De Cluttering My Life

When my spaces get cluttered up with stuff that I have not seen or used for over 5 years I know it is time to bag up that stuff and say bye-bye! For some reason I feel more at peace when there are shelves that are empty, when there is still cabinet space and closet space around the house. It makes me feel calm and not so cluttered on the inside.

I was able to get rid of 5 bags of clothes, and kitcheny stuff as well as some childhood stuffed animals. It makes me happy to know there are people who can use these things out there and I do not need to horde it in my basement just for a memory.

Thanksgiving Clean Up

About once a month I go through this crazy feeling that the basement is a mess. Then I remember the days when we had time to do a 10 min. clean up for each child equaling a full 30min of picking up every day for me. We no longer do this, but I think it is time to revisit.

After picking up the basement for about 30 min. the kids claimed it was clean and they were super excited to have an area to play in. Look at the second photo, this is what they saw. Then I took a photo of what my perspective was which you can see on the top photo.

When parenting my children I have to continually remember what their perspective is, and remember what it is like to be a child. They had already helped clean up for a long time and they felt accomplished with a "clean" basement. When looking at the basement (picture one) they felt there was more room to play in and their goal had been accomplished. It was my thoughts that it was not clean so I went ahead and finished picking up to my own standards. It was either I did that or we did a session two the next day.

The kids then practice gymnastic moves on the mat and it turned into a fun relaxing evening! Well worth the time spent.

Computers Sucking our time away

I use to not be a big fan of computers. I remember when we first signed up to the Internet. Renaissance man and I were without kids and living it up in our new home when Renaissance man told me he wanted to put money into the Internet. I did not think it was all that necessary but if that's what he really wanted, who was I to say different. He got hooked right away and it took me about 14 more years to become sucked in. Just recently I have began facebook and I think it is a huge time sucking monster, but yet so enticing. I think I may have to quit.

The Internet is also so entertaining! I no longer look up in encyclopedia's what I want to know I go to Google. I have also taught the kids to do the same. Not only do you get great information you also get little videos. Mind you we have received our 2001 computer from a group called freecylcle and it works just fine, but imagine the possibilities of new fangled computers, just imagine the images you can get.... (hear the sound of far away music as I dream) wake up.

Recently I have been not exercising but sitting on the computer, what has become of me? I need to get out of this time sucking monster. It reminds me of the show "Larry Boy and the Bad Apple" which addresses temptation.

I think I will try limit my time just like I do with the kids as 5 year old D.Q. says "Mommy get off the computer it is evil."

Here we go....

At last I add myself to the list of bloggers. I hope this does not take me away from my obligations in life. I don't think I have ever been as busy as I am right now. I am part of a team of three putting together homeschooling workshops for children to attend while adults attend their own workshops. I am also involved in a Homeschooling Coop where I teach in a pre-school classroom while my children attend their own classes. In addition to that I also teach in a state funded early childhood program in which I assist teachers with the curriculum in their classrooms. And at last I coach a swim team two nights a week.

Sometimes I wonder why the heck I got so busy, then I remember the costs of the classes my children are in so I continue to work non stop to do my best possible.

The main reason I am beginning this is for a journaling opportunity, I can also add my pictures. Someday when I am old and grey I will have this to read.

Welcome to the beginning.