throwing out 50 things

so with my free time at work, i like to read articles on line about home organization and decluttering. and i came across this book called 'throw out 50 things.' i forgot the author's name but i thought it sounded interesting so i started reading it at a bookstore during my lunch break. and i found the website when i got home, it's called throwoutfifitythings.com or something. if you look up that phrase in google, it's the first site that comes up. i thought it was interesting because on the web page the author has a downloadable workbook where you can type in all the 50 things you threw out individually, as a long list. this helps you to feel lighter at the end of the process when you see how much you were able to let go of and let out of your life. so i decided to try this. so far i have thrown out (or will give to my mom to donate) 15 things. here's my list so far:

My Throw-Outs-
1.old photos
2.black and white earrings (unwanted gift)
3.Peace sign earrings (unwanted gift)
4.Light pink bracelet- out of style
5.Wings of joy book
6.witch in every woman book
7.old ratty pashmina
8.old computer‘s drivers
9.relaxation book
10.ugly kitchen tablecloth that I never liked
11.Old, stained placemats
12.clothes I got tired of/don‘t fit
13.wireless router
14.old wallet
15. deck of 'uno' cards

in the process i found:

-an extra package of band aids that i will bring to the office for paper cuts. i bought a new pack for home without realizing i already had one!

-my alarm clock manual which i really needed to figure out why the alarm wouldn't go off. i finally fixed it

-a bottle of prescription medication that i used to use but still hasn't expired so it will save me money. i don't have to refill the one i have for a while

-the installation CDs for Microsoft works suite from my old computer, which i need to install onto my new computer. yes!

-a small empty box to use for jewelry storage in my dresser drawer

-lots of products that i've bought over the years to attempt to straighten my hair. have to try to let some of these go

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i also read a feng shui article about being aware of the first thing you see at you enter your home. as that is the thing that 'greets' you and any guests you have as soon as you arrive. i realized that this thing for me was the garbage can and recycling bag in my kitchen! i sure am tired of seeing that as soon as i open the door to my apartment. so i moved some things around under my sink and put the garbage can in there, and also put the bag with the recyclables behind my table and out of site. and it's nice to see more of the floor and now i can properly get to mopping it.

as i was throwing out the garbage i came across this single rose just lying across from the garbage cans on a neighbor's ledge at the side of their yard. i felt like it was so out of place and had to go back and photograph it. i wish i could be one of those people who keeps a cool photo blog. there are so many times when i wish i had my camera, and things just end up going unnoticed. and i just take a mental picture of them for myself.