So What Now?

I thought I'd post a little update on "Life After the DLS Projects"...

After doing a project every week day of 2010 it's pretty much become habit for me. I've cleaned, organized or finished something every week day of 2011--so far!

I love it!

I'm also motivated to get "Spring Cleaning" done before this baby arrives.

My kids have been great little helpers and hopefully they are learning to be great little future homemakers :)

I've decided that I miss this blog so I'll keep posting here and there as I do new projects.
I've also been reading Daryl's book The Ultimate Career and she has LOTS more great advice so I think I'll share more of her wisdom as well!

D says,
Don't make excuses for clutter...and Remember, messes multiply; clutter attracts more clutter.
She's right. I've noticed that it only takes one item out of place to start a chain reaction--then before you know it, it's multiplied and attracted more clutter, just like she says.
I've also noticed that children just naturally attract clutter and at our house it's the children that seem to multiply!

The Very Handy Jewelry Hanger

Little Disclaimer: The husband has my camera.

I'm using the daughter's camera--I have NO IDEA how to use it.

So you get blurry pictures.

Sorry.

BEFORE...

Little splash of yellow...

THE PROCEDURE

I'm sure it will come as no surprise that
I haven't cleaned this out in years.
I cleared and chucked.




It was pretty dusty so I vacuumed with this TOOL...

AFTER...

FACET #11

FROM A HOUSE TO A HOME

An ideal homemaker is able to transform four walls into a home by creating both spiritual and physical beauty therein.

I have a pretty good handle on transforming the inside of the home...now if I could just transform the front porch--it's still a mess :(

Out with the Small...in with the Large

I accomplished 2 projects today.

1 organizing project and 1 service project...

I am 15 weeks pregnant...

the bad news is, I could easily be mistaken for 25 weeks pregnant...

the good news is, I haven't gained any weight.

It was time to put away the "small" clothes and pull out the "LARGE" clothes.

I cleared, sorted, chucked...

and realized I hardly have any LARGE maternity clothes for Winter since my last 3 babies were born in September.

I sent quite a few things to the DI...including these hot Girbaud jeans.

I think they were my little brothers and then somehow they became mine--I've had them for like 20 years.

AFTER...


The "Flower" project...
BEFORE...


A dear friend of the family passed away so my mom and I made 19 corsages and 1 boutonniere for the funeral.

AFTER...



My Mom is a great homemaker...
she does things I'll never do, like grow a big garden, can chili sauce, sew, and she can even clean fancy draperies.
D says When children work with you rather than against you, the housework isn't much of a problem at all. And as a result, there's lots of time for family fun.
It was fun working with and visiting with the Mom!
We talked about all kinds of things...
from me telling her 'should anything ever happen to me please sign the husband up for "Meals on Wheels" otherwise he'll only eat cereal and McDonalds', to how much I miss my brother and sister-in-law who just moved to Arizona :(
The Mom loves the Husband so I know she'll be sure to fulfill my request if ever necessary.
The Mom has loved the Husband for almost as long as I have.
When we were Juniors in High School I tried to break up with the Husband--I guess back then he was the Boyfriend-- but the Mom counseled me, 'Becky, I'll support you in whatever you do but I don't think you'll ever find anyone who treats you as good as Kevin (the Boyfriend who is now the Husband) does.'
The Mom was right.
So glad I took her advice.

I'm out of town tomorrow for the funeral.
Back for more projects on Thursday.

Catching Up...Day 7!

This may look familiar.

After we went through the kids closets over the summer there was plenty that needed sorting.

BEFORE...

There were no TOOLS but check out these cute new additions to my salt and pepper shaker collection!

They were a gift from my daughter's cute friend...she saw them and knew I would love them.

And I do!

Thanks again Haley!

THE PROCEDURE

I put off doing this until 7pm.

I sorted and sorted and sorted.
Some clothes went into the storage bins and some went into the DI bag...

AFTER...

This project required some lifting...
D says Bend at knees and hip joints instead of bending back. Use leg muscles rather than back muscles when lifting.

The bins weren't all that heavy but good advice nonetheless.

I think my all-day-sickness is getting a little better.
Today the daughter told me,
"Wow mom, you're getting big--but you look cute."
Do I take that as a compliment?

Catching Up...Day 5!

Today my goal is to get the office cleaned and blogged by 1:30 when the kids get home from school.

We're going school supply shopping today.

Yes, the kids have been in school for a week now and I am just today getting their supplies.

It's how I roll these days.

BEFORE...

The little girls have used this little area as their desk all summer.

The following picture is disgusting...

This happened earlier this summer.
I cleaned it.
A week later it was back.



THE TOOLS

THE PROCEDURE
Cleared, sorted, chucked, wiped.
Vacuumed the spiderwebs in the window...along with 2 flies that were caught in it.
-Gag-
And -Gag- again.



AFTER...

D says We as homemakers, set the standards for orderliness in our homes. It is basic with us. Children are only an excuse, not a reason, for a cluttered house.

I can buy that, during the school year...but during the summer, I say they are totally the reason for a cluttered house!

Catching Up...Day 4

Just like yesterday

I had an appointment at 10am today.

Yesterday, I had my act together.

Today, when I arrived home at 1pm

I was greeted with this...

Didn't quite have it together today.

I should have set a goal.

Decided to deal with my bedroom today.

BEFORE...

THE TOOL

The other day the husband found this stuck in our carpet...

We have no idea where it came from.

He doesn't own any fish hooks this big.

THE PROCEDURE

I cleared, sorted, chucked, and dusted.
And watched Designed to Sell at the same time.

AFTER...

D says One example of consistency in homemaking lies in cleaning a house and keeping it clean. She suggests we attempt only one room at a time and plan to spend from a day to approximately a week on it, depending upon its size.

Off the subject...

Should I be concerned that my 5 year old daughter burps like a man?

It used to be funny, but now it's disturbing.

I don't think she can control it.

A few weeks ago she let out a huge burp, right in the middle of church.

And then to make matters worse, her brothers and sisters could not stop laughing.

I think I should be concerned.

Catching Up...Day 2

You can get a lot done when you're up at 6...

even when you go back to bed from 7 til 8 :)

I decided to focus on the 1/2 bath and laundry area today.

BEFORE...

Under the sink in the 1/2 bath.

How lovely, the the "Spring" sign is still hanging on the back door.
I am not a "do a load or 2 of laundry every day" kind of girl.
Laundry day is Monday.
Tuesday is finish up the laundry that did not get done on Monday.


Forgot THE TOOLS again.
Picture in your mind the shop vac, a mop, window cleaner, and the duster.
I realized I was out of toilet cleaner, so I pictured that in my mind while I improvised with window cleaner.


THE PROCEDURE
Started in the bathroom.
I vacuumed cobwebs and dusted the blinds.
Organized the mess under the sink,
cleaned the mirror, toilet, and sink.
Mopped the floor and vacuumed these...

This bathroom gets cleaned every Saturday by the 5 year old.
During the school year, when I am most organized and on a schedule, I also do a major bathroom cleaning every couple of weeks.
I was pleasantly surprised that the bathroom was in pretty good shape after only being cleaned by the 5 year old for the last 3 months.
Pretty sure the 5 year old cleans bathrooms better than the 16 year old.


Then I moved to the laundry area.
Shelley, if you're reading this I'm pretty sure Coleman left this sock at the cabin...have you missed it?
I folded and put away the last load of clothes.
Dusted the blinds.
Cleared off the washer and dryer and wiped them down.
Vacuumed the baseboards and floor.
Mopped the floor.
Cleared the coat hooks of everything that didn't belong.


AFTER...

I spent an hour putting these spaces in order.

I think my ironing board has seen better days.

D says When putting a new cover on your ironing board, first dip it in cold starch and then tack it firmly in place. As it dries it shrinks, leaving a smooth, taut surface that won't stretch and wrinkle the first time you iron on it. Also, the starch will keep it from getting soiled very easily, so it won't need changing quite so often.

Catching Up...Day 1

The husband and I took off last week for a little get-a-way to Cache Valley.

We used to live there and love to go back.

It was a great end to a fun summer!

We got to watch our big boy play...

We ate Tiny Spicy Chicken

One of our favorite meals of all time!

And we did a session here...


It was a nice rest before
CATCHING UP!
This house is currently out of order!
The kids went back to school today and the mom got busy!
I decided to take the next few weeks and tackle one room at a time.
I picked the worst one to start with.
The little girls room.

BEFORE...

I just realized I forgot THE TOOLS

Picture in your mind a vacuum, garbage bags, and a duster.

THE PROCEDURE

Oh man, this took me hours--5 to be exact.

Here is a picture 2 hours in...

Remember a few months ago when I cleaned under the girls bed...

You'd never know it.
I kept it together and didn't swear not once.
I organized, and organized some more, and chucked a bunch and DI'd a bunch more.

AFTER...

In regards to children, D says Through consistently performing daily tasks such as making a bed and leaving a room in order, children develop habits which will serve them well for life. She also says: MAKE WORK EASY FOR THEM.

Getting rid of half their toys should make their work much easier!