My INmyworldSANITY!

A little over a month ago, I said that I was going to do a complete overhaul of my home and get myself "organized"... what the heck was I thinking??

7 weeks to completely overhaul everything in my home? What did I realize? I realized that I not only have a lot of JUNK but yet I am quite organized already.

Don't get me wrong... I do have some areas in the house that could function a bit better or that I could rearrange to make things simpler or more "stylish".  However, with a baby that demands attention and a hubby and 3 year old that basically mess my entire house on a daily basis, I set myself up for disappointment.

I am an "organization geek" and I love to see bins and drawers and dividers and all of the other crazy stuff that they have out there now. However, I was quite disappointed that plastic drawer bins go for $20 a piece... seriously, it's crazy! I not only got discouraged because I tried to overachieve (once again) but got frustrated that it was going to cost me an arm and a leg to get everything done!

I am going to resist the urge to go out and buy a bunch of stuff that will only crowd my world more by making me think that I am more organized... when, in actuality, it looks good for a bit and then gets messy again!

So my challenge: I give myself a maximum of $5 each week to come up with a creative and cost-effective way to make my house prettier/organized/functional/etc. Nothing grand, nothing over the top, nothing expensive.. but creative, personalized and functional.

My mess is my INmyworldSANITY!

My first completed project:

Simple 10x10 brown frame
+
Cherry Blossom Scrapbook paper
=
cute remote/coaster holder for coffee table

** Took the scrap paper (12x12) and cut down to size of frame (10x10), inserted and completed!

Light and Simple

Whew!  The holidays are behind us yet I don't even feel like they came in the first place!

I can certainly see why some folks would be upset that decorations are being taken down, gifts put away and radio stations switched back to "normal" music.  It seems like everything just whizzed on by while all of us were still trying to find just that perfect gift for a special someone!

However, I am glad that my home is getting back into order and I no longer have to think about the fact that I was not in the holiday "spirit" this year. My theme for this year... clean and simple!!

Our fireplace (minus a bunch of decorations):

Less is more.. or so they say!

Let me tell you.. it took me over 45 minutes standing in our local Marshall's and had to keep pulling myself away from the color red or dark brown... I wanted light and simple..

Now, on to that dreadful pile of things in my front closet... maybe I will actually sort through those family pictures and begin to put them into some cohesive sense of order!

Gfits from a 3 year old...

So we did it! We went to the store and we picked out gifts for others from my 3 year old daughter. Let me start over... she did it. I stood there with the list of people that she wanted to get a gift for and she picked out everything on her own.

Let me tell you.. this is a HUGE step in the life of a mother who likes to control everything!! And I mean EVERYTHING!!

She stood there looking at the wall of "toys" and other little items that were open to her picking for that special person in her life. I would read off a name and she would look up and down and back again, searching for just the right thing!  Once she picked something, I could have said "No hunny, they won't enjoy that present". However, I kept my big mouth shut!!

I told myself to enjoy the fact that she loves to give gifts to others and that she is finding complete joy out of picking what she thinks is the best gift of all.

Regardless of the fact that she might have picked out a stuffed football for her Meme (my mother) or that she might have picked out a paddle ball and clapping plastic hands for her babysitters.... it is the thought that she put into each item that counts!
** Side note: her sitter said that she is really excited about her clapping hands and plans on using them during a family vacation over the holidays... so apparently a 3 year old knows best!

Oh and don't forget that we did have to pick up a small toy for her, which she also picked out... but I figured it was worth all of the effort that she put in to thinking of others!

Holiday gifts... should it be this stressful?

I recently read an article in the magazine titled "Thriving Family" which is sponsored by Focus on the Family. It talked about different ways to engage children of all ages in the holiday spirit and Christmas season.  Each year, I try to think of ways to engage my children in the true meaning of the season and to help build appreciation for not only the many gifts received but to remind them that they need to give to others who are less fortunate, especially during this time of year.

As a child, I couldn't wait to give gifts and watch others open that very special thing that I bought just for them. I also remember it being small items that we would "buy" at our school Christmas bazaar and ones that  my parents would just love to open and see every year. I remember one of the coolest items was a small neck tie ornament that I chose just for my Dad. Or how about a really neatly designed bead wreath lapel pin? They were never anything big or expensive but rather things that I put so much thought into. I would like for my daughters to feel that same joy, rather than be stressed that they need to get their parents or other family members any of the new "gadgets" or things out there on the market. 

As an adult, giving gifts stresses me out. I can't figure out what to give and then feel guilty if I don't spend a certain amount on any certain person. I tell myself that I am going to "cut back" and not worry about what I am giving, but then I crunch the numbers of our budget each year and get stressed that we aren't doing enough. I work myself up for absolutely no reason at all. I buy things that people don't necessarily need or even use and waste hard earned  money just to fulfill the idea that I absolutely have to give gifts of great stature. And then I live to regret it and feel a bit of bitterness toward what is supposed to be the most beautiful time of year. To help relieve some of the stress, I have suggested to my own sister that we not exchange gifts for one another but rather do lunch or something together. We are leaving the gift giving to the kids of the family.  I feel such a huge sense of relief over this decision.. and quite surprisingly, she was open to the idea!

With all of that said, I have also decided to set an annual limit on toys for our oldest daughter and now our youngest daughter, as she gets older. We also have two older children who will receive a gift, as well, but nothing that we will feel obligated to give, as they are now adults.

I loved the article that I read in the magazine that had input from another mother where she has a "3 gift rule". Yes, three gifts! Really? Is that possible?  She centered it around the idea of the three wiseman. She feared that her kids might miss out and feel like they were shorted at this time of year. However, the simplicity of the idea and the appreciation that her children showed were well worth the idea!  One time her daughter even said that she" felt like Baby Jesus because of the 3 gifts that she received and thought it was kind of cool."  Wow!! Let's have that feeling at this time of year instead, don't ya think?

With the toys that they get from grandparents and other family (which I have also asked to be cut back as much as possible but respect the idea that they do like to give what they are capable of giving) and the toys that they will get from Santa, I do not think that my children will ever feel like they are missing out. I also do not want them to lose the true meaning of the season and remember that they are loved not by the amount of gifts received but because of the memories being made.

 

This also helps with the clutter in our house too, so a win-win for everyone!!

(always a way to help me better manage as a Mom in there somewhere, I won't lie)

Okay, so now on to help my oldest daughter find those "special" little gifts for those that we love... let's see what we can come up with!! Watch out crazy neckties, ornaments and hand-made goodies... here we come!

Do you limit the number of gifts for your children?  How do you help them to remember the "meaning of the season"?

Christmas Day changes

I love this time of year. I love the joy and love that others show to each other. I love to cuddle up with a warm blanket, drink hot cocoa and sit by the fireplace. I love to see snow blanket the ground and kids playing with endless joy. I love to give gifts and I love to see those less fortunate receive gifts that they might not otherwise be able to afford.

However, I feel a bit different this year. As I have said in previous posts, it just doesn't feel the same. I love traditions but times are changing and I am being forced to come up with some new ones for my own family. Our family has decided not to do the traditional gathering at my parents' house and just do a small get together later in the day. As much as I agree that this is a great idea, I often reflect on the times that the entire family would gather and how much fun all of the kids would have together. I often think about how my sister and I would wake up on Christmas morning, open our stockings, wait for Mom and Dad to wake and then open up presents from Santa. I then remember our entire family would come over and we would show everyone our gifts and dine together. Now, this is all about to change...

I could be sad about the changes or I could use them as an opportunity to embrace some new things in life and help to form traditions for my own children. With our Christmas day basically free now, we have decided to serve meals to those who would not otherwise be able to dine with others through a wonderful organization called Christmas Day Inc. here in our own community.  We will also use the day to open and play with all of the gifts, relax and give thanks.

The only things that I hope to keep a tradition are the girls waking up as they get older and taking my time to get out of bed, getting dressed and getting my coffee together to help in building the anticipation. The idea that each person gets to open their presents while others watch, by taking turns and being thankful for each one received. Perhaps I should also keep the Mimosas drinks and Monkey Bread part of our traditions too, can't hurt right??

How will you spend your Christmas Day??

The holidays...

Normally, this time of year is filled with good cheer and warm feelings and family time. However, I am not sure about anyone else, but I am just not "feeling" it this year. Be it the fact that I haven't had much time to relax, shop for presents or even breathe with another child in the mix. I like to blame it on the fact that snow hasn't yet fallen, but I can't even do that as Mother Nature has proven me wrong once again by laying a beautiful blanket of snow on the ground and I still don't feel much different.

I am really trying to push myself to enjoy the nights of cold outside and warmth inside our wonderful home. I have decorated everything that needs that special touch. I turn on our Christmas tree lights every morning, as soon as I wake up. I have put out the Christmas deco coffee mugs. I have even played a Christmas CD in my car to the point where I am singing along on the top of my lungs and I am sure that the cars driving past me have thought I was an insane person!
Although that did help for the short bit of time that I was in my car, it didn't seem to last.

Coming from a family that used to put Christmas decorated toilet paper in their home as a kid, what is wrong with me?!?!?!?  It has even come to the fact that traditions are changing in our family.  We now have two young girls but the boys are both grown and out of the home. My extended family are all doing their own things in their own homes and then planning on gathering later on when most convenient. It just seems like another time of year to me, nothing out of the ordinary.

Maybe it is time for our family to start our own traditions.. carry on some of the old and come up with new... now, let's just hope that helps to put me into the Christmas spirit so I am not a "bah humbug" type of Mom on Christmas morning!

Here is my start...

First Snowfall=Frozen Feet

What traditions do other families have? What do others do to put themselves in the Christmas spirit?

Without Moms...

This was just too cute not to share here... especially for all of the Moms out there!

Lately, I have been questioning my value as a Mother and whether or not I am doing an effective job or just in a survival mode, at this point.  Quite honestly, survival is key to the survival of everyone else in my house! Although I might feel like I am sometimes stuck in the mundane, it is due to this that my family is able to enjoy many things.  I do what I need to survive but mixed in there are a husband who needs me as well as two little beautiful girls who look to their Mom to provide a sense of "survival" on an everyday basis.

This little boy put it perfectly and with such a great personality, that it caused me to do nothing more than just smile this morning while working on my "to do" list, otherwise known as my "survival" list for the day!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO:
http://www.faithit.com/kid-tells-truth-about-moms-made-every-mom-little-happier/#.Up9Pf9VYF1A.facebook

vimeo.com
 

**Thank you to Robin Savage for sharing this awesome video!

Make my life easier.. Please!

My apologies for not posting for a bit of time, but our family took some much needed time together this past weekend at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Wisconsin. What a beautiful place! Although we could not go without having some issues, it was overall a great trip and time spent with our family!

Upon our return, I felt like I had enjoyed a few days without responsibilities around the house. However, it also made me feel a bit overwhelmed and anxious that I had not yet completed some things that I wanted to get done before the end of the year.

With that said, all organization efforts were put on a hiatus and my house is just now starting to get back to order... well, except for the suitcase still sitting in our bedroom with clothes and items packed in it from the trip! (I HATE unpacking suitcases, can you tell?)

Then, I learn that my husband still wants to invite some friends and family over for "soup and dessert" night, so here goes the list of projects that I would like to get completed before even having anyone in our home. Yes, most of them have seen our house in the manner that it is already, but there is something about hosting people at our home that sends me into a frenzy to complete projects that haven't been done in months! Are you the same way or am I the only crazy one?

So, on with the projects...

Oh wait, then I get "tagged" on Facebook with an article titled "101 Household Tips for Every Room in your Home" and these things are actually supposed to make my life easier... or so they say!  So, figured in the time that I have (since I don't seem to be doing anything else productive at this moment), I would check out some of them. Most of them are feasible, but a bit overwhelming to add even more to my to do list, don't ya think??

Although I may sound a bit out of sorts, some of these ideas might actually help to make some things easier.

So here are a few of my faves:
(to link to original website, just click on the picture)

Use Bread Tags to label power cords

Use Cereal Canisters for a car trash can

Organizing jewelry on corkboard for easy viewing

Speaks for itself!

Store cut up lettuce in mason jars to make it last much longer

Put a piece of masking tape the length of the level, mark the location of nail holes

for picture frame then transfer level to wall and hang pictures straight 

Use mason jars to keep your cupcake liners organized and kinda pretty, if you ask me!

 

Fold sheet sets and put them in matching pillowcase for storage

Use a tension rod under sink to organize bottles of cleaner

Using a Tic Tac dispenser for bobby pins

Use toilet paper rolls to organize electrical cords

Dab toothpaste on back of picture frame where you want the holes to go

and press on wall for help in hanging nails in the right spot. Wipes right off!

Put dry towel in with wet clothes and reduce drying time

WD40 can remove crayon from any surface!

And my absolute favorite idea!!

Using an old picture frame as a serving tray

 

Courtesy of: Glamumous

 

What are your favorite time-saving tips?