twenty ~

1. My alarm goes off every morning at 4:45 ~ from 5 - 7 is one of my favorite times of the day.

2. I love to wear pearls...with anything...a t-shirt and jeans to Wal-mart, and I still feel lovely" in my pearls.

3. I love where I live, I never want to move. I want to grow old and die right here in my house a...very... old... woman.

4. I used to want to grow up to be the first lady, and deep down inside I envy them.

5. I have been in love with my husband since I was 15...seriously...can hardly remember my past without him. He says he married me because I laughed at him, and I say I married him because he made me laugh....he still does.

6. I am a ridiculous creature of habit, ritual and routine! I park in the same parking spot at the grocery store, I will only buy my daughter purple crocs, I will only clean my house on Monday’s, wine at 5:00, I won’t make my bed on Sunday’s, errands on Tuesdays...the list goes on and on and on and on...seriously...on and on.

7. I love to study and research just about anything...Someday I would love to teach/share the stuff I am learning... mostly history, scripture, and random unknown things...like why they put the word FISH in big letters on the back of trucks, or why our teeth chatter when it is cold.

8. I MUST laugh several times a day...laughter is medicinal, and necessary... life is funny and should be laughed at much and often lest one become cantankerous, judgmental and captious!!! (Refer to #6)

9. I have a love affair with coffee...and I think that a sonic diet coke and a trip to Target can cure almost any mood.

10. Commercials, movies, or sitcoms with any form of gratuitous physical comedy makes me laugh until I cry and my stomach aches...then I rewind it and do it all again...

11. I believe Jesus of Nazareth is the original maverick, and truly the most amazing person that ever lived. I can’t learn enough about him, but I hope to live my life trying. (Phil 3:10)

12. I broke my collar bone falling into a handicapped toilet side rail in a department store. (I tell no lie.)

13. I love my kids in ways I could never pen....having them makes me feel like I have won the lottery...every day...

14. I would like to work on listening more and talking less...I am HORRIBLE at interrupting...I even interrupt myself sometimes, and who knows how much wisdom I have missed because I hardly let people finish their thoughts.

15. I resist the temptation to run everywhere...into the grocery store, into the pre-school, through parking lots, I tell myself “Don’t run, Laura, that is weird”


16. I have taught my kids to repeat to me on command “mom, you are so cool, you are cooler than cool, you are the origin of all coolness.” It comes in handy when they really want something they don’t deserve...I just say... “What do you say????”


17.My least favorite personality trait in a person is pretentiousness, and I teach my kids that “Everyone’s workin’ on something.”

18. I have a thing about nostalgic smells and as a result, I will never switch perfume...so that when my children smell it they think of me, and always will.

19. I get the hiccups every time I eat rice...every...single...time...


20. I love clip boards ~ I’m just sayin’

bears ~

My house has a time of day that seems to become frazzled all at once. Somewhere between 5ish – 6ish each night the tension in the house begins to thicken…The offspring are hungry, the youngest is cranky...the phone begins to ring off the hook, dinner needs to get started (or it is time to leave for practice and pick up dinner on the way), the final load of laundry needs to be put away, the dog is chewing on my daughter’s last pacifier, and the boys down the block are ringing the doorbell in hopes of working on the giant “crater” they are digging in my backyard…oh…and they need a bag of popcorn to get started! And without fail…all this seems to come down at the same time of night! The craziness felt like a huge bear attacking my sanity and me, and though it's a short period of time it felt like it took over the morale of the entire day. I believe the coined name for this time is “The Witching Hour” and rightfully so…because at this time of day, even the sweetest moms can morph into the nastiest of witches!

Well, couple of years ago, I got a brave hair, and decided that I was going to go to battle with this “bear” and work pro-actively to conquer it before it got a chance to pin me down! So as with any attack, I planned, prepared, and gathered up some resources to take into battle with me. The following are some hints, tips, and suggestions to help in your personal witching hour or bear wrestling!

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER - Due to the dynamics of each individual family, there is such a huge variety of things that can help keep you on top of the bear instead of pinned underneath, but here are a few that work for me…whatever your method, the idea is to be ready for the attack…take on that crazy time of day with your eyes wide open…ready and waiting, with resources at hand to help you and unashamed to call for back up.

First offensive move - Ambiance!!!!

The sensory setting of this time of day is very key…work to make it a “calm” setting…If your house allows, play some classical music (STOP and RESIST the temptation to laugh!!!!!!!) Seriously… Classical music is good for the offspring and it has a medicinally and physiologically calming effect on the brian...Look it up! Play some classical music in the area that you mainly are…for me it is in the kitchen usually making dinner. You don’t have to blare it through the whole house or MAKE your kids play it in their rooms, but the point is that it does help bring about calm in your home…not the white noise of the latest breaking news on the FOX news channel...that only adds to the tension. Save that for earlier in the day or after dinner…Trust me...try it for a week or so and see how much less tension you feel.

Second offensive move – Feed the Natives!

Usually the offspring are hungry and if your husband comes home early and dinner is not ready yet (if you are cooking), chances are he is hungry too…don’t make this a battle…remember the bear would love to pin you down with whining offspring and a husband who is “sampling” dinner before it is ready…just set out some cheese and crackers for all parties involved…it takes two seconds…just grab some crackers of your choice (we use Triskets) and cut up some cheese (I keep a huge bar of sharp cheddar on hand), and set them out on a plate…set out just enough to tide everyone over till you can eat or enough that your husband can snack on something other than pre-cooked-dinner.

Third offensive move – Guilt-Free-Self-Occupation for the offspring –

This means they “try” to occupy themselves without your aid or involvement…so maybe they watch TV (big deal!) If the program is appropriate, and they have not been glued to it since school let out…so what…let them watch while you do what you need to do…In our house, I set the TV to record a show that Fisher loves on “Animal Planet” and that is when he watches it…or else he plays outside with the kids from the street … in the meantime, my youngest is in the other room watching Elmo…all of this may not work in your house, but the point is, find something that they can do during the witching hour and try your best to make is self-occupying, so that you can get your stuff done, a puzzle, games, art, playing outside, or watching a program on TV…even if it means your practice a little more flexibility.

Fourth-offensive move – Relax – and don’t be ashamed to call for Back up!

No Matter What ~ Don’t let the witching hour win!!! If you are totally late in getting to dinner...just “call for back up,” and make Sandwiches or hop in the car for MacDonald’s! Let the kids skip their baths when it is going to be too crazy make it home early enough to get them bathed, if won't kill them. The point is to try your best to "choose" to relax…and trust me, it won't be easy some nights! Even when the bear is beginning to have you pinned…smile and kiss him on the cheek…don’t fight him, or he is sure to win!!! In the words of Scarlet O, “Tomorrow is another day…” After all…if the dinner is burned, (or not even started), your late for practice, the crater in the back yard has swallowed up one of the neighbor kids, and the dog has found you daughter’s dirty diaper… the best thing you can do is throw in the towel (literally) and sit down with your baby and watch Elmo! Trust me…if you do that…you have still won!

Please re-read the Disclaimer above again and go fight with vigor!

containments ~

One of the best ways to reduce stress is to reduce clutter and one of the best ways to reduce clutter is to toss it. But some clutter just cannot be tossed, therefore you much “contain the madness.” This means take the “untossable stuff” and make it presentable…which comes through acquiring a variety of containers in which to present the clutter!

Warning ~ Containers can be both addictive and expensive ~ neither of which I endorse or encourage ~

So as your budget allows, over time, I would encourage you to acquire some of the following container options…some are practical and some are aesthetically pleasing…both are stress reducing! Enjoy the list and remember…budget as you go!

Container Options ~ most of these are found at a variety o fplaces like Wal-Mart, Target and, my personal favorite, The Container Store.

1. Dog food container with the scoop – this is so awesome – you just dump your food in and throw away the big, cumbersome bag! Talk about tidying up your utility room!

2. Plastic Grocery bag holder – you always need those little plastic grocery bags, but sometimes they can take over your pantry…they sell a cute little baggie holder that sticks onto the wall or a door in your utility, and it only takes up a tiny space.

3. Crystal rose bowl for tissues - consider putting tissues in something prettier than the box they come in that you paid extra for because you thought it was cute…just buy the ugly (cheaper) box and empty the entire box of tissues into one of those crystal bowls that are round with a smaller round opening at the top.

4. Clear plastic hangers – no more wire hangers – your clothes hang soooo much more neatly and not develop any weird pointed places on the sides... and your closet will look amazing…promise!!!!!!! Also, the little clicking sound as you look for something to wear will make you think your shopping in your own closet.

5. Laundry bins – awesome if you do not have them built into your laundry room.

6. Wall hooks – use for purses, baby bags, backpacks, keys, and caps.

7. Cereal container – Love this one…it keeps the cereal from going stale as fast and is easier to pour and much less messy than the bag!!!

8. Water dispenser – (if you don’t have the fridge water dispenser) This is great for the fridge – the sell it at Container store for like 5 dollars..it is long and narrow and has a tap on it…it take up almost no space in the fridge and you can just push the tap and fill you glass full of fridgerator cold water!

9. I have many more…but I feel the list might be overwhelming…We will start there and add more as we go ~

dinner ~

We have all been there…the dinner hour has arrived, the family is hungry and you are staring into an “indifferent” pantry with absolutely no idea what you are going to serve for dinner. All of us struggle with preparing meals on a regular basis, and it becomes such a challenge, frustration and stress inducer. There is a solution, and it can be simple…plan ahead. Once it becomes routine to plan your menus and your shopping list, you will wonder how you ever managed before.

Here's how it works ~

1. Set aside time each week to do your menu planning. I usually do it on Sunday. Start your planning by looking at what you currently have in your pantry and fridge...for example...if you have some cream cheese that is almost ready to be tossed…find a recipe that calls for cream cheese. Do this with your pantry foods as well.

2. Write down what you are going to have for dinner each day of the coming week, you could even use a little chalk board or white board in the kitchen. Even if you are going to be eating at Sonic one night before baseball practice, put that down! Don't forget the sides too!

3. Then make your grocery list based on ingredients you will need for your meals from your list. Remember to list everything, even the bacon bits for the salad!

4. Then, get to the store before the first meal is scheduled, and you’re ready to go.

Now, you know what is for supper for the entire week and you know you have the ingredients! Feel free to use some of the same meals weekly…One family I know has Spaghetti every Thursday night! It is always on the grocery list, it is easy, it is loved by all, and it is a family tradition! Your meals do not have to be gourmet or difficult, just prepared for and therefore stress free! Happy Cooking!

paper ~

Ok... Admit it; you have WAY too much paper clutter in your house…from old magazines, to school and neighborhood newsletters, catalogs, coupons, invitations (past), and junk mail!!!!! It is time for what I call paper boot camp! You simply grab a trash bag or recycle box and start in the farthest corner of your home and work you way through it throwing away all paper clutter. Be ruthless ~ you will NEVER read that neighborhood newsletter from two months ago and if you did it would only tell you about the ladies wine tasting that you missed anyway...so just chuck it!

You probably should not try this all in one fail swoop... Do a little bit each day. Set aside 30 minutes or even an hour and begin. Stop when the time is up and pick it up again later. There will be receipts to go through, bills to file, and invitations to respond to and throw away. Paper can take over your home if you let it. You must try to stay on top of it and paper boot camp is the best way to start!

This way, at the end of the week you will be ready, like a goalie, waiting to receive the next piece of junk mail that enters your home….just walk it directly to the recycle box to join the other casualties from this week. Take your time, use a whole week if you need to….room by room, shelf by shelf, drawer by drawer, magazine rack by magazine rack…just do it….trust me…You will NOT miss it….and if you do, don't worry, more will be coming soon! Have fun…and have no mercy!

vegetation ~

This one is a must in my week, and I hope even in the midst of the varying dynamics of all the families; there is room for you to appropriate this simplification!!!! It is about rest!!!! Sweet rest!!!! We all need it more than we realize or ever allow ourselves, but it is such a necessity, and can relieve stress in more ways than we can ever understand.

Years ago, I realized that I was frustrated that I never read a good novel, or flipped through a fashion magazine, or saw that Oprah that everyone was talking about and to this day I still don’t know who Dr. McDreamy is, and I don't know one name of a real house wife. BUT…in the midst of that frustration I realized that I had no one to blame but myself…I could try to blame the role of motherhood, or wife-life, but then I began thinking…If I am going to be a professional at this family-thing, then I need to understand that professionals allow themselves time off, they take a lunch, an off-period, a sabbatical or even a vacation to recoup and resettle in order to be more effective at their profession. In the same vein, I need to allow myself the same much needed breaks that others allow themselves in whatever form they can be found.

Sooooo….I decided that in order to feel like I can flip through the pages of a fashion magazine, pick up that novel and wipe off the dust, or even sit and watch that decorating show, I was going to have to plan for it! It would NOT just happen throughout the week or weave in and out of my day…NOOOO Rest was only going to come without much work to get it (kind of an oxymoron). But I was determined to find some peace and “down time” in my busy day/week/life!

I took my calendar and looked for free spaces and noticed that Friday afternoons were pretty free…I usually had a play group in the morning, but then my daughter took a nap and I usually filled my time with fiddling around the house. Aha! I could make that my “down time.” Time when I get a to just veg!!!!!! I decided to commit that space of time to guilt free vegging!!! My daughter would be asleep, and I could watch T.V., read a book or a magazine, surf the internet, download songs from itunes, you name it….I gave myself the rule that as long as it was not "family work" I was free to do it!!!

At first it was difficult to stick too. I would see the dishes or the unfolded clothes, or the pile of mail, but I would think to myself, “later”. And, eventually it worked…I did read books, flip through magazines, watch shows I had Tivo’d, and sometimes all at the same time…then before I knew it, it was time to get my son from school….and back to work I went!

Maybe you take your time one night a week after the kids are asleep or maybe one morning early before they awake…or maybe in the afternoons or maybe an hour every Saturday morning…just try your best to find your space in the week to rest and rejuvenate and think about something other then the unwashed baseball jersey, the “N” on you daughter’s report card or the starfish costume you have to finish by Friday.

DISCLAIMER #1 – I realize that every family is different and those differences may not allow for a couple of hours a week to get alone or take a long break, but the point is to work within the unique dynamics of your particular family and find even an hour or so every week to get to relax…alone….if your family situation allows you more than that then take it. Take it and own it and make it your “guilt free down time.” If you are the really laid back type that does not even need to assign your self time to take a break, then more power to you, but if you are like me, then you might need schedule it into your week!

DISCLAIMER #2 – This down time is not to suggest that it is the only time you get to just rest and hang out with your family, and your husbands in the evenings and on weekends etc….it is more about finding a time for you alone!!! Time to do some of those things that you just never seem to be able to fit in…the book, the magazine, the bon bons…who knows….maybe someday, I will discover who Dr. McDreamy is!

belongings ~

At this stage of my life, I find that when I go somewhere I often leave a trail…meaning…I can trace where I have been by what I have left behind…my son's baseball cleats at Garrett's house, my daughter's bathing suit at my sister-in-law's pool (since last summer), my sunglasses in the dressing room, my daughter’s sippy cup in the grocery cart, and my brain in last year!!! And I am ever so delighted when someone brings my “belonging” to me when they see me next or their next convenience. I am even more pleased when I call to go by and get the cleats before baseball practice and they know exactly where they are. I also know the disappointment I feel when my daughters bathing suit is lost among the 20 other bathing suits at my sister-in-laws house (she has two daughters too) so this loss is understandable and my fault, but it's still a hassle! Soooooo what am I getting at….pass on the love!!!!!

When others leave anything from a single stinky sock to a laptop, do your best to set it apart form the rest of the “black hole” that can sometimes happen to our homes and return it to them…OR put it in a safe place until they can retrieve it….yes…even if it is a single sock!

Here is how it works ~

1. Consider it worthy!!! - Anytime you find a belonging that is not your family’s, anything you borrow, anything your child borrows…or just something you found that you really want to give to someone…pictures, magazine articles, newspaper clippings, etc…consider it worthy…yes, even that stained baby bib that you found between the couch cushions will wash and can be returned!!!

2. Respect it!!! – Once you find it, clean it up. If it is a casserole dish, sippy cup, bathing suit, single sock, baby bib, pool towel, etc. wash it and have it ready to return.

3. Store it!!! – Then, put it all in one safe place. I have a closet by our front door where I keep everything that does not belong to our house…HOLD ON!!!…I will go there now and tell you what is there awaiting proper return...ok…I am back…a baby bib, my girlfriends flip-flops, a dress that my daughter borrowed, some goggles, two books (also borrowed), some formula that came as a sample in the mail, and a DVD are all in that closet awaiting return!

4. Remember & Return it!!! Ok...here is the hard part, perhaps, if it's something important, like a winter jacket, or a phone, they will call to retrieve it, and you will have it ready and waiting in the “front door closet.” But perhaps, they have no idea where that new expensive super-strawed sippy cup went!!! The next time you get together with your friends, check the closet…before playgroup, church, a birthday party, bible study, lunch out, etc…you will be amazed at how many times I have run to the closet and grabbed something to return and the person says… “I have been wondering where this was!!!!” Or when you have people over, you just check the closet beforehand, and set out anything that belongs to those coming over!!! You will feel so organized and respectful of others belongings!!!

It is simple…
1. Keep it
2. Clean it
3. Store it
4. Remember and return it!

I have found, even if it is a single sock...a little consideration goes a long way!

gadgets ~

Ahh...the kitchen, I don’t know about you, but my tools and gadgets are the most tempting areas to clutter in my kitchen! Below are steps to making the most of the tools and gadgets you have. Take inventory of all of your kitchen tools and gadgets…do you use each of them? Here is an opportunity to simplify and make more of what you will use! I challenge you to open those drawers and cabinets, and look through the little pitcher on your counter that holds all those wooden spoons and rubber spatulas. Consider your electric tools as well in this and ask yourself these questions…

Does using this come without frustration and with ease?

Do I use it often enough to make it worth storing?

Is it easy to clean up after usage?

Does it store in a convenient place?

Do I have this gadget in multiples?

Can I spend a little extra time and do by hand the same job this machine or gadget will do for me, even though I would look really cool using this “super hip” gadget?

What kind of shape is this in…broken, dusty, dull, or is it ready to use right now?

Based on your answers you can choose which items to keep in order to pare down to the essentials that you really need in the kitchen! Trust me, I think you will find your kitchen much more user friendly and you will gain some much needed space after you remove the egg cracker (as seen on tv), onion keeper, the oil drizzler and the bacon presser (most of which are still in the box).

cloggers ~

Ok…it is time to Minimalize!!! What do I mean??? I mean it is time to go through your house and see what has not budged throughout the entire year…that TV your husband placed in the closet under the stairs with every intention of calling a repairman. Or the fax machine (your got at a garage sale) that you just know you will use if you figure out how to work it, that lip liner that you bought in 2007 that you have not even had to re-sharpen yet, that baby bag that you just had to have but is still on the top shelf in your now five year old’s closet, the size 4t clothes in you 7 year old son’s closet, and that third coffee maker (covered with dust) that you were sure you might need if you threw a big party!

Everything from electronics to cosmetics…it is time to MINIMALIZE…these are what I call “cloggers” they clog your house and take up your elbow room, causing anxiety and stress without you even realizing it!

You can do many things with them once you identify what and where they are….

Here's how it works ~

1) Quit procrastinating - actually “do” something with them, like reading the fax machine manual and setting it up in your office. Call the T.V. repair guy.

2) Turn trash into treasure - you can sell them in a garage sale or resale shop. Some resale shops take more than just clothes…and there are places now that will actually take your “garage sale” items and sell them for you giving you a percent of the sale.

3) Make someone’s day - you can choose to donate/give away the items to others who need or will use them. One phone call is all it takes for Purple Heart to come directly to your house, back a truck into your driveway, load up everything and leave you will a receipt. Many churches have opportunity’s to give stuff away. Some one less fortunate would love your third coffee maker and you could always borrow one from a friend if you ever get around to throwing that huge party!


How to get started –

1. Get a big box and start geographically working through you house…Just tackle small bits of space at a time and work from room to room in order to be thorough! Get it all out…old purses, stationary, books, kitchen gadgets, everything…

2. Sort through the box or boxes and decide which of the three above options works best and get busy…either utilize it, plan the next garage sale or get on the phone with Purple heart! What ever you decide the key is to get it OUT!!!!

3. Enjoy the space and simplification of your house…even if you can’t see the difference, you will feel the difference when the cloggers are gone…trust me… just knowing that TV is gone from the closet under the stairs will make all the difference in the world!

beds ~

Ok…Simplicity will not come without a little sacrifice…many people think that to simplify one’s life it means skipping some daily “chores” in order to spend time doing other “duties.” WRONG – Actually just the opposite happens…

Years ago I never was one to make my bed...in fact I only really made our bed when we were having company. If someone spontaneously came over, I often ran back to the bedroom and whipped the comforter up and threw on the pillows at lightning speed…then we put our house on the market, and I had to make the bed every day in case of a “showing”…it was then that I realized the benefit to this little chore.

When you skip basic things like making the beds and clearing your bathroom counter tops, you are actually adding stress to your daily life…you see… when you notice the open toothpaste and blush and lipsticks covering the bathroom counter top, it registers in your mind as “clutter,” adding to your stress, and you see the “un-made” bed as a “mess” or “still to do” or even worse "should have done," also adding stress to you mindset. If you spend the extra 3 – 5 minutes putting your make up away, the top on the toothpaste, and making the beds in the house you will be amazed at how much calm and simplicity it will bring to your daily stress level…just knowing that all the beds are made upstairs will calm your attitude downstairs…seriously…try it and you will see…And somewhere someone came up with the statistic that your room looks about 70% cleaner with a made bed. (Oh…and if you don’t make your bed because it has 18+ pillows that all go in a certain order, then I would suggest you put most of the pillows away and just leave one or two out to make the bed…then when company comes or you throw a party you can pull out the remaining 15 pillows.)

Try to make your bed EVERY morning and clear your bathroom counter tops. It will only take a few minutes each morning, but it will give you hours of mental calm throughout your day, and you will be amazed at how good it feels to retreat to a beautiful, restful bedroom at the end of the day.

clutter ~

We all have them…those areas of “ quarantined chaos”. Mine are in my closet, by my back door, and in a few other areas around the house. They are the places that you allow yourself to gather clutter! They are the little drawers, baskets, corners that random items go in when the "miscellaneous-ness" of them becomes too much to bear...like loose coins, or the bookmark you got as a party favor, or that Pottery barn kids catalog you are waiting to flip through, a hair bow, passie…They are also the places that hold the things that the “proper placement” of is too tedious and time consuming for, like your daughter's shot-report that needs to be filed away, or the coupon for Bed Bath and Beyond that you can never find when you need it because it is there… in the “ quarantined chaos” underneath the bookmark, Pottery Barn catalog, and shot report! AHHHHH…the insanity…

But…wait…there is hope…There is no doubt that we all need “chaos holdrs.” They are outlets for us…portals of disorder that make us feel NORMAL and MESSY!!! But if we're not careful, they can become bottomless pits of lost items and out of date magazines and coupons. Being pro active in the managment (not disposal) of the “ quarantined chaos” is the key to proper use of them!!!

To make the most of “the chaos,” have some established spots throughout your home, where it is acceptable to collect “stuff.” Then, allow stuff to collect there on a weekly basis…guilt free! Then once a week…or at various times during the week on established days…take a few minutes (5 - 10) to clear the spots…The key is the "once a week part”. You want to find just a little time each week (or day) to clear the spots before they deepen, widen and heighten!

I have five “chaos areas” that I allow stuff to collect throughout my house– my closet, by the back door, by the phone (in a dish), on the stairs (in a basket), and on the bed in my guest room. Throughout my week, I always end up collecting miscellaneous items and placing them in one of these established places. Then for literally less than 10 minutes a day, Monday – Friday, I clear one of the five spots…when you make a weekly habit of de-cluttering each of your nooks there is not very much that has been consumed…For example, when I find the Bed, Bath and Beyond coupon, I put it in my purse or in the side pocket of my car door to use when I need it. I put the Pottery Barn catalog in the magazine rack, the shot report in the medical file, and the loose change in my wallet and so on…

It takes only a few minutes to hit one area a day. Or, you can take a few more minutes and hit them once a week. I have five, some people may only have one or two. If you have many more than five, I would suggest you take a few extra “start up” minutes and de-clutter. Then establish fewer spots and begin the process. You will feel much more “on top” of the allowed-clutter instead of piled somewhere underneath it. And, who knows, you might even find yourself feeling so “on top of things” that you actually find the time to actually read that Pottery Barn Kids catalog!

laundry ~

Laundry ~ that never ending, cyclical duty of motherhood ~ I used to have "a" laundry day, but I often felt overwhelmed by the mountain of darks, whites, and delicates that piled up in front of me and threw it all in on cold. I also never ended up putting much of it away as it was too much to put up in each room and into it’s drawer or cubby! So, it sat there most of the week and we dressed out of the pile of clean clothes sitting on a dirty floor…yuck…

I have also just tried to wash randomly during the week…but it was difficult to always know what I needed clean and found it still to be frustrating and unorganized…

Then, I decided…laundry day should become plural and established! I divide my laundry up into three days a week…Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These are the days the whole family knows I will be washing! On these days, each morning before heading down to the laundry room… I simply grab all the dirty clothes from the hampers (the one in the master bath and the one in the kids bath) and grab the towels off the rings. I take the clothes down to the laundry room where I have a hamper with three sections. (I found it at Wal-Mart for a good price in the container/storage section) I divide up the colors into darks, whites, and towels. I start the first load right then and there. And as each load comes out of the dryer I put them away. I even fold the load upstairs by the kid’s rooms and put the stuff away still cooling.

There is so much less to wash and put away…(only really two days of clothes), so it takes very little time to put everything back in it proper place. Some of my friends even do a load of laundry each morning…collecting the house’s dirty clothes and running one load on cold and putting it all away within the hour!

Some laundry tips –
1. Fold the clothes near the rooms where they will go to cut back on effort and time

2. Wash bigger loads, combining lights and darks on cold to cut back on time

3.Have established hampers for dirty clothes – gather only from the hampers… if your kids want it washed it must be in the hamper...they will catch on when their favorite shirt is dirty because they left it on they floor in the bathroom.

4. Pray for each child as you fold and put away their clothes.

5. Invest in a laundry hamper with sections to put lights/darks/delicates/towels etc in…they sell them everywhere…it keeps your laundry room so much neater and you can grab any dirty clothes gathered around the house and drop them in the established sections…for example, Fisher likes to take his shoes and socks off in the house, but he is not near his bathroom hamper…he can put his socks in the laundry room hamper in the “whites section” just as easy.

groceries ~

Have you ever been at the grocery store and wondered what it was you thought about earlier in the week to buy, but you cannot, for the life of you, remember what it was…then when you go to feed Sparky the next morning and realize that there is 1/8th of a scoop of food left you remember that the item you needed to buy was dog food! I was making a habit of this until I decided to “fight back.”

One afternoon I sat at the computer and thought of all the things from baby wipes to jelly that I needed in my home on a regular basis. I separated them into categories and saved them on my computer as my “staple grocery list.”

Now, before I go to the store each week, I pull up my “staplegrocery list” and copy/paste it to a blank document and delete what I don’t need that week. Then I add what additional items I need for that week to the list.

During the week I also keep a note card within reach, and as I think of things that I need, or things that we are running low on, I write them on the note card. Then I transfer the list from the card to my staple grocery list. Then when it's time to go the the grocery store ~ the list is mostly made! This has made grocery shopping so much more effective and less forgetful…and Sparky is much happier!

Here is an example list -

Milk – whole and skim
Condiments – Jelly, Salsa, Ranch, Creamer, Peanut butter, salad dressing, ketchup,
Meat - Ground beef, Sausage, Chicken, Lunchmeat,
Snacks – Triskets, Popcorn, Goldfish, cheez-its
Bread – wheat, Tortillas, Bagels,
Sides - Brown rice, Wheat pasta,
Cheese - Cream cheese, sliced cheese, bar cheese, salad cheese
Fresh Fruit –apples, bananas, grapes,
Fresh Veggies –Red onion, lettuce, Tomato, sugar snap’s,
Drinks - Apple juice, water, coffee,
Frozen foods - Fish sticks/chicken/shrimp
Lunch box staples - Granola bars, Lunchmeat, Juice boxes, bagged chips
Canned staples – golden mushroom soup, Rotel, dice tomatoes, Cream of Mush, cream of Chicken, mandarin oranges, caned veggies
Seasoning staples –Italian seasoning, Italian salad dressing mixes, onion soup mix, olive oil, marinades,
Fridge misc. – Eggs, butter
Pantry misc. – Cereal, pancake mix, Bisquick
Freezer misc. - Ice cream
Cleaning - Laundry dtg, fabric softener, Dish dtg, TB cleaner, soap scum remover
Misc. – cooking spray, dog food, paper towels, Toilet paper, wipes, diapers, cold medicine,

routines ~

Some people cringe at the thought of a routine. What they don’t realize is that even a 20-minute routine can save them a daylong headache trying to play catch up.

We all have things that must be done daily…like feeding the pets, making school lunches, making coffee, checking email, and returning phone calls…why not set aside a little bit of time in the morning and evening to tackle these daily tasks? No more rushing around in the morning to throw the kids lunch together or turning the car around because you forgot to check Sparky’s water bowl. These are things that will be wiped from your “mental work” and free up your mind to focus on other more important “to do’s” throughout the day and allow your family to have a better more peaceful day.

Morning Routine - find a 20(ish)-minute block of time in the morning and tackle these daily tasks.

Here is an example ~

1. Feed/water pets and plants

2. Start laundry – (on laundry days)

3. Clear sink, empty dishwasher and re-load

4. Thaw meat for dinner

5. Return calls

6. Straighten up house (straighten up only…not clean)

This is pretty simple (mine is a bit longer)…feel free to make it as detailed or simple as you would like. I have even included taking my vitamins in my morning routine.

Evening Routine ~ if done quickly should only take about 20 - 30 minutes and if the kids are old enough they can be a part.

1. Straighten up house (again) ~ this way you can overlook the mess that accumilates during the day and tackle it all at once in your evening routine

2. Make coffee for in the morning (using an automatic coffee maker)

3. check email

4. Load backpacks – forms/notes/hand outs, homework, library books, show & tell, (depending on the day)

5. Set out “tomorrow items” by the door - returns, bible study book, (that casserole dish you need to return!) (the camera for your kids spelling bee!) etc.

6. Lay out kid’s clothes for tomorrow

7. Make a “To Do” list for tomorrow - Check planner for appointments

8. Charge phone

I usually begin it around 5:00 each night ~ I put on some music, pour some wine and get started. Try it...it may seem confining at first, but I promise when you wake up to coffee already made, and a charged phone you will breath a sigh of “stress free” relief and have some brain cells freed up to focus on more important things throughout the day!

gnomes ~

In my house, I am certain that there lives a little gnome…and when no one is looking he runs through the house throwing, tossing and disheveling all that he encounters. He opens the cabinets and leaves them open, he takes trash and places it all around the house in inconspicuous places, he fills my sink with dirty dishes that I have no memory whatsoever of using, he leaves half full sippy cups and random articles of clothing laying around the stairs and the floor …and to top it off…he even plucks out my dog’s hair and leaves little clumps of it everywhere! And, he does all this in what seems like only minutes since I last picked up the house!!! How does he do that?

Well the only way I can continue to keep this little gnome from entirely disrupting my house beyond repair is to stay one step behind him! I can’t let him get too far ahead of me or I am sure my house will actually cave in upon itself! So I do two “clean sweeps” every day…one in the morning and one in the evening…

I am NOT talking about cleaning…just straightening up…It is amazing how I can go to bed on a Saturday night with the house straight and return from church the very next day to a house that looks like a tornado flipped it high in the air shaking up everything inside...or maybe the gnome comes out while we are all away (that is my kids theory, anyway)…either way…I have to find two times a day for about 5 – 10 minutes to literally walk the house from one end to the other straightening up the place…

Here is exactly what I did just now in my 2nd clean sweep…I put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, I put the kids clothes on the stairs, I put the pillows and throw blanket back on the couch, I threw away the trash from our “to go” lunch, I put all the dog toys back in the “dog toy basket,” I flushed a few toilets, closed a few cabinets, and threw away Saturday’s newspaper …wheeweee…and all of that took about 7 minutes, but the place feels 7 million times cleaner!

Maybe someday I will catch that gnome right in the act…plucking clumps of little Sparky’s fur and depositing it on my favorite throw blanket, but until then I am just going to do my best to keep one step behind him everyday …and you know… I think I am gaining on him!