Spring Cleaning

Since it is now March and the warm weather of Spring is on its way and summer is not far behind I feel the need to clear out the clutter. Last weekend I spent part of Sunday cleaning out Sophia's closets and drawers of all the fall/winter clothes and the clothes that no longer fit her. It made me kind of sad because some of the first things we bought for her while we were waiting for her and things we bought for her in China no longer fit and have to be put away. The closet looks bare now but I guess that is a good reason to go shopping for some new things for her. She is growing so fast and getting so tall that a shopping trip is not far off, I think . We are going to be home bound this weekend so we are going to make good use of the time. Riz plans on sprucing up the yard and cleaning the Attic while I Spring Cleaning the house and start to make piles for a Yard Sale, E-Bay, and Good Will. I really hate to have a Yard sale because they are so much work but it is a must some times. There just comes a point when you have to get rid of things that are just taking up space. I am going to start selling on E-Bay but have not gotten around to doing that yet. I need to clear through things first get organized and decide what will go on E-Bay and what is really more Yard Sale worthy. There are some things that just really need to go to Good Will from the beginning and I have a pile for that too... I have a HUGE collection of Precious Moments that I am going to be parting with. I will list those here before I put them on e-Bay.I have to get a handle on what I have first. So if you are a collector or know a collector please feel free to contact me. I want to have all of this done so that I can have the Yard Sale by March 21st and begin E-baying (is that a verb?) soon after that. I am hoping to make a little extra vacation money but my real goal is to get rid of things, to simplify, to reduce....

I have been scouring the Internet for ideas to clean our house with out harsh chemicals. I am looking for those ideas that your "Grandma/Aunt/Mom used to clean things. I found a few good websites with ideas but I would love to hear from you all too. I am also looking for ways to organize our home and our life so send me your ideas on that too.

My favorite Magazine is Real Simple so you would think I would be a pro at this by now.. but Nope ... I tend to read the articles look at all the pretty pictures then it goes in my huge stack of magazines never to be seen again until i do this once a year de-clutter LOL I need help....