Organised Crime!

“Order is the sanity of the mind, the health of the body, the peace of the city, the security of the state. Like beams in a house or bones to a body, so is order to all things.”

Robert Southey quote

Well, they say Preachers teach the lessons they most need to learn themselves...I am this way when it comes to organisation!

I'm not being hard on myself, I have come along way over the years. My Achilles heel seems to be my sentimentality. I keep letters, articles items that have no real use, and many a zealous organiser would have a field day, or possibly their work cut out for them, in this area of my life.

I love practicality and I absolutely LOVE the idea of ..."A place for everything & everything in its place" (Mary Beeton), but achieving this fully - has eluded me to an extent! I have bought books on organisation, storage and house-keeping. It seems I love reading about it! It would be a crime, to not develop or maintain your home through lack of motivation, dont you agree?!

Luckily I have storage down-stairs it is not precisely how I would like it, never-the-less it is available so I need to start getting proactive. I think when it comes down to it, you have to know yourself. Know your limitations, and be strong!

My personality type is generally sanguine. My approach is often -"how can I make this fun!" I have forced myself  at least 3 times to attempt to clean what was meant to be the babies nursery! Each time I have gone in there and been overwhelmed...by stuff!

I have made up my mind though and am going to do this thing! I want people to come in my home, and feel WELCOME, when your space is cluttered, you don't want people in there, you want them too shoo away -until another day, not good!

  I love doing a quick blitz clean before my guys get home, I cherish them coming home from a hard day to their Haven, to the smell of dinner, to a tidy welcoming space that they can just relax in!

As I have said before, sometimes you don't need to spend $$$ on decor, you just need to tidy & re-arrange things. My step-mom went on a missions trip in Africa, it was touching to hear her account of a christian home she went into. They were living in poverty, but still amongst their lack, the lady's home she went to was pristine, tidy! Its not about stuff. A home filled with love & great hospitality outshines one that is just fulled with latest of everything, lastly at least people will be able to marvel at your good stewardship!

In terms of tidiness & organisation-there are days that are going to go to custard, you may be unwell, lack sleep, have to spend extra time with children, ecetera, ecetera. Its just a matter of picking things up again when you have the energy, for heavens sake dont beat yourself up over it!  Your home is your safe place to unwind, not a show home, when it's tidy (not perfect) it makes you feel better, that's all.

It is rewarding when you put in the effort, -the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. God made things in an orderly fashion, He also made the world full of beautiful, fascinating things...including you, it is no suprise we thrive in these surroundings, order & beauty.

Speaking of that, a few blogs ago I bought a $20 chandelier, it was in a grose state, I spent atleast 1hr working on it...

Before



After

 When you begin to achieve results, it motivates you keep going in other   area's! Here's hoping that some-how Ive inspired you, to get proactive and make your living space the best it can be!


Blesses,
Storm


Some awesome links:

http://organizedhome.com


http://www.netmums.com/lifestyle/house-and-home/tips-for-an-organised-happy-home#ten

Green fingers... saving green dollars!

I traipsed off to the Organic Nursery again. I  grabbed a whole lot of plants from the bargain section, priced at $1 each. The reason they are so cheap is they often missing a plant or a little distressed...nothing a little feeding and  (root) space cant remedy. I wanted to plant a few more veggie plants namely Mizuna-I have been most impressed with this Japanese wonder. (Easy to grow..full of iron, folate, vita c and flavour!)  I managed to acquire  two punnets of the red variety this time and another Chinese variant  - called Tat Soi.

The main reason how-ever was to get my hands on some Medicinal Herbs. I have had a window planter box for a while - just sitting around. I got it from  $2 Shop for $6, (go figure), and I have finally found the time and confidence to attempt to grow something!  My husband has tonsils, so he still gets sore throats and tonsillitis...he has gargled mouthwash, been on antibiotics, consumed copious amounts of salt and sucked a truck-load of lozenges - all to no avail.

I bought Parsley, Dill, Oregano & Sage. Peruse the information below (from the Nourished Kitchen.Com)  and you will be as amazed and awed as I was by these common kitchen herbs and their hidden benefits!

'Parsley Medicinal Uses: Parsley’s medicinal effects rest in its volatile oils and flavonoids:  apiole, myristicin, terpinolene, appin and others.  These components also account for parsley’s notable flavor.  Parsley is thought to offer therapeutic uses in the treatment of the urinary tract and is approved by Germany’s Commission E – a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine – for use in the treatment of urinary tract infections as well as kidney and bladder stones.  Traditionally, parsley was not only used for treatment of urinary tract and bladder infections but also as an treatment for gastrointestinal distress.  Moreover, parsley is also used as a way to stimulate menstruation.

Dill Medicinal Uses:  Dill and parsley share a commonality: apiole, that volatile oil that accounts for so much of their individual flavors.  Dill is traditionally used to ease stomach upset and to treat gastrointestinal disorders.   In folk medicine, it is also used to treat sleep disorders – particularly insomnia. Some parents give a dill infusion or tea to their young babies as a treatment for colic.

Oregano Medicinal Uses:  Oregano is traditionally used to treat respiratory issues such as stuffy noses and coughs and is an expectorant. In folk medicine, it is also used to treat menstrual cramping and it has very potent antimicrobial activities.

Sage Medicinal Uses: Sage is approved by Commission E to improve appetite and to ease  inflammation, particularly of the mouth.   For nursing mothers who may be experiencing over-production, sage can help to slow milk production.'

It is common knowledge that hundreds, even thousands of years ago herbs were relied upon as trusty treatments to cure many ailments.
In our modern times the medical profession has flooded our veins with synthetic drugs' or hard line antibiotics to rid us of disease and sickness and all the while healthier preventative measures may have protected our health in a gentler more natural way. Although I don't negate the need for medical intervention in the conventional sense, I for one am just keen to venture in God's back-yard first!



If you have read my previous blog, you will know that I adore 'prettifying' our nest and making a home for my guys,.. for now it's beauty on a budget and I'm quite happy with that! I thought my windows were still lacking a certain softness and I was lucky to find almost exactly what I was after for a mere $5.


My "window treatment"
 (I took the pic at night because I ran out of time ...3 guys to nurture!)



Was also chuffed to spot this; the 1st page was all about Alyssum and I'm attempting to grow it from seed!

Only $4 - cant buy a mag for that!

Anyway, as much as I'm sowing plants into my garden, I have determined to sow kindness into my community. Practising patience, and putting others before yourself  sometimes speaks volumes above words. It is so uplifting when people are unselfish... never under-estimate the small acts of kindness - they can make someones day!


Have a BLESSED week,

Storm

The kiss of the sun for pardon,
The song of the birds for mirth,
One is nearer God's heart in a garden
Than anywhere else on earth.
~Dorothy Frances Gurney, "Garden Thoughts"


Links : Interesting Reads on Medicinal Herbs


Check out this interesting link on the properties of Oregano:
dremilykane.com/2008/04/14/oregano-wonder-herb/Cached - Similar

Amazing...
www.home-remedies-haven.com/common-herbs-and-their-uses.html