Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Wisconsin Barns and Good Fences

 Barn, Leinenkugel Brewery,
Chippewa Falls, WI

Since this is leap year, which gave us an extra day, I decided to clean out closets and dresser drawers (some, anyway). I never think to take 'Before' photos, and was going to show you some 'After' photos, except for the following:

Our daughter-in-law stopped in and I was so proud of myself for having actually pitched a lot of stuff over the past few days, that I decided to take her on the exciting tour so she could see the efforts of my labors. (Isn't that pathetic!) The only problem is, when we were on the second closet, I started laughing because I realized that to her, it sure looked like a 'Before' closet. LOL  Oh well, we take these things step by step. I promise you, I did actually get rid of a lot of stuff, some of which will be burned, some of which will go to Goodwill. As I already told Sandra (MadSnapper), I even broke down and got rid of the zillion Amazon boxes the UPS man keeps bringing me. He needs to start stalking someone else.

 Fence, Irvine Park
Chippewa Falls, WI

One of our daughters is coming in June to spend a while with us, and she happens to have the middle name 'Spartan.' No kidding, she has NO extra stuff. She missed the hoarding keeping gene. I console myself with the fact that in the movie 'Shadowlands,' even C.S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) admits that he's not good at getting rid of stuff. C.S. Lewis and I relate on so many levels! ;-) Anyway, I'm in good company.  But I am trying to turn over a new leaf and get rid of a lot of the extra. We'll see if the new leaf thrives or shrivels and dies prematurely. Stay tuned...


 Fence at our son's house
Little dogs, now's your chance!
Confuse those big dogs.


What about you? Are you a keeper or a pitcher? Do you have a regular schedule of when to go through and get rid of stuff? Every weekend? Every month? Every spring? Every Leap Year?



Linked to Theresa's Good Fences
and Tom's Barn Collective


P.S. We're going to be gone Thursday through Saturday, so I will be putting both of my shops on hold while we're away. We'll return Saturday night and I hope to get caught up with y'all soon after that. Friday's post is scheduled to publish.

 We're off to visit these little ones!


***

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Eager to see those little Grands,

Judy

49 comments:

Gayle said...

Your post confirms my plans for the day---do at least some decluttering.
Very pretty barn and fence photos.

Deb said...

Love your photos. Oh, look at those two. You're going to have a blast. I'll bet they are just as excited to see you. Have a safe trip and Enjoy. Oh, yes, I keep way too much stuff. ;-)

Elizabethd said...

I'm a keeper with hopeful decluttering tendencies!

Tracy Batchelder said...

There will be no tours of my closets anytime soon. Ha,ha! Enjoy your visit with the grandchildren.

MadSnapper said...

Have fun with the little ones... and a safe trip... my middle name is Spartan and for the first 40 years of my life i made myself and family crazy trying to keep things picked up and neat and in its place . after i married Bob it was either learn to live with a non spartan or divorce... i have in the last 30 years learned those of us who collect and who don't have to get along and there is no way to change a collector to a spartan or vice versa. my mother was a hoarder, a true hoareder, not a collector.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I love the flag on the fence and hydrant. Over the years we have collected many things. But, we are slowly downsizing and Goodwill will be the happy recipent of our old stuff.

Have a great visit with your little ones!

podso said...

Oh have a good time with those precious grands. Good for you on the purging --I don't understand how the "younger generation" can so freely dispose of things. What will be their memory aids? Maybe photos. Anyway cleaning out like you did can really lift the spirits!

21 Wits said...

You know I truly like your first incredible "red barn" wow! Sounds like a happy hectic life, but we do find a way to get our blogging in too! Enjoy your family time and week!

Arlene G said...

I am a Pitcher who would love to be a Spartan. I cannot go to such lengths though because I do have some things I am sentimental about!! Have fun with those sweet babies.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

I'm a hoarder and the Mister is a pitcher. Especially with my stuff! Enjoy your days off. Great pics as always.

Denise said...

enjoy your visit with those cuties.

Theresa said...

I'm a pitcher for the most part but my husband keeps everything. I can't stand paper piles and am constantly trying new ways to control them and make them look neat ;) I recently helped my 89 year old mil go through her stuff and I couldn't believe some of the things we found. I try to remember that when I have trouble getting rid of something. Enjoy your time with your grandkids :)

April said...

Have a wonderful time with your grandbabies, Judy! I absolutely love the barn photo! I'm definitely a pitcher...if it isn't being used, I donate it to GoodWill. Chris is still searching for some of his "favorite" shirts...*wink.

R's Rue said...

Have fun
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

TexWisGirl said...

love the flag on the fence and the shadow shot. what a great barn - and hadn't heard the word leinenkugel in forever. :) enjoy that time!

Linda Kay said...

Hope this is a good weekend trip for you. Have a lovely time!

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
I am a keeper. I am starting to feel the need to downsize. Less is More? ;-)
Have a great weekend!!
Carla

BeachGypsy said...

I'm not only a keeper....I'm a keeper keeper keeper!! Lol

Anonymous said...

I pitch. Moving often as a child, I was never able to keep much. After seeing what my mother-in-law, and then my brother-in-law kept, oh,my...pitch! It can be very hairy for those left to sort and pitch when you are gone!
I love your pictures, always. Hug.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love the barn and fencing. Sadly I'mm a keeper but am pushing myself to be a pitcher! I'd be lucky to do it every leap year....LOL.

Chatty Crone said...

Okay it has been so long since my little ones have been in those sweet pj's and little - they are so cute! Looks like you have a lot of snow too. Have fun on your trip!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

I'm more of pitcher and Grayden is a saver. Opposites attract, right? I can't throw away anything sentimental, though. I try to have at least 2 bags to give Amvets once a month...oh no, they come again tomorrow and I need to go put something into those bags! Enjoy your sweet time with the grands! ♥

Susie said...

Judy, That's a beautiful barn and big ! Going to see the little ones...get lots of hugs and kisses. They look so cute. Blessings to you, xoxo,Susie

Marcia said...

Have been doing the clean out here too and will continue. Clothes I wore when teaching have no use in my closet anymore. I've been retired now almost 6 years. Books have been donated. It's good to do this periodically.

Kelly said...

Oh I feel your pain! I have trouble parting with things too. I have a basement full of stuff that I keep hanging on to "just in case". I need to get rid of at least half of it, but I hate to part with things I still like but just don't have a place for. So, I'll wait for the day that I'm in a purging mood. I don't get rid of things on a regular basis. Just when the mood or need strikes. Have a fun weekend with your grandkids!

Lynne said...

Enjoy every minute with those adorable grands . . .
Don't be too hard on yourself . . .
I keep trying to get rid of, recycle, donate, pitch
BUT it never seems to find an end.
So I don't beat myself up anymore . . .
I just keep cleaning and clearing out . . .
It probably won't ever be completely done
but it will be better than it was six months ago.
Make sense . . .
I have this "collecting gene" down pat!

Christine said...

Good morning, Judy and well done for using the extra day to make a good start on decluttering!
I tend to de-stash now and again i.e. when the mood moves me but I am convinced my hubby is the culprit and would horde - I mean, treasure!, things longer than i would!
Have a blessed time with your precious wee ones and have a safe trip!

Christine said...

PS I meant to say how much I love your header photo and the barns in this post too!

Hootin Anni said...

Enjoy those little ones!!!!

Y'know....when I read your post titles. I'm saying to myself "Wisconsin and barns"....they go hand in hand!!! And, I'm lovin' ALL your photos.

Terri D said...

Enjoy your visit!! Can't wait to see a bunch of new photos of those precious little ones! I am more of a keeper than Joe is and I need to do a purge now. Purges aren't scheduled...just when I get sick of the clutter, which is now. :)

genie said...

Your grand babies are just precious. I would be going to see them, too. I love your story about the Amazon boxes and finally getting rid of them. We have a collection, too. We get so much thru Amazon. The barn and fencing in the snow...and the red fireplug..look so pretty, and I was so happy to see the flat on your son's fence. God bless him. All is well in VA. Three more inches of snow in the forecast for tonight...UGH!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, I love getting rid of stuff! My husband says I'm probably the only woman in the world who gets more excited about getting rid of stuff than getting stuff. I follow the One In/One Out rule, so anytime I get a new item, a similar old item goes out. That way I never need to expand my storage space. My mother was a packrat, and I loved those times when she'd call me over to help her "get organized." Of course, it never stayed that way, but we had fun!

Janey and Co. said...

How can I comment on the fence when I see those darling kiddos?

Elizabeth Edwards said...

oh that sounds fun, to plan ahead and know your daughter is coming to visit in June. i bet you are super excited! i love planning the future fun times. ( :
happy fencing.

Lowcarb team member said...

What a lovely post and your grand-children are just adorable - have a lovely few days.

All the best Jan

Ida said...

Enjoy your time with those adorable kiddos.

I liked your barns and fence shots very much.

I'm more a "keeper" but we seriously need to start pitching stuff.

Ruth Kelly said...

Love your fence shots and little ones always make me smile. Have a good day!

Judy S. said...

Enjoy your family time!!!

Rose said...

Oh, my did your post ever strike a cord or three with me...but before I forget I love that barn!

I had to laugh at you saying your closet looked like a 'before' closet to your daughter....same here. In so many ways. I swear I have gotten rid of stuff to the point I don't know what to get rid of...have taken off bag after bag of stuff, and we don't miss a thing.

And oh, yes, it has happened a couple times that I have got rid of something that we have not used or wanted in years, and turn around and want it shortly after I donate it. But I still don't regret getting rid of it.

And so glad I am not the only one that collects amazon boxes...they are such a nice size. I go through and get rid of them about every three months...give or take a month of two.

Loved this post because it lets me know I am not the only one.

Rose said...

Another thing...have fun with the grands...ours is coming here this weekend. We only have the one but she means the world to us!

Lois said...

You have reminded me that I need to clean out my closets. Have fun with your grandkids. My two oldest live out of town and are spending their spring break with me. My littlest (who is 3) stays with me every day while his parents work. Can't wait to have them altogether again. Oh and I love your pictures, especially the barn!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I'm so glad you are taking off to have some fun...family fun...there's nothing better! Love the fence with the flag and I'm proud of you for Spring cleaning. I need to get busy and do some soon too. And we recycle of lot of those boxes here too! Hugs!

Celestina Marie said...

Love the barns and the flag on the fence. The grands look like they are full of fun. Enjoy family time and have a great weekend ahead. xo

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your visit! We'll be away this weekend. Our daughter says she's going to be 40. I don't believe it. She can't be that old.

Daniela said...

Thanks to you, my dearest one, I'm knowing your State more and more, and I'm falling in love with it !
With so much gratitude I wish you all my best for the weekend to come
sending love and sweet smiles to you
Dany

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Ah enjoy those precious little ones ! :)

Empty Nester said...

I hope you're having a wonderful visit! I have started going through everything as the seasons change (not that they change much around here) and have gotten rid of a lot of stuff. I'll be going through more once school is out. We have a lot of work to do here as my house has started looking like a fixer upper. Oh, if I could only get Chip and Joanna over here. Ha!

Lea said...

I'm a keeper. It is a constant battle with myself to let stuff go.
Have a great week!
Lea

Tom said...

Judy, that's one huge handsome barn, thanks for sharing it this week. I hope that there are a bunch more out there for you to share soon.

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