5 Minute Shower Update

A few months ago I posted about going down to a 5 minute shower. After using the timer for several weeks, I felt like I had gotten the hang of it so I stopped using it. The other day, I decided to use the timer again and make sure I was still under 5 minutes. To my joy, not only was I still under 5 minutes but there was a lot of time left. I must be getting more efficient.

How are you doing with it?

Two boxes

Yesterday I had my first appointment with myself to go through a box and a bag. I set it during a time when I have a conference call where I only need to listen. I actually chose 2 small boxes to go through. One was a box of random stuff (I hate those) and the other box was the contents of some drawers for my old house. The majority of the stuff in the boxes went into two bags - shred and recycle. A small portion of things went to W and a few things got put away. It feels GREAT to clear out clutter and get organized.

How about you? Did you make an appointment with yourself?

p.s. I am doing this for two reasons: one is to make our home a nice place to live and the other is that I need some changes in my life. Clearing clutter is really good for that.

Made Box / Bag Appointment

One of the most effective ways for me to get things done is to set aside time to do something. I am happy to say that I made a recurring appointment with my self for the next 18 weeks. I set aside 30 minutes per week to empty one bag and box. I plan to report weekly on my progress.

What could you do in 30 minutes a week? Anyone want to do this with me? You don't have to do the same thing as me...just pick something! If you want to join me, just add a comment with what you are going to do. Then, you can comment on your progress when I blog about mine. (Hint: I set up my appointment for Wednesday afternoon).

Another box and two bags

Ok, I guess I am on a roll...I brought a big box o'books plus to bags to Goodwill today. More stuff out of the basement. Yay!

I did not make an appointment with myself as I mentioned in my previous post (mostly because I had technology problems). But I did send myself an email to schedule time to go through one box and one bag per week.

My favorite blogger has been working on a new website that will have local information for people with pre-schoolers. I guess it started as a site to find the right pre-school for you but is morphing into a link with local things to do. Sounds cool...but when will Portland be up and running?

One more box

We love when our family comes to visit. Not only because we love our family but also because it always spurs us into "high cleaning gear". This is good for our guests and good for us. Today, I emptied a very large moving box. It felt really good to clear some more floor space. I certainly have many more boxes to go (optimistically, I would estimate 16 plus 4 grocery bags) but it is getting better all the time. If I could go through 1 box and bag a week, I could be be through them all by the end of October. Now wouldn't that be great?

Ok - I am going to set a date with myself once a week for the next 16 weeks and get through it all. When I am done, I will hang the beautiful hanging picture frame in my office (because there will be room!) as a treat. Then, I think the next step will be the organization of all the remaining precious items and craft supplies. But really - one step at a time.

What could you do once a week for the next 16 weeks?

The Girl Effect

Whoa! Check this out. It might make you cry (and be hopeful at the same time).
Want to make one of those loans? Go here: http://www.kiva.org//

I saw this video on the CityMama blog but the video is a little cut off which is why posted the You Tube version.

What's it called when a log jam breaks free?

I haven't blogged about "stuff" in quite a while. But that doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking about it. In fact, up until a few weeks ago, a whole corner of my basement had been filled with baby items that were going to be sold at a huge 50 family rummage sale. The sale took place on the same weekend as Ladies Rock Camp and my mother graciously agreed to sell for me (bless her heart!). The sale got rid of about half the stuff. I went through the other half this weekend and saved a couple of items (which I think I can sell on Craig's List). I didn't count the rest of the bags but if I had to guess, I would say it totaled 16 bags plus two bulky items. Yesterday, I took that whole load to Goodwill. Whew! They didn't take one thing (a bed rail) which I still need to get rid of but basically I feel a huge weight off my shoulders. I still have some "clean up" to do from the sale. I had gathered a whole bunch of containers (mostly baskets and plastic boxes) for the sale and now I need to put everything back where it belongs. Once that is done, I can move some things in my office out of the way so that W can install an outlet and a heater. Just in time for summer. Sigh...at least I will be warm next winter!

Life changing

Ever have an experience that you know, intuitively, is life changing? My hand is raised because I just had one of those last weekend. I attended Ladies Rock Camp here in not-so-sunny Portland, Oregon. I have been trying to write about my experience but honestly, I am having problems processing the whole thing. Suffice to say (for now) that it was an amazing accomplishment and I am going back next year. :)

More to come. If you are interested in attending a Ladies Rock Camp and you are not in the Portland area, it turns out there are a whole bunch of other camps in places like NYC and Australia. Or you can just fly in to Portland like my band mates did. Check it out.