Cleaning out my purse

After weeks of just shoving stuff in my purse (Weeks is generous. I don't know when I cleaned this purse out last.) I decided to clean out my purse. The build up of reasons to clean it out were mounting. First was the trip to the library.

At the library, I was asked to provide my ID to renew our library cards. I had already done it the week before, but I guess it wasn't entered in properly. Sigh. So, I got out my driver's license. Then I started looking for the piece of paper that the DMV mailed to me stating that my actual address is different from what is on my license. It may have not taken me very long, but I felt my face redden the longer it took. The kids were getting squirrelly too. “I need to clean out my purse,” I apologize–not that the librarian cared. I did find it. The victory paled in comparison with the struggle to find that single paper amidst all the stuff in my purse.

Secondly, Friday came. I knew I needed to finalize the finances from Febrary. Yes, I am behind. If I were to do it well, I needed to find all the receipts from my purse. So, as a prerequisite before diving into the finances, I dumped out the contents of my purse.

I was amazed with how much garbage was in my purse. Apparently, I had no bins around for a long time and just stuffed in every scrap of paper, napkin, whatever, even if I didn't need it anymore. (Picture on left.)

Here is what I discovered by cleaning out my purse

I collect the girls' hair bows, clips, and ponies. (Funnily, my older daughter asked me if I had a hair pony with me today. Had she asked me a week ago, I would have had it along with an assortment of other hair options. They were all put away at home.)
Even though I don't often eat out, I have a stack of napkins. (I now have one in my purse. The rest are in the car–ready if needed.)
I keep things for reasons I don't remember why I decided to keep them. I found an old Starbucks card (empty) along with the card they were mailed in. Why did I still have them? And why in my purse?
If I don't take the make up out of my purse, they will go bad because I rarely reapply make up. (I don't often wear a lot of make up.)
My purse looks naked without all the extra unnecessaries. Since I cleaned it, I have been looking at it thinking I must have lost or left something. The thinner iPad does make a huge difference too.

What would you discover about yourself if you cleaned out your purse?

Anyone brave enough to take a picture and post it?

Posted with Blogsy

I think I might burst if I don’t write something. I haven’t seemed to master the keep on top of house, kids, craft and writing like so many bloggers. I have been busy–especially in the digital scrap booking department. So, to set my mind at ease–and relieve the guilt of not having posted in so long–here are some samples of my attempts at freezer paper stenciling.

This monogram turned out great. It was crazy cutting it out. While I love the font I used, it was not in anyway practical.

This is a simple flower with a button. Not too complicated.

I had fun with this one. It’s a reverse stencil. I ironed on the heart and painted out from the center.

In my fantasy world, I have endless time, energy and resources to do all the crafting I dream up. With the holidays now here, I hope to do a lot of crafting. Got to fight the time, energy and resource limitations–and get a hold of time management.

Posted in Crafting | Tagged children, Gift, make my own | 2 Comments

Baby gifts: ties and vests

Posted on September 21, 2011 by Cheryl

I have been following some blogs checking out baby gifts. I have had a friend who did the tie t-shirt and was excited to give it a try. Then, I ventured out onto my own. My first attempts where following the tutorial at Crapivemade.com? Here are my creations:

This is my first onesie tie.

I liked the way it came out and decided to make more.

I tried making my own template, but I think I like hers better.

Then I went into a new direction: vests. I made my own template and am pleased with how it came out.

I need to experiment with girlie designs too. But I will leave that for another day.

Posted in Crafting, Sew | Tagged children, Gift, make my own | 2 Comments

My Ta-Da list

Posted on August 19, 2011 by Cheryl

I was feeling a bit discouraged about what I wasn’t getting done on my To-Do list. To-Do lists aren’t my favorite, but I do see the benefits. If I don’t have a direction to go in, I tend to spin my wheels without getting much done–so it seems. It becomes a to-do (did you know to-do is defined as “bustle; fuss”?). My ever increasing to-list becomes a to-do making me feel crazy inside.
Not that I want to totally scrap the to-do list idea, it is a good thing. I want to turn discouragement into courage by fighting the lie: I haven’t done anything today. So, I have decided to make a Ta-Da list (defined as “a jovial interjection in making an announcement, taking a bow, etc.”). This will be my backwards to-do list. I will write down the things I have done today. So, here is my–wow, is it really 2pm–Ta-Da list:
(Note: This is not chronological)
Got out of bed, dressed, brushed teeth, ate breakfast.
Listened to the Daily Audio Bible.
Prayed.
Took a shower and cut my hair.
Swept bathroom floor and wiped down the counters–hair gets everywhere.
Fed baby girl snacks, read to her countless books, played with her.
Cleaned up one of the “played with her” piles.
Emptied and loaded the dishwasher.
Put away breakfast things and wiped down the table.
Changed little girl’s diapers.
Folded laundry.
Put in another load and flipped it.
Worked on my budget planning.
Read and deleted a bunch of e-mails.
Had a nice talk with my mom–good relationships should be on everyone’s to-do list but rarely make it on the radar as important.
Made pizza dough for our pizzas tonight.

So, I could kick myself for everything I didn’t do. Rather, I will stand tall for what I did do. Once encouraged, I will take a look at that to-do list again and remind myself I have what it takes to succeed in those challenges. Maybe I should take a break first; I’ve been busy.

One more thing to add to my Ta-Da list: wrote and posted blog entry.

Sweet.

Posted in Time and organization, Writing | Tagged write | Leave a comment

The First Day of School is Coming up Fast

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Cheryl

The first day of school is coming up fast.
The flurry of buying supplies, over. I hope.
The energy, kid energy, both positive and negative are serging.
I wonder what my days will be like, again, with a single little one toddling around.
At times, a quiet house.
Little blocks, board books and new words.
Exploring. Lots of exploring.
Long naps for Elmo and Pink bear with their beloved. I hope they are long, even if it’s just one.
Could I have time to create?
Only if I Buy up the moments and choose wisely.
Then comes the rushing sound of students returning. Backpacks and lunch bags trailing behind.
There are stories to share both of victories as well as wounds.
School projects and field trips and homework.
The first day is coming up fast.
Take a deep breath.
Ready. Set. Go!

Posted in Parenting | Tagged children, emotions, Parenting, school | 1 Comment

Feeling Fat

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Cheryl

I feel fat.
It’s not that I jumped on a scale or couldn’t fit into my pants. It’s just a feeling. I am by no means in the best of shape nor the shape I dream of being, but I have lived many a day like this and haven’t felt fat. Today is my fat day. I think this comes around ever so often. I hate feeling fat.
Feeling fat usually leads to feeling ugly and feeling all around yuck. It doesn’t motivate. It doesn’t energize. It depleats. It slugs and moans and groans. It begs for compliments while the claws are out. The inside is soft and hurting. The outside is a fortress ready for the inevitable attacks.
The feeling will go at some point. Maybe even later this day–I did take some extra time with my hair and face. That’s good, right? Oh, to fight back and win the war.
The war isn’t won by exercise and eating right–even though they are great to do. It isn’t defeated with compliments as good as it might feel in the moment. It could be battled with the right combination of hormones; I’m just dreaming now. The answer eludes me just as much as when the monster will strike again.
I think of my daughters and want to solve it for them. If I can capture the monster, I can give them tools to fight it too. I think many girls fight it regardless of their shape and size. In the end, I know it has nothing to do with reality. Sometimes feelings are just that way.
Here’s what I’ve done so far:
1. I took a nap. It’s not something I can do always, but I could today. Having rested, I am in a better place to think.
2. I did a reasonable amount of grooming and chose clothes I feel comfortable and attractive in. Not going to win a fashion award in this, but I don’t want to hide myself either.
3. I am writing. That is a salve for me. It doesn’t work for everyone. But for me, it gets it out and, usually, it leads to better resolve.

What do I need to do next? I do need to do things that are positive. Things that are good to do. It doesn’t have to solve it all. I have responsibilities that need my attention. I’m already moving in the right direction. I have won.

Posted in Parenting, Writing | Tagged body image, emotions | Leave a comment

Things I Hear Myself Say Day After Day…

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Cheryl

Here are some of the things I might say on a typical day. Most of it isn’t original to me. I hope the repetition of the good will stick with my children all their lives, and the repetition of the bad, gulp, will fade into the background.

Was it loving, necessary or true? If not, don’t say it.

Obey, right away, with a happy heart.

This is going to take a lot longer now that you said, “When is this talk going to be over?”

You win or lose by the way you choose.

The answer to nagging is “no.”

I would be glad to talk with you if you would come into the same room I am in.

If what you are trying isn’t working out, try something different or get help.

If I have to clean up your stuff, I get to decide if it is trash or treasure.

You can do whatever you want, but you have to face the consequences of your choices.

Have you had any water today?

I love you.

Grumpy gets 15 minutes on his/her bed. (That includes me, but none of my kids have sent me there. I have sent myself.)

You really can’t find anything to do? I can make some suggestions.

When you are an adult, you can stay up as late as you want.

Yes, I know you don’t want a nap. Only adults want naps.

Posted in Parenting, Writing | 2 Comments

Skype Baby Cam

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Cheryl

I have been working in my girl cave to do some creating while my baby girl naps. The problem is the distance. She is on the other end of the house. I can’t hear or see if she is awake. It is problematic because I wonder if she’s awake and constantly check on her outside her door. One reason for the extra checking is because she is keeps her knee caught between the slats. Loads of mommy guilt piles up after knowing she’s been crying because of her knee predicament. Red tired, angry eyes. I shutter to think about it.
I did a google search for some free solutions and found one here. Since I already have Skype and multiple devices, I decided to set it up. I tried it on my Mac and a netbook.
I found my little girl fascinated with looking at herself in the video. This is fine when I am watching her from the kitchen and she is in the living room. Not fine when I want her to be sleeping. An added bonus is the ability to talk to her and hear her. My six year old had a silly smirk once he realized where my voice was coming from. He was truly impressed.
So I am trying it out for the first time as a nap cam. It was very cool to see her on my iPad. When I laid her down, she wasn’t exactly excited to be in bed. I watched her go through her routine of playing and resting. Currently, she is all quiet. I am happy to be able to peek in on her without needless running up and down the stairs. Very cool solution. Thanks tecklore guy!

Posted in Geeky me, Parenting | Tagged Skype | 2 Comments

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