Wow - I can't believe it has been over 2 months since I last posted. Tons of things have happened -
The family was reunited to my Great Nephew who we last saw when he was 6ish and he is now 20 and grown up.
My mom was placed in a Private Nursing Home for ALZ patients. She has adjusted better that we expected. Still miss her terribly but she is only a few blocks away and I can go see her whenever I want.
My life is far from settled down - I am back on the med's thank God. I have decided to move out of the house that is causing me so many health issues and move in with dear ole Dad and try to help him out both financially and to have company. I may not always be the best company - but the dogs will keep him going too!
So with that being said - I wanted to share a decision with all of you. Several people including my neighbor who I adore as a good friend - have told me in the last few weeks that I am way to patient and giving to my family and friends and that I need to take some time for me. Do things that I want to do - like get back to my crafting, go walking to build up my lungs and lose weight, etc.
I have always chosen a word for the year to work on - so this year I am choosing the word:
ME
I am going to do things for me and work on rebuilding me. I am making an appointment for a mani/pedi/eyebrow waxing the last week of the month, then I am going to go to one of the local stores for a cosmetic make over and get my hair styled/colored or whatever. I am also starting a new healthy eating and fitness program. I also would like to get my dental work finished and new dentures that fit/
I plan on making changes to the blog as well - no more pity party posts - more organizing, balancing life, budgeting (which I stink at and need to do badly), planner addictions, crafting, etc. Topic ideas are welcome.
Thanks for hanging with me and here is to a New Year of Blessings and Happiness - Welcome 2014 you can't get here fast enough for me.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Friday, October 11, 2013
Just Breathe - Part 2
While I am still not 100% I want to share the steps that I am taking in order to get control again. Please keep in mind that these are not necessarily in the order of importance.
I found a clinic that only accepts donations and have been able to get back on my medications. That was the first and most important step. My thyroid and hormones levels were so out of whack and now we have managed to get them under control again. Back in the late 90's I had a radical hysterectomy due to late stage 1 - early stage 2 cancer and afterwards found out I was allergic to Hormone Replacement Therapy so they put my on Prozac. Believe it or not with my backwards system - it does control the mood swings and most importantly the hot flashes or power surges and mini tropical vacations as I like to call them. Living in Florida with the heat and humidity - sometimes I wish it was a long arctic vacation!
1) I have studied to be a professional organizer and seeing my life in shambles was not acceptable. I had frazzled energy as the medications starting working (Small doses until we could get back to the level I was on without throwing me in an different tizzy.) I started working first on small projects - under the bathroom sinks, on one to the closets in the master area - it is where I keep my slacks and some extra supplies, towels and sheets for my area, etc. By working on smaller projects I was able to refocus my thoughts and energy while decluttering and organizing my house. Until I could get myself sorted out and my home - I didn't feel like I could offer help to anyone else.
2) It is important to have a role model. My Mom has always been mine - when things went awry as they do - I could always depend on Mom for assistance, guidance and a back up plan. Now with her being put in a home for ALZ - that was not the case. So I had to take a step back - hitch up the britches again and ask "If Mom was here - what would she do?" The first thing I realized that I have to focus on something besides my negative pity pot attitude but more importantly I remember her always asking "Have you given this to God to handle?" That should always be our first choice
3) Sleep - although this was something I didn't think I was having a problem with because I was sleeping a lot just not relaxed and restful. Setting a bedtime and sticking to it has helped. I normally go to bed at 9PM and then I either read or watch a movie (remember due to financial obligations - I shut off my cable). I normally fall asleep or get drowsy and turn off the TV and then the movie continues until it rewinds and then shuts off. I also have a wake up time between 6-7AM depending on the dogs and granddaughters (I keep the 2 youngest of a morning before school).
4) Daily and Nightly Routines - this is important! By going back to my daily morning and evening routines I managed to get a sense of normality back in my life. Yes I may have been working through them without putting thought or my heart into it in the beginning, but as I got back to my normal habits - soing my routines and doing what I always go - kept things in perspective and help me get my home and life back on the organized track that it was both in my thinking, actions and planning. There were days in the beginning (and even now) that I felt like a robot and worked through the chore but it gave me time to re-group and get into another project.
Having lists and routines allows for adjustments if I am having a bad day or an emergency comes up. It give me a plan of how to deal with things and makes me feel more peaceful and more in control versus frazzled and chaotic. Being able to chose what I can eliminate off my routine to handle the current situation and knowing that it will get moved to the next day makes it less stressful. That is one reason I stick to 3 MIT's (Most important tasks) for my daily planning. Some days just don't go the way we plan!! God has shown me that many times over the last 18 months and continues to do so daily.
5) I make time for myself, my bible/prrayer time and my crafting. These are my relaxors or as I call them my escape from reality. I have a chair in my living room (currently occupied by my fur babies) that has a basket with my various books I read - Guidepost, Praying through the Lord's Prayer, etc. I can choose to read just my bible and the daily lesson from Our Daily Bread or I can do some crafting or all of the above. That is what is good about "ME" time - I do what I want.
I am in no way over the depression totally but this has given me a better handle on getting my life back. Please feel free to comment - I would love to hear how you are working your way out of depression and sorrow.
I found a clinic that only accepts donations and have been able to get back on my medications. That was the first and most important step. My thyroid and hormones levels were so out of whack and now we have managed to get them under control again. Back in the late 90's I had a radical hysterectomy due to late stage 1 - early stage 2 cancer and afterwards found out I was allergic to Hormone Replacement Therapy so they put my on Prozac. Believe it or not with my backwards system - it does control the mood swings and most importantly the hot flashes or power surges and mini tropical vacations as I like to call them. Living in Florida with the heat and humidity - sometimes I wish it was a long arctic vacation!
1) I have studied to be a professional organizer and seeing my life in shambles was not acceptable. I had frazzled energy as the medications starting working (Small doses until we could get back to the level I was on without throwing me in an different tizzy.) I started working first on small projects - under the bathroom sinks, on one to the closets in the master area - it is where I keep my slacks and some extra supplies, towels and sheets for my area, etc. By working on smaller projects I was able to refocus my thoughts and energy while decluttering and organizing my house. Until I could get myself sorted out and my home - I didn't feel like I could offer help to anyone else.
2) It is important to have a role model. My Mom has always been mine - when things went awry as they do - I could always depend on Mom for assistance, guidance and a back up plan. Now with her being put in a home for ALZ - that was not the case. So I had to take a step back - hitch up the britches again and ask "If Mom was here - what would she do?" The first thing I realized that I have to focus on something besides my negative pity pot attitude but more importantly I remember her always asking "Have you given this to God to handle?" That should always be our first choice
3) Sleep - although this was something I didn't think I was having a problem with because I was sleeping a lot just not relaxed and restful. Setting a bedtime and sticking to it has helped. I normally go to bed at 9PM and then I either read or watch a movie (remember due to financial obligations - I shut off my cable). I normally fall asleep or get drowsy and turn off the TV and then the movie continues until it rewinds and then shuts off. I also have a wake up time between 6-7AM depending on the dogs and granddaughters (I keep the 2 youngest of a morning before school).
4) Daily and Nightly Routines - this is important! By going back to my daily morning and evening routines I managed to get a sense of normality back in my life. Yes I may have been working through them without putting thought or my heart into it in the beginning, but as I got back to my normal habits - soing my routines and doing what I always go - kept things in perspective and help me get my home and life back on the organized track that it was both in my thinking, actions and planning. There were days in the beginning (and even now) that I felt like a robot and worked through the chore but it gave me time to re-group and get into another project.
Having lists and routines allows for adjustments if I am having a bad day or an emergency comes up. It give me a plan of how to deal with things and makes me feel more peaceful and more in control versus frazzled and chaotic. Being able to chose what I can eliminate off my routine to handle the current situation and knowing that it will get moved to the next day makes it less stressful. That is one reason I stick to 3 MIT's (Most important tasks) for my daily planning. Some days just don't go the way we plan!! God has shown me that many times over the last 18 months and continues to do so daily.
5) I make time for myself, my bible/prrayer time and my crafting. These are my relaxors or as I call them my escape from reality. I have a chair in my living room (currently occupied by my fur babies) that has a basket with my various books I read - Guidepost, Praying through the Lord's Prayer, etc. I can choose to read just my bible and the daily lesson from Our Daily Bread or I can do some crafting or all of the above. That is what is good about "ME" time - I do what I want.
I am in no way over the depression totally but this has given me a better handle on getting my life back. Please feel free to comment - I would love to hear how you are working your way out of depression and sorrow.
" Just Breathe"
I love that song by Faith Hill and the title has so applied to me over the last 18 months. Let me share somethings with you and maybe you can understand and give me some insights and tips.
Turn back time to June 2011 - My dear Uncle Don who was instrumental in bringing me up - passed away. I was at my son's home in South Florida when dad called to tell me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. You see - my mom was in the early stages of ALZ and my dad for various reasons move to Spring Hill so that he could be closer to mom's family. (My dad is an only child.) So not only did we lose my Uncle, but Dad lost a close friend and Brother that he never had.
I had lost my job with Walmart and my benefits as well and I was living on a part time income which was not (and still isn't) making the bills. Bwecause of that I still do no have insurance and have to resort to going either to the emergency room or to a free (donations accepted) clinic. I was not able to get my medications refilled for several months. That being said I slipped into a depressed state where the slightest comment could set me off in a flood of tears. I had even thought of ending things.
Fast forward to October 21, where I received another phone call from my dad to tell me that my niece-in-law had been shot (freak accident) and did not make it. I fell apart again and with my dad and my Son and Daughter-in-Law we took the 1 1/2 hour trip to their home to be there for my nephew and his 3 boys. Now I didn't have the best relationship with either my nephew or niece-in-law, but I still cared for her and she was the mother to those precious boys. I had no idea what was going on in the house. Beth was a neat freak - germ phobic who made you take your shoes off and use hand sanitizer before you touched the boys. I can see where in her mind her life went to hell in a hangbag too - she did a complete 180 and was not focused on her home and raising the boys properly. Enough said there.
Because I was still in a state of depression and shock over the losses and now watching my mother go downhill fast - I only did what it took to get by - feed and walk my dogs, go to work, come home, sleep (if possible). I did not housework, no outside activities, no crafts, no computer or Facebook, Pinterest, etc. Any little comment or picture or anything for that manner - would send me in a flood of tears and sobs. I couldn't handle the day to day stuff other than showering, taking care of myself and the dogs.
I knew that this was not a healthy choice I had made and always being able to snap back to reality My BFF told me I was like one of those punching clowns - you hit me hard and I bounce right back up - I knew that this time I wasn't coming back up. I felt like I was suffocating in my own depression and needed to take a step back. Being a country girl - I hitched up my britches, tightened the belt and figured out what the dickens was wrong with me and made a plan to get it right. My bad day that I had back in June has lasted a little over a year now.
Self evaluation is the hardest thing to do - especially when you are depressed - you can make all kinds of excuses as to why you are the way you are. I think it is harder to accept than constructive criticism from others. Anyway I needed to figure out the root of the problem and a way to fix it. One of my main problems is lack of patience and although I knew in my heart there was a way to fix these problems, I needed to find it and fast, I was fighting so many battles and not only was I losing them but I was dog tired as well.
I found out that trying to figure out and then fix the problem on a challenging day only made the matters worse. I needed to wait until I was emotionally stronger to fix some things. If at the time I felt better about myself and the problem - I could work though it. Most of the time the problem would work itself out, become less of an issue for me or become non-existant. If it remained an issue then in a different frame of mind I was able to see the trees for the forest and work through the issues.
I will share later what I did to get out of this depression and start slowing re-living for me and my family. More to come.......
Turn back time to June 2011 - My dear Uncle Don who was instrumental in bringing me up - passed away. I was at my son's home in South Florida when dad called to tell me. It hit me like a ton of bricks. You see - my mom was in the early stages of ALZ and my dad for various reasons move to Spring Hill so that he could be closer to mom's family. (My dad is an only child.) So not only did we lose my Uncle, but Dad lost a close friend and Brother that he never had.
I had lost my job with Walmart and my benefits as well and I was living on a part time income which was not (and still isn't) making the bills. Bwecause of that I still do no have insurance and have to resort to going either to the emergency room or to a free (donations accepted) clinic. I was not able to get my medications refilled for several months. That being said I slipped into a depressed state where the slightest comment could set me off in a flood of tears. I had even thought of ending things.
Fast forward to October 21, where I received another phone call from my dad to tell me that my niece-in-law had been shot (freak accident) and did not make it. I fell apart again and with my dad and my Son and Daughter-in-Law we took the 1 1/2 hour trip to their home to be there for my nephew and his 3 boys. Now I didn't have the best relationship with either my nephew or niece-in-law, but I still cared for her and she was the mother to those precious boys. I had no idea what was going on in the house. Beth was a neat freak - germ phobic who made you take your shoes off and use hand sanitizer before you touched the boys. I can see where in her mind her life went to hell in a hangbag too - she did a complete 180 and was not focused on her home and raising the boys properly. Enough said there.
Because I was still in a state of depression and shock over the losses and now watching my mother go downhill fast - I only did what it took to get by - feed and walk my dogs, go to work, come home, sleep (if possible). I did not housework, no outside activities, no crafts, no computer or Facebook, Pinterest, etc. Any little comment or picture or anything for that manner - would send me in a flood of tears and sobs. I couldn't handle the day to day stuff other than showering, taking care of myself and the dogs.
I knew that this was not a healthy choice I had made and always being able to snap back to reality My BFF told me I was like one of those punching clowns - you hit me hard and I bounce right back up - I knew that this time I wasn't coming back up. I felt like I was suffocating in my own depression and needed to take a step back. Being a country girl - I hitched up my britches, tightened the belt and figured out what the dickens was wrong with me and made a plan to get it right. My bad day that I had back in June has lasted a little over a year now.
Self evaluation is the hardest thing to do - especially when you are depressed - you can make all kinds of excuses as to why you are the way you are. I think it is harder to accept than constructive criticism from others. Anyway I needed to figure out the root of the problem and a way to fix it. One of my main problems is lack of patience and although I knew in my heart there was a way to fix these problems, I needed to find it and fast, I was fighting so many battles and not only was I losing them but I was dog tired as well.
I found out that trying to figure out and then fix the problem on a challenging day only made the matters worse. I needed to wait until I was emotionally stronger to fix some things. If at the time I felt better about myself and the problem - I could work though it. Most of the time the problem would work itself out, become less of an issue for me or become non-existant. If it remained an issue then in a different frame of mind I was able to see the trees for the forest and work through the issues.
I will share later what I did to get out of this depression and start slowing re-living for me and my family. More to come.......
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Planner Addicts
I have joined the FB group - Planner Addicts and I am happy to report I am not the ONLY one who is addicted to planners, paper and pens! OH MY
Thanks to Toni from a Bowl Full of Lemons - we have a wonderful group of women (mostly I think) that are sharing photos, planner ideas and pages with us.
Please feel free to join us over there as we get organized and all planned out for the day, week, month or remainder of the year.
Here's a link if you want to join - we are a closed group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/planneraddicts
Thanks to Toni from a Bowl Full of Lemons - we have a wonderful group of women (mostly I think) that are sharing photos, planner ideas and pages with us.
Please feel free to join us over there as we get organized and all planned out for the day, week, month or remainder of the year.
Here's a link if you want to join - we are a closed group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/planneraddicts
Monday, June 17, 2013
Oh Happy Day
I have been trying since before Memorial Day to get pictures of my tablescape in the main dining area. Camera battery is dead and I cannot find a replacement in any of the stores - finally found a rechargeable one on-line.
Anyway - got the cell phone and took some pictures - downloaded them to the computer and couldn't find them anywhere. After several minutes of frustration, I walked away from the computer.
Fast forward 12 hours and here they are.
Tabalecloth was purchased at WalMart - plates and cups which look like paper plates are actually plastic and I bought them at the Target $ Spot. I totally love the look:
The red charger plates I bought at a yard sale for $1.00 and I made a little arrangement from some Red, White and Blue flowers I had. I will keep this table scape until after the 4th of July. Maybe all summer as I totally love it.
Anyway - got the cell phone and took some pictures - downloaded them to the computer and couldn't find them anywhere. After several minutes of frustration, I walked away from the computer.
Fast forward 12 hours and here they are.
Tabalecloth was purchased at WalMart - plates and cups which look like paper plates are actually plastic and I bought them at the Target $ Spot. I totally love the look:
The red charger plates I bought at a yard sale for $1.00 and I made a little arrangement from some Red, White and Blue flowers I had. I will keep this table scape until after the 4th of July. Maybe all summer as I totally love it.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
A little information about the header picture
This is the house that my mom and her siblings were born and raised in. There are many fond memories and stories that have been told about this home. It was located on 6th ditch in Parma, Missouri. That meant we were the 6th ditch from town. Now when you think of a ditch - they are shallow little "ponds". These ditches were huge and very deep, with steep banks.
Growing up the roads were not paved - so when cars flew down them they would throw pebbles in your yard and stir up the dust. I remember Grandma making us "Youngun's water down the road in front of the house to cut down on some of the dirt.
Shortly before my Grandfather passed away, the top story of the house was removed. I remember stories of my Uncle Eugene catching mice as a kid, tying a hanky on them and tossing them out the attic windows. The old barn cats would be waiting down on the ground for them.
Fast forward to early March 2000 the day before my Grandma passed away - the old homestead and the smaller house next door burnt to to ground. My Uncle, Aunt and I drove by the farm on the way to the funeral. It was closing a chapter in my life - Grandpa and Grandma had moved to their new home and for reasons that no one knows why - their old one burnt down. All I remember is the laughter and love that were part of my memories of that house.
Growing up the roads were not paved - so when cars flew down them they would throw pebbles in your yard and stir up the dust. I remember Grandma making us "Youngun's water down the road in front of the house to cut down on some of the dirt.
Shortly before my Grandfather passed away, the top story of the house was removed. I remember stories of my Uncle Eugene catching mice as a kid, tying a hanky on them and tossing them out the attic windows. The old barn cats would be waiting down on the ground for them.
Fast forward to early March 2000 the day before my Grandma passed away - the old homestead and the smaller house next door burnt to to ground. My Uncle, Aunt and I drove by the farm on the way to the funeral. It was closing a chapter in my life - Grandpa and Grandma had moved to their new home and for reasons that no one knows why - their old one burnt down. All I remember is the laughter and love that were part of my memories of that house.
One of those weeks
Ever have one?
Last Saturday my Daughter and I went to several yard sales and I scored some awesome deals. Got a jewelry holder for $1.00 and a 2 piece tool box on wheels -for $3.00 and both will be put away for Christmas presents. Need to paint the outside of the tool box and clean it out. Also got a red cookie jar for free and when I put it through the dishwasher all the paint came off in the bottom of my dishwasher. So now my pretty red cookie jar is white and my dishwasher is red!
I also got some red charger plates to use in my July 4th tablescape (actually set it for Memorial day) and they were $1.00
So I was going to take pictures of all of it - but my camera batteries have died and they are not in stock at Walgreens or Wal-Mart so I couldn't replace them when I went to the store yesterday. I will try Target today! If I find the battery - I will take pictures and post tonight or tomorrow morning.
I decided to work in the yard, used the weed eater around the house and then started to trim one of the bushes beside the door and accidentally stirred up not one but two wasps nest. Needless to say - after I doused the bush - I moved on to another one on the other side of the entrance to the house and it is full of these huge bull ants. Think it is time for these to go down to the ground and find something else to put there. I was stung and bit several times.
Well - here's hoping you have a better week than I am having!!!
Last Saturday my Daughter and I went to several yard sales and I scored some awesome deals. Got a jewelry holder for $1.00 and a 2 piece tool box on wheels -for $3.00 and both will be put away for Christmas presents. Need to paint the outside of the tool box and clean it out. Also got a red cookie jar for free and when I put it through the dishwasher all the paint came off in the bottom of my dishwasher. So now my pretty red cookie jar is white and my dishwasher is red!
I also got some red charger plates to use in my July 4th tablescape (actually set it for Memorial day) and they were $1.00
So I was going to take pictures of all of it - but my camera batteries have died and they are not in stock at Walgreens or Wal-Mart so I couldn't replace them when I went to the store yesterday. I will try Target today! If I find the battery - I will take pictures and post tonight or tomorrow morning.
I decided to work in the yard, used the weed eater around the house and then started to trim one of the bushes beside the door and accidentally stirred up not one but two wasps nest. Needless to say - after I doused the bush - I moved on to another one on the other side of the entrance to the house and it is full of these huge bull ants. Think it is time for these to go down to the ground and find something else to put there. I was stung and bit several times.
Well - here's hoping you have a better week than I am having!!!
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Monday, June 3, 2013
I have been away from blogging for a while now and have decided to come back. I will share some of the things that I have been trying to do in my home to make it my style and well as other things - such as using coupons to try to stretch the almighty dollar or should I say penny.
So while I am making a comeback - I ask that you be patient with me as I design my blog and get the camera/cell phone pictures downloaded so I can share. I would appreciate any assistance as I am getting this thing going!!!!
So while I am making a comeback - I ask that you be patient with me as I design my blog and get the camera/cell phone pictures downloaded so I can share. I would appreciate any assistance as I am getting this thing going!!!!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Chilly morning perfect for working in the
garage! I did some last night as it was a burden to get to the washer
and dryer. Also today is garbage day so I will be tossing stuff to get
out to the road tonight - that is if the back and knee hold up.
I worked with my granddaughter to get the room my niece is staying in ready for her and the baby. Put the changing table in there - all the clothes (3 bags full away) and it looks neat and clean again. My DN is going to have to keep it that way especially when we put up the crib.
With rearranging that room, I also had to move stuff around in a couple of other areas. The house is not how I like it but it is livable for now. Since I rent and my lease is up in May - not sure if I will stay month to month or find another place as this is when the baby is due.
I did go see my mom yesterday. First time in a month since she was moved into the home for ALZ patients. It is a private home with 6 ladies. When I got there I was nervous as I didn't know how she would be - but when she saw me she screamed "My baby girl" and came running to me and hugged me tightly. We had a good visit and then she told me she had things for to do and I needed to leave. That told me she was getting tired of entertaining and I promised her I would be back with some of the kids. I cried all the way home as it was such a special visit and it eased my mind about where she is.
I worked with my granddaughter to get the room my niece is staying in ready for her and the baby. Put the changing table in there - all the clothes (3 bags full away) and it looks neat and clean again. My DN is going to have to keep it that way especially when we put up the crib.
With rearranging that room, I also had to move stuff around in a couple of other areas. The house is not how I like it but it is livable for now. Since I rent and my lease is up in May - not sure if I will stay month to month or find another place as this is when the baby is due.
I did go see my mom yesterday. First time in a month since she was moved into the home for ALZ patients. It is a private home with 6 ladies. When I got there I was nervous as I didn't know how she would be - but when she saw me she screamed "My baby girl" and came running to me and hugged me tightly. We had a good visit and then she told me she had things for to do and I needed to leave. That told me she was getting tired of entertaining and I promised her I would be back with some of the kids. I cried all the way home as it was such a special visit and it eased my mind about where she is.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Craft Room Organization
Since the first part of the month I have been on an organizing frenzy. The latest project was my craft room and while it is not complete (saw some things that need to be done still) I am posting pictures. Please note - this is picture heavy.
Lets start with the before shots:
Now the after:
Like I said I still have some tweaking and organizing to do - but for the most part it is done.
I went to the Dollar Tree and purchase the green and yellow baskets and made labels with my computer and a business card template and labeled 90% of the baskets/boxes.
For my magazines I put a couple of milk crates on their side.
The longer ribbons are hung on a peg shelf in the closet. Scraps of ribbon are on the shelf in plastic candy jars as are the silk flower bits. Other flowers are in the closet on the top shelf.
All my empty albums are in containers on a shelf.
Stamps and stamp pads have their shelf as well.
The black metal thing was being tossed out at work and I told them to put it in my car. I was originally going to use it in the garage but it fits perfect next to the file cabinet and holds rolls of ribbon and jars of do-dads.
Any questions - please ask. Thanks for looking
Lets start with the before shots:
I went to the Dollar Tree and purchase the green and yellow baskets and made labels with my computer and a business card template and labeled 90% of the baskets/boxes.
For my magazines I put a couple of milk crates on their side.
The longer ribbons are hung on a peg shelf in the closet. Scraps of ribbon are on the shelf in plastic candy jars as are the silk flower bits. Other flowers are in the closet on the top shelf.
All my empty albums are in containers on a shelf.
Stamps and stamp pads have their shelf as well.
The black metal thing was being tossed out at work and I told them to put it in my car. I was originally going to use it in the garage but it fits perfect next to the file cabinet and holds rolls of ribbon and jars of do-dads.
Any questions - please ask. Thanks for looking
Thursday, January 10, 2013
A better Year - A new beginning
The past few months have been emotionally hard on me and the family. My niece in law passed away in October and left my nephew and 3 boys. Then on 12/31/12 we put my mother in an assisted living facility for dementia patients.
So with that going on and my current systems not working I wrote this over at both 2Peas and GON.
Back in 2002 when I started the organizing journey for myself, I sat on my patio with a cup of coffee and decided to make myself binders to keep my papers organized. Through the years I have modified some and others are the same way they were back then (only updated).
I have started reworking some of my binders - especially my "Daily Home and Life Organizer - aka Organized Bible" The current system I was attempting to use was not working - too many sections and things that I didn't need on a day to day basis.
I worked on the main categories and have printed out pages and put them in a page protector and labeled according to be the divider in my binder. But lets start at the beginning - when I open my binder there is:
1. A plastic pencil pouch that holds pens, mechanical pencils and lead, white out tape, reinforcements, post it tabs and other little notes, a few paper clips and binder clips.
2. Large heavy duty page protector that holds a card of various size post it notes as well as an envelope with quotes. I love to put random quotes on my to do lists and it seems like they apply on that day.
3. Pocket folder that I cut in 2 for papers I need to put in my binder and didn't have hole punch or time.
4. Section 1 - CALENDAR
(a.) the first thing I have is my www.getorganizednow.com monthly organizing checklist. I have it printed and in a page protector.
(b.) the next things are 2 page calendar pages for each month. I put a post it tab on each page so that I can easily find the month.
(c.) I have the school calendar for my nephews school as well as my grand children overall calendar (days off, etc)
5. Section 2 - CLEANING AND ORGANIZING
(a.) To do lists
(b.) routines and weekly, monthly and annual check lists
(c.) misc articles - like uses for Vinegar, etc.
6. Section 3 - LISTS
This is where I mainly keep my household inventory sheets - I have books, movies (by title and type - DVD VCR -yes I still have those and a player), my website log - for passwords and Registration keys, etc.
7. Section 4 - FINANCIAL
I have the other half of the folder for holding bills until paid and logged to the left of the divider page. (Once the bills are logged, I put them in a file folder until ready to pay. Don't want them to fly out of the binder and lose them.) This is a work in process section.
8. Section 5 - FAMILY
I have my DIL's resume in a page protector and will be putting the rest of the adults in one as well. That way if they need me to fax somewhere they can call or text me and I have it handy - also they are saved on my computer if I need to email for them.
(a.) pet information - after all they are family. One for each animal.
(b.) child ID pages - I have 5 grandchildren living close and I keep updated pictures, medical information, friends contact numbers, etc in the event that I need it. Say my oldest DGD goes to Joanie's for a party and I need to pick her up and don't have her address - I have her phone number to call and get the address/directions, etc.
(c.) Adult ID pages - I have these on my parents, kids and their spouses in the case of an emergency. I have fingerprints , hair samples, etc in the event that they are needed by the police (God forbid) for ID purposes.
(d) address book - For business that I use, I have printed the address section on a color paper so I can keep track. I also have A-Z dividers that I use.
9. Section 6 - HEALTH
(a.) List of medications I take and the dose and what it is for.
(b.) list of doctors and hospitals
(c.) exercise tips and charts.
(d.) Specialize Diabetic trackers for my twin nephews for when I keep them and I know what, when and results of taking their blood sugar readings.
10. Section 7 BLOG INFORMATION
I have a blog at http://daysez.blogspot.com but I rarely use it. I want to get back into using it on a daily or semi weekly schedule and I want to learn about blogs.
So for now this is my Organizing Bible. I have a green (my favorite color) 2" binder and even with all that stuff in it - is not full!
How do you keep up with your daily stuff? Binder, electronics, post it notes, etc?
So with that going on and my current systems not working I wrote this over at both 2Peas and GON.
Back in 2002 when I started the organizing journey for myself, I sat on my patio with a cup of coffee and decided to make myself binders to keep my papers organized. Through the years I have modified some and others are the same way they were back then (only updated).
I have started reworking some of my binders - especially my "Daily Home and Life Organizer - aka Organized Bible" The current system I was attempting to use was not working - too many sections and things that I didn't need on a day to day basis.
I worked on the main categories and have printed out pages and put them in a page protector and labeled according to be the divider in my binder. But lets start at the beginning - when I open my binder there is:
1. A plastic pencil pouch that holds pens, mechanical pencils and lead, white out tape, reinforcements, post it tabs and other little notes, a few paper clips and binder clips.
2. Large heavy duty page protector that holds a card of various size post it notes as well as an envelope with quotes. I love to put random quotes on my to do lists and it seems like they apply on that day.
3. Pocket folder that I cut in 2 for papers I need to put in my binder and didn't have hole punch or time.
4. Section 1 - CALENDAR
(a.) the first thing I have is my www.getorganizednow.com monthly organizing checklist. I have it printed and in a page protector.
(b.) the next things are 2 page calendar pages for each month. I put a post it tab on each page so that I can easily find the month.
(c.) I have the school calendar for my nephews school as well as my grand children overall calendar (days off, etc)
5. Section 2 - CLEANING AND ORGANIZING
(a.) To do lists
(b.) routines and weekly, monthly and annual check lists
(c.) misc articles - like uses for Vinegar, etc.
6. Section 3 - LISTS
This is where I mainly keep my household inventory sheets - I have books, movies (by title and type - DVD VCR -yes I still have those and a player), my website log - for passwords and Registration keys, etc.
7. Section 4 - FINANCIAL
I have the other half of the folder for holding bills until paid and logged to the left of the divider page. (Once the bills are logged, I put them in a file folder until ready to pay. Don't want them to fly out of the binder and lose them.) This is a work in process section.
8. Section 5 - FAMILY
I have my DIL's resume in a page protector and will be putting the rest of the adults in one as well. That way if they need me to fax somewhere they can call or text me and I have it handy - also they are saved on my computer if I need to email for them.
(a.) pet information - after all they are family. One for each animal.
(b.) child ID pages - I have 5 grandchildren living close and I keep updated pictures, medical information, friends contact numbers, etc in the event that I need it. Say my oldest DGD goes to Joanie's for a party and I need to pick her up and don't have her address - I have her phone number to call and get the address/directions, etc.
(c.) Adult ID pages - I have these on my parents, kids and their spouses in the case of an emergency. I have fingerprints , hair samples, etc in the event that they are needed by the police (God forbid) for ID purposes.
(d) address book - For business that I use, I have printed the address section on a color paper so I can keep track. I also have A-Z dividers that I use.
9. Section 6 - HEALTH
(a.) List of medications I take and the dose and what it is for.
(b.) list of doctors and hospitals
(c.) exercise tips and charts.
(d.) Specialize Diabetic trackers for my twin nephews for when I keep them and I know what, when and results of taking their blood sugar readings.
10. Section 7 BLOG INFORMATION
I have a blog at http://daysez.blogspot.com but I rarely use it. I want to get back into using it on a daily or semi weekly schedule and I want to learn about blogs.
So for now this is my Organizing Bible. I have a green (my favorite color) 2" binder and even with all that stuff in it - is not full!
How do you keep up with your daily stuff? Binder, electronics, post it notes, etc?
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