An Early Start

I have already decided on my New Year Resolutions--

• Get organized, and stay that
• Stop smoking

These are big goals for me.  Something I struggle with daily.  I personally believe that for your "resolutions" to happen, you must get a head start on them.  You can't expect it to all fall into place on January 1st without preparation.  I feel you should spend November and December planning, preparing, researching.  And that's exactly what I am doing.

Yesterday I officially began the organizing part.  I'm totally caught up on laundry.  I'm proud to say, my baskets are NOT filled with clean clothes, or dirty.  I will admit, I have dirty clothes in the hamper, and I may wash them later.  But they are small loads.  Normally I wait until I can do a large load.  Today, I completely cleaned up the kitchen.  OK, that's a lie.  My table is still covered.  But, it always will be.  The best I can do there is keep it organized, which it is.

I spent some time yesterday looking up cleaning routines others used.  I think I found one I like, but I need to alter it a bit.  It will serve as an "idea routine", to help me create my own.  Which I plan to do later today.  I hate clutter.  I hate being "the dirty family".  I have so much clutter (which isn't actually mine, but is my husband's haha).  I'm working hard on clearing this clutter, or at least organizing it better.

I need to stop smoking.  I have done it before.  Back in July 2009.  And I lasted until November 2009, when temptation around a house full of smokers was too much.  I tried quitting again a few months ago, and soon realized my addiction was worse.  I was no longer simply addicted to the habit, I was addicted to the nicotine.  By day 3 I was so spazzed out that my husband had to stay home from work that morning.  It was a terrible experience, and I do not wish to experience it again.

I'm happy to report, today I scheduled an appointment with my PCP.  I told them I needed to be seen for pain management (I should add that to my list, but it's not that simple) and to discuss starting Chantix.  And, because I joined the "Breathe" coaching program through my insurance company, the prescription will be free of charge.  I know how terrible this sounds.  You're probably thinking "If you can afford your cigarettes  you can afford the cessations".  It's not that simple.  To simply start a patch and toss the cigarettes is terrifying.  I need to know that it is OK to "cheat".  You can't do that with the patches or gum.  But, with Chantix, you can.  It helps to wean you off the addiction slowly, instead of all at once.  I'm excited!  Just 5 more days until this appointment.

Have you made your New Year Resolution yet?  What is it?  Are you doing anything to prepare for it NOW?  Have you decided a plan of action to help you stay on track?

If you have any organizing tips, please share them!  I'm opened to ideas.  I hate looking at an area and becoming so overwhelmed with the task that I get no where.  I'd love to hear your cleaning routines, food organization, tips, tricks, etc.  What about all those papers your children bring home from school?  How long do you keep them before safely disposing of them?

Day 2 (The Kitchen)

The girls are off to school.  Well, technically, they are off to the bus stop.  It's a dreary morning, wet and rainy.  But thankfully one of Josie's friends lives down the street, so they get a ride.

Speaking of Josie, she so did not want to wake up this morning...

She needed to be up 30 minutes earlier than usual for a school morning.  That girl needed a bath, and since I wasn't home last night to give her one, that meant waking up early for a morning shower.  Took a good 20 minutes to wake her up, and even then she wasn't really "up".  I'm happy to report, she did look MUCH better when she left for school vs. woke up for school.

Today's kitchen focus is my cabinets.  I need to sort them, big time...

 Lunch box cabinet

Drink mix cabinet

I'm planning on moving my lunch box cabinet over to my coffee cup cabinet.  Ok, I'm not moving the cabinet.  I'm just swapping places.  Hopefully that will make it easier on all aspects of those pesky sandwich boxes.

As for the drink mix cabinet, it's staying there.  But I picked up these small wire shelves from Dollar Tree and am planning to use them to help organize this better.  And then there is the cabinet with all the medicine.  Just trust me when I say my cabinets need help.  So they are my focus for today.

I am cleaning out the oven.  Well, the oven is cleaning itself.  I turned the timer on this morning, since ya know, I was up bright and early.  And lucky me, it'll be done in time for nap time!

If you're reading this, say a prayer for me.  If you don't hear from me later in the day, I'd say by the end of the night, that means my cabinets have taken me hostage.

Signed

Super Mom

I Made Progress!

Well, I made a decent dent in the kitchen.  Good thing I'm giving myself an entire week to finish this room project.  Here's what I managed today--

Cleaned counters connected to stove
Cleaned top surface of oven
Swept the floor
One load of dishes
cleaned UNDER the freezer, fridge, and stove (that was a mess!)
Sorted out my cookie cutters

Speaking of cookie cutters....

I have over 300 of them.  It's an addiction, and I can't seem to quit picking up more.  Today though, I sorted them.  I know I don't need 300 cookie cutters.  A lot were duplicates.  In fact, one tub was just that--about 7 different cookie cutters, but duplicated in different colors.  This would be the 100 count tub I bought last week.  I've listed most on Listia, so wish me luck there!  And then I sorted out the cutters in my drawer.  I've put several in a bag for my mom.  Granted, she only makes cookies with them.  I don't think I've ever used mine for cookies haha.

Heart turkey sandwich with the arrow in heart cheese on top

Mini Heart Shaped Grilled Cheese

Heart Peanut Butter Sandwich, blueberries

Cowboy (or girl, whichever you prefer) Boot and Hat Turkey/Cheese Sandwich

I just can't help my addiction.  I've learned the kids eat more food when I make the food look fun.  And who can blame them?  But, I am getting better.  I'm not just grabbing every cookie cutter I come across.  In fact, I found some the other day on Listia I REALLY wanted.  They were tea pot shaped, 3 different sizes.  I so want those.  But, I went ahead and passed.  I have to real here, as cute as they were, chances are slim that I would actually use them.

Anyhow, I feel productive.  I managed to get some cleaning done.  I still have more to finish.  But hey, I still have all week!  Wonder how much I'll get done tomorrow?

Signed,

Super Mom

Week 1: The Kitchen

I seriously need to learn some sort of cleaning routine.  Right now, my home is such a mess, that I never really get anything done.  Sure, I do some cleaning here and there.  But I go in some many circles, I never find a point to say "Yes, my home is clean".  So, I'm taking a different tactic.  Though I'm sure it won't last long.

I'm going to spend an entire week focusing on just one room.  I know that sounds like a lot of time.  And it is.  But I'm hoping it will help.  For that entire week not only will I clean, but I will also declutter and organize.  I need to rearrange some things.  I need to toss out some things.  I tend to collect things because I like them, but don't actually have a place for them.  If I reorganize, I just might be able to make room yet make the room look decent.

When I move on to the next week, the first room should be to the point that I spend no more than a few minutes spot cleaning.  So, I will go to the next room, while still continuing to clean the previous room.  Such as, next week I can do the living room.  I should be able to put most of my focus on just that room, but still dedicate a little time each day to the previous room(s).

Well, time to tackle my kitchen.  It's horrendous looking.  I need to figure out how to move things around.  I wonder how many of my family members I will confuse as I move things around.

Signed,
Super Mom