Purge

Aren't you glad we have a New Year?  It is kind of like a new beginning.  A chance to start over on things.  While I am not one for making New Year's resolutions, I do try to make a list of things on the back page of my calendar that I would like to accomplish in the year.  Sometimes I do well, and other years, well what can I say, other than I fail miserably.  2011 seems like a blur to me.  It came and went, and left very little impression on me other than my poor man having a horrible time with back problems.  In fact, I started to write a Christmas letter and soon nixed the idea since there was not a whole lot of things to write about.  My blog is a reflection of my life...in bad need of attention and in desperate need of a makeover.  Enter 2012.  I feel like Anne Shirley in Anne of Green Gables (my favorite movie of all time) who says, "tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it."  That is how I view 2012--fresh with no mistakes in it.  I have decided my word for the year is going to be "PURGE".  I liked the definition: the verb form means: cleanse, clear, purify, wash, absolve. The noun form means: removal, expulsion, ejection, eradication.  Spiritually, I want to purge my life of anything that is displeasing to God and keep clean hands and a pure heart.  Physically, I would like to purge bad habits, and "fluff" that is so cluttering my home.  Like 30 years worth of stuff.  I have to say I have felt out of control, overwhelmed, overcome, and feel like I am just keeping my head above water until the next wave hits.  Where does the time go...there isn't enough.  This morning I timed how long it takes me to make my bed. Two minutes and fifty-eight seconds.  Of that time, half is spent putting pillows on my bed.  If I calculated how much time I would save just by eliminating the pillows, I would save 9 hours and 10 minutes a year!  (3 minutes x 7 days/week= 21minutes; 21 x 52 weeks=1092 minutes or 18 hrs 20 minutes.  Divide that in half since it takes me half of that time to add the pillows= 9 hrs. 10 min--provided my math is right which it may not be since that was not my best subject).  I wonder how long it takes me to take them off each night? Hmmm. Only problem is I wouldn't have my cute decorated bed--that is what Warren just told me.

My stopwatch time of how long it took to make my bed and add the pillows.

All the pillows.  They come out to the halfway mark on my bed! But aren't they lovely?

Anyway, I am trying to get a handle on some of my out of control behavior, like eating.  I am back on my lifestyle plan (not diet) of eating vegan (for cholesterol reasons only), and I have started walking in the mornings again.  It is rather chilly, but I use that time to pray.  I usually take my stack 3x5 scripture cards, but because it is so cold my eyes water and I cannot see the cards.  Early morning walks do have their reward.  Look at this glorious sight.  Oh, the wonders and glory of the Lord!

Sunrise. Notice the church and U.S. flag to the left.  God just thrilled me this morning!

The sun is just peeking above the horizon. This was the scene on my return walk. 

I am so behind in my 365 project, but I am working on that as well.  I am up to week 47 with some additional pages to include things like birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.  It is going to be a big 2011 album that will cost a pretty penny, but it is like the MasterCard commercial: priceless.  I am confident I will get things under better control and not feel so overwhelmed  eventually.  It is a process, as long as I keep focused.

My scripture for 2012 is: "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders.
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen." Psalms 72: 18-19.