We are down to my last two secrets...
I must say, however, I am not going to miss the clutter and disorganization!!
8. Multi Task.
While you are on the phone with a friend or on terminal hold, you can organize a drawer in your kitchen, or office. You could sort your dirty laundry, or fold clean laundry while you are watching a favorite TV show. You could knit a pair of socks while you watch a movie. Oh… Knitting socks is for me, but you could too if you wanted.
See you again soon.
Let's talk about: knitting, crocheting, beading, rug making, yummy recipies, homemaking tips and remedies, staying within our budget, faith in God, and so much more... I'd love to hear from you!! So leave a comment or drop me a line.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Getting organized - Secret #7 - AND Spring is in the air!
It is so beautiful here today!! The flowers are blooming. The grass is begining to green up and the trees are showing signs of life. It is so nice to feel the cool gentle breeze on my face. I can smell the fresh scent of spring in the air. What a joy to be alive in this day and enjoy God's creations.
Who wants to be cooped up inside getting organized? Not me, but here I sit...
Secret # 7...
7. Clean as you go.
It has been my experience if I “let things go” for a while, it is overwhelming when time comes that cleaning must take place. When things get messy, I get overwhelmed, so it is easier for me to clean as I go rather than letting it pile up. I have a weekly cleaning list that I use to tackle house cleaning chores each day so I am not spending more than an hour, two at the most cleaning daily. I clean the kitchen and dining area daily and after each meal. I add one or two additional rooms each weekday to the mix so I am really just staying caught up weekly without having to have a full 12 hour day of cleaning each week. I do laundry and clean bathrooms on Mondays, in addition to the Kitchen and Dining area. I sweep, mop, and polish all the floors in the house on Fridays so they are nice for the weekend and any drop in guests that might show up unannounced.
When I am cooking I wash up the dishes as I go, so there is not such a huge mess at the end. I avoid messing up every dish in the house too!! I am not about making more work for myself. NO WAY!! I have enought to do as it is. ...stepping off that soap box now... If I can use the same bowl for two things, I will. I really do hate to clean, so I have to do everything I can to simplify and make cleaning not seem overwhelming to me. I wipe down the counter and stove constantly as I am cooking so that I don’t have to spend another hour in the kitchen cleaning after each meal.
Clean as you go is put it away now’s partner. They work hand in hand to help you get organized and stay organized.
We can do this!!!
Who wants to be cooped up inside getting organized? Not me, but here I sit...
Secret # 7...
7. Clean as you go.
It has been my experience if I “let things go” for a while, it is overwhelming when time comes that cleaning must take place. When things get messy, I get overwhelmed, so it is easier for me to clean as I go rather than letting it pile up. I have a weekly cleaning list that I use to tackle house cleaning chores each day so I am not spending more than an hour, two at the most cleaning daily. I clean the kitchen and dining area daily and after each meal. I add one or two additional rooms each weekday to the mix so I am really just staying caught up weekly without having to have a full 12 hour day of cleaning each week. I do laundry and clean bathrooms on Mondays, in addition to the Kitchen and Dining area. I sweep, mop, and polish all the floors in the house on Fridays so they are nice for the weekend and any drop in guests that might show up unannounced.
When I am cooking I wash up the dishes as I go, so there is not such a huge mess at the end. I avoid messing up every dish in the house too!! I am not about making more work for myself. NO WAY!! I have enought to do as it is. ...stepping off that soap box now... If I can use the same bowl for two things, I will. I really do hate to clean, so I have to do everything I can to simplify and make cleaning not seem overwhelming to me. I wipe down the counter and stove constantly as I am cooking so that I don’t have to spend another hour in the kitchen cleaning after each meal.
Clean as you go is put it away now’s partner. They work hand in hand to help you get organized and stay organized.
We can do this!!!
Saturday, March 27, 2010
I just wanna talk about me...
That's right! Today I just wanna talk about me. Today it's all about me, me, me!
It has been busy week. I knit up a cowl but I don't like the way it turned out so it is now at the frog pond. Rippit!! I knit up an eternity scarf that I really like, but I have been so busy I have not had time to photograph. I will try to do that later today.
I do have pictures of my little precious one though...
I guess I want to talk about her now. Here she is just after a nice refreshing bath.
I know this is going to sound strange, but it is true. She gets upset to the point of making herself sick if I don't take her with me everywhere I go. She is my little shadow, I do love her as much as she loves me though. I am glad she wants to be with me, but I wish she would adjust better to Tuesday and Sunday mornings when I am out of the house without her.
On with the story. I left the house Tuesday to attend my regular Tuesday morning Bible study, which she has never gone to with me because really... Anyway, after bible study I went into town to eat lunch with my hubby. Little Miss Priss didn't want to be left home alone for those 3 hours even though she had toys, food, water, and lots of room to play. She was so stressed by my departure that she was a sick little girl when I got home. So, I spent the remainder of the day Tuesday, and all day Wednesday holding and loving her back to her less stressed self.
This is not the first time I have been away and she was so stressed that she got sick. Funny thing is, when I get home and hold her, she perks up and begins to get better almost immediately. How strange that seems to me. Has anyone else experienced this with their little Yorkie? I have read that they get very attached to their owners and will stress to sickness if their owner is away, but I really just thought it was bunk until now.
I said that to say this... Back in January I had scheduled her for surgery on Thursday, March 25th, to be spayed. She is just too small to have babies, in my opinion. I was probably overly concerned, but she does weigh only 2.7 lbs and she just stressed herself sick when I was only gone from home for a few hours. So I took her into the vet first thing Thursday as scheduled and explained how worried I was and how I was thinking we should just postpone this since she had just been stressed to sickness on Tuesday, the anesthesia is hard on small ones, she would be alone overnight, blah, blah, blah, and on and on why I should just take her back home with me and forget this surgery. Long story short, the vet said he would take her home with him overnight but that she needed to stay there overnight to be monitored. because she is so small. Reluctantly I agreed that we would proceed as planned and left the vets office.
SO... I spent the rest of the day worrying and doing anything I could to keep myself busy so I would not worry so much about her. Hubby took me out on a lovely date to a very nice restaurant and all I could do was talk about the baby (that would be Prissy). We did manage to have a nice evening all in all. He is a good husband.
I am excited to say Prissy is home now and doing well. I just love her to pieces. I am doing better too now that she is home.
I think that today we will sit in the bed, watch good movies, and knit something. I don't know what we will knit yet, but I will think of something. I am sure one of the yarns in this house will call out to me just begging to made into something.
Ok... I am done talking about me for awhile. In my next blog, I will continue with the organization tips.
Hope you have a GREAT weekend.
It has been busy week. I knit up a cowl but I don't like the way it turned out so it is now at the frog pond. Rippit!! I knit up an eternity scarf that I really like, but I have been so busy I have not had time to photograph. I will try to do that later today.
I do have pictures of my little precious one though...
I guess I want to talk about her now. Here she is just after a nice refreshing bath.
I know this is going to sound strange, but it is true. She gets upset to the point of making herself sick if I don't take her with me everywhere I go. She is my little shadow, I do love her as much as she loves me though. I am glad she wants to be with me, but I wish she would adjust better to Tuesday and Sunday mornings when I am out of the house without her.
On with the story. I left the house Tuesday to attend my regular Tuesday morning Bible study, which she has never gone to with me because really... Anyway, after bible study I went into town to eat lunch with my hubby. Little Miss Priss didn't want to be left home alone for those 3 hours even though she had toys, food, water, and lots of room to play. She was so stressed by my departure that she was a sick little girl when I got home. So, I spent the remainder of the day Tuesday, and all day Wednesday holding and loving her back to her less stressed self.
This is not the first time I have been away and she was so stressed that she got sick. Funny thing is, when I get home and hold her, she perks up and begins to get better almost immediately. How strange that seems to me. Has anyone else experienced this with their little Yorkie? I have read that they get very attached to their owners and will stress to sickness if their owner is away, but I really just thought it was bunk until now.
I said that to say this... Back in January I had scheduled her for surgery on Thursday, March 25th, to be spayed. She is just too small to have babies, in my opinion. I was probably overly concerned, but she does weigh only 2.7 lbs and she just stressed herself sick when I was only gone from home for a few hours. So I took her into the vet first thing Thursday as scheduled and explained how worried I was and how I was thinking we should just postpone this since she had just been stressed to sickness on Tuesday, the anesthesia is hard on small ones, she would be alone overnight, blah, blah, blah, and on and on why I should just take her back home with me and forget this surgery. Long story short, the vet said he would take her home with him overnight but that she needed to stay there overnight to be monitored. because she is so small. Reluctantly I agreed that we would proceed as planned and left the vets office.
SO... I spent the rest of the day worrying and doing anything I could to keep myself busy so I would not worry so much about her. Hubby took me out on a lovely date to a very nice restaurant and all I could do was talk about the baby (that would be Prissy). We did manage to have a nice evening all in all. He is a good husband.
I am excited to say Prissy is home now and doing well. I just love her to pieces. I am doing better too now that she is home.
I think that today we will sit in the bed, watch good movies, and knit something. I don't know what we will knit yet, but I will think of something. I am sure one of the yarns in this house will call out to me just begging to made into something.
Ok... I am done talking about me for awhile. In my next blog, I will continue with the organization tips.
Hope you have a GREAT weekend.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Getting organized - Secret #6
6. Put it away NOW, not later!
This secret works with the decision secret. I have a terrible habit of coming in the door and tossing whatever I have in my hand on the nearest table or counter top with the best of intentions of coming right back to put it away. I bet you do too, unless you are already organized. Hey!! If you are already organized why are you reading this? Well, I am glad you are reading this even if you are organized.
Not putting things away right now is one of the main reasons things get cluttered and unorganized. It doesn’t take much longer to put things away properly than it does to toss them on the nearest table top. Most importantly, the habit of putting things away now will save a tremendous amount of time when it is time to clean and when you are looking for something you need right now. It will save days of sorting and organizing later. Just think… what if we had been doing this all along? We would not be spending days, weeks, maybe even months getting organized now.
Starting today, force yourself to put things in their home the minute you are done using them, not later. In a few short days you will have formed the habit and putting things in their home will seem the only rational thing to do.
Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you will comment and come again. I only have three more posts in this getting organized series. What are we going to talk about next? Knitting? Food? A little of this and a little of that? I don't really know, but we will talk about something. A girl can always chat about something.
See you again soon!
This secret works with the decision secret. I have a terrible habit of coming in the door and tossing whatever I have in my hand on the nearest table or counter top with the best of intentions of coming right back to put it away. I bet you do too, unless you are already organized. Hey!! If you are already organized why are you reading this? Well, I am glad you are reading this even if you are organized.
Not putting things away right now is one of the main reasons things get cluttered and unorganized. It doesn’t take much longer to put things away properly than it does to toss them on the nearest table top. Most importantly, the habit of putting things away now will save a tremendous amount of time when it is time to clean and when you are looking for something you need right now. It will save days of sorting and organizing later. Just think… what if we had been doing this all along? We would not be spending days, weeks, maybe even months getting organized now.
Starting today, force yourself to put things in their home the minute you are done using them, not later. In a few short days you will have formed the habit and putting things in their home will seem the only rational thing to do.
Thanks for stopping in today. I hope you will comment and come again. I only have three more posts in this getting organized series. What are we going to talk about next? Knitting? Food? A little of this and a little of that? I don't really know, but we will talk about something. A girl can always chat about something.
See you again soon!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Back to getting organized... Secret #5
Good afternoon!
I hope all is well in your world. We still have snow on the ground here, but it is slowly melting away. I was hoping to have a picnic on the new dock down at the lake, but I guess that will have to wait until next week, or at least for a warmer sun filled day.
Ok... Back to getting organized and staying organized.
5. A place for everything and everything in its place.
We need to have a designated place for everything in our lives. No more junk drawers!! I bet you know where your makeup is. It has a home. I bet you know where your jewelry is. It has a home. Do you lose your car keys? I lose mine all the time. Why? Because I don’t put them where they go, which is in the front pocket of my purse. Where do your car keys go? You should have one place for them (in your purse or next to the door is best) and you'll never lose them again. Where do your old newspapers go? Pens? Pencils? Magazines? Children’s toys? Pet’s toys? Everything should have a home, a place to go when it is not being used.
Determine what organized looks like. To me organized is not cluttered. An organized home is a welcoming, calm, clean, place to be where things can be easily located and retrieved. An organized home is a place I enjoy living in and don’t mind visiting.
We need to find a "home" for every item in our home. If we have homeless items in our lives we need to find a home for them. If there are things sitting on your kitchen counter that don’t belong in the kitchen, they are homeless. Do you have things on your bed that don’t belong there? How about things on your desk that don’t belong? Now is the time to make a decision about where these items will live. Take action, file it, throw it away, give it to someone who will love it and use it, or find it a home, now. Don’t just keep moving these homeless items from one homeless shelter to another.
Some people love labels. Labels may help you keep things in their home, so you might want to use labels.
Think about how you use the items in your home when you are finding homes for things. You want your homes to be easy to get to and you want to be able to find what you have put away easily. Put items near the point they will be used. Store all the laundry items in the laundry room or near the washer and dryer. Keep your dish washing detergent next to the dishwasher. Put your pots and pans, pot holders and cooking utensils next to the stove. I know you are thinking duh??? But not everyone puts things in the most obvious place and then they are surprised when it is not convenient. Trust me, I know, I have put things away and then could not find them. Planning is a good thing!
It’s okay to duplicate items in different homes within your home. You will need a pair of scissors in your kitchen, and you will also need to have a pair in your home office. I also like to have a pair of scissors in my knitting corner(s). You might also like to have duplicate cleaning supplies in each bathroom. I know I do. It saves me time when I am cleaning the bathrooms and I don't have to lug around a cleaning tray.
That's it for today. See you soon with secret #6.
I hope all is well in your world. We still have snow on the ground here, but it is slowly melting away. I was hoping to have a picnic on the new dock down at the lake, but I guess that will have to wait until next week, or at least for a warmer sun filled day.
Ok... Back to getting organized and staying organized.
5. A place for everything and everything in its place.
We need to have a designated place for everything in our lives. No more junk drawers!! I bet you know where your makeup is. It has a home. I bet you know where your jewelry is. It has a home. Do you lose your car keys? I lose mine all the time. Why? Because I don’t put them where they go, which is in the front pocket of my purse. Where do your car keys go? You should have one place for them (in your purse or next to the door is best) and you'll never lose them again. Where do your old newspapers go? Pens? Pencils? Magazines? Children’s toys? Pet’s toys? Everything should have a home, a place to go when it is not being used.
Determine what organized looks like. To me organized is not cluttered. An organized home is a welcoming, calm, clean, place to be where things can be easily located and retrieved. An organized home is a place I enjoy living in and don’t mind visiting.
We need to find a "home" for every item in our home. If we have homeless items in our lives we need to find a home for them. If there are things sitting on your kitchen counter that don’t belong in the kitchen, they are homeless. Do you have things on your bed that don’t belong there? How about things on your desk that don’t belong? Now is the time to make a decision about where these items will live. Take action, file it, throw it away, give it to someone who will love it and use it, or find it a home, now. Don’t just keep moving these homeless items from one homeless shelter to another.
Some people love labels. Labels may help you keep things in their home, so you might want to use labels.
Think about how you use the items in your home when you are finding homes for things. You want your homes to be easy to get to and you want to be able to find what you have put away easily. Put items near the point they will be used. Store all the laundry items in the laundry room or near the washer and dryer. Keep your dish washing detergent next to the dishwasher. Put your pots and pans, pot holders and cooking utensils next to the stove. I know you are thinking duh??? But not everyone puts things in the most obvious place and then they are surprised when it is not convenient. Trust me, I know, I have put things away and then could not find them. Planning is a good thing!
It’s okay to duplicate items in different homes within your home. You will need a pair of scissors in your kitchen, and you will also need to have a pair in your home office. I also like to have a pair of scissors in my knitting corner(s). You might also like to have duplicate cleaning supplies in each bathroom. I know I do. It saves me time when I am cleaning the bathrooms and I don't have to lug around a cleaning tray.
That's it for today. See you soon with secret #6.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Spring, smhing!
I thought it was spring. Look what I woke up to this morning.
I can't even see my little yellow buttercups anymore. Can you believe it was in the upper 60's on Friday and this morning snow and lots of it?
I think I will just have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy some knitting.
I will continue our organizing secrets tomorrow with secret #5.
God bless you!
Debbie
I can't even see my little yellow buttercups anymore. Can you believe it was in the upper 60's on Friday and this morning snow and lots of it?
I think I will just have a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy some knitting.
I will continue our organizing secrets tomorrow with secret #5.
God bless you!
Debbie
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Getting organized - Secret 4
All I can say is getting organized takes time.
4. Make a decision and act on it.
Do you have a stack of mail sitting on your table, counter top or at the point of entry you’re your home? I do. Is that stack of clutter growing daily? That stack of mail is a result of the fact that I didn’t want to deal with the mail when I had it in my hand so I dumped it. Now I have more mail to deal with than if I had just made a decision, acted on it, and moved on to my next task for the day. Most of the clutter in our lives is directly related to the fact that we put off making a decision until later. If we want to get organized and stay organized we will have to make decisions, act on them and move on.
Let’s tackle the mail and paper clutter we have in our homes and offices. Are you ready?
We need to set up an inbox for all of our papers. Paper could be mail, phone messages, notes that we wrote to ourselves and laid down somewhere (we aren’t doing that anymore, because we are not collecting our thoughts in our notebook.) etc. You might like to have an inbox close to your point of entry and possibly another inbox in your home office if that suits your needs, but one at the point of entry should be enough.
Once you have your inbox in place you will want to put all of your incoming paper in that box. Then once a day, it will only take about 10 minutes, go through the inbox and do something with each piece of mail and/or paper. Make a decision. Pick up the top item in your inbox. Does this need to be filed? File it. Does this need to be thrown away? Toss it in the trash. Can someone else handle this task? Delegate it. Does this paper require you to take action? Put it on your to-do list in your planner, or do it now. Is this a bill? Write a check to be mailed and place it in the out portion of your box to be taken with you to the PO when you run errands, or pay the bill online now. Does it need to be shredded? Shred it. Continue this process until the inbox is empty. Make a decision, act on it NOW, not later, and move on.
Whew!!! I got it done. I feel better already! How about you?
4. Make a decision and act on it.
Do you have a stack of mail sitting on your table, counter top or at the point of entry you’re your home? I do. Is that stack of clutter growing daily? That stack of mail is a result of the fact that I didn’t want to deal with the mail when I had it in my hand so I dumped it. Now I have more mail to deal with than if I had just made a decision, acted on it, and moved on to my next task for the day. Most of the clutter in our lives is directly related to the fact that we put off making a decision until later. If we want to get organized and stay organized we will have to make decisions, act on them and move on.
Let’s tackle the mail and paper clutter we have in our homes and offices. Are you ready?
We need to set up an inbox for all of our papers. Paper could be mail, phone messages, notes that we wrote to ourselves and laid down somewhere (we aren’t doing that anymore, because we are not collecting our thoughts in our notebook.) etc. You might like to have an inbox close to your point of entry and possibly another inbox in your home office if that suits your needs, but one at the point of entry should be enough.
Once you have your inbox in place you will want to put all of your incoming paper in that box. Then once a day, it will only take about 10 minutes, go through the inbox and do something with each piece of mail and/or paper. Make a decision. Pick up the top item in your inbox. Does this need to be filed? File it. Does this need to be thrown away? Toss it in the trash. Can someone else handle this task? Delegate it. Does this paper require you to take action? Put it on your to-do list in your planner, or do it now. Is this a bill? Write a check to be mailed and place it in the out portion of your box to be taken with you to the PO when you run errands, or pay the bill online now. Does it need to be shredded? Shred it. Continue this process until the inbox is empty. Make a decision, act on it NOW, not later, and move on.
Whew!!! I got it done. I feel better already! How about you?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Adding a contact me gadget....
I learned how to add a gadget to allow others to contact you. This is what I did if you are interested in adding a contact button to your blogspot blot.
From the dashboard choose the layout option.
Click Add a Gadget
Choose Picture
Type in your title. (example: contact me by e-mail)
In the Link box type: mailto:youre.mailaddress@wherever.com
Load your chosen image and save.
Back to your layout page you will be able to move your gadget where you want it and save. This will allow others to send you an e-mail from your blog.
From the dashboard choose the layout option.
Click Add a Gadget
Choose Picture
Type in your title. (example: contact me by e-mail)
In the Link box type: mailto:youre.mailaddress@wherever.com
Load your chosen image and save.
Back to your layout page you will be able to move your gadget where you want it and save. This will allow others to send you an e-mail from your blog.
Geting organized - Secret 3
3. Write it down! NOW not later!!!
You know what they say; The faintest ink is better than the best memory. I have CRS. You know I Can’t Remember Stuff. Sometimes it is important stuff too! I bet you forget stuff too. Come on, admit it. No one will know. SO, rather than trying to keep that list going in your head without getting lost in your brains massive storage cabinet, write it down. I keep a notebook by the bed and as I think of things; ideas I want to remember, things that need to be done around the house, in the office, or just in my life in general, where I am putting something that is important and will need again in a few days, etc., write everything down in the little book for remembering.
Another thing I do to write it down is: I have a laminated grocery list that I use so when I or hubby take the last or next to last of something from the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer, we mark that item for purchase. I keep the grocery checklist on the side of the refrigerator so it is handy and I keep the dry erase marker on top of the fridge. Everyone in the house knows that if it is not on the list, it won’t be in the house come grocery day. Let your family know it is there and they will use it too.
Side note: I have tried to figure out how to insert a document here for you, but I just can't get it figured out, so.... if you would like a copy of our grocery list leave a comment and I will send one to you via e-mail if I can easily determine your e-mail address when I click on you. It is a word document and can be easily edited to add or delete items that you use or don't use in your home. OR you can shoot me an e-mail by clicking the e-mail button on the right side of this blog.
Get a calendar and place it somewhere you can see it every morning. Maybe you want your calendar in your kitchen, or on your desktop. It is okay to duplicate a calendar in more than one place. Track important dates (birthdays, dental visits, Dr. visits, your kid’s activities, important events) on all your calendars. Look at your calendar each morning before and during your planning time so you don’t forget or miss anything important on that day.
Tomorrow will be Secret 4 for getting organized.
You know what they say; The faintest ink is better than the best memory. I have CRS. You know I Can’t Remember Stuff. Sometimes it is important stuff too! I bet you forget stuff too. Come on, admit it. No one will know. SO, rather than trying to keep that list going in your head without getting lost in your brains massive storage cabinet, write it down. I keep a notebook by the bed and as I think of things; ideas I want to remember, things that need to be done around the house, in the office, or just in my life in general, where I am putting something that is important and will need again in a few days, etc., write everything down in the little book for remembering.
Another thing I do to write it down is: I have a laminated grocery list that I use so when I or hubby take the last or next to last of something from the pantry, refrigerator, or freezer, we mark that item for purchase. I keep the grocery checklist on the side of the refrigerator so it is handy and I keep the dry erase marker on top of the fridge. Everyone in the house knows that if it is not on the list, it won’t be in the house come grocery day. Let your family know it is there and they will use it too.
Side note: I have tried to figure out how to insert a document here for you, but I just can't get it figured out, so.... if you would like a copy of our grocery list leave a comment and I will send one to you via e-mail if I can easily determine your e-mail address when I click on you. It is a word document and can be easily edited to add or delete items that you use or don't use in your home. OR you can shoot me an e-mail by clicking the e-mail button on the right side of this blog.
Get a calendar and place it somewhere you can see it every morning. Maybe you want your calendar in your kitchen, or on your desktop. It is okay to duplicate a calendar in more than one place. Track important dates (birthdays, dental visits, Dr. visits, your kid’s activities, important events) on all your calendars. Look at your calendar each morning before and during your planning time so you don’t forget or miss anything important on that day.
Tomorrow will be Secret 4 for getting organized.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Back to getting organized...
When we last spoke about getting organized and staying organized, not counting a small mention of it yesterday in my blog, the last thing I said was, "Don’t be upset if you don’t finish, there is always tomorrow and the reward of being organized will be worth it!"
So if you got started and are like me I can just hear it now...
Uh oh, now I have a new pile of “stuff”!! Get rid of it. You need to do something with it now. Do one of the following: sell it, throw it away, donate it to a worthy charity, or give it to someone who will love it and use it.
Ok. I hear you saying but I really just can’t bring myself to get rid of insert your temptation item here. Ask yourself some questions when you are reducing/de-cluttering. Do I really need this? Have I used it in the past 6 months? Will I need it in the next 6 months? Do I really love it? Does this item add to my life in some way? Do I know someone who could really use this and would love to have it? Will I miss it if I don’t have it anymore? Did I really even know I had this?
If you still cannot bear to part with the item, put it in one box or storage bin. One is all you get. Label the bin with every item that is in it, date the list, and store the bin in the garage, the attic, the basement or somewhere out of the way. In six months, when you haven't needed any of it, out it goes. Sell it, donate it, throw it away or give it to someone who will love and use it.
I personally will have a yard sale and make a little extra cash. I will donate everything that does not sell to a goodwill shop in the area. You can do the same, or if you don’t want to go to the bother of a yard sale just donate your items to a goodwill shop in your area and be done with it. Most will come to your home and pick up the items you are donating. It can be a nice tax deduction too.
When my house is clutter free, I will treat myself to some nice yarn - uh... I mean… uh… - treat myself to something nice that will not bring the clutter back in our home. I have worked hard to get it out and I want things to stay organized.
I mentioned that we also need to reduce in our scheduling as well. Are you asking, How am I going to reduce in my schedule? If you are like me your schedule is cram packed each day and could use some de-cluttering. We can start by getting rid of all the extras.
I hear you asking and exclaiming, What are extras? I don't have any extras?
Yes, you have extras, and so do I. Extras are activities that you are not all that gung-ho about but do anyway. Extras can also be people that drain your time and energy. Extras can be some of your children’s activities that they are really not that interested in. Take a minute to think about how much simpler and less stressful your life would be without the energy drainers and only participating in 2 or 3 extra activities rather than 8 or 9. You will not be so pressed for time if you can reduce your schedule and you will get more out of the activities you really enjoy and want to participate in.
After you drop the extras, it is time to work on the daily to do task list we discussed in the planning secret. Take a few minutes to make a list of everything you want to accomplish (if you have not already done this). Prioritize that list and incorporate it into your 6 most important tasks each day, until all the tasks in your list have been accomplished. Yes, the list will most likely grow, and some things that seem important now, may fall off your list, because they are not really important in the big scheme of things.
We can all do 6 most important things each day. Prioritize the most important list each morning before beginning your day. Schedule tasks so that you are making the most of your time. Combine like tasks. Make all your phone calls during one block of time. Do all your filing in one block of time. Pay all of your bills at the same time (maybe twice a month). Run all your errands and shop at the same time. This will help you stay focused and make the best use of your time.
Tomorrow we, really I guess it will just be me here typing to me again, but oh well... Tomorrow we will discuss secret #3 and it will be a short post compared to most of my ramblings.
So if you got started and are like me I can just hear it now...
Uh oh, now I have a new pile of “stuff”!! Get rid of it. You need to do something with it now. Do one of the following: sell it, throw it away, donate it to a worthy charity, or give it to someone who will love it and use it.
Ok. I hear you saying but I really just can’t bring myself to get rid of insert your temptation item here. Ask yourself some questions when you are reducing/de-cluttering. Do I really need this? Have I used it in the past 6 months? Will I need it in the next 6 months? Do I really love it? Does this item add to my life in some way? Do I know someone who could really use this and would love to have it? Will I miss it if I don’t have it anymore? Did I really even know I had this?
If you still cannot bear to part with the item, put it in one box or storage bin. One is all you get. Label the bin with every item that is in it, date the list, and store the bin in the garage, the attic, the basement or somewhere out of the way. In six months, when you haven't needed any of it, out it goes. Sell it, donate it, throw it away or give it to someone who will love and use it.
I personally will have a yard sale and make a little extra cash. I will donate everything that does not sell to a goodwill shop in the area. You can do the same, or if you don’t want to go to the bother of a yard sale just donate your items to a goodwill shop in your area and be done with it. Most will come to your home and pick up the items you are donating. It can be a nice tax deduction too.
When my house is clutter free, I will treat myself to some nice yarn - uh... I mean… uh… - treat myself to something nice that will not bring the clutter back in our home. I have worked hard to get it out and I want things to stay organized.
I mentioned that we also need to reduce in our scheduling as well. Are you asking, How am I going to reduce in my schedule? If you are like me your schedule is cram packed each day and could use some de-cluttering. We can start by getting rid of all the extras.
I hear you asking and exclaiming, What are extras? I don't have any extras?
Yes, you have extras, and so do I. Extras are activities that you are not all that gung-ho about but do anyway. Extras can also be people that drain your time and energy. Extras can be some of your children’s activities that they are really not that interested in. Take a minute to think about how much simpler and less stressful your life would be without the energy drainers and only participating in 2 or 3 extra activities rather than 8 or 9. You will not be so pressed for time if you can reduce your schedule and you will get more out of the activities you really enjoy and want to participate in.
After you drop the extras, it is time to work on the daily to do task list we discussed in the planning secret. Take a few minutes to make a list of everything you want to accomplish (if you have not already done this). Prioritize that list and incorporate it into your 6 most important tasks each day, until all the tasks in your list have been accomplished. Yes, the list will most likely grow, and some things that seem important now, may fall off your list, because they are not really important in the big scheme of things.
We can all do 6 most important things each day. Prioritize the most important list each morning before beginning your day. Schedule tasks so that you are making the most of your time. Combine like tasks. Make all your phone calls during one block of time. Do all your filing in one block of time. Pay all of your bills at the same time (maybe twice a month). Run all your errands and shop at the same time. This will help you stay focused and make the best use of your time.
Tomorrow we, really I guess it will just be me here typing to me again, but oh well... Tomorrow we will discuss secret #3 and it will be a short post compared to most of my ramblings.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Organizing- not so much- Knitting -- that's more like it!
Can I just say I think I know how you are feeling, if you are trying to get organized? Work!!! This is really a lot of work!! At least for me, getting organized is not fun, (and I am all about having fun) while you are working to get organized, but after you are organized in an area, it is very fulfilling!!!
I rewarded me with a little knitting time and now I am going to reward you, if you are interested in knitting. with a FREE pattern for a knit dish cloth.
(insert shameless plug here) --> I am listing some sets of 100% cotton cloths on my Etsy site today. SO... If you don't knit and want to try these cloths you can come shop with me. Let me know in the comments you read about them in my blog, and I will include 1 additional knit cloth at no additional charge to you. (think to self... "that was a smooth shameless plug for your knitting shop on Etsy")
I absolutely love hand knit wash cloths! I do not use anything else. They are perfect for the kitchen and the bathroom. I love to use these 100% cotton hand knit cloths for several purposes; dishes, counter tops, stove top, etc, because it scrubs and cleans without scratching the surfaces. I also use these to wash my face, because it scrubs but is not abrasive.
Enough rambling. On to the knitting. Pictures first...
I like to use 100% cotton when I am knitting up these cloths. for the multi colored cloth, I used little bits that I had leftover from other projects and I really like that cloth the best. I am going to use this during the month of April it reminds me of Easter and spring.
This is really very easy to knit and can be completed in about an hour. The finished cloth measures approximately 8X8. I used size 7 US needles and as always for cloths, worsted weight 100% cotton.
It is after all just a wash cloth so gauge is not really that important, but the gauge for this cloth is: 4 sts X 6 rows = 1 inch
Cast on 33 stitches
Every row until piece measures approximately 8 inches: K1, P1, across to last stitch, K1
Bind off loosely. Weave in ends. Voila!!
See... I told you this was easy, and quick. It is really mindless. You can knit these up give them as gifts, use them yourself or sell them. I did think up this particular pattern ans write it down so I do own the copyright, but I mean really. Anyone could think up this simple little cloth pattern and I wanted to share with my followers and reading friends.
Have fun and enjoy!!
More organizing tips/secrets tomorrow.
I rewarded me with a little knitting time and now I am going to reward you, if you are interested in knitting. with a FREE pattern for a knit dish cloth.
(insert shameless plug here) --> I am listing some sets of 100% cotton cloths on my Etsy site today. SO... If you don't knit and want to try these cloths you can come shop with me. Let me know in the comments you read about them in my blog, and I will include 1 additional knit cloth at no additional charge to you. (think to self... "that was a smooth shameless plug for your knitting shop on Etsy")
I absolutely love hand knit wash cloths! I do not use anything else. They are perfect for the kitchen and the bathroom. I love to use these 100% cotton hand knit cloths for several purposes; dishes, counter tops, stove top, etc, because it scrubs and cleans without scratching the surfaces. I also use these to wash my face, because it scrubs but is not abrasive.
Enough rambling. On to the knitting. Pictures first...
I like to use 100% cotton when I am knitting up these cloths. for the multi colored cloth, I used little bits that I had leftover from other projects and I really like that cloth the best. I am going to use this during the month of April it reminds me of Easter and spring.
This is really very easy to knit and can be completed in about an hour. The finished cloth measures approximately 8X8. I used size 7 US needles and as always for cloths, worsted weight 100% cotton.
It is after all just a wash cloth so gauge is not really that important, but the gauge for this cloth is: 4 sts X 6 rows = 1 inch
Cast on 33 stitches
Every row until piece measures approximately 8 inches: K1, P1, across to last stitch, K1
Bind off loosely. Weave in ends. Voila!!
See... I told you this was easy, and quick. It is really mindless. You can knit these up give them as gifts, use them yourself or sell them. I did think up this particular pattern ans write it down so I do own the copyright, but I mean really. Anyone could think up this simple little cloth pattern and I wanted to share with my followers and reading friends.
Have fun and enjoy!!
More organizing tips/secrets tomorrow.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Me: Well... Did you get it all organized?
Reply from Me to Me: Are you crazy? Oh, yes you are! You are talking to yourself and even answering questions. Good grief!! Oh well.
No, I didn't get it all organized, but I do have my planner and I am writing things down. I have a list of errands that I have to run today and I know what my next few days are going to be spent doing.
I am excited that I am off to a good start!!
Me: What is the next secret. Remember you said you would keep sharing.
Reply from Me to Me: Ok. Here is today's secret to getting organized and staying organized. This is a long post, but I think it is worth the time and effort it will take to read and implement.
2. Reduce and de-clutter!
Let’s start with our “stuff”. I know what you are thinking, because I am thinking the same thing. Get rid of my stuff? Are you nuts? I can’t live without my stuff!! I say, if you are like me, you don’t even know you have half of the things you are holding on to. Yep, we could go out, spend a small fortune on storage bins, sort it, label it, and shove it all back in the closets, under the beds, in the garage, or rent a storage unit to hold our treasures, but really... What have we accomplished if we take that approach? We still have bins full of things we don’t need, won’t ever use, and will forget about as soon as the bins are stacked and out of site.
Reducing and de-cluttering is a very important first step on the journey to getting organized and staying organized. It will be easier to reduce and de-clutter if we divide and conquer. There is no way we can de-clutter in a day, what it took years to collect. It is going to take time, effort and energy to get rid of our clutter. Take it a step at a time. Conquer one room at a time. Stay in that room until you are done. No! said with exaggeration. I don’t mean you have to work on that room for a continuous 120 hours until it is complete. Just work for your designated time each day in one room until that room is clutter free. Take time to celebrate after each area is de-cluttered. I like to reward me for a good job. It makes me ready for the next job and the reward for accomplishing the task at hand.
I am dividing my home up like this:
Master bedroom closet
Master Bedroom
Master Bath
Main living area
Kitchen
Dining Room
You get the idea…
NO! You don’t have to go out and buy a lot of “storage” supplies. Be creative and use things you have on hand. For instance, you could use the storage containers you already have on hand for some of the items you plan to keep. You could put like items in an old shoebox, label the box with its contents and store it in a closet. You could use an old chipped coffee cup as a pen and pencil holder.
How do I reduce? Start somewhere, anywhere; just pick a place to start and start. Whether it is your closet, a drawer in the kitchen, a storage bin, a pile of mail on the kitchen counter, or whatever is lying around that you are tired of tripping over every day, take everything out of the closet, drawer, storage bin, etc. (including your schedule), AND only put back the things that you really use. Chances are if it is in a bin covered in dust and you are shocked at what you find, we don’t really need it. Let it go.
For the sake of an example I am going to start in my closet. Oh boy!! What a mess. I have enough clothes and shoes for… well; let’s just say I have a LOT! So, I am going to reduce! Just for fun, (it’s not really for fun ‘cause it’s a big fat mess and I don’t’ have room for more clothes or shoes) I have over 100 pairs of shoes. No, I don’t wear them all, (and you don’t either) so reduce today!
Now that I am ready to start, cleaning out the closet it seems really overwhelming. That’s why I have not done it before now. What am I going to do? Am I going to abandon my resolve to get organized? NO!! I am going to divide the task of cleaning the closet into smaller bites. This is an elephant to me, so I need to eat it one bite at a time. I am going to divide the closet into manageable tasks.
My shoes
Hubby’s shoes
My clothes
Hubby’s clothes
Shelved items
That seems more manageable to me. Now I am really ready to start getting organized.
In my planning stage I determined that I am willing to devote one hour each day to the getting organized process. Tomorrow I am going to start on my closet. I plan to get up at 7AM and work from 7:30AM-8:30AM on the closet. At 7:30AM I will set a timer for one hour and work like mad to accomplish all that I can to reduce items in my closet. I will start by removing all the shoes from the closet and only keep the 10 pair that I love and wear. Yes only 10 pair. We are reducing. Now, I don’t need to go out and buy a new shoe organizer!! The next day I will tackle the clothes in the same manner. Maybe the next day I need to tackle the shelved items in the closet, or my husband’s area of the closet.
No matter where you choose to start remember to take it one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. Determine the time you are willing to devote to the task, set your timer and work like a crazy woman to get as much done in the allotted time as you can. Don’t be upset if you don’t finish, there is always tomorrow and the reward of being organized will be worth it!
More tomorrow... or maybe it will have to wait until Tuesday of next week, cause I am not going to hit the closet until Monday. (I have a lot of prior obligations this weekend.) I will try to remember to take pictures.
Reply from Me to Me: Are you crazy? Oh, yes you are! You are talking to yourself and even answering questions. Good grief!! Oh well.
No, I didn't get it all organized, but I do have my planner and I am writing things down. I have a list of errands that I have to run today and I know what my next few days are going to be spent doing.
I am excited that I am off to a good start!!
Me: What is the next secret. Remember you said you would keep sharing.
Reply from Me to Me: Ok. Here is today's secret to getting organized and staying organized. This is a long post, but I think it is worth the time and effort it will take to read and implement.
2. Reduce and de-clutter!
Let’s start with our “stuff”. I know what you are thinking, because I am thinking the same thing. Get rid of my stuff? Are you nuts? I can’t live without my stuff!! I say, if you are like me, you don’t even know you have half of the things you are holding on to. Yep, we could go out, spend a small fortune on storage bins, sort it, label it, and shove it all back in the closets, under the beds, in the garage, or rent a storage unit to hold our treasures, but really... What have we accomplished if we take that approach? We still have bins full of things we don’t need, won’t ever use, and will forget about as soon as the bins are stacked and out of site.
Reducing and de-cluttering is a very important first step on the journey to getting organized and staying organized. It will be easier to reduce and de-clutter if we divide and conquer. There is no way we can de-clutter in a day, what it took years to collect. It is going to take time, effort and energy to get rid of our clutter. Take it a step at a time. Conquer one room at a time. Stay in that room until you are done. No! said with exaggeration. I don’t mean you have to work on that room for a continuous 120 hours until it is complete. Just work for your designated time each day in one room until that room is clutter free. Take time to celebrate after each area is de-cluttered. I like to reward me for a good job. It makes me ready for the next job and the reward for accomplishing the task at hand.
I am dividing my home up like this:
Master bedroom closet
Master Bedroom
Master Bath
Main living area
Kitchen
Dining Room
You get the idea…
NO! You don’t have to go out and buy a lot of “storage” supplies. Be creative and use things you have on hand. For instance, you could use the storage containers you already have on hand for some of the items you plan to keep. You could put like items in an old shoebox, label the box with its contents and store it in a closet. You could use an old chipped coffee cup as a pen and pencil holder.
How do I reduce? Start somewhere, anywhere; just pick a place to start and start. Whether it is your closet, a drawer in the kitchen, a storage bin, a pile of mail on the kitchen counter, or whatever is lying around that you are tired of tripping over every day, take everything out of the closet, drawer, storage bin, etc. (including your schedule), AND only put back the things that you really use. Chances are if it is in a bin covered in dust and you are shocked at what you find, we don’t really need it. Let it go.
For the sake of an example I am going to start in my closet. Oh boy!! What a mess. I have enough clothes and shoes for… well; let’s just say I have a LOT! So, I am going to reduce! Just for fun, (it’s not really for fun ‘cause it’s a big fat mess and I don’t’ have room for more clothes or shoes) I have over 100 pairs of shoes. No, I don’t wear them all, (and you don’t either) so reduce today!
Now that I am ready to start, cleaning out the closet it seems really overwhelming. That’s why I have not done it before now. What am I going to do? Am I going to abandon my resolve to get organized? NO!! I am going to divide the task of cleaning the closet into smaller bites. This is an elephant to me, so I need to eat it one bite at a time. I am going to divide the closet into manageable tasks.
My shoes
Hubby’s shoes
My clothes
Hubby’s clothes
Shelved items
That seems more manageable to me. Now I am really ready to start getting organized.
In my planning stage I determined that I am willing to devote one hour each day to the getting organized process. Tomorrow I am going to start on my closet. I plan to get up at 7AM and work from 7:30AM-8:30AM on the closet. At 7:30AM I will set a timer for one hour and work like mad to accomplish all that I can to reduce items in my closet. I will start by removing all the shoes from the closet and only keep the 10 pair that I love and wear. Yes only 10 pair. We are reducing. Now, I don’t need to go out and buy a new shoe organizer!! The next day I will tackle the clothes in the same manner. Maybe the next day I need to tackle the shelved items in the closet, or my husband’s area of the closet.
No matter where you choose to start remember to take it one day at a time. Slow and steady wins the race. Determine the time you are willing to devote to the task, set your timer and work like a crazy woman to get as much done in the allotted time as you can. Don’t be upset if you don’t finish, there is always tomorrow and the reward of being organized will be worth it!
More tomorrow... or maybe it will have to wait until Tuesday of next week, cause I am not going to hit the closet until Monday. (I have a lot of prior obligations this weekend.) I will try to remember to take pictures.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Secrets that will help you get organized and stay organized!
We all love a good secret. You want to know the secret?
Well… there aren’t really any secrets. Just some habits that we need to form over the next few days, well, okay, maybe it will take the next few months. My point is we can get organized and stay organized. We just need to apply these habits to each area of our lives in order to get organized and stay organized.
SO… if you are living in clutter and disarray, and feeling overwhelmed, let’s get started today by developing a few habits that will help us get organized and stay organized in every area of our lives!
Remember!! We need to start by doing a little at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, of course! Don’t try to do it all at once. If we try to do it in a weekend we will probably continue to feel overwhelmed and give up. We need to work a little each day until it is second nature to us and then we won’t have to work at it, it will just come naturally. We are going to start by setting aside 30 minutes to one hour each day for organizing.
Don’t forget this may take some of us months. Are you ready? I am!!
Today's post will be the first of several posts on getting organized. Please leave comments and let's support each other.
Here we go:
1. Research and Plan
It is important to know where you are going and how you are going to get there. I bet someone has been where you are and can give you some insight. The internet has a world of information (not all good, but none the less it is there). I hope that this blog of mine about getting organized will contain all the information you will need, but after all I am human, and may not have thought of everything.
Plan ahead. Planning ahead will save you time, frustration, and stress in the long haul. Think about what you really want when you are “organized”, what you might need, any issues that you think may come up, things that you already know will hinder you so you can proactively work around those things, etc.
Make a list of everything you can think of that needs to be done in order for you to be organized.
Make a decision - determine how much time you can devote to getting organized each day. Set aside the time and tackle the task. Some time set aside to get organized is better than no time.
Purchase a day planner to help you stay on schedule.
Plan daily and stick to the plan.
I like to plan each morning while I have a cup of coffee, or tea. Having a planner works hand in hand with reducing and de-cluttering your schedule, which is under secret 2? Set aside time to plan your day each morning. While you are planning your day read back through the things you wrote down yesterday and incorporate your thoughts, ideas, and needs into your daily plan, your calendar, and most important list so you don’t forget. Incorporate your to-dos into your daily tasks list.
Don’t try to do more than 6 most important tasks. If you try to do more than 6 most important tasks you are setting yourself up for failure. More times than not, trying to incorporate more than 6 most important tasks cannot be accomplished in a day and will only frustrate your efforts.
Prioritize your tasks from most important to least important. Try not to beat yourself up for not completing a task today. Move all your uncompleted tasks from today's list to tomorrow's list and start the process anew. You will find that some things you thought were important today aren’t really that important to you after all because they keep getting moved until tomorrow. If you keep moving a task forward, it is one of two reasons. You are procrastinating, because you don’t want to do it yourself, you don’t know how to do it, or you are overwhelmed by that particular task. OR you it is not really as important to you as you originally thought and that particular task may fall off of your 6 most important tasks and move to your to do someday list.
Delegate. Yes, we are wonder women, but we can’t do everything and stay organized. When we delegate we achieve more than we could on our own. Delegate some of your daily tasks to family members or hire someone to complete tasks that you cannot or do not want to do yourself. Just a little note to self… may not want to “delegate” to hubby… maybe we could work together on getting some things done rather than me just “delegating” to him.
Follow through on your to do list. Why go to the effort of making a list if you are not going to complete the tasks. Don’t procrastinate. Remove or ignore as many distractions as possible. Dive in and get it done. You will be glad you did.
This gives us something to think about and a starting point. I will post secret 2 in a day or two.
Well… there aren’t really any secrets. Just some habits that we need to form over the next few days, well, okay, maybe it will take the next few months. My point is we can get organized and stay organized. We just need to apply these habits to each area of our lives in order to get organized and stay organized.
SO… if you are living in clutter and disarray, and feeling overwhelmed, let’s get started today by developing a few habits that will help us get organized and stay organized in every area of our lives!
Remember!! We need to start by doing a little at a time. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time, of course! Don’t try to do it all at once. If we try to do it in a weekend we will probably continue to feel overwhelmed and give up. We need to work a little each day until it is second nature to us and then we won’t have to work at it, it will just come naturally. We are going to start by setting aside 30 minutes to one hour each day for organizing.
Don’t forget this may take some of us months. Are you ready? I am!!
Today's post will be the first of several posts on getting organized. Please leave comments and let's support each other.
Here we go:
1. Research and Plan
It is important to know where you are going and how you are going to get there. I bet someone has been where you are and can give you some insight. The internet has a world of information (not all good, but none the less it is there). I hope that this blog of mine about getting organized will contain all the information you will need, but after all I am human, and may not have thought of everything.
Plan ahead. Planning ahead will save you time, frustration, and stress in the long haul. Think about what you really want when you are “organized”, what you might need, any issues that you think may come up, things that you already know will hinder you so you can proactively work around those things, etc.
Make a list of everything you can think of that needs to be done in order for you to be organized.
Make a decision - determine how much time you can devote to getting organized each day. Set aside the time and tackle the task. Some time set aside to get organized is better than no time.
Purchase a day planner to help you stay on schedule.
Plan daily and stick to the plan.
I like to plan each morning while I have a cup of coffee, or tea. Having a planner works hand in hand with reducing and de-cluttering your schedule, which is under secret 2? Set aside time to plan your day each morning. While you are planning your day read back through the things you wrote down yesterday and incorporate your thoughts, ideas, and needs into your daily plan, your calendar, and most important list so you don’t forget. Incorporate your to-dos into your daily tasks list.
Don’t try to do more than 6 most important tasks. If you try to do more than 6 most important tasks you are setting yourself up for failure. More times than not, trying to incorporate more than 6 most important tasks cannot be accomplished in a day and will only frustrate your efforts.
Prioritize your tasks from most important to least important. Try not to beat yourself up for not completing a task today. Move all your uncompleted tasks from today's list to tomorrow's list and start the process anew. You will find that some things you thought were important today aren’t really that important to you after all because they keep getting moved until tomorrow. If you keep moving a task forward, it is one of two reasons. You are procrastinating, because you don’t want to do it yourself, you don’t know how to do it, or you are overwhelmed by that particular task. OR you it is not really as important to you as you originally thought and that particular task may fall off of your 6 most important tasks and move to your to do someday list.
Delegate. Yes, we are wonder women, but we can’t do everything and stay organized. When we delegate we achieve more than we could on our own. Delegate some of your daily tasks to family members or hire someone to complete tasks that you cannot or do not want to do yourself. Just a little note to self… may not want to “delegate” to hubby… maybe we could work together on getting some things done rather than me just “delegating” to him.
Follow through on your to do list. Why go to the effort of making a list if you are not going to complete the tasks. Don’t procrastinate. Remove or ignore as many distractions as possible. Dive in and get it done. You will be glad you did.
This gives us something to think about and a starting point. I will post secret 2 in a day or two.
Hello!! Anyone home?
Me: I'm here. I just made coffee. Would you like a cup?
Reply from Me to Me: I would love a cup, thanks!
I have my organizational thoughts with me and I thought I would share.
Me: Please do!
Reply from Me to Me: I would love a cup, thanks!
I have my organizational thoughts with me and I thought I would share.
Me: Please do!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March already?
Me: Hello!! How are you doing?
Reply from Me to Me: You know that you are going insane when you answer yourself, but oh well… I am doing well. I can’t believe we are 3 days into March already. This year is really flying by for me.
Me: What have you been up to?
Reply from Me to Me: I have been knitting and working on writing my secrets to getting organized and staying organized.
Me: You didn’t make but one post in February, so I thought maybe you had disappeared or something was majorly wrong.
Reply from Me to Me: No, nothing wrong here, just living life, knitting, and being distracted by those things. I will make an effort to post more than once in March. I really did mean to post more in February.
Me: Can I see some of the things you were knitting?
Reply from Me to Me: Sure, I’d love to show you. I have pictures. The items have been placed in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitRDie if you are interested and want to take a look. I completed the design of two items and posted patterns for those two items. I have some ideas in my head and hope to work on getting them on paper as easy to follow instructions. Remind me to keep you updated on the progress. HEY!! Let me know what you think about these pictures and hand knit items they contain. I would love to know what you think and what you think I should add to the shop.
Me: Love the work!! I hope it is okay for me to say that since we are one and the same. Well... I have to have a conversation and this is the only way I know to do that, since we are most likely the only one reading this blog.
Oh!! You mentioned secrets to getting organized…
Reply from Me to Me: Yes!! I have my thoughts written down and I should be able to begin sharing the secrets with you this week.
Me: Great!!! Don’t forget, I am waiting here with baited breath to see the secrets. It is lonely here so please come back soon. I want to see if any of the secrets for getting organized and staying organized will work for me (us).
Reply from Me to Me: You know that you are going insane when you answer yourself, but oh well… I am doing well. I can’t believe we are 3 days into March already. This year is really flying by for me.
Me: What have you been up to?
Reply from Me to Me: I have been knitting and working on writing my secrets to getting organized and staying organized.
Me: You didn’t make but one post in February, so I thought maybe you had disappeared or something was majorly wrong.
Reply from Me to Me: No, nothing wrong here, just living life, knitting, and being distracted by those things. I will make an effort to post more than once in March. I really did mean to post more in February.
Me: Can I see some of the things you were knitting?
Reply from Me to Me: Sure, I’d love to show you. I have pictures. The items have been placed in my Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitRDie if you are interested and want to take a look. I completed the design of two items and posted patterns for those two items. I have some ideas in my head and hope to work on getting them on paper as easy to follow instructions. Remind me to keep you updated on the progress. HEY!! Let me know what you think about these pictures and hand knit items they contain. I would love to know what you think and what you think I should add to the shop.
Me: Love the work!! I hope it is okay for me to say that since we are one and the same. Well... I have to have a conversation and this is the only way I know to do that, since we are most likely the only one reading this blog.
Oh!! You mentioned secrets to getting organized…
Reply from Me to Me: Yes!! I have my thoughts written down and I should be able to begin sharing the secrets with you this week.
Me: Great!!! Don’t forget, I am waiting here with baited breath to see the secrets. It is lonely here so please come back soon. I want to see if any of the secrets for getting organized and staying organized will work for me (us).
Monday, February 1, 2010
WOW!! It is February 1, 2010. I can’t believe January has already come and gone. Time flies when you are having fun.
We still have 6 inches of snow on the ground from our January 30th snowfall. Our street has been plowed and sanded, but it is still an ice rink. I saw a wrecker in front of our house earlier pulling a neighbor out of the ditch. I felt so bad for them, but they were gone before I could get the hot chocolate made and out to them. I am glad it was not me.
In the past few days I have completed a neck warmer, two headband/ear warmers, and a baby hat.
I am planning to meet with friends for a little knitting and relaxing on Friday afternoon of this week. I hope the weather cooperates with us rather than snowing us out again.
Getting organized is on my mind. Is anyone else needing to get organized besides me? I am a firm believer that everything has a place and everything needs to be in its place. Unfortunately since we moved into this house in May of 2003 not everything has found a place therefore it is not in its place. SO… you may see some organizational tip blogs in the next few weeks, maybe even months as I get organized here. I just can’t take it anymore!
We still have 6 inches of snow on the ground from our January 30th snowfall. Our street has been plowed and sanded, but it is still an ice rink. I saw a wrecker in front of our house earlier pulling a neighbor out of the ditch. I felt so bad for them, but they were gone before I could get the hot chocolate made and out to them. I am glad it was not me.
In the past few days I have completed a neck warmer, two headband/ear warmers, and a baby hat.
I am planning to meet with friends for a little knitting and relaxing on Friday afternoon of this week. I hope the weather cooperates with us rather than snowing us out again.
Getting organized is on my mind. Is anyone else needing to get organized besides me? I am a firm believer that everything has a place and everything needs to be in its place. Unfortunately since we moved into this house in May of 2003 not everything has found a place therefore it is not in its place. SO… you may see some organizational tip blogs in the next few weeks, maybe even months as I get organized here. I just can’t take it anymore!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Just my thoughts
Yesterday was a busy day. I didn't get anything done that I had originally planned to do. I spent my day running around preparing for the winter storm they are now warning us will come tomorrow. We now have a generator. So, for a few hours each day we will have a few modern day conveniences. We have a brisket, a pork roast, and some chicken that we can either grill or smoke for hot food. I pulled all of the camping gear from the shop so we can now also heat up hot chocolate, and cook on the Coleman burner.
I am praying that we will not have ice to deal with in our area. That always seems to be devastating to an area. I don't mind the snow, but I really don't want to deal with ice. They are predicting if we get the expected ice accumulation before the additional snow accumulation some residents will be without power for days.
One year ago today we had an ice storm and some area residents were without power for more than 2 weeks. We were fortunate since we were only without power no more than a few minutes during that storm. God is good to us! He keeps us in all things.
Today I have double duty here in the house, since I didn't get anything done yesterday as far as household daily chores go. Yuck! Who likes housework? Not me! I try to clean two rooms each day, in addition to a daily cleaning of the kitchen and dining area, so that I don't have two full days of nothing but house cleaning and laundry. When I tackle a few small cleaning tasks each day it doesn't seem so over whelming and it helps me stay on top of things that need to be done. Actually, tackling a few small tasks each day in everything, not just housekeeping, helps me accomplish more as a whole than if I just go through life hap-hazardly. How about you? Do you try to do a little each day or do you try to tackle it all at once?
Well, I am off to the daily drudge to see if I can get caught up in the house, so when the winter weather is here and hubby is stranded at home, I can do some things that I really want to do, like knit, spend some quality time with DH, and read a book I have been trying to find time to read since before Christmas.
Hope you have a GREAT day!
I am praying that we will not have ice to deal with in our area. That always seems to be devastating to an area. I don't mind the snow, but I really don't want to deal with ice. They are predicting if we get the expected ice accumulation before the additional snow accumulation some residents will be without power for days.
One year ago today we had an ice storm and some area residents were without power for more than 2 weeks. We were fortunate since we were only without power no more than a few minutes during that storm. God is good to us! He keeps us in all things.
Today I have double duty here in the house, since I didn't get anything done yesterday as far as household daily chores go. Yuck! Who likes housework? Not me! I try to clean two rooms each day, in addition to a daily cleaning of the kitchen and dining area, so that I don't have two full days of nothing but house cleaning and laundry. When I tackle a few small cleaning tasks each day it doesn't seem so over whelming and it helps me stay on top of things that need to be done. Actually, tackling a few small tasks each day in everything, not just housekeeping, helps me accomplish more as a whole than if I just go through life hap-hazardly. How about you? Do you try to do a little each day or do you try to tackle it all at once?
Well, I am off to the daily drudge to see if I can get caught up in the house, so when the winter weather is here and hubby is stranded at home, I can do some things that I really want to do, like knit, spend some quality time with DH, and read a book I have been trying to find time to read since before Christmas.
Hope you have a GREAT day!
Monday, January 25, 2010
Football and the Superbowl
What can I say? I have always been for both the Colts and the Saints. Archie Manning is my favorite all time quarterback and Peyton (his son) is now quarterback for the Colts. It is strange to say, but I will be happy no matter who wins the Superbowl, but I am pulling for the Colts. I would love to see Peyton win another Superbowl. He has all the luck. First Superbowl he played was against the NY Giants, where Eli (his brother) is quarterback. The Colts wons. I felt bad for Eli, but I was glad for Peyton, this year, it is a sort of the same for me.
Prissy loves her Colts sweater that I knit up for her. She will wear it Superbowl Sunday to support her team (like she really cares).
I think I will make myself a Colts beanie. Oh well... enough about football.
I am working on a Valentine Day hat for babies. I am almost to the crown decrease. I will post pictures below in a bit.
Still thinking about Superbowl Sunday, so I guess I have not said enough about football after all. ::giggle::
Now I am thinking about the food we will eat on Superbowl Sunday. We usually snack around all day. I am thinking about baking some football shaped sugar cookies and decorating them like footballs with browm and white chocolate icing. I always have trouble with my cut outs keeping their shape during baking. I wonder what I am doing worng. Maybe I will bake test batch tomorrow and see if I can get it all worked out.
Well, I better get my house cleaning chores for today completed, so I can run my errands and come home to cuddle up in a nice comfy chair, with a cup of hot chocolate and knit while a watch a good movie, or a mediocre movie, or maybe even a bad movie, who knows. Maybe I should subscribe to Net Flix, but I am concerned it will be just the same as the premium movie chanels on demand where there is never anything available that I want to see.
If anyone is actually reading this besides me, I hope you have a GREAT day and accomplish something big today.
Prissy loves her Colts sweater that I knit up for her. She will wear it Superbowl Sunday to support her team (like she really cares).
I think I will make myself a Colts beanie. Oh well... enough about football.
I am working on a Valentine Day hat for babies. I am almost to the crown decrease. I will post pictures below in a bit.
Still thinking about Superbowl Sunday, so I guess I have not said enough about football after all. ::giggle::
Now I am thinking about the food we will eat on Superbowl Sunday. We usually snack around all day. I am thinking about baking some football shaped sugar cookies and decorating them like footballs with browm and white chocolate icing. I always have trouble with my cut outs keeping their shape during baking. I wonder what I am doing worng. Maybe I will bake test batch tomorrow and see if I can get it all worked out.
Well, I better get my house cleaning chores for today completed, so I can run my errands and come home to cuddle up in a nice comfy chair, with a cup of hot chocolate and knit while a watch a good movie, or a mediocre movie, or maybe even a bad movie, who knows. Maybe I should subscribe to Net Flix, but I am concerned it will be just the same as the premium movie chanels on demand where there is never anything available that I want to see.
If anyone is actually reading this besides me, I hope you have a GREAT day and accomplish something big today.
Friday, January 22, 2010
First REAL sale on Etsy!!
This morning I awoke to a sale on Etsy! I sold a really cute headband that I made. She really paid! I have "sold" other items but the buyer was a No Pay, which was really frustrating. Oh well...
Today will be filled with house cleaning, errands, and finally cooking dinner. Anyone have a great new recipe that we could try here at the Vaught residence? I love to cook and am always loking for something new to have for dinner. We are such creatures of habit that we fall into a rut sometimes and have the same few meals over and over, and over, well you get my drift.
Wow!! What a great start for such a dreary day. The weather is just gloomy today. It is what I call an Eeyore Day.
Thanks for dropping in. Leave a comment and let me know how you are doing.
Today will be filled with house cleaning, errands, and finally cooking dinner. Anyone have a great new recipe that we could try here at the Vaught residence? I love to cook and am always loking for something new to have for dinner. We are such creatures of habit that we fall into a rut sometimes and have the same few meals over and over, and over, well you get my drift.
Wow!! What a great start for such a dreary day. The weather is just gloomy today. It is what I call an Eeyore Day.
Thanks for dropping in. Leave a comment and let me know how you are doing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
Today I am working on a banner for my Etsy shop, which is proving more difficult than I had expected. Oh well...
I finished the beanie in the photos below and am ready to put my new dog sweater design on the needles. I can hardly wait to get this sweater going. Valentines Day will be here before I know it and Little Miss Priss wants a new sweater.
I am procrastinating putting an irish sweater on the needles for DH, not because I don't want to make the sweater, but because I know once I get it started, I won't want to work on anything else until it is completely finished and ready for him to wear. I have so many things running through my head that I nee to get some of the designs out before my brain hits overload and crashes.
Off to Photoshop and more tutorials...
Happy knitting!
I finished the beanie in the photos below and am ready to put my new dog sweater design on the needles. I can hardly wait to get this sweater going. Valentines Day will be here before I know it and Little Miss Priss wants a new sweater.
I am procrastinating putting an irish sweater on the needles for DH, not because I don't want to make the sweater, but because I know once I get it started, I won't want to work on anything else until it is completely finished and ready for him to wear. I have so many things running through my head that I nee to get some of the designs out before my brain hits overload and crashes.
Off to Photoshop and more tutorials...
Happy knitting!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My FIRST ever blog post...
I am working on a new design for a dog sweater. The pattern will be avalable for purchase in my ETSY shop very soon. I am also working on some dish cloth designs, and a couple of baby items.
I am excited to post my first blog and hopefully I will get the hang of this VERY soon.
I would like for this blog to be a community where you want to come, sit down, relax, have a cup of your favorite drink, and hang out for a while. Please let me hear from you. What are you working on? What are you excited about working on next?
I am excited to post my first blog and hopefully I will get the hang of this VERY soon.
I would like for this blog to be a community where you want to come, sit down, relax, have a cup of your favorite drink, and hang out for a while. Please let me hear from you. What are you working on? What are you excited about working on next?
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