Stress

I have often read that by removing clutter one can reduce stress. I am now convinced of that. After having brought home 30 years of teaching materials and books at the end of May (was that really 5 months ago?)and hauled it all down stairs, as of yesterday it has all been sorted, stored or displayed. I did take out a large bag of garbage and have packed up 6 boxes of books to donate to the library for their book sale fund raiser. I also have the hall lined with boxes for Collin and Denise. There are books for Dylan and books to fill up some of the beautiful floor to ceiling bookcases in their new home. The clutter is gone but I will now need to go through many of the things I have stored in the closet and under the bed. Another BIG project will be to organize and put in albums hundreds of photographs--some that were my mom's and some of mine.

It is a cold but beautiful day with the sun glittering on the snow. Collin, Denise and Dylan may stop by to pick up the boxes. I love to watch Dylan grow-there is something new with him every time I see him.

Time to unclutter another room.

Fall in Colorado

After having a tremendous snow storm in much of Colorado one week ago, we are enjoying some beautiful fall days with temperatures in the 70's and 80's. (As proof that it was a big time storm, the schools in Eaton were closed for TWO DAYS!) Ironically I, who love snow and especially love the first snow fall of the year, missed it. The Moody family was enjoying the fog, mist and some rain in Portland, Oregon. Megan hosted Collin, Denise and Dylan from Cheyenne--- Bruce, Joy and Nancy (the dog) from Oceanside ---and me. We all had a great time watching the two cousins, Dylan and Avery, get to know each other. There were times when Avery did not want to share with this little person she had just met for the second time--but as time went by she was won over by the fact that Dylan would not get upset --he would just move on to another toy. Avery discovered that it was more fun to share and play together. One of the cutest things was watching them give each other kisses. They would chase each other and scream with joy and then someone would say "give Avery or give Dylan a kiss" Dylan would turn his head to the side to accommodate Avery. Just too, too, cute!

So with this new found freedom that retirement brings, I have loved being able to work in the garden and yard this fall. When I was teaching there was not time during the week and on the weekend I was trying to catch up in the house or was at school getting ready for the next week. I have raked, pruned, and transplanted. And there is still a lot more to do. On cloudy days I have been sorting through 'stuff'. I have a lot of stuff! I have this problem with not being able to throw away a magazine or newspaper without reading it. And, as Megan knows, there are other organizational situations I need to work on also.

This afternoon I went to a 90th birthday celebration for Eleanor Ambrose was the teacher I was hired to replace 19 years ago. Where has the time gone?