New Year, New Start: Day 27

I miss my nearby HEB Pantry Store. It was close, convenient, and laid out so well that I could be in and out in a flash. When it comes to my own pantry, however, it’s usually not very convenient or well–laid out. I’m working on it but I never cease to be amazed by what I find in there. Who knows what lurks in the corners of our pantries? If we don’t, then it’s time to get in there and toss out the space-hoggers. Again, this project is all about simple tasks that you and I CAN do. A major pantry overhaul might very well be in your future, but for today – just take a few minutes and throw out the box of stale crackers, the expired salad dressing, and the jelly of dubious origin. Pantry perfect!

New Year, New Start: Day 26

Shhh…..it’s a secret. We all have them. Somewhere is a pile of more than 2 of the same thing that we are holding on to, “just in case.” I’m not going to ask you to reveal what’s in your stash, just encourage you to pare it down a little. Can you get rid of half of it? Ask yourself how many of this particular item can I even use at one time? If the answer is “one”, then consider keeping one or two for a back up. That’s all you need. Just try it. If you find out, in a month’s time that you really miss having 29 (grocery sacks, Pringles cans, meat trays, pizza boxes) on hand, then you can re-start your collection.

New Year, New Start: Day 25

Care to dish a little about…dishes? Today’s task doesn’t involve Grandma’s heirloom china or even that souvenir mug from your last vacation. ( Although if you have 25 souvenir mugs, we probably need to talk.) No, let’s look at the easy marks: can you find anything chipped, cracked, gnawed, or leftover from a trip to (fill in the blank) theme park? Out it goes. Please tell me that the Mickey Sippy Cup is not your only memento of your Disneyworld vacation! Even if you let every family member pick 1 special cup (ok even 2 – one to use and one to be in the dishwasher) you could probably get rid of several items. (I could tell you to go exploring in your kitchen’s Bermuda-cabinet-triangle, but that’s beyond the scope of our project. Whew!)

New Year, New Start: Day 24

“Just a note…” How many times have you started a quick letter with these words? Everyone loves getting something written just for them. Why not take some time today and let someone know, in writing, how wonderful they are?  (Ok, you can send an email or even post on their Facebook wall!)

“…that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:12

New Year, New Start: Day 23

Good for what ails you…. or not, if your medicine cabinet contains anything expired or mis-labeled or improperly stored. At the very least, check the dates. If you’re a safety star, then take a few minutes to make sure your basic first aid kid is accessible and stocked.

New Year, New Start: Day 22

Hey, good lookin! Whatcha got cookin? Not much if your recipe box or cookbook shelf is jammed to overflowing. Time for a reality check. Most of your recipes can be found online and if you’re reading this , right now, then we both know you can find your way around the internet. Since we’re keeping our New Start Tasks simple, I’m not going to tell you how to organize your recipes in 10 easy steps, or even how to find the best recipes online. This is all about small, measurable, steps. Find a recipe/book that no longer reflects you, your family’s tastes, or your lifestyle, and throw it out. Wasn’t that easy?

New Year, New Start: Day 21

I’m treading carefully on this, to some, sacred territory. Today we’re going to dip our toes into the garage and find one thing that can go. I don’t recommend starting with your husband’s tool chest, work bench, or automotive shelf. I’m talking about something that you know is just taking up space and shouldn’t be. Old sporting equipment and gardening supplies are a good place to start. Maybe what really needs to go is your rusted-out garbage can. (Although good luck throwing that out. It’s hard to convince the garbage men that the garbage can is, in fact, garbage.)