Organize Your Home Office
Working from home is very rewarding and a wonderful thing for your family. When you work out of your home, you are there for your children, you don’t have a commute, and you save money in the long run.
Working at home can be a huge challenge because you don’t have a boss telling you what to do and making sure you complete it. You are the boss so you have to do this yourself.
One of the biggest problems people face is their office. It doesn’t matter if you have a room to yourself or if your office is in the family room. You need to keep it organized or you will spend more time than it’s worth looking for things.
This article will give you tips that will help you get organized and stay that way. When you are organized, you will be able to work more efficiently and you will get more done in a day which means you will be able to spend more time with the family.
• File cabinet
Get yourself a two drawer or four drawer file cabinet that is dedicated to your business. You will to get hanging file folders and possibly manila folders to go inside the hanging file folders.
Now you need to create folders or files for your things that can be filed. You will need to figure out what will work best for you and your business. Once you get your folders or files created, start filing your things away. It’s better if you can file things as you finish with them or once a day, but once a week will work.
• Your desk
Keeping your desk clean and organized will help tremendously. You will have a clean space to work and you will be able to find things. When you file all the papers away that will help, but what do you do if you need to keep referring to a paper for a few days. How do you keep it off of your desk so it’s still clean? One way is to get a metal basket or plastic tray to put them in. You can also use these if you plan on filing at the end of the day or one time a week.
One thing that will help you keep your desk organized is to get a desk organizer. These have a place for your stapler, tape, paper clips, notepads, etc. They keep everything in one place and off of your desk. You will find it’s very handy to have one of those because you won’t be searching your desk for them if your desk is a little messy or full of papers you are working on.
If you spend a little time each day or week filing and cleaning your desk, you will be more efficient and you will work better. When you do this on a regular basis, you will be able to add more to your business and you will be able to spend more time with your family. It’s a win-win situation for you.
12 No or Low Cost Date Night Ideas
photo credit: David Hudson Floyd
I was chatting with my sister on Twitter and she was saying how she and her hubby hardly ever get out for a date night due to low finances and so on which spurred the idea for this post. Hopefully it will give you some ideas for date nights with your hubby, as well! As a married couple, date nights are important to do because they keep your marriage fresh, as when you were dating! So, be sure to set aside one night every week for date night!
1. Trade babysitting with a friend or family member so you and your hubby can go out, or just spend time alone together at the house.
2. Rent movies instead of going to the theater. Get one for the kids to watch in another room while you and hubby watch yours together; make sure it’s a romantic movie, not a violent, action filled on the edge of your seat kind, for obvious reasons.
3. Offer to do some acts of kindness for a friend in trade for babysitting.
4. Make your dining area romantic with candles and have a special dinner right at home. You could even have a friend make it and serve it to you, as if in a fancy restaurant.
5. Go window shopping together. The Holiday season is the perfect time to just go out and look. It may even give your hubby ideas of what to buy you for Christmas!
6. Go to another couple’s house and have a double date. Play games or watch movies.
7. Go out for just dessert instead of the whole enchilada.
8. Go to your favorite coffee house and just relax for an hour or two and chit chat.
9. Look for coupons in the newspapers or on line to your favorite restaurant.
10. In the summer, have a special cookout for just the two of you. Set up your deck, patio, porch or yard with a table and two chairs, some flowers and have steak and wine outside.
11. Go for a walk around town, downtown, in your neighborhood or in a park. Hold hands and talk while you walk.
12. Go for a nice drive. With gas prices dropping, it’s much more affordable. Put on some romantic music, and just talk. Be sure to hold hands too!
These are just a few ideas to get you started. The important thing is to be sure to set aside one night every week for just you and your hubby. Your marriage will be much stronger and you may even see the man you knew before you got married again!
25 Low Cost Or No Cost Ways to Celebrate the Season
photo credit: lepiaf.geoWe all long to celebrate the holidays but often times we lack the funds to do the things we see others doing or that we wish we could do, but, there are ways that you can celebrate this wonderful season of the year if you’re strapped for cash.
1. Chop down a tree. Especially if you or a relative has property with trees on it you can get your Christmas tree for free, by simply going out in the woods and chopping it down. It will also be a great learning experience for your children. Make sure you ask permission first.
2. Make your own decorations. From stringing popcorn to creating a paper chain you can create your own holiday decor and will enjoy the process as much as the actual decorating itself. Make memories with your family that will not soon be forgotten.
3. Bake cookies. There are many recipes that are quite inexpensive to make and you’ll enjoy the time spent together as well as the yummy treats to eat afterward.
4. Go Christmas Caroling. There are many places to go in every community such as nursing homes, children’s homes, and homeless shelters that would love a visit from you as well as to hear some holiday tunes. Why not share the joy of Christmas by doing so. Check with the facility beforehand to make sure you’re welcome and following their rules.
5. Serve at a local charity. Whether it’s a soup kitchen, or packing boxes to sending overseas or writing letters to our troops for Christmas, serving others is a great way to celebrate.
6. Make Christmas crafts. There are a ton of sites that have directions for crafts that use things you already have on hand. You can make them just for fun, keep some and give some away as gifts.
7. Attend church. This is the time of year for family and friends. Nothing can be more special and significant than to remember the reason for the season together.
8. Looking at lights. Pile everyone in the car and go looking around town at all the Christmas lights. Don’t forget to check your local paper for other free activities.
9. A candlelight dinner at home. Start a new tradition. Show your family how much fun and different eating by candlelight can be. It’s a great way to celebrate.
10. Dollar store finds. Take a trip to the dollar store giving everyone a set amount of money and allow them to purchase gifts or stocking stuffers for the family members. This is a low cost way to enjoy gift giving even on a small budget.
11. Send E-Christmas cards. Rather than purchasing Christmas cards or photo cards why not send the same type thing online. They are free, and can be sent to anyone with an email address.
12. Hot Cocoa Night. Take one night during the season as an honorary hot cocoa night and make up a batch of steaming hot cocoa to enjoy with your family or maybe even invite the neighbors over for a cup. Buy some extra special cocoa mugs to make it even more special.
13. Build a snowman. That is if there is actually snowfall in your area. This can be a fun way to celebrate this time of year. If you live in a warmer climate think about dressing up one of the kids or even a tree with Frosty’s hat & scarf.
14. Attend local Christmas events. From musicals to tree lighting ceremonies there are usually lots of events associated with this time of year and can be a great way to celebrate on a budget.
15. Shop the sales. If you have a little money to spend why not use it on sale items that will make great gifts. Amazon.com has some great Christmas deals.
16. Make a list of things for which you’re grateful. Teach the family an important lesson of thanksgiving. After all there is nothing more celebratory than enjoying what you have already rather than worrying about what you can get.
17. Sing Christmas carols around the fireplace. Taking some time as a family to sing favorite songss can be a great way to spend time together and to celebrate the season all at once.
18. Take pictures. Nothing says you HAVE to get them developed but dressing up and standing out in the snow or in front of the tree to snap a few shots can be fun plus with today’s digital world you can use them to create digital cards or just save them on your computer for later.
19. Go window shopping. It is fun to ohhh & ahhh over all the gifts that are available even if you can’t buy them. It’s good exercise after all those holiday yummies, too.
20. Build a gingerbread house. Make it during family night or better yet make it a family tradition. It”l be something you can always think of during this time of year and they are fun and inexpensive to create.
21. Fill a penny jar and send the money to your favorite charity. There is nothing like giving to help you feel that you’ve truly celebrated, especially giving to those who truly need it.
22. Visit Santa. You know you’ll find him every where this time of year so make a date to go let your children climb up in his lap and tell them their wishes. If the kids won’t sit on Santa’s lap consider having Santa give them a call – ask a friend for help with this.
23. Write letters to each other. You can use this time of year to write loving letters to each other as your “gifts” helping to show each other how truly special you are.
24. Light the advent candles. During the advent time of year it is a great way to celebrate by lighting the candles each day together.
25. Read the Christmas story together. It is a wonderful way to celebrate and remember what made Christmas possible.
Remember that this season isn’t all about the gifts we get but about the memories we make.
25 Gifts Of Comfort For Mom
photo credit: magerleagues
If your mom is like the average mom she’ll probably say, “don’t get me anything.” She is much more worried about her children getting gifts than getting them herself. But, in reality she could sure use some stress relieving comforting gifts to help her get through the holiday season and to make her new year a little brighter.
So, what are some comforting gifts that you can buy mom that are sure to win you a few brownie points? Here are 25 great ideas:
1. A new pair of house shoes. What mom doesn’t love a comfy, warm, soft pair of house shoes. After all we spend a ton of time around the house and we need something to keep our toes warm.
2. A package of new white socks. Because quite frankly we can’t find ours. They are lost in the bottom of the clothes basket, or they’ve been eaten by that mysterious sock monster. I swear, where do all those nice clean white socks go?
3. Some fleece pajamas. Nothing says comfort like some cuddly warm fleece pjs. As moms we need something to comfort our tired bones after a long day and these will do just the trick.
4. Bubble bath. Two words that will make any moms eyes glaze over as they day dream of the “chance” to actually use the stuff and take a nice hot, long bubble bath, without being interrupted of course.
5. Candles, the kind that smell so good you think you might could eat them. These help us to give the illusion that our house smells like we’ve been baking all day. This is not only a comforting gift but it’s thoughtful too.
6. A new photo album. Because every mom wants to show off her kids, right? And the perfect photo album is one hand picked by the kids in question.
7. A nice warm robe. Let’s face it these things wear out faster than we’d like and to keep from looking too tired, grumpy and shall we say frumpy then we need to keep one that is not tattered and torn.
8. A book. A good read is always comforting to a mom. Don’t forget to give her time to actually enjoy it. (Maybe Dad can help with this.)
9. A gift card. So she can go shop, whether it be at Starbucks or the local gift shop, she’ll be able to shop without thinking about how she’s going to pay for it.
10. A free night of babysitting. If you’re a teenager think about helping mom out by watching the little ones. You could just donate for free yourself as a babysitter for a night so that mom can either go out with dad or just go for that soak in the tub we mentioned earlier.
11. A journal. So we can record our thoughts and share our lives with you, so that one day when we’re gone you can go back and read them.
12. A bottle of her favorite perfume. Because its the one thing we never seem to get to buy for ourselves. We like to smell good and you want us to smell good too.
13. A new planner. So we can keep up with all the busy-ness of next year. I’m sure you’ll keep us running, and it will keep us semi-sane.
14. Her favorite flavored coffee with a really cool coffee mug. She will enjoy brewing up a cup, and she’ll think of you while she’s drinking it.
15. A neckwrap. You can buy these that have smell of lavender, heat up and can soothe and comfort your mom’s tired muscles.
16. A foot massager. You know the one. It uses warm water to soak your feet in and they massage them at the same time. What a way to comfort your mom and tell her how much she means to you this holiday.
17. A new pillow. Whether you go all out and get the fancy kind or just a new one from the department store a new pillow can help your mom sleep better at night. (Don’t forget a pretty pillow case)
18. A sound machine. These are great little gadgets that help your mom get a better night’s sleep, as she is soothed to sleep by the sound of a running river, the ocean or the sounds of the night.
19. A trip to the spa. She will surely be excited as she gets a day to relax and rejuvenate with a massage or a pedicure and a manicure. A little bit of everything might be appreciated, too.
20. A CD from her favorite artist. She is sure to love relaxing to her favorite tunes.
21. Cook for her. What mom doesn’t want a night off from slaving in the kitchen. Cooking her a great meal and don’t forget to clean up afterward. That would be a wonderful gift.
22. Pay for her to have her hair done. Every mom loves the way she feels after a trip to the salon and it’s even better when it is already paid for.
23. Take her to a movie. She loves spending time with you and sharing an afternoon or night at the movies is a wonderful way to do so. Just make sure it’s a movie that she will enjoy, too.
24. Write her a poem. Anything that is from your heart is going to be music to her ears. Put it in an inexpensive picture frame for an extra special gift.
25. Say I Love You. Even if you don’t buy her anything, telling your mom you love and appreciate her is going to be a wonderful comfort to her.
So, make the extra effort to give mom something from your heart this year, even when she tells you not to worry about it.
39 Ways Working From Home Has Changed My Life
This morning as I was lying in bed, awakening from a sort of late night and waiting for my hubby to come home from his last night of midnights (he’s a meteorologist for the National Weather Center and has rotating shifts) I was thinking about how blessed I am to be working from home and how it’s changed my life.
1. I set my own schedule.
2. Flexibility to run my kids around when needed or just go to a doctor’s appointment without checking with someone first.
3. I set my earning potential. I can work as much as I want to make as much as I want.
4. I can take breaks whenever I need or want.
5. I make the coffee the way I like.
6. I can stop and browse the internet when I want.
7. I get to talk to all my friends on Twitter!
8. I can do laundry AND work at the same time!
9. I can take the day off if I need to.
10. I get to work in my jammies!!!
11. I can work as much or as little as I want.
12. I get to spend more time with my family.
13. I save money by not driving to work every day.
14. I save money by not eating out as much.
15. I can talk to my daughter on the phone as long as I want.
16. I can keep up with our family budget better.
17. I can Christmas shop online, in between article writing.
18. I get to decide what goes on my website or doesn’t.
19. I get to use my creative side more.
20. I love seeing other people truly appreciate my work.
21. I get to learn from others at my own pace.
22. I am making so many new friends, with similar interests online.
23. I get to choose where I do my work (have laptop, will travel)
24. I’m around for my kids and hubby when they need me.
25. I don’t have to grocery shop during the 5:00 rush hour.
26. I do much more shopping online, therefore saving money and supporting other WAHMs!
27. I get to sit in my family room and smell the Christmas tree while I work.
28. The dog isn’t left at home, all alone.
29. I can sleep in with my hubby when he’s on evenings or midnights.
30. I can stay up as late as I want!
31. Dinners are usually better planned now that I’m a work at home mom.
32. I don’t have to pack a lunch!
33. I set my own goals and determine how I’m going to meet them.
34. I can still make money while not physically working by using affiliate programs.
35. I choose who I want to work with and/or for.
36. I can babysit my grandsons during the day if needed.
37. I have more time to keep my house clean. (Shhh don’t tell anyone!)
38. I can do more things for the youth ministry my hubby and I are leaders for.
39. I LOVE what I do, all of it! There’s nothing I don’t like about working from home!
If you are considering becoming a work-at-home mom, these are the pros! The only con I can think of is it usually takes some time and effort to build up a successful work at home business. I am still building mine, but I know if I keep putting in the effort and time, working from home will be a dream come true for me.
Making Your Holiday Dollar Go Further At The Dollar Store
photo credit: pfala
Let’s face it this holiday season is a tight one for many of us. Finding great ways to make that dollar stretch as far as it can is something we are all looking to do. Well you just may want to consider your local Dollar Store. You know the store, the one where there are no price tags, because everything in the store is one dollar.
1. Holiday Lights – small strands but great for small trees
2. Holiday Decorations – you can find yard signs and knick knacks
3. Candles – they come in a wide variety of color and scents
4. Christmas Ornaments
5. Gift Wrap – both rolled and folded
6. Tissue Paper – Holiday colors and designs
7. Ribbons – various colors and designs
8. Bows – traditional and curly
9. Gift Bags – variety of sizes and holiday designs
10. Gift Boxes – variety of sizes and holiday designs
11. Gift Tags
12. Greeting Cards – both boxed and singles
13. Holiday Paper Plates
14. Holiday Napkins
15. Holiday Paper Table Cloths
16. Holiday Glasses
17. Plastic Knives, forks and spoons – available in red and green for those holiday parties
18. Holiday Candy – for stockings and parties
19. Holiday Balloons – both plain and the helium type
20. Stocking Stuffers – tooth brushes, playing cards, hair accessories
21. Small gifts for kids – magic kits, coloring books etc
22. Stuffed animals – nice gift material
23. Craft Supplies – for those holiday projects glitter, felt, glue, pipe cleaners, etc
24. Sodas – 3-liter for those holiday parties
25. Chips and crackers – again for those holiday parties
26. Spices – for that holiday baking
27. Cake mixes – for those last minute cupcakes
28. Cleaning supplies – because you know you will need them
29. Garbage Bags – To dispose of all the gift wrapping after the kids tear it apart
30. Chocolates – cause once in a while mom needs some during the holidays
The Dollar Store can have some very good finds. Yours may carry different items than I can find at mine. Take a look and see what you can find at your Dollar Store. Let them help stretch your holiday dollar this year!
Make a list and check it twice!
Last Minute Checklist for an Organized Holiday
For your business:
- Have you changed your voicemail greeting to reflect what your hours/availability will be during the holidays?
- Have you created an auto respond for your email account? (since you won’t be checking it as often- you will be spending quality time with your family)
- Have you mailed (or emailed if sending e-cards) your holiday cards to your past, present and future clients?
- Have you recognized your “special” clients with a token gift of appreciation?
- Have you planned your schedule so that you will complete important tasks before the holidays and have other important work scheduled after the holidays so that you can relax and enjoy some time off?
- If you are in direct sales have you booked January solid to kick off your business in the New Year?
- Have you RSVP’d to any networking holiday parties and declined those you aren’t able to attend?
- Have you done something special for those people that help you be successful? (your babysitter, virtual assistant, sponsor, etc)
For your home/family:
- Are the decorations up?
- Have you taken the time to enjoy the season with your kids? It can be through baking cookies, wrapping gifts, listening to Christmas carols. But, whatever it is for your family, take the time to do it!
- Have you mailed out your family’s holiday cards/letters?
- Have you made sure there are batteries for every gift you purchased and some extra for those gifts others will purchase for your kids but not bring batteries for?
- Are your digital camera, camcorder and other electronic devices charged and ready to capture those priceless holiday memories?
- Do you have plenty of tape and wrapping materials available to avoid last minute runs to the store?
- Do you have a few extra wrapped gifts for those people that you don’t think you are exchanging gifts with but will inevitable show up with something for you?
- Do you have the menu planned for whatever events you are hosting this season?
- Have you chosen the outfits you will wear to parties and made sure that you have all the accessories you need and that the pantyhose (ugh, if you still wear them) needed for the dress are free of runs?
- Have you set a budget for holiday spending? Have you checked your receipts to give you a realistic idea of where you are compared to where you wanted to be according to the budget?
- Have you made a list of the housecleaning chores you want to complete before any company arrives? A list will help insure that you don’t forget anything, like those dust bunnies in the guest room.
- Are you keeping a running list for the grocery store? Plan to finish all food shopping by the 21st. Plan ahead and avoid headaches for yourself later!
- Have you included ways you and your family can give back to those less fortunate this season? There are few things that can bring your family close together like serving others as a family!
- Do you have a back-up plan for your kids if they get bored at Aunt Betty’s? Bring a board game, hand held video game, movies, etc. Instead of expecting your kids to be “perfect” have activities on hand that will keep them occupied and everyone more comfortable.
For you:
- Are you making it a priority to de-stress as much as possible?
- Have you pampered yourself? Gotten a pedicure? Holiday manicure? Bought a snazzy handbag? Take care of yourself this season!
- Have you put aside old grievances and decided to just get along with family members and spare the drama this year?
- Have you made your goals for the upcoming year? Dream big!
Remember that an organized and planned holiday season will take effort. But, it is effort that will be well spent so that you can have a relaxed and enjoyable holiday with your family!
22 Traditions to Start with Your Family
photo credit: Merelymel13
Family traditions are an important part of raising a family. It’s the traditions surrounding the Holidays that we usually remember when we get older. If you’re a young family and don’t have any traditions yet, or if you’re family hasn’t started or continued any traditions yet, here are a few suggestions:
1. Have a family baking day. My girls and I get together a couple of weeks before Christmas and bake our hearts out! We bake cookies, fudge, and other great Holiday treats. It’s a great bonding time for us.
2. Set a special shopping date just for you and your sisters and/or other female members of your family, to go out and shop for the men in your life. This is a great way to spend some time with those special people in your lives!
3. Take your kids to see Santa. Some of my kid’s greatest Christmas memories are of those when we took them to see Santa.
4. Set a Christmas decorating day with your family. Go get the tree together, then put on some Christmas music and decorate it and the house.
5. Get out the bible and read the Christmas story while you set up the Nativity Scene.
6. Have a Christmas family movie night. Watch your favorite Christmas movie with your family.
7. Go to the Christmas Eve service at your church as a family.
8. Make a special dinner for Christmas or Christmas Eve.
9. Make a special Christmas breakfast.
10. Play a gift giving game every year for the Holidays.
11. Start a gag-gift giveaway. Wrap up a gag-gift and give it to someone on your list. Then see who gets it the next year.
12. Put some acts of service cards in a hat or bowl and have everyone draw one or two out. Set a deadline when those have to be accomplished by. You can have everyone put their name and what act of service they’d like done for them on the card as well.
13. Take a new family photograph every year.
14. Put a special treat in everyone’s stocking; the same one for everyone that they know they will get every year. Some suggestions are: some cash, a new ornament, their favorite candy, a new toothbrush, lip gloss or chapstick, or new perfume or cologne.
15. Set up a special way to open your presents as a family. Make a game of it, or let everyone open one present each hour. This gives time to spend putting gadgets together and puts more meaning into the gift opening. It also makes the gift opening last longer, allowing for more family time.
16. Purchase only 3 gifts per each family member: 3 representing the Trinity and Christ rising on the Third Day
17. If you’re techie like me, send out a Christmas eCard to all of your family members and friends.
18. Send a text message to all your cell phone buddies, wishing them a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, or Happy New Year.
19. Go Christmas Caroling as a family.
20. Take up a collection amongst your family members and help pay someone’s gas or electric bill.
21. As a family, go help out at the local homeless shelter, food pantry or soup kitchen.
22. Get everyone together and play board games after opening presents. It’s a great way to bond and spend quality time together.
Whatever tradition(s) you start, make sure they are meaningful and ones that will make great memories for you and your family. I have found my kids really rely on those family traditions that have been set by their grandparents and others. When those traditions are dropped or stopped, for whatever reason, be sure to begin a new one. They do make the Holidays more memorable and meaningful.
52 Ways You Know You’re A WAHM
photo credit: dammit_jill
You know you are a WAHM when:
- The shirt your child needs for school pictures TODAY is at the bottom of Mount St. Laundry
- Your child develops a fever the night before a big presentation and then proceeds to throw up on said presentation
- You are reading a book aloud to your child while glancing at the stack of work on your desk
- You are on a conference call in your pajamas
- You have a purse full of receipts that you can’t throw away because you need to sort the personal from the work expenses and darn it, you just haven’t gotten around to it yet
- You have gone all day without looking in a mirror- on purpose!
- You know the value of a bribe to achieve relative quiet when you are on the phone with a client
- The babysitter is on speed dial, actually she’s your friend on Facebook
- There are sticky fingerprints on the lid of your laptop
- Taking deep cleansing breaths and chasing the toddler (who is teething on your Blackberry) is your exercise routine
- You eat lunch standing up while looking over your to-do list and resisting the urge to scream
- You think you will be most productive at naptime but you make the mistake of sitting down and doze off too
- You consider your office anywhere you happen to be at the moment: the living room, the car, Gymboree class, the orthodontist office, etc
- You don’t enforce your work before play rule when those big eyes look up and that sweet voice asks you to play Hide and Seek “just one more time, Mommy”
- You realize a ½ hour before dinner that you have (once again) forgotten to take the roast out of the freezer to thaw
- You long ago recognized you don’t have to be a perfect mom to be THE perfect mom for your kids
- You have come to the conclusion that you will be completely gray by age 40 and decide to buy stock in Clairol
- Your camera is always beside you to capture the moments you stay home to see
- You know for a fact that kids do not want to be entertained with new toys and gadgets; they just want you (especially if you have a deadline and their BFF at school insulted them about their outfit)
- You are a wizard at making the most out of the 24 hours allotted in a day
- You dream of ways to payback every person who has ever said “it must be so nice to sit at home”. Visions of voodoo dolls, stink bombs and forcing them to spend 15 minutes in your shoes bring you pleasant dreams
- You learned early on that WAHM is secret code for invitations to sit on every PTA committee, coordinate every carpool and be the class mom for the entire bleepin’ school.
- You also learned (albeit the hard way) that you can only participate in so many volunteer activities before you are too busy to earn a living and you feel like you have gotten on a merry go round and can’t get off
- After you learned above lesson and alienated people during the ensuing nervous breakdown, you have become an expert on boundaries, saying “no” and only spending your time on things that are really important to you, your family and your career
- You know that a little laughter goes a long way, especially when the alternative is abandoning the grocery cart, laying on the floor in the fetal position and bursting into tears
- You have had to enforce social media breaks on yourself in order to get your work done- that darn Twitter
- You are a budget expert. You know for a fact how great your finances would be if you could just stick to the budget.
- You are still awake at 2am because it is literally impossible to accomplish everything on your list unless you use the entire 24 hours allotted in a day
- You look at the dishes in the sink and breathe a sigh of relief. You can wait to do them till morning (they won’t even start to stink until Wednesday)
- You have contemplated running away but know that your family and your boss would eventually find you
- You have given up on losing the baby weight (the baby is 11 years old- it just ain’t gonna happen)
- You have re-gifted a toy that your child didn’t like back to the child who gave it to them in the first place
- You have locked yourself out of your car at least once and your home at least once, probably on the same day.
- You secretly want to have Martha Stewart banned from television, publishing books and selling magazines
- You know what it is like to open the refrigerator to a milk carton that has less than a ½ teaspoon left in it
- You have googled the answer to the age old question- “Why is the sky blue”?
- You have learned that the terrible two’s don’t even start to prepare you for the three’s
- And then the tween years roll around and you feel like you are living through an episode of Invasion of the Body Snatchers
- You realize on a daily basis it is a good thing your family is not dependent on your income alone
- You have walked into a meeting with spit up on your blouse
- You have stepped on a Lego on your way to crawl into bed at 3am, when you couldn’t keep your eyes open at the computer any longer, and your yelp of pain woke up the baby
- You shave your legs according to the season
- You cut the crusts off your husband’s sandwiches (it’s called auto-pilot, folks)
- You just write a check to the school to avoid having to sell any more cookie dough or scratch off tickets
- You have called your child by the dog’s name and vice versa
- You think the no white after Labor Day rule is stupid- who is crazy enough to wear white at all? No amount of Spray n’ Wash can stand up to the attacks a mom’s clothing sees
- You were sad to see the day that your child could tell time because you could no longer say it was bedtime a ½ earlier than it actually was
- You have considered how much your child could fetch on Ebay
- You answer your husband with a glare when he comes home and asks how your day went
- You have bundled the kids and put them in the car so they would fall asleep and you could get a coffee from Starbuck’s
- You do not complain when your boss informs you there is travel in your future
- You look around at your sweet family and realize you wouldn’t change a thing.
Tips for Organizing your Christmas Decorations
With the Christmas season in full force, now is the time to organize your Christmas decorations. You know what you have, what you use, and what you don’t use. You will have it all out in front of you or at least out on the walls and doors. This is the perfect time to reorganize everything so it fits better, it’s labeled, and in one place.
This article will show you ways that will make Christmas next year so much easier when it comes to your decorations.
• Old and unused decorations
First thing you need to do is decide what you are going to do with the decorations you didn’t put up. Is there a reason why you didn’t use them? Could it be because you use a theme each year and they didn’t fit into the theme? Is it because they are old, brittle, or broken? Decide if you need and/or want to keep them. If you don’t either throw them out or give them to someone else.
• Decide on the number of containers
Once you have done that, you need to look at what you have left and decide how many containers you will need to store them in. You will need to get plastic boxes with lids. You will put your items in these boxes and get rid of all the cardboard boxes that you have.
You will need at least one container for your ornaments, one container for your lights, one container for your garland, one container for your figurines and other decorations, and one or two containers for your tree. The container for your tree may need to be bigger than the others or you may need to get more than one. Depending on how much you have, you may be able to put your garland in with your lights and save yourself a box.
Purchase your containers as soon as you can. That way you will have them when you take your tree down. When you are ready to put your items in your containers, you need to make sure they are organized so you won’t have to stress next year when you are ready to take them out and put them up again.
• Ornaments
When you put your ornaments in your container, you will want to be careful if you don’t have the boxes they came in when you purchased them. One way to protect them is to use the skirt from under your tree to put them on top of. You can put that down, then put a layer of ornaments in, then put your stockings in there and put another layer of ornaments in. You can also include pot holders, hand towels, and any other material items you may have to help protect your ornaments from being damaged. Another option is to get newspaper or packing material and use that instead.
• Garland
When you put your garland in your container, you want to figure out a way to keep them from getting knotted up. One way to do this is to cut a piece of cardboard about two feet in length by twelve inches in width to wrap your garland around. Do this for each strand that you have so they don’t get mixed in with each other.
• Lights
Put your lights around the two foot cardboard as well. It will be a little tricky to do this so you may need to go with a longer and wider piece of cardboard. Now depending on how many strands you have and how big your box is, you may be able to combine your garland and lights in the same box.
• Miscellaneous items
Now you are ready to take your figurines and other decorations down and put them in a container. This would be items that go on counter tops, entertainment stands, on the walls and floor, etc.
• Tree
Once you are ready to take your tree down, you will want to put each set of branches in the container to cover one level of the box. Keep stacking them in the box. I suggest you start with the top of the tree and work your way down. That way when you go to put it up next year, you can start at the bottom and work your way up.
Now you need a sharpie. Write on the lid and the side of the container that will be facing out what you have in the container. When you do this, it will be easier for you to find them next year. Now they are ready to be put away.
Christmas time is a fun and exciting time. Decorating your house is a great time with the family. Make it even better when your decorations are organized in plastic containers. Good luck and Merry Christmas!
