Happenings in this House

This week was busy.  Monday, Darryl was home after being gone for most of the weekend in training.  Tuesday I was gone all day scrapbooking and, thrown in was the fact that my computer picked up a lovely little virus from something I tried to open (I'm avoiding all 4shared documents for now!!) that took Darryl from Friday evening until Saturday evening to get taken care of for me!  Thankfully he fixed everything and I didn't lose anything.  So I didn't get a lot of pictures this week but one night, the boys had some fun with a laundry basket.  It became a "hiding place" and while one was inside it, the others would push toys through the holes.  The one on the inside would push them back out as quickly as they were pushing them in and everyone was laughing.  And yes, all three boys took a turn in the basket - even the biggest kid of all :-)

I hope you had a great week too!!

Weekly Challenge Week 9 - Purge!!

This week, Toni over at A Bowl Full of Lemons is challenging us all to PURGE!  I think everyone starts to get into that spring cleaning mode this time of year and wants to get everything out of their houses!! 

She makes a fantastic point --

Clutter = Stress

When you have clutter laying around everywhere, it adds stress to your daily life.  The stress of where to put stuff; of finding homes for everything; of keeping everything rolling when you can't find what you need.  Sometimes we think we need the "stuff" but, do you even know what you have??  Here's a prime example.  Last year, I was cleaning things out; I took a piece of "art" off the wall that we had made on our honeymoon (it was our name).  When I took it down, I found a huge moth nest behind it for one but, than I mentioned to my husband that I took it down.  His response? We had something hanging above the door?  To make it worse, when I described it . . .he had no idea what it was I was talking about!  That proved to me that we don't need all of the stuff we had because we didn't even know what we had!!! 

How do you deal with all of that clutter?  This is the system I used last year when I went through every single room, closet, box, cupboard, corner of my house and cleaned out more stuff than I even knew I had. 

Remember - the clutter did not happen over night and it won't be cleaned out overnight either!

How do Delcutter

Supplies: Gather your supplies.  I would suggest three large Rubbermaid totes, garbage bags, either a label maker or a marker and labels (you may want packing tape to make sure the labels stick well!)

Time: Set aside time each day or each week to work on this project.  Even 15 minutes a day will knock the clutter out!

Location: Decide where you want to start and only work in that area until it is complete.  Don't get distracted!!

Take the three tubs and label them

1) Items to keep or stay in the room

2) Items to store

3) Items to donate/giveaway

4) And have that trash bag ready for everything else!

I'll give you a few examples of areas I cleaned out - I think it is easier than trying to lay out a general plan.

Our Study (which we no longer have due to kids LOL) - At one point, our study had gotten so full that there was no room to move.  I took my tubs and placed them in the living room.  Next,  I took items out one by one and placed them in the bins.  I was brutal.  The room is small and there wasn't much space for things outside of true office supplies.  In true "decluttering" fashion, you really shouldn't store things but there are things I really love yet I don't have room for them now.  Instead of getting rid of them, I did choose to box a few items up for the future.  Once I had completely emptied the room, right down to emptying out all of the drawers in the desks, I took out the multiple trash bags, boxed up the stuff to go to Goodwill and loaded it in the car.  Than, I took the box of things to go back in the room and made sure each item had a home.  If it didn't fit, it either had to be donated, thrown away or stored.  How long did this take me?  Only about 2-3 hours total. 

Here's one more example.  My basement had become over run with "stored" stuff.  I set up my tubs/trashbag and got to work.  This time I labeled the tubs by category for storage - such as "Home decor", "Educational items", and "holidays".  I than went through each and every bin that was in the basement and cleaned stuff out and organized it all by category.  While putting things away, I made a pretty detailed list of every item in a bin and than numbered that bin accordingly.  I now have a list of bins and their contents in my Home Management Journal.  If I need something (and I have needed to find things) this makes it very easy to locate everything.  Plus now, my basement is well organized.  How long did this project take?  I would say about 5-6 hours spread over the course of a few weekends. 

I live in a pretty small house so keeping clutter at bay is a daily (sometimes hourly) project - my dining room table is my "Hot Spot" - it is where everything gathers, it seems. How do I conquer this?  Every Friday and Sunday I do something called a "wrong room rescue".  I take time to purposefully walk into each room and look around for anything that is out of place or that doesn't belong in the room and put it away.  By doing this on Friday, we start the weekend "clean"; I do it again on Sunday because weekends tend to bring a lot of clutter out that isn't usually around like diaper bags and such.  I'm also constantly looking for ways to organize and containerize things where we use them without making my home look like the Container Store :-)  My other "weapon" is my husband - he doesn't like clutter.  Actually, he more than doesn't like it - it bothers him a lot.  Periodically I asked him to look around a room and point out things he thinks we don't need anymore.  It surprises me what he points out sometimes, really.  I'm grateful for his opinion though - I usually end up getting rid of half of what he suggests and than save the rest for next time ;-) 

So, what are you going to purge this week?  I am amazed by the number of people who have garage sales every spring . . I mean, really? I had one last fall and won't do it for a very, very, very long time again LOL

If you are cleaning out clutter this week, feel free to link up with me over at

Creative Memories Spotlight - Memory Keepers Club

I gave you a little teaser last week but now for the "big reveal"!  Ok, it isn't that big, but it is a way to earn some free product!!

The Memory Keepers Club is something that has been around Creative Memories for awhile - I started really getting into scrapbooking about 10 years ago and it was around back than so it has been a LONG time ha!  Back than, one of the great things about the club was that there were usually some exclusive things that you could get that weren't for sale in the catalog.  About a year or so ago, Creative Memories pulled the program in order to make upgrades and changes.  As of yet, they have not come out with the "latest and greatest" customer appreciation idea but are encouraging consultants (that's me!) to come up with their own creative ideas to offer their customers.  So . . .drumroll please . .. allow me to introduce you to my version of the . . .

Memory Keepers Club

What is it? A way to earn free product.  

How do I do this? Anytime you order either directly from me or online (I get a notification so you don't even have to contact me!) you earn points.  One point for every dollar spent (merchandise total not including shipping and tax) - it adds up quickly!

How much do I have to earn? Once you have earned 250 points, you will be able to chose from a select list of items.  This list will change periodically so don't worry about running out of things to pick from! 

Who keeps track? I will do my best to keep track of your points but, I will also send you a card that looks like this (either in the mail or via e-mail - your preference).  That way, you can trust me or you can track for yourself! :-)

How do I get my reward? Once you reach that 250 point level, I will notify you and all you have to do is let me know what item you choose.  I will than order it and have it mailed right to you (or I'll deliver it if you are local!)

So there is very little, if any, work for you other than to start shopping to earn your points!! 

Current Items for Memory Keepers

Option 1:

 A standard coverset

Option 2:

Any 12 x 12 Power Palette Simple Set

Option 3:

Any Shape maker

Option 4:

Any of the page planner idea kits

Option 5:

The Daisy Project Tote

Option 6:

Choose from a large selection of digital download CD's

*The majority of CD's are included, but there are a few that are not included please feel free to ask for clarification

Option 7

A $15.00 gift certificate credit to toward whatever you wish in the catalog!!!

Lots of options, right??  I hope you enjoy this as much as I do :-)

Simple Stroganoff

Simple Stroganoff
I promise it tastes better than this picture looks!

This is a family favorite in our house.  My sister-in-law, Lynnette gave me this recipe years and years ago and I am so thankful because it is easy, inexpensive and so yummy!!



Simple Stroganoff

Lynnette McMaster

1 pound ground beef

¼ cup chopped onion

Dash of garlic salt, salt and pepper

¼ cup milk

½ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

1 can cream of celery soup

Brown meat with onion and garlic salt; drain.  Blend soup and milk; add to meat mixture and heat well.  Reduce heat and add rest of ingredients.  Serve with noodles or rice

In our house - we love this over those extra wide egg noodles :-)

Enjoy!

Today I am linking up over at:





April Tot Ideas

I'm doing better this month with planning ahead for our Tot Time.  I'm actually getting things prepared a week in advance (instead of a day late!) It is a very good feeling!!

To start preparing for April, though, I've already started searching for ideas.  Not only do I hope this post helps some of you with young kids, it also helps me keep things all in one place!  So enjoy these ideas :-)

Crafts by Amanda gives a video tutorial on how to make these adorable lambs . They are great for Easter but also would great for other Bible Story lessons or Vacation Bible School

And what's a holiday without a handprint?  This cute idea is also from Crafts by Amanda

Oopsey-Daisy has put together a "Z is for Zoo" packet.  She always does such a fabulous job with so many great ideas!

I never used the Resurrection eggs when I taught - the younger grades always used them - but now with little kids of my own I really love the concept.  Dukes and Duchessess gives this easy less on how to make them along with a printable with the meanings and scripture.

Mydeliciousambiguity gives a bunch of activities to do with Easter Eggs.

She also gives a Song and Fingerplay book

She also has a linky party called "The Idea Box" that is open for a month and this month's link is Easter/Spring ideas so keep checking back to see more ideas at the party.

Domesticgoddesque gives some really cute ideas for Easter crafts - one uses paint and bubble wrap.

t

Handprint and Footprint Art shows a cute calendar craft to do with, what else? Footprints.

2 Teaching Mommies has created a Flower unit that you can get for a donation of $2.00.  The donation is being used to help them raise funds to go to a blog conference.  There are many sites that do units like this and sell them for between $2.00-$3.00 so I feel it is a fair price - the fact that it is a donation is just another way to give.

Itsy Bitsy Learners also has a unit for sale for $3.50 that is focused on Pirates. (Not sure how this fits into spring but I liked it so it's going on this page LOL)

I'm still digging for some more spring ideas - I think because Easter isn't until the end of April there hasn't been quite as much popping up yet.  That's ok - there are so many great ideas out there, I know I can fill up our calendar!  Come back next week for more ideas (because I know I'll find them!) as well as a link to our calendar as well. 

Happy planning :-) 

What I'm Loving Wednesday

I'm loving . . . that I got to scrapbook for 6 hours on Tuesday. (I don't love that I had to leave 5 hours early due to bad weather but this is supposed to be about loving right?)

 

I'm loving . . .  that my husband has told me I must start going scrapbooking more - he knows how much I love it.

I'm loving . . . my new stove.  Yes, I did a whole post on it last week but now that I've actually used, it, well, I love it.

I'm loving . . .  that my dad not only put handles on cabinets that were painted but drilled all of the other holes in the cabinets so they are ready for  handles once I paint them.

I'm loving . . . that my new wallet came in the mail on Tuesday.  I can't wait to fill it up with my stuff and my new envelopes for the envelope system! (I made them last week)

I'm loving . . . that my boys love to sing songs and love to do the hand motions.  It is just super cute. (Twinkle Twinkle with chubby little hands is just too cute)

I'm loving . . . that my husband is so successful at learning how to drive a big semi truck - he has surprised the instructors by how quickly he has picked it all up.



What are you loving this week?

Too Cute Not to Toot!!

We'll start off this week with this adorable skirt from Keeping it Simple.  Guess what?  It is made out of a tablecloth.  Seriously.

This one comes from a guest post over at Craftomaniac.  I really love this idea but I'm not sure if I could actually pull this one off.  Don't get me wrong, it is adorable . .. but as easy as she makes it sound . .. my brain screams HARD LOL

(FYI There will still be St. Patrick's Idea in this week's post because there were still some really cute things!!)  So, here's a cute framed piece from Organize and Decorate Everything

This is a super cute idea for Easter.  A Topiary tree made from Jellybeans by My garden of eden.  This would be really cute for a spring shower or girl birthday party too.

Remember how I've mentioned quiet books before?  Well, here's another cute idea from Thread and Feather. I didn't dig yet but my guess is if she has one page, she probably has more ideas on her blog too.

I'm always looking for really neat, creative ideas for my home.  I also like things that are versatile for holidays as I'm slowly starting to move toward decorating for various holidays.  So, when I saw this idea from A Diamond in the Stuff for making a family plaque that can easily be exchanged for other holidays, I wanted to share it. 

I've seen ideas for Spicimen Art for each holiday.  I really like this one that A Diamond in the Stuff shares also.  A cute idea for an Easter/Spring decor.

Its sew for you shares a really cute idea for making your own serving tray. I've been looking for a really good tray to use to transport things to the dining room table and to use when we eat outside in the summer.  I like this concept.

Ok, I had to share this one because it is SOOO creative!  Yes, folks, you can decorate with duct tape and here is proof from Some Day Crafts

I love this simple tutorial for a felt play mat from over at While he was napping

Of course, what would Easter be without some Subway art?  This one is from Landee See Landee Do

That's all for this week :-)  Enjoy and get crafy!!