Out of Chaos (or simple living)

I had this wonderful idea that I was going to organize our lives after we became "empty-nesters." I'm still trying, but it's hard to organize two packrats. See for yourself. Thanks for coming by to visit!

Holy Cow-I Love It! Only The Good Friday.

April 24, 2009

As I’ve been attempting to “go green,” my biggest difficulty has been giving up my cleaning products. I have assembled an arsenal of chemicals for cleaning over the years that would rival the shoe collection of Imelda Marcos. All of those bottles lining my shelf are filled with toxic chemicals that are harmful [...]

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Jumping The Gun

February 28, 2009

I don’t know what the weather is doing in all y’allses neck of the woods, but here in Texas it’s schizophrenic! One morning, I’m wrapped up in long johns and sweaters — by that afternoon I’ve stripped down to shorts and a “wife beater” shirt.
It’s probably not politically correct to call those sleeveless shirts [...]

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The Easy Way To Line Kitchen Cabinets

January 5, 2009

A friend of mine bemoaned the fact that she was going to spend her weekend changing the liners in her kitchen cabinets and drawers. I just smiled. I can remember the days when I used to have to re-line the cabinets every six months or so. What an exasperating chore it was!
I [...]

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Organizing The Christmas Clutter

January 1, 2009

I haven’t been posting on this topic much lately, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t been busy trying to get our lives simplified. Work, family, and health issues got in the way of blogging. Don’t they always? That’s real life for you.
As I start the new year fresh, I hope to [...]

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Battling Carpet Stains

September 11, 2008

A smart person who really wanted a simple life, would not have light colored carpet. She especially wouldn’t have that cream colored carpet if she has five cats in the house! In fact, she would not have those darned cats!
I didn’t tell you that I was a smart person…did I?
I can’t get rid [...]

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Emergency Cleaning for the “Surprise” Visit

August 25, 2008

The telephone rings, and it is your nightmare (at least it is, if you don’t have a home that looks like it belongs on the cover of “House Beautiful” magazine). The one person you would least like to have see your home at it’s worst is on the other end of the line.
It could [...]

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Me and Fibber McGee

August 18, 2008

An empty room — and, better yet, an empty closet!
Fibber McGee didn’t have one of those! For those of you who aren’t old-timers, he’s the guy on the old radio show whose closet was a disaster. It was a running gag that any time the closet door opened, everything came tumbling out. [...]

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“Handy” To Have Around

August 17, 2008

Now that I have been de-cluttering my house for several months, I’ve noticed something alarming. Those empty spaces, where once there stood various knickknacks, are covered with a thin film of dust! My house is one of those that is impossible to dust. Fifteen minutes after you finish, the dust is right [...]

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Trying To Get The Groove Back

August 8, 2008

A one-time cleanup won’t solve the problem–any more than a crash diet will cure lifelong bad eating habits. ~ Peg Tyre
Inertia sets in. It happens when the dog days of summer arrive. When the temperature soars above the century mark, and you can fry an egg on the pavement, there is no working [...]

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A Moisturizing Treatment, Aerobic Workout, AND A Sparkling Bathroom

August 6, 2008

They’re sure housework won’t kill you, but why take the risk? Author Unknown
When it comes to the bathroom, I am compelled to take that risk! I just can’t abide it if my bathroom looks like the one down at the Fina station after the tour bus full of teenagers came through. [...]

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“Organized” a short work of fiction, that rings true

August 1, 2008

Ellie sat down at the kitchen table with her cup of coffee in hand, and a determined expression in her hazel eyes. Sunlight filtering through the dirty window highlighted the splotch of strawberry jam on the golden oak table which she had neglected to wipe after breakfast.
Her life was a mess. She couldn’t [...]

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A Classic Problem for Packrats

July 13, 2008

My husband had grand plans for this classic 1961 Volvo (it looks like a much older model car, doesn’t it?). He bought it in 1996 and began acquiring the parts to re-build the motor, rework the interior, and give it a complete makeover. He dreamed of mint green fenders and a cream color [...]

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Dealing With Stress

July 8, 2008

I find the process of de-cluttering to be very stressful. If I could hire someone to just swoop in and do this for me, I seriously might. Sometimes, it’s just overwhelming.
Like today!
This morning I’ve been sifting through a closet, trying to decide what stays and what goes, and it gave me a pounding [...]

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Walkable Neighborhoods

July 5, 2008

It’s amazing to me that so many of us spend years trying to get to that home in the “Burbs.” We are conditioned to want that lovely, huge house on a tree shaded lot with an expanse of St. Augustine grass in front. It’s the American Dream!
Yet living in the suburbs is so impractical. [...]

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The Three “Magic” Questions

July 3, 2008

This business of de-cluttering is a difficult one. Especially when one is genetically engineered to be a pack rat! I come by my hoarding tendencies honestly: my Momma was a packrat, her momma was a packrat. I don’t know how many generations it goes back.

See? That’s a family picture right [...]

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Simple Recipes? A “Meme” Full of Them

July 2, 2008

Though I can cook quite well, I’ve gotten out of the habit of making five course meals. I want in and out of that kitchen as fast as I can. Especially during the July heat in Texas! I’m always looking for simple recipes.

There is an interesting “meme” at Rocks in My Dryer [...]

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Isn’t It Fun To Have Houseplants?

July 1, 2008

Especially when they look a little risqué, as this one does. It reminds me of a painting by Rubens, and I’m just “cheeky” enough to enjoy it. See the resemblance?

Now, as much as I enjoy houseplants, they do not contribute to a simplified lifestyle. I’m having to re-think my strategy. [...]

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Simplify The Bathroom: Part Two

June 30, 2008

I told y’all I had begun the process of getting my bathroom organized. Once I had tossed all the unused and excess items that don’t belong in my bathroom, everything had to go back on the shelves! On my first attempt, I put things back where they had been. Then, I realized [...]

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Simplify The Bathroom: Part One

June 29, 2008

I thought that cleaning, de-cluttering, and organizing the bathroom would be the easiest “beginner task.” After all, it’s the smallest room in the house, isn’t it?
That may be so, but it’s also the busiest and most crowded room of the house. It’s not as easy to simplify as it might seem.
First of all, [...]

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Grocery Shopping Simplified

June 28, 2008

I love going to a Farmer’s Market to choose produce fresh from the farm. Never having been refrigerated, the fruits and vegetables actually smell the way they are supposed to smell!
I enjoy going to the butcher shop here in town, where the owners call me by name, and know exactly what I want before [...]

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