Home Sanctuary

I'm Glad You're Here.

Now that you've found me, you might be curious.  Is this an organizational blog?  A motivational blog?  A mommy blog?  A decorating blog?  A marriage and parenting blog?  A change-your-life blog?

Oh. Yes.

It's all that....and more.  Scroll down for the daily Small Things: easy tips, tricks and tasks to help make your home a great place to be!   Join us....we'd love to have you along.

Rachel Anne Ridge  -  {wife, mom, writer, dreamer, doodler, home keeper and friend}

Sick Humor

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

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

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?

June Winners, and July's Tally Sheet

Oops! The day got away from me as I toiled away on my list of 45 foreign "well-lived life" words for the art piece we are working on.  The first 35 went fast...then finding the last translations has been beastly. I forgot to post this earlier today.

The Most Points Winner in June is someone who has won before, and has graciously asked that the Tote Bag be given to another Company Girl.  Melissa Holgate won with 840 points, and would like for Cindy (new mama!) to receive it!  Melissa thought she might be able to put it to good use!  So sweet, bless you Melissa.  Enjoy the bag, Cindy!

The Random Drawing Winner is Becky K. from Minnesota!  Becky is new to participating and just jumped right in, boots and all.  Congrats, Becky, you'll receive the book, Gingham Mountain.

Girls, send me your mailing info and I'll get the prizes to you.

I will announce July's prizes on Monday...stay tuned!!

Now, let me ask you.  Have you been reading along with the daily Small Things, saying things to yourself like, "I really should do that one." 

Or, "Ha!  That's so easy, I'll do that tomorrow!"

Or, "That Small Thing is waaaay too small for MY big mess!"

Uh huh!   Thought so. 

Well, I want to challenge you to do something DIFFERENT this month!  Print off the Tally Sheet Download Tally0907, put it where you will see it, and then start keeping track of points!  Scoff if you will, but writing down the Small Things and recording your points is great motivation for moving in a positive direction with your homekeeping.  You will be amazed at the number of things you'll get done, and will love the feeling of accomplishment that piece of paper will bring you.

Don't be intimidated!  Let yourself hope and dream about the home you WANT to have, and then let's do it together!!  Every small step counts toward something great.

And just for fun, here is what Melissa said in her email about her Tally Sheet last month:

I thought about sending you a copy of my list this month because it has been very loved.  It sits next to my couch with my computer where I sip coffee and read the small thing of the day or write on my blog.  One morning my toddler was playing, accidently bumped the table, and spilled my coffee.  So there's coffee rings on it. On the back, I have scribbled verses that have touched me in one way or another while reading my morning devotions.  And then of course, there are the creative designs that my toddler likes to leave for me when I am not looking! :) 

I LOVE seeing copies of those sheets that sometimes get sent in.  I tear up every time....

Climb EVERY mountain?

No, just the RIGHT ones.

On a trip to Colorado several years ago, our family camped near the base of Mt. Elbert.  My husband, who would have been a professional mountain climber had I not come along and spoiled his plans, decided to take a day hike up the famous "fourteener" while we lounged near the campfire.

He set off early, eager to reach the summit before afternoon storms could roll in.  The climb was arduous but went well, as Mt. Elbert is one of the "easier" Rockies to assault.  By the time he reached the top, Tom had depleted all of his water and granola bars, but was exhilarated with his success!  And now, for a picture....he pulled out the camera.

Just then, he looked to the north and realized, to his horrible dismay, that he'd climbed the wrong mountain.  Mt. Elbert stood dauntingly aloof beyond the next ridge....and the next ridge....and the next ridge....

My he-man mountaineer managed to climb not one, but SEVERAL mountains that day, eventually conquering Elbert's summit without another drop of water or bite to eat.  It was not an experience he would like to repeat, but it sure makes for a great story.  We were very glad to see him stumble back into camp that night.

Now that we are half way through 2009, I thought it would be a great time to stop and think about the mountains we set off to climb at the beginning of the year.  We made a Housekeeping Mission Statement, and worked on setting up an actual Housekeeping Schedule here.  I've found that I've gotten a bit off track from my goals and climbed some wrong mountains of my own.  I've made the journey much more difficult than it has to be by not consulting my "maps," reviewing my plans, and putting them into action.

Today's Small Thing is to take some time to review your housekeeping goals.  Mine are much more relaxed in the summer, but I do expect more from the kids, who have more time to make messes AND help out.  It will be great to dust off my schedule and assign some summertime chores!

See, you don't have to climb EVERY mountain.  Just the right ones.

POINTS: 50 for reviewing and/or CREATING your housekeeping goals and plans.  If you've never set up a schedule, it's easier than you might think!  Try it! (Be sure to click on all the links in the Housekeeping post! Step 1 and Step 2)

PS I'll post a new Tally Sheet later today AND tell you who won June's prizes!

Turn in June Points!

Man, Oh Man!  Maybe it was the fact that I took last week off from posting, but this month really flew by! Can you believe that it is already time to tally up our points for June and turn them in?

But first, I must tell you that my Stay-cation last week was only partially successful....but I'm actually OK with that.  We completed one project and started another one, so working was kind of unavoidable most of the days.  It was worth it, though, because this next project will take us here:

The toniest residence in Dallas, the "W."

We will work in a residence like this, creating an art piece that will be 20 feet high and 10 feet wide. It is titled "A Life Well Lived" and will feature 45 individual panels of chocolate brown venetian plaster with embedded designs.  Each panel will contain a word that is a character trait of the well-lived life, subtly layered in the plaster...each in a different language!  Then, there will be quotes, written in Latin with the well-lived theme, that will run vertically up and down the panels...also done in plaster.  So very cool!!

We've been given an incredible client who is excited about the piece, and we are already underway with a short deadline.  It is a real honor to work for this very genuine man, who loves God and has a huge heart for making the world a better place.

And no matter how incredible the settings our work takes us to, it is always good to come home to our little place in the country.  Whether a person is blessed with much or with little, EVERYONE needs a place to call "home."  That's why I love this blog and my Company Girls so much!  We share a common passion for our homes and families, and we don't mind earning a few points along the way!

Today's Small Thing is the two-step process many of you are already familiar with:

1.  If you've been keeping track of points, simply tally them up and email the total to me.  The prize for Most Points is this very roomy, very fashionable Company Girl Tote Bag.  Perfect for touting your CG status, while toting your totables.  Totally.

If you participated as little as ONCE, and did not keep track of points, you can be entered in the Random Drawing for a super Summer read:

 Again, simply email me and let me know you want to be entered.

Everyone who participated, whether you kept track of points or not, is eligible for the Random Drawing.  Sweet!

2.  Leave a comment, letting us know what your favorite Small Thing was this month.  It is so fun to see how different Small Things affected different people, and it encourages the girls who are just thinking about participating to JUMP IN in July! 

POINTS: 30, good toward June's total

PS:  I realized that I did not post a monthly verse for June.  I will try and squeeze an extra one in next month!

Today's Fifty-Cent Word: Milieu

Recently, I listened to an expert discuss some obscure aspect of European history on my car radio.  I cannot, for the life of me, recall the subject of his opinion, but he used a word repeatedly that stood out like a neon sign in the middle of the murky past he expounded upon.

"the conflict set up a milieu of political unrest....."

"the social milieu was ripe for a new government..."

"in the milieu that followed....."

Mon Dieu! Another word I don't know! I decided it must mean some type of French soup, used metaphorically in this instance.  The drive home was a complete blur, I was so taken with curiosity.

But after some internet research, I discovered that "milieu" has nothing to do with soup, but everything to do with Sanctuary, especially when said with the proper French accent.

Check out this Merriam-Webster definition:

milieu \meel-YUR\ noun
: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops : environment

Example sentence:
The quiet suburban neighborhood was within walking distance of the
elementary school and provided the perfect milieu for raising a family.

It got me to thinking about the milieu, or environment, I'm creating here at home.  You see, each day I have the opportunity to set an atmosphere in which something good can happen.  (OK, I've had my share of bad milieu's, too, don't remind me).  But the excitement over a simple discovery of an intriguing word has me enchante' with the possibilities.

Today's Small Thing is to create a milieu of your choice.  Let's brainstorm:

A romantic milieu.  Candles, dinner, soft music.

A fun milieu.  Get out the sprinkler, water guns and lemonade.

A relaxing milieu.  A book, a pillow, a cup of tea.

How about a milieu of cooperation?  Divvy up a list of tasks among family members and get some things accomplished together!

I'd like a milieu of inspiration: tidying my office so I can write and create.

Ooh! A milieu of sibling peace: Give each child a craft or book, and set a timer for quiet time.

Aah! A milieu of belonging:  Make a point of telling each family member what you love about them.  Do something together.

What sort of environment will you create that will allow something good to develop?  Skip the nagging and complaining today, and do something that sets up an atmosphere with purpose.  Share your fifty-franc word with your family and see if they can come up ways to incorporate it into your day!

POINTS: 40 for purposefully creating some kind of atmosphere
BONUS POINTS: 20 for sharing today's milieu in the comments!

"Most Votes" Photo!

Wow, girls!  You really got out the votes and made this here little contest a whole lot of fun!

The Most Votes Winner is Laura (Org Junkie) with this great photo:

I love the story that goes with it, which she shared here.

Laura's photo has garnered a guaranteed spot in the Company Girl gift book, and I daresay, a permanent place in her friend's heart.  She will also receive a copy of her photo professionally mounted on canvas.  Way to go, Laura! 

I'm going to give an honorable mention to Kym, who came in close second with this awesome photo:

Kym's site is just chock full of gorgeous photographs, and it's just plain eye-candy greatness.  Thank you, Kym!

And I forgot to announce the winner of the Curly Q Cutie, the random drawing for submissions during the contest.  The winner is Crystal W, a non-blogging Company Girl from Texas.  Congrats, Crystal!

How can I ever say thank you ENOUGH for all the wonderful photographs you all sent in!  I've looked at them again and again, and I can't help smiling all the way through!   The hardest part is just beginning...choosing the best from among them for the book.  I do not have a hard-fast date for completing the selection process, but I am anxious to finalize everything and get it published!  I'll keep you posted on progress.

Several of you have asked if you can still submit photos for consideration, and the answer is "yes!"  You may upload photos through July 15...however, with our summer schedules, please don't be offended if they are not posted to the site within 24 hours.  We'll do our best, but it may take us more time.

A special THANK YOU goes to Dawn, who has uploaded over 300 photos and kept me organized through this process!  She has been an awesome assistant and wonderful friend.  I could not do this project without her!

Bless you all!

Share Your Tips! And Coffee 6.26

Leslie Pepper, a freelance writer and editor, contacted me recently about an article she is writing for a national women's magazine.  She asked if any of my readers might have some super-fresh tips for keeping their homes neat and tidy (and organized!) for possible inclusion in the magazine.

I told her that my fabulous Company Girls might have just what she is looking for!!

This is a really great opportunity to put your best ideas out there...wouldn't it be fun to see your tip in a national magazine?

Here is the information:

Send your tips to: LeslieLido@gmail.com. You should include your city and state, as well as your age (she is specifically looking for tips from women between 30-60). If she is interested in using your tip, she will contact you and give you all the information you need (magazine name, issue, etc). Leslie will only use the quote if you are okay with being included in the magazine.

Email your tips by Monday, July 6.

Remember, Leslie is looking for tips that no one has really heard before, so make a point to offer unique ideas that will catch her eye, and capture her readers' attention!

Now, I'm technically "on vacation" this week, but I realized late last night that most of you AREN'T, and might still want to gab over coffee without me!  Why, then, link on up!  Don't let my absence stop you from having a good old time!

And....PLEASE vote for your favorite Company Girl photo before Sunday night (midnight CST). There are lots of pages to scroll through, but each and every page has some heart-grabbing photos of friendship!  Be sure and check out those earlier submissions before making your selections.  You get to vote for your TOP THREE!  If you submitted photos, be sure and send all your friends to the posts containing your photos so they can vote for you. 

Grab the button below for some shameless (and blatant) self-promotion!

And now, how about you invite us over before we invite our own selves over!  We hate to be rude, but we really need to get out of the house.  So can we come to YOUR house??  Awesome.

Stay-Cation

Company Girls, I'll be taking a vacation from posting Small Things this week.  I'll be back with them next Monday, and I will probably post some other things during the week, but I'm needing a little break from the "norm" and decided that the world will probably still keep turning, even if I don't do the Small Things!

We finished installing the artwork and displays for the last project over the weekend.  As usual, it was a marathon at the end.  I'll post photos of what we did as soon as I get them off the camera.  I've got another project to jump into, but for the most part I plan to dig in my flower beds, clean the house, read some books and eat out as often as I can this week.  Since all the kids are at camp, it SHOULD be a good week to do it. We'll see!

In the meantime, voting for your favorite Company Girl photo will start today!  I will have the voting feature ready by 1 pm CST today and then you can cast up to THREE votes for the photo of your choice!  We'll be using the Honor System since we are a shoestring operation.....just tell your friends and family about it and let the voting begin!  Voting will run through Sunday, June 28.  Don't forget that the winner will receive a guaranteed spot in the book and a beautifully printed canvas version of their winning photo! 

I can't wait to see the results!  Thank you for all your participation and excitement for this project!