pack rat

I am moving, once again. I have moved pretty much once a year since I started college ten years ago. You'd think, that after this many moves, I would have stream-lined the process and simplified my life. That is not so. My last move (a year ago) was perhaps my largest move yet--in the fact that I filled an entire 15-foot UHaul truck. Wow. How do I accumulate so much stuff?

I have about two weeks until this move will be finalized. So my main goal right now is to simplify.

Simplicity.

According to Leonardo da Vinci, "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." I think he was a pretty smart guy. And I think I could use a little more sophistication/simplicity in my life.

I have always been a pack rat. Even as a child, I saved, hoarded, stored, and treasured junk. Why? I have been blown away by the things I have found in my room. I am finally retiring a certain gray cardigan to DI. This particular cardigan was worn in my junior yearbook photo in high school. It is missing half the buttons. I haven't worn it in at least six years. Yet somehow, this item has made the cut over and over again as I've attempted to clean out my closet many times in the past.

But this time, with this move, I'm determined to truly simplify!

I have been posting and selling unwanted items on the KSL classified ads. Wow! What a great tool that is! I have sold a loveseat, an old TV, and an old camera so far. I have more items to go! How convenient it is to just have someone come to my door, hand me cash, and take my junk away for me. I now have a testimony of KSL classified ads. I'm a believer.

I will be spending every spare moment in the next couple of weeks cleaning, de-cluttering, packing, selling junk, and making DI runs. Whew. But it'll feel so good to have less stuff, right?

45 simple truths

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11 . Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry
13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion.
Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29 What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

grammar snob

So, I am a self-admitted grammar snob. I cannot stand commonly accepted mistakes such as the improper use of too/to/two, their/they're/there, and, perhaps worst of all, your/you're. I know that I am also capable of typos. I make mistakes too. But I still hate it when people consistently make the same mistakes. Didn't we learn these fundamentals in elementary school?

My co-worker and I often forward each other bad emails that we receive from other office-mates. We all too often mock those who are not as grammatically smart as us. I know, I know...it's rather mean of me. But poor word usage is one of my biggest pet peeves.

Recently, my grammatically wise co-worker sent me a link to this blog. I enjoyed it immensely. If you've ever had a grammar-related pet peeve, I think you'll love this too!