Kathi Lipp's Blog, page 117
May 14, 2013
National Clean Out Your Purse Day
I knew I had issues when I casually mentioned to Roger, “I wish they had purses with wheels on them.” His reply, “They do. They’re called suitcases – and you have a problem.”
I would love for you to have the feeling that wherever you go, you are not weighed down by “stuff”. (See Monday’s Post about Why Your Bag is a Reflection of Your Spiritual Life.)
Here’s my super-speedy way of cleaning out my bag. I simply take my purse and dump it out into a plastic grocery bag. I sort the dump into Put Away, Put Back, and (in this case) Throw Away.
Put Away
Anything I want to keep that doesn’t belong in my purse gets put away. This is also when I go through receipts I’ve carefully placed in my wallet (or, more likely, the ones I’ve quickly thrown into my purse…) and random notes or other pieces of paper. If you’re away from home while you’re sorting, just put these items into another bag to put away when you get home. And when you get home, put them away in the right spot.
Put Back
If it belongs in your purse, go ahead and put it back into your purse.
Throw Away
Anything that’s left over in your plastic grocery bag (food wrappers, cash receipts you don’t care about, and so on,) is now garbage that gets recycled or thrown away.
The beauty of the grocery-bag organizing system is that you can do it anywhere, anytime. Just grab a grocery bag and start sorting while you’re waiting for your kids to get out of band practice or while you’re on the phone with your mom.
Clean it Up
Give your purse a good shake and get out any stray bits, crumbs etc. I’ve even used a hand held vacuum to really get the bag clean.
Label It and Put It Away
Assign a spot for everything that belongs in your purse, bag, or backpack. I use three zippered pouches. Everything goes into one of those three pouches or into your wallet (or in rare cases, onto your key chain). The fewer items you place in your purse, the easier it is to know what’s in there.
Wallet. I recommend you keep in your wallet only cash, receipts, checkbook, and credit, debit, and gift cards.
Pouch 1: Makeup bag
Lipstick and gloss
Eyeliner
Powder
Sunscreen stick
Blush and brush
Eyeglass cleaner wipes
Hand sanitizer
Pouch 2: Emergency kit
Fashion tape
$20
Needle and thread
Nail glue
Advil
Couple of adhesive bandages
Pouch 3: Change
Other Things to Keep in Your Bag
Sunglasses case
Cell phone
Keys
Keep It Up
If I sort through the items in my purse once a week, it really is easy to stay on top of it. It takes only a couple of minutes to keep it up.
Do you have to do it exactly like this? No. I just want you to have a clean purse that is functional and doesn’t give you a hernia. So tell me here in the comments that you cleaned out your purse by May 18th (and I’d love to hear what the strangest thing you found in there was!), and here is what you could win:
The Grand Prize winner will receive this Belvah Quilted Damask Print Large Tote Bag – Black & White (18 x 14.5 x 7)
with a copy of all 8 of my books (for all that beach reading!)
Five runners up will receive a copy of The Get Yourself Organized Project (for you or a friend.)
Just comment below and you’ll be entered to win!!!
May 12, 2013
Why Your Bag is a Reflection of Your Spiritual Life
I know this may feel like a reach, but stick with me.
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, overtired, and stuck, I tend to let the “stuff” (or whatever word you use when you are feeling overwhelmed, overtired and stuck – don’t worry – I won’t be offended…) build up in my life. I don’t deal with problems in my relationships, I don’t deal with the piles in my house, and I don’t do the self-care that is needed (reading my Bible, praying, hanging our with people who fill me up,) to stay healthy. Instead, I put things off until I feel like dealing with it.
It’s the same with my bag.
When I feel crazy busy, I tend to let the junk build up in my purse. Instead of dealing with the receipts, returns, broken pens that are leaking, melted lipsticks that are staining, I just pile more stuff on top of it all, waiting for the magical time I’ll have to deal with it all.
Heavy bags lead to sore shoulders, lost time looking for things, and a sense of feeling out of control.
Heavy lives lead to brokenness, sickness, and feeling out of control.
When I’m feeling that way, I need to take small steps to get back to healthy. I know that cleaning out your bag may seem really, really small, but it can help. You can go change the world when you can find your car keys on a regular basis.
So join me, this Wednesday, and clean out your purse. For a little extra incentive there is swag (good swag):
The Grand Prize winner will receive this Belvah Quilted Beach Tote with a copy of all 8 of my books (for all that beach reading!)
Five runners up will receive a copy of The Get Yourself Organized Project (for you or a friend.)
April 23, 2013
3 Simple Steps to Organize Your Jewlery
I am a bit obsessed by necklaces – the chunkier the better. Not only do I buy them, I am often given great jewelry by my mom, my kids and believe it or not, Roger hits it on the chunky jewelry nose almost 100%. So keeping it organized is mostly about only keeping the things that I love, and moving the rest on. Here is how I keep my collection under control.
Get All Your Jewelry Together- This is where you go through your bathroom, your closet, your jewelry box, your purse – everywhere that jewelry hangs out and hides. Get it all in one place so you and deal with it.
Use the 3 Boxes, 2 Bags System Start to sort through your jewelry using the 3 Boxes 2 Bags System. As you go through your jewelry put every piece in one of the three boxes or two bags: Perfectly good jewelry that you don’t love anymore can go into the “Give Away” box. Everything you love and wear can go into the “Put Back” box. Buttons, prescriptions, receipts, lip glosses and other things that are hanging out with your jewelry go into the “Other Rooms” box. Broken jewelry that you won’t repair goes into the garbage (unless you have a crafty friend who can turn all those crafty beads into something amazing – and is willing to pick them up so they are not around your house for the next month, then put them in the recycle bag.) Put all the Put Back jewelry, back.
What to do with the Leftovers? OK be honest – there were a couple of necklaces you love but never wear. Or that broken owl necklace that you love, but needs a clasp? You don’t want to throw it away, but you don’t quite know what to do with it. Here are some ideas:
Figure out why you aren’t wearing that necklace you love,or the earrings you adore. If the necklace is too short (which is a common problem for taller girls and those of us that shop in the plus-sized department,) or your bracelet doesn’t fall right on your wrist, get a set of Necklace and Bracelet Extenders: Necklace Bracelet Extender Set – 1″, 2″ & 4″ – Gold & Silver Tone ~ 6 Pcs in Total (FB210)
If you avoid wearing a pair of earrings because you lost the back, you can order backs on Amazon. Here is a nice assortment to keep on hand: Six Pairs Assorted Gold and Silver Tone Earring Backs Bullet Clutch with Plastic Pad 18k White Gold Plated Butterfly Ear Nut Push Friction Back
I keep some Jewelery Repair items on hand. This has kept some of my favorite pieces from languishing in a drawer for months (or years). Here are a couple of things that have helped with this: Findings: Cousin Precious Accents Jewelry Findings Collection 158/Pkg, Silver and Gold
and a tool kit – this one for eyeglasses works great:SE Eyeglass Repair Kit, Compact Boxed
Here are a couple of other things that have helped me: This is the best thing you can do for your jewelry – Only keep what you actually use, make the pieces that aren’t working for you, work.
Have a necklace that feels a little “Lightweight” for your outfit? Stack it with another necklace. I do this a lot with a chunky gold chain with a couple smaller gold chains, or chunky long turquoise with chunky short turquoise.
Turn your long necklace into two short ones by looping, or into a bracelet by looping four or five times.
Have a single earring that you love, but can find it’s friend? Can you turn it into a pin?
Do you have any great ideas for organizing you jewelry that have worked for you? Please share in the comments below (and if you have pictures, send them to info@kathilipp.com – we may do a future blog post sharing your great idea!
April 17, 2013
Help a Mother Out…
Hi Friends,
I recently received the message below from a reader and I thought as a community we could offer some constructive ideas on how to teach our children help out around the house.
I am greatly struggling with chores and responsibility with my 3 kids.
My 3 year old son is hot and cold with behavior and attitude so one never knows if he will help or fight.
My 6 year old daughter flat out refuses to clean anything “that’s not my mess” yet won’t even cleanup her own room.
My 9 year old son reluctantly helps me out in picking up the slack.
I am a worn out mom in need of new routines and rewards. What kind of charts, rewards and chores can you offer for a challenging group of kids that tend to walk all over an overwhelmed and exhausted mom. Please help.
Need help keeping your kids on task? Download these free chore charts for your kids! In addition, I’ve created a Pinterest board full of ideas on making chores fun for all ages.
Plus, leave a positive idea about how you successfully get your kids to help with chores and you could win a copy of my book, 21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids.
April 15, 2013
30 Organizing Projects You Can Do While Watching a 30 Minute TV Show
You can accomplish a great deal while watching your favorite TV program. Here are 30 Organizing Projects you can do the next time your favorite show is on.
1. Clean out your handbag
2. Clear out your phone of email
3. Clean your keyboard
4. Take unused keys off your keychain
5. Match all your unmatched socks
6. Go through a stack of magazines and recycle anything older than three months
7. Check the balance on a gift card online and write the amount on the front with a permanent marker
8. Put bookplates in your books
9. File Recipes
10. Shred documents with personal info on them (only during commercials)
11. Make a meal plan for this week
12. Go through all your pens and throw out the ones that are dried up
13. Go through your DVDs and put any in a bag that you don’t watch anymore so you can give them away
14. Sort your mail
15. Clean out your diaper bag
16. Answer 10 easy emails
17. Grab a kitchen drawer and sort through it and wipe it down
18. Address and send birthday cards for the month
19. Write 3 thank you notes
20. Start a shopping list
21. Fix a button on a shirt
22. Fold three loads of laundry (and put them away during the commercials)
23. Cut out coupons and put them in your wallet
24. Gather up any business cards and put them in your computer contacts
25. Take pictures of your kids artwork before “thinning it out” (throwing it away)
26. Clean out your child’s backpack
27. Make sure your family calendars match
28. Download photos from your phone to PC (or set up for it to be done automatically through Facebook)
29. Order supplies online (ink, batteries, craft supplies, specialty foods, vitamins, etc.)
30. Download movies, audio books or music for your next flight or road trip
Q4USo tell me – what do you like to get done while watching your favorite TV show?
30 Organizing Projects You Can Do While Watching a 30 Minute TV Show
April 10, 2013
Get Yourself Organized 2013: How to Organize Your Books
Stay with me here. I know that those piles of books seem better left untouched- like they just might lead to more bad than good if messed with. But like all organization projects, it is necessary and freeing once accomplished! For ideas on how to organize your books, check out my Pinterest board.
Cull – this means going through your books and making decisions about what to keep, what to put in other rooms, and what to give away. Use my Three Boxes Two Bag System to sort through your books:
1. Purple Box
These are all the books you want to (need to!) keep. Here is my criteria for what books to keep:
a. They are books I read on a regular basis. (The Bible Baby…)
b. They are books I refer to on a regular basis. (Commentaries, devotionals, etc.)
c. They are books I love reading over and over again. (Bird by Bird, Bitter is the New Black,)
2. Orange Box
These are books that have made their way onto your bookshelf, but need to be in other places in your home:
a. Kid’s books
b. Cookbooks
c. Reference books
3. Green Box
For all the books you want to give away, sell, etc.
4. Bag 1 Garbage
There shouldn’t be too many in here, methinks. Your kid let a Popsicle melt on a book, it’s a child’s book that you can’t recycle because of the binding, etc.
5. Bag 2 Recycling
Again, hopefully few – books that no one would want (How to Raise Great Kids by the mother of O.J. Simpson, things like that.)
Once you’ve got them all sorted, you are ready to put them in their place. For all the books you decide to keep, download and print the name plates provided here and put them on the inside of those books. If you print them out on a full sheet of sticker paper (try these full size Avery labels) you simply cut and stick, or use rubber cement if you use card stock.
April 8, 2013
5 Books You Should Be Reading
Lean In
The much buzzed-about book by the COO of Facebook, Sheryl forces you to look at your role as a woman in the workplace through research and case studies. Sounds dry, but trust me, it’s a fascinating read and will make each of us reevaluate our own thoughts on women in leadership – ourselves and those around us.
The Christian Mama’s Guide to Parenting a Toddler
OK so I’m so past this stage – I was reading this book for exactly two reasons:
1. I’m doing research for a book that I’m writing
2. I find Erin to be an entertaining, been-there-survived-the-Sharpie-incident kind of mom I can relate to
Erin has released four books all at the same time on the ages and stages of parenting and I find them fun, real and smart. Totally fun read (especially since I’m not in that stage anymore…)
Death Comes to Pemberly
Because Pride and Prejudice ended a whole book too early. Because I can’t get enough of Mr. Darcy. Because I have to wait until 2014 for more Downton Abbey. Jane Austin and Agatha Christie all rolled into one. Delish.
Thrift Store Saints Meeting Jesus Twenty-Five Cents at a Time
“The spirituality of the St. Vincent de Paul Society is that the poor are our teachers and we are their students.” This is from Jane Knuth, the reluctant thrift store volunteer and author of Thrift Store Saints. A collection of stories about the clients she encountered and how they changed her and the rest of the workers. Funny, smart and hopeful. I finished this book in one sitting.
Wild
I almost didn’t pick this up because it is an Oprah Pick – most of her Picks are books without a lot of hope or redemption. But this story about a woman who decides she is going to hike the west coast is smart, funny, and redeeming in parts. Anyone who has ever come to the end of herself will identify with this woman’s journey.
Those are my picks! Tell me what books I should be reading this month – if I see a trend I’ll make sure I get them read!
March 26, 2013
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness in Marriage
Guest Blog from Suzanne Eller
1. You’ve been listening to many stories from women who struggle to forgive. How many women struggle with forgiveness in their marriages? 
Nearly 50% of the women who share their stories on my blog, or in person, say that their biggest struggle to forgive is in their marriage.
For many, it’s when a spouse is continually unkind, or says words that diminish her. In this instance, many women bear their soul and are told either to get out, to seek counsel, or to submit.
The first leaves a woman who desires to stay and work things out because she loves her husband and wants her marriage to succeed, with a heavier burden.
In the second, seeking counsel is wise advice, as long as it’s counsel that is skilled in helping a couple, with God’s help, find new ground in their marriage. Many times “counsel” can be someone who do not have those skills.
The third, to submit, is often shared without proper context. The word “submit” is thrown out without the beautiful framework of instructing husbands to love their wives as “Christ loved the church”. This is why wise counsel is key. Submission is respect, it’s great love, it’s working through the harder spots.
2. So, how do you begin to forgive in this instance?
It’s a blend of truth, grace, and confidence.
Truth is shared, perhaps in the setting of a counselor’s office, or perhaps in a moment where it’s not heated, after prayer and with love, and with the intent of working toward a healthier relationship.
Truth is coated with grace, knowing that we all fall short. It’s shared with wisdom and without accusation. And in some instances, it’s shared with healthy boundaries, not to punish, but to work toward the healthiest relationship possible. (A great book on boundaries that is both healthy and filled with wisdom is Boundaries in Marriage by Cloud and Townsend.)
Confidence comes from knowing that the Truth spoken in scripture is who you are. When I began to realize that the words spoken over me in my childhood were from a broken place in another person, it brought two things:
a) I began to see who I was to God. Words mattered, but His words carried greater weight.
b) It brought an element of compassion. This person wasn’t the enemy. The true enemy desires to rob a person of their worth, and value. Just as I was harmed by words, so was this person. It didn’t make what happened okay, but I stopped trying to fix another person (which is impossible) and began to see the greater picture, which allowed me to speak truth with grace, instead of speaking from a place of hurt and anger.
3. What about unfaithfulness?
A percentage of that 50% wrote in that they struggled to forgive because of unfaithfulness. I shared Carlie’s story, a woman whose husband left her after 29 years of marriage. In this case, the word forgive meant that God moved into the broken and raw places in Carlie left by her husband’s unfaithfulness.
He knew her. He knew her heart. She intentionally walked into a relationship with God during that painful time so that He could fill up her “temple”, residing in Her, healing her, moving in her to pray for him and even forgive, as much as was possible at that time, in those moments when she wanted nothing more than to take revenge, or lash out. In Carlie’s case, her husband went on with his new life, but she also had new life in Christ that filled her up in the harder months ahead. She was redefined in so many ways – single mom, single woman. But her role as God’s daughter was made that much more clear and concrete.
For those whose spouse asked for forgiveness and who desired to change, forgiving is key as you rebuild trust. But give yourself permission to be honest with your heavenly father, with the understanding that there is nothing in scripture that condones unfaithfulness. It’s not in God’s plan or His character. If He grieves over the fallen sparrow (Matt. 10:29), then He grieves over your marriage. He is big enough to handle your honesty while leading you to a new level of spiritual intimacy with Him and even tender vulnerability in your relationship with Him as you work through this harder aspect of forgiving.
At this moment, it may seem impossible to forgive on your own, but are you willing? That’s the only question that you need to answer. God is a Healer, and my prayer is that your marriage goes to a new place, but also that you sense God’s hand over you as you work through this difficult place, and that one day you look back and see His tender touch over you and your marriage. My prayer is also that you bring in wise counsel as you work through the past to find a stronger future.
Get the Book
Download chapter 1 or purchase your copy of The Unburdened Heart at Proverbs 31 Ministries.
About Suzie
Suzanne (Suzie) Eller is a Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker and author. She’s written six books, hundreds of articles, and writes devos with Encouragement for Today that reaches over 500,000 women. Suzie is a radio co-host with Luann Prater at Encouragement Cafe Joy FM. She encourages women through two Facebook communities reaching over 20,000 five days a week. She’s been featured on TV and radio such as Focus on the Family, Aspiring Women, 100 Huntley Street, KLOVE, MidDay Connection, The Harvest Show, and many others. Most importantly, she is a wife, mom, and “Gaga” to four beautiful grandbabies. Connect with Suzie at www.tsuzanneeller.com.
The Unburdened Heart: Finding the Freedom of Forgiveness in Marriage
March 21, 2013
Enough Encouragement for the Moment by Fawn Weaver
Have you ever met someone and from the very first moment of that encounter you knew you’d want to become friends? I don’t have that happen often. Mainly, because the pace of my life seems to always be so much faster than I can possibly keep track. I can see it (my life, that is) running away in the distance and I’m huffing and puffing just trying to keep up.
It’s become rarer these days I am afforded the opportunity to slow down and really get to know someone. But from the moment I met Kathi, I knew I had to slow down…way down…to get to know this wonderful woman who has blessed the lives of so many.
You are among greatness. Those of you who visit this site often and read Kathi’s words. If you don’t already know, I am certain you will soon discover, you are among royalty. This post will probably be an embarrassment to Kathi but it’s simply on my heart to love on her and to encourage you to do the same.
Usually, when I guest blog on a site, I speak about a particular topic; usually marriage. That is what I write about most days on the Happy Wives Club. But as I sat down to write this blog post today, I can’t seem to think to write anything other than what a blessing it is to know Kathi. And how honored I feel to be among the thousands of women who look to her for encouragement.
In a world filled with inauthentic people, she is a breath of fresh air. In a day and age when friendships are developed based on what one can do for you, a person who gives expecting nothing in return is rare.
So please grant me this indulgence for a moment to sit among you and marvel at what God has done and is doing in the life of the woman we all know as Mrs. Kathi Lipp.
For those reading this and wondering what message God may have for you in this post, think about how He has placed Kathi on my heart to love on and encourage today. Is there anyone He has placed on your heart, maybe even at this moment, that you can reach out to by email, telephone, Facebook or any other method that connects?
Sometimes we’re looking for encouragement when we are meant to be the encourager. So I challenge you in this regard. If you take your sights off your own needs and desires just for a moment, who can you encourage today? Whoever just popped in your mind…go with it.
About Fawn
Fawn is a happy marriage advocate and the founder of the Happy Wives Club (www.happywivesclub.com) with nearly 100,000 members in more than 100 countries around the world. Fawn works daily to change the tone of the conversation worldwide in terms of marriage and the negativity often accompanying that term. The Happy Wives Club is a go to place for wives successful in their marriage to share their thoughts and advice with others hoping to achieve a happiness and contentment in their own relationship.
When she’s not blogging or connecting with her online community, she is the president of ValRent Corporation.
March 19, 2013
When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
When Doubt Tries to Bully Us
Guest Post from Renee Swope
One morning I woke up feeling beat up by discouragement. My mind was being bullied by thoughts of doubt. I can’t do it all! I am not cut out to be a wife, mom, or a women in ministry.
As I lay in bed feeling completely inadequate, my radio alarm came on. Suddenly my thoughts were interrupted by Twila Paris singing to me. She told me this was no time for fear, but a time for faith and determination. She challenged me not to carried away by my emotions, but to hold on to all I had hidden in my heart, and all I believed to be true. Then she reminded me of the most important truth of all: God is in control.*
When I heard her words, my thoughts were aligned with God’s truth.I went from feeling afraid to feeling determined. From feeling out of control to knowing God is in control.
We have the choice either to let doubt beat us up or to let God’s truth build us up. If we have Christ in us, we have full access to God’s power and promises to live with a confident heart. But it won’t just happen because it’s possible.
We have to take action. Just as I had to tune my radio to encouraging music, we need to get intentional about tuning our thoughts to God’s thoughts toward us, every day.
In the same way a radio has AM and FM frequencies, so do our thoughts. They are either FM (for me) thoughts or AM (against me) thoughts. And when our thoughts are against us, our feelings will be too.
Next time thoughts of doubt come against you, stop and ask God for His perspective. Do your thoughts match His thoughts toward you?
Here are some AM and FM thoughts to help you get started:
When doubt comes against me, saying I’m weak and all alone, I will focus on the truth that God is for me! I can be strong and courageous because the Lord my God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me (Deut. 31:6).
When doubt comes against me, saying I’m not good enough for a certain role or position, I will remember that God is for me! He says I am His masterpiece, created to be new in Christ so that I could do good things He planned long ago (Eph. 2:10).
Doubt Diet Tip: When we go on a regular diet, it’s helpful to start a food journal to keep track of what we’re eating. That way we can notice unhealthy habits and find healthy alternatives. For three days, keep a “thought” journal to track what you’re thinking so you can identify unhealthy “against me” thoughts and replace them with healthy God is “for me” thoughts.
Grab a copy of Renee’s best-selling book, A Confident Heart, for ONLY $6.99 – at Lifeway.com and local Lifeway stores this week!
Click here to sign up for Renee’s FREE 7-day Doubt Diet Devotions
Enter to win a copy of A Confident Heart by Renee Swope – just in time for her online book/Bible study starting April 1st . To enter just enter a comment below regarding the doubts that make you less than confident to be the woman God intended you to be. Three people will win!
Renee Swope is the mom of a toddler and two teens, and wife of one very patient man. She’s also a speaker and co-host of Proverbs 31 Ministries radio show. Renee’s passion is to help women rely on and live in the power of God’s promises in our everyday lives. Receive encouragement and connect with Renee on her blog at www.ReneeSwope.com.
____________________________________________________________________________________
*“God Is In Control,” © 1993 by Twila Paris. All Rights Reserved. From He Is Exalted: Live Worship CD.
