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The Secret to “Re-Gifting” Toys

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Do your children remember what they received for Christmas last year?  Or the year before? Or the year before that????

Unfortunately, as parents, we are not always concious of what our children play with from year to year, we simply add to the existing toys and keep it moving. Then we get frustrated when there is no more room for not another toy! So here’s the Secret… We, as parents, have the right and privilege to sort through and purge our children’s toys, although it may be a very difficult task!

I would like to suggest that we take this opportunity (depending on the child’s age) to teach our children a valuable lesson.  I believe that it is our responsibility to help our children to understand that there are those that are less fortunate than they are. Many are in our neighborhoods and most definitely, in our classrooms.  It may be simply letting them know that we are just making room for their new toys.

59157572 - boy taking donation box full with stuff for donate

A Tale of Re-Gifting

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sun

Sun sculpture at Minn. Inst. of Arts

Aunt Susie’s house is always immaculate, but she seems to always give me the weirdest gifts.  Last year, she gave me a bright yellow scrulpture of the sun.  I am not sure why, I guess she liked it and thought that I would too. Of course, I didn’t want to hurt her feelings.  Aunt Susie visits me once every three (3) years and I must set it out so that she can see it…. Need I say more????  Consider this, “Aunt Susie, I loved the bright yellow scrulpture of the sun, so much that I gifted it to the children’s museum and it’s on display.  Next time you visit we must go see it.  (I am not suggesting that we lie … now we simply have to find a museum to take it!  :-D)

I am not suggesting that we hurt anyone’s feelings, but as a professional organizer, I go into so many homes that have really nice gifts that they were given that they just can’t give away.  The clients has had “it” for so many years, that he person may have even forgotten that they gave it to them.  The holidays are here and here are just a few questions that we should ask ourselves.

  • Where are my Christmas gifts from last year?  or better yet…
  • Who were my gifts from last year?
  • How about the year before?  Do I remember?

If the gift(s) was /were memorable, it should been wore, at least once… or on display for everyone to see.  Do we know where the gifts are or are they still in the box somewhere?  I know that we don’t always get the gifts that we want or like, but if we continue to accummulate them and simply store them away, eventually even the person that gifted it to us may notice…  or maybe not?

Now I have another question…  Do our children remember what they got for Christmas last year or the year before?  That’s a whole different post of its own!!!  LOL !!! 😀

box with toys

The Secret of Re-Gifting Toys

“Creating a Living Space” – Step 2.5 – Purging and Organizing

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Here is the latest episode of our “This is How we Do It’ video series, entitled “Creating a Living Space”.

As you will see, we are turning the bar area into her dresser/vanity.  Therefore, we will be looking for organizers similar to these for her makeup and jewelry.

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Container Store

Please Watch & Enjoy!

… and let us know what you think.

“Creating a Living Space” – Step 1 – Sorting

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The “This is How we Do it!” , my new video series, has official begun … Last week, we looked at the cluttered, basement space that we are starting with.  In the end, we plan to have a peaceful, serene and organized living space.

As you may or may not know, the organizing process only has THREE (3) basic steps:

  1. SORT
  2. Purge
  3. Organize

Today, we are going to focus on “Creating a Living Space”, step 1, which is sorting!

Please take a look at this week’s video and tell us what you think…

Introducing “This is How we Do it!! ” – A New Organizing Video Series

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IT’S HERE! IT’S HERE! The moment that we all have been waiting for… the first video in the “This is How we Do it” series!!

We, at “Order Your Steps” hope that these “how to” videos will help you to get your House in Order… We will show you from start to finish, how to create new, uncluttered; organized living spaces in your home.

** I apologize for the volume, but the best part is the music. So please hang in there.**

Hope you Enjoy!!

We welcome your comments & questions….

Wait in Anticipation and Expectation, NOT in Frustration!

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Have you ever been frustrated with God?  You know really frustrated, as it is defined:  Feeling annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.

For me, it is that point when a situation, seems to linger on and on and on… and on… and I ask God, “So what is it that I’m not getting?”  When I truly believe that I’ve covered all my bases…that I’ve tried to DO everything “right”.  God says, “You really don’t get it, do you?”

Although, my Pastor tells us often, our blessings are not dependent on what we do or don’t do.  If we truly have a heart to live for God, He blesses us because He loves us, like a father loves his child.  But many times, we have to be reminded just how much God loves us.  He would have preferred that Jesus would not have had to die, but it was necessary, so that all of us could be saved.  God would also prefer that we not have to go through many of the things that happen in our lives, but our steps have been ordered!  One of my favorite scriptures says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Jeremiah 29:11  

Our destiny has been predetermined.  So the next time, we get frustrated with God, just remember, it’s all about His divine timing.  It’s not that He doesn’t want to change our situation, it’s just not time… which means that we must WAIT! 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

No! WAITING is not our most favorite thing to do (understatement!).  However, when we are certain that our situation is gonna change, but we just don’t know when, that’s called FAITH!… and we should be EXCITED!

Therefore, we should always wait in anticipation & expectation, NOT in frustration!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know it’s a lot easier said, than done, but let’s keep practicing.

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Where Have You Been????

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34839555_sIt truly seems like forever since I published a blog post.  I am sure that many of you thought that I had taken my brand new Ford Edge and rode off into the sunset…. But No, I’m still here, four (4) whole months later, with close to 10,000 miles on my not-so-new vehicle and I am still not sure what to write.  With July right around the corner, the last six (6) months are a blur….

At this point, I must say that God has been good.  No Complaints!  I have obviously covered a lot of ground, with 10,000 miles in four months.  However, there have been no relaxing vacations or long, leisurely trips.  But family is healthly, a little wealthier and a little wiser.

There is one thing that I would like to share.  Recently, I read, “The Circle Maker”: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson.  I couldn’t begin to tell you how much of an impact the book has had over me, but as a result of reading it, I have made my BIG dream even BIGGER. I’ve circled with prayer, “Speight Enterprises”, a multi-million dollar ministry/business.  Speight Enterprises is a conglomerate of Order Your Steps, Inked Designs, Speight Security and Lara Sean’s (aka Myiesha’s) bookstore & cafe. Our multi-million dollar building is an old warehouse that will be converted to also house; penthouse apartments, an art gallery, a fitness center, etc. etc. etc.  Our building is out there and we are already looking for it, so that we can circle it, like the city of Jericho.

The secret of a really BIG dream is that it is birthed by our God-given desire.  Our sole purpose in life, is to bless others by all that we do and make sure that all the Glory belongs to God.  Some of us have seen our vision very vividly, but for some, the vision is still a little blurry.

Well, I guess that I had something to say after all.  I can’t promise that I will post more often, but let me leave you with this… DREAM REALLY BIG and DON’T DOUBT … and don’t allow anyone to doubt you or your ability to accomplish your dream.

dream5Dream-Quotes-3

It was really nice chatting with you again and I do promise to keep in touch!  

Until next time…

Candy

Clutter: Less may be more, but it’s still not enough

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I love it. Thanks David for posting!

Unknown's avatarLive & Learn

Clutter

NY Times – Pamela Druckerman: The Clutter Cure’s Illusory Joy

I recently discovered the secret to livening up even the dullest conversation: Introduce the topic of clutter. Everyone I meet seems to be waging a passionate, private battle against their own stuff, and they perk up as soon as you mention it…

…Clutter isn’t a new problem, of course. But suddenly, it’s not just irritating — it’s evil. If you’re not living up to your potential, clutter is probably the culprit. Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” the top-ranked book on The New York Times list of self-help books, promises that, once your house is orderly, you can “pour your time and passion into what brings you the most joy, your mission in life…

It’s hard to resist the de-cluttering fever. I, too, spend my weekends filling bags with cookbooks, toys and vintage dresses, and then hauling them away…

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Saith the Lord …. to give you an expected end.

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Most of you know that my car was stolen and since then, a million and one thoughts have been swirling around in my head.  After much anxiety, I was reassured that the Lord had allowed it to happen. Initially, because my purse & computer was NOT in the car, but then, what if the thief had come into the house?  Then guilt & shame have their time to weigh in… “How could I have been so stupid?”  I’d been warned that my area had been targeted by car theives, but surely I was exempt…. NOT!  Then doubt and condemnation had their turn… “We can’t afford a new car!”, ” Maybe I am just not managing the money the way the Lord wants me too.” “If I have to buy a car, what about my credit?  I haven’t even looked at a credit report since we moved into the house 11 years ago!”  Then finally when I thought that God had simply given up on me, He reveals himself to me.  I strongly suggest that we be very mindful of the seemingly small things.  

Well, I had to rent a car, although, business had been relatively slow.  Soooooo, why not work a week and take off a week?  Look at how much money I’ll save.  Brilliant! Lo and behold, my insurance claim agent was AWESOME!  He walked me through the process almost seamlessly.  He tells me that the insurance company can make an offer for my car 3 weeks after the theft.  Really Lord??   Not 60 days, not even 30 days!  The claim agent promptly sent me the offer (it is about what I expected and it will cover a lot of car payments) and I pick up my check tomorrow.   Look at God!

In the interim, I’ve been car shopping on-line.  Although I really like driving a car, with my company, I need to be able to do some light hauling.  I was looking at the RAV4, because it’s sporty, but I didn’t know that it was a 4-cylinder 😦  ??  My husband suggested the Ford Edge.  It’s a 6-cylinder, but it’s not very sporty looking and probably has more hauling space than I need.  My husband adds that, “You think that it has more space than you need.  You really don’t know what God has in store for you.”  But get this… the most responsive dealership has been the Ford dealer. AND GET THIS THIS!!!  They brought the car to my house and demo’d it in my driveway.  It drove really smooth and they even offered to let me keep it overnight!

ford edge - blue

I am certain that what the Devil meant for evil, God has turned it around for my good.  I pick up my new car tonight!  Business is getting busy and my calendar is almost full for the next three (3) weeks. Coincidence?… I think NOT!  All things are going according to God’s plan.  I’ve tried to figure HIM out, but it just makes my brain hurt.  I’ve decided that it’s best that I not see my future, cuz I’d be like Daniel.  When God showed him the future, he fainted 3 times….. Lord, just continue to Order My Steps!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.   Isaiah 55:8-9

“For we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God , to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  Romans 8:28