When I was first diagnosed with depression over 6 years ago, I blamed it on being overwhelmed by all the “stuff” I had to deal with in my life. Actually, I think I was depressed for years before the actual diagnosis. As I look back on things, I see that my house was showing the signs that I was trying so hard to hide or deny.  If it were possible to see the mess in my head it would very closely resemble the chaos in my house.

One of the ways I tried to hide things was to “put them in a box” both mentally and physically. I have cardboard boxes everywhere in my house of things. Things I couldn’t part with because I couldn’t make the decisions to keep, toss, or giveaway.  My head was the same way – lots of worries and thoughts that I couldn’t let go. And the more I looked at the boxes and the mess in my house the more I had to worry and think about. It was a terrible vicious cycle that I found myself in.

After going to the doctor and being put on medication I found that I could look at all this stuff and not have any reaction to it.  Eventually, it was like I couldn’t see it at all. After living like this for 5 years, living in oblivion became second nature.  My family started complaining about all my stuff, but the meds helped me tune them out – it gave me selective hearing.

This past year I decided that I was ready to go off the meds and find ME again.  So, with my doctor’s help we weaned me off of my antidepressant – which was a horrible experience, but one I am glad I went through.  It took almost six months for me to feel “normal”.

As the holidays approached and it was time to decorate, I was shocked at how terrible things were around here. It was a major ordeal just to clean and make room for family to come and to put up decorations.  I needed help!  Thank God for my daughter who moved in right before Christmas and came to the rescue. Read my post here about how she is helping clear out the clutter.

About ten years ago I took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Workshop at my church. One of the things Dave teaches is that you have to be aware of where your money is going so that you know how much you actually have. This is true in any circumstance. You have to be AWARE all the time. You cannot live life in oblivion or in your “happy place”.  If you do, you start to lose control of things, like cleaning, bill paying, eating, etc.

When my husband and I created our first budget, we were amazed at how much money we found!  We found that we wasted a ton of our hard-earned money on stuff we didn’t need, fees for late payments, etc.  Once we had it all figured out, we experienced a peace of mind like we never had before.

The same applies to my life. I am finding that I bought and re-bought the same products mainly because I forgot I bought them and didn’t know where they were (probably in a box somewhere) and didn’t think to look and make a list before I went shopping.

So, as my daughter and I clean out the clutter in my house I am becoming AWARE and learning how important it is.  Being aware is going to save me so many times – save me from wasting, save me from overspending, save me from ending up like this again.

Do you have things in your life that you have mentally “tuned-out” but you really need to be aware of?  If so, please share in the comments.  Putting it out there publicly might be just what you need to do so that you can take care of those areas in your life.

Ever since my daughter got married and moved away to North Carolina, my world was not right.  I cried for weeks when she first left – I felt like she had died. It was terrible. I spent more time on the road going to visit her then I did anywhere else during the first year she was gone.

Even after the sharp pain of her leaving had subsided things just weren’t the same.

After some sad circumstances, my daughter surprised us two weeks before Christmas by moving back home!  I had the best Christmas ever! It was the worst if I measured it on the money we did not have for gifts for everyone. But, who cares!  My baby girl came home and all is right in my world.

The other prayer that is being answered is she came home mature and with a touch of OCD, lol!  She can’t stand clutter!  Everyday when I come home from work, she is in the middle of some big cleaning and tossing project.  She is showing tough love with me, too.  She wont’ let me whine and say I really need this or that; she listens, but then she ultimately decides if it stays or goes. That is a godsend for me!  Deciding what to do with all this stuff was the hardest part next to the amount of stuff that needs gone through!!

I posted this photo on my Facebook page as a funny and because of what is happening at my house right now.

But it is more than that . . . my stress level is going down, my home is becoming homey and my daughter is happy that she is home and can help me. She would have never felt like that five years ago.  She is enjoying tossing my stuff – maybe too much, lol!

This is what I came home to the other day – my “Tupperware” cupboard looked like it threw up on the kitchen floor.

Here is Jessie almost done with the mess.  God love her! I can’t even crouch down like that with these achy knees and back of mine.

See, I wasn’t kidding . . . she loves what she is doing, lol! Plus, I think this is therapy for her after some of what she had to deal with before she came home.

My husband said that if we get the house cleaned of all the clutter he will work on finishing it by laying down floor coverings and finishing up the odds and ends that need done.  We started remodeling back in 1991 and kind of ran out of money and energy. I have had plywood floors and windows and doors with no trim for over 21 years. So, knowing that maybe by this time next year I can have my house done is a HUGE incentive for me!  Crazy, some women may want jewelry or a vacation – I am happy with linoleum and carpet. Hehehe!

If 2013 keeps going as it has these past few days, it will be the best year I have had in a long time.

In today’s fast-paced lifestyle, a hobby is the perfect way for a person to find relief from stress while also developing new skills and refining their abilities. When looking for a hobby, there are many types of fun activities that range from gardening to skydiving. The type of hobby that a person will be most likely to enjoy will depend on a range of factors that include their available time and general interests. Here are a few hobby ideas that can help anyone get started on developing a new interest.

1. Woodworking

Many people are familiar with building simple objects and furniture such as a birdhouse. This hobby can be wonderful for creative types who enjoy working with their hands. The types of projects that a person creates can range from a small toy to large pieces of furniture such as a desk or dresser. Additionally, woodworking can be extended to painting and refinishing furniture to create useful everyday items.

2. Playing an Instrument

Another great hobby for a creative person is playing an instrument. The type of instrument a person will enjoy depends upon their natural talents and interests. A few of the most common instruments that people enjoy playing as a hobby are guitars, pianos and ukuleles. Generally, a person may take a few lessons before moving into their own experiments with sound.

3. Dance

Dancing is a hobby that can be enjoyed as an individual or with a partner. Many people enjoy dancing once they decide upon a style that they enjoy. Ballroom, country and swing dancing are a few of the typical types of dancing that many couples enjoy. Additionally, jazz, ballet and modern dance styles can be learned through the help of an instructor or video.

4. Flower Arranging

Whether a person is a gardener or interested in interior design, flower arranging can be a fun hobby that will result in a beautiful finished product. Many people enjoy using real flowers, but artificial flowers can also be arranged. The key to developing this hobby is to be willing to experiment to create a unique arrangement.

5. Camping

For the outdoorsy types, camping can be a wonderful hobby to explore. Camping can be done simply using a basic tent and supplies, or it can be enjoyed in an RV or travel trailer. However a person prefers to camp, other hobbies can be combined with this one such as hiking, bird watching and boating.

Once a person finds the right hobby, they will find that they can relax and unwind while participating in their favorite activity. Many people also find that they can enjoy a variety of hobbies that range from quiet to active. For this reason, it is best to explore several hobbies and always be willing to experiment. This way, a person will always have a hobby they can turn to when they want to engage in an activity they enjoy.

This was written by Jeanie Barcus. In her spare time she loves looking up golf tee times and discount golf as gifts for her husband, when she’s not spending time with her kids.

1. Start eating cleaner
2. Clean off at least 50 lbs of body fat (I would love to lose 100 lbs but will be happy losing 50 lbs)
3. Clean my cupboards, refrigerator and freezer of all unhealthy food
4. Clean my house – rid it of anything I don’t need or love (my husband is safe for now, lol!)
5. Clean out my clothes (I kept my smaller sized clothes hoping to get back into them. It would be better to give them away and reward myself with new ones when I reach my goal of 50 lbs lost)
6. Clean up my finances by creating a budget and eliminating debt
7. Read my Bible daily (this will help clean up my thoughts of all things negative and worldly)
8. Clean off my treadmill and stationary bike (these things make great clothes hangers! )
9. Clean up my schedule so that I can spend more time with family and friends
10. Finish some of my crochet projects and then give them away as gifts next Christmas (this will clean out a huge spot in my closet!)
11. Clean my car and keep it that way (my car is a total mess inside and has been for months)
12. Start a savings account as an emergency back-up (I can do this if I clean up my finances)
13. Start saving for retirement (is there such a thing anymore?)

I plan to cover my list daily with prayer. I know God wants me to rid myself of the things I don’t need. Those things are distracting and take up my time and takes my focus off of Him. If I have to dust it, maintain it, or worry about it and it is not important, then it has to go!

I will keep this post updated with my progress throughout the year. I am determined that I will focus on “coming clean” all year. I know that I can do it because . . .

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

I have struggled for years with too much. Too much to do, too much stuff, too much fat on my body, too much whirling around in my brain.  It is time to “clean” up my life. Time to do only that which is important and meaningful. Time to get rid of the stuff that is taking over my house. Time to get rid of this excess fat. Time to think only on things that matter.

Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I have been anxiously awaiting the new year. A new beginning. A fresh start. A do-over of sorts. 2012 was not all bad, but there are things I wanted to take care of and accomplish last year – and the year before that – that I never completed. And, some things were never even started. However, a new year gives one hope and that is what I am clinging to. Hope that I will stick to my “resolutions”. Hope that I will make important changes. Hope that I will not enter 2014 with regrets of things not accomplished in 2013.

I will be posting my list of “resolutions” in the next few days. If I post anything that is also on your list of resolutions, maybe we can help each other by giving encouragement and accountability.

What are you wanting to accomplish this new year?

“Man in the Mirror”

Michael Jackson

I’m Gonna Make A Change,
For Once In My Life
It’s Gonna Feel Real Good,
Gonna Make A Difference
Gonna Make It Right . . .

As I, Turn Up The Collar On My
Favourite Winter Coat
This Wind Is Blowin’ My Mind
I See The Kids In The Street,
With Not Enough To Eat
Who Am I, To Be Blind?
Pretending Not To See
Their Needs
A Summer’s Disregard,
A Broken Bottle Top
And A One Man’s Soul
They Follow Each Other On
The Wind Ya’ Know
‘Cause They Got Nowhere
To Go
That’s Why I Want You To
Know

I’m Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
I’m Asking Him To Change
His Ways
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself, And
Then Make A Change)
(Na Na Na, Na Na Na, Na Na,
Na Nah)

I’ve Been A Victim Of A Selfish
Kind Of Love
It’s Time That I Realize
That There Are Some With No
Home, Not A Nickel To Loan
Could It Be Really Me,
Pretending That They’re Not
Alone?

A Willow Deeply Scarred,
Somebody’s Broken Heart
And A Washed-Out Dream
(Washed-Out Dream)
They Follow The Pattern Of
The Wind, Ya’ See
Cause They Got No Place
To Be
That’s Why I’m Starting With
Me
(Starting With Me!)

I’m Starting With The Man In
The Mirror
(Ooh!)
I’m Asking Him To Change
His Ways
(Ooh!)
And No Message Could Have
Been Any Clearer
If You Wanna Make The World
A Better Place
(If You Wanna Make The
World A Better Place)
Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change
(Take A Look At Yourself And
Then Make A Change)

Bella Bad Dog at Christmas

Since I last posted, I have worked 3 part-time jobs at the same time, found out I will be a grandma for a third time, moved my daughter back home from North Carolina (2 weeks before Christmas), and suffered with chronic bronchitis the entire time. Doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you are sick and not feeling well it seemed like too much.

I am now down to one part-time job, my daughter is settling back into being home and the new grand-baby will be here in February. Christmas was actually stress-free even though I was sick . . . Life. Is. Good.

One thing you might notice is that I am giving my blog a remodel, so please bear with me as I update and change things around.

2013 will be here in just a few days and I am looking forward to it like someone dying for a cool drink of water.  I love new beginnings and want to put the old year behind me and start writing in the pages of the new year. I hope this is the year that I accomplish many things on my “bucket” list.

So, until next year (only 2 days away!) . . .

My trip was going great until I hit the Cambridge, OH area on I-70 West – a line of cars as far as I could see were at a standstill. Grrr!  From where I was sitting I had no idea why the traffic wasn’t moving. Was it an accident? Construction?  I had no clue.

Traffic jam on I-70 West in Ohio

Since I am such a geek, I pulled out my smartphone and used my Scanner app to listen in on the police/emergency channels . . . no chatter about the traffic so I figured no accident.  But what WAS going on?  I really didn’t want my 5+ hour ride to be any longer!  Plus, I didn’t want to miss the evenings festivities at our conference . . . *sigh*.

We sat there. We crept a few yards and occasionally hit 15 mp and then STOP.  I still couldn’t see what the hold up was.  I checked the scanner again and no news. I called my husband. Sent some text messages. Posted a picture of the line of traffic on Facebook. Whined about the delay on Facebook. We crept a few more yards. Stop. Creep. Stop. Creep. . .

After about 2 miles of the stop/creep routine and 45 minutes later, I was really getting impatient. I phoned my team leader to let her know I probably wouldn’t arrive until close to 10pm instead of 9pm so that she wouldn’t worry about me.  I promised myself that as soon as I saw an exit that was heading west or south that I was going to take it and let the GPS recalculate.

My opportunity came about 15 minutes later! An exit was up ahead and as far as I could see the traffic was still not moving.  The exit was for I-77 South and I took it! Yippee! I was flying down the road eating up the miles! In the meantime the GPS lady kept repeating “turn around as soon as possible” or “take the next exit, turn left, turn left and take the highway” back the way I had just come from. What was she thinking? I didn’t want to go back to sit in that line of traffic – I had somewhere to be!

I pushed some buttons on the GPS and calculated an alternate route.  It added almost another 100 miles and 50 more minutes to my ride.  I justified that MY new route was better because by the time I turned around and then sat in traffic it could take much longer than 50 minutes . . . RIGHT?

Well, it got dark, the roads went from interstates to two-lane curvy, up-and-down, roads with little eye balls reflecting along the side of the road. Please Lord, don’t let a deer or other critter run out in front of me!

Did I mention that I was getting low on gas?? Yep, I had to find a station in a little town off the beaten path at 11pm. I also had to go the restroom but there were some shady looking characters lurking about so I didn’t go and prayed my bladder wouldn’t burst by the time I got to the hotel.

I finally arrived at my destination around midnight. I was tired, thirsty, stiff and really needed that bathroom break!

Now fast forward to the trip home (by the way, my weekend was great!) . . .

I decided that I would listen to my GPS on the ride home. I had plenty of daylight left and wasn’t in a real big hurry, so I was going to rely on it instead of myself.

As I got closer to Cambridge on I-70 I got stuck in traffic headed east. I knew then that the traffic from the other evening was construction traffic.  The line wasn’t near as bad as it was when I was heading west, so I was patient.  As traffic approached the area of construction I was shocked to see that even though the line was long, the construction area was only a few hundred yards in length and on the other side traffic was moving freely.  I also noticed that just around the bend was . . . the exit I took to avoid the traffic a few nights ago!! Ugh!

I realized that if I would have been patient (and could have seen around the bend) on my way going, I would have saved myself almost an hour of time and 100 miles! I was so angry at myself!

You know, God’s Word tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Just as my GPS knew my destination and the quickest, easiest way to get there, God knows the plans He has for your life. God knows where the traffic jams are, when there is construction ahead, and what paths are the best for you to travel. When you get off track, God will recalculate. Why? Because He knows what is best for us. Even when we make wrong choices and get off of the path God has intended for us, He will still lead us where we are to go if we just ask Him. God knows what’s ahead and can see around any bend in your life and will guide you if you let Him.

Be Blessed!

Just visit http://swagbucks.com on your smartphone. The mobile site will load and you will have the option to log in. That’s it! Easy-peasy lemon-squeezy!

Currently the only way to earn Swagbucks using the mobile site is by doing searches and daily polls. However, new ways to earn on the go will be added soon.

Some of the other features on the new mobile site include:

• Checking you Swagbucks total
• Redeeming Swagbucks for a select number of prizes (Amazon, PayPal, & Starbucks)
• Links to stay up-to-date on Swagbucks Facebook posts, Twitter and even the full Swagbucks website.

Watch this video tutorial on accessing the Swagbucks mobile site and see all the current features in action:

I tried it as soon as I watched it and was able to be on the site within minutes. I completed the daily poll and even earned 7 Swagbucks doing my first search – although I lost them because I hit the back button on my phone by accident.  :(

If you don’t know what Swagbucks is all about, you can learn more by visiting http://www.swagbucks.com/g/faq. After reading the FAQs, you can use my referral link to sign up, http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/kimberskorner .

Attention! You can earn 60 bonus Swagbucks when you register by entering the Swag Code SBISONTHEGO into the little box located in the top right of your Swagbucks homepage. But hurry, this code is valid until Friday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. PT.

I have been redeeming my Swagbucks for Amazon gift codes that I am saving to purchase a Kindle Fire. I only have $100 more (or roughly 4,500 Swagbucks) to go and I can make my purchase!

So, grab your smartphone and check it out! Please stop back and let me know what you think of the new mobile site.

Disclaimer: Please note that some of this links in this post are referral links. If you click on them and join Swagbucks, you will be my referral. When one of my referrals earns Swagbucks through searches, I will win matching Swagbucks, up to 1,000 per referral.

Don’t forget, if you are just now registering for Swagbucks you can earn 60 bonus Swagbucks by entering the Swag Code “SBISONTHEGO” by Friday, August 3rd at 11:59 p.m. PT.