My sister-in-law Peggy died last night.
Sometimes, we have less time than we think.
Sometimes, we have less time than we think.
Showing posts with label Big Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Stuff. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Big Less: The Office Mess
Tonight, I started on a huge "less" objective. I'm tossing things out in my home office.
You will not be seeing "before" and "after" photos of the office, because I have some pride. Let's just say that very little has been disposed of or organized lately. And, we can also say that whoever predicted computers would lead to a paperless society was insane. Or, to be kind, overly optimistic.
So, the trash bag is filling up, and I'm feeling hopeful. I may even find the tax papers that I need to file by this weekend. I know they're in here ... somewhere ... surely...
You will not be seeing "before" and "after" photos of the office, because I have some pride. Let's just say that very little has been disposed of or organized lately. And, we can also say that whoever predicted computers would lead to a paperless society was insane. Or, to be kind, overly optimistic.
So, the trash bag is filling up, and I'm feeling hopeful. I may even find the tax papers that I need to file by this weekend. I know they're in here ... somewhere ... surely...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
My Year of Less: It's Not Semantics
When I first announced My Year of Less, a friend corrected me and said I really needed more -- more time spent doing what I love.
My friend is wrong. I really and truly do need less. Let me explain: I have a remarkably full life. I spend a great deal of time doing what I love, with people I love. I'm blessed with family and friends. I write every day -- and not just for clients. I write for myself every day, even if it's simply a blog entry. I bake. I cook. I doodle. I do collage art. I go to the gym. I read -- the newspaper, books, magazines. I have a Kindle. (I'm cool like that.)
And the full life extends beyond me alone. Tom and I are planning an anniversary trip. We're starting the home remodeling project. The whole family plays Wii. We watch movies in the home theatre. We shop. We go for drives. We eat out. We put together jigsaw puzzles. Seriously. We play together. It's good.
So, trust me, I don't need more. I don't even need more time. 24 hours per day, seven days per week, is plenty.
What I really and truly need is exactly what I'm after. Less. I'm beginning with less clutter and other stuff -- I'm expecting to find less stress and anxiety. We'll see how it works. So far, one week in, so good.
Today, I have less of a mess at the front door. Three dogs and 23 years had resulted in massive claw marks on the front door. No more. Larry the Handyman was here and fixed it. Sanded the scratches off and restained the door. Yes! One more thing to scratch off my list. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) This change also creates one less reason to avoid inviting people over. I've been so embarassed by the front door (the last dog really clawed it), that I haven't wanted to have people over to the house. I don't even know that other people noticed the marks -- but I did. So, one less excuse. It's progress.
My friend is wrong. I really and truly do need less. Let me explain: I have a remarkably full life. I spend a great deal of time doing what I love, with people I love. I'm blessed with family and friends. I write every day -- and not just for clients. I write for myself every day, even if it's simply a blog entry. I bake. I cook. I doodle. I do collage art. I go to the gym. I read -- the newspaper, books, magazines. I have a Kindle. (I'm cool like that.)
And the full life extends beyond me alone. Tom and I are planning an anniversary trip. We're starting the home remodeling project. The whole family plays Wii. We watch movies in the home theatre. We shop. We go for drives. We eat out. We put together jigsaw puzzles. Seriously. We play together. It's good.
So, trust me, I don't need more. I don't even need more time. 24 hours per day, seven days per week, is plenty.
What I really and truly need is exactly what I'm after. Less. I'm beginning with less clutter and other stuff -- I'm expecting to find less stress and anxiety. We'll see how it works. So far, one week in, so good.
Today, I have less of a mess at the front door. Three dogs and 23 years had resulted in massive claw marks on the front door. No more. Larry the Handyman was here and fixed it. Sanded the scratches off and restained the door. Yes! One more thing to scratch off my list. (Sorry, couldn't resist.) This change also creates one less reason to avoid inviting people over. I've been so embarassed by the front door (the last dog really clawed it), that I haven't wanted to have people over to the house. I don't even know that other people noticed the marks -- but I did. So, one less excuse. It's progress.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Bye-Bye Wallpaper
Today, I have less wallpaper. That's right. The wallpaper that I chose for the master bathroom 23 YEARS AGO when we built the house is gone. History. Toast. Kate and I peeled it off and threw it away this afternoon.
I like the bathroom better with drywall staring at me than I did with the wallpaper.
This "less" is part of a much-anticipated change. We're working with our handyman Larry to remodel the bathroom and turn it into a Kansas version of a beach cottage bath, with white wainscotting, pale yellow walls, white wood trim, new tile floor, new shower. New shower basin. New grout.
I'm in heaven and it's just beginning. This less is more than I expected.
I like the bathroom better with drywall staring at me than I did with the wallpaper.
This "less" is part of a much-anticipated change. We're working with our handyman Larry to remodel the bathroom and turn it into a Kansas version of a beach cottage bath, with white wainscotting, pale yellow walls, white wood trim, new tile floor, new shower. New shower basin. New grout.
I'm in heaven and it's just beginning. This less is more than I expected.
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