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Friday, July 3, 2009

Day 13-Decluttering Project-Why I Hate Happy Meals...

So I've been moving right along with the de-cluttering. I actually took a few hours the other day to clean out the three bookbags that I often carry with me to ensure that I never miss an opportunity to work on any of the fifteen projects I have going should the spirit move me to do so when I am in transit. I successfully whittled their contents down to where it is contained in one tidy little bag. My shoulder thanks me.

From these:





To this:








It has been a rough week and I have to admit that I didn't spend much time on decluttering due to some personal things that were happening. I did manage to work with my daughter on some of her clutter and that was a major chore. She's five and already she consistently finds ways to avoid working on her room. What we found during the course of this journey into the world of the pre-schooler was that we have way too close a relationship with McDonalds and Burger King. I found an entire box full of those silly little toys that they like to put into their kid's meals to entice children to eat their chicken nuggets and cheeseburgers. Check out this picture:


This tells me that we really need to cut back on the takeout and get her focused on some other things. Granted, it's not like this is a week's worth of toys, but still, I really don't want her collection to grow much past what it already is. She did manage to let go of an entire bag full of toys that she doesn't want anymore. I was proud of her for being willing to let go of it. At least she's on the right track.

While I continue to deal with some emotional clutter, it became increasingly evident to me this week that holding onto things is not a good substitute for growing solid relationships with the people you love. I lost my grandfather this week and he was someone whom I loved very much. I was looking around his house the other day and noticing that he didn't have what I would call a great deal of clutter. He lived very simply and he only seemed to keep things that were functional or had real sentimental value to him. His possessions did not amount to much, but if you knew him, you could tell that he was indeed a wealthy man. Wealthy in a sense that he knew who he was and was comfortable with being that person consistently and without apology. He was a great man and I could take lots of lessons from the way he lived his life. As I continue the process of dis-entrenching myself from this lifestyle I've become reluctantly accustomed to, I will keep this in the back of my mind. I've always known and believed that the stuff isn't what's important, so the sooner I can adhere to my own beliefs, the sooner I will reach my goal of being clutter-free.

Until next time...





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A Little Bit of Mystery: Short Mysteries to Confuse and Amuse

Where I've Been...

Listen to my interview on the Jeffery S. Miller show.

Listen to my interview on Calling All Authors.

Listen to my interview on the Let's Just Talk w/Kathryn Raaker.

Listen to my interview on Radio Free Baxter.

Where I'll Be...

After a short break in the summer, I'll be at the following locations:

8/11/09 Allen Park Public Library, Allen Park, MI 6:30 p.m.

Looking for something entertaining for your library or bookstore patrons? Looking for a fun way to spend a couple of hours? Do you love mysteries? Then you need to schedule a Tea & Mystery event for your library or bookstore! The fee is minimal and the presentation is fun and informative! Attendees will be given the chance to win great prizes and share their thoughts about the mystery genre and their favorite mystery writers!

E-mail me today at lonestoryteller@yahoo.com for details on how to set up your Tea & Mystery event!

Books by Rebecca Benston

Reviews for Rebecca Benston

“You'll find yourself looking forward to more stories from the files of Rona Shively.”

Michelle Shealy, Reviewer for MyShelf.com

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“Rebecca Benston has written a detective with plenty of suspense…I hope there will be a sequel…”

Annick, Reviewer for Euro-Reviews

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“The story is good, the plotting great. Rebecca Benston draws you into the story from the first page. Read the book.”

Lucille P. Robinson, An Alternative Read

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“Rebecca Benston’s twists, turns, and descriptions are utterly engaging.”

Tracy, Fallen Angel Reviews

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“In The Wash is like a 1930’s film noir detective story that had a modern, edgy twist and a female lead.”

Janet Davies, Once Upon a Romance Reviews

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“Under Lock and Key is an enjoyable, fun book! Rona Shively is a delightful character. I loved her off-beat, quirky personality and her outstanding sense of humor.”

Connie Harris, MyShelf.com

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“Talented author Rebecca Benston shows the reader just how complicated life can get suddenly and how people you thought you knew, aren't who you thought they were.”

Anne K. Edwards, Mysteryfiction.net