Organization Challenge

Hi all :)  Well we are STILL waiting our orders to move to our dream home.  In the meantime, however, I am taking advantage of this time to organize and declutter.... aka purge!  How in the world do we accumulate so much STUFF?  There are some things I am OCD about keeping organized, such as my herb shelf.  Other things, not so much!

 

Anyways, a Farmgirl Sister from MaryJanesFarm has a four week declutter a room challenge.  I'm just now jumping aboard, and thought some of you might want to do the same.  You can read more about Marsha's challenge over at Markets of Sunshine.  She actually is on week three now, but it is never too late to join in the fun... like I said, I am only just beginning myself!

There are three areas I should probably seriously look to downsize that are "mine" (as opposed to toys or things of that nature)... fabric (GASP, shudder at the thought), books (I think my oldest would shed for real tears!), and kitchen gadgets.  Honestly, I think the latter would be the easiest, and ironically the kitchen is where I spend most of my time... well other than teaching the children ;)

Part of my fabric... Anyone want any Disney fabrics???

Here is part of our books....

Yup... time to Declutter.... So what will we do with all the stuff we are getting rid of?  Most of you know us well enough to know we will donate it!  There is a great ReStore here locally, as well as Goodwill.  There are also many needy families in the area, especially younger military families!  Anyone else want to join the challenge?

Santee Indian Mound & Fort Watson - Field Trip

One gorgeous day, our family headed to Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

A few years ago, the children and I had made the trip out there, but Brad had been unable to join us.  Wanting him to have the opportunity to experience the history and beauty of the area, we were thrilled he had this chance to go with us this time!  We started in the Visitor Center.  Here they have lots of information, as well as exhibits that are realistic of what may be seen in the area.

We then drove down to the Indian Mound.  The Indian Mound served as a ceremonial site and burial ground for the Santee Indians.  It is believed to be at least a thousand years old.  In the late 1700s, during the Revolutionary War, however, the mound was used as a British outpost they called Fort Watson.  This was an ideal spot as it looked down the Santee River as well as the road to Charleston.  General Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion and his troops, along with others, forced the surrender of Fort Watson in 1781.  It was the first British fort to fall!

After looking over the mound, we headed back to the car for a quick lunch and then off for our hike.  At the visitor center, we checked out a backpack with a pair of binoculars and scavenger hunt sheets.  The children were quite excited to see tracks as we walked, to watch the squirrels, the ducks, and the insects, while checking things off their list.  One thing I will miss from this area are the cypress knees!  I just find them to be such an amazing testimony to God's love and attention for His creation!

For those in the area, this really is a peaceful, low pressure field trip that our children absolutely love!!!  It is a great combination of both history and science, a win-win in our book!