The Cottage on the Hill

In a previous post I mentioned how I saved just about everything just in case because we were planning on moving to a larger house.  Since we are now accepting that we are staying in our little cottage, I am working on making it work for us. Project:  Minimize and Simplify is in full swing. Actually, it has been for a year now, but through last year's decluttering and purging, I was able to learn some things to expand into this year. Also, my youngest is out of babyhood, and this year will make his final steps out of toddlerhood. That means the remnants of infancy can move on and move out. Of the large projects, I have already gone through all of my daughter's toys and clothes.  Yesterday, I went through all of my 3 boys' clothes and was able to haul away 2 trash bags full of outgrown and unneeded clothing.  (We have been abundantly blessed with hand-me-downs.) Next will be the boys' toys. Small projects I've tackled so far include:  the art ...

It is no secret on this blog that I sometimes get frustrated with this little cottage bursting at the seams.  Recently, I have been thinking about how families in the 1950s would have managed in such a small house.  There are neighborhoods not too far from me filled with post-war houses not much bigger than my own house.  In these houses families were raised, families much like my own, in two bedroom, 1 bathroom houses.  Some of these houses don't even have a dining room, just a small eat-in kitchen.  Thank GOD for my dining room! So, I started considering what in my house wouldn't have been there in the 1950s, or would have been different.  Would the lack of these modern items improve our living spaces and our lives?  Or would it be a detriment? For example, my fridge is a monster.  Next time I need a fridge, I am getting a smaller one. All those DVDs!  So many DVDs!  The Mister is a movie buff, and the kids have plenty.  I hav...

I usually clean and purge after Christmas, but I can see this year needing to have a clean slate before Christmas.  I hope to take one week and really focus on cleaning, purging and reorganizing. One thing I started last year that I plan to continue with this year is purchasing totes I can label to store any new Christmas gift toys the children may receive.  That way, we're not scrambling to find ways to store new toys amid the holiday mess and clutter.

I rounded off last week's purging by cleaning the playroom. I only got rid of a small box full of stuff, but it did amount to over 25 things. I'm debating whether or not to be rid of the Mr. Potato Head stuff. The children rarely play with it (unless I mention getting rid of it). I also tackled the closet in the school room and I definitely got rid of a lot more than 25 things, mostly magazines. I have two shelves stacked two deep with magazines. I had many of the magazines in those cardboard magazine holders. My goal was to have all magazines in holders. I was thrilled when I was done sorting to have some holders empty! That is until I realized I have a stack of magazines in my bedroom! I may need to purge more. Today, I tackled the children's room. That was an easy goal-maker.

I am not feeling well today, so I've only done a light purge. I pulled out a junk drawer and purged it of most of its contents. I was able to add a few things to the yard sale heap that has taken over an entire corner of my basement. The rest was either recycled or thrown away. In the basement, a simple purge yielded me two empty economy sized diaper boxes! Yesterday, people came to pick up the tent we sold so now there is room in the shed! Unfortunately, rearranging the shed isn't going to happen through me at this time, so it'll have to wait. I'm really looking forward to the yard sale, not only getting rid of all that stuff, but making a little money off of it. I've been praying that it is a success.

I am feeling very pregnant today, so I've only done a little purging. I've definitely purged more than 25 things again, though. I have a box set aside for things I plan on posting online for sale, including my vintage Holly Hobbie collection and an original Cabbage Patch doll in very good condition. Anyone interested?

Again, I made it well over 25 things today. Here's what I tackled: Stuff laying around the floor of the basement The refrigerator door The filing cabinet Recent junk mail The bedroom closet (I remembered I had some nice blankets that haven't been used in years. They're going in the yard sale.)

Does this happen to you? I have noticed that I do not sleep as well in a bed that has not been made. My family does not seem to enjoy dinner as much or eat as well at a dining room table that this cluttered from the day. I do not cook as well or as healthfully in a messy kitchen. It is hard to relax in a living room that is cluttered. Shopping is more stressful when my purse (rather diaper bag) has exploded on the inside. Car rides are more uncomfortable when the car is unkempt. Life can get overwhelming. Days can get busy. Time does run away from us, but it is helpful to set aside a time, (and train up my children) to clean up the best we can. I've gotta be honest with you. I find it more relaxing to be able to sit down for 5 minutes after an hour of cleaning than sit down for an hour after 5 minutes of making up excuses not to clean. Here's to a clutter-free dining room table today!

Well, I did it. I finally managed to get together 25 toys to toss. I'm not posting any pictures, though, in case my children see my blog over my shoulder and start asking for toys back that they haven't played with in over a year! I put all the toys in a storage tote for now. They'll be sorted and passed on to Goodwill soon. In the tote are some stuffed animals, some toy cars that aren't played with or parts of sets, an old broken fisher price house, a barbie-sized bicycle (we don't have any barbies), an extra dolly, a pirate ship tub toy that never gets played with, and other things. The nice toys will go to Goodwill, the others recycled if they can be. There. I got rid of some toys just in time for birthdays to start coming up. I'm being very particular this time around (my family ALWAYS asks what they can get the kiddos so we've settled on a system like a baby or wedding registry even for birthdays.) I'm thinking lots of art supplies, things ...

This challenge was harder since I had recently cleaned out the master bedroom. I did find my 25 things when I opened up my stationary drawer. Are you noticing that I'm putting off going through the kids' toys?

25 catalogs after Christmas? Not a problem! I easily tossed 40, yes 40 of them!! Magazine challenge? Now that'll be hard. I'm a magazine hoarder! I also have the toy challenge looming ahead of me. Can I really get my children to collectively toss 25 toys?

I prayed for days! I knew it would be hard for me to part with CD's an DVD's, especially my old CD's from my youth. But, I managed to find 25 items (and a couple more). Oh, and that Discover X CD-Rom on top there is the orientation CD-Rom for St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. I was accepted to go to college there (I didn't go), but I didn't want someone seeing this picture and thinking it was pornography! It's been 12 years. I don't think I'm going to be headed to college to Canada anytime soon! That disc can go! LOL!

Most people come in the back door, including hubby when he comes home from work. With the help of the kiddos, we redid the stairway going up to the kitchen porch. The kitchen porch is incomplete, small and messy right now and the door doesn't open all the way because of stuff piled. Then, you enter in the kitchen, which I try to keep tidy, but it is the hub of the house and main entrance. Lately, I've felt burdened to make a good first impression by cleaning up an organizing the porch and kitchen. You see, hubby needs a haven of bliss. Our little cottage should bring him peace as he walks in the door. He doesn't need to fight with a door that swings back at him as he tries to enter because stuff is piled behind it. He doesn't need to trip over shoes or not have immediate access to drop his lunch pail after a long, hard day at work. He doesn't need to see clutter. Hubby doesn't complain a bit, nor has he given any sigh or disapproving look. He's tr...

Ok, the clutter in my house really isn't that bad and I'm not really one to hold onto unnecessary things. However, I do have a problem simplifying. If I have something that I would or do use, but don't REALLY need it, then I tend to hold onto it. Recently, I've been feeling overwhelmed by stuff. I hate having pieces of clothing I don't love, but wear anyway because I just like them. I cleaned out my lingerie chest and found two nighties I had when I was first married. I suppose I ought to get rid of them. 8 years and 3 children later, that style just doesn't suit (fit) me anymore. So why did I put them back in the drawer?! A blogger friend of mine keeps her own wardrobe and the wardrobes of her children quite simple. I'm inspired (and challenged) by that. Toy and books are other areas where I can simplify. It is definitely taking a LOT of thinking through. It doesn't help that I keep hearing a voice from my past saying, "Hold onto it! You...

You can get this print at www.art.com This week I plan on attacking the house with some reorganization, particularly the basement. I'm quite motivated, but I do need a good night's sleep. So, good-night.

My mother and I have decided to officially fall clean our houses this year. I really feel the need to do so because we live in such a small house and will be closed up in it for 5 months. There is a definate need for organization and cleaning those “corners” that so often get missed or end up collecting things throughout the year. I’m thinking maybe I should drag from room to room and garbage pail and a box for things to get rid of, plus a box for things that don’t quite have a home yet. I’m starting tomorrow unless this cold I have ushers me to bed instead.

Oh, how I love my dear husband! His birthday is just 3 days after our son's, so for the past two years, his birthday has sort of been forgotten. This year, I'd really like to do something special for him. I'll have to really brainstorm. I've been cleaning the basement out more. I'm really in a cleaning mood. I think part of it is that we've been cooped up in our little cottage for so long and the walls are starting to close in on us. For me, a good cleaning and a bit of decluttering and perhaps some arranging really opens the space up. For fun, I went on my local craigslist last night and found a beautiful cherry desk for only $65.00! I hope the gentleman still has it available because if he does, it's going in my livingroom! My current desk is way too small for it's purpose and is often bursting it's joints. Besides, I'm going to turn my little desk into a portable kitchen for re-enactments!

Hubby and I agree that if he does secure a job southwards and we secure a house, then we're going to ask my little brother if he would like to come live with us and search for a better job for himself. *note to my sister---don't say anything yet to him!* Even though we're still in limbo and nothing is definate, I've started a box of stuff that'll go towards our moving sale. If everything falls through, at least I'll have a really great garage sale in 2009! I'm 6 weeks preggers and still no sign of morning sickness. While that's not completely alarming, the fact that I really don't feel pregnant is. I know it is early, but with my viable pregnancies, I was already feeling pregnant and sick by now. With my pregnancies that ended in miscarriage, I didn't feel pregnant and, in fact, felt great! I feel great, which isn't good. I've been through 2 miscarriages before. While they sadden me, I am comforted by the Lord and in knowing that m...