uncluttered

I have written about the impact of my environment on my emotional state for years. 

Many years ago, I correlated my mood with the condition of my house.     And thus began my journey into minimalism.... that I didn't really realize was "minimalism" until the movement presented itself to me in more recent years.

The process/art of downsizing has always fascinated me.  I'm not a sentimental person.... so purging is a rewarding hobby of sorts.

When we combined two houses and moved in December of 2017 I was able to part with tons of things that would be unnecessary in my "new life".
Now that we have been in this house for a year, I knew that I wanted to start going room by room and reevaluating what items were necessary going forward.

It just so happened that one of my favorite minimalist authors released a book last month, The Minimalist Home.    The book is a room-by-room guide to decluttering.   So Perfect!  It's been a reminder and encouragement to continue what I'm doing.

I'm almost done reading the book and I've almost re-evaluated all the spaces in our house.  

I think the kitchen is on the agenda this week and the garage will be pending until warmer weather. 

Greg and I  most recently tackled our clothes closets and dresser drawers.   We gathered a large bag of clothing to donate and everything was organized nicely.   

Whenever I clean out a closet or drawer, I find myself going back to admire my work several times. :) It's such a great feeling!

This past weekend, we had completed our tasks and I sat down to watch Netflix.   

Lo and Behold! I saw that Netflix has an original series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.   

Well, well, well.   Doesn't that just feed my fire?    After one episode, I was up in my room refolding all of the clothes I had just organized.    

Her folding game is a life changer!  I will never look at my underwear in the same way again.   

I'm hooked.

Although Marie's "tidying" differs slightly from "minimalism", I am gathering some good ideas that enhance my goals.
I'm feeling lighter each day! 

two on wheels

The milestone is upon us where both of my boys are on wheels.   

Lucas drove the commute to school this morning on his own, and I must admit I was a bit nervous. That one has a lead foot.
The eldest thinks that he owns a super car, hence his car is currently in the shop.

Having kids on wheels is great!   They can transport themselves to work, to social things, to the store.
 Lucas has been on his own, technically, for two days.... and he announced that he was going to the library this afternoon. 
What?!   (I'm pretty sure he parked at the library to play 'Pokemon Go')  ;)
But.... he went! Out of his room!

Thus begins a new era in our household.

It's obvious that we raise our kids up and hope they make the right decisions as adults.   But I realized in more recent years that we raise our kids up in hopes that they make the right decision once they have wheels.  THAT is the moment that you send your kids out in the world and PRAY that they don't end up making horrible decisions or end up dead.   
Once they leave my door, I can only pray that God places some angels around them.   And in the case of my kids..... they need an army of angels!

The lesson here:  those of you who think you have until the age of 18 to mold your babies.....Think again. 
It's 16.
May I also remind you:  Male brains don't fully develop until the age of 25.
You can do the math here.

I'm not a worrier by nature.   I know that my thoughts and fears can not, and will not, affect an outcome.   I don't sit at home and bite my nails while the boys are out.   
I try not to imagine worst case scenarios.  (I live with a man that does that for me) ;)
I can only assume that they are OK.  (I'm fully aware that they could be doing some dumb stuff!)
Honestly, I know that I'll get a knock at the door if something terrible happens.  I've been there.

At the end of the day, I'm just relieved once we are all home and safe in our beds.   
I'm relishing the fact that they are still under my roof for a short time.  I'll take what I can get.

small changes

It's January.   No time for the usual "new year, new you" jargon. 
I just need to make the changes.    Small changes.  Things I've neglected.  Things I know better about.  Things that would make me happy.
I don't call these resolutions.... but whatev.

1.  The weight.
I am crushed having to blog about this again. and again, and again. 

I happened to read a post from January 2017.... where I had "lost the weight".  All high and mighty.  I had found the key. I had reached my goal. 
Well, crap all over that.
Over the last two years, I've gained back 20 pounds +/-.
Turns out that weight will always be a struggle for me. 
So.... I need to get serious again.
Small changes.

2. Writing.

I don't consider myself a writer... but I have always enjoyed blogging.   Last June, I declared that I wanted to write a book.   Someone recommended a writing coach.  I set out to look back through all of my blog posts. 
Well..... I haven't done anything.
I'm going to challenge myself* to break out this laptop, hopefully once a week or so, and just blog about life again.   
Small changes.


*challenge accepted, hence this post