Day 134: Bridal Shower

We held a bridal shower after school yesterday for one of our own who is being married in June. It was a great time! Everything she got she had registered for at Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond. For us shopping, it simplified the process wonderfully, because we knew what she wanted/needed. For her, it simplified her life in that she RECEIVED what she wanted and not a lot of things she'll be selling at yard sales. Many of us agreed that we have been married so long that WE need an old marrieds' shower to get new towels, sheets, etc! :)

On that note, I am getting rid of and old towel that I received at one of my showers. It doesn't match anymore, is still in good shape (I liked it so much at the time, I didn't put it out...), and isn't a car washing towel yet.

Day 133: Adult Children

My son, now officially a junior in college, came home last evening. He brought a lot more stuff into the house than I remember him taking. It's OK, though. I'm really glad he's here.

How do we encourage our adult children to clean out old things and simplify our homes (especially for when they leave?) Perhaps a better question is, do your parents still house any of your old things? It's easy to just move out and leave a lot behind.

I guess a plan of action could be to offer to take your stuff out of your parents' home if there is still a stash. With college kids or those heading off on their own, one idea I had is to let them box up sentimental items to store, but sort through old papers, notes from high school, etc. before they take off. At that point, you still have a clean guest room when they're gone. I don't know how this will work. I'll let you know as summer progresses! Any suggestions?

I sorted papers on the office desk today and distributed them to their owners to throw away!

Day 132: Mending

I sometimes have mending piles that sit for months until I have some pressure to mend the item, usually clothing. I know I should just make myself sit and fix the items so my family can reuse their clothes, but it seems overwhelming and I procrastinate.

Right now I have a pair of my husband's pants to hem. He really could use them, so I need to get that done rather than have them draped over the ironing board. I also have a quilt my mom had made for me in college by this sweet woman in our church. It contains a lot of the fabrics I used when I began my sewing hobby. The problem is that some of the squares have ripped out at the seams and it needs a lot of mending. It's needed that for about ten years and has been stored that long. At what point do I say, it's not worth it and just get it off my mind? I'm still wrestling with that. Another question is, where would I put it if I DO mend it? Stay tuned. You may hear about that quilt in a future post!

I commit to mending the pants today to simplify my mending pile!

Day 131: Craft Projects

Back when I moonlighted at a fabric store in town, some of our regular customers had bumper stickers that read, The One Who Dies With the Most Fabric Wins! How much fabric, yarn, macrame' cord, embroidery floss, mosaic tile, stained glass pieces, rubber stamps, etc. do you store? Is it time to go through it and simplify?
I know that I have little time for sewing anymore, though I get sorely tempted when walking through fabric stores. I've learned not to buy because of my time constraints. The fabric I have (really...only two pieces now) is slated for outfits for my neice. Hopefully, I'll get to those this summer (after only three years of storage). That will be simplifying to use what I have.

Day 130: Bookshelves

Bookshelves can be purused periodically for books you no longer want. Some, like travel books, do become dated.

I am putting some books in the giveaway box today.

Day 129: Gifts

Today is Mother's Day for all the wonderful aunts, sisters, mothers, teachers...women who care about children! I was pleased that my daughter asked what I would like because, as you know, I'm trying to avoid adding more items to my home. I told her a perennial plant to plant in the yard...it's not clutter, it will last for years, and I will enjoy it! It's also not something I will put in the Goodwill box in 6 years.

If people ask for gift ideas, think of things that help you on your journey toward decluttering.

Day 127: Time to Think

If you haven't read one of our co-simplifier's comments on Day 125, it's very thought provoking. I'm going to borrow a couple questions she got from a book. See how you would answer these concerning organization in your home.

When people visit:
The disorganization makes me feel:
I'm tired of feeling:

If you need a kick start in resuming your quest for a more simplified, organized home, answering these honestly may help you.

Today I am taking more clothing to Goodwill.