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A Clean Slate

Since having Penny Pie and getting my house back (after being on bed rest) I have been completely overwhelmed by clutter! I feel like I can't do anything in a decent amount of time because of the stuff!! Just stuff! So the last several days have been spent UN cluttering my house and coming up with new ways to deal with the STUFF that comes with having seven people under one roof. It has been hard work but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! Today I will be done. We have made some big changes, the biggest being a family closet for the kids and a makeover for our laundry room. I'm so excited! And glory be! I got everyone out the door, dressed in mama approved gear, AND with no stinky attitudes (that would be me normally) and to church last night in record time! *Can't you hear the hallelujah chorus?!* Our biggest hurdle wasn't toys like you would think, probably because we rarely buy toys, but clothing. Ugh, the clothing. I have been very blessed that we get hand me downs from a few different people and my mama buys clothing for my kids too, but we haven't (until now) learned how to get rid of something when you get a new something....so it just piles up, and piles up, and piles up, until you have a pile of clothing that is taller than you. Yeah. That was just her clothes. And now she has three laundry baskets and that's it. Can you even believe how ridiculous that is?! Madness I tell you! Madness! So like the title says, I'm starting this year out with a clean slate and I plan on keeping it that way. If you guys like to hear about or see big family storage solutions I'd be happy to post pictures when I'm done. I'm sure it won't be very exciting to anyone but me though! Ha! Having a clean house, closets and all, is very exciting for me. :) xo, Sam

Comments

Unknown said…
I hear you! I also have generous people blessing us with handmedowns, but our walk in closet was so rammed and we were so fed up we sent our big kids away for a weekend and boxed all the clothes we no longer needed and got rid of them right away! (got to bless a single mom charity with tons of baby clothes!) i did keep some shirts to make leg warmers for my baby but everything else went! love the family closet, wish i had room!
Meghann said…
We're in the middle of doing this, getting ready for a move. Clothes are our biggest struggle, too. (With a close second being all the kids' drawings and art work!)
Anonymous said…
We are also a family of 7 and the clothes are the monsters that kill me! I can never seem to get all the laundry done and I have a huge pile of things I am not so sure what to do with! I have 2 huge garbage bags for the Goodwill and another bag to pass down to my neice! You are an inspiration!
Sue
Kathryn said…
I would love to see your solutions! We have baby #4 on the way (though not until summertime) and our big boys (6 and almost 5) are going to have to share a room, so I've been looking for ideas on how to handle that.

Of course I downloaded your Miss Mary pattern yesterday, so I'm not sure how much cleaning out will get done today - there's some fabric calling to me for a new dress for my little girl :-)
Bless by Tone said…
I'm also "pruning" my house - a little differently, though. I'm doing one bag each day for 40 days, sectioning off my house - today is make-up time
Melissa said…
Yes! Pictures and detail=)
Shanon said…
Feel free to send any hand-me-downs up to me in IL! I'd love to see how you organize your stuff :)
Anonymous said…
Ugh. I used to be such an organized person. That was until our 5th child came (not to be discouraging or anything! Lol!). Now that we have seven kids I feel like the clutter and unnecessary stuff just rules my life. People are so kind and just want to give. They don't realize I just want to shove it out the back door. :P but I figure it's a season and we just get through it until all the littles can take care of their own stuff. Good for you for tackling such a huge project.
Lucy said…
I would love to hear bout your family closet. Its it funny about the clothes...I swear they multiply in their own at night!
Yarn and Tea said…
I would love to see your organization solutions. We are a family of 4 with a fifth on the way and being on bed rest has put a huge damper on my ability to "nest" and organize the house to make way for new bebe.
I am planning on having a family closet when we move later this year! I am looking forward to it. It makes things so much easier!
great and so interesting.
http://stylopoint.com/

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