Home is where your story begins...

We are all moved in to our new place (pictures coming soon) and I have to admit that it is still a little surreal that we no longer live at 3528 South 900 East. After a few days of heavy lifting and moving things in, it was so nice to take a long, hot relaxing soak in our new tub. I had to remind myself that this was okay, that it was my tub now. So weird. But, I am slowly finding places for our stuff: pictures, dishes, furniture, books, etc. It feels more comfortable everyday, and I am feeling more at home. Time to make new memories. Time to add to our story of who we are. Time to find a wall to put my favorite quote on: Home is where your story begins...

I'm Cleansing!

It seems that lately a lot of people are talking about "cleansing" in the context of resetting their metabolism and to help them feel better. I don't know about you, but I really don't like the picture that pops (oops, I almost misspelled that as "poops!") into my head when I hear that phrase in connection to anything to do with a body.

HOWEVER, I love, love, LOVE, that phrase if it involves throwing out stuff! It is so liberating! All the mismatched gloves cluttering up my closet? GONE! Shampoo/condition/lotion/soaps from hotels? GONE! (how come they made it into my home in the first place?) Clothes that I haven't worn in over a year, old crafting projects, home decor that never made it back out after I put it away? If I haven't seen it or used it in over a year, it is GONZO, baby!

And one of the best parts about this type of cleansing? Finding someone who treasures my trove of junk. Giving it to them with many healthy and happy returns. My mom adores the silver trays and water pitchers that have not seen the light of day in 25 years (please mom, take them, sell them, shine them up and keep them...I don't care what you do with them, just take them out of my house!) My sister, Jackie, was ecstatic to add more "Willow Tree" figurines to her growing collection. Jody always needs extra "throw away" towels in her pottery making adventures. Kelsey and Covey will hopefully make a killing at a garage sale next week off of all of the "stuff" we are donating to their money making efforts.

I want to live lighter, and surround myself with the things that I truly love and find comfort in. Sometimes those things are fleeting, such as a whimsical Halloween decoration that makes me laugh. Sometimes they have sentimental value that no one else understands. Most of the time they are treasures we have picked up in our travels, favorite books I have read, a cozy blanket, a picture of the Savior. Now, if I can just get Steve to get rid of even a few of his MANY bicycle jerseys/shorts...

Changes

As I have watched the mountainside by my home slowly change it's dress from a deep green to the brisk and crisp colors of autumn, I can't help but contemplate the changes occurring around me and in my life. I have felt the changes in myself, the yearning to stretch and grow and rearrange. Shake things up a bit. I've been platinum blonde and a very deep dark brown, short hair, medium length, long. I've done the baby thing, the toddler thing, Primary, elementary school and PTA thing. High school, collage applications, sports games, music lessons, Young Women. A wedding. I am heating up, ready to burst forth with new efforts, new adventures, new trials and new happiness.

I am changing, and my family is changing. Daughters are growing up, expressing themselves, stretching their wings, learning to compromise and learning to live with another. We swap recipes, listen to big grown up problems (theirs and my own), talk frankly about s-e-x. I am interested in holding babies again, and look forward to a grandma-sized play room. I've raised my children for 15 safe, wonderful years in a home that we have redone, changed, given a new personality to.

It's time to move on.

It's exciting and scary and exhilarating all at the same time. New beginning. New colors, new look, new people, new experiences.

And a grandma-sized playroom under the stairs.