When I was perusing www.Whatsonmybookshelf.com, I ran across Simplify Your Life by Elaine St. James, which finally came in today. Family, Friends, and blog followers will know that this is one of the things I have been trying to do for a while now. I hoped that getting this book would help me to compartmentalize all of those “things to do.” I tend to have theory without practice.

Number 1 on the list is: Reduce the Clutter in Your Life. LOL!! Yup, that is just what I have been trying to do for quite some time now. It seems like once we have it down to nothingness; we turn out the light….and….POOF….things multiply…exponentially. I feel like I am constantly getting rid of stuff – - this year, thus far, we have had two garage sales with another scheduled for this coming weekend.

I have a hard time just throwing stuff out – - or taking it to the Thrift Shop – - I prefer to at least get a little of the investment back. Plus, it’s really hard for me to toss out stuff that I “might use later on.” For example, I only like fru-fru coffee – - so I purchased an espresso maker when I worked nights at the motel. I haven’t had a homemade cup of fru-fru coffee, and therefore, have not used my espresso machine since 2003. I just can’t seem to let it go.

So, anyway, since my boy-child is living with my parents, we have decided to use the space that was his room, as the homeschool room – - which will clear up the dining room, making it easier to keep the “common areas” clean. : ) It will also provide more space for Maddie’s room, as I have three boxes of homeschool stuff occupying an entire corner of her bedroom. I would also put the musical instruments in the back – - also clearing some space.

Our garage is fairly full, as is our storage shed. (Although, with the two garage sales and Kim moving out, it has dwindled down some.)

Since this is one of those on-going assignments, I will bookmark the section – - but, will move on in the book.

The next suggestion is: Use Dave’s Uncluttering System. Pack a box with stuff that you haven’t used in a while….date it for sometime in the future (a year or so) – - do NOT label what is actually in the box – - and if you haven’t touched it by the date on the box, toss it. I have mixed feelings about this method. Number one is if you already had something, let’s say the espresso maker, and you didn’t know where it was (’cause it was in an unmarked box), and for whatever reason you needed one (another night job) – - then you bought another one, what would that solve? Also, we have quite a few nick-nacks that I would like to keep – - but, no longer have the display cases I once had – - next thing I know, all of my crystal is gone….to charity or worse, the trash. YIKES!!

Topic Number Three: Use “Speed Cleaning” to clean your house. Elaine suggests Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell and the Clean Team to teach you how to clean you house effectively and efficiently – - using environmentally safe cleaning products. I just ordered this book through www.bookmooch.com. Hopefully it will help with the cleaning issue…..LOL!! : )

Okay well, that’s it for now…I’m gonna keep reading and see what else I can do to “Simplify my Life.” I can tell you, with certainty, the less cluttered my life – - the less stress I feel – - and the calmer I (and my family) feel.