Its that time of year...

Its hard to believe the theme to this time of year is already "back-to-school"!  I, for one, am not ready for that season yet.  Its seems that summer in the upper midwest just began in July...so its been a short hot-season.  I am hoping for a wonderfully warm and sunny fall!  Here are some great tips for the back to school season on Aby Garvey's blog...

I don't have school age children yet (in my mind, pre-school doesn't really count because I'm not packing lunch and organizing homework papers, etc), but I still want to accomplish some of the tasks for getting the house into shape for the fall.

via Simplify 101

From The Archives...

I love this idea of an over-the-door wrapping supply center.

You can find similar storage that would work for this option here, at Target (Home Storage aisles) and at Walmart for about $25!

Better Homes and Gardens February 2011, page 79.

So little time...

Blogging seems to be taking a back seat these days...weeks...months.  I have lots worth sharing, but no time to share.  Most days, I don't sit at the computer at all - I check up on a few things via Blackberry, but that is all.  Its ok...I am working on me, working on organizing life, working on getting used to our new life, after the hiatus.

There are a few things going on now that the garage sale aftermath is over (ok, so there really wasn't that much aftermath, but it was a good excuse):

I'm feeling blue related to a number of things (depressed might be a strong word...don't worry mom).  For one: I'm still getting over the pain and sadness we have felt this year.  It seems like it should all the in the past, like a distant memory, but its not.  Its taking me some time to feel like I can trust the good in people again.  Its taking me some time to realize how much of the pain had my pride caught up in it.  Its taking me some time to feel connected enough to God to let go of the "injustice" we felt.  Clearly, I am still processing through it all - unable to quite put into words what I feel.  I think as long as I am actively working on it, I will make progress to feel whole again soon (or maybe not-so-soon).

More blue feelings come from the weather here in lovely Wisconsin.  Blah.  That pretty much describes it.  Spring will never come.  I have come to terms with that.  One nice day here and there.  That's about it.  I can't remember a time when I felt so seasonally affected.

Snow on April 1, 2011

In a climate where our warm weather months are short as is, its depressing when they become even shorter.  Let's face it: with kids, the weather is even a bigger deal, right mamas?  We gotta get outside to explore, learn, and just wear them out!

Command Central Binder from Simplify 101

I'm trying to get - and keep - the house organized.  Trying to put some systems in place so that with the sanity of our new life (hubby's new job), comes a sense of sanity around home, too.  I've been loving our command central binder and have been using it a lot!  Its a great way to start to get some paperwork organized.  I've been doing some filing, sorting and throwing out...it seems never-ending.  Kate over at Centsational Girl had a great post today that gave me some more motivation to keep the organization going.  I also love this idea for a message board that would go in my kitchen/dining area.  The ideas are never-ending...the project list is ever-growing...let's add it to the list.

My cute kids

I have kids...did I mention that?  Of course, they are the priority - all the time.  They keep my on my toes.  They are funny, cute, challenging, crazy, resilient, and wonderful.  I don't need to say much more, but because I am trying to be a better mom (we had lots of movie days before the hiatus, while I was in a "woe-is-me" state) and give them all the love and attention they deserve, and more.  It doesn't leave much time for chatting on the phone, emailing, and certainly not blogging.  I usually try to blog after bedtime or during nap time and I often do more than one blog post in a sitting, then schedule them to post on different days.  But, even that strategy hasn't been working lately.

One Hour Alone

On Monday, my hubby took both of the boys for just one hour after work and before dinner.  I think he came home and the big boy was hanging from the rafters and the little boy was screaming bloody murder.  Not really.  But I think he could tell right away that it had been one of those days.  So, how awesome to have a whole hour to myself!  It was seriously a big deal.

"So," you ask, "what did I do with those whole hour to myself?!"  Well, get excited...

I cleaned the fridge, did laundry, and put our new oven liner in the clean oven.  Whew.  I know, pretty great stuff!  It was actually great because instead of having to fit each of those tasks around the needs of those I love, I did it without interruption and without the feeling of guilt for neglecting anyone!

I was inspired to clean and organize the fridge after I read this post of Megan's at Honey We're Home.  Cleaning the fridge is a gratifying, relatively easy task.  It does, however, take some undivided time and attention.  Thanks for the inspiration, Megan...I'm so happy with my organized fridge that I actually took a photo.  I'm weird.

Over the weekend, I ran the self-clean cycle on our oven (peeeeeewwwwww!).  So, my second task while the kids were out was to clean up all the ash inside the oven and clean around the doors, gaskets, etc.  Once I was finished it was so shiny!  My mom bought me this nonstick oven liner a while back, but I didn't want to start using it until I was sure the oven was so clean.

Doesn't it look so nice and shiny!  Now, with the oven liner, I can easily wipe up any spills on the bottom of the oven.  I'm hoping it will stay a little cleaner and fresh smelling!  The liner was a little too big for the bottom of my oven, but it was easy to cut-to-size.

The third task was laundry.  Blah.  Nothing exciting to share about that!  But it was so nice to have a little time - just an hour alone to accomplish a few things around the house!  Thanks, hubby!

Command Central Binder

Today is another snowy day...this winter has brought many days with unceasing snow!  Its a great excuse to stay inside and have some fun, rest up, and get some things accomplished.  Let me tell you...this messy house could use a "snow day" to stay in...

Messy house.  Ugh.  And I can't even show you our bedroom, the laundry, or the playspace.  Yikes!  But, let's be honest: what is really the point in cleaning up when you're just going to be inside with the kids all day?  Its just going to end up in the same condition.  Right??  Instead, I worked on a creating a Command Central Binder from Simplify101.com.  I found a link to a free mini-guide download on Just a Girl last week (I just checked and its still there!) and have been using the little bits of free time I have to begin collecting info for my very own binder.

Get your free mini-guide HERE!

I just followed the steps in the mini-guide and simply created a place for all our relevant, current information.  Since our children are so young (3 and 1), we don't have too many schedules, sports teams, or school notes to take care of.  Most of my supplies are just items I had around the house (except for the binder pockets for school newsletters and upcoming even invitations - both found at OfficeMax).

My binder is pretty simple with the following sections: family calendar, meal planning and menus, activities, preschool, church, and upcoming events.  The mini-guide even features a link to where you can purchase the supplies you may need.

I didn't have a basket or bin to hold my binder and supplies, so I used this desk organizer that was around the house.  We have post-its, pens, pencils, markers, scissors, envelopes, baby wipes, paper clips, rubber bands and a lint roller in this caddy.

Here it is, in its new home - hidden on the side of the fridge with a meal planning worksheet and corkboard.  Now, I'll just have to find a new place for my stand mixer.  :)

Laundry Room Reveal

Hopefully you aren't too excited about this post...it might let you down!  I have a dream for my laundry room that includes new paint, stacking my front-loaders, hanging new cabinets, adding some open shelves, a drop down drying rack and ironing board...the list goes on and on.

As you may remember in this post, I realized that with some organization and fun color I could revamp my laundry room!  So, five months later, I've finally made enough strides to share with you!  Let me be clear - this room is not exactly "shabby chic" - a little more like just "shabby".  But, its better than it was before and for me that's progress enough for now!

I Think I Canvas Mega Sorter from Land of Nod

This hamper was a hinge-pin in my laundry room.  I had a dilapidated hamper that was the bain of this room.  This hamper is a lifesaver because its great quality and it can serve a double purpose: once clothes are clean, I can load them up in here and easily deliver clean clothes around the house!

The labels used are the ones I mentioned in this post.

The labels on the outside of the cabinets are mostly for Hubby, so he doesn't have to ask "Where....?".  (Maybe.)

Instead of moving and adding shelves, I used an under-shelf basket for a little extra space.

This is my everyday cleaning basket.  Its used mainly for bathrooms, but can help out anywhere in the house.  Contents: disposable wipes, glass cleaner, all purpose cleaner, my magic cleaner, Mr. Clean Erasers, tootbrush, rubber gloves.  I used to use a large bucket full of supplies, but I wanted something that fit better in the cabinet, so I downsized to this Dollar Tree bin.  Because I couldn't fit everything I needed to clean the bathrooms into here, I put a small basket under the sink in each bathroom that includes: toilet cleaner, toilet brush (you can find small scale ones at dollar stores or IKEA), alka-seltzer (foir toilets), glass cleaner, 7th Generation Bathroom Cleaner, Mr. Clean Erasers, and rubber gloves.  I try to do some bathroom upkeep daily and having the cleaning supplies right under the sink helps.  Its also a great idea to work on cleaning the bathroom while your kids are in the bath!

Under the washer.

Dryer pedestal drawer.  If I stack my washer/dryer someday I might miss the pedestal drawers.  

Anyone have an opinion on that?

I made this little ditty last night since the little boy went to bed soooo early.  

That's all!  Hope you are inspired, mamas!

Laundry Revisited

You may remember my confession about my laundry room.  That was a while ago.  Well, I'm still in the process of getting it organized to the point that I want it to be.  So...I am thinking of putting these labels to use and wanted to share them with you, mamas!

Images from BHG.com

If you like the labels, you can print them here!

Paired with some wire baskets from the dollar spot at Target, I'm almost there (or here).  

Happy organizing in 2011!

Grocery List

Unfortunately, I am not good at meal planning.  I know it helps with shopping and the stress of "what's-for-dinner".  I'm trying to get better at it - and limit the number of times I visit the store during the week.

One thing that has helped me is this weekly meal planning sheet from Aby Garvey at Simplify 101.  The list has a place for your daily schedule that helps you see how the day's activity is going to affect your meal plan.  We live a crazy life (as all of you do, too!) so this is a helpful feature for me!  Continue on to read her "10 Tips to Simplify Meal Planning" for more great tricks!

Right now, Aby is offering a free one-on-one organizing session with a lucky winner from her blog!  Check it out and leave her a comment to WIN!

Speaking of Holiday Cards...

I love this tip from Aby at Simplify 101.  Her Creative Organizing blog is giving me lots inspiration to organize my home (now could someone else just give me the ambition??)!


With the holidays fast approaching, it’s a great time to create a seasonal mini zone or two. Here’s a mini zone idea to whet your organizing appetite:  create a holiday card sending mini zone.

Image from Simplify 101

First, find a festive container such as a metal bucket or wicker basket. Next, gather your card sending supplies such as printed address labels, stamps, cards and your favorite writing pen, and stow them in your container. Now you have everything you need to send out your cards in one handy, portable mini zone. Guess what this means? You can get started on sending cards early in the season, and work on the task in little bits of time instead of in tackling this job in one frantic rush at the end of the season!


Thanks, Aby!

Confession

My laundry room is a huge mess.  The laundry is piling up, overflowing out of the hampers.  The drying rack is full.  My cabinets are packed with un-useful array of old stuff.  My cleaning supplies are stacked, shoved and thrown anywhere they fit.  My craft supplies are bursting out of bins too small to house them properly.  The kids' creative supplies are almost impossible to reach.

Yikes.

I've been living with it like this for so long because I can't find the uninterrupted time to do the complete overhaul (what mama can find the time???).  But I think I've reached the breaking point.  I'm sick of the mess.  I've been inspired.

My laundry room needs rehab.


I happened to find this super beautiful, super organized laundry room at Just A Girl.  I would like this laundry room, please.  Its inspiring to me because she houses everything I need to house in my laundry room, too.  She has found a place for everything and I think I can, too.  Plus, don't you just love the turquoise bins and glass jars?


Yes please, I would like a laundry room like this.

Photo from Just a Girl

Photo from Just a Girl