Welcome MMX!

It's a new year, full of fresh promise and possibilities.

A friend of mine recently shared his "list" with me. Similar to resolutions, but less loaded, don't you think? His list was very specific, with clear outcomes and definate goals. Not too long, ambitious enough to make him reach but not so much that he'd give up a week in.

My goals this year include: explore what a basement remodel could look like in terms of design, cost and what I could do on my own without a contractor. I want to declutter more (when don't I?), but I have some specific goals. I'd like to reduce the amount of stored "back-up" items that I have. There are items I have saved that I do not need to keep. Those must go out the door.

'tis the season to declutter

Time to go through everything and let go of what's not needed, loved, used in time for the New Year!

Let go and make space for new experiences, new friends, new recipes, new everything. If your home is too full, there's no space for anything fresh to liven it.

A donating we will go

I have a few bags for the Goodwill. Books & CDs that didn't sell at the used book store & record store, some clothes, toys, etc. I hope those will go out the door today or tomorrow; depends on the other items on my agenda.

In other news, guess what holiday is coming up? That's right, it's Cluttermas! This year, we'll be doing fairly minimalist gifts. Gift cards, food gifts and such for the adult friends in our life. Small, probably home made gifties for kids. For my kids, they'll get the usual pajamas on Christmas Eve and a few gifts under the tree. We do try to get them at least one item that they've specifically asked Santa Claus for. Other than that, a book or two, and maybe a game for the Wii.

How do you keep the holidays from turning into a clutterfest?

Sold more on ebay and donated more stuff too

Same old, same old. Sold a few things, donated a few bags. I'm going through file cabinets now, purging old utility bills and stuff like that. I've got a big pile to shred, but my shredder broke. I don't want that to be a stopping place, so I might burn them instead. It's cold and a fire would be nice.

Martha Update

Well, I listed some of my Marthas on eBay. I actually did this a couple weeks ago for some of the special issues I had. Those sold, yay, and I got them shipped out.

We'll see how this batch does. They seem to be sold by theme these days, so I sorted out my winter holidays ones. I'll sell those, then try to donate the rest.

Give me strength!

Trying to let go of Martha

I have many issues of Martha Stewart Living. I want them to go away. I want to keep them. This is a problem.

I need a push to let them go...

Feeling less like a hoarder

Since I've been watching the A&E show Hoarders, I've felt less like one. I do have attachments to stuff and I do still have a lot of stuff. But I am able to let go of possessions. When I bring new items into my home, I release old ones. I'm truly in recovery I guess.

Anyway, today I've cleared out a cupboard, putting items out for use or donating them. Nothing exciting.

Last week, I shipped a box of cds and DVDs to Second Spin and soon I'll get a check. What a relief to have those gone!

Here's something that's been happening. I'll see something and get angry at it, even say out loud "I don't want that!" but it's something I have an attachment to or something that needs to go to a specific place for donation. I just hate wasting emotional energy on things.

Why I love the Goodwill

Because...
I can get a pair of sporty capris, a SIGG water bottle, a pair of men's slacks, a lambswool sweater, a sports bra (new!) and a pair of Gap jeans all for $20. That's less than just the sports bra, even at Target.

And...

because they'll take all the clothes that are no longer my style (but likely someone else's), the books I've read and no longer need to keep, and the dishes that look just fine but don't fit my cupboards.