Mamazen

And so it begins…

Well it's the first of November, and it's time for NaKnitSweMo to begin. I'm doing something relatively easy project the Fairly Easy Fair Isle from SnB Nation. Now before you call me a cheater or a slacker... remember that I have a kid that sometimes doesn't nap, and a part time chiropractic practice, and, and, and. (yeah I'm sure 90% of the people participating have stuff going on, but hey this is MY blog. ;) ) I chose this sweater because...1) I've never done fair isle, so that will be a challenge. ((yeah yeah yeah, it's easy, whatevs!)) and 2) I need a comfy bulky sweater! besides, I had all the yarn in my stash, so not only am I knitting a sweater in a month (or less, since we're traveling to MI for T-day and I'd rather not knit a big bulky sweater while traveling... I prefer to wear it!) I'm using all (i think, I may need an accent yarn) stash yarn (some of which was purchased at the craft thrift store)! go me!! Anyway, it may not be 50K stitches, but it will still be a challenge for me to finish it. I have several other things on the needles (knitting ADD has struck again) and xmas pressies to make, AND am participating in a craft swap mid month... so yeah, it's a challenge.
My friend Adina is doing this also.. and is also participating in NaNoWriMo. She's attempting to write a novel in the month of November. Maybe someday I'll think about trying that.. but quite frankly I'm no where near capable of that right now. However... in a stand of solidarity I am going to try to write more this month also. I don't know if I'll blog everyday, but I'm hoping to actually post more of the things that go through my crazy head during the week. We'll see. My true pledge is to try and finish my blurb book from my pregnancy, and (if I'm really productive) Ruby's first year. I figure if I spend 30 mins a day, I can finish one of them this month, right? I mean, I was only pregnant for 10 months. Ha. ha. ha.
Well... So the sweater has been cast on, and the latest version of blurb has been downloaded. I'm going to go knit for half an hour and then if I'm not asleep, maybe spend some time on the book. I hope November is productive and fun for you too!

made in… where?

With all this press about toys made in china being recalled, I've no doubt been called many times to Ruby's toy area to look at what we have there. Thankfully, I've not had to throw away anything. She's too young for many of the toys listed, but also we've been picky about what we've bought, and lucky about what has been gifted to us. Our families and friends love to make gifts, and have also been so respectful about purchasing what we ask for her. We told all the grandparents that for xmas and birthdays, no more than 3 gifts (please :) ) and wooden or cloth. We also requested battery free toys at this point. We don't mind things that make noise, for crying out loud, THIS is one of our favorite things around here! but we like things that Ruby can make the noise, or that she has to elicit the noise from. It's a lot more fun for her to play the harmonica than to have a toy that just constantly makes battery operated noise. A lot more fun for everyone, trust me!
Anyway... I have spent some time going through her toys, putting some things aside to be passed on, some things to be saved for future siblings (if we are so lucky). I've been happy to see so many beautifully hand made gifts. A doll made by my mom, wooden rattles made by my dad, soft cloth balls made by my friend Celeste, etc. I was also pleased to see so many things that were on 'safe' lists, made in the US, Europe, Thailand, or India. I'd like to think that all of this was planning, but most of it was pure luck.
Even before we ventured into compacting, I've always been a fan of spending a little more to have something better quality, not made in a sweatshop, and now I'm even more a fan of it. I don't mind spending a little more on a pair of pants that will last a long time, especially if they were made in fair trade.... same with toys. I'd rather Ruby have 10 toys she loves that were produced safely and lovingly, than 30 toys that are not. I want to raise her to thing consciously about the things she has and wants, and to truly love the things she has.
It's one of the things I love about de-cluttering, getting rid of the things I just don't need and love, and truly loving the things I have.

Good lord…

When did I become such a bad blogger? Oh yeah... when I went and had a baby. ;) I also used to think about interesting things, knit and read books. hmmm... I still think interesting things, but most of the time I get distracted and start playing peek-a-boo instead. I still knit, but only about 3 stitches a night instead of 3 hours. Books? well I just went back to the library for the first time in over a YEAR... and then I picked up my new copy of Harry Potter! So some reading has happened during naps and after bedtime. Ah, reading till my eyes are heavy is one of my favorite ways to fall asleep!

So... compacting... let's just say I'm off the wagon. I haven't cleared any clutter in MONTHS. And just yesterday I looked around and felt like I needed to. (I'm not saying my house/office didn't need it, but I just started feeling it closing in again yesterday). I haven't had much time or need to go thrifting. I have bought a few new objects, but not many. I had a slew of birthdays last month, and while I usually make gifts, I didn't have time or energy, so I did do some birthday shopping. I shopped locally, and tried to buy gifts that were renewable/reuseable. Camping gear, books, gardening stuff.

My baby girl had a birthday. We had a fun little party and gifts were kept to a minimum. I made her a secret bunny. It's a softie with a pocket so that each year on her birthday, i can put a note/treat/gift inside for her to find. Just thinking about her future birthdays fills me with glee and tears all at once. Imagining her as a 4 year old, giddy with excitement for her birthday morning... it's things like that, that I live for. Her daddy made her a ride on toy (also in the pix) that she has yet to ride. I think she's still a bit afraid of it.

So June was taken up by birthdays and camping and just being... not a bad way to spend a month, eh? July has been more of the same, including lots of berry picking, jams, pies and cobblers, a trip to the beach and many afternoons in the sun in the back yard. Another good month. I'm sure August will bring more of the same, and who knows when you'll see another post here!

I don't know about compacting goals... I'm not feeling any desires to shop, as I've never been a huge shopper. I need to clear more clutter, but don't have a burning desire to clear it. so... who knows where that will go from here.

Crafting... I've finally gotten back to the sewing machine, and have finished a few more pairs of shoes. I have decided that I need to craft to feel balanced, and why not make a little $$ at the same time? If I can make enough to feed my craft habits (or the habits I used to have!) it will be worth it. So... in the near future I'll be opening up a little etsy shop for shirts, shoes and other baby trinkets. Stay tuned.
I've gotten some knitting done also, but nothing to show just yet. I have cast on a new dress for Ruby, similar to the anouk, but a dress, not a pinafore, and I'm changing a few things. We'll see how it turns out. I also have a soaker on the needles and a soaker skirt/pants that needs to be finished. I'll get some shots soon, hopefully.

As far as balance in my life... I've realized how i need to swing more balance back toward my family, and I'm taking steps to get there. I decided at the end of may that leaving my baby three times a week to go to work and see patients sucks. I miss her. I want to hear her squealing with delight over the cats tail, and snuggle her when she falls. Since I can't quit working (unless we win the lottery) I'm doing the next best thing. We're going to renovate our basement (yes, I'll try to give a blow by blow, complete with pictures) and I'm moving my office home. The plan is that I'll have a nanny with Ruby during my treatment hours, and I'll be able to work just as much as I do now, but since I won't have any overhead, I'll actually make money instead of just break even. I can pay my student loans and even put money in the savings account. Most of all, I'll spend less time away from my precious nugget. I dont' think this will be any less stressful than what I'm doing now. In some ways it may be more stressful... but I think in the long run, it will make more sense for my family. And isn't that all that really matters?

De-cluttered!

Well, I wouldn't say that it's all done...but a lot is! Sunday I took a CARLOAD (subaru outback full) of stuff to Value Village (one of my fave thrift stores, always good finds!). It took me and the guy 20 mins to unload. WOW. I felt 100lbs lighter. I felt like I purged so much from my life.

The weekend before Ryan and I had been pretty ruthless in clearing our closets. I stopped counting when we'd each hit 100. I took 7 bags of clothes, each having approximately 50 items in them. The bag of baby stuff had to have more, but I rounded it all up to 350. I also put a bag of about 40 items aside for another mama I know who's little girl is smaller than Ruby. Whew. Amazing. I also dropped off 20 books. Books I've read more than once, and need to share. Books I probably won't read again honestly. Truly, it felt fantastic to get rid of it all. My parents had stopped by, as they drove from Seattle to Eugene, and my dad helped me load up the car while Ryan worked in the garden. My mom asked if there was anything left in our closets. Sadly... they are still full, but they are much more representative of who we are and what we really wear.

Today, after morning nap, Ruby and I went back to the thrift store, as I was looking for a clothesline and some clothespins (I forgot to look for them... I got sidetracked in baby clothes) and a wooden push toy for Ruby. I ended up leaving VV with 3 dresses for Ruby and a pair of Hanna Pants for someone else - or a future baby (sz 60) for less than $10. Several of these dresses she won't wear till fall or winter, but great buys! I then went to Village merchants, another amazing local thrift shop. There I found a box of wooden blocks (just like the ones I had growing up!) for $6 and a wooden xylophone (doesn't make much noise, but that's ok by me!) and suction bowl for Ruby's self feeding. Again, spent less than $10, and had so much fun. I just love thrifting. Everything seems like a treasure when its got a red dot sticker with a hand written price tag.

Ryan came home from work a little early, took Ruby to the coffee shop and left me alone for 90 mins to work on my treasure map. I had cut out most of it while Ruby napped on my back this morning (that will give you a sore back, I tell ya!). As soon as they were out the door, I put on my favorite music mix and got to work. Within an hour, I had a good portion of it laid out and glued. It went so fast, and random pictures and words fit so well. I did my TM with the Feng Shui Bagua, the structure helped, as I'm too tired these days to really be super creative. I left space for affirmations, and will think through this in the next day or so. Sigh.. it feels good!

I've also had a few minutes here and there to craft! Knit mostly while Ruby naps on my chest in the wrap... but it's dinner time, so I'll tell you all about that later.

Shopping culture

Just returned from a trip to Key Largo, FL. My first time in FL, and it was enjoyable. It's hard to spend 10 days on vacation with family. Very hard. I'll leave it at that...
One thing that compacting has done for me, is made me really aware of how others shop/spend. My desires when I go on vacation center around having a good time, and experiencing the things around me. I want to eat the local food, see the sights and explore the area. I don't enjoy going SHOPPING. I just don't enjoy going to a new place just to buy stuff. I'd rather SEE the butterfly conservatory than spend money in it's gift shop. I'd rather play on the beach and in the water than wander through the shopping district. I'd rather eat at the amazing local restaurants than buy a glass/mug commemorating it. The only memento I try to purchase when on vacation is a christmas ornament. Every year as we decorate the tree, we talk about each ornament, and where it came from and how much fun, etc. So buying the ornament is really contributing to wonderful family time, and that is never a bad thing.
At one point on our trip, someone was buying a t-shirt or a mug or something, and Ryan mentioned wanting one. I had to put the kibash on it. What are we going to do with ONE MORE MUG? i asked him.The only commemorative mugs that I really love are from the B&B we went to on our wedding night, and on our anniversary for 8 years (until they sold it!). I really don't need more crap... really I don't.
And the people in my life don't need it either. I had figured if i came across something that seemed appropriate for our house sitters as a thank you, I'd get it (and I did, Key Lime pie mix... yum!) but I didn't want to purposely SHOP for stuff. It's just me, right? Apparently not.

Well, anyway, we spent money on our trip... we rented a boat one day and went snorkeling. It was worth every penny. I saw a school of barracuda (um scary) and a school of parrot fish (awesome) and a school of baby squid (a pre-school?hahahaha). We spent money eating at great restaurants, eating amazing food and laughing together.

Way better than a mug, eh?

April, already?

Dang. How did I miss March? Um maybe because I either travelling, preparing for travel or recovering from it... Never the less, March has come and gone, and what did I do?

1. did some great thrifting. (see prev post)
2. did some decluttering - 10 bras, 20 pairs of underware, at least 20 pairs of socks and 30 clothes items.
3. decluttered and organized the craft room. OMG did that feel good. I got rid of 75 (yes Seventy-FIVE!) items, and one huge bag of fabric/yarn. One of the overall goals I have for this year is to find more time (and space) to craft, and re-organizing my craft/guest room is key to that. Since I got it mostly done, I bought a used storage unit (rubermaid with drawers! for $20) and need to clear some space in the closet for it, and fill it up with all of the stuff that has no place to be. I could easily spend an entire weekend working in there, and I should... but alas, we got home from vacation and I have a little (albeit icky) cold. So I will not be shuffling through craft supplies.
4. I had some FUN in March, a trip to SF/Sac, a trip to Eugene to see my parents and a trip to Florida. But man I 'm tired of travel. And, I'm done with it for a while, thank g-d.

So... over all - march goals - decluttered 155/500 items. Not bad. :) None of these items have actually made it OUT of the house though... that's the goal between now and the 17th.
What's happening on the 17th you ask? why it's TREASURE MAP TIME!

This is my first year doing a treasure map but not my first experience with the concept. Basically it's a good time astrologically and energetically to ask the universe for what you want in your life for the next year. For 3 days you put together your 'map'... some people do a collage, some just write words, some paint, etc... The energies shift in just the right day during those three days... you just need to be clear and put it out there. Part of getting clear, is clearing your clutter... physically, mentally, energetically, etc. So... i've got some work to do.

The physical clutter is mostly in the basement. I box things up, and somehow, some one (RYAN) shoves it all in the basement. He has agreed to help me get it (as much as we can) out of there.

The mental and energetic clutter, well, that's in my basement too, and Ryan isn't the one who shoves it in there. I'll take the blame on that one, Bob... and I know it's hard to NOT do that also. I am really good at taking my feelings out every once in a while and looking at them... then I just shove it back down there. I have trouble actually getting RID of the clutter. I'm not a grudge holder by any means. Actually, just the opposite with most people in my life. Most of the time, when I'm hurt or annoyed, I talk about it (either to the person, or with my confidants) and get over it. There have been a few times where someone hurt me (or annoyed me) one too many times and I just kicked them to the curb. Not really holding a grudge, but getting rid of their presence in my life. (Clearing the friendship clutter, no?) No I don't hold a grudge against other people, just myself.
Right now the biggest piece of clutter in my heart is recovering from the trauma of Ruby's birth. I'm not going to write about it here, as I have a private journal that I keep all my deeper, more personal thoughts in and that is a more appropriate place to put those things. I don't have any illusions of working through all of it before the 17th, but I'm trying to clear some of it out and forgive myself for what I view as my own failure (when my logical mind knows it wasn't). TOday is the day that Ruby has been OUT of me longer than she was IN. It's a big day. And it's high time I looked at my grief and guilt around how she came into this world. I also carry the emotional clutter of infertility. Since that hasn't cleared out even WITH the arrival of miss Ruby, I know that there is some work to do around that too.

So... lots of clutter clearing to come. This morning Ryan went through all of his drawers and closet, and I got half way through my closet before someone needed milk and a nap. And currently she'll only nap ON someone, so she's asleep on my chest, and quite frankly, I love it.

Thrifting!

Today was a great day at the thrift store! I went to THE. BEST. THRIFT.STORE in portland. The only thing that I don't like about Red White and Blue is that they don't have dressing rooms (try pants on under a skirt!) and that they organize by color of clothes not size. Oh well, you just need to look and look and you find great deals!
I was shopping for pants (which I found three pairs) and ended up with some toys for Ruby, and a dress for me! The pants were an amazing find. One was a pair of prAna pants that still had tags (original price $60) and I got them for $10. Also some black capris (nice enough to treat patients in) and some capri causal pants because my comfy ones from last summer are just too big. I'd post a pix, but one pair of black pants ( or three) aren't exciting.
The dress I happened upon was a Hanna Andersson summer dress that looks brand new. For $8 you just can't go wrong.
Hopefully it will look good on me!
Next up I found some awesome toys for Ruby. A little toy train set for $4. She already likes the truck that came with it
TrainAnd this cool magnet board thing. I know she won't really have interest in it for a while, but I will hang it in the kitchen and we can get used to changing the months and adding magnets.\magnet board What's really funny.... I called my friend Jackie to tell her about my cool finds, and she LAUGHED when I told her about the magnet board. She donated that very one to the same thrift store two weeks ago.

I have had some amazing decluttering success, and have a whole post on it coming tomorrow (I hope!)
I have some thoughts on advertising and what not - we were just in San Francisco a week ago--- that is a town for shoppers! but it's bed time, so I'll save it for later... meaning, who knows when.

In like a lion

February is behind me - the long (although short) dragging month that it is. March has begun, and it's time to evaluate what's happened in those 28 short days...
Decluttering - Well after my last post, I went through a huge box of clothes that had been put away when i was pregnant, and got rid of 45 items of clothing. I gave a lot of it to a friends semi foster daughter who is getting her life in order. It felt great to give them to her.
A big pile of kitchen stuff that should have been taken to Value Village - Ryan ended up schlepping it down to the basement while I was in San Diego last weekend. So it's not out of the house... but it's in a pile of things that need to get OUT anyway. Anyway it brings the total to just over a hundred for the month. Not the best, but not the worst. We had a lot of travel, and sick... so I didn't have a ton of time. Unfortunately, we have a lot of travel in March also.. so I doubt I'll meet my goal of 500 in march, but I'm gonna try.

Buying stuff - I haven't bought anything new that wasn't on my list. When we went to the coast for 3 days a couple of weeks ago, I forgot to pack underwear and socks. Ha. Ha. Ha. I actually needed new underware anyway, so it wasn't a complete waste. Ryan did buy new jeans, but the guy hasn't found jeans that fit in 5 years, so I don't blame him. Thrifting has gone well and has been fun. I find myself wanting to go to the thrift store often, especially as I clear out my closet, and find that so much of my clothes just don't fit well anymore. Once I finish de-cluttering it all, I will reward myself with a few 'new' things (ie: thrifted). The thrill of the chase is fantastic, especially when you find something awesome.

Keeping a clean house - Not so perfect in Feb. The travel and the sick knocked some of that down... but in general, house has been pretty clean, clean enough for visitors, at least.

Sooooooo My goals for March remain the same. More decluttering and organizing. I'd like to finish the kitchen, and get through my closet/drawers, and move on to the guest room. Jo and her family are coming to visit mid march and I'd like to be able to find the floor in the guest room before then. However... we're heading to SF/Sac for 5 days and then are gone for the end of March/beg of April for a little fun in the sun, So I won't beat myself up if I don't get a ton done.

Overall, I'm having a lot of fun decluttering, I haven't removed a lot from the house, but it feels cleaner and clearer. Not buying new hasn't seemed like a chore at all. I guess I'm realizing that I didn't shop a lot to begin with, which is a nice revelation.

As far as enjoying life has gone... I am trying to eek out time to knit/craft when I can, but baby has been needy, so not much has gotten done. I did knit a gorgeous merino wool hat/scarf for a patient of mine who is dying, but I gifted it before I took a picture (of course) and I made a head band for myself, just need to find time to take a pix. Speaking of which.. I'm going to take this time to knit, as Ryan is upstairs snuggling the nugget to sleep.

Decluttering… begun!

Today I finished the last of the kitchen food related cupboards. Sigh. What a difference it makes. Everything just FEELS cleaner. If I were counting food related items in the declutter list, we'd be near a hundred I'm sure. I ended up with an entire EMPTY cupboard. Above the stove is EMPTY. Wow... Things may actually end up being accessible around here!
So... decluttering began today, albeit slowly. I did manage put two items in the "see ya later" pile.
Whew. I'm hoping tomorrow morning after breakfast and before morning nap, I can get through one cabinet. Then it's a long work day for me!

Still not decluttering…

I have to admit, it seems like we're getting a pretty weak start here. Unfortunately, we've had a rough month so far. Teeth came, and brought cold. Cold stuck around and left us with cough. On top of that, sleep took off and is finally rejoining the family. So... no decluttering, heck, our house was barely clean until today.
However, I have had time to do some stuff and set some other goals around decluttering...
I have spent any free time I had this week inventorying and sorting through the kitchen cupboards/freezer. I tossed a ton of stuff that was god only knows how old, and found that we have a lot more space than I'd previously thought. What a treat! Space before decluttering!
While inventorying the kitchen, i noticed several appliances that have hardly been used ( like a bread maker that was a wedding gift 10 years ago, and has been used as many times ). It's hard for me to part with such things - not because they were gifts, but because "what if I need it someday" or "what if I want to start making bread". So I've set some goals around these things. Any item (like the bread maker) that I *think* I want to keep, gets a 6 month (or less) life span. If it isn't in full rotation and a useful item in the household by that time, it gets ditched.

So guess who made bread in her bread maker today?

I also had a great thrift store score the other day. I was looking for pants as my baby is making me thinner than want to be (so now I'm also baking super high fat deliciousness) and I found a pastry mixer, that I'd been hoping to come across (cause I've been a baking fiend lately!). I also found a brand new wooden stacker for a friend who was looking for wooden toys for her son. Woo hoo!

Tomorrow, I hope to finish inventorying the kitchen/organizing food shelves (just have spices left) and then start organizing/decluttering the other parts of the kitchen. I promise (HA!) to have a decluttering update later this week!