Slow and steady wins the race

That's what I told myself today.  I find myself with more kid-free time (cue: applause), so I am attacking the house again.  It's a little daunting.  Perhaps I should say overwhelming!  But getting started is the first step.  I have a tentative plan in place.  (All my plans are tentative, because in this house you have to be flexible!)

I think part of the problem last fall was that I could only do short projects; and even then, I would likely get interrupted at some point.  Instead of 3.5 hours each day, I now have approximately 7 hours.  This allows for errands, laundry, dishes, meals, and all that other normal stuff, PLUS the re-organization that this house desperately needs.  For the first time that spring garbage---I mean, garage---sale actually looks do-able!

Today I reclaimed part of the living room and filled a large box with an assortment of toys, clothes, and books to sell.  That may not sound like much, but I'm just getting started and "slow and steady...." ---you know. 

I'm going to keep at this room until it's done, then go on to the kitchen, etc.  I am organizing and cleaning as I go; using the four-box method right now.  If you don't know what that is, I can explain some other time.  I found a great website on home organization with articles about de-cluttering and home storage ideas.  Once I reach the boys' rooms, I will need to do some assessments of available storage space and probably rearrange some things. 

And, yes, I am still making it a priority to take good care of myself and my family.  The house has always come in second to these.  That is why it needs a major overhaul. 

This is part of what I've done. Yes, the sofa is broken.  It's going to go soon. Go to the dump, probably.
 

Hello,

Courage.  I did it again.

I usually am so afraid of doing the wrong thing that I do nothing, and so miss the opportunity to do good.

It may not have done any good, but I did what seemed right and good.  And afterwards, I was glad.

Thank you

2012

Yes, I know January is almost gone.  But in case you haven't noticed, I don't blog every day so I'm just now getting some things posted.  (Not that I don't want to blog more.  I just don't have the time.)

I have been thinking about this year and what I want it to hold.  I don't make resolutions, but try to create new patterns and habits.  

This year I want to be especially sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit; and then courageous to do or be or say what He leads me to do and be and say.  This (non)resolution has already led me to do a few things that I might have been scared to do a few years ago.

Courage.

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but He has given us a spirit of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control."   2Timothy 1:7(Amplified)

Diet changes

I haven't talked about the SBP diet for several months, so I thought I'd let you know how things are going and where we are...

The diet made some difference in their behavior and progress, but not enough to offset the social isolation we started to feel.  We were not being ostracized, but we were having to turn down invitations and avoid certain social activities in order to stay on track with the diet.  There is already a certain amount of isolation felt by families with kids on the autism spectrum: embarrassment over meltdowns, kids not adjusting well to new situations/people, that feeling of different-ness from others...all leading to the feeling that it's just easier to avoid those situations.  

So we will continue to stick to the diet at home, but we will go out to eat with people and go to parties, etc.