31 Days to Clean Challenge Days 13-14

Posted on June 5, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

Well it’s been a while, but I’m back! Life has been a bit hectic lately!

Days 13 and 14 were about Fighting Fatigue & The Secret To Having Energy

I think we all have those days when we wake up tired (like, almost every day!). Making sure we get enough sleep is important for our health as well as for productivity, but if you are starting the day already feel like going back to bed, here are a few suggestions (from the 31 Days book but with additions from me).
First, start your day with prayer. It will set the tone for the entire day.
Next, Get Moving. Lounging around because you are tired will only make you more tired (something my mom used to tell me a lot). It’s true! Get up, exercise, play with the kids, go for a brisk walk outside, do something that gets you moving. It’ll wake up your brain and your body at the same time. Another thing that helps, as I’ve written about before in my post Embracing Your Beauty is to get dressed in clothes that make you feel good, fix your hair, put on some makeup or do something to make yourself feel pretty. It is amazing the effect that will have on your mental state. You will feel energized and ready to tackle the day. And it doesn’t have to take very long either.
Only Get The Sleep You Need
Too much sleep can leave you feeling sluggish instead of rested. Maybe try experimenting with your sleep patterns. Write down when you feel most rested.
Increase Your Magnesium
Studies have shown that magnesium deficiencies can cause you to have higher heart rates and to need more oxygen, in essence, it makes your body work harder which can leave you feeling depleted. The recommended daily intake of magnesium for women is 300 milligrams.
Have A Snack!
Having a handful of pumpkin seeds, almonds or other nuts can give you a boost of energy. One of my favorite snacks is almonds and raisins with a glass of milk. It is best to soak your nuts, grains and some seeds before eating, but that is for another post.

What is Day 14’s Secret To Having Energy?

Allow yourself to do something you feel jazzed about.
Simple, right? Think of something you really love to do, that makes you come alive, and make some time to do it! For me that could be something like going for a walk in the woods behind our property, getting out my camera, doing a DIY project for the house, horseback riding, or just dancing around the house to some good music. Sometimes these things can be combined with things you need to do around the house anyway (except for riding horses maybe ;)) so it can be a win win! If you make time for something that is fun to you, it will give you energy and keep you feeling motivated and alive.
The Martha challenges for these two days were to clean the carpets and wood/tile/linoleum floors, and clean your bedding and flip your mattress.

I hope you find these suggestions encouraging and inspiring!

31 Days To Clean Challenge Days 11&12

Posted on May 3, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

Sorry I missed yesterday! I was busy putting Josh’s office back together after taking it apart to paint, and cutting out sod in front of our house to make a flower bed 🙂
Day 11 was about Limitations.
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

Life is hard, and sometimes it gets in the way of our plans. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made plans for little projects around the house and been excited to start them the next day, only to have Josh apologizing and asking if I could help him at work that day instead. (He’s a sweetheart… He always feels bad taking me away from my work to help him with his, but I love working with him!)
Sometimes things happen that get in the way of our plans and mess up our whole day, but instead of stressing about what you can’t change, pray about it and let it go. The world won’t end if you don’t get it done that day. 31 Days To Clean suggests that if you are feeling overwhelmed and life is getting in the way of your good intentions, just do one thing that brings life to your home. Vacuum, or put flowers on the table, de-clutter the living room, wash a few windows, or even just make the beds! Just something that makes you feel good and like you accomplished something. Recognize life’s limitations and don’t kill yourself with stress.

Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?

Matthew 6:26, 27

Day 12 was about Imperfection
Nobody is perfect. Even your perfect friend that has the perfect life isn’t actually perfect. I have one of those friends, and she would laugh if I told her how perfect her life is. 😉 We’re not perfect, and that’s ok! God doesn’t expect perfection, He just expects us to do our best.
Here’s and excerpt from 31 Days To Clean:

And now I must go get busy 😉 Today things are going to plan so far. Thank you Lord! 🙂 I’m planning to make the pillows for our couch today! I’ll share pictures later. 🙂

31 Days To Clean Challenge Day 10

Posted on May 1, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

Day 10 was about feeling overwhelmed.
Do you ever feel overwhelmed? You see the stacks of laundry, piles of dishes, dusty furniture, messy rooms, dirty bathrooms, and you don’t know where to start? 31 Days To Clean has a bunch of suggestions to help. Here’s a few with some additions from me 😉

The secret of getting ahead is getting started.

~Sally Berger

1. Pray.
Ask God to help you tackle the mess with diligence and a joyful heart.

2. When the house is a mess, only work on one room at a time.
This is SUCH good advice! I always end up going from room to room, and although I’m making progress, you can’t really see it. It’s like chipping away at three mountains at once, if you did the same amount of chipping at just one mountain you’d get a lot farther. It will feel good to get one room finished and then move on to the next one.

3. Be Generous To Your Trash Can
Throw things out! If you don’t need it, get rid of it! The less clutter you have, the less messy it can get.

4. Just Get Moving
Don’t sit around thinking about how overwhelmed you are, get up and get started and you’ll start to feel better.

5. Envision The Big Picture
Think about what you want your home to be like, and keep you eye on that goal. It gives you something to work towards. But also don’t forget to keep the goal realistic and within budget or you’ll only feel worse because it will be impossible to reach.

6. Get Something New That Makes You Smile
Think about your vision for the house, and then make or buy something that matches that vision and makes you smile.

The Mary challenge for this day was to sit quietly for just a few minutes with a candle and enjoy a moment of peace while you think about what your vision is for the house. Write that vision down and then go work towards it!
My vision for our home is for it to be warm, inviting, comfortable, and happy. Working towards that yesterday I cleaned the couches (I’m in a constant battle with cat hair!!), put on a pot of orange peels and nutmeg to make the house smell good, and made a pitcher of strawberry & citrus tea. I spent most of the day painting again yesterday. That is almost done and I am happy with how it is turning out 🙂

31 Days To Clean Challenge Day 9

Posted on April 30, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

Day 9 was about Laziness.

I used to be a very busy person. I had 5 cows to milk, horses to feed, calves to tend, chickens to care for, meals to cook, laundry to wash, and schoolwork to do. Then I got married. We moved into a small apartment with no yard. I would do nothing all day, and then an hour before Josh was coming home I could sweep the floors, make the bed, clean up the bathroom, and have dinner ready by the time he walked in. Eventually Josh suggested I start a small business which I could run from home, which is how Mountain Creek Soaps, Candles & Gifts got started. But the first couple of years of our marriage formed a habit of laziness I had never really dealt with before. Let me tell you if you don’t already know, laziness is a hard habit to break! So this subject was relevant for me.
The Bible has things to say about laziness. This verse has convicted me many times because my desire is to be the kind of woman described in Proverbs 31:
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27
Ladies, laziness is a sin, and in God’s eyes all sins are equal. We get upset about what we see as bigger sins, like murder, stealing, lying, adultery, but laziness? It’s not such a big deal right?
Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy one to those who send him.
Proverbs 10:26 NASB

The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway.
Proverbs 15:19 NASB

Laziness casts into a deep sleep, And an idle man will suffer hunger.
Proverbs 19:15 NASB

She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
Proverbs 31:13-18 NASB

I think it’s a bigger deal than we think it is, and it’s certainly not what a godly woman looks like. From now on, whenever I feel lazy, or want to put something off, or feel like scrolling Facebook instead of doing dishes, I am going to pray, take those lazy thoughts captive, ask the Lord for diligence and strength, and not give in. Will you join me?

We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:5, 6

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13

31 Days To Clean Challenge Days 7 & 8

Posted on April 29, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

The Curse and How To Deal With It

Days 7 & 8 focused on why our houses are continually getting messy and dirty and disorganized. Have you ever thought about that? Some days I feel like I’ve washed dishes ALL DAY. And I sweep and vacuum and dust and wipe, and the next time I turn around there’s more dust and cat hair and dirt and I have to do it over again. I organize a cabinet and a few weeks later it’s a mess again. And don’t get me started on the laundry!! Do you ever feel like it’s useless? You just keep doing the same things over and over and when you finish, you have to do it again. Ever wonder why that is? As the 31 Days To Clean book says, it’s The Curse. (Thanks Adam & Eve!)

“Then to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat from it’; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life. “Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you will eat the plants of the field; By the sweat of your face You will eat bread, Till you return to the ground, Because from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19 NASB)

At that moment, our world went from a perfect sinless place with no death or anything unpleasant, to being in a constant state of decay and death. That is the result of sin. Here is an excerpt from 31 Days To Clean.

So, what can we do?

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 NASB)

Our work has eternal significance. We have been given this work to do by God and we have the ability and the authority to overcome. Our endurance will make us stronger, bless our families, and bring glory to God. We can choose to complain about the constant stacks of dirty laundry and sinks full of dishes, or we can choose joy. Thank the Lord that you have clothes to wear and dishes to use, and family to use them. You are doing battle against the effects of sin as you scrub that toilet, and conquering your domain is what God has commanded you to do. These verses and commands are applicable to every part of our lives, but we usually don’t think about them pertaining to housework. So keep this in mind, and let it motivate and inspire you.

Here is my ~~Battle Plan~~ Six List for today 😉

I’m working on the painting now, just stopped for lunch and decided to do today’s blog post while I was at it 😉 Have a wonderful day!

31 Days to Clean Challenge Day 6

Posted on April 28, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

This day had a great tip for being organized but not feeling overwhelmed with all you have to do. It’s called the Six List. Think about the six most important things you have to do and then write them down in order of importance. Start from the top and cross them off as you accomplish them. You will feel good crossing things off and it will help you stay on task, which is something I struggle with. I’m always jumping from one thing to the other! My lists so far have been scribbled onto blank computer paper, so I didn’t take pictures 😉 I hope to get a pretty note pad to wrote them on soon because I love having pretty lists. 😉
The Martha challenge was to organize my cabinets, but so far they have stayed pretty organized since we moved in to our house. Instead I painted more trim. We are painting all the trim in our house from an ugly varnished wood to bright white. It’s amazing how much it brightens up the whole room!
Something exciting happened last Friday! Josh brought home an antique piano that a local church gave away!!! I had just been wishing we had one because I used to play and would like to get back to it. It’s old and well played but it sounds beautiful!

Prayer Request

Posted on April 25, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

My Aunt and Grandad, taken last week

My Grandad (my dad’s dad) is 89 years old and for the last few months his health has been really failing. My mom thinks a big part of the reason why is malnutrition from eating nothing but canned carrots and corn, canned Vienna sausages, microwaved corn flakes with water, sometimes a baloney sandwhich, instant iced tea and coffee. Nobody can figure out why he wants to just eat that!! My mom is making all of his meals now, and taking care of him. Up until the end of last year he was really doing great for his age, and had no problems taking care of himself. He lives next door to my parents so they could always keep an eye on him.
His blood tests just came back saying he is very anemic and has a high white blood cell count, so he is on an iron supplement now and going or more tests today to rule out internal bleeding and cancer.
Our whole family would appreciate if you would keep him in your prayers!

This is a recent family photo of Grandad with his son and daughter (my dad and Aunt) and most of his grand kids and great grandkids

31 Days To Clean Challenge Day 5

Posted on April 25, 2013 by diaryofahappyhousewife

First, I’m sorry I haven’t posted in so longI’ve been working with Josh a lot and had to catch up on housework on the in between days, and his birthday was last weekend 🙂
Day 5 was about Priorities. It is easy to say that God is first in our lives, but is He really? Am I spending time daily in His word? What does my prayer life look like?
Sometimes it’s good to think about what our priorities are and how we are doing and what needs improvement.
Here’s a list of my priorities.

1. Put God First.
I need to be more diligent in spending time in His word and talking with Him throughout the day. He is my source of strength, and I don’t tap in to that source as often as I could!

2. Loving and Serving My Husband.

He is first in my life after my relationship with the Lord. I need to make sure I don’t let other things get in the way of spending time with him, serving him, encouraging him, and being his best friend. I love him so much and pray that our relationship will continue to grow and our marriage will bring glory to God.
3. Our Home
Our home should be a place of peace and relaxation, and a tool for ministering to others. That is the purpose behind doing this 31 Days to Clean challenge. Home also includes keeping a budget while getting as many healthy foods as possible, growing what I can, making things from scratch if I can, and making the outside of our home as beautiful and inviting as the outside. It includes making a godly atmosphere in our home with scriptures and worshipful music.
4. Family
I want to make spending time with and encouraging our family members a priority. Have them to our home, write a letter, make a phone call.
5. Friends.
We are blessed with a few close friends. I want to be a blessing and encouragement to them.
6. Health
I need to continue to educate myself about health. Our desire is to have children which means overcoming some health issues. I feel that as the one in charge of food in our home, our health is largely my responsibility as well. These days it can be difficult to know what is healthy and what is not and it requires constant education.
7. My Business
I make and sell natural bath and body products. Something I struggle with is where do I fit it in around my other priorities? It has to come after my husband, our home, and our family and friends. At the same time I want to give it enough time to be able to do it well.

8. Continuing Education
I have a desire to continue my education in American History, herbs and natural remedies, health and beauty, gardening, photography and improving my handwriting.

9. Hobbies.
My current hobbies include some important things for our home like gardening and making home decor, but also less important things like photography, blogging, and sewing. Those are good things, I just need to make sure I don’t neglect more important things.

One thing that is NOT a priority that I need to get a handle on is iPhone usage! I spend too much time on Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, and sometimes this blog too. These aren’t bad things but again, I need to make sure they don’t get in the way of more important things.

The Martha challenge for this day was window cleaning, which I did. A side note: We’re getting new windows soon!! Yay! 🙂