Apartment on a Diet

I had the apartment all clean for the Moving Estimate, but as I continue to work to separate into "keep" and "sell" piles, it now looks like the apartment exploded. lol A friend is loaning me some tables, on which I can display the "sell items", that will help organize that stuff. 

Today, I need to re-organized the stuff in the bedroom so that I know what sells and what I'm keeping. Yesterday, I lightened the load by almost 150 pounds! YEAH! I wonder how many more pounds I can lose as I sort through things this weekend. 

Overall, I'm enjoying putting my apartment on a diet. lol Over 20 years, I've accumulated a lot of stuff. And since I had the place for it, I kept it. Back in 2010, when I moved out for the remodeling of the apartment, I downsized some, so that helps now. 

It will be fun when I learn what the actual weight of my move will be.... but first, I need to finish the "diet" and wait on the perfect place God has for me.   Last night I found myself once again praying for the person that is to move out, so that I can move in. I am wondering how long they've lived in that apartment and where they are moving to—is it close by, or out of state? 

I wonder who is praying to move into my place? Will my apartment be someone's answer to their prayers? That would be really cool to be an answer to someone's prayers. I hope the person(s) who move into my apartment, enjoy it as much as I have. 

Well, time to begin today's "Do list". Hope you each have a super Saturday. 

"New Place"

Here are some pictures of my "new" apartment. The remodel make the place look GREAT. I'm still unpacking boxes, but making great progress. 

On Friday, God led me to an Estate Sale and I was able to get two almost new tan swivel rockers. They look so much better with my decor than the rose colored ones I had. God also provided the "man-power" to load them into my car, and carry then up to my apartment. Love it when God takes care of those details! 

Since I'm unpacking slowly, I've been able to take time to reflect on how God provided various items. From craft supplies to a stereo, God has given me wonderful gifts. It's been fun to reflect on God's creative provisions. 

Unpacking would be a dreaded chore, except by reflecting on how God provided the items, it has become a very positive experience. Throughout Scripture people built memorials to remember what great things God did. I think we miss out on opportunities to remember God's greatness because we don't take time to reflect on all He's done for us. While unpacking, I've been reminded over and over of the creative ways God cares for me. And when I remember that God loves me... that makes the day positive!

Old and New Pictures!

Just wanted to share some pictures of my apartment. These show the 'Old' and the 'New' place. The old has the darker wood, the new is lighter. 

I'll post more pictures when all my stuff is moved back in and I'm unpacked. But I know some of you have been waiting to see the results of the remodel... so enjoy the pictures!

Old bedroom

New Bedroom

Old Kitchen

New Kitchen

New Living Room

(facing front door)

I like the new look and am excited to getting my stuff back in and unpacked. It will take a while to have everything put away. But even with the new look, it's still my home!

Old vs New

Last week, I got rid of the old desktop computer. Tonight the sofabed is gone. As I look around at all the things which are now gone... I started remembering how God provided each item. God is very creative in providing my needs, and even some wants. Over the years, He's used a wide variety of things to provide: additional jobs, gifts from friends, and even contests. Now that the items are gone... I hope that I continue to remember Who provided and how He did so. 

During the past few weeks as I've worked on the 'non-move', it's been interesting to watch Max, my parakeet. He knows something is happening, but he's not sure what is going on. Tonight, I had to put him in is cage, since flying around the room would not be helpful as the sofabed was moved. When he could see me, he was upset with being in his cage... but okay... as soon as I left the room, the cries and chirps started. I wondered if he was thinking I'd forget him. 

Now with the sofabed gone, I'm reclining on an old pool lounge chair. Max is very frustrated with this change. His perch is now different and I'm much lower. It's funny to watch his reaction to things. Max doesn't like change. For that matter, I don't care for it much myself. Once I figure out what works... there is no need to change it. However, there are times when a good house cleaning and rearranging is in order.... both in the physical and spiritual.

I often wonder as God works in my life, do I wish for the old back? God has to clean house, in order for me to grow in His image. If I refuse to allow God to get rid of stuff and rearrange things, I won't grow. Or if I try to hold onto or bring back old things, the new items wont fit or will be neglected.  It may take some time to adjust to the new, but it is well worth the effort.

I hope that as I move forward, I'll remember all that God has provided and what He taught me. But I'm looking forward to the new and seeing the new plans God has in store for me. Remembering is good...however, as I remember I want to look forward to all that God has in store for me. 

One aspect about creating a positive day... it that it's a DAY. If I had a "bad day", I can forget it and begin again. I can remember the great things from the previous day... but each day presents a new opportunity to create a positive day. I don't have to use "yesterday's blessing". I can have new! God's mercies are new EVERY morning! Tomorrow as I reflect on God's goodness in the past, I will work on creating new memories of God's amazing love for me—can't get more positive than that!

Waiting

Still waiting for the date of the "non-move". Last night I packed a few more kitchen items. Figured I could use paper plates for a while. If the move is this weekend... can't put off too much until the last minute; there is already too much of that stuff. 

Normally, I'm not a good "waiter". I like to plan and know what to expect. But since my back needs some extra rest right now, this waiting period has actually been a blessing. During this resting and waiting period,  God has made me realize that sometimes, I think clearer if I'd just step back and wait.

I've been able to figure out the layout for the furniture and think through what will work and what wont. Some layouts, I had planned, wouldn't work because the wiring was too short. Glad I realized that BEFORE I had the guys move it all. Don't think they'd appreciate having to move it several times. But if I didn't have this waiting time, I wouldn't have thought through the pro and cons of various placements. I would have rushed in and then realized that things would not work.

This waiting mode, is also having a calming effect. It's been peaceful, just being still. There will be enough hectic things once the remodel date is set. Right now, I need to take advantage of this stillness. 

I hope to remember this lesson the next time God puts me in a "waiting mode". If I just stop and rest and allow God to work, the waiting time will be very peaceful and will allow me to be better prepared for the next lesson God has in store. Too many times, I've been so busy during the waiting period, that when God is ready to move forward, I'm sidetracked on my "business" rather than ready for Him.

Today, as I rest and wait for the move date, I'm enjoying the calmness. Sometimes creating a positive day, isn't about how much I can accomplish, or what I can do, rather it's simply being still and waiting. Today, has been a very positive day.... even though I haven't done much. Days like these are very special and I need to enjoy each one. 

Thank you God for those waiting times which give me strength and energy for the task that lies ahead.

Going full speed—suddenly STOP

The past few weeks, I've been pushing myself to get the apartment ready for the remodel. Not having a specific date made it hard to know how fast things needed to be done. (Still no specific date, but should hear this week.) As I look at all that has been accomplished, I feel great. There are still items that need to be packed, and some to get rid of...but a lot has been completed.

Today, I had a list of things to accomplish.... but nothing has been crossed off the list. When I got up this morning, my headache was the worst it's been in YEARS—it was migraine level. I started the normal headache treatments (Stim Plus, essential oils, massage, medicine, etc.) but the headache was getting worse, not better. Finally, this afternoon, it started to lessen... still not back to my normal level, but better.

Earlier today, I felt too bad to feel frustrated about not getting my "to do list" completed. But as I started to feel better, I looked at what needs to be done, and just as I started to get frustrated, it hit me—nothing on the list has to be accomplished today. It can all be done tomorrow, or the next day.... or even the next. I was the one who created the list.. so I can be the one to determine when the tasks are completed. 

Since I'm not feeling well enough to do anything physical, I started thinking through the new layout designs for the apartment. I realized that some layout ideas won't work, unless I move additional items, like the printer. Some layouts will require additional wiring for the TV antennae and hard drives. If I didn't take the time to be quiet and think, I might not have considered what each of the layouts would require.

I am a person how usually goes full speed ahead! And when I'm forced to stop.. I usually get frustrated and try to figure out how I can keep going. For some reason, I often view "stopping" as a bad thing. Yet, that is not true. Stopping allows me to review the plan of action and make necessary changes. Stopping gives me time to reflect on all that has been done. Stopping can give me a new perspective. Stopping can lead me in a new and very often, better direction. 

God says "be still.... and know that I am God." Can't I know God when I'm going at full speed? Yes, but when I'm moving at full force, I'm going in my direction and I am not paying attention to God's guidance. Be still. God knows when I am still, He can have my full attention. He can teach me things, which I only can see when I'm still. 

Look at it this way. Next time you are driving down the highway at 70 mph... look out the window and try to notice the scenery. Then at the next traffic jam, when you are stopped, look out the window. See anything different? How much did you miss as you flew past? 

God knows that for us to hear Him and see what He has planned, we need to be still. Only when we STOP, are we open to changing directions, new ideas, or realizing what God is accomplishing. 

Perhaps you can't imagine how today could be a positive day.. there isn't much positive about having a headache. But it's not the headache I'm focusing on... rather, I'm focusing on being still and listening to God. And any day...I stop and listen to God...is a VERY positive day.

First Stage of Remodel

Today, my bathroom cabinet/mirror was updated, along with a light fixture in the kitchen. The first stage of the remodeling. Getting VERY excited to have it all done! Looking forward to the "new place" and rearranging the furniture, and less clutter. 

Old bathroom cabinet/mirror.

Remodel in Progress.

New bathroom cabinet/mirror. (doors closed and open)

Old (left) and new (right) light fixtures in the kitchen. 

Today, creating a positive day could have been very difficult. My headache was extreme, and I was very tired. I had to get up early, get ready, and make sure the bathroom was empty. I knew they were coming to work today....just didn't know when. 

As I was waiting for them to arrive, instead of focusing on the waiting, the mess, or the hassle, I spent time figuring out how to arrange things when the remodel is complete. Looking to the finished product was much more encouraging, then focusing on the "mess in progress." 

The day was much more positive as I looked at how great my home will be when all the work is done. The same can be true of my life in other areas. When God is working on me, the process may be a mess, but the finished product will be great! 

My pain and headache are still high, but I'm able enjoy the process knowing how great it will all look with the project is complete! So, today was a very positive day.... time for me to go clean the bathroom now... and enjoy my new cabinet!