My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2018 May Resolution Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make what we of time because before you know it, time has slipped passed us. Don`t put off what we can do today till tomorrow.

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I do not. Usually two are easier and two are harder.

I have began to pick a word, or words, that I try to also apply to my life for the year. This year I chose the words "No Regrets" because I do not want to regret a single thing I go for this year, whether I make it all the way or I fail, I will learn either way and make myself better.

What are my resolutions? 

1- Stop buying - Grow more

I have worked so hard this month, after all May if the safest month to plant when there will not be anymore frost to kill the new plants.

The garden was tilled and I have 30 tomato plants, 12 bell pepper plants and 12 eggplants.  Two rows of okra, one half row of yellow squash and two rows of cucumbers.

New grape vines are in the ground.

Any day I will be picking blackberries.

I am staying away from the grocery stores as much as possible.

As far as buying things this month was a buying month, I got new stuff for the bed and bath.

New shoes for me.

So this one is a 50/50.

2 - Clear land - Set up rentals

This one is still sitting. Actually I have added to the mess by cleaning up another property. Seems I may have to go ask others about a price to clean it up, the last guy is a no show. 

100% fail.

3 - Clean, declutter and organize

I did not make it to the shed as I thought I would back in May, seemed I needed to keep the grass and fields up before cleaning came about.

Every week I take out more, whether it is a piece of clothing or a box of old decor, its going and that is a fact! I even sold 4 tank tops on ebay!

When I took the riding mow to be fixed I left it for my sister to use.

Still gonna get that shed cleaned out this year!

This one is 100% accomplishing so far. 

4 - Take a vacation

Nope, not yet but there had been a lot of talk about it.

I would love to do a road trip, no reservations no destination.

Since the cat ran away from home it will be easier to get someone to take care of my dogs. 

Not a fail at all, Because I am making up which way I want to go, East Or West?

50/50 cause its in my mind and I will make it. 

that is how well I am doing with this years resolutions, or goals. How are yours coming along? 

By Andria Perry

Photo By Andria Perry

My Minimal Hoarding Life - Stop The World! I Want Off!

As I look at the date I can barely believe that May It almost over already. Seems like just yesterday I was waiting for spring and cleaning out the closets, taking things to the donation box and cleaning up the yard before the weed woke up.

Its been a real ride around here, from a lot of working to make a living to the homestead and planting time.

The cleaning 

I have been keeping up the cleaning inside the house. I did a thorough cleaning, mopping and dusting, moving furniture and vacuuming. I went the whole nine yards as they say, then one day the cat was left inside and unattended for a few minutes and he decided to walk around and mark this house. Needless to say not even a week after cleaning the place I had to do this all over, plus wipe the walls down and in places scrub the carpet. 

The cat is no longer allowed to come inside, with or without someone being right by his side.

I am still keeping up the laundry and keeping the dishes washed.

What went out? 

Weekly I have been removing something from the house, mostly clothing and old scrap junk from outside.

I took off the cans to recycle, so they are no longer piled in the garage.

I took a riding mower to my uncle and he repaired it, instead of bringing it back home I left it at my sisters house for her use, and mine when I need it around the rentals. I am sure I will never bring it back home.

What came in? 

I have really tried to resist shopping but this month I took a little money and I updated 3 rooms.

First it was the bathroom, I bought a new shower curtain and liner, a new bath rug and four new towels.

Next was the bedroom. I bought a new comforter set and new curtains.

Last was the laundry room, it got a new large throw rug. 

I did not get rid of the ones I took off, I put them away for next winter, an exchange on both rooms.

I am down to buying coupons once a month, Sundays newspaper, but I am about stopped all shopping except for fresh foods, animal feed and washing detergents.

The Outside :

I have to add the outside to my daily life now since its a huge part of life around here. I mow about four to five hours per week to keep the grass under control. I am also digging in the vegetable garden, growing more of my own food. 

I will mention I have little to no help doing everything so this takes a lot of my time away from the inside but becoming a minimalist there is less and less to do inside.

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry

My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2018 April Resolution Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make what we of time because before you know it, time has slipped passed us. Don`t put off what we can do today till tomorrow.

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I do not. Usually two are easier and two are harder.

I have began to pick a word, or words, that I try to also apply to my life for the year. This year I chose the words "No Regrets" because I do not want to regret a single thing I go for this year, whether I make it all the way or I fail, I will learn either way and make myself better.

What are my resolutions? 

1- Stop buying - Grow more

Now its time to really get busy with planting more foods for the home canning, by home canning I cut out so many additives. I use mostly a dash of salt and that is all. I did inventory this past week and I know I need to make more meals in the jar.

I have tomatoes getting red, since i planted 6 plants very early. I have the rest of the plants outside hardening them off to go into the ground.

I have bought okra, squash and mixed green seed for a start to this years garden.

I do not recall buying anything but a couple tuns for the winter clothes.

This is a 100% accomplishment for April.

2 - Clear land - Set up rentals

I have not dug into getting anyone to come out, the cousin that primed has not shown up. Maybe I should look for someone else. 

This is a 100% fail!

3 - Clean, declutter and organize

YES! I am working on this resolution. I cleaned out my closet and that was the big deal! I had stuff in that closet that did not need to be in there but I can remember that there was no other place for it. 

I got rid of clothes and a couple pair of shoes. I bought a couple clear tubs and put the winter clothes away.

I went through all the drawers, cleaned them out of things I did not need anymore. I have one left and my bedroom is done with the getting rid of things I do not need anymore.

Next was the spare bedroom/ stockpile room, yes I tore my home canned good in there, its not used so why not?  I had a few pictures under the bed that I am getting rid of and I know I will NOT need anymore mason jars this year. I had stocked up last year when there was a $3 off coupon for each case.

I also had Tony to go through all his fishing stuff and he put the excess in a clear small flat tub and he threw away a bunch that was no longer good.

I started on the home office and I almost got it cleaned from top to bottom.

My plan for May is the shed.

This resolution is a 100% accomplishment.

4 - Take a vacation

I bet after you read the above you think this one did not happen, right? 

That would be a yes and a no!

No I did not go anywhere on a vacation but I did take several days off. I did not do very much beside cook and wash the whites. I laid around, read a couple books... yes 2 novels!

So there I took a mini stay-cation. 

Next will be the big vacation. I am sure I can get someone to feed the pets.

So this one is a 50% - 50%.

There ya go the fourth month of the year of 2018 gone but I am working on what I want to happen in my life.

How about you, have you gotten your resolutions on its way to happening? 

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry