Oh my goodness! School has started back again, and my only question is: When are schools going to go paperless?! Wow! Everyday my boys bring home papers. Yes, most of it is school work, but there are also newsletters, sign-up sheets, notifications, artwork, etc.
But, seriously, I know most of this stuff is necessary for my kids to learn, and I am all for it. The key to all this is managing the paper once it gets home. I read everything that comes home with my boys. I want to see how they did on all of their work at school, monitor their progress, and make sure they are doing well. Do I need to keep every piece of school work that they bring home. NO! Once I have looked at it, reviewed it with them, and am sure that there is no follow-up work required with it, it goes straight into the recycle bin.
Do I need to hang every 100 or A that they get on the fridge? NO! I praise them for their hard work, they get a high-five and a hug, and it still goes in the recycle bin. If it is a project that they worked especially hard on, we will keep it around for a week or so to show off to friends and grandparents, but then it goes away. I know this sounds harsh, but it is necessary. If I kept every piece of paper, or even just the ones with good grades, every piece of artwork, etc., my house would be overwhelmed with paper. I would rather teach my kids now that just because we don't have the piece of paper, doesn't mean that they didn't earn that grade, and that we aren't still proud of them. We have the memory, it will be reflected on their report cards (which we DO keep!).
I do keep a box of special pieces that my kids have done at school. But, the criteria for me keeping them is that they have to be unique, they have to mean something to my kids, and that they show their personality in them.
As far as the other paper that comes home from school (i.e. the newsletters, notifications, etc.), I read the information, put any pertinent dates on the family calendar, write any additional information ("bring watermelon slices to class party") on the white board next to the calendar, enter any e-mail addresses or phone numbers into my contacts on my phone, and then recycle the piece of paper. I admit, I used to put all these different pieces of paper on the fridge for reference, but then they get lost or buried behind the more recent ones. The only papers that are on the fridge now are ones that need to be signed and returned to the school.
I was only kidding about schools going paperless. I still love paper and pencils, new school supplies, pencil boxes, notebooks, etc. But, as a parent whose counter top can get covered in paper in a matter of days, I wonder how far off we are from kids doing their work on netbooks, and it being e-mailed to us! It will probably happen sooner than we think. (And, honestly, I will be a little sad).
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Fresh Eyes
Do you walk past the same pile of stuff every day and not even notice it? Has it been there so long that it has just become part of the landscape? Do you not even know what it on the bottom of the pile? You are not alone. Everyone does it.
Today, I decided to re-organize my older son's room. (Side note: It seems that the older they get, the smaller the pieces of their toys get, but the quantity increases.) On the top shelf of his bookcase, he likes to showcase his Lego masterpieces. I like this idea, and encourage him to be proud of the ones he makes on his own (and not the pre-designed kits). However, besides the Lego inventions, there have always been some pictures of my son. Some of him when he was a newborn, some with his different grandparents, and others of him just growing up. They were all in different types of frames. They have always been there. It was visually cluttered. It bothered me, yet it has been like that for years.
Well, today was the day to change that. I went and bought several inexpensive frames (I mean cheap! $1.50-$2.00 at Target!) They are all the same. They came in different sizes to fit the different pictures, but visually they are all the same. I grouped them in an appealing layout and hung them all on the wall. Now, it looks like a single collage of pictures. One piece of art, instead of random, mis-matched pictures that just seemed to take up too much space, not only on the shelf, but in my mind when looking at his room.
It took so little time to make a significant difference in the appearance of his room. Why did I wait so long to do it? I don't know. Probably because in the grand scheme of things, it is a low priority as far as all the things I have to do in a day. But, standing back and looking at it, I really feel like I accomplished something significant today. And, I am pretty sure that my son will love it, and actually LOOK at the pictures now, instead of walking right past them, as we have all done for so long.
Today, I decided to re-organize my older son's room. (Side note: It seems that the older they get, the smaller the pieces of their toys get, but the quantity increases.) On the top shelf of his bookcase, he likes to showcase his Lego masterpieces. I like this idea, and encourage him to be proud of the ones he makes on his own (and not the pre-designed kits). However, besides the Lego inventions, there have always been some pictures of my son. Some of him when he was a newborn, some with his different grandparents, and others of him just growing up. They were all in different types of frames. They have always been there. It was visually cluttered. It bothered me, yet it has been like that for years.
Well, today was the day to change that. I went and bought several inexpensive frames (I mean cheap! $1.50-$2.00 at Target!) They are all the same. They came in different sizes to fit the different pictures, but visually they are all the same. I grouped them in an appealing layout and hung them all on the wall. Now, it looks like a single collage of pictures. One piece of art, instead of random, mis-matched pictures that just seemed to take up too much space, not only on the shelf, but in my mind when looking at his room.
It took so little time to make a significant difference in the appearance of his room. Why did I wait so long to do it? I don't know. Probably because in the grand scheme of things, it is a low priority as far as all the things I have to do in a day. But, standing back and looking at it, I really feel like I accomplished something significant today. And, I am pretty sure that my son will love it, and actually LOOK at the pictures now, instead of walking right past them, as we have all done for so long.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Vacation!!
So, my family and I are getting ready to go on our annual vacation to the beach. I can't wait! I love sitting on the beach, playing in the water, reading magazines I would never read except when on the beach ( I won't name names, but you know the kind of trash I am talking about!), people watching, and eating fresh seafood!
There is, however, A LOT of work that goes into getting us all there with all the stuff that we need. Not only is it me, my husband and kids going. My mother, my father-in-law, and his wife are also going with us. My husband's job in this trip is to drive us there. My job is. . well, everything else.
I, of course, start with a list. I first do a quick jot down of all the things that come to mind that we will need. Sunscreen is always the first thing, being a red-head, and having a red-headed son! Beach towels, beach toys, etc. Naturally, my mind thinks of all the fun things that we will be doing while we are there. So, those things get on the list first. But, then, reality will come back to me. We won't spend every minute of every day at the beach. We will need to eat, we will need to wear clothes other than swimsuits at times, we will sleep, ride in the car for hours to get there and back, we will need to entertain the kids in the evening, or when it rains (as it poured down rain and flooded last time we were there!). All these other things need to be thought of, so I can plan for them and pack for them.
So, my list gets broken down into compartments: food, clothing, entertainment, beach, etc.
Then, I will try to think out what we will be doing each day for each of these groups. From experience, it is always the little things that end up bothering us the most. Like, when our condo had a coffee maker, but no coffee filters! Now, we have a small stash of coffee filters of different sizes (since we never know what kind of coffee maker there is) that we take with us.
When it gets close to the day we will leave, I will start gathering all the items in one place. This helps me see the things, and will often remind me of other things that we will need, or that I might need to go buy. It also shows me whether or not it will all fit in our car (Thank goodness for large SUV's!!)
When we start the actual packing, I try to think of the order that we will need things, and then pack it with the items that need to be accessible within reach, or on top in the suitcases. I make sure that there are books, games, snacks, and water, within reach for the boys in the car.
When we finally get to our condo, and everything is unloaded from the car, I quickly put everything in its place. The clothes in the dressers, the food in the kitchen, the shampoo in the shower, etc. I want our condo to feel like home. I don't want to have to search through suitcases the whole time we are there. And, as soon as the condo is prepared . . . I AM ON VACATION!
Break out the flip flops, swimsuits, and margaritas!
There is, however, A LOT of work that goes into getting us all there with all the stuff that we need. Not only is it me, my husband and kids going. My mother, my father-in-law, and his wife are also going with us. My husband's job in this trip is to drive us there. My job is. . well, everything else.
I, of course, start with a list. I first do a quick jot down of all the things that come to mind that we will need. Sunscreen is always the first thing, being a red-head, and having a red-headed son! Beach towels, beach toys, etc. Naturally, my mind thinks of all the fun things that we will be doing while we are there. So, those things get on the list first. But, then, reality will come back to me. We won't spend every minute of every day at the beach. We will need to eat, we will need to wear clothes other than swimsuits at times, we will sleep, ride in the car for hours to get there and back, we will need to entertain the kids in the evening, or when it rains (as it poured down rain and flooded last time we were there!). All these other things need to be thought of, so I can plan for them and pack for them.
So, my list gets broken down into compartments: food, clothing, entertainment, beach, etc.
Then, I will try to think out what we will be doing each day for each of these groups. From experience, it is always the little things that end up bothering us the most. Like, when our condo had a coffee maker, but no coffee filters! Now, we have a small stash of coffee filters of different sizes (since we never know what kind of coffee maker there is) that we take with us.
When it gets close to the day we will leave, I will start gathering all the items in one place. This helps me see the things, and will often remind me of other things that we will need, or that I might need to go buy. It also shows me whether or not it will all fit in our car (Thank goodness for large SUV's!!)
When we start the actual packing, I try to think of the order that we will need things, and then pack it with the items that need to be accessible within reach, or on top in the suitcases. I make sure that there are books, games, snacks, and water, within reach for the boys in the car.
When we finally get to our condo, and everything is unloaded from the car, I quickly put everything in its place. The clothes in the dressers, the food in the kitchen, the shampoo in the shower, etc. I want our condo to feel like home. I don't want to have to search through suitcases the whole time we are there. And, as soon as the condo is prepared . . . I AM ON VACATION!
Break out the flip flops, swimsuits, and margaritas!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
I recently went to the annual NAPO conference and expo. It was a wonderful experience. There were so many inspirational people there. One was Tim Sanders, our keynote speaker. He spoke of making better connections with people. That we should "Multiply the Value" of these relationships. That people should be better off for knowing us.
His speech definitely made me think of how I can make the world a better place.
As a mother, I make it my goal in life to help my children become excellent, productive, loving adults. By showing them how to help themselves and others, they will, in turn, make the world a better place by not being a burden on society, but make positive changes to it.
As a professional organizer, it is my passion to help people tame the chaos in their lives that keep them from starting, focusing on, and/or completing the important works that they need and want to do for the world. It is so hard to concentrate on the big picture when you are buried under clutter, or can't find your important papers, or even your keys to get you out the door on time! Bringing peace and harmony to people's lives, in my opinion, is important work. It may not directly feed the hungry, provide employment to those in need, or stop wars from starting, but I think it does make a positive change on people's lives.
As a person, I pride myself on my integrity. People who know me, know that I will always tell them the truth. I stand by my word, no matter what. I also assume the best in people. Not to the point of naivity, but to the point that I want to think that most people are good at their core. That they are not malicious, but truly want the right thing (even though I may not agree with them on how to get there).
Everyone can make a difference in the world, whether it be small or large. You can read Tim Sanders' tweets on Twitter: @sanderssays
His speech definitely made me think of how I can make the world a better place.
As a mother, I make it my goal in life to help my children become excellent, productive, loving adults. By showing them how to help themselves and others, they will, in turn, make the world a better place by not being a burden on society, but make positive changes to it.
As a professional organizer, it is my passion to help people tame the chaos in their lives that keep them from starting, focusing on, and/or completing the important works that they need and want to do for the world. It is so hard to concentrate on the big picture when you are buried under clutter, or can't find your important papers, or even your keys to get you out the door on time! Bringing peace and harmony to people's lives, in my opinion, is important work. It may not directly feed the hungry, provide employment to those in need, or stop wars from starting, but I think it does make a positive change on people's lives.
As a person, I pride myself on my integrity. People who know me, know that I will always tell them the truth. I stand by my word, no matter what. I also assume the best in people. Not to the point of naivity, but to the point that I want to think that most people are good at their core. That they are not malicious, but truly want the right thing (even though I may not agree with them on how to get there).
Everyone can make a difference in the world, whether it be small or large. You can read Tim Sanders' tweets on Twitter: @sanderssays
Friday, April 16, 2010
The scary places under the bathroom sink!
Is the cabinet under your bathroom sink a dark scary place? Does stuff fall out every time you open the door? Do you have no idea what is under there? Has stuff been lost in there?
Here are some tips to make that cabinet usable again. It is a great storage space if used properly.
1. Take everything out.
2. Clean the cabinet (and the items you pull out). No one wants to pull out a roll of toilet paper that has dust bunnies or dirt on it! Yuck!
3. If the bottom of the cabinet is nasty (i.e. spilled shampoo that won't come up, warped plywood from a leak 10 years ago), put down a nice liner. If you use a light colored liner, it keeps the space in there from looking so dark and scary. Liners are also easier to wipe clean than the particle board that is typically in there.
4. Throw away any items that are past their prime or will never be used. There is no point in holding on to a half-empty (or half-full, however you look at things) bottle of lotion that you don't like and that you will not use. Let it go.
5. Group the rest of the items into categories that work for you (i.e. hair products, lotions, first aid products, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.) Remember that the items in this cabinet should only be things to be used in the bathroom.
6. Try to contain the categories in baskets or bins. I really like the "itso" bins from Target. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. They also have straight sides and bottoms. Baskets look nice, but a lot of times, things like shampoo bottles, will tip over because the bottoms are not flat. I also prefer the plastic bins for this space since there is always the potential for water to get in there, and baskets would definitely get damaged by this. (Save the baskets for dry areas!)
7. In the containers, put the most used items in the front, where you can reach them easily.
8. If space is limited, get some wire shelves that fit in there. This will almost double your space!
Now that things are grouped together and contained, you will know where they are, and know how much you have. This should keep you from duplicating items, or running out of items when you need them!
Don't be afraid of the cabinet under the sink! Use it to its full potential!
Here are some tips to make that cabinet usable again. It is a great storage space if used properly.
1. Take everything out.
2. Clean the cabinet (and the items you pull out). No one wants to pull out a roll of toilet paper that has dust bunnies or dirt on it! Yuck!
3. If the bottom of the cabinet is nasty (i.e. spilled shampoo that won't come up, warped plywood from a leak 10 years ago), put down a nice liner. If you use a light colored liner, it keeps the space in there from looking so dark and scary. Liners are also easier to wipe clean than the particle board that is typically in there.
4. Throw away any items that are past their prime or will never be used. There is no point in holding on to a half-empty (or half-full, however you look at things) bottle of lotion that you don't like and that you will not use. Let it go.
5. Group the rest of the items into categories that work for you (i.e. hair products, lotions, first aid products, toilet paper, cleaning supplies, etc.) Remember that the items in this cabinet should only be things to be used in the bathroom.
6. Try to contain the categories in baskets or bins. I really like the "itso" bins from Target. They come in a variety of sizes and colors. They also have straight sides and bottoms. Baskets look nice, but a lot of times, things like shampoo bottles, will tip over because the bottoms are not flat. I also prefer the plastic bins for this space since there is always the potential for water to get in there, and baskets would definitely get damaged by this. (Save the baskets for dry areas!)
7. In the containers, put the most used items in the front, where you can reach them easily.
8. If space is limited, get some wire shelves that fit in there. This will almost double your space!
Now that things are grouped together and contained, you will know where they are, and know how much you have. This should keep you from duplicating items, or running out of items when you need them!
Don't be afraid of the cabinet under the sink! Use it to its full potential!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Recipe Organization
I admit it. I love collecting recipes from magazines. I think it is because I was never comfortable in the kitchen before. I am not one of those people that can just make up a recipe with a little of this and a pinch of that. I need guidance. Tell me what to do EXACTLY.
So, I started collecting recipes from magazines. But, as many of you know, this can become overwhelming. All of sudden, there is a stack of ripped out pages of magazines. What do you do with all of them? Here is what I do:
I carefully tear out the page with the recipe that looks delicious (or that looks like the kids might not turn their noses up towards). I keep these pages in a file folder sorted by category (i.e. Entrees, desserts, breakfast, sides, etc.) Now, I used to automatically put them on recipe cards (several at a sitting to try and catch up on them). Then, I realized that even though they look or sound good, we may not really like them. And, why waste my recipe cards, my time, and space in the recipe box for something we won't ever eat!
So, what I started doing was leaving them in the file folder. Then, when I make my grocery list for the week, I pick one to three of those recipes to try. I write any ingredients that I might need for those recipes on the list, and then hang the recipe by a clip on the fridge. After making the recipe and deciding whether or not it is a keeper, I either toss the recipe if it got a "thumbs-down", or I proceed with cutting it neatly, and gluing it to the recipe card. (I am not going to spend time re-writing the recipe when it is so neatly typed in the magazine!) I also prefer to cut out the picture of the dish and glue it to the back of the card. I like to see what the finished product is "supposed" to look like when I am finished cooking it. Plus, I am a visual person, and it is easier for me to look at the picture and decide if it something I want to eat, rather than having to read the ingredients and try to remember why I chose to keep this recipe.
This system has worked for me to keep my recipes contained neatly and to give us variety in our meals. I do recommend that you think twice about a recipe before tearing it from the magazine. Think: "Am I REALLY going to ever cook this, or does it just sound/look good?" Don't just collect recipes to collect recipes. They are meant to be tools to help in the kitchen. Not just one more thing to take up space in the kitchen.
I have definitely gotten a lot more comfortable in the kitchen and now feel secure in making up some meals on my own. Nothing fancy, but more than just mac 'n cheese from a box!
So, I started collecting recipes from magazines. But, as many of you know, this can become overwhelming. All of sudden, there is a stack of ripped out pages of magazines. What do you do with all of them? Here is what I do:
I carefully tear out the page with the recipe that looks delicious (or that looks like the kids might not turn their noses up towards). I keep these pages in a file folder sorted by category (i.e. Entrees, desserts, breakfast, sides, etc.) Now, I used to automatically put them on recipe cards (several at a sitting to try and catch up on them). Then, I realized that even though they look or sound good, we may not really like them. And, why waste my recipe cards, my time, and space in the recipe box for something we won't ever eat!
So, what I started doing was leaving them in the file folder. Then, when I make my grocery list for the week, I pick one to three of those recipes to try. I write any ingredients that I might need for those recipes on the list, and then hang the recipe by a clip on the fridge. After making the recipe and deciding whether or not it is a keeper, I either toss the recipe if it got a "thumbs-down", or I proceed with cutting it neatly, and gluing it to the recipe card. (I am not going to spend time re-writing the recipe when it is so neatly typed in the magazine!) I also prefer to cut out the picture of the dish and glue it to the back of the card. I like to see what the finished product is "supposed" to look like when I am finished cooking it. Plus, I am a visual person, and it is easier for me to look at the picture and decide if it something I want to eat, rather than having to read the ingredients and try to remember why I chose to keep this recipe.
This system has worked for me to keep my recipes contained neatly and to give us variety in our meals. I do recommend that you think twice about a recipe before tearing it from the magazine. Think: "Am I REALLY going to ever cook this, or does it just sound/look good?" Don't just collect recipes to collect recipes. They are meant to be tools to help in the kitchen. Not just one more thing to take up space in the kitchen.
I have definitely gotten a lot more comfortable in the kitchen and now feel secure in making up some meals on my own. Nothing fancy, but more than just mac 'n cheese from a box!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Randomness
A pair of wet, dirty socks in the front yard.
A jumprope on the counter.
A hair rubberband in the dog's water dish.
Nerf darts everywhere.
A ball made of tin foil in the hallway.
These are the types of things we deal with in my household ALL the time. I am always amazed at the random things I find lying around. It's like the treasure that I find in the laundry. I keep all the strange little things I find in the kids' pockets in a small container in the laundry room. (Of course, I keep the money for myself. It is the payoff for having to deal with their smelly clothes.) Some day, when they are older, I will show them all the cool, peculiar things that they carried around with them. It is my version of a scrapbook.
A jumprope on the counter.
A hair rubberband in the dog's water dish.
Nerf darts everywhere.
A ball made of tin foil in the hallway.
These are the types of things we deal with in my household ALL the time. I am always amazed at the random things I find lying around. It's like the treasure that I find in the laundry. I keep all the strange little things I find in the kids' pockets in a small container in the laundry room. (Of course, I keep the money for myself. It is the payoff for having to deal with their smelly clothes.) Some day, when they are older, I will show them all the cool, peculiar things that they carried around with them. It is my version of a scrapbook.
Friday, March 26, 2010
Molehills out of Mountains
Here in the Austin area, I think the only thing happier than Lake Travis with all this rain are the weeds in MY yard. They have taken over! But, I have decided to take on the challenge of eliminating them, one tuft at a time. Originally, I thought, "This project is too big. I can't do it." But, I devised a plan to conquer it. Instead of trying to get rid of it all at one time, I now do a little at a time. I use one of those 5 gallon Home Depot buckets to collect the weeds as I pick them. I set a goal of how many times I will fill that 5 gallon bucket each time I start out. That way, I have a sense of accomplishment by reaching that goal, instead of looking at how much more I have to do. Yesterday, I vanquished 15 gallons of that pesky weed!
You can use this same plan on any organizing project that seems overwhelming. If your whole house needs organizing, don't try to take it on all at once. Break it into smaller portions. Start with a single drawer, one closet, or one room. A small portion that you know you can finish. Do not get distracted by the other areas that need to be completed. When you are finished, stand back and look at what you have achieved. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Move on to the next area only when that first one is completed.
Break those mountains of clutter into small, manageable molehills. You can do it, one step at a time.
Now, I have to get back out there and take on another 3 buckets of weeds!
You can use this same plan on any organizing project that seems overwhelming. If your whole house needs organizing, don't try to take it on all at once. Break it into smaller portions. Start with a single drawer, one closet, or one room. A small portion that you know you can finish. Do not get distracted by the other areas that need to be completed. When you are finished, stand back and look at what you have achieved. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Move on to the next area only when that first one is completed.
Break those mountains of clutter into small, manageable molehills. You can do it, one step at a time.
Now, I have to get back out there and take on another 3 buckets of weeds!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Kids are a mess!
Even as a professional organizer, I struggle with trying to convince my kids to keep their rooms clean. I, of course, would love it if they would put away their toys as soon as they are finished playing with them. Or, to not pull out everything in the drawer or box while looking for that one specific Lego or Star Wars figure. Or, to put their clothes in the hamper when they take them off and not throw them on the floor of their room, or even better, the bathroom floor!
However, I realize that organizing may not be genetic. Or maybe it is, but, unfortunately, they got their father's genes! So, I gently remind them to pick up their stuff, put it where it belongs (because, of course, everything has a place!), and try to teach them respect for their things, as well as my house.
I think the key here with kids, and your own space if you struggle with clutter, is to not let it get out of hand. At our house, the kids are required to clean their rooms on Wednesdays and Saturdays in order to get their allowance. The rest of the days, I try to take a deep breath and keep my negative comments to a minimum. After all, it is their space. (It's a different story when it comes to the common areas).
And, this is a tip that I learned from my mother growing up. The house does not have to be perfect at all times. But, you should be able to pull it together to be presentable for company within 30 minutes. If everything has a place, and everyone in the family (including the kids) knows where that place is, it should be an easy team effort to pull the house together in a short amount of time.
However, I realize that organizing may not be genetic. Or maybe it is, but, unfortunately, they got their father's genes! So, I gently remind them to pick up their stuff, put it where it belongs (because, of course, everything has a place!), and try to teach them respect for their things, as well as my house.
I think the key here with kids, and your own space if you struggle with clutter, is to not let it get out of hand. At our house, the kids are required to clean their rooms on Wednesdays and Saturdays in order to get their allowance. The rest of the days, I try to take a deep breath and keep my negative comments to a minimum. After all, it is their space. (It's a different story when it comes to the common areas).
And, this is a tip that I learned from my mother growing up. The house does not have to be perfect at all times. But, you should be able to pull it together to be presentable for company within 30 minutes. If everything has a place, and everyone in the family (including the kids) knows where that place is, it should be an easy team effort to pull the house together in a short amount of time.
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