February 2020

February!  My birthday month and yet one of my least favorite months of the year.  Maybe if I lived somewhere warm I'd feel differently!

We had a ball with our International Trivia night.  Our wine club and other friends.  And lots of items collected for Brighter Days shelter.

After a day in Bloomington with girlfriends (the salt cave was a great experience!), the guys took me to Revery for dinner.  It was a delicious time with all 3 of my guys!

 Reminiscent of my early years with David when he and Don would do math when we'd go out to eat, the boys and David now do this when we go out.  Thomas started this one.  It was really sweet for me to see.  Like grandfather, like father, like son.

Friends dropped off gifts including my favorite - chocolate covered strawberries, Prosecco, cheesecake and other pampering treats!

 King Remy

It's been a really tough few weeks at work on the HR side but it was great to get together with our friends Kelly and Scott and tour the Inn at Irwin Gardens, enjoy a glass of wine, and a relaxing Friday evening for Valentine's Day.

Amber hosted a super fun Galentine's Day afternoon at their homestead.  It was so beautiful watching the deer play in the field outside the lodge, with just a little bit of snow falling.  Here is my view driving in.

You can't go wrong with a mimosa bar!

And we shot Parks and Rec (tv show) themed hearts to determine which wine from the wine exchange we won!

I hosted our second Accessories Swap.  I posted the one that I hosted with Ginger on facebook and we had soo many comments.  So I opened this one up and held it at our church.  It's a really great event!  Jess came and did Beauty Counter facials too.

Remy in the (rare) February sunshine.

Bailey is a master poser - has been since he was a puppy.

 Speaking of Bailey, on the 28th we celebrated the 6th anniversary of us choosing Bailey as our new puppy.  We would pick him up 3 weeks later after spring break.  To recreate the photo, David even put on the same jacket!

The boys are still doing their internships - about 13-19 hours/week.  They're both doing IT roles.  We especially love that we get to see Thomas 2-3 times a week.  He wanted to discuss some Intranet issues he was running up against with Brennan.  I had to capture this.

 We were pretty worried about Remy this past weekend because he was very sick.  We rushed him into the vet on Saturday morning without an appointment and luckily they took care of him.  The blood results show pancreatitis.  It can be very bad for dogs (as well as humans) so we'll be changing his diet which he won't like but we want him to have a long healthy life!

He's feeling much better today!

David and Brennan are off to Purdue for Brennan's Purdue's For Me event for admitted students.  It's getting real, folks!

Have a great March!

Scarf Holder

 

 

I saw this solution for Scarf Storage in Real Simple or Good Housekeeping magazine a few years ago.  At that time I didn't have that many scarves, but have received quite a few as gifts recently.

 

All you need is a hanger and a package of shower curtain rings.

One scarf per ring.

Then, hang in your closet with your clothes.

 

 

I have several heavy pashminas from Riyadh that my mom gave to me - lighter scarves won't weigh down the hanger.  Mine's been hanging like this all winter and hasn't caused a problem though.

 

And there's my newest scarf from my friend Jeanne.  I need another package of curtain rings!

 

Spring Cleaning 2011

As I mentioned in my 2012 Resolutions post - 12 in 12 - my big resolution for January is to spring clean the entire house.

As a couple of you observed - it's not exactly spring yet.  But as I've mentioned a few times - I really don't like waiting until spring when the weather is finally nice to do these inside chores.  January just works for me.  I got started on Monday and it's going really well! 

And from the looks of the January magazine covers at Target yesterday - I'm not the only one who likes to clean out and organize in January.  And many bloggers are doing the same thing, so I know I'm in good company!

I'm using a combination of my Google calendar approach for spring cleaning that I shared here, and the notebook approach that I borrowed from Sarah at Clover Lane a couple of years ago and that I've shared here and here.  The two work really well for me. 

I love nothing more than weeding out and taking a load to Goodwill.

Somewhat related, in case you didn't know, you can clean your car floor mats in the washing machine.

I cleaned two cars' worth of floor mats Monday and they look so much better.

If you're looking to spring clean in the near future, here is a great list I found on Pinterest from Kelly at "The Complete Guide to Imperfect Homemaking" that you could modify and follow.  It has been repinned numerous times!

And, while we're talking about Pinterest, here are some other gems:

Source article

source article

site that allows you to read books free online/then they donate a book for world literacy

ha ha

source

Have a great week!



Dry Erase Menu Board

Last year I made a really simple dry erase board that I could use as a menu board in the house.  I got lots of comments and emails about it.  I loved how quick it was to make and how useful it could be.  The problem is - it was large and rather obtrusive.  And after the fall I was going to have to change out the fabric.  So I put it away and haven't used it in months.

But the need for it was still there.  As I've mentioned before our evenings are usually pretty busy with swimming for Brennan and tennis for Thomas and meetings and social things for David and me.  And David comes home at different times depending on what he has going on at work.  I really want to have a family dinner each night but it's really hard sometimes.  Planning ahead is critical.  But it's also important that if I'm not here, everyone knows what the dinner plans are. 

So I decided to make another menu frame.

I took a 4x6 frame that I had on hand and put a piece of cream card stock in it.

Now I can use whatever color dry erase marker that I have on hand and let everyone know what the plans are for dinner.

My boys ask when they're eating breakfast what we're having for dinner.  I don't always know at that point, but when I do know, I can update the frame and we can all plan around it.

I really like the smaller size. 

Does what it needs to do but isn't in the way.

Best part - it took me 2 minutes while watching a movie with David and Brennan to get it done!

Don't forget that Ricki Jill and I are hosting our What We're Reading blog party tomorrow, right here!  So please join us and share your latest reads with everyone!

I'm linking up this week:

Paper, Paper Everywhere

I think we're pretty good about taking care of mail quickly.  I tend to pay bills through our online banking system when they come in.  I deal with all the paper kids bring home rather quickly too.  But somehow this corner of our kitchen tends to look like this a lot.

Not too bad, I realize, but this is after I've organized it somewhat.

But here's what it looks like now.

I was inspired by Bonnie at House of Grace and her system. 

I like hers better but couldn't find a great box like hers, so I'm going with paintable gray from Target with matching folders and labels.  I made a folder for those loose papers that aren't yet ready to be filed away in the office - new mail and magazines, this week's spelling list, recipes I want to try out, school papers for David to see, letters, etc.

I like how I can also tuck it away over by the kitchen table to give myself more counter space as well. 

It's such an improvement and will help me keep the clutter in the kitchen down hopefully!

We have a lot less junk mail now that we have been Catalog Choice users for a couple of years.  I first told you about it here. Any time I get new catalogs that we don't need I just go online and request that we no longer receive it.  Works beautifully.

I also signed us up for Opt Out last year. 

This put a quick halt to most of those unsolicited offers for new credit cards and insurance.  We get one every now and then, but it is rare.  I would recommend filling out the screen above for each adult in your household.  I filled it out for David initially but I was still getting a bunch addressed to me.  I opted us out permanently.

And, we're big paper recyclers.  Every school in our county and most of the public buildings and parks have an Abitibi paper recycling dumpster.  The school or building receives $$ for tons of paper recycled.  Our school puts that money towards the landscaping and other outdoor projects.  Win-win!

House Cleaning Schedule

If you thought nothing could be more boring than my Tupperware post title, you might be wrong.  Because today I am inspired to tell you about a new house cleaning schedule I've put myself on.  I've mentioned I'm a natural organizer, right?

Two years ago I found kindred spirits in the blog world.  I was inspired by Sarah at Clover Lane and her great Spring Cleaning notebook & process.  You can read how I followed Sarah's great advice here and here.  It really helped me get organized and thoroughly clean out spaces that I neglect or those that have needed a good cleaning for awhile.

The problem I found is that it's really overwhelming and I certainly don't want to be inside in the spring, cleaning for days on end.  This year I decided to take on the task in January and got through a lot.  But who am I kidding?  Once I finally get through our house, it's time to start back over.

I've also been inspired by Bonnie @ House of Grace and many, many, many others who try to stay on top of the clutter and cleaning, sharing their home schedules and processes that work for them. 

When our house is straightened up, it's much easier to focus on the right things. 

Right now it's great at my house - it's so much easier to maintain that, than neglect it and have to start over.

So what I've been doing instead for the last two months is focusing on one area of the house each day in addition to the normal everyday clean-ups that happen.  I split up all the rooms/closets/halls in our house and added other areas like my car, our screened in porch and our front porch to the list.  Then I put them in my Google Calendar - one for every day of the month.  Now, it's like a mini spring cleaning every month and I feel a lot more in control of the house.

click or double click if it's too small to read

For February and March it's really working.  I just focus on one room each day - usually about 15-45 minutes, depending on the room.

My goal - never have to Spring Clean again because it will be taken care of throughout the year.

And goal 2 - spend time having fun with my family rather than cleaning.

Finally, I'm joining many bloggers like Sarah who are participating in the 40 Bags, 40 Days clean-out, starting tomorrow, Ash Wednesday.  I may or may not get to 40 bags since I did quite a bit of cleaning out back in January, but there's still plenty of opportunity and it makes me happy!

Best To Do List Ever

In case you didn't know, I'll tell you.  I'm a list person.  I always have been. 

Lists work for me. 

They allow me to get everything down on paper so the multitude of things I need/want to do aren't bouncing around in my brain competing for priority.

Making a list and checking most things off makes me feel like I'm focusing on the right things in my life.

Lists allow me to feel a sense of completion.

Lists help me stay on daily track with larger goals.

I love lists.

I've tried a lot of different To Do lists over the years. 

A running list in a notebook works really well for me.

Then I found this list on Bonnie's blog House of Grace.

I have been using it for several days now and I've formally switched.

I'm finding I'm remembering and getting to more things daily using this easy list.

You can download or print this To Do list for free here.

Try it and let me know what you think!

January Goals Wrap-Up

Back at the beginning of the month I decided to set goals for the month instead of the year and I love that!  So, how did I do in January?  I've been tracking the goals on the right side of my blog.

Exercise/Eating Plan for the Month
Spring Clean Entire House
Study Up on Photography/My Camera
Renew Passports
Remodel 2 Bathrooms
Celebrate Brennan's 9th Birthday
Kick Off Wine Club

Pretty well!  We had a great Wine Club kick-off, with the next several months planned for our group.  Brennan had a fantastic birthday which I posted about here and here.  We renewed our passports (which was a lot more work and a lot more expensive than I remembered it being!)  I've been reading a great Digital Photography book and am ready to employ the tips I've learned.  Those I would say I have certainly accomplished.

Partially remodeling 2 bathrooms - better move that to February.  When you're relying on a busy contractor, the timing is not your own I'm seeing!  Spring cleaning the entire house.  Well, I've done a TON and have a plan for finishing the rest.  I've put a lot of energy into cleaning the grout on our main floor and WOW is that a ton of work.  I've got help so it'll be completed soon and I can finish the other rooms.  I've taken more than 20 bags of stuff to Goodwill and it feels great!  Finally, an exercise and eating plan for the month - I'm definitely on the right track and have lost 8 lbs so that's good.  Always room for improvement there though.

I think the month-to-month goals work best for me.  I still need to think about February's goals and I'll post those later this week!

Spring Cleaning 2011

For the last two years I've taken on a serious room-by-room spring cleaning challenge for myself and it's been great (once it's done).  The problem is (besides how much work it is) that I don't like spring cleaning in the spring.  In the spring I want to be outside focusing on all the neglect out there.  So this year I decided to tackle Spring Cleaning in January.  It is the longest, coldest, dreariest month.  What better time to get the house in shape, organize and get rid of stuff.

So, enter my new notebook.  I love a new notebook - what better to place to make lists?  And I love lists.

I'm following the same process I learned from Sarah at Clover Lane two years ago.  You can read about it here.   My notebook has a page for each room/hall/closet/bathroom/pantry in our house and it has a list of all the things that need to be done to get it in its best shape.  It's a huge undertaking but I'm excited that once the kids are back in school tomorrow, Spring Clean 2011 starts.  Wish me luck!

Dinner Parties Without a Worry

I really enjoy dinner parties.  It even says so on the front of my blog in my "favorites" category - a local friend recently reminded me of that!  They're really fun when we just show up with a bottle of wine, but I also enjoy hosting.  We probably have 8 or more formal dinners a year (including Thanksgiving and Easter) and lots of more informal ones, especially in the summer.  I've finally got it down where they're as enjoyable for ME as for my guests.

No one has better entertaining suggestions than Sandy at The Reluctant Entertainer.  If you aren't familiar with her blog you should check it out.  But here are a few things that work for me.

1.  Set the table(s) ahead of time

Last weekend we had 25+ over for dinner from work to celebrate the holidays.  It was a lot of fun and we had the majority of the food catered (a first for me).  We wanted it to be comfortable and casual.  I find that if the places are pre-set then guests are comfortable finding a place and enjoying their meal.  Many of our guests did not know each other (especially the spouses), so I let everyone choose where they wanted to sit.

I set up three tables and then just asked everyone to take a plate to the buffet and help themselves.  It worked well.

Setting the tables even a day ahead of time greatly reduces my party-day stress.

2.  Prepare 2 of everything

Everyone is on a different diet, or has different tastes and it's so hard to come up with one entree, side, etc. that everyone will enjoy.  I have fears of someone just eating rolls because they don't like the food!  At most of our dinners we're also serving lots of kiddos and you know how they can be about their options :)

So, I usually make 2 appetizers, 2 main dishes, 2 sides, 2 desserts, and offer both red and white wine, and regular and decaf coffee.  Preparing 2 of everything means I don't have to worry about there not being enough food, and everyone can usually find a combination that they like (even the kids!)

3.  Cook foods that I like

I only cook foods that I would eat.  I am usually trying out new recipes on guests, along with proven standby dishes, but I always make what sounds good to me.  That rarely fails.

4.  Clean the house the day before

I used to worry way too much about having everything spotless for guests. 

Now I know and trust that if the guests are friends then they love me no matter how dusty the bookcases are.  And if they're people I don't know well, then I just have to trust that they're more focused on the people, conversation, and food than they are the floor. 

That being said, I clean up all the main areas the day before the party, and then do a final once-over on the guest bath and the kitchen a few hours before the guests arrive.  I have a couple of friends who don't allow their little ones to use the guest bath off the kitchen.  Ever.  I'm tempted :)

5.  Empty the dishwasher

As guests are done with glasses or plates I tend to rinse and load them straight into the empty dishwasher.  Tidies up the kitchen/tables as we go and makes clean up at the end of the party that much faster.

6.  Allow the guests to help

How many times have I gone to a dinner party and have offered to help but I hear "oh no, everything's under control" or "oh, don't worry about the dishes, we'll do them later".  If a guest offers, I give them a task - cutting up limes, mashing avocados, filling up water glasses, calling the kids up from the basement to eat, opening a bottle of wine.  People really do like to help and we can still catch up while sharing these tasks.

7.  Feed the children first

The kids usually eat on our screened in porch (weather permitting) or downstairs in the family room.  Most kids that come to our house are old enough now to fix their own plates.  So I usually call the kids first, get them settled where they need to be and THEN get the adults ready to eat.  Less chaos that way.

8.  Take the time to clean up afterwards

It is sooo worth it to me to get the majority of the clean up done before going to bed!

So there are my tips that have helped me go from being frazzled before/during dinners to a place where I can really enjoy the friends and food.  I'd love to hear your tips for a successful dinner party.

Fall Organizing

The thing I realized about Spring Cleaning is that I really don't like doing it in the spring.  Spring is when it's finally time to go outside, plant annuals, clean up the yard, go for bike rides, etc. after a long cold winter.  The last thing I want to do in the spring is organize and deep clean inside the house.  I think I'll save the indoor projects for the looooong month of January.

Over the past couple of weeks we've been doing some "spring cleaning".  We started with the garage which might not be terrible, but we hadn't done a good cleaning/organizing/weeding out in a couple of years.  It was time.  This was after we took out about half the stuff cluttering the garage.

I felt like to do a good job, we really needed to take everything out and clean it good.  Not everyone in the family felt like this was necessary :)  Luckily, those people had other projects they were working on, so I took on the garage.

Of course, we did this on the one day it rained in the last 2 months.

Brennan helped me pull stuff out and then he took on the job of washing the bikes.  Every time we ride the boys manage to find the only mud in town.  They really needed a good wipe down.

This is the kind of nasty accumulation that we had all around the garage.  Hard to get to without removing all the stuff that sits in front of it.  I cleaned the walls, windows, shelves, counters, floor.  We threw away a bunch of stuff we no longer needed and gathered a big pile of stuff for Goodwill. 

While Brennan and I focused on the garage, David and Thomas took on the project of making a step to the back patio.

This was a hodge podge outdoor area with old stones, crumbling landscape areas and was entirely neglected.  Two years ago we had this patio put in.  Besides the grill and some flower pots, I had not really done a whole lot with this area.  I was trying to think of ways to improve it.  I'm open to suggestions!  We have several seating areas outside the house so didn't really want to replicate that again here.  But I'd also like to give it a purpose. 

When we had the patio put in we removed the rickety step that led from the mudroom area to the patio.  I had been trying to find a replacement step for months.  You'd think this would be easy but Lowe's, Home Depot, Rural King, etc. don't carry steps.  I even looked at a place that makes concrete steps but didn't want to spend that money and can you imagine how heavy that would be.  So, David said he'd just make one.  Wow.

 He and Thomas drew the plans then went to Lowe's for the stuff.

No photos but Brennan painted the step for us.  It works great!  Now just to spruce up the area.  Besides a thorough clean up, any ideas?????

 The next project I took on, on a whim, was the kids books.  They were out of control.  Laying everywhere.  I couldn't keep up with our books, school library books, public library books.  It was just a mess.  So I decided to clean them all out.  I don't like to get rid of books for sentimental reasons, but really, this is shameful.

We keep kids books in both boys' bedrooms and in their playroom.  We gathered them up from all over the house and brought them into Brennan's room.  No family should have this many kids books.  It's ridiculous.  In our defense, I'll say that our boys are really big readers.  They'll each go through up to a book a day.  They're gift wish lists always include lots of books.  I always buy something from the Scholastic flyer at school.  We go to library book sales.  They just add up.  And we have about 50 books that were David's when he was little.

We worked on this over a few days.  First, we sorted them by topic and then went through each pile to determine which ones we wanted to keep and give away.  We came up with TONS to give to friends and our church's preschool library.  I was so glad the boys were involved in the process.

Then, they asked if I would please make labels so that when they go to put a book back, they know where to put it.  Maybe they have my organizing gene after all?

I type up book categories and printed them on white cardstock that I had on hand.

Brennan's desk NEVER looks this organized, but that's OK because he really uses the desk!

I know the garage and kids books won't stay organized forever, but it's such a great feeling to really figure out what we are using and pass along the things we aren't to others.  I absolutely love an organized home - for however long it lasts :)