Sometimes Crazy just works

I have to admit when I first read Mari Kondo empties her pocketbook daily, I thought she was a bit crazy. Then I was at Target trying to pull out my wallet from all the junk that had piled into my bag since I cleaned it out the week prior. Maybe. Just maybe...she's not so crazy. With all the purging, I knew I had an empty box. One afternoon I plunged into the deep end and dumped everything out of my bag.

Now, remember, I had not completely finished my closet. I spent the next half hour rearranging my closet so I would have a shelf for just purses. I did have them in a hanging system on the rod, but it was behind the door and there was no space available for a box. Plus, I'd been toying with the idea of getting rid of it anyway. Out it went. An empty shelf was created and low and behold, a box filled with everything I usually carry in my bag at some point.

I have been using this method for about two weeks now. I love it! My bag is always clean. I can change bags depending on where I'm going or just my mood. To be honest, I only have five bags but they range in sizes so depending on what I need for the day I have choices.

I have a long way to go to finish organizing. Some days I am overwhelmed by it all. Then there are the days when I look at something and smile. And think, "that brings me joy".

Tidying Up with Mari Kondo

If you haven't read her book, I'm sure you've heard of it. John and I started reading it last spring. Just in time for me to purge some a bunch of homeschooling items at a Homeschool Expo. I thought I had read the entire book. Turned out I was wrong. I finished it last week.

John and I watched her Netflix special in January. While we don't follow her exact approach, we did come away with a few things in our toolbox. First, don't try to purge other people's items. Just because you don't love something doesn't mean no one else does either. If it is your personal item, purge away! If it is a communal item, then (in our house) everyone has to agree to let it go. Sounds scary, but it works for us.

Mari Kondo wants you to pile all like items in one space to go through. I admit we did not gather ALL of one item together to see the big pile. I know we have a ton of books; we homeschool I think it is written in the by-laws, "thou must own a ton of books". We started with our homeschool books and I let go of a lot. The rest of the family had been ready for years. I was not ready to let go of my "little" girls. (Still not, but that is a different post.) I have not gone through my personal books yet. But I am going to take this piece of advice, "hold each item". Does it bring you joy? Books are my love. I have quite a few from my childhood that I personally will never part with (our girls will have to decide on those when I'm gone). I think holding each one will help me. I hope so anyway.

Clothes were another thing we did not make a huge pile to sift through. John still has not actually gone through his yet. I went through the closet first, just my things. I kept a few things I don't love, because I don't have many clothes that fit well. Those that do fit well got to stay. My dresser was different.

My dresser has six drawers. Honestly, I was using half of one daily and three others. Now, I am using five! I did take Mari Kondo's advice on putting all like items in one space. I had a jacket for exercising in the coat closet so I moved it to my new exercise clothes drawer. My sweaters moved from our closet to a drawer, folded nice and neat and on their sides so I can see each one easily.

Have we finished purging our home? No. Do I expect to be finished soon? No. At the end of this process I am hoping to be able to look around any room (or closet) in our home and feel peaceful. I get that feeling now with the few closets we've completed. I am getting there at my desk. (I had paperwork from 2006!) This is not a quick fix. Nor is it easy. But so far, it has been so worth it!

Half-way through our July break!

I cannot believe we are already halfway through our July break from taekwondo. I feel like we just left! I know I'll be glad to get back to our "regular" routine, but I still have a few things I need to do before then. I suppose I need to get started. lol

Rehearsals are going smoothly. We actually start getting into the crazy schedule this week. And Jesse has been called in for a few extra rehearsals because her counterpart in the other cast will be out. Chloe was a little disappointed to find out she would not be at rehearsal on her birthday.

Chloe has decided she wants to go roller skating with some friends for her birthday. And she is going to make sugar cookies with icing. She is very excited about her birthday, but not so much about becoming a teenager. Not sure why.

John had an interview a couple of weeks ago; and Friday a couple of his references called to tell him they received calls. I just know this is where he is meant to be. I know it will work out, though it is not going as quick as he would like it.

This past weekend, we spent a good bit of time working around the house. I can't think of a space that has not been effected by some sort of reorganization. John even came up with a solution to our shoe problem at taekwondo. Sunday, we bought the supplies and I can't wait to see it complete!

I do have a story to share:

About a month ago, John bought himself some peach jelly beans. Well, Chloe had some Harry Potter jelly beans and she had not eaten the vomit one yet. Guess what it looked like. The peach ones. Guess where she put it! Yep, in his bag of peach ones. Of course she told him this. He didn't believe her at first, but whenever he would eat a jelly bean he called her into the room. He started boasting he could tell which ones were peach. Well, last night his luck ran out. He made the most awful noise (I was organizing in our bedroom). I heard him run to the kitchen trash can, then the sink, then he ran to our bathroom. Chloe had been patiently waiting. :-)

Hello, friend (Love that Bill!)

I know it has been quite awhile since I blogged, because Jesse has sent me multiple pleas for me to blog through the messaging system. LOL

December was crazy, as usual. I am always amazed by the fact our calendar is empty just before Thanksgiving, then blows up just after. This past December we had two homeschool parties, three family parties and one for John's work. We also spent Christmas Eve at my parent's (no deputies with guns this year!).

So, I'm sure after reading all of that you'll forgive me for not blogging. And if not, maybe this will shed even more light. In addition to all the parties, John decided (after decorating for Christmas) that we would paint the living and dining rooms and the kitchen! I love it! A week after finishing the painting, but before getting everything back place, John decided the classroom needed painting and a complete overhaul! Really?! To say our December was busy, would be a vast understatement!

January brought on new adventures...sort of. The girls auditioned for "Music Man". Yes, I know they have done this play before, but not at Kershaw's Fine Arts Center with the lovely Candice at the director's wheel. This time auditions were for elementary and middle schoolers only. Jesse is still a Pick-A-Little Lady, but she is a "main" one this time rather than being in the background. Chloe is Hazel, a part that is being added and created just for her; she too is a supporting character.  They are both thrilled and excited rehearsals have now started.

We finally took a break from everything and escaped to Pigeon Forge last weekend. Of course, that had its own mishaps. Well, one mishap: weather. We were originally going to leave Friday, but I received a call from the office Thursday afternoon saying they were getting lots of snow, but if we had a four-wheel drive and felt comfortable we should be okay. We'll I neither have four-wheel drive or am comfortable driving up a huge mountain in ice/snow. We left Saturday instead and got to the resort just as the power was coming back on. Yeah!

I'll post pictures on the next post.

Group project

Okay, a family project. This weekend we finally worked on reorganizing the garage. We've talked about doing it for months, but who really wants to be working in a garage when it is 90+ degrees? Um, not us. ;) 

I have to admit I thought we were simply going to "clean"; however, that is not exactly what happened. We actually moved almost everything in the garage. My potting bench now has a new home...far, far away from John's tools. All of John's toolboxes are now together. All of his gear is now packed away, until needed.

We still have to work on the garage a bit more, but most of the big projects have been done. All this is really left is taking the trash, unpacking two boxes and finding a new home for a couple of mid-sized items. John and I are both exhausted but happy to almost be done.

Now, I'll admit I had wanted to "accomplish something" this weekend, but the garage was not it. I was really hoping to get through all the "arts/craft" drawers upstairs. I really think we have too much stuff we don't use but I won't know until I can lay my eyes on the actual stuff. Maybe I can find time soon. :)

A little...decorating

Here we are the end of September. Again! It amazes me how quickly times goes. We started working on our Halloween decorations this weekend. We did a couple of things yesterday. Okay, one thing. We put Scully out on the porch. Scully is the name, John chose, for our new skeleton. He is sitting on the front porch in one of our rocking chairs. He likes to rock and wave at passersby. He is quite alarming.

Today the remaining decorations came out of the attic. Somehow I thought we had much more than what we actually have. We did a little more shopping today; John had a new idea for the living room, so we needed a couple of items.

John and the girls made a spider. We actually saw the idea in a magazine. John and I both loved it. The picture was a yard with a skeleton (standing), wearing a hat, tie and carrying a poison sprayer. The skeleton was surrounded by spiders, BIG spiders. We can't afford to do a swarm of spiders this year, but we are making seven (one a little larger than the rest, the queen I suppose).

Jesse has also been creative. She found another picture in the same magazine of decorated pumpkins. But they were not decorated like you would think. They were wrapped in fabric. Well, the picture was next to a duct tape ad, so we put the two ideas together. She found some great white duct tape with black mustaches.

Chloe has also been using duct tape. She came up with her own idea by making witch hats, with cardboard and duct tape. She even put one of them on our nutcracker. lol

Of course, John's Halloween town is back out. And again, two years in a row, it has a new home. I like where we put it this year because last year it was in the dining room. This year it is in the living room, so we get to see "live" with it. You know?

Anyway, John and the girls are working on the last project. They are sewing a curtain. Yes, John can sew. In fact, my sewing machine likes him better, everytime I try to use the tension is wonky. He won't change anything, just sit down, and it works perfectly. Of course!

I'll post pictures once everything is done.

Nothing really to say

I don't really have anything in particular I wanted to write about; however, I have a minute while the girls are working quietly. I hated to waste the time. ;)

We're doing well here. There is always something to do or somewhere to be, but life is good. This week we are attending another play at CCT, "Goodnight Moon". The girls are excited and Jesse keeps asking who all is going to go. I really don't know, so she'll have to see when she gets there. It will be nice to see Jim and Jerry again. It feels like an eternity since we've been. We'll be doing the CCT S.T.A.R. show in November. The girls are not performing, but they will be handing out playbills and I'm working the concession stand. We should have a lot fun doing it.

We are gearing up to paint the front porch. I admit I could put it off another year or so, but it is beginning to look pretty shabby. John is going to power wash it for us; the girls and I are going to paint it. I'm hoping this turns out to not be a bad idea. lol

Jesse is back at the library, but I have to admit it is just not the same. I'm still trying to figure out who is permanent and who is a temp. And don't even begin to ask me people's names...I haven't got a clue! The only good thing is school is back in session so it is much quieter than it has been. Of course, that helps Chloe to focus on getting her school work done, which makes my life easier.

Drum roll, please!!

Finally! Jesse's room.

She has had this sign for years now. It is the only thing we can find with her spelling of her name.

We have been invited in.

IKEA is everywhere!



A place for her favorite things.

In the above picture, you can see a red frame where she framed her winning art work from CCT S.T.A.R. Also, her Bug collection, ducks, Stitch, etc. 


Most of her rubber duck collection.

 

Now, she wants to add a corkboard but I have no clue where it will go.



Can YOU find the dog?

 It took us quite awhile to find a bedspread she liked. This one, I believe, suits her to a tee.

We also added an art display (the wire going across the room). She loves it! Here is some of her artwork that is currently on display:

Goofy, of course!

Baljeet's (from Phineas & Ferb) twin who lives in India (from the mind of Jesse!).

The cafeteria has reopened!

The girls were sad to lose their cafeteria when we donated our bar chairs a few months ago. John had decided they were too tall (the backs) and distracted from the kitchen...or something like that. Anyway.

John and I have been discussing what kind of stool to put there for awhile now. I knew I saw one somewhere I thought he would like, but we couldn't find it. I know IKEA used to sell one, but when we went a month ago they did not have one like we wanted. Yesterday, we set out again to look. We started at Target, of course, and found just what we were wanting. But they only had one! Of course! ;)  Today, we went to another Target and found our second stool.

It is a bit modern, especially for us, but the girls are loving them already. I predict when school is back in session on Wednesday (I am leaving home a few days, so I know John won't do any schoolwork), that two girls are going to want to eat in the cafeteria.

NOTE: The girls used them the first time on Tuesday (before school started back) with John while I was in Charlotte. :)

Always so much, so fast

Seems like in our life, as most I'm sure, so many things happen in such a short amount of time. I wanted to come back to post about our Nature Class last week. Probably one of the best ones we've had in awhile. I will try to post soon, including some pictures too.

Last Wednesday night, we started rearranging living room furniture at eight o'clock. We sat there looking around the room until nine o'clock, then moved it again. Thursday night we rearranged again. I think I like it, at least it is growing on me. I told my friend Julia last week the funny part is we did all the rearranging for the new TV we don't have. Something tells me John is not going to wait until March to get that new TV either. :)

School work is going well. Though I admit I have quite a few history tests that need grading. Chloe is loving her chemistry, nothing but experiments and reports for her this year. I think she likes it that way. Jesse is enjoying the nature aspect of biology but not so much the human body part. They are both enjoying reading, especially if I allow them to pick their own book. Unfortunately, Jesse has not had that opportunity lately and really disliked her last two books. I'm a meany, what can I say. :)

Jesse is still loving working at the library. I gave her the chance to take a few weeks off at Christmas, but she doesn't want to. She knows she'll get the summer off; and she is trying her best to get in the fifty hours she needs to attend their summer party for the volunteers. I think, at two hours a week, she has no worries.

The girls are preparing to audition for another play at the Columbia Children's Theatre. I will admit I am worried about the auditions now. They are no longer having multiple children play the same character (which will be less confusing), but that also means far fewer spots. They have been talking about "Beauty and Beast" for months, so I'm hoping they get a spot.

John has been working hard around the house doing lots of little projects. I believe he is getting ready to do some painting (furniture, not walls) soon. He is excited to have some things to do and eager to start them.

I believe we are all looking forward to our December break though we are not really "breaking". We are taking some time off, but not three weeks like we usually do. We are going to have school when John is working. For two weeks, we'll have school three days. They are still getting five days at Christmas and, I believe, four for New Year's. They are good with it. They may even be over the 90 day mark when December is done! That will be a first!! They are currently poised to end school the last week of May, maybe even the week before. They are thrilled knowing it will be that much more time in the pool.

School's out!

We are finally, officially, out of school for the year. Really we are considered year-round homeschoolers, because we take so many breaks during the year. The girls are very excited to be out for the next three weeks, especially since John is on vacation this week. Perfect timing!

The big news is we have a pool. No not inground or even above ground, in a way. It is one that as it fills with water the pool rises. No it is not fancy but when we get it ready we'll all be cooler. :) So no more debating to get one or not. It is here and simply needs a place to live, until autumn. The girls are beyond excited.

The house is reorganized...again. The excpetion are the girls rooms; I am leaving them fully in charge now. I cannot bare to help them clean their room one more time. They are almost ten and eight. I've been "teaching" them how to clean for that many years and I'm done. They know if I cannot walk through their rooms I will get loud, so hopefully they will keep it a little cleaner.

I still have a few things (i.e. master closet) I want to work on during our break. I also have more planning to do before we start back on the 19th; and I have to send in our paperwork for the year we just finished. The majority has been done on both I just need to finish everything.

Wow! I am tired alreay!

Well, here it is Wednesday night and our event is coming up quickly. I spent today baking cupcakes and making candied pretzels. Tomorrow the icing will go on the cupcakes...if I can keep John out of them. :) Everything else is done!

John was at the school house again today and then tomorrow. Wow! It is so nice with him not driving so much to get to work. Still wishing he were there all the time, but I am trying to enjoy it while I can.

I have nothing else to say that would not bore you to tears so I'll stop here. Soon...I can tell you all about our event. Can't wait!

Funny how things happen

When we lived in the "yellow" house, there was a man who ran often. Some days he would come by twice! He as very thin and I always worried if I didn't see him for a few days. He was so thin and ran so often; I'm sure there is an underlying issue there. Anyway, last week (for no known reason) the memory of "running man", as he is affectionately called by us, came into my thoughts. I wondered if he was still running or if he was still alive (soo thin!).

Yesterday morning I wanted to stop by JCPenney. Just as I was parking John said, "Is that running man?" Low and behold there was running man jogging through the Village! I was so relieved to see him.

Today is a good day. Last week I told John I wanted a building, for gardening supplies, in the backyard. Yesterday, I changed my mind. I was thinking how much the building would be, then the additional cost of building a platform and ramp for it. I decided against it. So today John is building me a potting bench for the garage. I told him yesterday what I wanted and he drew up a diagram last night. This morning we purchased everything and now John is cutting wood. I am so excited! I am tired of looking for my trough or gloves or anything else I need. There was always a search to be done before work could start. I hope the bench helps to get me out in the yard much faster so more can be done quicker. I plan on sanding it and putting polyurethane on the top. The bottom is going to be stained alligator green! I can't wait!!!!

Speaking of paint. I have picked the color I want the laundry room. When we lived in Edgefield, we painted the laundry room RED! I loved it. But the room was off the dine-in kitchen, which was always flooded with light. Our laundry room now is always dark. It does not help the only light fixture is not in front of the cabinet, so half of the light is blocked by the cabinet. Therefore the color here has to be nice and bright. Last night I hung up six of the paint samples, in one color, to see if I was going to like it. I love it! And the name of the color is perfect: "Going bananas". ;)

I have no title

This has been a crazy week! I seem to start many posts with that phrase. John was sick last weekend and into Monday (which he already had off); he wasn't himself really until late Wednesday, early Thursday. Tuesday and Wednesday were full of places to be, TKD, and revelations about some one's school work.

Yesterday, we went to the children's theatre to see "Alice in Wonderland". It was a great show and again John enjoyed himself too. Yep! John had the chance to go again. He is on vacation. And Monday is a holiday. I expect to get little to nothing done, but I'm going to try.

.

I am still learning how to work the new camera but I thought these pictures turned out great. If you know the theatre, John and I were sitting on the park benches all the way in the back. My other camera would not come half this close, so I love it! I just need to learn more about it. Sadly, John's camcorder, he bought for himself, is not working out so great. The pictures are wavy and grainy. The manual didn't mention anything about it and contacting the manufacturer didn't help either. Today, we will be returning the camcorder. :( At least my camera does video too, just not as long I'm sure.

Catch up

So this morning I actually had the chance to go out for breakfast with a couple of friends. I know! Miracles do happen. :) Anyway. Wendy asked me how the new recipes were going for January. I thought if she was curious, then maybe others were too but did not want to ask.

Just to remind you, we were going to spend the entire month making new recipes for dinner. However, those conversations occurred before auditions. So...we have fallen off the wagon, already. We have taken recipes we have had before and changed them up. I am hoping February (starting the second week) we can adopt this idea. I do like the idea, this was just not the month to try it. :)

Chloe has been working on memorizing her lines. Last night I called out her cues to see if she knew what she was to do. She knew all of them but one. I believe she is prepared for Tuesday night.

I still need to print a script for Jesse since they forgot to give them out Wednesday. She has the dance down and some of her lines. Did I say all of this before? Hmm, my memory needs a jump start.

I go back to the doctor on Monday for the yearly stuff. I did go in December and gave them some blood. I didn't like the results. I am a bit worried he may put me on cholesterol medicine. I am also taking all three of my diets I am suppose to be on: hypoglycemia, acid reflux from hernia and cholesterol, so I may ask him what I am suppose to eat. John was trying to help me on this by suggesting something then saying "oh, you can't have that because of your hypoglycemia (or reflux)." I really need some serious quiet time to figure all this out. To bad I just don't have time for that. However, with that said, I am going to have to make time.

Pictures!!

As promised (mostly) here are a couple of pictures of the new furniture (before tables) and of our Christmas decor.



Our first ever loveseat!! She looks comfy.

Our Christmas tree. John asked that we not put every ornament we own on it this year, so we chose some of our favorites. (I am hoping we get the tree up in the classroom soon with the ornaments the girls have collected over the years.)

My sister-in-law, Kim, has a village like this multiplied by 100! One of our craft projects this month is to make this small village its very own Christmas tree.

My Rudolph Village. We decided the top of the new buffet would be perfect for displaying the village (wish we had thought of that at Halloween, next year).

John promised the girls last year they could each have their own tree in their room. We didn't get it done last year so this year we had to. They each got to pick out their own ornaments and decorate it by herself. This is Chloe's tree.

And this is Jesse's tree.

The front porch; I loved John's idea of hanging the ornaments there.

The outside of the house from the street.

Almost there

The living room is coming together. If you recall, we recently bought new living room furniture (and no I have not posted pictures yet). For the first time in our married life we now have a sofa and a love seat. I love it, so comfy! Our next dilemma was regarding a coffee table or side tables. Obviously I have not priced these in awhile because I was shocked to see the simplest, not well built, things for $100. Really?

Today, we decided to go to the furniture store where we bought our dining room table. There we found two side tables that we both liked. One I loved!! And had to have. We have also picked out a new paint color, but that will wait until later. We also have another piece of furniture we are adding soon, but that is another story.

I will post pictures when all is situated, right now I have tables and nothing on them. :) Which in a way, is nice.

Am I getting over the hump?

I have been telling people for months my home is a wreck. It truly has been. However, most of my friends have not believed me simply because when people do come I make sure it is as perfect as I can get it. John is a different story; he knows how it has been and he has been, somewhat, patient.

I cannot say what got into me last night but the girls and I cleaned the living room and dining room table. I finally got caught up with dishes. I even managed to work on my Avon spreadsheets (remember I am an accountant by education), clear off the classroom table and my desk. Yep, for the past month we have been having class downstairs. That in and of itself does not help keep anything clean.

I am hoping this is the start of getting everything back to where it should be. Upstairs still has the piles of fall/winter clothes I pulled out to wash for the girls. There are still papers to file and things to do, but I felt good about being tired last night. Finally, I was tired and there was a reason for it. I'm hoping today goes as well, but it won't get done if I continue to sit here.

An additional note for Wendy, I am hoping to take/post those pictures this weekend. Fingers crossed!!

We're still crazy

As you know, we rearranged our bedroom yesterday. Today, we bought a new TV. Yep, our very first LED. Our first into the realm into the HD TVs. We have also decided go ahead and move the bookcase from the living room into our bedroom. We are far from ready to redo the living room but that piece will eventually have to be in our bedroom so we may as well get ahead of the game.

John and I have a feeling we are going to be spending much more time watching TV in our bedroom in the coming weeks. :)