Try...try...again!

I'm BAAAaaackkk!!! Again I have been motivated to continue my life long struggle on becoming a tosser instead of a collector of all things both wonderful and well...useless. For all of you just joining the journey go back and read previous posts to get yourself going. I myself have a crazy month ahead of me and so I will be taking baby steps in my quest for a clutter free house. I will NOT give up! I'm begging you to continue on your journey whether I post on a regular basis or not(I do NOT need that kind of pressure!) Big thanks to you "newbies" for your enthusiasm. Comment often so we can keep each other motivated. Keep on...keepin' on!

Life got the best of me!

No I have not been buried in the stack that is called my house. Do NOT...I repeat do NOT send search and rescue to find me. I had a crazy day yesterday and streamlining took a back seat to my life. No excuses and no I have not given up. I will rededicate myself today and try try try to finish my bathroom. I had high hopes of being completely through my house by spring break...that is NOT going to happen. I feel the need to pick away at it. If I take a week off I may never get back on board. So I will do my best to find the balance between forging ahead and given my kids the time and fun that spring break should and needs to be. I hope you are all ok with this. It may be a drawer or book shelf or closet a day. Please do not let me slow you down. If you have the momentum and need to cruise...DO IT...and please let us know what progress you have made. This is a group effort!! Thanks for helping me change the world...one drawer at a time!

Aaarrrrgh!

3 drawers...3 tiny small drawers. That is what I got done today. Ok really I got a whole lot more done today. But as far as streamlining? 3 drawers. I will try to finish my bathroom tomorrow, and if I can my hallway closets. If nothing else there is more in the DI bag and more in the trash than in my top bathroom drawer. I love the feeling of nearly EMPTY! I loved the feeling of waking up in my bedroom that has nothing but stuff I actually love and use. That is good feeling. My mom says something often that I think is very timely...she says "It is not the things you do all day that make you tired. It is the things you DON'T do." I feel that. It is exausting me to think that my basement and playroom are looming, not to mention the kitchen. I feel encouraged with the headway I have made, so I will try harder to focus on that and take it day by day. As for the hall closets? Some of you may be storing sheets in those closets. If that is the case remember there is NO NEED for a linen closet. Take 2 sets of sheets per bed. One set obviously will be on the bed the other set will be folded and put in between the box spring and matress at the foot of the bed. Wah-lah! This is a fantastic tip that I will forever be grateful for. When your kiddos have those middle of the night accidents or sick tummy's you will have at your disposal a complete set of sheets that fits there bed. No more searching for the matching top and bottom sheets at 2 a.m. There you go, that's it for the day!! Good work and good luck tomorrow. :)

Master Bedroom mastered!!

I do not even know where to begin. How did you all do? I feel some sense of responsibility to have a cheerful attitude to keep you all motivated but HOLY COW...this could be used as some Chinese torture technique! I didn't get a chance to start until much later in the day(maybe that was my first mistake!) I will say my "someplace else" is sitting in my downstairs bathroom and I found myself questioning is this REALLY the best way? Why don't I just hurry and put this stuff away now and then I won't have a room full of stuff when I'm done to put away. I stopped myself dead in my tracks to remind myself that those "keepers" that I would like to put away? Well "away" is full. I have to purge first to open up some prime closet, drawer, and shelf space and then those keepers will be put "away". I will say I didn't realize how bad of a problem I had with the handbag situation...I found many crammed full of receipts, change, gift cards, floss, and stale gum. I found many useful items that I have been looking for. And I gave up on several orphan earrings:( I have only one confession....I have a favorite shirt...in 3 sizes...I kept all 3(one hanger)! Hey..I'm human! I told my 9 year old that was going to be the only thing I would keep. She reminded me of this when it came to going through my capris in a myriad of sizes. I will not continue to bore you with the details of my closet. I need feedback...did anyone else struggle like I did? Honestly, I don't know if I am up to it tomorrow. I will get a good nights rest and continue on to my bathroom(because it should be fairly easy). I will not give up...I will not give up...I will not give up...blah!

GO! You CAN do this!

Somehow I feel like the leap I am about to take is going to take as much commitment as jumping off a bridge with nothing but a bungee attached to my ankles. I myself have never sought after that kind of adrenalin rush, but I am certain this is what standing on that ledge feels like. I am on the edge none the less and I am sure this will be as exhilarating as bungee jumping(once it's over of course!) I will take the plunge on Monday. I will begin as we discussed at Enrichment in the master bedroom closet and work around the room clockwise. Remember to have bins(or bags) ready.
-Someplace else: those "keepers" that just don't go where you found them. Set aside in you bin or bag, to be put away the last day of streamlining.
-Donate: This is your D.I. bag.
-Garbage: That's right!! You will find a bunch of trash that you've been shuffling around!! It's ok...only you will know how much TRASH you find...
-To File: This is for all of you who are REALLY DEDICATED! When in doubt? TOSS IT OUT!!!

Pick up EVERY SINGLE THING... and ask the right questions. "Do I need it? like it? use it? want it? have room for it? Could someone else get better use of it?" No to any of them? Shovel it!

To those of you who could be classified in the animal kingdom as "Clothes Horses" please remember the tip we discussed about turning all the hangers around in your closet backwards so that in 6 months you can tell what things have not even been worn. This of course will be done AFTER you've gotten rid of the things that you know you don't need, want, like, use or have room for. Also, I will add...if you are one of those few(wink wink) that keep clothes because "one day you will fit into them again"...GET RID OF THEM!!! I promise if you really do loose that 20, 30, or 70 lbs...you will WANT new clothes! Let's be honest...the item(s) you are saving will be out of style by the time the weight is gone. The only reason you should keep clothes that don't fit is if you are pregnant.

Under your bed is NOT your storage room! Take control of this space and ensure that under the bed remains empty. Nothing but dust bunnies BABY!

Ok that's it...I will post on Monday unless I am busy doing some "emotional eating". You can bet I have stocked up on the chocolate in order to undertake this private matter so publicly. The chocolate? I need, want, use, like and yes...I ALWAYS have room for!

Get SET...fill your buckets!!

Fill your bucket? No you do NOT need to go and find a bucket!!
YOUR FAMILY BUCKET: Do something fun with your fam this week! This will alleviate any guilt you may(or may not) have while spending a considerable amount of time dedicated to "simplifying" your life! Me? I'm in Newport Beach and am doing the Disneyland thing...now please note...you do NOT need a warm vacation to gear up to do this...I repeat you do NOT need a warm vacation to gear up to do this. But it does help...you can tell your hubbies I said SO!

YOUR HOME BUCKETS(aka your fridge): While planning your grocery lists plan on preparing a few meals and freezing them OR plan meals that require very little time and effort to prepare. The crock pot will be your new bf.

YOUR SELF BUCKET: I plan on spending this weekend enjoying conference. This always makes me want to do better and be better. Somehow the Prophets always make me feel like I can accomplish greatness. Do something that gives you that kind of boost!

Get ready...

Ok ladies the info has been given...now find some time in the next week to prepare your family. You could even do a FHE on D&C 88:119 and focus on "house of ORDER" Also you will want to start gathering bins. If your bins are currently full, don't worry, you can use garbage bags until your bins become available. Remember, an average size house(approx. 2400 sq/ft.) will produce at LEAST 50 garbage bags full(30 gallon size). Can you imagine how much space that will free up in our homes? C'mon, take the challenge and let's show D.I. what we're made of!!!