Getting it Together, Phase 1

You might remember my post in January, One Step Closer to a Well-Managed Home, where I talked about a Household Management Notebook.  Our printer went out right after that post, so I never was able to print out my lists and that project just got pushed to the back burner.  We recently replaced the printer {just a few days ago} and I'm spending some days at my parents' house with the kids, so I'm now able to work on this and actually get it done.  It's time.  I need some organization and a better sense of 'having it together' not just for me, but for my children.

Cleanliness in my home is the first priority.  Sure, my home is clean, but I need a better system, so I'm working on a master list, something like this:

Source: lifeonpaperco.com via Pam on Pinterest

 I also came across another document that is pretty detailed, breaking our home down into Zones and listing all of the specific jobs in each of those areas.  You can find the PDF document by following the link below:

Fly Lady's Detailed Cleaning List

Fly Lady also has some helpful information on cleaning and organizing your home, including daily tips, if you want to join the site.

I guess I better sign off now and continue working on my list.  I don't want to be guilty of what this implies:

Source: Uploaded by user via Laura on Pinterest

One Step Closer to a Well-Managed Home

First of all, just wanted to let you know that I updated my post from yesterday, General Tso's Chicken, to include my recipe for fried rice.  Someone had asked for it, and I figured others of you might be looking for a super easy way to  make it.  


Yesterday, while running errands and purchasing my new book journal, I also picked up a 3-ring binder for another project that I'll be working on finishing up this month.  You may have seen this before, and maybe many of you already have one that you use, but I'm planning to make a Home Management Notebook.  My first exposure to this was in the book, Large Family Logistics (mentioned here), and I immediately thought that would be something that would help me tremendously in my endeavor to be a more organized homemaker.  I first read that chapter last spring, and am just now getting around to working on my notebook!

The first step for me was to look at some others who have also done this and figure out what I needed before just plowing ahead with it.  I also don't want to be too extensive with the information in our notebook, but it would be great to have everything in one place that I can reference each day {or at least routinely} to keep us on track.  Last night I found a great resource with tons of free Printables and I can't wait to get started!

Here are some images and links for you, in case you have no clue what I'm talking about and would like to know before I debut my notebook soon.  I also thought some of you may want to make one as well, so these links will help you get started {in case I don't get mine done over the weekend!}.

Source: organizing.yourway.net via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Hopefully, I'll be back early next week to show you my own version.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Slowly Getting Organized, Project #1

We've lived in our home now for almost a year, and I'm sad to say that there are many areas that have been neglected in the area of organization.  Right after we moved in last January, life sort of snowballed with various circumstances, and left me feeling behind for the remainder of the year.  Now, with a baby coming in April, I decided it's about time to get 'caught up' and organize so that life will be a bit smoother with three little ones.

My first project was pretty simple, but has made my life so much better!  There has been a drawer in my kitchen that has held gadgets, measuring cups, cookie cutters, etc., and it really looked like I just emptied a box while unpacking and dumped everything in.  It took forever to find anything in there, and drove me NUTS!  My mom was here over Thanksgiving and I suppose I was lamenting about it to her, because she very kindly gave me a drawer organizer for Christmas!  Along with the shower head from my husband, these gifts have made me a happy woman.

My husband must have been just as eager to have an organized drawer because he emptied it before I had a chance to take a picture of the mess.  So, here's what everything looked like once it was on top of the counter.

And, here is the finished product:

Many of us are cleaning out and organizing various spaces in our homes at the beginning of this new year.  Don't let it overwhelm you!  If you have many areas to organize {like me}, just take it a little bit at a time, like one drawer at a time, and you'll find that those new tidy little spaces will inspire you to keep going to the next project.

What spaces are you planning to tackle soon?