the clanking of crystal, explosions off in the distance

So, for our first "New Year's" resolution, Erik and I are doing a bit of de-cluttering.  Mostly clothes and shoes, but also anything else that we are hanging on to for no particular reason.  We got a lot done when we moved, but we still feel like we have a lot left that's just doing nothing for us and could maybe be used by someone else.

One reason this sounds so appealing to me, is my friend Heidi's new and very inspiring website.  Heidi is a friend from Truman, who I was an SA with... she's since moved back to Germany and lives and works there with her husband.  She's super stylish and is putting her aesthetic eye to good use.

The website is called www.closetpeek.com and the basic idea is that she's pared down her closet and is attempting to make a full year without buying tons of new clothes or accessories and without mindlessly repeating the same old uniform outfit everyday.  Also, you can vote on your favorite items and she'll incorporate them as many different ways as she can.  This is something I could never do, but I'm just so interested in actually trying to look timeless and yet trendy without buying junk  Who isn't? 

Anyway, the BEST part of the website is the cause!  Heidi's host sister from back in the day has been working with an orphanage in Haiti since before the earthquake and now more than ever, they need help.  Visitors to the website can make donations, but also, Heidi is putting her closet contents and outfits up there for public viewing, because anything she buys, she has to match, money-wise, with a donation to the Haiti Mission Project.

I highly encourage you to visit the website and pass the information along to your friends... I just think it's such a good concept!  Doing more with less and trying to help others in the process.  Lovely, isn't it?

Have a wonderful new year, pray for us that we don't get lost under piles of our junk and that our stuff can make other people very happy or warm.  Also, if anyone is themselves thinking of de-cluttering, of say, a car or fat stacks of money or a fold out couch... we're game ! :)

Also, in another seasonally-applicable parallel between the Delta and Brazil... Fireworks are a big thing for New Year's Eve.  Allegedly, in Brazil, you could potentially get shot while all the fireworks are going off and the sound of a gun shot could be lost in the commotion ...and some missionaries may or may not have slept on the floor that night just for self-preservation's sake.  Just throwing that out there.  I'll be sure to call you Sunday morning, Mom!