Banishing a HOT Spot!

This stupid cupboard has bothered me for months and in just 1/2 hr I have brought organization and peace of mind!! Phew!! I'm sorry, but I have to keep saying it because it keeps surprising me, these tasks always seem more daunting then they really are. I mean just think about it, this cupboard has been this messy and has been bothering for MONTHS!! And in 30 minutes, months of irritation is now gone!! I seriously hope that when I get to the point that I'm ready to do my desk that I feel the same way!!! But so far so good!! Now I just have a couple things to put in their proper homes, some of the strangest things had found their way to this cupboard, like gift receipts, drill bits, squirled snacks!! HA!! Just wierd stuff!! But as you can see, it's much better now!!

Have an awesome and productive day!! GIT'R'DONE!!

Checklist for my kids!!

Every feel like things are bordering on out of control?! Ever feel like you've got one kid coming in the back door, one kid running out the front door and one kid tugging on your sleeve for the 14th time in a row?? Ever feel like all you've done all day is trashed in minutes after they get home from school and you just push through the chaos until all the sudden it's bedtime and you are now cleaning up the messes they left behind? Oh no, never right?! Several weeks ago I made up chore charts for the kids. They also include personal maintenance items such as brush teeth, make bed, etc. They can have an allowance based on their chores. They each have 1 everyday chore and 1 as needed, and if they want to earn more money I have come up with a few extra chores they can do upon request. Such a great system I thought I had created. I put them in sheet protectors and hung them using painters tape on the back of their bedroom door, along with a white board marker. I was SO proud of myself!! BUT, it wasn't getting done. How stinking disappointing!!

SO, yesterday I decided that I wanted to do something that would hopefully make it easier on them AND me. I came up with 3 checklists for each of my boys. One for morning, one for after school and one that's done before bed. I wrote them on index cards. Today I will be getting them laminated, I will punch a hole in the corner and put a binder ring so each kid has his own set of 3 cards. The instructions are simple, they truly don't take long to do at all, BUT it makes a tremendous difference. By the time the kids got home from school yesterday I had already done the After School Checklists. They followed each step and it flowed so nicely. I had done a rough draft of the Before Bed and Morning lists. Last night before bed they each followed all the steps and again it went over really well. So last night I wrote out the good copies for each of them. This morning they came in and grabbed their checklists and again it flowed. WOW!! I think I'm going to like this!!

On Sunday evenings we will take a look at each of their chore charts and evaluate what's going well, and what chores were accomplished. I will pay them an allowance based on the chores they completed, and possibly a bonus for completing every single thing for the week! I can feel peace and order coming into my home!! Aaahhh..I will update you in a few weeks on how this is working out!!

One thing that I thought was very sweet this morning, was that my 8 year old was reading the list to his younger brother. He said, "Mommy I'm reading it to him so he knows what to do!" He beat me to it!! I loved his initiative and willingness to help out his younger brother!!

I don't claim to have all the answers, and maybe what works for me wouldn't work for you! So, if you have things set up in your home, routines that work, PLEASE share that with me!! I would love to hear your input!!

Have a fantastic day and GIT'R'DONE!!!

Laundry room

I realize it's late, but I couldn't wait to post this!!

So it only took me 3 days..but I got it done!! HA!! I was at the mercy of getting permission from my landlords and then arranging a time with my Dad to come and install it!! BUT..VOILA!!

If money was no object I would rather have cabinets, but I am being frugal AND this is a rental! So this project was about $16 at Lowes! Not too shabby..now I have alot more space in there!! I'm happy with it!! Uhm yeah..everything but the vaseline..I can't for the life of me even remember why it's in there?! haha!!

Nice work Papa!! It looks bueno!!

So..needless to say I am ready for my next 'YOU CALL IT'!! So bring it on!!

You Call It's first hit...laundry room!!

Thank you Tabitha!! This is definitely an area that needs help!! I loathe my laundry room because it's one of those that's in a hallway on the way to the garage..stupid location, no space, nowhere to hang stuff, no where to sort dirty clothes..yeah..you get it!! Not to mention the fact that I have my cleaning stuff here too..so it's a little crowded and therefore...MESSY!!

This may need to be a 2 part project. I've been wanting to put up an additional shelf above the existing one ever since I moved in!! That will require permission from the landlords first, then purchasing it, then having it put up!! SO, before that happens I will pull everything down and sort it!

Here's how it is now..but since my boys are literally walking through the door..it will probably be tomorrow by the time I get the 'after' pic up!!

So, I may not be able to solve the issue of space, BUT I can make the best of the space I've got!! That means..uhm..maybe a little more organized would be nice!!

Time to do homework with my boys!!

It's 'YOU CALL IT' week!!

Ok, here it goes! So as I mentioned earlier I am going to try something new and probably crazy!! It's YOU call it week!! Here's how it works, I would like you to comment with a certain area of my home. I will go there, snap a pic and post it. Then I will give it any attention it needs and post an after shot too!! My desk and the garage are off limits simply because those would take the ENTIRE week(at least), and quite honestly I would need help for the garage!! For example, you could suggest things like master bath, closet, boys closets, boys bath, laundry, pantry, living, etc!!

This will be fun to see how long it takes to get any responses too!!

Put me to work!! Haha..I'm waiting!!!

Fridays Shoe Box Project

Hello friends!! On Friday I took some shoe boxes I had been saving and covered them with brown paper, you know the kind for parcels?! Then when the boys got home from school they decorated their own boxes. Lets just say my 8 year old got WAY into it and had a lot of fun, my 10 year old was thinking about how fast he could just get this over with and go play!!

Once they were done we took them to their room and used them for their rock and shell collections. Now these aren't all over their room, or the whole cotton pickin' house!! Heehee!! It's true!!

So yes I could of just bought some containers from the store for about $2.50 each or so, but these are personalized!! So I reused and recycled and it was a fun crafty project for the guys!!

So tell me how you keep all your kids's collections in order!! I would love to hear new fresh ideas!!

BUSTED!!

Ok..so yesterday I was totally busted by the Slacker Police!! (I can just hear the sirens, WOOOWOOOWOOOWOOO!!) I snapped a picture of the hot spot in my kitchen. Then I kicked my own butt for doing it!! Haha!! I couldn't believe how bad it had gotten in NO time!! Grrr..But I fixed it! *Big Toothy Grin*!

It's amazing to me how caught up I can be with the business of life to slack off in an area that needs consistent attention. That is the dump spot. But it should be just a temporary landing pad!!

This coming week I am going to be trying something new so I wanted to give you all a heads up!! This is an interactive project, meaning you folks get to be apart of my daily stuffs!! Haha!! So be on the lookout for the instructions, it's super easy!! I think we'll all have fun, well, maybe you more than me at first!!

I am about to start todays project! I am really excited about this one!! And I'm not even being sarcastic!!

As always, I am always happy to hear any hints, tips, ideas, etc that you have on keeping things neat and tidy!!

So ta ta for now!! Have a great day and I'll post todays project later on!!

What are you gonna do today, Napoleon?

Thank you Napoleon, I couldn't of said it better myself!! Sorry I haven't been keeping up, if you want to know what my days have been like just watch the video clip above!! HA!!


Today I sorted the pantry. I pulled everything out and I sorted it and used some baskets that I bought from Walmart for $2.50. I think it was worth it!!! I think I need a couple more. I need something to hold all the tea and jello!!



Well, it could be even better, but part of the problem is that I have enough baking supplies to open my own bakery!! So I think a bakefest is on the horizon!!

Thank you for checkin' out the blog today!! If you have any great hints or tips that work for you to keep organized in the kitchen or anywhere else for that matter - I would love to hear it!!

Have a great day and GIT'R'DONE!!!

My bathroom cabinet

The fact that everything is just shoved down there really bothered me. So I pulled everything out and sort it into gift bags, which is what I chose for a temporary fix until I get baskets or little containers or whatnot.

Aaaahhhhh..that is so much better!! This was another very quick fix!! It probably took 20-25 minutes! Now I know where everything is, it's so much easier on the eyes and it doesn't give me anxiety! As a matter of fact I actually smiled when I opened up the cabinet to grab something earlier!!

So go find a cabinet and while the kids watch an episode of spongebob squarepants you can have another corner of your life in order and not have to hear spongebob's obnoxious and annoying voice!! It's a win win!! And as always, I'm always up for comments, hints and tips!! Tell me what's working for you and what's not!!

GIT'R'DONE!!!

Gone with the notorious kitchen junk drawer!!

Well hello friends!! I know I have been very much absent!! HA! I began this journey during a week when my guys were at a summer camp, and as I'm discovering not only is it much easier to get things done without my little guys here, but I have way more desire and drive to tackle these project when they are gone!! So next week I should be back on task!!

Having said that, I did a little 10 minute job tonight. I tackled the messiest drawer in my kitchen! You may think that's not too bad of a junk drawer, well, what you may not know is that there is another one around the corner that I will be tackling at another time!!

I am still amazed at how just a few minutes can solve a daily irritation and/or frustration!! This was super fast and it really looks so much better!!

More to come!! In the meantime, grab your timer, find a trouble spot and hit it with your best shot!! You will amaze yourself!! (but be realistic!! I have a HUGE project around my desk, this will not be a 10, 15 or even 20 minute project!!) Eat that elephant, one bite at a time!! And as the days go by, you will find that your environment is beginning to become cleaner, more organized, and less cluttered!!

Every move towards organization brings peace and joy!! Go get yours!!

Ba-bye hot spot!!

I got rid of the notorious drop spot, dump spot, hot spot, whathave you!! I really hate this spot in my kitchen that seems to be a magnet for all things random. And everytime I glance and see it all cluttered and disorderly, it brings up a myriad of negative emotions. Do you have a spot like this in your house, you know the one, you walk in the house with your purse, todays mail, school papers, those things you grabbed from the car and where do they go?? All in one collective spot...and THAT is the hot spot!

As you can see this is WAAAY overdue, this thing is growing and if I don't blast it out it will soon need its own zip code. Believe it or not I've cleared it off before, yep true story. I put everything in a box, threw the lid on shoved it out of the way and haven't seen it since. Well, except for the one time I needed some papers out of it. So, this time I brought in the folding table from the garage. Set it up so it would be in nice and close so I could take everything of this counter..and alas..there really IS a counter there!!

The other reason I used a folding table is so it wouldn't become a perminant fixture, this thing was in my way. There's no way it could be here any longer than necessary. I had to clear it all off in order to put it away. And I refused to put it back "neatly" or shove it in a box. I looked at this table now covered in random stuff and thought..

hhmm..if I were a stack of books where should I be?! If I were an important receipt where should I be?!? Everything headed for it's appropriate home. I decided what I would actually allow back onto the counter and put those things back. The end result eased the anxiety and brought on a sigh of relief..much better!!

So if a little spot of your home is looking a little conjested and disorganized and you wish it would go away..JUST DO IT!! If I can, you can, believe me!! It really didn't take that long, I wish I would have timed it but I forgot. Probably 30 mins!! Next I will be tackling the cubboard above and the drawer below this counter!!

One day at a time, one project per day (or more if time permits), I KNOW I will get this done!! Please let me know what areas you struggle with in your home!! Tell me what works for you and what doesn't!! Obviously you are not alone, so let me hear from you!!

Backpacks empty - Check!!

Really?! I waited this long for a project that took me a whopping 22 minutes?! And why?!?!

I seem to suffer from the affects of disorder in the form of overwhelm. I sit, nearly paralyzed in one spot. Not knowing where to begin because there's just TOO much!! Not anymore..now that I feel so exposed, as well as accountable to my friends who are trekking along with me!!

Time to spend some quality time with my guys..maybe I'll tackle another project this evening!!

Oh Boy!

So I figured it was time, since there is only 21 days until school starts, to empty out the boys backpacks of all the goodies they brought home from there last day of school. Yup..I'm awesome!! They have been hanging by the front door since then, just chillin'. Waiting for ME to get my act together. Well today is the day!! NICE. I can't even believe I'm admitting to this. What I need is the gift of "TOSS IT" like several other people I know have!! They throw EVERYTHING away. It makes me nervous, WHAT IF YOU NEED THAT LATER?!?! Oh you mean like this finger painting of the desert?! YES!! But it's so pretty!!?? Or how bout the birthday party invite from 4 months ago..hey..you never know. Not for the invite silly..........but...the picture of spiderman on the cover could come in handy. Maybe I'll need to frame it or something?! Well, you get the idea I'm sure!! I am going to adopt the "TOSS IT" mentality as I sort through all of these papers. I've set up an empty box that I intend to fill of things to be TOSSED!! Yeah me!! I will check in later to show you what I ended up with.

*Just so you know, this is a small chunk of a bigger project I have on my hands. Years of school work and pictures and things from church, VBS, and such. 3 boys worth. All needs to be sorted out!!

And it Starts

I wrote this on Friday and was gungho..then I got cold feet. I am just gonna go ahead and post it. I need to push myself along. Anybody got a caddle prod!?



So today as I was vacuuming it dawned on me. I've spent sooooo long waiting for this perfect moment to come along to complete certain tasks. I've sat on these dreams, desires, just wishing I would get organized. At some point I will develop a logical, systematic flow for every single piece of paper that comes through my front door whether it be mail, bills, school papers, flyers, coupons, etc. Hoping that sometime I will have a great system for chores and such for the kids. Someday I will start more of a routine where I teach the kids about different things and we'll do crafts and projects. In the midst of it all I have lost myself, and the desire to pay attention to what I eat and what I do or don't do. I look around my house and there are piles of papers, lost and forgotten projects. There is mounds of disorder. "To Do Later" stacks. Stashes of sort'n'file. What I see around me feels like a reflection of what's going on inside of me. So many things I will just take care of tomorrow. Oh..there it is..the worst word in my vocabulary - TOMORROW!! Goes right along with maybe, someday, sometime, when this happens-then I will do that, when that happens-then I will do this, if, etc. All of these words seem to keep me trapped in this vicious cycle of complete unproductivity. Am I lazy? Am I the worst procrastinator you'll ever meet?? Maybe, or maybe I just am lost in this whirlwind I've allowed and created for myself. Oh sure, go ahead and convince yourself that you can't relate!! I realize some people already are happy with themselves and/or their home. Maybe you were born that way, well lucky you Mary Poppins! I would be happy to hear of any advice or tips you may have on the matter!! Cause obviously you are doing something right!!



I look around at this mess and I see symptoms of a problem that must be inside of me. Where else could it possibly come from? Why do allow this? Why do I procrastinate? Delay, reschedule, plan but never execute, etc? Why do I not change my horrible eating habits? Why do I not exercise? I've healed up from the spill I took nearly 2 yrs ago, so what's my excuse NOW? At this point I'm not 100% sure. But instead of waiting, instead of not doing what I need to do because I'm waiting for something else to happen or change first, I'm just gonna push through. I am going to alter the direction of this ship one little shift at a time. And maybe along the way I will discover or uncover the issues that lie beneath that I've allowed to self sabotage my life for way too long. And maybe, just maybe when the perfect time comes I'll actually be ready!!


I had a little epiphany, I have caught myself saying, "I am going to" or "when such and such happens - then I will blah blah blah". And the thought that followed those was, "Jesus always said "I am"!" hmmm...maybe there is a lesson that's applicable to us! Maybe I need to start saying, "I AM in the process of getting more organized, losing weight, tackling those abandoned projects"!! And instead of waiting for this 'perfect time' to come along when I can begin accomplishing, completing, and finding success, I will choose NOW!! Now is when I will change. NOW is when I will begin this process.


So here it is folks, I am going to change my world!! I know this isn't an overnight event! There is a lot to do, but one day at a time I am going to push through. One day at a time I will eat away at this elephant! And maybe you can relate...or maybe I should say you know someone who can relate!! Cause isn't that how we think?! I am inviting you, (or someone you know!!) to go through this process with me, because maybe there are things in your life that you wish for, or that you wish could change. Things you hoped you could accomplish, but you've been waiting for the perfect moment to arrive. STOP WAITING!! The perfect time is when you decide to begin!!



So here are my goals.



1 - I will watch what I eat more carefully. Plan meals by the week, so that I can plan healthy meals and not fall back on boxed or drive through.



2 - I will find a way to do exercise of some kind.



3 - I will do daily tasks to maintain my house.



4 - I will also do extra daily tasks to work through all the boxes and piles, etc. Whether I am tossing, sorting and filing, donating, etc.



5 - I will do my best to schedule myself and hold myself accountable.



I believe, since it took me at least a decade to get to this point, it will take about 1 year to get out. I believe that is realistic. I hope that in 1 year from now I will be physically fit, mentally sound, emotionally stable and so organized it would make Martha Stewart gag!!



So here we go!!