Get it Organized!

I almost laugh at the title of this post. You know why? I am a mom of three busy children in a home that most days seems about to burst forth from its seams. You know... the stuff you accumulate! Like most moms who decide to tackle their kids closets to organize the toys or to clean out the clothes that have gotten way too small, you get it looking great, BUT...! Yes, you know what I mean! Disaster strikes....again, in the form of your wonderful children. I could share lots of organizational tips on cleaning out the closet, the toys, etc. except around our house that type of organization lasts for almost 30 seconds. Even before I step out of the room there they go diving into the closet, again! Oh, well.

Anyway, I thought I would share with those who have found me by way of Lysa Terkeurst's blog (visit the link through the title above or through the button tab below) about organizing something that doesn't deal entirely with the kids. (Well, almost!) What is it? My pantry! This bit of organization came about last year by way of some pesky little creatures called ANTS!

While we were away from our house for a few days in 2007 a hungry Army of Ants decided that it would be awesome to have a dandy picnic in my pantry! Imagine my horror when we got back to find ANTS in our cereal boxes, cookies, snacks, and even in Ziploc bags still wrapped Easter candy! I was "enraged" enough to battle those determined little creatures that had invaded my territory and seized my family's food! Needless to say we got rid of them! One Battle won!

But....

What could I do to keep those determined creatures from finding an "unguarded"way back into my house to come back for a second invasion? I went to Wally world! I commandeered a few plastic see-thru storage boxes in various sizes and I went to work. Those ants were not going to get back in my cereal boxes, cookies, snacks, and ziploc bags of candy! Not my chocolate! Oops, the kids chocolate!

So this is what I did: I placed my cereal boxes in the larger sweather box, and then I divided the remaining boxes into categories. I labeled each "air tight" storage box with a waterproof pen according to the contents inside. Not only do I have an orderly pantry shelf with our food protected from the invading Ants, but now everything has its place. It has actually cut down on the number of boxes of prepackaged snack food items, and the clutter (for the most part). Plus the kids know where to find what they love to eat for an afternoon snack!

I did learn a thing or two from the ants. I will have to share my Ant article with you another day, but it has to do with their sense of teamwork and determination to reach their goals no matter the obstacles. Come back and visit with me often. I would love for you to!

(Even though I started organizing my pantry I did stop at the snack foods. If you have some additional ideas for how I could further organize my pantry that would be great...I do need some additional help with it. I do tend to buy items that I already have one or two of in the pantry when I don't need them. With food cost rising I need to get it streamlined to cut my shopping costs down. My 6 yr old son eats like crazy and any little tips you can give would help me from overbuying plus save some cash.)

Latanya

Living in Success

Living in Success! That statement probably brings up many ideas in your mind, but what exactly does it mean to live in success. Does it mean that everything you touch is successful or is it more about an attitude of success; a way of living your life on target with a set purpose in mind?

Great question for thought. Right!

I see it more as an attitude!

Do you remember learning to ride a bike or learning to skate? Lots of bumps and bruises, probably even a scar or two were the results of your first few attempts. Did you quit? I would say...probably not.

What happened when you fell down that first time? Did you cry? Did you just walk away? Did you have a temper tantrum?

OR...

Did you have someone in your corner encouraging you to get back up and try again? And again! And again! Most likely you had your mom or dad there telling you "Get back up. You can do it!" Their encouragement and belief that you could motivated you to keep on going. Even through the tears, the aches, the dirt, and the bruises, you persevered until you did it! Success!

Now go back to what you felt in that moment of triumph. What did it feel like? Unbelievable? Exhilarating? Joyous? Probably all those emotions and more.

Were you glad that you did not quit? Were you glad that you had someone there keeping you on target? There is something to say for having someone there to encourage you to keep pushing; to keep following through.

So what is your attitude right now about some huge task ahead of you, or about some obstacle that has gotten you off focus from the road you know you are to take? What are you going to do about it? You could give up and just walk away? Or have a temper tantrum? Or will you choose to live in success by persevering by trying again and again until you break through to triumph?

Choosing to LIVE in Success,
Latanya

I would love any feedback or comments to todays post! What are your thoughts on this topic!

I am hosting a training event on May 17, 2008 in Charlotte, NC for the Net Work Marketing company I am with. Our theme for the day is Living in Success. If you would like to find out more about this event visit the link above in the title. Or if you would like to know more about what I do from home visit: http://www.successfulcandlebiz.com .

We will also be taking up donations to send to a few US soldiers who are serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan. See the event registration site for more info.

Thank you, Lysa....

As I read your post from Thursday this morning it really spoke to me. You see, right now, I am in the process of planning a May meeting (http://livinginsuccessevent.com/) in the Charlotte area for the company I am with.

This is our second year for the meeting to help distributors and those thinking about our joining us with our opportunity. We have a stellar line up of leaders and business ideas to help our fellow candle business entrepenuers launch their businessess to the next level.

Last year we had a great first year turn out, but this year registrants haven't been registering as often. Truthfully, it has gotten me worried. We are no where near the number I have indicated to the hotel that we were planning to have.

Truth be known it is a little scary, and I am worried. However, your post has gotten me to rethink my perspective on the situation. I have not allowed the peace of Jesus Christ to freely flow in my life at this time, because I am worried about the outcome not being what my mind's eye has imagined it would be this year. When Jesus said, "Peace, be with you" He was telling the disciples that HE had already GIVEN them peace, but they had not taken hold of the PEACE. His presence is Peace!

Thank you for reminding me that I need to live in His presence and His peace! This meeting is in His hands. He will be there. And so will those that He wants to be there.

"Lord, help me to live in your Peace. Amen!"
Latanya

Fun in the Sun? Or is it cold on the Beach?

Notice anything missing? Nobody is out by the pool and lazy river! BRRrrrrr!




We are in the hot tub at the indoor pool!


Last week our family went to Myrtle Beach, SC. Normally you think of warmth, the hot sun and sand, and tons of warm water. Or ... that is the normal picture of a vacation at the beach. Not exactly so for our trip to the beach! Not in March!

It was cold and the breeze was cool while we were there. And I was not feeling at my best. In spite of the circumstances we did have fun.

Sometimes what we believe is the typical normal way to think of something is in fact just a belief about what we perceive in our mind's eye. You know that perfect day. Everyone and everything being just right. Then reality strikes.

The weather is chilly, the water is cold, the sun is not so hot, and the sand...well ...you don't want it in your shoes. But then you accept that the water and the sun aren't so warm, that you can't exactly sink your toes in the sand, and by no means do you stick your toes in the water. However, if you bundle up and prepare yourself for the weather outside then you can enjoy the present chilly or not! It is all in you mindset.

And you can perhaps find some fun out of the sun!

So what can you do today to change your view in your mind's eye?

What steps can you take to make changes to your mindset if your current path is way off from what you perceived it to be originally?

Next, how can you regroup and renew you so you will be prepared for changes in the weather?

Be prepared for whatever the weather.

Latanya