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One of my goals for this year, is to clean out my garage. Yes, I know. I've said it before.

My garage (like so many people's) tends to be the massive dumping ground for just about everything that comes into this house. Now... it is not "piled to the sky" or at a "Hoarders" level... but it is certainly too disorganized for my comfort level... which is all that really matters I guess.

One of the issues... is that I used to have a studio space *away from home*.... and thru one thing or another... everything ended up back in my garage. This is actually good, as I can access it whenever I feel the urge to make something... but it is also bad... as it is in complete disarray... and I can't find things (---> very frustrating).

Fortunately, I was once a professional organizer... so there is hope on the horizon. That said... it's also harder to go thru your own stuff as opposed to someone else's. It'll get there.

In the meantime... I began sorting out some of the stuff today... lots of which will (no doubt) end up on either Freecycle or on Etsy... stay tuned...

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

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So... I've been busy the past couple of days ... trying to clear out some stuff that we have had stashed in our garage

... and it's been interesting ♥

Today I listed 18 items on Ebay... and I am continuing my listing of stuff on Freecycle... (one item for every day of the year --and this is my 4th year). The other night I listed a bunch of stuff in my Etsy store... but I have a small ton of things yet to list.

It's been a long process... and I still have a long way to go yet. But I also know that I am on the way to getting it done. Currently, I am going thru stuff I had stashed aside with the hopes of selling at some point... and just never did. Then ... it will be a matter of going thru all my craft and jewelry making supplies. The hardest part is going to be the TON of fabric that I have stashed in the attic space above the garage. Alot of it was my grandmother's... who was a very talented sewer. Then it was my sister's stash... and she did alot of quilting.... and now I have added to it all as well.

It has become a huge amount of stuff.

~~~
There are major studies being done on hoarding behaviour. Now... I am not a hoarder... not even close. But I do know several family members that do have that tendancy. It is very interesting to read the psychology behind some of the habits...

(look HERE)...

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--->photo by Elaine A. Russell


This whole year has been rather surreal... conflicts, illness, financial concerns... huge changes in the family structure, my son got married... a baby is on the way... traveling... taking care of the parents... it's just all been alot.
The process of going thru all our belongings and cleaning out has been therapeutic in bringing some order to a chaotic situation. I got a little side-tracked with being sick... but I am hoping to resume work tomorrow on it.

Tonight I was watching a tv show where they were discussing order and chaos..... and I was reminded of the quote:

"I have a great belief in the fact that whenever there is chaos, it creates wonderful thinking. I consider chaos a gift. "

---Septima Poinsette Clark

This really speaks to me..... and thought I would include that today. What do you think?

~~~

About the photo for today's post: Several months ago... I was taking a class that was really instrumental in awakening my inner artist. There was a party afterwards, and one of the guests has this gorgeous passionflower sitting in a glass on the table.

When I was editing the photo today... I wanted to bring out the juxtaposition of the grit of life... with the surreal beauty of the flower. (sort of like... living passionately... in perhaps the most chaotic or gritty of situations).

Hopefully, I got that across.

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------------->photos by Elaine A. Russell

Today was awesome. Normal everyday stuff... made extra-ordinary simply because I am in my own home and doing my own thing. Laundry, cooking, walking the dog... all simple chores... but joyfully done today because I am so happy to be home.


We are extremely broke... and tomorrow I am going to start the process of cleaning the house and clearing out items that we no longer need or want. If these trips have taught me nothing else... it has taught me that it really is so very important to have all your finances in order, all your information/ passwords/ codes for things etc tucked away in a safe place... and to downsize your stuff as much as you feel comfortable with.

I am also really looking forward to working in my studio space. It is a complete disaster at the moment; not just because all my art supplies and such are in chaos... but also because the area ends up being a dumping ground of sorts for excess stuff around the house.


As an extra bonus... my hubby not only got me some beautiful flowers to welcome me home... but he also bought me a container of Kona coffee :)
he knows me sooooooooooooo well.

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So.... the other day I went into Old Towne... here in ABQ. Walked around for a bit.... looked at the wonderful carving of the Our Lady of Guadalupe that is carved into a tree near the San Felipe de Neri church. The sky is often-times just amazing here... totally awesome and saturated in the deepest blues ever. I couldn't resist taking some shots of the bare trees against this magnificent blue.



Today was a rough day.... had a run-in with a guy via email. When things like this happen... I really need to take a moment and realize that sometimes there are just jerks in the world. No amount of reasoning with these people helps. Things like this always upset me... and when I am upset... I clean. Maybe it's because of my heritage... or my mom being a "bit" OCD.... but I always clean when I am upset.




So now-- the laundry is caught up, the dishes are done...the kitchen is clean....

Living Simply Tip for the day:
Clean a little bit every day. It's much easier to quickly wipe things down as you go; rather than to try and do major cleaning once a week. This also saves money... because you don't have to buy caustic cleaners that are often-times pricey as well. Instead, just a quick wipe with soap and warm water.. and you are done.