Stuff.

Somehow over the last couple of years, I have accumulated a lot of stuff.

I've always been a bit of a pack rat. My mom is too. Maybe it's hereditary.

I used to just keep things. Old papers. College reports. Notebooks.

But for the last couple of years I've been buying things.

I never spend much, which I think makes it easier to let it slide. I shop clearance racks. Thrift stores. Rummage sales.

It's a little bit of a problem. I know this, I do. Part of it is I like the thrill of a great find. Another part of it is, what if I need it someday? I may not have needed it yet in 5 years. I may not be able to even find it if I DO ever need it. But what if I do need it someday, and then I don't have it?!

I stock up too. Which isn't really a bad thing. But I have no rhyme or reason or system. Stocking up- being, prepared, that's a good thing. But I need to be more organized about it.

I also have a lot of hobbies. Hobbies that I have a lot of supplies for. Scrapbooking. Sewing. I made a promise to myself a while ago that I wouldn't bring anything new in until I use a good amount of what I have. I've been doing really good with not getting more fabric and notions. But I've also been slacking at using up my existing stash.

I also collect things. My biggest collection right now is cookbooks. Man, how I love them. Not only do I get the thrill of finding a great cookbook for cheap (thrift and used book stores) but I also get OLD cookbooks. AND I get to use them, you know, for cooking and things :D They are useful. But I do have too many. I just love them. I love books in general, but I really adore old cookbooks. They say so much about the time period, the way people lived. I especially like cookbooks with a previous owners notes in the margins. They are something special.

:sigh:


Whittling down that collection has not been easy.

It's strange how I get attached to things. Clothes. Toys. Games. Books. Photos. Just things. Lots and lots of things.

I've tried to scale down and get rid of some things. But I always find more. Another great thrift deal I couldn't pass up. Or it was free! Or the kids made it! Or, or, or!

When we move. It's going. A lot of it. I don't like the feeling of clutter. I don't like the cleaning of clutter. We're making a lot of changes. And this is one for me. It will NOT be an easy one!

But I'm ready to start clean. And clutter free.

Weekend Scenes

We had a beautiful weekend. And a busy one!

Some weekend scenes:




We did some more hiking. Again at Clarks (the "rock place")








This time we also explored the caves. Just a little bit though, cause mama is a tiny bit of a wuss.






We also did Beaver Lake another day, which is not so much a hike and more of a nice stroll. We did the 3 mile lake loop.






A little campfire in the backyard.







Kev's band Boots N Shorts played at Kellish Farms. I wasn't feeling great and the kids were getting picked up by grandpa, so we didn't make it, but here's a photo anyway :)




We also celebrated a friends 30th birthday. Most of the guys are hitting the big 30 this year, Kevin is next on the list in just 2 weeks!




Somehow the weekend managed to be both busy and lazy. It was wonderful. I hit up the market on Saturday morning and a rummage sale and estate sale. Nothing really wonderful at either place, but I did find a 3rd Holly Hobbie plate for my little collection.

There are a couple more rummage sales next weekend that I want to go to, but won't - since I need to have my own garage sale! Our house is getting full, but my tastes are refining (can you call thrift store finds a refined taste?!) So it's out with the old and in with the new - uh - old?! Speaking of thrifting, I'm planning on sharing some of my favorite finds later this week.

We did a bit of grilling - one of my favorite summer standbys - grilled veggie quesadillas and a new favorite - bison burgers. yuuuum. We topped them with some cheddar slices, caramelized onions on mine - bacon on his - and a horseradish bbq sauce. They were simply delicious. Both nights we did grilled asparagus and roasted onion potatoes. Yes, I like asparagus and potatoes that much!

For the past couple of weekends, I've been hoping to squeeze in some sewing time, and so far haven't. The weather has just been too nice. I need to finish getting my craft/sewing table cleared off so I can steal a couple minutes here and there.

So, that's it. I'm still working Sundays for the next month, so my weekend is already over. The kids spring break also ends this week, which means back to normal tomorrow.





Oh - and, I'm having a ridiculous time trying to get pictures on here, even through the uploader, I still have to go in and resize them all, otherwise half the picture is missing. There has to be an easier way, yes?