The Queen of KAOS @Home

As I mentioned before, I spend last week decluttering and basically getting everything possible, “out of my face”.

I’ve done very well, but looking around, I still need to go on to the next level, dig a little deeper - literally. There are spaces that I didn’t get to that need more work, and some that need refining.

I like to call it combing, it really does feel like combing through knots to get things straightened out. The picture above is one of the spots that need work. There isn’t a lot there, but as you can see, there are things that don’t belong, there are things that can use some sprucing up and general wipe down (and sticker relocation!) I am choosing this spot to start because I don’t have much time today, since it should be quick I will also see an improvement fast. That’s a good way to get yourself going for the bigger things.

Anyway, last week considering the fact that I lost quite a bit of time on unexpected things - familiar story! - I did quite well so I’d like to give it another shot this week to end next Tuesday, I like to include the weekend as that is my house focus time anyway - during the week my DIY natural skin care biz takes a lot of my focus.

(more…)

I’ve been spending this week focusing on decluttering. I found that this seemed to naturally evolve into looking at the big picture. What can I do today to really leverage my time in the future. Getting rid of clutter is one of the most effective things you can do.

To do this, I need to look at the big picture, or the panoramic view of what I want my life to look like from now on (not somewhere in the future, that is an important distinction)

So while I’m busy delegating things to the garbage or charity, I am always keeping in mind what I can do to make it easier from now on.

A quick example is that our dogs have a fairly teenie water bowl so it needs to be filled 2x per day. Why not get a bigger one?

(more…)

I’m taking a week to concentrate on getting clear.

I’ve made good progress with reducing the amount of things coming into the house in general, but still, it seems to easy to find piles of things around, paper seems to be the biggest offender - paper for work but also paper for the house - newspapers (actually flyers from the mail that I would rather not even have in existance)  recipes - I went through and sorted already, but still I am thinking I may have too much, scrap paper, magazines - big one, may be time to let go!

Old reference books that I will never use, and more books…

I like to call it doing the second wave. Things are basically under control if I be sure to keep with my circuit but I keep thinking that it can be so much easier.

(more…)

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing today when my 9 year old daughter called down from the bathroom, where she was mopping the floor (miracle number one accomplished only because I remembered to tell her that she needed to do her 15 minute contribution to the household before she went to Nana’s. Had I forgotten, it wouldn’t have happened - remember - if it’s to be, it’s up to you!)

Anyway, of course I wanted to see her system, I was amazed that she even had a system although she is the one that has been making lists since I can remember and gets pre-organized so far in advance that it drives me nuts (I don’t really want to worry about her birthday party details for days when it isn’t for another 10 months).

I still don’t know if she was born that way or if any of what I have been trying to accomplish has rubbed off on her, I certainly never told her she needed a system for washing the bathroom floor (a chore she requested, rule #2 - be flexible - if it makes them happy and is reasonable, go for it. Personally I was thrilled, it really needed to be washed!)

(more…)

My theme for this months seems to be to save on groceries and hydro, both bills in our family are so over the top that I still don’t quite believe what we are paying.

I used to be such a good grocery shopper that I could tell you to the penny what almost anything in the store cost, but that was back when the prices where on the cans. Now it is so much harder as you don’t get the reinforcement of knowing the price when you take it out of your cupboard, or to compare one store from the other quite easily by looking on your own shelves.

So I have started to seriously once again shop the flyers and search out coupons. I am convinced that by applying myself to this and my garden, there is substantial money to be saved. That is all money that my husband and I don’t have to earn to cover bills. Makes good sense to me.

And I’m sure the result will be healthier eating therefore better health and energy as well. Good deal!

(more…)

Things have been a little jumbled around here the last few weeks although all in all, not bad.

I haven’t implemented the summer rules fully so thought today would be a good day to start.

No TV time between 10 - 6 is a basic rule and the other is that the girls give me 15 minutes of chore time per day.

So today I finally enforced the rule. And guess what. I’m the proud owner of a clean fridge!

They took some things out that had no business being in there, and cleared a spot of things that belonged in our other fridge that I use for my natural skin care business.

(more…)

Wonder what to do when you get stretch marks?  How to avoid them?

Lisa has put together an article for us that contains a few great ideas!

Stretch Marks

Well, it’s a few days into the summer holidays and I am sick of doing dishes already. Are you?

I pulled out the heavy artillery. (happy to report there where no casualties!)

You can read all about my method to cut down on dirty dishes.

Technorati Tags: home organization, household chores, summer kids chore list

It’s strawberry time already, one family tradition that we have managed to uphold through out the years. And I must say, it keeps getting easier!

If you don’t go pick strawberries, or at least go buy a bunch to freeze for the year at your nearest strawberry farm, you really should put it on your list of things to do, this year and every year.

It is fun, makes a memory, and provides some of the most nutritious food you will be able to provide your family with over the coming year.

We usually get about 16 baskets, some years we have bought them picked, this year everyone was home and the kids are getting old enough to pick faster than my husband and I, so we where finished in under an hour.

(more…)