Getting the hang of becoming a minimalist.

     Last weekend was only the beginning. I feel like something has been set free inside of me. All of this stuff!!! and I mean STUFF!!!! that I have been hanging onto for no reason. I spent most of this weekend laying low but this morning decided to get back into the spare bedroom and start going through boxes and getting things put back in the trunk.
    I had ordered these bags that you hook up to your vaccum and they shrink everything down to a small size. I wanted to give them a try with all the large blankets and pillows I washed last weekend. After that I just couldn't stop. I found this box that was all taped up and I had no clue what was inside of it. Once the tape was off, I had to roll my eyes and say, "What was I thinking putting all this stuff in a box and not sorting out way back when?".
     I have to say this whole minimalization process hasn't been the easiest on the emotions. A couple of weeks ago when I first started the throwing out of boxed I came across a box with all the letters that my ex-husband had ever written me. I will admit I still haven't done anything with these. I shuved them away in a trunk and will deal with them later. I guess I just wasn't strong enough on that day to get rid of them. Over the last couple of years whenever I find something of his I have been destroying/throwing out/donating it/ just plain getting rid of it. This is what I have had to do to remain saine. He was lucky in the fact that he got to walk away and start fresh without any memories, he left everything with me.
     Today, in that box all taped up, I found his old tin box. The one he use to keep anything and everything that meant anything to him since he was a boy. In there was every note I had written him while we were in highschool. I stared down at it and wondered what do I do with this? Stupidly I called him and left a message on his machine. He actually called me back. I told him and he remembered the tin I was talking about and said he was sorry that I was dealing with all this and finding all these memories during my spring cleaning but that he had to go because he can't walk in uniform while talking on the phone. He is very good at making sure there isn't much time for us to talk when he calls.
     After taking down the two bags of garbage I compiled (one from everyday use and one from the spare room of crap I have collected over the years), the recycle-able plastics and the again boxes/ paper recycle-ables I have collected over the years, I text messaged him and asked, " What do I do with them now?"

I continued to clean for a little while and after about 30 minutes of no response I realized, he really doesn't care, I really don't care and shouldn't care. Neither of us have seen those notes since before we were in the Army. I went for the healthiest answer I could come up with.....

      I shredded them!!! And the tin, it goes into the donation bin that gets dropped off tomorrow. I have another Ikea bag plus some random items in my trunk that wouldn't fit in the bag that need to be dropped off tomorrow. I tell you I am getting really good at this.

      I know that I am not finished yet, but here is just a glimpse of the progress. This is just one of the closets. It use to be crammed packed full of stuff. Now I don't have near enough stuff to ever dream of filling it. Oh and I haven't even touched the other two cabnets yet. If you look at the bottem of the picture you can see the schrinking bag thing. Believe it or not, that thing has a king size comforter, a queen size comforter, three normal blankets, 2 pillows and couple of randoms in there. I KNOW!!!! And it is shrunk down to ittty bitty.

      As I have said before, I still have a ways to go. But that spare room is getting more and more empty and the cabnets are not getting full, so that is a good sign. I think this is going to be a very good new beginning for me.

The beginning of #29 Getting rid of old things in boxes that I don't use/need/want anymore

    This weekend I had four days off from work. I figured it was the perfect oppertunity to get started on going through and cleaning the blankets I want to keep and getting rid of things I am holding onto for who knows why.
    When I first had the problem with the mold in the entry way I had housing get in contact with my landlord. He requested that I take everything out of the trunk so he could move it away from the wall a couple of inches in order to create ventilation room. This also gave me reason to start this project.
     For some reason I have been keeping every box that I get anything in. So for starts I collapsed and recycled two blue recycling bins of boxes. There were boxes from old cell phones, from hard drives, amazon.com, you name it, if it came to me in a box I still had the box.
     Then I found an entire foot locker of an ex's old clothes. Why am I still storing this stuff? I folded all the clothes, sorted out the socks and underwear and took them to the donation center. The socks and underwear got thrown away.
     In the fashion of spring cleaning, I rounded up my down douvet, the pillow top for my bed, all the pillows in my house, and the king size comforter I have decided to keep, and took them to the laundry mat for cleaning.
     While sorting through my linens I decided I don't need my deployment twin size sheets anymore. Therefore the sheets and their matching pillowcases were folded up and taken to the donation center along with the ex's clothes.
      This was one days work. I still have a lot more to do. I have another load that needs to go to the donation center. I have found an old toaster that works but I won't use again. A couple of camera cases for cameras I don't have anymore, a laptop bag for a laptop that I don't have anymore, and a few other odds and ends. I am quite sure that there will be more as I go through the rest of the trunks as well. What I really need to do is the painful part. Start on my closet. There are so many articles in there that I haven't worn in forever and I know I will never wear them again, but you know how hard it is to get rid of clothes. I just need to buckle down and do it.
    What really sucks to think is just when I am done doing all of this here in Germany and getting down to a minimized state here, I will move back to the states and pick up all of my stuff that my parents have been storing for me. That will be another monster to go through and tackle since I haven't seemed to throw anything away ever in my life.
     I will get there though. I make this promise to myself. I will be clutter free!

Top 100 of the Internet Movie Data Base

So, it isn't like I thought that this was set in stone. I knew that the list would change, I just didn't think it would change on a daily basis. I am torn as to how to go about completing this task. Should I make a set list on one date and stick to that list or be flexible and watch the flims until Ifinish my 1001 days. If I go all the way out to 1001 I may end up watching 2001 films.I have only had 1 that I have watched so far fall off, but then again, I have had 2 that I have already watched been added. So, I am not totally sure how to go about this. Maybe I should make a claus like a, I can change up to 10 of the films on the list as they change over the time it takes me to complete the goal. That way if there are films that I am having a difficult time finding I can switch them out with other films that come onto the the list. That is what I willl do. I will publish my list today, here. And then from now, I am allowed 10 changes from the list as they change in the future.

1. 9.1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
2. 9.1 The Godfather (1972) 
3. 9.0 The Godfather: Part II (1974)
4. 8.9 Pulp Fiction (1994)
5. 8.8 Schindler's List (1993)
6. 8.8 12 Angry Men (1957)
7. 8.8 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
8. 8.8 Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
9. 8.8 The Dark Knight (2008)
10. 8.8 The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) 
11. 8.8 Star Wars (1977)
12. 8.7 Casablanca (1942) 
13. 8.7 Goodfellas (1990)
14. 8.7 Fight Club (1999)
15. 8.7 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
16. 8.7 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
17. 8.7 Rear Window (1954)
18. 8.7 The Usual Suspects (1995)
19. 8.7 Psycho (1960)
20. 8.6 The Silence of the Lambs (1991) 
21. 8.6 The Matrix (1999)
22. 8.6 Se7en (1995)
23. 8.6 Memento (2000) 
24. 8.6 It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
25. 8.6 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) 
26. 8.6 Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)
27. 8.6 Sunset Blvd. (1950)
28. 8.6 North by Northwest (1959)
29. 8.6 Citizen Kane (1941)
30. 8.6 Léon (1994)
31. 8.6 Apocalypse Now (1979)
32. 8.5 American Beauty (1999)
33. 8.5 Forrest Gump (1994)
34. 8.5 American History X (1998)
35. 8.5 Taxi Driver (1976) 
36. 8.5 Vertigo (1958)
37. 8.5 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
38. 8.5 Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
39. 8.5 Alien (1979)
40. 8.5 WALL·E (2008)
41. 8.5 Saving Private Ryan (1998)
42. 8.5 A Clockwork Orange (1971)
43. 8.5 The Shining (1980)
44. 8.4 Paths of Glory (1957) 
45. 8.4 The Departed (2006)
46. 8.4 The Pianist (2002)
47. 8.4 To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
48. 8.4 Aliens (1986)
49. 8.4 Double Indemnity (1944)
50. 8.4 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
51. 8.4 Chinatown (1974)
52. 8.4 Requiem for a Dream (2000) 
53. 8.4 The Third Man (1949)
54. 8.4 L.A. Confidential (1997)
55. 8.4 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
56. 8.4 Das Boot (1981)
57. 8.4 The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
58. 8.4 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
59. 8.4 City Lights (1931)
60. 8.4 Avatar (2009) 
61. 8.4 El laberinto del fauno (2006)
62. 8.4 The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
63. 8.4 Inglourious Basterds (2009)
64. 8.3 Raging Bull (1980)
65. 8.3 The Prestige (2006) 
66. 8.3 Up (2009)
67. 8.3 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
68. 8.3 Singin' in the Rain (1952)
69. 8.3 Back to the Future (1985)
70. 8.3 Modern Times (1936)
71. 8.3 Some Like It Hot (1959)
72. 8.3 Amadeus (1984)
73. 8.3 Full Metal Jacket (1987)
74. 8.3 The Maltese Falcon (1941)
75. 8.3 Braveheart (1995)
76. 8.3 Gran Torino (2008)
77. 8.3 Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988)
78. 8.3 Once Upon a Time in America (1984)
79. 8.3 All About Eve (1950)
80. 8.3 Metropolis (1927)
81. 8.3 The Green Mile (1999)
82. 8.3 Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
83. 8.3 The Elephant Man (1980)
84. 8.3 Sin City (2005)
85. 8.3 The Great Dictator (1940)
86. 8.3 Rebecca (1940)
87. 8.3 The Apartment (1960)
88. 8.3 The Sting (1973)
89. 8.3 Gladiator (2000)
90. 8.3 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
91. 8.3 The Great Escape (1963)
92. 8.3 Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
93 8.3 Ladri di biciclette (1948)
94. 8.3 Unforgiven (1992)
95. 8.3 Batman Begins (2005)
96. 8.3 Jaws (1975)
97. 8.2 Blade Runner (1982)
98. 8.2 Hotel Rwanda (2004)
99. 8.2 Die Hard (1988)
100. 8.2 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) \

So this is my list. I have watched 31 as of now and so far I can tell why some of these have made the list. I am not sure as to why some of the more recent films are on the list but they are okay I guess. I have to admitt I am not a fan of the lord of the rings trilogy but I guess they are not for everyone. I have already edited the original imbd to illiminate the films that are not translated into English. There were about 10 films on the top 100 that were only offered in German, Italian or Japanese. They didn't even offer English subtitles. These films I removed from my list and added the next films that were on the list in their place. I have kept the foreign films that are offered with subtitles or are translated into English. I have had the oppertunity to watch two such films so far and both have been very well produced. So cheers and onto another film!

Julia Child's Coq au Vin

Learning to cook better has been a goal of mine for a while now. I started off learning Italian recipes. But since I have started the 101 list I am switiching to French recipes from Julia Child's cook book. My first meal to conquer was Coq au Vin. It was a great deal of fun to make. Required a LOT of alcohol.1/4 cup of Cognac and 3 cups Chianti. I had half a bottle of Chianti myself while preparing the meal. I haven't ever lit a dish on fire before so that was definately an adventure. I had a picture of water standing closely by to ensure that I didn't burn the kitchen down. If you look closely in the picture you can see the flames.

It took a lot longer to prepare than the book said it would but the next day I took it to work and had a couple of people try it with me. Everyone agreed. It was very good. Not sure when I will try the next recipe it might be a couple of weeks. I am sure the next recipe will be just as exciting to make. Most of her recipes look like there seems to be a twist to them.   

Frustration with #38

   I thought I had everything all clear and ready to go. I am use to getting some push back when I want to do things and then people telling me, no I'm sorry because you have MS you can't do this or that. But, I had my paperwork in hand and I was ready to go. I printed off the policy from the Red Cross saying that they had lifted the ban on donors with MS back in May of 2007 and off I went to the local blood drive.
   Silly me, I forgot. This is the Military. We have our own rules that don't follow any guidelines that the rest of the world follow. So after about an hour of screening and asking questions the big one finally was asked. And I was ready. I said, I am being seen for MS. Then when she went to look in her big book of referals I pulled out the policy letter and she said, "Well good for the Red Cross, but the Military still has a ban on MS donors."
   Isn't that just peachy! I will still make this goal, I will just have to wait until I can get back stateside and go to an official Red Cross to donate.

#89 and #98

# 89  Learning to Ski and # 98 Visiting Switzerland I knocked out together.

  Some dear friends; Tim, Donna and John, came over from England and we all met up with Will down at his place in Switzerland. They made the long drive while I decided to be lazy and take the train.
  It was a wonderful weekend of Wills outstanding cooking, alcoholic beverages, good friends, too many laughs and a few strange stories. There was a rather bad bathroom incident but it ended with meeting a very talented artist who works as a plumber for a day job.
   On the slopes I had a few falls. My one major fall I blame on a child that came barrelling down the mountain and rather than take him out I cut too sharply and landed with my legs spread wide and toes pointed away from eachother. Not the most comfortable of positions. Head first into the snow.
  But in true fashion we made up for the cold by warming up with spirits that evening. I can't wait to make my next trip down to visit.

Disgusting Cleaning day

Lately I have noticed a funny, well gross smell coming from the corner closet in my entry way. This is where I store everything. This trunk covers two walls in the front room both walls are about 10 feet long. So today I decided to take the middle back walls out to see what was back there that was smelling. What did I find?
BLACK MOLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is so gross. Smells horrible not to mention is really bad for your health. This isn't the first time I have had a problem with blak mold in this apartment. My landlord is a total flake and doesn't keep up the building. Not to mention I don't even have a phone number where I can reach him in a situation like this.
   So I spent the greater part of this morning scrubbing the mold off the back of the cabnets and then bleaching then before re-asembling them. Uggghhh it is was very gross. I think there may still be some behind the panels to the right that I didn't take the time to take down. These have shelves and a lot more involved in taking it apart. I am hoping that I got the most of it. I took pictures and plan on turning them into post housing and into legal.
    On to my next topic. I finished the Lord of the Rings Trilogy tonight. I had wondered why this was on so many peoples list of 101 things to do. I now know why. Every single one of them was a stretch to stay awake during. I do not get the fascination with this series. Give me Harry Potter or Star Wars any day. But I stuck to myy guns and finally made it through.
    Update on the pups. They are doing very well. Eating like little hogs. Specially one of the boys, everytime I check on them he is eating so I expect him to be big and fat. They are all very sweet and are finally letting Lexi get some rest. Fritz is definitely jealous of all the attention that Lexi and the puppies get. Everytime I go into their room to check on them he starts whining. I think he misses Lexi. I tried letting him near the puppies but Lexi wouldn't have it. Maybe in a week she will be more leniant.

Puppies are here!

   Last night at 1900 Lexi gave birth to the first puppy. It is a boy. She instantly took to the mothering. She is doing so much better than she did with her first pregnancy. Then about 40 minutes later came another Boy. He was a bit bigger and gave her some troubles but turned out to be a healthy bith as well. And finally our little girl just couldn't wait any longer. She just pushed her way through not giving Lexi much of a break at all.

   All three came out crying like little mice. No they don't bark when they are first born. They squeal like mice.   

    I called everyone who needed to be updated on the arrival of the pups. First of course was Kris as she we wish she could have been with us for the birth. She helped with the birth of Princess the Lexi's first puppy and now the owner of Princess. After I called the family that will be adopting one of the pups so the children could hear the pups sqealing. The children were very excited and can't wait for next weekend to come so they can come visit the pups. And the final call is to my mother to let her know that yet again she is a grandmother to more dogs. She keeps her hopes up that one of these days I will grow up settle down find a nice man and start a family of my own with human children. But for now she is happy with her four legged grand children.   Lexi is doing so well with the puppies that

    I only had to get up twice last evening to assist with the nursing. By the time I left for work this morning all three were sucking like champs and hopefully will let Lexi get some sleep today. I know she has to be tired.

   For me, I am very glad that it is the weekend so I can keep 24 hour watch on Lexi and the pups. Making sure that everything goes alright. These first few days are the most crucial. But Lexi is doing such an amazing job with the puppies I know that they are in much better paws with her than in my hands.

    As for any plans for the weekend. I have rented movies. So my couch and I are going to have some bonding time. :D

A long Week

I almost can remember Monday....hmmmm hold on, let me think for a minute. Nope, totally forgot it. Was completely exhausted I know that had to work late and the rest is history. So, lets get into the stuff that might interest someone.

Tuesday, I had made plans to go visit a friend but they were put on hold when Lexi's (my female Maltese) temperature dropped. A little background knowledge. Lexi is pregnant. And the pups are due in the next week. Tuesday would have been 3 days early, NOT good. But her temp dropped so I canceled plans and prepped for doggie delivery. We were up all night long in false labor. About every hour she would wake up start panting and then go back to sleep. Come Wednesday morning her temperature was back up to normal. Woo Hoo for me. I got no sleep that night.

Work wasn't too horrendous. I was able to cut out most of the afternoon. My hooptie (Dodge) had been in the shop but needed to be re-registerd so I went to pick that up and got that all taken care of. Then because I noticed I was having difficulties turning left in my new car (Volvo C70) I decided to drop by the dealership. Turns out one of the hoses had a leak. Making my power steering go out. So, now the Volvo is in the shop and I am driving the Dodge.

Made another round of the White wine Salmon last night. Only this time I used Eiswein. Which is really a dessert wine that is made from frozen grapes. It turned out very well.

And finally onto this morning. Lexi!!!! Her temperature has dropped AGAIN! So, we will see. She is closer to her due date this time so I may be up all night delivering puppies tonight. If so, tomorrows blog (if I am awake enough to write) should have an interesting twist.