As I was cleaning out stuff from my kitchen and deciding what I would sell on Craigs List, I kept debating if I was going to sell my bread maker or not. Now, I've had this bread maker almost 9 years, Greg gave it to me as a Christmas gift, but I have NEVER used it! So, the guilt began to build, which it had done so many times before. "How can I give away or sell a gift from my husband that I have never used?" I can't tell you how many times I've said that to myself. But in the past, every time I did give myself a guilt trip, I just dusted off the bread maker and put it back on the shelf. This time was slightly different. This time I decided to get rid of the excuse and actually USE it. What a concept, huh? So, I began gathering ingredients and putting them in the little pan as directed in the cook book that it came with (never opened). I was actually so excited that I was going to be able to tell Greg that I used his gift and that I hopefully liked it. Because if I did like it, then maybe I'd stop being haunted by the "you're not even using it, you might as well get rid of it" monster. After adding all the ingredients and putting the pan in the bread maker, I closed the lid and pressed start. I was so satisfied with myself! Then I peeked through the little window to see how the mixing was coming along when I noticed that it wasn't. I recognized a strange clicking noise and began investigating. The little mixer part wasn't turning. So, after a few minutes of trying to figure it out, I just called the help line. I spoke to a nice woman for only a few minutes before she concluded that the bread maker was faulty. She began asking where & when I got it so it could be replaced. I knew the warranty was WAY expired and when I explained the situation to her, she laughed. Yes, I have been carting around this bread maker, out of guilt, for almost 9 years and the whole time it was broken! How pathetic is that?!? That bread maker went from Utah to California, California to The Woodlands, TX, from The Woodlands TX to Tomball TX, from Tomball TX, to Ogden Utah, and then from Ogden Utah to the Land of Eagles.
Last night I shared this story with my friend Ashley who then turned it into more of a spiritual parable, which I would like to share. How many of us, carry "baggage" around with us, everywhere we go, out of guilt? How much of our "baggage" should we just leave behind because it's worthless? How silly will we feel when we finally realize that we should have dumped all the baggage years ago? If we let guilt force us to not forgive ourselves or others (or whatever your baggage may be), we are just carrying a weight that is completely useless and unneeded. Just like my bread maker, the "baggage" becomes a constant reminder of the guilt that we don't need. It's garbage...it needs to be thrown away!!
So I encourage us to look within and find our "faulty breadmakers" and get rid of them. You don't need to carry that "baggage" any longer. Let it go!!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
A Bit of Advice
If you are cleaning out your house, as I am, here's a bit of advice for you....
"Do not clean out the toys while your children are still awake!"
I should have known better!
"Do not clean out the toys while your children are still awake!"
I should have known better!
Makin' Progress!
So, it's about time that I checked in to let everyone know how my "getting rid of 1/2 of everything" adventure is going. I'm surprised to say that it wasn't that difficult. Once I started sorting I began to realize that there are MANY things that I really don't wear. I was almost able to reach the 1/2 way mark on my shirts and actually exceeded the 1/2 way mark on my pants/carpi's. YIPPEE!! But when it came to my shoes, I failed miserably. I really like shoes. I do! And not just my new shoes, I like my old shoes too (Maryanne, pretend like I didn't say that). I truly enjoy different styles & colors & shapes of shoes. They definitely are my weakness. I kept about 3/4 but managed to give away 1/4. Does that even qualify?
Anyway, I also managed to convince Greg to clean out his closet and drawers. And I have to say, he did quite well. There were a few items that he wouldn't part with...I tried every form of convincing available but he wasn't budging...but for the most part, he nearly reached the 1/2 mark, except his work clothes. I gave him a bit of leeway on those since most of his life is spent wearing a suit and tie.
I attempted the kids clothes today but I failed again. I just have a hard time getting rid of my kid's clothes. If they're too small, I usually keep them (this is when the 1 tub per size rule would come into play but I haven't started cleaning out my storage yet). And I just can't bring myself to give away perfectly cute, wearable clothes. So, "I told myself that..." (you know who you are) I would purchase a smaller amount of clothes from here on out. I think I can do it :)
So, all together, we managed to remove 4 tubs (overflowing), 2 garbage bags, and 1 Aeropastle bag of clothing and shoes from our closets and drawers!! Pretty good, if I do say so myself :) Here's a picture of our accomplishment! (Now keep in mind, we just "cleaned out" our clothes for the Stake Clothing Drive. We obviously didn't understand the meaning of the words "cleaned out")
So, now I am moving onto my linen closets and the craft room closet. Plus, the other side of Gabe's closet that has just random stuff in it. I hope each of you are doing well too so that we can share each other's victory stories :) Make sure you blog about it!
Anyway, I also managed to convince Greg to clean out his closet and drawers. And I have to say, he did quite well. There were a few items that he wouldn't part with...I tried every form of convincing available but he wasn't budging...but for the most part, he nearly reached the 1/2 mark, except his work clothes. I gave him a bit of leeway on those since most of his life is spent wearing a suit and tie.
I attempted the kids clothes today but I failed again. I just have a hard time getting rid of my kid's clothes. If they're too small, I usually keep them (this is when the 1 tub per size rule would come into play but I haven't started cleaning out my storage yet). And I just can't bring myself to give away perfectly cute, wearable clothes. So, "I told myself that..." (you know who you are) I would purchase a smaller amount of clothes from here on out. I think I can do it :)
So, all together, we managed to remove 4 tubs (overflowing), 2 garbage bags, and 1 Aeropastle bag of clothing and shoes from our closets and drawers!! Pretty good, if I do say so myself :) Here's a picture of our accomplishment! (Now keep in mind, we just "cleaned out" our clothes for the Stake Clothing Drive. We obviously didn't understand the meaning of the words "cleaned out")
So, now I am moving onto my linen closets and the craft room closet. Plus, the other side of Gabe's closet that has just random stuff in it. I hope each of you are doing well too so that we can share each other's victory stories :) Make sure you blog about it!
Friday, September 5, 2008
It Can't Be That Hard, Right?
Seriously, how hard can it be? Getting rid of (or should I say "sharing") half of everything I own? At first I think, OK that's do-able. But now, as I sit here deciding if I really do want to actually go count my shirts so that I can then figure out how many I need to get rid of, I'm beginning to wonder if I have enough self-control to even attempt such a thing. Today, I'm just suppose to work on my closet...that's it. Which includes my shoes, pants, capri's, sweaters, boots, shirts, etc. ALL OF IT, HALF GONE!! NO EXCEPTIONS!! I'm beginning to wonder how the others who were sitting beside me are doing? Amy? Rheanna? Rebecca? Melissa? Michelle (I saw you there)? And a few others...How is your major downsizing going? Because right now, I'm sitting here like a deer in the headlights!
So, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, last night was the 1st week of an 8 week seminar on organization. I have put the lady's blog address in my list of friend's blogs. She talked about decluttering and she insists that everyone can easily give away half of what they own and feel emotionally better if they do. She also insists that when you half everything, instantly your housework almost cuts in half. So, here I sit wondering if I am going to take on this challenge. If I know myself, and I do, I want to become organized almost more than anything else, which tells me I better go upstairs, make my bed, pull out all of my shirts, and get started. "Just bite the bullet, Celeste. Just bite the bullet!" I will check in periodically to let you know how I'm progressing, or NOT progressing.
The lady's name is Marie Ricks. She has written several books about organization. She lives just east of me in Highland.
So, for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about, last night was the 1st week of an 8 week seminar on organization. I have put the lady's blog address in my list of friend's blogs. She talked about decluttering and she insists that everyone can easily give away half of what they own and feel emotionally better if they do. She also insists that when you half everything, instantly your housework almost cuts in half. So, here I sit wondering if I am going to take on this challenge. If I know myself, and I do, I want to become organized almost more than anything else, which tells me I better go upstairs, make my bed, pull out all of my shirts, and get started. "Just bite the bullet, Celeste. Just bite the bullet!" I will check in periodically to let you know how I'm progressing, or NOT progressing.
The lady's name is Marie Ricks. She has written several books about organization. She lives just east of me in Highland.
Hmmmmm?
So, what is it saying when I'm watching the Brady Bunch with my kids and I think to myself, "Gosh, Marsha's outfit is cute"? And it was. Does this mean I'm getting old or that fashion is being recycled? It's your call.
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