Minimalism Monday - How to, When you need to.

 

 

July 4,2016

Happy Forth of July to all.

As we all know it gets hard to catch up when we fall behind because something major in life comes before cleaning and taking care of ourselves. Don`t get discouraged! You can and will catch up.

Last week was actually a very good week, I had made a plan, wrote it down and stuck to it.

Sometimes when we think that the home is full of clutter its not really as bad as we think it is, we just need to get organized. Having those shelves installed or a chest of drawers may be all that is needed to put things away that looks like clutter but are actually our things we use on a regular basis. Although I try not to buy "stuff," I will buy what I need to organize my things that are a part of my daily life.

For me the baskets are a no-no because they collect to much dust for me to keep up with, but they are pretty. However, I do have a couple in the media closet to hold CD`s that are listened to more often than not.

I do have a couple shelves for books, some books, I sold most of my book collection because I have read them and no I am sure I wont reread those but I do keep my how to books and my cookbooks, those I do still use.

Now, how did I do last week on the decluttering and cleaning of my own home?

A few weeks ago I had intentions of reclaiming my garage and getting rid of everything I could, I did but I see more that can be gone. 

In the corner of the garage and shed there is a huge space that had became a "catch all" when it was supposed to just be a place for the recyclables. I cleaned everything out and now its just a place for the riding mower.

I also got most of the grass mowed and the yard cleaned up from stray wind blown trash from somewhere, I have no idea where the trash comes from!

Finally! I got the living room and dining room vacuumed and dusted. I am so proud to have those rooms cleaned because I was becoming ashamed of the dust.

Like always I am keeping the laundry up but I have something to add about the laundry, I am not using the electric dryer. I have decided to hang the clothes out on a line for the sun to dry as much as possible, I have dried only two loads in two months. Most of the time I fold the clothes as I take them off the line and that saves me from doing it inside on my bed.

The kitchen is the kitchen, I seems to live there so its always being worked in and cleaned, its a never ending story.

I filed all the paperwork and I did not buy coupons this week but I clipped the ones that were given to me.

It was a good week for me! How about you? Did you get anything done you wanted done?

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

Note : I must add that I also work. I am a 24/7 caretaker. I am a full time landlady. I have a vegetable garden, pick and put the food up either by freezing or canning and what I do not use I sell, I grow houseplants to sell. I am a writer of blogs.

Resolutions 2016 - One Half Gone

 

 

Wow! Another month gone, the sixth month of the year 2016. But I have to say I am not idle and watching the world pass, I am out there in the middle of the mad, mad world surviving with the best of them. Most people forgot their resolutions 2016 months ago, but not me I am a work in progress, one half gone already? Yes! So lets see how well I have done.

Now lets see how I am doing with the things I want to do for my life this year, my goals. I make four resolutions, two easy and two hard. You can see what is hard and what isn`t.

One - Stop shopping so much and use up the stockpile. 

 I have to say that I did cut back on shopping, the garden is in full production and has feed me many days with fresh foods. I am canning and making a new stockpile from the garden, The only thing that I have stocked is green beans because the deer ate mine. I still have those empty shelves but I am slowly filling them with homemade foods and not many store bought. And we did not eat out as often in the month of June and that is always a money saver! 100% Accomplishment this month.

Two - Start a new business. 

I have to say that I still have pretty houseplants, as far as selling produce from the vegetable plants I grew back in the beginning of the year, some made it some did not, I made my money back and them some with the squash and zucchini crop, they are almost spent. As far as selling anything else at the moment its a big nope because of the rain situation. I do not have a green house, yet.  75% Accomplishment this month.

Three- Replace the old worn out, things and thoughts. 

This one is one of the tricky resolutions. I have discarded clothing and bought a three outfits of a the newer style. I think that is all, I have thought about it and I don`t really need anything else. As far as thought being replaced with better more positive thoughts, well that is a 100% accomplishment because I am learning more and more to be like my dad and just not reply to most peoples stupidity, not get sucked into their lives of drama.

    

Four - Be more selfish and do more for myself. 

This is not an easy thing for me, to be selfish, but I am making sure that I provide for me a little more before others nowadays. While making the budget I wiped clean one section and said "Nope" I will not allow money for this part anymore, I will spend this one my needs. I am also planning a vacation for the fall of the year, I have not had one in years.

There was the month of June. Not one single fail. I am getting this done!

By Andria Perry

Photo by Andria Perry

Minimalism Monday - I Did What?!

My minimal hoarding life.

 

 

June 27,2016

This past week was filled with doctors appointments but not for me, for the person I am taking care of, but I did manage around the home, somewhat.

 

 

I have actually been slacking with the vacuuming and dusting, not that I don`t want to get it done I just don`t have enough time, I have to tend a vegetable garden as well as work and keep the home up, plus when he is asleep I stay as quiet as possible so he can heal, sleep helps the healing process.

 

 

I have cooked every single meal at home this past week. But I get those dishes washed and put away. Sometimes I leave them in the dish drainer till morning.

I always keep up the laundry, this week I also changed the beds and hung out those sheets to get that fresh sunshine smell.

I went through more magazines to get rid of. I unloaded a car load of recycling at the donation bin. I have all the recycling that I get paid for ready to take to the recycling center today.

 

 

I did buy the coupons this week so I clipped and filed those in the binder, I needed a lot of these this week so its worth the money to get the newspapers.

I filed the paperwork but there was not much of it.

 

 

I did not get around to mowing the grass, its not to bad because of the moderate drought, just patches are tall and seeding, other areas short and barely making it.

Now to the things I added to my stockpile this week, was sixteen cans green beans/ sweet peas  because the deer ate mine out of the garden. I did stock on dog food because it was on sale and I did have coupons to get this really cheap. I have to continue to buy toilet paper no matter what! To stock as cheap as possible but I just bought one twelve pack this time around.

The good part of my past week :

The garage got cleaned out! Everything was gone through, trash with trash, tools put away. Old lawnmowers gone! Scrap pile together to haul off today. Cans ready to sell (recycling). Deep freezer sold and ready to be loaded today and taken to its new home. I now can park my car in the garage! 

 

 

But, I was not happy where I had to put my flower pots but I reckon it`ll do for now, I do need that green house badly.If its Gods will I will have one before winter.

I did not buy anything new for the house, nor an clothing or shoes, no books, nothing. I only bought things to preserve food or was actual food. Good for me!

How was your past week? Have you done a early summer clean up and get rid of yet?

By Andria Perry

Photo By Andria Perry

Minimalism And Hoarding - Take Merchandise Back

 

 

June 21,2016

There are times in life when we make those impulse buys, we get home and think " why in the world did I buy this stuff!?" and we think we HAVE to keep it. But that is not true, Simply take the merchandise back to the store you bought it and get a refund. That is how minimalism and hoarding bumps heads and a minimalist wins.

Around the first of the month when I was shopping for someone else ,that did need clothing, I made the mistake of going to the ladies department after shopping the mens department for that someone. I picked out four casual shirts, not T shirts and not dressy shirts. When I got home and tried on all the shirts I was disappointed with the way they fit, since I am in between sizes, but intended on keeping them till I lost a few more pounds.

Well after looking at the " NEW " clothes I cannot wear I decided to take them back and get a refund. I did and it felt wonderful. 

Did I need those new shirts? Not really. I think its was an impulse buy. That battle inside that is telling me I need that item when I know I don`t. 

Yesterday I actually pulled out a tank top that was brand new, I had never worn it, So I did have a new shirt to wear and all I had to do was look in my closet.

 

 

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Minimalism Monday

June 21, 2016

I have been working as a caretaker this past week and that means staying at home, for the most part. Although I have been busy waiting on this person hand and foot, plus dealing with the emotional side of this type of work, I did manage to get a little cleaning accomplished.

The laundry and me are best friends :) I can`t seem to stand that stinky dirty, sweaty, soured smell. Laundry doesn`t stand a chance  around here. Yes I have all the laundry washed, dried and put away.

Me and the kitchen. I seem to live in the kitchen, making a mess and cleaning the mess. Regardless if I am just making dinner or canning from the vegetable garden, This place gets cleaned daily. It is rare that I leave dirty dishes.

I cleaned both bathrooms, however, I would have loved to wipe down the walls in both but I could not manage that much time for a room.

I did manage to get the living room and dining room vacuumed without bothering my sick patient. He took a very short walk around the field and I took advantage of that few minutes to get that done.

I did NOT buy any newspapers for the coupons this week, this is another habit I am breaking this year, slowly but surely, and I love my coupons! But I have to make sure I need what is offered before I buy the papers for those coupon inserts.

I did file all the weekly paper work, there is not much of late since the rental houses are all full and things are going smoothly. 

That was my week in review, how was your week past?

By Andria Perry

Photo By Andria Perry - Rental house

Minimalism Monday - Roll Out

 

 

June 13,2016

Another week has passed and I have to say that looking back at what I accomplished makes me wonder what I did everyday!

My house is a mess at this moment.

After mopping the floors for the entire house I remember how good they felt under my bare feet and wiping down the kitchen after a canning session. To look at it now you would not have thought it was so clean just a few days ago.

No, I did not file the paperwork for the week, It is sorted but not put away.

I bought a new Rubbermaid tub to store rice in but its still waits on the pantry shelf.

I bought a couple more items of clothing, for myself and Tony. I know I really shouldn`t have.

But the good news is that I have got all the dishes washed up and I keep the laundry clean and put away.

I did get the lawn mowed and there is no stray blown in my yard trash around anymore.

 

 

I did not buy news papers for coupons! Yay for me, I am learning to not buy those when the coupons are not going to be used up soon.

I took the plastic and cardboard and paper to the recycling donation bin so that is taken care of but I still have to take the metal in to the recycling center to get weighed and then get paid.

AND the biggie happened! Two dead riding mowers went to the shop today, if they cannot be fixed we are NOT bringing them back home, that means half of the garage is empty and it will be totally up to me to replace the stray working tools to their home. Anyone can tell when we got finished working the car or truck got unloaded at the door of the garage BUT I will defend those actions with " everyday they got used" up until a couple weeks ago when I finished the last house.

I still have a deep freezer to sell that was a gift from a friend when he moved a couple hours down south, One lady wanted it but I need to make sure before its loaded and them hauled all the way to her place, but it would be wonderful to park my car in that space again.

 

 

That was a week in the life of Angie, how was your week past?

By Andria Perry

Photo By Andria Perry

6 Tips To Stop Hoarding

As many of us know but do not admit, we are hoarders in one fashion or another. I am sure that it is human nature to store things for later use but I am not so sure that it is necessary, after all things dry rot and fall apart.

So how do we break this...... this addiction? 

I can only share what has worked for me for the past seven years and it was not an overnight "minimal household."

 

 

Number one : When the impulse comes to go shopping, I walk into my closet and I clean it. Sometimes trying on all my clothes, what does not fit I put in ... anything I have, a box, or a grocery bag to a trash bag. Usually when I am finished I am to tired to go shopping or the realization comes that I already have plenty and I can use that money elsewhere.

 

 

Since I am a book lover I tend to want to read the new best sellers or the newest release from my favorite author. Instead of heading off to Books a Million I stop by the local library, If the book I am interesting in is checked out I simply as the person at the desk to put it on reserve for me. Then I check out this huge room of nothing but books! I am always sure to find one I want to read. This is free so no clutter coming in to hoard up. Plus I have learned that for the most part I won`t read most books more than once. Now I have that money to spend elsewhere.

Number Two : The yard sale - thrift store - its cheap and I love other peoples stuff that is still in such good shape kind of person. 

I am sure that I inherited my mothers strong genes for the love of antiques, but I did not inherit any money to buy them. My mother used to buy and resell antiques. She also resold or traded all the nice clothing we grew out of so fast, So I am no stranger to having yard sales or going to yard sales. 

Thrift store shopping use to be a past time, I would go and look around for hours, sometimes buying and something seeing nothing I wanted.

Then one day it hit me, I have enough stuff to furnish several houses! So I made a goal for myself, I "needed" a new T.V. (the old one was getting a darker and darker picture and all the new were the flat screens) I decided I would pay for this new T.V. by selling everything I did not need at my own yard sales. 

I made my signs and I had yard sale number one and I made pretty good but not enough for a t.v. so a couple weeks later I had another one but with the new knowledge of what people were buying in the area I lived at the time.

Within six weeks and three yard sales I had my new T.V. and I had gotten rid of so much stuff I was not even using!

Number Three : Have a dinner party! 

That is right, you sit down and pick out people to come to your house for a dinner party. If for one second you had a dread come over you about what the house looks like, with all the clutter, then its time for you to get your place in shape so that all these people will leave and only have good words to speak over you about how you are not a slave to your stuff and how wonderful your living space is.

 

  

Number Four :  Blame it on the children.

I know I have used this excuse before," Look over this mess, you know how messy kids are."

I hate to break this news but its not the kids fault, its yours! 

Children tend to mimic there parents. When a child watches their mother take care of her things, so will the child. 

When I used to babysit I would let the kids be kids, dump the toy box and play. But when it was getting time for them to be picked up I would also ask them to clean up their toy mess, sometimes they would ask for help and I would but not once did I ever allow them to leave the mess for me. 

Once I was tested by this strong willed little boy, I warned him with " Anything in the floor when you leave will be put into the trash." He left that day with a very messy play room. I simply put all that was on the floor into a clean trash bag and put it outside by the trash can. The next day he came and began to play but was missing " those" toys so he asked " what happened to so and so?" I told him they were left in the floor so they are in the trash can. He ran outside and seen them, came back inside and asked " Can I have them back? I promise to pick them up!" I gave him the okay and he never left those toys in the floor anymore.

Number Five : Just Say No!

Don`t be anyones dump! For years I had people say, here I got something for you, and for the most part it was what they were going to toss in the trash but was to much or to big to put in the trash can. I always seen a crack or a chip and was told " ahh, just tape that or use a magic marker will take care of this."

I remember once this one lady gave me a computer, I did not know anything about computers but had always wanted one so I took it home and ordered internet, dial up back them was all that was available, and come to find out it did not even have a modem! I was stuck with a piece of junk to haul off and I had wasted money getting internet.

Just say no to others junk, if they are pushing it on you just ask yourself, if its that wonderful why dont they keep it?

Not wanting to hurt a few old peoples feelings I took stuff I did not want and I dropped it off on the way home at a donation box.

Number Six : Watch a marathon of " Hoarders buried alive" 

I must say this show is an eye opener. Who knew that people hoarded in so many different ways. 

As for me I was not qualified to be on the show, but I was getting closer and closer by the day as being one of the "new things" hoarders. I kept the house clean, I just did not know how to organize my things so I would not buy a new one because I could not find the one I had. 

If you need help with hoarding don`t hesitate to call and ask the show for help. Now only will they help you clean it up but also help you deal with why you hoard in the first place. 

As for me and my home I will abide by these tips and live clutter free.

1 - Calm those impulse shopping trips

2 - Don`t shop yard sales/ Thrift stores

3-  Invite people over.

4- Don`t blame the children

5- Don`t take peoples trash

6- Get motivated with a marathon of hoarders the show

By Andria Perry

Photo`s by Andria Perry

A Minimalist - Positive Chi

February 15,2016

Thats right! The chi in my home was stale and bringing me down. I had to change it and fast.

As I mentioned in the previous post, I did a thorough cleaning and almost immediately you could feel the positive energy flowing in the house.

I removed that old dark oriental rug that was in the living room, I tossed it outside and the bad energy went with it. Sometimes objects just don`t belong, they still have bad energy connected to them from where they once lived and that was at a hoarders house, does not matter than she hoarded expensive things or not.

I went into the bathroom and took away all of the dark colors. The shower curtain is colorful but not the color that is needed to enhance the chi, the bathroom is connected to the money area so purple, green and blue is what now is in there. It was not difficult to change a show curtain, bath mat and towels, as I change every few months. Maybe the next time around I will need the warm colors again. I washed and put these away.

Today I am doing a cleaning of the main money section of my home, Its not that its actually that dirty, it just needs that little extra to make the good energy flow better.

The health area is also housing my new seedlings and plants, I will find a new place for them to live since career is actually the front porch, and clean this area thoroughly. I am feeling better by the day already.

I have to pay attention to those closets too, they to are a part of having good chi.

The weather is getting better and we are about to get into Springtime, with this I can do another clearing of unwanted things and things that just are not needed to live a happy, clean life.

How about you? Do you have a good positive energy flow in your home?

By Andria Perry