Day 148 through Day 157

I am staying with my daughter for a couple of days.  We are having a good time and are getting a lot accomplished. 
I have thrown enough out that I am covered for the three days that I am here.  Some of the items are old food, pillows, pop corn popper, clothes, magazines, catalogs, and chairs.  Probably the biggest thing that I got rid of was some old flower seeds that I have had hanging around for several years.

Day 143 through Day 147

My dining room is spectacular!  This week I got rid of knickknacks, dining room chairs, child's table, craft guides, laundry baskets, towels, and sheets.  My husband is on a fishing trip and my daughter-in-law and her children are staying with me.  Other family members have been dropping in for this Memorial Day Weekend.  We are having a lot of fun!
My youngest granddaughter had to go to the ER for an allergic reaction to a bug bite on Friday.  She is okay, but I had to do the driving to the ER and it was nerve wracking.

Day 126 through Day 142

Oh, my!  What a birthday celebration we had.  The whole family was home and we partied through the night.  It was a weekend to not be forgotten.
Also, I have gotten rid of some good stuff, including, the dining room table, an old sewing machine in a cabinet, popcorn popper, pillows, clothes, old towels and wash clothes, old table clothes, old magazines and catalogs, old toys, and old games.  It has been a very active sixteen days.

Day 108 through Day 125

We attended our granddaughters' First Communion today and have our grandson's tomorrow.  The girls looked so sweet all dressed up in their beautiful gowns.  We went to get their hair done this morning and of course it brought tears.  They are growing up way too fast. 
It has been long since I have written in my blog.  A few days after the bombing in Boston, they killed one of the bombers and seriously wounded the other.  He remains in police custody.  God Bless America.
I am having a hay day getting rid of things in my house.  Candles, Easter decorations, Christmas decorations, old pans, old glasses. bed spreads, .pillows, old medicine, old detergents, old craft items, and other such items.
A big week ahead with all the family coming in for Mother's Day, May 12th.

Day 102 through Day 107

Not only was tax day yesterday, it was also the latest attack on US as a nation.  Some evil person decided to place bombs at the Boston Marathon.  As of right now, three are dead (including an eight year old boy), and a hundred and seventy-six are injured with nineteen of those critical.  A lot of the injuries are lost limbs.  Once again, it brings to the fore front of our being that we need to be vigilant in our prusuit to keep our nation safe.  And at this point I want to state heartily, "God Bless America!"
I am very upset by the whole thing, but I do want to take this time to blog about what I thrown out in the past couple of days.  I have gotten rid of hanging folders, kerosene lamps (2), pressure cooker, cook books, lots of old papers, magazines, and catalogs. 

Day 85 through Day 101

I can't believe that we are through over a hundred days already.  How amazing is that. 
It has been a long time since I wrote in this, but I know that I am the only one reading it, so I don't know what makes the difference.  I have been really busy any way.
My daughter-in-law's father had to have heart surgery on Good Friday.  We helped take care of their children and enjoyed every minute of it. 
We had a very quiet Easter because my father-in-law and my daughter-in-law were both sick with the flu.  Also, we had family on Spring break from Washington D.C. to Florida (two families there) to all over our state.
But, I am still tossing.  Pans, dishes, glasses, Tupperware, Easter and St. Patrick's Day decorations, clothes, magazines, catalogs, books, old make up, old lotion, and lots more cassettes. 

Day 78 through Day 84

Wow!  Another week over!  This year is flying by!  I wish that spring would get here though.  We are suppose to get a snow storm today with a possiblity of a foot of snow.  I don't know if I should wish for it not to happen or want it to so I could stay home and enjoy it.  Either way, we are in for the day and have heard from our one son who already has three inches on the ground at his home.
This week involved me throwing out some of my favorite glasses (a winter scene), some other glasses, Tupperware, St. Patrick's Day window clings, cassette tapes, clothes, and some more out dated food items.  I really think I am getting good at this whole thing.

Day 70 through Day 77

I can't believe that it has been a week since I wrote in this blog!  And what a week it has been!  Our daughter-in-law's grandfather passed away in another state and my son and her had to fly down.  They decided not to take the children because they are so small, wouldn't understand what was going on, and the expense of flying them would be too great.  So I watched the three youngest the rest of the week, got the other one after his last day of school on Friday, and left for the weekend to visit our other son and his family in their new home.  Another one of our sons and his family plus one of our daughters and her husband met us there.  We had to take down some trees.  That in itself was an ordeal.  We avoided a couple of near disasters and my husband took a nasty tumble into a trailer hitch and hurt his chest pretty bad.  But we came out with all fingers attached and lots of memories.
The grandchildren played very well together.  There were nine under the age of nine there.  We had an Easter egg hunt today, inspite of the cold.  At least we weren't at our other daughter's where they were snowed in.
In spite of all of the happenings at our home, I still threw away some items.  I went through some more of my containers, old catalogs and magazines, old make up, got rid of some more nick nacks, and old papers.  Things are getting better on day seventy - seven and I am looking forward to the next couple of hundred!

Day 64 through Day 69

Big Weekend!  The Party Barn was full!  We had so much fun!  One of the three year olds was using a stick of wood for a sword and was storing it in the back of his pants.  He really looked so funny.
It was also a big week for throw aways.  I threw out patterns (yes girls, I said patterns), dishes, nick nacks, more cassette tapes, out dated food, and old school supplies.  Great week!

Day 59 through Day 63

What a weekend!  Saturday I had the pleasure of spending the day with seven of the grandchildren and Sunday there were six here, all of them spent the night and didn't get up much before dawn.  We had such fun.  I love watching them spend the time with each other.
Even with all of this going on, I managed to get rid of craft items (OH MY GOODNESS, NO!!!), more clothes, and I even lost two pounds.  I also got rid of paper (tablets) and Elmer's glue!

Day 54 through Day 58

We went to our daughter's home over the weekend and left our internet there so I haven't been able to get on the computer.  But I have been keeping up with my tossing challenge.  I have thrown out picture frames (once again my family is fainting), Easter decorations, old cards, more clothes, underwear, and socks, plus more cassette tapes.  Boy, am I good! 

Day 52 and 53

Interesting couple of days.  We had some bad weather, including ice and snow.  Area schools today were closed, which thrilled a large community. 
My daughter-in-law and myself went to my mom's to clean.  Once again we rearranged some things and I am just waiting for one of my siblings to start throwing a fit over the whole thing.  Oh, well!
Besides throwing some more away at my mom's, I also got rid of some more of my clothes, shopping bags (cloth), bras, underwear, socks, and some more cassette tapes.

Day 46 through Day 51

I watched grandchildren for several days.  One family over the weekend and the other because Daddy had the day off from school because of the holiday.  He wanted to cut wood, so I got to watch the two little ones.  I loved all of the days!  There is nothing better than watching grandchildren!
Once again, I went through some more clothes and gave them to my sister.  They were still very nice, but I have decided that I just have way too many.
Also, I took another trip to Goodwill with a car load of vases, cups and mugs, old VHS tapes, books, and some more old Christmas items.

Day 44 and Day 45

Happy Valentine's Day!  My husband surprised me with a mixed bouquet of flowers this morning.  He also got me a musical card that played "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", which was the only song my grandmother could sing word for word even when she couldn't talk any longer.
Yesterday I threw out old laundry baskets, old throw pillows, and some clothes.
Today I threw away some more clothes, old baby items, and some books.  Actually all of these things went to Goodwill.

Day 43

I threw out a old bra and some outdated food today!  This is so liberating!

Day 42

I think I will shock my family with today's throw away.  I started going through my old VHS (yes, that is what I said) tapes and am getting rid of some of them.  I know, can you believe it?

Day 41

I didn't have a whole lot of time today as I went to a concert with my sister.  It was very good and we go to see this artist whenever we can.  We like to attend concerts together, sometimes with other relatives, but mostly with each other.  We love the same kind of music.
But I did have time to go through some greeting cards that I had and to get rid of some.  Now I know you are asking yourself why would she have extra greeting cards.  Well, I did use to work in a card store and we use to go dumpster diving a lot to get the discarded cards.

Day 37 - Day 40

I love living out in the boom docks, but sometimes it doesn't like the high tech end of the world.  We have little to no internet service the last few days.  I don't think our internet likes the weird weather that is going on right now.
I have thrown away so much in the last few days.  I even threw away a lot of things at my mom's, four garbage bags full!  My daughter-in-law and I cleaned out some of her kitchen cabinets.
At my house I have gotten rid of clothes, underwear, magazines, and some of decorative items.  My family is very impressed with me and so am I!
We went out to eat with my son's family, a friend of his from the Army, and our other son's two children who are spending the night at our house tonight.  We had to wait an hour for a table, it took forever for the food to come, and it was not kid friendly.  My son's oldest son fell asleep at the table because he had gotten up early to go rabbit hunting with his dad.  (He shot his limit of four!)  We didn't get out of the resturant until 9:30.  I don't know about anyone else, but I am ready for bed.

Day 36

I started the day by getting rid of some dust and cob webs.  We burn wood and it seems to be a never ending job. 
Speaking of jobs, I heard from my old one this afternoon - they were needing some information - and I had a job interview.  I think the interview went really well, but I am hoping that I get the job that I interviewed for the other day.  Definately something to say some prayers for.
Speaking of prayers, my daughter-in-law's cousin finds out tomorrow what kind of cancer he has and what treatment will be taken to combat it.  Keep praying for Tyson!

Day 34 and Day 35

No post yesterday because of Super Bowl Sunday!  We were out in the Party Barn all day and evening having a blast.  The grand kids never cease to amaze me!
While we were getting ready to watch the football game, the grandchildren were making some excess noise.  My son called them over and explained to them that we were getting ready to honor our country by playing a couple of songs on the TV and he wanted the children to be quiet and watch.  So, all the kids got quiet and the Sandy Hook Choir started to sing.  All at once we noticed the two three year old cousins (boys) standing in front of the TV with their arms wrapped around each other watching very intently.  It was a sight to behold.  Of course we got out our cameras and started to snap some pictures.  What a memory!
So, as far as throwing away something, yes I did do that yesterday.  In the morning I went through some old books and got rid of some more of them.  Today, as I was walking down stairs, I saw an old Queen Annie's Wreath that my aunt had made for me years ago.  It was looking very sad, so I decided to cheer it up by throwing it away.  I don't know how it feels right now, but I am excited!
One more thing about my grand kids.  The floor in the Party Barn is cement and we had to put some deep cracks in it to keep the floor from cracking and falling apart.  Anyway, they tend to collect dirt and my six year old grandson decided on his own to clean the out with a screwdriver.  It took him two days, but he got it done.  My husband got out the shop vac for him to use to sweep up the dirt as he went along.  My son's two children wanted to help and so my grandson told them that they could run the sweeper.  These two are four and three so this sounded like great fun to them.  I told the other adults around that I thought maybe the six year old might just be and archiologist some day and the mother of the two with the sweeper said, "Yea, and my two will be janitors!"
On a sad note, we lost my husband's aunt today.  She had been sick for several years and it is sort of relief that she is no longer suffering, but she will still be missed.  God Bless you, Marilyn.

Day 33

Cleaned out some of the older stuff out of my freezer, just the one over the refrigerator in the party barn.  I think I need to do the same in the big one in the basement.  I am sure that there is a lot in there that can be thrown out.
Happy Groundhog's Day!  (He didn't see his shadow!)

Day 32

I have made it through one month!  Only eleven more to go!
Today I started to go through some of my old cassette tapes.  I know, I am probably the only human who still has and listen to tapes.  But I do, and for me to get rid of some are a big deal!  My children are falling over with this news, I am sure.
I also went through some more of my clothes and got rid of some of them. 
It was a good day!

Day 30 and Day 31

Well, I forgot to write in this blog yesterday.  I was so use to not having a computer, I forgot that I did.
So, here is my last two days of throw aways.  I cleaned out drawers in my bedroom and got rid of some old sweaters.  How did I get so many sweaters?  Today I got rid of my shower radio that quit on me after at least fifteen years of service.  I am not sure that I can even find another shower radio.  Do they make them anymore?
I am not sure what tomorrow will bring, except cold.  It is freezing outside!

Day 18 through Day 29

Well, my computer took a dump!  So I went to my old back up fossel computer and it quit on me.  So here I am on my new computer.  Hard to believe that I had to resort to this.  The good news is that I have continued to do my "Use it or Loose it" campaign.  The bad news is I don't remember what I did on what day.  Here is a list of some of my throw aways:
     Old medicine, tupperware, pans, Christmas decorations and ornaments, cleaned out a whole
     drawer in the bathroom and threw most of it away, old make up, old shampoos and other bottles
     of crap in my bathroom closet, and today - a computer!
Have a good day! 

Day 16 and Day 17

Well, my luck just keeps getting better.  Now my lap top took a dump!  I am really having a good time trying to keep these blog posts.
Day 16 was another leftover throw out day.  It was also a day spent trying to make some sense out of the linen closet.  I am just getting started on that one, and it might take a couple of days to finish.
Day 17 took a turn on some craft projects that I needed to finish and get to the people who they were promised.  I am not even sure if they still want them, but they are going to get them now.
Hopefully this old computer that I am using that takes a year to pull anything up on will come through again tomorrow.  See you then.

Day 14 and Day 15

Well, I am not sure what happens with last nights blog, I must have clicked out before I saved it.  Anyway, yesterday was getting rid of old medicine.  Today on the other hand was cleaning out the glove compartment in my car.  It kind of picked me today instead of me picking that task because when I opened it to find some stamps, things fell out at me.
Today I also found out that I have a kidney infection.  I ended up at the doctor's office and he has put me on some medicine that will hopefully clear it up.  I hope it doesn't get any worse than it is because it is driving me crazy!

Day 11 - Day 12 - Day 13

Well, the flu knocked me on my butt, so I didn't have enough energy to come down and write on this blog.  I am very sorry, but I did do my part on throwing away something each day.
Day 11 - Since I was in the bathroom so much of this day, I decided to work on my old make up and get rid of some if not all of it.  This is very liberating and a must for everyone.
Day 12 - With my husband's help, we went through the refrigerators and got rid of a lot of leftovers.  This was something that needed to be done, but with the way that I felt - I am counting it for the "Use it or loose it" campaign.
Day 13 - I am feeling a lot better and we are putting away the Christmas trees.  I decided along with this to dispose of some of my Santa Claus collection.  Now if my children are reading this right now, I am sure that they are following over.

Day 10

Red letter day today!  My use it or loose it campaign happened with a loss of two pounds.  I LOVE THIS PLAN!  I have to work hard to repeat this feat next week.  YEA ME!!!

Day 9

Today I got rid of some extra pots and pans and dust.  Now you are thinking to yourself, "Everyone has to dust!  And I would say that you are so right.  But I dusted the furnace room.  I have to tell you that that was a job to do.  But I got rid of a lot of dust.  I don't know why that is a room that I don't normally think of to dust, but I might want to start do it a little more.

Day 8

Well, today I started going through my Tupperware and throwing away some of it.  Actually, I can't bring myself to throw it away, but I will give it away. 
Now I am sure that you are asking yourself, "What is the big deal about that?"  If you would ask my kids - they would be cheering right now and turning cartwheels.  I use to be a Tupperware lady and I think I have at least two of everything and some of them more.    It is so bad that we have a joke in the family, "Do we have any Tupperware?"  I guess you had to be here.

Day 7

Once again, last night the internet would not come up at our out back home, so this is a day late but still packs the insight from yesterday.
It was get over holiday left over day at our home.  Of course there wasn't any of the Christmas leftovers left, but from last Friday through New Year's Day, we racked up a lot of left overs.  Although my husband packs left overs in his lunch, and we have not had to cook a lot of new food through the week, it was still more than we could handle by ourselves.  So we had to clean out the refrigerator and throw things out.  I think the happiest one was our dog who got to benefit from all of the tossing.
Tonight was the Championship game between Notre Dame and Alabama.  Unfortunately, Notre Dame lost 14 -42, but they have done a lot to make all of us proud through the year.  There is nothing to be ashamed of with a perfect regular season and a defensive player who was up for the Heisman.  Thank you Irish for a great year!

Day 6

Today was a great day.  Half of the grandchildren stayed overnight and the majority of them were up by 7:30 this morning.  They played in the party barn, ice skated with the neighbors, and had great appetites.  I think all of them enjoyed their day a lot.
Tonight while watching TV with my husband, I sorted through a bin of material that was in my laundry room.  Why am I hanging on to some of this stuff?  I am sure that I am going to ask that question many times in the coming year. 
So now that I am half of a bin lighter on material, I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for tomorrow.  Night!

Day 5

Today was once again spent with family.  Our one son had to do his military duty this weekend, so his family came and spent the day with us.  We were in the party barn almost all day, except for when we left to go to church.  Our other son and his family came over for supper and their children stayed over night with the others.  It should be an interesting night.
Today's throw away was to clean out most of the refrigerator in the party barn, getting rid of a lot of the old leftovers and other items that were outdated.  I also got rid of some more of my clothes.  I am hoping that my sister can use some of these.

Day 4

Today I decided to change courses and work upstairs.  I disposed of several toys and some of my old clothes that I know that I will not ever wear again.  I am finding that this process is very rewarding.  It is lifting my spirits and making me feel liberated.  I am enjoying going through some of the old things that I have collected and letting go is giving me a new found freedom.
I am not sure what this weekend will bring, but I am bound and determined not to give up on this. 
Tonight, three of my sons and their families came over for pizza and ice skating.  Some of the grandchildren were in ice skates for the first time.  It was very enjoyable to see all of them out there playing together.

Day 3

Today was fun day of spending some extra time with family.  My sister and her husband came down and I went out to eat lunch with them and mom.   It was fun to spend some time with all of them.
For supper, my son and daughter-in-law came down for supper and then the neighborhood children came over to skate on our pond with my husband and son.  We have lights out around the pond so they can play hockey after dark.  It is a big deal around here, especially the first skate of the year.
As far as my campaign goes, I continued working on the laundry room after the company left.  If I keep this up, I might have the laundry room by the beginning of next week.  Keep your fingers crossed.  By the way, I have extra bedding that I will be donating to local thrift shop.  It is my loose it for the day.
Also, I did some extra walking for the day!  I will try for even more exercise for tomorrow.
Night!  

The Holidays

I want to put down my thoughts about our recent holidays.  I want to remember the fantastic times that we had.
Because our family is large, we had to make our holidays extend over several days.  Three of our children and their families came on the Saturday before Christmas.  We had grab bags, played musical chairs for Yankee Candles, and enjoyed a lot of good food.  There was enough snow on the ground for the children and some of the adults to enjoy.
We were able to celebrate Christmas with two of our children at different times of the day.  Our one son and his family went with us to my mom's home early Christmas morning and we had brunch with her and opened some presents.  Our other son and his wife came and celebrated toward evening and we had a meal together and played some games while watching TV.
The Sunday after Christmas was celebrated with two of our children and their families.  We went to church with my mother-in-law and then came back to our home to open presents and eat lunch.  They ended up staying for supper also and we were joined by another son and his family. Our one son brought his four wheeler down and pulled everyone around behind it on sleds.  Also during the afternoon and evening, our two sons and the children built a snow fort. They decorated it with some left over Christmas lights and our lighted star that didn't make it up this year.
New Year's Eve was celebrated by going bowling with our sons and their families.  Afterward we came back to the Party Barn for a late supper and some card games until midnight when we toasted in the New Year.  On this evening, the majority of the family joined in on making a snow sculpture of an arch in front of the door to the party barn decorated with more unused Christmas lights.  It was spectacular.
New Year's Day we celebrated Christmas with our last son and his family after breakfast.  I so enjoy watching the children open presents.  We had lunch together and were joined by another son and his family, who stayed for supper also.  We watched bowl games together and played a board game.
I like having the holidays drawn out over several days as this makes me enjoy more days and not just one or two.  I would like to thank my family for the wonderful holiday and for including my mom and mother-in-law in the festivities.  I don't expect next year to better but my wish is that it will be just as good.

Day 2

Today I started to tackle the laundry/storage room.  Believe me when I say that there is enough junk in there to keep me busy for the next 12 months.  So far I have gone through and eliminated two totes.  I also organized another two and threw out part of those.  These containers mostly consist of fall decorations and left over items from my old office.
I planned on starting to walk today, but due to some food that I shouldn't have eaten yesterday, I think that I will wait until tomorrow.
Have a great night!

No Resolutions!

First of all - this post was suppose to be yesterday, but I couldn't get my internet to work.  So I am sorry that this is posted late.
This year I am not making a New Year's Resolution.  Every year I make resolutions and follow through for the first couple of months.  This year I am doing something that I will have to complete.
This year, I am running a campaign.  In 2012, there were so many different campaigns and billions of dollars were spent.  My campaign will be run on a lot of hard work and dedication and I plan on not spending a dime. 
My campaign is called "Use it or loose it!"  In the coming year, everyday I have to throw something away.  My life is so full of clutter that it will not be hard to come up with at least 365 items to dispose. 
I am so looking forward to this campaign.  Today, well really it was yesterday, I started with the party barn and throwing out some of the old food items that were in the cabinet way too long.  Things just seem to get shoved in there and I don't ever think about what could be clear in the back.  But not now!  I will be keeping track of what I get rid of on this blog.  It should be interesting at the end of the year.
So, here is to a happy and lighter 2013!