K - Electronic Clutter and More (and a yummy recipe!)

It's the weekend and hard to believe that we are over 10 days into our cleanse!

I am enjoying the fact that I can do this at my own pace. Some days I am able to do more than others and that's ok especially seeing as some of the items are a work in progress; mental clutter takes time to work through. 

We are doing really well with eliminating unhealthy snacks. We are getting more nutrition into our bodies in our meals as well. Just last night the hubs made a super yummy quinoa salad. I love that he is willing to experiment with foods! http://www.cookingquinoa.net/southwestern-quinoa-salad-with-avocado-and-black-beans

The 3 bags of clothing are all out of the house. Most have gone to donations while a few things has been given to friends/family. It's outta here! Everyone has gone through there clothing now except for my daughter. That may take a while! 

Last two days I have been working on electronic clutter. Electronic clutter is 'one of those things' that sneaks up on you if you are not diligent with it. 

• I have my inbox (right this second) down to 9 emails. My work one is down to 4. I just keep current things that I want front and center. (otherwise I forget about them). Some days I just want to delete everything! 
• I have also purged my email folders; I still have a lot but I'm getting there.
• I have hit the unsubscribe to at least 6 things that I get emails for. It does make a difference because then it is less stuff that I need to go though on a daily basis.
• I also have a princess tent thing that I am giving to my niece today. 
• 2 pounds. I am NOT dieting. I have never dieted and don't plan to; I do not believe in diets at all. With my new lifestyle change it just so happens that some extra subcutaneous tissue is coming off. ;) I am eating better and being more mindful of my choices, snacking on better foods, and cutting back (not eliminating) white flours/sugars, red meat, and dairy. We have also been introducing new foods into our daily intake.
• Ever get stuck in the comparison rut?! I do. This is what I am working on lately. Instead of trying to compare myself to others and what they have/do, I am really trying to just enjoy my own life and be grateful for all that I have. Getting resentful and depressed is not going to make me happy. Here is a great post from Leo Babauta of Zen Habits:  http://zenhabits.net/lifes-enough-stop-comparing-yourself-to-others/

Also here is one of my fave quotes and it really makes sense! 

Have a great weekend everyone. I hope you are able to join in with us and shed a few things that you don't want hanging around anymore! 

Take care. xo

K - What is under there?!

Today was a fun day. I got to hang out with kindergarteners this morning! Some say that I can relate to them, lol! Well if enjoying the simple things in life and having fun is what they mean then YES I can. I think that they are referring to my lack of focus tho!  :) I volunteered to help out in my youngest's class as they were going on a bowling field trip. We walked there and back. Walking with 5 and 6 year olds is kind of like herding cattle! They try, but every now and then they shift their attention to the ice puddles. You know the ones that have a thin layer of ice on top and water underneath. They fall back out of line or start running off. By the time we were back my arms were full of shoes and mittens that had fallen on the way. Good times! I enjoy my times that I can help out and know that as he grows up he won't always want me around.

I haven't really been planning areas to cleanse; they just kind of happen. Today I realized that I had a theme. The theme was cleaning under things. As it turns out I had to put something under the stairs and I decided that once again it was cluttered with boxes. Sometimes I keep boxes 'just in case' I need one for mailing things or storing things or for warranty. Silly I know! I got rid of about half of them and they are ready to go to recycling. While I was tidying I found a CD that I needed for my WiFi photo frame! Yippee! I had it installed on my own computer and then when I got my new laptop the old one was wiped and I couldn't find it. I am so happy that I will be able to use it again.

The other thing that I went through was under my bed. I don't keep a lot under there but it really needed organized. I discarded a few items there.

The last thing that I went through was my family organization binder. I have a zippered binder that I keep important paper (school, extra curricular, swim lesson stuff, benefits info. etc.) in. Everyone has their own section. I had some outdated info in it and hole punched and organized it better. Old papers are now in recycling!

Remember how I said that we are letting go of unhealthy snacks (for the most part!) Today we enjoyed some fresh juice from the juicer (pineapple, strawberry and apple). Fresh is soooo good. We still have hemp  n' honey raw chocolate with coconut. AND I was spoiled because hubby made chocolate coconut pudding (young coconut, raw cacao powder and agave). I really like it, not sure the others did so I guess more for me! ;)

Summary:
1) UNDER the stairs: Boxes (already went though the Christmas decorations under there)
2) UNDER the bed: organized and purged
3) Family Organization Binder: out of date papers discarded

Letting Go of Perfection

Krystal's topic of FOCUS is a great one! She and I are kindred spirits, that's for sure!

Last night, I had a meeting that I was taking minutes for. I often find my mind drifting to things that I need to do, people I need to talk to, stuff to pick up, errands, etc. I deliberately forced myself to focus on each topic and what people were saying. I wasn't perfect, but I was better! LOL!

Tonight, I am oh, so tempted to flit about and do a bunch of different things. (I like to think I'm like a butterfly, sampling all the flowers... :P ) I decided that I have a few things on my list that MUST get done. I need to take advantage of the fact that my hubby is home tonight to help out so that I can get some things done. Flit..Flutter...Fly...

So far, I typed up the minutes (it usually takes me weeks) and sent them off to the GM, tidied up dishes and I've started on some of my other paper procrastination stuff (thanks Worth!), plus I'm going to finish up my posts for today at a decent time! I started going through my back log of emails as well. Hmmmm, I'm seeing a pattern of many things started...not everything finished...there I go again! Too funny!

The point I want to make here is that it's ok to lose focus - we all do it. It's ok to be imperfect. We all are. What is important is that we recognize our struggles, love ourselves anyway and then continue on trying to be the best we can be.

As I type this, Jann Arden is singing "Good Mother"...the words "...Be Yourself, just be yourself..." echo through my mind...so very true.

I read her memoir book last week. It had me at the first chapter. I don't know if it's because I grew up listening to her music and she is from Alberta. I don't know if it's because she tells a funny story (I've heard her speak at a conference once). All I know is, to me, it is a story about someone who was not perfect. Her family was not perfect, life was definitely not perfect. But...she continued on, through the messes, despite the things that happened to her. Because of the love of her family and her faith in herself. She just didn't give up. She struggled to figure out what she was good at, and then...well, she did it. She still does. Is she perfect? Hell, no! Is she the first to admit it? Hell, yes!

That is what inspired me the most, I think. She just kept (and keeps) trying anyway. She acknowledges her strengths and her blessings too.

Anyway, I'm flitting about tonight. I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you all and I appreciate every one of you who take the time to read what Krystal and I have to share. We do it for us and we do it for you. Thank you!

ITEM #1 Perfection...I shall strive to let it go! ;)

K - FOCUS!!

Some days I focus better than others and today was not one of them!! Lol! But saying that I got a few things done here and there and mostly things started and not finished. This is not really a good thing but thank goodness for my hubby who helps me along; ALOT! He got three bags of items out of the house and to the local thrift store. That feels good; as I always say you have not officially decluttered until the items are out of your house!

Anywoo there's my mind going all over the place again. Today I was able to sort, purge and reorganize our financial papers. Sound boring? Yup, it pretty much was. BUT I am so glad it's done. You know I didn't realize how much procrastination clutter I had until I started this! And there's more but baby steps; that's all we can do.

The other thing I went through was my youngests room. We already went through the clothes so today it was a quick look at the toys. We did this last year and got rid of lots so this time he just had a small bag full, I did not want to traumatize him because he gets a little nervous when Mommy is in an organizing mood! :p

Sooooo going with the theme of not focussing; I did not take any before and afters but I will leave you with this quote: 

"Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun's rays do not burn until brought to a focus." 

~Alexander Graham Bell 

And a good video on focussing: 

I will work on that!

So today I got
1) a procrastination project cleared away (financial paper clutter)
2) youngest let go of some toys that he doesn't play with any longer
3) we have been letting go of unhealthy snacking habits (today we let go of our garage sale juicer and got a better one) so it's been fun trying healthy juice combos. When we do snack now almost all of the time it is something that is good for us. Food journaling is making me very accountable; not alot gets past my fitness instructor! Oh yeah and my hubby (bless his soul) made another batch of nutritious chocolate. Good thing you can't see the drool!
A side note: This movie, Hungry For Change has been an inspiration to myself and others to make better food choices. I have watched it twice, so far.

Love ya later. :)

Letting Go of Paper Work

I will admit that my paper pile has gotten behind over the past few months. This was my goal for this evening: Letting Go of Paper Work

But first...

I have my oldest son's large stereo system sitting in my entertainment room. No one has touched it for over a year...out it goes...I'm going to take it to work and see if anyone wants it. (If you want it, let me know! LOL!)

ITEM #1 - Old Stereo system

The next to tackle was the pile of papers and paper work paraphrenalia. I have my SLC work briefcase in a mess, my ebooks piled while I was going through them for the summit. I have the travelling filing box that I'm going to use for SLC just sitting there empty. My planning binder as well as my coaching notes are all in piles. Plus, the December 2012 filing is waiting to be put into the cabinet?? Weird! I must have been distracted at some point.

Here's the before:

And here's the after:

I put the ebooks and coaching notes back on their shelf, I put my business papers etc into the box (I will organize the box later this week). There is one bag of shredding that I realized was in the "pile", 1 bag of garbage and 1 bag of paper recycling. I went through the stuff out of my planning binder and got rid of most of it (I haven't used the binder now that I'm onto an electronic version of it. There was also quite a few "idea generating" type things that I decided I don't need. I've had them for quite a while and haven't used them yet! Into the recycling bag they went!

I filed the little bit that was left to file. Overall, I spent an hour with the pile, which wasn't too bad. The music was blasting away! It was mostly stuff that needed put away after the Celebrate Life Summit! LOL!

ITEM #2 - papers I don't need

This included 13 business cards that I found in this stash. I don't keep business cards anymore because Krystal and I use this handy app for our iPhone: Card Munch - You take a picture of the card and then someone somewhere enters the information into your database for you and then it suddenly appears in your Contacts on your phone! Yay!!!

If you need help with getting your papers organized, we can help you get started! Email us to set up a Mini-Session!

K - Simple Sunday

I love that I could use this weekend to relax, and catch up on some things that have been put off way too long! My hubby even got started on all of our passports so we will be ready for our holiday when the time comes!

Today I was able to go through my kitchen. It really didn't take long as I had got rid of so many things last year with the minimalist challenge. This year it was a piece of cake; I just had a little maintenance to do. Here I was able to let go of:

• a mug
• a go cup
• an old, broken cutting board (I had a new one) what the heck was I waiting for?!
• a basket that just got in the way
• two old dish cloths 
• a water bottle (there are only so many of these that one needs!) 
• a play doh toy (broken)
• two cooler covers (they were free and we won't use them)
• a silicone basting brush (we had 4!)
• a couple of bottle openers (we had 4 of those as well) One I will put in the camping bin.

I also had time to wipe out drawers and cupboards (not all of them but the ones that were noticeably dirty). Then I gave the cupboard fronts a wipe also. So some Spring cleaning got done at the same time, yay!

I have this deep cupboard that houses cleaning supplies and some miscellaneous items. From that area I got rid of:

• a white apron that I have had from my high school deli job (that was a FEW years ago)
• a huge vase (I already have a large and a small) I got rid of most of them last year
• a KFC picnic bag (had for years and never used)
• a spray bottle that was broken
• one of those plastic separated trays with lid that you get fruit or veggies in from the grocery store (I thought that I might use it to take to an event or someones house but really?....

I also found some pet things in this cupboard plus my pup has his own basket full of things. I decided to amalgamate both and get rid of what we don't need/use.

• two different cat sprays (we don't have a cat now)
• two puppy coats that Duke has out grown
• puppy vitamins stuff that he would not eat
• nail clippers
• hair grooming mitt 

It was nice to get this area cleaned. It was one of those areas that needed done and I hated to look at but it was never a priority.

I also have a bag of Christmas items that I went though when I was packing up Christmas decorations last season. That is going to be brought up from storage room and put with this stuff and what I did not throw away or recycle I am going to donate to the local thrift store. 

Todays rundown.

1. Kitchen items
2. Misc. items
3. Pet things
4. Christmas stuff

Letting Go of Things That Drive You Crazy

Well, my big plan for today was getting rid of two things that drive me absolutely nuts!

No....I can't get rid of my kids...I know what you were thinking! :P LOL!!

My two old dogs have very old (and very smelly) dog beds. We've washed them quite a few times (which is always a pain...) These beds are in our bedroom on top of that (I'm not able to get rid of that at this point. They are too old for the stress of being kicked out of our room that they've slept in for their entire lives. A mistake I don't intend to repeat...especially knowing that old dogs snore worse than husbands!)

I'd been planning on making some new beds for them. My daughter was itching to help. Remember the towels from early this week? Well, we had two big older pink bath sheets that no one liked sitting in our linen closet. Rebecca and I decided to make the dogs new beds out of these old towels and a couple 3$ pillows that we'd picked up yesterday. We both had fun machine and hand sewing these. Becca was so proud that she'd helped!

ITEM #1 - Old dog beds that were smelly and dirty!

While a load of wash was washing (it really only took that long!) I tackled my other item that has been driving me crazy: My front entry rugs! There are three. Big, black ugly things. They've been washed a hundred times. They move and overlap each other all the time. Little black bits seem to be coming off them every time they move. They are clumsy and difficult to move around when I'm trying to clean the floor. Plus, I've spilled coffee on them so many times, they're permanently stained! I really didn't like these anymore. I want our front entry to be "prettier" and more welcoming.

When we were out yesterday, Rebecca and I found a nice smaller, single rug for the area. I got rid of the big ugly mats (they really were coming apart on closer inspection!). I vacuumed the floor and then got down on my hands and knees and washed the floor and baseboards the old fashioned way. I washed the down stairs as well. The one shoe mat that I had desperately needed a wash as well. Then I put everything back all nice and tidy and much prettier. It's much brighter and I think it will be easier to keep clean. Now the only thing left to do here: I have a really nice "Simplify" sign that Krystal got for me that I want to put up there but that will be the next project of washing the walls and closet in that area!

ITEM #2 - Front entry mats that are worn and ready for replacement! 

Oh! and we got a mat for outside the front door too - made from recycled tires: