YOU'RE KIDDING...RIGHT?

Merry Christmas? Ha-ha? No I guess you're right, it isn't funny. Honestly it is actually rather sad when you read on about what this mess is and how long it's been there. OK, so I am all about doing what I say I am going to do, but I still get side tracked extremely easy lately with other motherly duties, but I am moving ahead, at a turtles pace. So OK, the first two pictures are the beginning stages of my coat and linen closet Sunday clean.  What? You thought they were bigger? Nope. Oh I'm hearing you now - Then why in the hell can't I get them cleaned, it's not like it’s a whole room or a garage or something...its two puny fiberboard closets. OK, you’re right. Shhhh, do not tell anyone I said that. Ha-ha. For the longest time I was using the excuse that I needed packing boxes so that I could store all of these glass Christmas ornaments overhead in the attic and I would start painting them for next year’s craft shows later in the spring so my inventory would be all caught up. To me, my thinking was all well in good, the problem is that I have been saying this for the last TEN years. This next closet is a bit more chaotic, however again, is just as easy to take care of as the ornament closet.

My reasoning about this cluttered mess is that it seems to be a catch all. Yes it is for sheets, extra blankets and tablecloths. But I see no organization to this fiber madness. Now we have only four beds in this house. Two are twin, one is full and the other is a queen. So, realistically, how many sets of sheets does one house really need? Two, three tops. Well I counted out our sheets and I was devastated as to what I had. 7 Sets of queen size sheets, 4 sets of full size and 8 sets of twin size. NOW COME ON SELF! Who needs all that? So, I have set limits on everything here as well. 2 sets for each bed and that is that. My husband and I got spoiled when I accidentally on purpose splurged on a set of Egyptian cotton 600 thread count Tommy Hilfiger sheets. I got them for $50.00, but it wasn't until I had taken them out of the package, that I noticed that their original price was $312.00, but were marked down because of the color. For us, the color just happens to match the paint chip/room idea card I got from Lowe's. I would never have paid the full price of the sheets even if I was the richest person on earth, and $50.00 was pushing it too. But the outcome...my honey and I hate getting up in the morning and worse, neither one of us want any other type of sheet on the bed. We'd even go as far as staying up late until they are out of the dryer. So now I plan accordingly and wash them first thing in the morning. So we definitely don't need 8 sets of queen sized sheets when we only like the one.

OK, I'm getting side tracked, moving on. I have this project half done. Both closets are empty. I am in the process of cleaning all the linens, and what doesn't get chosen to stay, goes. Now if my phone would stop ringing and my motherly duties could hold off just about three more hours, this project will also be complete. So for now, I'll let you go and I'm off to make dinner for my three growing men in my life. (Smile).  I can say if you thought this was bad, what until I tell you about my pantry adventure, you'll never believe it, that's why I have pictures.  Have a great night everyone.  Blog you tomorrow.

DANGER CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE!

THAR SHE BLOWS!

It was such a wonderful day yesterday! After what felt like hours and hours of trying to make my way through the rough and treacherous terrain, I had finally seen the most wonderful sight as I stood holding myself up to keep from falling down with overwhelming amounts of joy and sheer happiness that I finally finished one of six feared projects - I had emptied the closet and had cleared the mound on our bed that came from the closet. Who in their right mind would have ever guessed that this deal would have me pondering the biggest math question of the day? You'll love this, but don't try to solve this...It is physically impossible without a five subject notebook and a box of pens from Office Depot. How many hangers, pairs of shoes, a vast array of various sizes of clothing items, men's girly magazines, ball caps with various designs, belts, old and new jackets and other extreme odds and ends, can you fit in a closet that is 2ft deep, 3.5 feet wide and 8 feet high? Ok, I was never really the greatest at word problems, but I know how I should have answered this question before it got cleaned out – there should have been a huge yellow caution sticker with the word danger in red lettering and the rest of the sticker that said:

Before

    " DANGER "

CONTENTS UNDER EXTREME PRESSURE

DO NOT OPEN!

The best part of my day, was when this mess that you see to your left, was completely transformed. I decompress the amount of crap that had found its way into this extremely small space, that maybe about 60 years ago, was called a closet, but compare it to the closets of today, this is now considered a locker. Now, not only did I decompress it, I downsized it's contents and then went on to color code it too. Below is the after picture. It feels great to know that I have completed another one of many tasks that I have on my to-do list.



After

I am also very excited to learn that today my sweetheart is helping me with my declutting and cleaning today, so that we can enjoy the Pro-bowl game this evening. It's another opportunity for me to learn the game and spend quality time with my husband and sons. So, for now - I thank you for keeping up my with progress and the words of encouragement. I can see the light at the end of this year long quest. I can't wait to be able to say - I finally did it! My remaining project of the day – I’m FINALLY GOING TO CLEAN THE COAT AND LINEN CLOSET. How many weeks have I've been saying I was going to do that?  Well folks, today is the day...Wish me luck! Enjoy the game.

THE CALL THAT STOPPED THE CLUTTER CLEAN

Let me start by saying, that no matter how much clutter I am faced to organize each day, my family will always come first if they need me, my ears, my advice, a hug, my help...you name it, I am there for them good or bad. So where do I start...Oh, I remember, It started out as any normal day would yesterday morning. I have been doing great with keeping up on putting things back in their rightful places. But have you ever had a situation when putting something back in their rightful place was a person? I know odd comment but I’ll explain soon? So, let’s begin today, with my philo that I believe to be fact. Life has a way of tripping you up, but if you’re prepared the outcome can be harmonious and life changing.

Yesterday I began my long to-do list, as I always do on Thursdays.  I have appointed Thursday as my day to leave the house early in the morning to get everything I need tended to that is out of the home.  My list included but was not limited to, taking the boy's to school, getting base stickers for both of our trucks, pick up prescriptions, get lab work done and go to the commissary. All of this accomplished before 10:00 am. I was feeling great that I had done so much in the course of three hours, I wanted to do something extra special for my honey.

My husband has been working at a job that is just around the corner from our home, which is very nice, because I can stop in quickly to drop off something special. I make his lunch every day, but I know that the same ole sandwich and chips gets boring. I try to switch up his food choices so that it’s a surprise when he sits down to eat. My plan yesterday was to drop him off his favorite candy, but as I pulled up to the job site, clearly something was wrong and had totally disrupted his day. I had not seen that pale look on his face since the doctors told me I had cancer. Immediately my mind was rushed bad images, because I had forgotten my cellphone at home and maybe I missed an important call.

His body language was frightening and I knew I had to stay calm to help keep the situation contained. I had asked if something had happened on the job, to which he replied no. I asked if he was feeling OK, and again, he replied no. So I knew something was upsetting him and asked him flat out, what was wrong. He had indicated that he had gotten a call from home and went on say and I quote “The doctors said there was nothing more they could do for my mom, and she is going downhill fast”. Now what would you think if you hear those words? Get your airline tickets? Make arrangements to take the family home? If it didn’t come from mom or dad directly…call home and find out if it was true?

All of those things entered my brain, and I was ready to have the whole family on a plane to be with his mother today. Yet, then my mind stopped in its tracks and I was forced to ask the one question I already had the answer too. “Who called and told you this?” I was not surprised when he told me who. The Drama Queen strikes again. I assured him that I didn’t feel the situation was a grave as he was thinking and told him I would call home myself to get an update. He assured me that he would call home, but there was no way that I was going to let him work with the heavy machinery that he operates, under that type of worry and stress. I’m glad I went with my gut instinct and I made that call as soon as I got home.

I was unable to get through the first couple of tries, but was finally successful and how shocked I was to hear this upbeat full of life voice on the phone. Instantly my fears subsided when she said that for the most part, in spite of all that she has been through, she was fine. I have to say, his mom has seen her share of medical challenges and keeps on truckin’. We laughed and joked on the phone for more than a half an hour. She shared with me the changes in her medical status, and what the next steps were. She has MS, and not all patients with this disease have the same treatment outcome. They just haven’t found the best regiment that meets all her needs. She had shared with me what the next course of treatment would be and to lighten the mood I was instructed to share with my husband that “Mom is fine and that he needs to realize that she was going to be around a long time to bug him.”  

Now clearly the way that my husband had stated what her condition was, would have led you to believe she was about to take her last breath. I felt bad, but I had even told my husband before I left, that I didn’t believe this situation was all truth and that it was another one of those, feel bad for me the sky is falling moments. He was mad at my comment, but that quickly changed about an hour later. Going on, my husband is a nice guy, will do anything for anyone, and takes people at their word. But the one thing about this good hearted man...He hates a liar." He gets mad when I keep bring up that people these days have this great ability to stretch the truth.  I’m told I am over reacting, but today was the turning moment when I called him back and updated him. I sensed his anger and this time it wasn’t towards me. Phew! I thought sure he was going to be mad that I made the call that he told me not to. He is very aware that his mom is going through a lot, and he worries about her every day. The problem with this is that my husband has gotten this type of urgent call like clockwork for the past 12 years, putting this strong woman on her death bed. SAD! I take notice when something becomes repetitive and these types of calls are hard on my husband which in turn affects the whole family. Which has me thinking that the caller didn't completely listen to the news they had gotten at home and paniced or that are treading along the lines of intentional and could be viewed as a form of emotional abuse to make him feel guilty that he has not moved back home to be with his family more.

This is another reason why I dislike cell phones more and more. This whole situation could have waited until after working hours. People need to get the clue that, his boss can’t stress it enough at his place of employment…NO PERSONAL CALLS ON HIS (THE BOSSES) TIME! And I don’t blame him in the least. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve seen, when I was working, abuse the use of personal calls during working hours. Now don’t get me wrong, my husband doesn’t get nearly the calls that he used to and I will admit I’ve called my husband at work…and that is the two key words (My husband). Yet even being married to him, I don’t abuse the phone. Once in a great while I am following up to see how he was feeling, if I knew he had left the house not feeling his best. I try to make sure that he has headache and sinus meds with him. I may also call just to update him on a change in plans with the boys. But for the most part, I let him call me, but don’t wait by the phone expecting it. If he does call from work it is usually only on days when he will have breaks, or in a pause status as he waiting for the next part of a project to begin. But you’ll never see me calling and talking for 35 minutes on the bosses time.

By the end of the day, I didn’t know how he had faired the emotional storm, but was so happy when he came in the front door smiling and grabbed the house phone and said he was calling his mom back. I was again relieved to hear that he called her directly. Thank God!  He had been talking with his mother on the phone, on his way home from work when his battery died. He immediately called her back and the two of them had a wonderful conversation. I stepped out of the room to give him some privacy, but I couldn't help but over hear his laughter that filled every room of our home while he spoke. 

When his call was over, We both agreed that he needed to call his mother and father directly and weekly. That if he didn't and something happened to them, he would never forgive himself. That he needed to build his bond with them, even if over the phone for now, until we finally get out west before our retirement years. That what they talk about should be kept between them, so that it would be their special time unless someone indicates that something they said was ok to tell others. I feel that it is very important that he keeps in constant contact with them as their son, and should share with them what is going on in his life first hand and vise-versa. I am also doing the same as their daughter-in-law and that I truly have enjoyed getting to know them again and I have made it very clear that they will be informed if something bad happens here. That they will hear it directly from us so that there are no questions. By making these changes in our lives , we anticipate that the dramatic episodes and third person miss information will reduce, with quickness – we can only hope.

So in analyzing my extreme procrastination, I have found that I must take each life situation and take the information in, review it rather than react to it by, either sleeping on it or address it. After that file it away, and get back to my cleaning this house out. Or if all else fails...write a book about it or blog it.  Now I think you will be surprise, and I will not let myself be embarrased to openly admit that I have found an organizer that is willing to work with me pro-bono. Her request is to get the big stuff either put in its place or thrown away, and then she will come in to work on the little things with me. I’m excited. I can only hope she will also help me to stay on track when things happen unexpectedly. I should have my progress photos up soon. I’m hoping later tonight, but I am also writing a story for a contest that is due in next Tuesday. UGGH! (Smile). My plate is full, but I'm energized and have graduated from the speed of snail to a turtles pace. Have a great weekend everyone! Thanks for reading.

A BIG CLUTTER MILESTONE GOAL REACHED!

Yes, that is me in February 2010. It was my husband 40th Birthday surprise party, I thought I was looking great, (I was living the life of denial)...little did I know that my weight was another part of the problem with my emotional outlook on life. I was very insecure...yes I said it...I WAS insecure. By December 2010, I was 298 lbs., a size 26, and a physical miserable mess. I think I can honestly say that I was at rock bottom by December 2010. I had a large case, no pun intended, of the guilties for not accompanying my husband to his birth father’s funeral in November of 2010. Then to really test my emotional frame of mind, I got email bashed by an old "So called friend" of my husbands. Funny what happens when a woman (myself), gets the idea in her head, that her (my) relationship is being threatened – how sad and extreme a woman (I) can become. They either run and hide or come back twice as strong. What do you think I did? Don't answer that, you might get it wrong. Believe it or not, I just wanted to withdraw from everyone and disappear, yet at the same time I knew I had to change myself. I kept finding myself asking the same question over and over in my mind, "How the hell did this strong independent women turn into the overweight, lonely, untrusting of anyone, reactive, emotional, co-dependent person I was. Then to add insult to injury, I then somehow had become the naive person I was before I met my husband. My brain was a cluttered mess. I couldn't think or process the easiest tasks. As much as I vowed I'd never be that naive girl again, in my mind, I was exactualy that girl and then some.  OMG! On Dec 7, 2011, my doctor updated my medical status and if I didn't begin to change I would end up a full-fledged diabetic, because of my weight, and a heart attack because of the high level of stress I was under. What it boiled down to...I had to declutter my mind and what was going on within me, in order to start cleaning up what was going on around me.



These are the pants in the first picture.



To start, I had to put my faults down on paper. This, my dear readers, was a big time wakeup call. A huge reality check if we want to keep the descriptions modern. (Smile). Not only did I have issues, I just couldn’t get over the lack of respect that I had for myself and I realized, If I don't respect myself, then who would? Nobody! Here it is, one year and one month later. SURPRISED - Is the reaction I get from people who haven’t seen or spoken to me since I reached my goal to lose the weight and declutter my mind. People say, “Wow, what diet are you on? What are you doing? Are you exercising? I want to do what you’re doing. You must feel great!” Yes, I do feel great and no I am not on a diet – That response usually quiets a room. I’m serious I didn’t get caught up in a multimillion dollar weight loss program. All I did was stopped drinking soda. I stopped eating junk food and anything that has more than 5 grams of sugar in it, I don’t put it in my mouth. For exercise, I picked up Yoga – LOVIN’ IT! 



Me as a size 12/14



But the biggest thing that I did, and was the most important – I learned to respect myself and began the process of clearing out the clutter of unnecessary thoughts in my mind. I learned that I can’t change the people around me, I can only change myself. I can’t change the way people think, I can only change my way of thinking. The hardest lesson I learned, was that if you want people to hear what you’re saying, you also have show them that you are a good listener.

 

I took all the negative elements in my life and made them work in a positive way for me. My way of thinking, eating, guilt, insecurity, depression, co-dependency, reactiveness, emotional disconnect, thought I was lonely, and yes I even found a way to turn the email from the, “I tell it like it is,” old friend, to work to my advantage. A big thank you to her, you totally inspired me to write one hell of a book. Now if my publishers and I could get on the same page with the cover, they tell me it will one day be a best seller, hands down.  The biggest and final wakeup call - when I learned why she went on to write the words that she did. I think she’d be the one who feels the fool now if she knew that SHE HAD BEEN LIED TO TOO! Sucks doesn’t it! Moving on to better things.



There were my jeans a year ago - Size 26



I let so much negative life stay bottled up in my mind, that it physically paralyzed me. I had to create a positive image in my mind along with my changes in sugar content and food and so, I saw myself thin, I saw myself smiling, I saw myself happy and I saw myself loved. Love can move mountains, and love helped me see the light of change. I didn’t want to bomb bard you with my past, but sometimes reading someone else’s struggles as to why they do what they do to themselves or how others affect people, helps us see that we are not alone in this world. That one time or another, we have all been in a place that we feel is our own rock bottom. It may not have anything to do with weight, yet somehow we can still connect with the feeling of hurt or disappointment. If you want to be happy, than be happy, you can do it! I believe in you, just like I now believe in myself. You only get one shot at this lifetime, grab a hold of it, and make it yours. So what if that dream of being a millionaire hasn’t come true, you’re alive, right? So what if you don’t have a fancy car, you’re still alive. And even when you’re feeling that you are not loved…love yourself and who you are, as there is nobody else like you. Don’t let the influence others dictate who you are, what you want in live, and what you look like. I have taken back my life and I am stronger than ever and I will never let hurtful words or negativity ever claim me again.

In all the clutter and fog that has been removed from my mind, body and soul, I found my life again and the people I want to share that life with. Yet all of those dear family and friends in my life, they should all know by now, the three most important men in my life, that keep me motivated to keep moving forward and not to give up – My husband, and two sons. I am blessed to have your love and support and that you kept believeing in me, just when I though that all hope had been lost. I Love You Always.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LflD37JAlS0

I SMELL A FISH?

Refrigerator Before

I am completely speechless as to how long it has actually been since I have updated my, Clutter Blog, as it is known for short in my house. I am proud to say that with illness and doctors’ appointments to keep my younger son comfortable, I still found time to complete a project that is usually one that goes for years...yes I said years, undone unless there is a massive spill that usually goes undiscovered until an odd mystery smell finds its way throughout our home. Obviously by the picture to your left, you knew I was talking about our refrigerator. Now come on, how many of you clean your's on a weekly basis?...Yeah I know there will be some of you out there who do, and are completely disgusted with my lax-a-daisy method. In my home, as I looked around each room, I noticed a theme present. Items were never put back in the place where they belong in our home. This is the same for our refrigerator/freezer. Put it where it fits, seems to be the thing to do when putting things back.  So, my plan was to complete the refrigerator side this week and the freezer side next week. Again, my plan was to have the one side done in an afternoon. Not no...But Hell NO! I wish you could have seen the things I found. Jell-O or jam that had fallen over and slowly oozed down the sides and back of my fridge. Then the worst part, the mystery meat and green cheeses, that were not green when I purchased them. The most revolting part of this clean was the piece of Cod, which I had planned on making fish chowder with, that was somehow pushed to the back bottom shelf.  I figured my husband or kids had thrown it out days ago, as they are not fish eaters and probably feared I would make a dish with fish in it, without telling them.  Now come one, would I do that? Not after what happen to my husband when I opened a can of tuna one day for my lunch...he made himself sick. Anyway the smell of this hidden fish, found its way through out our home, and oddly enough, my husband and boys started looking at me. Hey now!...I have no hygiene issues. I'm not getting blamed for the odor in the house. But the green cheese, now that rancid smell, wow, it was close to the bad case of boot foot that my three guys have. I keep telling them to wear sneakers once in a great while and they wouldn't have halitosis of the foot so much, but do they ever listen to me? Nope.

Refrigerator After

So battling the bulge of food and items that kept falling from our fridge each time we would open the door, I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and get the job done and done right. The trash guys hated me. Nothing worse than a ton of bad meat, cheese and items that are sold in glass. It makes the trash bags extra heavy. Glad I don't get charged by weight or volume. I'd be broke. So as you can see with the picture to the right, things are organized, but not in places where I would like them to be, usually I have milk on the door and vegetables in the veggie bin, but one of the bids were so filled with stuck on things that had made their way from the top of the fridge to the drawers, that it wouldn't open and so the track is still soaking and I need a very small tool to get into those tiny crevasses. UGH. But for the most part you can see that the less is more approach, is a nice way to go. You can see what you’re looking for and there is no funky meaty, cheesy, fishy, smell. Be glad that the internet doesn’t have a smell button. You would have never kept reading. All in all, I am getting there at a snail’s pace that is on its way to Florida from Maine. Slowly but surely, I am getting a hold of the constant clutter and will be able to brag about my victory in another 11 months, 1 week and 4 days. Thanks for stopping by to check on my clutter progress. My next attempt will be going back downstairs to clean out the linen and coat closet. If that gets done, then I will be able to go back to my bedroom closet and liquidate it for sure. I'll keep you posted on my progress and will always post before and after pictures. Just so you know I'm not making any of this up. I'm also excited about a blog update on my weight loss, talk about shockers, can't wait to share the before and after pictures of this milestone, but that story, I will have to share sometime in the future. Right now I'm focused on clutter. Have a great Friday, I know I'm going to enjoy it...its date night with my sweetheart.

IS THIS A TEST? IF IT IS...I FAILED!



The bedroom closet door - Check

 Well, once again, I failed at following through with a plan. My plan for Monday turned out to be anything, but what I had my mind set to complete. Even if it were just a few words on my current cleaning status, but the words never found their way from my thoughts to my computer. Let me explain why. On Sunday afternoon, I was so excited to share with you my, small but I'm getting there, accomplishments. I got my new closet door hung earlier in the week; it's what's behind the door that has not been looked at. I got my cooking cabinet in my kitchen cleaned but still needs much organization. I began to declutter my refrigerator, but gave up on all this stuff when the realization finally hit me, we had lost a very dear friend and gave her body to mother earth...I just wanted to sit alone, still and quiet. I don't do death well, never have, and I probably never will. I know it is a part of life, but it's a part that I'd rather not think about.  So I took Sunday to try to get my inspiration back, only to be set back once again when I heard my youngest son say, "Mom my throat hurts badly and there are white patches all over my tonsils." Two words came to my mind instantly...Strep and Contagious. CRAP!

I took him to the local clinic, as I knew this would probably require some type of antibiotic, usually amoxicillin or some large pink horse looking pill that tasted bad. There wasn’t any line and we got right in. The nurse did the usual vitals check and then asked what his symptoms were. She too, after looking at the patches in his mouth, agreed that it looked like strep and proceeds with the quick swab test. Is it strep? Nope. Both the nurse and myself looked at each other in complete disbelief. How in the hell could this thing come up negative, I thought. While my son was speaking to her, I noticed that she wrinkled up her face and then inquired as to how long his breath had been this harsh. Yes I am completely embarrassed that she had to ask him this. All that came to my mind was - why doesn’t he brush his teeth like I tell him too – UGH!  But she didn’t ask him for that reason. Who knew that extremely bad breath is an indicator for worse things to come. Then she proceeds with another test that required a finger prick and small miniature glass tube of blood. He was being tested for Mono. I’d heard of Mono when I was in school, Before you start with the wise cracks, yes the buses had round wheels and no we were not pulled by a team of horse. Before I had time to ask any questions I heard her say – It’s positive. My baby has Mono. DOUBLE CRAP!  We got all the necessary instructions, over the counter pain meds and a low dose of steroids to bring down the inflammation in his tonsils. We now had a culprit as to why he had been feeling so badly lately.

So now, Monday rolls in, but it’s also not like any other day when I am home. It was a holiday for students and there was no school – I totally forgot. Then I was reminded that both boys had appointments with their foot doctor, for what I believed was minor ingrown toe nails that just needed soaking to soften the skin. I was right on the ingrown toe nail, wrong on what would happen next. My youngest son had one ingrown toe nail and my older son, lucky boy, and I mean that most sarcastically, had two. TRIPPLE CRAP!

But the biggest shocker of my day, the doctor decides they were going to undergo their procedures, to correct the problems, that day, as they are sitting there, no need to reschedule, lets just do it.  What I thought was going to be an out of the pocket expense of $200.00, turned into a bill that would be well over $1,000.00 because I didn’t have a referral from their primary care physician – I skipped over the EXTRA TRIPPLE CRAP and went right for a SON OF A B*TCH – and why did I do that, because now I had to call both my insurance and the primary care doctor on a holiday. Is this a test? If it is…I’m failing big time!  After about two hours of calling this person, and that person, and this person again, at 11:07am the procedures began. Thank God I missed the needles and the preparation, because at that point, I was feeling rather nauseous. I’m told I am to remain stress free – YEAH RIGHT! HA-HA. At 11:54pm my younger son walked out of the clinic like a pirate with a wooden leg and my older was walking like a duck. I can just imagine what on lookers must have been thinking – “Poor handicapped kids must be a family disorder.” So after another trip back to the pharmacy for another round of medications, we finally got back to our cluttered home at 1:30pm. They sat in the recliners with their feet up, and I sat and pondered..."What the Fudge am I doing wrong?" If these two kids had listened to me when I told them not to cut their nails short, or put their jacket on or they were going to get sick, my insurance company wouldn't be looking at the claims piling up on their desks this morning and wonder - What in the world, happed to the Bolin family this weekend? Ouch!

So this is what happens when I plan to accomplish something here on the home front – life challenges me, and no matter how cluttered my home gets, the health of my family supersedes a day organizing my closet, or cleaning out my refrigerator. But this is why I have this blog, so that I don’t let these types of days, distract me for more than the two days, OK, OK, weeks to months, to years, as it once did. I have to get back up on my cleaning steed and attack this clutter fight head on. Touché!

Many Sincere Thanks

I would to express my many thanks to everyone who sent your thoughts and prayers to the Wolford family in their time of sorrow. I will be sure to extend your words to them. I also thank you for your understanding in my choosing to wait until January16, to resume my blog on organizing the clutter. I look forward to sharing my newest in organizing endeavors and to get started working on the big stuff. :)  See you tomorrow.

With Sympathy and Caring to the Wolford family

It is with a heavy heart that I write today. A wonderful woman that has been a big part of our extended family, passed away early this morning, 1/11/2012. Out of respect for her and her family, I shall not blog on clutter today, so that we all may take the time to reflect on the days we were blessed to be a part of her life, her family’s lives, and how she had that special touch that made everyone feel loved.  May you rest in peace sweet Janice, you will be truly missed.

~ Janice Wolford ~

She was know to everyone as Grandmom,

Gmom for short.

Organizational Sabotage - Someone call the police.

Day Nine

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Wow, I could have gotten that cleaning done if...X, Y, and Z, had not altered my plan?"  I think I am victim of Organizational Sabotage. Wow, sounds like a new thriller title for a book. Ha-ha. But seriously, all my intentions, to get things done, come from my heart, but I don't have a clue on timing or getting back in the grove when I've been distracted. Then I have to deal with what looks like easy quick projects, only to find out the hard way - ARE NOT!  Sometimes I'd like to just stand in the mirror and yell, "What the hell are you doing girl!"

So here is how the projected project unfolded. I wanted a miracle for Sunday. I envisioned this closet that was so organized it was color coded. The shoes all fit on the shoe rack and the belt and tie rack would say nailed into the wall. I wanted so much to get the closet cleaned out and the new door and knob on. I know if I am getting tired of propping the closet door shut with a pillow, I know my husband is too, but he airs on the side of caution, when making comments on my ability to put something off for days, months, and weeks at a time. He is getting better; lately he has been expressing himself to me, which is what I asked for. Last thing I want is to hear my about my flaws from somebody else. I know I have a very long list and I am working on making that list shorter and shorter each day.

So here it was, Sunday midday, and I was ready to begin. My kids were outside and my husband was downstairs doing laundry...hum??? Him, doing laundry and watching football...what was he up too? I thought to myself.  As I started my project - I was getting things off the floor and putting shoes, I didn't want, into a donation bag... when it happened - the first interruption that lead to many. The family was hungry and wanted some lunch. UGHGH!!  I stopped what I was doing and put some sandwiches and chips together and was ready to venture back into my project when I heard, "Mom, football is on, come and watch it with us. Immediately my, "What are they up too," radar kicked in."  I am thrilled to think they wanted me to hang out in the man cave with them, but what really ended up happening...I was the one who ended up washing and folding the laundry. By late afternoon, I decided the closet will wait until Monday, and I took it upon myself to at least attempt to work on a smaller clutter project that desperately needed attention. I cleaned both the inside and tops, of my nightstand and dresser. WHAT A MESS!

I don't have a clue why I keep some of the crap I do. What is the reasoning behind it? Why would I have receipts, some dating as far back as 2004? Then I found about a hundred or so, movie ticket stubs. Again...have no clue why I was keeping them.  However, the best part of my day, was dumping out one of my drawers and finding over $65.00 in change. SWEEEEET! So I found the top of my dresser and nightstand, but I still had not touched the closet...I felt like a failure - again.

So here it was Monday morning, same routine with Ron and the Kids, dishes done, cat fed, trash out to the curb. After all this got done, it was now time to get started on my delayed bedroom closet project. I was very eager to get started. Nobody home, cell phone off, my crystal light lemonade made, found my tools and chisels for the hinges and commenced to begin. I got the floor decluttered and began to take the door off the hinges, when suddenly, once again I was interrupted..."SON OF A B*TCH!" I was not feeling the best and needed an immediate bathroom break. UGHG! For about three hours I was either flat out on my bed with a heating pad or in the bathroom hoping the pain - OK, gas pain or whatever it was, would just go away.

By 11:00 am, I was finally feeling back to my old self and got the garbage can and bins for the clean out. Ring; Ring...now the house phone is ringing. It is my oldest son, who missed his bus and needs a ride two towns away for his Vocational Class. OMG! Will I ever get a break? Don't answer that.  By the time I get home, it is now 1:40 pm, and in about 35 minutes my kids would be walking through the door and want snacks and need help with homework. These are the days I want to just sit and cry. Why can't I get time to work for me? I plan and plan, yet things never go the way I hope.  So this morning, I said to hell with it and jumped in with two feet and started my project once again, only to hear...Ring, Ring. My oldest son failed to inform me this morning, that he is taking HSA testing and will miss his bus again to Vocational class. Yep, you know what the means, in about 30 minutes from now, I will be heading out of the house again and my project is now half done. 

I got the new door measured, the hinge notch's chiseled out and the door hung. I was so excited...it was now time to drill the hold for the knob. WHAA WHOO! WHAAA WHAAA....WHAT THE HELL!?!? Yes, that is exactly what I said out loud. As the tool cut deeper and deeper into the door, the slower and slower it was cutting - the battery on our cordless drill died. No problem, I thought, I have a backup battery - NOT! Someone unplugged the charger when they were working in the garage. So, here I sit, everything in my closet is on my bed, my door is on with a partial hole for a knob and I have to leave the house in T-minus 20 minutes and counting. I tried to take a picture of today’s project, only to learn...my batteries are dead in my camera, and so I will be going to CVS as well as taking my son to his class.

So all in all, I am now totally frustrated and I have made this mission a quest for completion. I will have this job done today, because I am going to need my bed to crash in tonight. UGHGH!  CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!! 

Manic Monday

Day Eight

Hey Everyone, thanks for the positive feedback on my blog. Thing were crazy today! Check back in tomorrow to see how I'm doing.  I can just imagine what must be going through your minds right now. Are you wondering - Did she finish the project? Did she put it off? How did she do while her family was home? What does the closet look like now?

Find out tomorrow when I have the chance to share my Organizing Stacey Bolin by 2013 update.
Below is a tid-bit of music to set the mood. :) Have a great evening - See you tomorrow.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAZgLcK5LzI

A Sunday Miracle

Day Seven

Wow, two days in a row we are experiencing above average temperatures. So, it's windows open to air this house out, and let the deep cleaning begin. But little do the three boys downstairs, (My husband, and two sons) realize that they are about to be recruited in this cleaning game. Big sinister and huge evil grin. It's time the boy find their rooms and I need to clean my bedroom closet and put on a new door. So that is my project listing for today. Trust me, it's a big deal. As embarrassed as I am, I will take pictures of our closet, before and after. I just hope that A.M.V.E.T.S. (www.amvetsnsf.org) will come back on Monday, since they were already here on Friday. BTW...We lack major closet space in this little home of ours.

I'm fearing this project it is rather overwhelming and believe it or not,

the clothes are my husbands and the shoes are mine.

Time for equal close space...don't you agree? hehe.

MOM CAN WE...???

Day Six

Wow, the first Saturday of another New Year. I don't know why, but this week just seemed extra long. I may not have gotten all the items on my "TO DO LIST" done, but where I didn't get them done, I accomplished other tasks, for instance - My younger sons bedroom. Ouch! Nothing worse than to clean the room of a teenage. I can hear some of you now. Doesn't a teen need their privacy? Do you really think you should go into their room when they are not home? Don't you feel guilty?  My answers are - Sometimes, and that is why I will not post any before and after pictures, YES, and HELL NO.  How do you think we parents gain our knowledge of what our teens are up too. In this day and age, parents have to be one step ahead at all times, because just when you think your kid just might be perfect...you'll get that dreaded phone call that they have done something wrong. Remember you were a teen once, and that is why I take my parenting role to heart. And the fact that if they are showing signs of being a clutter bug, you guide them into better cleaning practices. Now I don't clean the whole room, as everyone has their way of arranging things to better suit them. I go in with my hasmat gear on and look for the mystery smell, that is usually a pile of dirty socks shoved under the bed, or the glass of milk, that wasn't finished, that appeared to have been on the night stand for about two months. Ewwwwww.

Now our Saturday's are usually busy. My boys are both in a youth bowling league. No they are not professional or even look to have the ablility to go pro, but it is a great way to engage them in socilaization. For me, it is about three hours to talk with other parents and get the scoop on what's going on with them in school - A few parents are teachers where my kids go. It's like having a get out of Jail free card. Big Evil Grin and I know what they are up too. Ok, so going on. My plan for today was to get all the Christmas boxes off the garage floor and overhead into the new organized attic space. I wanted to clean my floors, get old clothes and shoes into boxes for our donation company, that will come and pick up your stuff - Free of Charge. I also wanted to get all the curtians down and washed. But do I think that will happen today? I doubt it, and why, I have already been hit with - Mom, can we go and pick up this? Mom, can we go to the hobby store for this part and that part for my model? Mom? Mom? Mom? You get the jist. Normally I would be able to get my cleaning done and they could go and do what they needed to do after bowling, because my husband is usually home to do the guy thing with them.

Today however is different. Due to a large job and pending bad weather, several of the men from my husband company decided to take this Saturday to get as much done on this project as they could before snow flies. Every construction worker knows that in this state, bad weather means days off without pay. I've been up since 4:17 and treated this day like any other work day, minus waking the kids early...I need my sanity as long as I can have it.  I have got two loads of laundry going, dishes are all done, counters are cleaned and in a few minutes it will be off the computer and into the shower. I am finding that routines are a great thing to have, but don't be so dependant on them, as life has a way of changing things. Little by little I work at throwing the clutter away and find that I tend to jump from room to room. But knowing that I do this and I am completely aware of what distracts me, the task is looking easier to accomplish.  I know that it won't happen over night, but I know by the end of this year this place will be a peaceful place that we call home.

Doctor tells me I'm OK!

DAY FIVE

What was going to be a morning of organizing my linen and coat closet yesterday, was anything but.  However, I have the perfect reasoning behind it. I have had a possible medical condition that has been worrying me since November of last year. For the past several years there has always been a small lump on the left top side of my head. Doctors noted it over the years and would check it for changes in shape and size, but it had always remind the same, until just last year. In addition to the lump on my head, I was also experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain and arm pain. Yes, I have been followed extensively and I have to say, my doctor that I have now, who is in the Army, is top notch.  So worrying continuously about these possible serious medical conditions, my mind wonders and distracts me from getting my house projects done.  I had full intensions of getting my projects done yesterday, and then it happened - Fear came over me about my health.  I began to worry - what if these symptoms are life threatening? What about my Husband and boys? Who would take care of them? Me that's who - Think positive.

When these types of worries come upon me, I give myself about fifteen minutes to let myself cry, get angry, zone, whatever it is I need to do to get back into my game and find my inner strength. For me, Christmas music is what helps me back into a calming state. No joke, if you were to go into my truck or anywhere in my house, there is always a Christmas CD stuck somewhere for quick access. So, my appointment was in Bethesda at noon. After getting my husband off to work and the kids off to school, I got the wood stove a blazing and then sat quietly listening to my music and watching the fire, all the while - telling myself I was going to be just fine.

My husband is always my inspiration when dealing with this type of medical appointment. He is a rock, but I am sure he is just as scared as I am. Neither one of us want to relive the medical trauma we went through with my Hodgkin's Disease 17 years ago. I got myself dressed and wanted more than anything to see him before I headed to Bethesda.  So I did what I always do...find a reason to see him on his job site. He was working local - Lucky for me.  I went to Subway and got him a sandwich, coke and cookies.  When I pulled up to where he was working, there were many trucks waiting to be loaded with top soil and other companies were getting  their material together to put their foundation forms together. My husband is an Master Equipment Operator.  He say's I just say that because he is my husband. I tell him, "No, I say that because you are very talented person and I am proud to be married to you."

Now I don't have to talk to him to feel better, just seeing him at work, rest or play, is more than enough. I stood there next to two other workers and smiled. They saw that I had brought a special lunch for him and offered to go and get him. But all I had to do was just leave it there and I didn't want to slow progress. I saw him and he saw me. We know each others hand singles to the T.  I smiled and then pointed out that I was going to leave his lunch in his truck, then waved and away I went. I got to the Military Hospital in record time, got checked in and was immediately placed into the doctors examination room. I knew in an instant that I was going to be fine when he began to talk about the results. All is well and good, the lump on my head is made of bone, not tissue mass and is calcium related. As for the heart, I need to stop stressing out so much. Because of the years of stress I had placed upon myself, my heart muscles don't know how to completely relax. Knowing this, I will be more aware of how I am feeling, I will continue with my ways of coping with stressful situations, and when all else fails, I will stay calm.   So to get a clean bill of health vs. cleaning my closet out...I took the clean bill of health and celebrated with my husband and boys. My thought - I will battle the clutter another day.


Today is another day and I am ready to go back to my cleaning schedule. Wish me luck! haha. T.G.I.F. - Thank God It's Friday! 

Didn't do it today, I put it off for tomorrow

Day Four
January 5, 2012

Had a doctor's appointment, no projects completed today.
This also would have been my dad's birthday. Rest in peace. 

A Tedious First Task - But Now Complete

Day Three

Well, I guess better planning has got to be included into my quest for organization.  My hopes were to finish all the Christmas decoration sorting and liquidating, yesterday afternoon, of the items that have been stored in a total of 12 bins for years.  What a huge reality check it was for me.  Here it was, I've been storing 12 bins of Christmas items. Yes, it was finally sinking in. I get them all down every year, but only use 1/4 of the items. It just didn't make any sense and I wasn't sure as to why I kept many of these things in the first place . Sure many of the items I kept were beautiful, or they were the perfect shiny colored red, green and gold that was hypnotic to me. Yet my biggest reason - I honestly think that many things reminded me of Christmas as a little girl. Life seemed so simple then.  

I could feel the attachment to each of the items, but when I asked myself when was the last time I had ever really used it, or would I, it was very easy to put things into the donation box. Now don't get me wrong, other items, there was no question, as soon as I picked it up I knew immediately I was keeping it, and that was that. But knowing I gave myself a set limit of how much I was going to keep made this task easier even if it did take longer than I wanted. All in all, I kept what was important to me and the rest is going to someone else's home to enjoy. I reached my goal and now have only 5 bins of decorations to put back into the attic. My husband will be so proud. So, yes I feel bad for not getting done when I projected, but on the flip, I met my goal of 5 bins and the rest of the unwanted items are boxed, loaded in my truck and ready for a trip to the donation center here in town. I can say, it feels like some of the weight has been lifted from my shoulders. What a difference in our family room after the mass amount of clutter that I had yesterday. (see yesterday's blog for before pictures). I am feeling motivated to keep moving forward.  I forget in this grand plan of mine, I still have wifely and motherly duties to complete as well.  Then to add to my test, I have a cold, but that's not stopping me. My next task is to organize my laundry room coat and linen closet. Until tomorrow. Have a great day.

Clutter, Clutter, Everywhere - CALGON TAKE ME AWAY!

Day Two

OMG! The morning started as any back to school, back to work day would. Up at the crack of dawn. Made the hubby breakfast, got his lunch packed, and by 6:05am he was out the door. At 6:10am the kids were moving at the speed of snail, but they got up and were fed and to help them with their first day back, I took them to school. OK, not really to help them back, but for me to get my things done around town. Taking them to school, on days I need to get out and get things done, is a huge motivator for myself to get my day started. Our commissary opens early so I was in the parking lot waiting by 7:25am.  Got only the things that I put on my preprinted shopping list organizer, that I bought at Target months ago. Shocking...I didn't buy anything that wasn't checked on the list and it still cost me over $100.00. UHGHGH!!! Honestly...the list kept me focused. I wasn't distracted this time, by the Little Debbie Chocolate Snack Cakes and Doritos Nacho Cheese Chips, begging me to put them in my cart. No Sir, not gonna do it, I kept my mind on the list.

I got home at 9:47am, put the groceries away and was ready to being my first official day of organization. I looked around the house and was immediately overwhelmed. Remembering a tip that I read in a book I just bought called "What's A DISORGANIZED PERSON To Do? 317 Ideas, Tips, Projects, and Lists to unclutter your home and streamline your life. Author: Stacey Platt." Hummm, same first name with the same spelling...could this be a sign of a clutter free life to come?  Hope so. She suggested never to take on a large task. Work in small stages, rather than try to tackle everything at once. So I said to myself those very words over and over - small stages, little here, little there. So below is some before pictures of what I am tackling today - Reorganizing the 12 huge bins of Christmas, OOHH, that sounds like a new song "The 12 Bins of Christmas."  I have years of decorations that I bought and what people have given me over the years. These bins have been taking up precious garage attic space for years, and so I'm giving myself a limit. I'm keeping only 5. Ouch, I love Christmas, but it needs to be done and I'm determined to do it - I have to start somewhere. My thinking, what doesn't make it in the 5 bins will be donated. Progress pictures to be post soon.

This is just some of the bins,
the rest are upstairs for all the decorations in my dining room.

Progess updates to come later today.

"Paper Whore"

Day One

Greetings one and all to another New Year and a new blog. One that I think will be full of accomplished goals. Keeping my fingers crossed. This blog will differ from my usual norm of family issues, personal funnies, and life in general. This blog is a quest to change myself with the hopes that you the readers will set me straight on facing my personal issues as I deal with trying to become organized and learning to part with materialistic clutter than has taken up residency in our home. As many of you frequent readers, of my other blog, http://bu3-ret-staceybolin.blogspot.com, have read, you all know that I can't organize myself out of a wet paper bag, but can organize anyone else to the point of perfection - Explain that one. To start, I call myself a paper whore. Yes, you read it correctly. Rather than file something away, it gets stacked up on the corner of my hutch, office desk, in a box and thrown out in the garage, you name it, but it doesn't stop with paper, there is so much more you'll learn about my clutter and myself as we take this journey together.

What I need to do is to get back to the simplistic ways in which we once lived when we first bought our home. We had nothing. I want a less is more look in  my home. I want to know that when I am looking for a document, I know just where it is, what drawer it is in, and what folder I will find it in. Right now, I can tell you what room it's in, but it will take me about an hour of moving this and that and then I can't guarantee I'll find it. Yes, I know, very sad. I won't make excuses anymore. Here it is, MY FLAW for the public to know about. The first step in dealing with a problem is knowing you have one. "My name is Stacey Bolin, and I am unorganized."

So this blog is my personal daily journey as I try to make a grand transformation once and for all. I know that most people need professionals to help them get organized and trust me, If I had the money or somebody willing to deal with me, they'd be here. So today is the first day in making the change against my clutter addiction. My vow is to create an environment that is organized and maintained on a daily basis to make life better for me and my family.  I know I will need to ask for support and understanding as I make these changes, but clearing my home from clutter will clear my mind from clutter and will create a calm environment for all. Any tips, guidance, words of wisdom, or motivation to keep me on task is greatly incouraged and most appreciated.  Ok, here we go folks. Until tomorrow.