Getting out the clutter and not letting it come back

So as Christmas time has rolled around again I see the typical commercialism and it's always off putting to me, but this year especially so. It bothers me that so many disposable items are marketed as must haves, and like lemmings, the masses fall right in and consume them. It makes me feel bad too that I am tempted by some of it. It's even more devastating to see that my kids are immersed in it and the gimmes have started. In an attempt to regain control of my housekeeping I have been systematically going from room to room, area to area and decluttering. There are only a few pockets of the house that remain. Ive tried to evaluate whether or not we use, or will use the item, do we need it? Does it fit our lifestyle and goals? I've established homes for things and if there is no home for it in my home, it doesn't belong here. This is all good. It feels so relieving to not have piles of stuff around me. It feels good to know that the things that I have eliminated have been given to others to help them in their need. It feels good to be able to see surfaces clean, and free of dust and excess. So those areas are done. Now I see other parts of my life, parts where I have a home for things, but the there still exists areas of excess. I'm questioning do I need them, even if I have somewhere to store it. So where do I go from here? I want a balance. I dont think having things is wrong if I can afford the time, money, space and stress of owning them. Possessions should not create problems of any kind. How do I continue to get the clutter out once I've gotten through the first cull? It gets harder to decide at this point what should go. Its easier to justify keeping things now, especially since they do have a home. How do I figure out what is OK to actually bring into the house once I have started this process? Unfortunately the things i have eventyally break, wear, get used up or we outgrow them. When it is time to consider replacing them, how do I decide if I even need to or not? These are some of the questions I am working through figuring out. Now if I could just unclutter my mind.

32BHDS

32BHDS, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

After having owned this Travel Trailer for more than a year and having used it more than the other RVs combined, I can say without a doubt, I'm glad we decided last year to go ahead and buy it. The size works well for our family allowing us to feel cozy together, but to have our own spaces when needed. And all of the areas feel just as comfortable as another.
My favorite features are still the bunkhouse and the bathroom exterior entrance. But as we have used it, we have found some areas that we have chosen to upgrade and change.
We've made most of the modifications to the bunkhouse to maximize storage, usability and safety. The changes have been simple, rail here,hook there, shelves, etc. It really has made a difference in how the kids can use the space, it's more tailored for them.
We have also made changes in other areas, the bedding in the MBR from memory foam mattress topper to hand stitched mid century quilt. And in the main living area we upgraded the microwave.
As time progresses we will continue to change things to allow this to become more and more our home away from home. I've come to realize that this is a process and we will find our way as we have more time to use the TT and see how it feels when we are in it.
We feel very thankful, after having found this floor plan we thought that it was not within our range of affordability, but then Rocky happened to find this one on Craigslist. The owner wanting to make a break from RVing. The timing couldn't have been more perfect.
I hope to be able to blog of our adventures in the future, here, or on our RVing blog.

Finally spinning again!

, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

I picked up spinning yarn in 2008 after my sister introduced me to the concept via a spindle. Thankfully heavenly Handspinning made affordable spinning wheels or I wouldn't have picked up the hobby very well. I didn't get spindle spinning until about 6 months ago! I started with their single treadle wheel, the Fidelis. Some months later I had the pleasure and joy of going to meet Jan of Heavenly Handpinning in person. When I did she and her husband upgraded my Fidelis for their double treadle wheel the Bellus. I spun many lovely yards of yarn on Bellaranea (beautiful spinner). Now I have a Vespera, their espinner and a Spinolution Bee named Melina (Honey, because she spins so smooth). I haven't named or finished my Vespera yet, I got her inFebruary and honestly my life has been in such a whirlwind through getting her until now that I really haven't gotten much time with her,
She's FAST! Not that I spin super fast, but when I spin on her, she's going so fast! Her bobbins are also huge, that bobbin in my hand has 4 oz of fiber on it and it's not even close to being 1/2 full. This is only the 2nd yarn I've made on her. 33wpi for my singles. It's Polwarth from Urban Gypz that I purchased at Stitches South 2011.
Currently I'm spinning some Gale's Art Blue Face Swirl into similar singles so that I can ply them together. I had almost forgotten how much I love to spin!
Sometimes it's hard to be multi craftual because it's hard to decide which craft gets time and attention.

The Desks are done!

We finally have finished the desks!!!  Well the tops may possibly have another step to finish them, but they are useable and I love them! Zuri decided to do some school today to try them out! I think she approves of her pink ultrasuede desk topper. Here's Zuri's desk unoccupied:
The boy's desks are also done. Here they are side by side:
And here's a closer view of Mardie's:
and Charmie's:

Details on the project:
After we bought the desks, clean and disassemble them.
repaint all painted surfaces
measure tops for template and discard
buy birch plywood and have cut into 24"x19" pieces at Lowes
Rocky routes the edges to round them Sand with 180 then 300 grit sandpaper all wood surfaces Reassemble desks

For the toppers since I chose to leave the wood unfinished
cut 24.25"x19.25" piece of clear urethane
cut a 24.25"x8.5" piece of fabric that for the most part is hardly seen
1 package of binding for the boys, 1" strip of ultrasuede for Z's desk
2-3.5" pieces of 1/4" elastic


turn lengthwise (long side) of fabric under twice and hem
attach walking foot to sewing machine
lay out lengthwise section of fabric on urethane
touching one edge with he hem towards the center
lay elastic in other two corners bind you will have to lift the urethane off of the sewing deck or use tissue paper as it will stick to the deck. These toppers protect the desks and are easy to clean. If I decide on a permanent solution in the future the desks tops will have been protected, and ready to go! It feels good to get the school "in order".

SAFF 2011 haul

SAFF 2011 haul, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

The Southern Animal Fiber Festival in Henderson, NC is a fun annual event the third weekend in October that I like to attend. I went both for pleasure, and to help a friend with her 10 week old while she taught some classes. Little Josh was an angel, and I got my shop awn ;-}
I love the creativity, handmadeness, and experience of SAFF. It's hard to explain, so I will just say, if you get a chance, just go! I ran into some of my favorite indie dyers, but didn't really buy much in the usual vein of fiber and yarn from them. This was a first, but I'm OK with it. I have been blessed with much yarn and fiber so no need to add to the stash at this time.
I got some things I have been wanting though:
A tumbler from Plays In Mud Studio. I love the mug I bought from her my first SAFF and decided if she was there that I must get a tumbler as well.
A handmade brass shawl pin that is low profile. Sometimes I want something small for smaller shawlettes and scarves. This one is perfect!
Shampoo and conditioner bars
and some commercially made items that I love.
Oh and not pictured, but in my flickr stream are some hand stamped ceramic buttons that have the most unusual finish.
I'm hoping next year my entire family will make the trip to SAFF and we can turn it into a camping weekend. Oh and I forgot the art batt from lunabudknits, on the bobbin above, on my wheel here as I finished spinning it up thick and thin. . .

Little Z is growing!

, a photo by mom2rays on Flickr.

Up until this point, we have always needed a trailer for our bike rides. Zuri can finally reach the pedals on the trail-a-bike so we can attempt bike rides now with us all on saddles.
This is exciting for us all, especially Zuri! This may also open up new types of cycling adventures, though so far the trailer hasn't slowed us down too much.