It's Good To Be Queen

Energy

2012-06-03T17:10:00.001-07:00

If you have followed my blog for a while you know that back in 2010 I went back to school to become a massage therapist. One of the classes that enticed me into taking the master body worker program was the Eastern Paradigm. This is Eastern modalities that deal with acupressure and energy work. It was during this class that I was introduced to Reiki and chakra's. Soon after graduating and getting my license I decided to take the Reiki class becoming a Reiki Master. It is a wonderful gift that I enjoy.

In the last part of last year there was a class offered Chakra Alignment by my Reiki Master Jimmy, who was also one of my instructors at the massage school. I have been wanting to take the class but it never seemed the timing was right. Finally this past Saturday I was able to take it. I mailed in my payment last month so I would make sure to get it in. The class was very small, informative and a lot of fun. It was somewhat of a review of what I had learned in school but in greater detail. I won't go into a long explanation of what chakra's are and what goes on in a session. Some people think it is a bunch of hooey and some call it voodoo. All I know is I have seen and felt it work. I am lucky enough to have experiences in this life that some may not have. I try to be open minded to things. Anyway we each received beautiful stones & pendulum to help us with our sessions in healing.

Each stone is for the individual chakra's I think they are just beautiful. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Request In Comment Section

2012-05-29T12:06:00.001-07:00

On Saturday May 26Th I posted about the Bountiful Baskets and my sweet friend Megan requested that I post about what I will be using all the veggies and fruit . I will do my best with this.
I serve at least 2 veggies with dinner, cooked or raw depending on what we are having. Trying to add more colors to get the maximum of all the nutrients into my families diet.
I have made a huge salad with the lettuce. I chop it, put it in a salad spinner and then add all the goodies to it. I place it in the refrigerator with a moist paper towel and cover with foil. It will last for almost a week this way. If I want it to last longer I would leave out all the added goodies (nuts, cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs). Also since this is a darker green leaf lettuce I will also use these in my juice.
Oranges I like chilled, skin cleaned off and then cut in sections in the fridge for snacks or put on the table for lunches & dinner.
The cantaloupe cut up and ready to eat. Same with the pineapple.
Pineapple is great in smoothies or use them with Hawaiian Haystacks.
I use at least 2 apples a day in my juice, plus snacking on.
The artichokes will be boiled and eaten with dinner, dipped into some butter with a little garlic. Cooked and put on pizza or added to pasta .
Orange peppers are so yummy to be grilled, chopped and added to omelets, or my favorite is just cut up with a little salt and dipped into ranch. I have some pre-cut for the week for snacking on. You could also stuff these with a meatloaf filling and cook. Alan doesn't like peppers so I don't make them for us.
Potatoes will be used for home made fries. 1 potato per person is usually enough. Cut up in to wedges, dredge in oil, placed on a cooking sheet season or salt very well then cook at 450 for about 35 min. or more till done to your liking.
I cooked up some of the corn for our cook-out on Memorial Day. I will be grilling the rest for dinner this week.
Tomatoes I LOVE! I enjoy adding these to sandwiches when I have them, slicing them for salad, you can hallow these out saving the insides, make a chicken salad, add the insides to it and stuff the tomatoes with it. YUMMY! I like sliced tomato with a little sea salt and just munch on for a snack.
I know this is a lot of basic things but I love having the fresh veggies and fruit.
I have cut WAY back on having pre-made snack garbage in my house with more fruits and veggies. The family is getting use to having to make things to eat instead of just getting something from a box then being hungry 10 to 15 min. later.
All of these micro nutrients that are in the fruit and veggies are so important.
I suggest of those who have Netflix watching Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. It is a great documentary. Now I am not a vegan but I am limiting my meat intake upping my veggies and fruit to a good portion of my daily intake.
If anyone has any question, thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear from you. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Letting Go

2012-05-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Since I have been getting rid of, clearing out and disowning I think I am ready to make another decision in my changing of life style. For those of you who know me very well I feel into the habit of sweat pants,

charcoal grey T-shirt,

not just any one mind you but men's T-shirts for almost everyday wear.Not attractive at all. Other than work, going out on a date or someplace that I feel I need to look a little better this is what I wear.

I just ran across an article here on the blog The Glamorous Housewife and she was taking from a post from the blog Super Kawaii Mama called "Why Do Women Let Themselves Go?" PLEASE go over and read these articles, they are very good and a wake up call to me.

Talk about an eye opener for me. I use to love fashion, I still do but I don't practice what I know. Not a lot of you know I have a degree in Fashion Merchandising. I use to live and breath fashion. I was fashionable until I had my first beautiful child Coco. For some reason after this I fell into the routine of not dressing up or at least looking good very often other than the above mentioned times. I have always worn make-up because I honestly look much better with color on my face and I enjoy doing my make-up.

Back in 2009 I had dropped a good amount of weight and I was doing better on dressing nicer.This was due to I was working out regularly, eating good and I felt good about myself. I felt like I could wear more of the cute things and get away with it. Now that I am bigger by about 30 pounds more there is so much I don't like about my body that I feel there is no way I can be in fashion. So what do I do? Went back to my everyday drab colors and clothes.

I think I am ready to let go of this. Fact: I am not at the size I would like to be. Fact: I am not working out like I would like to work out. Fact: I am tired of looking like this, feeling like this and it is truly time for a change.

It will be a gradual change. I don't have the money at this time for a new wardrobe and with my minimalism attitude I don't want to acquire a lot of clothes. But one piece at a time and only getting what fits me, makes me feel pretty and I feel good in will be purchased. I will look for deals and get the best deal I can but go for quality instead of thinking well this will do.

I will also have to get rid of the idea that just because I am bigger than I want to be doesn't mean that I can't be stylish and look good.

I am continuing to eat healthier, make better choices, exercise and get rid of negative things in my life to better it and make it simple.

Any ideas, suggestions or thoughts I would love to hear. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Bountiful Baskets

2012-05-26T16:12:00.001-07:00

Have you heard of Bountiful Baskets? It is a food co-op that you order on Tuesday then later in the week it is delivered to a location where you go to pick it up. In our situation it is at our park in our community.

The baskets contain 50% fruit & 50% vegetables and it is 100% yummy! The price is reasonable and it is actually kind of fun because you never know exactly what you will be getting. So what I do is after I pick up my basket (or in this case we bought 2) I take it home, go through it and then decide what meal it will be used for on the menu. Of course there is usually plenty for snacking. Being that we are trying to eat less process foods this is perfect for us.

This is the basket that I took and filled up plus I had a large reusable shopping bag with items in it.

Doesn't this just scream fun? I am a little weird and think it does.

Yummy corn for Mondays cook out

Navel oranges, pineapples, cantaloupe, 2 bags of Fuji apples and bananas

Tomatoes

Artichokes and orange peppers

2 heads of lettuce

and last but not least potatoes

So happy with all the great foods we got today. I brought it home made my list and prepped a bunch for meal and snacking .

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

I've Come A Long Way Baby

2012-05-23T12:31:00.001-07:00

Yes I've come a long way baby in just almost a months time. I have been clearing clutter, dis-owning things and enjoying the freedom of all of this. I still have so far to go but I feel I have made a great dent in my minimalism journey.

Looking back on a few key areas

Went from this

To this

Now this no longer exists.

This scary mess

To this

This pantry full of canned processed stuff

To this and then

To this. There are still cans in here but slowly I am getting rid of them

Glad to have the open spaces and knowing that I am feeding my family with a healthier choice.

Slow and steady is working out well.

What have you been up to lately? Would love to hear from you.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Induction to National Junior Honor Society

2012-05-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

This year Faith was invited to join the National Junior Honor Society. So she filled out the paper work, got recommends from 3 of her teachers and after them going over all the paperwork and such was excepted. Last night we went to the induction ceremony for the new members. This is Faith getting her spot on stage.

Faith is at the far right bottom row & third in.

Faith looking very happy

After the ceremony Alan took us out to dinner to The Olive Garden to celebrate. The food was so yummy and we all had a good time.

I had to get a picture of Faith when we got home. I think she looks so pretty and we are very proud of her. She is an amazing person who is as beautiful on the inside as out.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo (proud mamma!)

What's Cookin?

2012-05-19T19:20:00.002-07:00

Today was a fun and busy day. I must say I enjoyed it so much. Being at home and not really having to be anywhere was really nice. I woke before 5 and did a distant Reiki session. Then I got ready for the day.

I worked in the garden and look what I pulled out! They are so chubby

What do you do when you A LOT of broccoli? Well of course you make cheese and broccoli soup. It is so yummy. I also made a broccoli salad that I didn't take a picture of.

I swear Coco (our oldest) and I are on the same wave length in our thinking. She and I had been reading the blog Money Saving Mom. She has a fill your freezer in a month cooking segments going and I was thinking that was something I should do. I use to do a lot of freezer meals. Funny thing is Coco was thinking the same thing. So today I got started on it. I made Freezer Waffles. Hoping this will get kiddos to eat breakfast instead of skipping it.

This is the waffles in my maker.

Waffles on the cooling wrap

I used wax paper and have two waffles per piece to keep them from freezing together.

This is all the waffles I made today. I then placed them in a Rubbermaid container that is almost like a basket (Sorry no picture of it) and placed it in the freezer.

And another satisfied kiddo. Faith came home from her first baby-siting job and said the waffles smelled so yummy. So I let her have one before she left for her second job.

I then decided to make homemade yogurt. With trying to eat healthy and avoiding the additives I thought this would be a great thing that we all love to eat. So this is the yogurt in the making process in the crock-pot

The crock -pot is hiding under the towel. It must be shy! Actually you are suppose to keep it well insulated for 8 hours so this is where it will sit till tomorrow morning. I haven't made yogurt in over 2 years it is great to get back to the basics of yumminess.

And that is what I got cooked up for today. I am working on this weeks menu and will be doing some more cooking this week to put in the freezer.

Now I am off to get dinner ready for tonight. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

In 20 min. & Update

2012-05-19T06:55:00.002-07:00

Thursday evening everyone was gone. I hadn't been alone in the house for a while. So what do I do in my alone time?
Well I organized kitchen drawers.

This is the way the drawer started out. Not too bad ....

This is how it ended up. I moved things around in several drawers and made homes for things that I use. The other items are being donated. Letting go of the great chef & dinner entertainer that I held on to for so long felt good. Yes I enjoy cooking but I don't need all of the tools that I had. The items in the drawer were in a chicken canister that was on the counter top.

Better don't you think?

This is the next drawer. Much messier.

And after.

Just when you think it couldn't get any worse well check out this one.

This isn't suppose to be a junk drawer although it holds some odds and ends.

I think this is way better and more efficient.

Very happy with the results. But there is so much more to do.

Sorry about the quality of the pictures they are from my phone but, hey at least I remembered to take them.

Now update on my workout. I have been faithful getting my workout in. Feeling good and enjoying the increase in the energy already. Amazing!

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Letting GO

2012-05-16T16:48:00.002-07:00

WARNING: This post is a little more serious that what you are use to from me!
I have been going on a lot about de-cluttering and letting go of things. It is a slow process but so worth the feelings I am having.
I've also been thinking about all the things that I am still holding on to in my life. These are not material things but experiences, anger, disappointments, emotions that are doing me no good what so ever. I need to work on these things to get them out of my life forever.
As I have been working on slowly changing my eating habits, eliminating processed foods, fast food and pre-made garbage in my life I am feeling better but not losing weight as I had hoped to.
I know back in 2009 I worked my but off literally to lose weight and I was getting into shape and feeling good about myself. Long story short I decided to go back to school full time, Gabby went into the hospital, life got way too crazy. Then this past year I had been working, had several surgeries and procedures that put me out of commission and I still don't feel like I have gotten all my strength back from those.
So now the work begins.
The work I am starting needs to continue for the rest of my life. I can't stop this time. I know all the above mentioned of the emotions and such all need to be taken care of and dealt with. I know as a healer I need to be at peace to help others to heal or they can feel it in your touch and mannerism.
My 1) goal as of starting tomorrow is to get back on the proverbial horse or in this case the treadmill. I am starting out slow due to it has been a long time since I have worked out. This is so sad to say but I am keeping it really folks.
2) practice meditation daily
3) incorporate yoga into my week maybe just 2 times this week and adding on to this
4) deal with issues that have been eating at me or I have been eating because of
5) make me a priority in my day every day

I will follow up and let you all know how things are going. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Orchestra Concert

2012-05-14T20:30:00.002-07:00

Tonight Faith had her orchestra concert at her school. Faith has been playing the violin for over 3 years now. She has made such a dramatic improvement even from her last concert before Christmas.

Sorry for the quality of the photos it is hard to get close to the stage for pictures.

Faith is the one that is closest in the picture (on stage)

Faith concentrating during her performance

Their last song was called Night of the zombies and in one part of it Faith got to scream. It was funny and she did a great scream that was super high pitched.

So glad Faith has taken an interest in the violin.

I enjoy beautiful music and admire those who can play an instrument well.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Clutter + Clutter + Clutter= Not Able to Think

2012-05-14T12:10:00.003-07:00

I read and wanted to share a great article over at MindBodyGreen. It talks about so many of the reasons that I decided to become a minimalist. I agree with so much of the points that is brings out and I am noticing that I am starting to see a difference in how I am feeling on a daily basis as more of the STUFF is taken away, donated, thrown away. Take a minute or two and check it out and let me know your thoughts. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Mother's Day

2012-05-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

I had asked for a chicken coop for Mother's Day this year. Since Alan has been busy with work and then having to work on his truck it just wasn't going to happen. Since I have decided to become a minimalist he didn't want to buy me anything that would add clutter and honestly I couldn't think of anything. I thought it was sweet of him to think of this in the first place. I am slowly bringing him over to the DE-CLUTTERED side.

So he thought what would I like?...... To be with all of my kiddos. So we all met at Woods Canyon Lake (about 2 hours away from our home) and had a wonderful cookout after church.

The last family picture we had was supposedly professional (ha ha) was when Coco was pregnant with Naima. Well she is now 2 but I wanted something right now since we have added our sweet daughter in love , Sara to the family, Naima and now Coco is almost ready to have another daughter Kylia . Coco was sweet enough to set up the timer on her camera for the pictures.

This is our family.

Starting from the right: Me, Naima (2) Gabby (11) Alan, E'lyse (16), Faith (13), Dallas (19) Sara,

Talmage (4), Kyle and last but certainly not least Coco (Kylia in her tummy :) )

Another

Look to the left.....

Goofy faces ....

The end!!! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Saturday De-Clutter

2012-05-14T09:56:00.000-07:00

I like to make lists. Unfortunately I don't always feel like doing what is on them. My list for Saturday was a very detailed list to clean the master bedroom and bathroom along with de-cluttering. I woke up at 5 and got ready for the day. I knew I had to pick up my order from Bountiful Baskets to get my yummy fruit and veggies for this week. I then worked on putting mulch on my garden. Went for the basket at 7 then back to work around the house some more. Well plans went from the TO DO LIST to what was really bothering me. Guess what ? I forgot to take before pictures of the garage. I spent many hours cleaning the garage. Dallas had brought over 6 Rubbermaid containers full of items to store at our house until he and Sara get their own place. Since I had so many shelves emptied from last weeks haul to donate I put them on the shelves. It looks so much better, although I was enjoying seeing the empty shelves.

I got rid of 4 large size Rubbermaid totes of craft supplies and material. Felt SOOOOOO good to let go.

In between helping Alan work on his truck . He is under there but you can't see him. I was working the jack and probably annoying him. he he

I started working on the kitchen area a little more. I read an article on the blog Minimalist At Home about clearing the clutter from your counters. This got me motivated to do something about ours. It is no fun to cook if there is no space and you feel crowded.

Below is the left side counter top Before:

After.... ahhhhh

Right side of counter top Before: ( I must say I don't like having appliances on my counters but due to the other things taking up space in the cupboards there was no space for them.)

After: .....ahhhhhhh I placed the toaster in the cabinet below. It is used maybe once a week and I don't like it being up there so it found a new home. The mixer was put in another cupboard with my baking pans and Bosch mixer.

Then to start attacking the upper cupboards Before:

After.......ahhhhhhh Look even an empty 1/2 shelf on top

Spice cupboard before:

This is the items I had taken out before I remembered to take the picture.

After......ahhhhhhhhh

I had so many doubles of spices & herbs that were un-open so I gave those to Dallas & Sara.

The items on the second shelf are pulled to the front due to I am vertically challenged. This way I can reach them easily.

Even though it started out with things not from my to do list I got a lot accomplished and very happy with the results.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Mormon Prom Night

2012-05-13T07:13:00.003-07:00

As you might remember this post from my blog about three weeks ago Mormon Blog E'lyse was asked to the prom and said yes. Last night was the big night E'lyse was excited about the night.

My talented friend, Amy who does my hair did E'lyse s hair and make up

Front view(E'lyse wasn't thrilled about me taking pictures of her)

Side view

And back view

Here is Geordan and E'lyse getting ready to leave.

He brought her a corsage with fresh flowers, so pretty.

Being goofy

Another one

I told them to look cute and this is what I got.

Small Things

2012-05-12T12:30:00.001-07:00

Some days it is the small things that count. This is a filling cabinet in a closet that we keep our safe on.

I kept looking at this and thinking I really need to organize that and put things where they belong. So yesterday I finally did it.

Before:

After: Much better

Gabby was a little not so entertained on Thursday night. Her BFF couldn't hang out. Gabby wanted to do scary make overs. So this is what she came up with.

Her Father wasn't to pleased about it. he he

It is kind of creepy and so not her personality.

By the way the chain end is shoved up her nose and she is holding the other part in her mouth with the other end tucked behind her ear. Hmmm not sure what to make of this look.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Hanging Clothes

2012-05-10T12:26:00.001-07:00

When I got up this morning I had a list of things to get done today. I am still in the throws of that list but I looked in my closet and felt like there was still too many clothes that I don't love or wear hanging on my side of the closet. So I did what any person that is on a major minamalization kick would do. I went through my clothes and asked myself as I looked at them: Do I love it? Does it fit? When did I wear it last? Then as I went along I started tossing things into a donation box for Goodwill.

This is what I ended up with.

Left to right of my closet 2 sets of clothes for work (2 shirts & 2 pants), 3 cami's (white, tan and gray)

Charcoal T-shirts (4 short sleeves and 1 long sleeve) these I wear daily. Boring I know but that is how I roll.

Then I have 5 dress blouses for church or dates, 3 dresses, 1 nightgown, 1 pretty nighty, 1 set of P.J's. then skirts. I have a lot of skirts that I might still pair down in the future but I am not ready to do so right now.

I then loaded up the car to take a load to Goodwill while I was out running errands. Of course I forgot to take pictures but I had a trunk full and then 3 items in side on the back seat.

It felt good to donate these items they weren't beautiful to me cluttering my house/garage and they were no longer useful to me so good bye to the items.

Well off to my to do list I am knocking off the items quickly today.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Clear It Out

2012-05-08T21:41:00.001-07:00

So I have been gradually working on clearing out my emails. Yes 5 emails! That is FIVE different emails that I was checking almost daily. I narrowed it down to 3 now, personal one, my business one and my Google ON SNAP I just remember one that I never check. Holy cow!! I will get rid of that one too. How embarrassing is that?

I also have been unsubscribing from site, blogs and other such things that fill up my email to over 200 daily. Now it is much better to go check email and it get's cleaned out quickly. Happy dance over here.

This morning I thought of an area that I don't look at too often and that is in our T.V. cabinet. There are doors on the bottom half that are closed a majority of the time but I know that even though you can't see it, it is still there taking up energy from our home. So I pulled over a box that I got from the Pet Club that they were happy to let me take and talk to the girls about what games they like & played with.

This is the cabinet when I first opened the doors

SCARY!

And after! Much better.

I was reading about getting rid of your VHS videos and player but we still use and watch the movies

and I don't have the financing at this time to get the movies on DVD so I am keeping the VHS movies that we love and watch for now.

Considering my day was a little busy I was pleased with getting this done. I had a girls camp certification to do with the Beehives and Mimaids in our ward. There was 17 girls and 5 leaders. It was fun, nosy and I am so glad to check that off my list today too!

On Sunday E'lyse, Faith and Gabby made red velvet cakes from scratch and decorated them.

I am not sure who's cake is who's I just know that the pictures where on my camera when I loaded this on to my computer tonight.

They are so pretty! At Fry's they have this amazingly terrible for you great tasting icing for .99 cents with a Fry's card and they girls were so excited to get to use them for other than squirting them into their mouths.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Goodbye Tomato Stuff

2012-05-07T09:53:00.003-07:00

Over the weekend I was reading articles and blogs and came across this article 7 Foods That Even Food Safety Experts Won't Eat on the blog ecokaren Smart Ideas For Green Living and Handmade Life. Well this morning I got rid of my canned tomato items.
Guess what I forgot to take pictures again! Snap! Sorry!!
So not worth keeping them and I like cooking from scratch most of the time anyway. So now you know why the post title is what it is. No I am not donating them.
What is your victory for the day? Small or big I would love to hear what you have going! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Quote

2012-05-05T17:29:00.001-07:00

“Any half-awake materialist well knows – that which you hold holds you.”

from Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins, 1980

Take My Clutter Away

2012-05-04T13:16:00.000-07:00

So it is Friday and it has been a long week of a lot of waiting. I am not a patient person and my family can verify that fact.

This morning I got tired of looking at the mess our garage that I have made due to the minimalism journey I am on.

This is the back of my van. These boxes are full of books that I am taking to

Half Price books to sell. I still have some more shelves I need to go through in the house but I have always loved books and so this is a big step for me to let go of these.

I went into my closet this morning and saw this box that has been under my clothes for a while. Obviously due to the embedded ring on the carpet to the left of it.

Anyway I was reading an article on a blog yesterday about getting rid of clothes that you are hanging on to for "SOMEDAY". You know that some day when you wear that size again, some day when that comes back in style again." Well I got rid of my someday things today

This is the bag of the "someday" things that I got rid of.

Feels so good to empty out a container that you don't have to look at to remind you of that "fantasy you ".

More talk about the "Fantasy You"

I had read a blog post (I wish I could remember what blog it was to give credit where credit is do) that was talking about letting go of the fantasy you. The post spoke to me so clearly that I thought the writer was talking to me directly. You know the you that you thought you would be! Still confused let me clarify. One Fantasy Me was the great chef. So I bought all these amazing cooking gadgets, pans and tools to cook with. Yes I have to admit I am a good cook but I don't use have the stuff I bought or have.

The Fantasy You fitness buff: the weights, the yoga mat, the gabillion DVD's, the treadmill that collects dust in the garage or you hang clothes from.

Or the Fashion Diva Fantasy You: Great clothing that is form fitting, shoes & purses to match each outfit, along with the costume jewelry to got with each outfit.

How do I know about these ones? Well guess what they were the Fantasy Me but NO MORE!!!
I am who I am and I am loving being simple and getting clutter free. Mentally, physically, and even Spiritually.

It is feel great and I still have so much to do.

I then loaded things into the back seat of the car

closer look of what was on the floor board

I had already packed up stuff in the trunk of the car.

I should have taken a picture of all the stuff in the garage before I took it out but once I got started I didn't want to stop the flow of energy on putting it in.

Gabby and I then drove to Goodwill and dropped off the items for some other people to buy, use and hopefully love.

So much more I want to go through but I must get other things done in my life but there will be more.

If you are inspired or have something you want to share I would love to hear from you.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Quote

2012-05-02T18:31:00.005-07:00

Read this on the blog "Becoming Minimalist" and love it. I will be using this repeatedly as I go through every nook and cranny of our house inside and out!

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. — William Morris

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Food Declutter

2012-05-02T18:10:00.000-07:00

Minimalism has been on my mind a lot lately. Not only because I talk with Coco about it , not because I read about it, but because I am seeing a difference in not having some of the clutter that I did 3 weeks ago.

Now my garage looks like I am the biggest hoarder in the world. (I will post a picture before I start donating things just for you).

I have so far 6 fruit boxes full of books that I am taking to Half Price Books to sell and many more on the way.

I have been busy with work and life in general but this has been the main thing that is on my mind.

Not only am I thinking of physical clutter but also mental clutter and my bodies physical clutter.

So after this thought what do you think it is time to do but DE-CLUTTER and minimize what I can do when I can do it !

Boring food containers

Well there is a closet that is under our stairs that Kyle first claimed to be his room when he saw our house for the first time because it reminded him of Harry Potter.
Before we moved in Alan had shelves put in to each of the closets for me for extra storage. I love our house but never has had enough storage until this amazing minimizing. I truly think that sometime in the near future there will be more than enough storage space in our beautiful home.
Boring food containers NO MORE!
Avery company has labels in all shapes and sized you can print on your computer.
I just love these. Sorry the picture is so dark. But you can see the labels have made it easy to spot what I want in the closet.

A little pretty touch for the laundry room

Pretty laundry soap container . Much prettier than that ugly bucket you see to the left of it.
Makes me smile when I see it.

When I started labeling things this past week my kiddos were getting a little concerned that I was going to start labeling them.

After a lot of discussions with Coco and reading on blogs of all the different additives in food to give it a longer shelf life. It has really started to gross me out. Plus with trying to clear out the physical body clutter I don't want all this garbage going into my body or my families.
I am steering towards a whole foods eating way.
After a couple days of working on clearing out the 4 closets that were used as pantries this is what I have so far.
Picture #1

Closer view of picture #1

Picture #3

All of this is stored in Dallas's old room for right now.

I was going to donate this to our church but when I told Dallas and Sara about it they said they would take it all. Being newlyweds with tight finances I can understand this. So glad it will go to a home that needs it.

Someday I will get them on the healthier band wagon too. But for now I need to work on those that live in the same house as me.

This is the closet under the stairs. Still has some work to be done but this is a slow process at times.

As you will notice I do have a good bit of food storage. I have been the canning specialist in the past 4 words I have lived in so I try to practice what I preach. he he

Pantry in the kitchen. True not all the canned items are gone. As I said this is a very slow process I need to ease the family into.

Hallway closet.

Another dark picture (sorry) this is the closet in Dallas's room The hanging area is in front of all these cans.

This is more of our food storage. I am done clearing this area I just need to dust up a little bit more.

This is the top part to the above mentioned closet. These are our sleeping bags and Dallas's emergency back pack. I haven't gone through these yet but it is certainly on my list.

I don't like the sleeping bags out with the rest of the camping items due to spider or bug factor. Personally it creeps me out!

So this is where I am at so far. I will try to remember to take pictures are blog a little more frequently to keep you up to date.

Feels good to get rid of stuff!

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Mormon Prom Invite

2012-05-02T14:58:00.001-07:00

One day while E'lyse was at school her guy friend Geordan came over with his Mom and decorated (or should I say made a mess with Sweedish Fish and this sweet poster.

There was fish EVERYWHERE! It was so fun.

Geordan had called the night before asking permission from Alan and I to ask her to the LDS or Mormon Prom of course we said yes he is a very nice young man.

This is the poster that was on her bed

This is just a little chunk of the floor that was covered. They were all over her book shelves, in the closet and everywhere they landed. Too fun!!

So then of course E'lyse had to give her answer. So Monday she went his house.

She made this poster & a giant fish bowl full of what else but gold fishes.

So there on the yellow fish is her answer to him.

So E'lyse has been looking for a dress to wear and is so excited to go.
There will be pictures to follow of this special occasion.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Sara's Birthday

2012-05-02T14:31:00.003-07:00

Our new daughter in love Sara had her 20Th Birthday on April 16Th. Due to the craziness of getting ready for her and Dallas's wedding we put off her Birthday dinner till this past Sunday night.

Dallas, Sara and E'lyse lighting the candles.

Sara patiently waiting........still lighting them

She finally got to blow out the candles after a really bad rendition of Happy Birthday by our off key family. Then a picture of our newest family tradition of shoving all the candles in your mouth.

CUTE!

Great picture with the thumbs up. Ya done good there Sara!!

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Special Day

2012-05-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

On May 20Th, 2012 our son Dallas married his sweetheart Sara Palmer.

The wedding was planned in 5 short weeks and came together so well.

It was beautiful. The bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome and we had fun.

Sara & Dallas's hands.

You can't tell in this picture but Dallas's wedding band is camouflage. ( I borrowed these pictures from the photographer, Coco my oldest daughter).

Mr. & Mrs. Dallas & Sara Nichols

Dallas's grooms men from L to R: Chord, JoJo, Talmage (ringbearer), Dallas, Brandon, Dusty and Kyle

Sara & Dallas right after the ceremony

The wedding colors were yellow and blue. The evening was beautiful weather, yummy food and a lot of great friends and family came to show their love and support to this wonderful couple.

So happy for them and Dallas is truly happy and that makes him Mom very, very happy.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

( P.S. When I get pictures that are in color I will post them. )