Decluttering Your Home

A New Year, A Fresh Start. 

That's what lots of people are looking for right now.  Maybe you want to improve your spiritual life.  Maybe you want to make extra money or save more.  Maybe you want to improve your health.  Have you made one of these resolutions?  Have you already broken it?  It's not too late!  I mean it's only January, for God's sake.  I can tell you how to accomplish ALL of these things:  Declutter your home.

Honestly, the idea was overwhelming at first.  We have accumulated what feels like a TON of "stuff" over the years.  (Sound familiar?)  The first couple days I went in each room in the house, including the basement and attic, and found at least one item we no longer needed.  This gave my donation pile a head start. The key is to tackle it a little at a time - and I'm not talking one room at a time, more like one BOX at a time.

I signed up for Facebook reminders to declutter a certain area of my home.  Household Management 101's Declutter 365 Challenge will guide you through 15 minutes of decluttering your home each day, until your home is fully decluttered in 365 days (1 year).   It's a great method - the daily reminders keep your progress in check and even provokes decluttering those little spaces you otherwise would not have thought of. 

Spirit was Renewed
Once I got started taking baby steps, it motivated me to keep going, and I went WAY above and beyond.  It sounds silly, but it was excited.  With decluttering comes organization, and every time I added something to the donation pile, I felt more and more FREE.  It put me in a better mood.  I was less stressed, felt a sense of accomplishment, and felt less CROWDED in the house.  I no longer had to move things we didn't use to get to the things we did use.  My spirit was renewed.  


Made a Little Money and Saved Even More
Yes, it takes time to sort through things but it is soooo worth it in so many ways.  We found some things we could pass on to family and friends, sold a few things, found things we forgot we had, and donated a ton to help other people and to use as a tax deduction.

Here's my donation pile

I found that by taking an inventory and re-organizing, we saved money by getting on track to use up what we had before having to buy more.  The decluttering and organizing did require a little investment, as we purchased shelves and bins, but decreasing the amount of frustration in being able to find what you need was well worth it.  I'd say the investments in bins and shelves were offset by whet we saved by selling a few items, tax deductions for donations, and the business that kept me from recreational shopping.  As I make more space in the house, I DO NOT want to fill it with more stuff, either.

Be sure to consider solutions.  If you are willing to invest a little money, you can find permanent solutions for your "necessary clutter".  For  example, we have a very small entryway, but with 5 people in the house, we have lots of shoes near the door.  We replaced our pile of shoes with this bench, which not only gives everyone a place to sit while putting on their shoes, but also provides shoe storage on the 2 shelves under the bench.  We have found this to be a great solution to our problem.

Entryway Bench with Shoe Storage

Another solution we found was in our living room.  We had an ottoman holding snuggly blankets for watching TV.  However, the ottoman became stained and damaged because the kids used it to sit in - it had become a toy.  It's functionality had changed and was no longer working for us.  At the same time, we were short on seating.  With just a couch and rocking chair in the living room, we could fit our family of five, but whenever guests visited, we didn't have enough seating.  We also needed to contend with a heating vent near the window, so we could not get a large item that would cover it.   Below is what we came up with - so far, it seems to resolve all the issues we were having.

Window Storage Seat

Improving Health
The health benefits of decluttering include keeping you on your feet, as you sort, clean and reorganize various areas in your home.  I also found a renewed sense of confidence and happiness that came with a sense of accomplishment.  I also took some time to organize my exercise area, sorting through equipment I no longer use, and hanging up resistance bands so they are easily accessible instead of in a big jumbled mess.  As I felt good about where I was in the area of decluttering, I was able to start focusing on weight loss again, and had a nice set-up to do it.

Reorganized Exercise Equipment

You will not regret decluttering your home.  Start with the kid's toys they no longer use, clothes that no longer kit you, the bathroom closet, or kitchen cabinets.  No matter what you want to tackle first, just get started.  Do a little at a time and find the motivation to continue.  I decided that this is an ongoing project...I am at a place where I feel the bulk is gone (and what we kept is reorganized) but I still have a "Donation Box" out and add something to it almost every day.  The confidence it has given me has now spilled into other areas of my life and I find motivation to accomplish something every day. 

Pantry Shelves (Before)

 

Pantry Shelves (After)

 

 

Living with MS - A 6-site Injection Schedule for Copaxone 40mg

I know this isn't the best forum for this, since most of my audience does not have Multiple Sclerosis, and those that do may not be on the same meds I am on.  However, I wanted to make this publically available so others can take advantage of it.

For those of you who know me but didn't know this about me, I have Multiple Sclerosis.  It is an autoimmune disease with no cure.  I was diagnosed 10 years ago.

Every year I struggle to find an easier way to track my medication schedule.  There are 7 injection sites for Copaxone, and the 40mg version is 3 times per week.  I have eliminated the abdominals as an injection site for myself, because too much scar tissue from 3 C-sections and a few other surgeries left this area too painful.  So I am left with 6 injection sites, and the medication is 3x per week.  Sounds pretty straight forward, right?  Wrong.

Each of the injection sites is broken down into a number of spots within each area where the medication may be injected.  For example, There are 8 spots on each arm, 6 spots on each hip, 12 spots on each thigh. 

Instead of checking where I did that spot last time and calculating the new location, I wanted to come up with a "schedule" of where to go next.  This would make the injection process more efficient, so I could get it done faster and get on with my life.   So I decided to invest in a little time at the beginning of each year to make the rest of the year easier.

I wanted to share my "schedule" on the off chance that someone out there can use it too...that work is done for you.  Here are the stipulations:

• You must be on Copaxone 40mg (3x per week) or similar medication.
• You must verify that the injection sites for your medication (if other than Copaxone) match the ones I used here.
• You must be skipping 1 injection site from the 7 originals.  I skipped the abdominals.  If you are skipping a different one, feel free to substitute.

In NO WAY am I condoning that you skip an injection site.  If fact, Shared Solutions was not thrilled when I told them I was skipping, but it is simply too painful.

 Lastly, if you don't like my schedule, keep it to yourself.  I don't need to stress of complaints.  I didn't create this for YOU, I created it for ME and decided to share in case it might help someone.

Since I am having trouble posting it to both Blogger and Facebook, you will need to contact me and I will happily send it to you.  It is a 9-page PDF, but covers the entire year.

To all of you who are dealing with MS or any other disease for that matter, I wish you the best in overcoming those obstacles.  For ALL of you out there, Happy New Year! 

Preparing for Disaster - Saving Your Family's Memories

If you are anything like me, you are attached to less "things" and more "experiences".  So if we were to have a disaster, say, a flood or fire in our home, there is only one thing I would be DEVASTATED to lose...our family photos.

I love to scrapbook, so I am a big "picture" person.  I take pictures of just about every activity we do so we can remember all the fun things we've done as a family.  Even more important, I want my kids to remember the fun times we've had.  These precious memories mean so much to me and I do my best to preserve them.  But in a flood or fire, they could be gone forever.  Whether you take lots of photos or just a few, it is worth your time to protect them.

I decided to back-up the pictures.  Sure, they won't look the same as my fun and beautiful scrapbooks,  but at least the memories will not be gone.  Start by organizing and renaming photos by date & activity.  I separate mine into folders by year, because i have so many.  Don't forget to create a  "Random" folder for each year for those photos that are really not related to anything in particular, but are worth keeping.  Depending on how many photos you have, group them together (however many will fit on a CD) and save to CD.  Find a special place to keep them.  I like the idea of keeping them near the front door (so you can grab them on the way out).  You can also make a 2nd copy and keep them in a Safety Deposit box at the bank or at a friend or family member's house.  That way, if something happens to your house, they are being held in a different location.

Upload photos to a website like Shutterfly or Snapfish, or one of the many other similar sites.  Pick one that has no storage limit and will allow you to store them indefinitely.  Also, pick a reputable one that you can count on to be there for years.  This takes some time to upload the photos and keep them organized, but if your computer dies, you can log on from anywhere as long as you remember the password.

Facebook is another place where you can keep your photos organized, however, you need to remember a couple of things.  You will need to be aware of the settings on your account so you know who is able to see your photos.  Also, Facebook has rights to use any photos you post, so don't post anything you will regret if it gets out.


If you have lots of information and memories you want to write to accompany your photos, and maybe want to share the photos and what you've written with specific people, setting up a private, non-money-making blog.  Again, you an share with you whom want, or you don't have to share at all.  You can also log-on from anywhere, so no matter what happens to your computer, you can still get to them.

If you have any other ideas, please share with my audience.  Thanks!

How To Accomplish Something While Home with the Kids

Every parent feels like she/he has a million things they need or want to accomplish, but with the kids, it feels impossible.  This largely depends on the age of your children, of course, but if you find a way to accommodate them, you can squeeze in a few things here and there throughout the day.  Accomplishing things you need to do will pay off in the form of happiness - at least I feel a little weight off my shoulders when some of my small projects are completed.  Here are a few ideas and scenarios:

Playtime
This one may be harder for a parent of 1 child than a parent of 2 or more.  Set-up your child to play a particular activity and find something you want to accomplish that will only take 10 minutes or so - they may not last much longer than that.  If you have several 10-minute tasks, you can start a new one after the first, if they are playing well.  If a child starts nagging you that they are bored or wants you to play with them, it's a good idea to stop what you're doing and play.  A few minutes of attention goes a long way.

Another scenario may be to select an activity you can do in the same room.  That way you can still interact with them and they don't feel lonely.  This is a great way to hang out with a baby who is playing on the floor, or even older kids.  Terrific opportunity to do laundry or sorting a box of items, etc.  You can also sit at the table to work on something as they color, play stickers, or if you are really brave, PlayDough.

Exercise Time
If you can't get up early in the morning (before the kids wake up at 5:30am) and you hate jumping on the treadmill at night after they go to bed, why not designate some time in the morning or afternoon as "exercise time".  Pick up some exercise DVD at a yard sale or rip out a workout from a magazine.  Then guide the kids through it.  Have them count to stay involved (and it's a good learning-to-count drill). Even if they don't do the exercising "just right", they will probably have fun.  It will also be a good example to them, pointing them in the direction of making healthy decisions.

Chores
If you have a toddler or preschooler, this is a great time to get them involved in the house cleaning chores.  Hand them a damp sponge to wipe down the table and chair legs, a feather duster, or dry mop, or even just a rag and ask them to make their way around the house.  Don't count on them to do a good job.  They will, however, feel like a "grown-up" if you praise them for helping and doing a good job.    Handling these previously forbidden items will be lots of fun for them.

Nap Time
If you have a baby who will nap once or twice a day, this is a great time to accomplish something.  Knowing how long they will sleep, plan your activity accordingly.  With a toddler or preschooler, you may not be able to rely heavily on this time to accomplish something, because some days they will nap, and others they won't.  Don't get too involved in something, in case you have to stop, and plan to keep your project to an hour or less.  Being interrupted mid-project will only set you up for disappointment, frustration, or resentment.

If you are getting frustrated and want to re-cooperate, why not take the occasional nap yourself?   Once in a why we should enjoy the silence - it may re-align your attitude.

Gardening
Why not get some gardening done while the kids play outside?  And if they are bored and want to hang out with you, get them some kiddie gardening gloves and ask them to help you...they will either enjoy it or hate it.  If they enjoy it, you win!  If they hate it, they will find something else to do so you can finish.  Either way, this is probably a win-win situation.  Should you choose to do gardening during nap time, however, be sure to take the baby monitor with you.

TV Time
Some people hate relying on TV to entertain their children, but hey - if you have something you HAVE to accomplish and none of the above has worked out, once in a while won't kill anyone.

Bed Time
Not everything can be accomplished with kids around.  That's why bed time is so important.  Sure, everyone wants to relax after the kids are in bed and breathe a sigh of relief, but this may be the only time you have to chip away at some really important projects you need to dedicate your attention to. 

REMEMBER:

• The best way to accomplish something it to plan out what you want to do BEFORE it's time to do it.  That way, on the off chance the kids cooperate, you can jump right into it.  
• Make a list if you have to and break up tasks by amount of time needed, and then by priority.  Then pick the appropriate task for the time allotted.
• Don't plan to do an important task that cannot be put off or disrupted.  Save those for a time when you are certain you can get it done (bed time or someone else watching the kids).

I'm Exhausted and I Feel Like Crying

Like everyone else, I LOVE my kids.  They each have their own personalities and can be funny, cute, adorable, annoying, loud, sad, angering...you pick the emotion, it's there.  But on any given day I, being my own person, can feel tired, irritable, grumpy...you get the idea.  Here's the problem - put the wrong combination together, let's say child=irritating and me=irritable, and we are headed for disaster.

I do my best to find balance between being the best Mom I can be (not the best Mom in the world), and keeping up with all the other things in my life that demand attention - keeping the house clean (some days I can only laugh), keeping the schedule straight, keeping in touch with hubby, keeping the bills from piling up too high, etc.  You get the idea.

As we grow in learning to care for our children, we are finding that, no matter what you do for them, they are never happy.  Well, sometimes it just seems that way.  Overall, my kids are pretty happy - not only are they provided with adequate food, clothing, also shelter, they also have many things they don't NEED (like, toys).  That is all good, but we are a family that focuses less on "things" and more on "experiences" for lifelong happiness and memories.  Just seems like in these circumstances, the instant gratification factor is gone.

For example, you're at a store and your child wants a toy - you buy it for them, and they are happy, right?  On the other hand, we go to a farm and visited the petting zoo, checked out all the different pumpkins, got to play in the hay maze and ride the wagon/hay ride.  But the ONE thing we DIDN'T get to do has now ruined our day, and they are miserable, and I am feeling like it wasn't worth it, and it doesn't make me look forward to doing anything else with them.  Even though overall it was a great day, this is about the time when I feel like crying because I am losing my cool.  So what am I doing wrong here?  It seems they are still expecting more, more, more.  I have never been a parent who gives in to this sort of thing, so when will they learn to be happy with what we have (or have done)?  HELP!

What really needs to happen here is to take some deep breaths, remember they are kids, stick to my guns, and be consistent - eventually they will get it.  This is just not the time.  But it doesn't mean we need to stop doing fun things with them. In fact, I believe it is the opposite.  We need to keep enjoying experiences as a family and they will finally get it.  Don't you remember when you were in your early 20's and FINALLY appreciated your parents and all they had done for and with you?  Yes.  My day is coming - I just have to be patient and keep going. Easier said then done.

The Little Things Matter - Surprise Your Spouse

I once heard that if you want your spouse to pay you some attention, you should do it first and they most likely will follow suit.  Don't wait for them to act first.  I think the problem is, with all that we have to do on a daily basis, we forget each other, and take each other for granted.  Whenever I come to the realization that we are in that sort of rut, I make my move.

I always felt that it is the little things that count - which is good, because we can't spare the $$ for the "big" things.  Sure, I would love to go away for the weekend, but it's not just a money issue, it's a time issue (one of the kids most likely has an activity planned, etc), and a babysitting issue (really, who wants to watch my 3 kids ages 6 and under for an entire weekend? - NO ONE).  Those "big" things are great once in a while, but you can rekindle the relationship between the "big" things, by doing some little things. 

Here are some inexpensive ways to show him (or her) you care:

Notes in His Lunchbox
Yes, we brown-bag it.  Saves time and money, blah blah, blah.  It also serves as a good way to surprise him.  I do this with my daughter occasionally, too.

 

 Everybody loves to be remembered, so when he opens his lunchbox and sees a love note, an awful picture I drew, or a special snack (he loves Kit Kats) with a corny rhyme it lets him know I was thinking of him.  Hopefully, it makes him smile...or depending on what is written on the note, maybe it makes him blush (ha ha).  Let him show the guys at the lunch table - he may be a little embarrassed, but I bet they feel a hint of jealousy.


Make "Boring" Things Fun
My husband takes carrot sticks to lunch every day.  Why not turn that "boring" snack into a meaningful gesture.  While he wasn't home, I took the time to cut the carrots into heart shapes to surprise him.

 

You can also take a cookie cutter to indent the bread of his sandwich.  I've never tried it, but it sounds like a good idea.

Happy Smiling Eggs

On the weekends, my husband likes to make a big breakfast, usually bacon and eggs.  I decided to make it interesting by drawing goofy faces on the eggs with a marker.  I know if I saw it, it would make me laugh.  His laugh and smile are the things I love most.

Scavenger Hunt

This takes more planning, so I haven't done this one in a while.  Put a sticky note on the front door so he can see it when he gets home.  It should have a clue written on it to lead him to the next clue, etc.  After about 12 clues I leave a "gift" for him - he has to find each clue to lead him there.  It's fun and suspenseful, so make sure the gift is worth it...even though it could be as easy as a "coupon" for an after-the-kids-go-to-bed activity, a batch of his favorite homemade cookies, or a 6-pk of his favorite beer, or anything else you can think of that he would enjoy.  Just remember to hide the notes where the kids won't find them before he does.

Balloons

OK, he doesn't like this as much as I like doing it.  Every anniversary I aim to buy balloons - one for each year we have been married - and go to his work and tie them to the rear-view mirror.  I keep the strings long enough so people can see them from across the parking lot.  Then they wish him happy anniversary (or happy birthday, etc) and he knows I took the time out of my day to surprise him.  Bonus:  Then he brings the balloons home for the kids to enjoy.

 

Put it in Writing

While playing "sidewalk chalk" with the kids, sometimes we write a message to Daddy and draw hearts so he can see them when he comes home. 

Another cute idea he actually did to me, was sneak in the bathroom while I was showering (and fogging up the mirror) and drew a big heart of the mirror with his finger.  When I came out the shower, I saw it right away, and since I didn't wash the mirror immediately, it was still there next time I showered.  So sweet.

Just Plain Say It

Feel like you don't say it enough?  Script some well thought out words about why you love him and just tell him.  Accompany it with a long wet kiss (instead of the usual peck) and it will brighten his mood for sure.

Here are a few other cute ideas I found online that speak for themselves...

Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas

As I searched the web for creative but inexpensive ideas for Halloween costumes, I could help but share what I found on my money-saving blog, Saving for Something.  Why pay a boat load of money for a costume someone will wear for only a couple hours?  If you haven't come up with a costume for yourself or a child yet, there is still time to put these together!  It's as simple as starting with regular household items and transforming into something different..REALLY different.  CLICK HERE for the pictures.