This is a post for my people. It's for those who have been around for a while and have seen the overall transformation of my home through decluttering. It's not a post about how to decorate a living room. I'm not a decorator. I'm actually a little scared of decorating. Hence, the waffling for more than a decade about whether I should … [Read more...]
Sometimes a Big Event Is Just the Push I Need
I can think about and hem and haw over changing up something in my home for, ummmm . . . a really long time. Then, we have a party or a special guest or something bigger than your normal Girl Scout meeting and I suddenly look at my home through brand new eyes. Last week, I shared about my big entire-house-shake-down as I got ready to let a … [Read more...]
Is Clutter Stealing Your Holiday Spirit?
So many of my favorite childhood memories have a Christmas tree or a candy cane in the background of the picture that exists in my mind. As a mom, I ache to create the same kinds of Memory Tableaus for my own chi ldren. But if you’ve ever shoved clutter out of the way to capture a magical moment with your camera (only to see a … [Read more...]
My Christmas Home Tour
If you're a regular reader, you know that I don't give real-life home tours very often. The rooms where my parties are held are generally . . . the rooms that are clean. You'll definitely never hear me ask if you want to see my master bedroom. But an on-the-blog home tour? I can do that. I'm all about strategic clutter-avoiding photography. I do … [Read more...]
Are We Ready to Use My Favorite Nativity Scene Display Idea?
Years ago, I saw someone use this display idea for their nativity scene. They placed the figurines on top of a large Bible, opened to Luke 2. I loved the idea, immediately re-created it in my own home, and assumed that I would use it every year for the rest of my life, modestly admitting that it was a borrowed idea when others gasped at its … [Read more...]
Accepting Help
I had a friend where we used to live who asked me once if I'd like to get together on a weekly basis to help each other clean house while we let the kids play. Fabulous idea, but it petrified me. I couldn't let someone into my house to clean without . . . . cleaning it first. Because I am a slob, you know. And my main method of survival at that … [Read more...]
Painting My Daughter’s Bookshelf/Dollhouse!
I've had this cute (potentially adorable) bookcase for more than three years. For more than three years, I've wanted to paint it. But because of my "issues" it has remained unpainted. It's that same old tale of the guilt over my messy house preventing me from spending time on fun projects. I also tend to think that I need to carve out an entire … [Read more...]
How Contentment and Housekeeping are Related
I've had this post going through my head for a day and a half. Ideas for a post about being discontent with my home were racing through my head as I spent the entire afternoon cleaning to get ready for home-groups tonight. But now, sitting in my pretty-much-presentable house, I'm feeling much better. See, for several days I've been feeling a … [Read more...]
Photo Booth Fun!
My niece got married last October. Evidently, one of the new trends for receptions is renting a photo booth. I LOVE photo booths. What is it about them? There's something about closing that little curtain that gives you total freedom to be yourself. The booth kept my two boys, 6 & 7 at the time, busy for the entire reception. … [Read more...]