Bedding, books, clothes, computers, tools, toys, toys and more toys
It's the Spring Fling!
Flinging it all onto the internet classifieds and out the door.
(not the chair though... I still love the chair)
4.29.2014
It must be Spring
I am a decluttering queen these past few days!
Bedding, books, clothes, computers, tools, toys, toys and more toys
It's the Spring Fling!
Flinging it all onto the internet classifieds and out the door.
Bedding, books, clothes, computers, tools, toys, toys and more toys
It's the Spring Fling!
Flinging it all onto the internet classifieds and out the door.
4.17.2014
Feeling Good
No surprise here, but eating all that pretty, healthy food has given me more energy... that's after the initial ten day long carb-flu/hangover/withdrawal (complete with achy joints, mood swings, weak muscles, acne break-outs and raging headaches). That's all over now and I feel brand new.
I am trying to "go with it" and get as much moving around in as I can, but I am finding it difficult to stay on task with desk-work. Also hard to stay in bed after 5 am... I don't want to wake the whole house at that hour, so I lay there.... I will have to find a QUIET outlet if this persists.
The brain fog is slowly clearing too. I feel inspired to declutter, clean, go for walks, garden, chat up my friends, and actually STAND at my standing desk (instead of perch on a stool). Now that I think of it, I haven't watched a whole TV program in days (very uncharacteristic).
Best part is I can't even stand the thought of eating sugar right now. The smell of a cookie is enough for me to think "that smells too sweet" and move on. Because it is getting appealing to live like this, and feel like this, it is getting easier to ignore so many of the aisles in the grocery store.
Here are the rules (and there are 2 sets because I'm not enforcing my choices on the whole family):
MY BODY:
No fake ingredients
Real, living food with every meal (fruits, veg)
No refined sugars (occasionally agave, honey, or stevia leaf)
No juices unless they are part of the whole fruit
No wheat (I may try re-introducing whole grains much later)
Limited white starches (white rice, white potatoes, "gluten free" flours, quick oats, corn meal)
Occasional dairy (cream, and cheeses)
Protein with every meal
GROCERY CART for home:
No fake ingredients
Limited sugar
Limited juice - only 100% juice
Whole grain choices for breads, pastas, etc
Real, living food with every meal (fruits, veg)
We are still working through the pantry items that aren't ideal, but there is no junk food in there anymore. The kids are real sports about the slow switch and hubby is over the moon about it (he hates junk food in the house and always has).
******************
DECLUTTERING:
******************
A few books and piles of clothes have left the building
Also... to test the out-of-sight-out-of-mind theory, I am packing beloved items that I'm not quite ready to lose yet into sealed boxes. I will see how I feel about them 6 months from now.
I am trying to "go with it" and get as much moving around in as I can, but I am finding it difficult to stay on task with desk-work. Also hard to stay in bed after 5 am... I don't want to wake the whole house at that hour, so I lay there.... I will have to find a QUIET outlet if this persists.
The brain fog is slowly clearing too. I feel inspired to declutter, clean, go for walks, garden, chat up my friends, and actually STAND at my standing desk (instead of perch on a stool). Now that I think of it, I haven't watched a whole TV program in days (very uncharacteristic).
Best part is I can't even stand the thought of eating sugar right now. The smell of a cookie is enough for me to think "that smells too sweet" and move on. Because it is getting appealing to live like this, and feel like this, it is getting easier to ignore so many of the aisles in the grocery store.
Here are the rules (and there are 2 sets because I'm not enforcing my choices on the whole family):
MY BODY:
No fake ingredients
Real, living food with every meal (fruits, veg)
No refined sugars (occasionally agave, honey, or stevia leaf)
No juices unless they are part of the whole fruit
No wheat (I may try re-introducing whole grains much later)
Limited white starches (white rice, white potatoes, "gluten free" flours, quick oats, corn meal)
Occasional dairy (cream, and cheeses)
Protein with every meal
GROCERY CART for home:
No fake ingredients
Limited sugar
Limited juice - only 100% juice
Whole grain choices for breads, pastas, etc
Real, living food with every meal (fruits, veg)
We are still working through the pantry items that aren't ideal, but there is no junk food in there anymore. The kids are real sports about the slow switch and hubby is over the moon about it (he hates junk food in the house and always has).
******************
DECLUTTERING:
******************
A few books and piles of clothes have left the building
Also... to test the out-of-sight-out-of-mind theory, I am packing beloved items that I'm not quite ready to lose yet into sealed boxes. I will see how I feel about them 6 months from now.
4.08.2014
Decluttering Body
Through this journey of letting go, piece by piece, step by step I have discovered a lot about who I really want to be. It's not exactly what I expected, but that's not all bad.
What is in my immediate surroundings is gradually being pared down to the useful and meaningful. Things that are in the NOW have taken a higher priority than things in the past (with a few exceptions). Liberating!
And as I evaluate and streamline what is on the outside, I have become more reflective and discerning about what goes on the INSIDE as well.
Part of my personal 2014 resolutions is to eat less processed foods. But that is only part of it nowadays. Since having a chest/head/cold/flu thing in February I became acutely aware of the ill effects sugar has on my metabolism. Oh sugar! I love the stuff. Sweet dairy hurts me now and bloat is a daily, constant annoyance making me feel older than I should.
After that flu shed the light on what I could be (my sense of taste was retarded while I was sick so sugar held no power over me... I lost 6 pounds of "water" in a week!) When I recovered I went straight back into old habits and gained it all back in a couple days. Then I made a pact with myself not to buy anymore of it. No more cookies, cakes (except birthdays), chocolate bars, etc... none of it has entered my shopping cart since March. We are still working through the stash I had built up. But not me or my husband, just the kids for lunch treats so it will trickle down slowly.
I'm finally past the point of being tempted by them. A little sniff and I get enough. We were even stuck out on the road well past dinner time and stopped at the national donut coffee shop chain and I found I didn't want a single thing in that whole shop! I was hungry all right, but I wanted a big handful of nuts, not a pastry.
Keeping myself accountable, I have been sending photos of my meals to my sister since April 1. She is trying the same thing.... here is what has been on my plate lately:
You may notice another ingredient that's missing other than refined sugar.... wheat!
Just an experiment at this point, but it has been surprisingly easy to stay away from.... except pasta, pasta is my go-to base for a lot of quick dinner items....
Having priorities shifted away from acquiring stuff has opened up the possibility of being a healthier me.
What is in my immediate surroundings is gradually being pared down to the useful and meaningful. Things that are in the NOW have taken a higher priority than things in the past (with a few exceptions). Liberating!
And as I evaluate and streamline what is on the outside, I have become more reflective and discerning about what goes on the INSIDE as well.
Part of my personal 2014 resolutions is to eat less processed foods. But that is only part of it nowadays. Since having a chest/head/cold/flu thing in February I became acutely aware of the ill effects sugar has on my metabolism. Oh sugar! I love the stuff. Sweet dairy hurts me now and bloat is a daily, constant annoyance making me feel older than I should.
After that flu shed the light on what I could be (my sense of taste was retarded while I was sick so sugar held no power over me... I lost 6 pounds of "water" in a week!) When I recovered I went straight back into old habits and gained it all back in a couple days. Then I made a pact with myself not to buy anymore of it. No more cookies, cakes (except birthdays), chocolate bars, etc... none of it has entered my shopping cart since March. We are still working through the stash I had built up. But not me or my husband, just the kids for lunch treats so it will trickle down slowly.
I'm finally past the point of being tempted by them. A little sniff and I get enough. We were even stuck out on the road well past dinner time and stopped at the national donut coffee shop chain and I found I didn't want a single thing in that whole shop! I was hungry all right, but I wanted a big handful of nuts, not a pastry.
Keeping myself accountable, I have been sending photos of my meals to my sister since April 1. She is trying the same thing.... here is what has been on my plate lately:
You may notice another ingredient that's missing other than refined sugar.... wheat!
Just an experiment at this point, but it has been surprisingly easy to stay away from.... except pasta, pasta is my go-to base for a lot of quick dinner items....
Having priorities shifted away from acquiring stuff has opened up the possibility of being a healthier me.
3.19.2014
More Time
One incredible side effect of having less stuff is the time that I seem to be regaining.
It was very subtle at first, but now I am really recognizing the results of these decluttering efforts. It takes less time to put laundry away with less laundry to be washed and stored, there are less piles and trinkets to shift and clean when company is coming.
There is a small hazard though... I recognized this change when I realized I seemed to be spending more and more time watching the TV and searching interesting items on the internet, but the house is not any messier. More time spent, but not less time cleaning?
My newly reclaimed seconds/minutes were being stealthily absorbed by recreation!
Not entirely bad, but not in-line with my fundamental goals for simplifying. My goals are to have a cleaner home and more time for the family... not more time with electronic screens!
I won't share how much time I've beenspending wasting in gawking at glowing boxes, but it's a lot longer than is probably healthy.
(Disclaimer: I'm not talking about work time at the computer, I'm talking pure self-indulgence)
Now that I am AWARE of this bonus time, I will be making a conscience effort to keep it for things that I value: home harmony and nurturing relationships.
It was very subtle at first, but now I am really recognizing the results of these decluttering efforts. It takes less time to put laundry away with less laundry to be washed and stored, there are less piles and trinkets to shift and clean when company is coming.
There is a small hazard though... I recognized this change when I realized I seemed to be spending more and more time watching the TV and searching interesting items on the internet, but the house is not any messier. More time spent, but not less time cleaning?
My newly reclaimed seconds/minutes were being stealthily absorbed by recreation!
Not entirely bad, but not in-line with my fundamental goals for simplifying. My goals are to have a cleaner home and more time for the family... not more time with electronic screens!
I won't share how much time I've been
(Disclaimer: I'm not talking about work time at the computer, I'm talking pure self-indulgence)
Now that I am AWARE of this bonus time, I will be making a conscience effort to keep it for things that I value: home harmony and nurturing relationships.
3.08.2014
Open Season
Spring is coming!
A time for rebirth, renewal and new life. A thaw that inspires action after the long, cold months.
I may be jumping the gun a little here, but I feel ready to declare open season - on winter clutter.
All those bits and bobs that accumulated over halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, new year's, Valentine's day and many birthdays hosted over the dark months. I am officially giving them their notice!
It won't be hard... when coming across an outdated/themed item that doesn't belong, a quick pick-up and decision can be made. Since there is now an ever-present "DONATE" box in the hall closet and easy access to a the trash can for worthless stuff, there is no excuse to politely ignore any item's existence.
How many winter items have been outgrown or worn out (I can think of a ruined sled and ripped mittens off the top of my head)? How many handy gifted gadgets (given with the best of intentions) aren't living up to their promises of convenience? Likewise, how many pretty presents are just not your cuppa tea? If you still have them hanging around out of obligation, maybe a full turn of the season is enough to show the thought was appreciated? What winter clothes did you not choose to wear this season? Don't fit or simply not favourites. LET GO.
I will try to remember to take photos as I go...
A time for rebirth, renewal and new life. A thaw that inspires action after the long, cold months.
I may be jumping the gun a little here, but I feel ready to declare open season - on winter clutter.
All those bits and bobs that accumulated over halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, new year's, Valentine's day and many birthdays hosted over the dark months. I am officially giving them their notice!
It won't be hard... when coming across an outdated/themed item that doesn't belong, a quick pick-up and decision can be made. Since there is now an ever-present "DONATE" box in the hall closet and easy access to a the trash can for worthless stuff, there is no excuse to politely ignore any item's existence.
How many winter items have been outgrown or worn out (I can think of a ruined sled and ripped mittens off the top of my head)? How many handy gifted gadgets (given with the best of intentions) aren't living up to their promises of convenience? Likewise, how many pretty presents are just not your cuppa tea? If you still have them hanging around out of obligation, maybe a full turn of the season is enough to show the thought was appreciated? What winter clothes did you not choose to wear this season? Don't fit or simply not favourites. LET GO.
I will try to remember to take photos as I go...
3.05.2014
One Step More
With every step I get closer to my goals
I loaded 2 more boxes into the trunk for the charity shop yesterday: an ugly sweater and some bulky kitchen items that I no longer use.
Also, a small bag of non-perishable foods for the food bank of gift "gourmet" foods that aren't to our family's taste.... too many man-made unpronounceable ingredients for us. I feel slightly guilty about donating those items because I don't think they ever should have been made in the first place. But hopefully, someone will actually want them and be thankful for something different in the food hamper?
There is a bag of semi-valuable items set aside for my dear, charitable re-seller friend (she takes items and sells them online to raise funds for the education of a poor family she knows in Tibet - a wonderful cause that I love being able to contribute to in some small part).
And there is the pile of games/puzzles I have set aside for a neighbour friend with young kids.
One more area of success.... cleaning supplies. I went into all the areas where they hide and figured out which ones were in the wrong spot for the job they are supposed to do. This is a category where the "use it up challenge" is ongoing. Once I have used up most of these chemical supplies, I will not be replacing them. Vinegar, Baking Soda, Lemon and other simple ingredients do a good job when you know how to use them... there are loads of tips online to help me transition!
Always more work to be done... but with every item I release, I find that much more room to breathe, that is my motivation to keep at it.
I loaded 2 more boxes into the trunk for the charity shop yesterday: an ugly sweater and some bulky kitchen items that I no longer use.
Also, a small bag of non-perishable foods for the food bank of gift "gourmet" foods that aren't to our family's taste.... too many man-made unpronounceable ingredients for us. I feel slightly guilty about donating those items because I don't think they ever should have been made in the first place. But hopefully, someone will actually want them and be thankful for something different in the food hamper?
There is a bag of semi-valuable items set aside for my dear, charitable re-seller friend (she takes items and sells them online to raise funds for the education of a poor family she knows in Tibet - a wonderful cause that I love being able to contribute to in some small part).
And there is the pile of games/puzzles I have set aside for a neighbour friend with young kids.
One more area of success.... cleaning supplies. I went into all the areas where they hide and figured out which ones were in the wrong spot for the job they are supposed to do. This is a category where the "use it up challenge" is ongoing. Once I have used up most of these chemical supplies, I will not be replacing them. Vinegar, Baking Soda, Lemon and other simple ingredients do a good job when you know how to use them... there are loads of tips online to help me transition!
Always more work to be done... but with every item I release, I find that much more room to breathe, that is my motivation to keep at it.
3.02.2014
A fresh year
I had a birthday yesterday. And I feel good about it.
Sure I have been sick for half of 2014 so far (2nd round of antibiotics now) but the end of the cough is within sight. The weather is crazy around here (surprise snowfall time and time again in a place that rarely gets snow) it's certainly not BORING.
But now I am 42 and "42 is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything" (according to Douglas Adams)! What an awesome excuse to have a terrific year!
What is the plan?
Be accountable.
-health
-nutrition
-education
-parenting
-home
I truly believe a lot of society's problems these days stem from people not taking accountability for their own outcomes. I have fallen into complacency, letting things happen TO me instead of making things happen FOR me. A big no-no in my books.
Two easy questions to ask:
Are my actions in line with my values?
Are the steps I take leading towards my goals?
If the answer is "no" at any point, do a course correction before it gets too late. The trick is to ask the key questions at the right points! BEFORE the chocolate bar, BEFORE the hours are wasted at TV, BEFORE thrift shopping, BEFORE tempers are lost.... you get the idea.
I know the right things to do. I just have been lazy, really lazy.
NO MORE! 42 is the magic number for me!
Sure I have been sick for half of 2014 so far (2nd round of antibiotics now) but the end of the cough is within sight. The weather is crazy around here (surprise snowfall time and time again in a place that rarely gets snow) it's certainly not BORING.
But now I am 42 and "42 is the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything" (according to Douglas Adams)! What an awesome excuse to have a terrific year!
What is the plan?
Be accountable.
-health
-nutrition
-education
-parenting
-home
I truly believe a lot of society's problems these days stem from people not taking accountability for their own outcomes. I have fallen into complacency, letting things happen TO me instead of making things happen FOR me. A big no-no in my books.
Two easy questions to ask:
Are my actions in line with my values?
Are the steps I take leading towards my goals?
If the answer is "no" at any point, do a course correction before it gets too late. The trick is to ask the key questions at the right points! BEFORE the chocolate bar, BEFORE the hours are wasted at TV, BEFORE thrift shopping, BEFORE tempers are lost.... you get the idea.
I know the right things to do. I just have been lazy, really lazy.
NO MORE! 42 is the magic number for me!
2.18.2014
Still sick, (when will it END?!) but I had to leave the house yesterday for the pharmacy (which is next to the thrift store), so I pulled up my bootstraps and cleared out a box of books that have been lingering too long.
The house is a pigsty because everyone is sick.
But at least there is one LESS box of stuff to deal with around here.
The house is a pigsty because everyone is sick.
But at least there is one LESS box of stuff to deal with around here.
2.11.2014
Snuffles
NOTHING exciting going on here. No decluttering, no cleaning, nothing.
I have a brutal head cold which has rendered me nearly useless.
In my heart I am pining for perfect simplicity, but all my body can handle is convenient food to feed the family and the bare minimum of cleaning duties before I curl back up with my pile of tissues and warm cuppa.
Small detour on my goals thanks to a persistant cold.
Thanks a lot immune system for tackling this so aggressively, can I breathe through my nose again soon please? PLEASE?
I have a brutal head cold which has rendered me nearly useless.
In my heart I am pining for perfect simplicity, but all my body can handle is convenient food to feed the family and the bare minimum of cleaning duties before I curl back up with my pile of tissues and warm cuppa.
Small detour on my goals thanks to a persistant cold.
Thanks a lot immune system for tackling this so aggressively, can I breathe through my nose again soon please? PLEASE?
1.29.2014
To find a balance
What do I have to do to find a balance?
Work <> Home
Family <> Friends
Future Security <> Fun Now
Possessions <> Breathing Space
I start all Gung-Ho to clear it out, clean the house, win the war on clutter... then I get hung-up on each item as I sort, and the accumulating grit and grime and then get interrupted before I even get a good start by clients, family, friends or my daily chores that can't be ignored.
As much as I want MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT every day, sometimes I just have to find peace in the knowledge that life is good. REALLY GOOD even with the clutter, even with the dirt and chores and even with the endless interruptions and distractions.
Now less take time to put it into perspective:
I have family that is close enough to ask for my time
I have clients that pay me to help them
I have friends that want me around
I have a house to clean
I have food to eat, people to cook for, clothes to wash, and more things than I even want!
As I look at these roadblocks to my perfectly decluttered life, I must see them for what they are.
These distractions are truly blessings. And that is the balance I am looking for.
Work <> Home
Family <> Friends
Future Security <> Fun Now
Possessions <> Breathing Space
I start all Gung-Ho to clear it out, clean the house, win the war on clutter... then I get hung-up on each item as I sort, and the accumulating grit and grime and then get interrupted before I even get a good start by clients, family, friends or my daily chores that can't be ignored.
As much as I want MEASURABLE IMPROVEMENT every day, sometimes I just have to find peace in the knowledge that life is good. REALLY GOOD even with the clutter, even with the dirt and chores and even with the endless interruptions and distractions.
Now less take time to put it into perspective:
I have family that is close enough to ask for my time
I have clients that pay me to help them
I have friends that want me around
I have a house to clean
I have food to eat, people to cook for, clothes to wash, and more things than I even want!
As I look at these roadblocks to my perfectly decluttered life, I must see them for what they are.
These distractions are truly blessings. And that is the balance I am looking for.
1.15.2014
Clean Living
January is traditionally a time for resetting the calendar and making promises to be a better person.
I am no exception. After the excess of the holiday I usually suffer a hangover of sorts from the buying frenzy, excess socializing and big foods. I don't want to sound like Scrooge here… I do enjoy it all -- in moderation.
I am keeping a food diary again…. It is a revealing exercise into my habits and encourages me to make better choices if I'm writing it down!
Focussing on the evening family meal, this is what we've done lately:
Moroccan rice stuffed tomatoes
Marinara Spaghetti
Cauliflower Cheese Soup (original Moosewood Cookbook version)
Pork Stirfry on noodles with LOADS of bright veggies)
Homemade Chili
BLT's with tomato soup and green salad
Fish tacos (soft)
Easy Quiche with cheddar, bacon, peppers, tomatoes (affectionate nicknamed "egg pie")
Stinging Nettle Basil Gnocchi
Calamari rings sauteed in garlic lemon served on wilted spinach with a side of brown rice
Sunday was a special event, my Father in Law brought dinner over: Braised lamb shanks with an amazing pureed vegetable sauce, sheeps-cheese & parsley mashed potatoes, herbed cauliflower and greek style green salad.
I prefer to look at my favourite grocery store sales flyer and make meal plans. But often to save a bit of money I will pick up on-date discounted meat and throw it right into the freezer and integrate those items into the menu too. So I have bought and tried some interesting things over the years. Good thing there are no picky eaters in this house!
The grocery store is like travelling the world! Products from around the globe to explore. A few inspirational ingredients and a quick search on the internet for the best recipe is my idea of a good time in the kitchen!
I am no exception. After the excess of the holiday I usually suffer a hangover of sorts from the buying frenzy, excess socializing and big foods. I don't want to sound like Scrooge here… I do enjoy it all -- in moderation.
I am keeping a food diary again…. It is a revealing exercise into my habits and encourages me to make better choices if I'm writing it down!
Focussing on the evening family meal, this is what we've done lately:
Moroccan rice stuffed tomatoes
Marinara Spaghetti
Cauliflower Cheese Soup (original Moosewood Cookbook version)
Pork Stirfry on noodles with LOADS of bright veggies)
Homemade Chili
BLT's with tomato soup and green salad
Fish tacos (soft)
Easy Quiche with cheddar, bacon, peppers, tomatoes (affectionate nicknamed "egg pie")
Stinging Nettle Basil Gnocchi
Calamari rings sauteed in garlic lemon served on wilted spinach with a side of brown rice
Sunday was a special event, my Father in Law brought dinner over: Braised lamb shanks with an amazing pureed vegetable sauce, sheeps-cheese & parsley mashed potatoes, herbed cauliflower and greek style green salad.
I prefer to look at my favourite grocery store sales flyer and make meal plans. But often to save a bit of money I will pick up on-date discounted meat and throw it right into the freezer and integrate those items into the menu too. So I have bought and tried some interesting things over the years. Good thing there are no picky eaters in this house!
The grocery store is like travelling the world! Products from around the globe to explore. A few inspirational ingredients and a quick search on the internet for the best recipe is my idea of a good time in the kitchen!
1.05.2014
Bath time
Confession : I have 3 bathrobes.
A winter weight terry cloth one, a light short summer one and a modest between season one.
They. Are. All. Hand-Me-downs. (from my sister)
The winter one was black with gold trim, it surely was elegant when it was new, but the black has faded and pilled and the gold is a bit frayed. It is so COMFY and very modest for lounging around with the kids so I have ignored its shortcomings - until now. I was suffering the stores out getting a pair of jeans for my growing teen and happened past a clearance rack with bathrobes. I found one that was ridiculously soft and cozy for under $15 at a store that I feel good about.
Long story short I have a new winter robe, brand new.
The old winter one is off to a different life as super-absorbent garage rags.
**********
PS I did a deep sort of my youngest son's room yesterday and removed 2 grocery bags of broken bits and paper, as well as 2 decent boxes of forgotten toys that will be going to charity. His room functions better, and the dust rhinoceroses have been slain for now.
A winter weight terry cloth one, a light short summer one and a modest between season one.
They. Are. All. Hand-Me-downs. (from my sister)
The winter one was black with gold trim, it surely was elegant when it was new, but the black has faded and pilled and the gold is a bit frayed. It is so COMFY and very modest for lounging around with the kids so I have ignored its shortcomings - until now. I was suffering the stores out getting a pair of jeans for my growing teen and happened past a clearance rack with bathrobes. I found one that was ridiculously soft and cozy for under $15 at a store that I feel good about.
Long story short I have a new winter robe, brand new.
The old winter one is off to a different life as super-absorbent garage rags.
**********
PS I did a deep sort of my youngest son's room yesterday and removed 2 grocery bags of broken bits and paper, as well as 2 decent boxes of forgotten toys that will be going to charity. His room functions better, and the dust rhinoceroses have been slain for now.
12.30.2013
The shirts off my back
ELEVEN less shirts taking up space in my life.
Don't fit right - out!
Don't feel comfy - out!
Don't look good - out!
Don't fit right - out!
Don't feel comfy - out!
Don't look good - out!
12.29.2013
Away
Now that the hubbub of Christmas is over, the putting away has begun. I hope you had a good day - I did!
As The beloved Christmas decor items are dusted and wrapped, a great opportunity comes up to critique each item....
- Do I still love this? Or is it being put out from habit?
- Is this still in good shape? Or am I just remembering what it was in its glory days? If it needs TLC, do I still love it enough to fix it properly - right now?
- Is it something that someone I know would love it more? Maybe it should be passed on to them.
- Do I have more decorations than are really needed or wanted? Don't be afraid to be choosy, picky and snobby about what is on display!
I found some outdoor ribbons that are getting tatty after this windy season. And I pared down some homemade ornaments that the kids weren't all that attached to anymore. I passed on a holiday movie and some Christmas books that the kids have outgrown too.
The other opportunity is when
bringing back the regular home decor items that were displaced by Christmas. How many are going to be put back out?! The same questions will be asked of these things as the Christmas things.
As The beloved Christmas decor items are dusted and wrapped, a great opportunity comes up to critique each item....
- Do I still love this? Or is it being put out from habit?
- Is this still in good shape? Or am I just remembering what it was in its glory days? If it needs TLC, do I still love it enough to fix it properly - right now?
- Is it something that someone I know would love it more? Maybe it should be passed on to them.
- Do I have more decorations than are really needed or wanted? Don't be afraid to be choosy, picky and snobby about what is on display!
I found some outdoor ribbons that are getting tatty after this windy season. And I pared down some homemade ornaments that the kids weren't all that attached to anymore. I passed on a holiday movie and some Christmas books that the kids have outgrown too.
The other opportunity is when
bringing back the regular home decor items that were displaced by Christmas. How many are going to be put back out?! The same questions will be asked of these things as the Christmas things.
12.13.2013
The Big Picture - Taking Control
In this day and age of western wealth and choices I am blessed to find that there are many areas of life that I am ultimately accountable for…
In all these areas I can either LET things happen and live with the consequences or I can take control and really participate in the process to best control the outcome. Sometimes crap happens that is beyond our control (though an amazing amount of bad luck is avoidable with careful forethought). When the doodoo does hit the fan, how the crappy new realities are dealt with is also within our control.
Sometimes things are in conflict… but even with compromises, the most important values can all be met to a decent degree - with conscious effort.
One secret to forming good habits is making the desirable habit more comfortable to do than the undesirable habit. It's a trick that has worked well for my time parenting and for my own growth, though sometimes it is extremely difficult to figure out. (One example that comes to mind was forming the habit of eating dinner together at the table. As dinner is made ready, I turn off all the lights everywhere in the house except the kitchen. It makes the kitchen the most comfortable place to be at dinnertime, and wow it works! )
The other good habit trick is thinking about how the action will affect the future… will eating this (X) make me feel like crap later? …will saying (X) hurt or help the situation? …will buying (X) make daily life easier or harder? It's amazing how thinking ahead can curb regrets!
Over the years, family and finances have come the easiest. Avoiding the pain of debt is far more important to me than updating my wardrobe seasonally or buying sparkly trinkets on credit. Debt is worth the pain when it comes to the roof over our heads though…. through patience and careful timing, our climb up the real estate ladder thus far has been successful by only counting on one income when deciding what we could afford (that sure annoys the bank when your comfort zone is a fraction of the qualifying amount!). Not buying more house than we could afford to maintain was a saving factor a few times too! Crap happens, and it did more than once, so having a small mortgage and no consumer debt kept our heads above water (barely). Enough close calls have really put a point on how my sanity is connected to my financial security, therefore like a squirrel, I try to stash away in times of plenty for the inevitable lean seasons. (The only barrier to that is my husband really feels squeezed so we do have to relax a BIT so he doesn't feel like he works so hard just to survive. )
Sacrifices for family happen every day…. sacrifices that are easy because the results are so rewarding and long lasting. The return on investment for working part time from home so I can be here for the family is really excellent. The money is NOT the important part of that equation for this family. And as long as we can do it, I will be here keeping house.
Housework…. LOL not my easiest priority to say the least. I love a clean house, but I am uncomfortable in a "sterile" house. It's an emotional stumbling block that I am working on in my journey towards LOVING LESS. I have uncovered some demons over the years that I have associated with "stuff" and the amount of it. Honestly my progress in this area has been monumental over the last few years, but there is still quite a ways and I occasionally slip. Having a neat freak husband is an excellent motivator since I truly would like him to be comfortable at home (he never knows from one day to the next what state of disarray the house will be in when he gets home from work). One thing though… He does know that 99% of the time there will be a home cooked meal for dinner. Other than occasionally feeling burned out trying to figure out WHAT is for dinner, I do enjoy cooking and making a varied menu. No picky eaters would survive in this house! Grocery shopping is by far my favourite kind of shopping, and I can get adventurous in the kitchen.
And to further that thought of food and housekeeping, I am taking gardening more seriously than ever. I have finally found my green thumb (at least it isn't BLACK anymore). There is something wonderful about eating something that you have coaxed from the soil with your own hands. Research is now saying that people that work in the garden live longer and healthier. Fresh air? Micronutrients? Maybe the "peck of dirt" thing that my grandpa used to say is true? (After all he lived to 94 and had his full brain function right up to the end, and he was a professional gardener and grew all his own veggies right up into his late 80s.) In Grandpa's honour I grow tomatoes and try to remember the many tips that he tried to share (before I was interested in growing things). We also have 6 adopted chickens, more for entertainment than anything else… they are characters! They provide us a small amount of fresh eggs and fertilizer and pest control and soil aeration too when I let them into the backyard. Sure they are dusty and a bit stinky, but they are so darned cute! Well worth the cost and effort in my opinion. With a bigger commitment, I could really ramp up the food production to develop from a novel experience to real sustenance, but I'm not sure I have it in me to put that many more hours into it.
But I really should.
My health is not that great right now. It's not dire or anything, but I have a feeling that it could be if I ignore it much longer. 40 years of eating what I want when I want is having some consequences on my body. Thankfully "what I want" is mostly good and not too much and "when I want" hasn't been too frequently. It's just that the last 10 years or so I have gotten in the bad habit of eating irregularly and then eating convenient foods instead of the foods I really want. Lets face it good food (aka REAL food) is more expensive than the crap food-like products that are everywhere these days, so I have been being too miserly for my own good when it comes to nutrition. I am guilt of saving the "good stuff" for the kids and just eating whats left… surely I'm not the only mom that does that?
In the last year and a half in particular, bad things have been a-brewing. If I was a wise woman I would give up all things sugar and processed like my dear friend that has rediscovered energy, good health and freedom from the many inflammatory responses her body was giving her. After all, I know I have inflammatory problems too…. increased belly bloat, joint pain, nerves misfiring in my feet, weight gain, brain fog, chronic minor sinus congestion, among other less definable issues that weren't there when I was young and invincible.
REAL food is a necessity - I understand that. I just have to really live it too, for me and my whole family!
And then there is exercise. I love sauntering to the school in the morning the weekend nature walks and dancing in the kitchen every time a fun song comes on the radio, but that isn't nearly enough. My stamina is disgraceful, I am not strong AT ALL and my expanding waistline is telling me in no uncertain terms that my caloric intake exceeds my output.
And here it comes down to accountability. When did "convenience" overtake "health" in my priorities?!
In a nutshell… it has been 100% my fault that I have formed these bad habits and let myself be seduced by sweet-salty-fatty-fake combinations even a little bit. And even worse, I have let my sons get seduced too!!!!! Unforgivable!
Moving forward.
I have a juicer, and I love fruits and vegetables.
I have a dehydrator and I love kale chips
I have garden space and enough time to use it more effectively
I have a dog that would love LONGER walks MORE OFTEN
I don't have to watch so much TV
I don't have to surf the web so much either….
I could do more housework (happy husband, self satisfaction, more exercise)
I could STOP BUYING CRAP!
No time like the present. With Christmas almost here, it is a sensible time to create good will towards my family's health. I want to be able to enjoy many holidays to come with my family: healthy, pain free and bright.
So as I work on my home - decluttering and consuming less stuff - I want to work on taking my body seriously as well, and my family's nutrition too. Garbage in - Garbage out, right?
- my physical fitness
- my financial health
- my home's presentation
- my business activity/career choices
- my relationships with friends and family
- my body's intake of nutrients
- my family values (and how I present them to the children)
In all these areas I can either LET things happen and live with the consequences or I can take control and really participate in the process to best control the outcome. Sometimes crap happens that is beyond our control (though an amazing amount of bad luck is avoidable with careful forethought). When the doodoo does hit the fan, how the crappy new realities are dealt with is also within our control.
Sometimes things are in conflict… but even with compromises, the most important values can all be met to a decent degree - with conscious effort.
One secret to forming good habits is making the desirable habit more comfortable to do than the undesirable habit. It's a trick that has worked well for my time parenting and for my own growth, though sometimes it is extremely difficult to figure out. (One example that comes to mind was forming the habit of eating dinner together at the table. As dinner is made ready, I turn off all the lights everywhere in the house except the kitchen. It makes the kitchen the most comfortable place to be at dinnertime, and wow it works! )
The other good habit trick is thinking about how the action will affect the future… will eating this (X) make me feel like crap later? …will saying (X) hurt or help the situation? …will buying (X) make daily life easier or harder? It's amazing how thinking ahead can curb regrets!
Over the years, family and finances have come the easiest. Avoiding the pain of debt is far more important to me than updating my wardrobe seasonally or buying sparkly trinkets on credit. Debt is worth the pain when it comes to the roof over our heads though…. through patience and careful timing, our climb up the real estate ladder thus far has been successful by only counting on one income when deciding what we could afford (that sure annoys the bank when your comfort zone is a fraction of the qualifying amount!). Not buying more house than we could afford to maintain was a saving factor a few times too! Crap happens, and it did more than once, so having a small mortgage and no consumer debt kept our heads above water (barely). Enough close calls have really put a point on how my sanity is connected to my financial security, therefore like a squirrel, I try to stash away in times of plenty for the inevitable lean seasons. (The only barrier to that is my husband really feels squeezed so we do have to relax a BIT so he doesn't feel like he works so hard just to survive. )
Sacrifices for family happen every day…. sacrifices that are easy because the results are so rewarding and long lasting. The return on investment for working part time from home so I can be here for the family is really excellent. The money is NOT the important part of that equation for this family. And as long as we can do it, I will be here keeping house.
Housework…. LOL not my easiest priority to say the least. I love a clean house, but I am uncomfortable in a "sterile" house. It's an emotional stumbling block that I am working on in my journey towards LOVING LESS. I have uncovered some demons over the years that I have associated with "stuff" and the amount of it. Honestly my progress in this area has been monumental over the last few years, but there is still quite a ways and I occasionally slip. Having a neat freak husband is an excellent motivator since I truly would like him to be comfortable at home (he never knows from one day to the next what state of disarray the house will be in when he gets home from work). One thing though… He does know that 99% of the time there will be a home cooked meal for dinner. Other than occasionally feeling burned out trying to figure out WHAT is for dinner, I do enjoy cooking and making a varied menu. No picky eaters would survive in this house! Grocery shopping is by far my favourite kind of shopping, and I can get adventurous in the kitchen.
And to further that thought of food and housekeeping, I am taking gardening more seriously than ever. I have finally found my green thumb (at least it isn't BLACK anymore). There is something wonderful about eating something that you have coaxed from the soil with your own hands. Research is now saying that people that work in the garden live longer and healthier. Fresh air? Micronutrients? Maybe the "peck of dirt" thing that my grandpa used to say is true? (After all he lived to 94 and had his full brain function right up to the end, and he was a professional gardener and grew all his own veggies right up into his late 80s.) In Grandpa's honour I grow tomatoes and try to remember the many tips that he tried to share (before I was interested in growing things). We also have 6 adopted chickens, more for entertainment than anything else… they are characters! They provide us a small amount of fresh eggs and fertilizer and pest control and soil aeration too when I let them into the backyard. Sure they are dusty and a bit stinky, but they are so darned cute! Well worth the cost and effort in my opinion. With a bigger commitment, I could really ramp up the food production to develop from a novel experience to real sustenance, but I'm not sure I have it in me to put that many more hours into it.
But I really should.
My health is not that great right now. It's not dire or anything, but I have a feeling that it could be if I ignore it much longer. 40 years of eating what I want when I want is having some consequences on my body. Thankfully "what I want" is mostly good and not too much and "when I want" hasn't been too frequently. It's just that the last 10 years or so I have gotten in the bad habit of eating irregularly and then eating convenient foods instead of the foods I really want. Lets face it good food (aka REAL food) is more expensive than the crap food-like products that are everywhere these days, so I have been being too miserly for my own good when it comes to nutrition. I am guilt of saving the "good stuff" for the kids and just eating whats left… surely I'm not the only mom that does that?
In the last year and a half in particular, bad things have been a-brewing. If I was a wise woman I would give up all things sugar and processed like my dear friend that has rediscovered energy, good health and freedom from the many inflammatory responses her body was giving her. After all, I know I have inflammatory problems too…. increased belly bloat, joint pain, nerves misfiring in my feet, weight gain, brain fog, chronic minor sinus congestion, among other less definable issues that weren't there when I was young and invincible.
REAL food is a necessity - I understand that. I just have to really live it too, for me and my whole family!
And then there is exercise. I love sauntering to the school in the morning the weekend nature walks and dancing in the kitchen every time a fun song comes on the radio, but that isn't nearly enough. My stamina is disgraceful, I am not strong AT ALL and my expanding waistline is telling me in no uncertain terms that my caloric intake exceeds my output.
And here it comes down to accountability. When did "convenience" overtake "health" in my priorities?!
- I do have the TIME to take care of myself (after all if I don't have time to stay healthy, then when am I going to find the time to be sick?!)
- I am not so financially strapped that I have to eat poorly or stay sedentary (walks are free, dancing at home is free, borrowing exercise videos from the library is free too, gardening more costs some but the returns are both exercise AND nutrition!)
- I do have real food selection options at the store that I can take advantage of
In a nutshell… it has been 100% my fault that I have formed these bad habits and let myself be seduced by sweet-salty-fatty-fake combinations even a little bit. And even worse, I have let my sons get seduced too!!!!! Unforgivable!
Moving forward.
I have a juicer, and I love fruits and vegetables.
I have a dehydrator and I love kale chips
I have garden space and enough time to use it more effectively
I have a dog that would love LONGER walks MORE OFTEN
I don't have to watch so much TV
I don't have to surf the web so much either….
I could do more housework (happy husband, self satisfaction, more exercise)
I could STOP BUYING CRAP!
No time like the present. With Christmas almost here, it is a sensible time to create good will towards my family's health. I want to be able to enjoy many holidays to come with my family: healthy, pain free and bright.
So as I work on my home - decluttering and consuming less stuff - I want to work on taking my body seriously as well, and my family's nutrition too. Garbage in - Garbage out, right?
11.27.2013
The more I look, the more I find
Things from the kitchen, the bathroom, the hall, the laundry room, the shelves, and the office!
PLUS a decent sized bag of boys clothes that are outgrown.
MOST of it is going to charity, and the building set is going to a friend with young boys that has asked for all the building kits that my boys will part with.
11.15.2013
pressure to go on
The wall.
Runners know it… that point where continuing on seems impossible. When the muscles rebel, and vision gets distorted, the point that stopping feels inevitable.
That's where I am with the decluttering today. It seems hopeless, all this stuff just keeps coming in and smothering my efforts for a tidy home. AND CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
I'm praying that, like the runner's wall, if I just push a little further it will all come together in the euphoria called the "second wind".
Today's strategy is looking at a place in the house that isn't what I want and setting a 15 minute timer to see what can be done. After all, 15 minutes is not a huge investment. With a finite time, I should be able to press some urgency into the decisions and not sweat the small stuff.
DO I LOVE IT?
DO I USE IT?
DOES IT BELONG TO SOMEONE ELSE?
Once those questions are answered as quickly as possible, a quick sort is needed.
Runners know it… that point where continuing on seems impossible. When the muscles rebel, and vision gets distorted, the point that stopping feels inevitable.
That's where I am with the decluttering today. It seems hopeless, all this stuff just keeps coming in and smothering my efforts for a tidy home. AND CHRISTMAS IS COMING!
I'm praying that, like the runner's wall, if I just push a little further it will all come together in the euphoria called the "second wind".
Today's strategy is looking at a place in the house that isn't what I want and setting a 15 minute timer to see what can be done. After all, 15 minutes is not a huge investment. With a finite time, I should be able to press some urgency into the decisions and not sweat the small stuff.
DO I LOVE IT?
DO I USE IT?
DOES IT BELONG TO SOMEONE ELSE?
Once those questions are answered as quickly as possible, a quick sort is needed.
- Keep? if yes, where is it supposed to fit? if no… go to next option.
- Sell? if yes, do I have time to list it? if no… go to next option...
- Donate? put it in the box! Take the box to the trunk of the car for the next outing.
- Gift? for whom? ask the person if they want it right away. Set a time limit.
- Toss/recycle? Get it out now!
11.07.2013
more more more!
ALSO, I went through the cold-weather things and had the boys choose what they wanted.
AND I went through my kitchen and got rid of some bulky "convenience" items that are more annoying to clean than they are worth.
AND I went through my boots and selected a couple pairs that never seems to have the right occasion to wear
AND I revisited the cables and wires bin and pared that in HALF (with my husband's help) only keeping the best quality version of each kind of cable.
RESULTS:
2 large boxes and one grocery bag of good quality charity donations and some spending money for my son.
\
Happy day!
10.24.2013
Self Awareness
My packrat tendencies have been tolerated by my loving husband since we started dating more than 2 decades ago. At some points he was almost buried in his wife's hobbies and compulsive clutter. He patiently has supported me through all my "phases" with my stuff even when it made him miserable.
So here I am formally saying "thank you" to my husband, my rock, my steadfast man for being there even when it was uncomfortable for him.
I am at a clearer place now, I can see what the "stuff" does to his wellbeing. In fact it now does that to my wellbeing too.
Last night, in a quiet moment alone with him, I apologized for being so messy all these years. He was curious as to why that would suddenly come up (I had no reason) and said I was much tidier now than I've ever been.
So he has noticed! That's great news!
There are still times when I feel behind on fixing my messes, but I really am better. I feel lighter, safer, overall more content than I ever have.
THANK YOU to all the simplifying bloggers out there for motivating me, keeping me focussed and showing me how it's possible. Everyday is getting better.
So here I am formally saying "thank you" to my husband, my rock, my steadfast man for being there even when it was uncomfortable for him.
I am at a clearer place now, I can see what the "stuff" does to his wellbeing. In fact it now does that to my wellbeing too.
Last night, in a quiet moment alone with him, I apologized for being so messy all these years. He was curious as to why that would suddenly come up (I had no reason) and said I was much tidier now than I've ever been.
So he has noticed! That's great news!
There are still times when I feel behind on fixing my messes, but I really am better. I feel lighter, safer, overall more content than I ever have.
THANK YOU to all the simplifying bloggers out there for motivating me, keeping me focussed and showing me how it's possible. Everyday is getting better.
10.09.2013
Purge!
Victory over the tyranny of excess happens by winning tiny battles.
My husband took a load to the recycling centre, including an ancient skill saw and some odd construction materials.
My own victories include more clothes and books and the following items from around the house....
Diningroom:"dated" tablecloths, bun basket and the less-chosen small teapot.
Kitchen: A fancy swiss potato ricer, some toddler-friendly eating things, cheese slicer, and other oddities
Bathroom: Not my colours.
Every box that goes fills me with a pleasant lightness!
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