Time Management

I have just purchased a book called: 

"Simplify your Time: Stop Running and Start Living!"

by Marcia Ramsland.  

Here are the 3 books she has written. 

I want all 3 of them!

 I haven't even finished reading her book, but have already put into practice some things that I've read.

Here is a tip Marcia gives:

Try and see what you can accomplish in 2 minutes!

Seriously!  So, I put on a pot of water to boil for supper.

...and decided to tackle my utensil holder.

 

There are a LOT of items that are never used in here.  It may not look bad to you, but it's overflowing!

After dumping everything out, here is what I saw:



All I can say is..."yuck"!  And, no...they're not bugs!  LOL!  Looked like Ramen Noodles to me.

Here is what I have kept, and now everything is handy and easy to get at.  Looks much nicer!

 And, all this before the water boiled!!

So, I decided to keep going and see what else I could accomplish in just a few minutes, or more than a few.

This small area is between our pantry and refrigerator. 

BEFORE:



AFTER:

We moved our toaster to this area...it was cluttering up another counter top (but I forgot to take pics of where it had been).  We put the peanut butter containers and cinnamon/sugar mixture in the cupboard above.  The small crock on top of the sugar container is where we keep the butter.

This is the counter where the toaster was kept...between the small crocks.  It always looked so cluttered (for 9 years!).  Oh, and did you see the crockpot?  Yep!  Supper is ready!  (I'm working on better menu planning)

This had been hanging above the sink...what in the world was I thinking?  I have no idea what I was going to do with these things.  So, I took them down.

I thought I had taken a 'before' pic of my island, but couldn't find it.  This is the first pic I took of it cleared off.  Then, I decided I didn't like it.

AFTER

Anybody ready for SPRING!!
I changed switched out the candy to this green Longaberger crock.  Who doesn't like candy?  Just wish it was chocolate!  The toothpicks had been in a gingerbread votive candleholder.  It was time to change that!  And, I love this little pitcher!

My next areas to tackle this weekend are:

How do you think we eat at this table?  We don't.  And, that is something else I am working at changing!  Bad habits are hard to break.

Oooohh...do you see the countertop on the left side of the picture?  I knew I had taken a BEFORE picture!  At least you can get a glimpse of it.

Here is the area I had decluttered a few weeks ago.  It so easily becomes a "hot spot".  I just need to add this area to my daily routine.

So, the next time I feel that I don't have 'time' to clean/organize/declutter, I will remind myself: 

I can do ANYTHING in 2 minutes, or any small amount of time!    

• Swish and swipe toilet
• wipe down toilet, sink and bathroom countertop
• put dishes in dishwasher
• throw a load of wash in washer
• change clothes from washer to dryer
• make bed (this takes LESS than 2 minutes!)
• spot wash the kitchen floor
• fill ice cube trays
• read my Bible
• Pray
• so many more things!

So, what can YOU accomplish in just a few minutes?  Feel free to share your pictures and ideas.

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Spiritual Clutter vs. Balance

I haven't posted for the past few days for a number of reasons.

1)  I am trying to be more disciplined in different areas and found I was spending way too much time on the computer.

2)  Remember Good Morning Girls I wrote about in an earlier post?  I am re-committing myself to being disciplined to have my daily time with the Lord. 

We are studying the book of James right now...verse by verse.  This week was the beginning of James chapter 3, which covers the topic of our 'tongue'.  It's such a small, untamed part of our body...but it can be oh, so destructive!  We are expected to tame our tongue, or it will be like fire kindling that can set a whole forest afire!  Just a spark is all it takes to set something on fire.

I have been challenged to look at how I am using my tongue!  How do my words affect my husband?  Are they uplifting, encouraging, motivating, loving?  Or am I tearing down my husband?  Are my words 'biting'?  Are they judgemental?  I am asking myself the same questions regarding my children.

Proverbs 18:21 says "death and life are in the power of the tongue".  Is my tongue bringing LIFE to people I am around?  Or is it bringing DEATH?

Another thought that has been brought to my attention is this:

How do I speak or act when I'm away from my home?  In other words, do I act the same outside my home as I am when I'm at home with my family? 

The enemy, the devil, would like nothing better than to have us tear one another down, especially those we love the most!  Getting caught up in the spirit of gossipping, backbiting...all with the excuse of "this way I will know how to pray"...or maybe we share what doesn't need to be shared because, if we're honest with ourselves, it makes us feel good to 'know' something someone else doesn't know!  Maybe we've been hurt by someone...we may feel that we 'deserve' to talk to others...it's going to help us to feel better!  Not true!  I've been there!  I KNOW the lies the devil tries to get us to believe!  Talking about the one who hurt you, what happened, etc., only 'feeds' the spirits of unforgiveness and bitterness.  What happens is that the root of bitterness begins to grow and to take hold, which will ultimately lead to a spiritual death if not pulled out!  Our tongue can be sooo deadly!

Oh, I so want to create a Women's Ministry Program where I can share this message with ladies all across the nation!  I am praying about this...I have so many ideas of how I can use my ventriloquism to reach ladies with this message!

Maybe you're wondering what in the world this has to do with organizing?  Well, to me, it has everything to do with it!  You see, having a  personal spiritual life that is cluttered with ungodly attitudes, words, and thoughts, is as wrong as having a cluttered, dis-organized home.  We must have our spiritual life in order! 

Let's take all of the spiritual clutter to God in prayer, asking Him to help us to discipline and tame our tongue...and move onto the next level in our walk with Him!

Do you have anything to share on this topic?  I'd love to hear from you!

Organizing bit-by-bit!

Shari



My day today...

Today was a very profitable day as far as de-cluttering and organizing goes.  I had the whole house to myself and decided to get down to business. 

First of all, I spent time doing my Bible reading as I'm following the goodmorninggirls.org James study.

The previous post was one of the projects I completed.  I am feeling so good about my home.  I love it!  I am making so much progress and can't wait to share with others what I am accomplishing!  God is so good...He gives us strength to do what we need to do to bring peace and order to our homes.

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari

Home Management Guide

Quite a few years ago, I made an "Ellingson Home Guide", but didn't stay with it.  I found www.wantingwhatyouhave.com and discovered a better, more improved way of putting together a plan that will keep my home running more smoothly!  Thank you, Heather!

Here is the beginning of MY HMG, Home Management Guide.  Unfortunately, mine is quite 'blah', due to the fact that I have NO colored ink, and must wait until some more monies are available!  However, I am thinking of doing some 'creative' crafting and using some scrapbook paper, our family picture, etc.  Hmmm...maybe I'll have to add that later!

I am using a 1-1/2 inch 3-ring notebinder with a clear cover in the front AND on the spine. 

As Heather does, I am having my Prayer/Bible Study section next.  God should be first in EVERYTHING!! 

 Proverbs 3:5-6 is a very special verse to me, so I have added it to the bottom of this page.  Remember to watch for updated decor of the page.

In this section, I have also added a "Victory and Praise Reports!" page.  I have tried to keep track of the awesome blessings from God, but never in one collected place.  I will also be adding a "Prayer Request" page, too!

  This is the 'not-so-fun', yet 'must-have' section.  My Daily and Weekly Routines!  But...wait for it...not just mine...the kids', too!  Check my lists out...



My "Daily Tasks"...things I want to accomplish, or MUST accomplish to keep the house running smoothly and orderly.  (sorry about the flash glare)

My children's tasks are next!



  

This is the list I have put together for Jordan.  It is not a complete list, as I am just beginning to work on this guide.  I must say, though, that I see some things at work already!!  Yeah!

Here is Kayli's list.  I have forgotten a few things on her's, but again...I'm not done!  She really likes checking things off, so I know this will work for her. 

 This will be my Menu/Food planning section.  I won't be keeping my recipes in here, because I have another binder for that (I do have SOME things organized!!).  This section will be for making my plans, grocery shopping lists, and so on.

I'm not done, and will post more when I've completed more!  If you have any tips or ideas, please send them my way!  Thanks for reading!

Organizing bit-by-bit,

Shari