Cristians Room and Glass Cabinets

Saturday, January 31, 2009

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

2 comments:

KlambityJaneFebruary 1, 2009 at 5:21 AM
Your blog is achieving its purpose for you, Laura, and even for me! Yesterday I went through the pile of magazines, mail, assorted "stuff" on the table by my bed----thanks for the inspiration!
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LauraFebruary 1, 2009 at 8:44 PM
Wow, that is cool Jane! Writing helps me keep going... interestingly! I was never a diary kid or anything, but on this it really helps me keep on. BTW we offered on a house this weekend. It is bank-owned (it is the glass cabinet one!) and it will take some time to know if our offer is accepted or not. We're in competition with another offer, so only God knows and that is the best anyway. We'll see.
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The reason for this blog....

Last year, I started this blog to help myself stay on track in cleaning out our home. Of course, nothing is every quite straightforward in our life, and so much more happened than just clearing out our home. (go back and read if you want to know!)

While in 2010 I still want to clean and organize, now a new house from a year ago but nevertheless with 7 occupants who all bring in their share of stuff... I also am looking to what the Lord will do as I stay more faithful in my Bible studies than ever before. What direction will He take things? It's sort of a wait and see. So... come along and see with me, if you want. Happy 2010!

(below, my "blog reason" from last year)
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This blog is to chronicle my cleaning out process. In Luke 12, a farmer is contemplating tearing down his barns to build bigger ones, and store up all his harvest for years to come. Jesus suggests not - - that perhaps his soul would be required of him that very night and then how would he use it all???

Our family has gone back and forth between wanting a bigger "barn" (house) or staying put. We moved into our home almost 11 years ago with four of us... and now have 7. Add to that two dogs (one whom sheds constantly) and some other pets, and we have a very full hosuehold. Over the years, the stuff we've "collected" as a normal part of living and parenting this many has built up - - we have NOT taken the time to "un-collect" as the years have gone on, leaving us drowning in possessions. And, as the kids bodies grow, space even seems less plentiful.

Of course, there are good reasons for the buildup. Mostly TIME has not been on our side. Our children have special needs, in the medical, emotional, educational, and also supervisional areas, which makes more demands on my time than the average mother. Add to that Todd's job that has taken him to many places for work, including regular trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Ohio, etc... and there has even been less time.

All of that aside, though, I am NOT the kind of person who can live in clutter. A well-meaning friend (actually, 3) said, as we adopted child #3 and #4, that I would have to change my standards of neatness to allow for more junk, because of the number and needs of my children. Foolishly, I took this to heart. Now - - I am not saying that cleanliness comes BEFORE my kids and their needs, but I realize now that truly, I need BOTH... and by having the house organized and de-cluttered, I will have MORE time for the kids and will be in better spirits too. We're all unique, and for me, the extra "stuff" has made me feel weighted down and overburdened.

I've decided to make 2009 the year to simplify my life, and restore order to all parts of it in the process. I'm really excited, and believe God agrees this is needed. We definitely do not need a bigger barn - - at 2700 sq ft, our house is plenty big enough (we also have a 1000 sq ft unfinished basement we could finish IF it were cleared out). I grew up in a 1900 sq ft home with 5 of us, and it was plenty big; my husband grew up in about 1000 sq ft with 6 of them, and did fine too. The problem is not lack of space, it is what we choose to do with it. It's time to stop storing stuff in my barns!

Please feel free to journey with me as I clear out this house. My goal is that every day of the week at least one lawn trash bag of stuff will leave, or the equivalent in stuff in boxes. Sundays I will take off, as they are God's day of rest.

One further thing. Are you also burdened with clutter? Or are you an impeccably organized person? Please share comments here... we can support each other in this process!

I would appreciate anyones prayers in this process.... Laura

2010 - What will it hold?

Saturday, January 31, 2009