More Than A Mom

Take-It-For-Free Tuesday - FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #9

2012-01-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

In follow up to my Share the Memories MyMemories Suite software giveaway earlier this month, I'd like to start a "Take-It-For-Free Tuesday" post.

On Tuesdays I will have a FREE Designer Pack for you to download! It will be available for one week.

These are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format.

http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_1

If you are interested in purchasing the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software, use this code STMMMS5200 and get $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

Son's Bedroom

2012-01-23T14:45:00.000-05:00

Amazing how the bedrooms become a holding place for "special" things. Since I have a home daycare this is especially an area to watch because my children are to put all toys they do not wish to share there. Some days we don't want to share anything, it seems. I started with my son's toys and books and have a good pile of books to give away plus I have managed to re-dedicate some of the toys that can be part of the daycare (which I will further sort when I get to the playroom). I know from cleaning my room what it feels like to have it all cleared out so I can only imagine how it will feel for him to be able to see his truly special possessions more clearly.

I am a little nervous about his closets but at least the doors hold back what is in there ... for now.

Organizing Update

2012-01-22T14:30:00.004-05:00

I feel like I have accomplished a lot so far in getting the house organized. There have been several bags of things donated to date. I love to just walk into the rooms that have been decluttered (master bedroom, bathroom and closet) and just sit, enjoying the "nothing" and cleared space.

I am keeping my motivation and have big plans to move more out of the house as I venture into the other rooms and see all of the stuff just sitting there. The kids rooms, art supplies and play room are the big ones but I'm itching to get into all the cupboards of the kitchen as well as clear papers in the office that I have been slowly taking over as my craft room. As I'm in a room I am setting items that don't belong there into their new place until I can organize it better. For example, does my son need my fabric in his closet? It worked well before the craft room but now that I have the designated room I'll be moving it all into one space. This is also helping me plan what projects I want to tackle and what I will never get to. I also have plans to use the kids baby blankets and make some memory quilts for them.

I'm decluttering during the week day afternoon quiet times and am trying to stick to a room at a time. It's so easy to want to start everywhere but I know that won't give me the same sense of accomplishment and it would only leave things messier until I organize them. Weekends are for crafting and catching up on those projects. I am also finishing Ava's baby memory book from 2006. I work on that in the morning when the kids are in programs. It feels great to see that bin emptying and I'd like to present it to her for her birthday in March. I feel I'm well on my way to getting it done.

What are you proud of having accomplished recently?

Menu Plan ~ January 22-28

2012-01-21T08:00:00.012-05:00

Sunday ~ Fish, Veggies, French Fries
Monday ~ Ham, Honey Glazed Carrots, Scallop Potatoes (pg 230)
Tuesday ~ Crockpot Tacos (pg 138)
Wednesday ~ Hungarian Potato Soup (pg 52), Homemade Dinner Rolls
Thursday ~ Leftover Buffet
Friday ~ Pizza, Soup or Salad
Saturday ~ BBQ Chicken, Caesar Salad, Corn

Linking up with Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Master Bathroom ~ January 16

2012-01-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

In keeping with my declutter 2012 plan, please enjoy my before and afters for the Master Bathroom. It always takes longer than you think. I was able to purge some old makeup but not much else. I don't have a lot of toiletries so they usually are used up before they expire.

Under my husband's side of the sink.

Before

After

Under my side of the sink. I was able to get consolidate the items and remove a bin that I will be able to put to use in the kids bathroom or perhaps a kitchen drawer.

Before

After

The toothpaste and dental floss drawer. I used the basket from under my husband's sink and rolled the facecloths, placing the basket and cloths near the bathtub. Much tidier and handier in both places.

Before

After

The hair drawer. Not much noticeable difference in this drawer, but the hair from the drawer and the brushes are sure diminished!

Before

After

The kids bath drawer. Wow we have a lot of shampoo. It looks even more full in the "after" photo because I found other bath salts and shampoo in my cupboard. Now it's cleared out my space and put all the bath things together so we don't run out and buy more thinking we are out. I see a lot of soapy baths to use up some shampoo and salts!

Before

After

Take-It-For-Free Tuesday - FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #8

2012-01-17T08:00:00.006-05:00


http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_1

Master Bedroom & Closet ~ January 8-14

2012-01-16T21:30:00.017-05:00

I am in love with my decluttered bedroom and closet. Last week I followed my getting organized 2012 and my master bedroom plans. I was able to clean out my night table, purge a ton of clothes (5 bags!!), wipe down my blinds, vacuume my drapes and dust my baseboards. I even got the items to donate out of the house. My bedroom looks fabulous! It wasn't very exciting so I didn't get any before or after photos. I wish I had taken photos of the bags I donated but I forgot. I'll try to do better as I go through the other areas of the house.

Yesterday (Sunday) morning was spent on the master closet. I thought it was mostly cleaned out but then I remembered all the blog advice out there to remove everything and then put it back. There were a lot more items that I initially thought. I was also able to do a very thorough vacuum, baseboard cleaning and dusting overall. My main goal was to clear items from the floor. It turned out great!

I pulled out the items that I could (I didn't bother for the hanging clothes as they were easy to access, just the items on the floor or the shelves.

I dare not purge hubby's items but I did colour code his clothes (white to dark, left to right) and sorted the shirts by long sleeve and short sleeve. He wasn't as happy as I thought he'd be since I found out after my organizing that he had a "system" of his own. But I think it looks prettier. He should thank me because I didn't purge any of his 40 tee shirts, right?!

I mainly took the pants off the wire hangers and put sturdier plastic ones on.

Tell me this doesn't look like getting dressed in the morning would be easier and more fun!

Here are my shoes. I am happy to report that I actually got rid of 3 pairs! I was able to put my summer ones on the bottom shelf and winter ones on the top shelf. I found that if I put them sideways I was able to gain more space.

And here are the items I donated today.

And the items I removed from the closet but need to recycle, toss or move elsewhere in the house.

I keep walking in my bedroom and looking at my closet and it is so wonderful I take a big breath with pride and relax whenever I look in the rooms. I am excited to go through more rooms and reveal them also!

Menu Plan ~ January 15-21

2012-01-14T08:00:00.011-05:00

Sunday ~ Crockpot Spaghetti/ Meatballs (pg 200), Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad

Monday ~ Waffles, Eggs

Tuesday ~ Chicken Fajitas, Sour Cream, Lettuce

Wednesday ~ Chicken Noodle Soup (pg 45), Homemade Bread

Thursday ~ Meatloaf, Salad or Veggie, Mashed Potatoes

Friday ~ Pizza, Soup or Salad

Saturday ~ Chicken Stir Fry, Rice

Photo Gallery

2012-01-13T15:00:00.000-05:00

I finally put our family photos (since 2006 when my daughter was born) into picture frames. I want to make a gallery wall. There are many blank walls for us to have one. I like the family staircases myself. There are 13 frames that I ended up with.

IHeart Organizing has some great tips on how to make a gallery wall that I want to share and that I hope to follow:

Don't leave too much space between the frames. 1-2 inches is about perfect.
Make sure you get a pattern figured out that you love before putting holes in your walls. Do this by either laying it out on the floor or taping templates to you walls.
It's not always necessary {we didn't this time but you will barely notice the frames of a different color since the artwork matches so wonderfully}, but you may like to use frames that are uniform in color. Different shapes and sizes and detailing to the frames are great for visual interest, it's the color that keeps a uniform look.
Add matting to your art. Even if it's just a scribbled watercolor painting from your two year old, matting it will make it look like a priceless piece of wall art!

How and where do you display your family photos?

Memories and Keepsakes Organizing

2012-01-12T09:30:00.000-05:00

In addition to decluttering and purging the house, I have decided that it is high time to figure out the photos and keepsakes. I have from 2003 to present to figure out. I really want to focus on this area before the end of the school year. My daughter is in senior kindergarten and, if you have school-age children, you can appreciate the incredible amount of art and paperwork that comes home from the school - and she's only alternate days in school! Next year she will be in grade 1 and my son will start junior kindergarten full day every day. If I don't get control of things now and get a system in place I fear I may be lost under their artwork.

The Plan:

So far I have organized the kids art, birthday cards, etc. by year and stored them in freezer bags in one large tote, sorted chronologically (of course!).
Last night I purchased picture frames and am putting the family photos into frames with the plan to hang them (the where is taking some consideration). We take beautiful family photos from Wal-Mart or Sears but then what is the point if they are kept in their envelopes from the store where nobody can see them?
I also purchased some blank art books and some nice scrapbook paper. I plan to make each child a simple keepsake book of their birthday cards, art, etc. This way they will be able to look through it whenever they want and it will be a special memory book kept in their rooms instead of a tote in the corner of the basement. It's not going to be fancy - just a glue stick (or scrapbook stickies, haven't decided yet). I don't want to spend a lot of time on this. My focus is more to get it organized, in one place, and to have it be something they can "use".
Don't even get me started on the digital photos to sort, organize and print. Ideally I will print them by year, in bound books so that I don't have to worry about individual photos falling out and getting lost or misplaced. I do have that one year (2006) where I printed something like 500 photos to look at too.

Baby steps. One step at a time. For now the focus is the framing of family photos and hanging them up as well as the keepsake books to reduce the "stuff" in the totes.

Here are a few links that have inspired me on how to keep the children's keepsakes and how to organize their future artwork.
Delightful Order "Organizing Children's School Papers"
Reluctant Entertainer "Kid Memory Binder"
iHeart Organizing "School Paperwork Storage"

How do you organize your family photos and your children's keepsakes?

My Clothes Have Been Tamed

2012-01-11T14:30:00.000-05:00

I fluctuate between sizes. In recent years due to pregnancies and post-birth weights I have held onto clothes that I might one day need or wear again. Since having two children my body has changed shape and what once fit me in a size does not flatter anymore. I also used to work in an office and needed suits. I now work out of my home as a home daycare provider. Needless to say, the suits of 7 years ago a) aren't in style and b) don't suit my current career choice. Today I went through all my clothes drawers and the closet and then under the bed where I store the "other sizes" of clothes. I managed to collect 5 bags to donate. I was going to try to sell them but I don't think they are worth the effort. Frankly, I'll just be glad to see them out of the house. I feel lighter already!

If you are cleaning out your house and looking to get rid of them, here are some great ideas on where to donate, sell or recycle your stuff. The list is by type. I found it very helpful. I hope you do too.

Oh, and today I also managed to go through the remaining pile of keepsakes and have organized them by date. Now I can make a plan on what to do with these keepsakes.

How is your home organizing going?

Take-It-For-Free Tuesday - FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #7

2012-01-10T08:00:00.007-05:00

In follow up to my Share the Memories MyMemories Suite software giveaway earlier this month, I'd like to start a "Take-It-For-Free Tuesday" post.

On Tuesdays I will have a FREE Designer Pack for you to download! It will be available for one week.

These are .png files only, not MyMemories Suite Templates. They are usable in any software for everyone!! These freebies include 2 Quick Pages, and all of the papers and elements used in creating them. The elements and QuickPages are.png and the papers are .jpg format.

http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_2

f you are interested in purchasing the My Memories Digital Scrapbooking software, use this code STMMMS5200 and get $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - $20 value!

Master Bedroom

2012-01-09T20:30:00.004-05:00

I am really enjoying the 2012 declutter calendar created by My Simpler Life.

This new year brings forth my plan is to review finances and household management. The first month I'll focus on decluttering.

So far this week I have organized my knitting patterns, put my yarn for making charity blankets into a tote and moved them from our master bedroom closet to my craft room, cleared out my night table drawers (that was an unexpected hour-and-a-half cleaning!). I came across magazines since 2006 when my daughter was born. They are ones I am intending to read but needed a plan for. I organized them all by month and have set a goal to read all of the current month's (we'll just forget about years for now) magazines. So far I have read 1 magazine and recycled it. I'll work on the other four January ones this week. Very rewarding!

I will organize my clothes drawers on Tuesday and under my bed on Wednesday. Under the bed will be freeing as I have (neatly organized and put into clothing bags) a variety of clothes according to the different sizes that my weight fluctuates between. I would like to keep some of the basics (jeans, tees, sweaters) but only a handful for each size. The rest are from my work days in an office that a) the styles have changed since I've last worn them and b) I would buy new ones if I were to return to an office job so why am I keeping them. Since they are sorted by size I thought I would try to list them on Kijiji first and if after January they haven't sold I'll just donate them. I'll price them to sell but keep in mind that I want the items out of the house. I feel so free just knowing I have a plan.

How are your new year resolutions coming? If you posted about your resolutions, please comment with a link as I'd love to see what others are doing too.

What to do with Christmas Cards After Christmas?

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

Jenae at I Can Teach My Child re-posted a great idea on what to do with your Christmas cards after the holiday season has passed. For each family that sent a card, keep them in a basket by the kitchen table and choose one family to pray for each day.

Up until now we have been using the fronts of the cards as gift tags on gifts at the next year's holiday but using them throughout the year is a great way to think of loved ones regularly.

What do you do with old Christmas cards?

Getting Organized 2012

2012-01-08T08:00:00.062-05:00

My post on organizing for the new year touched on two areas: finances and household management.

On Friday I worked on organizing my tax information for last year. Last year I made the effort to note income and expenses at the end of each month. This gave me a more accurate picture of what we were actually spending and minimized the dreaded tax organizing I generally experience at the end of the year. I also had an ongoing estimate of what my taxes owing would be so I could put a savings plan into place and not be surprised at the end of the year (you know, that cross your fingers and hold your breath moment when you enter all the info and get the magic number you owe? Please say I'm not the only one who has this moment).

I will tackle the house and make a plan to organize it (i.e. finding a place for all the stuff we got at Christmas but before the winter birthday gifts start arriving). Since it is overwhelming, I decided to spend Saturday doing a good cleaning of the house and moving items to the room where I want them to go.

On Sunday I plan to start at the top front of the house and move my way from room to room (when I have the energy or the motivation) for the next few weeks and do a deeper clean and purge items we don't use. I'm going to set up a donation station and when I get the call for the charities who want to come pick up my stuff, it's going to be all bagged and ready to put on the porch for them (they call every month or so). I could even call them for a special pick up if I have enough.

I'm going to follow the purge before you try to organize it rule-of-thumb. Sometimes it is so easy to get hung up on where to put the stuff but it's way easier if there is less of it to try to figure out where it should go.

My biggest challenge will be trying to find places for big items (such as Christmas decoration totes) that are organized in the totes but don't have a good storage place. The house is roomy but not a lot of storage. Perhaps when "stuff" moves out this will let me dedicate a space for such items.

Can you help me and share where you store your Christmas decoration totes?

Menu Plan ~ January 8-14

2012-01-07T08:00:00.011-05:00

Sunday ~ Crockpot Lasagna, Salad, Garlic Bread

Monday ~ Sweet & Sour Chicken (pg 119), Rice, Honey Glazed Carrots

Tuesday ~ Chicken & Cheese Quesadillas, Salad

Wednesday ~ Sausage Minestrone (pg 41), Homemade Bread

Thursday ~ Leftover Buffet

Friday ~ Pizza, Soup or Salad

Saturday ~ Sausage on Bun, Broccoli, Roast Carrots and Potatoes

Do You Set Annual Goals?

2012-01-06T20:00:00.001-05:00

In January I often review my insurance policies, update my client contracts, prepare the previous year's tax information. There are probably a few more things (I know it takes longer than it appears on the list) but that is the general idea of them.

Plus there is goal setting for the coming year. Money Saving Mom has some key points to keep in mind when goal-setting:
1. Determine Your Priorities
2. Create a List of Focus Areas
3. Break Your Goals Down Into Bite-Sized Pieces
4. Set an End Date
5. Track Your Progress

She also has some fantastic planning sheets and forms for household management and goal setting. Click on the highlighted topic to be taken to her planning sheets and forms.

Speaking of household management, Beth at My Simpler Life has set out a daily decluttering and cleaning calendar for 2012 that you should check out.

I'll be working on my planning this weekend. Do you set goals annually? If so, how do you organize yourself and is this the time of year that you plan?

Menu Plan ~ January 1-7

2012-01-01T08:00:00.010-05:00

Sunday ~ New Year’s Meal

Monday ~ Pasta with Tomato Sauce

Tuesday ~ Bacon, Eggs, Toast

Wednesday ~ Shake ‘n Bake Chicken, Scallop Potatoes, Salad

Thursday ~ Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese Casserole, Salad

Friday ~ Pizza, Soup or Salad

Saturday ~ Hamburgers,Corn, Salad

Do You Use Santa and His Elves?

2011-12-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

The kids were so hyper for a few weeks leading up to Christmas. We did threaten to call Santa a few times and then I came up with the brilliant idea that Santa and his elves do "spot checks" randomly throughout the day and we can't see when they are peeking. But not toilet times, of course. Then we got caught up in all the "how do they check" questions and it got tiresome and questionable in answering them. Ha ha.

Do you use Santa and his elves when your children are too excited to remember how to behave? Surely I am not the only one?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T20:45:00.000-05:00

I've been knitting and crocheting gifts since August. The kids have been spun for a few weeks now. Hubby is on vacation (and a wee bit under foot). In addition to making most gifts, I've wrapped all the family gifts and there is only the kids left to wrap. I have enlisted hubby to do this. I'm spent over this Christmas holiday and it's only just beginning. Am I the only one who feels like the preparation stage goes on for a really long time? Then when we get all the gifts opened there will be places to store them to find. It always takes a month or so for the house to fall back to it's "normal". I try to get rid of toys before Christmas to make room for new ones but they actually use all the ones we do have. Then there are the winter birthdays to consider. And I claimed winter to be my favourite season. I obviously was in a summer heat wave at the time (ha ha).

Merry Christmas to you and your family. Let's all make it through to the other end with big smiles!

No Ruined Breakfast Bars Here, Please!

2011-12-21T08:00:00.010-05:00

My little guy (3 years old) is making me laugh today. I just wonder where kids come up with this stuff.
T: Can I have a breakfast bar?
Me: Sure, here you go.
T: This is a RUINED one that A tried to give me a few days ago! (It had a crunched top from where my daughter did her best to open the package for him).
Me: Doh!

For the record, it was only yesterday and was wrapped up waiting for him to forget about it. Why are 3 year olds so smart? I thought I had a bit more time to work around his memory!

He followed up by asking: I want a banana and NOT a ruined breakfast bar, please!

Take-It-For-Free Tuesday - FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #6

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-05:00

http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_2

Menu Plan Monday ~ December 18-23

2011-12-19T06:00:00.013-05:00

Sunday ~ Chicken Drumsticks, Salad, Bread

Monday ~ French Toast, Sausage, Fruit

Tuesday ~ Chicken Fajitas, Rice

Wednesday ~ Shake ’n Bake Chicken, Homemade Fries, Veggies

Thursday ~ Soup, Homemade Bread

Friday ~ Pizza Night, Salad

Helping Others Have a Merry Christmas

2011-12-16T18:30:00.003-05:00

Finally a feel-good story that echoes the pay-it-forward example. Any person could do this and make such a difference in someone else's life any time either at Christmas or otherwise.

Anonymous Donors Pay Off Kmart Layaway Accounts
(click to get linked to the full story - I've checked it out. It's a true link and a beautiful idea).

Take-It-For-Free Tuesday - FREE E-Scrap Designer Pack #5

2011-12-13T08:00:00.007-05:00

http://www.mymemories.com/store/share_the_memories_kit_1