You do have time to have a shiny sink!

Working Smart Series - 2015

Today, I had a thought about shining our sinks.  Don't read this if you feel duty-bound to clean both of your double sinks at the same time.  However, if you are ready to be flexible and not likely to shine your sink every day anyway, I think you will like this idea.  And, your sink will look better.

I have a double sink, and I usually use a dishpan for the dishes I have to wash by hand.  Today, I was doing my thing, and as I gazed at the empty sink, I was appalled.  Too bad I forgot to take a picture.  It just looked gross to me.  Anyway, I emptied the little basket I keep in there, sprinkled some Bar Keepers Friend on the basket, both sides of it,  and sprinkled the sink.  I used a brush I keep for the basket job and I used a sponge that I am going to save for that job to do the rest of the sink.  

As I worked on my sink, I had the thought that I could come back and do the other half tonight after supper, after I had cleaned up any supper utensils that could not go in the dishwasher.  This idea is great for those who have energy issues, for busy people, who have other things they need to get done, people who have problems with staying focused, and for people who are not really enthused about cleaning.  This took me less than two minutes, maybe even less than one.  I suppose that depends on how dirty one's sink is.

About perfection

If you think you have to have absolute perfection, I want to remind you that my sink looks very nice after cleaning it, and drying it.  I was going to circle a tiny speck that was left, but I cannot see it in the picture.  If you live in an older home, like I do, then do not obsess about perfection.  It is counter-productive.  

Let's face it!  A clean home is nicer to live in than a dirty home, but we are never going to have perfection all the time.  Life is too short too drive yourself and your family crazy with that kind of thinking.  

My advice is to "Do the best you can!"  If you do that, you may be surprised how good your home looks by the end of 2015;  moreover, you may find your habits have definitively  improved.

Love you all and wishing you the best for 2015,

Deborah Bolton

Changes and Challenges

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Wow!  What a ride I have had the last 7 months.  I am getting healthier and losing weight, but this brings its set of challenges too.  And, I have to admit that for me, it always includes cleaning the house.  But there are other things too, which I have not tried to express in writing;  therefore, I guess it is time to just make a list of those things that are considered in my daily living.

• I'm busier, so I am having to reorganize how I schedule things.
• I have had to give up some of the writing I used to do, because I have a job (Yes, being self-employed is still a job.  And,  you have to self-motivate.)
• I am exercising now, because I can.  I started gradually, and I still am not a huge exerciser compared to what I was before I became sick;  however baby steps do count.
• I still have to make sure I rest enough.
• I still have underlying illnesses, but I have found ways to feel more well.
• I thank God for answered prayer, but He took me through the desert before I saw the answer.
• I keep turning corners, and saying, "Wow!  I couldn't do that last year."
• I have learned to let criticism go, because I cannot please everyone.
• I am trying to keep my Facebook page Chronic Fatigue and Creative Decluttering up and going, but it is hard to do everything I can do now, and have time to do that.  However, I know there are still people out there I want to stay connected with.  Also, they need encouragement, so when I go for my doses of encouragement in the area of decluttering, I share, even if it is not something I wrote. 
• I am also sharing what has helped me feel better, but I know  that bothers some people.  I thought they would be happy for me, and want to know, because possibly it might help them too.  Because what helped me is non-specific as compared to a pharmaceutical;  and, by non-specific I mean it just helped my body find it's balance.  But, I guess some people just aren't ready to hear yet, like I was a year ago.
• I am wondering if I should talk about other areas of Balancing Life Changes besides learning to organize one's home and life; or, declutter one's home and life.

Remember to Breathe,

My tree, 2012

How is your energy meter?  I hope it is on, so you are able to enjoy the holidays, get something done, and rest at the same time.  We are not quite done with our tree; but then again, ornaments tend to move around as long as it's up.  There is always another angle or better place for the ornaments, especially when your labrador retriever knocks off an ornament with her tail.  Last year we didn't put up a Christmas tree, because I had surgery;  and I knew I was not going to be able to take it down after the surgery.  Furthermore, my Fibro-brain was not working well enough to think of a way to rearrange the furniture to fit in our tree.  Don't you love it when your brain is working better, so you can do the things you have been wanting to do?

This is archived material.  Remember to Breathe. People are more important than decorations.  Keep it simple if you have too.  Love, Deborah

P.S..I have not started decorating either.

Quite honestly, I am not sure where to go with today's blog post.  I am probably like most of you, trying to keep my head above water, and not get a flare-up.  Speaking of flare-ups, last week I got a cortisone shot in my right knee and it feels so much better, but I am seriously thinking of asking for one in my left knee.  Arthritis in both knees is not fun.  Actually, arthritis anywhere is not good, but such is life;  moreover, I put some serious wear and tear on my knees when I was younger.  I am thankful for the good years they gave me.

Some of you may be wondering how the green coffee extract is working for me.  So far, I do not feel any caffeine effects, which goes along with the research I did on what other people had said about GCE.  I am still keeping my food journal, also I include the time I take medicine and supplements, as well as what they are.  Now, for the good part -- I have lost four pounds!  Woohoo!  That takes me back to where I was before Thanksgiving, and I have been able to go to dinners and parties -- two of them.  However, I know of times this has been my undoing, so I am a happy lady.  By the way, moderate low-carb is keeping my blood sugar at an even keel.  That's a good thing too.

So goes the 2012 Christmas Season for me so far.  Most of the presents are ready to be wrapped, and I plan to start that soon -- one or two a day.  God bless you all at this wonderful time of year.  I pray for you to enjoy the blessings and good memories of past Christmases as well.

Also, check out what I have to say on my right sidebar about one of my favorite online shopping places who I happen to be an affiliate with.  I will give you a hint -- think of strong, tall woman, who is a warrior.  And aren't we warriors too, guys and gals?  We are fighting fibromyalgia and other chronic diseases, as well as finding ways to live our lives happily and more fully.  Merry Christmas!

When You Feel Rushed

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Feeling rushed?  Does your body get tingly and you know you need to slow down, but your mind says, "Keep going.  You have so much to do."  Well, your brain is not saying that when you feel like your body is getting rushed.  Only your thoughts are saying I have so much to do.  Your subconscious is saying it is time to slow down. Your brain knows you are trying to do too much at once, so listen to what your body is telling you.

• But, I have to go to that sale.  Why?  There are going to be more.
• I have to hurry and make this meal, so I can get back to work.  Slow down and enjoy making the meal.  Don't let your brain feel fuzzy from rushing.
• I don't have time to eat lunch:  I have to ... I should...  You need to have nourishment for strength and enjoy your food, so you don't want to graze all afternoon.
• I have to wash four loads of laundry today.  No you don't.  Do the two most important, and do one on Tuesday and one on Wednesday.
• I have to mop my floor, or my kids will pick up more germs than going outside.  Really?
• I have to decorate the whole house today.  No you don't.  Smell the roses and do a little at a time.

Why am I writing this?  Because I am guilty of the should's and the have-to's.  I want to get many things done, but I have limited time.  We all work with time limits and with energy limits.  If we exceed our speed limit, then, we begin to get in trouble -- even when we are healthy, BUT especially if we have a chronic illness.

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But I am taking supplements.  I feel so much better.  Does that make me or you Superman or Superwoman?  No. 

When we get where we are going, we will get there.  We do not have to prove anything to the world or to our families.

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Please enjoy this beautiful Christmas season.  God bless you and Breathe...........