Where to put all this “stuff”….

Return from trip – check

Unpack – half check

Food in the house – check

Have all three boys back – not yet.

I have been going around my house with a vengeance throwing things away. I even cleaned all my kitchen drawers. Does anyones else get grossed out about the drawer they place their clean silverware in? How does it get so dirty. Ok, so it might have been this time last year when it was cleaned last time. But still.

I packed up the tree. Put away all the Christmas decorations. Unpacked and put away most of the clothes. But I have too much “stuff”. I have certain relatives that like to buy a lot for my boys and for us, but then I have to find a place to put all this “stuff”. And I just don’t have room. I have been cleaning for three days, but if you walked into my house you would not believe me. I even had to go purchase more hangers today, so I could hang up “more stuff”.

I have a bad attitude about this “stuff”. I wish I could tell certain relatives, just buy each of us one nice present and call it a day.

So because I have to find room for “stuff” I am throwing away, reorganizing, and trying to make my house feel like it is in some sort of order.

My youngest son is not home yet, he is traveling back with Grandma and Grandpa. They were suppose to be home today, but it seems the day we left (to drive home) is the day the rest of the household got sick. There was toilet hugging all around. They are driving back tonight, but my poor father in law is not doing the best. They are making a lot of stops on the way home. I don’t know why it affected some people but not the rest of us. I guess this is one way to lose the weight you put on during the holidays, but it is not the method I would chose.

Anyways, I guess I better go back to organizing my “stuff”.

But I am getting excited about this:

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Tagged as: Christmas, Family, junk

Granny

Happy New Year from another lady on the "stuff" warpath :-)

Chris

Thanks for visiting and leaving a message.
Happy New Year!

Julie

Oh, girl. I get heart palpitations every November just THINKING about all the new STUFF that is headed in the direction of my house.

I use that as a springboard and every November we CLEAN OUT and donate TONS of STUFF to charity, which makes room for yet more STUFF.

Our kids have more STUFF than I ever had, and I think it makes things difficult for them. It's hard for them to manage so much STUFF. My word, it's hard for me, and I'm an adult organizing freak.

After years of battling it, we finally stopped the excessive gift-giving from all aunts & uncles, which has helped immensely.

We have to protect our closets, drawers and shelves. At all costs!

Paula

Wow, love your new look! Wanted to wish you a Happy New Years!!!

Linda

Happy New Year Laurel!!
I know what you mean about the "stuff". I was feeling bad about having my house 2/3 packed into boxes while we had company here, but I have to admit life is a lot easier with less "stuff". I know some day it will all be unpacked again, but I'm thinking I may need to do some rethinking about what to hold on to.
My poor little brain is so tired, but I'll be giving some thought to your New Year's post. Surely I must have some goals for the new year :) I just have to think, think, think, - and pray.
Have a wonderful New Year's weekend.

Lindsey @ Enjoythejourney

I'm working on my post for tomorrow too :) Best wishes for a new year!

Nic

Laurel, I can't wait to participate in the meditations - though there will be some of the standard losing weight things. LOL!

Thank you for the encouragement and support you have given me. You are a treasure and a joy and I an glad to "know" you in the blogsphere! May God bless your new year and may it exceed your expectations and dreams in the best way possible!

Chaotic Mom

What? New Year's Meditations? I could get into this. Might need it. Need to read more...

And yes, the silverware drawer really does gross me out. Big time. We've been going through the house and cleaning things out, too. Big time. Feels good. ;)

eph2810

Oh - yeah - I am really excited about the 2007 meditation...I hope to have it together by this afternoon to publish tomorrow :)

eph2810

I am glad that we don't give/get a lot a 'stuff' around Christmas anymore and in don't have to find room for it...My little MP3 player I got from my Sweetheart fits in the my pocket :)...But I always have to do some spiritual cleaning at the end of the year...actually you just gave me a topic for a post for LWG - Thank you...

Well, I am glad you are back - I missed you being around.
Happy New Year to you and yours, Laurel.

Cyndi

I am doing the same thing, my sweet friend. Right down to the silverware drawer. Seriously. (And I wondered, myself, about how dirty it gets :::shudder:::)

I'm LOVING the book, and so glad you know the Smalleys. I've been to their website, and his son seems so very wise, too. I have learned so much from this latest book. I've eyed the "Mary and Martha" book before. I need to read it. I'm either all Mary or all Martha at any given time... I've got to find a balance.

Glad you're back! Missed you! Happy New Year!

Heather

I am praising the Lord I made the kids start getting rid of excess in October, before issac's birthdy. We have three birthdays between Oct. 12 and Jan. 17, not to mention the holidays. LOTS OF STUFF.

I gave up several years ago and warned my family that the kids were required to get rid of a toy for every toy thy bring in the house and if the toy they bought was not as important as the one they had before it was going to the thrift shop. This was necessary because my dad's wife had never bought for kids before and each kid had more junk from the dollr store than the dollar store itself. We got to the point where we called them "disposable Barbies" because the cheap ones break within a few minutes of play.

The kids don't expect more than one toy and a set of clothin from each grandparent because that is what we finally worked it down to. And with so many grandparents and relatives even that is a lot.

I am so looking forward to having everyone healthy so I can begin my January toss half of everything.

Wow, you have inspired each of us to write a post ourselves!

Hope your father-in-law is all right. Looking forward to seeing what everyone responds to your New Year thing (egh, words are getting lost.)

Barb

All I can say is before the new stuff arrives, it's a good idea to make a trip to a local charity. Seriously, that's the only way I know to make room for new stuff.

We're blessed that we have family who give us new clothes and toys, but honestly, there's only so much room.

Good luck. I understand your frustration. xoxoxo

Susanne

I think most of us with kids goes through this. Hope you get it all sorted!

A very happy New Year to you and your family, Laurel!

org junkie

Gosh I hear you on this one....I go crazy with it which is why I scrapped the one in one out rule for the one in two out rule...I just couldn't handle all the "stuff" anymore. Good luck with it all, sounds like you have been pretty busy but just think about how great you'll feel when it's all done! Laura

Fiddledeedee (It Coulda' Been

I feel your pain, girlfriend. I have a backache from bending over picking up Polly Pocket shoes. So far I've counted 35, which is a problem. An odd number means one is missing. It will probably show up in J.C.'s poop. :)

I haven't even started taking down the decorations. And there's still junk under the tree that I need to find a home for. Good gravy.

I'm planning on digging deep and coming up with a post for Jan. 1st. I'm not generally known for "deep" posts. I usually just talk about poop and vomit. :)

ChupieandJ'smama

We must have the same relatives. My culprit is my MOTHER. She buys sooo much stuff for the boys it drives me nuts. I did tell her to tone it down, but I don't have the heart to get tough because I know she does it because she loves them and it make her happy. I've thrown away a lot too, but you'd never know it by looking at my living room floor. This is going to be a process and won't be solved in one weekend. I feel your pain. Glad you didn't get the toilet hugging affliction. We had it last year. Horrible!! Hope Gramps is ok.