time managment

A week ago at game night Jill mentioned this class she attended with her friend Collete that was all about organizing. She told me that Wednesday the subject for the class was on time management and suddenly my interest in the class turned into a need. I've had time management help on my list of things to conquer (ok let's be honest) get better at this year so I knew I had to be there.

It's amazing how quickly 2 hours can go when your so engrossed in the topic. I didn't want her to stop sharing and could have stayed there for several more hours. As she went through her 10 principles (below) there were some things that I thought, i'm pretty good at that and quite a bit of others where I realized, I have a long way to go to get where I want to be. HA, the story of my life.

P.S I saw Jill and Michelle's post on the class over the weekend and thought their notes were vastly superior to mine, you may want to take a look at their blogs, but for what it's worth this is what stood out to me.


[notes from the class]

10 principles I learned:
1. obey the law of the firsts
-do the most important things first and you will always find time for the rest.
-if time management is to be effective you must be full first. Then you can take care of your spouse, then the kids, and then you can save the world.
-don't try to do everything.

2. Important vs. Urgent
-take the urgent things in your life and move them back allowing time for the most important things. You do this by being prepared.
-One way to do this is by preparing dinner before noon. (I've been doing this for a while now and know that if I don't know what we're having in the morning I'm usually scrambling to come up with something at dinner time.)
-we do things by mood but we are never in the mood. (I find this to be so true with me. I make a list and do the things I want to first. I need to be better about prioritize what's important.)
-give up what doesn't matter so you can do what does.

3. Primetime
-everyone has a primetime where they are at their peak and get the most accomplished. Take advantage of the time you are at your best.
-a child who is well loved becomes a might source for good.

4. Launch & Land
-launching is the beginning and landing is the finish. Follow through.
-be on time
-put things all the way away (ie laundry)

5. Waiting
-have a plan when you have waiting time. (ie have a book)
-if waiting with kids teach them something.
-have a list of things you can do in 20 minutes
-don't wait uselessly.

6. Yes & No
-every time you say yes you are also saying no and vice versa.
-when we are prepared we'll have more opportunities to say Yes.

7. Turn Activity into Accomplishments
- never cook just once. make one thing and use it several times (ie roast)
-doing things less often better, makes you more efficient.
-make everything you do last longer (ie pick up extra items at the store so you don't have to go back)

8. play
-the woman who doesn't play is not fun to be around

9. stop before your exhausted
-alternate what you're doing with rest activities (ie activities that are done sitting down like bills)
-alternate staying at home with going out.
-look to this principle to go longer and not to be as tired at the end of the day.
-once your tired it's really hard to revive and start again.

10. time alone
-eliminate interruption to rejuvenate spirit.
-true alone time is when no one is asking you questions and there's no media to see or hear.
-giving yourself alone time even if it's only for a few minutes allows you to have more focus and peace.

last but not least don't let inspiration go unwritten.

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I admit since the class I've had other things on my mind and haven't really given the class/my notes much thought. This morning though I visited Marie Ricks website (the woman who did the class) and am ready to give it a go. I found out she has a blog and I think it's fabulous that each today she has a prompt to help you stay organized. I think I'm going to try and incorporate it into my day.

have a good one.

fresh start

I got the itch the day after Christmas. Usually it doesn't come until after New Years when I take down and box up Christmas, then I can't wait to attack my house and organize. I'm thinking it was my studio that put me over the edge.



Seriously what a disaster...the holiday was not kind to it. I spent a good portion of my day cleaning and man it felt good.



Since then the organizing bug has not left me and each day I've hit something. Monday it was Bella's room. She's in desperate need for clothes and I needed to know how desperate so we went through and cleaned out her closet which led to her entire room. It was a crazy realization to learn that she's a hoarder and not good at organizing. I've got my work cut out for me because I can't have her leaving our home without understanding that you don't have to keep everything.

It was also funny to see Tess dying for me to help her. I told her her room was next, but by the time I got done with Bella I was so wiped out that I said we would do it tomorrow. That answer was simply not good enough for her. She loves to organize and clean and wouldn't stop until she convinced me to tackle her room after lunch. So we did. Tuesday and Wednesday was left for Megan's room and the basement.

It's been such a great productive week and I feel like we have the makings for a great start around here for the new year.

two good things came from one weekend of sick

I've been putting our house back together after the sickness that came through here this weekend. We found out Adam had strep Friday which led to Tess and Megan's diagnosis. It was strange though, Tess was running around having a great time and told me her throat didn't hurt at all. So they have all been on antibiotics and I have been doing what I can to stay away from them, which included sleeping on the couch...so far so good. I did get meds for Bella (i never gave them to her) just in case she comes down with it to because I don't want to pay another $25 to go see the doctor. So far this weekend has cost me more than $100 with co pays and prescriptions (though I will say I'm glad it was only that much).

So while they've been sick, really it only seemed like Adam was sick, I got loads of stuff done. I guess I was trying to preoccupy myself and not feel like we were under some kind of quarantine.

I totally cleaned my car inside and out. It felt so good. I never know why I wait until I just can't stand it anymore. I guess I figure until the winter is over my mats are going to look disgusting.

Bella and I moved her room around. She has been asking me to do this for a long time, but I've hesitated because there's not a whole lot we can do...she has a queen size bed and a small room with lots of windows. My sister-in-law Amy gave me a small table (thanks Amy) and Bella loved it so much I told her she could have it. I thought it would be fun to finally give her a new look and then I was able to satisfy another urge to deep cleaning. When people are sick I just want to clean.

I took down my saloon style doors in my closet and added a curtain. I've had more than one person comment about my saloon doors and make fun, although that is not the reason I took them down. For 1, they seemed to really get in my way, and 2, I would hang stuff on them so the entrance to my closet always looked like the rest of it...messy. I actually like what it looks like so much better, and hey, my closet is clean too.

I defunkified my room and cleaned the sheets. Ok, Adam cleaned the sheets for me yesterday. I guess he was sick of his sickness and took care of it for us. He seems to be much better and went back to work this morning.

There were a few things I wanted to clean that I didn't get to like my fridge and my studio desk, even Megan asked why my desk is always messy, however, a few good things came from the weekend of sickness. The house is cleaner than it was and Adam's going to be staying in town (he had a trip to New Mexico he was suppose to go on this week that he canceled because of how he was feeling). I can't complain with that.

saturday at home

Ah, I love Saturdays like the one I had today...free of obligations when you don't HAVE to do anything or even leave the house. Staying home left me with a lot of opportunities, and what I was really in the mood for was organizing so I thought I would tackle my studio.



I pulled out my computer, dusted, and fixed all the knotted cords so it looks much nicer underneath my table. While doing that I decided to move my scanner to my bookcase which leaves me more room next to my computer. I went up in the attic and found an old lamp to put on my table to keep me company during the evening hours when I can't sleep (I've been meaning to do this for awhile as the light in my studio at night isn't so great).



I also managed to clean off my desk which, come on, that takes a fair amount of time to do and a task you often get side tracked from. It's crazy the amount of stuff that will pile up over time.



I did a bit of rearranging around the first of the year I failed to mention. I guess you could say, I just needed a little change and there's not a whole lot I can do in terms of moving furniture so I moved stuff on my walls instead. I moved my cork board next to my door which left a large space to fill. I decided a plant was needed and then I moved a painting over (only temporarily until I can figure out something else) to fill in the extra space.



It was a good Saturday, a very productive Saturday...apparently Tess thought so too. I found her using her sketch book next to my new lamp.

thawing out

[I couldn't believe how warm it was today. I was shoveling some snow that got neglected last week and I was doing it in a t-shirt.]

What is that feeling after a big holiday or event that make you want to purge and clean like mad? Maybe not everyone feels that way, but I always do. It's most prevalent after the winter, summer, and especially after Christmas. I guess so many things get neglected with the holiday busyness that it's nice to finally get things in order. Of course nothing says organization like the new year. I always like to start off fresh and yes that includes my goals.

Well, today the majority of the day was spent organizing and cleaning. I almost took down all the Christmas decorations, but I just couldn't bare to say goodbye to the lights just yet so I'll wait until Friday like I normally do. We are looking pretty good over here except for my studio which is still a disaster.



I've decided to take a picture of my desk once a week this year just to see how it evolves. I like the idea of seeing what stories the messiness tells, like the cough drops on my desk share that I was feeling less than myself around the holidays or the crochet hat in the back by my monitor shares that I went to Joanns today to get some yarn so I could attempt my first crochet hat (I actually did finish it tonight, but will share it when I take a picture) or the Christmas wrapping paper that is still out shares the time of year. So many stories in one small pictures. I'm quite excited about this new project of mine. If nothing else it will definitely help me appreciate all the work that's getting done to create such a mess.

One more thing....your help is needed. Yesterday out of the blue I got a new calling for my church. I'm now an 'activities day' leader which is planning/executing two activity a month for 8-11 year old girls. I'm looking forward to something different, I've never done activities day before, but I will miss being in the primary and teaching each week. Since I've never done it I feel sort of at a lost so could you please share any ideas you might have or a good resource for me to draw on? I would greatly appreicate it.

Hope it was a good post Christmas Monday.

homebound

I had three little sick ones home with me today. I have to say it was kind of nice the way the day worked out. I didn't get to sleep until 3:30am last night. Don't ask. I haven't a clue why I just tossed and turned until I wanted to cry. I eventually found sleep and when the morning came Tess informed me that Bella had a headache and shouldn't go to school. I just thought great...no leaving the house...home bound. It's something I crave at times and today was certainly one of those days.

So after a long wake up, just love that too, I got busy with things around my house that I've wanted to get to for some time...organizing my pantry.



It has been a long time coming and thought today would be the perfect day to tackle it. I never think about it until it's too late, but I wish I had a before and after picture because really its the only way you can really see the difference. I'm so proud of how much better it looks, but when I look at the picture it doesn't look that organized. I guess it was a mess before.

And since we're on the pantry a week or so ago I hung this for the girls to have a place for their list, which I must add is still working out perfectly. I think we've almost come to the point where they don't have to look at it anymore, but they still love to cross things off...ah the power of the list. I love doing that too.



So all the while I was working I wished I had a good book to listen too. Any suggestions? It has been a while since I've listen to a book on cd and I'm desperate. The last one I tried I just couldn't get into and I haven't gone back. It's tricky to find a good one to listen to as I often would rather read the words.

And on a funny note, my dad called me a few days ago asking if I had ordered more of the books I made for my mom for her birthday (I'm getting one for me and my siblings), and I hadn't. He was glad because there were a few things that needed to be edited, the first being a photo of my parents and their friends in Mexico on the beach with a man in the background mooning the camera. I can't believe I hadn't noticed it or no one else had noticed it before I printed, but when I went to the book to find it I couldn't believe how blatant it was. Adam and I were laughing our heads off at how bad it was and neither of us noticed. So I debated leaving it in there for my siblings to enjoy, but I will take it out and just get a good chuckle every time I look at the now bad copy.

Hope it was a good Monday for you.
BTW can you believe I woke up to 3 inches of snow on the ground?..Happy Spring!

loving right now

1. New Organizer

I have been looking at the organizer from Pottery Barn for so long and I almost gave into it until I saw this organizer by Making Memories. It holds a ton and has done it's job by organizing the top of my messy desk...hopefully I can keep it that way. :)

2. Monday Night Shopping

We had planned on going out as a family Monday night as part of our FHE, but by the time it came around both Adam and I had had enough of the day and were worn out. I wasn't super excited about going out, but I know Bella wants a dress for her birthday/baptism and Easter is coming up so we at least needed to go out, so we did. I must admit I went into it thinking it would be a piece of cake, one trip to Dillards would do the trick, but as it turns out it was more of a challenge. There just weren't as many options as I thought there would be at a mall with multiple department stores and several chains this time of year. So after a couple hours of looking and buying a few new shirts for myself (yes I bought a bit of happiness...love that) we decided to go home and go shopping another day. Sometimes I just really hate shopping. No, let me rephrase that. I enjoy shopping when it's for fun, but when you're out looking for something specific I swear it can never be found. At least I had a good time hanging out with Bella and that I do love.

3. the book that took me 2 months to read

I finally finished The Book Thief. I started back in January and sadly I didn't read anything in between. It was a combination of working on my mom's book and yw that I didn't have time to read or I should say I didn't find time to read. Anyway, I loved it and would recommend it to anyone. It is a story about a young girl living in Nazi Germany narrated by death. I know that sounds a bit strange, but it actually gives it a bit of charm (if you can say that). It was nice for a change to get the side of the Germans and get a feel for what they went through as well...war is hard on everyone. Definitely put this book on your list of books to read this year.

4. Three cozies

Finding them asleep altogether...is there anything better than that?

to post or not to post

Jill she asked me last night at game night what I've been up to because I'm not blogging. I confided in her that I just didn't know what to blog about. I feel kind of like a one trick pony...and not the good kind.

1. I was going to share a funny story of when Tess gave Megan a big hug and kiss. Megan didn't take it very well and pushed Tess away from her and said, "Ew Tess, I'm not Luke!" (referring to her love for Luke Skywalker...i nearly lost it), but I feel like I've been sharing a lot of my kids lately and sometimes I get bored of it so I figured you would too.

2. I was going to share this photo

I took of Bella a few days ago that seemed to capture my mood perfectly at the time, but then again it's the same old story and if I talk about my soft mood one more time you might tell me I need some professional help and I'm just not ready for that.

3. I want to share the project I've been working on non stop for the past 2 weeks, but I can right now, it's a gift. I will when it's done though, in fact I look forward to it.

So today I share this

1.

We had a visitor today that keep the girls busy for a while. I never mind them being in the backyard, but it's a bit disturbing to look out your window and see this big animal that shouldn't be there.

2. I've been organizing today and have decided to make it a week long project. Meaning, now that my desk in the kitchen looks like this
I will document the journey of my mess by taking pictures each day. I am hoping this will give my a better understanding of how it all happens.

3. Along those same lines...tonight Adam is having some friends over and I will be banished to my room, no problem with that, so I'll hopefully be listening to a good book and organizing my studio. It's been getting away from me for a while now and needs some attention.

Here it is right now and I will show you Monday what it looks like when it's clean/organized. Perhaps I will do the same thing as above and take pictures of it everyday to see if I can understand how the mess is created, but honestly, I think I already know the answer to that.

What did you do today?
Do you ever wonder if you should or shouldn't post about something?

clothes and more clothes

I've been wanting to get up to my attic and go through all the kids clothes I have just sitting there wasting space. So when I woke up this morning, knowing I wouldn't be going anywhere because of my sick Megan, I decided today was the day to tackle the ever growing kids clothes (including my 7 years of girls and hand me downs from my sister's two girls). After working for 4 hours this morning I was able to create this



12 bags, yes, 12 bags full of clothes to take to the DI. Can you believe how much this is and it doesn't even include the two bags Adam took the other day of our own clothes.

I also created
* 2 boxes of clothes I want to keep for sentimental reasons
* 3 boxes of clothes that my kids can still use
* and a huge pile of clothes I think are good enough to sell.

Pretty much that is where my time has gone organizing the clothes I want to list on ebay and taking photos. All I can say is if I don't make some money I doubt I will be doing it again. This takes so much time (I'm already 4 hours in and I haven't even listed them yet) I think I might just rather give them away.

Megan came in while I was taking photos and asked what I was doing. When I told her she started crying and pleading with me not to give the clothes away. It was interesting to see her like this. I was thinking it must be the sickness talking, but then I realized I have a huge problem on my hands...I knew she liked clothes, but now I know she loves clothes. Yikes. When I turned my head I watched her run out of the room with 2 pairs of 3 month old shoes. I'm not sure what she is planning to do with them, but it made me laugh.

I must say it feels good to look at those bags and think of all the decluttering I was able to do this morning. Now I just have to get those 12 bags out to my car and take them to the DI. I really like knowing that someone else will find use in them instead of them cluttering up my attic.