Just 30 Minutes

I've found myself getting frustrated lately ~

I look around at all there is to be done in our home, 

and I'm finding that there are no big blocks 
of time in which to do it all.

This is where the *old* idea of taking it in small 

doses comes in!

It really is brilliant.  
I'm enjoying crossing things off my list. 
Little by little...those *extra* things are getting done. 
The frustration is being replaced with a feeling of satisfaction.

Do you realise what can be accomplished in small chunks of time?

Added up, those small chunks become big.

I've allocated 30 minutes a day to the task of addressing

some of those larger projects that just never seem to get done.

Little by little.  Day after day.  Just 30 minutes!

Do-able?

I think so!

How do you tackle those

looming projects in your home?

Please share so we all can be inspired,

and be an encouragement to each other.

Let's tackle them together.

Ready?  Set.  GO!!  :)

Many Blessings,
Camille

**Images in this post are of small *projects*
that have been staring at me for awhile now ~
they're finally getting attention.  Yippee!! 

Going Digital

I've been living in the dark ages.

Technology and I have often been at odds.

The *old* ways are often the most comfortable.

And, so it is.

I got the biggest calendar I could get my hands on.

With the biggest squares.

It lived in my drawer.

It's how it's been for years.

Until recently.

I couldn't take it any more.

Too many things got moved, cancelled, rescheduled ~
A mess ensued.

In case you don't already know this about me ~
I like things to be orderly and neat.
Even my calendar.
And, it was anything but!

It was time for a change.

Welcome to my life Google Calendar!

I think I'm gonna *love* you!  :)

I think I can breathe.

Finally, I am up to date ~

At least in this area.

How about you?

Paper or digital?

Do tell.  :)

Blessings to you!
Camille

In the Midst of Mess

It takes messing things up to get things done.

Sometimes. And, this is one of those times.

Awhile back, I mentioned that we were

switching things up in our home.

We are still in the midst of it.

And, it isn't pretty.

Here are some *in progress* photos to prove it.

Out with the old...

In with the *new-to-us*...

How ARE we going to get this inside??

"It" was Howie's desk

and it was HEAVY and awkward ~

In the end it had to be taken apart.

This is the old office space ~

Howie somehow managed to work during the upheaval.

(No, it didn't always look like this!)

The corner of the old schoolroom...

...And the boys' room with school stuff piled high!

We have books under the beds in three bedrooms

and spilling out into the living room ~

we *love* books, and it's obvious!

I thought the title of the book

most prominent in this picture was appropriate ~ LOL!

But, we are thankful.

Thankful that we are able to rearrange and make

this home more serviceable for our family.

Thankful that we have a home to work on!

As the children grow, things change.

We must flex and change with them.

And it is good.

The next few weeks will be full of painting

and rearranging and preparing for the new school year.

I trust to be *back in the saddle*

in this space once school begins in earnest.

May all of you, kind friends,

enjoy the remaining days of Summer!

Many Blessings to you!

Camille

The Old Way

Sometimes the Old Way
really is the Best Way!

I thought I needed to revamp
my system.


Home responsibilities
for the children were divided up.
And matrixed.
And rotated.


But, I found it
was a little too
complicated for my liking.
I didn't have a good handle on
who was to do what and when.

I discovered that I liked the
old way of doing things better.
With adjustments.

Of course.

My old system was lacking
in some areas.
So, it's been overhauled.
And, re-instated.

Each child has a responsibility
or two (or three).
Always.
The same one
(or two or three).

They know what to do
and when to do it.

If something is not being done,
I know which child has neglected their duty.
It's foolproof.
(Is anything REALLY foolproof?)

And easy.

Yippee!

In our system ~
(which, btw, I learned about from
my friend with ten children) ~
The children's jobs stay the same for at
least a year at a time.
This way, they become proficient at them,
which makes it MUCH easier on us all.

Again,
Yippee! :)

How do you manage responsibilities
around your home?
Do you have a chart?
Do your children switch jobs
or keep the same ones?
Or, do you do everything?
(That used to be me ~
But, I found that I really NEEDED
the help of our children.)


On a side note...

I sincerely hope
this type of thing
never occurs in your home if
one of your children is assigned
the task of vacuuming.
It only happened here once ~ LOL!
(Click on the link above to discover
what is wrapped around the power brush...
the guilty party shall remain nameless).

Happy Homemaking!
Camille

Good Enough

I'm a perfectionist by nature.
Not good.
Especially since I am the
Mum of four.
*Smile*

We are home together most days
due to the fact that we home educate.
And my husband runs his
business from the home as well.

Good news ~
The LORD is helping
me to relax a little.
A very good thing. :)

Long ago, we purchased our first home.
(The one we still live in).
It was *just a stepping stone*
to something better.
Or so I thought.

Shameful, but true ~
Oh how wrong I was.
How incredibly wrong!

This home was a gift.
We are SO thankful
that the LORD did not
strip it off of us!

SO thankful.


We had the opportunity
to renovate just after Emma was born.
And we did.

I chose these cupboards
for the kitchen.
So cute.
(My opinion).

And...
So much work to keep clean.
So. Much. Work!

Because of my
perfectionistic tendencies,
I put it off until I can do it *right*.
Which, by the way,
is very rare.
Too rare!

I got so tired of them
looking dreadful that I gave
a quick (and I mean quick)
clean to them one day recently.
All the cupboard door and drawer facings
were spruced up in under 30 minutes.


How great is that?

Sometimes Good Enough
Really IS
Good Enough!!

I remember a friend of
mine telling me (long ago)
that her Mom had shared a past regret with her.
It happened to be that she ~ (get this) ~
spent too much time cleaning and
not enough time nurturing her children!

This hit home with me.

How easy it is to get our
priorities mixed up.
Nurturing our children
both physically and spiritually
is of utmost importance.
How I need wisdom to accomplish
this task in a God-honouring way!

May we all enjoy the precious families
that the LORD has given each of us.

And clean just enough.
*Wink*

Many Blessings,
Camille

Where My Brain Lives

Some girls keep fancy journals.
They make them really pretty ~
Creative works of art.

I would *love* to do it that way,
but for now, my style is simple.


Two journals sit on my counter
between the fridge and the stove.
There is a pen there too...for recording things
as they happen or pop into my head.

I have a little joke.
It goes like this ~
*My brain lives on paper/in the drawer.*
Really, I believe it must!

I rely on my calendar in the drawer to
keep track of upcoming events.
I keep a running grocery list on the fridge.
And then, there are these two journals on the counter.

Little checkboxes are inked in for keeping track.


One journal contains my gratitude list.
The other is a running list of things to do.
I used to keep *things to do*
lists on all kinds of papers.
I would consolidate and
rewrite and transfer the items ~
over and over and over again.

Well...no more!

This list is continual.
The checkboxes help keep me accountable.
And the list does get consolidated,
but within the same book.
I do not tear out pages.
If there are too many pages to keep track of
(my list is long) ~
then I consolidate on the most
recent pages and carry on.
Does that make sense?


It feels like my brain is (mostly)
in one place now!
I *love* it!

*To do list* journal idea
is courtesy of my precious husband.
What a great idea!
Thank you Sweetie! :)

What about you?
Do you keep lists?
Do you have a journal (or two or three)?
How do you keep track of all you have to do?
And of all you would like to remember?
I'd enjoy hearing about the methods you use.


May the LORD bless each of you
as you seek to keep your homes for
HIS glory!
Enjoy the journey.

Many blessings,
Camille

With a Little Advance Planning...

Does the thought that Christmas Day is just a little more than
EIGHT weeks away cause despair to rise within you?

It shouldn't.

What is the Christmas season all about, anyway?
Perhaps, before we go any further, we should
refocus on what really matters.

And then ~
make a little plan.
And stick to it!

This post is all about the gifts.
Ideas for those on a budget ~
Aren't we ALL on a budget?

Hopefully there is something here for everyone.
Enjoy the journey.
It is a joy to give.
And it really IS the thought that counts...
not the $$$ spent!
Give a little love this Christmas.

And be ready to share the
REAL Gift of Love with others.


Everyone loves a
personalized Gift Basket.
Tailor it to suit the one you are
planning to give it to,
and be prepared for a joyful response.

Gift baskets can be put together in a small bowl,
large basket, and everything in between.
I have even had one of these given to
me in a laundry basket ~ when our girl was born.
Use your imagination and have fun!

What you see in the basket above are some homemade
goodies from my kitchen.
Caramel Corn
and jam are two of the items included.
Give what your recipient wouldn't
normally make for themselves.


Begin a Library of Quality books
for a young person in your life.


Faith-Building Audio Drama
for kids (and their parents)
is a wonderful idea for a family with children
from age six to twelve (and beyond).


Focus on the Family Radio Theatre
is WONDERFUL for any family ~ for all ages!
There are, of course, certain stories that
the very young would be frightened by,
but you are quite safe with
titles such as "Little Women",
"Anne of Green Gables" and "Silas Marner".
I cannot tell you how much we have enjoyed these ~
over and over and over again!


How about something sweet for neighbours,
family and friends?
Caramel Corn
is something not many can refuse.
And packaged up pretty,
it is a welcome hostess or teacher gift.


Another neighbour or teacher gift is the
"Gift in a Mug".
Pretty and economical...
as long as it is hand-assembled, of course!


For little people on your list ~
I cannot recommend
these sweet books
highly enough!


An "Answers" Magazine Subscription
would be a great blessing for any family on your list.
The material presented is from a Biblical Worldview
and is a wonderful tool to fortify every member
within that home.
We ALL *love* to find the next installment
in our mailbox.

If you have NO MONEY to spend on gifts...
take heart!

There are MANY ways to show love and give of
what you DO have to loved ones.
Some of your TIME.

What about a coupon booklet?
Handmade by you?
Custom designed and hand-written.

Make coupons for things such as these ~

"I will clean your car one Saturday...name the date!"
"I will take you to..."
"Date night IN...leave all the details to me!"
"I will bake your favourite...anytime you ask!"
"I will read your favourite book to you one afternoon"
"We will go to the park and swing on the swings..."
"Good for one day of housecleaning!"
"Free babysitting one night while you go out."

Etc...

The possibilities are ENDLESS!

Then...make sure YOU keep track of what you've
promised to do and keep the recipient of your coupons
accountable to take you up on it!

Remember to take time to enjoy
this time of year.
The LORD is not honoured by
our overdoing it ~
Who are we aiming to please anyway?

May this Christmas Season be full
of love and joy and peace ~
And may the Lord Jesus Christ
be at the center of it all!

Blessings to each of you!
In His Love,
Camille

Feeling Overwhelmed?

Too much to do?
Too many commitments?
Where can we find help
at such times?

I've been there.
I'll likely be there again.
We do not need to give up in despair ~
There is something that can be done!

SLOW DOWN...

B.R.E.A.T.H.E.

Refocus on those things that REALLY matter.
It may be helpful to write it all down.

A list, perhaps?
Just point form ~
things that *must* be done.

Then prayerfully consider the list.
What can be crossed off?
You may find that the bare basics
are all that are left.
It may be that in this season all that can be
handled are the bare basics.

And that is O.K.A.Y.

God calls us to be faithful.
But to what?

To the things we've "signed up for"?
The things others expect of us?
The things we expect of ourselves?
Or to HIM?
And to HIS calling on our lives?


Just Do the Next Thing.
But be sure that *next* thing
is in line with what HE desires.

Certainly, if you are the Mom of any
little people...the next thing may be to
feed them, bathe them, read to them...

You will know what it is.
I will too.

Wait on the LORD first thing in the morning.
Lay out the day before HIM.
And the LIST.

Pray for wisdom to know what you should try to
accomplish that day.
If it's *just* feeding, clothing and caring for
the little people (spiritually as well as physically)~
That is enough.

Your work is noble.

It is a high calling to raise up the next generation.
For they will raise up the next generation.
Who will in turn raise up the next...
Are you beginning to see the picture?

Are we raising them up for HIM?

Susannah Wesley was a great example of a
Mother who had this higher vision.
Why do we know about her?
Because of her children...
And her God!

For an honest look from a precious friend of mine
(who is the mother of eight children) ~
Please Click Here.

Only click on the link provided
if you want to be challenged to do what is right!
But...I would HIGHLY encourage you to ~
I don't think you will regret it...she is so
sweet and loving about it! :)


May the LORD bless you each in your homes!
In His Love,
Camille

Adjustments ~ Following HIM

The freshness of the New Year seems to have faded. But it is never too late to assess how and why we do things the way we do. I came across two wonderful articles (linked below) as 2010 began and they both made an impression on me. I hope to go back and spend a little more time thinking through the content ~ prayerfully considering the changes HE is asking me to make.

Ann Voskamp penned this encouraging "New Year" article ~ please take the time to read and digest...such a lovely way to help in the quest of "refocusing"!

And I love what Mary Grace had to say at Books and Bairns on the subject of priorities ~ this one really "hit home".

A disciplined life is one we are called to as Chistians ~ yet, it is so easy to get "off track". Any time of the year is a good time to re-evaluate ~ not just in January! May the Lord help us each to follow HIM with all our hearts.

**Mayne Island Lighthouse ~ by Camille 2009**

Organizing Life!

Want to know what's been going on in our school this week?

An overhaul!

Here are the new schedules ready to be put to use!

Oh dear me...how much more we get accomplished in our home when we have a list and a plan. I suppose we are all similar in that respect. After all, God is a God of ORDER. I have found that I am simply unable to function efficiently WITHOUT a set schedule.

Having said all the above, I DO appreciate that there are as many variations on homeschool as there are homeschooling families...PLEASE DO NOT feel as though you have to do it this way! God has us all in different SEASONS of life as well ~ keep in mind that I do not have a nursing baby anymore...'nuff said! Some days I wish I was more of a "relaxed" kind of girl, but I was not created that way...I find that STRESSFUL!! ;-)

During the fall semester the boys were following a daily routine and list of duties, but that system was in need of tweaking ~ THESE new schedules are the result. I do realize that even those of us who do best in a set routine must be flexible to allow LIFE to happen ~ After nearly four years of doing this, I am at least grasping the wisdom of that! Ultimately, God is in control of ALL things...and that includes THE SCHEDULE! :)

Are you a "schedule" Mum ~ or do you like to take life as it comes?

Real Foods Diet ~ Healthy Eating!

Lindsay over at Passionate Homemaking has done a fabulous job of breaking down the steps toward more healthy ways of eating and preparing food. If you click on the link provided you will find her article...please go and see if there is even one thing you might change to encourage better health for you and your family!

As with anything...do it in baby steps and NEVER try to accomplish it all in one fell swoop. Even one small change per month would make a HUGE difference at the end of only one year!

**UPDATE ~ I have written a more in-depth article on this subject in response to J's request in the comment section of this post. Healthy Changes is the name of the post ~ click on the title to get yourself over there.

Happy Eating! :)