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Am I the only one who’s not all excited about autumn and sweaters and pumpkins? I have always loved summer best of all. We’ve been trying to get a jump on fall by cutting down plants and prepping the yard. We have a lot of plants, so it’s a big job.

#October

I’ve also been chipping away at packing my kitchen collectables so I can get my kitchen painted. You have to know me to understand this is a big job. I have a lot of collectables.

A few weeks ago, my granddaughter Elli brought over a friend who’d never been to our house before. It was early morning, and I was getting the kids breakfast. Her friend was talking and hadn’t really looked around yet, but then she glanced behind Elli and said, “Why does your grandma have so much stuff?”

I couldn’t hide my laughter. Kids. But the best part was Elli’s nonchalant reply as she shrugged: “You’d have to ask my grandma.” Honestly, most people who come into my kitchen do look around, and some say, “I just want to look at everything,” so I tell them to go ahead.

I have my paint colors all picked out and my daughter Jennifer is going to help me. Yay!

The series books and anthology are available at major book retailers.

Universal Link

#PersonalUpdate

Last time I showed you pics of my Barbie collection all organized and pretty. Afterward, I found two more Barbies, still in the boxes. I haven’t figured out what to do with them. I’m not the kind of collector who keeps dolls in the boxes for value’s sake. Nope, I set them free and maybe brush their hair a little. :-) For me, the value is in enjoying them. One is Mulan in full garb - so beautiful. I’ll keep her for sure.

I don’t think I ever told you what started me on this declutter mission. Over the years I’ve read a million hints, tips, articles, and of course Marie Condo (goodbye sweater, goodbye spoon), but nothing worked for me until I read Decluttering at the Speed of Life by Dana White. She’s a real person who had a collecting problem. Her philosophy changed my whole perspective.

I can keep as much stuff as I want. But it all has to fit in its container.

Life-changing realization. My home is a container. Each room is a container. Each closet and drawer and shelf is a container. When I looked at my office as a container, I knew there was way too much in it for it to look appealing, be comfortable and make me happy. The same for the curio that held my dolls. I could keep as many as I wanted as long as they fit - and not all scrunched together and messy, but instead neat and attractive.

I’m applying this principle to each area in my home now, and I’ve learned that giving things away is not only a blessing to others, but has its own rewards in my peace of mind.