Houston, We Have a Problem

So...Simple Mom's "hot spot" for the Spring Challenge Project: Simplify was the paper pile.   "The" paper pile implies one paper pile.  People have one? I have multiple paper piles, stashed everywhere.  Stashed in the storage closet because I had to clean up quickly.  Stashed in a paper bag because my paper basket was over flowing.  Stashed under my bed because I brought a pile in from the car and didn't have time to deal with it...

This is not a five day task for me!  Since the project was announced 6 days ago I've made decent progress. It will be another 3 or 4 days before I'm willing to post "after" pictures.  Here are a few pictures of the train wreck as it was on March 14:

Above:  A Stack spread out of the dining room table for sorting

Another stack shamefully hidden in the basement storage closet

Yet another stack.  Once in the bottom of my closet, now stashed in location #2 awaiting judgement

A fab file cabinet.  Full of paper...clearly more paper than one household needs to keep.

Oh boy...

Project Simplify: Closet

Closet, done! As I mentioned in the previous post, I've committed to joining "Project Simplify" with Simple Mom.  Although I didn't devote enough time to tackle my dresser drawers, my closet (my half at least) is complete and looks much better. Here's the brief run-down with photos!

Before

After

I must say I was relieved when I saw Tsh's post this morning.  Her closet re-do wasn't done by Martha Stewart and a magazine staff, it was a "real life re-do".  I didn't spend any money or make this a 12 hour endeavor.  I feel better when I open the closet door and know I actually want to spend a couple of hours and go through my dresser also.  A couple more photos below:

The hamper in the above shot was once out in our room beside my husband's chest of drawers.  It's not hideous but I'm glad to have the space to keep this in the closet!

I'd been hanging onto this skirt for years.  It's of good quality but I'm simply not going to wear a skirt that goes down to the floor.  bye bye.

These two photos above show what went to the thrift store.  Only 12 items total.  Hopefully I can say goodbye to more once I hit the dresser.

The above demonstrates my main housekeeping problem - STASHING! A bunch of junk that had no business being in the closet.

Thank you Simple Mom!  Wonder what's on the agenda for next week?

Simple Mom Spring Challenge

I thoroughly enjoy the blog Simple Mom.  Tsh and her group of contributors post an array of topics, the blog's subtitle is "Life hacks for home managers". Perfect.  Tsh gave the heads up about a Spring Challenge (I think it's called Project Simplify) a few weeks ago and she introduced the first "hot spot" yesterday.  It's the closet...
I'm on board. I wish I was excited about this.  I want to be excited about this.  I'm forcing myself to follow along because I really need some motivation.  The idea is more focused on your clothes than your closet, although it stands to reason that once you've gone through all your clothes your closet will obviously look nicer.  Before photos have been taken and three minutes from NOW I'll have published this embarrassing post and my messiness will be out there for all the world to see.  When I say "All the World" I, of course, am referring to my lone follower and a handful of stragglers.  Guess that's not so embarrassing after all!

Here goes:

The idea is to post your progress this Friday, March 10th.  Don't get too excited, it's already Tuesday afternoon and all I've done is photograph the mess!

Too Much

Our household is currently in the process of trying to straighten up, which typically translates to "declutter".  My main setback with housekeeping, decluttering, home projects etc. is simply not knowing where to begin. THAT feeling I believe is caused by the simple fact that we own too much stuff.  We don't make that much money and we aren't overindulgent with our kids but somehow we still own too much stuff.  I suspect that if I hadn't already moved 7 or 8 times during my adulthood the amount of possessions would be even greater.  I'm definitely the keeper in my family, my husband would gladly toss half of your belongings in the trash. I keep children's art, bulletins from special events, clothing, outgrown shoes... 
Have you ever read any minimalist blogs? I think they make for wonderful reading.  I know, instead of reading blogs I should be cleaning out closets! Anyhoo, they always give me something to consider. The only minimalist technique I've ever tried to apply has been with the kids' toys.  About once a year we get out ALL the toys and talk about how many of each type of toy it would be reasonable to keep.  Example: How many diecast cars do we need? When we did this a couple of weeks ago each kid chose their 12 favorite cars and we put the rest in a giveaway pile.   
I know it's nowhere near minimalism but the concept seems to help us whittle our belongings just a little.  If only I could apply the strategy to MY belongings!
Here are a couple of interesting minimalism focused blogs for your reading enjoyment!:

miss minimalist

Becoming Minimalist

Minimalist Mom