challenge | The Adventures of Bitey Dog

Where is my toy bunny? Did mom get rid of it on her cleaning binge? No, it's right here. Remember? You buried it under invisible dirt.

Can you find the bunny hidden in this picture?

I’m not sure you can find it, but there is a toy bunny hidden in this picture.

*******

For inspiration with my One Thing Each Day Challenge, I watched an episode of British Hoarders. What a difference between that and the American version! The American show has drearily sad background music, focus on the mental illness side of the issue and allow only 3 days for total cleanup. In the British show they feature upbeat music while an antiques broker and a home organizer are brought to help the client. The broker looks for possible hidden gems while the organizer teaches the homeowner how to do better. Then they leave for several weeks, and the homeowner is expected to do his or her homework and clean up the mess.

One month has passed, and I am keeping up with my de-cluttering. Despite my happiness over my progress, I’m waiting for the day when I go to look for something that I’ve always had, and it isn’t there. Or at least it isn’t where it usually is. How much time will I waste searching? Maybe Murphy can help me find it.

You can wish all you want, but unless it’s a biscuit we both know it ain’t gonna happen.

*********************

Come see what my other boys have been up to in Dream Our World.

Inside Dream Our World, Bitey and Toby visit the museum of their dreams, view the world or art from a canine perspective and enjoy a day of unsupervised fun.

Dream Our World and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.

Mom wants us to help her with her "One Thing Each Day" challenge where you get rid of one thing each day to help declutter the house. I found this stuffed animal that I've destroyed. I found some junk mail. I have this bag of navy beans I'm giving away. There must be at least 365 in here. Now I'm done for the whole year!

I heard that! Get back to work, you little crumb!

Work smarter, not harder, right?

I think he was onto something.

*************

My aunt told me about this challenge years ago. She said that if you get rid of one thing each day – even if it’s something as small as a paperclip – at the end of the year you will have made significant progress in cleaning up your house.

I thought of this challenge as I was hanging my new calendar. What if, to keep myself honest, I wrote what it was that I got rid of each day on the calendar? So far, this has turned out to be a great motivator. Trying to sort out an entire desk drawer might seem intimidating, but getting rid of that cable from a camera you don’t even have anymore is easy. After a while, these little steps add up.

I wish I could say that the place looks neater already. Instead I can say that the stack of items I have to give to charity is growing steadily. I keep hoping that somehow my donations will make it to areas of the country that have been devastated. Their loss is so great. I want to help, but I have so little. Perhaps this will be a way for me to make a difference.

*******************

Looking for ways to stay warm? Consider this cozy quilt!

This rustic Bear Paw Quilt would fit in nicely at a cabin by the lake or thrown over your couch at home. The pattern is geometric, and the colors are bold yet earthy. The overall effect of the quilt is of paw prints in snow. On sunny days, the colors look so inviting it is hard not to lie down on them and take a nap.

Handmade Bear Paw Quilt and other fine gifts are available from my shop at L Bowman Studios.