I’m in survival mode for the next two weeks, I’ve decided. On Thanksgiving I spent a fair amount of time in the kitchen, with a lot of it spent waiting to stir something or take something out of the oven or put something in. It gave me lots of time to observe the assorted small unfinished projects in the room, and I decided I really wanted all those small projects done by Christmas. I even made a list, and ordered fabric samples. The curtains hanging on the sliding glass door are ten years old, so I’m going to sew new ones. I envisioned the kitchen looking finished and festive in time for Christmas.

I suppose I allow myself these foolish dreams because…well, I don’t know why! I should know better by now not to plan home improvement projects, even small ones, to coincide with major holidays.  It’s going to be a failure, and because I spent the better part of two weekend days painting and re-staining the corner hutch, I feel very behind where Christmas is concerned. During the month of December, I should not plan to do anything not Christmas related.

Except I need to shop for a new laptop, cause this one’s about to go kaput.

Yesterday I got rid of a lot of stuff. The truck came quite late, which was fine with me because I filled up one more box with some things I was on the fence about, and got it out there 5 minutes before the driver arrived.

Six boxes and a bag! Plus one more I added later.

A few months ago, wanting to clear more counter space, I cleaned out my spice rack and put it in the garage. I wanted to see if I’d miss it. I didn’t.

And so I gave it away.

Back in May, I felt a little silly going through all my Christmas stuff. It was in the garage and I unloaded it all into the driveway because it was the best way to get a look at all of it, and I knew I’d be more likely to see it through if it was outside. If I brought everything inside it would have taken me a week. Looking back, I am SO glad I invested the time because it made the process of decorating a lot easier. If you find yourself unsure of what to do with all those little American Girl boxes, I found they worked well for breakable and smaller sized ornaments. And I think I’ve mentioned before that I save the plastic cases from bedding and shower curtains. Those also helped me organize ornaments and decor. I went from an almost endless mishmash of boxes, bags and totes, to four totes which fit everything.

I’m finding it ironic that I’m supposed to be simplifying this year, but I’m more overwhelmed than ever. Though most of my shopping is done, and I threw in the towel with a lot of the decorating I was planning to do. I’m happy enough with what I completed. Once I go over my lists, I think I’ll feel more in control.

And our tree does look great. Our four-legged friends don’t seem too interested in knocking it over so far.