So the expression is that you can eat an elephant one bite at a time.
My elephant is fitting into my house.
This is a two part approach. The first part is reducing the stuff in my house. Ironically, the second part is making the house bigger. This is ironic because dh and I are at a point where most people downsize - all three kids are out or partly out (away at college).
However, family gatherings have always been in another state with parents and grandparents who have huge homes. Two years ago we lost my grandmother. Dh parents plan to move to assisted living in 13 years (or less depending on health). My mother will probably come live with us at some point. Hopefully our kids will marry and have children. There isn't a single room in my house that holds more than 12 people. forget "comfortably", that's standing room.
So we are adding on a great room with a kitchen that holds more than four standing people. after talking to the county engineer we decided the best structural approach was to extend the basement under it. External construction to be completed by winter 2016.
Meanwhile, all the beds have extra blankets because I can't put all the blankets away. There are too many towels. I last had all the books on shelves before the children were born, there is a basket of clean laundry in my bedroom because all the clothing storage is full, and the half of the basement that is going to lose a wall in the first phase of construction looks like an overcrowded, badly planned thrift shop.
I'm accepting that it's going to take two years to eat this elephant. I'm starting with my clothes and the basement. I'm hoping this can be a place to track progress and get encouragement.
Does anyone else have an elephant?