Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday living.

— Pablo Picasso

Typeface: Above the Beyond Script

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City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

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Part II of spring cleaning / organizing effort. Still work in progress.

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

As my fellow quizzers will confirm I have a lot of old shit (always good for extra points for props though). I am trying (!) to declutter hahaha. Found this today. Keep, bin, sell? You decide!

(c) Lee Live: Photographer www.leelivephotographer.com

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(c) Lee Live: Photographer www.leelivephotographer.com

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I'm 15 years old, and my bedroom has been pink since I was 3. I've desperately been wanting to paint it for a while now, and since it's spring break, I'm finally doing it.

I decided first to declutter my room so I wouldn't have as much stuff to lug out.

All this crap is the contents of just ONE drawer of my desk. I've had this junk for years and just let it pile up until I could barely even open the drawer.

It took me about an hour to sort through it all (you can't see all of it in this picture).

But at the end, it felt good to have done some spring cleaning and to have an empty drawer in my desk.

:)

Btw, sorry for the crappy picture. I know it's not very artistic, but since I've been cleaning and moving furniture all day, I haven't been very inspired.

via

The following post Ten Useful Tips For Making Your Move Less Stressful is republished from: www.albertafirstmoving.ca/

For many people, moving houses is an exciting milestone.

You might be a college student leaving home for the first time. Perhaps you're a newlywed couple moving into your dream home. Or you could be part of a family that's looking for a fresh start and a bit of adventure.

Unfortunately, moving is often associated with stressful situations, and this can take the enjoyment out of it.

But don't worry, we're here to help! We've compiled a list of ten tips that will help you avoid those situations and make sure your move goes as smoothly and conveniently as possible.

1) Pack your essentials separately.

Moving is exhausting, and the chances are that you won't have the energy to unpack everything immediately. There are bound to be some essentials that you'll need straight away such as your toiletries, your phone/laptop or any other electronic equipment, chargers, and a change of fresh clothing. Put these in an overnight bag that you can take with you. You'll be thankful later.

2) Be prepared.

There's nothing worse than having to scramble around and search for empty boxes on the day before - or worse, the day of your move! Fortunately, you can call or visit many grocery stores to order the boxes you need in advance. Any boxes that you don't use can be returned, which is one less thing for you to have to worry about.

3) Stock up on supplies.

You may have your empty boxes sorted out, but unless you can seal them closed, they're not going to be very useful! Make a list of all the supplies that you'll need - a tape gun, packing paper, labels, etc. And why bother going from store to store when you can find all those supplies you need in the same location?

4) Take photos.

If you want to keep your items organised in the same way when you move, make sure you take pictures of everything else beforehand. The photos will also come in handy when you're trying to remember which plug went into which hole after you've dismembered your electronic equipment.

5) Sandwich bags are handy.

No, we're not talking about lunch. When you're taking things apart in preparation for your move (unscrewing beds, unplugging electronic equipment, etc.), you want to make sure that those tiny little screws and hooks don't go missing. A sandwich bag is an excellent way to keep your screws and other bits and bobs in the same place. Make sure you label the bag with what the screws correspond to so that it'll be easy to put things back together when you're in your new home.

6) Label EVERYTHING.

As stated previously, you won't necessarily have time to unpack everything straight away. If you don't label your boxes in advance, you'll quickly wish you had. If you're ordering boxes from us, you have the option of ordering them with pre-printed room labels. This option will make your move a lot easier as you'll immediately know what each box contains, from your kitchen equipment to your child's favourite toys.

7) Mark delicate items as FRAGILE.

This may sound like a simple enough step to you, but it's one that might easily be forgotten. Make sure that your delicate items such as glassware and vases are packed carefully (luckily you've purchased our packing paper!) and that the boxes they are packed in are marked with FRAGILE. This will ensure that your movers will treat the boxes with special care, and hopefully, your breakable items will arrive intact at your new home.

8) Declutter.

As you're packing, take advantage of this opportunity to evaluate your belongings and decide if there's anything that you don't use, don't want or don't need anymore. Perhaps it's finally time to donate that suit you'll never fit into again. Maybe you don't need six copies of the same book. And if you're looking for a fresh start, do you really need to take your collection of Reader's Digest magazines with you? Charities and op-shops are always grateful to receive secondhand items that are still in good condition. Or you may have friends and family members who would appreciate something you don't really need. Packing is the perfect chance for you to purge any unnecessary items and start your new life off with a clean slate.

9) Eat up.

You should do your last big supermarket shop approximately two weeks before your move. And then spend the last two weeks eating up everything in your fridge. Yes, you may get tired of eating the same ingredients every night. But it beats having to throw out all your excess food on moving day.

10) Finish packing before Moving Day.

Moving Day is already demanding and stressful enough, without having to add packing to the list. It doesn't matter how early in advance you'll need to start packing - just make sure it's all done before the actual day. When the packing is finished, your work's nearly done!

www.albertafirstmoving.ca/?p=412

by excentrique_la_belle #brighton

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

1. The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

(c) Lee Live: Photographer www.leelivephotographer.com/

For commercial usage of this image please visit:

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JOSH'S JOURNAL.

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WHY I LOVE LIVING WITHOUT MY "STUFF".

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Reposted for my Ausie friends and cause I worked pretty hard on this one. ;-).

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I have always had a love/hate relationship with my "stuff". Like almost everything else in my life, I think it comes back to The Itch. We talked about The Itch a couple week's ago. Insufficient dopamine. ADD. That unsettled and restless feeling that makes me look for something, anything, to occupy and distract uncomfortable mind.

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Some times my stuff helped. It kept me out of my head. I have heard that people with Tennitus, a ringing in the ears, often prefer music or white noise to silence. It makes perfect sense to me. I've know my stuff drowns out that consistent uncomfortable hum in my brain. Stuff helped me feel better.

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Some times. . .

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Unfortunately, the "fix" is short term. Isn't every "fix". Eventually the new camera becomes the not so new camera. I've been through all the menus. I've tried all the fancy new features and shopped for the accessories. There isn't anything left to explore and that brain hum floods in again. So. . . I need to find something else.

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1 of 3 - TAP "VIEW ALL COMMENTS" TWICE.

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1153 Likes on Instagram

46 Comments on Instagram:

designbychance: Stuff makes me feel better too! It does drown out the consistent uncomfortable hum in my head. Was amazing reading your thoughts and feeling as if they were my own. Time to rethink my stuff. Thank you!!!

steefsc: Reduce to the max! Very interesting reading your post, I can relate. I tried prof cameras, but I only use my iphone 4s (my feed is iphoneonly), and as you not only for shooting and editing, but for keeping up with the world, for informationgathering, for entertainment and getting inspired. Clarity :)

joshjohnson: @the_mollyporter a little of both Molly. Sold what I could but gave quite a bit of stuff to the current occupant of my old place. :-)

joshjohnson: @meganjaepearl how cool! :-). Never met them.

kyletheincrowd: I know how you feel. I get that a lot. I always feel empty, crazy, restless when I can't get what my head wants at the moment.

maijajp: "I want what I want, when I want it!" HAS been a theme for me. When I downscaled my apartment I did a test. If I have not picked it up, worn it, eaten it or read it in a year it goes to people who will need and love it more. Incredible that often I say I can't live without my books... I read a lot on a screen now a days which is an unfortunate reality these days. What would I grab if there was a raging inferno headed my way? Dog & leash, wallet, phone, camera, laptop and a few old photos. These all mean memories, family and friends to me plus bus fare! Is that not what's important?

flat_cat: @joshjohnson I came to Aus from the US with just my suitcase in hand. Left it ALL behind. You remind me once again not to become too attached to my stuff. To declutter. It's about the humanity. The connection. Purpose. Excellent reminder. Thank you.

nicholettat: Simplicity is best for many of us. We barely buy any toys for our two boys as they don't play with 1/2 of the stuff they gift for gifts and are more likely to be outdoors or playing with a cardboard box or pots and pans. The clutter makes me batty and I hate the idea of "wasted" things! I'm all for this Josh and glad it has brought you more of a peace. Most of us here in America have way too much stuff! Thanks for sharing!

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

The great clean out of 2018

One of my oldest plastic drawer cupboard. This is placed almost at the entrance of the room.

This was probably brought into the country as someone's "duty free", probably before the UK joined the Common Market. I know we gave it to the prof's sister before we went to America for a year in 1977 and we had to clear our house out. Unfortunately she gave it back when we returned! It is some sort of "bitters" and has never been opened.

Perhaps we should take the top off and, very carefully, sniff the contents?

PS - Later - Perhaps it has been opened. It smells like brown sugar. Google suggests cocktail recipes which use it. You can add it to coca-cola, but we don't drink coca-cola!

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." William Morris

I need to stick to this. I want to simplify, declutter. Problem is, I kinda like the clutter. I must or I wouldn't own so much of it. So maybe this year. Baby steps. Declutter, simplify.

It's all downhill from here

I got two Cable Boxes from A+R Store to hide my cables in my home entertainment unit. We’ll have to see if this works out.

White is for the Mac stuff, black for the stereo and game consoles.

I'm a genius! Look how I replaced clutter with my plant from the window sill! srsly, very proud of myself. I would never have thought how much work it is to declutter even a small kitchen like mine. but very gratifying.

Don't keep all that kid art

Used at Hello Tidy

Image source: Kid art 3 by Sage Ross

(c) Lee Live: Photographer www.leelivephotographer.com

For commercial usage of this image please visit:

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City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

LOLA Day 89

November 3, 2014

Woohoo!! Moving week moving week!! I'm so excited to be moving this weekend!! I am ready!! E keeps yelling NEW HOUSE, but I am not sure if he knows what it means, lol.

I am not sure if it's the emotional release of bad things, busy work days or the excitement of the changes for the weekend but I feel completely bagged. I didn't even write anything for this pic last night. I posted it and went to bed, lol. The end of one chapter and the beginning of the next are so close. Only a few more sleeps. It feels so good, I am absolutely ready for it and know that I made the right decisions.

I read Simplify, 7 Guiding Principles to Help Anyone Declutter Their Home and Life yesterday, it's on sale for $0.99 right now. I love being continually re-inspired on my rational minimalist journey. I was waivering about joining the a simple year 12 month course for 2015, but yesterday decided to take the plunge and signed up!! Having the opportunity to be inspired with something new every month that I am passionate about sounds great to me! Also the opportunity to discuss these topics with all the people who's blogs have inspired me to get to this point in my life, absolutely! If you are interested here is the link, if you sign up let me know and we will go through the journey together.

simpleyear.co/course/

Quotes for today:

*You are allowed to terminate toxic relationships. You are allowed to walk away from people who hurt you. You don't owe anyone an explanation for taking care of yourself

*Assume nothing, do more, smile often, dream big, laugh a lot, & realize how blessed you are for what you have -OOLA Life

Blogged here - how to declutter

Before it was organized, this dining room looked more like an overwhelmed office.

Leather. They have to go.

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

Same stage in project as last photo, but opposite corner view.

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

City of Fort Collins | Tina Chandler

There are lots of other things I could be doing, like yard work. Instead I've chosen to make three cell phone holders and a couple of bench rollers.

It's amazing the number of tools needed and the amount of mess created even for the smallest of projects.

My last project of the day was to declutter the workshop a little bit by finally putting bases on the bench rollers I've had for years.

Both projects were completed, and no yard work was done. That's at least a partial result, right?

June 24, 2017 | www.breakfastinamerica.me | Copyright © 2017 Gary Allman, all rights reserved