Minimalist

Kind of a big word, with bigger meaning. When we moved from our 5 bedroom home some years ago it was because we were on the way down, sd#1 was almost a senior in high school and sd#2 had only 4 years to go.  Just imagine what buying a 2 bedroom home was going to be like for us. I first approached it as a gift. An opportunity to clean and declutter. We donated several rooms of furniture to the local agencies that helped fire victims, women leaving abusive homes etc. It felt liberating....for awhile. And in just 2 years we'd need a crib for our first amazing grand. Although he and his mom never permanently lived with us, it was quite the revolving door home for the next few years as we'd be blessed with 2 more amazing grands-a girl and another boy. Our house was sometimes busting out at the seams but it was blissful. We cherished our time as we knew they'd grow up and as a close family, that's what we do. It's our belief that the old adage "it takes a village" is so important. That and I'm a bit of a control freak but that's another story.  
In between grandchildren  and their mom's trying to find their independence I've developed quite  the scrap room where I'd sew quilts and dresses for our grand daughter. I'd also scrap 25 years of pictures that I'd captured at various stages in 5 lives. Then I took up knitting and crocheting. By the time sd#2 brought home baby #2, I warned her that there was a chance that a yarn ball or two may land in the bassinet. Or that a ream of fabric could quite possibly be grabbed instead of a blanket. It was at this time that I had to come to terms with reality..  I'm a crafting HOARDER.  I simply can't keep moving stuff from room to room and denying.....I admit that I have an issue. So a few weeks back I began decluttering my craft room which my children affectionately call the CRAProom. It's so not easy but I can do this. With each item that I donate or give away, what goes with it is a sweet memory and the love taken to create something from it. I love the memories and reliving them is so sweet. Ill hold on to a swatch or piece of yarn that holds special memory. 
After my dad passed we cleaned out his house. He had several cloth table cloths from his mom, my grandma. I remember the few times we visited her, she used fabric cloths on her tables...no plastic that could easily be washed with a soaking rag. She used fabric and most likely were gifts or from a good will or salvation army. I brought them all home, hand washed them and hung them to dry. When my hubs commented that it's too bad the few stains didn't come out, I remarked that I'd wanted them to remain. That way all the coffee drip marks and tea bags stains would be in my heart as we now use them. I love how they smell and feel. I have one on daily and YES our crazy grands spill and soil them quickly but they aren't the first and hopefully the last to do so. 
So minimizing is a good thing, but holding onto special items in the process is a VERY very good thing. 
So until next time talk a little like a northerer, catch some memories as you do so.