Making a Home #2: Book Hoarders

This week I worked in our bedroom. A few weeks ago I was able to buy a new comforter I had been 'visiting' for awhile at Target. (On a side note: does anyone else do that? I see something I want and I make a plan to save and get it... but I visit it like a friend almost until I can bring it home! I'm so strange. Sometimes during a 'visit' I decide I don't really want it... or work harder to have it!) I've been really excited to get it washed and on our bed, but also wanted to wait until I could see a 'complete picture'. (Another side note: Does everyone wash their stuff when they bring it home? You totally should. Most bedding, clothing, is actually washed in a solution that contain formaldehyde! Yuck. I was extremely thrilled to find a gorgeous comforter I could wash at home!)

Our bedroom has vaulted ceilings that are very low. We love them, but does make it difficult to decorate. A few months ago, we ditched two tall bookcases downstairs for four short bookcases for our bedroom wall. I decided it was time to clean and organize the stacks of books tossed upon them. I posted a Facebook status about not being able to toss books. I keep them, and hold onto them. A friend of mine suggested a new TV show, 'Book Hoarders'... we'd both be on it. :)

After the books were organized into categories (Christian, Secular, Marriage, Fertility, Walter's Favorites, Jen's Favorites, Journals, Poetry, etc) I went through the clutter of the room. If you haven't noticed, if it weren't for my husband and OCD best friend I may just be on the regular 'Hoarders' show. I have a lot of... stuff.

Cleaned and dusted, and even made up the bed with freshly washed linens and my new comforter. I felt joy and bliss. The room isn't what I feel to call 'completed' just yet, (I'm currently visiting nightstands) and I've already picked out a very less-pink lavender to paint... but the room is coming along really well.

Even though I love my 'stuff', it's amazing how much better I feel with it being gone.
:) I must be a true clutter hoarder.

Spring Clean for Our Future

I've spent all day cleaning out a room in our home.
I've recently decided, for the thousandth time, that it's time to get our house into shape.
It's not that I don't stick to the promise... it's just that I'm one of those people who attach sentimental value to EVERYthing. Every year, I get more and more frustrated... and less and less clingy to a few objects.
So a few more objects leave the house, but most items sink their teeth into me for another year.

I know it's something I bring on myself, but it's really hard being this type of person. I can seriously break into tears throwing away a concert T-shirt from the 8th grade. I try and I try and I try to be better, but it seems hopeless most attempts.

Today I've been cleaning out our office, which is really just one of the many hodgepodge rooms in our house. It used to be a storage room, but then Walter wanted to get a second TV for the house (and after much resistance) I worked my butt off we turned the room into a second family room. Then, I had the great idea to move his office desk into the room too... and then I could get my desk next to his... and it can also be a scrapbook/gift wrap/ craft station... oy. You see how it gets crazy stupid. As I sit here thinking, we hardly use the room because it was SO cluttered. Too many purposes, and it made not doing one of them easy or fun.

This is what it looked like about two hours in:

Anyways... cleaned my butt off in it today.
This is where I'll tell you I'm also the type of person that if I do something, I DO IT. I mean, I went through every. single. paper. in our file cabinet (and threw out all the papers from 2009 when we got the desk). I folded sheets perfectly (who knows why they're in here!). I fixed a broken lamp and shined (the yard sale find) til it was like new. All or nothing.

I sit here taking a break, literally 6+ hours later almost done, but also wiped out. I know I must push through and finish or it will never get done. Sigh.

I usually get super-motivated around this time because my Sidewalk Sale for Adoption is coming up! This is the fourth year a friend and I have sold items and raised money to go into our adoption funds. I live right on Main Street so it's easy for everyone.

I thought that I might need to make a schedule on what I plan to get done before it gets here, because although every year it goes really year I always feel slightly unprepared. Walter and I are coming up on a really busy season personally as well, so prayers will be appreciated.

Here is what the room looked like by the end of the night:

Not too bad! The white bin Walter has to go through. It's all his bags and clothes he left in the closet when he moved. There's a few more items that need to be taken down to the 'sale spot' in the basement, and some smaller organizing here and there... but with two trash bags and four Rubbermaid containers full of stuff purged... I'm thinking it's progress to be appreciated. :)

While I was cleaning I did find another onesie I had bought and wasn't able to find for my "Baby Buys" post. I thought someday I'll have a child to put in it, so might as well share! Many will not approve... but it's so our style.

Making a Home #1: Vino & Cafe Bar

Here it is! My first 'Making a Home' project!

Project: Turning a cluttered corner of my dining room into a functional coffee and wine bar for serving. This will free up counter top space in our kitchen and make our coffee goodies more available for guests or after-dinner drinks.

This project was inspired by this Pinterest picture:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I know it doesn't look a lot different, but this project has made two spaces less cluttered!
Coffee cups are stacked in the bin to the right with dining table linens on top. Coffee thermoses are in the bin to the left with champagne glasses, and other bar tools.
Coffee and wine are stacked in the middle.
K-cups are in the drawer to the right, and serving utensils are in the drawer to the left.

What do you think? It's not 100% just yet. I would like a coffee cup stand holder for at least four cups. I'm also thinking of an Uppercase Living wall sticker saying "Cafe & Vino" about the wine photo.

New: 'Series' Posts

Reading other blogs I've grown a fondness for series posts. This way it's easier to follow specific stories in a blog you're interested in. I've been thinking of a few series posts I plan to begin and stay committed to.

1) Losing to Gain (Mondays)
Blogs specifically aimed towards loosing weight for our next IVF process. My goal is to lose 25+ pounds and to get into the habit of eating healthier for pregnancy.

2) The Grace Letters (Tuesdays)
Letters to my little ones in heaven

3) Making a Home (Wednesdays)
Blogs on what I am doing around the home!

4) Infertile Marriage (Thursdays)
Tips and tricks Walter and I have found at growing together through the struggles of infertility.

5) Adoption Jar Project
Updates on how the project if going and thanks to all you amazing people helping with funding!

I don't plan to post every day, but these are the themes I will try to stick to... as well as still post my other rants and raves like you've been reading. :)

Are there any other topics you would be interested in reading about?