TAME THE CLUTTER BEAST!

I can't stand clutter! Clutter is like weeds in your home. If you are not constantly getting rid of it, it will take over. I am amazed at how much clutter some people live in. A few years ago I helped a couple move. I could not believe the clutter!!! They kept everything. Newspapers were everywhere and mice had moved into them. They could only get into bed from one side because clutter filled the room on the other sides. Canned food had gone bad and needed to be thrown out. It would have been easier to torch the place and start over.
FACT: You can't keep a home clean with clutter. Here are 4 rules I live by to tame the clutter beast:

1. USE IT OR LOOSE IT!!!!! If you have not used it in a year get rid of it!!! You don't need it. This goes for everything, clothes, shoes, kitchen gadgets, makeup, etc. If you're not sure you can part with something, put it in a box, seal it, and store it. If, after a year you have not used what's in the box get rid of it. No peeking. Throw it away or give it away.

2. Simplify, Simplify, Simplify. I only have 2 sets of sheets per bed at most. One set is on the bed of course, and the spare set is stored in the linen closet. This saves alot of money. Most of us have a washer and dryer. You can wash and dry a load of laundry in an hour. Save yourself money by only buying the minimum of anything, clothes, shoes, coats, etc. Live frugally.

3. Get rid of the clutter! Take it to the the D.I. or throw it away. I'm forever taking stuff to the D.I. then I use the donations as a tax write off. In dealing with clutter here are your options:
Keep it
Give it away
Throw it away.

Put your clutter in one of these 3 categories. If you keep it, make sure you use it (rule #1). There are some things I keep for sentimental reasons (like my wedding dress). They don't count. But I'm even getting harsh with pictures. I keep only the best.

4. If something is broken or worn out, get rid of it. Don't keep junk. I'd rather have a little of something nice than a lot of junk. And just because you might be "economically challenged" doesn't mean you have to keep junk. Take pride in your environment and yourself.

One final thought: A clutter free home reduces the chance of injuries due to accidents. It is also a cleaner home. A cleaner home is a healthier home which will save you thousands of dollars on medical bills due to illness and/or accidents.

So...use it or loose it! Free yourself.

It's Canada Goose not Canadian Goose

There is a new love in my life. Recently I have spent hours staring at this new love with desperate fascination. I'm so infatuated that I'm into serious stalking...with binoculars. So what if the object of my obsession has feathers. I'm not ashamed to admit that I am on my way to becoming a serious Birder. Don't laugh. The birds are safe. In spite of my most stealthy self, they won't let me get close.

Last weekend I witnessed something rare among the Anseriformes at Heppler's Ponds. In the midst of 200 waterfowl emerged 6 Canada Geese which were in the aristocratic company of 4 Tundra Swans! I watched, transfixed, as the unusual group swam to the edge of the pond, got out, waddled across the snow and took off together. Wow. It was surprising to see how much the svelte Swans towered over their unlikely companions. I did not know Tundra Swans and Canada Geese hung out.

By the end of this semester I must identify 200 species of our avian friends for an ornithology class. What an exciting challenge. By the way...the Red Jungle Fowl is the ancestor to what bird? (Hint: it tastes like chicken).