I hate clutter. Hate it. If you sit me in a room in my house right now, I start to twitch. Unfortunately for me, either A)Keevia is asleep, so no loud noises may be made, or B) I'm too dang tired to do anything about it.
But it slowly drives me insane. I can't watch "Hoarders" without getting up to clean something. Carl and I will take a biiiiig day and clean our hearts out, then two weeks later (because I don't keep it up), it's worse than ever. And don't get me started on our guest room...
But tonight, as I was rocking (yes, I still rock my 19 month old to sleep) my baby girl, looking around at all the clutter in my living room, I realized something.
My house would be a LOT less cluttered if I didn't have a toddler.
And you know what? That's unacceptable. I cannot imagine my life without my sweet girl... so I guess I can't imagine my life without the clutter.
It's nice to look at it in a new way. It's nice to embrace the clutter, and to not shy away as much. It's nice to realize how empty my life would be WITHOUT that clutter.
It's nice to see clutter through Keevia size glasses.
Showing posts with label Organization Overload. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organization Overload. Show all posts
Friday, June 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
a repeat post
I'm really, really struggling right now. I'm actually seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm praying to continue going this way.
Hormones (thanks PCOS), emotions, my hubby getting a new job that completely screwed up my schedule... All of these things added up to just push me over the edge. Into unorganized madness.
But I'm working on it. I'm slowly purchasing some organizational tools, and I'm tackling one room at a time. I'm trying not to let it get the best of me.
I've attempted Fly Lady in the past, and not really had that much luck. I get stuck on that stupid shiny sink! ha! The problem is that sometimes Carl doesn't make it home until 9-10, and Keevia is sometimes in bed by then. If you wash dishes in our house and K is asleep, she WILL wake up. So the dinner dishes are in my sink in the morning. Which I realize isn't a big deal, but still. Also, it's SO SLOW. I don't want an overnight fix, but a week long fix would be great.
So, I'm attempting a week long fix. My house has 8 rooms. (Master Bedroom, Guest bedroom, K's bedroom, kitchen, living room, master bath, K's bathroom, and our laundry room). I'm assigning one day to each room, and just going to tackle that room (and the kitchen counters/dishes) that day. The laundry room doesn't get its own day because I have to do several loads a week, so I'm in there a lot.
Sunday: Master Bathroom
Monday: Master Bedroom
Tuesday: Living Room
Wednesday: Kitchen (also trash day!)
Thursday: Guest Bathroom
Friday: Guest Bedroom
Saturday: Keevia's Bedroom
Each day that room will be cleaned. Vacuumed if vacuuming is required, trash emptied (also emptied on Wednesday), toilets scrubbed, etc etc etc. Hopefully, in the intervening days it won't go to hell in a handbasket, but I think getting cleaned once a week will be astronomical.
I have GOT to get some of these tubs out of my guest room closet and finish unpacking (yes, we've lived here a year), the guest room. I DESPERATELY want to move my office into that room.
I'm also struggling with emotions over infertility. I'm getting angry at myself (not for having trouble getting pregnant) but because I know ONE thing I could be doing to help myself get pregnant and I simply don't do it. Exercise. So super simple. And I'm starting to get pissed at myself. Maybe if I get mad enough, my Clemons stubbornness will set in?
So, I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. If I can manage to write more, I stay happier. I'm currently writing a novel as well, which has occupied a lot of my brain power. But I'm trying.
Maybe once my house is organized, my brain will be too?
Hormones (thanks PCOS), emotions, my hubby getting a new job that completely screwed up my schedule... All of these things added up to just push me over the edge. Into unorganized madness.
But I'm working on it. I'm slowly purchasing some organizational tools, and I'm tackling one room at a time. I'm trying not to let it get the best of me.
I've attempted Fly Lady in the past, and not really had that much luck. I get stuck on that stupid shiny sink! ha! The problem is that sometimes Carl doesn't make it home until 9-10, and Keevia is sometimes in bed by then. If you wash dishes in our house and K is asleep, she WILL wake up. So the dinner dishes are in my sink in the morning. Which I realize isn't a big deal, but still. Also, it's SO SLOW. I don't want an overnight fix, but a week long fix would be great.
So, I'm attempting a week long fix. My house has 8 rooms. (Master Bedroom, Guest bedroom, K's bedroom, kitchen, living room, master bath, K's bathroom, and our laundry room). I'm assigning one day to each room, and just going to tackle that room (and the kitchen counters/dishes) that day. The laundry room doesn't get its own day because I have to do several loads a week, so I'm in there a lot.
Sunday: Master Bathroom
Monday: Master Bedroom
Tuesday: Living Room
Wednesday: Kitchen (also trash day!)
Thursday: Guest Bathroom
Friday: Guest Bedroom
Saturday: Keevia's Bedroom
Each day that room will be cleaned. Vacuumed if vacuuming is required, trash emptied (also emptied on Wednesday), toilets scrubbed, etc etc etc. Hopefully, in the intervening days it won't go to hell in a handbasket, but I think getting cleaned once a week will be astronomical.
I have GOT to get some of these tubs out of my guest room closet and finish unpacking (yes, we've lived here a year), the guest room. I DESPERATELY want to move my office into that room.
I'm also struggling with emotions over infertility. I'm getting angry at myself (not for having trouble getting pregnant) but because I know ONE thing I could be doing to help myself get pregnant and I simply don't do it. Exercise. So super simple. And I'm starting to get pissed at myself. Maybe if I get mad enough, my Clemons stubbornness will set in?
So, I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. If I can manage to write more, I stay happier. I'm currently writing a novel as well, which has occupied a lot of my brain power. But I'm trying.
Maybe once my house is organized, my brain will be too?
Friday, April 15, 2011
Packing your Pantry
Look at this! I promised a post and it's happening! Of course, having written that, my baby will now wake up screaming.... *long pause* nothing? Okay, good. Lets go.
The following is a list of things that I find invaluable in my pantry. By no means should you run out and buy all of this at once, because if you did your grocery budget would SKY ROCKET. But, try and pick up one or two things a visit. You'll never run out of everything at once, which means your grocery list stays small!
These are just my recommendations. I'll give you my reasonings behind it, and creative ways to use it. I plan on talking about "Pantry Meals" as well (but probably not today!ha!), which is when you don't have written down meal plans, but you "shop" your pantry.
Oh, and hey, check us out at The Playdate Crashers today! I'm guest posting there my coupon post from yesterday! Go leave them some blog love!
PANTRY MUST HAVES:
All Purpose Flour
Cornmeal (Self-Rising or not, doesn't really matter)
Baking Powder
Salt (Sea Salt, Kosher Salt & Table Salt -- each has different uses. I use sea salt as a finishing salt, I use kosher as a rub or in pasta water, and table salt for baking and as, well, table salt).
Buttermilk Powder (Sounds weird, I know... but I use it to make homemade ranch dressing, I add it to biscuit dough, cornbread & waffles).
Pasta (spaghetti, linguine, macaroni, shells, lasagna, & ziti or rotelle or something like that).
Corn oil (or veg oil of your choice, I don't like canola because it's made from rape seeds, which are highly posionious. I just don't trust a oil made from that, sorry!).
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vegetable Shortening (*gasp, shock, horror!*)
Sugar (brown, white & confectioners please!)
Oats (quick & old fashioned, and if your feeling brave, Steel Cut as well!)
Yeast (and not just the packets, find somewhere (health food stores) that sell it in bulk, buy a cup and put it in your freezer. It works better than the packets and is, oh, about $15 cheaper).
Real Vanilla Extract
Nuts (Whatever you like. My choices are Pecans & Almonds)
Peanut butter
Nutella (okay, okay... not a necessity but IT SHOULD BE.)
Chicken & Beef Stock (preferably low sodium!)
Rice (Long grain and Basmati (short grain))
Potatoes (both big & small. I generally buy 10lb bags of whatever is on sale)
Herbs & Spices
Garlic Powder
Dried onions
Rosemary (excellent on chicken, beef, or pork!)
Thyme (mmm...chicken!)
Dried Pepper Flakes
Sage
Bay Leaves
Taco Seasoning (again, don't buy the packets. Buy a bulk container, much cheaper. LOOK FOR MSG FREE IN EVERYTHING!!!)
Italian Seasoning (you can make your own, but this is easier to just grab occasionally!)
Oregano
Basil
Cilantro
Cardamom
Curry Powder
Paprika
Cream of Tarter
Balsamic Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar
IN THE FRIDGE
Buttermilk
Milk (we drink 2%)
Butter (I prefer salted, but you can use unsalted if your watching your sodium)
Sour cream
Plain yogurt
Cheese (I stick with parmesean, mozerella, cheddar, and usually a colby jack, and sometimes american)
Eggs
Red wine (even if you don't drink wine, which we don't really, it adds SO MUCH FLAVOR to various dishes!)
White wine
Bacon (and lots of it! If you don't use it a lot, store it in the freezer and then slice off 1 inch portions. 1 inch = 1 slice of bacon!)
Onions
Garlic
Baby carrots (or full grown carrots)
Meat ( follow the sales, plan your meals around the sales, not your meals around a specific meat)
If I think about anything else, I'll add it. I add fruits & veggies that look fresh to the lists, but I only buy whats on sale/in season. I'm in desperate need of sleep, so I'll end this here... but coming up soon... How to USE these items in your kitchen and how to "shop" your pantry! Plus, saying goodbye to "strict" meal plans!
If you have any questions, leave um in the comments! Make sure I have an email or something to get a hold of you though!
The following is a list of things that I find invaluable in my pantry. By no means should you run out and buy all of this at once, because if you did your grocery budget would SKY ROCKET. But, try and pick up one or two things a visit. You'll never run out of everything at once, which means your grocery list stays small!
These are just my recommendations. I'll give you my reasonings behind it, and creative ways to use it. I plan on talking about "Pantry Meals" as well (but probably not today!ha!), which is when you don't have written down meal plans, but you "shop" your pantry.
Oh, and hey, check us out at The Playdate Crashers today! I'm guest posting there my coupon post from yesterday! Go leave them some blog love!
PANTRY MUST HAVES:
All Purpose Flour
Cornmeal (Self-Rising or not, doesn't really matter)
Baking Powder
Salt (Sea Salt, Kosher Salt & Table Salt -- each has different uses. I use sea salt as a finishing salt, I use kosher as a rub or in pasta water, and table salt for baking and as, well, table salt).
Buttermilk Powder (Sounds weird, I know... but I use it to make homemade ranch dressing, I add it to biscuit dough, cornbread & waffles).
Pasta (spaghetti, linguine, macaroni, shells, lasagna, & ziti or rotelle or something like that).
Corn oil (or veg oil of your choice, I don't like canola because it's made from rape seeds, which are highly posionious. I just don't trust a oil made from that, sorry!).
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Vegetable Shortening (*gasp, shock, horror!*)
Sugar (brown, white & confectioners please!)
Oats (quick & old fashioned, and if your feeling brave, Steel Cut as well!)
Yeast (and not just the packets, find somewhere (health food stores) that sell it in bulk, buy a cup and put it in your freezer. It works better than the packets and is, oh, about $15 cheaper).
Real Vanilla Extract
Nuts (Whatever you like. My choices are Pecans & Almonds)
Peanut butter
Nutella (okay, okay... not a necessity but IT SHOULD BE.)
Chicken & Beef Stock (preferably low sodium!)
Rice (Long grain and Basmati (short grain))
Potatoes (both big & small. I generally buy 10lb bags of whatever is on sale)
Herbs & Spices
Garlic Powder
Dried onions
Rosemary (excellent on chicken, beef, or pork!)
Thyme (mmm...chicken!)
Dried Pepper Flakes
Sage
Bay Leaves
Taco Seasoning (again, don't buy the packets. Buy a bulk container, much cheaper. LOOK FOR MSG FREE IN EVERYTHING!!!)
Italian Seasoning (you can make your own, but this is easier to just grab occasionally!)
Oregano
Basil
Cilantro
Cardamom
Curry Powder
Paprika
Cream of Tarter
Balsamic Vinegar
Red Wine Vinegar
IN THE FRIDGE
Buttermilk
Milk (we drink 2%)
Butter (I prefer salted, but you can use unsalted if your watching your sodium)
Sour cream
Plain yogurt
Cheese (I stick with parmesean, mozerella, cheddar, and usually a colby jack, and sometimes american)
Eggs
Red wine (even if you don't drink wine, which we don't really, it adds SO MUCH FLAVOR to various dishes!)
White wine
Bacon (and lots of it! If you don't use it a lot, store it in the freezer and then slice off 1 inch portions. 1 inch = 1 slice of bacon!)
Onions
Garlic
Baby carrots (or full grown carrots)
Meat ( follow the sales, plan your meals around the sales, not your meals around a specific meat)
If I think about anything else, I'll add it. I add fruits & veggies that look fresh to the lists, but I only buy whats on sale/in season. I'm in desperate need of sleep, so I'll end this here... but coming up soon... How to USE these items in your kitchen and how to "shop" your pantry! Plus, saying goodbye to "strict" meal plans!
If you have any questions, leave um in the comments! Make sure I have an email or something to get a hold of you though!
Friday, April 1, 2011
The bane of my existence
I hate laundry. Okay, that's not true. The actual gathering up, separating, and washing of laundry I don't mind. In fact, I find it therapeutic. I just hate PUTTING UP laundry.
So, I don't do it. I mean to, but I do a lot of laundry during naptimes and after bedtimes, so it just piles up in laundry baskets because I don't want to wake up my hubby or my baby.
So, after dumping all those laundry baskets on my bed today... this is what it looked like.
Scary, isn't it? After about an hour it was all organized and put away, but GOODNESS I DISLIKE DOING IT!
So, I recently took a step to make this not be a common occurance at my house. I purchased 4 (because we would like 2 kids soon!) laundry basket thingies to put beside my dryer. As clothes come out, they get separated into Carl, Me, or Keevia. Then, I simply take that individual basket and put it away. GENIUS I SAY.
Aren't they cute? I love them.
Now, if I could only concur these...
One step at a time, eh?
So, I don't do it. I mean to, but I do a lot of laundry during naptimes and after bedtimes, so it just piles up in laundry baskets because I don't want to wake up my hubby or my baby.
So, after dumping all those laundry baskets on my bed today... this is what it looked like.
So, I recently took a step to make this not be a common occurance at my house. I purchased 4 (because we would like 2 kids soon!) laundry basket thingies to put beside my dryer. As clothes come out, they get separated into Carl, Me, or Keevia. Then, I simply take that individual basket and put it away. GENIUS I SAY.
Now, if I could only concur these...
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