Lessons learned from decluttering.

We're going through a drawer in the kitchen and I realize that my darling daughter really has been listening to the clutter banter and is, indeed, smarter than me.

kid: i think we should get rid of this.
mom: it's a pastry blender, we should keep it.
kid: but you never use it.
mom: it's for making pie.
kid: you never make pie.
mom: I'm just not ready to get rid of it yet!

Truth is I used to make pie before I had a full-time job and kids. I used to watch tv, too. i don't miss the tv, but someday, maybe 20 years from now, when the kids take less effort on my part, I'd like to make pie crusts from scratch again. I'll cook bran muffins for my husband, too, and volunteer, and maybe write poetry.

TOYS...we are overrun with them.

Kids toys are always a problem.

I just found an interesting blog post here about one mom's struggle with toys. She's so right, you know, you buy some expensive thing and the kids end up playing with the cardboard box it came in.

We have toys in 3 areas in our house. And they areoverspilling the containers.

One of those areas is the TV room. Kids watch tv in the tv room, not play with toys, so I'd love to get rid of this area as a toy dumping place. What do you do with used toys you want to get rid of?? It makes me sick to throw everything away, but I don't know of a charity that takes used toys.

I know some people who have everything (adults) and I noticed that they give eachother gifts of things to do at giftgiving times. A hotel stay somewhere, theatre tickets, that kind of thing. I think we should do this for kids. Zoo passes or a trip to the science center would be much appreciated in the midst of the toy chaos of birthdays and christmas.

But of course, I'm just as guilty as anyone for buying my kids stuff. Just look at my house, it's full of stuff I've bought. And I know in my head that stuff is not going to make us any happier, and yet I buy more of it everyday.

Recently A asked if we could sell all her toys so I could buy her new ones. We made a deal that if she got rid of 6 toys I would buy her one new one. we shook on it and everything. She found 11 toys in the end and it was definitely worth buying one extra to see them all go. What a good lesson in letting go. So I got on one of the bulletin boards and offered them free for shipping. It went less smoothly than imagined, but at least we didn't have to throw them away.

Now we just have to tackle the other 97 stuffies.

Egg Poacher

I'm not sure why the picture is sideways (I tried to fix it, but my computer is obviously smarter than I am). In response to Jess B's query this is the Egg Poacher I mentioned in the previous post that needs a good home. Used once so is in great shape still. You fill the bottom with water, put eggs in the little cups (non-stick, of course) and cook on the stove. Voila. Perfectly round poached eggs. (Comes with real instructions, too.) Needs a new home because I'm a little too 'Jamie Oliver' for this. I have no idea how many years I've had this (maybe 5?) and only used it once, so it's being evicted. Sorry, it's me not you, Egg Poacher.

phogh update and project get my house back...

well, we're back from holidays and only lost 3 fish. Under the care of a good friend, the other 4 have weathered the storm and looks like they are here for the long haul. phewph. I thought about those silly water children every day I was away. I take being a fish mommy seriously. very seriously. probably too seriously.

Holidays were good. we came back early. the jeep broke. drive shaft and axle shaft. Good thing my husband's a mechanic. We're glad to be home.

I arrived home with new energy and excitement about getting our house in order.
I'm trying to feed that fire now. You see, our house is a bit of a clutter pit. yup; we'll never be neat freaks. But this is it, our house needs to shape up or ship out. and I have until i go back to work to do it. I'm pretty proud of the fact that I managed to clean out all but one shelf in the kitchen closet today. It's beautiful. Glorious empty space. well, a little anyway. One cupboard down, rest of the house to go. Truth be told, I was looking for the mini crock pot I got for my birthday so I could make a batch of rice cereal for the baby (who is currently squirming on my lap). I never did find it, but we won't have to buy dry cereal for a long time. Or maybe the food bank will get a donation, i haven't decided yet.

Want Some Stuff???

If anyone wants an egg poaching set, I have one to give away. It's a nice one, we just don't eat poached eggs. Also a large floral brown chair, assorted books, a mop head, kids toys, a loving dog and misc. yarn and crafty stuff. There's too much stuff to list, so if you know I own something and you know of an alternate home for it let me know, or if you're looking for something let me know.