Home Sanctuary

I'm Glad You're Here.

Welcome to Home Sanctuary, the place to find easy tips and tasks to help make your home a great place to be!  I invite you to join our fun group of "Company Girls" as we do daily Small Things together. We have a lot of fun, and we believe that great things can happen with a little bit of effort, a seed of faith, and a generous dose of friendship.

Want to make your home - your sanctuary? You're in the right place. Come on in and join us!

Rachel Anne Ridge

Scroll down to read past and current posts.....this sticky note will stay at the top of my blog.

Regroup

re·group: to reorganize (as after a setback) for renewed activity

I don't know about you, but I find myself needing to regroup quite often. Possibly daily. After a flurry of activity (and the inevitable setbacks therein), I need to take a few moments to assess my surroundings, take stock of the situation and think about taking a nap.

Naps are excellent tools for regrouping. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Let's face it: life just doesn't go as planned. Accidents happen, milk gets spilled, kids have melt-downs, trouble brews and chaos ensues. And all that can happen before 9 am! Taking a moment to do something like review your to-do list, even if only to decide what you WON'T accomplish, is an important step in moving forward after a setback.

There is another kind of regrouping: to alter the tactical formation of a military force

For me, this type also comes after a lot of action. When I get rushed and stressed, I leave household items out, jam things into closets, and stick things willy nilly everywhere. And suddenly, when I can't find anything I'm looking for, I'll look around and see the mess I've created. I need to regroup things so I can be more efficient - like a freaking tactical military force! OK, the "military force" part is a stretch for big-baby-me, but you get my drift.

See: Here is a great example of a well-grouped pantry: like items together, with all the labels facing out. Genius! You might think this will take forever, but you'd be surprised at what 10 minutes of regrouping can do.

(not my pantry, btw)

Today's Small Thing is to regroup. You might need to do some personal regrouping, as in taking some time to pull yourself together (i.e. nap, read a book, rewrite your list, have some quiet time). Or you might find that you just need to regroup things around the house so you can function better.

POINTS: 40 for 10 minutes of personal regrouping

BONUS POINTS: 40 for at least 10 minutes of "items" regrouping

How (and what) will you regroup?

Song of the day: All That I Can Do, Bethany Dillon

I Met Zoanna in Real Life!

There is a long story why there is no Small Thing posted today but the short version is: late hockey practice last night, computer problems, pinched nerve in neck, can't get out of bed. I'll be back with it tomorrow.

In the meantime, I want to share this:

Zoanna and Me

Yesterday, I had the fun experience of meeting long-time Company Girl Zoanna (of Penchant for Pens) when she had a brief stop in Dallas.

My suspicion proved true: Company Girls are the best people in the whole world. She is just as sweet in real life as she is on her blog.

We felt like we'd known each other for years, and we kinda HAVE. It is this crazy thing about blogging that opens up your world to people who are kindred spirits - if you look, you really can find them. Zo is that kind of person - generous, funny, witty and thoughtful. Who would think that we could connect, even though separated by half of the USA? It's so cool.

I, on the other hand, was not so thoughtful. I made her late for her next plane and did not bring her any food, so she had to involuntarily fast on her next flight. I feel awful about that. I'm so sorry, Zo....I'll do better next time.

I love getting to meet my online friends IRL!

Stop over and get to know her...tell her I said "hi!"

Condiment Conundrum

There's been a proliferation of bottles and jars in the refrigerator's condiment community lately. I've noticed that finding things in the refrigerator has become much more difficult than it used to be....what with all the fancy dijons refusing to hang out with the blue collar ketchups.  It's a regular melting pot of society in there: the smooth mayonnaise, the dill slices, the high-brow poppy seed dressing and the Nascar loving barbeque sauce.  They used to all live in the neighborhood of the door shelves, but they've spilled into every compartment and drawer imagineable due to their different tastes and cultures.  The parmesan cheese won't even speak to the grape jam anymore.

Today's Small Thing is to straighten up the condiment community in your fridge.  Those guys tend to be unruly - all those spicy personalities - but I find that if you just put them all together in one area, they'll remember put aside their differences and work together.  Some of them are a bit messy and rough around the edges, but a quick swipe of a cloth is usually enough to remind them to be on their best behavior.

Can't they all just get along?  Yes, they can.

POINTS: 40 for organizing the condiments in your fridge

BONUS POINTS: 40 for organizing the condiments in your cabinets

Song of the Day: Frim Fram Sauce, Ella Fitzgerald

September Prizes

The wonderful people over at simplify101 are sponsoring this month's prize for us, AND giving the Company Girls some exclusive discounts (I love the sound of that) that we can use right away. Check it out:

The September Most Points Winner will receive FREE PARTICIPATION in an incredible workshop titled, Quick + Simple Clutter Control. I've never thought of "quick and simple" as being in the same sentence as "clutter control" but they know what they are talking about so I'll go with it. :)

Quick + Simple Clutter Control  This simplify 101 online workshop teaches you how to clear surface clutter and gives you do-able strategies to keep clutter at bay! Get inspired. Stay motivated. Make clutter a thing of your past! Throughout this 2 lesson / 3 week workshop you’ll have direct access to your instructor, professional organizer Aby Garvey, via the workshop’s private forum. With the private online community and photo gallery, you’ll get the ideas and support you need to start—and finish—your clutter control projects. The workshop begins October 19, 2010.  Click here to view the workshop syllabus.

 I think this will be a great way to head into the holidays - I mean, direct access to Aby Garvey???? Come on! This is a prize DEFINITELY worth competing for. Thank you, simplify101 for such a generous prize.

 

I'll get to the Random Drawing Prize in a minute, but while we're on the subject of simplify101, I am so excited that they are offering discounts to these two workshops for us. Talk about nice.

 

With the simplify 101 online workshop Organize Your Closet, you’ll be saying “ahhh” every time you look in your closet. In this two lesson workshop, you’ll learn professional organizer   Aby Garvey's closet organizing secrets. Find out how to utilize your closet space to its fullest potential, solve common closet organizing problems without spending a fortune, and let go of clothes you no longer wear. Say “goodbye” to jumbled piles of shoes, clothes, and purses, and say “hello” to closet organizing bliss. Click here  to view the entire workshop syllabus. The workshop begins September 23, 2010.

 

 

That paper mountain growing on your countertop represents a loss of freedom, a loss of control, and a nagging feeling that something important isn’t getting done. Replace your paper clutter with systems that give you feelings of confidence, relief and peace of mind! In the online workshop Organize Your Paper Clutter, you’ll learn how to decide if you need a piece of paper and how to organize it so you’ll find it again. Best of all–you won’t go it alone. Throughout this six-lesson / seven-week online workshop, you’ll enjoy support, ideas and motivation from professional organizer Aby Garvey and the simplify 101 online community. You’ll get the support, answers and motivation you need to tackle your paper organizing projects so you can put an end to paper clutter. The workshop begins September 21, 2010. Click here to view the entire workshop syllabus.

simplify 101 is offering the readers of Home Sanctuary 15% off enrollment of either (or both!) of these two workshops through Thursday, September  9th! To take advantage of this offer and start eliminating stress by organizing your paper clutter and/or your closet, enter HOMESANCTUARY during checkout.

Man, it feels a little bit fabulous to have a personalized code designated "HOMESANCTUARY," doesn't it? We have really arrived, ladies.

Now, our Random Drawing Winner will receive something from my grab bag....and I haven't grabbed it yet.  So it's gonna be a surprise for all of us! Woo! I will make it a good one, so keep the faith. :) Let's call it a "Rachel's Grab Bag Surprise" prize and then it will sound official.

September is off to another great start - let's have fun together, OK? Today's Small Thing is in the next post....

Company Girl Coffee 9.3/Small Thing

In the spirit of "quick and easy clutter control," our Small Thing Today will give us a taste of what it feels like to put a fast dent in clutter. 

This is it: Simply find five things to throw away...and then actually throw them away.

Quick. Easy. Points.

POINTS: 50 (10 for each item)

BONUS POINTS: Up to 50 MORE if you can find five more things to toss (10 points each item.)

See, simplify101 has already inspired us!!

 

And now for some coffee.  Last week, I made it around to all the blogs that linked up and I sure enjoyed catching up with you all!  Our weekly coffee time is such a simple way to connect, and it always feels like I'm stopping in at a friend's house, (using the back door of course, 'cause that's what friends do) and having a fun visit.  Just put your blog URL into the linky tool and enjoy the company! Non-bloggers can participate in the comment section and we love to catch up with you that way.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  I will see you back here on Tuesday, since Monday is a holiday here in the U.S.

Pain in the Rear

Not long ago, my husband walked into the kitchen (where I was cheerfully slaving over the dishes) and he was complaining of a strange pain.

"It's like this sharp, shooting pain right in the middle of my butt and it goes right down my leg," he said, rubbing it. "I can hardly walk! I've never had this before, and it's killing me."

I immediately started laughing. I laughed so hard my knees just about gave way.  He looked at me with that hurt, "I came in here looking for sympathy" look and was confused at my obvious amusement.

"Oh, Babe, that's your SCIATICA nerve! That's what every pregnant woman gets, including me, with each of my pregnancies.  It really hurts bad, doesn't it?" I managed to explain.

"Well, I'm gonna have to sit down until it goes away," he limped away to the recliner.

"You poor, poor baby.....NOT! Now you know how it feels, except add 35 pounds hanging around your middle, swollen ankles, backache, nausea and a bad mood and you'll be about halfway toward knowing what it's like to be pregnant for 9 months."  

It was a sweet moment for me, and I relished it. Wimp.

You know, it's really easy to take the things you sit on for granted. For example, I rarely think about taking care of the couches and chairs in the living room. I dust and vacuum all around them, but I pretty much leave those big things alone. Too much padding, maybe.

Today's Small Thing is to take a little look-see at the furniture that you place your derrierres on and clean them up/straighten pillows/collect change from under cushions, etc.  You might find that missing lego piece, the arm of a Barbie or a TV remote under there.  Try taking a damp cloth wiping off the arms if they are looking a little dingy (or use Resolve). Scrape off the jam that's stuck to the fibers and maybe run a vacuum attachment over it.

I know this small thing might be a pain in the rear to do, but the next time you sit down on your couch or chair, your bottom will thank me.

POINTS: 50 for attending to the couches, recliners, chairs and ottomans that our backsides love so much.

What will you find under your couch/chair cushions?

Song of the Day: If I Could Just Sit with You Awhile, Mercy Me

August Winners!

Congratulations to Marla for the Most Points! I think she did every single small thing last month, and it really showed in her final tally.  Marla, you will receive the List Planit membership, and I know you're going to love it.

The Random Drawing winner is Kelley P - she will win the book, "Friendships for Grownups" by Lisa Whelchel. It will be perfect inspirational reading for her, since she moved to a new town and is looking to make some friends. I love it when things work out that way.

I am finalizing details of this months Most Points Prize and will announce it tomorrow over Friday Coffee.  I am excited about it!  Here is to another amazing month of doing Small Things and watching little miracles happen through them.....thank you to all you wonderful friends for coming along with me each day.  You all make this SO FUN!

Ladies, send me your contact/mailing information and I'll get your prizes to you.

Clean Slate

 

I loved reading everyone's emails last night.....your messages were so encouraging to me, and I truly cherish them.  I'll announce August winners tomorrow, so bear with me one more day.

One thing I noticed in the comments and emails was a recurring theme: "I started out the month well, but got behind on the Small Things....." I sensed a little bit of discouragement and defeat going on, so I thought this would be a great day to bring out the Clean Slate.

Here you go, this is for you:

Go ahead, take it!

 

It's a NEW MONTH, the perfect time to let the past go - and start fresh.

See, at one point or another in life, everyone will find that they need to make a fresh start.  Maybe you are frustrated with your lack of organization at home and need some proper tools to help you (ahem, *Home Sanctuary*), or maybe you figured out that you have a dead-end job and you need something that fits your life a little better.  Or you might find yourself in a bankruptcy court, needing to start over financially in order to make it.

Those are major ways of beginning with a clean slate, and there is no shame in them.  But everyday, smaller clean slates are important, too.

Forgiving a spouse for hurting you and giving your relationship a chance to rebloom.

Forgiving yourself for not measuring up to your own standards.

Allowing a child to fail, again, and not berating him for it.

Going back to square one on a project that isn't going well.

Clearing a work space so that you can function better.

Bringing your sins to a forgiving God. (not so small)

Clean slates mean than you are erasing the past and starting fresh.  It breathes new life into your situation and gives you a chance to see things in a new light.

For Today's Small Thing, we are going to find a little way to apply the idea of "Clean Slate." This doesn't have to be complicated.  For example, before I cook anything, I like to clear my counters and dish area so that I can work on one thing at a time.  The kitchen clutter needs to be moved in order to start fresh with dinner or baking.

Maybe you are working on a scrapbookking project and there are bits of paper, sickers, glue, photos and pages all over the place. Taking a few minutes to straighten it before you continue may give you a new rush of inspiration.

You could make a phone call to a friend, with whom your relationship has gotten awkward. Taking a step toward reestablishing your friendship is a great way of applying "clean slate."

A clean slate can be applied to people, things and situations.  It can be little or very big.  If you think about it, it's a bit like applying grace into your everyday life.  I like that.

We all need that.

POINTS: 40 for finding a way to start something with a clean slate.  Clear a counter, pull out crochet stitches, forgive......you choose!

BONUS POINTS:  20 for sharing your fresh start, either in a comment here, a blog post, a tweet, a facebook status or telling a real-live person in your life. Give your clean slate wings by sharing it!

Song of the Day: Back at One, Mark Wills

New Tally Sheet: Download Tally1009

My Interview with HGTV's Sabrina Soto

Yesterday, I had a chance to interview Sabrina Soto, of HGTV's "Get It Sold." Sabrina has some great tips on how to stage your home for selling, some easy spruce-up ideas, and a chance to win a home "scentervention" makeover from Gain.

Well, she had me with the word "scent," because, as is documented extensively on this blog, I have "old house" issues. When I read THIS on her press release, I was both disheartened and hopeful.

"The scent of your home says a lot about you. I tell my clients to use it as
an accessory, like furniture, to help create an environment that reflects who
you are. Making sure scents blend well together is just as important as
selecting a signature scent," said Sabrina Soto. "I'm excited to partner with
Gain as they launch new and exciting products to help people become scent-savvy
stars."

Disheartened that the "eau de ancient hotel" scent which has eluded my best efforts to kill it would "reflect who I am." But I'm hopeful that there might be some new products that will help me become a "scent-savvy star."

Be on the lookout for Gain dishwashing liquids, Air Effects candles, Noticeables Refills and Febreeze with Gain Scent....

And enter to win the "scentervention" home makeover by visiting www.ilovegain.com or their official facebook page.  But you'll have to fight me first 'cause I wanna win it.

PS. My husband was teasing me about my over-use of the word "awesome" in the interview. It's true, I over-used it. But I submit to you that Gain's own website uses it twice on the same page. Ha.

Awesome!

Turn in August Points!

It's already the end of August and time to tally up our points for the Small Things this month.  It's very simple: if you did the Small Things on the day they were assigned (or within the given time period), you get to take the points for it.  We use the Honor System around here when it comes to the points....so if you miss a day but "catch up" on the task later, that's AWESOME :), but you can't collect points for it.  This system helps motivate us to get into the mindset of doing a little bit each day, and shows us how those small efforts can have huge impact. HUGE IMPACT.

I'm so impressed with new Company Girl, Susan, who emailed to tell me that the nudge to clean her window sills helped get her moving to clean her whole house.  See, she is caring for her husband, who is quite ill, and it's been tough to keep up with the housekeeping.  But the Small Things were just what she needed to start tackling her home.  I know she is going to love the way her home sanctuary feels....she deserves to enjoy her home - just like you do, too.  I love that "spill-over" effect!

Let's review the prizes:

The Most Points winner will receive a 1 year membership to ListPlanit. This is a personal/family DOWNLOAD membership that allows you to download the lists you need in editable formats.

What kind of lists am I talking about?  Oh....JUST ABOUT EVERY KIND IMAGINABLE. From home management to finances to schedules, there are premade lists for everything - so you don't have to try and come up with your own. I clicked on the page for Family Lists and nearly fainted. Here are just a few:

• Manners that Matter
• Chores for Change
• Daily Reminders
• Personal Hygiene Chart
• Family Daily Schedule
• Responsibility Lists - by age (suggested list of tasks they can master)
• Potty Training
• Dinnertime Conversation Quick List
• Dinnertime Conversation Questions
• Pet Care Checklists

Need I go on? Pop over there for yourself and be awed by how organized you will become by having access to these organizational tools. And since you can edit them/fill them out to fit your own needs, you will be the talk of your neighborhood.

ListPlanit, where have you been all my life? Thank you for sponsoring this month's prize! This is definitely worth competing for!

Now, we always have a Random Drawing that everyone who participates (at least once) during the month is eligible for. This month, our Random Prize is "Friendship for Grown-Ups," by Lisa Whelchel:

Today's Small Thing takes two steps:

1. Email your point total to me. Add up the points you've earned and send me an email with the total in it. If you would just like to be entered into the random drawing, simply say that in your email.

2. Leave a comment, telling us which Small Thing in August was your favorite. It's a great way to encourage those readers (and you know who you are) who haven't quite made the commitment to actually DO the Small Things. You're having so much fun reading along - just imagine how fabulous it would be to participate!

POINTS: 30 for doing BOTH steps......good toward August total.

Song of the Day: Everything, Michael Buble