It really has.
I kind of fell off the face of the earth after learning that our youngest daughter has autism and going through all the steps necessary to get her what she needed.
I kind of went through a dark, depressed stage, too. It kind of coincided with the prior.
It took some therapy, great "kick in the pants" books, going back to church, and making the decision that this is no way to live, to get me back on track. I'm still a work in progress, but I've come a long way. All of us in this house have.
I'm happy to report that Audrey, who has gone from Early Intervention programs, is now in the second grade and is an A/B student. She still has difficulty with reading, writing and talking, but she isn't unaware or incapable. She takes ballet and tap which she loves, but it is sometimes a love/hate relationship. There is a lot to remember and do, but when she is happy with it, she lights up and just shines. She is a rock star and never ceases to amaze me.
Her older sister, Charlotte, has been a trooper through much of this. There were many things we didn't do as a family because of the difficulty Audrey had with noises, crowds, change in general, etc. and she had to cope with it. She is also a fantastic kid! All A honor roll since the beginning of all things school, she is also in gifted and talented, takes ballet and hip hop classes and is a junior girl scout. She wants to be a children's book author and illustrator someday.
Gene is still plugging away at writing software and coming up with new programs. He has something really excellent that he is working on at the moment, and it has real potential to be life changing for many. I can't wait to see what happens!
As for me, I'm still taking care of one husband, two girls, two dogs, and two cats. I try to garden (will it ever dry out enough so I can get things planted?), landscape and mow three acres. It's a lot, but my ZTR mower makes it kind of fun, when it isn't a gazillion degrees outside.
I'm also in the process of decluttering and organizing the house.
THIS is a task.
I've never really gotten rid of the kids out grown toys since Audrey was playing with them for so long, but now she is moving into strictly video games (hello, Minecraft!), American Girl, Barbie and some Legos. I'm ready to cull the herd!
In my quest to organize, I've tried a few methods, but nothing was working.
I have since found the KonMari method. I'm hooked!
You can buy a copy HERE.
I just went through all my clothes, and I have purged at least 4 trash bags worth of items.
Per Marie Kondo's method (KonMari is derived from her last and first name combined), I'm only keeping what brings me joy. It's amazing how much stuff I had that I truly didn't love. Lots of tees, old yoga pants, shirts with holes and stains, the dress I bought 3 years ago that still had tags on it, the puffy marshmallow looking pullover that was NOT flattering, a track suit thing that was just sad, shoes that hurt my feet, and many, many more. All going buh bye.
Adios, marshmallow pullover.
A couple of piles of items to consign, give away or toss.
My closet post purge and organizing. Per the KonMari method, I am not storing any off season clothing anymore, except for thermal underwear, mittens and hats for winter, or swimsuits. Everything else is in my closet or drawers where I can see them or use them any day of the year.
My workout clothing drawer (on top) and my tee shirt and legging drawer (on bottom). Notice how they are folded? The KonMari method!
I found many videos on YouTube that taught me how to do the proper method, but this video showed how to do many different kinds of clothing items in one place. KonMari isn't mentioned, but it is the same method.
As you can tell, I'm kind of into this. I've just received the book a couple of days ago and I'm working it as I'm reading it. Marie Kondo has said that no one that she has worked with has ever regressed back to an untidy house after using her method, so I'm all in and I'm going to work it.
