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Wednesday, November 6, 2013

31 Days: Epic Fail!

Also known as:
What was I thinking when I jumped in and thought I could  post for 31 days?

The process as a whole has not been a failure, as a matter of fact I am still right smack dab in the middle of Taming Too Much!

Last Saturday was our Barn Sale. Let me just say it was amazing! We had 250 people standing in line when we opened at 10 AM! We were blown away by the response. That is the tiredest I have been in quite some time, but were certainly blessed.  We probably had around 400-450 people come through and shop. We had very few items left, and this week have sold most of the items that remained. I took a few things to refill my booth. Other items will be put in the yard sale this weekend.

Yes, you heard me right. This weekend my sister and I are having a yard sale. I have been preparing for this since the beginning of October also. Nothing like asking for a little torture! No really this has been what I have needed to do for quite some time. I am sifting through all of those little things that have caused a lot of clutter, and out the door they are going. Tomorrow I will be headed to the attic to pull down lots of artificial Christmas stuff that needs to go.

The following week I will be working on some small projects for the Artisan Market that I plan to participate in with my friend Allison. Yes, what was I thinking?  and we may possibly have a grand baby in the middle of all of this!!

I will be posting some pictures soon, hopefully from the Barn Sale, Yard Sale and Artisan Market.
Didn't want to leave you wondering what happened. Have a blessed evening.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Day 13: I Know I am Behind!

Things are still progressing over here, but often times real life hops into your well made plans. I can make a list of everything I plan to do every moment of every day and I have learned to accept those interruptions.Many times I need to welcome them.

My parents are here visiting, and it is time to visit a bit. My friend has delivered a trailer for me to start loading for the barn sale. I will load a few things that are priced and move them out of the way. I have one piece of furniture that has a small bit to finish it up, and I will load it as well.

I will take a few pictures of the finished pieces before I load them so you will indeed see that I am still making progress. Yesterday I finished painting a small table, a mirror, and a small urn. I priced a box of fabric pieces that will be going to the barn sale as well. My mom brought a few pieces to put in my booth, and we priced them immediately and got them down to the booth today.

I pray that all is well with all of you. Have a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Day 12: What 31 Days Has Done For Me




Today I thought I would share what this 31 Days challenge has done for me so far. 

It has enabled me do some much needed organizing.

I am finding a place for everything.

Letting go of things feels good, less feels best!

My perspective is changing, I am feeling more focused. 

I am beginning to enjoy this season. 


Remember the cabinet that doesn't work well size wise? Well until I find something better, it is going to stay. 
Being the quirky person that I am, there is a correct way to fold your fabric that helps when organizing it. Here's a look at what I did for a little while yesterday. 

I have a bunch that I am cleaning out, bundling and headed to the barn sale. It will be great for someone who would like to use it for pillows, quilts, etc. 

I'd love to hear what all of you are working on. 

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Day 11: Sunday

It has been a great Sunday! With all I need to get done around here, it is hard to keep myself from working. Instead, I rest and think on my list of To Do's for tomorrow.

 Tomorrow we are back to our regular scheduled programming. 


Praying you all have a blessed week!

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Day 10: Kitchen Clean-Up


Here I am on day 10 for me. Most everyone else is on day 12, but this is the most I have posted in quite some time, and yesterday I simply forgot. The past couple of days have been mostly general cleaning. 
  • The two bathrooms got scrubbed
  • Changed sheets on the bed.
  • Laundry
  • Kitchen cleaned: counter tops cleared, swept and mopped 


Ah, clean counter tops are great!

Love my colorful coffee mugs. 

A clear view into the breakfast room. 
Definitely ready for a day of rest tomorrow.
Church
Lunch with a friend.
Enjoying the beautiful fall weather. 
Goodnight to all.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Day 9: Sewing Room After

Here's where I started and ended up the day I worked on my sewing room. I have an organized craft cabinet, and I actually know what's in there. 

As much as I like the way this cabinet turned out, it is going to have to go to the barn sale. It just doesn't fit the space. 
Off to tackle another area.  Have a blessed day!

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Day 8: Checking In

No pictures today, my camera battery was dead, ended up meeting with my friend Allison about the Barn Sale, Bible Study tonight, and I am simply pooped!

I did get the pile in the sewing room in order. I have actually priced all of the yard sale items so far, and they are boxed neatly and out of the way in my son's room.

I will be volunteering tomorrow at our crisis pregnancy center until 2, but tomorrows focus will be cleaning out a few things in the kitchen, straightening in there as well, and pricing a few things for the Barn Sale. I will be sharing  a few pictures as well.

Have a good night.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Day 7: The Sewing/Craft Room

Here is my sewing/craft room, yet to be completed. This is what I will be concentrating on today. A lot of the items you see in the picture are yard sale items that need to be priced and stacked neatly until our Yard Sale in November. There will be plenty more to add to the pile before November gets here. 


I will try to do a little update at the end of the day to show you the progress that I have made and also help me to be accountable for getting it done.
I would love to hear if you have had a yard sale recently, and any tips you might have.
We are going to call this Yard Sale 
THE ALMOST ESTATE SALE. 
Do you think that will get everybody's attention?

Monday, October 7, 2013

Day 6 : Monday Progress

Sorry no pictures today, but here is what was done today.

  • I took a box of items to my booth. 
  • Our desk is actually cleaned out and organized. If I had to look for something I think I can actually find it. That task alone filled a brown paper bag full of trash, and out it went. 
  • Priced 2 boxes of yard sale items. 
I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but It feels good getting things in order. One thing I realized today. I do not need to purchase any pens, pencils or highlighters. 

Tomorrow I will be concentrating on putting the sewing room in order. Several boxes of yard sale items need to be priced, and the cleaning out process will continue. Will try to post pictures for you tomorrow. 

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Day 5: What to Expect

Yes, yes, yes, I missed a day! It is a little difficult being out of town, and seeing that I have not planned these posts far in advance, I was not able to post yesterday. Just thought I would give you an idea of what to expect from here on out. I've got a TO DO LIST ten miles long!!!!

Sunday is typically not a work day for me, and I try to set aside that day specifically for Church, rest, and spending time with my guy. Today however, was a work day at the market where I have my booth. Everyone was preparing for Christmas Open House which is this Thursday. Yes, you read right! Christmas Open House. It was hot today, and needless to say it is very hard for me to prepare for Christmas when we still have Thanksgiving on the way.

I went and did a little rearranging, and have been pricing some items tonight, to get in my booth tomorrow.


Just a little shot of my pricing station. 

From here on out I will be posting for the most part PROGRESS pictures, and possibly a list of what is going out the door. This will be my way of staying accountable. I am following along with some of the other 31 Dayers that are on a similar journey. It would be worth your time to check it out. 

Stay tuned for PROGRESS!

Friday, October 4, 2013

Day 4: How Much is Too Much?

You might have too much, if you can't get into your storage building.
You might have too much, if you have a closet full of fabric. 
You might have too much, if your cabinets are full with no extra storage.
You might have too much, if your back porch is your workshop.

You get the idea I suppose. I am looking forward to the Barn Sale, Yard Sale, and Artisan Market! I am even contemplating whether or not it is time to take a little break from my small business. These are all things that I hope are going to change over the next 30 days.

We have lived in our current home the longest of any place we have lived, and I am now realizing that the more we moved, I let things go more easily. Sometimes there were things that I got rid of so easily that I found myself wishing I had them back, and that is what I think started turning things slowly in the other direction. What if I need it one day, what if I regret selling it. What if I need those extra clothes, they might not be the right size now, but one day.......

It is time for a change! a real change. I could sure use your ideas and a little cheer leading along the way.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Day 3: Coming Up With The Game Plan

Please bear with me, as I am out of town so I will be limited in posting and no pictures. I am trying to come up with a more concrete and daily plan of action.

I am sitting here while my daughter tells me I am a little too "matter of fact". I have got to be a little more light hearted in my writing, so maybe I can do that as well during this process.

While I am visiting I will be working on a game plan that is doable.  More often than not I tend to take on a little too much. I have learned that I cannot allow myself to feel defeated before I have barely started.

I know this is a pretty short post, but I am determined to keep up with this 31 days of posting.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Day 2: Letting Go

One of the key elements of  "Taming Too Much", will be in being able to let things go. You see my cabinets and closets are filled with lots of good stuff, but a lot of stuff that I don't need, making it difficult to keep in order the things that I do need.


I know that sometimes it is difficult to let things go, especially the good stuff, those thrifted finds that were such a great deal, the beautiful glassware that is really pretty, or that thrift store pair of shoes that was such a great deal you couldn't pass them up!
That could pretty much sum up part of why I am where I am. 

This cabinet is one of the things that I may have to let go of, and I just finished painting it yesterday! I had decided to keep it and use it as storage space for my fabric in my sewing room, painted it moved it in there, and didn't love it. The proportions are all wrong for the space. It may either go to my booth, or the Barn sale. Still trying to decide, but I am willing to let it go. Another thing to remember, if it just doesn't work,
Let It Go!

Last but not least, here is the pile of yard sale stuff that I have started. By the time I am finished I think you are going to be surprised, and just for fun I think I will compile a list of just what I let go of during these 
31 Days of Taming Too Much!
I would love for you to join me, and share how you "Tame Too Much".



Monday, September 30, 2013

Welcome to my 31 Days


Yes, you are reading correctly. I will be writing and hopefully making much progress on what I am calling "taming too much".

Over the past several months these words have played over and over in my mind. "You simply have TOO
much stuff." It's a lot of good stuff, but it is still stuff, and the more I think about it, the more weary it makes me.

How much is too much? You may be asking this question, and we might all give a different answer, but the answer for me, and probably a lot of you is, when it weighs you down and becomes unmanageable, it is too much!

Do I have a concrete plan you ask? Sort of , but not really.

How did I get to this point? A couple of years ago I started a little business, painting, refinishing furniture, reselling found items. Sometimes life happens and things begin to pile up. A few too many good finds, and not enough time to do it all. That is where I am right now.

What exactly is my plan? I have already started going through things.For my personal things I am asking the following questions: do I really love it? is it useful? does it add something positive to my home? or is it just more clutter?
*November 2nd, I will be having a Barn Sale with a friend in hopes that many of my stored furniture items will go. After this sale I will evaluate whether or not I need to maintain my booth, or is it time to let it go.
*November 9th, my sister and I are having a huge yard sale! I have already begun preparing for that as well. We are going to call it an "Almost Estate Sale" There will be a little bit of everything there.
*November 23rd I will be participating in an Artisan Market here where I live, and most the painted pieces that I have left along with some decorative items I will be selling at the market.

So there you have it. I hope you will follow along with me as I journey along. My plans are to continue at it, even if need be after the 31 days, but I hope that there will be significant progress. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject, what works for you, and answer any questions you might have. And yes, there will be pictures along the way. Looking forward to the next 31 days!

Day    1: 31 Days Welcome
Day    2: Letting Go
Day    3: Coming Up With The Game Plan
Day    4: How Much Is Too Much?
Day    5: What To Expect
Day    6: Monday Progress
Day    7: The Sewing/Craft Room

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Here's Where I've Been

Things have been busy lately!
There have been some unexpected things that have come our way.
Some twists, some turns, and bumps in the road!
Thank goodness God is in CONTROL!

In other news, The Little Red Wagon is moving, and will now be
RED WAGON MARKET.


This is my booth space the my sweet husband and I finished yesterday.
I am so excited that it came together, and
Yes, the chandelier works! 


This is my second space, that I am working on filling up. 
We will be opening Friday morning at 10 AM. 
If you are in the Lyons, GA area, it will be worth checking out. 
We have approximately 110 Vendors, and a little bit of everything!

One of the most exciting things about putting these two booths together was that we did it all
on a budget. 
I could not have done it at all without all of the hard work and expertise of my wonderful
HUSBAND! 
He is definitely my #1 guy!
Between the two booths, 
our total spent was approximately $62.00. 

Our goal was to work with what we had so I drew the pictures, keeping in mind the materials that
we had salvaged, and had been given.  
The biggest expense was for the tin roof which was 32.00. 

It has been exciting to see it all come together. 

WISHING YOU A BLESSED EASTER!

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

When Skies are Gray...

 We have had a lot of gray skies here lately, and I mean a LOT! Some pretty tough things have been going on as well, so another gray day had become a dread to me. 


This morning when I when I saw blue skies and sunshine, I was reminded that even during the gray days, there is always the hope of sunshine. 


Then, as I got ready to post, the Lord reminded me, that there is beauty even when the skies are gray. 
Praying that you will find beauty wherever you are today. 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Finished Project, a Table

Here's a look at my latest completed project. I stress completed, because there are always projects going on around here! I was wanting an update in my breakfast room, but wanting to do it on a budget. Previously we had an oak table with pressed back chairs. I found this table on Craigslist for $20.00 close to my son's house, and it so happened that my husband was headed that way for a weekend visit, perfect opportunity to haul this table back home. I contacted the owner, they went, they bought, and here it is. Very heavy and solid, and similar style to one that Pottery Barn has. The chairs were also a Craigslist find. When I purchased the chairs I planned to use them in the dining room, but decided if I could get the table like I wanted I would use them in the breakfast room.


 Sorry I don't have a before picture. The table was natural , but in need of much TLC. I originally was going to paint the whole thing white, but decided to see if I could get the top to look closer to the chair color. Kind of a white washed gray look. I found some white stain, thinking that would do the trick, but you couldn't even tell that I had stained the table. 

Here's a look at the completed top, sort of a happy accident. I decided since the white wasn't working, I would try a darker stain over that. When I did, I got a great looking gray,  almost perfect with the chairs!
It is hard to tell from this picture, but it has just the right mix of gray and natural showing through.  Liking this so much better than the golden oak! What do you think?


Monday, February 11, 2013

Monday, Monday

Hope you all have had a good Monday. I meant to have this up and posted this morning, but here it is, time for bed and I am finally getting around to it. Here's a little bit of what we've been up to around here.

We spent the last Saturday of January having a fun day at the beach enjoying this view, and a little bit of thrifting. The weather was perfect. Sort of a last day away, before the weeks of 6 / 12 hour days start for my guy. 


                                                                                             I organized Craft Night for the ladies of our church, this past Thursday. We made felt flowers and did some embroidery hoop art. The pouring rain didn't keep 20 ladies away. We enjoyed a taco supper, and fun night of crafting. 

Friday, I headed South to see my daughter and her family,  much needed time away, and a great visit with everyone, especially this little guy. He is Mimi's favorite!




We spent our time just hanging out at the house. He and I checked out all of the pretty flowers in the yard, and had lots of good snuggles. Mimi always tucks him in when she's there. His new phrase was, "this is just wonderful!" and "oh my goodness!" He is something else, for sure. No shyness or lacking for personality with this one!

Today, we have had rain, rain, and more rain!! The chance for rain tomorrow is 100% and 80% on Wednesday. Really need to get some painting done for my booth, and around the house. I have a few small projects that I am hoping to finish, and will share some pictures when I do. 

Ready to get into the PJ's and settle in with a good book.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Giveaway

My blog friend Angela is having an awesome giveaway over at her blog.
 
Her friend Tracie has written a book on forgiveness. Something I think we could all benefit from reading. I know I definitely can.
 
 
Along with Tracie's book, Angela will be giving away one of her adorable owls, and a stack of notepads from Dayspring. Head on over here and check it out. She will also tell you how to preview 31 days of forgiveness free.
Thanks Angela!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Yes, It's Been a Long Time

Since I posted that is. I had great plans to start posting much more consistently come the new year. Well here it is, and I have been away for a while.

 Part of the reason for being away is that I have been a little under the weather. Finally went to the Dr. last week after trying to take care of thing. myself for a couple of weeks, and that just wasn't working out for me. Dr. said bronchitis, all I know is, I have coughed more than I hope to for the rest of the year. It is still hanging on, but feeling much better.

I had high hopes of posting a few pictures, but it seems that blogger is no co-operating tonight, so I will try again tomorrow.

I have finished my first project of the new year, and excited about how it turned out. I will be replacing the current table in the breakfast room, with the one I just completed. I had some chairs that I have had for a while, and as it turns out I was accidentally able to finish the top of the table to match the chairs. Pictures will explain this one better.

Everyone has been picking a word for the year, and I will be sharing my "word" as well. I'll give you a hint: It is really neat when you listen to what God is trying to tell you."

OK, enough said, since I am not too fond of posts without pictures I will close for now.

Goodnight to all.