One Step at a Time

Yesterday I cleaned out our little chest freezer.

Such a simple sentence for such a monumental task.

I have become more and more frustrated as of late regarding said freezer because it's deep and therefore difficult to find anything. I never know what's in there. And so, I decided that I would organize it. I began to pull each item out and stack it according to type in piles: breads, containers of vegan lasagna, bags of fruit (how did we get so many bags of bananas?), vegetables, etc. Once I had it all out, I asked Roy if he could join me for two minutes and help me with something--now I can't remember what--but of course, once he realized what I was doing, and doesn't believe in halfway, he unplugged the freezer, pulled it out, and proceeded to clean out behind it.

I'll just say this:

Ew.

And then he brought in this blow dryer type thing and blew on the excess ice that held onto the walls of the freezer with a death grip until the ice finally let go and began falling off in sheets, crashing on the base of the freezer. That was gratifying, in a weird sort of way.

Shortly after, I had a newly organized, sparking freezer.

And now my challenge? Keeping it that way.

This was my last major task before August 1 hits. I have deemed the month of August the Make My House a Home month.

I always admire people who have a way of making a home a refuge. It isn't my forte. I am not being critical of me--I do think my home is nice; it's comfortable. But it doesn't stretch out its arms and embrace like some people's home do. And that's what I want: I want that embrace.

We've had some new people move into the neighborhood--Sheri and Bruce--and I visited them shortly after they moved in to just say hi and glad you're here and welcome to the neighborhood!...and I haven't been back since.

Gah!

Maybe I'll head over there this evening.

Anyway, I immediately noticed that Sheri has beautiful furniture, beautiful accessories. She clearly has a decorator's touch.

Tammy? Same story. She decorates her home by the season. The only season I decorate in earnest is Christmas--and even then it's slim pickins.

And so, I am determined that, during the month of August, I am going to plan and create and throw and shift--regarding the semantics of my home. For example, I am going to have Roy hang our television in the living room. I am going to get rid of our bedroom lamps and replace them with something cozy, welcoming. And I am going to hang our family picture that Spencer kindly took for us in June that is still hanging on the hard drive of my computer. My living room is made up of tans and browns--neutral colors--and so I'm going to find a throw that pops. Maybe a louder shade of blue. And some pillows for the couch. And last night, to initiate this month that is dedicated to sprucing up my home, I purchased a comforter set for my bedroom.

Can I just say that it's about time? My current comforter was given to me by my sister several years ago. It was beautiful in its day.

That's the key phrase right there: in its day.

My intention is to not spend an exorbitant amount of money; instead, I plan to just make subtle changes. Pinterest is going to be my new best friend.

We shall see how I do. Maybe I'll post pictures at the end of August to hold myself accountable.

It is so easy for me to let each day slide into the next, to forget to live purposefully. Life is busy all on its own without adding an agenda to the mix. But one thing I know for sure: I don't want life to pass me by. I want to grow, to set goals and accomplish them, to make life count.

One step at a time.