Map to the Simple Life

Archive: Oct 2016

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October 29, 2016

Today I typed in most of my hand written recipes into the Big Oven data base.  I only have one more recipe box to type up.

I finally cleaned the bottom of the linen closet!  Most of the stuff was Jeff’s so it is still there until he tackles it.

Before

Before

After

After

He did remove the box he had in the attic so that is clean now.

The book shelf in the bedroom is pretty much empty and will be moved down to the garage for a makeover before too long.

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I did notice that the top of Jeff’s office hutch is starting to accumulate things that he can’t seem to part with and that his hat collection which should have been getting smaller seems to have grown.  Sigh.

My next project will be to tackle the other hall closet.  It is a mess.

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Things removed from my life:  A small pile of paper recipes, a small bag of garbage from the bottom of the linen closet.

243 Days and counting.

Category: The Simple Life
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October 28, 2016

The New York trip was fabulous but not conductive to throwing stuff out and simplifying my life.  I find travel to be a huge disruption in my process.  Although fun, it takes days to catch up and get back on track.

I did manage to only bring back one small ornament from the trip so that is something.  I just remembered I bought it……Destinee might still have it in her luggage.  That purchase could have been passed over since I didn’t remember I bought anything until 5 days after my return.

The refrigerator and freezer are still basically empty, much to Destinee’s dismay.

That stupid closet is still half filled with junk but I am forcing myself to clean it out tomorrow.  Or else.

I’ve been caught up in what to do with myself after I hand off the dog walking business.  I’ve enjoyed being my own boss for six years and am struggling with the concept of dealing with……..what?  Not being in control?  Having to listen to someone else’s rules and bullshit?   Whether I can do it?  Still trying to figure out what is going on in my head.  Perhaps I’m selling myself short?  After all don’t I preach I can do anything?  I have no doubt I can……it is whether I will like it or not that concerns me.  I think.

Things removed from my life:  3 rotted pumpkins (why did I waste time carving the damb things if they were going to rot in less than a week?).

244 Days and counting.

Category: Uncategorized
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October 18, 2016

I worked all weekend long getting all the rest of my recipes into “Big Oven” and am finally done!  Hooray!

The refrigerator and freezer are staying pretty empty.  I’m bound and determined to keep it as empty as possible.  We waste so much I only buy what we need for a day or two and don’t replace anything until it is gone.  Destinee is not happy.  I’m loving how light and airy the refrigerator and freezer look!

Things removed from my life:  Another garbage full of loose recipes converted into electronic.

254 Days and counting.

Category: The Simple Life
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October 13, 2016

We just got power back on late last night after wonderful Hurricane Matthew blew through the area Saturday night (October 8th).  Only lost the Keurig coffee maker in the power surge.  I ordered a new smaller one.  We won’t need a huge one in our new life.

I was moving all my paper recipes onto an online database right up until we lost power.  I’ll work on it more this weekend.  I have thousands of recipes that need organizing into a place that takes up less space.  I’m using Big Oven.  It works great.  You should check it out if you want a place to store recipes that doesn’t take up physical space.  I can access it from my laptop as well as an app on my phone so my recipes are always on hand when I’m grocery shopping.

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My loose stack of recipes.

These binders are filled with recipes as well!

These binders are filled with recipes as well!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the loss of power, I cleaned out all my dresser drawers and was forced to throw everything out of the refrigerator and wash that all out due to the lack of power.  Sigh.  I told the kids I like it that way so get used to an empty refrigerator and freezer.  It looks sooooo pretty.

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Other than that I didn’t get much done besides read.  Being without power sucks.

I still haven’t touched that stupid linen closet.

Things removed from my life:  One large Keurig coffee maker (replaced with a much smaller version), various old clothes, cards, other junk from my dresser drawers, one large bag full of paper recipes that have been converted to an electronic version or that I decided Jeff would never even consider eating so why bother keeping and 5 garbage bags full of spoiled food from the refrigerator.

259 Days and counting.

 

Category: The Simple Life
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October 7, 2016

All this sparing down my life started me thinking more about the fat I’m carrying around.  How can I truly minimalize my life if I’m carrying around fifty unneeded pounds on my body?  If I want my junk to take up less space shouldn’t I physically take up less space as well?  It only seems fair.

So rather than jump right into throwing stuff out first thing every morning I have been jumping into exercise.  I walk quite a bit already so I’ve been adding more walking, biking, yoga, burpees, etc.  Along with Chakra Meditation.  The meditation is to keep me centered so I don’t mangle someone.

All that exercise has tired me out so I don’t feel like throwing away junk.  Hahahaha.  I know if I keep going at this pace I’ll become less tired and get back to throwing junk out soon.

I haven’t altered my diet.  I refuse to do that.  I eat very well.  Hardly any junk.  Don’t drink soda.  I’m a fabulous cook and refuse to start grazing on celery and carrot sticks unless they are chopped fine and cooked slow and low in a Bolognese sauce!

This weekend promises to be a rainy one so will be the perfect time to cook that delicious mouthwatering Bolognese sauce as wells as get back on track with removing junk.

Things removed from my life:  4 pounds of fat this week.

265 Days and counting.

Category: Uncategorized
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October 5, 2016

God that teacher sent three more emails today!  Very long sigh.

Needless to say I didn’t get anything done today as far as getting stuff thrown out.

Alex’s friend got T-boned pulling out of our driveway yesterday afternoon by a 2017 Mercedes. They claimed they didn’t see her. Hmmmm. I spent most of today straightening things out making sure she didn’t get screwed over by him, the police and her insurance company.

Today I did end up ordering Hillary Clinton yard signs, a lanyard, several buttons, bumper stickers and Shatter the Glass Ceiling shot glasses to use when we celebrate her win over that idiot Trump in November!

So once again I added to the stuff in the house……..but this is a history making election!
The bumper stickers and yard sign will piss off everyone in my neighborhood. Hooray! The buttons and shot glasses will be worth a ton of money some time in the future.

Things removed from my life: Nothing.

267 Days and counting.

Category: Uncategorized
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October 4, 2016

As predicted I haven’t had time to blog.

Instead I helped Destinee narrow down the list of colleges she’ll be applying to.  That was a relief.  Next I’ll be planning a college road trip probably for November and December.

Sold my recumbent exercise bike!

Cleaned out the attic. It’s very small and took me all of 10 minutes so don’t be impressed.  Only one box left up there (Jeff’s junk and he’ll have to deal with it).

Still avoiding that dreaded linen closet!

That teacher just sent me six new emails.  Sigh.

Things removed from my life: Exercise bike (sold) and three large trunks of Halloween decorations given to Alex.

268 Days and counting.

Category: Uncategorized