A little daily reminders...

Well didn't March just flyyyyy bye??? It seems like I just checked my calendar for the month and POOF it's gone already...And from the look of my April calendar it's going to be a busy month...

And, looking back at my March calendar I didn't get my daily goals done...That's what happens when life throws you curveballs...and I'm still sitting on the baseball field...LOL

It's a good thing I keep a calendar to keep me in check, right??? Maybe my goal for April should be to do better with my ~daily goals~....(cracking myself up)...I will work better on it...I promise ;-)

I think I'm going to make a calendar that hangs on the wall by my desk to hit me in the face everytime I sit down so I will stay on task...What do you think??? It could work...The mind is not what it used to be...LOL

I keep a little 3 x 5 notebook with me at all times and write myself notes or lists of things I need (or want)...

As I complete something I cross it off....that is a feeling of accomplishment and I never go to the store thinking "Oh crap!! I forgot what I wanted to get or look for"...As you can see on the left side of the notebook I have T (Target), S (Staples), H (Hallmark).....That saves me time because I know exactly where I need to go and what I need to get...That my friends ALSO saves me money...I have a browsing problem which leads to $$$...That means: More things + More money = Unhappy hubby (Well I can usually sweet talk my way :-))!!!

However, I did get something "fantastic" for my purse...We all like our rewards cards and even though those handy little key tags are convenient to carry it does get to be much....I don't like a lot of things on my key chain and all those key tags were bothering me...not to mention handing the clerk at the store your 5lb key chain to scan your tag...

Thanks to Sandy @ Organize with Sandy I bought this adorable CARD CUBBY....(wish I would have got a brighter color) "Oh Well"...I was playing it safe...NOT!!! hehe...But, it goes with every bag I toss it in and we know I have quite a few HANDBAGS AND TOTES...Isn't it adorable???...

It comes with the dividers and is just the perfect size for youR reward cards, credit, debit, or any other cards you carry in your purse...

As you can see I do attempt to organize my life and I'm going to get there...with a little time management and determination "I can do it" and "So can you"....

WHAT DO YOU USE TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE???



Bookshelf Baffling

I have a blogging buddy that gets me going...I've been having a "Will it End" moment when it comes to my bookshelves...My blogging buddy Roberta of Con-Tain-it decided to dig in and re-do her shelves...She makes it look so effortless when she did some Spring Cleaning on her bookshelves...

I love having bookshelves but they just are not making me happy lately and it's time to step away from them for a few days..Sometimes you just have to do that...But, before I go here's the dilemma...

I like the bookshelves in the living room...It's where I keep all my novels and some photos that are important to me...If I start messing with them now I might have to get me some zanax ;)

And, NO!! I have not read all them books...It's just one of my many obsessions...

Now let's go upstairs to the office...I spend most of my time in this room and my bookshelves are driving me CRAZY...I had them all organized when I first settled into our "Temporary Home"...

Should have left well enough alone...NAHHH!!! Not me...I removed some school books and art books I will never look at again...I put them babies on half.com ...so now I have room and a HOT MESS!!!

I guess it's time to consolidate and see what space I have and go from there...I think I've moved the same photo about 50x's trying to find the perfect spot...One shelf down (I think)...



I moved all the art books together...the magazine holders I got at IKEA ...I think it was a pack of 5 for $4 (they are cardboard)...I spray painted them and decorated with vinyl lettering...I'm surprised they have lasted with all the moves we've made in the past 5 yrs...(another blog)... The hinged boxes on top came from Michael's...you have to love 50% off coupons...they are the perfect boxes for those annoying files you have to keep handy (forever) like TAXES...~eye roll~

I could go back to the Expedit shelving unit but that exhausted me already this week...I did move some of the white cabinets to the bottom...I couldn't move the top one because hubby already screwed it in...

I might have to un-screw it...or maybe the problem is that they are "WHITE"...I might have to get out the spray paint ~THINKING~ (not always a good thing)..

One thing I do know is that I need MORE books...Yep!!! Amazon.com got me in trouble today...I should read the books I have first...but, like my blogging buddy Roberta...I read more than one at a time ;)

I'M ALL FOR ANY "CRAZY" BOOKSHELF IDEAS!!!



Will it end???

Just when you think you have something the way you want it...you sit back and look at it and realize it's all wrong or it's not what you really like...drives me nuts...I'm alway changing something...just wish I could get it right and move on to the next 500 things I have on my home re-do list...

Have you ever had to just have something and once you got it don't know what to do with it??? I had BIG ideas in my head when I first saw the Expedit shelving unit at IKEA ...my hubby even went as far to get me some baskets and cabinet doors for it for storage...LOVED IT!!!

Got it home and all set up and it just sat and became a catch all for all the things I didn't know what to do with...I had an idea in my head of what I wanted but I just couldn't find exactly what I wanted to put on it...so here it sits....

Hey this doesn't look bad it just needs some TLC (Totally loaded clutter)...This is what happens when you are busy...out of town...and are still in search of the perfect shelf decor' ... (ok...maybe just a little lazy)...

See what a little TLC does...LOL

That is enough to drive someone with OCD to a padded room...Now it's time to get rid of everything and start all over...I've been trying to find some vases that match the office for the top of the Expedit and after weeks of searching for the right colors and price I finally found them at TJ Maxx...How can you beat $22 for 3 vases???

I think adding a mirror was just what it needed...Not that I can look in it...at 5'1" it makes it hard to even see the dust... ;)

Now it's time to put everything back on the shelf...Not easy...I got rid of half of the clutter so there is not much left...My organization books were the only thing that was a definite save...(I should probably read them) that's another blog!!!

Well after some TLC (Totally losing clutter) and putting the things back on the shelf unit that I wanted to keep...I have a lot of empty space (sounds like retail therapy to me)...

It took me weeks to figure out what I wanted on top of the shelf...how will I ever figure out what to put on the rest...Might have to hit Barnes & Noble...

I really did know what I wanted to do with the shelf ... and I could spend all day walking around the house moving shelf items around...But, like I said "Will it end"???...CRAZY...

TELL ME ABOUT A PROJECT THAT NEVER ENDS FOR YOU???

Love my "Jo Tote"...

I just love coming home from a trip and having packages J

We all know I LOVE taking pictures and we all know I LOVE totes (if you didn’t …Now you do)…Hmmm!!! What should we talk about first??? My love of pictures or my addiction to totes…Let’s talk TOTES (clapping)

My new one just happens to be a new “Tote” for my “Camera(s)”…Yep! That was a camera with an “s” on the end…I have more than one…I have my SLR that makes me look professional…PSSTTT (no clue how to work it…to be honest) and I have my new Canon PowerShot SX 210 my hubby bought me for my birthday…Great lil camera to carry everywhere with me…I’m always snapping pics and my lil camera is always handy…I might look a bit funny pulling out a big camera with a big lens (not very conspicuous) now is it…LOL

Oh MY BAD…back to the tote…(I get easily side tracked)…Where was I??? Oh yeah!! My special delivery package…I won’t make you wait any longer…Here it is…My “JO TOTE” Camera Bag…



I was so excited when I got it in the mail...I've waited for this camera tote for months..(Happy Birthday to me)...well not really but sounds good when I try to rationalize my purchase to the hubby...hehe

It is so much more fashionable than the old one...don't you think???

I do have to say this before I forget...the bag is very soft (incredible leather)...(I am not a spokesperson for JoTotes) just a very pleased customer!!!

Now to pull out my camera and lenses that I have no idea how to use...there is so much I could do with my SLR that I wish I had time to learn or someone to show me all the wonderful things I could do with it...

I would have all my camera equipment in this camera bag and have to carry it along with my purse whenever we went somewhere and I wanted to take nice photos...the nice thing about the old camera bag is that it has a cover to put over the bag to protect it from rain...but can you say "So NOT a fashion statement"..

Ahhhh!!! This is much better...I not only fit my camera and all three (3) lenses I also fit my Canon PowerShot ...my cell phone...my wallet and I have room for a few more things....this is Crazy Beautiful!!!

HOW DO YOU CARRY YOUR CAMERA AROUND???

Getting Started...

I’ve been staying in a hotel while I am visiting friends and family in Pa…And, I’ve spent a lot of time in the hotel…WHY??? Because I got sick L

It’s been relaxing though…I’ve finished my classes for this semester…I got some reading done and have time to think about how I’m going to begin my home re-do…Organizing is a process and if you want to clear out clutter you really do have to have a plan and don’t tackle it all at once…

You need to pick a room and stick to it until your done before you move on to the next room…It is going to take time so if you have a busy schedule you will want to make the time to organize…I’m not talking “Oh! I will do it Saturday afternoon”..or..”I’ll start it Sunday while my hubby is watching sports”…I am telling you that you need to schedule it in your calendar like an appointment…This will be the commitment you need to start what you’ve always wanted to accomplish…There is no need to run out and spend money on a day planner…use what you have around your house…tablet, journal, calendar, etc…

Once we know where we are going to start, we are going to need a few things:

This first thing is some cleaning supplies to wipe everything down as we organize…I use all natural cleaners: water, vinegar, and baking soda…

I also always carry my pretty pink measuring tape…this is very handy when you are organizing…I measure an area I want to put a container or basket…then I take that tape measure to the store…I don’t know how many times I’ve bought something…come home…and it didn’t fit…you want to talk about mad…(BIGGEST PET PEEVE….RETURNING SOMETHING)…

We will have 3 piles “THROW AWAY”… “PUT AWAY”… “GIVE AWAY”…You can buy containers, crates, baskets but I just use my recyclable shopping bags…they are easy to carry, convenient, and easy to store when we are done using them…

Time to PURGE…If you haven’t worn it…used it…or touched in a year…Chances are you won’t…believe me when it comes to giving away my things especially clothes or shoes I just want to cry or go back and grab it and say “Wait, I might wear that if…blah blah blah”…yet usually doesn’t happen..But, I have learned some tricks and tips I will share as we go through each room…Just remember…If you haven’t seen it or used it…you probably won’t miss it!!!

What do you take into every room when you are cleaning it???

A quick break...

I’m usually a weekend warrior and am always on a mission…not this past weekend…I decided to go back home to PA to see the family and some friends…

It has not been a very venturous trip unless you want to consider the infamous “Potholes” that Erie is famous for…I am surprised I haven’t got pulled over for all the swerving I was doing to avoid losing a couple tires…or getting swallowed up in a sink hole…LOL (not to mention the colorful language that was flying out of my mouth)...

I have spent some great time with family and friends but ready to go home (I have a home re-do to work on)...Unfortunately, I’ve been camped out in my hotel most of the time under the weather…

Hopefully, I will be back on track by the end of the week....

Stop the Insanity...

You read that right…”Stop the insanity”…JUNK MAIL!!!

How is a person suppose to keep organized when our postal carrier fills our mail boxes every day with nothing but junk mail…Makes you wonder how many trees we kill a day…And, if you are like me you don’t even look at it…you walk in the house and file it in the “Never to see again” trashcan…

And, can anyone tell me why the carrier insists on shoving so much mail in the mailbox that you could lose a finger trying to get it out…Especially when you live in a townhome community and your mailbox is only about 6 inches wide…I’m about to chain a garbage can to the tree by the mailbox for all the crap that gets shoved in there…

I don’t know about you but I get tired of getting this ALL the time…

Oh and the advertisements….Makes me just want to scream…If we could only return to sender and clog up their mailboxes….

I’ve been trying to find a way to eliminate some of the junk I get and I wanted share the info with you…So you can “Stop the insanity” or at least join my frustration and try!!!

Here’s an ENVIRONMENTAL FACT: Stopping junk mail benefits the environment by greatly reducing deforestation and the consumption of other resources used to produce junk mail – reducing global warming…

Like 41pounds says: Reclaim you mailbox!!! Their service stops 80-95% of unwanted catalogs and junk mail...There is a fee and they donate $15 of that fee to a non-profit organization of your choice…What a better way to stop the 41 lbs of junk mail you get and donate to your favorite non-profit…

You can request to stop receiving mail from individual companies within each category—or from an entire category at once… If you receive credit card offers, catalogs, magazine offers, and other Mail Offers…You can remove your name by visiting DMAChoice…It’s FREE!!!

Stop the junk mail is another good site but they do have a small yearly fee but they will also plant a tree in American forests to help regenerate our Forests!! 

Another great way to stop all the headaches (known as bills) cluttering up your mailbox go PAPERLESS…Pay your bills online and sign up for e-statements from your bank…

BUT, if you would like to be imaginative with your junk mail you can make glitter mail snowflakes…I have to give indiefixx credit for being so creative with her junk mail…

HOW DO YOU STOP THE INSANITY???

Weekend Warrior

I need to get my butt in gear and get going on my home re-do...I'm such a slacker...but with good reason...I take online classes (3 of them) and trying to study for my HR Certification...It is quite overwhelming some days...it was so much easier for me to just toss things aside...

WELLLLL...I can tell you that was not working to well for me...especially for someone with OCD...I have to have things lined up and placed in certain positions...and tossing things aside was just putting me in deeper depression....enough is enough already...I had to snap myself out of it....and what a good time to start...

My daughter was visiting all last week and when I walked into my room on Saturday after she left this is what I saw...~crying~

ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? If you know me you know this is not right...(head slap)...I need to go get my head out of my behind and once I do we will get started...

I did a little shopping and emptied some of the stuff on my bed...Yep!! exactly where it belongs...NOT!!!



Since it is already a mess...I will just take everything off the dresser and pile it on my bed..."Oh dear"...where is the top of my dresser????

The best way to clean the dresser is to take EVERYTHING off...wipe it down and clean the mirror (water & vinegar is the best mirror/window cleaner...EVER)..."sparkles"...

I love perfume and I like to keep it in a neat order on my dresser on a mirror but this hideous one HAS to go...it's so 80"s (so over it)...lol

I found this adorable mirror and it's the same size as my old one...I found it on sale at one of my favorite stores (well one of many)...Kirklands...you can't beat 9.99 and it matches my decor' much better than the "gold" one...which I'll have to find another use for...(any ideas?)

Now let's see how my perfume bottles will look????



Ahhhh Perfect!!!!!

Time to get everything off the bed and put it away and put the dresser back together...I think I found my bed...LOL!!! It's always a good feeling to have a nice clean bed...I love walking in my bedroom when the bed is made... (better get them night stands done..~eye roll~)

Shoes are put away (that's another organizational re-do)...shopping bags tossed...bed made and look at the dresser....I feel whole again!!! I have rediscovered my favorite place to relax ;)

WERE YOU A WEEKEND WARRIOR???



Take a day to chill...

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Byrne

Take a day to relax and do something you enjoy...Remember to tell your family how much you love them!!!

A Strainer...Imagine that!!!

Welcome to Frugal Friday...it's the day where we share great tips and ideas we would like share and pass on to others...We all benefit from great "Money Saving" ideas...

Here's a frugal idea that I had to share and I like to say it was my little invention but I can't take the credit for it...I'm not sure who to give the credit too but it's a space saving cheap way to keep those pens, pencils and files...

We all read about labeling folders by our needs and this little handy idea is a good place to keep those folders labeled "Bills to Pay" "Invitations" "Coupons" or any other documents you like to keep handy...

A strainer for $1 at the Dollar Store...It's not a clear pic (It was a bad pic to begin with) but you get the idea ;)...

NOW THAT'S A "FRUGAL" IDEA!!!