Tag Archives: decluttering

Disney, Family, Movie, Photo-A-Day, Vlog

SPOILER ALERT – Pete’s Dragon Should have been called Pete and Elliott

Viewing Petes Dragon
Photo-A-Day #4145

This morning was full of work on getting the house ready to show. I did some painting, cleaning and decluttering. I finished up the living room wall that Dad fixed recently. The only thing left to do was to sand the wall and paint it. We also cleared up many of the toys and games in the living room as well. Andrew and Allison boxed up the Hess trucks and I did the games. We have a little more to do in the living room but soon it will be ready for showings.

I also painted the area at the top of the stairs. At least the ceiling part. Next I will do the sides because they for some reason didn’t do such a great job 5 years ago on the sides of the stained glass window area.

After that it was time to clean the mud porch and then the basement. The basement area is the worst as far as needing cleaning. I mopped the floor in one area but have much more to do.

I finished out my cleaning by bagging up a ton of books to bring to Savers. The bookshelf in the hallway is nearly ready for showing as well.

The rest of the day was spent with Andrew. Eva was off tonight at a sleepover and so we took Andrew to a special showing of Pete’s Dragon. It was special because it was the first time that we took Andrew on his own to the movies. He’s been with us to other movies but always with Eva. He was hilarious and cute and funny. Oh and he gives away the ending of Pete’s Dragon. So – SPOILER WARNING – when you watch the vlog.

Speaking of Pete’s Dragon, we really enjoyed it but Allison thought that it was enough of a departure from the original that it should be called something else, like Elliott and Pete. I think that Pete and Elliott sounds better. It flows plus it still puts Pete at the forefront like Pete’s Dragon would. Check out our vlog for the full story.

Family, Photo-A-Day, Vlog

I’ve Been Thinking A Lot About Downsizing

Important Moments with the Kids
Photo-A-Day #4065

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about downsizing lately. The sheer amount of stuff that we have has gotten to be an overwhelming burden. I am making my own problem here, too. I love stuff. I love toys. I love the next toy and playing with all sorts of toys. What is the next shiny new thing I can get my hands on. Hot Wheels, Skylanders, Transformers, Comic Books and so much more. I not only buy these things for myself but also for the kids. It has gotten to be much too much. My bank account certainly knows the sting of too much stuff. My anxiety level and stress level know the sting of too much stuff. The problem is, when I buy something, I feel better…. for a time. A very short time. Stuff can mean many things to many people. It can mean security. If I have these things I’ll not be caught not having something if I need it. It can mean happiness. That new car is going to make me feel better, whether it be a real driveable one or a Hot Wheels. But the security and the happiness does not last.

I’m happiest when I’m not surrounded by my stuff. When I’m in a hotel room and it is me and a backpack, or on the water with just my kayak and paddle. I like when we go down to the Cape because it is simple, we have a few things with us that we can carry with us. Everything else we figure out.

I’ve watched two very good TEDx talks recently about downsizing and they are TEDxAsheville – Adam Baker – Sell your crap. Pay your debt. Do what you love. and The Less You Own, the More You Have: Angela Horn at TEDxCapeTown. As I find more I’m going to share them as well.