Back to Reality, Mudroom Clean Up and More Bags

After relaxing with my parents and then my friends for seven days in sunny Florida, let me tell you, it’s tough getting back. But, reality hit me hard with cold winds, snow flurries, and 10 loads of laundry waiting for me! However, I began tackling it with a vengeance yesterday.

Remember (if you can), I’m doing the 40 bags in 40 days challenge. I had to double up because of my vacation, but that was no problem when I hit my oldest son’s room.

Then, I moved onto our mudroom, which by the way, is still in need of a major overhaul (beadboard coming off the walls; broken hinges, etc). However, it went from this:

 Is there a reason why, umm, no one is using the pegs?? Seriously.

Game closet...a little unorganized and way too many games we don't play anymore. Game closet floor..just throw it in there seems to be the motto here! 

Now, after three bags of giveaways...organized.

40 bags in 40 days: Day 14 = 10 bags (Still have to play catch up)!

Living the Good Life

Wondering where I've been? No? Okay, I'll tell you anyway. I'm living the good life with my gal friends in sunny, warm Naples, FL. And since I can't figure out how in the heck I can upload photos on this blog from my ancient (one year old) iPad, I will try to describe just how beautiful it is. I'm looking at cerulean blue skies, turquoise water, and listening to the sounds of women laughing instead of kids fighting while drinking piping hot coffee. Jealous, yet?

Finished Order and More Bags

I recently sent our a huge etsy order of switchplates to a wonderful lady in Pennsylvania. I never met her in person, but would like to -- not just because she's a customer, but because she's so sweet. Anyway, she wanted a French and beachy theme for her beach house. I had a lot of fun with it. Just a sample above and on left.

Meanwhile, it’s only Day Three of my 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge, but I’m up to six bags (I told you I would double up). Here’s what I cleaned: My son’s closet and the hall closet.

My son’s closet still needs a lot of help, but right now here’s what it looks like. We couldn't even close the door before we started. We took out the lower shelf because he’s older and needs to start hanging some of his dress clothes. 

Don't you just love the penguin--he holds my son's collection of bouncy balls (boys collect everything--hmm, I should talk.)

We got rid of a plethora of stuffed animals and clothes (clothes from his older brothers that would be out of style by the time he grew into them). Here are the three bags from his closet (there were actually four bags but I gave away the bag of wrestling sweatshirts to a neighbor). I managed to get two from my hall closet -- one was actually filled with trash...yep, just gloves with holes, old water bottles, broken toys. So, I'm feeling pretty good about getting this done. Tomorrow, I plan on tackling the mudroom between packing for Florida (I leave on Sunday!) and doing laundry.

Oh, and Rosemary from Villabarnes is having her last giveaway and it's one of the best ones!! Go here to enter.

40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

I’m doing something for Lent this year that is quite different. I read about the “40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge” on the Clover Lane blog. If you haven’t read Sarah’s blog and you are a mom, you are missing out BIG TIME. It’s one of my very favorite blogs -- I subscribe by email so I don’t miss a post—ever. Anyway, I digress – the challenge is to use the 40 days of Lent as a way to simplify your life and give to others. 

“The gist of it,” says Sarah,  “During Lent (40 days) rid your house of 40 bags of stuff...things you don't love, don't use, junk, accumulated stuff, clutter, garbage.”

After the challenge (or during) you take the bags to Goodwill, Salvation Army or wherever they will take your stuff and donate it.

Well, this is quite the challenge, I think, but I’m sure my boys’ rooms are good for at least 10 of those bags!!

I will post updates each week (except next week when I’ll be out of town. Don’t worry; to make up for it, I’m going to do two bags a day, the week after).

Speaking of books

Source: Rebound Designs

I belong to a wonderful bookclub. We have been meeting for over 17 years. It didn’t start as a book club, though. When I moved to Maryland over 22 years ago, I was looking for a way to become involved in my new community beyond work. After I had my first son, I became involved in a project, which is now known as The Chesapeake Children’s Museum. It was just an idea when a small group of women and men met in a church hall so many years ago. It was so exciting to work on a project from the ground up and see it grow and flourish. 

The women I worked with became dear friends and we decided to meet once a month for a girl’s night out. After a few months, we decided we needed a more legitimate reason to meet (really?) and our book club was born. We have seen many people come and go, but the core group is still meeting.

Our book club not only meets every month to discuss books, we also host a few fun events such as a Souper Bowl – everyone meets and makes soup, an annual field trip to the Shakespeare or Folgers Theater in Washington, DC, annual cookie exchange, and other trips to concerts and such. At the beginning of each year, we nominate and vote on books. 

So, just in case you want a few books to read, here is our list for this year (I'll save you the descriptions or this would be 10 pages long!)

Nothing Daunted by Dorothy Wickenden 

The Bridal Wreath (Kristine book 1) by Sigrid Undset

The Greater Journey by David McCullough  

Cooking with Fernet Branca by James Hamilton-Patterson 

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot 

Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

Triangle: The Fire that Changed America by David von Drehle 

Loving Frank by Nancy Horan  

City of Thieves by David Benioff   

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Still Alice by Lisa Genova 

Enjoy!

Genius Repurposing: Books

Almost as much as I love to repurpose, I love to see what others do to repurpose! Pinterest has fed my obsession. I check every hour day to see what clever people came up with.

I own tons of books – as a writer/researcher, I have to …  and as an avid reader, it just goes with the territory. Here are some of my finds from Pinterest:

Seriously, bookshelves...

Love the title on this book! Would be great for cookbooks with the whisk and all...

Here's a real book light:

Gives a new meaning to falling asleep with a book...

Follow me on Pinterest to see what else I’ve found (red button on top right sidebar).

Taking a Snow Day without Snow

...Well, there was snow at the slopes. Looking at the weather forecast -- mid 40s and partly sunny -- sounded like a perfect ski day. So, off to the slopes we went...just like that. It was an awesome day. I mean AWESOME. We skied for more than 7 hours. My youngest is so easy to get along with, waiting patiently for mom at the bottom of the slope. (It was slushy, heavy snow so trust me -- these legs cannot keep up with an 11-year old in normal conditions.) Today, back to normal, back to school. Yep, I took him out of school yesterday -- that's the reward a straight A student gets---a snow day without the snow.