Free yourself.

At this very moment, I am elbow deep in various kinds of kitchen wares, dishes, cutlery, appliances, food and misc. items that have no business in a kitchen. We just finished painting our kitchen and rearranging some furniture. For about $50 we've done a huge transformation. In the near future are plans to paint our old "european" cupboards. In the long run are a new counter and door, and also a floor, and a new fridge if I'm ever lucky enough to need one ;-)

I am always amazed at the sense of freedom that comes with completely clearing a room out and starting over. You give yourself permission to express yourself, to throw out things that you have kept out of obligation and can now say "it just doesn't go". You rearrange things so that they finally have real function and your room flows and you can just take a deep breath and go "yes, this is how it should be".

We've moved our dishes to our dining room, at a spot that the kids can reach, so they may get their own cups, and bowls. They can also participate in setting the table, and emptying the dishwasher. Our son is very excited about this. We don't realize when we sell them short by not allowing them the freedom to be part of everyday life. Simple acts like letting them reach their own cups give them so much more than the ability to get their own drink.

This is part of the slow transformation of our house, to make it the best it can possibly be. Life is too short to live it cluttered and bound by a home that brings you down. We must uplift ourselves. And it doesn't have to cost a lot, for less than a dinner out in a restaurant (okay a nice restaurant) we have been able to totally change two rooms. Maybe soon we will stop living in chaos (can't have anybody over syndrome) because it will no longer be such an ordeal to put things away or find "homes" for things that just don't belong.