2012 was a remarkable year for our family! In fact, it has been such a great year that realizing it has come and gone is a little emotional...
We were reunited as a family under one roof. I was able to become a full-time "work at home" mom (some would refer to this at "stay at home" mom...but I just don't remember how I did it while working full time too. Well, I just didn't do it well.) We are able to be close enough to my family to be able to share lots of milestones with them. Andrew played baseball, basketball and joined the swim team (l.o.v.e.s swimming!). Ryan enjoys "mommy school." I have "found myself" again - well, truly God has reminded me of whose I am and who I am. It just has felt like we were meant to be exactly where we are now.
This really makes resolutions hard if you think of them as trying to shake off old habits and make anew.
So I have decided to dedicate 2013 to a renewing of my mind and capitalizing on the good that 2012 brought with it.
My verse of the year:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans12:2 NIV
My list of focus for the new year:
1. Knowing God More
Devoting time to seek Him, to be still in His presence and learn from Him. Keep in step with Him. Finding Him with my head and my heart. Keeping a strong relationship with my Savior, my Heavenly Father and His Holy Spirit. Laughing with Him. Making joyful noise with Him. Shining His light for His flock to see. Crying with Him. Waiting patiently for Him. Listening to Him. Acting when nudged by Him. Worshipping Him. Wanting to amaze Him with my faithfulness, hope and trust.
2. Family
Devoting attention to my husband and my children. Staying up and talking in bed with my husband. Letting my hair down. Waking up 15 minutes early to have a bible devotion with my oldest son. Singing "Bushel and a Peck" with Ryan. Feeding my growing boys (tallest one included!) healthy, whole foods. Being a good example of Christ's love for us and His light of truth. Building a strong relationship with each of my boys. Laughing together. Playing together. Praying together. Worshipping together. Joyfully loving each other. Building a heavenly family together because of Jesus.
3. Jewelry Business
Focusing on my customers and hostesses. Mapping out plan for growing my business. Sticking to the plan. Encouraging ladies to feel great about themselves. Setting a personal record for the most free jewelry given away. Shining Jesus' light to the ladies I am fortunate to meet. Enjoying lots of new friends.
There you have it in a nut shell.
You can expect to hear from me on these 3 continued focuses for 2013.
May your year also be a blessing unto you and your Heavenly Father.
Showing posts with label Organizing Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Organizing Life. Show all posts
Friday, January 4, 2013
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Laundry, Laundry, Who Likes Laundry???
Hmmm... I don't want to even say (type?) the word.
It is like saying "the Scottish play" name in a theater. Bad luck for everyone involved.
That is how I feel about laun... laund... laundry!
There, I said it (typed it!).
After spending an HOUR sorting out Mike's clothes that he wanted wrinkle free by putting them in the dryer - all 100 articles of clothing (okay, an exaggeration, but not by much), I thought there has to be a better way to do this thing called laundry.
I don't mind sticking a load in the washer, moving it to the dryer and then placing it in a laundry basket... or more often reality in our home, a pile on the bed that then gets moved to the floor, then back to the bed before going back to the floor again, and then moved to an undisclosed location when company is coming over. (No, you will never find my hiding place so don't even try!)
I have been on the search for some fabulous, laundry-hate curing tips.
Here are my top 10 that I have (or will) put into practice...
10. To help reduce wrinkling, fold or hang clothes as soon as possible after the dryer cycle ends. If this is not possible, slightly dampen a cloth, add it to the load and then run the dryer for a few minutes. The moisture and heat will help the wrinkles fall out. It's also a good idea to run a cool-down cycle at the end of the drying time. All laundry items are more prone to wrinkling if left sitting in a pile when they are hot. If your washer has steam washes, this can also reduce wrinkles. (Tip from LG Laundry Tips)
9. Sort your laundry by fabric type, color and water temperature. Keep clothes that require hand washing or dry clean only items separate. Divide the rest into 5 piles for best results:
8. You can make your own homemade laundry detergent...cheap! I found Bethany and her blog The Big Red Pot on Pinterest. She gives some directions and shares a tutorial about how you can make your own laundry detergent. Certainly going to give it a try!
7. White distilled vinegar is my new bff. It can do EVERYTHING! Check out the WDV resume HERE.
6. I actually learned this tip from my mother-in-law... Use your washing machine to prolong the life of your shower curtain (vinyl, heavy plastic or cloth). Just add your laundry detergent and a little bleach and hang that sparkling baby back up in your shower to dry. Amazing!
5. Body oils rub onto shirt collars and attract dirt, leaving them grimy and worse for wear. Reverse the damage by grabbing your shampoo and a clean paintbrush and paint a line over the soiled collar before washing. (Tip from Shine from Yahoo)
4. Get organized. Get your children involved as soon as they can help with even the simplest of tasks when it comes to laundry. I make Andrew help with the laundry by making sure all his dirty clothes make it into his dirty clothes basket. Now that he is capable of doing more, I will certainly be taking some cues from Amy at The Idea Room who has a laundry system like no other! I will strive for this organization in my laundry life!
3. Like the homemade laundry detergent, I am blown away with the idea of making your own dryer sheets. Totally going to try by following the Damsel at Old School blog and her tips for stopping static cling and saving some money too!
2. Taking advantage of spaces for storage that you might be missing - I sure have been, but not after reading the wonderful tips from Infarrantly Creative. She has found ways to utilize the space on the inside of her cabinets all over her house - and especially in the laundry room. Brilliant!
1. Clean your washing machine. It is important (so I have learned the absolute hard way)! I have front loading machines and no one told me how I would have to care for them in any specific way to prevent build up of gunk, mold and mildew. But, boy do you ever! Gross, gross, gross! I have searched and tried several different ways of cleaning my washing machine, but ecokaren's step by step instructions are the best and most helpful I have found that work! Just one more thing to add to the list of cleaning chores, but so, so worth it!
Whew! This just makes me tired thinking about laundry. I will be dreaming of laundry fairies dancing with magical folding wands tonight!
Happy washing!
It is like saying "the Scottish play" name in a theater. Bad luck for everyone involved.
That is how I feel about laun... laund... laundry!
There, I said it (typed it!).
After spending an HOUR sorting out Mike's clothes that he wanted wrinkle free by putting them in the dryer - all 100 articles of clothing (okay, an exaggeration, but not by much), I thought there has to be a better way to do this thing called laundry.
I don't mind sticking a load in the washer, moving it to the dryer and then placing it in a laundry basket... or more often reality in our home, a pile on the bed that then gets moved to the floor, then back to the bed before going back to the floor again, and then moved to an undisclosed location when company is coming over. (No, you will never find my hiding place so don't even try!)
I have been on the search for some fabulous, laundry-hate curing tips.
Here are my top 10 that I have (or will) put into practice...
10. To help reduce wrinkling, fold or hang clothes as soon as possible after the dryer cycle ends. If this is not possible, slightly dampen a cloth, add it to the load and then run the dryer for a few minutes. The moisture and heat will help the wrinkles fall out. It's also a good idea to run a cool-down cycle at the end of the drying time. All laundry items are more prone to wrinkling if left sitting in a pile when they are hot. If your washer has steam washes, this can also reduce wrinkles. (Tip from LG Laundry Tips)
9. Sort your laundry by fabric type, color and water temperature. Keep clothes that require hand washing or dry clean only items separate. Divide the rest into 5 piles for best results:
- 1. Whites — everything white, underwear, t-shirts, handkerchiefs, etc.
- 2. Lights — including striped whites, off-whites and pastels
- 3. Darks — everything dark, like blacks, blues, browns
- 4. Brights — reds, yellows, oranges, fluorescents
- 5. Delicates — fine linens, lingerie, some synthetic fabrics
8. You can make your own homemade laundry detergent...cheap! I found Bethany and her blog The Big Red Pot on Pinterest. She gives some directions and shares a tutorial about how you can make your own laundry detergent. Certainly going to give it a try!
7. White distilled vinegar is my new bff. It can do EVERYTHING! Check out the WDV resume HERE.
6. I actually learned this tip from my mother-in-law... Use your washing machine to prolong the life of your shower curtain (vinyl, heavy plastic or cloth). Just add your laundry detergent and a little bleach and hang that sparkling baby back up in your shower to dry. Amazing!
5. Body oils rub onto shirt collars and attract dirt, leaving them grimy and worse for wear. Reverse the damage by grabbing your shampoo and a clean paintbrush and paint a line over the soiled collar before washing. (Tip from Shine from Yahoo)
4. Get organized. Get your children involved as soon as they can help with even the simplest of tasks when it comes to laundry. I make Andrew help with the laundry by making sure all his dirty clothes make it into his dirty clothes basket. Now that he is capable of doing more, I will certainly be taking some cues from Amy at The Idea Room who has a laundry system like no other! I will strive for this organization in my laundry life!
3. Like the homemade laundry detergent, I am blown away with the idea of making your own dryer sheets. Totally going to try by following the Damsel at Old School blog and her tips for stopping static cling and saving some money too!
2. Taking advantage of spaces for storage that you might be missing - I sure have been, but not after reading the wonderful tips from Infarrantly Creative. She has found ways to utilize the space on the inside of her cabinets all over her house - and especially in the laundry room. Brilliant!
1. Clean your washing machine. It is important (so I have learned the absolute hard way)! I have front loading machines and no one told me how I would have to care for them in any specific way to prevent build up of gunk, mold and mildew. But, boy do you ever! Gross, gross, gross! I have searched and tried several different ways of cleaning my washing machine, but ecokaren's step by step instructions are the best and most helpful I have found that work! Just one more thing to add to the list of cleaning chores, but so, so worth it!
Whew! This just makes me tired thinking about laundry. I will be dreaming of laundry fairies dancing with magical folding wands tonight!
Happy washing!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Working on Our Playroom
We are so fortunate to have an awesome space for the boys to call their own.
Our new home has two rooms and a full bathroom upstairs along with a room that spans the length of the back of our home. The two rooms each have a door that opens up into this room. It couldn't be set up better!
I am currently working on sprucing it up and adding some character as well as much needed organization.
Here's what it looks like now:
Our new home has two rooms and a full bathroom upstairs along with a room that spans the length of the back of our home. The two rooms each have a door that opens up into this room. It couldn't be set up better!
I am currently working on sprucing it up and adding some character as well as much needed organization.
Here's what it looks like now:
The room facing north.
The room facing south.
I just bought the little red, solid wood table at a store locally. The owner goes out and salvages all kinds of furniture and upcycles it giving it new life. Her prices are extremely reasonable and her work is beautiful.
I have BIG plans for this room. Here are some pictures of inspiration that I found on Pinterest.com.
 |
| http://pinterest.com/pin/16325617368994019/ |
This picture shows the theme that I am going for - crisp, clean and nautical. I love the cubby seating and want to do the same under the middle three windows in our playroom.
 |
| http://pinterest.com/pin/16325617368994013/ |
I love the wall border. I don't know how I would incorporate it, but I am going to try!
 |
| http://pinterest.com/pin/16325617368993967/ |
I am establishing an arts and crafts area in our playroom and would love to have a wall o' chalkboard.
 |
| http://pinterest.com/pin/16325617368994025/ |
This is a great idea, and I have just the spot for something similar!
 |
| http://pinterest.com/pin/16325617368993950/ |
Now, this is just completely a pipe-dream but isn't it the coolest thing?! I would love to have this in the reading corner that I am planning! We'll see what happens!
I am currently painting all the trim white and will be painting the walls "Stone Lion" from Sherwin Williams. With all those windows, there is ample trim. Trim painting party anyone?
I'll fill you in as progress takes place!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Rosie, My Lovely Cookbook
I dare say that in this new life as part-time mommy, part-time professional working gal, I have had a little bit more time to organize our home life. I have been inspired by the numerous binders that others have put together to organize their lives, such as my friend Megan from Tales of the Trees.
I started slow by making a binder I created to hold our most favorite, quick and easy recipes as well as organize our weekly meals and grocery needs list. I thought this was pretty good. I was very proud of myself and impressed that I kept it up a whole month.
THEN, I went to this great kitchen store in my new, old community. And found something insanely similar to what I created on my own BUT prettier, sweeter, cooler, sugar-coated, jeepers-creepers and SO much more awesome than what I had thrown together.
I was instantly in love.
There is something about a DIY project. And the idea of saving time, money and resources to do it yourself.
But WHY I ask? Why! when it is all right there gleaming up at you from the shelf saying "Look at me! I am so pretty! I can make you so much more organized than that piece of junk you have sitting on your self at home!"
And oh how right she was. Yes, she... She does have a name - Rosie. Rosie the Hansen Cookbook.
Say "hi", Rosie...
I'm completely in love...
You can find ones just like Rosie HERE at Distinctive Decor.
Please note: I purchased my cookbook at Distinctive Decor and was not asked to give a review of any kind. I just really love this idea and thought it was so brilliant I had to have it for myself!
I started slow by making a binder I created to hold our most favorite, quick and easy recipes as well as organize our weekly meals and grocery needs list. I thought this was pretty good. I was very proud of myself and impressed that I kept it up a whole month.
THEN, I went to this great kitchen store in my new, old community. And found something insanely similar to what I created on my own BUT prettier, sweeter, cooler, sugar-coated, jeepers-creepers and SO much more awesome than what I had thrown together.
I was instantly in love.
There is something about a DIY project. And the idea of saving time, money and resources to do it yourself.
But WHY I ask? Why! when it is all right there gleaming up at you from the shelf saying "Look at me! I am so pretty! I can make you so much more organized than that piece of junk you have sitting on your self at home!"
And oh how right she was. Yes, she... She does have a name - Rosie. Rosie the Hansen Cookbook.
Say "hi", Rosie...
She has so many assets and is voluminous in so many ways.
She came with her own sheet protectors. This is where I keep my weekly meal planners.
I just slip the new one for the week in front of the previous week's.
I place the recipe cards that correlate with the meals of the week in front following the weekly meal planner.
Aren't they so pretty! Gosh, it makes me want to whip up a recipe right now!
She came with this darling folder to store those recipes you clip from magazines as well as lovely tabbed dividers to separate all of those recipe cards. I simply swap them back and forth from the ones I am using that week.
Could she be more brilliant? I don't think so!
I'm completely in love...
You can find ones just like Rosie HERE at Distinctive Decor.
Please note: I purchased my cookbook at Distinctive Decor and was not asked to give a review of any kind. I just really love this idea and thought it was so brilliant I had to have it for myself!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
