Spring Cleaning

I've never been one for spring cleaning, but I do appreciate a cleaned-out garage, an organized closet, and a large box of discards in the back of the car ready to donate to the local second-hand shop.


But how does one overcome the hate of organizing? Well, finding these two rules has helped this hater:

The two questions are:

If I needed this item, where would I look for it? (take it there)

If I needed this item, would it ever occur to me that I already have one? (If not, get rid of it because I’d just buy a new one if I needed it.)

Rules found here. Also, love this post: laugh out loud about de-slobbing your life and the real challenges that one might face while trying to do it. Very helpful. 

Garden 2012: Part 1

 
In the past month, amidst all the rain, and even one freak snowstorm that dropped 6 inches of heavy, wet snow, I have found the inspiration to get my garden beds filled with fresh compost soil and ready for planting.  

This is the before--leaf mulch and black plastic for months to stave off weeds:

This is the after: filled to the gills with compost, and leaves tilled in with my brand new pitchfork. Also, cabbage and broccoli planted with garden cloth to protect those tender leaves from snails and pouring rain.

Also, found still planted in one bed were these wintered-over carrots: a little stunted in their growth, but extremely sweet and crunchy probably due to being in the cold ground all winter long. That was a fun surprise.

Just a few thoughts

• Lately it seems I get the inspiration to blog once every month. I wish it was more often, but I have been trying to limit my time on the computer and focus more time on the kiddos. Also, during the little free time I have each day when babies are napping and older kids are at school, that time that perhaps was once used for blogging, I have been trying to focus on having a real, meaningful personal scripture study time everyday. I am here to say that has made all the difference in my attitude and the ability I have to really learn how to be a better person and mother. 
• But that's not to say I want to give this up, because I really enjoy reading past posts, and I love reading other people's blogs and keeping up with friends and family in this way.
• Henry is finally potty trained and Thomas is finally sleeping through the night and I am remembering how it is not to feel completely sleep-deprived and short-fused all day long. How glorious it is to get 6ish hours of continuous sleep. Glorious, I tell you.
• The winter rains here in Oregon arrived later than usual, but have just been relentless and about this time of the year, when I look at the whole country forecast and see that so many other states are having a real spring with 70 degree temps and sunshine I have moments of real frustration about our climate.
• But that's not to say that I don't love living here, because I do, and I would rather deal with rain, rain, rain than tornadoes and hurricanes. 
• Also, to anyone who loves podcasts, do you know about the mormon channel? There are so many amazing, inspiring podcasts that you can download to computer or ipod. I particularly love conversations, stories from general conference , and ces firesides.