Deep Cleaning ... Clearing Clutter Creates A Clear Mind

My three imperfectly written books ... they are on record at the Library of Congress, also. I am proud of that. Gloria Faye Brown Bates

I am cleaning the house big time. I have bagged up so much that it filled the pickup bed. We took it to the landfill today.  Amazing ... I didn't feel any regret for not even one thing I threw away.

I keep looking around me ... I love all the extra space getting rid of 'things' gives us. It just feels so good ... I feel less stressed, and less overwhelmed now.  

I still have to go through all of our clothes in the closet, and drawers.  I have to say all my clothes are still 'new' ... and I have a closet full of clothes.  Both Skip and I do.  They are all different sizes. I think it's time to part with all the clothes we'll never wear. Not only that ... it's the same thing with shoes.

Gracious, it's been so long since I've deep-cleaned. Since Skip's strokes, then surgery on his head I have only kept all very neat ... I felt I had an 'organized mess'. No one would see that but, me.

I have taken more sighs of relief than I can count in the past 3 days. Relief, thankful I could let go of things I couldn't let go of in the past. I still have a million things to ... let go of. I will keep going over all ... keep throwing away, taking to the Goodwill. If all the things I've let go of were money, I'd be rich. Alas, I'm not at all ... I've just kept so much from over the years. No more.

Time to rest now ... I can't believe how my back hurts. You would think I would be Superwoman taking care of Skip ... but, I'm not at all. I am smiling here.  

I look forward to relaxing in the near future ... writing again. All the clutter will be gone ... that's what it takes for me to have a clear mind. Oh my, I am looking forward!

Photos Of Tommy ... I Never Knew Existed

 

Photos of my son, Tommy Mitchell Sidden. A friend of his gave me this treasure earlier this year ... 2023. I am so happy to see Photos of Tommy I never knew existed. Thank you to Tommy's special friend. They mean the world to ME.

I Am Crafty, But ... Not Sly

I have been making lanterns, gypsy wagons with cardboard. I put fairy lights in each lantern. When I make anything that Skip loves ... that piece becomes his. I am always honored when he loves my art work.

I painted our 2023 Christmas cards. I used tissue tubes, cardstock to paint Christmas things on. I made Christmas tags to go on presents ... drawing, painting, cutting them.

I made little gnome ornaments with embroidery threads, cardboard ... the hats were fun to make. I was amazed at how pretty they turned out.

Through time I have made dolls with coffee filters ... flowers. I am thinking about doing them again. All comes from my imagination. I have also, drawn, painted pictures on coffee filters.

I work on different things until I become tired of doing the same thing. That's when I switch to something else.

I enjoyed cutting soda cans up ... creating a tractor-trailer, lantern, a chicken, dolls, flowers.

I have made jewelry with beads, wire ... bracelets, necklaces, rings. I made bracelets with wire, threads, pretty fabrics too. I made paper beads. Now ... I want to try paper bracelets ,  rings.

Drawing, painting, cutting out what I've painted .... arranging, 'building' all to make something pretty is fun for me. 

I never know what I will make ... nor do I ever know I am finished with a project until I get that feeling. I make paper dolls, design their clothes ... just whatever I feel.

I tried my hand at making bookmarkers ... some that are magnetic as well as not. I put colorful, pretty tassels on them.

I have been making Christmas wreaths with cardboard ... drawing, painting, cutting leaves, flowers, angels, etc. ... then putting all together. Some wreaths aren't just for Christmas.

I also, love to write. I write so, I can live. Writing is my release from pain, grief, all that stresses ME ... like a boiling teapot on a stove ... it begins whistling, letting off steam ... otherwise pressure begins to build. Writing is my whistle ... my steam.

I do all imperfectly... but ... perfect enough for ME. I call my art work ... Imperfect Doodles by Gloria Faye Brown Bates.  

When I say 'imperfect' ... I say it in a good way. I am just not a professional  ... that let's everyone know I don't try to be what I am not. I do things my way ... Gloria's Way. 🙃🙂🙂❤❤❤❤❤

Photos are of my imperfect art work, owned by ME. All my creations became Christmas presents 🙂🙃🙂❤❤❤❤❤