Organizing for 2012

The year is quickly coming to an end.  One of my favorite things to do at the end of the year is to work on organizing projects.  I love purchasing my new calendar for the family.  This year I bought a magnetic page a week calendar by Workman Publishing.  It only shows one week at a time with lots of space to write.  I have mine on the fridge. 

I also love organizing things in baskets and jars.  The Better Homes and Gardens website has many free printable labels.  Their website also has twelve months of storage projects and how to store holiday decorations.  If you like to do crafts their are also many ideas on craft rooms.

If you want to start with the basics of clutter free living I recommend the website www.flylady.net.  It has a bit of humor mixed in with housecleaning.  It talks about things like hot spots, which are those areas where things tend to pile up.  It also breaks things into zones.  One thing I liked is called the 27 Fling Boogie.  Grab a garbage bag and go around your house looking for 27 things to throw away.  Tie the bag up and deposit it in the garbage can before you have time to change your mind!  It also suggests decluttering for 15 minutes per day.

Another website I discovered is www.lifeyourway.net. .  It has many topics such as decorating, organizing, and blogging.  It also has over 200 free printables for household mangement and Christmas planning.  It also has frequent giveaways which is always fun.

Organized Home is a website I've been using for many years.  They also have free printables to use for a household mangement binder.  They can be found here.  It also has recipes to make for the freezer and a form to keep track of what's in your freezer.  It also has articles on time management.  One of the things I really like about this website is the Christmas planner.  It is very detailed.

Another website that I just discovered is Simplify 101.  It has many organizing articles and workshops you can sign up for.  They also have directions for a home reference binder.
I hope these organizing ideas are helpful.  Happy Organizing!

                                                                      

Ten ways to give this Christmas season

I hope everyone is enjoying the Christmas season.  We've had a lot of unexpected things happen, so I'm getting a slow start.  I had to remind myself that the true meaning of Christmas is about giving.  Here are some ideas to help you get in the giving spirit. 

1 www.smallcanbebig.org is an organization that allows you to give to families in the northeastern U.S. that have been turned down by social service agencies because they make slightly too much money, but are very close to poverty.

2  www.givinganon.org sends an anonymous check on your behalf to someone you know who hasn't been able to find a job but may be too embarrassed to ask.  I thought this was a great idea!

3  www.samaritanspurse.org If you forgot to fill a shoe box this year you can still help fill one online.  Lots of children in struggling countries have benefited from this over the years. You can also order anything from a soccer ball to life saving food for people who are hurting around the world.  Last year I bought meals for children in school and had it given in honor of my parents.  It's a great gift for the people in your life who have everything.

4  www.toysfortots.org/donate/toys.asp  Most people are familiar with this organization.  Go to the website to find a collection spot near you.

5  www.soldierssecretsanta.org gives Toys R Us gift cards to families of deployed soldiers.  Donate what you can.

6  www.hearts4heartsgirls.com  gives an international doll to a child.  The cost is $30.  Each doll represents a girl from one of six developing countries.  $2 will be given to the nonprofit World Vision to educate girls in your doll's country.

7  www.secondchancetoys.org cleans and redistributes plastic toys that are still in great shape to children in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Illinois.

8  www.worldvision.com has everything from a goat to a mosquito net that you can purchase for hurting familes.

9  www.pajamaprogram.org/pjdrive is an organization that gives pajamas to homeless shelters.  You can throw a pajama party by asking each guest to bring a pair of pjs .  There are 79 chapters nationwide.

10  www.punjammies.com  makes pajamas created in an after-care facility for women in India who have been rescued, released, or escaped from a life of forced prostitution.  Each woman is taken to a center where she can learn a marketable skill and become part of a viable business.  Every purchase creates a fair trade wage, financial support for holistic care, and a chance for more women to enter the after-care center.  They are $35.

 I hope this gives you some ideas on how to share the season with those less fortunate.  Check the post
100 more ways to make a difference throughout the year.  The author of this site also started the Mercy House which helps hurting pregnant girls in Africa.

Creating a Stress Free Christmas

Creating a Stress Free Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching. I am doing my best not to obsess about having the perfect Christmas. My kids decorated the tree and I was o.k. with that. It actually looks pretty good! Here are some tips for creating a stress free Christmas:

1. Be realistic not idealistic. You do not have to be Martha Stewart. O.k. is good enough.

2. Take "me" time. Block out time just for you for reading, taking a hot bath, talking to a friend or whatever else makes you feel relaxed.

3. Go with the flow. Do not get hung up on all the "little" things.

4. Practice Moderation. Don't overdue it. Eating too much, spending too much will only make you feel worse later.

5. Make time for exercise. In the long run it will make you feel better and better able to handle things.

6. Eat Healthy. Make one or two things for your parties that are healthy. Take one to a party also.

7. Wrap a Few extra Presents. When you see a great gift at a great price pick up a few extra ones to have on hand.

8. Get some sleep. Do not sacrifice on sleep. This could affect judgement, memory, mood, and health. Aim for seven to nine hours.

9. Use your support system. When we feel overwhelmed it's important to stay in touch with our family and friends.. It can help alleviate some of the pressure.

10. Write on. Write down things that are frustrating you or things that make you happy. Writing helps you clear your mind and also has health benefits.

Hope these helped. Enjoy every moment!