2013 Goals

I know...

It's almost the end of February and I'm just now making my goals for this year.  Most people have already tried and failed at their goals/resolutions and I'm just starting.  It's not that I procrastinated.  I actually spent the past month and a half reading blogs and articles about goals.  What were other woman/mothers setting as goals for this year?  What steps were they trying to take to accomplish their goals?  What did I want to change about myself this year as compared to past years?





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I spent a lot of time thinking about this. Probably too much, I tend to over analyze things.  I am always trying to improve myself and my family life.  I love my life and my family, but I can see so many things about myself and my family that could be better.

I broke my goals down to four groups- home, marriage,family, and personal.  Then I wrote a list under each group of the things I want to improve upon.  I tried not to make to detailed or long of a list as I knew it would be too overwhelming.  I want to make changes that stick.  I don't want to burn myself out or make things so difficult that I give up. 

Here is what I've come up with:

            Home:

                      -declutter and organize
                      -return to meal planning
                      -develop a simple and achievable 
                       cleaning schedule
                      -develop a simple and achievable laundry
                       schedule
                      -complete unfinished home projects
                      -decorate          



             Marriage:

                     -date again
                     -create and work on goals together
                     -stop expecting him to read my mind



              Family:

                     -spend more time together
                     -attend church more consistently
                     -eat healthy dinners/snacks


              Personal:

                      -read Bible
                      -exercise again
                      -eat healthy
                      -work on my patience,attitude, and tone


It's a lot.  I don't expect to work on all these goals at the same time or I think I will definitely fail. 

What I have already done is to pick one or two goals to focus on at a time.  For example, in January, I began a Bible reading program.  So far I've done very good at keeping on schedule with the plan.  It's beginning to become a habit for me to read my Bible right before I go to sleep. 

I also experimented with a laundry schedule.  The school year is especially trying when it comes to laundry as my kids wear uniforms and the winter brings out heavy sweatshirts and sweatpants.  I have tons of laundry to do each week.  I used to save most of it for the weekend, but really hated spending so much of the day doing laundry.  Now, I commit to doing 2 loads a day/evening during the week. It's easy and quick and there are less late night "I need my _________ shirt/pants/etc for tomorrow" surprises.

Some goals are more important to me than others and so I will probably work harder on those.  I don't expect to change overnight and I am also quite certain I will slip up.  It's not a contest.  I'm not competing with anyone else. I'm not going to beat myself up over this either.  If I decide to spend all day Saturday watching tv or wasting time reading blogs/magazines, so be it.  Who cares?  Do I want to do that every day? NO. It's not what I want for myself or my family, but sometimes it's ok to take a break.  I think that's where I've gone wrong.  Thinking that I've failed because I wasn't always working on my goals. 

Last Wednesday also began the Lenten season.  I've always used Lent as a time for personal growth and working on my goals, especially reading the Bible and church, and so it's fitting that I am starting so late this year.

I guess this year my overall goal is to have a smoother running household and better family time. 

I've written out my goals and now I've got to work on my game plan. 

Wish me luck!

2013 in 2013

One of my new fave blogs to read is Slow Your Home,Love Your Life.  Brooke has a great blog.  I am jealous of her writing style as well as her views on family and life. 

 

Last year she committed to removing 2012 items from her home. She accomplished this goal and then some!  This year she is inviting her readers to join her in getting rid of 2013 items in 2013. She has created a forum and monthly challenges. I'm gonna see how many things in my home can be donated to either Salvation Army, the local pet shelter or taken to consignment shop/sold on Ebay.  I've added my own rules also.  Obviously, garbage is not to be counted.  Neither will be items left at my home by others.  Heck, I probably reached that goal this month alone!   And since I am always trying to rid my home of clutter, if I don't reach a total of 2013, I won't deem this unsuccessful.  I think 2013 averages about 5-6 items a day.  It doesn't sound like a lot, but it truly is. And with my busy schedule, I doubt I will be able to do this daily.  I would like to declutter items at least 2-3 times a week. 

 

January's list of areas to declutter didn't interest me, so I decided to tackle a couple of spots that have been bothering me.  First is this little pile in my bedroom.

 

 

 

 

This pile has been "growing" for almost a year now.  What started out as a couple of Paige's yoga pants that she's outgrown, grew into a pile of everything that I was too lazy to deal with when folding laundry.  I threw outgrown clothes, items to be demoted to rags, and slippers I never wore.

Cleaning out this pile took less than ten minutes and that is with me going to get my camera to take pictures.  As I was moving down the pile, I notice a small item in the corner near my dresser.

Do you see something peaking out from under the outgrown underwear?



How bout now?   

 

 

It's a little blurry, I know.

 

 

How's this??

That miniature Whoppers has been there since Halloween as I remember putting it on top of the dresser so my son wouldn't eat it.
I'm pretty sure Whoppers have a long shelf life (or in my case floor life).

Ten minutes later, and one happy boy, I finally achieved a clean spot.  No longer do I roll my eyes at this little area of my room.

Here are the first piles of things to leave my house.  The Justice bag is from Christmas.  It's holding the items that were received by my family as gifts but do not meet our needs.  Inside the bag holds 14 items and the clothes from the above cleaning make 15. 

 

The next area I tackled was the container of change on the floor by my husband's side of the bed.  This container held the remnants of money he collected when selling candy for his cross country team.  I wrapped all the loose change and deposited in the team's account.  It totalled $158.38.  I can't find the picture of the container I took. I'm also only counting that as one.

 

 

Next items to go were Christmas decorations.  I'd like to post that separate as I was so proud of my new ornaments.  Not so proud of the tree falling...twice! 

 

 

The main room to tackle is the ever loving office.  I know you can't wait for another post on that room!!

Playing Catch up

Seems like that is my new mantra....playing catch up!  I thought things would get much easier around my home once I started working in town.  For the most part it is, but for some reason I also seem to be spinning my wheels.  We are a busy family but no busier than before when I worked out of town.  Perhaps I got lazy about keeping on track with my home and blogging.  Those are the two areas where I have really let go.  Especially blogging and cooking. 

Blogging has taken a hit because I was able to do some blogging from my other job.  There was so much down time and I could write up a rough draft and then add photos/edit at home.  My new job does not allow that freedom, which is ok.  My other boss didn't care what we did on the internet- except once when the one girl accidentally typed in wrong word and got porno!  We all laughed but were much more careful.  I wouldn't dare work on my blog at my new job.  It's a weird office situation where everyone is looking for everyone else to do something wrong so they can tell.  Lot of these people have been in their positions for DECADES..like 30+ years...and there is a lot of animosity among them.  I think they should just retire and let new people run the office like it should and could be.  I'm just saying.  I love my job and it could really be a great working office and hopefully one day it will. 

My home has really taken back seat to life as well.  I have not been cooking very much this summer.  Mainly because I have been trying to run daily with my husband and the cross country kids at practices.  Because they practice in the evening, it is hard to cook, eat, and then go run.  But if we waited till after practice it is late, we're tired, and grabbing food to go is just so easy.  I know all excuses, but their mine and I'm sticking with them!!

So lately I've been reading my favorite blogs again and missing everyone.  I thought I would love to make money blogging full time and staying home..blah blah blah...but realized that it's probably not for me.  I don't like writing.  I don't use flowery words and I jump from thought to thought (quotes from college English professors).  But that's the scientist in me.  Lab write ups are to be direct, factual, and don't require full sentences.  None of my professors liked those excuses. (Again their mine and I won't let go!!)  I sometimes fight myself on how to say things. I know what I want to say but it never comes out right.  Then I read someone else's blog and they eloquently say exactly what I was trying!  And I don't seem to have a large vocabulary either.  Despite how much I read, which I heard increases ones vocabulary and ability to write.  My daughter writes stories beautifully.  She has the gift.  I'm amazed at how she can easily express herself. At least I helped create that.  Yah. See one who cannot gives it to one who can.  Take that Hallmark!


(On a side note, why doesn't Hallmark have a dysfunctional family greeting card section? I find it so hard to pick out cards for my family cause they don't tend to fall in the "you've always been there for me and guided me" category.  I need a "for the bipolar, manic depressive locked yourself in your room for years" card.  I'm just saying again.  Think it could be a gold mine.)

Here's where we are a few months since I last posted- a real post that is!

1.  Our house-  Roof done! Siding done! Gutters done!  But we still need to finish some little things like fixing the dining room window that got broke during the removal of the old siding, fixing the blacktop in our drive way that was parted like the Red Sea when said roof was being hauled away, wires need to be re-attached to house and most importantly the front porch needs painted.  Here's quick before and now shot of house:

I couldn't find pictures of the house before the roof was taken off.  I will try later when I have time (insert hysterical laughing!)

And here we are today...

As you can see from the front photo, the columns, large picture window, and porch floor (and under floor) need painted.  Because of the shape/features of the columns and window, I choose to leave them unsided and will paint.  The color of the siding is called Hearthstone and actually has a green undertone to it.  I hate the way it looks in the bright sunlight from 1-3pm.  Then it really shows the green.  I've been told that I am the only one that sees it and the photos were shot in morning light when it does keep the brown color.  I do love it when I wear my sunglasses so that's what I do- look at it wearing my shades!!

Along with the siding, we also have to rip out bushes, shrubs, and redo the landscaping. That will probably happen in Spring 2013.

2.  Paige's room is still the same.  Although right before school started, I gave (bribed) her with money to clean out her closet and drawers before we went school shopping. BEST.IDEA.EVER.  Girl will do anything for money.  (Ummm..maybe that's not a good thing.  Will need to work on that SOON).  She not only cleaned out her clothe closets and drawers, but every single drawer and cupboard and chests in her room.  Best $38 I have spent in a long time.  Except she piled all her cast offs in my room for me to deal with, but I've been there before. (Will add link to when we had Ebay sale and she dumped all her stuff on my bed- again more hysterical laughing).

3. We went to Nags Head for vacation and it was great.  So many funny things happened of course.  Come on it's me we're talking about.  Nothing normal happens in my life!  Here are some pictures...

It was the best vacation I've had in years.  We did nothing but hang out at the house, swim in the pool, and head to beach.  Total relaxation!

4. School started couple weeks ago and it's been great.  Love that they are on schedule and out of my house all day.  It does stay cleaner during the school year, though they can make huge mess from 3-4pm before I get home from work. 

They are getting so big and grown up.  Paige wouldn't let me take a picture of her first day.  If you look closely in the second picture, you may see her friend laughing in the front seat at me chasing her down the sidewalk.  She later apologized and said she was just so nervous and didn't sleep at all the night before.  I'm still waiting for the photo she promised we could retake!

5. Lastly, my husband has decided to jump on the Damn Ramsey bandwagon.  WTF!  I finally gave up and figured that I will pay off debt as I can and still spend money on things I wanted.  And now he wants to pay off debt and only buy with cash.  No credit cards or buy now pay later deals.  That's why Paige's room and the whole house is at a stand still.  Plus I started liking buying things that I never would before cause I was trying to pay off debt.  Men!  Drives me nuts that for years I wanted to do Damn Ramsey and now that I gave up, he wants to jump in! Ugghhh!


I have more to say, but this is quite the long post.  Plus I need to break down some of the above into posts of their own.   I will try to get back to posting.  This time I pinkie swear!!

Details details.....

I have so much to share with you all!!  LOVE my job!!  Been busy with the house...and oh yeah a little thing like Christmas too!! 

Totally trying to navigate life again working full time. Thanks for all your well wishes on the job.   It's even better than I imagined.  I am hoping tonight I can put together a quick post. 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We sure did here!!

I got the job!

Well, I should restate this- I was told I had the job a few weeks ago but they weren't sure when I would start.  Late last night I got a call saying that there were some changes in the department and when can I start?
So starting tomorrow, I am beginning my new job.  I will probably only work at my current job till next week and work the new job full time the week of December 19th.  Now I just have to tell my boss.  I was going to let him know this week that I would probably be leaving after the first of the year, just wasn't expecting to give such a short notice. 

But I am so excited.  Wish I had more time before I started to get things done around the house before the holidays, but I AM NOT COMPLAINING.  This is a government job with the county that is highly sought after and I just happened to get lucky.  I didn't tell anyone about it even after I was told I would be hired for fear of losing it.  So I am finally comfortable to tell people.  Jobs are hard to come by and I am more than grateful.  Hoping this is the start of a good 2012 for me!

My D@?& Office

Seriously, I feel as though every other month I'm posting about my office. This room just screams "FILL ME UP WITH JUNK!!" every second of the day.

It's the first door my son Jeffrey Michael shuts when friends come over.  For those of you that don't know this about my son, he has issues about our house being clean.  So I am hoping that today he comes home from school and is thrilled with my morning work.

Things are just beyond crazy around here.  I thought that once everyone went back to school, I would accomplish a lot around the house.  Last time I had time off was after my surgery and I tried to do too much.  Not good.  Since I am only working 2 days a week and have no post surgery issues- I figured I conquer a lot. You know whip my house up to be perfect every day! Solve the world's problems!  I can do it all!

Well, I have been.  If you count watching Will and Grace most mornings from 9-11am.  Uggghhh Lifetime tv!
The funny thing is, I don't like watching tv.  But lately I've found myself watching a ton.  Not just in the mornings but at night too.  Big mistake putting a tv in my bedroom!  But it's been so nice snuggling in bed with Peanut.

After my last post, I was so touched by LSLW's comment. It made me stop and think. This is life.  My life.  My crazy busy lazy life. There are some things that need to change and some things I wouldn't change for anything. I have been taking the time the past few days to try and figure out what I am truly trying to accomplish.  Thanks for changing my attitude around LSLW!!

Back to the thorn in my life- my office.  I have to admit (and I'm sure I have in my many posts about this room) it's mostly my fault.  Take that back.  It's all my fault.  I have issues when it comes to getting rid of things.  It's not that I don't want to get rid of stuff, believe me I am forever getting rid of stuff.  But where I have a serious road block is on how to get rid of stuff.  I want to recycle everything.  And I pretty much do.  And by recycle I'm not just talking about normal items like paper, plastic, metal, but all those items that can be donated/sold/given away. 

It's the deciding on what or where is the best thing to do.  Should I give to the consignment shop?  Save for eBay? Or drop off at Goodwill?  Have a yard sale?  Some times it's easy to make the decision.  Other times I struggle and the pile sits and sits.  Like this pile in the corner.





The door doesn't open all the way normally due to a windowsill, but in this case it's all the junk!






Better shot of all the crap in the corner!

 Most of the items were toys that I had cleaned out months ago and had wanted to sell in a yard sale.  Yard sale never happened and now I'm hoping to get rid of these items on eBay at Christmas time.

Many of the bags in the above picture are of clothes that need to go to the consignment store or Goodwill.  That's just laziness on my part.  For one, I have boxes in the basement that are also full of items that were suppose to be for the yard sale.  I should gather them all and get bring them to Goodwill.  But then I keep thinking of all the good things that I could make money on.  But really- is it worth the time and aggravation?  Yes I could use the money, but how much would I really make? 

See those are the inner struggles I have when I am torn between two decisions.  This causes the piles to sit forever and then more piles grow around them.  Then there is the old  "just set it here" mentality.  Happened not even 2 minutes after I started working on the above pile.  I picked up 2 sets of chopsticks that I wanted to bring to the kitchen.  Because I hadn't set up any system - you know bags or boxes labelled throw away, put away give away- that most people do before they start decluttering, I just set them on top of the book shelf to deal with later. 

It dawned on me how that's what starts most of the problem with this room.  Things get dumped in here because I don't feel like deciding.  DUH!

So I went downstairs to the kitchen (with said chopsticks) to get me some bags and began to rethink my plan otherwise known as lack of plan.  Here is what I have ended up with after -

This is how far the door opens normally due to the windowsill. Sorry about the lighting.

Better shot of all that's gone

While there is still a pile in the corner, I have decided that these are items that I will try to sell on eBay next month.  I also have a huge pile of boxes that I have been saving for shipping.  Last year I didn't have any and it was a nightmare to get them especially with my 3 week driving limitation.

I also got a little extra done in front of the tall book shelf.

Before:

 After:

Most of what was in front of the tall bookshelf were pictures.  I found them after cleaning out the attic a few months back and wanted to hang some in the office.  I did hang up our engagement photo - see below in the top left corner.  But I'm not happy about the look.  All the frames are oak and just blend into the wall.  If I don't end up painting the panelling, I may paint the frames.

Here's a big shot of the newly organized corner-

Whatever doesn't sell on ebay is definitely going to Goodwill.  It's been sitting here for many months and it's not doing me any good!!  Here's hoping I make one little ten year old boy happy!

In between

Life lately has been in between.

The weather is in between summer and fall.  Last week the high's were in the 40's and this week we are suppose to average 70's.  This does not help me with clothes. I can't put away the summer clothes and can't take out the winter clothes.

Paige's bedroom remodel is in between.  She's picked out her colors but I can't start painting until we get a lot of her stuff out of the room.  Plus I haven't found new furniture.  Or flooring.

Fall ball is in between.  We've had so many games cancel due to the rain and cold.  While we should be winding down the season, we're actually just beginning.

Cross country is in between.  Junior High and JV is finishing up their season, but Varsity is just gearing up for the WPIALS.  Plus we need to start planning for the banquet.

Cheerleading is in between.  Football is over, but they still practice as they have to learn cheers for basketball season which starts right after Christmas break.

Paige's birthday is in between.  Though her birthday was last Thursday, we still haven't had a family party or her friend party.  Blame above cross country, football, and baseball.

Cleaning and organizing is in between.  I have been working on trying to follow some magical system that will let me live the Jeff Lewis life (yes, there is a gay man trapped in body), I just can't figure it out!  Most areas are almost were I want them to be as far as organized and cleaning them is a breeze and then others (they will remain nameless) mock me everyday.  Lord knows I'm tired of blogging about that room!

I'm in between blogging.  Every day I think of things to post, but yet sometimes it just feels like such a hassle.  I love reading blogs and wish mine was like so many others.  I want people to come here to read and be inspired - or just get a good laugh.  But is that egocentric of me.  Who cares about a girl from Western PA and what I do on a daily basis?
Life is just in between for me.  I feel stuck with every aspect of my life.  Sometimes I get two steps ahead and the fall ten steps behind.  I think it's time for me to make a list.  I love lists and making them helps me to work through times like this when I just feel like a gerbil running wild.

Oh, and I've been asked to take pictures of a friend's wedding.  I.AM.SCARED.TO.DEATH.  They are desparate as they do not have enough money for a professional and they totally understand that I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.  Can you tell I'm anxious?  Ugghhh.  I couldn't say no cause I'm the only one they know with a good camera and would have to rely on guests point and shoot photos.  I'm such a glutton for punishment.

What's going on?

A lot.

We've been so busy with back to school, Cross Country, Fall Ball, and Cheerleading.  While I've been reading other's posts, I just haven't taken any time to post.

Here are some things going on....


Paige's Room Remodel

I have been real slow with this project.  For one, I just don't have the cash for her furniture now.  I have been scouring Craigslist to see if I can find a vanity that I can paint for her.  I did prime her walls and found 4 colors that she really likes but is trying to decide which one to choose.  I used Kilz Clean Start primer and at first I wasn't sure about it.  I thought maybe it would be too thin and not cover her walls, but surprisingly, it did a good job.  I just wanted to tone down the purple so that when I put some test colors up, it would give the truest color.  Jeff started patching the hole in her wall, but still has to do some mudding. 


Sports

This is just all consuming.  Paige is cheering for the 7th grade football team and running cross country.  Jeff of course, is the cross country coach.  And Jeffrey Michael is playing fall baseball.  So between practices, meets, and games, there is little time left.

Me

Right now I'm trying to just get into a schedule now that they are all back to school and  I have three days with no one at home.  I am trying to get more clutter out of the house and organize.  I haven't tackled any big projects yet, just little clean outs that I am taking to GoodWill.  Today, I even put together a small bag of pet items and old fabric that I dropped off at the Humane Society. 

I have been reading a lot.  I just read A Place of Yes  by Bethanny Frankel.  I really like her. Probably because we share a lot in common with our childhoods.  I also just read Sink Reflections by Marla Ciley.  Of course I couldn't go without reading an organizing book.  Right now I am reading Peace and Plenty by Sarah Ban Breathnach.  I read her book Simple Abundance ( actually I think I own it- yup I just turned and saw it on my bookshelf).  In this book she talks about financial security after she lost all her money earned from said book.  It's actually quite interesting.

Hopefully, I am going to get into a groove again and get back to cleaning out this house.  Slowly, but surely I am going to get back into a nice routine.  I love summer and this summer was especially wonderful since I didn't work a lot and got to spend a lot of time with my family.  But it is really nice to get everyone back on a routine.  And it sure is nice to have some alone time for me!!!

Office Desk

This is a long overdue post, well, any post I write now is long overdue.  We just won the All Star Championship game last night and as you can imagine we've been busy with practices and games. 

But back to the worse room in our house.  My office.  I've probably written more posts about this room than any other room in the house.  I clean it and then destroy it almost immediately.  It's just that room in our house where we throw things to deal with later.  Except later rarely comes. 

Luckily, when we purchased our new computer weeks ago, Jeff had to remove all the clutter on the desk top to undo cords.  That allowed me to see how nice the desk is with out all the junk.



Total view of desktop





As you can tell by my monitor, I was reading Flylady emails



Closeups of desktops- little room for anything- haha see my spring cleaning check list- still not done!



Bulletin board- oh by the way the before picture was taken in March!!!



It's pretty easy to see that there was no room for anything on the desk.  You could barely move the mouse around let alone write something on a scrap of paper.

Cleaning off the top of the desk was easy since the whole right side was bare thanks to Jeff.  I just had to remove all the crap from the left.  Including the purple bin which contained all the extra Christmas photo cards from the past 4 years and junk that I would just throw in there - again to deal with later.  Sensing a theme in my life.  PROCRASTINATION.

I did not replace anything except what was truly needed. A pen holder and a pad of paper.  I wanted to take off the glass top and clean it but it weighs a ton and Jeff was no where to be found.  Next time he's around it won't take much to clear all the stuff off and take it off.  Well, I always say that but it's never as easy as I think something's going to be!

Now it's so easy to work at the computer.  And relaxing.

Bulletin board actually has more on it and after shot was taken in June

Now we can move the mouse around so much easier



Nice clean work space




Now to save up money for a new chair


The rest of the office is a wreck.  My file cabinet has stayed clean and hopefully the desk will too.  My goal this week is to gather all our junk and have a yard sale this weekend.  I don't think we have anything going on.  Famous last words!!

Time Experiment

There are days when I go to work and pretty much stare at the clock on my computer.  If it is a particularly slow day it seems as though time stops. And all I can think about is how much I could be getting done at home.

Sunday night I decided to block out my day by hours.  I made a chart from 7 am to 9pm.  I figured I would assign certain tasks during each hour.  In theory I could accomplish 14 tasks on Monday.  Yah, in theory.

In reality, I slept until 9:00am.  I couldn't sleep Sunday night- probably from all the anticipated excitement of all the things I would get done!  Haha!  While I did get up at 7 am, I let the dog out and put some clothes in the wash, I crawled back to bed.  Technically I did get 2 things done, so it wasn't a total loss.

Because the we were expecting temperatures to reach the high 80's, I decided to tackle the attic.  It was still cool enough outside and the attic was cool.  From 9:30 to 10:30 am, I got a ton of things out of the storage area and boxed up for a yard sale.  Or else it's all going to Salvation Army.  I condensed most of my husband's cross country items into 4 large boxes for him to sort through.  But it was starting to get really warm up there and I had to pick up my son at 11 am so I figured it was a good break time.

When we got home, I needed to relax a little.  My son decided he wanted to go through some things to put in the yard sale and I helped him reach some things in his closet to go through.  I headed back up to the attic around 11:30 am to start bringing down boxes.  It was super hot up there and I knew I was done working up there for a while.  I brought down a large pile of sheets and stray clothes that the kids left up there and got them in the wash.

My husband and Paige came home from cross country practice around 12:15 and so I kind of got sidetracked with them.  We had lunch and I cleaned up the kitchen.  My son wanted to go to his friend's house and while my husband took him, I stayed home with Paige.  That was around 1:30.  I vacuumed and dusted the living room, dining room, and staircase.  It took about an hour since I moved all the chairs in the dining room and my staircase is so big. 

After that, I was done.  I wanted to keep cleaning and organizing, but I couldn't. I got lazy.  Bored.  Tired.  I kept looking at my time sheet and thinking that I could get at least 6 more things done (it was around 3 pm by this time).  I kept thinking about how when I am at work time stops.  How I imagine all the million things that I could get done at home.  Yet when I am at home, time flies.  And it's as though nothing gets done.  I want to be on a regimented schedule, but don't like to be constrained at the the same time.

I wasted time on the computer and did laundry.  Around 5:30 Jeff and I started dinner.  My son was still at his friend's house.  My daughter had a friend over and I took them to get ice cream.  After she left, we went to pick up my son around 7:30pm.  On our way home, he saw another friend and went over his house and my husband went to work out.  It was around 8 pm and I thought that I could squeeze a few more things in before I went to bed. 

I loaded my car with cardboard recycling to drop off after work today and I cleaned my office desk.  I am doing a separate post on that! 

So while I would love to say that I efficiently worked every hour yesterday, I cannot.  But it wasn't a total loss.  My attic and office are much better.  My downstairs got cleaned and I have clean sheets ready for weekend guests.  I also realize that sometimes it's unrealistic to expect to work like a robot all day.  I have unrealistic expectations of my ability to manage my time.  I have to admit that I like to putz around throughout my day.  I like to have lazy day moments where I look at a magazine or just sit outside and hang out with my cat.  My to do list will still be there for tomorrow.  I can still try to use my time efficiently so that I don't waste my entire day.  Balance is all that I am looking to achieve.   

Promises

Like I've said before, things are crazier now that I am not working full time.  Sunday our shower pipe broke and so yesterday Jeff spent the day replacing the plumbing.  I took pictures because it was a crazy ordeal.  We have baseball games every day till Saturday, but I am really going to try to promise that I will get all my pictures transferred to my computer and post.  I have about 12 posts written in my head that I have been anxiously wanting to tell you all about!

What's the Plan?

If you read my post yesterday, you would have heard the news that I am going from full time to part time at work.  Starting today! 

It's not a big deal.  I don't make much at this job and I have been sending resumes out this past month.  Financially, we've been seeing this coming at work.  Our office is slowing down, but the boss's spending hasn't!

I am going to save  $100 right off the bat from gas.  I work 30 minutes away and the drive is very hilly so I use a tank of gas a week in my sunfire.  It's been costing me almost $45 -50 to fill up this small 13 gallon tank (depending on gas prices).  Now if I am only going in to work 2 days a week, my tank should last almost 2 weeks.  And I will save on lunch - though minimally since I try not to eat out much any way.  But even if just $5- 10 a week that's $40 a month.  That's a small bill payment!


Personal finances will be tough for a little while. Jeff and I have been working on eliminating our debt and this will definitely slow us down.  But I am eligible for partial unemployment and though it is very small, it will help.  I am responsible for paying the utility bills and with summer coming, I won't have a huge gas bill.  The electric bill will go up some, but I will be home more to control that thermostat!

The kids are thrilled to have me home more.  They understand that we will be eating home again more.  This past month we have been really bad about eating out since I don't get home until right before we have to leave for baseball or softball games.  Not anymore.  I would rather eat at home anyway and save eating out for special occasions.  The kids like eating fast food and so this will be tougher on them.  But it's not up for negotiation.

The best part of this for me is that I will be home with my family.  I really liked being home after my surgery.  And working just two days a week will be a good break.  Plus I will be able to do so much more than after my surgery.

My son already asked me what the plan was for today.  I told him that I had to work but that tomorrow I would clean his room as his 3rd grade graduation gift.  He was very pleased!

31 Days to Clean

I joined this challenge- because I'm not doing enough challenges right?  Today is suppose to be the first day, but they way they are setting it up, we will only be doing challenges/reading Mon through Friday.  Good thing because I haven't ordered the book yet.  My main computer is acting crazy.  I'm afraid to download my pictures (hence the photo less posts and lack of posts altogether the past few days) and I'm worried that the ebook will not down load.  If it doesn't I will try at work...sorry No 1 insurance company!

Today is also Divine Mercy and Pope John Paul II Beatification.  I fell in love with Saint Faustina when she was still in the process of being Beatified.  Our local churches have just recently begun celebrating Divine Mercy.  It's so fitting that Pope John Paul is being Beatified on this day as he was Pope when she became Beatified.  (Not sure if I said that right..).  It's a wonderful day indeed as our church (and others in the city) are also having First Holy Communion.  My cousin's little one received hers today. 

I woke up sick today and stayed home.  Last thing I wanted to do was be around a lot of family members with my aches and chills. I am feeling better now since sleeping all day and should get some laundry done for the kids.


If anyone has stopped over from the 31 Days to Clean challenge and would like to be accountability partners, leave me a comment.  I find that I am motivated and more successful when I have a partner.  Well, we won't count my Bible Challenge, okay?

New Cleaning Challenge

I know, I know.  I just posted about joining too many challenges and here I am- announcing that I'm a glutton for punishement and joining another!

I ran across 31 Days to Clean Challenge and couldn't resist.  We'll see how this goes!

April Goal

I started this post on April 5th.  It's now the 15th.  Sheesh, I'm really late!

This month I wanted to work on getting my hands dirty outside.  I may have over estimated the weather this month.  We'vehad so much rain and even snow that there were very few times I could get outside to do any spring cleaning.  My daffodils really multiplied this year which made the flower bed look so sunny.

Just going to have to see how the weather is this month as to whether or not I will need to extend this goal to May.  At least my office is getting organized!

Keeping up with blog challenges

Well, we all know how my Bible in 90 Days Challenge turned out.  I am definitely going to try this again.

I read so many blogs.  I love them.  When I first started going on the internet in the early 90's, forums were the big link to connecting to other people interested in the same topic.  I would spend hours late at night (cause that's the only time my dial-up would stay connected!) reading and talking to other people.  It was so fun.

Then blogging became easy with the development of free sites.  This is even better than the forums!  Though it may be too much of a good thing for me.  I love reading blogs and learning about other people.  It's my form of people watching.  Did you ever do that?  Just sit somewhere and watch people go by and make up stories about them and their lives.  I used to do that so much when I was in college. 

Anyway, now I don't have to make up lives for other people as blogs give me a little peak into their worlds.  But the problem is that I love to organize - I am putting together a post about all the books I have on organizing.  You may have noticed some of them from my office pictures.  Therefore, most of the blogs that I read are about organizing.  And with that come all the cleaning and organizing challenges.  Of course I want to participate in them all!! 

Which leads me remember that last month I wanted to work on simplifying.  Not just my house but how I am living my life.  So I am sticking with 52 weeks, Toni's challenges, and Jen's challenges.  There are so many other fun ones out there that I want to do but it's getting to be too much trying to follow as each challenge may be asking to work on a completely different area of my house.   See I am doing better.  The first step to change is to realize there is a problem, right?  Now where is that damn bill organizer??

Maintenance Manual Binders

Yay!  Whoopie!  Happy happy joy joy!  I'm dancing in circles!

Last night I got my Maintenance Manual Binders done!  I took pictures that I am going to download later today but I am so excited that I had to write this now.

My manual binder and all the manuals that could not fit.

My inspiration for a manual binder was this-

My inspiration!

I found this manual folder in the garage of the first house we bought.  It contained all the manuals and receipts for all the appliances and upgrades to the  home.  Our first home was built in the late 1940's by the same family we purchased it from. I love Mr Rumbaugh's scratchy handwriting on the cover!  I left all the papers inside of the folder for the new owners, but took the folder.  I had made my own folder after finding this and so it was easy to add new manuals.  That folder is the same one pictured above.

I wanted to complete this task at the beginning of March, but things just kept happening and I kept putting it off.  In truth, I think I just kept making excuses as I thought it was going to be such a long tedious process.  I've been staring at it sitting on my office floor for so long.  Taunting me, quietly whispering to me telling me how hard it would be to work on it.  Mocking me each time I looked at it.  Add it to the other goals I've completely bombed!

Because I cannot locate my bill organizer, I have been going through my house and work office searching.  I had even taken pictures of it for a future post I had planned.  I think out of guilt at trying to become so organized and still losing the one most important item in my household, I threw caution to the wind and grabbed my pile.

All the extra manuals waiting to be added

I remade my bed (thank you Peanut!) and laid out all my crap supplies, put on Real Housewives of Miami Live Reunion.  I figured I could work on organizing and just listen to the show.  Heck, if any of you watched that train wreck last night then you will understand!  I removed all my manuals and started making piles of like items-  major appliances, furniture, small appliances, etc.  I think the Housewives were still shouting and fighting at each other over the first question as I finished that.  I swear it only took me about 10 minutes.  I did have to keep the kids toys/electronics manuals into another binder, explaining the plural on binders.  There was too much stuff. 

I didn't label the folders yet.  I may still tweak it a little.  Even though I thought I had taken the time to clean out old manuals, I still found a few stragglers to recycle.  I was going to continue using clear plastic sheets to corral them, but these folders work so much better.  I picked them up at Target and I have to say they are perfect.  I am so glad I grabbed 2 sets as I used the extra ones for the toy/electronic manual. 

Saving the old folder as inspiration

Love how you can see through the folders

Toy/Electronics Manuals

Much easier to find receipts or warranties

All in all, I was done with both manuals before the end of the show.  Honestly, I didn't even pay attention to the show much as there was so much bickering going on and it became annoying.  The best part of all was making a spot on the bookshelf to house my new binders.  Basically all I did was grab a couple books off the shelf and shove them on top of other books!  I may need to get rid of some of those books.  Haha!

I may make cute labels for the spines

Remember it used to look like this-

Look at those piles

And finally-

Look at all that clean space on the floor!

Best thing is the feeling of accomplishment.  It is a task that I put off for so long- for years actually.  Even though I didn't get it done by the March challenge over at Jen's, I may still link it up.