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.