Home Sanctuary

Company Girl Coffee and Turn in Points!

Say, have you been keeping track of points this month?  I hope so, because today is the day to turn them in for your chance to win a prize! 

You might be a new girl, but I don't want you to feel shy about collecting points OR commenting!  Some of you might feel like you have to be a blogger in order to participate, but nothing could be further from the truth.  We have Company Girls from as far away as Australia (Katrina) and United Kingdom (Jo), who we have gotten to know, mostly through our conversations in the comments section.  Sharing a common love for our homes and families makes our group feel a little bit like a family.

Today's Small Thing is the same process we've done before:

1. Email me with your point totals.  If you didn't keep track of points, but participated at least once and just want to be entered for the Random Drawing, simply email your name to me.

AND

2. Leave a comment, telling us what you enjoyed about the Small Things this month, or something you like about being a Company Girl.   I love it when a new reader takes the plunge and starts doing the Small Things with us because of the comments they've read.  I mean, we all KNOW how much I love doing them, and now it's YOUR turn to evangelize the unconverted.  Preach it, sister!

Remember what the prizes are?

The Most Points winner will receive a canvas print of this months' verse, Psalm 31:14,15.

The Random Drawing winner will receive a Company Girl T-shirt, as modeled by me here:

Or, if you prefer the JC Penny Catalog pose:

This is my favorite shirt, because it makes me feel like I'm in a special club.  And, hey! I AM in a special club!  Sweet.  The tagline underneath "Company Girl" says, "Friendship is always in style."

True words, my friends. And so fulfilling to have them emblazoned upon your apparel.

POINTS: 40, good toward February's total.

YOU WILL HAVE UNTIL 8PM (CST OR GMT-6) SUNDAY TO TURN IN YOUR POINTS

If that isn't enough, stick around for some more coffee, tea or party beverage....offered by the lovely gals of our lil' club!  Friday is "sit around and chat" day, so feel free to link up below and enjoy some Company Girl fun!  If you don't have a blog, just leave a chatty comment so we can get to know you that way!  I leave the Mr. Linky up at least through the weekend so it gives us time to pull things together for guests.

Personally Speaking

I was so proud of myself last spring, when I finally put drawer dividers into my dresser drawers!  Suddenly, my socks had their own space, my jammies could be neatly tucked away, and my undies....well, let's just say they'd never had it so good.

I could tell that the panties enjoyed having a place all their own.  Granted, it was still right smack dab next to those socks, but the saying, "Good fences make good neighbors," certainly seemed to be proven true.  I noticed right away that there was a whole lot less arguing and fighting for territory in there.

But recently, I've seen a discouraging pattern.  It's happened as I've gotten hurried and busy.  I've been ignoring those dividers I put in, and now everyone inside the drawer neighborhood has started sleeping around.  Sometimes the panties will have a slumber party over with the the crew socks, and the dress socks just mingle wherever they want to, like a bunch of swingers.  The bras tend to land anywhere they feel like, and it's been disappointing to see those girls hook up for one night stands like that.  You'd think they'd have higher standards.

Today's Small Thing is to straighten up your personal items.  The "intimate apparel," if you will.  Maybe your things are utilitarian in style and don't seem to care much about aesthetics, but deep inside, those cotton, hard working girls like having a soft place to land.  They appreciate a bit of attention just as much as the glamorous lacy ladies, who don't get out much but who think they deserve a drawer of their very own.  Those gals are a bunch of divas, but that's ok.  When we need them, they willingly do their jobs in style on those special occasions.

This Small Thing shouldn't take more than a few minutes.  But opening a drawer and finding your unmentionables resting in the comfort of their own neat space will give you a warm glow.  You know they deserve better than what you've been giving them, and today is they day they will get their dues.

POINTS: 40 for organizing undies, panties, socks, bras and/or lingerie

Just Your Basic Epiphany

Recently, I was meandering into our upstairs bathroom to put some makeup on.  Just as I was passing through the door, my eyes fell on something I hadn't noticed in a good, long while. 

I stopped, backed up and did a double take.

I leaned down to inspect.

The baseboards right there were FILTHY! UGH!

Since I was close to the bathroom, I naturally reached under the sink to find my handy cleaners.  Tucked inside the bright Dollar Tree bin was a small whisk broom.  I grabbed it and went into action.

Running that cute little whisk broom along the edge of the baseboard was easy.  It was only about a 4 foot stretch of molding, so it just took a second.  But it was so euphoric!

With the baby broom in my hand, I looked around.  Hey!  There's another section!  I fairly floated over to it, repeated the quick motions, and was again thrilled with the instantaneous results.

I realized, in that moment of epiphany, that a clean baseboard is a ticket to household nirvana!.  It says something about you. 

It says: you are the Diva of Clean, the Goddess of Goodness, the Queen of Pristine!

Oh, I like the way that feels.

Today's Small Thing is to dust off the baseboards in one room.  You can pick a small room, if you like.  But simply take a broom, dust mop or cloth and run it along the top of the molding.  With each passing foot, you will start to come alive.  And by the time you've circled the room, you'll have to put weights on your ankles to keep you from floating into the sky.

The joy!  The rapture!  The dust-free delight!

Seriously, you will love it.

POINTS: 40 for doing one room

BONUS POINTS: 40 for an additional room

BONUS BONUS POINTS: 40 for doing one more room

120 rapturous points!

No Whining Zone

You know, creating a home that is a place of peace and refuge is about more than just keeping it clean.  You might even say that cleaning can be the EASIEST part of it, when you consider that there is a whole other layer that affects the atmosphere.

Of course, I'm talking about family attitudes.

I mean, what good is it if your house is spotless, is perfectly decorated, has fabulous food on the table, and then the people are all grumpy?  It only takes one whiny child to start spreading unhappiness and gloom throughout your entire household. 

Or one whiny parent, but we don't have to go there specifically today. :)

Helping children develop positive, "can-do" attitudes is a long endeavor, but reaps wonderful rewards.  Somehow, kids don't need to be taught how to cry, throw themselves on the floor and wail when they don't get their way. They instinctively know how to pout and carry on. But it will take years of patient correction and teaching for them to learn self control and develop the kind of character that is able to be pleasant, even when things don't go their way.

Today's Small Thing is to be aware of the attitudes that happen in your house today.  Sometimes, we get so used to hearing whining from our children that we don't even notice that we are being manipulated by their crocodile tears and self pity.  We can do our kids a huge favor by having them make requests in normal voices, and offering simple consequences if need be. We want them to learn how important having a good attitude is, and how much better life is when they realize that the world does not revolve around them.

Most of the time, I've found that I don't have to get mean about policing attitudes.  Sometimes, just mimicking their outrageous whines makes them realize the folly of their ways.  Other times, changing the subject or being silly or having them do something funny breaks the cycle of sorrow that a child might be clinging to.  If whining or sulking has become a habit, you might have to make it an objective infraction that requires stronger consequences.

It will take years, about 18 of them, to work on this issue with your children.  It can be exhausting and discouraging at times.  But when you start seeing your children develop into kind, happy family members, you'll be blessed beyond measure.  And you'll know the true feeling of sanctuary, because it will run deep within your relationships.

POINTS: 50 for working on attitudes: encourage gratitude, kindness and pleasantness!  If you don't have children at home, how about checking your own attitude?  Mine can always use some work!

Want to have some fun?  How about "ticketing" attitude offenders?  Here's a silly citation you could use to help enforce the law of kindness.  Download Attitude Citation

Shake Your Bootay

 

What is it about these old disco songs that makes you want to get out and boogie?

In platform shoes?

I was a bit young for the disco craze of the 70's, but that funky sound makes me smile.  Now, some of you had better luck than others doing the Electric Slide last week, so I'm not going to actually MAKE anyone dance today.

You can just shimmy your shoulders a little bit, right where you are sitting. You know you want to.

We had 16 hockey players over to spend the night on Friday night, and then they stayed most of the day on Saturday. Somehow, Tom ended up being the only adult around on Saturday, so I was called back into duty from my "personal retreat" at my neighbor's house (where I had escaped to their empty house from  all the teenage testosterone).  I sadly put my laptop away and set down the TV remote (they had cable...."What Not to Wear!" made me feel so alive) and came back home to help cook hamburgers and ride herd.

There were are few things I did not get done before the onslaught of 13-15 year olds.  I had cleaned the house, but did not get to the floors and rugs.  The mopping would have to wait, and I knew the boys would not actually notice that the floors weren't clean.  I figured they would not notice that the throw rugs had crumbs in them, either.

I was so right.

But today, those throw rugs call to me.  They need a good shaking, and probably even a good vacuuming. Today's Small Thing is to shake out the rugs in your house.  (Just the ones you can lift...you don't have to do the one under the dining room table.)

You may only have one throw rug in your entire house.  If that's the case, it's your lucky day.  Give it a shake outside the door and collect your points.  For the rest of us with a few more, we'll still have an easy job.  It won't take but a few minutes!  If you really want to get down to business, you can vacuum them, but that would really be going over the top! 

POINTS:  40 for shaking your rugs' booties.

The Sisterhood of Friendship

One of the things that I really regret about my life is that I've not made enough room in it for friendships.  It seems like there has always been "something" going on that ate up all my time and energy, and left little time for me to devote to outside relationships.  I'm lucky enough to have a great sister, who has always been my best friend and life-crutch, but I think my life could have been richer still with just a little bit more effort on my part.

What would it hurt to make a quick phone call to an acquaintance?  Or send an email to someone I'm thinking of?  Would it kill me to jot a note on a card and drop it in the mail?  I always think that I will get to it tomorrow, but then tomorrow turns out to be just as "busy" as today.  I am the queen of Friendship Procrastination.

Today's Small Thing is to celebrate a sister or friend in your life by making a simple gesture.  A note, a phone call, an email, a hug....it doesn't take much to show someone that you care.   Do you have time to grab a bite of lunch or a cup of coffee?  It feels great to know you have actual adults who enjoy your company, and appreciate your friendship.  We, as women, need the sisterhood of friendship to make our lives rich and help us along life's journeys.

POINTS: 75 Super Points, and I'll give you through the weekend to do this fun Small Thing!

Company Girl Coffee! 2.20

(Lauren, me, Meghan: out for "Girls Night!")

The highlight of my week was when I took my college daughters out for dinner and got to hang out with them all Monday evening.  Lauren, who is married, will be graduating with a degree in advertising this May.  Her creative streak has been evident since she was a toddler and loved to color.  She used to pace around the house, looking for something to create.  I had to try and keep the house stocked with bits of string, paper, glue, boxes, feathers and every kind of craft object imaginable, just for her whims. Now, her medium of choice is the computer, and she is amazing with the tools of technology!  I'm in line for a new logo and website update, and can hardly wait! She's our sweet "mother hen."

Meghan is a music education major.  Her passion for music has led her to write her own music, lead praise and worship, play piano and keyboard, and sing.  I love to listen to her practice the classical pieces (voice and piano) for her juries, but my favorite thing is to hear her worship.  She has a heart for Jesus, and it comes through her music.  She loves doing mission work and serving, and we share the same odd sense of humor.  You should have seen us rolling on the floor at Barnes & Noble over the book, "14,000 Things to be Miserable About."

Oh, there's so much more I could write about them....

Mostly, the girls and I have fun together.  Our relationship is changing, as I'd always wished it would, into a wonderful friendship.  It's hard to describe the feeling of joy and pride without sounding really, really cheesy, but these young women have turned out far beyond what I could have even hoped for them.  I'd like to say that the years of hard work and discipline really paid off, but the truth is, I was given the incredible gift of parenting, and I fumbled and stumbled my way through it.  I am grateful for the grace they showed their Mom (especially in those teenage years) when life was the craziest.

I am doubly blessed by my "original" Company Girls, and I love that they are happy to share their special term with all of you!

Link up below so we can visit over your favorite beverage at YOUR place!  It's a great way to meet some other Company Girls and get to know one another.  Don't worry about trying to have a perfect post written...just introduce yourself and let us snoop around your site!  We won't look in the medicine cabinets or closets, we promise!

Today's Small Thing is running late....unexpected things happened this morning so I will get it posted later today.  Can you guess what our theme is today?  Friendship and sisterhood!

Company Girls Coffee Participants

1. Marie 2. Janet 3. Jennifer @ Joyful & Graceful Living 4. Sherry(@myjourney 5. One More Equals Four 6. Teresa 7. Kerri@Latte Buddies! 8. Kara

9. Tricia 10. Cheryl 11. Cindy @ la casa de chen 12. Melissa Holgate 13. Tracey 14. stephanie@{Olive Tree} 15. Luanne 16. mamabeck

17. Dawn 18. Joyce 19. Camille 20. Jill 21. Naomi 22. Alicia 23. Dani

Powered by... Mister Linky's Magical Widgets.

Heavenly Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Winners

I COMPLETELY enjoyed reading each of the comments yesterday!  Each one was a little slice of heaven, and made me smile and laugh!  Way to go, girls!

And yes!  I DID get to carve out my own slice, too:  I took a leisurely shower, ate approximately (don't pin me down) 3 chocolates, dreamed about setting up my office/writing area, browsed the bedding at Target, and spent time with my man.  All in one day??  Yep.  It was unusually heavenly.

I've randomly drawn names, and the two lucky winners are:

Pendy, at A Place for Us

Lydia Cate, an email Company Girl

Girls, if you'll email your addresses to me, I will send your boxes out as quickly as possible so I'm not tempted to eat them!

That was a whole lot of fun.....I'd be up for doing that again (hint, hint, chocolate companies....)

Home Sweet Home

I've got several homeless shelters set up at my house.  They are called Junk Drawers.

They shelter every drifter, misfit and lonely soul that wanders through my home.  The drawer in my kitchen used to be fairly organized until there was a mutiny of sorts and now it's just a free-for-all in there.

Many of the items have been in the shelters so long that now they've become citizens and elected a mayor (Swiss Army Knife, the sharpest knife in the drawer of course) and have their own Society of Misfits.  While the receipts cower in the back corner, the bouncy ball and rocks take care of business for their Swiss boss.  The spools of thread are always tangling up progress, but they're just part of the bureaucracy. 

Many of the items are useful and could be given full-time employment elsewhere, but without a permanent address they can't be located when they are needed.  There is nothing more frustrating than trying to hire scissors for a last-minute job and not being able to find him.  These guys are elusive.

So today's Small Thing is to find permanent homes for one or two items drifting around your house.  Just visit your own homeless shelters and find a couple of characters with potential and either lead them on home to where they belong (their kinfolk have been worried), or create a new place for them. 

You know, when you give a guy a place to call home in this world, you're giving him a chance at new life.  He is free to become a productive member of society.  It feels good to offer hope to the homeless, and the reward of organization will warm your heart.

POINTS: 20 for finding a home for one drifter

BONUS POINTS: 10 for each additional home, up to 5

(70 points max)

Let us know: what's the oddest thing you've got drifting around in your shelters?  Mine is some dog toenail clippers.

Heaven's Not That Far, After All

Why should Fridays have all the fun?  Wednesdays are the oft-forgotten middle child, that day that everyone drags around in, wishing it was over so they can slide on toward the weekend.

I say we give your Wednesday a little heaven on earth today!

See, I don't know about you, but I've got a lot on my mind these days.  What with trying to solve the Middle East Peace Crisis, worrying about Jessica Simpson's weight, remembering to order my son's yearbook, AND keeping food on the table, I'm ready for a lil' bit of heaven.  I'm weary, people.  Oh, so weary.

So Ladies, for Today's Small Thing, let's think about something that brings a smile to our faces and then take a few minutes to enjoy a small pleasure.  Without feeling the least bit guilty!

I'm a firm believer in simple pleasures. Not extravagant ones, although those are nice, too.  But things like.... breathing in the scent of a freshly bathed baby.  Closing your eyes in the sunshine and seeing the patterns on the insides of your eyelids.  Putting on fuzzy socks, brewing a cup of special tea, painting your short fingernails, petting a cat until it drools.  How about reading cookbooks just for fun, or falling asleep in someone's arms? Oh, there is goodness all around us, and sometimes we just need to pause and deliberately drink it all in. No matter what is happening in the world we live in.

And while you think about how you might like to spend a few minutes in your own little heaven, let me sweeten our Small Thing!  The nice people at Ferrero Rocher chocolates contacted me recently and asked if I would be interested in receiving a box of chocolates in exchange for letting my readers know about their "Share Something Sweet" campaign that allows you to easily send a sweet message to someone, while helping to end childhood hunger.  What a great idea! 

And they would also provide me with 2 additional boxes to give away on my blog.

I said, "LetmethinkaboutitIthoughtaboutitYES!" I think I might have one or two readers who would love some special chocolates.

Telling people about my favorite chocolates is EASY....and, as I nibble on one of these gold foil-wrapped delicacies, just a little bit heavenly.  They make me think of my daughter, Meghan, who always gets a package of these on special occasions from her Daddy.  She savors them, making them last longer than anyone on the planet.  She loves them so much that she doesn't want to see the last one get eaten. I, however, have no trouble eating my way through a box in short order. I love the crumbly hazelnut coating and the creamy centers surrounding the hazelnut heart.  Excuse me while I reach for another...

I'm going to randomly select 2 commenters to receive a package of Ferrero Rocher chocolates today.  They are in a heart-shaped container, just perfect for showing yourself how much you're loved.  All you have to do is leave a comment and make sure that you have an email address in your profile or comment so I can contact you and get your address.  What a perfect way to make a Wednesday fun!

POINTS: 50 for finding a smidgeon of heaven today...take a few minutes to enjoy a simple pleasure!

What will you do today?  How will you enjoy a little heaven on earth?