Love, Joy and Peas: organize

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Tuesday, March 21, 2017

Quick and Easy Tea Nook Clutter Busting

Happy tidy Tuesday and Spring! The Great Clutter Purge of 2017 continues with a quick flat surface area / kitchen counter clutter busting project.

We have tea almost every day but this little tea nook to the left of our range is a clutter magnet. The above photo is an "after" clutter busting image. It includes one thing that wasn't in the "before" photo below. Can you spot it?

This "before" photo shows a much messier tea nook. Most of this stuff isn't clutter in the sense that we don't use it but it is clutter in the sense that it doesn't belong there.

So I removed everything from the area, cleaned the empty space, put the out of place things where they belonged and then returned the things that did belong.

Then I noticed the cup hook with nothing on it. I searched for and found the missing oven mitt and hung it back up (see the topmost image - that was the extra item not present in the "before" photo). I like the tidied tea nook much better this way.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Quick Kitchen Counter Organizing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/14-minute-kitchen-counter-clutter.html
Microwave Area Clutter Busting: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-minute-microwave-and-cut-flower.html
Organized Utensil Drawer: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-simplifying-home-8-week-journey-week_21.html

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Tidy Tuesday Tip: Consolidate and Containerize

Happy tidy Tuesday! I think I took the rose photo above on March 9th and in the photos below you can see that they've held up pretty well. But that has nothing to do with Tidy Tuesday. The main point of this post is that if you don't have time to do a real clutter busting session, consolidating and containerizing works really well.

On weekends that I'm too busy or health challenged, things pile up on our table. Yesterday, when I was walking by after getting the mail, the gloves were in a stack on top of the scarf which was on top of the pile of hats. It didn't look that bad because it was all stacked together (consolidated). But I thought it was a great opportunity to demonstrate consolidation and containerization. So I spread everything out and added the mail that I hadn't already recycled (I like to recycle what we don't need as soon as I bring it in).

Yes, I wore all that stuff since last Friday. No, I am not a minimalist.

You can barely see one of them but there are three jackets hanging off chairs around the table. I prefer to put my jacket away right after coming inside but if the kittens are eager to play they'll jump in the closet and I have a hard time getting them out. So I just wait until they're asleep.

Everything that was in the first photo ("before") is still represented here in this first "after" photo! Although the bag got cut off so you can just see just the edge of it on the left. All I did to get to this point was to stack all 3 jackets on one chair (consolidate) and put everything that was spread all over the table and didn't belong there in the brown paper bag (containerize). Then I put the brown paper bag on one of the chairs. Instant improvement!

Fastest tidying tip - just dump everything in a container and get it out of the way. Now, don't get me wrong, that's not true organizing. But if you just want things to look better fast, it works.

I then put the jackets and everything that was in the brown paper bag away. This is what I prefer my table to look like. Streamlined with a few accents on the far end. I could do without the accents but there's space and the plants like it there. The table is in a central part of our home so it's a nice place to see flowers regularly.

Although I didn't recycle anything except the paper bag in this post, the Great Clutter Purge of 2017 continues. I have been releasing clutter. It just hasn't been very photogenic. Hopefully next week will lead to some great photo ops. Only God knows!

Hope this quick tip was interesting or useful for you! If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Refrigerator front organizing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2017/03/quick-refrigerator-front-clutter.html
Great Clutter Purge 2017 Intro: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2017/02/great-clutter-purge-of-2017-january.html
Linen closet organizing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-disaster-to-delight-organized.html

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Quick Refrigerator Front Clutter Busting for Tidy Tuesday

Photo by me; Magnet by https://www.opendoorsusa.org/

Happy tidy Tuesday! My Great Clutter Purge of 2017 continues. Until this week I'd been operating on a spontaneous method but yesterday I started a clockwise organization of the kitchen surfaces. I feel like these surfaces are clutter magnets so my current plan is to go from room to room and deal with all the visible surfaces. Today I tidied the front of my refrigerator.

"Before" clutter busting photo of refrigerator

I liked everything on the freezer section but it was just too much. The stuff on the refrigerator section was just to remind me of things to do and could definitely go somewhere else.

Totally clear refrigerator front

So I removed everything and gave the front of the refrigerator a quick cleaning. Truly, I don't need anything on it at all. If I were a minimalist, I'd probably leave it like this.

"After" clutter busting photo of refrigerator

But I decided it was reasonable and not untidy to keep one row of things that inspire me.

This is my favorite photo of my husband and I just before getting married, along with a little poem and a magnet of a cheerful sunflower. I call it my refrigerator's love corner.

Psalm 118:24 art by Linda Grayson; Photo by me

This is a Bible verse I like to recite every morning. I don't remember who gave it to me but I've had it for at least 10 years and it makes me smile. Thank you, mystery family member or friend!

The whole time I worked on the refrigerator I had to be careful not to step on my most curious cat, the Sandman. Technically he's still a kitten but he weighs almost 14 pounds. He and his sister, Braveheart, will be one year old on March 27th. I'm not sure how we'll celebrate yet but would love to hear your suggestions.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Linen closet organization: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-disaster-to-delight-organized.html
Mystery corner clutter busting: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2016/01/mystery-corner-in-master-bedroom.html
8 minute microwave area clutter bust: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-minute-microwave-and-cut-flower.html

Note: Not a sponsored/paid post. All opinions are my own

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Cas the ClutterBug's "Great Purge of 2017," book launch and pre-order bonus

Image source: http://clutterbug.me/book

Happy tidy Tuesday! I've been under the weather so before I start my own 2017 clutter busting series, I thought I'd share about ClutterBug Cas' Great Purge of 2017 and let you know that there is still a wee bit of time to get her pre-order bonuses for her new book, Real Life Organizing. She's offering a bundle of printables, including her 2017 organizer printables, plus a lifetime code for all the printables on her website and (this is the best part, in my opinion) three people who pre-order will win an hour long phone call or Skype session with her! You do have to enter some information on her website here after pre-ordering to get the bonuses, so if you do pre-order, be sure to fill out the form here so you don't miss out. I don't remember what day the pre-order special ends but think it's really soon. I bought my copy today and it was $12 and change.

I "met" Cas via her YouTube channel. I find her both inspiring and hilarious. Her Organizing Tips playlist there should have information on her Great Purge of 2017. So far, she has gone through her books, her storage room her craft room and more. She's a messy person at heart and turned her home life from slobby to organized. I believe she's kept her home organized for about six years now and also does consulting as a professional organizer. Even if you're not interested in her book, she shares lots of great tips in her YouTube videos. She also has DIY crafts in some of her videos (I loved her pretty felt flowers from a recent video).

The best thing about ClutterBug is her big heart. When I asked if I could do a copycat series inspired by her Great Purge of 2017, she quickly responded with a cheerful yes. I'm calling mine The Great Clutter Purge of 2017, only one word different from hers. I like that I have all of 2017 because with these health challenges things are going very slowly. But slowly is better than not at all. If you want to join me on my 2017 clutter busting journey, come back each Tuesday for tips and progress reports.

May God bless Cas, her family, you and your family!

Sources:
Book launch ("Real Life Organizing") page: http://clutterbug.me/book
Cas' Website: http://clutterbug.me/
Cas' YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/OrganizedClutterbug
Cas' Organizing Tips Playlist on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzglswYcXP2jmldtkZ4Mwp7y9wMgIjf-d
Cas' Great Purge of 2017 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFzPDEBlCl4&index=10&list=PLzglswYcXP2jmldtkZ4Mwp7y9wMgIjf-d
Cas' Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clutterbug.Me/

Note: This is a totally unsolicited, unpaid, unsponsored post. All opinions are my own. I'm just a fan of ClutterBug and thought this would be a nice way to help her meet her book's pre-order goal.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Clutter Clean in 2016! First Project: Top of Long Dresser

Happiest New Year wishes to you! May God bless you and all you set your mind, heart and hands to do this year!

I've decided to make this the year of clearing the clutter for good. Not just clutter busting the excess in our home but actually changing acquisition habits so that I only bring in things that we need or love. Because of ongoing health challenges, the physical removal of clutter may be slow going but as long as I'm making regular progress, I'll count it a success.

My super kind hearted Facebook friends suggested that I journal this process and share tips and this article is in their honor. Thank you for your support, encouragement and prayers!

I started on this dresser yesterday but didn't take a photo until today. It looks cluttered in the "before" photo above but yesterday it was even worse. Yesterday I just took things that belonged elsewhere and put them where they belonged. Today I cleared everything off the top of the dresser (using long shallow plastic baskets I have on hand) and moved them to the living room for sorting. I determined to only keep that which I need or love so a lot went into charity bags.

My little cat, Baby, immediately jumped on the newly cleared space. She loves to explore and I love her. I will likely do a backdated post, but, sadly, Moose the cat passed away after Christmas. Moose was about 20 years old and was greatly loved. Now Baby is our sole feline companion. God willing, Baby will be 16 this spring. But back to the clutter busting.

Here's the "after" photo. I like it so much better than the before. While there's still plenty of clutter in the room, the whole place feels lighter and nicer. I will probably reconfigure the top in the future but for now it's my "Clutter Clean in 2016" inspiration point. My goal for this week is to keep it clear and take time to enjoy the newly organized space.

If you have a completed clutter clearing or organizing project with before and after photos and want to be considered as a feature for my "Clutter Clean in 2016" series, please let me know! There are so many of us looking to simplify, streamline and create space for what truly matters. You'll be an inspiration. You can leave a comment below or email me at lovejoypeas@gmail.com. If there's a lot of interest I'll look into creating a Flickr pool for the photos.

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Related posts:
Quick desk clearing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/02/16-minute-desk-decluttering-project.html
Disaster to delight: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/07/from-disaster-to-delight-organized.html
8 minute clutter bust: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-minute-microwave-and-cut-flower.html
3 shelves in 9 minutes: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-i-decluttered-3-shelves-in-9.html
My simplifying home journey: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/08/my-simplifying-home-journey-week-8-day.html

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

From Disaster to Delight: An Organized Linen / Cosmetics / Toiletries / Storage Closet

My big organizing achievement for July was my linen closet, which also serves as a cosmetics/toiletries and general storage closet. The "before" clutter clearing & organizing photo is on the left and the "after" is on the right. Big difference!

Someone asked for details on this clutter busting project so here they are. The basic "how to" was the same as most of my organizing and clutter busting projects:

Remove everything,
Clean the empty space,
Get rid of everything I don't need/use/love,
Organize what's left.

For the purging I donate everything useable (either to charity or friends), recycle everything left that can be recycled and trash the rest (very little has to be trashed, thankfully).

Extra toilet paper is stored in the small handled basket on the top shelf.
Hair accessories are in the pink photo storage box on the top shelf (the box below it is empty for now but it will probably gain items from under the sink vanity once I get to that).
The baskets hold one type of linen or cosmetics/toiletry each. There's a basket for pillow cases, hand towels, face cloths, hair products, face products, body products, etc. Blankets are stored in an extra drawer in the bedroom but since there's space on the top shelf I might eventually move them there.
Within the linen storage baskets things are folded uninformly by what makes sense for the amount of that item that we have and the depth/width of the basket, mostly with rounded edges facing upward and the neatest part facing forward.
Towels and the extra bath mat are folded so the rounded edges face outward.
They don't show in the photo but we store our space heaters and some cleaning projects on the bottom shelf.

Last year I bought baskets and kind of organized things but I didn't purge enough to make it truly organized. It's hard to tell from the photos but there's a big space above the door jam and there's a bar to hang clothing up by the ceiling. I left the two cedar hangers on the bar and you can see the very ends of them in the "before" photo (above) but the rest of that space is empty right now (though eventually I might hang extra table cloths from the bar as our clothing is too long for the space).

Clutter clearing was definitely beneficial here as retrieving things is easier and I don't have to worry about things falling on my head when I grab something from the top shelf anymore (a definite bonus). I think the biggest difference from the first go at organizing this closet and this time was having read Marie Kondo's The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I haven't implemented her process yet but it made it a lot easier to release the things that don't "spark joy."

I love to organize but have a host of health challenges and little energy lately so this project took me from July 6 to July 27, even with my kind husband's help. The key was to do a small, managable section at a time (like one basket).

Thank you for visiting! May God bless you!

Do you have any storage organizing tips? I'd love to hear them!

Related posts:
Storage cabinet clutter clearing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2015/02/clearing-cabinet-clutter-clutter.html
8 minute microwave area organizing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/8-minute-microwave-and-cut-flower.html
14 minute kitchen counter clearing: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/03/14-minute-kitchen-counter-clutter.html

Monday, August 25, 2014

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

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

Monday, August 18, 2014

My Simplifying Home Journey: Week 7, Day 7

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).

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).

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.

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

Monday, August 11, 2014

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

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.

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.

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

Monday, August 4, 2014

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

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.

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.

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