Let's talk clutter. 

I know it's not time for "spring" cleaning but I'm really feeling the need to declutter some. Thankfully my house isn't near as bad as the picture, however I do have stuff in my garage, still in boxes from when we moved here...8 years ago.  Sigh...head to desk.

Apparently, I'm part pack rat. Of course, I've always known it. I just hate to admit it sometimes.  I mean, I might use it one of these days. Just because I haven't even seen in for 8 years doesn't mean it needs to be gotten rid of.

I also have some clothes I haven't worn in years. They are just taking up space. Insert another sigh here. But I paid good money for them and might be able to wear them again. Ha!!! 

And why do I have so many things that need to be dusted? Sure they are cute, but I don't need Texas Ranger bobble head gnomes. And seriously, I don't need three of them. I do have a couple things that have some sentimental value that I'll continue to dust but I did pack several things in a box to go someplace where they can be better used.  (We have a great resale shop that the proceeds go to help battered and women in need. I love taking stuff there...and of course, bringing stuff home from there. I mean, it's for a good cause. 

I'm starting my spring cleaning early. I need to declutter. I want to simplify. I don't want to have to clean so much stuff. So, here's to decluttering. Here's to spring cleaning in the winter. (It felt like spring yesterday...was 71 F and sunny and just wonderful. This morning it was cold and grey. Sigh. Love Texas weather.)

What about you? How to you handle clutter? Does it bother you or do you just avoid clutter all together?

Need some decluttering support? Then check out this great Facebook group.

Yesterday was spent editing. I edited some online stuff that I'm so excited to be doing. I can't tell you now but I will later.  And, I did a short (176 pg.) book for my publisher. Thankfully it was really clean so only took about 5 hours to do. That being said, I spent most of the day on the puter working.

Time I got around to even thinking about blogging, my brain was fried, In fact, I went and laid down about 9 last night for an hour just to recover. I wouldn't have done my spanish except for the fact I have a 197 day streak and I'm not going to break it.  Hopefully. :-)

So, today I'm blogging. But, I procrastinated first. I've cleaned off two shelves, dusted them and the stuff on them, packed a box of stuff to go to a ladies shelter goodwill type store, played with the dogs, and now I'm thinking about food.

What do you do when you've been on the puter too long? 

It's only 8:45 a.m. and I can tell it's going to be one of those days.  And  I'm cool with that. Normally, I wouldn't be though. I'm taking my own advice and choosing to be flexible and deal with the issues and move forward. 

For example, I need to be editing right now. But to do that, I need to focus. But, the dogs have different ideas today. Normally, they take a morning nap about now  but not today. In fact, it's taken me 20 minutes to write this much. I've had to get up, let them out, let them in, let them out, and now they are all by in. 

Also, my internet is seriously slow right now. That's thanks to my son who is hogging all the bandwidth. That will change soon. I've got a better router/modem thing and just need to get it connected.

So here's today's take away.

We have the choice as to how we look at things. We can look at Monday as just another day, as the start to another week, but also as another opportunity. And there are so many opportunities out there is we'd just see them.

So, take a few minutes and ponder all the things you'd love to accomplish. Write them down. And then look for opportunities to make them happen.

You'll be glad you did.

At our house, Sunday is a day of church and rest.

And planning for the coming week. Which is going to be busy. I've got dog class on Monday, my youngest daughter has an art meeting of some sort Tuesday, I have a Bible class on Wednesday, Thursday I'm hoping to  go write away from home without distractions, and Friday is still open.  Naturally, I'll be writing and editing every day at home, working on my goals, training my dog, and dealing with the normal day to day things that come along.

Do you have a day of rest? And what's in store for this week?

No procrastinating today...getting a post up before noon. :-)

In our part of the world it's Saturday morning. It's also a Saturday morning that my daughter doesn't work.  She has to work half a day every other Saturday...it's odd but gets her four hours of overtime.  

Anyone whose been around this blog long enough knows we have critters and that they are spoiled. For example, Bodhi had cookies and milk with me last night before bed. I don't normally have cookies or milk but hubby always has milk before bed and shares with all three dogs.

I don't even remember how it started, probably Beth shared her breakfast toast one morning and it sorta turned into ritual. Now, when she is home, it's Toast Saturday for the dogs. And Mocha knows it too. She will wait not so patiently for her toast. It's really sort of funny.

A friend says that animals come into our lives to make them better. She is so right. I can't imagine not having animals in my life. Yes, sometimes they are a total pain and inconvenience but the love they give in return.

Tell me about your special pet and how you spoil them.

It's time to celebrate all our wins this week.  Big ones and the little ones.

Here goes...

I'm blogged every day this year. :-) I think 11 days in a row is the best I've done in several years. Yes, I've been late posting a time or two but I did post...and that's what counts.

I also have a 190 day streak on Duolingo. I'm working on my Spanish and I'm really enjoying it. Hablo un poco. 

I've plotted the second book in a mid-grade chapter book series. I'm heading to the library tomorrow to write and I"m really looking forward to it.

Also, I'm over this sinus/virus/cold combo thing for the most part. I still have a slight cough but it's a lot better than it was this time last week. 

How was your week?

There are quite a few things we should stop doing but learning is not one of them. We need to always be learning. I mean, it's not like we know it all.

Don't have time or money for formal, college or university education? I hear you. I'd love to do the 'school' thing but just can't. 

So, what are we to do?

​Have you seen Udemy? This place is great! They have classes on just about everything. And the prices are seriously reasonable. They often have sales so if a class is more than you want to pay now, my daughter says to put it in your cart and wait a bit for the next sale.  I just checked, and they are at the end of a sale...courses are only $9.99...for 12  more hours.

My daughter has taken quite a few social media courses. I've gotten several writing classes. But the subjects they have available is almost limitless.  From dog and cat training, to drawing, to cooking, photography, personal development, health, fitness, productivity...  The list goes on.  

Sigh, I just found a class I'd like to take...and it's on sale. 

​

Well, I'm here but it's late. Only an hour and 6 minutes left in the day and I"m just now getting to a blog post. I've thought of it several times today but I just put it off.  At one time, I had a t-shirt with "I put the pro in procrastination." And sometimes that's very true. Today was one of those days. 

Now, I was busy. I had a class this morning that took until noon, then a couple errands to run.  I had to pick up daughter from work cause hubby was going to be late, they work at same place so commute together. Then it was time for church, a late dinner, walking the dog, and here I am. 

I had another topic planned for today but I thought I'd talk about procrastination since that what I'm so good at.  

So, just what is procrastination? One definition I read say procrastination is a voluntary delay of something we could do but choose not too. An intentional delay of something that's in our best interest to do.

Blogging today totally fits that definition.

Procrastination is one of the things I'm working on this year. I have a feeling it's going to be a long process. :-)

What about you? Procrastinate much? 

Oh...since I haven't mentioned it in a couple days...be sure to sign up for my rare but awesome newsletter. I'm going to be sending out a free Valentine short story to everyone next month. You don't want to miss it. :-)

Well, I'm running behind this morning but here's a few fun facts to brighten your day.

Did you know that your tongue print is unique just like your finger prints?

A sneeze travels at over 100 mph. Seriously?

Babe Ruth wore a cabbage leaf under his hat to keep his head cool and changed it every two innings.

Those divots on a golf ball are called dimples and there are 336 of them.

A jiffy is an actual unit of time...1/100th of a second. Wow...

Dogs and cats are left or right pawed. 

A pregnant goldfish is called a twit. 

The dot that goes over the letter i is a tittle.

A dime has 118 ridges around the edge.

Moe, Curly, and Shemp were actually brothers.

In Kansas it is illegal to catch fish with your bare hands.

​

I don't remember exactly why this came to mind yesterday but it did so here we go.

Do you know anyone who is always negative. No matter what happens, even good stuff, they can find a negative about it and that's what they focus on. Or what about a person that is always positive? No matter what happens, even something bad, they can find a positive aspect and focus on that. 

But what about you? What is your attitude? And I think this is sorta where I'm going...

  Our attitude determines so much of our lives. It determines how we feel, who we associate with, what we do, where we go, and even where we end up.

I mean, think about it. I I'm negative all the time, who is going to want to hang out and be friends? Only another negative person...and they just want to tell me how much worse they have it than I.

If I'm looking on the negative side of a situation, then I'm probably a bit depressed. And being depressed, I don't feel that great, so I'll stay home in my jammies and feel sorry for myself, which makes me feel worse.

And feeling worse, I'll have a pity party which no one will want to attend so I end up isolated and alone. I won't chase dreams, I won't go on outings and have adventures. I won't socialize with positive people and have fun. I won't look for solutions 'cause, what's the use.

But the opposite is true also. I can choose to look for the good. In situations, in people, in my daily chores. I can look for and find solutions. I'll chase dreams and achieve them. I'll have friends and enjoy time with them. I'll get out, go on adventures...even it it's just a trip to Walmart. :-)

Our attitude is our choice. How's that for a truth-bomb? We are the ones who determine how we look at things. 

Oh...now I remember! Last year I did the keto thing for a while but during the holidays I got off and ate all those holiday foods that don't come around often. But, on the first, I jumped back on the keto wagon with both feet. (I need to do low carb 'cause of blood sugar issues.) Well, because I've been so good with it, no cheating, no foods that I shouldn't have, I should have been in ketosis on Thursday, Friday for sure. But I wasn't. So, in trying to figure out why, I discovered that one of the foods I believed was appropriate for the keto way of eating...I mean, it is even called keto-friendly, actually isn't for some people. Apparently, I'm one of those people. Not only was I annoyed, but I was a bit discouraged. And, I let my attitude get out of hand and felt sorry for myself. Which led to snickers, double stuff oreos, french fries, and m&ms. 

Instead of continuing to move forward, I've now taken several steps back and have to start over again. Which I'm doing today. I'll be more aware and diligent. I'm a bit annoyed with myself but I'm letting it go, looking at the positive, and moving forward.

So...remember, your attitude is your choice. When you slip up, forgive yourself and move on. It's okay. Choose to be happy, and positive, and joyful, and thankful. You'll soar a lot higher and farther. And it'll be lots more fun. :-)