Tossing and Turning

I had a tough, tough time getting to sleep last night. My body started out still, but ended up tossing and turning. It was the life I was attempting to live as my head lay on that pillow. It wasn't still. It was moving along at light speed.

I was thinking about:

-the wedding plans that need to be made between now and a March 13 wedding day.
-relationship stuff between me and people.
-relationship stuff between my kids and people.
-how dirty my house is and how much it needs cleaning.
-how sweet our time over Christmas was.
-how hard our time over Christmas was.
-how I need to lose weight before I buy a mother-of-the-bride dress.
-how I need to balance the check book and pay bills.
-prayers I'm praying for those I love.
-how sometimes life events turn out better than expected.
-how sometimes life events turn out worse than expected.
-how sometimes life events blindside you.
-how if I trusted God like I should, I wouldn't have issues getting to sleep.
-the attributes of God because I was having trouble falling asleep.
-how I needed to stop thinking about everything so I could fall asleep.

You get the idea. I don't remember the last thoughts I had before sleep eventually and, thankfully, came. The last time I looked at the clock, it was 1:15.

At 6 a.m., when I came into the kitchen this morning and Lou and I chatted about how we slept, I told him about my night. I also told him that today I was going to spend extended time calendaring and making lists of all that needed to happen over the next months so I could get a handle on things.

I then poured my coffee and sat down to meet with God. I opened my Bible Gateway tab like I always do and this was the Verse of the Day:





A lump rose in my throat and I thanked God.

He is faithful to help. He is faithful to his word. 

One step at a time. 
Coming to him. 
Doing the next thing. 
For His glory and my joy.
He will give me what I need.

An Unbroken Record

In my attempt to really clean things out this summer, I ran across some old journals. If there's anything that will cause the cleaning process to come to a screeching halt, it's finding old journals.

My poor kids. I was thoroughly enjoying my walk down memory lane and just knew they would too. As soon as I read something I thought was poignant or hilarious, I'd corral who ever was close by and made let them enjoy it too. 

One such entry prompted a picture and text to my oldest son and his dad. I don't remember this moment 18 years ago, and so I'm very thankful I had written it down. 

Luke, then 8, lived and breathed sports

Can you read it? Here's the translation in case you're cursively challenged like some of my kids:

12-9-97
10:40 pm
Lou just told me the following. 
      When he was putting Luke to bed, Luke asked, "Do you think Barry Sanders will ever pass Walter Peyton's all time rushing record?" Lou answered, "I don't know, but I know I love you." Luke kind of giggled and smiled. And as Lou was about to leave the room, Luke said, "And that's one record that will never be broken." Lou said back, "You're right!"

It's kind of perfect right here on the eve of Father's Day. 

I share this not because my Lou is a perfect father. I share this because he's not a perfect father. He's a good one, but he's not perfect. 

But he is a father that unconditionally loves his kids - and they have absolutely no doubt about that. And that knowing - that security - is a great gift from a father to a child. 

It's a gift all of us imperfect parents can give our kids. It's a gift my dad gave me, and one I've watched Lou give to our kids. 

I'm so very, very thankful.

Oldie but goodie of Lou and the crew

Sunday Review

On Friday, the girl at the deli counter probably gave me a funny look.

While she was slicing my mesquite turkey, I was checking Instagram. I follow a comedian named John Crist, and one of his pictures made me laugh out loud. I immediately looked around - not because I was wondering who saw me laughing - but because I wanted to see somebody I knew so I could show them why I was laughing.

I wanted to share it.

I like how good things are not diminished when we share them. They are multiplied. (Conversely, hard things - sad things - are not multiplied when we share them. They are eased, but I'll save that discussion for another post).

Sharing some of my good things (hoping that in sharing mine, you'll think back on your week and remember yours) is one of the reasons I blog. My weeks certainly aren't all smiles and roses, and I share that part of my life here, too. But I rarely need help remembering what's hard about my life. That usually screams pretty loud and clear. Because it's so loud, it can drown out the melody of all that has brought me joy during a week. I'm typically surprised when I look back over my pictures on my cell phone at a week's end. I see a snapshot and go, "Oh yes! That was this week! That was fun...or good, delightful, hilarious, nice, happy, etc..."

And delightful is the word I'd use to describe our night at Morsel's Java Jam Celebration. Unlimited desserts and good music? Uhmmm... yes, please.

Grace and Mary Grace - lifelong friends enjoying the festivities

Issak and Faith were part of the musical entertainment

This chalkboard is near the java area in our house, and I caught myself glancing at it more these past few days.

I first read this quote on my niece, Angela's,  Instagram - it was one of her "take-aways" from her week at family camp.  It spoke to me, so I had my Elizabeth work a little chalk magic before she left for school in Fayetteville. Looking at it actually served two purposes. It reminded me of good truth and my good, off-at-college Elizabeth, who we kind of, really miss - a lot and a bunch.

As I write this post on an 83 degree Sunday afternoon at the end of October, it's hard to believe we've had cool enough weather for this:

Actually, I think it was only in the low 60's when we did this, but our Mary Grace pleaded for it, and we caved to the begging of the baby of the family like all parents tend to do.

This week also brought some much needed cleaning out of some cracks and crevices. I found a couple of treasures.

First, this school picture of David.

Poor, adorable guy.

I'm glad he grew into those teeth:)

Second, I found the invitation to an Open House my parents had when they built their new house back in 1969. I don't remember seeing this before, and I really liked the peek-a-boo action they employed on the invite.

"WynRea" (pronounced Win Ray), was the name of our home and land in Munford, TN.  I always thought how they came up with the name and how they decided to write it was so clever. Dad's full name was Hugh Wynn Vaughan. Mom's full name was Violet Marea Petty. They took the first three letters of Dad's middle name, and the last three letters of Mom's middle name and combined them.

WynRea

When my man and I built our house, I tried to do just the same with our names.

Louis Blan Harris

Shelley Marea Vaughan

"BlaRea" 

"Blah Ray,"    "Blay Ray,"    "Blah Ree ah,"    "Blah Ray,"    "Blay Ree"

Oh, dear. No matter how we accented and pronounced that syllable combination, it just did not work. Like, seriously, did not work. So, we say something that is not original, but more pleasing to the ears. We call our home and land, "Home."

Ignore the scribbled "Z" at the top

A couple of other treasures were shown to me by my cousin, who my sister and I enjoyed visiting this month. She showed us this quilt block my grandmother had made and signed.

And she gave us these pictures of my mother which I'd never seen before. Treasures, indeed.

One of her engagement poses

Mom, her brother, Elvis, and sister, Ruth

A week is always better when I get to take walks with my favorite guy. We were on the tail end of a 5 mile loop when he graciously agreed to sit down on the sidewalk to get just the angle I wanted for this picture.

I like this picture of us

We also sat down at a really fun wedding that showcased a couple of ideas I had not seen before. The guestbook consisted of a bench and a Bible!

I underlined Romans 8:38-39, which is the reference we had engraved on the inside of Lou's wedding ring.

Speaking of rings, do they give those out to the winners of The World Series? Can you tell who I'm rooting for?

And, speaking of the end,  I can think of no better way to do that than with some pictures of the fall beauty we've been enjoying here. It has been breathtaking and stunning and I'm grateful for eyes to see it.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Many blessings to you as you begin a new week!

Clutter Count Catch Up

Talk about being behind.

Talk about the subject that cannot be named.

Talk about something that hasn't been talked about since...March!!!

Yes, it's Clutter Count 2,013 in 2013. And if you've even forgotten what I'm talking about, you can read about it here. In a nutshell, our house has become too cluttered - too hard to clean - and I'm determined to get rid of a bunch of stuff.

Up until a big trip to New York in mid-March, I was very consistent and excited about the whole purging process. After that trip, I was still excited, but not consistent. I could produce some pretty legitimate sounding reasons why I've become so consistently inconsistent, but blah, blah, blah. We're all busy, and except for rare, completely unforeseen circumstances, I'm convinced we make time for what we really want to do. This little project was easy to push to the back burner.

However, it's not like I completely forsook it during that time, either. If you check my Clutter Count page, you'll see listed the 139 items that did vamoose during that almost 3 month time span. Every little bit helps. I was actually encouraged when I crunched the numbers to see how my hiatus was going to affect realistically meeting my goal. Originally, I was to rid the house of about 40 items per week to meet my 2,013 goal. Because I was extra ambitious some weeks and went over 40, my decluttering hiccup has only upped that original number by 6. Now, 46 items need to vacate the premises weekly.

That's doable. (Those are two nice words, aren't they?)

So, here I sit, refocused, recommitted and about to reset the "Clutter Count Due" alarm on my phone. It'll go off this Saturday to remind me to get with the program. Not going to moan about the past. Going to start where I am. It's a very good place to be. (do-re-mi)

Speaking of good places to be, I want to end here with a link to a real expert in the world of decluttering/simplifying. It was recommended to me by a friend's daughter. Lacy Clark Ellman said this was her favorite blog to visit for inspiration in the area of simplifying and decluterring. Check it out: Be More With Less.

I hope your June is off to a summery good start.

Many, many blessings to you!

Swept Off My Feet

Welcome to post #5 of poems performed by little Harris people.

I had completely forgotten about the following poem, which is hard to believe, because when I read it this time, it completely swept me off my feet.

In this clip, Elizabeth recites "When Young Melissa Sweeps." 

When Young Melissa Sweeps

When young Melissa sweeps a room

I vow she dances with a broom!

She curtsies in a corner brightly

And leads her partner forth politely.

Then up and down in jigs and reels,

With gold dust flying at their heels,

They caper. With a whirl or two 

They make the wainscot shine like new;

They waltz beside the hearth, and quick

It brightens, shabby brick by brick.

A happy gavotte across the floor,

A Highland fling from door to door.

And every crack and corner's clean 

Enough to suit a dainty queen.

If ever you are full of gloom,

Just watch Melissa sweep a room!

Glory be! I think this poem has just transformed the chore of sweeping!

So much of the time, it's all how you "spin" something, isn't it?

You can sweep, or you can...

                                               dance with a broom.

                                               lead your partner forth politely.

                                               go up and down in jigs and reels.

                                               caper. (I had an idea what that meant, but not exactly. Looked it up.)

                                               waltz.

                                               dance the Gavotte - or the Highland Fling. (Depending on whether you 

                                                                                                                     felt French or Scottish that  

                                                                                                                         day.)

The possibilities are endless!

I can't remember whether or not my Elizabeth had a hand in picking out this poem, but I'm awfully glad she recited it so many years ago.  If you're like me, when you see Melissa's hair, you'll smile. And when you hear Elizabeth clicking her fake nails against the poster, you'll smile.

And hopefully, next time you sweep, you'll smile too.

InstaFriday...and a 2,013 in 2013 Update

This week, I've been watching some goals and continuing to work on some goals.

The goals I've been watching surround our youngest, Mary Grace. Let me just say that indoor soccer is the bomb! You are elevated above the playing field, so you can see what's going on. The bounce of the ball off the wall is a fun strategy to watch teams use, and the game is fast and exciting. It's the way all soccer should be played.

Excellent view of Mary Grace's pony tail

For an excellent view of this lovely heart on one of the window panes of our front door, let me tell you what to do.

1. Whistle for Kiowa and walk toward the front door.
2. Open door for her to go out.
3. Look through the panes of the front door to watch Kiowa sniff around the yard.
4. See something blurry between you and her.
5. Back up, so blurry image comes into focus.
6. Smile, because you know immediately which one of your offspring would draw that.

I love these kind of surprises - even if it does mean a messy window.

Look through the panes of the windows facing the back of the house and you have an excellent view of our wind ravaged play place. North Wind* can pack a punch. I actually heard this happen. There was a loud thunk, and I went outside to check to see if a branch had fallen on the roof. With nothing there, I went back in a smidge confused. A few minutes later, I saw this.

I've always liked that our playplace sported Bolivar colors.

The wind was a harbinger of bigger and better things.

Like big, wet snow.

It was magical to wake up to such a landscape.

Another snow day and perfect snowman snow meant people got busy being creative. I've driven by this gigantic snowman just off Locust Street here in Bolivar every day since the storm. So cool!

A friend and I were talking about Instagram this week, and I sent her a picture of the Christmas present my Hannah gave me this year. She had this made from some of my Instagrams. Lots of pictures of people I care about in one convenient location = love.

Speaking of love, I am loving decluttering! It has been incredibly freeing already, and I'm only 2 months into it. I have met my goal (and then some) of at least 40 items per week leaving my house and finding new digs. For a list of those items, click here.

Sorting through old purses this week, I came across this little gem neatly folded inside one. When Mary Grace was little, she was constantly setting up a Pet Store in the basement which I liked to frequent. :) As you can see, one day I snagged a frog for an incredibly low price.

That's a completely random phone # btw

I finish my InstaFriday with a picture that fits under what my friend, Trina Banner, refers to on her blog as For Real?. I had to include it because I know so many of you, especially you that have daughters, can totally relate.

Yesterday, while vacuuming, a headband got tangled in the carpet part of the vacuum. When I turned it over to get the headband out, I saw that (ahem) the vacuuming apparatus was being impeded from working at its maximum efficiency. With the help of some scissors and some pulling and tugging, I was finally able to clear the rotating brush of this:

For Real

Good grief.

As you might guess, our vacuum suction is much better now. Consider this your friendly reminder to check your vacuum's "mouth."

As I type, I'm in a waiting room anticipating being called back to check on our David. It's wisdom teeth extraction day for him.

My goal for the weekend is to feed him lots of soft foods and needed pain meds. Actually, that's more my hubby's goal. I'm heading to the University of Arkansas this afternoon to hang with our Hannah - it's her sorority's Mom's Weekend. (Fun!)

I told my husband that the only way I would leave David in such a state is if somebody more qualified than me could stay with him this weekend - you know, like a doctor or something.

Hope you have a weekend where you make one of your goals some sweet time of rest and relaxation with God and with those you love.

Thanks for stopping by!

Blessings!

*Reference to The Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald, one of my favorite stories.

2,013 in 2013

I promise, I have not reached "Hoarder" status.

No where close.

But I have lived in the same house for 16 years with 7 other people. And we've gradually accumulated "stuff." You know what stuff is - those things that you, at one time, did need or want. You used it, but then it fell by the wayside. Our house is big enough that it can handle a decent amount of stuff.

But now, my stuff - my clutter - is really starting to weigh me down! I find I live more in what the Flylady calls CHAOS (Can't Have Anybody Over Syndrome), because I need to store, rearrange, clean around, and neaten up our clutter. I wish I was one of those people who is naturally very organized and purges on a regular basis, but I'm not. I have to work at it.

I need a plan and accountability.

Sometime in the last month I read a blog (can't find it now!) that suggested a fun little plan that struck a chord in me.

In 2013, get rid of 2,013 things.

Desperate times call for desperate measures!

That is a lot of things. Do I have that many things to get rid of? I guess I'll find out. I know we are already almost 3 weeks into January, but I'm gonna try and do this thing! When you do the math, it comes down to 40 things/week leaving my house.

Simplify!!!

My plan right now is to count everything that is getting the ax with the exception of daily mail and papers. I am literally writing down everything. Gulp.

I mentioned above that I need a plan and accountability. This blog will be my accountability. Not only do I hope to report on my progress every once in awhile, but at the top of the blog, directly under the title, is my "Pages" bar. Click on "Clutter Count: 2,013 in 2013, to see how things are going. I'm hoping this helps motivate and celebrate!

I also mentioned above that one of the reasons I want to do this is so I no longer live in CHAOS. For sure, that is one. But some of the others are as follows:

1. Spend more time with God.
2. Spend more time with Lou.
3. Spend more time with my kids.
4. Spend more time writing/creating.

As you can see from this list, I want to have more time to be in relationship with people and less stress over taking care of clutter.

I'm not gonna lie - I'm a bit nervous about this. Naming a goal and numbering a goal and writing about a goal makes it very real. It's much easier to talk about what you are "gonna do" someday...

Nevertheless, here I go. The journey of de-cluttering of 2,013 things begins with the first 40!

And for this week, January 13-19, 2013,  I have met my goal. The first 40 things have left my house!

Woohoo!

I feel better already!

15 Minutes

True confession time.

I can be busy all day long and not get much done.

How frustrating is that? I'll tell you - very, exceedingly, intensely, decidedly.

The above happens when I spend the day reacting to the many "fires" burning in my home. I respond to them, but usually, they don't get resolved. And I really have no plan to put them out. I just walk from room to room  - reacting. I used to think this happened because I just didn't have enough time to get everything done.

But I'm becoming more and more convinced that the reason I don't put some of the fires out is because I lack focus. I don't want to concentrate on a particular fire - usually for one of the following reasons.

     1. I'd rather be doing something else

     2. I can't do it perfectly right now, so I'm going to wait until later when I have the time to do it

         "perfectly."

     3. It will take too much time.
     4. It will take too much energy.
     5. I might do it "wrong."
     6. I have a lazy bone.

Wow. That was cathartic.

So, what do I do when I find I'm having those kind of days more often than not?

I remember The Flylady.

A few years ago, I was introduced to The Flylady. It was there I learned a little habit that helps me focus. Why I don't do this on a daily basis, I don't know. Every time I employ this little trick, I always sit back and admire what I've done.

The trick?

SET A TIMER FOR 15 MINUTES and work at a particular task like your life depended on it.

Talk about focus. Whenever I do this, I have tunnel vision. I work like I'm about to have a visit from the President of the United States - complete with camera crew - and I need to be ready!

That kind of little game/competition works well for my little competitive spirit.

And when that timer goes off, I stop. It feels good to have gotten something done. It also feels good to know you have permission to stop. You had a goal (work like a crazy person for 15 minutes), and you completed that goal.

I promise that if you do this little exercise, you'll be amazed at what you've accomplished in such a short time.

I'd also encourage you to check out The Flylady's website. There's all kinds of helpful habits there. I haven't been there myself in a couple of years. Revisiting it in preparation for this post inspired me all over again to not live in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). I know I'll be heading back over there!

And a kind of interesting last note:

I started this post on Tuesday. I didn't finish writing it that day (yesterday) and on Wednesday, my hubby and I spent the day in Springfield. We stopped by Barnes and Noble and as I was glancing over the books on the  "New Releases" table, this caught my eye:

I haven't read this book, so I can't wholeheartedly recommend it, but I thought it was so funny I'd see this with my unfinished "15 minutes" post simmering in my brain.

So, I guess I'm not the only person who struggles a bit with this. I'd love to hear some ideas any of you have that help you focus and get things done.

I want to be busy, but not frustrated, and I want to get the right things done!