"For Good" from Wicked

The first song of the week is "For Good" from Wicked.  Why would I choose this?  It has to do with why I even decided to start a blog - it is a song I first heard when I read the story about Preslee Sullenger whose story impacted me so much.  I was reading Ashley Sullenger's blog as that song started to play and, all I can say is, wow.  I know it impacted me so much at the moment because as I heard the words, I know that Ashley's had chosen it because of her little girl and it became a much more powerful song than if I had just heard it in passing.  Now as I hear the words below and take time to think of my friends, people I met in passing, those that I am able to serve and realize how important each of those contacts are even if it is just for a moment.

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led to those who help us grow the most
If we let them and help them in return
Well I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you . . ."

There is much more to this song so I hope you'll take time to listen to it - it has the top spot on my playlist currently :-)


** For the background of my weekly song read the Weekly Song Intro

Song of the Week Intro

If you know me well, you know that I enjoy music.  I play the piano and I sing so songs that touch my heart; touch my life; touch my soul are songs that impact me.  Sometimes it is a song I hear on the radio, a song I knew years ago and just "found" or a song that impacted me because of the circumstances around it.  As I've become more interested in blogs over the past month, I've also paid attention to the songs people pick for their players on their blogs.  You wouldn't pick a song that you hated or that made you feel like "fingernails on a chalkboard" but rather songs that make you sing or dance; songs that make you happy or reflective; songs that you just plain enjoy.  I plan on incorporating a "Song of the Week" - songs that I love.  I thought about what day to post these and decided, there is not a specific day.  It depends on when I am impacted by a song - maybe I'll hear it on the radio or be practicing it to sing - but I will make sure that I share a song a week.  Since I am a Christian, many, if not most of my songs will be Christian based but they won't all be . .. there is a lot of great music out there across the board.   Maybe one of these songs will impact you; maybe you have a song you would love for me to hear; or maybe you have a comment about a song I post. Please feel free to share your comments . .. . but if you hate my song; just let me enjoy it :-) 

Garage Sale part 2

Yeah!!  That's all I can say :-)  It's over and if I wasn't so tired, I would dance!!!!  What a long day.  I was up at 4:00, did my Morning Routine, ran to McDonalds for Breakfast so I knew it would stick with me (for years probably LOL) and took 20 minutes to relax before heading outside at 6:00.  I worked like a mad woman from 6-9 setting up and managed to get it 98% set up despite two early birds showing up at 8:00.  Thankfully I had a steady stream of customers all day long but I was able to get my garage cleaned and organized too.  In the end I made $175.00 which is more than my goal. 

I would like add to my "trips, tricks. ect" but my mind and body are exhausted so for tonight, this is it!  More to come - I have a whole list of things I want to share with you :-)

O'Connor Rice Studio

Periodically, as I come across links I like, I will post them to my blog.  It may be something owned by me or a friend or just some place that I love.

This Link is to O'Connor Rice Studio owned by Lisa Kennedy.  It is located in Grand Rapids and is a Photography studio.  Lisa is a friend - she sings in the Christian Praise Band that my husband is in, which is how we met.  Now, she is my photographer and I love her.  She has taken pictures of both of my kids from birth and has gotten some fantastic shots.  So, if you need a photographer for your children, your family or your pets - please give her your business and let her know that I sent you!!

http://www.oconnorricestudio.com/

Garage Sale

Tomorrow I am having my second garage sale in 9 years.  The last time I had one, I swore I would never, ever, ever do one again!  Don't get me wrong, I made some good money but the time and effort that it took to set it up, sit there for three days, and than tear down, including taking 6 - count them - 6 trips to Good Will was way more work than I ever wanted to do.  So, since than I have always filled a box or two and taken it away.  This past year I have gone through every single room, box, nook, and cranny of my house and decluttered things.  I decided to save things for the Blessing Day at my parents church but when I was done and looked at what I had stacked in the garage . . .. I could not justify giving it all away without trying to make a little money.  Since I "don't work" anymore I am always trying to find ways to help my family financially whether it be with keeping a tighter budget, cutting coupons, selling books or, yes, having a garage sale.  So here's my Garage Sale Advice:
1.  Never have a garage sale . . . .ever.  If that isn't an option continue reading :-)
2. When sorting things throughout the year for the sale, set up a row of boxes; price things as you go and put like things together in the same box so that when you set up, you can put things out quickly and easily (Nope, didn't do this - boy, I wish I had!)
3. Clean things before you pack them in the box so they are ready to set out (nope, I did not do this!)
4. Take pictures of your "hot" items or people specific items (like dog kennels, baby things, "men" things like tools and electrical stuff) (and again, didn't do it until a few days ago)
5. Post pictures and a detailed description on Craig's list.  (FINALLY, I did this!!! I did take a few pictures but not nearly what I should have and I forgot to list some of those unique items like . . .Dog kennels)
6. Don't do this alone - get a friend, family member or spouse to be there on the day to help out (Yep - all on my own LOL)
7.  Do send the kids and dog to the grandparents (YES!  I planned that well)
8. Make sure your sign is "pretty" :-)
9. Only do the sale for one day and when that day is done - pack everything that did not sell and take it to Good Will the following day - do NOT keep it!  (Ok, it will be packed, there are a few items I will keep and try to sell on e-bay but otherwise, the rest will be going to my parents Blessing Day or Good Will on Monday . . .I want my garage back!)
10.  Check Craig's list to make sure your ad is posted and do not post it until Thursday!  (I posted it Monday but actually did NOT post it - grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!  Now I am up at 12:30 AM getting it posted; hope people still read it!  So frustrating!!)

I will try to post some pictures tomorrow . .. I know you can't wait! I'm hoping for a busy day and to make at least $100.00.  If it is slow, my garage will be clean and organized by the end of the day - if it is busy, my garage will be cleaned and organized by the end of next week.

My Goal

There always has to be a first day, right?  The first day you were born; the first day of Kindergarten; the first day of college; the first day of wedded bliss.  All those firsts are wonderful memories (hopefully) But what about the first day of a blog? It is with nervousness that I write this first post only because having a blog is something only "other" people did - not me!  So what changed my mind?  Recently I came across a blog of a family who's little 1 1/2 year old girl had almost drown; over the course of the next week I followed their blog until I opened it one day to see a heading that stated "Funeral Arrangements" and my heart broke in two.  I cried as I read that little Presley had passed away.  I couldn't believe it . . .. and than I realized that through a blog another mom had touched my mother's heart to the core; a person I had never met and will most likely never meet yet I feel like I know her.  That is when it hit me - a blog is a way to reach people not only connect with them.  I am not a "bear it all" kind of girl; I'm very private and prefer to keep my laundry inside the house, not air it anywhere (really!  even the REAL laundry stays inside!).  I've thought for two weeks on what to name my blog and it hit me last night - The "Unworking" Mom is perfect - remember the slogan from 7-up (The Uncola) and what a success it was??   As a stay at home mom for only 6 months now, I am amazed how people think I don't work - amazingly I work harder now than I did when I held a job as a supervisor and worked 50-60 hours a week.  There I would take my two 15 minute breaks a day, take my hour long lunch and relax plus all the time co-workers talk and share their lives, plus the time where, sadly, there really isn't a whole lot to do.  Now - I'm working 24/7.  The monitor is on all night long so I never fully sleep.  When my kids are awake I only get half of what I would get done normally in 15 minutes, done.  When they nap I work non-stop on things around the house to utilize that "down time".  Sure, I get to bake cookies now, and make nice dinners (when the turn out, that is a topic for another day), and laugh at all the great antics my kids do - but I never stop working.  Over the coming days, months, years (oh my!) I hope to share with you some tips on how to make your life easier based on things I've learned, some tricks to get you out of some sticky situations, Ideas for crafts, shopping, cleaning, entertaining and more and, of course, just my musings - both the funny ones and the serious ones.  I can't wait to share this with you.  And I just realized, I guess I now have a job - I write a blog.  WHEW, I finally have something to do in my day!With all of that said, please note that this blog is a work in progress right now.  I've seen other blogs and am amazed at them; I just need to figure out how to add all of that neat stuff.  I'll get there, I promise :-)