Disorganized Life Syndrome?

I'm back! Bet you didn't even miss me huh? Last night, I worked on my living room. Woo Hoo! Glad I can see the floor in there now. Before, you couldn't move in there. Hubby did a awesome job on the new floors. Love them!!! The room is put back together, but I have little trinkets filling up my dining room table until I find a new home for them. We still need to hang some blinds in there, but that isn't a major deal. Other than that, I think it is done.

We also had a bunch of boxes that need to go to our storage unit sitting in the middle of the floor, and we moved those to the garage as a holding station until we have enough stuff to warrant another trip over there. We also had several bags and boxes for goodwill. I am thrilled that we moved them out of the living room, so now I have a little more space to move now. When my house is unorganized I feel terrible, and now I know why...I have DLS! Do you?

Awhile back I found this article at Refining Life!

Do You Have DLS: Disorganized Life Syndrome?

By Jan Hayner

Symptoms: messy tendencies, packrat feelings, mental confusion, lack of order, constantly losing things, loss of control, depression, high anxiety, feelings of hopelessness and a massive feeling of the world closing in on you. (Boy can I relate to these symptoms)

Sound like you? Almost all of us go through this several times a year - especially around spring and fall cleaning times.

What is the remedy?

1. Make a list of your problem areas
2. List why they bother you
3. Decide what you are going to do about it and at what level are you going to be happy with the outcome?

The first two items are easy to do, but what about the third item on your list?

That is the one that gives us the most problems in completing the task. We become so over-whelmed that we give up.

For some reason we always tend to think that if things aren't done like Martha Stewart, it isn't good enough. This can lead to projects being in a constant stage of organization – never quite done to what we think is expected. We need to lose those expectations we’ve buried ourselves under. Our goal at that point to should be to get it under control and keep it there. Take things down to the simplest form and decide how you will organize it so that you are happy with the outcome for this particular time in your life.

This same theory can be used in every project that you do whether it is at home, in the office or any recreational hobbies you may have.

Always remember that once you have something organized to the point of satisfaction for you, it will relieve the stress and anxiety and make life brighter and easier to cope with. Not to mention a lot easier to keep up and to re-organize later!

Do you have DSL? If so, I hope this remedy will help you too!

Hugs,

Cindy

Tuesday Thoughts

Hi ya'll!  Just popping on for a few minutes to check in.  I hope this finds you all having a good great week.  So far so good on this end.  It has been busy but guess that is what happens when you have a million things going on.  Our weather here has been wild.  Seems like we have had alot of rain, just like everyone else, so getting in the yard to do yard work hasn't been real easy. I did get my wildflower garden tilled and planted though. I really hope that they do well this year, because I love to be able to bring fresh flowers in the house, and wildflowers are probably my favorite.  I like there carefree look. They are  a bit whimsy and look like they don't have a care in the world.  Kinda the way I wish my life was.

This week is going to be a full week at work and then this weekend, my daughter is going to be going to her senior prom.  It's hard to believe that she will be graduating in a few short weeks. Where does the time go?  Seems like only yesterday she was starting school, and now she is finishing it.  Next week she will take "the board certification" for cosmetology and she is a bit nervous about it.  But I think she will do fine. This is something that she has ALWAYS wanted to do, and she is rather good at it...so I hope she passes so she will have that behind her.  She has been working in a salon for awhile,that she loves.  She worked there last summer and this school year she has been working on the weekends and in the evenings when she has been needed, but they have offered her a job once she is out of school and passes her board.  She is very excited.

Well last night when I got home, I cleaned out my living room...yeah!!!  Granted alot of things got moved to the dining room table until I can find a new home for it, or pack it away.  It's so difficult to decide what to do with "stuff" treasures  when your just not sure what your going to need to put finishing touches on things.  So guess you know what I am going to do tonight.One guess?  I will be trying to work my way through some of the clutter treasures on that table.  I am still  trying to work off my list that I have made out for this week.  Trying to do just a few things each day.  One thing is for sure, this new schedule I have now is more conducive of getting a few things done in the evening for me.  Before, by the time I got home I was just too tired to work on the house.  Now I do a little each day and I feel like I am being productive.  And I like that feeling. Just a few things on my list for this week are:

• Clean out the Living Room ( done)
• Pack up books in my bedroom
• Remove bookshelves from room. Take to storage
• Clean from under my bed (I use it for storage)
• Pack up my vanity items (Take vanity to storage)
• Clean "junk" off of dining room table
• Take items to goodwill
• Call about the new doors
• Make call about the piano
• Hang blinds in Living Room
• Start painting the foyer and upstairs hallway

A while back I saw this "funny" about our work spaces....Do you spend alot of time at work?  If you do and are like me then you probably can relate to some of these pictures.(I can't remember where I found this, but if you know, tell me so that I can give credit, thanks!)
If you spend a large part of your week in an office or cubicle, interesting and pretty accessories can make that time more enjoyable. So below, I offer some suggestions for transforming your work space.
Don't forget a green plant or two. They help to purify that stuffy recycled air and bring a little of the outside in.

Try arranging your furniture & equipment in a new a different way. Moving things around a bit will keep it interesting!

New slipcovers will give your well-worn things a new, fresh look.

Create a new look with wallpaper. Who said foil went out with the 80's??

Here's an example of budget-friendly decor.

Finally, when you want the boss to know that you're not even thinking of working over the Holiday weekend...


Well guess I need to wrap this up so that I can get to work. You saw my list. ..Have a great rest of the day!

Kitchen Inspiration

Hi Ya'll! Happy Monday! I hope all you Mothers had a wonderful day with you kids yesterday. I had a chance to spend a little bit of time with mine and it was wonderful. I am so proud of young adults that they have grown into. They do a momma proud.

My weekend was spent working on the house, as I knew it would...but am really glad that we had such a productive weekend. Even though everything we wanted to do didn't get done, I think it is attainable this week. Michael completed some of the projects and I worked on getting the Kitchen, Family Room and Dining Room and Living Room back in order. I succeeded with the exception of the Living Room, which I will work on a little everyday this week after work. I can't wait to show you all some of the pictures once it is completed. (we are working against a deadline because my daughter graduates the first of June and we want to have EVERYTHING done by then because we have out of town guest coming in).

Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.
~Robert Collier

With these renovations comes a new sense of organization and design. I have ALOT of stuff, so I am packing lots of that stuff away. Mainly for myself, but also when the time comes to sell our home, I know prospective buyers don't want to see all my knicks knacks. So going for a more clean look. So that is where the inspiration comes in. Some kitchens that I love...

So what do you think of these kitchens? Have any great inspiration sites, if you do, please share?

Cindy

A Organized Mind

Hi Ya'll! Happy Monday and I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day!! It was such a pretty day, it was a bit breezy here in Maryland, but the sun was out and it was so pretty. I had the opportunity to spend some time with my kids yesterday and that is always nice. My daughter stopped over in the morning for a visit before she had to start her day and we had a nice time chatting, and then my oldest son came over and spent the day with me and he made me dinner. It was such a wonderful treat to have him make me dinner. I loved it. My second son came over after he got off from work and spent the evening with me and had dinner with us. I loved having them both there for a little while. I feel truly blessed by the young men they have grown into.
Most of the weekend was spent working in the house, so didn't get much else accomplished. But we did get alot done over the course of two days. Although one of my big goals was to get the main floor completely finished and back in order...Well the work is completely finished but it all isn't back in order, still have the living room to declutter. Guess I will have to work on that over the course of the next several days after I get off work. Boy does my house look different. When my oldest son came over yesterday I ask him what he thought and if he liked it...his reply, " Mom, you have been robbed". I started laughing because to me that was such a funny statement. Especially if you knew me and how my house normally looks. When it is all done, I will share pictures at my home blog. You see, I have LOTS of stuff in my house....but I have boxed up the most of it...so right now, it is sparse...because I want the house to look as big as possible. But it sure did look different to him. It amazing how different a house feels without ALL the stuff...and how good it feels, there really is alot of truth to "it unclutters the mind".
For me, I find I am a better mother and wife if I have a organized Mind.I found this article (http://www.stacksandstacks.com/) awhile back and I think it relates well for me maybe it will for you too.

10 Tips to an Organized Mind

By Jan Hayner

By organizing your mind, you get rid of clutter that fills the brain, which causes stress and anxiety. We all have enough things in our lives that are uncontrollable that can create problems, so why not organize the things that we can control, giving us a true feeling of accomplishment and stress free living.
These 10 tips will help you to keep your mind on-track and help you organize your life:
1. Make a note.
Always carry a pocket size notebook in your purse or pocket and when you remember something that needs to be done, the very best thing to do is write it down. Check your notes daily to help make your next 'list of things to do.'
2. Keep it all in one place and create a workspace.
Always have a workspace or work center in your home. This is the heart of your work area, where you keep your notes, bills, calendar etc.
3. Keep your body healthy.
Eat healthy; get plenty of rest and lots of good exercise. This will see you through to having a good memory, staying focused and being alert. A body that is healthy, works well, is more active, concentrates better and functions on a higher level.
4. Record those 'instant' thoughts.
Mini pocket recorders are available that attach to your key chain for those fast little thoughts that run through your mind and need to be written down. Unfortunately when driving a car, working on an important document or running after kids it is not easy to stop and write a note. HOWEVER, it is easy to record your thoughts on a mini recorder and play them back later.
5. Leave a message for yourself.
Call your answering machine and leave a message for yourself. It could be things you need to take care of in your home; you may need to make an appointment, to schedule a play date for your child, clean out the gutters, or something you need to add to the grocery list. By leaving a message, it will eliminate it from your mind and you will have a note in place to remind you of it later.
6. Trust yourself.
Know that the note you have left is important and not to be ignored. Do not overlook a note or message that you have left for yourself thinking that it can be done later. It was important enough to jot it down, now do it!
7. Email reminders.
If your job is computer related or you have access to one, you can send yourself an Email or subscribe to an email, calendar or reminder service. Most of these are already 'free of charge' on your own computers.
8. Use Post-it sticky notes.
The bright, neon colors will be great to catch your eye. Need to make an urgent call first thing in the morning? Leave a Post-It Note on your telephone. Need to remind the kids to brush better, leave a note on the bathroom mirror, or keep all of your notes at your work center for fast reference.
9. Use timers for instant reminders.
Set your timer to beep a few minutes before you leave for work to start your air conditioner in the car. Set your timer for a break in your work schedule, to remind you that you need to make that important phone call or that you have 'x' number of minutes left for a particular goal to be accomplished.
10. A picture is worth a thousand words.
You may need to remind yourself what your goal is so you do not get off task. If it is organizing a closet, hang a picture of an organized closet on your closet door. If it is getting a document ready for a client, have a picture of someone smiling holding a paper. If it is making a shelf, have a picture of the finished product hanging up to remind you that all of the work is worth the effort.
For years I was pretty organized and then I went to work full time. My life changed drastically when I wasn't home all day. All the things that I had done so effortlessly, was now taking everything in me to do. I was letting things go that I had never done before. It was creating chaos' in my house, but mainly in my mind. When my house was in limbo, so was my mind. Over time, I have been trying to work myself back to a more organized state of home/and mind. Working on simplifying my life in all areas.

I worked on my "Simple Daybook" last night, so if you would like to read my entry you can hop over to visit.
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction."
~ Albert Einstein
Keep life simple.
Hope you have a blessed Monday!
Hugs,
Cindy

Weekend Plans

Howdy friends,I am so glad it is the weekend. I can't wait to sit in my jammies and sip my coffee out on my deck in the morning.

I'm hoping I can get a few things done without a bunch of interruptions too . Don't know about you, but when I get started, I hate to have to stop. Don't you?

My primary goal this weekend, is to get my main floor back in order and more things boxed up and put into storage. Once I can actually walk through the main floor again, it will be like I have a new house, I can't tell you how eager and excited I am to see how it all is going to look with all the hard work that Michael has put into it. Poor man, he works all day and comes home and works all night. He is such a trooper. I am one blessed woman.

I'm also working on a shopping list, you know for those things that you need so that your house looks new and clean when folks come in to view it. So far my little list consist of:

• pillows for the sofa (now that it is in the Living Room)
• Decorative towels for the downstairs bathroom
• possibly window coverings for LR/ FR

If you can think of any small little touches that I should add, leave me the idea in the comments...K?

Yesterday on my lunch hour, I took a little stroll over to "Home Goods" and "Pier 1". . Boy do they have some pretty stuff at "Home Goods" , my head starting reeling and going a mile a minute with all the things I would LOVE to have. So pretty.If you have one near you and haven't been yet, it is really worth the time. Basically trying to get some ideas and inspiration, and the creative juices flowing, if you know what I mean.

Over these last several months that I have been away from my computer I have been scouring websites for inspiration to use while staging my house, and for my new home, wherever it might be. Some sites that I just love are:

Bienvenue
Cynthia's Cottage Design
Nesting Place
The Lettered Cottage

Again, if you have any sites you just love for inspiration please do share....

Guess I should hop off here and start my weekend instead of writing about it. Got lots to do, and only two full days to do it in.
Hope you all have a wonderful "Mother's Day" if I don't get back before then.
Blessings!


Happy Mothers Day!!!

Just a few weekend plans

Just a little howdy before the weekend starts. I am sure my time this weekend will be busy, since Michael and I both will be at the house and we have LOTS to accomplish in those two days. Note to self * Get my list ready. Our biggest goal is getting the main floor of our house back together. If your wondering what all is going on then jump over to my home blog and take a look see!

Well here it is Mother's Day weekend. Do any of you have any special plans? As of now, I don't have any big plans. Sad I know....not really. All three of my kids are very busy right now and it is hard to get us all together for any amount of time. So if we can't get together then I am sure we will at a later time.

When God Created Mothers
by Erma Bombeck

When the good Lord was creating mothers He was into His sixth day of
"overtime" when the angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling
around this one."
And the Lord said, "Have you read the specs on this order? She has to be
completely washable, but not plastic; Have 180 moveable parts... all
replaceable; Run on black coffee and leftovers; Have a lap that disappears
when she stands up; A kiss that can cure anything from a broken leg to a
disappointed love affair; And six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands... no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," said the Lord. "It's the
three pairs of eyes that mothers have to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
The Lord nodded. "One pair that sees through closed doors when she asks,
"What are you kids doing in there?" when she already knows. Another here in
the back of her head that sees what she shouldn't but what she has to know,
and of course the ones here in front that can look at a child when he goofs
up and say, "I understand and I Love You" without so much as uttering a
word."
"Lord", said the angel, toughing His sleeve gently, "Come to bed.
Tomorrow..."
"I can't," said the Lord, "I'm so close to creating something so close to
myself. Already I have one who heals herself when she is sick... can feed a
family of six on one pound of hamburger... and can get a nine-year-old to
stand under a shower."
The angel circled the model of a mother very slowly. "It's too soft," she
sighed.
"But tough!" said the Lord excitedly. "You cannot imagine what this mother
can do or endure."
"Can it think?"
"Not only think, but it can reason and compromise," said the Creator.
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek. "There's a
leak," she pronounced. "I told You. You were trying to put too much into
this model."
"It's not a leak," said the Lord, "it's a tear."
"What's it for?"
"It's for joy, sadness, disappointment, pain, loneliness and pride."
"You are a genius," said the angel.
The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there."

Happy Mother's Day

Playing catch up with ya'll

Happy Thursday all you happy homemakers!!!!

I know three post in row...wow, can you believe it? Today, I want to try to put myself back onto some kind a schedule with this blog. I love blogging, but for various reasons over the last several(more than that) months real life has been kicking me in the behind. I hate it when that happens. But I am hopeful and optimistic that that is changing. So I basically want to jump in and share all kinds of stuff with you.

As most of you know, I work full time with a hefty commute on top of everything...and back in the fall my work hours changed and drastically effected my home life as well as my physical being. I just never could seem to get caught up or energized and motivated. But in the last week, my work hours have changed again, and I am feeling more like my old self and life is starting to spring back into my step. Praise God!!!! Hence, that is why I am hoping that my "blogging life" will be a bit better. Still not perfect, but much better than it was.

Before I get started I want to share with you one of my favorite new hangouts. I am telling you that it is addicting, so if you don't want to "lose more time in your day" then my all means DO NOT check it out. But if you WANT to, let me take you there. Just click on the image and it will take you to Aunt Ruthie's place. The women are great and I just love reading all the topics.

Now on to "HOUSE STUFF"

If you read a few post ago about all the renovations that my hubby and I are doing then you know that we have been busy. We finally got the wood floors down in the living room and the walls repainted. It looks great. My hubby is such a wonderful handyman. Now he has moved into the family room/kitchen. We aren't doing alot of work other than painting in there , but he is repainting the walls (Boston Creme) so therefore we MOVED ALL the furniture out of the room so that he didn't have to paint around things. Boy what a big difference this color choice is. My walls were a green color, which I really liked, but this color is so light and it makes the room look much bigger. Now, let me state that I really didn't want to paint this room, because there wasn't anything wrong with the color that was in there. Even though it was a dark color it works with many different palettes. But hubby wanted too, and I am GLAD he stuck to his guns on this, because it does look better. Once it is done, I will have to do some before and after shots for you. Also we are touching up all the cabinets. Over time there are a few little chips of paint. Overall though it looks much better. Our goal is to be able to move furniture back into the room by the weekend and box up our goodies that we don't want to have out when we get ready to put the house on the market. I have spent alot of time reading up on "staging the house". Nester did a whole series on staging your home for sale and had some great ideas that I am taking to heart.

Also, I have been doing a little shopping. Last fall, Michael's mom (whom was terminally ill at the time) gave all her children and their spouses money for Christmas, as she knew she wouldn't be here by Christmas time (she passed away in early November) she wanted us to buy something with the money she gave us as her Christmas present to us. So needless to say, I have been holding onto my money because I wanted my present from Betty to be something that I would truly enjoy and wasn't "trendy" or "wasteful". I wanted a gift that I could pass down or get a long time of use from it. As my reminder of this special lady. Before I tell you what I spent my money on, I will tell you that Michael got himself a Barrister bookcase. He had wanted one for a long time and he found a great deal on one in a local antique shop so now it resides in his office. He loves it and so do I. Now, for me, I bought a 12 placesetting of Longaberger pottery dishes (Ivory) and accessory pieces. I can't wait for them to come in. Michael and I didn't buy china when we married, but I wanted something new and nice but it has to go with all my decorating styles and colors...so I chose something that would accomplish all that. :) I have a farmhouse style hutch, open shelves, etc....and I think I am going to put them in there. If anyone has any great idea for decorating my hutch or some great resources, please let me know. Just leave me a note in the comment section.

For now, I think I am going to wrap this up.

Have a blessed rest of the week.

Hugs!

Cindy