A pirate’s gotta do what a pirate’s gotta do. And sometimes a pirate needs to sit in her pink comfy chair and sharpen a pencil. Don’t question it—just go with it.

I keep meaning to write about the internal changes (within me) that occurred due to other internal changes (within the house). In prepping our house for sale, we threw a lot of stuff away. A lot. Some of you know just how much stuff we had acquired over the past 10 years because you help me spend hours upon hours sorting and throwing and donating. I am grateful for all that help! I feel so liberated by getting rid of the piles and boxes and stuffed closetfuls that owned me. Because I was just a few steps away from being cast on Hoarders, I didn’t know what I had and where it was. That Modge Podge that I know I picked up recently? Could be in the craft armoire. Could be in the craft boxes in the basement. Could be in the bottom drawer of the bureau I never use. Go figure. I hated that. And now I feel so free from it.

Tonight, my pirate and I prepped her room for new Christmas toys. It’s taken seven years, my friends, but the day has finally come where Livia wants to let other kids love on a few toys and babies. We organized four bags for the City Mission, one bag of dress up clothes for a little friend, and one super heavy bag that went straight for the trash. For the first time ever, I feel prepared to let new toys enter our house. Yay!