New Day Every Day

The trees rustle in the wind, while the clocks gently tick tock the seconds away. In the corner, my three beasts are gently snoring and dreaming of milk bones and finally catching that mean mailman. Throughout the house, no noise comes from any rooms, except the occasional gently stirrings of those in deep slumber.

But I sit at my wooden table, calming tea and gardenia candle to my right, faithful puppy sidekick to my left, and let my surroundings bring me the peace I have been looking for throughout this week.

If you have children or are about to have a child, you know the importance of these quiet moments, usually in the wee morning or the late hours to reflect and catch your breath. For me, the early morning, when my thoughts race and the lists begin to form, it is the best time to appreciate Mother Earth.

Opening the shutters and letting in the gentle light of the sunrise brings me a joy I thought I once lost. Today, I opened a shutter to discover a rose bush my Mother planted for her Stella. She said that one day, Stella will take care of the beautiful roses and think of her Lita, knowing just how much she was loved and adored.

For my little girl, I will plant gardenias by the front door, so that each time she returns home, the familiar scent will fill her soul and remind her of love. Those few precious moments when our senses bring us happiness and love, those are the best feelings that briefly flutter in and out of our lives.

I guess what I am trying to say is, today, at the beginning of Lent, take the time to stop and smell the roses (or gardenias). Take a moment to relish at the beauty that surrounds you (even if it’s snow for our friends up north) and let it wrap your senses in love.

Six Places to Spring Clean Other Than the Basics

Spring brings a time of rebirth and fresh beginnings. For many, it also brings a time of making sure that the air conditioner filters are cleaned, the garage floor is seen again, and the coils behind the fridge aren’t dusty. However, the traditional spring-cleaning list should not be just certain hotspots. Life gets TOO crowded TOO quickly for us not to be cleaning other areas as well.

Check out some of the spots that could use some major loving and see just how much you become organized in your day-to-day adventures. Happy Cleaning!

1)   The Purse:

Try something new and DUMP IT ALL OUT. Use mesh bag or sandwich bags to keep receipts or small items. Each Sunday, check through your receipts. Do you need them? Might they serve a purpose later on? If they are for an important purchase, scan those babies into your hard drive and recycle the original.

2)   Email Inbox:

Many times we take FOREVER to find that email we needed. When did it become SO crowded with junk mail and advertisements? Create an email (using a different server like yahoo, aol, etc) that is JUST for advertisements, coupons, logins, email offers and other things of that nature. Use your actual day-to-day email for ONLY correspondence. Novelty idea huh?

3)   Nightstand:

Just how much junk is actually in there? IKEA bins and those tray organizers from the Dollar Store are quite handy. Use one small bin for meds or creams that you use nightly. Take a small bin for pens or notepads for midnight thoughts or do to lists. Try to keep that area clutter free. My best advice is to have a wicker (or any other type) of basket beside the bed. I dump all the things in there that need to make its way back to its ‘home’ and come Sunday night, the basket is emptied and neatness is restored. You’ll be surprised at what you find in there!

4)   Medicine Cabinet:

Have you check the expiration dates on the items in there? Did you know makeup products go bad? Yup. After a certain point, they no longer have the effectiveness of the product. Look through the cabinet. If you haven’t used it in over 2 years, toss it! I started to place the half unused items on my counter and made it my promise to use them before I go out and buy more!

5)   Trunk: 

I’m not talking about the caboose, but the literal trunk of your car. Do we REALLY need four sweaters back there and the six pairs of flip flops? You know who you are, South Florida girls! Make a beach bag full of the essentials (or if you’re up north, an essential overnight bag). After that, a basic toiletry bag comes in handy. Heck, you never know what you’ll get into and having that body splash, tweezers and q-tips might come in handy!

6)   Linen Closet: 

How many times have you found the fitted sheet but can’t find the other sheet and pillow cases to it? Take everything out of the linen closet and start fresh. Laundry ALL the sheets and fold everything. Place the fitted and flat sheets in one of the corresponding pillowcases and viola! You’ll always have a set together. Take inventory of towels that no longer are looking their best, cut them down and use them as rags around the house or garage. Group items like sprays, toilet paper or other bathroom stuff in baskets for easy access. I like using the Rubbermaid 3 drawers for things like medical aids, nails stuff, travel size items, etc. Use that label maker and never waste time (or money) again by buying things you already have at home!

 

What other areas do you think need to be cleaned out AT LEAST once a year to keep your sanity and your life organized?