On Minimalishism

I came across the term 'Minimalish' yesterday. I think that better describes my simplification efforts. I'll never get down to 100 things. I doubt I'll even get down to 1000!

Last week I got rid of two bags of old clothes to Remains.  They were to damaged to go to Goodwill.

Today I am donating 6 bags to Children's Homes Services. They called ME to do a pickup! How did they know???? So it prompted me to get rid of a bunch of stuff that was on my out list, like my old record player (since I got rid of my records, what do I need a record player for?), a backpack carrier someone gave us, stuffed animals with eyes that people gave us for Bea (heeeelloooo?), some clothes she was grown out of, all of our plastic sports bottles (we switched to Siggs two years ago or so) and some other random stuff. It's taking up 1/4 of the front porch! That's a lot of stuff OUT THE DOOR!

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This last week Bea has been so happy. There has been just a big change in her. She is outgoing and exploring more in strange places.

It's been sunny and warm here, and I am sure that is a contributing factor. I am feeling happier, and really hoping we are through the worst of winter. It was a cold one this year.

Wewent to the Botanical Garden on Sunday. Beanie was waving at everything and eerybody - including the plants.  We skipped the indoor orchid show since it was so nice outside. The witch hazels were in bloom - one of my favorite!

Monday we went to Baby Bookworms at the library, and Bea just enjoyed herself! She was trying to get to the book that the librarian was reading and crawling around and interacting with the other babies. She fell asleep in the car, so I went to our large city park to edit while she slept. When she woke up we went to the zoo. We saw the chimps enjoying the sun just like us. But, honestly, I think she likes the Botanical Garden better. She didn't wave at any of the animals. That's my girl!

Tuesday we were walking to the YMCA, but Bea fell asleep in the stroller, so we sat in the park and I read a book on Montessori. When she woke up we went to the playground. I sat her on the gym, and we met a little boy about her age. She also went on the swing.

Wednesday we went to La Leche League meeting. The moms sit in a circle in a church nursery (in the little kiddie chairs, comfortable it is not!). The wee babies stay in mothers' arms, the ones 6 mos + play inside the circle, and the older kids play on the other side of the room where all the toys are. At one point, Bea looked over where the bigger kids were creating mayhem, and I told her *I* wasn't ready for her to go ver there (There's older siblings in the 4-5 age range and they were wound up). But, then again later Bea looked over and tried to exit the circle of chairs, so I let her go. She played over there with many toys quite happily for a good long time. *I* kept looking over my shoulder for her.  I wanted to be sure that the older kids were being careful with a baby over there. Pretty soon, I fear, I won't be able to say she is the baby. She will be one of the rough and tumble toddlers.

I am glad she is feeling more secure and can venture out. This bodes well for me leaving her at the tot watch at the YMCA, so I can go work out.

Today is the last day of her 10th month. It's been a whirlwind. I am happy that she is growing and progressing and learning and changing, but it is happening all a little too fast for this mama.

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As you can see, we've been quite busy with this wonderful weather, hence the lack of posting. Today we will just take a walk around our neighborhood park and maybe play in the front yard. I need to cut back the old perennials, which did not get done int he fall as I usually do. Babies really interrupt gardening...

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Yesterday I had the thought to get the LLL leader training. The leaders of our group are really wonderful and I wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to train with them. One of the places that Triple S is interviewing seems to have less LLL groups. I'll have to research the breastfeeding rates there. It's a more conservative part of the country, so I imagine breastfeeding in public is seriously frowned upon.

I'll have to seriously consider this over the net few days, how it fits into the next year, the next five and after that.