Get 'er done!

I don't know how you feel, but I have been needing some serious organization around here.

My kids have been "free range" children for too long.  

Of course, we have chores.  But, each day I feel so bad for asking them to do one more thing.  Yet, their rooms have been HORRIBLE.  Towels on the floor, beds a mess, clothes littering their rooms, and stuff....the stuff.

Enter...the CHORE CHART.  It's highly exciting, and it is actually working (so far).

What is on the chore chart?  Well, morning chores are pretty demanding: get dressed, eat, brush your hair, push your drawers in, etc...  You can see what a slave driver I am.

Afternoon chores (these are pretty difficult too): hang up your backpack, put your shoes away, etc... but there is the clean the sink, toilet, empty garbages, clean up backyard, and tidy room in there too.

The house is looking better.  And, maybe now I will have time to work on a little of this....

Quilter's Home Magazine-Bookmarked

A few months ago I got a call from Quilters Home Magazine, asking if they could do a small little ditty on me for their magazine.   Clearly, you can see my answer.  I was so excited.  I mean, I am virtually a "nobody," so I was happy to get out there in the quilting world.

I went on a treasure hunt to find the mag when it came out, found it at Barnes and Noble, and I have been pleasantly surprised since.  This magazine is perfect for those of us who are slightly cheeky.  It is fun, light hearted, and informative.  You should definitely check it out.

Oh, and if you are looking for me, you can find me on page 69.  I know, you can hardly wait!

On to the really exciting stuff.  Yesterday was Valentines Day, and I had a full one.  Lucky for me, my sweet toddler threw my phone into a yard garbage can full of water on Saturday while I was working on science projects and hot pads for a class I am teaching tonight.  That made me have a couple chores on Monday.   

On the list:  get a new phone, get valentines presents for the kids (oh yeah, probably should have done this earlier to have them all ready valentines morning), do all the laundry, get a Rx for a new sinus infection (yeah for me), and go out to celebrate.  I almost got everything done, but the laundry is still not put away.  

My fever totally knocked me out by the end of the day....laundry can wait.

Here is my Lizard while we were waiting at the Pharmacy for my Rx to get filled.  I love her green teeth from eating her Valentines party.  And the photo...taken with my new phone a mytouch.  I am loving it!

  

Even Slower

Things are pretty crazy over here.  After recovering from a pretty awesome stomach flu last week, we are now dealing with strep throat and head colds/flu.  

I have been feeling sorry for myself because I am the opposite of productive.

Then, I got a super fun box in the mail.  It was from my MOM.  She always makes me feel special, remembered, and loved. 

I read a blog earlier this week about love.  Not the romantic kind, but the charity kind of love.  I have been thinking about it a lot.  How many times do we think about how wonderful someone is, and keep it inside?  I know for me, it is often.

I am surrounded by amazing people.  They are everywhere.  They are in church, at my kids school, in my neighborhood, at the store, and far far away.  So many people are appreciated silently.  What if we all took a moment to recognize 1 or 2 of these people?  

Go ahead, send an email, a real handwritten letter, or give someone a call.  I can guarantee it will lift their heart as well as yours.

Moving Slow.....

Yes, I have started working on more sewing projects.  I am moving at an incredibly SLOW pace.  Way too slow.  What is inhibiting me?  Well, those lovely guys shown above take up a fair amount of my time.  This motherhood thing can take all your free time if you let it (insert small chuckle).  Honestly,  I am loving motherhood, and I am happy to put off my projects to enjoy moments like the one above.  Oh, the joy of watching my kids enjoy each other.  It is precious and perfect.  One of my big dreams for my family is for my kids to love each other, to want to be around each other, and to be on the same team.  We certainly aren't there all the time (as I am writing this I am breaking up squabbles), but I love the shining moments of joy.  Ahhhh, deep breath.

Also taking my time was a little rearranging in our home.  Shopping has taken up quite a bit of my time.  I am serious.  And no, I don't love shopping.  I wish I did!

Yeah, in true Sarah fashion, I had to re-do something in my house at the start of the new year. Luckily, this year, it isn't anything major.  Just rearranging.   What did we do?

Well, in order to create a more orderly life, I think having one of our computers downstairs will help us.  Help with calendaring, emails, etc.  It's a challenge to be with the kids downstairs, and be working on "work" upstairs.  To move the computer downstairs we needed a spot.  

Well, we have a little cove in the kitchen (previously occupied by the hutch in the picture below) where a computer would work.  But, then we had to move the hutch.....where?  Into the living room, which we turned into a dining room/piano room.  We got rid of our couches, had to get a new kitchen table ($300, thanks to the Sharp's from Craig's List), and got a new desk from Costco.  So, the pictures below are from the new dining room/piano room.  I would LOVE to show you the new computer area...but alas, the desk we got from Costco was broken out of the box.  NO more desks were left.  More shopping.  I found a desk from JCPenney and it is on its way.

Maybe after we get the desk in there I can work a little faster to show you something FUN!