Stuff

Those of you who know me well know that I love things to be uncluttered and organized. Not perfect, but fairly clean and simplified. Y'know, where everything has a home, stuff isn't just shoved into closets, etc.

I don't know why, but even though the town house we live in technically has more square footage than our home in Indiana, I have had a heck of a time feeling settled and organized in this "house." (Maybe because I had more closets in Indiana?)

So, during this pregnancy, my nesting urges have really kicked in. For months now I've been on a steady pace, tackling various drawers, cupboards, closets, and shelves. I love the feeling when I get one done, but lately it's been feeling like I've hardly made a dent.

Then there's Christmas. For the past couple of years my mom and I have been expressing that we want to downsize the amount of gifts given. And I think we both made a concerted effort this year. She even had me do some of her shopping for her, so I can't complain--and the kids got things they can definitely use and be creative with, too. But somehow, when we arrived home yesterday after spending Christmas with my family in Waconia, I still couldn't believe the amount of stuff we came home with! The amount seems equal to the last four of my Goodwill donations combined!

I feel like I know most of the tricks...rotate toys, keep an ongoing Goodwill box handy (I do--and it fills often), sort toys into piles of "keep, throw, sell," lay out all the ______ (purses, stuffed animals, or whatever) and tell the kids they can choose a certain amount to keep, adopt the policy "for everything that comes in, something goes out," etc. etc.

So what am I missing? Why do I always feel like there's too much stuff? (Now, mind you, I did not feel this way at our house in Indiana.) What are your secrets for simplifying your stuff--especially on the kid front?