For over a year now, I've been gathering ideas and thinking up ways to simplify, reorganize, and decorate every single area in our home. Obviously, I utilize Pinterest like a mad woman, so I can "store" various ideas there - even if I end up never using them or decide that they won't actually work for our home. But beyond that, I've been keeping all of my ideas and reminders for our home projects solely in my head. And it's taken me a year to realize that it doesn't work very well. I never remember what I wanted to do when I'm headed to Home Depot/Target/thrift store and I get frustrated. Also, my husband has no idea what I want done because he has nothing to reference.
So here's my plan: I am going around to each room of the house, armed with a notebook, a pen, and a camera. Each room will have their own page and on each page there are three headings: Maintenance, Organization, and Decoration. I will take a picture of each area of the room that I want to make changes to, so we have them on file for Before/After photos.
The Maintenance section will be mostly for my husband to reference. Organization will belong mostly to me, with an asterisk next to the items that both of us will need to be involved in (building, supplies, or large purchases). And Decoration will be solely my section, although I do occasionally have the hubby assist with decor projects that require woodworking.
So there's my project for this weekend. I'm excited about this. Not only because I will finally have everything written down for both of us to reference at any point, but I can add or take away from the lists as needed, keeping it flexible. And who knows? Maybe our projects will get done a little faster this way!
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday, October 26, 2012
Renewed
I've been trying. Trying really hard to get this whole simple living thing down. And I feel like a massive failure. I was in tears the other night, feeling so overwhelmed and not understanding why, when I've done so much so far. But it is not where I want it to be. Not even close.
I picked up a book from the library yesterday called "The Money Saving Mom's Budget" by Crystal Paine. I read through the first couple of pages while I was waiting to pick up my youngest from preschool and it completely renewed my sense of hope for living simply. Not only to get a better grasp of our budget to pay down debt, but also to live with fewer things, fewer distractions. It was also a great reminder that projects like this - a complete life overhaul - don't happen quickly. It can take YEARS and I need to be prepared for that possibility.
I can do this. I will do this. And it will be worth every bead of sweat, every tear, and every frustrated tantrum that comes out in the process.
I picked up a book from the library yesterday called "The Money Saving Mom's Budget" by Crystal Paine. I read through the first couple of pages while I was waiting to pick up my youngest from preschool and it completely renewed my sense of hope for living simply. Not only to get a better grasp of our budget to pay down debt, but also to live with fewer things, fewer distractions. It was also a great reminder that projects like this - a complete life overhaul - don't happen quickly. It can take YEARS and I need to be prepared for that possibility.
I can do this. I will do this. And it will be worth every bead of sweat, every tear, and every frustrated tantrum that comes out in the process.
Monday, September 10, 2012
Well, Hello!
My last post was in July? Oh my goodness. Well, my excuse is that I was spending lots and lots of time with my kids before school started back up and blogging was last on my list. But now school has begun again (NOOO!!!) and I am back to trying to simplify things. It's now more important than ever. Why, you ask? A couple of reasons:
1. I am continuing my college education this fall and am only two credits away from being full time. Ick. Don't get me wrong - I really think I'm going to love my courses, but I fully expect to be bogged down with homework most of the time.
2. I have two kids in school this year. Granted, one is just two days a week in preschool, but it's still one more kid to get off to school two mornings a week. My other child is in 1st grade and in full day school for the first time, which means I have to keep up with the bag lunches every evening (along with my husband's, so two total). Plus, there's the expected increase in homework, which we'll need to keep organized and make sure it's completed on time.
3. The preschool is a co-op. I love the co-op system, but it requires more of me and especially so this year since it's our fourth year and I've agreed to a larger role on the school council. I will be spending many hours per month at the preschool, not to mention the preschool business that will be brought home with me for the school newsletter.
4. Both kids have requested at least one extracurricular activity for the school year. We haven't decided on what it is yet, but that will add to our weekly schedule. Most likely we will have swimming or wrestling twice per week and either piano or gymnastics once per week.
This doesn't even include all of the regular "life" stuff and extra events that happen throughout the year. Thank goodness I'm not working right now - I don't think I could handle it! As you can see, I'm going to need as much simplicity as possible. There's a part of me that liked giving up all schedule throughout the summer so we could focus on just having fun. But there's also a part of me who craves getting back onto an organized schedule into a very organized life.
I did spend part of the summer working on simplifying and re-organizing a few areas of the house and I am excited to share those projects with you. I am also beginning the strict weekly practice of meal planning and freezer cooking, which I totally lost throughout the summer. I'll do separate post on that because I certainly have quite a few thoughts about it!
There's just something about fall that makes me want to organize everything and get it all in order. I spent an hour thoroughly cleaning my vacuum this afternoon, for goodness sake! And for some reason, it made me feel like I'd really accomplished something.
1. I am continuing my college education this fall and am only two credits away from being full time. Ick. Don't get me wrong - I really think I'm going to love my courses, but I fully expect to be bogged down with homework most of the time.
2. I have two kids in school this year. Granted, one is just two days a week in preschool, but it's still one more kid to get off to school two mornings a week. My other child is in 1st grade and in full day school for the first time, which means I have to keep up with the bag lunches every evening (along with my husband's, so two total). Plus, there's the expected increase in homework, which we'll need to keep organized and make sure it's completed on time.
3. The preschool is a co-op. I love the co-op system, but it requires more of me and especially so this year since it's our fourth year and I've agreed to a larger role on the school council. I will be spending many hours per month at the preschool, not to mention the preschool business that will be brought home with me for the school newsletter.
4. Both kids have requested at least one extracurricular activity for the school year. We haven't decided on what it is yet, but that will add to our weekly schedule. Most likely we will have swimming or wrestling twice per week and either piano or gymnastics once per week.
This doesn't even include all of the regular "life" stuff and extra events that happen throughout the year. Thank goodness I'm not working right now - I don't think I could handle it! As you can see, I'm going to need as much simplicity as possible. There's a part of me that liked giving up all schedule throughout the summer so we could focus on just having fun. But there's also a part of me who craves getting back onto an organized schedule into a very organized life.
I did spend part of the summer working on simplifying and re-organizing a few areas of the house and I am excited to share those projects with you. I am also beginning the strict weekly practice of meal planning and freezer cooking, which I totally lost throughout the summer. I'll do separate post on that because I certainly have quite a few thoughts about it!
There's just something about fall that makes me want to organize everything and get it all in order. I spent an hour thoroughly cleaning my vacuum this afternoon, for goodness sake! And for some reason, it made me feel like I'd really accomplished something.
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