The Cottage on the Hill

Three things: 1. I don't always like to follow workout videos.  Sometimes, I just like to dance like a fool alone in my basement. 2.  Upbeat music is a need, but the workout station I typed into Pandora only seems to play music about the guy singer trying to get laid, usually in some brutal, disrespectful, using, objectifying way to women.  Hey, guys!  God called you to PROTECT women, not abuse them! 3. I'm a multi-tasker.  I'm almost always doing at least two things at once. Therefore, working out to worship music seemed like a great idea....but it can be hard to find worship music that has a beat upbeat enough to get a good sweat going. Here's what I've found: http://www.klove.com/blog/scottandkelli/post/2012/01/10/The-Scott-and-Kelli-Workout-Mix.aspx I also find Kari Jobe's " Steady My Heart " a great warm-up or cool down song in both exercise and worshipping! And my children's favorite:  " Days of Elijah ."

Hubby and I are considering downsizing.  That's right!  Downsizing!  Now, for those who know that we live in an 880 square foot cottage with our 4 children and dog, you are probably scratching your heads.  For those who have read this blog long enough, you know I've talked about our little cottage bursting at the seams.  So, why downsize?  Isn't that the opposite of what I've wanted? We are considering (still just considering at this point) having an adventure this year in a 5th wheel travel trailer before we find our bigger place to settle into and call home!!  Even though it is just a consideration and we go back and forth between "this is a great idea" and "this is insane," I'm purging anyway.  So, even if we decide that it's insane and we stay put in Taigh Beag a little longer, I'll at least have less stuff to deal with!

A week late, I know, but I only have one resolution this year: I resolve to live more deliberately. That means that I take more notice and more focus on all aspects of my life.  It covers grounds such as: Taking time to read the Bible and pray. Can something be reused, refashioned, repurposed or recycled before throwing it away? What can my children learn from this? Do I really need to buy this? I can either sit here and surf the net or get up and wash the dishes and go to bed more fulfilled. What can I learn from this? Is this just me reacting wrongly or are my red flags/offenses taken justified? Taking every thought captive. What needs accomplishing today?  Right now?  Later?  Or not at all? How can I make good use of the time and resources I have at hand? I spent much of 2012 in "survival mode" as I dealt with a difficult pregnancy and an emotionally and mentally difficult post partum.  I'm ready for a change up!

I was dreading winter.  The spring and summer were just so beautiful and easy (no wrestling small children into coats, mittens and hats) that I didn't want to give them up.  Autumn stayed warm late, too.  But now that the snow has fallen, we're past the Solstice and the sun shines bright through my south and west windows, I am enjoying winter.  Even in the sub-zero cold, I bundled up and blissfully listened to the unique creaking of the snow beneath my feet....the sound that snow only makes when it is bitterly cold out.

All it took was $2.00 and a few minutes, but I finally did it!  I finally got rid of all those junky, flimsy dry cleaning and store stock hangers in hubby and I's closet.  They were replaced with uniform, plastic ones from Target. It's amazing how such a little thing can bring a sense of organization to a home....or at least a closet.  The tangle of twisted, wirey metal, sagging shirt shoulders and lack of uniformity was annoying and really did add to a sense of disorganization and messiness. Now, those old hangers will be recycled and I move on to the next organization project!