UPDATE The Comfort Zone, Getting Organized in 2014: Big Blue Tote

YIPPEEE!! The Big Blue Tote is finally empty! But guess what? I am going to have to fill it up again with some other papers and such that I found hidden away in my scrapbooking room.

 

 EMPTY Big Blue Tote

 

Check back next time to see where we are and what area we plan to work on next. Remember our theme for getting organized in 2014. Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." Is my method of being a keeper at home causing my homeschooled young man to stumble? To learn messy ways? To try to take the easy way out? Am I teaching my homeschooled young man to be a Godly husband to my future daughter in law? Am I teaching my homeschooled young man what a Godly wife and mother is like?Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Ok, Homeschool Mamma's (and non homeschool mamma too, I know several that read my blog) out there how many of us can relate to the second half of this verse? LOL...yeah, most of us are ready to faint at any moment! But we need to look at the first part of the verse, obviously the Lord knew that we would be weary and ready to drop over in doing well (His idea of well and not the world's idea of well! REMEMBER THAT!)

Share your own favorite ways to get organized in the new year.

Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Corn Free recipe....YUM!

I was cleaning out the refrigerator and found some goodies to make these Cheesy Potatoes with Bacon.

 

Moe's Easy Cheesy Bacon Taters

I sliced up some potatoes, fried them up in some oil, drained them and then added on some cheese (use dairy free kind if you need to) and then crushed up some crisp cooked bacon. YUM! Easy meal to go with scrambled eggs. Sometimes something good comes from cooking with scraps.

Top 5 Most Popular Blog Posts of 2013...Looking back

This really surprised me on a few of the choices. The most popular blog post was My Favorite Gluten Free Recipes from 2012. This was a listing of all my favorite recipes from 2012.

So here are the top 5 most popular blog posts from 2013.
#1 My Favorite Gluten Free Recipes from 2012.
#2 http://adoptivemomhomeschoolinganonlychild.blogspot.com/2013/02/we-had-seen-apologia-educational.html (link got weird on me, this was the Homeschool Science Book Review...still thinking that this science book is AWESOME in 2014!
#3 I Can __________ In 2013! I think I need to read this one again myself!
#4 TeenCoder C# Series Computer Programming This was a really cool blog post and we still love playing with this program.
#5 Are You Good Mom?

Numbers 4 and 5 tied with the exact same number of readers.

I really want to take time now to thank each and every one of you that takes time out of your busy life to check out my blog. Thank you for all your prayers and for hanging with me when I was having my 2 hand assisted Sigmoidectomy (Sigmoid Colon removed) and then when I had my Anastomotic Leak and infection. I know it was the Lord and you all got me through that time in my life. James 5:16 "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Praise the Lord!

You then all stuck with me through my Mayo Clinic visits and you all saw how the Lord worked through all that. You also were with me when I passed out goodie bags to my doctors, nurses & CNA/Techs that took care of me. That was such a blessing for me to be able to do and I pray that it blessed all those that received the treats.

The Lord used this entire ordeal for His glory and honor. And I am so thankful that I was able to share my testimony with my surgeon and had opportunities to share the love of Jesus Christ with others in the medical field. 1 Corinthians 3:6 "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."

What a year and what a blessed time came of it!

UPDATE The Comfort Zone, Getting Organized in 2014: Living Room

Well here we go! The moment we have all been waiting for. Several days of organizing, cleaning and getting this decluttered. This is what we came up with. Our living room is VERY narrow, so it is easy to get cluttered up.

Wow!! That was a lot of work, but it sure does feel good to have it done. It is almost like walking into a hotel room or a bed and breakfast, very relaxing and enjoyable. It is hard when you actually use your home 24/7, 365. We are always here and it's so easy to make messes.

Next area is a big blue tote (love the color of this tote) of papers and miscellaneous stuff from when I was ill last year. About 3 months of papers, junk mail, magazines and general clutter got dumped into this tote. I am starting to view Rough Totes and Sterelite containers as a big NO NO for my house! lol. They just don't ever seem to want to stay empty. One of my favorite stores to go to is the Container Store...lol...keep me out of there!

 

YEAH, that is right, there are a lot of paper trails in here!

Here is where I plan to get rid of most of the paper trail.

Basket #1 taking to next homeschool meeting

Basket #2 important papers that need kept (receipts, tax stuff etc)

Basket #3 trash

 

In the come coming days we shall see how this all pans out. I have started working through the basket a bit, but have a lot more to go. Due to the weather my wonderful husband was able to come home early from work. So while I worked through a small section of the blue tote, he was gracious enough to unload and load the dishwasher. A double blessing is what I got.

 Check back next time to see where we are and what area we plan to work on next. Remember our theme for getting organized in 2014. Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way." Is my method of being a keeper at home causing my homeschooled young man to stumble? To learn messy ways? To try to take the easy way out? Am I teaching my homeschooled young man to be a Godly husband to my future daughter in law? Am I teaching my homeschooled young man what a Godly wife and mother is like?Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Ok, Homeschool Mamma's (and non homeschool mamma too, I know several that read my blog) out there how many of us can relate to the second half of this verse? LOL...yeah, most of us are ready to faint at any moment! But we need to look at the first part of the verse, obviously the Lord knew that we would be weary and ready to drop over in doing well (His idea of well and not the world's idea of well! REMEMBER THAT!)

Share your own favorite ways to get organized in the new year.