Lately the weather here has been really lovely. We've spent the last two - three days with the windows wide open and breezes dancing through the house accompanied by bird songs and symphonies of crickets in the evening. Bliss.
It's been wonderfully freeing to enjoy the cooler weather and be serenaded by the sounds of nature. Obviously, autumn is around the corner, and yet it's still blissfully summer. Perhaps that is why I am so inspired to let go (other than that little fact that I am in full blown nesting mode).
This weekend, in my extremely productive nesting mode, we began to reorganize and go through our "stuff". (My husband is going to be happy to have a "break" after the baby comes. :) ) After my last post on simplicity, as much as I love the idea of getting rid of all our stuff and replacing things, and not obsessing about stuff, the fact is, we have stuff, and we use the stuff, and though I'm not passionately attached to the stuff, I do enjoy some of it.
I like the way I feel when I picture having only the essentials, and I do believe that it would be more freeing. Honestly though, I'm not ready to take it that far. It's one thing if the stuff were destroyed, or if I had an easy way to sell it. Then, maybe I'd reconsider. But for now, I don't want to spend extra money or go through the trouble of replacing something that is being used - that'd be a waste. However, it doesn't mean I can't take a good look at the stuff around me, and figure out what's not being used or not working, and let it go.
So, this weekend, we started with the dinning room. In my dinning room, we have the dinning set that was my grandmother's. The table and chairs are showing their age, the display cabinet is huge and bulky, and if someone offered us a price that would enable us to get something more practical, we'd probably sell it.
After this weekend, I took something that had been annoying me, something that I wanted to replace, and made it useful. What once was a display for dishes and tea sets, is not a serene cabinet that still holds those things, but also 2 book shelves of homeschooling and art supplies, neatly tucked behind gorgeous fabric panels.
The end result was not only a more serene dinning room (serene is good with a pregnant momma), but spilled over into part of the kitchen, living room, and bed room. Another Good Will pile has been started, and this time, it was much, much easier to let things go. There are still things that will end up on our ambivalence pile as well, but if we have a doubt, it goes there for now.
Thus, we may not be down to the bare essentials, I'm not sure if we ever will, unless moving across county or to another country, or some other event where we would absolutely need or have to, we may not. And that is okay. The thing is, it gave me a great perspective on what is possible, and what is present. And the end result is a divinely spacious, better functions, and much more organized dinning room with less stress over having to look at all the stuff.
Showing posts with label nesting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nesting. Show all posts
Monday, August 11, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Nesting Part 3 - Living Room, Hallway and Guest Room
The nesting continues, so feel free to skip this post if you aren't into it. Last weekend we tackled the Living Room, which ended spilling over into the hallway and guest room. The Living Room (LR) is still in the works, but has started to take on a definite shape.
When discussing the room, we discovered a variety of functions and purposes. The LR is where we play, relax, read, have fun, entertain, rest, unwind, live and learn. It's an eclectic mishmosh of furniture with a variety of bookshelves, a small TV hidden away in an armoir, two old Victorian type chairs in royal blue velvet that were once my grandmother's and a sofa with a bright red sofa cover on it that was once my mom's. (Hint: Sofa covers rule when you have kids. Cleanup is SO much easier!)
So, though it's not necessarily what we've have picked if we'd decorated it ourselves, we are blessed in that most of the things were given to us by others. And, with a Pook and another on the way, I really, really, appreciate the fact that our furniture comes from others. :)
The focus of the room used to be a huge charcoal drawing of my brother when he was a toddler. Though beautiful, it didn't quite fit the feel that we were going for, so, we took it down and replaced it with a lovely sea otter and (can you guess?) more pictures of nature. Interestingly enough, there seems to be a fall theme going on in the pictures, with the changing leaves that we noticed after we'd hung them.
We even took into consideration what pictures we wanted to see and from what angles, so that the one we really enjoyed can be seen from various rooms of the house.
Since the hallway is right next to the LR, we hung the pics of Pook back up, complete with her map of the world at her eye level. It's still taking me to get used to the lack of space, but as she loves to point out various places like Madagascar, Taiwan, and Antarctica, it's definitely serving it's purpose.
As for the guest room, we were going to hang the charcoal of my brother in there, until I talked to him (my actual brother, NOT the one in the picture!) ;) and found out that he really wanted it. I was going to hold on to it until I was sure, but knowing that it's going to a new home (where I'll likely get to enjoy it anyway) makes me feel really good. Plus, I didn't realize the relief I'd feel, as now Hubby won't have to worry about hanging it (he hates hanging it!) and I don't have to find it a space on the wall.
So, the guest room hasn't really changed picture wise, save for we changed one and didn't return another. The other day, I cleaned out the closet and armoir that's in there, adding to the pile on the basement, which might just be tackled this weekend. Maybe. :)
The hall is definitely finished, complete with the purging of the hall closet and removal of old medicines, bug sprays, and suntan lotions. The pictures will hopefully be updated after the arrival of Pook 2. We shall see. :)
The guest room too, is pretty much done. The armoir's been reorganized and purged, as has the closet. And the LR is still in process, as I sift through books (I'm LOVING paperbackswap.com - which encourages me to get rid of books that others are wishing for) and decide on pictures. I may just need to leave a blank spot for a while. We shall see.
Slowly, the house is taking shape, and interestingly enough, I'm not in a rush, save to figure out which pictures to send back with family in June. (Only because I'd like them out of the house!) :) Aside from the basement, there is the dinning room, kitchen, and foyer, and the storage area of the basement which doesn't need decorating, so much as reorganization and purging.
It's been interesting watching what we now enjoy, and giving ourselves permission to put up those pictures that really touch us, and discovering just what those are.
This weekend, we'll be in the basement.
When discussing the room, we discovered a variety of functions and purposes. The LR is where we play, relax, read, have fun, entertain, rest, unwind, live and learn. It's an eclectic mishmosh of furniture with a variety of bookshelves, a small TV hidden away in an armoir, two old Victorian type chairs in royal blue velvet that were once my grandmother's and a sofa with a bright red sofa cover on it that was once my mom's. (Hint: Sofa covers rule when you have kids. Cleanup is SO much easier!)
So, though it's not necessarily what we've have picked if we'd decorated it ourselves, we are blessed in that most of the things were given to us by others. And, with a Pook and another on the way, I really, really, appreciate the fact that our furniture comes from others. :)
The focus of the room used to be a huge charcoal drawing of my brother when he was a toddler. Though beautiful, it didn't quite fit the feel that we were going for, so, we took it down and replaced it with a lovely sea otter and (can you guess?) more pictures of nature. Interestingly enough, there seems to be a fall theme going on in the pictures, with the changing leaves that we noticed after we'd hung them.
We even took into consideration what pictures we wanted to see and from what angles, so that the one we really enjoyed can be seen from various rooms of the house.
Since the hallway is right next to the LR, we hung the pics of Pook back up, complete with her map of the world at her eye level. It's still taking me to get used to the lack of space, but as she loves to point out various places like Madagascar, Taiwan, and Antarctica, it's definitely serving it's purpose.
As for the guest room, we were going to hang the charcoal of my brother in there, until I talked to him (my actual brother, NOT the one in the picture!) ;) and found out that he really wanted it. I was going to hold on to it until I was sure, but knowing that it's going to a new home (where I'll likely get to enjoy it anyway) makes me feel really good. Plus, I didn't realize the relief I'd feel, as now Hubby won't have to worry about hanging it (he hates hanging it!) and I don't have to find it a space on the wall.
So, the guest room hasn't really changed picture wise, save for we changed one and didn't return another. The other day, I cleaned out the closet and armoir that's in there, adding to the pile on the basement, which might just be tackled this weekend. Maybe. :)
The hall is definitely finished, complete with the purging of the hall closet and removal of old medicines, bug sprays, and suntan lotions. The pictures will hopefully be updated after the arrival of Pook 2. We shall see. :)
The guest room too, is pretty much done. The armoir's been reorganized and purged, as has the closet. And the LR is still in process, as I sift through books (I'm LOVING paperbackswap.com - which encourages me to get rid of books that others are wishing for) and decide on pictures. I may just need to leave a blank spot for a while. We shall see.
Slowly, the house is taking shape, and interestingly enough, I'm not in a rush, save to figure out which pictures to send back with family in June. (Only because I'd like them out of the house!) :) Aside from the basement, there is the dinning room, kitchen, and foyer, and the storage area of the basement which doesn't need decorating, so much as reorganization and purging.
It's been interesting watching what we now enjoy, and giving ourselves permission to put up those pictures that really touch us, and discovering just what those are.
This weekend, we'll be in the basement.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Nesting Part 2 - The Misty Forest (aka Master Bedroom)
This weekend, we focused on the Master Bedroom. Before putting any of the pictures back onto the walls, I asked Hubby to take a few days and think about what he wanted to feel when he was in the Master Bedroom (MB). The words that came to mind for him were: tranquil, relaxing, and comfortable. We then thought about the look, feel and function of the room.
In regards to the look and feel, he feels most peaceful in a misty forest at dawn. That moment when you hear the birds singing along to other outdoor sounds, a sense of quiet, yet being alive. He wanted to wake up feeling alive and rejuvenated, yet go to bed feeling peaceful, tranquil, and safe. Fortunately, I too adore forests, so I was on board. :)
As our walls are cream on opposites sides and a khaki green on the others, matched with the bedding, this wasn't hard to pull off. We agreed the pictures needed to be of nature. And, the ocean picture I loved, would need to find another home. We have a print of a blooming tree in the middle of the forest that fit the bill. Of course, I wanted to try it in the foyer, but after our talk, it was clear the MB was the best place for it.
The function and purpose of the room were pretty obvious: sleep, relax, meditate, intimacy, getting dressed, starting and ending the day there.
I brought up a few pictures from the basement to get a feel for things. We ended up using some, and one we didn't think we would, but in a certain spot, it fit perfectly! So, it stays. One we weren't sure of, and has since been removed. But the rest, we love.
When you walk in the room, you'll think of a misty forest if you look at the pics. I adore the one corner that can be seen from the hall and the Master Bath. (The Master bath is actually a continuation of the forest theme. I only need to replace 2 pics, and go through the rest of the stuff.) The rest is still coming into place. I'm not sure of knick knacks, or what will go where just yet. Discussing what we wanted the room to feel like, has been really helpful in determining what goes where.
It's still a work in progress, but it's getting there. And hey, tonight, he gets to sleep with pictures on the wall! :)
In regards to the look and feel, he feels most peaceful in a misty forest at dawn. That moment when you hear the birds singing along to other outdoor sounds, a sense of quiet, yet being alive. He wanted to wake up feeling alive and rejuvenated, yet go to bed feeling peaceful, tranquil, and safe. Fortunately, I too adore forests, so I was on board. :)
As our walls are cream on opposites sides and a khaki green on the others, matched with the bedding, this wasn't hard to pull off. We agreed the pictures needed to be of nature. And, the ocean picture I loved, would need to find another home. We have a print of a blooming tree in the middle of the forest that fit the bill. Of course, I wanted to try it in the foyer, but after our talk, it was clear the MB was the best place for it.
The function and purpose of the room were pretty obvious: sleep, relax, meditate, intimacy, getting dressed, starting and ending the day there.
I brought up a few pictures from the basement to get a feel for things. We ended up using some, and one we didn't think we would, but in a certain spot, it fit perfectly! So, it stays. One we weren't sure of, and has since been removed. But the rest, we love.
When you walk in the room, you'll think of a misty forest if you look at the pics. I adore the one corner that can be seen from the hall and the Master Bath. (The Master bath is actually a continuation of the forest theme. I only need to replace 2 pics, and go through the rest of the stuff.) The rest is still coming into place. I'm not sure of knick knacks, or what will go where just yet. Discussing what we wanted the room to feel like, has been really helpful in determining what goes where.
It's still a work in progress, but it's getting there. And hey, tonight, he gets to sleep with pictures on the wall! :)
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Nesting Part 1 - Decluttering on a new level
I've mentioned a few times that I'm getting ready to purge our house of stuff. Okay, maybe more than a few times. ;) But right now, things feel different. I'm taking it to a new level.
Yes, I'm nesting. Being 22 weeks pregnant, this is a natural thing. So, this could be a big part of what is inspiring me to do this. That, and the fact that if I don't, it's going to be pretty tight around here. I also need to give credit to a dear friend of mine (you know who you are!) who has been going through a massive purge of her own, or the Great Heave-Ho as I believe she's referred to it.
If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you'll note that I get urges to declutter on a regular basis. In fact, I've noticed that I get the urge to purge particularly when I've felt that my life was out of control. It was a way to regain control over my environment.
But, I could only take it so far. There were things that I was extremely attached to and couldn't stand to part with. There were things that were given to us, so I felt guilty if I returned them. And when I decluttered, it was all or nothing. I'd take on the whole elephant, instead of baby steps. If I worked on a project, it had to be cleaned up and looking nice by the end of the day.
It exhausted me. It burned me out. Yet, I kept doing it.
And then, my life changed.
For a good chunk of time, while my friend was heave-hoing her things in carloads and going deeper and deeper each time, I had no desire to purge or do anything with the stuff. In fact, I took a month to just let things be. And then, I did something radical. Something I was never bold enough to do. I removed the pictures from the walls - and they are still off the walls weeks later. And I like the space, even the piles in the basement created from the unwalled pictures.
With the pictures gone, I began to remove various things. Again, things I thought I couldn't do without. It was now clear to me, that these were things. Just things, and things I didn't really need, and *gasp* was not enjoying as much as I thought.
Unlike before, I am in no rush to replace the wall hangings. I don't even miss the ones I thought. The more I think about them, the more I wonder what I would put up if I didn't have any pictures. There is a shift happening in my home. Things are taking on something deeper.
Originally, we'd planned to declutter with the purpose of creating more space for baby. We knew that when we started trying for Baby #2. And, most of the decluttering has been to maintain space in our home, and to keep from being overrun with Pook's toys.
I've always wanted to take it to another level. To go as far as I could, only keeping those things that I enjoyed or that brought me joy. To create more space in my home and my life. To get rid of the things that I really didn't want, but held on to - just in case, because it was good feng shui, because it was a gift, because I used to really like it (even though it's not "me" anymore), or some other reason that eludes me at the moment.
I'd dream of doing something radical, like moving to a smaller house or an RV. What would I keep? What would I be willing to move? What if I didn't have room for so much storage? And then, there was the time we were prepping to move (we decided not to), yet ended up packing things away, instead of getting rid of them.
So here I am now, blank walls, piles in the basement, and enjoying it. Actually, I am enjoying the process of discovery. I'm discovering what brings me joy. I'm discovering space. I'm discovering that I don't want to put things back as they were. I am letting the rooms speak to me for a change. I am listening to the space, and keeping space where I can. I am realizing that things I once enjoyed, I don't anymore. I am aware that space (in my home and my life) is important to me, as is joy, family, and so many other things that richly bless my life.
I am also aware that what is most important in my life at this moment, is not what is on my walls, or shelves, or floors, but what makes my house a home - my husband, my children, my friends. Thus, if I'm going to have things aside from family and friends in my house, what of these things do I really enjoy and use? What of these things could benefit others?
So this is where I am right now, with bare walls and a messy basement. I am pleased, but I also know that my hubby can only take so much. ;) So we will be going room by room through our home, actually giving thought to each room.
Today I came across some questions Peter Walsh asks of people when helping them declutter. I'll sum it up this way:
What is the vision I have for the life I want? (And hubby's too.)
What do we (hubby, Pook and I) want in our lives, homes, rooms and living spaces to look like, to feel like, and to function?
I'm going to be thinking about the purpose of each room, what words, thoughts or feelings I'd like each room to convey. And then, what things will support this.
We will not be buying new furniture (though Hubby's promised next year we get to paint - Whoo hoo!!!!) or new things. The key will be to use what we have, get rid of things we don't need (want, use or like), and find a place for the rest. I'm looking forward to it, though, I admit, in no real rush at the same time. :)
Yes, I'm nesting. Being 22 weeks pregnant, this is a natural thing. So, this could be a big part of what is inspiring me to do this. That, and the fact that if I don't, it's going to be pretty tight around here. I also need to give credit to a dear friend of mine (you know who you are!) who has been going through a massive purge of her own, or the Great Heave-Ho as I believe she's referred to it.
If you've been reading this blog for a while, then you'll note that I get urges to declutter on a regular basis. In fact, I've noticed that I get the urge to purge particularly when I've felt that my life was out of control. It was a way to regain control over my environment.
But, I could only take it so far. There were things that I was extremely attached to and couldn't stand to part with. There were things that were given to us, so I felt guilty if I returned them. And when I decluttered, it was all or nothing. I'd take on the whole elephant, instead of baby steps. If I worked on a project, it had to be cleaned up and looking nice by the end of the day.
It exhausted me. It burned me out. Yet, I kept doing it.
And then, my life changed.
For a good chunk of time, while my friend was heave-hoing her things in carloads and going deeper and deeper each time, I had no desire to purge or do anything with the stuff. In fact, I took a month to just let things be. And then, I did something radical. Something I was never bold enough to do. I removed the pictures from the walls - and they are still off the walls weeks later. And I like the space, even the piles in the basement created from the unwalled pictures.
With the pictures gone, I began to remove various things. Again, things I thought I couldn't do without. It was now clear to me, that these were things. Just things, and things I didn't really need, and *gasp* was not enjoying as much as I thought.
Unlike before, I am in no rush to replace the wall hangings. I don't even miss the ones I thought. The more I think about them, the more I wonder what I would put up if I didn't have any pictures. There is a shift happening in my home. Things are taking on something deeper.
Originally, we'd planned to declutter with the purpose of creating more space for baby. We knew that when we started trying for Baby #2. And, most of the decluttering has been to maintain space in our home, and to keep from being overrun with Pook's toys.
I've always wanted to take it to another level. To go as far as I could, only keeping those things that I enjoyed or that brought me joy. To create more space in my home and my life. To get rid of the things that I really didn't want, but held on to - just in case, because it was good feng shui, because it was a gift, because I used to really like it (even though it's not "me" anymore), or some other reason that eludes me at the moment.
I'd dream of doing something radical, like moving to a smaller house or an RV. What would I keep? What would I be willing to move? What if I didn't have room for so much storage? And then, there was the time we were prepping to move (we decided not to), yet ended up packing things away, instead of getting rid of them.
So here I am now, blank walls, piles in the basement, and enjoying it. Actually, I am enjoying the process of discovery. I'm discovering what brings me joy. I'm discovering space. I'm discovering that I don't want to put things back as they were. I am letting the rooms speak to me for a change. I am listening to the space, and keeping space where I can. I am realizing that things I once enjoyed, I don't anymore. I am aware that space (in my home and my life) is important to me, as is joy, family, and so many other things that richly bless my life.
I am also aware that what is most important in my life at this moment, is not what is on my walls, or shelves, or floors, but what makes my house a home - my husband, my children, my friends. Thus, if I'm going to have things aside from family and friends in my house, what of these things do I really enjoy and use? What of these things could benefit others?
So this is where I am right now, with bare walls and a messy basement. I am pleased, but I also know that my hubby can only take so much. ;) So we will be going room by room through our home, actually giving thought to each room.
Today I came across some questions Peter Walsh asks of people when helping them declutter. I'll sum it up this way:
What is the vision I have for the life I want? (And hubby's too.)
What do we (hubby, Pook and I) want in our lives, homes, rooms and living spaces to look like, to feel like, and to function?
I'm going to be thinking about the purpose of each room, what words, thoughts or feelings I'd like each room to convey. And then, what things will support this.
We will not be buying new furniture (though Hubby's promised next year we get to paint - Whoo hoo!!!!) or new things. The key will be to use what we have, get rid of things we don't need (want, use or like), and find a place for the rest. I'm looking forward to it, though, I admit, in no real rush at the same time. :)
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tuesday's Thoughts
I sit here listening to the hum of the house and the songs of my bird friends. We spent the weekend rearranging Pook's room to fit a new piece of furniture, and to set it up when the crib will eventually be put in there. She now has a sweet reading nook to enjoy.
Hubby asked if we could work on one room a weekend. (I think he misses the pictures.) I could still leave them off the walls... though I did agree we'd take a room at a time. We'll go through the stuff and figure out what we want in it, and what we don't. Eventually making our way to the basement.
Having the pictures down, I realized how limited I was. I was blessed to get a ton from my sweet Grams before she died, and some from my ILs, but are they really me? A friend has a gorgeous picture of a woman smelling a rose in her home. When I first told her I liked it, she blinked and looked at me, and made the comment that she couldn't imagine me liking that, nor it fitting in my home with the current pictures hanging there.
Perhaps, I thought, she was right. That wasn't for me. But I still think about that picture, and how I'd love to walk in the front door and have it hanging in my foyer to greet me when I came home.
So many things have changed for me over the years, and especially lately. Who would've thought I now like pink, floral prints, and delicate rose patterns - and that I'd want them in my house? (Ok, those of you who've fallen off your chairs can get up again.) :) Who would've thought I'd like a picture of a woman sniffing a rose? (Which reminds me, said friend, if you are reading this, please send me the name of the picture. Thanks!)
I'm still enjoying the space of the walls, and recognizing that some of the pictures will probably not go back up. I only want to put up those that I enjoy looking at, that leave me feeling good, and that Hubby enjoys too. That's important to me.
I have to smile, because I am enjoying the space in between deciding how the rooms will look and what will hang on our walls. But then, I'm also loving all of the possibilities... Hmmm... might take more than a weekend to hang up a few pictures in a room. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.
Hubby asked if we could work on one room a weekend. (I think he misses the pictures.) I could still leave them off the walls... though I did agree we'd take a room at a time. We'll go through the stuff and figure out what we want in it, and what we don't. Eventually making our way to the basement.
Having the pictures down, I realized how limited I was. I was blessed to get a ton from my sweet Grams before she died, and some from my ILs, but are they really me? A friend has a gorgeous picture of a woman smelling a rose in her home. When I first told her I liked it, she blinked and looked at me, and made the comment that she couldn't imagine me liking that, nor it fitting in my home with the current pictures hanging there.
Perhaps, I thought, she was right. That wasn't for me. But I still think about that picture, and how I'd love to walk in the front door and have it hanging in my foyer to greet me when I came home.
So many things have changed for me over the years, and especially lately. Who would've thought I now like pink, floral prints, and delicate rose patterns - and that I'd want them in my house? (Ok, those of you who've fallen off your chairs can get up again.) :) Who would've thought I'd like a picture of a woman sniffing a rose? (Which reminds me, said friend, if you are reading this, please send me the name of the picture. Thanks!)
I'm still enjoying the space of the walls, and recognizing that some of the pictures will probably not go back up. I only want to put up those that I enjoy looking at, that leave me feeling good, and that Hubby enjoys too. That's important to me.
I have to smile, because I am enjoying the space in between deciding how the rooms will look and what will hang on our walls. But then, I'm also loving all of the possibilities... Hmmm... might take more than a weekend to hang up a few pictures in a room. Who knows? The possibilities are endless.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Excuses
Have you ever just "opened your eyes" to life around you, and realized what's been going on?
I've been making a lot of excuses. Well, okay, for those that know me, I can create excuses for just about anything when feeling creative enough. (Just ask hubby about the new Christmas dish towels...)
But since we've decided to stay in our home, I've been more aware of excuses I made. When we were planning to move, I had a ton. You know how it goes, when I move - then I'll compost, then I'll garden, then I'll recycle, then I'll go outside more, then I'll...
But now, in the course of a weekend, my thinking has shifted to - how can I compost here? Hmm... let's look up those recycling stations in the area, and start making a plan. With a fence, I can garden without worrying about the cats using it for a litter box. Hecht, we can even create our own garden of Eden. There's a park down the way that we found and the lil one really enjoys. There's a bigger park and picnic area down the street with a mile and a half walk. And, we are blessed with friends who have some acreage that we can visit.
We have also decided to pare down our stuff to suit this house, as opposed to hoarding stuff for the next one. Which, we realized we were totally doing. And, who knows, we might just realize we don't need as much space as we thought. What a concept.
It's no wonder I felt as though I was putting my life on hold - because I WAS. But now, I'm claiming it back. The last two days, I began unpacking the stuff we'd pack up in the event to move. It felt SO good to unpack. I've discovered an entire shelf of books I haven't read yet. Yay for winter hibernation!
And, as a result, we've rearranged our study to include a writing space for hubby! Things will shift again once Christmas is over and the decorations are down, but for now... it's starting to feel like HOME again. I even unpacked all those family pictures you aren't supposed to have out when selling your home. PFFFT! So not doing that again. Look at my family and see how cute they are! :)
In any case, my goal is to tackle 1 to 2 boxes a day. When the boxes are done, then we can focus on the other stuff. Good Will is going to love me. As are those friends eagerly waiting to see what books I'll be passing on. ;)
I've been making a lot of excuses. Well, okay, for those that know me, I can create excuses for just about anything when feeling creative enough. (Just ask hubby about the new Christmas dish towels...)
But since we've decided to stay in our home, I've been more aware of excuses I made. When we were planning to move, I had a ton. You know how it goes, when I move - then I'll compost, then I'll garden, then I'll recycle, then I'll go outside more, then I'll...
But now, in the course of a weekend, my thinking has shifted to - how can I compost here? Hmm... let's look up those recycling stations in the area, and start making a plan. With a fence, I can garden without worrying about the cats using it for a litter box. Hecht, we can even create our own garden of Eden. There's a park down the way that we found and the lil one really enjoys. There's a bigger park and picnic area down the street with a mile and a half walk. And, we are blessed with friends who have some acreage that we can visit.
We have also decided to pare down our stuff to suit this house, as opposed to hoarding stuff for the next one. Which, we realized we were totally doing. And, who knows, we might just realize we don't need as much space as we thought. What a concept.
It's no wonder I felt as though I was putting my life on hold - because I WAS. But now, I'm claiming it back. The last two days, I began unpacking the stuff we'd pack up in the event to move. It felt SO good to unpack. I've discovered an entire shelf of books I haven't read yet. Yay for winter hibernation!
And, as a result, we've rearranged our study to include a writing space for hubby! Things will shift again once Christmas is over and the decorations are down, but for now... it's starting to feel like HOME again. I even unpacked all those family pictures you aren't supposed to have out when selling your home. PFFFT! So not doing that again. Look at my family and see how cute they are! :)
In any case, my goal is to tackle 1 to 2 boxes a day. When the boxes are done, then we can focus on the other stuff. Good Will is going to love me. As are those friends eagerly waiting to see what books I'll be passing on. ;)
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Autumn, Crickets, and Nesting
I sit here, the cool evening breezes of autumn, sifting through the curtains and into the bedroom. What utter bliss.
I adore autumn: the trees adorned in firey glory, the chill in the air, the hint of change and hibernation. It's a divine season, and my favorite by far.
This week, I've been noting the seasonal shift. Even the cricket's symphony shifts as summer moves on, granting us good harvest.
And of course, there is the nesting, which is why I've been checking in, but not commenting much. For me, autumn always brings with it the urge to purge, clean, and rearrange. For instance, little does my wonderful hubby know (until now that is) that I'm currently plotting of how I can rearrange the living room, and the Pook's room, and what else I can get rid of. He's lucky that his cave area is safe. Although, ANYTHING goes when pregnant. Which, fortunately for him, I'm not at the moment. :) (Now aren't you feeling lucky on your part Ed? I do it EVERY year, sometimes every season! You don't even want to know what I'm like when I get pregnant; I'll be sure to blog about it this time round. I rearrange EVERYTHING. By the way, Kaitlyn is a beautiful name!)
I adore autumn: the trees adorned in firey glory, the chill in the air, the hint of change and hibernation. It's a divine season, and my favorite by far.
This week, I've been noting the seasonal shift. Even the cricket's symphony shifts as summer moves on, granting us good harvest.
And of course, there is the nesting, which is why I've been checking in, but not commenting much. For me, autumn always brings with it the urge to purge, clean, and rearrange. For instance, little does my wonderful hubby know (until now that is) that I'm currently plotting of how I can rearrange the living room, and the Pook's room, and what else I can get rid of. He's lucky that his cave area is safe. Although, ANYTHING goes when pregnant. Which, fortunately for him, I'm not at the moment. :) (Now aren't you feeling lucky on your part Ed? I do it EVERY year, sometimes every season! You don't even want to know what I'm like when I get pregnant; I'll be sure to blog about it this time round. I rearrange EVERYTHING. By the way, Kaitlyn is a beautiful name!)
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Enjoying the Quietness
Ah... quietness... I've just been cruising along, staying in the moment, and playing farm with Da Pook. Yup. The last two days I've been "Simon" the lamb (named from a precious moments movie) and she's been "Wilbur" the pig (yes, from Charlotte's web).
I've also been doing the usual work, and enjoying the time I have before swim lessons and Kindermusik start up. And... I've got a new sitter coming in on Fridays, who is amazing with my little angel. Which will work out nicely, as I'll also be working on creating a new course. I'm SO excited for this course, because it's strictly for students who want to take it and improve their writing. Instead of starting out with an A, and the grade getting lowered due to errors, students start with a zero, and have to work it from there. I'm very, very excited about this course.
I'm feeling good, because right now, I'm on top of things. I feel good. I sense fall. My door is now adorned with a sweet little fall wreath, and I got crafty and bought some slate where I wrote these words:
To our friend who enter here:
May you be humbly best
Lay your burdens at the door
You are our honored guest
This is from Seven Times the Sun (I think)
In any case, I've been a bit crafty. I think it's the fall.
Oh, and I must mention. While debating over which binder organizer I wanted to get at the store on Saturday, dear hubby wandered off with da Pook. When I was done, he asked me to follow him. So, I did... to the clothing section... where, he showed me 3 long sleeved shirts that can be used for casual, business, or dressy attire. And, I might add, he looks damn sexy in them.
The shirt resulted in him cleaning out his closet. Gone are the pleated front khaki pants (I swear, these should just be outlawed for anyone!). Gone is the pin-striped suit. Gone is the oversized sport coat. On Monday, after signing Pook up for swim classes, we stopped off at Kohl's, where my love picked up two dress pants, jeans that aren't 3 sizes too big, two spiffy button downs (one long sleeved and one short), a jacket that fits, and then came home where he cleaned out the closet even further, and even resulted in gaining two more sweaters, that sadly belonged to me. Fortunately, he looks mighty good in these too. (Hey, I used to love the bagginess of men's clothes, until I woke up and realized that I'm actually a medium in ladies sizes. But that's another story!)
Did I mention he's even mentioned getting dressier T-shirts to wear? Just TRY to hold me back!!! Not that he has or anything... ;)
I've also been doing the usual work, and enjoying the time I have before swim lessons and Kindermusik start up. And... I've got a new sitter coming in on Fridays, who is amazing with my little angel. Which will work out nicely, as I'll also be working on creating a new course. I'm SO excited for this course, because it's strictly for students who want to take it and improve their writing. Instead of starting out with an A, and the grade getting lowered due to errors, students start with a zero, and have to work it from there. I'm very, very excited about this course.
I'm feeling good, because right now, I'm on top of things. I feel good. I sense fall. My door is now adorned with a sweet little fall wreath, and I got crafty and bought some slate where I wrote these words:
To our friend who enter here:
May you be humbly best
Lay your burdens at the door
You are our honored guest
This is from Seven Times the Sun (I think)
In any case, I've been a bit crafty. I think it's the fall.
Oh, and I must mention. While debating over which binder organizer I wanted to get at the store on Saturday, dear hubby wandered off with da Pook. When I was done, he asked me to follow him. So, I did... to the clothing section... where, he showed me 3 long sleeved shirts that can be used for casual, business, or dressy attire. And, I might add, he looks damn sexy in them.
The shirt resulted in him cleaning out his closet. Gone are the pleated front khaki pants (I swear, these should just be outlawed for anyone!). Gone is the pin-striped suit. Gone is the oversized sport coat. On Monday, after signing Pook up for swim classes, we stopped off at Kohl's, where my love picked up two dress pants, jeans that aren't 3 sizes too big, two spiffy button downs (one long sleeved and one short), a jacket that fits, and then came home where he cleaned out the closet even further, and even resulted in gaining two more sweaters, that sadly belonged to me. Fortunately, he looks mighty good in these too. (Hey, I used to love the bagginess of men's clothes, until I woke up and realized that I'm actually a medium in ladies sizes. But that's another story!)
Did I mention he's even mentioned getting dressier T-shirts to wear? Just TRY to hold me back!!! Not that he has or anything... ;)
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