Feeling Good Monday and the Weekend Recap

      It was not an exciting weekend but a pretty good one, all things in the world considered. The weather was a nice mix of sun and clouds, and I got some outdoor stuff done, plus some insider things. Despite not commuting, I really was sad to see the weekend end. But in the spirit of not letting Mondays being a downer, but rather a day to jump start my physical and mental well being, I'm turning attention to organization and clutter busting. 

     Saturday was a good day in that I ventured to the church garage sale and to a downsizing sale and scored a few things I shared in yesterday's post. The comments were great-thank you all, and for the  fuel to give myself a challenge to purge 2-3 things with any single new item I bring into my house. That, along with going to a downsizing sale where what looked like a families entire life up for sale, made me really think about using whatever years we have in this house to take a month to month, year to year approach to purge and down size while we are still living here. When my parents moved from the country into their town home, it was a huge purging process. Likewise when my in-laws sold their 1800's house to move into a townhouse, which actually, was bigger square footage wise than their house. 

     Unfortunately, my in-laws filled probably 500 square feet of storage with shelves and shelves of more stuff, and  my MIL has stuff-bric a brac, too much furniture, and closets bursting in every room. When she decides or is forced to leave this large place, it will be weeks of work. I am grateful my parents did not add back to their town house anything they didn't need or was precious to them. DH takes after his parents, and in a messy way, without an extra 500 square feet of storage. This means his too much stuff, our too much stuff, spills into living area. That needs to get sorted over the next year. 

     I'm pleased, and feel a tinge guilty that of what I bought over the weekend, none is my clutter. The guilt comes from buying a couple things my daughter might feel is clutter-but with good reason. Here's the items:

• Floor lamp: This was still in the box, with the packaging material in place. It is so basic that she could use  in either her living room, currently just an overhead light, or bedroom, same thing. If she doesn't want it, we can use at the lake as we only have an overhead light in our  bedroom, which I learned spending a week there when it gets darker early, was not great for  evening reading. I'd prefer a nightstand lamp but the floor lamp will do if it is not used elsewhere.
• Santa ceramic cookie plate: Oh come on, he's cute, and couldn't be left behind! Again, boght with my daughter in mind as she is a good baker and brings treats places and I don't think she has anything like this in the stuff she acquired from her grandma. If she end sup not wanting it, I will just put with my stuff, as I love a good cookie plate-but then, will need to find two-three items to purge. 
• Olive Oil/Salad Dressing decanter: She makes a delicious copycat of the Trader Joe's Goddess salad dressing. I thought it deserved a pretty container for when she serves form her table.  If she doesn't want, this will get redonated.  

• Gap, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Cabi Jeans: The Gap jeans are $63 ratila, GVB-sale of $17 at Kohls, and Cabi jean $123 form their site, and on E-Bay, going for over $20. If the girls do not want, this could be good stock to start a little E-Bay  hustle. 

     Saturday night was homemade pizza night and this lovely thing was made in my kitchen. I made the crust using the same no knead French bread dough, and also baked a loaf of bread with half the dough. The crust was so easy and tastier than flat bread, though need to plan a few hours in advance which isn't needed with the flatbread dough. 

     Sunday we had an ambitious morning getting some cleaning done, ran a few errands, and I spent the rest planting seeds and repotting monster plant. We got to enjoy our youngests  concert via streaming, and ended the day with  reheated leftovers. I like a no cook end to the weekend. As I move into my clutter gone mode, I'll try and challenge myself to not just the  one thing in, 2-3 out, but also in a regular sweep of all things in all rooms. Long time readers may eye roll now as you have read this before. So that was my weekend and where I think I am heading into the week. How about your weekend?