Neglected Blog

2009 is nearly over, but I'm still trying to simplify and restore! The blog is neglected, but only because I'm working at getting stuff done. The house is taking shape... we finally got all 3 garage bays cleared out so we could park cars in them. Voila! That is quite a feat. We have some boxes in the house to sort and put away from the garage clearing project, but the amount of junk that has LEFT here in the last month is staggering... Tori had a little friend over and wanted to give her a stuffed bear. The parents said "are you sure it's OK?" and both Todd and I said "if it is leaving here, it is VERY OK!"

The photo is of Todd posing in the cleared garage.

More wheel-spinning... and many losses catching up

It has been a shorter week this week, but also I just seem to keep coming up with things that are more important than getting down to business with this house, and the stuff that overflows. However, they ARE important - - a child acting out in a big way (and I mean BIG) because his mental state is not stable, which of course requires conversations with all his professionals... a broken retainer for another child... the start of Bible Study (and this SHOULD come before things), and just the need for family time and relaxation (we sat down and watched a movie together Saturday night, for the first time since moving to this house in May).

Somehow (being very honest here) I am feeling sadness from so much loss of late - - loss of my mom almost a year ago, loss of my Uncle Bob in June, and loss of another part of our family's lives that really was very dear to us, as well of trying to curb any further problems with a child that will result in loss of dreams, both ours and his for him. I know that God is there... and I know all this is in His plan. I also know He will fill me, and all of my family, with so much more than we can ever possibly imagine. I hope for many quiet days as fall settles in that will allow me time with Him (as I also shovel out stuff, that complicates our lives rather than enhances them) so that I can clearly see where He is taking us.

Laura

First Showing

Our house got shown today for the first time! How exciting... we won't be able to redo the hardwoods until the end of Sept, but I'm excited it is being shown anyhow.

I was exhausted this morning - - too much taxi-driving kids around this week, for sure, and also so much effort spent on both the other house, and on Todd's football draft (fantasy football) party Monday. I hope tomorrow will be more productive. I am STILL working on that laundry, getting it put away, from last week. And there is tons more now too to wash fold and sort. It is no wonder I got into this place of clutter/disorganization in the first place!

Laura

The other house, and When God sends and email...

The other house is looking very saleable. That's good, as it officially went "live" on the mls yesterday. We still need the hardwoods refinished, but we found a company that was highly recommended to us and are just waiting to get the job scheduled. Praying for a SOON date for that. I loved cleaning it out the rest of the way this weekend, even if that meant bringing all Todd's garage mess (which I at least organized as I packed, and thinned out) to this garage. At least now all we need to simplify is under one roof - - I think! We're praying the house sells soon, and to someone who will be a really nice neighbor to all our very precious friends and neighbors on that street.

On another completely different topic, there is one area of our lives that continually complicates rather than simplifies things for us. (OK, I guess there are more than one area, but this one we can actually DO something about!). We've been praying for God's direction there for some time, and waiting on Him. I jokingly told one of my friends that I have been waiting for God's email. In the last month, a few things have happened with this area of our lives that seem to be making God's direction more, and more clear. Monday night, we walked into circumstances that while not an email, could not have made God's direction any clearer. Praise Him!!! I'll share more on this in weeks to come, but if you'd pray with us on this exciting direction God seems to be taking us, that we just hear His will above all others, including our own, we'd so appreciate it. It definitely goes along with teh simplify and restore theme... :-)

Have a blessed Tuesday, Laura

Spinning Wheels

OK, so today is a spinning the wheels day. The carpet at the old house is in, and looks fabulous; I spent this morning over talking with our friend living there about furniture placement, and shopping for stuff to accessorize the house. I got a lot done, but since I HATE shopping I am so glad it is done! There is still a lot of carpet installation dust, etc... to be cleaned - - I hope she can do that - - and then furniture to be placed. The right thing to do, also, is to make valances for the kitchen and slider windows in the house, just to make it look more finished. I'll do that too... hopefully tonight or tomorrow AM. And, there is more accessorizing to do too, which I'll still have to work on - - trying to find things in boxes here (still not unpacked!). So... simplify and restore on THIS place has to wait a day or two, while we stage the other place. Prayers appreciated!

:-) Laura

Another day, another blog post!

OK - - this works great in keeping me accountable! Yesterday I DID get through all the sorting in our bedroom! I do think large master bedrooms can be a drawback if they are inhabited by people like me, who tend to let things build up and find that as a place for stuff to sit while waiting to be attended to!

Here is what I did yesterday: All the clothes, linens, etc... are sorted. Mine are all put away, but I still have Todd's (the equivalent of about 4 huge laundry baskets) to do. All the kids' stuff is sorted into baskets and ready for me to take to their rooms and put away - - yes, I could have them do it but the sheer volume is so overwhelming that I worry it wouldn't be done all the way, so I'll help this time. I also completed all the wash that needed finishing up,and added that to the baskets/piles.

Today I hope to continue this, but will have limited time at home. We're having the other house carpeted, so we can get it on the market, and I have to be in and out of there Also, Damon and Scott have pdoc appointments on the other side of town, so that takes a couple of hours. If I can JUST get the clothes, linens, etc... out of our room and put away I will be happy today!

Regarding the other house, we have some friends living there right now who are between places to live. I am hopeful that I can help to get it staged with them, to see that it is "market ready" by the weekend. We will be redoing the hardwoods in it sometime in the next couple of weeks, but at least what is done thus far needs to be ready to sell. We want to let them stay in the house until it sells, but their presence cannot be a deterrent from it selling, so we're trying to "train" what we need. I found a home-staging article for them (they're from another country) to explain what the realtor and I mean in terms of having the house "ready" and I REALLY like the opening line - - make it like a "luxury hotel suite." I hope BOTH houses can feel that way soon, too!

Tomorrow will hold its own duties - - I plan to load up at least one bag for goodwill. Back to that again! When life is simpler, we have time for the relationships and things that really count, and Jesus is glorified.

Back on the Blog!

It's been awhile... life happens. The move, and then losing Uncle Bob, plus a lot of kid stuff this summer. Sometimes I have no doubt why fall always feels so good to me... it is finally getting past the busy summer and finally getting a time to be feeling somewhat human again!

My first goal this week is to finish up stuff that is sitting. Bills that need to be throughly reconciled and figured out to pay (we have a lot of medical ones, and that takes time)... laundry that is folded but needs sorted and put away (I have a whole bedroom of that!)... and partially clean rooms that need finished. God is good, and I am praying HE will guide my thoughts as I do this, rather than my having those thoughts from the "other one" that defeat my energies. Thoughts such as "I only have an hour, I won't be able to get things done in that short of a time..." etc. Satan loves to derail us!!

OK - off the computer go I, and to work on these things. Oh - - and the second goal - - is to assist our friends who are presently living in our other house, to have the house ready for showing via our real estate agent asap. We're ready to sell it! Please!

I hope for blessings on YOUR day as well, Laura

Tough June but lessons still...

Early in the morning on June 6 our phone rang. It was my auntie in Canada, calling to tell us my Uncle Bob had died during the night. He'd had a heart attack, but we thought he was recovering... not so, as we now realize.

I know this topic might seem weird for a blog that I intend to share my thoughts of clearing out and organizing a home and life, but it isn't really. I'll explain.

I went to Canada to our old family farm (Mom grew up there) for Uncle Bob's services. A couple of fun things - - as we arrived, my sister and I (we had flights that came in near times with each other so shared a rental car), we walked into the kitchen and I just instinctively said "we're home." Yes, the farm is home, it is the roots of much of our family life for us. The farm house is old, and while it stores so much of our family's past it is not cluttered but instead is kept very neatly by my aunt. There is everything needed, but not all the extras. !!!!!

The farm itself is full of equipment, some newer and some antique and rusting. Everything on the farm seems to say "Uncle Bob" to me, and has every time I've been there, as a small child and even in recent years. But, this is where the realization came. As they were placing the small box with Uncle Bob's cremated remains in the grave, I thought of how we were all standing around looking at a box when Uncle Bob himself was already dancing in heaven (or maybe arguing with mom, a favorite pasttime in life for both of them). Then I looked at all my relatives there too... all of us with our own fondness and love for Uncle Bob, and the memories and lessons he has taught us. That truly is Uncle Bob now.

It was interesting - - as we went back to the farm, which we're not sure Auntie Margaret will continue residing on or not - - I didn't think "Uncle Bob" as much when I looked at everything. They were just things - - the true Uncle Bob is what he's left in a legacy of love for all of us. Auntie Margaret may very well move from the farm, even sell it - - and that is OK. I'd prefer to know that she is living where she is comfortable than staying there to preserve our memories because of the "things" (house, barn, contents, farm equipment, etc...).

And that all brings me to this post - - none of this stuff that clutters our lives and homes will be going with us, and when we're gone it could even be a burden for those left to manage it. Thus, it is best just not to have it, at least in excess. :-) Thus, I continue my quest to unclutter...

Other House Empty Now...

We have "officially" emptied the other house and it is completely clean. YAY!!!!! It DOES look nice, but needs carpet/floors replaced and worked on. We may sell it "as is" and thus avoid this, but if we need to list it we'll be hiring these things done. We'll see...

Todd also still has to finish the garage, in terms of emptying out all his cabinets and such. But, my part is DONE and then some! :-)

Now, to get things settled here. Mo is having a garage sale tomorrow and I want to empty out as much as I can to send it that way! However, I have several other obligations today that will make my time tight, so pray I can get to it all.

Even with a much bigger house, the desire to live with less is so strong in me, that the simplifying will go on... and on... and on.....

Laura

All Moved, and Time for more Simplifying!

I haven't posted in a really long time... life has been insane. We did buy our "big" house, and are now trying to settle in. A lot of the "stuff" I hadn't gotten rid of from the other house has gone, but there is a lot left that unfortunately needs sorted before it can go. UGGH! Because we're emptying that house out to get it sold, we will have to move the stuff here to sort it. Not my favorite solution, but still necessary... oh well.

Some of the things we discovered in the other house... one, mice. We had them a few years back and thought we'd gotten rid of them. When we moved big furniture there was evidence of their still presence under some of the large pieces of furniture. Because we had pets, we could never use poison traps but now that we've moved out, that we have done. The stuff has been eaten - - and the droppings are ceasing to exist too. YAY! Another discovery - - carpets that clean nicely. Though worn, our 11 yr old carpets have shampooed very nicely. Except for the pen mark in Tori's room, bleach spots from acne lotion in Scotty's room and in the hall, and general wear, they look really good. And... the most amazing thing, there is a FLOOR in the basement! NO WAY! I thought it was just an area 4ft deep of junk stuffed and stacked up - - 1100 square feet of it, but lo and behold there is a floor beneath. The kids can't believe how much room there is in there... :-)

Back to simplifying - - though there is plenty of room in this bigger house, I have my work cut out in getting rid of stuff from the other house so we can enjoy the room. Only one car fits into our 3car garage as of now... so the mission goes on!

Laura

Mooooooving!

We actually closed on the short sale house! Now that it is done, I am absolutely in awe with God that He could put this thing together. The short sale process is complicated, and often doesn't work out. In our case, there was so much loan $$ from the previous owner to be "forgiven" from the banks, that it took everyone - - us, the 2 banks, the 2 realtors, the seller, and the credit union rep we were working with on our loan, to actually come together and make it work. It did, but we didn't know until up until the last day.

Now we're faced with packing, moving, etc... I am SO thankful I got rid of so much of my own stuff prior to this, but there is so much more stuff in this house I wish we didn't have. Thus... the clearning out will continue, AFTER we get this massive move done. Wish us luck.

Laura

Thinking about Romania... at Easter

In 1995, Todd and I took the trip of a lifetime and brought back a "live" souvenior - - our daughter Ana-Maria. Our "trip" was actually to get her, sight unseen, after her adoption had been completed via power of attorney, in Romania. That trip changed our lives.

We stayed in an apartment in Bucharest that was very old and run-down, but had everything we needed in it. There was a small sort of hallway kitchen, a main room that had a nice dining area and an old futon-styled couch, and a TV. There was also a teeny hallway to a teeny bathroom, which had all we needed (toilet, old rusty tub, and sink), and a small bedroom. Outside the living area and bedroom was a wooden balcony that overlooked a courtyard, and on the other side of the courtyard was a very fancy outdoor restaurant where live ethnic Romanian music was played until about 3am every night. Of course, the first nights, this run-down place and the strange sounds of the music (we had to have the windows open - no A/C, and it was August, 100degrees plus in the days) made it difficult for us not to expereince the anxiety of being in a different world. We couldn't watch the TV but more than an hour a day and even then it was not in English. The one hour we could turn it on was when they were playing Superbook cartoons (in English -but with Romanian subtitles) and Ana-Maria loved them. Thus, we were literally immersed in simplicity. Oh no, we even had to talk to and relate to each other all day long! For food, we could walk to the open market or stop by a grocery - - there were no grocery carts though (and even when I went back in 2000, though they had them, they were tiny!). We got used to buying only what we needed for a day and carrying it back, with a toddler who was just getting used to us. We were a bit afraid of getting sick from the food, so we carefully boiled everything and prepared our meals... and that filled up some of the time. We sat on the floor for hours and played with the same blocks, with Ana-Maria - - it is amazing how many uses for stacking cups and blocks one can really find! In the evenings, we were blessed to be picked up by some people we had just met on the airplane on the way in (yes!) and taken to places to walk, and visit. Their company was so dear - - though neither of us hardly spoke each others languages.

I could go on and on - - but what I am getting at, is we were happy... euphoric! Of course, we had just gotten Ana-Maria and she was everything we'd dreamed of and more... but we also were living simply. We were not "plugged in" all day long. We weren't "supersized" all day with food and entertainment. Instead, we were relating to each other and those around us, and taking a new unusual place that had a lot more to offer than the place of abundance where we'd come from. One of the strongest and lasting impressions made on me was one evening, at around dinner hour. We heard a lot of shouting and such from the balconies in the courtyard of our building. I looked out, and chidlren were playing games with each other from the balconies of their apartments. I would have given anything to hear the words in English, but they were evidently saying things to each other, dropping down out of sight behind their railings, and then popping up again - lots of laughter. There were probably about 10 different balconies with kids on them playing this game. I kept thinking "yeah, and we've replaced that with the TV or video games... what a loss for America!"

The lesson of this week had a profound impact on me and is one I have to revisit occasionally. On days my kids are "bored" I think of that, and I encourage them to find some "unplugged" self-entertainment. When I grocery shop (and I mean GROCERY shop - - we put the back of the car FLAT at Costco) I think of how much of what I'm buying we really need at once. Some is good - - it is a big time-waster to be in and out of that particular store too often. But mostly, I think about how much "stuff" has gotten in the way of the relational lives God built all of us for.

As Easter weekend comes and we prepare to spend the weekend with very special friends, I am remembering this special lesson from Romania. This will be a relational weekend, hopefully as unplugged as possible, and one honoring the risen Lord.

By the way - - that "strange" music we heard in the nights became a lullabye by the end of our 5 night stay in the Romanian apartment, and we have several CD's of it here. Go figure!

Easter Blessings - Laura

Fun Weekend - and back home again

I went out of town this weekend - - my sister was married on Saturday, and Ana (oldest dau) and I flew in for her wedding. It was fun - - and we got a little break from "real life" too. I'm back now and working away at "stuff." It now seems to always be calling me to eliminate more of it, which is good! This morning I've been trying to catch up on wash, and pitching any clothes that are marginally fitting the kids. :-) I think the "attitude" is sinking in!

And... even though we were in town where my favorite outlet store is to purchase things for Tori and Cristian, I did NOT shop and thus didn't bring anything back with me. THAT in itself is truly a change.

Laura

My Closet

I just again attacked my closet. This is truly a PROCESS! 3 more tall kitchen bags of donations from there are ready for the Goodwill. The exciting part - - I no longer have off-season clothing in bins in the basement to switch seasons. Everything I own and wear is in my closet, for all year round. And I am sure there still is plenty that won't get its turn... so maybe in a few weeks I'll get rid of more :-).

SNOW day!

Yesterday and today, Cristian and Tori have been off of school for a snow day. While the kids have sat around wathing movies, playing with each other, etc... I have been going through stuff. I now have 3 bags of winter stuff that won't fit Tori next year to leave, and an additional 3 of spring stuff we don't need - most is too big, too small, or just duplicates. That makes 6 bags LEAVING! We've taken some handmedowns to the neighbors already... what a blessing to see stuff go and to have less to put away and deal with. Today I will continue ....

Finally - - an update. The "kitchen sink" kind

I haven't updated for some time (thanks Mo for the reminder!). This is sort of going to be everything that's been going on in no specific order - - the "kitchen sink" is full of things to share. Not all are the "dirty dishes" kind though!

First of all, I am still cleaning out. I chose to attack Ana's closet last weekend, after just feeling like it had gotten beyond any help she could give it alone. She was a trooper - - chose to allow me to get rid of whatever I saw fit. She also thought it good to get rid of things that are not within her school dress code, because in her words, if it is not modest enough for school why would she want to wear it otherwise? The things we kept that aren't in the dress code are jeans (everyone needs these!), and a few dresses. 5 bags went to a friend's house for her to have her teen go through, then pass on. 2 to Goodwill. In the hallway is still a basket of yarn (Ana knits) for Ana to sort and put away, a misc. basket for her to put away, and a basket piled HIGH with backpacks/totes/handbags she needs to clean out and then get rid of. Her spring clothes are in her closet now, and the only winter ones we put away are the REALLY winter ones - - one bin. (we brought up 3 of spring, but got rid of 2 1/2 of them, YAY!)

On the new house front, we're still in waiting mode. I am content with this - - we've done everything we can now, and it is up to God's Will at this point whether we buy the bigger house or not. My hands are open for God to give or take as He sees fit - - I only want to be in His will. OK - - I will admit, I do have dreams of being in the bigger house, but those can be flexible if our Lord makes it clear He doesn't want that.

Finally, we had a kiddo here who's crashing mentally. If you read the intro to this blog, I shared that we have some mental health issues in one of our precious children. He's again struggling, and we need prayers. I think we've figured out the root of it and adjusted the med that's setting him off, but puberty is hitting too so it is only a wonder how long this time he'll be stable. This has slowed me some, but not as much as it used to. I'm still cleaning and restoring!

Laura

Is the Effort Spreading?

After Todd took all that stuff in the garage to Goodwill Saturday, he also vacuumed the cars (yay!). I guess when he had all the seats out of the van to haul the stuff he thought it a good time to vacuum too... and then did the Volvo yesterday. He then came home and cleaned up a bunch of the garage! We still have boxes in there that are packed from our "move" last year that didn't happen. Most of that stuff we don't need, WHEN I get the basement all cleaned (whih still needs significant time and effort) I will go through the garage boxes, too! It was encouraging to see Todd get the cleaning out bug, too!

Laura

READY to GO!

Here is the pile of stuff to go to Goodwill that Scotty and Damon helped carry up from the basement yesterday. Scott and Todd are now taking all the seats out of the van, so they can load it all up and make it be GONE!

Scott and Damon, this afternoon...

My big boys will be getting their exercise this afternoon! I have loaded up 9 big black trash bags full of stuff in the basement for Goodwill, and 2 for the trash. They have been selected to haul everything up and out to the garage! Man, will these 2 be ready for bed tonight. I'm thankful to have such willing (I hope!) helpers!!!

Todd will have a full van in the morning, heading for the Goodwill.

Laura

A better perspective

Devoting this year to clearing out has really given me a much better perspective on the stuff around here. I packed up so much stuff in the basement yesterday, toys I thought the kids would play with later on that have been long forgotten, clothing that outdated before becoming hand-me-downed, and just in general stuff that was put aside to deal with tomorrow, that tomorrow was years ago. Wow. Everything I do has a bit different perspective on it now. Last night, I needed to embroider something on a shirt for our next door neighbor. Instead of just getting it done and going to bed, I actually got it done, then cleaned up all the embroidery stuff, and PUT IT AWAY before bed. Sounds very basic I know, but it is something I haven't always done. Tomorrow has no more time for cleaning up and out than today, so I am choosing to do it today now, more than not. It truly is a valuable perspective to have!

I hope today I can get to more stuff. It's a balance... and I have things to put away (laundry and such) as well, so I'll do that first, and then start clearing out some more. That is, after an appointment at school with Damon at 9am, and an orthodontic appointment for Tori at 11. It is NEVER boring here! Laura

Two more Goodwill trips, and...

I've made it to the Goodwill both yesterday and today. My SUV doesn't hold as much as the van does, but still a significant amount of stuff has left. I have four more bags packed up and sitting in the garage, waiting also to go. There is SO MUCH MORE to get rid of, but man does it feel good. I wasn't kidding about Goodwill having to open another store...

OK, it's Sunday, but...

... I chose to spend 2 hrs on the basement. And wow, that we did! In just that time, we took an entire vanload to the Goodwill and have several bags out at the curb for the trash man tomorrow, in addition to an old sofa. Woo Hoo! There is still about 10x as much still to go down there, but we'll get it gone. It feels so good not to be responsible for all that junk anymore. I didn't take pictures, as Todd was in too much a hurry to get to the donation center before it closed.

Excitement Brewing

We got news this week that the house we'd put a short sale offer in on, might go to us. If we want it, we have to absolutely scramble and try to have all our paperwork done by 3/10. Yikes! Mostly that is closing the loan, escrow, building inspection, etc... so that it can be done. These short sales are weird... we definitely feel like we risk the whole deal if everything is not done the day the bank selling the house has specified. Additionally, we are trying to be sure BOTH banks owed money have approved the short sale price and to sell it at this (they have to forgive parts of the current owner's debt in order for it to go through). If that is not the case, then it might not be a go after all. We're blessed in that we don't have to have this house sold in order to do this, and that will allow us to move out, and do some projects here that need to be done in order to sell this house at the best $$$ possible.

In the meanwhile, I am even picking up the speed even more in cleaning. The goodwill will have to open a new store next week to hold all that I am going to be taking there! No matter what happens with the other house, it will be so nice to have breathing room in this one. Laura

Have you ever seen my laundry room?

Everyone's house has a catch-all room, right? (ours maybe has many of these, LOL). The laundry room, in our house, is probably the worst of these. You wouldn't believe the stuff that has been living in there! This weekend, I finally got brave enough to attack that mess. Here is a photo of it "almost" done. It's not quite there, but so much better that I had to share. I know, for anyone who didn't see the "before" you might not understand how much better this is, but trust me, it is. In addition, we took an entire carload of donations to the Goodwill! Yippee! Even the garbage man got a huge pile this week.

Decluttering with Mo

Yesterday Mo, and her two kids came over. While the kids hung out (OK, two teen girls who I hope and pray will become friends -- they are both sweeties, mine and hers... and two little boys who already look so forward to seeing each other every chance then can) we worked in the family room. The corner, where all the movies, video games, etc... get stashed is now clear, clean, and organized, and it WILL stay that way! Also we tackled the coat closet, and attacked the mess on the top shelf when I've always kept our printed photos (some day, some way, they will end up in scrapbooks). There was so much junk up there! Now part of a black trash bag is full of garbage, and another is full of goodwill items. My goal today is to TRY and fill up the rest of those bags (and more?) so they can leave. With a house this full of junk, there is no use getting rid of only half-full bags.

Happy Valentine's Day!! Laura

A SLOW week (in terms of cleaning out)

This past week, even the weekend, has been insanely busy, which means I've had a really slow week in terms of getting things uncluttered. Grrrr... I REALLY want to get this STUFF handled, but don't seem to be making too much headway. I did clean out the master bathroom cabinets (wow, two trash bags and one goodwill bag full... WHO honestly has that much junk in their bathrooms... us, for one. Ugh!), but that has been it for the last few days. Please hope for me that this "dry spell" gets moving again! Today won't be the day, because I'm off to the Childrens Hospital for much of the afternoon to get Ana's cast removed. That in itself will be cool, though.

Laura

The weekdays... productive? Yeah right!

I keep wondering what I do all day, as I'm not getting much clearing out done. The weekdays just start and finish all in the same minute, it seems. Today was supposed to be a productive one but needs of a small girlie in my house made it tough for me to get much done. Tomorrow,I'll only have little bursts of time in which I can declutter, but I pray I will be able to do that. The very people, my precious family, are the ones I want to bless with a cleaner and more organized home, yet, it is their needs that sometimes make it difficult for me to get to my work at decluttering! Tomorrow, I have Bible Study, then a couple of hours.... then I'll be taking Ana to get some of her immunizations caught up (didn't realize we were missing any!) per an urgent letter from school. Then, home for a couple of hours, and on the run again for the evening.

Maybe I should spend my time at stoplights organizing the car? (sort of joking...)

Laura

Sunday, A Day of Rest...

God has been so good the last two Sundays. Both weeks, I have been a roll on Saturday and thinking (even though I set out with the plans I would not) that I would do more clearing out on Sunday. Well, both weeks, HE has made sure I wouldn't! Last week, my good friend Nancy from Oklahoma showed up. For some reason, I thought her plane was coming around dinnertime, but she was here in the early afternoon. That provided us shopping time, and visiting time... it was fun and relaxing! This week, it was the Superbowl. Our good friend and her daughter came, and that was much more enjoyable than clearing out stuff. God is good, and He makes sure we rest!

Hoping for a productive week, one that honors God too. He already started me off the right way.

Laura

Cristians Room and Glass Cabinets

Both yesterday and today were days for working on Cristian's room. A lot is gone! Although, I didn't take any pictures. I was too tired from cleaning! I guess, I actually started it Thursday, because we took a tall kitchen bag stuffed with clothes to the Goodwill that day. I worke at weeding out toys on Friday, and Mo helped me when I thought I was done - - still filled more bags to go! I think all in all there were about 3-4 black lawn trash bags that left (some garbage and some Goodwill), and I know there are 3 FULL tall kitchen bags in the back of the van to go tomorrow morning to be donated after church. Additionally, another 2 almost full black lawn trash bag went to the neighbor's, and there is one that isn't quite full, but is getting there, in my bathroom (it wasn't full, so I decided to work on my bathroom drawers to get it there - - still working, as the drawers are done but tomorrow I'll get to the "under the cabinet" space).

I hope I'm getting better habits. As I fold wash, and even as I put it away, I'm trying to pull one more thing out of each drawer to go. !!!!! Even hand-me-downs we got this week, I sorted before putting them away either in drawers or the "grow in" pile. We are so blessed with hand-me-downs, and Tori looks forward to the bags coming. Still, I realize if we won't use it, it probably makes sense to gift it to someone else rather than storing it and then passing it on. A bag of really nice dancewear went to a friend (Tori isn't dancing at present) . Shared blessings!

Living in clutter is serious business, and it is outright seriously depressing. Having it leave is an uplift! I realize, truly, that we've only scratched the surface on this stuff, but I will push on.


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I, by the way, AM very serious about the "bigger barns" thing. I WILL NOT move anything I don't intend to have as an integral part of our lives!

Remember my post about the glass cabinet doors, last weekend? Well, we looked at a "bigger barn" that has ALL glass upper cabinet doors. Now, isn't that ironic? If we should move to a kitchen like that, I want to be READY!

Laura

Cleaning Lady Days

A year ago, when we were potentially moving and showing our house a lot to potential renters, Todd and I hired a cleaning lady (actually 2-3, depending on the day, they come together and blow through here fast). We chose to keep them on even after we decided not to move because it was so nice to have a reason to have the house picked up every 2 weeks, and it was also so nice when we were so busy with Ana and her post surgery care not to have to worry about whether the house was scrubbed.

The drawback though, is that we tend to "stash" rather than putting things away properly, because we fear we don't have the time to put it away the right way, and still have everything picked up so the "ladies" can clean.

My goal now is to not have to do anything the night/morning before the "ladies" come. I so desire things in this house to be put away all the time, enough that we don't have a mad dash of stashing things every other "night before" in order to be ready for them to come scrub. I remember the saying "Everything has a place, and is in its place," but right now 1) everything doesn't have a place, 2) everything that does have a place is not in its place, and 3) If everything were in its place there wouldn't be enough place for the things.

Time to press on, and get rid of more...

Laura

Another link at the bottom

At the bottom of this LONG page of posts I added a link to another blog, made with similar goals. Enjoy! It is the link that is titled "Jenni's Blog".

Laura

Maybe a bigger barn?

OK, after vowing to enjoy my "barn" and make life simpler here, it is possible that it might be time for a bigger barn anyway, however, NOT for the STUFF. There are many reasons, being in part the economy, what's financially best for our family, etc... too many to go into right now. However, we're in prayer and know God will guide us. In the meantime, I will be working away at this. I am committed to not moving ANYTHING I don't need to. Either way, life still needs to be simplified and restored to the order that we as a family crave, and thus I am pressing on! :-)

Today is picking up and putting away day - - probably not a lot will get cleaned out, but I hope a lot will be picked up.

Blessings - - Laura

Pantry Photos

Here is a photo of the pantry... all clean! There are a few extra items in it - - I am storing the dish towels in there for now, because the drawer they are in is unavailable for a week or two (long story) but otherwise, it is clean. :-) That empty shelf will be filled with ONLY the canned groceries we need for a week at a time. Yes, you might be able to save more by buying in quantity when it's on sale, but not when it gets pushed to the back and forgotten about, and then outdates so it has to be thrown away...

By the way, I DID take yesterday as a day of rest! My friend Nancy from Oklahoma is here (she arrived about 2 hours earlier than I expected her, which was even more of a bonus!) and we went shopping at the mall. Fun! Ana now has new bras that fit, Tori and Cristian each a new outfit for spring, and I bought a baby present for a dear friend whose Chinese daughter is finally about to come home - - after I think about a 4+ year wait.

Today will be busy, lots of appointments and such, but I'll get back on the clearing out wagon again tomorrow and throughout the week.

Blessings on your Monday - - Laura

Another Photo, and The Pantry

Here is another photo of stuff that left my kitchen cabinets yesterday. Additinally, I was able to clean the pantry enough to put a plastic bin in for breads. That means, NO MORE BREAD BOX ON THE COUNTER! Our house has plenty of counter space in the kitchen, but it is so much easier to wipe counters down, etc... when there is less sitting on them. Oh, and that bag on top of the box - - Scott's torn jeans. 3 pair. He's getting into it a little bit, too.

I decided to tackle the pantry last night, before dinner. The dinner I'd planned was a simple but yummy and healthy one, so I figured I'd just quickly go through it. Well... it was 8pm when I actually finished and got dinner on, but our family didn't mind, and now it is DONE too! Two big black garbage bags later, the pantry is CLEAN. I used to keep my cookbooks on a shelf of the bookshelves in our bedroom. Now they're in the pantry. Also, the bread is in the pantry, and the bread box GONE. :-) Our pantry is deep, and stuff gets shoved to the back. Thus the garbage bags filled.

It felt good to eat dinner (even late) knowing that there is no "yuck" in that big cabinet (the pantry is right next to the table). In addition to that, I cleaned out the garage fridge yesterday (we need it for "overflow" groceries - with the size of family we have). Tori went out to get a soda for Todd and was SO excited! So now, we've got Tori getting into the fun too!

Today I will try to make it a day of rest. It is hard to stop though... but that was the plan and it is God's plan.

Laura

Jane's Idea in the Tupperware Cupboard...

I just finished two more lower cupboards. One was particularly a challenge because I had to rewash everything in it. It's done and put away now. The other was the nightmare tupperware cupboard (tupperware being used to explain any storage container). A year ago I got rid of half of the stuff that filled that space, and still, it is an absolute disaster again. Because of stuff I cleared from another cabinet, I shifted some things, and then spent some time down on the floor making sure all the containers had lids, and vice versa. Well -- I have about 10 extra lids. Since sometimes the kids take containers to their rooms and such, I finally decided that for the next month, the extra lids will live in another place (Jane's idea, but with the cutlery) and if I don't find their mates, they LEAVE! The bag they're in is tied at the top and marked "Lids, to leave 2/24" and I will hold to that!

Another box has been filled from the kitchen to leave (later, I'll take a photo!). I have two more upper cabinets to do, another to finish, and the DREADED pantry but Ana is here chomping at the bit to help me with that one. God is good to bless me with such a sweet and eager helper!

Laura

More to go, and more cabinets...

You know, I have always thought those houses with glass doors on their kitchen cabinets were really really ridiculous... after all, how on Earth would one find room to put everything away in those cabinets if they couldn't be stuffed, yet the glass would mean things would have to be arranged neatly. Cabinet doors are to hide the mess inside, right?

I'm having fun trying to do things otherwise. I really want ALL our cabinets to look neat enough to have glass doors... seriously... why not have them look neet for my family and I when WE go to get stuff out of the cabinets?

Thus, the pics I'm posting. One is DONE, and the other is well on its way today. Plus, I vacuumed out all the drawers, then only put back in what I wanted and was pretty sure I'd use. We're moving right along here... Oh, and I'm also showing two LOADED boxes for Goodwill, which will leave as soon as I am ready to go get Tori from her sleepover (it's near where the Goodwill drop-off is).

Ana is dying to donate much of the stuff in her bedroom, now. This is infectious!

Laura

Metal Spatulas and Mo's House

I started going through my cooking utensils the other day, and realized I have three metal spatulas. Not a big deal, seems like I have three of everything (sadly), but I rarely use them since most of my cookware is teflon coated. I only use them when making cookies or using a metal pan, and then lets face it, I only have two hands, one to hold the pan and one to hold the spatula... so why three? I picked the nicest of the three and put the other two in the Goodwill box. That led me to going through the rest of the utensils and pairing down on those too.

Then today - - I was cleaning a nasty spill off a refrigerator shelf (finally took it and soaked it in the sink, but then the one below needed cleaning too I noticed) and needed something to scrape with. Thus, I grabbed the metal spatula. Then I got "that" feeling - - OH no, what if I am making cookies and need to clean a shelf, should I have more than one of those??? Of COURSE I need to clean the fridge every time I am making cookies (NOT!) Oh my, what an Aha moment for me! This is the kind of thinking that got me into the clutter I am up to my chin in, in the first place!!! So NO, I didn't go and get another spatula back out of the Goodwill box (yeah!!!).

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The other thing, unrelated somewhat to the spatulas, was what we did for lunch yesterday. We went to a friend's house, a friend who is extremely organized and lives simply. God is good. He didn't leave me feeling envy, but rather feeling motivated and with a clear vision of what I need to strive for. Today I'm working towards that. Slowly, as with my kiddos there is always something; we spent the morning taking Ana to the doctor because of sore throat and sore breathing (she has the "flu") and I wanted to rule out anything that needed antibiotics, being that it is the start of the weekend and it would be hard to get in Sat/Sun. But, I am working.

Some days, the job seems like a mountain way too hard to tackle, but when I think of Mo's house, it motivates me to keep on. In fact, there is an item on my kitchen cabinets (we have open tops, and I have decorative things there) that always needs dusting, and isn't even that pretty. Goodbye to it, as when I click "publish post" in a second, I'm getting up there and getting it down to go in the box. The bye-bye box.

Here's a photo (to the left, above) of one cabinet that looks now more like one of Mo's than one of mine. Praise God! OK, it is the cabinet where we keep all medicines taken on a daily basis, and the "electrical" stuff for cooking. It is MUCH improved (Mo, did you by chance see it when you were here at Christmas? It's the one in the corner, in the kitchen.)

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One more thing, if anyone else (I know my friends who read this are mostly also working on the un-cluttering of their homes and lives) has any "aha" moments to share, like the spatula one, would you please, by leaving comments? Maybe we can motivate each other some more!

Laura

The best of plans...

OK, so the good news is there is ONE BOX of stuff packed from the kitchen cupboards tonight. The bad news is, I didn't get that 4 hour time block I thought I'd have. We had to run to the local hospital (where the lab is) to turn in stuff for the GI testing, and that took longer than I'd hoped, and then the optometrist called because my new contacts (long awaited!) came in, so we went to get those... so the 4 hours turned into 1/2 hour. But one box isn't bad!

Tomorrow, I'd planned to take all the kids to a local pool to swim (4 are off school for the day) but they've all agreed to entertain themselves at home instead, letting me clean out more stuff. I hope it will be a peaceful, serene, and PRODUCTIVE day!

Laura

Some Days...

You know, there are just some days. Yesterday was one. Up at 6am, and going nonstop until 8pm. I literally was home for 1/2 hour at noon, but needed to use that time to fill out paperwork for a doctor's appointment for 4 kids, in the afternoon. Here was the day -- up at 6, showered, and dressed, getting kids up and out the door until 9am and during that time also cleaning up the kitchen some more, and making frosting, and frosting cupcakes for Cristian to take to school, Bible Study at 9, Help in Tori's Classroom at 10:30-11:30, home to do paperwork until noon, out to pick up kids from 3 schools for GI doc appointments (one of my kids has an H Pylori infection and we believe more may), done with the appointments at 2:30 but then off to the lab to get the testing materials per the doctor, to the grocery store with 4 kids who are all acting weird (something about going to a GI doc and discussing poop really set Damon's "special needs" giggles and silliness going, and then everyone else either jumped in or objected - - neither being fun for Mom), and finally home to pick up Cristian from the bus, get Ana's voice materials, and take her to voice. During voice, we gassed up the car and ran a few more errands (the kids REALLY weird by now) and then came home where I made dinner, served it, cleaned up, etc.... I went to bed at 8:30 an the bad news is nothing new got packed up to leave this house yesterday, at all. Good news though, I have about 4 hours right now that will be partially used for that! Yay! I do have to run the lab stuff back to the lab, but after that it will be thinning out time for my kitchen cupboards... wish me luck!

Not all days go like yesterday, but in our family, with all the kids special needs, there are many more days like that than anyone can believe (including me!).

Blessings to you today - - Laura

Wall Clutter

Some clutter doesn't leave the house in huge trash bags to go to the Goodwill, or to the trash, but it still is an accomplishment to have it gone anyway. Tonight I tackled wall clutter in Tori's room. Let me explain - - Tori and Ana used to share a bedroom, and when I decorated it prior to Tori's arrival, I was very detailed... it had two tone paint, with the top being rag-rolled (so I guess that would make the overall wall 3-toned...), and a beautiful cutout border that matched the bedding in the room, perfectly. A Waverly deal. (photo below - - my how the girls have grown! But, the photo is more to show the border, which is in the background...) Now we've traded rooms and Ana and Tori don't share that room anymore. On top of that, Tori is ready to have the walls be her own style, which would mean light purple. I had to take that border down, and being that it was a cutout, when I put it up I used LOTS of border glue. Tonight I tackled it. I LOVE the tip I saw on HGTV to use fabric softener to remove the backing/glue. It worked! This clutter won't look like a huge pile on the sidewalk, but it does make a difference to have it gone. And, I LOVE to paint (seriously!) so I guess that will be my reward for taking it down.

Tomorrow, sometime, somehow, I hope to continue tackling Cristian's room. Somehow I think I might just be avoiding that a bit. :-) Laura

Cristian's Room

Today after I scrubbed down the kitchen (yes, those articles I posted yesterday really spoke to me - nothing new, but good reminders!) with bleach and did a lot of laundry, I ventured into Cristian's room. Because of his fairly severe reflux problems of late, we had to take his top bunk off of his bed, and put blocks under the two legs of the head of the bed so he can sleep on an angle. Todd and I did this, and then put the top bunk mattress under the bed for friends to sleep on (and also because it is a cleaner place to store it than the basement or other...). All those toys in bins under that bed now have to go somewhere! I worried at first about his reaction, but he was so good about sorting through stuffed animals with me to say goodbye to many. He is the ultimate pack rat, but he has also shown me today that he is willing to part with things to live in a simpler, more organized world. I look forward to digging deeper into his closet, and toy bins, later in the week.

So far, one tall kitchen bag of stuffed animals, and another half full of throw pillows and some odds and ends of toys have been put in the car to go to Goodwill. We also so far removed one bag of garbage (mostly empty toy boxes from his last birthday toys!).

I think the biggest challenge I am seeing with this is that with everything else we have going (yesterday afternoon was all doctors appointments for Ana - post orthopedic surgery girl, and Cristian, Mr. Reflux/ears) I am really going to have to plan so that I can keep my house momentum going without letting anything else go. I was SOOO late on forms the school needed for Damon's upcoming special ed meeting, and it was simply because of my focus on this stuff. So, I'm going to have to learn to keep ALL the balls in the air.

Link to a thought-provoking article

I happened upon this article last night. With the number of people and animals in our house, I am always trying to elminiate the germs (and with less stuff, there will be less places for them to lurk!). Anyhow, when I read this, though there was nothing that was truly news, I did enjoy having all the information in one article... here is a place you can read it too.

http://www.healthmad.com/Home-Health/Top-10-Places-Germs-Lurk-in-Your-Home.284171

Of course, when I pulled up the link to share it, I also found this:

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ColdandFluNews/story?id=6106018

There is a lot of info to digest on the second site -- links galore to more info. All good advice.

Laura

The Desk

As I sit and type, I realize my first cleaning out project is now a mess again. Just a couple of weeks, and one thing, then one more, then just one more... and now the kitchen desk has stacks of stuff on both sides of my laptop again. UGH. It looks like tomorrow morning, I have a project all ready to go. I hope... You know, it is so easy to get things messed up again. I feel like I am defending my turf in a war on clutter! :-)

Better!

Having that cold last week, I didn't feel like I was getting enough done. Today, however, I did get to more. Tori's room is sorted, for the first phase at least... to the right is a photo of the pile at the top of the stairs tonight, to "leave" here. Yay! I labelled the 3 piles as to what they are...

While I'm doing this, Todd, who is off, has been restoring. He's changed out all the bathroom lights in the last couple of weeks! Now he is doing ditsy things but that need done and take time, like redoing Tori's bedroom window screen, redoing wiring so we can move a computer in the house, etc.. All contribute to progress!

When Toys are No Longer Fun

Tori loves her toys... and plays a lot in her room. However, they aren't fun anymore. There are too many of them, and just keeping them sorted would make a PHD in Organization frightful. I've spent today simplifying the toys, and still have quite a ways to go. So far, one stuffed black trash bag is ready to go to goodwill, full of toys. I have a bag of garbage from in the toy bins, and behind her bed. Finally, as I put clothes away, I loaded a bag of things for a friend we give handmedowns to. I have a feeling this bedroom is just at the starting point (sort of like peeling layers off an onion!). Photos later...

You find the weirdest things...

My youngest is a creative girlie. I'm still working on her room, but stalled a bit yesterday because I instead chose a NAP. :-) The cold is improving but needs sleep to heal. Anyhow, we did unearth this dolly - - Tori wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up, she says. Here is her holiday creation... note the hair, along with the outfits. Cleaning is fun!

Back to not doing too much yesterday, I have to say I am tempted to try and do double today. I don't think I will, though... or I will burn out and not have the energy to work tomorrow...

Blessings - Laura

Juggling Schedules

Now that the kids are back in school, and all their activities, appointments, etc.. are in full swing, I am realizing that the juggling of activities that got me into this state of too much stuff is still there, and it is something I am going to have to work hard to manage, to get my time in for clearing out. It'll be a challenge, but I'm up for it! Yesterday I did get into my youngest's closet and room for some time, and got a full bag of goodwill stuff (tall kitchen sized, not lawn trash sized, YET) but then was interrupted by my oldest needing to go to the doctor. She had surgery on her leg a week ago and it was just killing her with pain. Turned out, it was just a cast/splint issue, and now with a new cast and more time off school ordered by the surgeon, she should be fine.

Thursdays, every other week, my housekeeper comes and scrubs. Normally Wednesdays before she comes are stressful days of picking everything up so she CAN clean. Today will be no exception, but I do look forward to the Wednesdays when things are less cluttered and hopefully it won't be such a mad dash to unearth the surfaces so she can clean them.

More later - - pray I get mountains moved today, but keep the schedule too...

The cold is improving, finally. YAY! Laura

Monday...

The kids went back to school today, and I had great plans to do a lot, but am stuck with the nastiest headcold I have had in ages. Ugh! However, I did get into Ana's room to put her laundry away and managed to get a bag of stuff out of her drawers... then started uncluttering Tori's room - - I got a bag of garbage out of her closet, and a bag of toys for goodwill, yet am barely getting started on that room. WOW! Tomorrow I'll get going on it again.

Also today I did drop the box for my sister into the mail, and had a son deliver a bag of nice hand-me-downs to a neighbor. Progress! The goodwill stuff will be added to tomorrow's loot, and dropped off when I take Tori to gymnastics tomorrow night. Wow! I CAN do this.

Oh - - and one more thing, I made a bunch of appointment calls, etc... that I've put off during Christmas.

Hugs, Laura

Yesterday and Today

Yesterday my son had his buddy over, and while they cut out cookies to decorate, I cleaned out the cookie cutters and got a bagfull to give away. :-) Before bed, I made myself load another tall kitchen bag - - oldest daughter was willing to let me go on her closet. We filled the bag!

Today was packing up day with the Christmas decorations. I packed them super-organized this year (yay!) so that all the stuff for each tree (we do two) is in bins together , by tree. Additionally, I filled a 24 x24 in box FULL and overflowing, with decorations we didn't even put up this year. It leaves in the morning!

This is fun... and life is going to be so much more to my liking without all the "stuff" to deal with.

First Drop-off at Goodwill...

I took all yesterday's "goodies" from yesterday's clean-out to Goodwill today. Here's the load, in the back of the car... ALL of this is from half of our Master Bedroom closet (my half), my dresser, and the bookshelf in our room. When we emptied the back of the van, it filled the bin (with stuff sticking up too!) that they rolled out from the donation center. I'm off to a start! Today I am going to attack all the stuff I just took out of the laundry room, as my washer needs repair and so I unloaded that room so the repair man could get to the washer. I think most of this stuff doesn't need to go back in. :-) Wish me luck!

Laura

Oops, I listed everything too soon!

Please add to my list another bag of trash, more books, and the other half of the lawn bag FULL now. Man, is the Goodwill guy going to be busy tomorrow morning!

Laura

Today's List...

Today, in JUST the Master Bedroom closet and bookshelves, the following has left our house:

2 1/2 lawn trash bags STUFFED with clothes, one bulk rate mailing box stuffed (for someone I know who would like these things)

1 lawn trash bag plus 3 tall kitchen bags of GARBAGE

1 lg "apple box" sized box of books

2 closet rods not being used (the kind to "double" closet space, i.e. allow you to stuff more in)

They are all going into the back of the Suburban to be driven to Goodwill first thing in the morning. I'm happy! This is a good start... Laura

Happy New Year, Happy New Blog!

This is my blog to journey my path to simplifying and restoring order (and more!) in my home. Read on to see how things go... Laura