Don't Stop Believin'

My plans of completing the front landscaping this weekend didn't quite complete themselves.  It's okay, I made great progress and great weather is forecasted for several days.  Thank you, Jesus.

If you are familiar with the song by Journey, "Don't Stop Believin," you know the next line is, "Hold On To That Feelin."  It is so important to my journey to keep a journal of the good times so it's easier to hold on to the feelings of accomplishment.  Set backs happen and I don't want to stop believing my goals are possible, because they ARE.

The most important thing is for me to believe in myself.  When I'm running low on self powered belief, I need to reach out and listen to the support of friends.  The type of friends that share your vision, some that have known you a while, and some that have only just met but already speak truth and encouragement to you.  The people on my Facebook group by the same name are these type of people; loving, encouraging, & inspiring.

With October bringing about the onset of the Holiday Prep Season, I have proposed to my group that we do a de-crapifying challenge with the goal to have a more peaceful and enjoyable Holiday Season.  The ground rules for the challenge, declutter a number of items that matches the date of the month.  On that day, the items are to be out of the house (in the trash or donated).  Our goal is not organizing on this one.  We need to have less stuff in the house so there will be less stress.

Thursday, Oct. 1st - Rid your house of    1    clutter item.  Starting with something a small as a sheet of paper is A-OK.

Friday, Oct. 2nd - Rid your house of   2   clutter items.
*Bonus Friday project, find out about bulk pick-up in your town and if there are any hazardous waste dump sites/dates coming up.

Saturday, Oct. 3rd - Rid your house of    3   clutter items.  (I'm really starting to feel like The Count on Sesame Street.)
*Bonus Saturday project - Start talking to your kids now about the meaning of Christmas and the possibility of donating some of their toys to kids in need.  Very soon you will start seeing donation sites offered by the Marines and such.  I know a very good local charity, Mission Southside, will be collecting donations for their free garage sales.

Sunday, Oct. 4th - Day of rest.  You've started strong this weekend.  Maybe fill the family in on your challenge and see if they can be recruited for the next week.  Find something to use as a gratitude journal.

Monday, Oct. 5th - Rid your house of   5   clutter items.  I don't know about you but I have to go on some major upkeep missions on Monday after a busy weekend.  I'm personally going for a trash bag or two on this day.  Maybe your 5 items will fit in a plastic grocery sack and call it good!

Tuesday, Oct. 6th - Rid your house of    6   clutter items.  I hope Mother Nature will have decided at this point that we are entering fall and I will be able to make some meaningful decisions on my fall wardrobe.  I've actually lost some weight so there will be things leaving my closet and going to the Closet Mentor or Savers.

Wednesday, Oct 7th - Rid your house of   7  lucky/unlucky clutter items.  I think anything broken fits in this category.  And I hate to add that they will likely be of sentimental value, but are they really bringing you joy?

Thursday, Oct 8th - Ready for the weekend? Almost?  Rid your house of   8   clutter items.  I will tackle the freezer on this day to make space for holiday gluten-free treats.

Friday, Oct. 9th - Rid your house of   9   clutter items.  I'll be keeping Halloween in mind for this challenge.  Costumes that can be donated, items repurposed for others' costumes, Mission Southside will see my face once again.

Saturday, Oct. 10th - Rid your house of   10  clutter items.  It's getting real at this point.  Have you checked under the sinks recently?  I'm guessing I can find 10 things to send to the hazardous waste site.

Sunday, Oct. 11th - Day of Rest.  This has been quite the productive week.  A gratitude journal entry may be a good idea or starting one (use stuff from around the house - no need to buy a pretty journal at this point.)

Monday, Oct. 12th - Rid your house of   12   clutter items.  How many loner socks you got?  There's an adorable preschool type snowman project on Pinterest right now.  Find it, print out the instructions, and then DONATE the socks to a local preschool or elementary school.  Budget cuts are serious my friends.  Our school teachers need the help.

Tuesday, Oct. 13th - Rid your house of   13  clutter items.  I'm going back to the toys today.  If you don't have kids, you likely have hobbies and hobby supplies that might bless someone else who is looking to make something for the holidays.  Don't hoard that stuff.  Visit the nursing home with some yarn, craft paper, glue sticks, etc.

Wednesday, Oct. 14th - Rid your house of   14   clutter items.  Oh, hump day, how I love thee.  Winter is coming and blankets will be used, but I think 30 is too many for me.  I KNOW there are people in great need of these items and I will be blessed by giving generously.

Thursday, Oct. 15th - Are you ready for the weekend?  The busy Holiday season really is getting close and I appreciate my bedroom being a sanctuary so I'm getting Rid of   15   clutter items from my bedroom.

Friday, Oct. 16th - Mad Dash Day for the parties, trick-or-treaters, and such, BUT First you must Rid your house of   16   clutter items.  May I suggest going through the kitchen.  Take stock, what are you REALLY going to need in the next 90 days.  I bet there's at least 16 things that don't make the list.

Saturday, Oct. 17th - Hey, Kids!  Mom's got this Saturday thing where she likes putting things into perspective.  Let's decide now how we are going to handle any excess candy.  This applies to homes without small children as well.  Know where that candy is going to go Nov. 1st.  Staying in the house is not an option.  (The trash is - shhhh - I won't tell.)  Oh, and we need to get rid of   17   clutter items.  I hear witched witches like shoes.  What's your shoe situation.  Can you manage 8 pairs and spare?  Bet you can! (I won't tell family members about this one either.)

Sunday, Oct. 18th - Day of Rest.  Another journal entry perhaps?  I knew you could do it.  You're amazing!!!

Monday, Oct. 19th - Rid your house of   19   clutter items.  Did you know you only have to keep tax stuff for 7 years?  We're all afraid of the IRS but I don't need the water bills from my house 7 years ago in a different state.   Seriously.  You need pay stubs, itemized deductions receipts, donation receipts, medical expenses, and maybe a few other items for your individual situation.  Water bills, electric bills, cable bills, phone bills, newspaper subscriptions, magazines.... You may find you have 19 pounds instead of items.  (My donation last week was 32 pounds and cost $25 to be shred by a service in two seconds flat.)

Tuesday, Oct. 20th - Rid your house of    20   clutter items.  This is a big number and the weather is changing so how about an outdoor challenge.  Spruce up the landscaping, do some raking, pick up sticks (kids are great at that one), get rid of annuals that have passed their due date.  Bag it up and get it to the curb or the recycling station.  Your house is going to look so sweet for the Holidays!

Wednesday, Oct 21st - Rid your house of   21   clutter items.  I spent significant time over the Labor Day weekend going through pictures and hanging those most meaningful to our family.  Now it's time to revisit what is left over.  I'm sure I can find 21 pictures that will be a blessing to friends and family with a nifty little note of the importance of their role in our lives.

Thursday, Oct 22nd - Is it almost the weekend, AGAIN!!! Man this challenge is keeping me on my toes.  Toes...Toes..Mistletoes!! I'm going to tackle some of our holiday decorations.  I don't want to be too emotional as I start decorating.  I can do this, donate   22   items.  I can bless someone before the crazy part of the season starts and it will help them celebrate their blessings like I'm so privileged to do.

Friday, Oct 23rd - Make a menu based on items you already have in the pantry, fridge, and freezer.  Pull them out and start cooking.  (Think soups if you're not sure what to do.)  If you can eat from these three sources and NOT go to the grocery store this week, you will have rid your home of at least    23    items, leaving room for Holiday supplies.

Saturday, Oct. 24th - It's the final countdown.  Costumes - Check? Party supplies - Check? Pet care - Check?  Well then, let's rock this joint, rock it inside out!  Divide 24 by the total number of rooms in your house.  For me I have 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, front room, and 2 living rooms.  That's 15 rooms.  I'll take off my son and daughters bedrooms and bathrooms.  That's just over two items from each room.  No problem!!  Savers will LOVE me!

Sunday, Oct. 25th - Day of rest and a journal entry.

Monday, Oct. 26th - Let's pretend in our heads that it's actually December 26th.  You know that day with all the wrapping paper to throw away, new toys & gifts to integrate into the house, the relief that you made it?  What   26 things can you rid your home of today that will make that day easier?  Make a sweep of the toy room?  Make a concerted effort in the garage?  (Cars like being in the garage in the winter.  Keeps 'em happy and me too because I don't have to freeze while I scrape the windows.)  Dare I say the word, "Basement?" or is "Attic" more scary?  It is almost Halloween so I'm going for scary here.

Tuesday, Oct. 27th - Two-Fer-Tuesday.  What duplicates do you have around the house?  Would some of them make excellent gifts?  If not for your family and friends, then a family in need?  Ask the church what they may need for their charity drive.  Toilet paper, soap, shampoos, other things for mission trips, stocking up for the cold season for a homeless shelter.  Get the list, often online.  You got this!!!!

Wednesday, Oct. 28th - Hang with me here.  I would like to make this a paper challenge with a twist. Find   28 pieces of paper to declutter.  Then on each one with a Sharpie marker, I want you to write out negative thoughts, words, catch phrases, memories, etc on the paper and have yourself a cathartic burning party.  I can preach safety, but I respect you're all adults and can manage this task in the most healing and safe way possible.

Thursday, Oct. 29th - Boo! It's Halloween weekend.  You've done a fantastic job and I'm so proud of you!  You've made it through almost the entire week without going to the grocery store.  Impressive!  Now I want you to recycle   29   plastic bags.  Bonus points for more. :)

Friday, Oct. 30th - This may be your town's "Beggars' Night."  If so, I'm sure you can be generous and give out   30   items to the little ones at your door.   Don't judge the big kids, just give 'em the candy.  It may be the only food they get over the weekend.  It may be the first time they've made friends since starting high school.  They can burn through the calories much faster than I can so let them have it.

Saturday, Oct. 31 - Remember that plan we had for any extra candy?  Before going to bed, load it up in the car to be taken to the destination of choice (or just toss it in the trash.  it's okay. it really is.)

You challenge is complete and by my calculations; you've decluttered 438 items from your home.  You Rock!!!!!!!!!!

Using My Spoons Like I Want

If you struggle with health issues, you may be familiar with the spoon theory. Minimalism helps a person suffering with chronic illness/pain keep their spoons for things they want to do rather than things they have to do, in my opinion.  That's my experience anyway.

Here's a list of ways I want to use my spoons.

1) Go to my spot and take a deep breath, meditate for a bit, and appreciate how far I've come.

2) Do something special for my husband and/or kids that speaks to their love language to remember why I'm on this journey in the first place.

3) Watch the sunrise or sunset to help keep me grounded and connected to the life force.

4) Spend time with the bubs and Sir Charles.

5) Attend the farmers' market and talk with the vendors.

6) Have family dinner, including a few guests.

7) Play board/card games.

8) Dance in the kitchen with My Love.

9) Enjoy a recharging siesta with an uncluttered brain.

10) Sing at the top of my lungs to the songs that move me.

Minimalism is like laundry - It never ends!

Labor Day weekend is for labor around our household.  I've been feeling a bit under-accomplished with my minimalism the last few weeks.  In reality I've come a LONG way and the house is in pretty good shape.  That being said, I've been opening some cupboards and looking at what is organized and asking myself, "If it's been untouched for 6 months, do I need it and if so, is there a better place for it?"

I've tried selling some larger items like a dog house, a toddler table and chairs, and more - enough to fill the back of our F-150.  It all made it do the local donation site that benefits Big Brothers & Big Sisters.  It felt really good.  I decreased our blanket count by half, mainly keeping the quilts that are meaningful to us.

The biggest and most difficult project for me this weekend is hanging a bunch of family photos that have been stored in the guest room closet.  I love them, but I hate putting holes in the wall and there will be a lot when I get this project done.  Putting it into prospective though, the pictures mean a great deal.  They need a place of honor.

Again I find myself checking in with Grace and she kindly reminds me that this is a process, a journey; one that isn't going to stop.  I'm happy that I've greatly reduced my purchases.  With each one I make sure it will be beneficial and put to use immediately.  One of my latest purchases was a couple of artisan switch plate covers and I adore them.  So happy I made the investment and the old switch plates have been donated.

I'm going to keep Stella within my viewing range to remind me staying slow and steady will grow beautiful things.

Definition of Crap

The topic on the radio today was discussing ways to thin one's schedule.  I called in with the easy-peasy answer to de-crapify your schedule.  My advice was too vague and I decided to correct that and posted to the DJ's Facebook page.

Here is my list of things that must be done:
1) Work
2) Eat - grocery shop
3) Exercise
4) Dr. Appts.
5) Make sure your kids (human and/or fur babies are doing 1-4)

The rest is non-essential crap that one must prioritize to find a balance.  I know some will find a glaring hole in the essentials that I did not include something faith based, but I find my zen when I exercise and commune with nature.  Prayer is part of my routine but it fits in with the essentials listed.

To help in getting the essentials done I offered some concrete suggestions.

1) Utilize grocery stores that offer delivery service if you're able to shop for at least a week and not make more trips to the store.

2) Become an Amazon Prime member and install the app on your phone.  You can easily see how Amazon's prices compare by opening the app and scanning the product.  I find even more ease in using the Subscribe and Save program with the online coupons they offer as well.

3) If you want to shop locally, many stores allow you to shop online and then have the store staff pull your items.  All you have to do is show up, verify your order with your smart phone, and show and ID.  Super sweet and time saving.

4) Start a carpool with other parents whose kids' share your kids interests.  If you have teenagers please encourage/require them to get their learner's permit asap.  You aren't doing anyone any favors by waiting because you're scared.  If they don't learn with you at their side, they will learn on their own or from their friends.  Seriously, make the investment (get some valium or prozac if need be) to teach your kids how to drive.  In our state they can get their permit at 14.  With enough hours driving with a parent, they are allowed to drive to school and school functions at 15. And the systems continues to graduate from there.  There are a lot of benefits to having a teen driver.

5) Don't put off the doctor.  This are far less expensive financially and emotionally if they are dealt with sooner than later.  I find having a set day for appointments is best.