Some day Izzy will tell that story to her college roommates, they will respond with praise for how awesome you are, and she will realize how fortunate she is. You went to all that effort, out of love. . She will come home and for no reason, will find herself giving you a big hug or doing something that she knows will just make you happy....out of love. I taught college public speaking for over 40 years and this is the kind of story that a student would choose to tell with a big smile on their face. Disney was seldom as memorable or interesting.
I dunno. I still get mad (18 years after it happened) when I remember Grandpa pretending to take us fishing without letting us in on the fact that it was only pretend and that because we only had toy fishing rods we wouldn't catch anything. If I had been in on it being a game I could have enjoyed it more. Instead I remember trying so hard to sit still, being frustrated at my little brother for not sitting still, all in the hopes of catching a fish that was never going to bite anyway....
Michelle B, I totally hear you, my treadmill has retired to the basement, a place I never set foot in anymore. I believe it now has garden tools and other assorted (crap) treasures, stacked or hanging from/on it! YIKES, did I actually admit that?
When my now adult children were very young, the "Easter Bunny" left flour and powder sugar hopping paw prints all over our livingroom and kitchen.....like alllllll over......including up onto the couch, on counters, on the table, etc. The paw prints led out the door and down the driveway. Instead of the magical wonder I thought they would react with, they were SO MAD the bunny had left such a mess! They immediately grabbed their toy vacuums, baby wipes, and towels to clean up the paw prints. They totally forgot all about their baskets, too! Haha, it's still adorable to think about it now and I felt really guilty at the time! Ahhhh kids are precious!
Oh my WORD!!! You emptied your underwear drawer to help us! You just raised the stakes for lengths you'd go to help others. Had it been up to me, ya'll all would have been left to figure it out alone!
You should totally wear the leather jacket even if it's just to run an errand or something someday for fun! My friend always is saying that people have clothes of the absolutely love and then they never wear them but what if we wore those fancy clothes that we absolutely love it and everyday life instead of saving them for the "right" occasion.
This should apply not only to clothes, but to almost everything in our lives. We never know what's going to happen in the future. I thoroughly enjoy using every day a type of antique glasses that I collected for years. It just makes me happy!
I'm the oldest of 3 and my Mom had me believing in a certain 'annual toy-bringer' until I was 12 when my teacher announced to the class he wasn't real. I fought back tears that day and LOVE my Mom that much more for keeping my childhood innocence alive for so long.
Same here, I was 12 when I found out. I am trying to recreate that same innocence and joy for my children. In a world where too many children are acting like adults I want to preserve childhood as long as possible.
Cas, you're right it made her child hood more memorable. She just doesn't know it yet. My favorite Christmas memory was one my dad went all out on making Santa boot prints in the fireplace and even had them "walk" out onto the hearth . It was magical. You're awesome Cas. Thank you for sharing!🥰
Agree! I think she'll appreciate it as she matures. We'd put out hay and oats (horse feed), out for the reindeer! One year my sister SWORE she heard the reindeer on the roof! Good memories for sure! 💚👍
I agree. It was only yesterday that our eldest daughter (almost 16) realized that the female stone figure on that one wall of the castle of Heidelberg (Germany) where we live when she was little was in fact NOT the evil queen who had been turned to stone (from Snow White)... It was just a story she had grown up with. She said she had always loved her magical childhood, and I'm sure Izzy will see it that way some day, too.
I believed until I was a sophomore in Highschool that the real St. Nick filled our shoes on St. Nichola's feast day with candy. I didn't believe in Santa Claus and such but my dad had been filling my shoes with Hershey kisses for years until my brother lost it that year. He was in junior high and was not happy that I still believed in Saints & Angels. Lol. I realized it was love motivating my dad. Yes I went to college but I am a real vocation. Lived in 2 convents. But due to illness I had to leave religious life in my 30s but am now a fully professed Secular Franciscan in isolation since Oct 2019. I have never married & never had kids. Still Jesus' bride. I still remember with love. I have experienced real miracles though. Saints do exist. Lol. But that relationship with my dad very precious!
One of my core philosophies of parenting: "Do the best you can then offer to pay for their therapy." I didn't quite envision Cas's parenting style when I came up with it, but it still holds.
When I was a kid I learned about Santa pretty early, my parents freaked out and told me if my brother found out there would be no more reason for Santa to bring presents. You better believe I was pulling out all the stops to keep the magic alive! For many years I had my brother convinced I was actually an elf and reported directly to Santa. The fact that as a kid I looked very little like my family, was very undersized for my age, had freckles and green eyes and just generally looked elf-ish definitely helped my ruse. He still brings it up as one of the many reasons I was an evil big sister. 😂
I enjoy how open you are. Most organizing channels don't seem real enough. They show an already clean house. You are so funny! I get excited when I see your videos pop up! I can't wait to hear your stories! May the Lord continue to bless and protect you and your family this year!
I agree with rules two and three, but the past twelve months aren't really representative of a normal year so maybe we can give ourselves a little leeway on rule one?
I was 39 weeks pregnant, with a 5 yr old and a 20 month old. Christmas Eve it snowed...in South Carolina!!..which never happens. So, late at night I went upstairs and leaned my huge belly out the window to make reindeer tracks on the roof with the edge of a mop. I got stuck. My husband was on call at the hospital, so I had no one to help me. I was freezing and laughing at the absurdity but managed to get myself back in.
I can totally see this being turned into a charming Christmas movie. The whole elf thing gets out of hand and at some point Cas has the entire neighborhood convinced, including the parents, because they’re like, “Well she’s a professional organizer, she wouldn’t do that!” And it starts happening at other peoples houses, but Cas realises, “oh shit, I’ve taken this too far. I need to confess and it’ll be awful and we’ll have to move and I’m so sorry!” ...And then the real elves show up and save the day and everyone’s happy and has a magical Christmas.
Laughed out loud when you said, three types of underware, "mom underwear that go up to your belly button". So true, some days are better than others!! Thanks for all the great ideas and for the laughs!😂🤣 hello from Miami 🌴😎
I need me some more mom underwear. I can't find the ones I like anymore and ... welll..... I need to send some of mine to the trash but I need more than what I'll have left!
i would be that mom too... anytime my 8 year old starts to hint like he thinks i did it i would stay up all night making sure that he believed still. i definitely swayed him back to believer status for sure. and bought a few extra toys that were more difficult to find (discontinued toy) ..i can appreciate your enthusiasm and she WILL appreciate it one day, especially after she has children of her own because she will realize how much effort, love, and care you put into it. she is at that teenage age that everything you do will piss her off probably. lol
Love the "elf" story...my kids actually thought I was really the tooth fairy, retired! I had all kinds of stories about my years as a "fairy"... all good fun!!!
I put Whoppers on the ground “poop from the Easter Bunny” and then picked one up and ate it infront of my niece. I eventually told her what they were and told her I did it to freak her out. The look on her face is exactly what I was going for!
You are my personality twin! Hahahaha. It sounds so much like something I would do. My family has quite a few of these types. My husband and 16 year old son had to kill a rattlesnake on Easter. When we got to my parent's house, I was showing my oldest how much it would still move, even though it's head was 10 miles away. He was touching the rattles/button on it and my Daddy just threw in "you know, I have heard of people absorbing the venom from buttons....maybe it was dead long enough". Deadpan delivery. My son yanked his hand back and started wiping it on his clothes. My son is like an animal encyclopedia--this is something he should have known better. We finally let him in on it, but both of us were just standing there nonchalantly talking while he is trying to make sure there are no cuts, scratches, etc on his hand and continually wiping.
My grandmother in the 30's got a note from the HS that my Dad was skipping classes. One day she timed his arrival perfectly laying her head on the gas oven door. Of course he ran to her aid crying what's wrong Ma. As she sat on the floor she began to express her desire to end it all because her boy wasn't attending school. As he comforted her, he declared he'd faithfully attend till he could hand her his diploma. Upon completing that ninth grade year he received an art scholarship for the summer program. Art became his bread and butter and blessed his kids, greatly. Drama is the best when done in love. Take care and stay safe.
I think Izzie is more saddened about saying goodbye to someone / something that she's known all her life. Perhaps her first real bit of disappointment. 😢
Cas you are a total hoot!!! Love your stories and your wit!!!! I remember one year when I was older but siblings/cousins were young and we went to my Grandmothers on Christmas Eve. Tradition was kids go upstairs after dinner cause Santa was due any minute at her house. We sat up there and played and chatted then "BOOM" on the roof above us. We all sat spellbound as we heard Santa "ho, ho, ho" up above our heads. I had no idea until just recently (Im 54) that it was my beloved Uncle Ray who risked life and limb on that three story old house roof to keep the magic alive for us kids.
As someone who kept a lot of clothes for when I would fit them again, in the end, I got rid of most of them because even though they would have fit, they were outdated and just not "me" anymore. Yes I have kept a few pieces but most went.
One time my kids were really jealous because we had a big storm and all their friends and family’s power went out but ours didn’t. So we flipped the breakers and made them believe the power went out. They were ecstatic! 😆They still don’t know the truth. 😉
Over the years, the Easter Bunny always saw to it that the Easter baskets had the plastic filler in them that I hate, and Santa always brought the playdough and other messy things that I refused to buy. So, I love your Elf on the Shelf. My daughter, now 28, still talks about the letter the Easter bunny wrote to her answering her questions and signed with a tiny paw print!
I just did something VERY freeing! I went through my closet and reduced it by about 30%. I have more to go but felt it to be a good start. As it has been difficult to synch up with a willing donation station, I had the bag in my car and found myself driving around town with it. At my last errand stop, a gas station, I approached the woman at the next pump and offered the clothes to her. As I was handing her the bag, I saw a kimono robe in excellent condition that I loved and I gladly handed it to her. It wasn't for another day or two that I realized two other great articles I gave away. Detachment is the greatest feeling! I did save one item from 1993 and it still fits!
Ok so I don't usually leave comments but I just barely came across your channel and let me tell you, I so enjoy watching you! I've been binge watching while I go through my last (ok maybe not last last) box of unread mail and paper stuff! Finding you was PERFECT TIMING as I have been feeling overwhelmed with my surroundings.. I had been watching quite a few videos on organizing and decluttering and was feeling pretty overwhelmed with the thought of pulling ALL my clothes out.. although it would be nice, it's just too overwhelming for me right now. So I will break it down just like you said!! It's nice to know we are not alone and THANK YOU for being so honest and REAL!! 🤓👏💯
I never had the blessing of having children, ... just siblings. Your story is hilarious!!! Your kids may not laugh about it now but I’m sure that 15+ years from now as they gather together, this will be one of those “remember when” stories that I hope will give them all a good laugh! ❤️
Ok.... totally fallen in love with your energy & sense of humor🤣🤣 I could nit stop laughing!!! Been following minimal mom & just got here & truly appreciate your brilliance👌 Thanks for all you do and keeping it funny as well👍💖💖
I love your hanger trick. Putting the hangers together and then grabbing all the empty hangers when putting clothes away. Genius. I will definitely be changing to that method.
Good rules to ask myself when decluttering my closet. I am a Minimal Mom follower. Glad she is introducing me to new channels. Ditched TV. You ladies are changing my life.
Hahaha the story was the funniest thing ever. You get a medal for the being the most creative and fun mom. She will thank you when she is older, I’m sure of it.
This is my favorite, Charlie! I’m envisioning your bras outside. I desperately need to empty my closet, over 75% of the clothes don’t fit. I’m taking baby steps, slowly going through your Declutter book.
Omg i just love you!!! It’s midnight and Im watching while i pack my husbands snack for work tmrw and you have filled me with so much joy! I’m in the kitchen cracking up! Gosh your kids are blessed to have you as a mom! Go cass!!!
Clothing is the hardest for me. Mostly, I work in a factory and don't want to wear factory clothes to church or to the gym or to a wedding. I live in New England and the temperature swings so wildly that one year I hadn't started wearing short sleeves until the end of June and I needed a "fall weight jacket" a "winter weight jacket" a "summer weight jacket" a "spring raincoat" and some layer fleece soft jackets to wear in the winter inside after I take off the outside jacket. Even the wedding clothes - there are winter weddings and summer weddings and bridal showers and baby showers and funerals and the same people are at all of them and you can't wear the same outfit every single time.
I love your story at the end of this! My husband and I completely refuse to deny the existence of certain holiday visitors and helpers....no matter how old our kids get. It's our story and we're sticking to it!😄
Enjoyed this video and it gave me inspiration. And yes I have taken things too far with my kids, my daughter says I traumatized her because she believed she was getting a real kitty cat and it was a stuffed kitty animal for Christmas. Looking back on it I feel sad that I did that because I would not have wanted to believe I was getting a pony when I was little and recieved a stuffed animal. But hey, we try to do our best as parents and love them more than life itself right. xo, Cowgirl Deb
I watched your video this morning when my phone notified me. When I was done I went into my room and took everything off my shelves in my closet and put it all in bins. I took 4 shelves of clothes and turned it into 2 bins of clothes. Now I’m on round 2 for the day and watching your video as I put stuff away.
OMG I LOVE YOU! Your stories are hilarious! I find you here on Yt after watching HGTV and I really needed you in my life. Because of deppresion and living with toxic family I gave up from making my room (even they'r pushing me and I'm in constant fight with them, my stepfather even hit me other day). I plan to move out in next 27 days but I cant bring all my clothing and hobby stuff with me, so your advices are life saver for me, mby I even sell and earn some cash (that I really need in this moment) from stuff I declutter. Thank you for all your tips & tricks, advices & for giving me motivation & making me smile ❤❤
I had a mom that was the total opposite, and oh how I wish my mom was like you. Show her all the wonder and love that you are. They are the best memories.
I started using two different sets of 4 hooks in my house because of you and they have been a game changer! 1 set for like you just said, clothes that have been worn but not needing to be put in the laundry yet and the 2nd set i use is for wet/damp stuff that i want dry before throwing the laundry basket. Now I no longer have a crazy messy bathroom with stuff hanging over the shower curtain rod to dry before it hits the basket. I have a toddler and a preschooler and they tend to create messes😅 and especially in the summer they tend to get wet a lot and i don't wash their clothes every single day (each person has their own laundry basket and linens have a separate basket. Each person gets their own laundry day and that is the only day of the week their laundry gets washed. I got this idea from the TH-cam channel real mom, real solutions!). So having hooks to dry their stuff on before tossing it into their basket is life changing! It's once part of my house that i actually feel organized in!
Hi Cass - A magical gnome. How adorable. In my house as a youth ( 50's and 60's) my dad was the final word, and he would not have put up with that for one second. But I'm glad your kids have that fun. Thanks for the bedroom cleanout. It was very informative and easy. I'm working on mine. Now that I think of things as "gifting to another person" it's easier to get rid of stuff. Rah! Thanks for sharing and continued success. Love PegEgg
When I tell you that I am cracking UP at the Elf on the shelf story!!!! HILARIOUS!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THE DECLUTTERING TIPS (as always). I am purging every inch of my house this year. I want to be free of things that weigh me down and full of things that make me happy...experiences, beautiful spaces, people, etc.
Cas, I’ve been binge watching your videos for a few weeks now and have seen your transformation. I’m SOOOO excited for your improved health. Having lost 150 lbs. myself and maintaining it for almost a year and a half, I want to suggest that you reconsider keeping clothes “in case you gain it back.” PLEASE, invest in learning how to maintain your loss. Do NOT give yourself permission or provision for gaining it back. If ONLY I had learned that when I was your age. Instead, I lost 100 lbs. and then went back to all my old habits that had put the weight on in the first place. I gained it all back plus a LOT more. I lived severely obese for almost 30 years because it was just “too much” to do it all again. Also the yo-yo dieting and dieting damaged my metabolism. Now that I have done the work, I’m committed to staying here for life. Keep up the great work, Cas. I love your videos and approach. I’m rooting for you. Hugs from Liz, a Committed Cricket
Cas you are a riot! The end story I relate! Listen I'm mom like you! We are a handful but life would be boring without us! Our antics are the stuff of legends and Izzy will appreciate you as she gets older and wiser!
Mom tried so hard to make our childhood Christmases magical too. She finally told me before 6th grade. Looking back, it was magical and I carried on her traditions with my now 16 year old, when she was young.
I was doing some of this closet declutter work the last couple days and spent a huge amount of the time trying to locate my tv converter, which somehow got lost in the shuffle. I slept for two nights on the couch in the family room rather than take a chance on tripping over the debris! Still far from finished, but as a senior citizen who has barely gotten rid of anything clothes-wise in my adult life, it was a start, and I threw away shoes that were so old the soles were disintegrating!
Thanks for the shopping tip. I usually don't like to put everything on the bed, but I changed jobs 2 months ago and I am surrounded by younger people and now I feel like I just don't like my clothes anymore. I'll try your shopping method and will go to the thrift store to complete the closet once it reopens. Personally, I've never done or liked the Elf on the shelf things because who likes to create messes and then have to clean them? Sounds silly to me!
I am almost 40. I still believe in Santa. It's the magic of Christmas. I love helping Santa by being an *Elf* on Christmas Eve. I will never admit that there is no Santa. :D
I know this is an older post, but I just watched it. I wanted to congratulate Cas for the 100-pound weight loss.🎉 And I want to say that even if it's hard, I would suggest getting rid of any "big" clothes for "just in case." You don't want to ever have to wear them again! Maybe keep one item as motivation and a reminder of where you once were!
That is one of my favorite stories you have told.....no worries. Your grandkids would be lucky if they witnessed such silliness in this crazy world. 🤣😍
I’m in such a state of depression. The clutter in my house is a sign of the chaos in my mind. And it makes it hard to think and work things out when your overwhelmed. I’m also a single mom with three children in a two bedroom apartment very tight space. And I also fluctuate in weight. So your tips on how much to keep and how to store the clothes was a mind and space saver. Im so grateful and Thankful for your gift. Keep up the good work.
I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone in keeping the magic alive! Although, I was the one who needed counceling when my 12 year old came home (he left the house still believing) soooo sad. He told me that day his teacher had the class right back to kids who had sent letters to Santa. So not only did the teacher ruin the magic but she poured salt in the wound by making him right letters acting as Santa. I don't see a problem with keeping the magic alive and keeping kids, kids! Your elf is seriously naughty! I'm not nearly as creative but wish I'd thought of some of these things. Thanks for the inspiration - my closet needs a serious overhaul and this video made it so much more simple than most!
Last spring I donated three large bags of clothing. Some clothes I had in middle school which was was 12 years ago! Now it's easier to get dressed in the morning.
Love your tips. Especially the “Shopping” part. One thing though, that I find different for me is to leave the hanger in the spot where you took down a garment to wear so, when hanging them back up when clean, the spot is easy to find. Easy to keep categories and sorting in place. Thanks Cas!
Thank you for showing us your underwear drawer organization! So many TH-camrs leave that out, and for me, it’s part of what should go and what should stay.
I love your tip to put empty hangers all in one spot to put clean clothes back onto again. I have always left them right where I took off the item, then when laundry is done I have to search through all the hanging clothes to find hangers. This is a game changer!
😂😂 that extra end bit was funny. When my son realized the truth around the same grade ( obviously that includes the other big truth as else ) - I did confess but him being a crafty and fun child I said - yes it’s true, I was magic of Christmas this entire time and when you grow up you’ll be the magic of Christmas for them. There is nothing more special than being magic for somebody else. We were visiting a family friend with a younger daughter and I let him know he could be the “magic” for her and choose what the elf’s are up too. He had such fun moving them. Then even when we came home ( he’s an only child ) he continued to move his elves. Every night and then left Santa cookies , and wine instead of milk. We carried on the traditions. Bcus the magic is real, just who’s creating it was found out ❤️
Some day Izzy will tell that story to her college roommates, they will respond with praise for how awesome you are, and she will realize how fortunate she is. You went to all that effort, out of love. . She will come home and for no reason, will find herself giving you a big hug or doing something that she knows will just make you happy....out of love. I taught college public speaking for over 40 years and this is the kind of story that a student would choose to tell with a big smile on their face. Disney was seldom as memorable or interesting.
Love that elf story too
@@joycesmith53 here here!
I dunno. I still get mad (18 years after it happened) when I remember Grandpa pretending to take us fishing without letting us in on the fact that it was only pretend and that because we only had toy fishing rods we wouldn't catch anything. If I had been in on it being a game I could have enjoyed it more. Instead I remember trying so hard to sit still, being frustrated at my little brother for not sitting still, all in the hopes of catching a fish that was never going to bite anyway....
@Kellen Matteo that's messed up
Love it !!!
I have one of those hooks where I hang clothes that I’ve worn once, but I call it a treadmill.
🤣
The reason I got rid of mine! Lol
@@lesliejohnson7247 , If I get rid of my treadmill, where would I put my clothes?
🤣🤣🤣
Michelle B, I totally hear you, my treadmill has retired to the basement, a place I never set foot in anymore. I believe it now has garden tools and other assorted (crap) treasures, stacked or hanging from/on it! YIKES, did I actually admit that?
When my now adult children were very young, the "Easter Bunny" left flour and powder sugar hopping paw prints all over our livingroom and kitchen.....like alllllll over......including up onto the couch, on counters, on the table, etc. The paw prints led out the door and down the driveway. Instead of the magical wonder I thought they would react with, they were SO MAD the bunny had left such a mess! They immediately grabbed their toy vacuums, baby wipes, and towels to clean up the paw prints. They totally forgot all about their baskets, too! Haha, it's still adorable to think about it now and I felt really guilty at the time! Ahhhh kids are precious!
This just shows you should be proud of raising clean kids 😂
Oh my WORD!!! You emptied your underwear drawer to help us! You just raised the stakes for lengths you'd go to help others. Had it been up to me, ya'll all would have been left to figure it out alone!
A Contribution ( WATCH NOW )
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You should totally wear the leather jacket even if it's just to run an errand or something someday for fun! My friend always is saying that people have clothes of the absolutely love and then they never wear them but what if we wore those fancy clothes that we absolutely love it and everyday life instead of saving them for the "right" occasion.
This should apply not only to clothes, but to almost everything in our lives. We never know what's going to happen in the future. I thoroughly enjoy using every day a type of antique glasses that I collected for years. It just makes me happy!
Exactly !! Ya bought it kept it love it wear it!!!
I wear my leather jacket for boring tasks all the time 😂
That’s what I do now that I am older…
I'm the oldest of 3 and my Mom had me believing in a certain 'annual toy-bringer' until I was 12 when my teacher announced to the class he wasn't real. I fought back tears that day and LOVE my Mom that much more for keeping my childhood innocence alive for so long.
Same here, I was 12 when I found out. I am trying to recreate that same innocence and joy for my children. In a world where too many children are acting like adults I want to preserve childhood as long as possible.
@@jenniferlynn817 You are an amazing mother. 💛
Awww. You are so sweet!
No teacher has the right to do that. What a horrible person!
That was completely wrong of that teacher!! 🤬
I can’t get over how many clothes you pulled out of your 2 feet of hanging space!They just kept coming and coming and coming and....😂
😂🤣 I was thinking the same thing!
It's like the clown car in the circus! Lol
My wardrobe was like that..........it's not anymore. I rage culled it all the way back 😂😂😂
OMG You were COMMITTED to the Elf! 🤣🤣🤣 You are such a good Mama! The magic of Christmas is so much fun!
I love your stories! I know they are one of the reasons I stick around until the end and come back for more.
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: Which Are The Most Popular English Names In Recent Years -
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Cas, you're right it made her child hood more memorable. She just doesn't know it yet. My favorite Christmas memory was one my dad went all out on making Santa boot prints in the fireplace and even had them "walk" out onto the hearth . It was magical. You're awesome Cas. Thank you for sharing!🥰
My husband did this out in the yard through the snow for my boys this year! (We don't have a chimney so he came in through the back door!) 💗
Agree! I think she'll appreciate it as she matures. We'd put out hay and oats (horse feed), out for the reindeer! One year my sister SWORE she heard the reindeer on the roof! Good memories for sure! 💚👍
I am a chronic over dooer too
I agree. It was only yesterday that our eldest daughter (almost 16) realized that the female stone figure on that one wall of the castle of Heidelberg (Germany) where we live when she was little was in fact NOT the evil queen who had been turned to stone (from Snow White)... It was just a story she had grown up with. She said she had always loved her magical childhood, and I'm sure Izzy will see it that way some day, too.
I believed until I was a sophomore in Highschool that the real St. Nick filled our shoes on St. Nichola's feast day with candy.
I didn't believe in Santa Claus and such but my dad had been filling my shoes with Hershey kisses for years until my brother lost it that year. He was in junior high and was not happy that I still believed in Saints & Angels. Lol. I realized it was love motivating my dad. Yes I went to college but I am a real vocation. Lived in 2 convents. But due to illness I had to leave religious life in my 30s but am now a fully professed Secular Franciscan in isolation since Oct 2019. I have never married & never had kids. Still Jesus' bride. I still remember with love. I have experienced real miracles though. Saints do exist. Lol. But that relationship with my dad very precious!
One of my core philosophies of parenting: "Do the best you can then offer to pay for their therapy." I didn't quite envision Cas's parenting style when I came up with it, but it still holds.
I can’t imagine making that much of a mess to prolong magical thinking. You have a waaaay more fun spirit than me. God bless you.
When I was a kid I learned about Santa pretty early, my parents freaked out and told me if my brother found out there would be no more reason for Santa to bring presents. You better believe I was pulling out all the stops to keep the magic alive! For many years I had my brother convinced I was actually an elf and reported directly to Santa. The fact that as a kid I looked very little like my family, was very undersized for my age, had freckles and green eyes and just generally looked elf-ish definitely helped my ruse. He still brings it up as one of the many reasons I was an evil big sister. 😂
i'm laughing so much at the meatball fights and bras from the elf, you are halarious
I was lol'ing so hard at that end story!!!!
A Contribution ( WATCH NOW )
: Which Are The Most Popular English Names In Recent Years -
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It’s like a magical Mary Popin’s closet... the clothes just kept coming :)
I enjoy how open you are. Most organizing channels don't seem real enough. They show an already clean house.
You are so funny! I get excited when I see your videos pop up! I can't wait to hear your stories!
May the Lord continue to bless and protect you and your family this year!
I agree with rules two and three, but the past twelve months aren't really representative of a normal year so maybe we can give ourselves a little leeway on rule one?
I was 39 weeks pregnant, with a 5 yr old and a 20 month old. Christmas Eve it snowed...in South Carolina!!..which never happens. So, late at night I went upstairs and leaned my huge belly out the window to make reindeer tracks on the roof with the edge of a mop. I got stuck. My husband was on call at the hospital, so I had no one to help me. I was freezing and laughing at the absurdity but managed to get myself back in.
Now that too is a funny story! I can imagine you laughing, and cursing, whilst stuck. Glad you got back in ok though.
Wish we had a picture of that. Lol
So funny! So sweet!
Love it!! ❤
I can totally see this being turned into a charming Christmas movie. The whole elf thing gets out of hand and at some point Cas has the entire neighborhood convinced, including the parents, because they’re like, “Well she’s a professional organizer, she wouldn’t do that!” And it starts happening at other peoples houses, but Cas realises, “oh shit, I’ve taken this too far. I need to confess and it’ll be awful and we’ll have to move and I’m so sorry!” ...And then the real elves show up and save the day and everyone’s happy and has a magical Christmas.
The Hallmark Channel is taking notes... ;-)
What a great story! I loved it, way to elaborate on her elf mischief! ❤😂😊
Laughed out loud when you said, three types of underware, "mom underwear that go up to your belly button". So true, some days are better than others!! Thanks for all the great ideas and for the laughs!😂🤣 hello from Miami 🌴😎
just up to? I have some that go over :D and I'm 24 and definitely not a mom, oh well... :D
I need me some more mom underwear. I can't find the ones I like anymore and ... welll..... I need to send some of mine to the trash but I need more than what I'll have left!
i would be that mom too... anytime my 8 year old starts to hint like he thinks i did it i would stay up all night making sure that he believed still. i definitely swayed him back to believer status for sure. and bought a few extra toys that were more difficult to find (discontinued toy) ..i can appreciate your enthusiasm and she WILL appreciate it one day, especially after she has children of her own because she will realize how much effort, love, and care you put into it. she is at that teenage age that everything you do will piss her off probably. lol
I absolutely love your "wait until the end" stories....they brighten my day and give me a much needed laugh. You are such a treasure!!
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS!!!!
Oh my word....😂😂😂😂
Love the "elf" story...my kids actually thought I was really the tooth fairy, retired! I had all kinds of stories about my years as a "fairy"... all good fun!!!
Why did I neve think to claim this?? Genius!
I put Whoppers on the ground “poop from the Easter Bunny” and then picked one up and ate it infront of my niece. I eventually told her what they were and told her I did it to freak her out. The look on her face is exactly what I was going for!
You are my personality twin! Hahahaha. It sounds so much like something I would do. My family has quite a few of these types. My husband and 16 year old son had to kill a rattlesnake on Easter. When we got to my parent's house, I was showing my oldest how much it would still move, even though it's head was 10 miles away. He was touching the rattles/button on it and my Daddy just threw in "you know, I have heard of people absorbing the venom from buttons....maybe it was dead long enough". Deadpan delivery. My son yanked his hand back and started wiping it on his clothes. My son is like an animal encyclopedia--this is something he should have known better. We finally let him in on it, but both of us were just standing there nonchalantly talking while he is trying to make sure there are no cuts, scratches, etc on his hand and continually wiping.
Imagine the neighbors peeking out their front window in the morning 😂 “Dear, take a look at the neighbor’s interesting Christmas decor...” 👙😂
This comment 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
My grandmother in the 30's got a note from the HS that my Dad was skipping classes. One day she timed his arrival perfectly laying her head on the gas oven door. Of course he ran to her aid crying what's wrong Ma. As she sat on the floor she began to express her desire to end it all because her boy wasn't attending school. As he comforted her, he declared he'd faithfully attend till he could hand her his diploma. Upon completing that ninth grade year he received an art scholarship for the summer program. Art became his bread and butter and blessed his kids, greatly. Drama is the best when done in love. Take care and stay safe.
Omg I LOVE your stories made my morning laughing ! I am a Therapist and never heard this before!
I think Izzie is more saddened about saying goodbye to someone / something that she's known all her life. Perhaps her first real bit of disappointment. 😢
"Shop Your Stuff!" OK, that's just genius. Thanks as always (from a fellow unicorn in training)! 🦄
The story of Charlie is incredible! Love love love the lengths you went to. You are a Mum in a million. Love you Cas 🤣🤣
I love this lady she is always so happy, positive,great attitude. don't ever change lovely lady. god bless you and your family.
Cas you are a total hoot!!! Love your stories and your wit!!!! I remember one year when I was older but siblings/cousins were young and we went to my Grandmothers on Christmas Eve. Tradition was kids go upstairs after dinner cause Santa was due any minute at her house. We sat up there and played and chatted then "BOOM" on the roof above us. We all sat spellbound as we heard Santa "ho, ho, ho" up above our heads. I had no idea until just recently (Im 54) that it was my beloved Uncle Ray who risked life and limb on that three story old house roof to keep the magic alive for us kids.
As someone who kept a lot of clothes for when I would fit them again, in the end, I got rid of most of them because even though they would have fit, they were outdated and just not "me" anymore. Yes I have kept a few pieces but most went.
One time my kids were really jealous because we had a big storm and all their friends and family’s power went out but ours didn’t. So we flipped the breakers and made them believe the power went out. They were ecstatic! 😆They still don’t know the truth. 😉
Over the years, the Easter Bunny always saw to it that the Easter baskets had the plastic filler in them that I hate, and Santa always brought the playdough and other messy things that I refused to buy. So, I love your Elf on the Shelf. My daughter, now 28, still talks about the letter the Easter bunny wrote to her answering her questions and signed with a tiny paw print!
You need a standing ovation for that elf on the shelf commitment! Your girls will be telling that story to their kids and grandkids someday ❤
The stuff with the elf is hilarious! She will always remember that. 😂
I just did something VERY freeing! I went through my closet and reduced it by about 30%. I have more to go but felt it to be a good start.
As it has been difficult to synch up with a willing donation station, I had the bag in my car and found myself driving around town with it. At my last errand stop, a gas station, I approached the woman at the next pump and offered the clothes to her. As I was handing her the bag, I saw a kimono robe in excellent condition that I loved and I gladly handed it to her. It wasn't for another day or two that I realized two other great articles I gave away.
Detachment is the greatest feeling! I did save one item from 1993 and it still fits!
Oh I’m excited to see this! My bedroom is a hot mess! Lol
But u did such a great job with your clothes Miss Heart!!
Yes you definitely did a great job 👏
Baby steps, Miss Heart. You're getting there, one step at a time! Love your channel.
She’ll understand someday how big of a Mom Award you deserve. We could all use some therapy anyway, that’s just one more gift you’ve given her!😂
I always think you’re hilarious, but this “stay to the end” story really made me laugh!
A Contribution ( WATCH NOW )
: Which Are The Most Popular English Names In Recent Years -
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I air dry almost all of my clothes and hang them on hangers in the laundry room. And after they are dry just hang them up.
Ok so I don't usually leave comments but I just barely came across your channel and let me tell you, I so enjoy watching you! I've been binge watching while I go through my last (ok maybe not last last) box of unread mail and paper stuff! Finding you was PERFECT TIMING as I have been feeling overwhelmed with my surroundings.. I had been watching quite a few videos on organizing and decluttering and was feeling pretty overwhelmed with the thought of pulling ALL my clothes out.. although it would be nice, it's just too overwhelming for me right now. So I will break it down just like you said!! It's nice to know we are not alone and THANK YOU for being so honest and REAL!! 🤓👏💯
I never had the blessing of having children, ... just siblings. Your story is hilarious!!! Your kids may not laugh about it now but I’m sure that 15+ years from now as they gather together, this will be one of those “remember when” stories that I hope will give them all a good laugh! ❤️
Totally feel ya on those underwear drawer separators! 😆 Keeping the pretty things separate from the utility things. 🙌🏼
Ok.... totally fallen in love with your energy & sense of humor🤣🤣 I could nit stop laughing!!! Been following minimal mom & just got here & truly appreciate your brilliance👌 Thanks for all you do and keeping it funny as well👍💖💖
I love your hanger trick. Putting the hangers together and then grabbing all the empty hangers when putting clothes away. Genius. I will definitely be changing to that method.
Best story EVER!! You should win an award for Mom of the year!
Good rules to ask myself when decluttering my closet. I am a Minimal Mom follower. Glad she is introducing me to new channels. Ditched TV. You ladies are changing my life.
I love that you have such a quirky personality. That's the way I roll too.🤪
Hahaha the story was the funniest thing ever. You get a medal for the being the most creative and fun mom. She will thank you when she is older, I’m sure of it.
Love the brilliant idea of utilizing sides of furniture to organize like your jewelry.
This is my favorite, Charlie! I’m envisioning your bras outside.
I desperately need to empty my closet, over 75% of the clothes don’t fit. I’m taking baby steps, slowly going through your Declutter book.
You have legitimately become my new best friend after that story. I am belly laughing over here.
Get her to video or write stories about her elf experiences as part of her "treatment"...Love watching you!
Omg i just love you!!! It’s midnight and Im watching while i pack my husbands snack for work tmrw and you have filled me with so much joy! I’m in the kitchen cracking up! Gosh your kids are blessed to have you as a mom! Go cass!!!
Clothing is the hardest for me. Mostly, I work in a factory and don't want to wear factory clothes to church or to the gym or to a wedding. I live in New England and the temperature swings so wildly that one year I hadn't started wearing short sleeves until the end of June and I needed a "fall weight jacket" a "winter weight jacket" a "summer weight jacket" a "spring raincoat" and some layer fleece soft jackets to wear in the winter inside after I take off the outside jacket. Even the wedding clothes - there are winter weddings and summer weddings and bridal showers and baby showers and funerals and the same people are at all of them and you can't wear the same outfit every single time.
I love your story at the end of this! My husband and I completely refuse to deny the existence of certain holiday visitors and helpers....no matter how old our kids get. It's our story and we're sticking to it!😄
Enjoyed this video and it gave me inspiration. And yes I have taken things too far with my kids, my daughter says I traumatized her because she believed she was getting a real kitty cat and it was a stuffed kitty animal for Christmas. Looking back on it I feel sad that I did that because I would not have wanted to believe I was getting a pony when I was little and recieved a stuffed animal. But hey, we try to do our best as parents and love them more than life itself right. xo, Cowgirl Deb
I watched your video this morning when my phone notified me. When I was done I went into my room and took everything off my shelves in my closet and put it all in bins. I took 4 shelves of clothes and turned it into 2 bins of clothes. Now I’m on round 2 for the day and watching your video as I put stuff away.
She's not traumatized, she's just holding onto all of thoae ideas you pulled for her own kids in the future 😆
OMG I LOVE YOU! Your stories are hilarious! I find you here on Yt after watching HGTV and I really needed you in my life. Because of deppresion and living with toxic family I gave up from making my room (even they'r pushing me and I'm in constant fight with them, my stepfather even hit me other day). I plan to move out in next 27 days but I cant bring all my clothing and hobby stuff with me, so your advices are life saver for me, mby I even sell and earn some cash (that I really need in this moment) from stuff I declutter. Thank you for all your tips & tricks, advices & for giving me motivation & making me smile ❤❤
Yes, your weight loss is amazing. I think its reflective of your decluttering journey:) Congrats!
I had a mom that was the total opposite, and oh how I wish my mom was like you. Show her all the wonder and love that you are. They are the best memories.
I started using two different sets of 4 hooks in my house because of you and they have been a game changer! 1 set for like you just said, clothes that have been worn but not needing to be put in the laundry yet and the 2nd set i use is for wet/damp stuff that i want dry before throwing the laundry basket. Now I no longer have a crazy messy bathroom with stuff hanging over the shower curtain rod to dry before it hits the basket. I have a toddler and a preschooler and they tend to create messes😅 and especially in the summer they tend to get wet a lot and i don't wash their clothes every single day (each person has their own laundry basket and linens have a separate basket. Each person gets their own laundry day and that is the only day of the week their laundry gets washed. I got this idea from the TH-cam channel real mom, real solutions!). So having hooks to dry their stuff on before tossing it into their basket is life changing! It's once part of my house that i actually feel organized in!
Hi Cass - A magical gnome. How adorable. In my house as a youth ( 50's and 60's) my dad was the final word, and he would not have put up with that for one second. But I'm glad your kids have that fun. Thanks for the bedroom cleanout. It was very informative and easy. I'm working on mine. Now that I think of things as "gifting to another person" it's easier to get rid of stuff. Rah! Thanks for sharing and continued success. Love PegEgg
I appreciate that you are a “real“ mother.
Thanks!
When I tell you that I am cracking UP at the Elf on the shelf story!!!! HILARIOUS!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE THE DECLUTTERING TIPS (as always). I am purging every inch of my house this year. I want to be free of things that weigh me down and full of things that make me happy...experiences, beautiful spaces, people, etc.
Cas, I’ve been binge watching your videos for a few weeks now and have seen your transformation. I’m SOOOO excited for your improved health. Having lost 150 lbs. myself and maintaining it for almost a year and a half, I want to suggest that you reconsider keeping clothes “in case you gain it back.” PLEASE, invest in learning how to maintain your loss. Do NOT give yourself permission or provision for gaining it back. If ONLY I had learned that when I was your age. Instead, I lost 100 lbs. and then went back to all my old habits that had put the weight on in the first place. I gained it all back plus a LOT more. I lived severely obese for almost 30 years because it was just “too much” to do it all again. Also the yo-yo dieting and dieting damaged my metabolism. Now that I have done the work, I’m committed to staying here for life. Keep up the great work, Cas. I love your videos and approach. I’m rooting for you. Hugs from Liz, a Committed Cricket
The story about the elf is too funny!!! What a fun mom!
Cas you are a riot! The end story I relate! Listen I'm mom like you! We are a handful but life would be boring without us! Our antics are the stuff of legends and Izzy will appreciate you as she gets older and wiser!
Charlie is amazing! I have gone far myself to reinforce the Fae mythos in this house, but these stories take the Cake!🤣 I love you for it!
🤣 i love the way you're still blaming Charlie 🤣
Charlie is the Man!🤣
This makes me feel so much better about all the stuff that I KEPT in my closet. Thank you!
A Contribution ( WATCH NOW )
: Which Are The Most Popular English Names In Recent Years -
th-cam.com/video/4jckTYKQ5HM/w-d-xo.html
Mom tried so hard to make our childhood Christmases magical too. She finally told me before 6th grade. Looking back, it was magical and I carried on her traditions with my now 16 year old, when she was young.
I was doing some of this closet declutter work the last couple days and spent a huge amount of the time trying to locate my tv converter, which somehow got lost in the shuffle. I slept for two nights on the couch in the family room rather than take a chance on tripping over the debris! Still far from finished, but as a senior citizen who has barely gotten rid of anything clothes-wise in my adult life, it was a start, and I threw away shoes that were so old the soles were disintegrating!
Thanks for the shopping tip. I usually don't like to put everything on the bed, but I changed jobs 2 months ago and I am surrounded by younger people and now I feel like I just don't like my clothes anymore. I'll try your shopping method and will go to the thrift store to complete the closet once it reopens.
Personally, I've never done or liked the Elf on the shelf things because who likes to create messes and then have to clean them? Sounds silly to me!
You are killing me right now with Charlie the elf! That is something they will never forget! I think she will do that with her kiddos!
I am almost 40. I still believe in Santa. It's the magic of Christmas. I love helping Santa by being an *Elf* on Christmas Eve. I will never admit that there is no Santa. :D
I know this is an older post, but I just watched it. I wanted to congratulate Cas for the 100-pound weight loss.🎉 And I want to say that even if it's hard, I would suggest getting rid of any "big" clothes for "just in case." You don't want to ever have to wear them again! Maybe keep one item as motivation and a reminder of where you once were!
They'll never forget Charlie, for sure! Thanks!
“I feel like I could go shopping!” 😂 but seriously 💕
Your story at the end about the elf on the shelf cracked me up! Thank you! I needed a good laugh today.
You are great, that whole "elf thing" was really a blast!!!
That is one of my favorite stories you have told.....no worries. Your grandkids would be lucky if they witnessed such silliness in this crazy world. 🤣😍
I’m in such a state of depression. The clutter in my house is a sign of the chaos in my mind. And it makes it hard to think and work things out when your overwhelmed. I’m also a single mom with three children in a two bedroom apartment very tight space. And I also fluctuate in weight. So your tips on how much to keep and how to store the clothes was a mind and space saver. Im so grateful and Thankful for your gift. Keep up the good work.
I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone in keeping the magic alive! Although, I was the one who needed counceling when my 12 year old came home (he left the house still believing) soooo sad. He told me that day his teacher had the class right back to kids who had sent letters to Santa. So not only did the teacher ruin the magic but she poured salt in the wound by making him right letters acting as Santa. I don't see a problem with keeping the magic alive and keeping kids, kids! Your elf is seriously naughty! I'm not nearly as creative but wish I'd thought of some of these things. Thanks for the inspiration - my closet needs a serious overhaul and this video made it so much more simple than most!
Your bedroom is so beautiful and very peaceful! The hanger tip is amazing! Thank you! Another fabulous video!
LOVE LOVE The colors in your bedroom! Soothing & energizing at the same time!!
Last spring I donated three large bags of clothing. Some clothes I had in middle school which was was 12 years ago! Now it's easier to get dressed in the morning.
You made your kids childhood more memorable this us priceless!!
Love your tips. Especially the “Shopping” part.
One thing though, that I find different for me is to leave the hanger in the spot where you took down a garment to wear so, when hanging them back up when clean, the spot is easy to find.
Easy to keep categories and sorting in place.
Thanks Cas!
Your elf story is hilarious! That’s true dedication 🤣.. now off to tackle my closet... well after our virtual school day 😏.
Thank you for showing us your underwear drawer organization! So many TH-camrs leave that out, and for me, it’s part of what should go and what should stay.
Lol....that story at the end made me laugh so much.....I’m new to your channel and love cleaning and tidying my house..
Cas, that hanger trick has SAVED me! Thankyou!
You made me laugh so much! You went through your underwear drawer with absolute transparency!
I love your tip to put empty hangers all in one spot to put clean clothes back onto again. I have always left them right where I took off the item, then when laundry is done I have to search through all the hanging clothes to find hangers. This is a game changer!
You are so honest about your life. Much respect.
😂😂 that extra end bit was funny. When my son realized the truth around the same grade ( obviously that includes the other big truth as else ) - I did confess but him being a crafty and fun child I said - yes it’s true, I was magic of Christmas this entire time and when you grow up you’ll be the magic of Christmas for them. There is nothing more special than being magic for somebody else. We were visiting a family friend with a younger daughter and I let him know he could be the “magic” for her and choose what the elf’s are up too. He had such fun moving them. Then even when we came home ( he’s an only child ) he continued to move his elves. Every night and then left Santa cookies , and wine instead of milk. We carried on the traditions. Bcus the magic is real, just who’s creating it was found out ❤️
You're the best mom! ❤