Since I've been on sabbatical from the computer, I've turned most of my focus torwards my home. And yes, I've been down right shocked by all the STUFF everywhere. Its really no wonder the house is so hard to clean when theres so much stuff everywhere.

So far I've gotten rid of the 'stuff' in my linen closet (how many sheets do I NEED anyway?) Especially sheets that a) don't fit any bed I currently have or b) are so old they don't fit anymore. And towels. wow. NO one needs as many towels as I had. I got rid of all the towels that were just plain old, and the ones that aren't that soft and cuddly anymore. The truth is that I have beautiful towels that I got for our wedding that are brand new (because I couldn't find them in the closet behind all the old towels!).

So, my first 'reward' for decluttering has been beautiful, cuddly, and soft towels. :-) Lovin' it.

I've also weeded out my kitchen (glasses/ plates) cabinets. Yes, two cabinets. for a family of five. As I was trying to stuff another cup (one that I do use) into the cabinet. I just stopped. and then I looked up! at all those glasses/ wine glasses/ old fashioned coffee cups/ and just JUNK that I Never Never Ever use... and then I wondered why in the world are they still there?! So I dragged over a chair and balanced myself on it, and tugged out every single glass that I never use, or b) that I simply don't love anymore. If it doesn't come in handy more often than not, and if it doesn't make me smile I gave it away. :-) Now it can actually be used, and it's not taking up my cabinet space anymore. :-) YAY!

So, my second reward has been that I smile whenever I open up my kitchen cabinet. :-) It's a great feeling now when I'm doing my kitchen work. Oh, and another 'bonus' is that I was able to get everything off of the top of my fridge, so now it looks pretty in my kitchen. I'm so glad  I've started doing this. It's so much easier to keep everything clean.

Next I tackled my childrens books. :-) Now you can't imagine how many books my kiddos have collected. and I honestly don't know why I haven't weeded them out sooner, my only excuse is that I feel guilty getting rid of their stuff. But they have mounds of books, (and they can't ever find the book they want to read because of all the books they don't like anymore) so I got rid of a good portion of their books, and I organized the ones that I got to, by age ranges. So, now they can find what they want. I still have more to do here though, still working on it. I'll let you know my progress next time.

Oh, another bonus here: I took the books I was giving away to church (because I can't do freecycle as easily without internet at home) and I asked around and one of the newly married sisters (she has a almost 2 year old) was soooo excited to get those books for here little one. She was trying to get the finances to go to the thrift store to buy her baby books, and here I am with a whole bunch of them that were simply getting in our way. Love when it works out that way. :-)

New decluttering goals:

*finish the library (walk in closet that holds all my bookshelves and boxes and piles of books!)

*the childrens toys. (that are taking up residence in every closet in our home, plus multiplying in our bedroom, now that we are out of room in the kids room.) lol really really need to get to this. :-)

Ok, lovely friends. I'm off because I'm running out of time on this computer.

Oh, I found this article by (my hero) Nancy Campbell, that I thought fit nicely with what I'm doing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I really struggle with numbers 6, 9, and 10. But I'm working on 9 (decluttering). and 6 is kinda taking care of it's self now that I don't have the computer to distract me. :-)

Love ya,

Alexia

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