Home Sanctuary

Refresh

Rachel Anne — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:29:27 -0700

I always love invitations that include the words "Refreshments will be served" at the end. When I'm reading a church bulletin and see that phrase, I know I want to attend whatever event is having those "refreshments."

Refreshments are little nibblets of sustenance: snacks and drinks provided to give the partakers just enough strength to endure the second half of an endless performance, or the stamina to make it to a restaurant for real food. Often, it is a token of appreciation, or a nicety provided by a host. Refreshments are served to revive conversation, lift the spirits and brighten any occasion. Cookies and punch are always good choices.

Refreshment (with no "s" at the end) is another form of the word that I love. You can have spiritual refreshment: something that revives and invigorates your spirit. And you can have physical refreshment: a nap, a day at the beach, a good meal, a cool shower. Let's not forget mental and emotional refreshment: conversation with a friend, a walk in the park, reading a book, planting flowers.

Refreshment breathes new life into you. When you are weary, lack focus and creativity, pausing for refreshment (or refreshmentS) is the perfect way to find the strength to continue. It revives you.

Today's Small Thing is to pause for refreshment. You may take all weekend to find a way to complete this task. But think of something that will renew your strength, boost your spirits and bring new life into what you are doing. You might be surprised what a tall glass of lemonade and a snicker doodle can do for the weary soul! It needn't be elaborate, but it should be deliberate.

POINTS: 40 for enjoying refreshment...or refreshments.

Don't forget about Company Girl Coffee...see the next post below!

Coffee Time 7.10

Rachel Anne — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:59:23 -0700

Hey Girls!

I hope you've all had a great week! We are trying to wrap up our big art project in the next few days, so it has been a bit crazy. There is always a point at which I HATE what I'm doing, and then it seems to get better after that....and we passed that mark several days ago. We are feeling pretty good about it, but there is still a long way to go.

Here is a photo from early on, when we were still matching the venetian plaster to the wall color. My Color Master husband doggedly worked at it for days until he got it perfect. BTW I would love to photoshop my arm out of this photo...it looks like a gigantic old lady arm...and now I know the sad truth that I need to start working out again. Pictures don't lie. (cry)

Please feel free to link up for coffee this morning! All you have to do is enter your name and blog address into the form...and then we will know how to find you! If you don't have a blog, you can leave a comment to let us know what is going on in your life. I'm still struggling to make it all the way around to visit everyone, but I'm working on it!

I'm late in getting Today's Small Thing posted...but don't worry! You'll have ALL WEEKEND to get it done! Be sure to check back in a little later this morning to find out what it is.

Your Replacement is Here

Rachel Anne — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

A friend of mine recently had the awkward experience of starting a new job BEFORE the person he was replacing had been fired. He had to wait in an empty office while the predecessor was given the pink slip and escorted out. It was not a good way to begin.

Job replacements don't happen nearly often enough at the Ridge Household & Co. For example, I tend to wait until an employed light bulb has far exceeded his wattage and become burned out in his position for a long time, before I think about hiring a bright new recruit.

The plug-in air fresheners become obsolete dinosaurs before I consider finding a fresh employee that will gel nicely with the work environment.

Guest towels usually become embroiled in sordid affairs before I am willing to wipe my hands clean of them. I should, at the first hint of scandalous dirt, seek replacements with spotless records.

But I'm busy. I'm distracted. I'm too lazy to dig through drawers of applications to find the perfect replacements. It seems I promote these guys to their level of incompetence and then leave them there, while I wonder why we've lost our cutting edge.

Today's Small Thing is to fire those employees who have outlasted their usefulness, cleanliness or stylishness. Do some recruiting and replace them with applicants who are bright, competent, clean and willing to work hard in your environment. Burned out light bulbs, air-fresheners, towels...these guys are just the tip of the corporate iceberg. How about place mats, sheets, and table cloths? A dusty old flower arrangement that you know is hideous. Windshield wiper blades that scrape. Filters, batteries, motor oil. A dingy bra that ain't holding anything up. Really now.

Use your managerial skills to get rid of the dead weight personnel, and find replacements that will increase efficiency, solidify your branding as a leader, and generally give your organization the boost it needs.

POINTS: 10 for each replacement, NO LIMIT.

The Hat Babies Fly!

Rachel Anne — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

Last Sunday, the babies in the breezeway Hat Nest launched out on their own. They'd only just hatched, it seemed, and yet there they were, perched on the edge of the brim and summoning their courage for that first leap.

Silly, endearing little creatures! Their unruly down still floated about their heads like crazy hairdo's, and their tails were mere nubs! They peeped and flapped and then...with the chirps from their mama to give them confidence, they careened to the ground.

Meghan and Grayson were entranced by the babies' first futile attempts to defy gravity. Mama guided them through the rose bushes and salvias, to the holly trees by the side of the house. She flitted and squawked, circled around, zoomed past and landed just beyond their reach. Each time, the fuzzy chicks would peep in response and try to follow her.

Hours later, they were still at it. Finally, from a branch, Hat Mama encouraged them up the trunk of a tree and into the protection of some leaves. She was relentless, tireless and oh, so proud. She'd cajoled, threatened, praised and prodded those little guys into independence in one long day.

Today's Small Thing is to follow Mrs. Hat Bird's example by encouraging independence in your children. Are you teaching them to brush their teeth, put away their clothes or make their beds? Are they learning to put one toy away before taking out another? Maybe, like me, you are cajoling, threatening and prodding your teenager to do his own laundry and put his dishes in the dishwasher.

Instead of caving in to the easy route and doing it for them, stick to your guns and do some sweet chirping of your own to help them fly on their own wings. Oh, their attempts won't be perfect, and they won't learn it in one day, but perhaps today they'll flap and hop and flit for a short distance toward independence.

POINTS: 40 for working on helping your child learn to do things on his/her own.

Say, did you notice that the Song of the Day doesn't start playing automatically anymore? Not to worry! Just click on the "play" symbol and enjoy the daily selection whenever you want to!

Thanks to DTV, My Counters are Much Cleaner

Rachel Anne — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

I'm embarrassed to say that we have four televisions.

One of them is my little kitchen countertop buddy that keeps me company whilst I slave over the hot stove and endless dishes that arise thereafter.

We were among the 2.8 million people who were unprepared for the digital age until the very. last. minute. when we broke down and bought a converter unit for the "big" TV - the 21 inch beauty in the living room. We were too cheap to purchase any more, and thus, the remaining three TV's have been silenced.

Including my buddy in the kitchen.

I thought I would miss his little face, his cute little antennae ears, and the poor sound quality that came from his "stereo" speakers. I thought I'd miss the dear old mug of Charlie Gibson as I cooked my one-skillet wonders. What?? No Good Morning America? I was sure I would die without the latest news and information it offered.

But Digital TV, combined with my very cheapness, has cured me of my sad need for the company of commercials and entertainment. And last night, I removed my buddy completely...like a reformed junkie on a mission to get rid of the crack, I dumped him out with the trash.

And what I found behind the TV was an embarrassment. Dust, goo, moth wings, crumbs. Good grief! It's really a good thing I keep everything ELSE so clean (cough).

Once I utilized some paper towels and spray cleaner, I was aghast at the state of the counters under the neighboring toaster and coffee maker! Apparently it's been awhile since I did a thorough job.

Before and After (Dontcha love my faux wood counters??)

Today's Small Thing is to wipe down your kitchen counters, paying attention to the areas underneath and behind the canisters, small appliances and cookie jars. It really only takes an extra minute, but it's so satisfying to feel like a Clean Freak for once.

Enjoy it. You earned it, Mrs. Clean.

POINTS: 40
BONUS POINTS: 30 for freakin out on one other surface - you choose (counter, table, etc.)

Fit.....or Pphhhht?

Rachel Anne — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

I was on a pretty good roll, there, with the walking routine.

And then it got hot.

Being an exercise wimp, I immediately found reasons not to continue.

"I've walked around the house enough today."

"I won't have time to wash my hair tomorrow morning, so I don't want to sweat tonight."

"The mosquitoes will eat me alive."

"My walking buddy is out of town and I'd hate to get ahead of her, fitness-wise." (OK, that will NEVER happen because I've discovered that she RUNS in the morning and then walks with me in the evening.)

But the sluggish feeling I have from being out of shape does my family no good, especially when they are depending on me to be a family leader and partial bread-winner. And although the kids are now big enough for me to call out directions for sustenance and wisdom from the couch, (where I lay in my lethargic stupor,) it's not a very good way to run a household, you know, long-term.

Today's Small Thing is to exercise for 5 little minutes. You may already have an exercise routine in place, in which case you will find this to be ridiculously easy. For the rest of us, who have realized that this ain't gonna be the year we finally look good in a swim suit and who need the external motivation of POINTS, this is a great opportunity to do what we know we SHOULD do...get moving.

Do you need help figuring out what to do for 5 minutes? Geralyn Coopersmith, my favorite fitness expert has some 5 minute routines that make you feel pretty darn good about exercising! One of the things I like best about Geralyn is that she breaks it down for us newbies and wannabe's without making us feel like failures. She's got a great fitness blog, which I just started subscribing to, to help keep us motivated.

You could also turn up my playlist and dance around the house for 5 minutes and call it done. Easy AND fun!

July's Prizes

Rachel Anne — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:42:00 -0700

I'm very excited about this month's prizes because I really want them for myself, and that's always a good sign when you are giving gifts.

If you want to participate for the prizes, it's really simple. Just download a Tally Sheet Download Tally0907 and collect the points for the daily Small Things you do. At the end of the month, I will ask you to send me your totals, and voila! (Anyone who participates at least ONCE will be eligible for the Random Drawing, below.)

For the Most Points Winner, the prize is the Best Me Ever fitness package, by Geralyn Coopersmith.

Here's what she says about her system:

It's a simple solution to a complicated problem -- how to get into great shape (and stay that way) without starving yourself or spending hours in the gym.

The Best Me Ever isn't just a workout program -- or a diet. It's a complete system that gives you all of the tools you need to lose weight, sculpt lean, sexy muscles -- and get in the best shape of your life!

It comes with:

A COMPLETE WORKOUT PROGRAM - 4 complete total body workouts on 2 DVDs. 3 of the workouts are designed to use the science of interval and circuit training to get you in shape -- FAST! Best of all, they'll fit into your busy schedule, because they're broken into 5 minute segments. Do as little or as much as you choose -- and get the benefits of fat-burning cardio and targeted toning.

A FAST AND EASY FAT-LOSS DIET - Featuring a take it with you diet and healthy eating guide. This is a weight loss program designed for the real world, featuring 3 different meal plans (1200, 1400 and 1600 calorie options) each with a full week of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Plus weight loss strategies and secrets designed to ensure your success!

A MOTIVATIONAL SYSTEM TO HELP CHANGE YOUR PSYCHOLOGY - Because changing the way that you think is a HUGE part of getting in shape, I've developed two audio CDs:

A Motivational CD. Play it in the car, on your iPod -- anytime you need a friendly "kick in the pants" to get back on track

A Relaxation CD. This is designed to help you gain and maintain clarity, mental focus and a sense of well being, by teaching you standard relaxation techniques. Play it in the morning to start your day off right -- or use it at night to help you unwind after a hectic day.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY - The Best Me Ever includes all of the equipment that you need, right in the package. There's no running to the store to buy weights or concerns about where to store big, bulky equipment. The entire program requires just a resistance band and tube, which are included in the package. Best of all they are lightweight and portable, so you can store them virtually anywhere -- and take them with you when you travel.

A BONUS TROUBLE ZONE TONING WORKOUT - Designed to workout on those "hard to tone" places women worry about most. This 20-minute program sculpts sexy and shapely hips, buns, thighs and abs.

* I have not viewed the Relaxation CD, but I have viewed Geralyn's clip about meditation. I think that, from a Christian viewpoint, there are some things that you can take from it (i.e. meditating on scripture or prayer), and maybe some things you can take a "pass" on. The concept of de-stressing from the standpoint of health should be well-taken.

This is an awesome package, a huge value, and might be JUST THE TICKET you need to get you on the road to fitness!

Now, the Random Drawing Winner will receive:

In Living Simply, by Joanne Heim helps you enjoy true abundance by choosing less in this world or more, focusing on one thing at a time, and finding ways to pull your family together, rather than apart. I like that message, and I know you'll enjoy this book as much as I am (I HAD to get a copy for myself.)

Make this the month you really jump in with the Small Things! Both prizes are great, but even more exciting is seeing the big changes that happen with each small step!

Sick Humor

Rachel Anne — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

Since this is a holiday weekend, I thought this post from last summer might be particularly helpful.

You know how sometimes you see something that you know you shouldn't laugh about, and as much as you try not to, you just can't help it?

Well, the other day my man and I were driving on our country road up to town, when we rounded a corner and saw the corpses of at least eight squirrels--all laying within a few feet of each other! One after the other, there they were. All sprawled out in various stages of impact...some were pretty obliterated while others looked fairly intact. As we passed by, I couldn't tear my eyes away from one of the squirrels who was laying flat on his back, arms and legs outstretched (obviously dead) as if his last words were, "Jesus, take me home!"

We looked at each other, then back at the massive roadkill, then at each other, and then my man said,

"What's with the squirrel carnage???"

We busted out laughing. The CARNAGE! Oh, Lordy, it was sick to laugh at such tragedy but even now, I keep picturing that last little guy with his portly stomach, belly-up to heaven like maybe he saw the massacre and just couldn't take living any more.

What was it, a mass squirrel suicide? What could possibly be so awful in their nutty lives that a whole group of them would commit the ultimate act of despair?

Or maybe it was a case of incredibly poor judgment.

"OK, coast is clear, everybody cross NOW!" Oops.

(wiping tears) I'm so sorry, girls. I know it's horribly inappropriate, but it was just one of those moments that you wished you didn't find funny.

Because it's not funny.

Because it's sad. Yes, it's sad, that's what it is. Sad.

If only we could have set up a mobile triage unit, we might have been able to save one or two of them.

Speaking of triage, hey, what do you have for First Aid supplies? Fema encourages us to have a first aid kit at home AND in each car. (Now wouldn't that have been handy?) A quick look tells me I've got enough band-aids and such stashed in different places all over the house. But it's not necessarily readily available.

As far as having kits in the cars, we do pretty well when we go on road trips, but never think of it in the day-to-day travels. Even a ziplock with a few items in the glovebox would be a good idea.

Today's Small Thing is to assess your First Aid Supplies. Look at the list in the link and then add what you're missing to your next shopping list. There's never a fun time to buy anti-diarrhea medication, but it's even less fun to have to run to buy it when you are desperate.

You can get pre-made first aid kits here, and most drug stores.

POINTS: 40 for assessing your triage unit and putting what you need on your shopping list. So EASY!

Company Girl Coffee 7.3

Rachel Anne — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:40:00 -0700

I've spent most of the week preparing for the Big Job at the "W" in Downtown Dallas. Researching Latin phrases and "well-lived life" words from around the world will make your rear end go numb, let me tell you. It was waaay harder than I thought it would be. The hardest part of all has been matching the venetian plaster to the wall color, something that is very important to our client. This is the (gorgeous) wall color:

Sherwin Williams Black Bean 6006

But we are making progress, and the piece will start to get installed next week.

We've had a TON of new girls join in recently, and I'd love to see you all link up for a virtual cup of coffee! It is a great way to meet other bloggers, find out what is happening in each other's lives, and simply have fun.

Bite This, Dust

Rachel Anne — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:45:00 -0700

Please excuse this song by Queen, but I couldn't resist it for today's post....

Living in Texas has definite advantages. Warm weather, hot weather, the blazing sun and the heat being just four of them. We also have gargantuan insects and poisonous snakes, but that doesn't really bother you after awhile. And did I mention that it's very windy here?

Oh, how the wind blows....and with it comes a layer of dust that appears magically and settles on everything in sight. I swear, I dust the furniture and by the time I finish the house it's time to start all over.

Being kind of a "low energy" person, I admit to accepting dust as a way of life. Not accepting dustING, just the dust. I'm the type of person who embraces that old poem about letting the dust bunnies wait because I have more important things to do.

It speaks to my soul on so many levels.

Today's Small Thing is to deal with the dust in ONE room. I've picked my bedroom because I can't remember the last time I dusted in there, but you can choose any room you like.

POINTS: 40 for dusting the furniture in one room.

Now, if you insist on continuing to dust in another room, let ME insist on giving you an extra 20 points. It's the least I can do.

What's your dusting method? Feather duster? Pledge and a cloth? Blow the dust off? Ignore it?