Operation Minimize- Week 50 (1,806- 1,901)

I squeezed some time this weekend to go into our basement and look through a few more boxes to see if I remove the final 206 items from our home to complete my project of removing 2011 items from our house in 2011.

Earlier this year, I donated a lot of CD's that didn't have cases. Yesterday, I finally found a lot of those empty cases, so I was able to throw out a bunch. I was also able to find CD cases with CD's in them and cassette tapes that I'm going to donate to ARC this afternoon.

I also had some items that I needed to return to my ILs that were removed yesterday.

Here is this weekend's update.

Returned to ILs
2 Pans
1 Bowl
1 Lid
1 Outdoor Stove

Donate to ARC
11 CD's
8 Cassette Tapes
1 Cassette Tape Holder

Trash

59 Empty CD Cases
12 Blank Cassette Tapes







96 Items Leaving Our House

That drops me down to 110 items left to remove from the house. I should be able to do that in the next 2 weeks.

Two Black Eyes-- Thanks Samuel!

On Saturday, Samuel was looking out our back window, standing on the couch while I was laying on it. I asked him to come down. He stood up, turned, sat on me and then, flung his head back, straight into my nose. My husband was across the room and could hear the crack. I immediately had one of the worst headaches I have ever had (I'm still feeling it now). Even with ice, the left side of my nose is swollen and today, you can see the start of 2 black eyes.

I don't think it's broken.

Not the best picture, but you can see what's coming.

Someone needs to come up with a human airbag to help save my poor eyes (and my poor nose).

Donations for 2011 Taxes

Since I have been donating a lot of items for my Operation Minimize Project (HERE is where I got the idea) and participating in raising money for charity, I have amassed a lot of receipts for donation items.  I have collected them all and put everything together so that on April 14th we aren't going crazy adding up everything.

Monetary Donations- $490.20
American Cancer Society- $160.20
Team in Training (LLS)- $180
Denver Museum of Nature and Science Membership- $60
Denver Zoo Membership- $90



Goodwill Donations
869 Individual Items- $1,796
ARC Donations
307 Individual Items- $1,103

Book Outlet
53 Individual Items- $71


2011 Total Donations (so far)- $3,460.20Just to let you know, I low balled all of the estimates for the donations. I still have another 200+ items to donate or throw away in the next 4 weeks.

Operation Minimize- Week 48 (1,771- 1,805)

This past weekend I found a few more boxes with items that haven't been touched since we moved it. A lot of people may not have opened the boxes, but since I'm keeping count, I did.

I found a combination of mismatched pint glasses (mostly souvenir glasses) and large Starbucks coffee mugs that we obviously haven't missed over the last 5+ years.

Away they go.

I also found a box with sheets for a full size bed that I haven't owned since 2004. That's another few items out the door to Goodwill.

• 30 Pint Glasses & Coffee Mugs
• 1 Full Size Comforter
• 1 Full Size Fitted Sheet
• 1 Full Size Flat Sheet
• 2 Full Size Pillowcases
• 1 Full Size Bedskirt

I better get on the ball. I only have 4 weeks to get rid of 206 items. That's 7 items a day. I can do that.

Rocky Mountin Toy Train Show

Yesterday, our family went to the Rocky Mountain Toy Train Show at the Denver Merchandise Mart.

When me and my sister were little, my dad bought us a small train set that went around the Christmas tree. Brian also had a bigger, better train set, that's still in his parent's basement.

We knew that, along with his best friend Elmo, Sam was interested in trains (especially Thomas The Tank Engine). We purchased him an adjustable Thomas the Tank Engine engineer's hat, which he promptly threw on the floor. He will love it and never want to take it off within the next few years (I guaranty).

We headed to the show with a couple of our friends that have a 1 year old. She wasn't old enough to fully enjoy the trains, but Sam had a blast. There were trains of all sizes and for some, he was able to get pretty close. One exhibitor even let Sam hit the button to activate the train's whistle.

 

There was also a Santa that didn't charge anything for pictures. Sam wasn't interested (even while holding Daddy's iPhone.

Making a run for it.

Hopefully, Sam lets us get a better picture of him at "Breakfast With Santa" downtown on Saturday.

After the show, we decided to eat at The Red Rooster Cafe, which received 4 stars on Yelp. The review said that they were best know for their breakfasts, but I was in the mood for lunch.

I ordered a chicken sandwich and, by looking at the plate of food that was put before me, you would have thought I ordered the entire chicken. I ate half and still had enough for a full dinner last night.

The sandwich was a good as it was big. If you are ever near 57th & Washington, stop by. I wouldn't make a special trip, but their food is pretty good.

Our Black Friday

My husband, Brian had to work, so me and Samuel went to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. We got there right at 9am (when they open) and it was almost deserted. We went to the T Rex Encounter exhibit. It was really neat. Sam kept a hold of my hand most of the time, but wasn't visibly worried. He definitely liked the triceratops better than the T Rex, but liked the whole thing.

We also visited the Discovery Zone, Wildlife Exhibits, and Space Odyssey. the only bad thing was that, somewhere during the morning, I lost Samuel's jacket. I stopped by the Lost & Found and left a description and my contact information. I hope that someone turns it in.

Here are some photos that I took.

This was Sam's addition.

Fiction VS. Reality and Apple Crinkle

Here is the look that I was hoping for for our first Thanksgiving at home. I also just love the centerpiece that I put together from items that I found while cleaning out our basement.

Of course, with a 2 year old, this won't be the reality. First off, remove the wine glasses. If he gets a hold of anything, my next post will be on Shit My Kids Ruined.

Next, take off the place mats.  Anything that would be on the place mats would end up on the floor. Then, remove the glass plates, the candles and full set of silverware (at least in front of Samuel).

While dreaming of a "perfect" table setting, I have been cooking up a storm. By "storm" I mean that my MIL made a sweet potato casserole that I just had to heat up and I had to cook the 4.5 pound boneless, skinless turkey breast and heat up the veggies.

I also made my Grandmother's Apple Crinkle recipe that will only be passed down within the family. Here are some photos of it's making, but I'll never reveal the recipe.

4 cups of apples, pealed.

I had to use the mortar and pestle to grind up Allspice.

Uncooked oatmeal and a lot of other ingredients.

Here are some other pictures that were taken of Sam today.

Sleeping while Dad and Grandpa walked around Bass Pro Shop

 Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Wordless Wednesday- Another Black Eye

Thank you Samuel!!

Mommy really likes being close to you, but stop getting so close, so fast that you give Mommy a black eye.

Sam Was Hungry

Yesterday morning, Sam and I were playing on the floor and he decided to dive on me, head first with his mouth open. At first it was bleeding. Here is what it looks like this morning.

Queen Bed Set- SOLD!!!

I'm giving up the garage (again) for a good cause. My husband's cousin is going to buy the full bedroom set, including box spring and mattress from us. YEA!!

That means, that the entire set is being moved into our garage so that we can have a clean house for Thanksgiving.

Brian and his dad moving all the
items into the garage. Thanks guys!!

Box spring and mattress off the ground.



This will also count as removing items from our home. 13 Items.

• Queen Size Headboard
• Queen Size Footboard
• Queen Size Mattress
• Queen Size Box Spring
• Queen Size Fitted Sheet
• Queen Size Top Sheet
• Queen Size Bedskirt
• Dresser
• 2 Nightstands
• 2 Lamps
• Bookcase

Along with those items, I was able to donate 47 items to Goodwill and throw out 33 items clogging up our basement.

1,770 Items GONE!!

That still leavs 241 items to go, but when I was in the basement, I found a bunch of pint size glasses that haven't been touched that we can donate and I still need to find my old cassette tapes that should more than make up for the rest of the items need to complete my goal.