Larry,

I just spent most of the evening going thru the exact same magazines that you mentioned! I too thought I would reference back to them, but obviously I didn't. I put them all in bags and will take them to the sale tomorrow..25 cents for a bag full. If they don't sell, that's Ok, the local laundramate will be gald to get some new, old, reading material. I freed up 3 large shelves on the backside of the cooking island. Ray is impressed that I am doing this. He can relate as he has car and motorcycle magazines that go back to the 80's. They are in the garage, and that is not my STUFF.

I am feeling very liberated at this point and feel strongly that this time I will accompolish this task and the clutter will no longer nag at me. If moving is in the future for us, it will just make it that much easier to pack and go. You guys are making this easier than I thought..you are keeping me motivated. There will be a party when it's all done..you're all invited! Jan

Jan; I see what you are doing..trying to get us down to sunny California, just when we are starting to put the fourth layer of clothes on. It might work Burrrrr The sun glasses are for the snow..L/Loris

"Scattered energy is creative but distructive. There is a strong relationship between being sidetracked and overwhelmed. It's important to our sanity to finish one task before starting another." I read this the other day and thought yes, this is me. I think getting sidetracked, (like right now) is worse for me than being overwhelmed. I now have 2 cupboards that are empty of cookbooks...it feels soooooo good. Clothes are no longer taking up closet space and 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom have been set free of clutter. So I shall keep at it until the STUFF is in someone else's house. The sun is shining for all of you up in the frozen North. With all the added space, you are welcome anytime. Jan

Vacations do little to keep you motivated. I had a feeling I would loose the enthusiasm if I were to leave the STUFF. Unfortunetly, it's all still here. The garage sale netted $35.00, so the local thirft shops and used book store made out like bandits. But I did not care, it was more STUFF gone. While on vacation I read an article that suggested older, adult children could give their parents the gift of doing the de cluttering for them. The idea being the parents already have enough or more than enough of anything they might possibley need. Sounds good to me, but I'm not sure too many of our kids really want to dive into their parents treasures and make suggestions of why they need to get rid of their STUFF. I think I would rather keep on making my way through all of it and not have to argue or debate with them as to why I am keeping a certain thing that they might find useless. I was very good on vacation, did not buy anything to repalce what has already been gotten rid of. I am proud of myself. I am seeing more liveable space each day...it feels good.

Back at it... I am not getting this job accompolished as fast as I had thought..too many interruptions and distractions. Is anyone else in the process of de cluttering, or am I the only one? For you gals out there, I came across an article re:your clothes and how to "Shop in your closet"..here are several sites that are pretty info friendly.

www.dressingwell.com
www.realsimple.com
www.ehow.com
www.simplestyleonline.com

For all of you in the rainy NW..We are expecting rain tomorrow so maybe a rainy day will spark me to get on with sorting out the STUFF. It's hard to be inside when it's 80° outside. Jan