Organizing Tool

I have one thing that I cannot live without in terms of organizing. It's my Brother P-touch label maker. I label everything, this way I know (and so do the kids) what is in a container without having to guess and go through multiple ones to find that one thing I'm looking for.

There are many wonderful label makers on the market, so pick one and get organizing!

Hats, Gloves etc

Well my first organizational project was to get control of all the winter paraphernalia, that is, hats, gloves, scarves etc. I have this gorgeous red bench that I purchased from Pottery Barn about two years ago. I found it at their outlet store marked down to $130 from $800. I had fallen in love with it when I had first seen it in their catalog, but could not justify the price tag, so of course when I found it on sale I loaded it into my car straight away! It has since held the caps in summer and hats, gloves and scarves in winter. It had, however, become a catastrophe trying to find a hat that was yours or matching gloves.

I decided to compartmentalize the bench and give each person their own basket with one hat and two pairs of gloves. The scarves I moved to everyone's cupboards in their rooms. It now works so well and the boys know exactly where to find their things. Of course there are extra hats, etc so I have them all neatly contained in a spare tupperware should someone have a fashion disaster and need a different color!

The trick is to start small and then to move onto bigger projects from there. This way you have a sense of accomplishment straight off the bat.

Have you organized anything yet?

Any Resolutions?

So how are your New Years resolutions going? It's only the 11th of the new year and already I find myself consumed by the routine of my mommy life and all I need to accomplish every day just to keep the kids clean, healthy and fed! I have come to the conclusion that regardless of how many new year's resolutions I set for myself I will fail in them, simply because I cannot accomplish them in my own strength. I found this quote this morning that sums it up so perfectly ...

"All our promises and resolutions end in denial because we don't have the power to accomplish them. We must come to the end of ourselves and receive the Holy Spirit and His power will invade us and accomplish much." - Oswald Chambers

I have resolved to put all my resolutions at Jesus' feet and to turn to Him each and every day for guidance for that day and for the strength to accomplish what He has in mind for me to accomplish for Him and His Kingdom. I pray you will do the same.

Mission Organization ...

I love order, but it takes work. I have come to the conclusion that we just have too much stuff and I'm really tired of moving it all around, so I'm now on a mission to declutter as much as I can. With a pending move I don't want to pay to move something we don't absolutely love and use all the time. I started today by donating two large bags of kids clothing. I'm planning on streamlining every room in the house but in order to do so I need to stay focused and organized. I need to remember why I'm organizing everything, have a plan to do it, stick to it and reward myself as I go.

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it. ~Author Unknown

I will keep you posted as to how the organizing and decluttering go and I'll post photo's of before and afters too. Feel free to ask questions or make comments.

Happy organizing!