Clear the Clutter

Over the winter break I had some time off so I cleaned the basement which is just a collection of all my craft supplies, things going to consignment, stuff I've accumulated for gifts, extra school supplies, patio furniture stored for the winter, Christmas decorations, suitcases, the snow skis and seldom used furniture plus the REQUIRED work out machine. I own an excessive amount of stuff (and some junk too, I admit).

I made good progress and decided that I need NOT purchase anything for our annual Easter Egg hunt treats, college kid gift bags, Christmas wrapping or school next year I am so well stocked. Think of the money that is tied up in all those things...YIKES.

It felt so good to give and throw stuff away I developed a plan for some of the other areas of my life.
Clearing the clutter requires a stout heart as I find it hard to part with sentimental items, things I can re-purpose (broken!) or those items of clothing that are of good quality (but too outdated to wear). At the end of your work you should have items to donate, discard or sell/consign. IF you can't bear to part with a particular item, place it in a DATED box and put it in your basement. WHEN you go to use the item, you'll still have it and can re-claim it from the box. If after 12 months, you haven't opened the box you are good to part with it. WARNING: You'll be tempted to open the box...but DON'T. It is like Pandora's box at this point!

I find that setting a time limit provides me the focus I need to get the task completed. Don't be discouraged if a project takes several session to achieve the effect you want. Large scale projects like your basement should be broken down into manageable tasks, areas (Christmas decorations) or storage containers (the craft desk).
Begin by emptying the place you plan to clean, such as a drawer or closet (if feasible) . If you are cleaning an entire room, work clockwise.
Arm your self with trash bags, boxes for donating, consigning, repairs, etc. rags and supplies for cleaning, the vacuum, etc. depending on the scope of the project. Remember it doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be good enough.

Here is a 7 day plan to CLEAR THE CLUTTER. I've listed more than 7 tasks so you can do those that most need doing in your life, require the most or smallest amount of work, etc. Just do one each day for 7 days and you'll be amazed at what you've accomplished.

1) Lighten the Linen Closet.
Send frayed and stained towels to the rag bag, fold sheet sets and place in their corresponding pillowcases or large zip lock bags. Consign, donate or e-bay items you no longer use such as a the pottery Barn Twin comforter set (since you haven't had a twin bed in the house since 2003) or the Barney Towels.
If your closet also acts as storage for bath and beauty supplies arrange these in old shoe boxes or other containers so you'll know what you have and won't have to purchase items just because you can't find them. I have some "produce" stacking bins on the floor of my closet which holds toothpaste and smaller items. This allows me to take advantage of really GOOD sale prices since I know what I already have and when I need to stock up.
Donate unopened lipsticks, makeup etc and toss the ugly nail polish, half used bottles of hand cream from the last century. Be brutal. If the item is 12 months old and you haven't used it...you aren't going to!

2) Mop out the Medicine chest
Toss all expired PRESCRIPTION medications (DO NOT FLUSH) by mixing them in cat litter or delivering them to your community's designated location for disposal. The remainder can go in the kitty litter too or the garbage can in their original containers.
Make a list of the items you'll need to replace so you will not be without in the middle of the night when the child wakes up with a 103 degree temperature and find you are out of children's Tylenol drops.

3) Jettison the Junk drawer.
Get some dividers or small boxes, zip lock bags, etc and sequester all the paperclips into one place. I find that jewelry boxes and some frozen dinner containers work very well for drawer dividers. Identify keys with a piece of masking tape. Throw out pens that don't work, empty tape dispensers and the phone book from 2 years ago.

4) Attach the Art supplies
Every so often I have my kids try every marker and we get rid of those that are dried up and donate the over abundance of orange markers to our local nature center. Employ this same strategy with paint, playdoh, colored papers. Put like items together or use zip lock bags to create craft packages for a rainy afternoon, I use old paper boxes, diaper wipe container and cookie tins to sequester items. My kid area has a desk and a bookcase. Consign unused craft supplies or donate to your local preschool, favorite teacher or church.

5) Purge your Purse
Clean out each pocket and discard all the crumpled tissues and old receipts. Clean out the billfold. Close out (in writing) the unused credit cards, remove the outdated library card and redeem those gift cards and frequent buyer cards. I like to do this when I change from the winter bag to the summer bag.

6) Dump a Drawer.
I once cleaned out my utensil drawer and found I had 10 , count 'em, 10 wooden spoons. Enough said.
Wipe out the drawer liners, purge duplicate or broken items or that fancy garlic press you've never used. Use this strategy on every drawer in your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and office. You'll be surprised as just how many pairs of black socks you have, single socks, ratty underwear and stained t-shirts. Donate E-bay or consign.

7) Get into the Glove box and Car Console
Discard those outdated maps, receipts and carryout menus. Match up the CDs with their cases. This is where you'll find your missing glasses! Take a moment and read the owners manual!

8) Attack the Attic-

9) Scrub the Shed-do you really need 3 lawnmowers, two of which won't start?

10) Get it out of the Garage-remove all the items, clean and reorganize. Sell the toddler bike that once belonged to your now 16 year old linebacker r give it to his cousin who idolizes him.

11) Banish it from the Basement-

12) Tone down the Toy Chest-put game pieces back in the proper boxes, gather all the barbie shoes into one container, get rid of the items your kids JUST HAD TO HAVE but have never really played with.

13) Lighten the Library--remove old books and donate or sell

14) Spruce up the Spice cabinet. If you can't remember when you bought that spice it has probably lost its flavor as spices are only good for about a year. Begin dating items when you purchase. Discard outdated yeast, powder and soda which may render them ineffective.

15) Prune the pantry-place all the soups together, rotate the oldest items and be sure to use those first. Discard any items past their "best used by date"-printed on the top of cans and on boxes. Empty your pantry of all those stale, half eaten bags and boxes of chips and cookies.

16) Clean the coat closet-get rid of the out of style, too small coats. I like to do this in the spring.

17) Move out the Movies and CDs-We sell our unwatched movies to a local half-price book store and get cash.

18) Clean out the clothes-if you haven't worn it in a year, it hasn't fit in 2 years or it is not your color. Toss it.

Once you've gotten an area clear make an effort each evening to keep it clutter free. Toss the daily newspaper, put scattered toys away, fold the afghan and increase your sense of peace and calm. Studies have proven that less clutter in the bedroom helps us to sleep better. Good luck on cleaning out your clutter.

A nicer me...

This week I'll target how I deal with the public...since my 12 year old DD asked me if I was stressed out after she witnessed my encounter with a sales clerk.

I will have to let go of the petty frustrations I feel (and convey) with inefficiencies, illogical actions, stupidity, rudeness and over all incompetency. Even if these things exist (and they do) I need to act and react in a manner that is patient, kind, not self seeking, generates peace, self controlled, gentle and loving. I may have to fake it, count to 10 a lot this week and I pray my position is it is not a matter of needing to remove the log from my own eye...

A clean slate: The promise of a new year

Don't you just love the promise of the near year and the pages of a clean, unblemished calendar? A new year is fills me with anticipation of what can be accomplished.

Since the difference between a dream and a goal is a plan...now is the time to begin planning for the great expanse of 52 weeks 2011 will bless you with.

What do you want to accomplish in 2011?

Is it being healthier, getting more exercise, losing that pesky 10 pounds gained over the holidays...
Perhaps your finances need shoring up, or you want to save for a major purchase

Do you want to spend learning a new skill or improve an existing one or perhaps you need to learn a new language for that vacation you'll be taking in the fall?

Does your basement, attic or closet need purging? Drawers need organizing?

Do you need to let go of a grudge, heal a relationship or start a new one?

Any bad habits that need to be gotten rid of? Any new habits you want to develop?

You can do it...all you need is a plan to turn that dream into a GOAL

The new year looms and each week gives you an opportunity to start fresh. Begin today by THINKING of what you want 2011 to be. Take 7 minutes this week (one minute each day) and WRITE down what you hope to accomplish this next year. We'll work the plan together in 2011!

TOO busy to Blog

Well, sorry for my inactivity these past several months
I have been too Busy to Blog but I promise to be faithful in the new year
Here are just a few of the things I plan on tackling the first few weeks of the near year:

As a craft connoisseur-I love trying our new crafts and therefore, I have a plethora of items in my basement just waiting to be made up (Think of the money warehoused there). SO no more money spent and dedicated to finishing up projects
which will lead t the next post

Completing what I started: Goal-Complete 2009 and 2010 scrapbooks by March 2011 (and this will include my work files)

Prayer Journal-ing and scripture memorization

Learn to Crochet

Simplify: find 10 things I can do easier

Improved speech patterns (yes, again)

I welcome your suggestions on how you'll use the 52 weeks 2011 gives you and how you'll use them to better your life, your family and the world!

18-Do Nothing

I am feeling overwhelmed with my to do list so this week's challenge is to do nothing! My week has the following items on the to do list

1)finish Kids Kloset consignment by 11:59pm Sunday (when the sites closes, so if it is not logged, it will not be available for the sale)

2) Craft remaining items for Haunted Hike on Friday, Oct 8-again if not made, they can't be sold

3) Clean DD room for impending arrival (dust)

4) Re-caulk bathroom tub (DH)

2 Physical Therapy appointments, a cardiology appointment, 3 Cross Country Practices, T3 supper, Early Release day on Wednesday an art fair and possibly a manicure with DD, pumpkins arrive at Church, a cross Country meet on Saturday and a church directory photo shoot

Plus the usual-WORK, prepare meals, laundry, housecleaning and I am not sure what else!

Now, I know it isn't practical and I will NOT actually DO Nothing...so perhaps the goal is to do less, do only that which needs doing.

I will delegate, exercise to reduce stress, read the scriptures, pray and let some things go undone!

17-Forgive

We recently became aware of the marital indiscretion between 2 families in our church. I was surprised by how hurt I felt by the choices these individuals had made and how far reaching the collateral damage was.
Our ladies bible study prayed for all the individuals directly impacted by the events, prayed a hedge of protection around our own marriages and then began the hard task of moving forward.

Here is an exercise we employed in our bible study which may work when you are in need of forgiveness or need to offer forgiveness.
This week I am working on forgiving...

Take a RED piece of paper
Write down what you need to be forgive for (or what you need to forgive another person for). If you re the person who required forgiveness, you must Own It. Without repentance there is no true forgiveness.
Place the paper in an envelope (preferably RED) and seal it. Place this in a prominent place where you can see it.
KNOW that Jesus blood (symbolized by the RED paper and envelope) has covered this sin and by His grace you are forgiven (or are able to forgive)
Every time you feel compelled to pick up your guilt or to cast accusations toward the one who harmed you-look at the RED envelope and remember CHRIST, through whom all things, even forgiveness, is possible!

16-Make a list

I am recovering from Shoulder surgery and am busier than ever with all the therapy sessions in addition to my regular schedule. It is overwhelming and I feel almost manic at times and my insomnia is back with a vengeance. Something has got to give!

I am going to make a list before I go to bed and see if that doesn't help me sleep better. I am also going to post a notepad beside the bed to jot down stray thoughts when the awaken me.

I have increased my prayer time during middle of the night wakefulness and will incorporate a meditation on "THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT AT THIS TIME OF THE NIGHT ANYWAY!" in order to relax.