tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77628746191220074522024-02-21T02:17:22.457-08:00Live Simply. Dream Big.This is a blog about my daily life as I try to seek a simpler existence. To weed out the unwanted and to attain simple nirvanaAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-21589877749716199442012-09-17T18:12:00.000-07:002012-09-17T18:12:19.470-07:00Cleaning resumes...It has been a year since I last posted. A lot has happened in the course of a year. We moved to a new state. A wonderful miracle arrived in August. We named him Nykko.<br />
<br />
Even though we moved here with only a van of items, it has slowly crept up on me. With the addition of another child, more stuff has lurked its way into our home. Once again, it is time to declutter.<br />
<br />
Now we get to move once again. Thank goodness it's only to the apartment downstairs. That still gives me ample opportunity to declutter. The apartment we are in is a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom that is about 700 sq. feet. The new apartment is 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom that is about 1200 sq. feet. I am thankful that it has 4 built in bookshelves, a curio cabinet and a buffet with built in shelves in the wall. I am also happy there is a dishwasher and a washer/dryer. The cabinet space is twice what I have now.<br />
<br />
I started in the boys room. I went through the boys clothing. All the summer clothing has been donated, with the exception of a few short sleeve shirts. They each have 1 clothes basket now including socks, underwear and pj's. They each have 3 pairs of shoes: a pair of slippers, a pair of sandals and a pair of sneakers. Their toys fit into a small laundry basket. They also have a shelf of puzzles/games and a shelf of books. <br />
<br />
Next will be the kitchen. I have so many things in there that I really don't use. <br />
<br />
Happy cleaning!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-40066743693240835342011-01-04T15:22:00.001-08:002011-01-04T15:53:44.089-08:00First decluttering sessionI started in the boys room today. I managed to make a small dent in there. I found 30 items to get rid of tomorrow I will work on the remainder of the room...clothes and more toys. Oh the toys....how they have taken over. They are everywhere!!!!<br /><br />I did go to Target today while I was running errands to price some organization systems. I think I am gonna get the cube systerm for the toys. There are 9 cubby spaces and you can put fabric bins or baskets in them. They would work perfect to have a spot for everything they play with plus it would cut down on toys. 2 top spaces can be for books. and I can get a few baskets...1 for blocks, 1 for cars and 1 for stuffed animals/puppets. the remaining openings can be for larger toys. May even use it in some other rooms in the house!Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-62711244991836892652010-12-30T15:26:00.000-08:002010-12-30T15:44:23.134-08:002011 book listMy other goal this year is to read at least 1 book a month. With all my schoolwork, projects and family, I have a hard time finding time to read. I have picked 12 books I would like to read this year. Hopefully I can read more than that!!<br /><br />1.Love in the time of Cholera<br />2.Peony in love<br />3. Room<br />4. Eat, Pray, Love<br />5.the Teahouse fire<br />6.A new earth<br />7.Kushiel's Dart<br />8.midwives<br />9.blackwood farm<br />10.blood canticle<br />11.blood and gold<br />12.shanghai girlsAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-28878121146651514492010-12-30T11:16:00.000-08:002010-12-30T11:40:07.435-08:00100 things project: the living room list1.sewing box<br />2. sewing machine<br />3.The buddha book<br />4. osho book<br />5. poetry book<br />6. journal<br />7. blackwood farm<br />8. the dhammapada<br />9. grow<br />10.cold mountain<br />11. midwives<br />12.sleeping beauty1<br />13. sleeping beauty2<br />14.black and gold<br />15.1 min. organizer<br />16.if buddha got stuck<br />17.blood canticle<br />18.green book<br />19.simple living guide<br />20.buddha mom<br />21. houseworks<br />22.dictionary<br />23.love in the time of cholera<br />24.teahouse fire<br />25.tarot cards<br />26. buddha bookends<br />27.dvd case<br />28.dvd case<br />29.butterfly coaster set<br />30.shoebox of pictures<br />31.file box of papers<br />32. black decorative box<br />33.cd tin<br />34.Akira DVD<br />35.Lady death dvd<br />36.avatar dvd<br />37.the red violin dvd<br />38.eastern promises dvd<br />39.yours, mine and ours dvd<br />40.marley and me dvd<br />41.ratatouille dvd<br />42.midnight meat train dvd<br />43.candy dish<br />44.pen bag<br />45.scarf<br />46.scarf<br />47.mittens<br />48.winter hat<br />49.coat<br /><br /><br />This is not counting things that are not mine, furniture or things that we share. I never realized I had this much stuff in just the living room.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-40556967315878892162010-12-29T17:24:00.000-08:002010-12-30T11:41:57.697-08:00New years ResolutionIt is only a few more days until 2011 and my main resolution is to declutter and simplify more. I plan and hope on being able to get rid of 2011 items. I am sure it won't be that hard for me to do.<br /><br />Decluttering is like an addiction, once you start you don't want to stop. I have so many different things I want to go thru and narrow down.<br /><br />1. kids toys...they have waaay to many plus with what they received at christmas, it is time to declutter them. I am planning on keeping the bare minimum. DS(7) plays with his wrestlers, hot wheels and bakugon. He LOVES his books. DS(1) plays with his blocks, board books and hot wheels. Everything else is going to be donated.<br /><br />2.dishes & cooking items....I still have 2 boxes that I haven't unpacked yet so needless to say, that stuff will probably be going too.<br /><br />3. the storage room...it is filled with boxes I have yet to unpack and go thru. I really have no clue what's in there.<br /><br />I still plan on following the 100 things list...it may just take some time to get there. I will post my list of everything that I own and narrow it down from there. Since I am a list maker this will help immensly.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-15891014544106058342010-07-05T10:32:00.000-07:002010-07-05T10:37:21.437-07:00Simplicity Quotes"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" Leonardo Da Vinci<br /><br />"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated" Confucious<br /><br />"How many things are there which I do not want" SocratesAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-72194435678504135052010-07-05T10:28:00.000-07:002010-07-05T10:31:34.558-07:00The goal is 100!After much parusing the net and stumbling upon a wonderful blog, I am inspired to commit to having only 100 things. This will be a hard task since I have 2 children and they have tons of things. So in order to see what I really own, I am going to make a list. It will be a long list, no doubt but I am confident in my ability.<br /><br />Why 100? Well, the answer is quite simple. Less stuff. I may even try to go for less, depending on the moment I am in. That means less books, DVD's, toys, clothing, less everything. I may even have a garage sale.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-52154853823744775562007-12-02T17:13:00.001-08:002007-12-02T17:13:53.435-08:00The "stuff"<div class="post-body entry-content"> <p><em><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">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.....</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">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.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">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.</span></em></p> </div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-37742732265455721832007-12-02T17:12:00.001-08:002010-07-05T10:25:34.094-07:00My inner goal<div class="post-body entry-content"><p><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">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 children, I believe it will become a reality.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">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.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">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"</span></em></p></div><div class="post-footer"><p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1"><span class="post-author vcard"><br /><span class="fn"></span></span><span class="post-timestamp"><a class="timestamp-link" title="permanent link" href="http://zenenlightened.blogspot.com/2007/03/my-inner-goal.html" rel="bookmark"><abbr class="published" title="2007-03-31T12:11:00-07:00"></abbr></a></span><span class="post-comment-link"></span><span class="post-backlinks post-comment-link"></span><span class="post-icons"><span class="item-control blog-admin pid-1310449506"><a title="Edit Post" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=1074908983392215826&postID=6465900399736004758"><span class="quick-edit-icon"></span></a></span></span></p><p class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-2"><span class="post-labels"></span></p></div><div id="comments" class="comments"><a name="comments"></a><div id="backlinks-container"><div id="Blog1_backlinks-container"></div></div></div><!-- google_ad_section_end -->Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-86246632893445812702007-12-01T18:00:00.000-08:002007-12-01T18:01:12.341-08:00100 Reasons to get rid of it<h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <strong>Because You Have Too Much Stuff</strong><br /></h3> <div class="post-body entry-content"><p>1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.<br />2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.<br />3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.<br />4. <a href="http://www.1800gotjunk.com/" target="blank">1800GotJunk.com</a>Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.<br />5. <a href="http://www.publicstorage.com/" target="blank">Publicstorage.com</a>Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.<br />6. <a href="http://www.redshield.org/" target="blank">redshield.org</a>Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.<br />7. <a title="" href="http://www.earth911.org/" target="blank">earth911.org</a>Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.<br /><br /><strong>Because It's Fun</strong><br />8. <a href="http://www.127sale.com/" target="blank">127sale.com</a>Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.<br />9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.<br />10. <a href="http://www.swaporamarama.org/" target="blank">Swaporamarama.org</a>Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.<br />11. <a href="http://www.wildzipper.com/" target="blank">Wildzipper.com</a>Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.<br /><br /><strong>Because Someone Else Needs It</strong><br /><em>Cell Phones</em><br />12. <a href="http://www.verizonwireless.com/" target="blank">Verizonwireless.com</a>Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.<br />13. <a href="http://www.eco-cell.com/" target="blank">Eco-cell.com</a>Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.<br />14. <a href="http://www.care.org/" target="blank">Care.org</a>Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.<br />Digital Cameras<br />15. <a href="http://www.operationhomefront.net/" target="blank">Operationhomefront.net</a>Help keep service members in touch with their families.<br /><em>All Technology</em><br />16. <a href="http://rethink.ebay.com/" target="blank">Rethink.Ebay.com</a>Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.<br />17. <a href="http://www.youthfortechnology.org/" target="blank">youthfortechnology.org</a>Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.<br /><em>Air Miles</em><br />18. <a href="http://www.redcross.org/" target="blank">Redcross.org</a>For Red Cross staff and volunteers<br />19. <a href="http://www.heromiles.com/" target="blank">Heromiles.com</a>For deployed soldiers<br />20. <a href="http://www.marrow.org/" target="blank">Marrow.org</a>For transplant patients<br />21. <a href="http://www.childrenscancerassociation.org/" target="blank">Childrenscancerassociation.org</a>For terminally ill kids<br /><em>Furniture & Appliances</em><br />22. <a href="http://www.excessaccess.org/" target="blank">excessaccess.org</a>Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.<br />23. <a href="http://www.help1up.org/" target="blank">help1up.org</a>Furnish homes for disaster victims.<br />24. <a href="http://www.dressforsuccess.org/" target="blank">dressforsuccess.org</a>Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.<br />25. <a href="http://www.makingmemories.org/" target="blank">makingmemories.org</a>Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.<br />26. <a href="http://www.operationfairydust.org/" target="blank">www.operationfairydust.org</a>Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.<br />27. <a href="http://www.onewarmcoat.org/" target="blank">onewarmcoat.org</a>A free coat to anyone who needs one.<br />28. <a href="http://www.boulderrunning.com/" target="blank">boulderrunning.com</a>Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.<br /><em>Other</em><br />29. <a href="http://www.suitcasesforkids.org/" target="blank">Suitcasesforkids.org</a>Supply children in foster care with luggage.<br />30. <a href="http://www.uniteforsight.org/" target="blank">Uniteforsight.org</a> & <a href="http://www.givethegiftofsight.org/" target="blank">givethegiftofsight.org</a>Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.<br />31. <a href="http://www.savethechildren.org/" target="blank">Savethechildren.org</a>Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.<br />32. <a href="http://www.cartalk.com/" target="blank">Cartalk.com</a>Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.<br />33. <a href="http://www.booksforafrica.org/" target="blank">Booksforafrica.org</a>Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.<br />34. <a href="http://www.cap4pets.org/" target="blank">Cap4pets.org</a>Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.<br />35. <a href="http://www.goodwill.org/" target="blank">Goodwill.org</a>Fund job training programs and social services.<br />36. <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/" target="blank">Freecycle.org</a>Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.<br />37. <a href="http://www.habitat.org/" target="blank">Habitat.org</a>Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.<br /><em>Computers</em><br />38. <a href="http://www.cristina.org/" target="blank">Cristina.org</a>Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.<br />39. <a href="http://www.sharetechnology.org/" target="blank">Sharetechnology.org</a>Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.<br />40. <a href="http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/" target="blank">Worldcomputerexchange.org</a>Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.<br /><br /><strong>Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else</strong><br />41. <a href="http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/" target="blank">Nikereuseashoe.com</a>Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.<br />42. <a href="http://www.patagonia.com/" target="blank">Patagonia.com</a>Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.<br />43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.<br />44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.<br />45. <a href="http://www.pencilthings.com/" target="blank">Pencilthings.com</a>Old newspapers become colored pencils.<br />46. <a href="http://www.vivaterra.com/" target="blank">Vivaterra.com</a>Rubber tires become sleek purses...<br />47. <a href="http://www.passchal.com/" target="blank">Passchal.com</a>...or rugged iPod covers.<br />48. <a href="http://www.gaiam.com/" target="blank">Gaiam.com</a>Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.<br />49. <a href="http://www.recycline.com/" target="blank">Recycline.com</a>Yogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors<br /><br /><strong>Because It Will Make Your Life Better</strong><br />50. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent.<br />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.<br />52. Download security software like Stopzilla to keep a lid on computer pop-ups.<br />53. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find.<br />Because You Can Get Something Back<br />54. Return six MAC Cosmetics containers to any MAC store and receive a free lipstick.<br />55. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new one.<br />56. <a href="http://www.coinstar.com/" target="blank">Coinstar.com</a>Easily convert spare change into "real" money.<br />57. <a href="http://www.craigslist.org/" target="blank">Craigslist.org</a>Sell it to your neighbors.<br />58. <a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="blank">ebay.com</a>Sell it to anyone.<br />59. <a href="http://www.giftcardbuyback.com/" target="blank">giftcardbuyback.com.</a>Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.<br />60 <a href="http://www.paperbackswap.com/" target="blank">Paperbackswap.com</a>Trade the books you have for the ones you want.<br />61. <a href="http://www.peerflix.com/" target="blank">Peerflix.com</a>Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.<br />62. <a href="http://www.spun.com/" target="blank">Spun.com</a>Clear off your CD shelves, and make money in the process.<br />63. <a href="http://www.titletrader.com/" target="blank">Titletrader.com</a>The great entertainment exchange: books, music, movies, and games, all swapped in one place.<br /><br /><strong>Because It's Old/Expired</strong><br />64. <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/" target="blank">energystar.gov</a>Replacing old appliances with new, energy-efficient ones saves money and fuel.<br />65. Running shoes should be retired after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.<br />66. Deep-six your toothbrush every three to four months.<br />67. Swap your pitcher's water filter every two months (or as directed).<br />68. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month during cooling season.<br />69 Replace the batteries in your smoke detector at least once a year.<br />70. <a href="http://www.foodsafety.gov/" target="blank">foodsafety.gov</a>Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food.<br />71. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.<br />72. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months to a year.<br />73. Keep concealer, lipstick, eye- and lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows for only a year and a half to two years.<br />74.-76. Say goodbye to the dried-out remnants of your favorite no-longer-available lipstick, and check out <a href="http://www.threecustom.com/" target="blank">threecustom.com</a>, 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"<br />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.)<br /><br /><strong>Because the Last Thing You Need Is More Paper Lying Around</strong><br />78. File your taxes through an authorized IRS e-file provider.<br />79. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.<br />80. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.<br />81. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to <a href="http://wwwdmaconsumers.org/" target="blank">dmaconsumers.org</a>.<br /><br /><strong>Because There's a Better Option</strong><br />82. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky Yellow and White Pages volumes.<br />83. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.<br />84. Read "Dating Up: Dump the Schlump and Find a Quality Man," by J. Courtney Sullivan (Warner Books, $14, 2007).<br />Because You Don't Want to End Up Like Them<br />85. Miss Havisham in "Great Expectations"<br />86. Big Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale in "Grey Gardens"<br />87. Oscar Madison in "The Odd Couple"<br />88. The family in the documentary "Packrat" (<a href="http://packratthemovie.com/" target="blank">packratthemovie.com</a>)<br />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.<br /><br /><strong>Because If They Said It, It's Probably True</strong><br />90. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci<br />91. "Less is more." -Ludwig Mies van der Rohe<br />92. "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris<br />93. "You've got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative." -Johnny Mercer<br />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"<br /><br /><strong>Or Just Because...</strong><br />95. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.<br />96. It hasn't been used in over a year.<br />97. There is no logical place to keep it.<br />98. It doesn't work.<br />99. An ex gave it to you.<br />100. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=def4d4002d1e0110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=1a89cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD&rsc=articlecontent_home&page=1&lastnavigatedchannel=1a89cf380e1dd010VgnVCM1000005b09a00aRCRD">Marthastewart.com</a></p> </div><br /><h2><br /></h2>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-30569972426337411292007-12-01T17:57:00.000-08:002007-12-01T17:59:14.576-08:00Guidelines for decluttering the kids roomThis is the list of "guidelines" I follow when I declutter my sons room. Since we are downsizing, I will be even more picky.<br /><br /><strong>TOYS</strong><br /><strong>*</strong>Anything that makes noise or is annoying<br />*Toys that are plastic<br />*Anything broken, missing pieces, cracked, etc.<br />*Anything not played with within the last 2 months<br />*Anything not put away where it goes<br />*Toys that take up too much room....ie..the whole toybox<br />*Toys overflowing out of the toybox onto the floor<br /><br /><strong>CLOTHES/SHOES</strong><br />*Too small<br />*not in season<br />*Anything that won't fit over my sons big head<br />*Too big (goes into a storage bin)<br />*Things that he has never worn<br />*Things that he doesn't like<br />*Anything stained or ripped<br />*socks missing mates<br />*shoes that are too small<br />*shoes that are torn or splitting<br />*shoes never worn or worn only once<br />*anything annoying or uncomfortable<br /><br /><strong>GAMES/PUZZLES/BOOKS</strong><br />*books with ripped pages<br />*books with writing<br />*books never read<br />*books with bad content<br />*missing pieces<br />*never played with<br />*boring<br />*too advanced (goes into storage bin)<br />*games that are confusing to playAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-16273238533255887712007-12-01T17:55:00.001-08:002007-12-01T17:55:28.655-08:00Thrift StoresThrift 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.<br /><br />There are certain rules that I follow when going to a thrift store.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Only go there if you actually NEED something</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Go there with a list of specific things you are looking for and only buy from that list</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*If you bring 1 item home that you already own, get rid of the other</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*Just because it's on sale doesn't mean that you need it</span>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-7032632399604695002007-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:002007-12-01T17:50:20.182-08:00Footprints<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">As you declutter your house, you will simplify your life.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">As you simplify your life, you will live more mindfully.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">As you live mindfully, you will need less.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">As you need less, you will consume less.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">As you consume less, you will pollute less, and over the course your life, you leave a much shallower footprint on the Earth.</span><br /> ---Leta(MDC)---</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-33060077683116536742007-11-01T15:50:00.000-07:002008-12-08T23:48:51.710-08:00Happy Samhain!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA7PXLl1ENGX9vrGHtz7CUArX7iILFvrBMUL5edYcZ4ZSX-nFYOJLhhoz79qAGQECQm5j-QDD_t0QzD0Iv9g7sG4EHq9at4VJh6ftghNSbe28NGcCdggaMMAXquATWsu_gzSYOx_hvQcY/s1600-h/alicia+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA7PXLl1ENGX9vrGHtz7CUArX7iILFvrBMUL5edYcZ4ZSX-nFYOJLhhoz79qAGQECQm5j-QDD_t0QzD0Iv9g7sG4EHq9at4VJh6ftghNSbe28NGcCdggaMMAXquATWsu_gzSYOx_hvQcY/s320/alicia+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128008702237814754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2JGXYJa1LiNonSw7RqofaB5u-Z-3picEgPNe4N4hNn_YhnjGJTPN-iTOtzzrZoseZaodCCuijqnVclI7_oqNaZWhTWQqRycepAoqdnsbJd9qFOVx73KZrG0e_Si71Opv11637pmSf009/s1600-h/alicia+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2JGXYJa1LiNonSw7RqofaB5u-Z-3picEgPNe4N4hNn_YhnjGJTPN-iTOtzzrZoseZaodCCuijqnVclI7_oqNaZWhTWQqRycepAoqdnsbJd9qFOVx73KZrG0e_Si71Opv11637pmSf009/s320/alicia+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128008706532782066" border="0" /></a><br />Here are a couple of pics of my little viking.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-16236690732502284172007-10-18T11:15:00.001-07:002007-10-18T11:15:57.420-07:00Sesame Street - Buffy Nurses Cody<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><p><object height='350' width='425'><param value='http://youtube.com/v/YoI07Mjt3b4' name='movie'/><embed height='350' width='425' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' src='http://youtube.com/v/YoI07Mjt3b4'/></object></p><p>What a wonderful clip on Sesame Street. It's too bad that they don't show these things anymore. I really wish they did. I think it's because there si something about letting kids see a mother nursing and it's "not natural" in our society anymore. Now it's just, give them a bottle and they will be fine.</p></div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-45710977345304766152007-10-16T23:33:00.000-07:002007-10-16T23:37:18.873-07:00KnittingI have decided to take up knitting. There are several wonderful reason why.<br /><br />*It is meditative<br />*You make awesome things<br />*It's relaxing<br />*It's relatively inexpensive<br />*You can do it as a family<br />*It's satisfying when you are done with a project<br /><br />I haven't actually made anything yet. In fact, today was my very first day. I bought a beginner book, a thing of yard and a pair of knitting needles. I tried to read the book but it was so confusing so I did an online search. I find a fantastic site complete with how-to videos.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com">Great knitting site for beginners</a><br /><br />I think that for my very first project ever, I will make a scarf for my son. Then maybe I will be brave enough and move on to a matching hat for him.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-49220301340698781952007-09-27T16:46:00.000-07:002007-09-27T16:54:14.095-07:00Downsizing DilemmaMy journey to a much simpler life has to start with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">decluttering</span> the "stuff". My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dilemma</span> is where to start. How much stuff do we need? How much stuff can you fit into such a tiny place? I think this is the part where a list would come in handy to see just how much stuff we have. This is the part where I have to ask the hard questions.<br />*Do I have space for this?<br />*Do I love it?<br />*Can it do double duty?<br />*Can I replace it if I need to?<br />*Do I already have one of these?<br />*Does it annoy me?<br />*Have I used it within the last month? 6 months? year?<br /><br />Maybe if I break it up into rooms, that might make it easier. It would help to put a limit on things, like toys or clothing or shoes. I'm going for the minimalist view and my husband likes to collect stuff so we have to compromise somewhere in the middle.Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7762874619122007452.post-55691575798249576272007-09-22T17:25:00.001-07:002007-09-27T09:58:54.735-07:00Life VS the stuffWe have a big undertaking. We are planning to downsize from a 1100 sq ft townhouse with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a garage and a huge yard to a small 600 sq ft space. Yes, imagine 2 adults, a preschooler and 2 medium dogs inside this space. I believe that it can be done. In fact, I know it can be done.<br /><br />We live in a world where material items determine or represent how happy you are. I have a theory. I think that less stuff can make you happier. It creates more time to do things with your family and friends. The more stuff you have, the more time you spend maintaining it, caring for it, replacing it.<br /><br /><div class="post-body entry-content"> <p><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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.....</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">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.</span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></em><br /><em><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Simplicity...what is it? It is just living life simpler. Having 2 pairs of shoes instead 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.</span></em></p> </div>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13342573164935651473noreply@blogger.com0