My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2018 September Resolution Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make the best of the time we have 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 easy and two are hard.

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

For me I can do without all the junk food as long as I have ate at home before heading out for the day, however, since I am a 24/7 caregiver I do have to buy easy foods for him, or whatever he wants to eat, if and usually it does, differs from my meals.

This year my garden just did not produce enough to put up for that rainy day, it did feed me all summer, I do have okra that did make it okay in the deep freezer but I cannot depend on the power to stay on and keep it, we do have power outages and with those the food can ruin in the deep freezer.

I did get the greens planted for fall and they are thriving, so if its Gods will I will home can a few cases of those and share with family and friends.

As far as buying stuff? I have not really bought stuff but I did buy clothing, a few pair of shorts on the clearance rack to replace old worn shorts that will be tossed into the work clothes drawer, At $3 I can it was a deal and it was needed.

I can`t say this is a fail but its not 100% either so I will go with 50 - 50.

2 - Clear land - Set up rentals

Nope. Just No.

Sure I think about it, daydream what it`ll look like but as far as action? No. 

I knew this one would be a hard one to accomplish but hey! there are still three months left in this year.

100% fail.

3 - Clean, declutter and organize

Yes! I have been keeping up with the cleaning, clearing and organizing.

When we got new socks, out went the old.

When I get more supplies for the store, Sunshine`s home stead creations, meant I sold products, means success is on its way.

Just this past weekend I did a super cleaning,besides the normal kitchen, living room and dining room cleaning I  washed the walls of the laundry room after removing everything, I took the rest of the clothes hangers out and out them in the trunk of the car to go into the donation box. I washed the throw rug and wiped down the appliances. Its feels nice and light.

I cleaned my bedroom and my bathroom, although they are minimal they were in  need of a good dusting, mopping and vacuuming, besides the normal sheet changing and toilet/sink/tub cleaning. 

I cleaned out a small cabinet in the breakfast nook, I got rid of most of the things I had stored there. Keeping the new aluminum baking pans, baggies and paper plates.

I will say in this area and this resolution is a 100% accomplishment. 

4 - Take a vacation

I know I need one and I know I want one but the main problem is getting someone to feed the dogs and cat while I am away. Big Sigh.

100% fail. 

That is how I am doing with this years resolutions, 9 months gone.

How are you doing for 2018? 

If you are interested in seeing what I have been doing click here: https://sunshineshomesteadcreations.com

By Andria Perry
Photos by Andria Perry

My Minimal Hoarding Life - And Life Flew By

One day I looked up at the calendar and its almost October, but how? I mean, I just making the clean up plan for the year? 

I sit here on the last Tuesday of September with no plan for the day, so I figured I would catch up on writing, cleaning and I have an order to fill for Sunshine`s homestead creations 

 Since the water intake hose to the washer is leaking, a pin hole, and another will be put on shortly, I decided to clean the laundry room first. 

I spend so much time in the kitchen, cleaning, that sometimes I let the small laundry room go, its not really what I call nasty but it can use a good cleaning, especially since the washer and dryer will be pulled out.

I have removed everything that could be in the way, the large throw rug, the broom and mop and the dirty clothes basket. I went one stop further and I removed all the colored clothes hangers, put them into a box and out they went to the car. I will sell those in the next yard sale. 

At one time I "was" obsessed about my closet and the color hangers would go on each color of clothing, this worked for me to stay clutter free. Now that its under control I only use white for my clothing, once again.

I also gave my sister 3 bottles of All that was perfumed, I cannot believe I used that, no wonder we couldn`t breathe! I make my own now so the bottles on the shelf are my old All no scent bottle with my washing liquid, I also have the powder that I do like better and it takes up less space so its what I will make from now own.

The Fall Of The Year Plan 

As we all know what we plan for the year in January can change in a flat second by October, so by realizing that a one year plan may not work out, we have to change it here and there to make life as easy as possible. As we grow as a person, the plan will change.

Although the foundation of the plan is still the main goal, get rid of clutter and a cleaner life, we will have to allow for the things that do change.

The main goal for me is to clean out the summer clothes, I did the winter, well back in the winter, but as winter is getting closer I need to get rid of old summer stuff. 

To organize the home canning I did earlier in the summer and to take inventory for what vegetables I will need for winter. More about that click here : Learning to live free  

Since this office is where I spend a lot of time I need to just give it a good old fashion scrub down.

What was on the January list that I should have done but have not? 

That shed. I did take some stuff out but it did not get past making another mess in the garage. One day soon! I will load the truck and just head straight to the thrift store for a major donation!

Now that I have sat down and took a look at my life and its nearly October, I may be able to accomplish the tasks around here before the years end.

How about you? Did you accomplish the "cleaning plan" so far for 2018?

By Andria Perry

Photos by Andria Perry

My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2018 August Resolution Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make the best of the time we have 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 easy and two are hard.

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

Hmm, I really do have to think about this one. I am sure I have slowed down on buying most things. 

After all why should I keep buying when I don`t need anything? The best way to do this is to stay out of the stores so there is no temptation at all, then you know that you have all you need already.

I have bought supplies for the new store but if its going to be a store and sell body products, you cannot use recycled stuff! Not in the sense of already used bottles, that would be just gross!

Since the coupons offered each week in the newspaper are now nothing more than a joke ( .25 of three?! are they for real?) I will not buy the paper and I will not buy more than what I need to use a coupon. I am no longer buying  the paper, I just print for the dog and cat food, and the toilet paper.

As for buying food, Yes I still buy chicken, fish and beef. I have had to buy many vegetables this year because my garden did not do so well, but I still am stocked with home canned and tin can foods for later.

 I`m gonna say this is an improvement since July, 75% accomplishment.

2 - Clear land - Set up rentals

If anything this is going in reverse. I have had to use this land for the small limbs left behind from the storm, the large wood from the tree was given to a man with a fire place.

Although I have talked to people, and I have the plan, nothing has been done, no one has shown up. 

100% fail.

3 - Clean, declutter and organize

Yes! I am clearing more and more out, keeping things together.

First I did buy a few tubs, small shoe box size, for Sunshine`s homestead creations, the new store. This was only to keep the products separated and clean. I have stock on one end of this extremely long table, packaging in the middle and materials on the other end. The soap making products have their own box under the table.

The rest of th house is not bad at all, I just need to do weekly cleaning. As for the fields, the rain stopped and I have those under control. 

Now for another job, the old home place that may become a rental again or maybe I will move back, who knows? I have been cleaning out more from the old home place. I know, I know! Sounds like that house was packed. Well, in a way it was but not like on t.v. hoarding. When I moved 10 years ago I left it all but a truck load. That meant 20 years of stuff, stuff I did not need nor wanted. I had the major set back when all the trees got hit by a storm, this house was the worst, although it did not make the roof leak it had a tree laying on it. That is almost done, all the tree is off the house but one more limb that is in tack will come down with the rest of that tree. Anyways, while the  hired men work out there I am cleaning inside, everything goes, it is getting gutted to the 2 x 4`s.

This has also improved 80% accomplished.

4 - Take a vacation

All I will say is read above. 

100% fail. 

That is how I am doing with this years resolutions, 8 months gone.

How are you doing for 2018? 

If you are interested in seeing what I have been doing click here: Sunshine`s homemade creations  

By Andria Perry
Photos by Andria Perry