My Simplifying Home Journey: Week 8, Day 7 (Wrap up)

Obedient plants abound: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

Praise the Lord! I made it through Beginner Beans' eight-week Simplifying Home challenge. While I didn't get as much of the checklist done as I would have liked, by the grace of God, I did see some pleasant improvement in my home (despite weathering a series of health challenges).  I did a lot of clutter clearing and organizing and my targeted spaces are more functional and enjoyable.

One wonderful mental change is taking more time to appreciate my surroundings. This is a lovely time of the year in our Maryland garden. The obedient plants are in full bloom along the fence and bees, butterflies and hummingbirds all love their flowers. This week I was so filled with joy upon seeing a hummingbird flit from one flower to another I clapped my hands together like a little child. I stayed as still as I could (so as not to scare it) end enjoyed the beautiful hummingbird show.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too! 

What makes your place feel like home? What one thing could you do this week to make your home more enjoyable, safe or friendly?

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html   
Week 4, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_24.html  
Week 4, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_28.html
Week 5, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 6, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_11.html 
Week 7, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-journey-week-7-day-7.html

My Simplifying Home Journey: Week 7, Day 7

Yellow zinnia about to open: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

Seven weeks seem to have flown by. This was my least productive week so far in the simplifying home challenge. I'm embarrassed to say, unless you count keeping the area from getting worse, I made no progress in the office/computer room, this week's designated area. Because I have nothing to show you in that area I'll share some before and after pictures from a different space that I didn't get to cover in last week's post (because I try to keep it to five photos or less per post so the posts load quickly for you).

Hamper nook "before": Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

This is what I think of as my hamper nook. In the "before" picture above, the hamper is the wicker thing on the left. Then, going clockwise, there's a pile of clutter, a tote filled with old clothes that I need to try on, a pretty box filled with accessories, and two baskets.

The tote has been there for quite a while. So long that I threw a pillow on top of it and turned it into a cat bed (they love it because they can see down the hallway into the kitchen from that spot). One basket is supposed to be for new clothes that need to be washed before I wear them (I'm allergic to a lot of chemicals) and the other for a beautiful afghan hand made for me by a dear friend (the cats had been happy pawing it to death so I am giving it a breather but still want it handy).  

Hamper nook "after": Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

The first step was moving everything out of the area. Next was clutter clearing. This included trying on all those clothes that were in the tote (most are going to charity) and moving the afghan closer to where I use it. It also involved getting rid of the empty shoe box and two loose boards that had been to the left of the tote. They'd been there for a long time too... so long I'd stopped noticing them.

After clearing the clutter and vacuuming I decided that I like having a cat bed under the window but don't like the plastic look of the tub. So I went to Goodwill, found a brown sheet, washed it and draped it over the tote. The tote now holds useful extra blankets and throw pillows.

When walking into the room and facing it straight on, the tote/cat bed looks decent; however, it doesn't look nice from the sides. Eventually I plan to sew a cover for the tote (or get a proper little storage bench) so the area looks better. This is the first thing I notice when walking into the master bedroom so I might sew a big red heart in the front center of the tote cover.

Baby cat ignoring the camera: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

I love my "Baby" cat. She's not much into being photographed but she brings me a lot of joy. She's feral born so tends to hide from anyone but me but she follows me around like a dog, greets me at the door and sleeps either on my lap or at my feet when I settle down to read for a while. She's definitely part of what makes our abode a home.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too!

What makes your place feel like home? How do you organize your dirty laundry?

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html   
Week 4, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_24.html  
Week 4, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_28.html
Week 5, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 6, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_11.html 
 

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 6, Day 7

Irish blessings and succulent flower: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

Week six of my Simplifying Home challenge comes to a close today. The focus was supposed to be on "storage and organization" areas but the kitchen table had become a dumping ground. It really bothered me so I rationalized that it was a form of storage and made it my priority for this week.

"Before" organizing: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

This before photo shows how one area, left unattended, can quickly become a giant hot spot in need of clutter busting. Unlike most areas, I didn't clear the whole thing off and start from scratch. I took one item at a time and dealt with it until only the things I wanted to stay remained. Then, because I was sneezing excessively my kindhearted husband actually washed the table and dusted the remaining items.

"After" organizing: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

I breathe a little easier with our freshly organized, clean table. The things that remain are a dynamic arrangement. The plants rotate in and out as does the little display in the white tray. 

The organizer on the far right corner of the table should just be there through September (it's holding some of my most used craft items and the county fair season is approaching which is when I tend to complete the bulk of my crafting so once I'm done that will go away until I set up my Christmas card and wrapping stations and then go away again until next summer). When not needed for crafting, I usually have a little waterfall or some starter plants in that corner.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too! 


How do you deal with clearing clutter hot spots? Do you have a great clutter clearing story or organizing tip to share? I'd love to hear it!


Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html   
Week 4, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_24.html  
Week 4, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_28.html
Week 5, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 5, Day 7

"After" organizing: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

This week did not go according to plan. But God is good! And He saw me through a trying week. Instead of going by my prioritized list, I had to take care of some health challenges and a cat challenge. Or should I say... a cat accident. Moose the cat knocked down an air purifying Chinese evergreen houseplant and a pile of pillows off of the taller dresser. Why did she think she'd fit up there with the plant and all those pillows? Only Moose knows.

"Before" organizing: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

On the day Moose knocked the plant and other stuff down I was able to scoop some of the dirt up and stick the plant back in the pot (it had fallen completely out) but (because of health challenges) it was another two days before I was able to deal with the area. I hate to let dirt settle but sometimes there's no choice.

Normally, I choose a smaller, more manageable area for these posts but dirt from the houseplant fell far and wide so it ended up really being multiple projects:

• Clean/organize/clutter clearing of tallest dresser
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing of medium dresser
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing of hubby's nightstand
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing of chair's side table
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing of floor 
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing between dressers
• Clean/organize/clutter clearing between nightstand and dresser
• Clean, move and vacuum under chair
• Repot houseplant

Because of the bits of houseplant dirt scattered all over the place, I tackled the first eight projects listed above as if they were one. I cleared the whole area then cleaned the dirty non furniture stuff. I cleaned the various pieces of furniture. I used a dustpan and brush to get up as much of the loose dirt as possible and then vacuumed thoroughly. Before I put anything back I determined whether we really love, need or use it so the result is a much nicer, clutter-free area. Even if it wasn't originally on my list of things to do this week.

"After" organizing 2: Copyright © Phyllis Wheeler, 2014

Above is another "after" photo of the newly organized corner of our bedroom from another angle. I should probably move those dahlias (in the little clear glass jar) before Moose has another accident.

Just in case you're wondering... in the first two photos you can see the edge of my chair. It's positioned so I can watch the hummingbirds at their favorite feeder. Also, to me, the lion and the lamb are symbolic of heaven, peace and God's love so I like to have them kind of hugging each other.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too!

How do you deal with spills and accidents? Do you have a great clutter clearing story or organizing tip to share? I'd love to hear it!

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html   
Week 4, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_24.html  
Week 4, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_28.html

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 4, Day 7

Once again, I didn't come close to getting everything on this week's checklist finished but I did tackle some serious clutter and I feel great about that.  Earlier in the week I organized my vanity/sink area but since then I've been working on my cosmetics/toiletry cabinet.

Above is my "after" photo for my skin care shelf. It looked as bad as the "before" picture of my body care/overflow shelf (below) before I organized it. Although one thing that didn't change is my most frequently used items are at the front of the shelf, mostly in order of frequency of use (I keep the eye makeup remover on the far left even though I don't wear makeup every day). Also, opened products are in the pink basket and backups are in the blue bin behind the pink bin.

Here's the "before" photo of my body care/overflow shelf. All of the areas in today's post were at least this bad (the color cosmetics was much worse) before organizing and clutter clearing.

I try to keep posts to five photos or less so this one has one "before" and four "afters." It's nice that I have four freshly organized areas to share with you but I'm sorry I couldn't fit in all the "before" photos.

Here's that same shelf, after purging the clutter and organizing the keepers. The blue bag on the right is my "travel" bag. It has a little stand up mirror, a full face makeup palette, mini makeup brush set and tissues so if I need to put makeup on anywhere besides my bathroom all I have to do is add my current mascara and I'm good to go. The blue bag was behind the pink bottle in the "before" photo but there was so much clutter it was almost impossible to see (and I had to pull out two things to access it whereas now I can just reach in and grab it - much nicer).

This is my primer, foundation,powder, bronzer and blush shelf, organized in that order. Like the skin care shelf, open items are in the front bins and backups are in the back bin. I use the little bamboo bin for the primers and tinted moisturizer (which I suppose could go in skin care but I think of it as makeup so keep it here). The maroon box bottom is salvaged because I liked the color and it fits my most often used items while still letting them be easy to reach. It holds foundation, powder, blush and bronzer. Someday I'll replace the blue bins with pink, red or bamboo ones but they fit perfectly and this cabinet is usually shut so I'm in no hurry.

I think of this as my color cosmetics shelf but it's primarily eye and lip products. Before my organizing and clutter clearing, the shelf was precariously piled all the way to the top with a wide assortment of products and there wasn't an inch of free space behind the bamboo sorter (which was all the way to the front edge of the shelf. So even though it might not look like much to you, it was a huge relief to me. I didn't realize how much the pile bugged me until it was cleaned up.

I have my eye products to the left and my lip products to the right with the most often used items in the easiest to reach spots. I keep a little pair of scissors in there too to make opening up new products easier.

Behind the bamboo sorter there are four little clear plastic tubs. One each for mascara, eye liner, eye shadow and lip product backups. No, I don't need so many backups but the ones I kept are all products I either like or want to try.

Tomorrow we start week 5: bedrooms and closets. I don't really feel like I'm done in the bathroom yet (there are two more shelves in my cosmetics/toiletries cabinet plus the whole the linen closet) but I can always come back to it once this challenge is over and I did conquer the areas that I use the most often. I'm enjoying my newly organized spaces.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too!

How do you organize your toiletries and/or cosmetics? Do you have a great clutter clearing story or organizing tip to share? I'd love to hear it!

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html   
Week 4, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_24.html

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 4, Day 3

Above is the "after" picture of my sink/vanity area. The "before" (below) wasn't so bad but I wanted to tidy it up. I tend to leave new purchases and samples out until I try them at least once but it makes for a cluttered counter.

Like usual when clutter clearing, I removed everything from the area, cleaned everything (except the makeup brushes - that's a separate project), purged the clutter, put things that belong elsewhere away and put back just what I need, use and/or love. In addition, I made a little "beautiful" sign for the bottom drawer of my cotton/q-tip container (near the top right of the photo) and a "clean" sign for my soap dispenser. I had a matching pretty marble dispenser but it didn't work well.  This plastic dispenser works well but was kind of ugly and I think the "clean" sign makes it much nicer.

This didn't take very long so I decided to do my tissue/hairbrush shelf too.

But before I get to that Baby cat wanted to make an appearance (I know I'm biased but I think she's adorable). From this angle you can see that I just attached the "clean" sign with two rubber bands. Because it's just untreated paper I wanted it to be easy to replace.

Here's the "before" of my hairbrush/tissue shelf. All the clutter made it hard to reach the tissues. Like with my vanity, I tend to leave things out until I use them. However, that weird looking pink detangler brush didn't work on my hair. I use it on my cat though (and she loves it). So I put that with the cat brushes and the rest of the project followed the same clutter clearing/organizing steps as my vanity/sink area (described above). The only difference is that I didn't make any signs and I did add a towel underneath the keepers to hide the plastic and make it easier to clean.

Here's the "after" of my hairbrush/tissue shelf. Nothing exceptional but a lot cleaner looking and it's easier to get to the things I use every day. In case you're wondering, instead of putting the hair styling kit away I put it under the tissue box to raise it up and make it easier to reach.

Both parts of this project took about 20 minutes altogether and I think it was time well spent, especially since they were my first two MITs (most important tasks) for this week's Simplifying Home Challenge. It will probably take me at least that long to clean my makeup brushes but that's my third MIT for the week (any further progress is a bonus).

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too!

What in your bathroom needs organizing the most? What was the most rewarding organizing or clutter clearing project you've ever done? 

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html
Week 3, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html 

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 3, day 7

Above is the "after" photo of our silverware/gadget drawer and below is the "before." The after still needs a bit of work (I don't think we need three vegetable peelers or any plastic spoons) but I promised my husband that I wouldn't give anything away without his approval (he's our chef and the kitchen is his domain).

The old, ugly red square thing helps me open jars. I want to find a prettier one and find a better place for it. But overall, the 27 minutes spent on the drawer (including hand washing the bins/organizers, cleaning spills, clutter clearing, organizing and relocating items that belong elsewhere) were well worth it. This was the second of my MITs for the week; the first was the kitchen counter. The third was my "command center" drawer (formerly known as a junk drawer) and I'm thrilled to say that all three areas got tackled this week.

I can't believe week three of my Simplifying Home challenge is already coming to a close. Week four starts tomorrow for me and we move from the kitchen to the bathroom.

Considering that it's only been three weeks, I've had quite a few health setbacks and injuries and I have wondered if perhaps God was trying to tell me something. But I prayed on it and feel like I should just continue doing what I'm able to do and let go of the rest, at least for now. I might try the whole thing again, Beginner Beans style, in January or develop my own challenge.

Identifying my three most important tasks (MITs) for each week is very helpful. I feel like it's an accomplishment to just get those done and anything else is a bonus. It helps that I already have established some of the habits she's asking people to explore (for this week that would include buying fresh produce and filtering my water) as that cuts down on the length of the list of things to complete.

Thank you for joining me and thank you to Trina of Beginner Beans for making her Simplifying Home challenge a free resource. May God bless you and Trina too!

What in your kitchen needs organizing the most? How about your bathroom? What was the most rewarding organizing or clutter clearing project you've ever done?

Source:
www.beginnerbeans.com

Related posts:
Week 1, day 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
Week 2, day 7: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 3, day 3: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_17.html

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 3, Day 3

Overall kitchen counter "after": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, July 2014

I'm three days into week three of Beginner Beans' eight week Simplifying Home challenge. While I haven't gotten as much done as I'd like I am happy with my first project. Like last week, I identified the three most important tasks (MITs) for our weekly focus area (kitchen). Above you can see my newly organized kitchen counter (MIT #1).

Kitchen counter "before": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, July 2014

Above is the "before" picture of the messiest part of the counter. The intention was to have coupons and sale flyers in one folder and charitable mailings in another but when the folders got full we just kept sticking them wherever they'd fit. The shallow glass bowl was supposed to be a temporary landing place for things to be put away regularly but it got filled to overflowing without our noticing. Overall, this part of the counter was a hot mess.

Kitchen counter "after": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, July 2014

I love the newly organized space. The banana bowl is back in front of the folders with fresh bananas and I think this new arrangement will work out nicely (as long as I go through those folders regularly). I took away the catch all bowl because it was just a source of procrastination. 

Phone stand "before": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, July 2014

While I was working on the messy counter I realized that the phone basket/stand area was a mess too. I wish I'd taken a photo looking down into the basket but it was as bad as the counter. And reaching into the basket to get the phone wasn't convenient. 

Phone stand "after": Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, July 2014

I relocated the basket to another room, cleared the clutter, put a sunny yellow towel down for a pop of color, added some cheery decorations and it's like a whole new phone station. Plus, the phone and my sunglasses are a lot easier to reach. I want to find a "smile" saying to put down instead of "inspire" but I was working with what I had on hand. 

All together, including sorting and pulling expired coupons, pulling everything off the counter, cleaning the counter, clearing the clutter, dusting everything that needed it, putting things that belonged somewhere else in their proper homes and everything else that went into this two-spot organization project, it took just over an hour (66 minutes).

Thank you for joining me on my journey to a more organized, simplified home! May God bless Trina of Beginner Beans for providing us this free resource/challenge and may He bless you too!

Sources:
www.beginnerbeans.com
http://www.beginnerbeans.com/2014/03/simplifyinghome-settingup.html

Related posts:
Week 2: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_14.html
Week 1: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
My home vision: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-home-vision-new-series-on.html

My Simplifying Home 8 Week Journey: Week 2, Day 7

Ben's terrarium: Copyright © by Phyllis Wheeler, June 2014

So much has happened since my original post that I should probably break this down into multiple posts but I will aim to be concise and still give you all the main points and lessons learned. First of all, I'm extremely thankful for Trina's encouragement in her opening to week two: "You do not have to complete every item on the list. This is all about jumping in with your best effort, whatever that may be." 

While I started this challenge with the intention of doing everything on the list for every week, my health did not cooperate. I did manage to get almost everything for week 1 done (except the foyer closet, which I'll need help to do) but I probably got less than 20% of week 2 done. However, once it became obvious to me that I wouldn't be able to follow her plan I thought about my living room and what areas would make the biggest difference to declutter/reorganize and focused there. I chose three areas: my side table by the couch, my needlecraft drawer and my aromatherapy/asthma treatment/cat treat cubby. 

I had gone through my whole living room earlier this year, excepting the needlecraft drawer, so it wasn't too bad. The three areas I selected get a lot of use and serve multiple purposes and I thought they could use a good clean out. The "worst" part of my end table was the shelf between the top and the drawer (the drawer is like a filing cabinet drawer and I put my current knitting project in there plus loose balls of yarn). You can see the "before" on the left and the "after" on the right in the pictures below. I got rid of everything that didn't belong there and categorized what remains to make things easier to find. I also unburied my owl craft and put it in front to remind me to work on it soon.

The needlecraft drawer didn't look bad but it was the area that had gone the longest between clean outs and everything was just tossed in where it could fit, instead of by category. I removed the non-needlecraft items and stuff I didn't think I'd ever use and then organized the remaining items by subtype of needlecraft. Now the drawer has separate knitting, crochet and cross stitch areas. It should be faster and easier to find the tools I need for future projects.

I haven't gotten to the aromatherapy/asthma treatment/cat treat cubby yet but am hoping to do that tonight. I have some dear friends visiting (they should arrive within the hour!) from out of state and don't want to be in the middle of that when they arrive. So if I feel up to it this evening, I'll feel really good about having completed my top three priority areas for the living room. And if not, at least I will have had a great visit with my friends. 

Like last week, I was really thankful to find that I already had some of thing simplifying home week two checklist items completed before I even started. This week, these items were:

• Air-cleansing houseplants: I have many houseplants, including some Chinese evergreens and false bamboo (air cleaning powerhouses). However, after reading Trina's separate houseplant post and following the links therein I've decided to get a peace lily in the near future. It does a special kind of air filtering that none of my other houseplants do and I've missed having one. I just have to figure out where I'll put it before I buy it.
• At home date night: Every night is an at home date night for my hubby and me. Because of my health challenges we don't go anywhere at night. There are advantages and disadvantages but the biggest advantage is that I have my favorite man at home with me every single night.

Hearty thanks to Trina of Beginner Beans for making this free resource available and her beautiful heart for God. May God bless her and may He bless you too! Thank you for sharing my Simplifying Home journey!

Related posts:
My Simplifying Home week 1 post: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week.html
10 minute office supply organizing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/10-minute-office-supply-cube.html
My home vision: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/my-home-vision-new-series-on.html