Declutter Day 2

One bookshelf

BEFORE

AFTER

Okay so the before/after contrast isn't really stark but look at the pile of stuff I got rid of and guess what? I found a dvd that's been missing for months and one magnet dart for our dart set--now we have 2 of the 8 we had a few months ago.

it makes me happy

Today while we were eating lunch Grant put his arm around my neck and said,
"I wike (like) you mom."

While going through a big pile of old school papers I happened upon this written piece by Katie:
"Light bounces off of anything you see. When the light bounces off of anything you see it gos (goes) in your eyeball and gos (goes) in your brain."

Jordan laughing his head off (seriously, on the floor, hardly able to breathe) when telling the story of me spanking him 4 years ago. He laughed when I spanked him just about as hard as he laughs when he retells it.

Alex telling me that 7 and 7 and 1 are partners for 15.
Alex: "I already knowed 7 and 7 was 14 and then you just put one more in."
Me: "How did you know 7 plus 7 equals 14."
Alex: "Cause I did it on my calclater (calculator) once."

day 1

project/study area

before

after

its so much easier to do a project in a clean area. Under the table are the following projects:

one quilt to me mended

one quilt to finish quilting

scrapbooking-almost done with 2004 and 2005 is our last year of traditional scrapbook. After that we're going with Shutterfly photo books

make phone book fabric covers for shorter piano students

Christmas pjs

several mending projects

a few dresses and skirts to sew

Decluttering Days

For a week now I've felt happy every time I've opened this closet. It used to be a pretty big mess. I was in the habit of stuffing things at the top, which later fell on my head as I opened the door. So I took about 30 minutes and organized it. I also cleaned out my church bags that were piling up on the closet floor. Its made me so happy I thought I'd decluttering one spot every day and post before and after pictures.

I love decluttering because:

• it clears out my brain (especially when I get rid of useless projects)



• the house it so much cleaner and organized



• I can find what I'm looking for



• I actually spend less $ after I've dejunked



• partially empty spaces make me happy

done

About 1 1/2 years ago my friend Molly (the only early morning exercise friend I've had--those were the days) gave me this mirror. She had been planning to sell it or maybe just give it away on Craig's list but she offered it to me and I stored it for several months then carried it across the country hoping to repaint it and use it at some point.









So here it is, finally done.





I love doing cheap projects that save me money and make my house look better. It makes me feel resourceful.



Though, I'm pretty sure you don't read my blog--thanks Molly.

errand entertainers

Today, while at the store, I tried on some shoes. To get a better view of them I rolled up one leg of my pants (the leg I had tried the shoe on). I decided I didn't need the shoes after all and went on my way. After Grant dumped a whole bag of sunflower seeds on the store floor, we headed to the library. While there Grant hit me hard across the face (after two unsucessful attempts to bite me--he really didn't want to cross the library to the non-fiction section). Then he booked it. He didn't know where he was heading but the chase was on. It was quickly stopped as Grant ran smack dab into a table. He screamed for quite a while and wanted comfort--I wasn't actually feeling real sorry for the guy. Next was a trip to the recycling center followed by a quick stop to the second hand store. We had to park farther away than we wanted and walked across a busy street to get into the store. As we walked up to the door I saw my reflection in the glass and realized I had forgotten to pull my pant leg down after trying on the shoes on our first errand. I'm thinking the entertainment Grant provided to unsuspecting viewers during our errands this morning was only increased by my one pant rolled look.

Just say no...to more

Lately I've been eating too much. Its great while I'm eating but then my stomach feels heavy afterward. So I decided I'm going to say no to more food (like second helping). The idea is to feel comfortable but not full. So I still eat ice cream and chocolate covered raisins but instead of eating a whole bowl of ice cream I give myself a scoop and enjoy that one scoop instead of snarfing up a whole bowl without even enjoying it. Seriously, yesterday I had tacos for dinner (my favorite meal) and since they tasted sooo good I just kept eating them. Did I need 4?-no. I wasn't even hungry when I ate the first one, but because it tasted good I just kept going. If I had just eaten one and felt satisfied I probably would have felt a lot lighter going to bed. I hate that heavy stomach feeling. I have a little points system I use with this. Every time I say no to something I give myself a point. I never give myself a point for feeling hungry. I don't want to feel hungry-satisfied is the key. After 100 points I buy myself a new shirt. So Carl says, "Do you want some ice cream and I say, "Yes I'll have just one scoop." That gives me one point because we both know I could very easily eat a huge bowl.

If anyone happens to try this and it works let me know-so far it hasn't worked for anyone else besides me. Supposedly some people lie to themselves about points.

For more information on this subject see Intuitive Eating.