t be truly forgotten. To be truly forgotten would be as if it never happened. However, it cannot be treated as if it never happened, because it has shaped us for the rest of our lives. The hurt, the sadness, the loss, the grief, the anger – no – rage, the loneliness, the emptiness. And the scariest of them all, hopelessness.

I don’t know about you, but it was the hopelessness that threatened to pull me under more than any of the other emotions.

What the past year can be is:
• forgiven
• learned from
• redeemed

I was blown away by a quick look online for the definition of redeem. Want to see it?

Top Posts - 2012 in Review

2012 is coming to a close and 2013 is right on it's tail. There's no "winding down" at this House and Yard. The project list is still just as long and the calendar isn't going to get a break. But, that's pretty much how we like it around here.

I thought it would be fun pull together a list of the top ten posts of 2012 and see what people seemed to enjoy reading the most. We'll start with number 10 and work our way up to the top.

 #10 - Painted Nightstand - This was my first try at painted furniture and chalkpaint all in one project. My little raspberry nightstand still makes me smile.

#9 - Mustache Bash Baby Shower - We had a great time celebrating in anticipation of our newest grandson.

#8 - Sunroom Project - This is one of a few updates on the sunroom project. You can see more here, here, and here.

#7 - Kitchen Corner Reveal - I am happy to report that my pretty and organized kitchen corner has stayed relatively tidy - with regular maintenance, of course.

#6 - Showers of Blessing Baby Nursery - This was a fun project using a little bit of paint, glue, some pretty paper and a wall decal.

#5 - Bookcases Revealed - A bit of paint and a few pieces of trim dressed up these ordinary shelves.

#4 - Amazing Kitchen Update - The kitchen is still a work in progress, but in May I finished the paint and backsplash.

#3 - 31 Days of Order Series - This page contains the list of all the posts I wrote in October about bringing order to our lives. This is also still a work in progress. ;-) 

#2 - Chocolate Marshmallow Cake - Absolutely the best cooking mishap ever! How can you go wrong with chocolate cake AND marshmallows?! Right. You can't.

#1 - Miracles Still Happen - The prize for most page views goes to this post about our grandson.

It's been a year of wonder and challenges. The goodness of God has supported us through it all. I have enjoyed the process of projects, writing, and interacting with this online community and hope you'll continue to stop by when you get the chance. Thanks for reading.

Did you have a favorite post? Were you inspired to try something new? How did it go?

2012 Goal - Bundobust!

While playing Balderdash with friends on New Years' Eve I learned a new word - bundobust.

It is a noun meaning to have one's affairs in order, well organized, arrangement, preparation, a system or discipline.

Fitting, wouldn't you say?  At least it is for me at the moment.  Oh my goodness, when I look around and see all the projects before me I'm tempted to just go back to bed.  Yikes!  Not to mention the personal, work, and spiritual goals I have set for myself.  

There's the remodeling list which includes the projects I've spoken about before including (but not limited to) installing floor tile where the dining room wall was removed, painting various rooms that are still white (kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, hallway), and attaching decorative tile to the backsplash.

I'm actually kind of excited to be able to call it bundobust rather than organize or discipline or routine.

Makes it feel like I'm setting brand new goals rather than new versions 

of the same old goals!

For instance, I intend to bundobust my collection of books by setting up bookcases along this wall:

My closet will be nicely bundobusted when I get more shelving, as well.

The laundry room could use a bit of bundobusting, don't you think?

See?  Isn't it fun?

A personal goal I have for 2012 is to get better at playing the piano.  I will accomplish this with a bundobust including regular practice times, committing to learn a new song or two each week, and using skill building exercises to strengthen my fingers encouraging speed and accuracy.

My spiritual bundobust will continue to include regular Bible study, prayer, and journalling.

I pray your efforts to bundobust your lives and homes 

are fueled with inspiration and met with great success!

What will YOU bundobust this year?