Having so much fun!

The kitchen cabinets are done. Yeah. We took a giant load (filled the truck bed) of "stuff" to Goodwill this afternoon. Jason told me he was proud of me for getting rid of so much stuff. He knows what a pack rat I am.
WONDERFUL NEWS: Jason has a new job working from HOME. No more getting up at 4:30am with an hour commute to downtown Denver, working til 4 and then another hour commute home. He can get up and walk 10 steps to his new office (in his jammie pants) and go to work.
We were also talking about cleaning out our basement storage area so we can finally set up the treadmill and Bowflex! I'm so excited; we can work out together in the mornings! Decluttering both a place in the house and my body all at the same time. Not sure when we will start on this. I have been gone the past several weekends and leave again Thursday to be gone this coming weekend too. Maybe some night this week. Will keep you posted!

kitchen cabinets

Whew! That was fun, but a lot of work. I can't believe how organized my kitchen is now. AND, I got rid of a big box full of kitchen "stuff". I plan to print these pictures so who ever is emptying the dishwasher will know where to put the dishes. These are just two of my cabinets, I actually worked on several others, below my bar and the pantry. (I realized also that the pantry is REALLY empty and the kids are right, there's nothing in this house to eat) Off to Sam's today to get a few things and to fill the pantry back up! Today I'll finish cleaning up the kitchen and doing laundry.

The kitchen, or maybe the downstairs storage area, or maybe......

Well, I sit here on my couch deciding which area to tackle next. I have been so busy with work and activities that the house has really been neglected...and stuff piling up again. Funny how that does that! I work in a kitchen store and love kitchen gadgets and "stuff" for my kitchen. I have been really good though and haven't brought anything home for quite some time. But, I do know that my cabinets are bulging at the seams. You know the whole, throw it in and slam the door, holding your breathe that is stays? Okay, maybe it's just me that does that. BUT...today is the day that will change that. I'm going in! Wish me luck. Will post pics hopefully later today of the orphans (gadgets) that will soon be taken to the Goodwill for a new home.

Figuring out who I am

It just hit me while cleaning out my closet and thinking about all the clutter in my life, that that is what defines me. That is who I am. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying getting rid of stuff and getting my life, house and body more "organized", it definately needs to be cleaned out. I just think that God made each of us different; made us each comfortable in different environments. I have always liked the warmness of a house that is "lived in". I love knowing that people enjoy being in my house and feeling comfortable enough to put their feet up and relax without worrying about getting things dirty or breaking things. I don't like a messy house, just full of things that are part of our family.

It reminds me of 1 Timothy 4:4-5:

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

There is nothing in my house that I wouldn't give up, but since it's here, I am going to enjoy it and praise God for giving us a warm, happy home to live in and be comfortable in.

On the other hand, I am enjoying cleaning out the EXTRA stuff in our house that is not used or needed any more. Jason and I have been married for 15 years (Feb. 25th) and have moved 11 times. Needless to say, we have had to pack boxes and decide what to keep and what to pack. We have lived in our house now longer than anywhere else. We are finding that the moving thing has helped us keep the clutter to a minimum. So now we are in the process of learning how to do this without having to move...although we have joked that it's time to move so we can clean out what we don't need.

I think I have figured out the "magic" solution to this: TIME and ENERGY! If I had all the UNinterrupted time and all the energy, I think I could have an amazingly organized home. But, God has called me to be a wife and mother and I take my job seriously. Spending time with them doing what others enjoy is more important to me than keeping a very clean, organized home. I have other "jobs" and commitments also that keep me from this very clean, organized home. And guess what? I love my other "jobs" and commitments so for now, I will do this slowly and at my pace. Aaaahhh! To finally come to the realization that is doesn't all need to be done tomorrow....very freeing.

So today, it's the CLOSET. That is a six letter BAD word!!! I went shopping this weekend and bought 8 new shirts. I have heard about the buy...get rid of solution many have and have always struggled with that one, but since my closet will not hold any more clothes, I decided it was time to sort through the old ones and get rid of at least 8 items in the closet. Above is the picture of STUFF out of my closet I decided I didn't need or hadn't worn in a while and wouldn't miss...too much. More than 8! Off to Goodwill!