I started last week with a simple baby step. I have a drawer in our hutch which is a mess. I took everything out placing it on the table and going through it all. I only replaced what I needed to keep throwing out about a third of the contents. You know those Christmas cards you keep thinking to use them to make tags or new cards, old letters that need to go and just lots of tiny junk.
Each week of this year, I want to work on one area and declutter and simplify. I am going to go about it this year that even the smallest area will eventually make a big impact. I feel best and most at peace in our tiny cottage so I think that speaks mountains about our home. It too needs to be simple so I can feel that peace here too.
Are you in the simplify mood this year too?
This is a primrose blooming in my front garden. Mother Nature is quite confused by our very warm weather and thinks it is spring. I am hoping we are not in for an extreme cold freeze like we had last year. In February, we got extreme frosts and an easterly wind causing a great deal of damage in the garden. I would hate to loose more plants again this year.
But now that debat...
I normally do not like to vent on my blog. We returned from Cranberry Cottage yesterday afternoon to find that my car had been vandalized. Jos asked our neighbor if she heard anything. She was angry as there have been problems with some teenagers causing trouble again behind their house. It has been so bad that a house was set on fire about a year ago. These kids do not live here and the police say they know who they are but cannot do anything about it as the parents will not cooperate. This is the first time, we have had a problem and I have no insurance coverage for vandalism. It is going to cost a big sum of money to have the repairs done. But worse, the kids keep getting away with it. My neighbor was all upset that she has raised 4 men who respect people and their property. Jos told her that has everything to do with her as a real mother and why these kids are causing the problems they do not having one. Do their parents really not care???
Heidi
I feel for you - we also returned from our holiday to discover we had been the victims of vandalism, though on a much smaller scale than your, as a set of pretty white lights we had on our contorted willow had been cut through. We think we know who did it too, but there's nothing to be done - it makes one sad to know there are such people about though...I hope the police will be able to do something about the teenagers - seems ridiculous that the excuse is they need parental 'co-operation'!
ReplyDeletex
It feels like a personal invasion of privacy too, at least it did for me. Our car had the windows broken out while I was at a viewing at a funeral home and my daughter's purse was stolen. It was under the seat and out of sight but the police told us that under the passenger seat is the first place a thief will look for a woman's purse in a parked car as it is the most common place to put it. It cost us several hundred dollars to repair the car. We tracked MALE thief on the internet as he used Brianna's credit cards. We reported all this to the police in Salt Lake. They got surveillance of him using the cards, had pictures, but since he used it in several jurisdictions they wouldn't do anything about it since it wasn't a big enough case. We asked for the video and pictures of the guy but they wouldn't let us have that either. No wonder identity theft is so rampant. Contacted the FBI too and since it was less than a million dollars in damage they wouldn't investigate. Now eight years later she still suffers from this jerk trying to open accounts in her name. Sorry, thanks for letting me vent.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get some satisfaction there somehow and get reimbursement but it sounds like Holland is much the same in this respect to the USA. My heart goes out to you as the victim. Even a small amount of money in repairs can be devastating to someone in today's economic times. I know it would be to us and it was eight years ago.
So sorry about the car. I can't believe that nothing can be done.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you should dig that cute little flower up and bring it into the house in a pot. Sorry about your car. It would be so much better if you could park it in your drive.
ReplyDeleteHope you can get it fixed.
I need to start over and just throw it all out. I have tooooo much junk.
Love you, Mom
Heidi, I'm sorry to hear about your car. We had problems for years--until the kids moved away :(. I am in the process of cleaning each room--every nook and cranny :) until I get it where I want it--most out the door :D . Take care! - Amy
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that you had your car vandalised ~ I can only imagine how upsetting that must have been. I hope you get it sorted soon. Your little flower looks lovely. Take care Marie x
ReplyDeleteThat is so horrible about your car being vandalized. You said the police know who the kids are but can't do anything about it because the parents won't cooperate...you mean, the kids themselves can't be arrested? They can here in the States. Of course, there'd have to be proof of exactly who did the vandalism.
ReplyDeleteOn a happier note, doesn't it feel good to declutter? I've been doing a lot of that, too.
Good for you, wanting to declutter! I try, but find it difficult as I always think I will use this item or that in the future.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad, the escalating crime rate both here in the states, as well as abroad. Sometimes I wonder what our generation did so wrong as parents that our children are such permissive parents to their own kids. Or what my parent's generation did wrong. Of course, it's not as simple as that. The bottom line is that the loss of life and property is staggering, and there seems to be no end to it. I do hope something can be done in your neighborhood.
I am so sorry to read about the vandalism. That just seems to be more and more common. I will join you in your decluttering and simplifying. I think that is a great goal for 2013. Matter of fact, I have already gotten rid of 2 skeins of yarns as I came home from work and found both skeins unwound all over the house. Seems my kittens vandalized my yarn basket!
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your car Heidi it is such a shame for you are a caring person and I know you would never harm anyone.
ReplyDeleteAs for decluttering I have been doing this for nearly a year now, I wrote down a list of all the drawers, cupboards etc around the house and am gradually working my way thru them, it is a lovely feeling to open a cupboard and see instantly what is in it.
Good Luck a€nd do hope the repairs are not so high as you think.
Take care,
Love Hazel c (uk)
Heidi, wat erg dat je auto zo beschadigd is, wij hebben dit jaren geleden ook meegemaakt. Iemand is met een kwast verf langs alle auto's hier in de straat gegaan en die verf was er niet af te halen zonder de auto te beschadigen.
ReplyDeleteOok toen was er geen verzekering die ons financieël tegemoet kwam.
Ik denk dat je mooie plantje het nu erg slecht heeft in deze vrieskou.
Liefs en een warme hug, Bep.