Other odds and ends ...

The key to organizing the house is to complete one project at a time, otherwise it will be overwhelming instead of enjoyable.  So I decided to tackle some little projects around the house in the last couple of weeks.  Here's a glimpse of what I have been up to ....

 

The side of our fridge even got a quick makeover.  Now I have my calendar (aka my bible) at my fingertips, a dry erase board to show the days I work and our meal plan for the week.  And a piece of cork board for a few small things (reminders, important coupons about to expire, and etc)

Thanks to a few smart people on Pinterest ... I have found many uses for the shoe organizer.  When trying to figure out how I was going organize all of Evan's snacks ... the shoe organizer popped in my head.  I hung it on the side of our pantry so that little fingers could wander and choose snacks.  A great way for me to stay organized and see when certain things are getting low ... 

 So ... remember that family project list in the Smith Family Binder ... well, this pantry is on that list.  But, until then, I thought I would show you the organization I could do until then.  This pantry used to be packed with food, snacks, random items and such.  Now, everything has its place (except the top shelf is still a mystery).  I racked my brain for ideas on how to organize canned foods and came up with nothing.  I had seen a metal file folder used, but it only worked for the small sized cans.  Then, as I was walking through the isle, I spotted the beverage organizer.  So I purchased two and came home and it worked like a charm.  All my noodles are separated into their own little plastic containers.  The wonderful part is that they have spouts so I don't have to worry about noodles falling out of bags, burning myself in attempts to pour them into boiling water, or any other mishap that may happen.  The spouts are perfect .... 

Since the revamp of the DJ/Craft room into Evan's playroom, I have lost all my crafting space.  Therefore, all of my craft stuff was shoved into the closet.  Now, I have it organized and a little easier to get to.  Now I just need to make sure no little hands get into the little drawers of paint! :)

A day of going through toys and donating to other little ones lead us to this outcome ... an organized playroom.  I cannot use the words "clutter free" but I am happy with the outcome.

 I know that there are no before photos, but this bin area was unbelievable.  All the small toys from fast food restaurants, toys with missing pieces, and just too many toys in general.  The solution ... get rid of the clutter and keep only the toys he plays with.  Christmas will be here before we know it and now the playroom has room for the new toys!

A few other small projects I have tackled, but feel silly taking photos of are ... the hall/linen closet, the medicine cabinet, under the kitchen sink and all the kitchen cabinets.  I have many other projects to tackle, but the closets are going to be one of the next big projects ....

Recipe Binders

Another project I tackled were the organization of my recipe binders.  In the last year or so, I started to enjoy making different meals for our family.  Although I am not the best cook, I can follow the recipes directions and make a few changes when necessary.  Therefore, the recipe binder project took place. 

Once again, I purchased my binders, clear plastic page protectors, page dividers and all my recipes.  I gathered all my recipes, divided them into appropriate categories and let the fun begin!  I decided to type out any of the recipes that were small, handwritten or ripped.  And then the binders were created ....


Recipe Binder #1:  Main Dishes, Sides and Desserts
Just as stated above, it contains all of the recipes for the main dishes, sides and desserts.  In the front of each category, I created a list of each of the recipes that were in that category.  For the main dishes, I divided the recipes into beef, chicken, Pork, Fish & Misc.  This is WONDERFUL because I can flip to these pages and take a quick look to decide what to make using whichever type of meat. 

Simple enough ... 

Quick look of side dish recipes

Organized and protected in plastic sheets

Typed out recipes

Recipe Binder #2: Breakfast, Smoothies, Weight Watchers, Evan's Food, Appetizers, Soups, Fun Foods, Holiday Food & Craft Ideas
 This binder holds all the other recipes that we use in our house - just not as often as recipes in the previous binder.  Included are breakfast recipes, smoothie recipes, Weight Watchers foods and lists, foods for Evan, appetizers, soups, fun themed foods (my favorite category), holiday foods and treats and craft ideas.  Silly to have the crafts in here, but I did not need a separate binder for this currently.  However, after the numerous hours spent on Pinterest over the last four months, this is going to be one of my future projects ... a craft binder with all the Pinterest ideas that I have pinned. 

Recipe Binder #2

Craft/Gift Idea section

Holiday Treats are arranged for each holiday

Part of the halloween section

Another project completed and so much easier than searching for all the loose recipes.  Having the binders organized like this has made it easier for me to decide what to make each night.  My weekly meal planning take me only a few minutes.  Used in combination with my grocery checklist, it is saving more time than I imagined.  And it has made making meals even more fun because I am constantly trying out new recipes.  Seems as though we are never eating the same meals ... which I like.  And remember, whenever you find a recipe that the family doesn't like - PITCH IT!  No sense in keeping ahold of recipes you are not going to use - and it gives you more room for the new recipes. 

As part of this wonderful organizing journey ... I will share some of the recipes that we try and are too good not to pass on!!!  Check back ...

Mission: Organization has begun

The last month or so has been a trying time for the Smith clan.  Evan in and out of the hospital, both Jason and I sick all last week, the loss of my grandfather unexpectedly and more.  In all of this time, I try to make the best of the situation - although there was nothing positive about being sick!  I really try to be thankful for all I have and all the wonderful people who surround me and my special family.  With the loss of my grandfather, it has made me realize that I am lucky to wake up every single day.  I think that life is so busy and full of chaos at times, that we forget the simple things.  I complain, get frustrated, have bad days, make bad judgments and even get downright mad just like everyone else.  But maybe we all need to take each moment one step at a time and be thankful for all the life lessons we have learned, as well as all the "road bumps of life" that make us the people we are today.

Seems as though I am going through a midlife crisis - but in a good way.  I am bound and determined to keep this house in organization and with as little stress as possible.  Therefore, I have taken on Mission: Organization here in our casa.  The first step was getting a binder system in play.  I have read numerous blogs (yes, I LOVE blogs) about women who have created a binder that has all their important family info all in one place ... the Home Management Binder.  So the Smith Family Binder was created to make life a little more simple .... And to make it even more simple, you can go to one of my new FAVORITE blogs to get most of these printouts for FREE!!!!  Go to http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com and click on "free printables."

I purchased a cheap binder, printed off a free printable for the cover, bought some dividers and TONS of plastic page sleeves and began the process.  I divided our notebook into 7 tabs - you can add as many as you want and personalize it to your needs.

Our Family Binder

                        

Tab 1: Planning

This tab has a monthly calendar with all the important dates (work days, events, special dates, payday, and more), a daily to-do list that I can fill in, an at glance weekly to do list (which happens to be one of my favs), weekly meal planner, grocery list (that is in checklist form) ---another fav), cleaning schedule (daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly), and a deep cleaning monthly schedule.  All very important and necessity for me.  If I have it written down, planned or have a checklist - it will be completed!

Cleaning list

Grocery Checklist

                                                                  

Weekly To-Do List

Daily To-Do list (has a lot of info - just use what you need)

Monthly Calendar

Tab 2: Home

This tab contains our home projects list and home maintenance checklist (which is wonderful for the different seasons).  Not much in this tab, but important nonetheless.  

Home Project List - can't wait to check these things off

Tab 3: Finance

This tab has each of a list of our monthly bills listing the amount of the bill and when it is due.  This is important because my husband and I both have the responsibility of paying separate bills.  A great quick glance at all the monthly bills in case anything were to ever happen to either of us.  It also holds my sacred budget.  I have my bills separated into two month payments so that I am not paying all the bills out of one check.  This has worked wonders for us financially.  A budget is a must!!!!

Tab 4: Contacts

This tab contains a monthly list of close friends and family birthdays, anniversaries and etc.  I have all of the important business phone numbers typed out (phone numbers for utilities, dentists, doctors, pharmacy, poision control, carpenter, plumber, furnace, vet, and etc). I have the list of phone numbers for my folks at work.  Lastly, I have made my own address book to keep in here.  A one stop shop!

Monthly Important Dates List

                                                       

Tab 5: Auto

This tab has an auto log that I found online.  It has a checklist of all the maintenance with areas to check off and write in date.  

Auto Maintenance Log

Tab 6: Medical

This house a sheet for each of us that is filled out with the basic medical information that is important.  It has insurance info, physician/pediatrician phone numbers, emergency contacts, and such. I have a separate medical for Evan alone that helps us keep track of his info.  A later post in itself...

Tab 7: Misc

This is just any info that doesn't fit anywhere else.  For example, I saw on a blog that a woman had put a DVD list in there.  So I made the DVD list so we can keep track of movies we want to rent.  Sounds silly, but how many times have you said, "I wanna see that!" and then forget about it.  And there is a spot for each of us. This will come more into play as Ev gets older, but nice for mom and dad to use now. :)

Lastly, I have a little pocket sleeve for any loose info. Right now I have take out magnets, menus and the my salon pricing pamphlet in there.  

This is Project #1 - Completed!!!!  I have been using it for about a week now and am loving it.  J loves the grocery list that is a checklist (he does the grocery shopping).  When we go out of town this is great for any important info to be available to anyone.  I will give an update on how this is going soon ... but I can already tell you that I will love it!!!

I'm baaaaaack ....

                                      

So, after long consideration ... I have decided to start up the blog again.  It is a way for me to keep everyone up to date and also a release for me.  I decided to put my crafting aside, since it is more stressful than fun at this point.  So time for an quick update.

Evan is now 2 1/2 years old.  Some days are rough, but I am loving this age.  Aside from the fact that I have a little one who doesn't want to listen.  I will tell him to "put your listening ears on" and he puts his hands up to his ears and twists, as if to put his listening ears on.  I then ask him to do the exact same thing ... and he does  it. Too funny!  Evan has upgraded to his big boy bed and he loves it.  I guess it is a pretty cool thing to have "cobers."  (aka covers)

I am excited about all of the holidays coming up.  I love this time of year simply because you are surrounded by family for all the holidays.  Christmas time is my favorite.  Which is coming all too quickly. 

I walk in the room and this is what I see ...

 Driving the Pumpkin Express

                   

                                                

Our trip to Carolyn's Pumpkin Patch last week.

I have found a new part of myself - I love organizing!  I am addicted.  I have a few home projects going on around here and I am really excited.  First, I did the kitchen - which I still have a couple little projects.  Made the Smith Family Management Binder (catchy, eh?), School/Parents as Teachers Binder and organized recipes in binder.  Today I tackled the medicine cabinet and linen/hall closet.  Then I did the one room I didn't want to ... the Playroom/Craft Area.  Toys were out of hand and my craft stuff was everywhere.  Now it seems more functional and we have some organization.  It makes me feel better when I do things to make my life less stressful.  If you know me, you know I am a heap of stress.  So, I am doing this to better our home, our family and myself.  I am excited ... photos to come!