Keep the Homefires Burning

OK, here's the new game for all us bloggers. First, someone tags you, then you follow these rules:

Thank you Laurie for the tag! Well I don't dare ask my children if I am quirky cause they would never tell me in fear of hurting my feelings. Sooo I am going to list the ones I KNOW I have and then have the children read it and comment with thier own idea's of my quirks. Be nice kids, I will be watching you!

Good Afternoon Everyone!!

I am so very sorry I have not been a very dedicated blogger and I apologize. My Dad was in the hospital with a very bad kidney infection but he is out now and seems to be doing better my sister came over last weekend with my neices and nephews and we had to take my 3 year old nephew Jayden to the ER he had a very high temperature and they diagnoised him with some kind of throat infection and gave him Tylenol w/ Codeine I have been real busy with College and worth actually while I am typing i am doing overtime.. we are backlogged so we are trying to catch up on everything.... well you all have a wonderful blessed day.. I know what I will be doing when I get gome... LAUNDRY....

Another Year

Window update, and the art of decluttering, or why my back hurts.

Whew. I have had quite the day today, let me tell you. For some reason I have this urge to purge -- and I'm not referring to an eating disorder. I have been decluttering and re-organizing everything in sight! And not a moment too soon, either. I know that Mrs. Michelle Duggar once said that she didn't really get organized until her fourth of fifth baby came along. I understand why!

I am not naturally an organized person, exactly, but having five small children living in a limited space has really brought the necessity for organization to the glaringly obvious forefront. My brain can't handle the stress and strain of all this *stuff*. Once during a previous decluttering spell, my husband complained that I was getting rid of too much, but I gently explained to him that this *stuff* was challenging my mental health, and he relented.

This time around, I know he was feeling the strain too, and so he was actually eager and enthusiastic about my efforts to streamline our belongings. Actually, I am not sure "streamline" does my efforts justice. I think I'll go back to the word, "purge".

Here is a photo of the clothing of four of my five children (not including the clothing that is still on the line outside, or in the hamper. I will deal with that as I process it). I went into their rooms, and threw every single item of clothing into laundry baskets, and then dumped it all on the couches in the living room. This is not including the clothing that I organized yesterday -- the non-current sizes that are being saved for children to grow into (although you can see some of that on the coffee table, all boxed up and ready to go back into storage). This is just the current stuff that they have been wearing, or throwing directly onto the floor, or whatever. I think it is pretty impressive.

Probably even more impressive in person.

So, I actually got that all organized, and here is the photo of all the clothes that are ready to go to the charity store (as well as a few toys that made their way into the outbox):

Anyhow. The above photo is not nearly as amazing as a current one would be (which I would post here, except it is now dark and I don't like using the flash, and plus I just can't be bothered). Because now I have seriously culled the kids' toys, every last one. That little room is now, literally, half full of stuff. I mean, it is full half way to the ceiling. Seriously. So yes, I am awesome. Thank you.

In other news, I finished my window makeover yesterday. It is hard to get a good photo of a window with the curtains open because (at least with my stupid camera) the light coming in makes for a dark photo. I'll tell you what I did: I washed the window and the screen, took down, laundered and rehung the curtain, and made some braided, rag rug style tie-backs. Nothing fancy, but that's the way we like things around here.

Yeah, it works. I dig it.

So what did YOU do today?

FREE Razor

Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside My Window…well since I am writing in the evening this time there is total darkness outside my window right now. I can't even see the moon.

I am thinking…about my parents and wishing I could share my thoughts and feelings with them right now. I am going through some things with the homeschool group I was a part of, stress here at home, the pain of being so far away from my son and his wife and well, just life's things. I am sure many of you know where I am at.

I am thankful for…the Lord whom I can lean on in my times of trouble and pain.

From the kitchen…I can smell the herbal tea that I am about to consume to help rid myself of this horrible headache!

I am wearing…a black t-shirt with wild horses running across the front, red socks, and my black capri's. Gee seems a bit .... dark :-(

I am creating… a set of post cards and a set of notecards that will be packaged to sell at the visitors center.

I am going…nowhere else today. I did my grocery shopping and ran my errands for the day. Tomorrow I might go out and enjoy a day of painting in the park... not sure on that yet though.

I am reading…The old schoolhouse magazine and "Sketching Outdoors in Summer by. Jim Arnosky

I am hoping…that things will calm down around here and we can get on with planning fun activities just as a family!

I am hearing…The loud sounds of my dear husbands music as he watches one of his favorite bands on TV! Sorry honey I must be getting old but ARGH it is loud. hehehe

Around the house…the children are preparing for bed and checking to see what is on the agenda for tomorrow.

One of my favorite things…Cute MICE, Cuddly Mice, brown mice, white mice, and umm did I say Mice!! :-)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Preparing the October calendar for school, fun activities, doctor appointments and whatever has been planned. Finishing up some artsy swaps I am in and starting the final draft of my new book.