New blog

I have created a new blog. I have decided to make my life a little bit more easier and just link the two together and merge them into one. So all my new postings will be in my new blog.


http://livesimplydreambig.blogspot.com/

Our plans for the distant future

We have decided to simplify our lives even more and add a little fun and learning to our life. In about 4-6 years, we plan on traveling Europe for a year. We are going to sell everything we own with a few exceptions. The items we do decide to keep will be placed in plastic bins and stored at my MIL house. We are going to start saving now. We plan on visiting as many European countries as we possibly can. When we do decide to return to the US, we are going to get a camper and travel North America. We are going to do odd jobs along the way so we can get some extra cash. And hopefully we can travel the US in this awesome concept car.

Simple Living


Hopefully it can become a reality and not just a dream.

My mini-library

Since that rather large TV is gone and all the electronics have been packed away for storage, I decide d to convert my living room to a mini-library. I have 1 large bookshelf and 3 small bookshelves that I brought into my living room. I stacked 2 of the shelves on top of each other so they are the same height as the tall one. The other small one is in the middle. So now I have 1 wall designated as the library. My chaise is in a corner so it looks nice and cozy. As I carried box after box down the stairs, I realized that I don't need all theses books. The decluttering began. I went through them all. I managed to get 3 big boxes that I will be taking to the book store to sell. Whatever they don't want, I plan on donating to the library.

I will post pics as soon as I can.

Footprint

As you declutter your house, you will simplify your life.

As you simplify your life, you will live more mindfully.

As you live mindfully, you will need less.

As you need less, you will consume less.

As you consume less, you will pollute less, and over the course your life, you leave a much shallower footprint on the Earth.
---Leta(MDC)---

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores can be the bane of all clutter junkies. You go there and see a ton of stuff (most,of which,you do not need). You buy said junk and take it home to your already cluttered home. With no where to put the items, they go into a pile in your living room or a corner in your bedroom. Sometimes they gt put into a box "to deal with later on". Later on never comes and they just sit there, getting old and collecting dust. Not to mention taking up valuable space.

There are certain rules that I follow when going to a thrift store.

*Only go there if you actually NEED something
*Go there with a list of specific things you are looking for and only buy from that list
*If you bring 1 item home that you already own, get rid of the other
*Just because it's on sale doesn't mean that you need it


MY THRIFT STORE FINDS (yesterday)
*wooden hangers
*wicker laundry basket
*tablecloth
*Asian bed set
*wicker basket for toys
*mini crock-pot (I freecycled the big one)
*glass snack tray/cup for DS
*set of cloth napkins
*2 Pyrex casserole dishes with GLASS lids

The July Challenge

My challenge for July is my kitchen/dining area. There isn't too much that needs to be done in here since I decluttered some in February.

*Organize cabinets better
*Clean out bill paying desk
*Declutter appliances, dishes and utensils
*Organize shelves
*Declutter most, if not all, the plastic items
*Clean the refridgerator and freezer

My rewards
*Nice glass food storage containers (per budget)
*Organizers for the shelves
*Nice tablecloth and cloth napkins

My June challenge success!!

My June challenge to work on my bedroom was a success. All of my sons things are now put away neatly in his room. The clothing has been sorted and put where it needs to go. We managed to freecycle 3 HUGE bags of clothes. All the wintery type clothes and items that I was having a hard time with have been put into a small bin in the back of my closet. All items have been hanged up.

That big, blue piece of furniture will be staying in the room. I've decided to use it for school/sewing. It folds up nicely and isn't in the way.

Since I accomplished my goal, I will be getting my determined rewards sometime in July.

Walking into my room

My side of the bed

My side of the closet

His side of the closet

My decluttered bathroom

My downstairs bathroom is decluttered. I have a couple of items that I need to get for organization like some baskets for the items in the closet and a better hamper. I also would like to find a better space for my vacuum.

Walking into the bathroom

The bottom of the closet

The top of the closet

TV free....at least for a while

My TV broke. It refuses to turn on. I, for one, am pretty happy about it. I will get to experience life without the TV for a while, until he decides to get another one.

It is like a test. Fate is trying to show us the way to TV freedom (which I would love). It is giving us a taste of what life will be like without TV. It is trying to show us how meaningless it really is. It is trying to show us that it does cause conflict, anxiety and laziness.

Life without the TV will be sweet.

My sons bedroom finally clutter free!!

I finally managed to get my sons room decluttered. All of the toys, books, games and anything else taking up space has been placed in trash bags and put into the garage for my garage sale. Here is the finished room.

View from the doorway

His bed and nightable

Bookshelf inside the closet

Toybox in the bin on the right

Laundry basket and ALL his summer clothing hanging up

Guidelines for decluttering the kids room

This is the list of "guidelines" I follow when I declutter my sons room. Since his birthday is this week, I will be decluttering once again to make way for the stuff he will recieve.

TOYS
*Anything that makes noise or is annoying
*Toys that are plastic
*Anything broken, missing pieces, cracked, etc.
*Anything not played with within the last 2 months
*Anything not put away where it goes
*Toys that take up too much room....ie..the whole toybox
*Tyos overflowing out of the toybox onto the floor--exception train table

CLOTHES/SHOES
*Too small
*not in season
*Anything that won't fit over my sons big head
*Too big (goes into a storage bin)
*Things that he has never worn
*Things that he doesn't like
*Anything stained or ripped
*socks missing mates
*shoes that are too small
*shoes that are torn or splitting
*shoes never worn or worn only once
*anything annoying or uncomfortable

GAMES/PUZZLES/BOOKS
*books with ripped pages
*books with writing
*books never read
*books with bad content
*missing pieces
*never played with
*boring
*too advanced (goes into storage bin)
*games that are confusing to play

2007 items by Dec.31 2007

I made a goal at the beginning of the year to rid my home of 2007 items by the end of 2007. I am up to 771 items. They are sitting in my garage waiting to be sold/freecycled/CLed or donated to Goodwill.

I am about to do another purge of items. I will probably be attacking the games and puzzles that have seemed to breed their way into every closet in my home. The toys are pretty much under control. For a while they were in every closet. They are now down to 2 medium size bins, but they will soon be down to 1. As soon as my son gets his birthday presents next week, I will know what more needs to be done to tame those wild toys.

The June Challenge

I have decided that each month,starting with June, I will set up a challenge for myself to accomplish. If I succeed, then I get a reward. If I fail, then I get nothing. The reward has to go with the challenge. And it has to be something big, that could possibly take all month, but broke into segments.

My challenge for June is my bedroom. It is a disaster. There are clothes everywhere but where they are supposed to be. A huge piece of furniture that needs to be moved to the garage and some of my sons stuff is still in there.

My Bedroom Goals
1.Move huge piece of furniture to garage
2.Declutter and hang up all clothes
3.Purge shoe collection and organize
4.Organize under bed drawers
5. Remove everything from room not for sleeping or..um..entertainment purposes

My Bedroom Reward
1. Wooden hangers for clothing
2. Containers for shoes
3. Liner for drawer
4. New sheets and possibly a new bed set(per budget)

Of course, I will try to find these things used. It is always best to recycle instead of throwing away.

100 Reasons to get rid of it

Because You Have Too Much Stuff
1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.comPay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.comLock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.orgSchedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.orgFind local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.

Because It's Fun
8. 127sale.comSet up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.orgAttend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.comWatch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.

Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.comPut a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.comOr let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.orgSend a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.
Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.netHelp keep service members in touch with their families.
All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.comWork with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.orgPut scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.
Air Miles
18. Redcross.orgFor Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.comFor deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.orgFor transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.orgFor terminally ill kids
Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.orgMatch your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.orgFurnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.orgGive interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.orgDonate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.orgSend formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.orgA free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.comShip shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.
Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.orgSupply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.orgSend eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.orgConvert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.comDonate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.orgGive everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.orgSend towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.orgFund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.orgPost donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.orgDonate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.
Computers
38. Cristina.orgTechnology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.orgConnecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.orgSend computers to more than 50 developing countries.

Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.comRecycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.comDonated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.comOld newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.comRubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.comPlastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.comYogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors

Because It Will Make Your Life Better
50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.
51. Erase a $10K credit card debt (with an average interest rate) 65 percent faster -- and pay 75 percent less total interest -- when you pay double the typical minimum monthly payment.
52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.
53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.
Because You Can Get Something Back
54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.
55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.
56. Coinstar.comEasily convert spare change into "real" money.
57. Craigslist.orgSell it to your neighbors.
58. ebay.comSell it to anyone.
59. giftcardbuyback.com.Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
60 Paperbackswap.comTrade the books you have for the ones you want.
61. Peerflix.comTrade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
62. Spun.comClear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.
63. Titletrader.comThe great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.

Because It's Old/Expired
64. energystar.govReplacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.
65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.
67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).
68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.
69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.
70. foodsafety.govFind the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.
71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.
73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.
74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check out threecustom.com, T.J.Maxx stores, or Lancome's beauty bye-bye program for replacements or duplicates of discontinued cosmetics.Because You Don't Want to Suffer from "Stuck Song Syndrome"
77. And these five tunes are among the most persistent: Chili's "Baby Back Ribs" jingle, "We Will Rock You," the "Mission Impossible" theme, "YMCA," and "It's a Small World After All." (Tip: Try drowning them out with classical music, which is less likely to haunt you after it's turned off.)

Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around
78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.
79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to dmaconsumers.org.

Because There's a Better Option
82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.
83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).
Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them
85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"
86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"
87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"
88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (packratthemovie.com)
89. The Bronx, New York, man who, in 2003, was trapped in his home under an avalanche of books and newspapers for two days before being rescued.

Because If They Said It, It's Probably True
90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci
91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer
94. "The joy of giving is indeed a pleasure, especially when you get rid of something you don't want." -Frank Butler and Frank Cavett, "Going My Way"

Or Just Because...
95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
96. It hasn't been used in over a year.
97. There is no logical place to keep it.
98. It doesn't work.
99. An ex gave it to you.
100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?

Marthastewart.com

My Decluttering Steps

There are many ways people declutter. There are many different "programs" and "techniques" to follow. They work for some people, but for others, like myself, I end up falling on my butt only to say "What!!!!! I just decluttered and it looks like i I did nothing!" I think the steps you take to declutter and simplify depend on your personality. Some people like to get it done and over with. Soem like to take their time adn plan it out, step-by-step. Others like to reminese about fond memories of said object. While some just toss it in the box without a care in the world. I think I may have finally found MY way of decluttering.

1. You never need more than 1 of anything.
2. Who cares if it's a set. I only use the cups from it. The rest can go.
3. I'm pretty sure that 1 big bookcase is enough. If I want more books, there is always the library.

So far, that's as far as I've gotten. I have to ease in and find my decluttering, simplifying niche and run with it. I have to test the waters to see if it's the right fit.

Quiz: Clutter Impact

Adapted from The Lilypad List, by Marian Van Eyk McCain (Findhorn Press, 2004).
Let’s face it: some of us wouldn’t be comfortable living a stripped-down, minimalist lifestyle--we prefer to be surrounded by beloved stuff. But others of us can feel pretty claustrophobic in an untidy or cluttered space. Where do you fit on the spectrum?
SIMPLE SOLUTION: Take this short quiz to see how much of an impact clutter may be having on your life. Could you use a little simplicity overhaul? Find out:
1. Do you ever feel burdened by your possessions and wish you could ditch half of them?
2. Do you feel a huge sense of relief any time you take a pile of stuff to the dump or donate it to your local thrift shop?
3. Do you detest having surfaces in your house that are cluttered with ornaments, knick-knacks, or piles of paper?
4. Do you gaze longingly at pictures of Japanese house interiors with their clean lines and empty surfaces?
5. Do you admire plain, simple furniture/architecture/clothing and dislike ornateness, rococo designs, frills, and bows?
6. Does having an untidy desk make it harder for you to work?
7. Do you ever feel as though broken appliances, unpaid bills, and unfinished projects have voices and are clamoring as you walk by them?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may need to divest yourself of many of the ornamental things you have surrounded yourself with, but keep the really useful ones. Aesthetics--and creating a life less filled with “things”--may need to be a high priority for you.

12 Strategies for (finally!) letting go of stuff you don't really need

It’s ok to keep the things you really appreciate, this process is more about discovering what you love and separating those things out from the overwhelming mass of “stuff” in your surroundings so you can have more freedom to enjoy your life.
When you are ready to start, I recommend you take a deep breath, be thankful for your willingness to do this difficult work, and enjoy the process! Set aside a short period of time and identify one place to start—one cabinet, one drawer, one closet, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Keep in mind why you are doing this; to clear your energetic field of the things that no longer serve you and to discover who and what you are truly about. There is a freedom in this process that will deeply release you. Make it fun! This is not torture, this is you taking care of yourself.

1. Clutter is nothing but unmade decisions...so make sure you touch everything in the zone you are working in. Don't put things off because it is too hard to decide. (see #12) You can always come back to the decision before the end of the session, but decide TODAY, so it's done. The burst of energy comes because you are released from the bondage of attachment, I promise it gets easier the more you let go. I PROMISE.
2. If there is something that you are sentimentally attached to because of the memory or person it reminds you of but you don’t love the item, consider taking a photograph and then giving away or tossing the object.
3. Try to set a numerical standard for your environment, such as, “I will only keep things that I consider more that an ‘8’ [or whatever number feels right for you]”. As you sort through your things, assign them a number, and stick to your policy. It is amazing how well this works for some people!
4. As you have your hands on the item, simply ask yourself, “do I LOVE it?” If not, let it go. Most people never ask themselves that question, and end up surrounded with things they don’t even want, need or care for.
5. Make a policy for your collections, such as magazines, i.e. I will only keep the issues from the previous three months, or I will donate or give away any clothing that I haven’t worn in the last year.
6. Create a “memorabilia box”, and keep only your most prized treasures there. This way, you can consciously choose the things you love the most and let go of the rest.
7. Use the mantra, “I can keep the memory, and let go of the thing.”
8. Ask yourself, “why am I keeping this?” and really listen for the answer.
9. Choose a friend or family member you trust to assist you for this process. For many people, letting go is easier with someone close by as support.
10. Literally KISS the item goodbye. If you used to love something, try giving it a goodbye kiss just before letting it go. Somehow, this closes an energetic door with the item, while acknowledging your feelings about it.
11. If you find yourself attaching the feelings you have for the giver of the gift to the item, and therefore have a hard time letting go of such things as Aunt Mary’s orange, yellow and brown crocheted afghan, try “breathing in” all of the energy of Aunt Mary from the item, and the see how easy it is to let go! [ok, I know this is 'woo woo', but it works!]
12. Create a “decompression chamber”—a shelf or drawer near where you are working, for the “maybe” items. Tell yourself that this chamber can remove the emotional charge you have on the item from the item itself. In a few hours, go back to the item and see if you still want to keep it, once it has been “de-charged”. It’s amazing how effective this can be!

Many people think of letting go as having less, but actually, there are many things you will have MORE of: freedom, peace of mind, ease of access. People are amazed at how much more abundance they feel when they start letting go of the “too much” in their lives. Try it—it’s catching!
And keep in mind: it’s not clutter if you really love it.

http://www.its-not-about-your-stuff.com/2006/08/12_strategies_f.html

Good Rules of thumb for Declutterers

* get rid of anything that requires you to purchase some kind of organization item for it. chances are, you don't need that crap to begin with.
* anything that ends up covered in dust--if you really loved it that much, it would get more attention.
* anything you can always find at goodwill for under a buck that you hardly ever use anyway.
* Get rid of duplicate things you have from when you got married that you thought you'd keep both of in case one broke
* Get rid of that box of stuff you might try to sell someday.
* get rid of stuff that just never seems to find a "home".
* get rid of "some day" things, as in "SOME DAY I'll use this for xyz".
* Get rid of things you would NOT want to pack up and have to move if you were moving to a different home.
* get rid of all of the boxes that haven't been unpacked yet from the last time you moved.
* things that "can be fixed" -if you haven't fixed it by now, it's probably not going to happen.

EMOTIONAL/SENTIMENTAL:
* Consider taking a photograph of a momento then getting rid of the actual momento.
* Get rid of ANYTHING that does not bring you some joy when you see it or use it.
* Get rid of gifts you don't like and things you keep out of guilt or obligation
* Get rid of anything that reminds you of someone who doesn't make your life joyful
* Get rid of thank you cards, birthday cards...that don't really have special meaning
* Get rid of things that make you feel like you're not the person you want to be (those reminders of things you'd love to do but never have time to and that only drain your spirit/energy)
* Get Rid of Anything You Don't Need or Love, things that aren't "you".
* If you pick something up and wonder whether you need it, you don't. The things you truly need and love - you know that without hesitation.
* Ditch all your dried flowers.
* Get rid of balloons that no longer stay afloat

KITCHEN
* Get rid of kitchen appliances you use less than, say, once a month
* Anything in the kitchen cupboard (dishes, canned goods, utensils, you name it) that haven't been used in a year. (Other than the forspecial china and silver).
* Get rid of all but four pot holders
* all the extra measuring spoons and cups
* All those knives that don't really do it. you only really need 2.
* the cookie cutters that are never used.
* Get rid of food in the pantry that has sat there for a yr (find a new owner or toss it with an expired date)
* most of the tupperware can go

CLOTHING/LINENS:
* Get rid of clothes you don't look good in, don't fit right, or you don’t love.
* Ugly, stained, ill-fitting, maybe someday I'll wear it again, itchy clothes. (keep one set for painting and crud)
* Get rid of clothing I won't wear or haven't worn in 2 yrs
* Get rid of the orphan socks and pairs of socks with holes in them - they're useless!
* Undies with holes even if they will last another year
*Get rid of all towels that are holy or frayed or excess (keep enough for 2 per person and 1 for the pets)
*Get rid of all bedding sets (keep 1 for myself and 2 per child)
* Get rid of your fat clothes, your skinny clothes ... dress the body you have and love it
*Get rid of hand-me-down clothes that you don't even like!
* Get rid of the 8 or 9 boxes of fancy baby clothes that will never be used

HOBBIES/MEDIA:
* Get rid of books/magazines you don't read all the time, will never read again, or no longer interest you (what's a library for after all?)
* Get rid of outdated reference materials
* Get rid of pictures and artwork you have no place to put - if you like it, then find a place for it - take something you like less down, but if it doesn't have a place what good is it?
* decorations you don't love
* craft supplies you aren't using
* Get rid of scrap wood from that last project, unless you have an actual plan in mind for it.
* Get rid of scrap fabric.

KIDS STUFF:
* all the extra markers and crayons. keep one set of new.
* Get rid of dried up play dough.
* Get rid of happy meal toys, toys that are overflowing out of the toy bins, toys the kids don't even know they have, noise-making toys that require batteries!
* all but 25 favorite toys for each kid (sets count as one thing). This one is hard.
* Stuffed animals. They are nasty and collect dust. Keep one or two special loves. but not 50.
* Get rid of poorly written, insanely annoying or duplicate kids books.
* Get rid of broken crayons (yes, I know you can melt them to make block crayons. If you were going to do that, wouldn't you have done it already?).
* Get rid of things you have been collecting to do "recycled art" with your kids, unless you actually plan to do it this week. There will always be more.

JUNK EVERYONE SEEMS TO HAVE:
* that bunch of random floating pens--give em to the grocery store clerk
* All those screws and nails that are leftover from everything. Can never find the one you want anyway.
* Get rid of blurry or bad photos (especially if they're duplicate prints), unless it's the one shot you have of a momentous event.
* Get rid of at least one rubbermaid of the Christmas decorations you don't like that have been heaped upon you because your inlaws can't imagine that maybe you want a simple Christmas.
* Get rid of the 9 extra cameras that haven't been touched since the digital camera was purchased.
* Get rid of the two "spare" computers that barely work, take 10 minutes to boot up, and sound like jet engines when they run.
* Get rid of the "spare" furniture (that entertainment center) that has been sitting in the garage and storage area since move in day, extra furniture, the ugly chair in my bedroom
* Get rid of junk mail!!
*Get rid of all outdated toiletries and make-up, products (cleaning and body) that are unsafe and lotions and potions you no longer use
* Get boxes loaded with books, DVD's, cd's and clothes OUT of here, before I start going through them and "finding" things I "need" to keep.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=640788

Tackling big challenges with small actions

This is a perfect illustration of tackling big challenges with small actions. It also shows the power of focus. There's a growing tendency for people to want to have it all. Not wanting to sacrifice anything, they run themselves straight into the ground--sometimes literally--only to end up frustrated, unhealthy, and tired, with nothing to show for it. What they don't realize is that you can have it all (or close to it). You just can't have it all right now. Does it feel like you're always busy, but you never seem to get anywhere? That's because when you try to do everything, you don't do anything well. Your child may force you to learn this lesson anyway. Instead of living your life all at once, try doing one thing at a time. Choose one goal and, through some small "things" every day, focus in on it until you've succeeded. During the day, put your full mind and efforts on one task at a time. You'll be much more productive (and calm) in the long run.

-Sparkpeople.com-

"We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once."

-Calvin Coolidge-

Tips for a great yard sale

A garage sale is a great way to clear the clutter and make some extra cash. You would be surprised as to what people will purchase. What you may think is trash, could be someone elses treasure.

Listed below are the guidelines that I use when having a sale.

1. Make sure you have a price on everything. It makes it so much easier when trying to negotiate if there is already a price listed on the item.

2. Make sure the item is in decent shape. No one wants to buy your ratty old socks with holes in them.

3. Place like items together. Kitchen stuff in a kitchen area, toys in the toy area, books with books, you get the point.

4. ADVERTISE!!!!! Even if that means posting a few signs or listing on craigslist. It is worth the extra effort.

5. Provide refreshments. there is nothing cuter than a 3 year old asking you is you would like a cup of wemonade and a chlocit chip cookie. No one can refuse that.

6. Provide music. I prefer to play some 80's tunes. I haven't met a person yet that didn't like 80's pop music.

7. During the last 2 hours of your sale, mark everything down 50%. The things that you do not want to mark down, remove them from the sale.

8. During the last 30 minutes, let everything go for free.

And is all else fails, you can skip the garage sale and give it all away on freecycle!

Toys! Toys! Toys!

Toys! That takes on a life of its' own. They clutter the bedroom. They overtake my living room floor. They thrive in the closets and in the garage. They are everywhere! Just how does one come to accumulate so many toys? Toys with annoying sounds, toys with flashing lights, toys that could probably cook and clean if I wanted them to. They tend to move in unexpectedly and stay long after they are welcome. I'm surprised they haven't started a toy democracy with a toy president and toy cities.

My war on toys has begun! Everything that was overflowing out of the bins has a designated space in my May garage sale. No longer are the toys going to continue to dominate my living space...that is for the garage.

My solution to this problem: 2 medium size bins. That is the limit for toys now. One bin is designated for crappy plastic toys (that will be making their way out sooner than later) and another for awesome, wonderful wooden, cloth or metal toys. The plastic toy bin is located in my sons room (where he only goes to sleep). The wooden toy bin is located in the living room (where he is ALWAYS playing). This makes it easier to rid my home of the useless plastic toys. I do, however, have an exception for plastic toys: they have to be educational (like the leappad).


My son has started to play more with the wooden toys than the plastic toys. He has decided that he wants some new wooden blocks and some wooden cars :) I think he may be getting some fabulous wooden toys for his upcoming birthday (like a train table and tain set).

The Office Area

The first stop in my declutter-a-thon is my office area. I am getting on board with the other mommas at mothering for the April Office Area Challenge.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions/showthread.php?t=646796
Even though my office area is only a small desk and filing cabinet in my Living Room, it seems to be a black hole. It sucks in all pieces of paper, books or whatever and then multiplies times 10. My overall goal is to have a better, more efficient space.

Steps to ultimate goal
1.Clear items off desk area
2.Reorganize filing cabinet
3.Organize some sort of mail system
4.Garbage can

The "stuff"

I must start with all the "stuff". Stuff tends to take over without us realizing it. Before we know it, we are drowning in it. Swimming against the currents of the overflowing piles of toys, clothes and whatever else makes it's way into the waves. It seems to migrate to wherever we are and follow us around like a shadow or a little lost puppy dog. We are scared to shoo it away since we don't know what will happen to it. It intimidates us. It hinders our decision making. It causes stress and anxiety. Stuff.....

In our society today....bigger is better. You are judges by your stuff. Not by your personality or your strengths and weaknesses. You are judged by how big your house is, how many TV's you have, what kind of vehicle you drive, etc. It is all competition. I don't think so. I used to think that. I don't know what clicked or caused a change. I think that simplicity is better. Convincing my husband that is a whole other story.

Simplicity...what is it? It is just living life simpler. Having 2 pairs of shoes insetad of 10, having 5 outfits instead of 28, living in 500 sq. ft instead of 1200...just making your life easier. Anyone can do. It only takes this first step...ridding yourself of all the unwanted, unneeded,poor quality, emotionally draining, stress inducing stuff.

My inner goal

I have a goal--to attain simple nirvana. I wish to live a simpler life with less things. I wish to live without our current technologically advanced wants. I wish to be rid of the clutter and unwanted items, feelings and desires. To go beyond what is attainable and simply live. I want to find the inner me and exist solely on that alone...with the help of my wonderful husband and son, I believe it will become a reality.

I am slowly chipping away the years of buildup of hurt and anger, the years of desires and wanting, the years of frustration. I am slowly peeling back the layers to reveal the true me. The lost little soul that buried herself not wanting to be found.

To find myself, I must first be rid of the mountains of "stuff" that tend to take up space and multiply. I must rid myself of unwanted objects, unneeded objects and stuff just tossed to the side to be "dealt with later"