What I've been up to...

I have been so busy this year with schooling the kids at OHVA.  It has taken oodles of time and energy.  I have been also busy cleaning house!  By that I mean that I am simplifying, minimizing, and generally getting rid of STUFF!

When my mom was in town we were going great guns.  I think we made 15 trips to the goodwill, with a full car load.  Here is some of the things we accomplished.

1. Went through all the clothes in the house.  Each kid tried on and kept 10 shirts and 5 pants.  Some of them ended up not having 5 pair that fit them.  Steve and I went through our closets and organized and got rid of tons. (well that was me...Steve hardly has any stuff)

2. We cleaned out and hauled out the linen closet.  We got rid of torn pillowcases, ripped blankets, and thread bare sheets.

3. Cleaned out the kitchen cupboards.  Mom couldn't stand my series of mismatched dishes gathered from the goodwill a bit at a time.  She especially disliked all the chipped and cracked plates.  So we chucked the bad ones, donated the "good" ones and she was so generous to by us new for Christmas.   We also reorganized things and labeled the inside of cabinets (just to drive Steve nutso :) )  We put things that never get used in a holding area...we will see if they ever get used. I doubt it.  Also we cleaned the pantry and got rid of the expired stuff.

4. We went through the dreaded coat closet with a fine tooth comb.  We boxed things we weren't currently using but may someday use.  I have in the past just left them in there since there was room but the kids would just paw through it all and make a huge mess.

5. We bleached all the boys white "church" shirts.  Some still didn't make it, but they look better.

6.We went from room to room and got rid of things that make things feel cluttered.

7. We painted Maggie's room, moved Doug's room and finished Curt's room.  We also finished and decorated the master bed room.

This house is going minimalist.  I have been reading lots of blogs about living a minimalist lifestyle.  The house feels better, I feel like I can breathe.  Laundry is in the manageable zone.  There is certainly more I can get rid of.  Maggie is helping me clean out the junk dresser.  On the list to tackle...the hall closet, bathroom closet and classroom.

I will take pictures soon.