Maria - I live in St. Rose, Louisiana, which is an extended "suburb" west of New Orleans, toward Baton Rouge. I'm about 5 miles from the New Orleans International Airport. It is a "small town" area - everyone know's everyone kind of thing- close enough to the city for visits, events, Mardi Gras - lots of people commute there to work - about a 45 minute drive. I work in the suburbs also - about 15 minutes from home. I like it out here - quieter and more family oriented.
I noticed you asked in an earlier email about transporting kids, managing a job and clearing clutter at the same time. Let me assure you that it is possible, though not always easy. I am a single mom with 2 boys - 10 & 15, and a full time job. The boys play on competitive soccer teams, which require more practice and travel than even I can believe. The older one is a freshman & played on the JV soccer team, which just ended - now they've asked him to stay on with the Varsity for the playoffs - which means practice and games continue 5 days a week. (As soon as that ends, the local travel team will start up again!) The younger one is in 4th grade, but he plays on a premier team with a professional coach. They practice and have games anywhere from 3 to 5 days a week. This weekend we will be traveling to Houston, Texas for 4 practice games - fresh competition. I can't even begin to explain the kid swapping and manuevering that it takes to get them both to all their practices and games... This is the very reason I decided to de-clutter my house and my life. I don't have time to deal with excess "stuff" on a daily basis. I need to keep my house running simply and smoothly in order to get everyone where they have to go. I've been working on it for a couple of years now, a little at a time. I try to keep my house clean and laundry done every day. Now that I've gotten quite a bit of decluttering done that is easier to do. I also try to do something "extra" whenever possible. Sometimes its a little something every day, sometimes just on the weekends. Some weeks it doesn't happen at all, but I keep my eyes open to every opportunity to get rid of something I notice we don't need, whether its excess t-shirts, kitchen gadgets or paperwork. I make use of opportunities when my kids have time off school (no homework, projects, studying) or breaks from soccer practice (over the holidays) or a free weekend. I usually get alot done in the summer, but I find time to squeeze in a little clearing whenever I can. You can clean out a cabinet or a drawer while you're talking on the phone or waiting for something on the stove. Believe me, it is possible to do this a little at a time (babysteps) if you just keep at it. I am an excellent organizer, but the bottom line is that excess stuff HAS to go. Just organizing it is not enough if you still have too much stuff in your house. I go by the rule that I have to "really love it" or "really use it" - otherwise, what is it there for? I am now at the stage where I'm going through every kitchen drawer and cabinet and every clothing drawer and closet for about the 5th time (overall). Each time I find more things that can go. Persistence is key. The more I get rid of the better I feel. My stuff does not rule my life - I'm in charge of the stuff. I decide what goes and what stays - it must serve a purpose in order to have a place in my house. It is such a relief to find things when you need them and to know what you have and what you need to get when you run low on something. Clearing out the excess makes this possible. I know (believe me, I know) how hard it is to find time to do this in the midst of everyday life and its demands. It is ironic that the very things that make it necessary to simplify (kids, jobs, etc.) are the things that make it difficult to find the time... You just have to bite the bullet and work hard at it, because in the long run it will make your life sooo much easier. I will give you 2 quotes which continue to inspire me: "Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity." - Louis Pasteur, Chemist "I will persist until I succeed. Always I will take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult... I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking." - Og Mandino, Author Hope this helps. Diane *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Journey from clutter List Website http://journeyfromclutter.com Members Only Page http://journeyfromclutter.com/MembersOnly/MembersArea.htm Unsubscribe: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word 'unsubscribe' in the 'Subject:' field to be removed from the main list. To Unsubscribe from the Digest version of the list send the unsubscribe message to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
