A Layout, A Blog, & Accumulation

I'm guilty of shuffling sometimes and it drives me crazy. I like to have a "home" for everything, so it's very annoying to me when I can't find a good "home" for stuff. It always feels so good to clean out and get rid of some of the stuff that is just taking up space in my house.

I love to declutter. :) It just seems I am not doing it fast enough.
I wanted to share a site w/ you (and others)
Stickyj.com If you go to medical bracelets
and scroll down, they have a medical id plate for autism. I ordered 1 for my 4 y/o has a "just in case". He cannot say his name (yet) and now he has an ID that says Autsim, has his name and 2 cell #'s to call. After a couple of days of some fussing about it, Aidan wears his bracelet.

I feel the same way about stuff accumulating. One thing I'm trying to learn to do is use all of something before I buy more. I cleaned out my bathroom and found a number of lotions (what IS it about body lotion) shower gels, hair products. I've decided to get rid of some, give some to friends and USE the rest before I allow myself to buy any more.
Hope the cleaning goes well. Even in this arena, I can take inspiration from you. Thanks.

What a beautiful layout! Just gorgeous!

Great interview. The funniest thing was that as I was reading the first part of your entry, I was thinking, "It really would be nice to put a voice with the face, so I could hear it as I'm reading your posts". Then Viola!! A link to an audio interview. Too cool. Great job, by the way. I love that you are so down to earth {which I kinda already had an idea that you were}. Love the layout too! Love that you use paints, handwriting, etc in an abstract way that is not too wild. I've been dabbling with the whole "freestyle" thing, but sometimes it's just not ME. I need a little more order and structure to accompany, and I find comfort in your style. Thanks!! :)

I too love the idea of minimalism, and dream of de-cluttering, but I think I'm too much of a bower bird. Plus I have too many art supplies!

With 4 boys I am always trying to declutter, it's an ongoing thing and I hope I will eventually get there. I do have room on my book case for another scrapping book though!

Okay I am going to have to try this layout! ALI and Making Memories does it get any better than this! Loved ya at CKU-ARGH you scallywag!!!

Yeah!! In a few weeks I have plans to decluttify my closets as part of my spring cleaning week. Its so nice to have all the windows open. I like the idea of the fabric scrapbooking, as well.

Your shuffling papers comment made me think of a book on tape that I just listened to and really liked...don't know if you are into that sort of thing, but I thought "Getting Things Done" by David Allen introduced some organizational strategies that were new to me and are truely designed to leave your mind unencumbered and free. http://www.davidco.com/store/catalog/GTD-Unabridged-Audio-CDs-Of-Getting-Things-Done-p-16358.php

Love your layout with the squares and hand-drawn boxes. I need to get organized! I am a great one to just shuffle things around.

Great post! Enjoyed the links to the minimalist home info. I'm with you, Ali--wonderful and calm to look at, but not the current state of my own space! Good to know that others fight the clutter-bug, too.
Interesting how people's "words" connect to the idea of simplification, paring down, less-is-more. I recently experienced a great sense of my "word" (which is "movement") when I organized my office/ scrap room and donated MANY items I wasn't using. I worked with a professional organizer who talked about the need to keep things moving (either by using them regularly or purging them) so that one's space (and life!) don't become stifling and stagnant.
And in an unexpected benefit, it's incredible how much more fun and how much easier it is to scrap, because I can actually FIND things!

Hey girly - that is THE coolest layout.

Piles are definately my biggest cleaning challenge. When people complain of dishes or toilets, I always comment on how much more challenging pile management is! Now to organize my art stuff! Yikes.

It's so funny you had this post about decluttering ;) I see it as a constant process, it will never end... helas...
But actually now, for the last week or so, I have been totally into some big reorganisation in the house. I organised a lot of things in old shoeboxes and labeled them with Dymo, and I even made a "pile-of-paper-system" hoping that we will be better in filing away the papers more regularly ;)
And I even got to tidy up in my scrapping-stuff :)
So yes, things feel so much better after a big reaorganisation, and I feel it is easier to work. And I really hope for the good and positive chi to go through the house :)
And at least I hope the new system will last!
I love your layout! It's gorgeous!!!
Have a lovely day :D

I have read the comment in bloglines about the gift but don't find here .. And then I have read that it's a mistake ... I was thinking that I'm crazy
LOL
Kiss from Spain
Marie-Hélène

I must make time to read your linked posts. I love the idea of having less clutter but can't seem to get there. Thanks for posting about your self-forgiving approach to it... you are a very sensible woman. ;)

My word for the year (thank you for that) is Simplify. Decluttering and clearing the house is part of my simplify plan. What I'm learning is that it's not a "do it once, never again" sort of thing, but more of a lifestyle. I'm only gradually accepting that because completing goals is a big motivator for me, and this one will never be "completed."

I've been decluttering closets and drawers for the last couple of weeks. Whew! What a lot of junk! The goal for the next couple of weekends? The basement. Yikes!
Sue

I love the picture you took of Chris reading to Simon and he is reading GO DOG GO-that was one of my son's most favorite books at that age. Your photo brought back a great memory of parenting. Thanks, Ali You are so awesome! Have a great day.