40 Bags in 40 Days - The Clutter Challenge

Have you heard about the  "40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge?"  It's where you declutter and get rid of 40 bags of items in the 40 days of Lent.  If you have lots of items, i.e. clutter, then, this is the challenge for you!

I realize that this post is a little late, but, you can start the challenge at any time.  You can sign yup for the free emails through White House Black Shutters.  She also has a Facebook page.  Just search 40 Bags in 40 Days and it should pop up.

Here are some areas to consider:

Master Bath Cabinets
Master Closet
Master Bedroom
Night Stand(s)
Medicine Cabinet
Hall Linen Closet
Pantry
Kitchen Cabinets
Front Hall Closet
Basement Closet
Family Room
Craft Cabinet/Area
Office
File Cabinet
Desk
Laundry Room
Garage
Car
Attic
Papers to shred / file
Email
Purse
Work bag, back pack, gym bag, diaper bag
Kid's Closet(s)
Kid's Dresser(s)
Toys
Play Room
Living Room
Dining Room
Yard
Shed

Before you start, it's best to make a plan of attack.  List out the 40 areas that you plan on decluttering.    Then, it's time to start.  Start going through the room (area).  The point is to touch it once and make quick decisions.

Think about it.  Do you really need to keep this item?  Will you lose sleep over it if you get rid of it?  Have you used the item in the last year/5 years/ 10 years?  Do you think you will have a need in the future?

You can always go out and buy another one....chances are if you haven't used it in years, you probably won't need it in the future.

Keep a box and garbage bag by you.  Toss what you don't need or want to donate.  When you are done with that area, toss the bag of garbage (recycle if there are items to be recycled) and put your donations in the trunk to be dropped off the next time you are running errands.

Again, I know this is a little late for Lent (unless you are Greek Orthodox, like me).  It's still a great time to start.

If you miss a day, it's okay.  Just jump right back in and pick up where you left off.  This isn't a race.  There are no winners.  Just do your best and keep going.

This challenge is something that you can do a few times a week, once a week or, if your house is really cluttered, then every day for 40 days.

If you reach 40 bags, Great!  If you have less than 40 bags, That's great too!  The key is to keep going!

It's almost Spring!  What a way to start off your Spring cleaning!  If you bring along your cleaning supplies, you can clean the room right after you declutter!

No one should have to live with clutter.  This is just one of many free ideas to help you get a handle on your clutter.

Give it a try!  I would love to hear what you plan on tackling.

International Women's Day

I'm glad women persisted.  We now have the right to vote.  We can hold any job we want, we can get an education and work in any field we choose.  We have property rights, reproductive rights and the right to work for equal pay.

Unfortunately, there are some countries where women do not have all of these rights.  They are not able to get an education,  married before they turn 18, some are killed because they are perceived to bring shame to their family.  The list goes on and on.

We have come so far as women.  It's hard to believe what we have done.  It's also hard to believe how much more work has to be done.

The theme this year is #balanceforbetter .


"Collective action and shared responsibility for driving a gender-balanced world is key. International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women - while also marking a call to action for accelerating gender balance."

"Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist once explained "The story of women's struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights."


How can you forge a more gender balanced world?  Balance drives a better working world.  Lets' all create a #balanceforbetter .

So, put your hands out and strike a pose.  The #balanceforbetter pose.  Post it on social media with the hashtag.   And, do what you can to make a positive difference for women everywhere.

taken from Internationalwomensday.com *

 Let's see what we can do this year to improve women's rights throughout the world.

*need some more info?  check out this link

National Middle Name Day

Happy National Middle Name Day!

I think most people have a middle name.  And, I think most people believe that you have a middle name so your Mom or Dad can use it when you do something wrong...

"(first name) (middle name) (last name) GET OVER HERE RIGHT NOW!"

That's when you knew you were in trouble.

I thought I would do a little research on why people are given three names and this is what I've come up with so far.

For a time, middle names were given to important people (royalty).  This tradition picked up in the 1700's.  A middle name indicated your (higher) place in society.  In some countries, your middle name was a family name.  Sometimes this led to quite lengthy names, but it made it easier to trace your family history.

The middle name tradition continued when people moved to America.  The three names were a way to show your (high) rank in society.  A mother's maiden name was a common middle name.  After the Civil War, people started using names that they liked as a middle name.

So, what's your middle name?

Does your middle name have a special meaning?

Vegetarian Diaries - Quinoa Chocolate Cake

Found this recipe online and thought I would try making it.  No flour so it's gluten free!

Of course, I couldn't tell the family what was so different about this cake.  The cake itself did not rise very much.  Almost looked like a brownie, but, it tasted cake-like.  I would definitely make this again.

This recipe makes a tasty cake and you are using Quinoa!  Give it a try and let me know what you think!


Quinoa Chocolate Cake

ingredients:
1 cup cooked quinoa
3 TBSP almond milk
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup grapeseed oil
1/2 cup coconut sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

directions:
Cook Quinoa.
Blend milk, eggs, and vanilla.  Add Quinoa and oil and blend until smooth.
Whisk dry ingredients together.  Addthe wet ingredients and stir until combined.
Bake in 8x8 pan* for 25 minutes at 350.  Dust with powdered sugar (optional)

*line pan with parchment paper

**I might try using a flax egg next time.  I will update the recipe once I try it out.

***And, no.  I haven't told the family that there's quinoa in the cake.  Maybe next time??

Enjoy!

Birthday

Since I'm the famous person that we all know that is born today,  I think we all need to have a huge party!

Dance!

Drink!

Eat lots of cake!

It's my birthday today!

So I was doing a crossword the other day (yea, one of my many addictions) and came across this:

16 across:  Plymouth muscle car

Which I knew to be

Road Runner

All these years listening to my brother talk about cars has really paid off.

Now, if I could just get this question and use my useless information and make money from it....

Happy Birthday, Steve!

Walking

I've mentioned many times about my daily walks.  I've posted about my adventures, my finds and my fun.

We had a dip in the weather a few weeks ago.  The temps dipped below 0F.  I opted to skip my daily walk on those days.  I started back up that weekend.  I wanted to get a really good walk in to make up for my missed walking fun.

I started out on the path.  With the snow on the path, it makes me feel like I'm walking somewhere in the Rocky Mountains (Hey!  It makes my walks more interesting).  Unfortunately on this day, the paths were very slushy because of the warmer weather.  I decided to stick it out until I got to the next path that leads to the street, which happens to be the icy path.  I ran through the slushy snow on the grass to get to the street.  I could have just gone back home, but, decided to keep going.

When I walk, I get in a zone and am looking down at the path or straight ahead.  Luckily, I happened to turn my head this time.  I was glad I had my cell phone on me (thanks, Steve for urging me to carry it at all times, just in case).  I found a neighbor laying in the snow.  I didn't know if she had been there for awhile, but once I got up close, I could tell something wasn't right.

I felt like I was on a movie set.  No one around.  Cold outside.  A woman in her pajamas laying in the snow.  She was pretty beat up and was not responsive.  I ended up calling 911.

I found out that she was taking her garbage out the night before, slipped and fell on the ice (she had quite a few bruises on her elbows and knees).  Thankfully, she was able to go home and heal up.

I always say that things happen for a reason.  I was supposed to be bothered by the slushy path so I could walk on the street and help this neighbor.  I was also supposed to look around.

Since that day, I now feel I have to save someone on my walk prior to coming home.  So, I might not be home for awhile.

Or....I'm going to have to knock someone down, just so I can go home.