Blogging hiatus

Was completely unintentional. I have so much to share. Too much for one post.
Somehow, during my hiatus, Ethan turned 15 (and now nearly 16) months old! My sweet boy is growing even sweeter. Detailed update on him to come...

First, my blog is messed up. I have no idea what happened. I've tried to add a cute photo header but it just won't show up after saving. Ugh. Now there is no space for a title when I click on "new post". Anyone reading have ideas on how to fix this?

I never returned to my 40 bags in 40 days posts but believe me, I more than met my commitment. Although, I have to say that it may have been a bit unfair since we went into crazy de-clutter mode in order to put our house on the market.

We listed our house for sale, had 2 competing offers, one contract, resulting in one broken contract, and are currently taking a break. Keeping the house clean has been interesting with a 15-month-old. There is usually a mad dash of put aways and touch ups hours before showings.

We have been very busy touring more than 25 homes so far. We began our search out of our "comfort zone" of the local area that we are so accustomed to, but have reigned our search back in to this area again. There were a couple of houses that we considered but nothing that felt right. At this point we're seriously considering staying in our current home for a while longer. There have been a lot of signs pointing us right back here. We have a lot of changes on the horizon and it might be the smartest move to just stay put. We'll see...

--I started this post on 4/22/10. It's 5/15/10. Needless to say, things are crazy here.
Two years ago today we found out that we were expecting our first baby. One of the greatest moments of my life... http://www.youtube.com/user/cvm2005#p/u/4/ljNg2puC0oQ

40 bags update

I've been busy going through rooms, closets, and cabinets. I've made some progress but I still have more to go! So far this has been a great experience. Our house feels roomier, brighter, and it's cleaner (thanks to my wonderful husband who has been cleaning as I organize).

First post about this here.
My list continues:
11. a duvet cover, shams, and two sets of sheets - donated

12. a smaller bag of clothes - donated
13. outdated papers from filing cabinet - shredded/garbage
14. old client files/paperwork - to my office to be shredded
15. magazines - will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. They raised over $30,000 in 2008 with this program.
16. Bag of old handbags, a snowflake candle holder, and a shower curtain - donated

17. Bag with a clock, fake calla lilies and vase, a red hurricane, large spool of ribbon, and a few other random things - donated

18. Two diaper pails. These were given to us used before we decided to cloth diaper. - donated

19. A large box of old stuffed animals. They've been sitting in our garage forever and were in bad shape - garbage

40 bags in 40 days

Thanks to Lillian, I'll be joining the 40 bags in 40 days Lenten Challenge and I'm excited about it. Actually, I think Matt is even more psyched than I am. He de-clutters. I hold on to things. I think it stems from my childhood (likely excuse I know, but this reason is a reality). I had an unstable childhood, to put it briefly and kindly. We had to move often, leaving our friends and belongings behind. Once I had stability and things to hold on to ... I did. Now that I have the things to hold on to that matter (family, love, security), I don't feel the need to keep as many of the other things (material). I won't say that I'm completely transformed but I'm working on it.

In the spirit of the season of Lent, I will simplify.

This challenge couldn't have come at a better time for us. We have decided to change our guest bedroom into a play/craft/work space. We've had 3 overnight guests in that room over the past year. Three in a year. So, 362 days the room wasn't really used. Matt's clothes are in that closet, we've thrown clean laundry on the bed on occasion, and Matt has snoozed in there a few nights when I was snoring. We think we can get more use out of that room while still having room for overnight guests in our home. The next guests may be sleeping on an air mattress though. The bed is out of there and replaced with a desk/table and some toys. I'm searching for toy and craft supply storage now (any suggestions?). I'm also trying to figure out how I'll decorate the walls (suggestions also very welcome).

40 bags in 40 days:
1. bag of various junk from the guest room closet-garbage
2. television from guest room - donated
3. vcr from guest room - donated
4. old computer monitor - donated
5. large picture. I bought two for $10 at a warehouse sale. I thought I'd hang one (below) and reuse the frame from the other but I never got to that project - donated

6. box of books about wedding planning and 2 packs of printable place cards (we've been married for nearly 5 years. I have no purpose for these things.) - donated
7. old pillows - garbage
8. glass hurricane that I never really found a place for and a bag with two other wall hangings - donated
9. a queen-sized comforter and pillow shams - donated
10. a bag of outdoor Christmas bows and a wreath we hadn't used in years - donated

I'm starting off a little ahead but I plan to think about this and work on this for the next 39 days and hopefully beyond. Thinking about how uncluttered our house will become by Easter makes me happy.

As I was leaving the Salvation Army after dropping off these things this afternoon there was a second where I thought "Oh no, am I going to miss any of those things?". Then thought about how someone else will get use out of them and I felt relieved.