Can you believe the summer is almost over? I sure can’t. Here is a little of what I’ve been up to the last couple of weeks.
I have been reading this organizing book since I have a strong urge to move stuff out of here!
I really like her idea of organizing not by room, but by category. So, for example, you gather all of your socks (a subset of the clothing category), pull them out of the drawer(s) and touch each one. Thank each piece for its use and decide whether it needs to be thrown out due to lack of life left, recycled to the thrift store for someone else to love, or keep.
Yesterday, we were having some work done on our master closet so everything was taken out. According to Marie, it’s much more effective to remove all of the items from their location before sorting. I went through all of my clothing which was an emotional and really exhausting experience! I got rid of stuff that I still love and it still fits, but I will never wear it. And really, how many jackets and outfits does one need? So after several hours I ended up with several bags for our local thrift store. After finishing the closet, I put the bags and boxes into my car and took them away. Nothing in the garage waiting to go to Mother Theresa Treasures is safe until it is at their store!
So, here is the “before and after” of my side of the closet. The top shelf items are still waiting to be gone through. I still have way too many clothes, but I now know what I have. They also are organized so when I want a short sleeve shirt or a jacket I can find it. I love all of the shirts lined up so nicely! I still need to attack my drawers, but at least I’ve got a good start on the clothing category. My studio will be next.
It is an interesting book and she does have some great suggestions for tidying up. However, some of her suggestions (put books in a closet and empty your purse every night) are really out there. Also, since this book has been translated from Japanese, the English is – hard for me to describe – maybe formal. But it is worth the read if you are interested in a different approach to organizing and like me, you’ve tried it all.
Tomatoes have been coming in strong here so I recently made a batch of ketchup. There is nothing like homemade ketchup!
Something I’ve loved but haven’t done in way too many years is kayaking. My friend Connie and I headed out last week to one of our local lakes and enjoyed several hours on the calm still water. I am so looking forward to doing that again.
I sent off my block to the Charleston Modern Quilt Guild for the Mother Emanuel quilt they are putting together.
I’ve been asked what I am going to do with all of the mandalas I’ve been making. I’m still working on paper, but hope to move to fabric soon. Here is a card I made with one of my favorites.
I’ll be turning 65 at the end of this year which to me is BIG! Last year I made a list of what I wanted to do before that date. One of them involved going with my friend Barb to see her mom and sis. We went several weeks ago and had a great time. Besides spending time with mom in the nursing home, Barb, Jeanie and I went to a nearby arts and craft/farmers market.
I had never seen a pizza oven in a truck. Very clever!
 Barb took this picture of me in the farmer’s market area. Lots of lovely, LARGE produce there!
The second one on the list is driving down to Alabama to see my sis. I’ve not seen her in many years although we keep up via email and phone. I’ll be leaving tomorrow morning for this solo journey. It’s been a long time since I’ve driven this long of a distance by myself to somewhere I’ve never been so it’s both exciting and scary. The car has been checked out and cleaned out, and I’m almost packed.
Well, that’s it for what’s been going on here. Hope you are having a good Sunday. Thanks for dropping by and see you later on this week.
Good job on the organizing, Lynda! I try to do my closet twice a year, since I keep a lot of off season clothing packed in a bin and need to change it over. Our local Savers’ has been the beneficiary of many of my clean-outs, and will continue to be. I don’t touch everything, but do look from the standpoint of “will I wear this soon?” and that helps me to make the decisions.
I love the mandala card… what a great idea! And as for approaching 65… it’s a number, nothing more! I’m ahead of you, and can’t believe how much I’m enjoying my “golden years”! Definitely not ready for the old folks’ home! Besides, they wouldn’t let us bring all our craft supplies! 😉
Always like your posts! I, too, just turned 65. And I got a kayak for my birthday. Gotta keep on “truckin”. Thanks for the encouragement to declutter. It’s on my “to do” list too. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Judy, Thanks! She talks in the book about not storing off season clothing and also to go through your all of your clothing (not just what you are using now) when you purge. I’m lucky that I do have another closet for off season clothing but I mainly keep my heavy stuff like bulky jackets in there and my clothing blanks ready to dye. If you look at the closet on that lower shelf under the short sleeve shirts are my long shirts I wear in the winter. My sweaters are on a shelf that you don’t see in the picture. It’s nice having everything in one place. I know it’s a number but it’s a BIG number!! And I definitely don’t feel my age – well, at least not today. I had no idea you were older than me!! Yeah, I don’t think they’d let us dye in the nursing home!!
Hi Diane, Thanks. That is so neat that you got a kayak for your birthday. What a perfect gift to usher in the next phase. Getting rid of some of those pieces I love was hard but I know I’ll never wear them. I even got rid of a couple of pieces I dyed. They never fit me or looked good on me so they’re gone. I saved one to take to my sis. I’m hoping it will fit her but if not, it’s gone too. Good luck on your decluttering. It does feel good, but then I’ve not touched my studio yet. You too enjoy the rest of this warm weather and thanks for reading my blog. I appreciate it.
Hi Lynda ~ I too like Marie’s book, and agree that some of her ideas are a bit much, but that her method is great! I love that you delve into such a variety of activities, and keep your life full & interesting! Also love your bubby’s blog! Safe travels Lynda. ~ Laurie in CA
Laurie, Glad you like her method too and Dave’s blog. Thank you for dropping by and wishing me safe travels. Have a good week!
Lynda,
I too read that book and found it to be a unique approach that worked for me. One thing I’ve started doing, that has really helped with ‘keeping’ the clutter down, is to get ebooks if at all possible. I find that after I’ve read a book through I can go back to it at anytime – without looking in the closet!!!
Still enjoying reading your blog. Stay safe on your trip and take plenty of water and stretch breaks. Snapping a few pics at rest stops can yield some incredible views later.
Luann
Luann, So great the book worked for you. I bought an Ipad several years ago to read books and there are several books in there, but I really hate to read them on the screen. Also, the Ipad is so heavy. Do you have a reader? As for books, most books I recycle either with friends or the thrift store. However, some I will keep. This one is one I’ll hang on to for awhile. Taking pictures at rest stops is a great idea. I’ll have my camera in my purse so it will be ready. Thanks for the safe trip wishes. Lynda
Ah! I missed the deadline for the Charleston Quilt! I need to get better at writing things down. I’ve missed a few things lately due to other deadlines and just not being organized enough. Your organization of the closet looks fabulous! You and Dave have a very nice closet! Thanks for the continued inspiration! BTW – did you make a screen for your Charleston block?
Lisa Chin recently posted..The Printed Fabric Bee – Insects
Lisa, Well, no wonder! You’ve been way too busy. I made a freezer paper stencil. I almost prefer them anymore. Thanks for dropping by and your kind words about our closet!!
Lovely closet and I know how much work went into that. I’ve done it a few times and it needs to get done again. My elderly brother has moved in with me and I will be moving my bedroom upstairs so he can have mine on the first floor. Closet cleanout time again!!
Diane, Thanks. Sounds like a great time for a closet cleaning! Have fun! Thanks for dropping by.
I haven’t read that book yet but one of my fave places are the recycled thrift shops! I’ve read Bea’s book and now I go for a zero waste lifestyle. I realised that I’ve possesses a lot of stuff that can be either reused and recycled or simply given to those thrift shops.
Emma, I have loved thrift stores and shopped them for as long as I can remember. So many of my clothes in the past came from them. I also volunteer once a month at the local one. Not always a good idea – like as my hubby says it’s like a monkey in a banana store. But I also give them a lot of stuff too!! Thanks for dropping by and commenting.