I met with some other homeschool Moms the other night. Support and companionship is essential in the homeschool world. On this particular night, the topic of discussion was organization.
I realized in that exchange, doing the dishes and feeding the family is quite a job when you are home all day. At times, the hump of my day has been lunch. In the past, I've overcome it by occasionally buying paper plates to assist with the lunch clean up.
Suddenly a light bulb went on. My daughter likes to wash up the dishes. It's more of a play activity for her. Why have I not developed this interest into a solution?
For some reason I never think to ask her to help with the dishes. She's old enough. Yesterday, I asked her if she would like a new job - washing the dishes up after lunch! She readily agreed although she was a little disappointed that she just had to rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. She was hoping to handwash them all and spend a lot of time with the water. =)
Delegation is an important part of simplifying life. I just had not realized my children were old enough to take on that responsibility. Delegating the dishes from lunch clean up was a win-win solution for both of us. I think I heard her humming as she was rinsing!
Showing posts with label organize. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organize. Show all posts
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Peace
Our homeschool group was having a discussion yesterday about organization and feeling out of control. We offered one another support. We will be discussing organization at our next homeschool meeting. I'm excited to share some tools and learn something new.
It led me to this quote and a focus on peace:
"Lord, I'm overwhelmed...I often lose sight of You. Please rejuvenate my soul and help me look to You for stength and comfort when I need it most. Remind me that I can't control everything and that it's okay I'm not perfect. Amen."
From In the Kitchen with Mary and Martha: One Dish Wonders
(found in my 365 Moments of Peace for Moms)
Peace. Aren't we all looking for peace? I am. I am looking for peace in my heart and in my life. I usually relate peace with balance. When I have a balance in my life things seem to go smoothly, peacefully. I am someone that requires downtime. I do not always like to be on the go.
Seems so funny to me...when I look back, I think I was always busy as a teenager and as a young adult. It's really been since I've entered the motherhood stage, that I took a big pause...looked at my schedule, prioritized it and have been searching for peace, balance and mindful activities.
My sister is quite different, not only does she have a few more kids than I do, she is also still on the go. This comes to light when we take trips together. Our family likes some down time. We don't want to be on the go with a planned activity every day. Some days we want to spend in the pool or exploring...something simple.
As a child, I recall many moments of down time. I have always loved to read and write. I had plenty of time to do those activities as well as play with my siblings, neighborhood kids, take walks and explore. Just play...I remember having a lot of time to play...to use our imaginations. I think I've come full circle. I am trying to teach my own children now to find peace, balance and mindfulness.
It led me to this quote and a focus on peace:
"Lord, I'm overwhelmed...I often lose sight of You. Please rejuvenate my soul and help me look to You for stength and comfort when I need it most. Remind me that I can't control everything and that it's okay I'm not perfect. Amen."
From In the Kitchen with Mary and Martha: One Dish Wonders
(found in my 365 Moments of Peace for Moms)
Peace. Aren't we all looking for peace? I am. I am looking for peace in my heart and in my life. I usually relate peace with balance. When I have a balance in my life things seem to go smoothly, peacefully. I am someone that requires downtime. I do not always like to be on the go.
Seems so funny to me...when I look back, I think I was always busy as a teenager and as a young adult. It's really been since I've entered the motherhood stage, that I took a big pause...looked at my schedule, prioritized it and have been searching for peace, balance and mindful activities.
My sister is quite different, not only does she have a few more kids than I do, she is also still on the go. This comes to light when we take trips together. Our family likes some down time. We don't want to be on the go with a planned activity every day. Some days we want to spend in the pool or exploring...something simple.
As a child, I recall many moments of down time. I have always loved to read and write. I had plenty of time to do those activities as well as play with my siblings, neighborhood kids, take walks and explore. Just play...I remember having a lot of time to play...to use our imaginations. I think I've come full circle. I am trying to teach my own children now to find peace, balance and mindfulness.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
What I learned this week....
Earlier this week, our truck broke down. Unfortunately we were out in it at the time. We do have AAA. The truck overheated so we just let it cool down. We made our way back home; we were about 5 miles away. It took us almost an hour to get back home....pulling over every few minutes to let the truck cool down. Ooooh, the kids were annoyed and had little patience with this.
I learned that when you do not have a vehicle, you can save money! At least we did. There was no where to go to spend it. We still had a good time. We like to be home and spend time together.
We organized, cleaned, got the house in order. Sometimes when you are busy spending time outside the home, you neglect to take care of your home. That has happened recently to us. I'm not sure that we were spending so much time outside of the home. We were just busy and not taking the time to care for the house. Having this extra time of being still, gave us the time to give our home some love.
We didn't exactly clean it the Flylady way. The kids and I started with the coffee table, a place where they often do their studies and activities. We cleaned off the clutter and put things back in their spots. I realized the coffee table is their "kitchen sink." We organized. Then hubby and I split the chores of vacuuming and mopping. He has been working from home the past few months. While on a break, I asked him which he would prefer - to vacuum or mop. He responded that he would vacuum. That's how it is done! =)
He vacuumed and I mopped. We decided he would vacuum the bedrooms tomorrow and I will mop the bathrooms then. It is so nice to work together as a team.
Now that I had given some thought to the kids' kitchen sink - the coffee table, I let them know this would be there daily project - to put the things away on the coffee table every day and keep it neat and clean.
We wrapped up the day by baking cookies and watching the Little House on the Prairie pilot. We shared a nice day together. House is clean and we all worked together as a team.
I learned that when you do not have a vehicle, you can save money! At least we did. There was no where to go to spend it. We still had a good time. We like to be home and spend time together.
We organized, cleaned, got the house in order. Sometimes when you are busy spending time outside the home, you neglect to take care of your home. That has happened recently to us. I'm not sure that we were spending so much time outside of the home. We were just busy and not taking the time to care for the house. Having this extra time of being still, gave us the time to give our home some love.
We didn't exactly clean it the Flylady way. The kids and I started with the coffee table, a place where they often do their studies and activities. We cleaned off the clutter and put things back in their spots. I realized the coffee table is their "kitchen sink." We organized. Then hubby and I split the chores of vacuuming and mopping. He has been working from home the past few months. While on a break, I asked him which he would prefer - to vacuum or mop. He responded that he would vacuum. That's how it is done! =)
He vacuumed and I mopped. We decided he would vacuum the bedrooms tomorrow and I will mop the bathrooms then. It is so nice to work together as a team.
Now that I had given some thought to the kids' kitchen sink - the coffee table, I let them know this would be there daily project - to put the things away on the coffee table every day and keep it neat and clean.
We wrapped up the day by baking cookies and watching the Little House on the Prairie pilot. We shared a nice day together. House is clean and we all worked together as a team.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Try Reinventing!
I decluttered my pantry and rearranged it this afternoon. Then went out and purchased 3 fabric drawers. I used these drawers on the bottom row of wire shelving. I am very pleased with the results!
What tips do you have to keep your pantry organized?
Rather than run out to the store to buy something, I always look around to see if I already have something in the house that may work instead. It may be a similar item - a basket, let's say or something that I can reinvent. One that has a specific function or purpose that I was able to find another use for that item. That's always my first choice - trying to reinvent an item.
Today was easier to make a purchase as I already had the fabric drawers in the house for the Closetmaid cubicles. I just picked one up and tried it in the pantry on the wire shelving. I was already very pleased with this item and knew it was on sale in a local store.
Before you run out to the store next time you need an item, try reinventing!
What tips do you have to keep your pantry organized?
Rather than run out to the store to buy something, I always look around to see if I already have something in the house that may work instead. It may be a similar item - a basket, let's say or something that I can reinvent. One that has a specific function or purpose that I was able to find another use for that item. That's always my first choice - trying to reinvent an item.
Today was easier to make a purchase as I already had the fabric drawers in the house for the Closetmaid cubicles. I just picked one up and tried it in the pantry on the wire shelving. I was already very pleased with this item and knew it was on sale in a local store.
Before you run out to the store next time you need an item, try reinventing!
Project: Organize Pantry
I have a nice size walk in pantry with wire shelving. I am so grateful for this space! Yet it looks disorganized. Hmmm, I've been thinking about this space for the past few days and how to organize it. Of course, declutter first, before even thinking about organizing it. So I started decluttering it out. Then I mulled over this space thinking of some ideas. My children have a Closetmaid storage area for their toys. I really like the fabric drawers they have for them plus they can fit a lot in those drawers. Hmmm, could this be a solution? I pulled out one of the drawers, emptied it and tried it out. It fit nicely!
When I looked online at Closetmaid, I found this pantry. This is similar to mine, but I don't consider that organized. I just want to have a nicer space. I rearranged the pantry. Now I'm off to the store to purchase a few more of these fabric drawers!
When I looked online at Closetmaid, I found this pantry. This is similar to mine, but I don't consider that organized. I just want to have a nicer space. I rearranged the pantry. Now I'm off to the store to purchase a few more of these fabric drawers!
Friday, October 26, 2007
Challenge - Organize the Hall Closet
I found this picture of a hall coat closet in an old edition of Country Home dated Jan/Feb 2005. It got me thinking that my coat closet could use some work! So I'm taking on the challenge.
I like the idea of the 5 shelf bag. It never occurred to me to put one there. Great for winter gear, especially with kids. I also like the hooks on the door. That got me thinking that I don't necessarily need hooks on my coat closet door but could definitely use them on my bedroom closet door. We somehow ended up acquiring several more umbrellas....guess that happens with kids. We have about 6 now. We could really use an umbrella stand. Thinking creatively on that one. I also like the cleanliness of the shoe rack, but we don't keep our shoes in the hall closet so not sure if that is necessary. I like the look of it though.
I've got the closet decluttered now. Removed about 10 coats that will not fit the kids this upcoming season, so they are off to friends. If you need more information on decluttering clothes, click here.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Inspiration: Eliminate 40% of the Housework!
I have to add this quote from Jean Chatzky’s book Make Money Not Excuses.
"Getting rid of excess clutter could eliminate 40 percent of the housework in the average American household."
Now that is reason enough to motivate me to declutter and organize! I'd love the extra time to spend with my family! Her book, got me into action mode (anything that inspires me into action is a wonderful thing). I wrote a recent entry about organizing my paperwork after reading her book. After I completed decluttering my paperwork and revamping my system as well as reorganizing it, I reread her book to see what I missed! =) I noticed the above quote at the second reading and wanted to share with you.
"Getting rid of excess clutter could eliminate 40 percent of the housework in the average American household."
Now that is reason enough to motivate me to declutter and organize! I'd love the extra time to spend with my family! Her book, got me into action mode (anything that inspires me into action is a wonderful thing). I wrote a recent entry about organizing my paperwork after reading her book. After I completed decluttering my paperwork and revamping my system as well as reorganizing it, I reread her book to see what I missed! =) I noticed the above quote at the second reading and wanted to share with you.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Places and Spaces for Our Things
Just as we have routines, we also need places for each of our things. This is the trick to keeping on top of any NEW clutter.
After you declutter, you need to organize what you are keeping. In order to organize, make a space for each item that you are keeping! That way when you are cleaning up you know where each item belongs. It will be much quicker to put things away, when you know where it belongs. It will also be much easier to stay on top of "clutter control."
Another idea when you make a purchase, if you are replacing an item, throw the old item out, bless someone else with it or give it to Goodwill.
Look around your home or office, the things that are piling up....do they have a place where they belong? Or is that part of the problem? They need a designated spot.
After you declutter, you need to organize what you are keeping. In order to organize, make a space for each item that you are keeping! That way when you are cleaning up you know where each item belongs. It will be much quicker to put things away, when you know where it belongs. It will also be much easier to stay on top of "clutter control."
Another idea when you make a purchase, if you are replacing an item, throw the old item out, bless someone else with it or give it to Goodwill.
Look around your home or office, the things that are piling up....do they have a place where they belong? Or is that part of the problem? They need a designated spot.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Flylady
When I decided to simplify, I searched for resources....online and in the library. I didn't come up with very many. Wasn't anyone else looking to simplify? I finally found Flylady. You can visit her at http://www.flylady.net/. She is amazing! Her website is absolutely free. If you check on her site at this time of year, she has a section on Back-to-school and getting organized for students and teachers. I love that she includes almost everyone in her teachings. It's not just for teachers but also students.
Two big principles I took away from her website are "blessing others" and use of the timer. By "blessing others" I really took a look at what was in my house and what I actually needed and used. The other things, I got rid of and "blessed" someone else with them. It was very liberating! I also took things out of drawers or closets and USED them. If I couldn't find a use for it, it blessed someone else. No more saving things for special occasions.
The second principle is the use of the timer. What a great concept! In our multi-tasking nation, we are not use to focusing on one activity but doing three things at once. I love the timer! I realized it help me de-mulit-task (is that a word?) and focus on one thing at a time! It also helped me realize how much time it actually takes to do something - a task or a chore. So say I set the timer for 15 minutes and my daughter and I clean up her room. It's amazing to both of us when we finished in 7 minutes. Wow, that's all it took! It's such a simple concept and that's why I like it!
I don't want life to pass by me while I am multi-tasking. I want to take time to focus on one thing and enjoy it. I am finding it takes less time that way and I am happier!
Two big principles I took away from her website are "blessing others" and use of the timer. By "blessing others" I really took a look at what was in my house and what I actually needed and used. The other things, I got rid of and "blessed" someone else with them. It was very liberating! I also took things out of drawers or closets and USED them. If I couldn't find a use for it, it blessed someone else. No more saving things for special occasions.
The second principle is the use of the timer. What a great concept! In our multi-tasking nation, we are not use to focusing on one activity but doing three things at once. I love the timer! I realized it help me de-mulit-task (is that a word?) and focus on one thing at a time! It also helped me realize how much time it actually takes to do something - a task or a chore. So say I set the timer for 15 minutes and my daughter and I clean up her room. It's amazing to both of us when we finished in 7 minutes. Wow, that's all it took! It's such a simple concept and that's why I like it!
I don't want life to pass by me while I am multi-tasking. I want to take time to focus on one thing and enjoy it. I am finding it takes less time that way and I am happier!
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