Project Clean Up 2017, Week 4 Results, Part 2: Greeting Cards

The second half of Week 4 of  "Project Clean Up 2017" required me to get my Greeting Card box in order and boy, did it need it!!

These cards, for the past 12 years, have been filed in an old Avon cardboard box. At one time, they were filed neatly and separated, but over time, they have made their way everywhere! The lid was beat up a long time ago which mean that anything and everything in the air of a garage can get to these cards. Sigh....

I sorted through them, tossing any bent up envelopes or cards and began making stacks of categories.

Time for my "go to"..... that Sterilite plastic container with snap on lid!

I wanted something nice and colorful to separate the occasions so I went with these great file folders...

The only thing I didn't figure in were the measurements of the folders. It was either that I put them in the container width wise which would have been way too short causing them to fall or put them in deep wise, in which case, I had to cut them smaller. So, I went with the deep. Since I have to grab things quickly with a life like mine, I chose to write in deep marker so I wouldn't make in mistakes when grabbing a file.

I had quite a few files, just making sure each had a correct home. I am very pleased with it! Snap the lid on and it is ready to be put back up on the shelf....more organized this time!

Will be checking in with some Week 5 results this week. See you then!

Project Clean Up 2017...Week 5 Living Room/Great Room/Family Room

We are into Week 5 of "Project Clean Up 2017" How is your organizing and cleaning going? 

Whichever you have in your home, whether it be a Living Room, Great Room or Family Room, this is the room you will be cleaning this week! This room should be a place where you can read, relax, watch TV, spend time with your family and friends. It is very important that everything in this room has a designated home so that if company is unexpectedly coming over, you can have this room all ready to go in 15 minutes or less.

We still have our Christmas decorations up (my husband says Christmas is all through the winter months) so my Great Room clean up will begin with the removal of our tree and decor, then the real clean up begins! Are you ready for your list of things to do this week? Here you go!

This week's goals:

___ Decide the functions for this room. List all the things you do in this room. A place to gather, a play area for the kids, a work area for you, a place to watch TV or read, a place to exercise. Use it the way you see fit.

___ Remove everything that does not serve the functions of the living room. Return items to their rightful place or simply find new places for them. Find the right storage spot after you have finished organizing your living room...remember never to get distracted from what you set out to do.

___ Bread the room down into zones of the functions of the room. These zones become "home" for the things you use in the room. Toys and games go in one area, books in another, movies in another, work in another. Each area should have it's own shelving or furniture with built in storage to hold or hide the items, however you choose to store.

___ Clean off the coffee and end tables. Never leave any more than a few books or magazines, coasters and maybe a decoration on the tables.

___ Figure out one place to keep the TV remotes so you are never searching for them. Use a basket, drawer or a pocket organizer that you can hang over the arm of the chair.

___ Hang your photos on the wall instead of taking up space on end tables and other table spaces. Forming a collage in a hall or up a staircase may help with finding a home for these items.

___Keep one basket for magazines and newspapers. Keep only the current issues and recycle the rest.

___Clean off the mantle if you have one. This is most likely a focal point so clean it off and only replace a few favorite items.

___Toss all half-dead houseplants, old remote controls, broken CD cases, dusty fake plants and excessive knick knacks. Keep only items that you really cherish.

___Replace dirty or non-matching lamp shades. This improves the lighting and the appearance in the room.

__ Unclutter the walls. Take down everything and then only put back your favorite items.


**Tips**

Try to find coffee tables and end tables with drawers.

Ottomans that have built in storage provide a place to put up your fit and hide toys, blankets, magazines, etc...

Keep wires and cords organized by binding them together with a twist tie.

Keep any craft or sewing projects you are working for in a basket or storage container so it kept in it's own place and does not create a mess in the room.

If you are limited on space, do not use an end table unless they are providing storage. If an end table is just used to hold a lamp, consider switching to a floor style lamp and get that bulky table out of there.

Never keep more than 3 items on your coffee table. Otherwise, it will turn into a clutter table.


Staying Organized!!

Once a Month:

__ Vacuum the upholstery on all of your furniture.

__ Clear this room of any items that belong elsewhere.

Every 3-6 Months:

___ Throw out old magazines.

___ Clean the switch plates, doorknobs and doorjambs.

___ Clean and disinfect the telephone.

___ Vacuum the heating and air conditioning vents.

___Dust the window blinds

___Wash overhead lighting fixtures and clean fan blades.

Once a Year:

___ Wash the insides of the windows.

___ Wash the curtains.

___Move large pieces of furniture and vacuum or mop underneath.

___ Consider rearranging the room to help reduce wear patterns on the floor.

Project Clean Up 2017, Week 4 Results, Part 1: Prize Box

    The first half of my Week 4 project is finished. I kind of went backwards than how I had it posted. I began with the prize box, as it wouldn't take nearly as long and I still had some items to purchase for the greeting card box. Here is what I began with, an old diaper box. 

    There are a ton of various toys, pencils, play jewelry and such down in this box that have been through the mill due to the fact that it doesn't close and is very hard to store. 

My solution:

   It is just a plastic Sterilite container with a snap on lid. Simple, but a huge improvement! It is amazing what had gotten tossed in over the years. I dumped the whole box and went through it thoroughly. Tossed broken crayons, faded tattoos, mini bubble bottles that had dried, little empty plastic ziplocs, broken bracelets....lots can happen with 14 years worth of children's hands rummaging through it! A Walmart plastic bag of garbage thrown away and it was all ready for it's new home! 

One more added touch to get the kiddos excited....

It is finally ready to store on my garage shelf, neatly and ready for its next use! 

Next up to get finished, my greeting card box. Only 1 day to get it finished before the new week starts! Will check in when I am done. 

"Project Clean Up 2017" Week 4

   Who has an area stacked with greeting cards waiting to be used? Maybe they are in a box, but just simply thrown about? I, myself, keep them separated in regular file folders down inside of an old Avon box. That was my organization, but keeping it on a shelf in the garage tends to lead to some very sticky, yet decorative cobwebs. I decided that I need to get these in order once and for all. 

   Week 4 of my "Project Clean Up 2017", I have decided to focus on my greeting card box. It is not listed in the book, but I worked it in to a week so I could do something really nice with it. I want to find some heavy card stock files to separate and then file neatly in a plastic container with a lid. 

No more of this...

   While I am at it, I have another box I think I may go through. This is the box I have had since my 18 year old was in Kindergarten...my prize box. I take this box everywhere! I have used this box for 14 years of school holiday parties, birthday parties at home for my children. Children digging through the little treasures...I love this box! The trinkets inside have also been used to fill random pinatas over the year, treat bags, etc... Currently and for many years, this old cardboard diaper box has been putting many a smile on children's faces. It deserves a nice container! I will be adding this project to Week 4 as well.

Do you have either of these things needing done? This is the week to do it! These are smaller, less time consuming projects so once these are done, you are finished for the week! Relax the rest of the week away. You are welcome to do your regular tidying, but hold off on any deep cleaning until Week 5. I will let you know which area to hit next!

Will be checking in soon with finished projects!

See you soon, 

"Project Clean Up 2017" Week 2

Ready to catch up just a little more? I have Week 2 for you. Week 3 will follow very soon so we can get everything back on track so be ready!

Week 2

Organize your Personal Info/Finances/Bill Pay System

Personal Info


__ Decide where you would like to store this information. Store on your computer or write it down on index cards and keep in a small box. If you store on your computer, save a backup copy to a disk or jump drive. (Store in fireproof box) Make sure to remove the info from the hard drive if you get rid of the computer.

__ Label each category so it can be referenced with ease. A few examples of what to record for each category:

A. Finances (Formulate a budget for your finances. You may want to include your spouse or children in this process, too)

     __Your credit score
 
     __ Your credit card number (s) and the phone number to call if your card is lost or stolen (same for debit/check cards)

     __ Your bank account numbers and the phone number to call if your checkbook is lost or stolen.

     __ A budget for your income, expenses, savings and personal goals.

B. Health (There are new Web sites and software that help you store and track your family's health history)

     __ Allergies (to food, medicine, animals, etc.)

     __ Your blood pressure

     __ Health issues that run in your family

     __ Your cholesterol level

     __ Your blood type and those of your family members.


C. Safety

     __Emergency contact numbers

     __ License plate number and VIN (Vehicle ID Number)

     __ Flight numbers if you or a family member are planning a trip.

     __ Current photos of every member of your family, labeled with their heights and weights.

     __ Photocopies of your passport and the passports of your spouse and children.


D. Just in Case

     __ Your measurements and clothing sizes

     __ Your partner's measurements and clothing sizes

     __ Your children's measurements and clothing sizes


Purchase a fireproof safety deposit box if you don't own one. Important documents that need to be put in:

__ Marriage certificate                                               __ Wills
__ Birth certificates                                                    __ Death certificates
__ Adoption papers                                                   __ Household inventory list
__ Automobile titles                                                   __ Valuable contracts
__ Stocks and bonds certificates                                __ Passports


**Stay Organized**

Once a month:

File away any new personal info you receive.

Every 3-6 months:

Add any major new purchases to your household inventory list.

 Review your financial budget. Consider ways you can save by cutting back on expenses. Then follow through.

Once a year:

 Request a free credit report to make sure nothing unusual or unauthorized has popped up on it.

 Take new photos of your family members for your safety folder. Be sure to note their heights and weights.

 Update your health records after your annual physical.

Finances


__ Gather all your bills and corresponding paperwork and decide on one place to keep them all. Pay your bills online and request that your bank does not send paper statements.

__ Make a list of all your income and expenses. Use a program or paper and pen. Get a clear pic of your financial situation. Remember to include the due dates next to each bill. Here are examples:

A. Fixed Expenses

     __ Mortgage/Rent                                  __ Utilities
     __ Phone                                               __ Insurance
     __ Taxes/Loans                                      __ Savings

B. Controllable Expenses (You may want to track these expenses for 3 months to get an average)

     __ House Maintenance                            __Transportation: Parking, Gasoline, etc..
     __ Child-Rearing Expenses                      __ Credit Cards
     __ All food                                              __ Personal Care
     __ Entertainment                                      __ Charitable contributions
     __ Habits (coffee-shop drinks, cigarettes)

__ Formulate a budget based on your income and expenses. Your fixed expenses should be no more than 65% of your income.

__ Schedule times each month to pay your bills. The best way is pay as soon as you get paid. Call your payees to see if they can change your due dates to coincide with your plan. Take advantage of automatic bill payment with your bank.

__ Commit right now to your future. If you are not already contributing to a savings account or investment fund, add an amount you are comfortable with to your budget today and stick with it.

__ Ask for help if you need it. If you are not sure how to balance a checkbook, invest or form a budget, ask for help from someone you can trust or a professional.

__ If you have not done so already, set up a college fund for your children. Consider purchasing life insurance for you and your spouse.


**Stay Organized**

Once a Month:

 Review your credit card statements to make sure your interest rate has not changed.

 Balance your checkbook.

Every 3-6 months:

Review your 401K 

Once a year:

 Update your budget.

Schedule a time to do your taxes.


Bill Paying System

__ Find a place to pay bills.

__ Set up this area with all bill paying supplies; calculator, envelopes, stamps, pens, return address labels.

__ Shred any old payment books from loans you have paid off. Here is a list to help you decide what financial items to keep or shred: ATM receipts (put with your taxes if necessary), Credit card statements (make sure they are correct, only keep the most current), Insurance policies and bills (only keep most current), Medical bills (Keep for three years), Mortgage records (keep for as long as you own the property), Mutual fund statements (only keep the annual reports), Selling records of previously owned property (save and file), Social security statements (only keep the annual reports), Tax records (file and save for up to seven years)

__ Implement an organized system for paying bills that works for you. Organize your bills in a large manila envelope with a small calendar in it. Each time a bill arrives, place the bill and envelope in the envelope and mark the due date on your calendar. When the bill has been paid, cross it off the calendar.

__ Schedule time in your planner each week to pay bills and check accounts. Pay your bills on time. If you can't, write your creditor or vendor a letter describing your situation. Send them something every month even if it is five dollars.

__ After your bills are paid, write or stamp "paid" on them and place them in a basket or folder until the end of the month. At the end of the month, punch holes in them and file in a large 3 ring binder. Use dividers to mark each category (electric, phone, vehicle, mortgage, etc..) This will keep everything organized and easy to reference.


**Stay Organized**

Once a month: 

 Keep up with your filing in the three ring binder. You may need to schedule this on your calendar. The longer you let it build, the less likely you are to do it.


Balance your checkbook.

Every 3-6 months:

Replenish any supplies you may be out of in your bill paying area.


 Shred and recycle any bank statements you no longer need.

Once a year:

Sort your bills that need to be submitted for taxes.

Pack away bills from the previous year that you need to save. Shred the rest.



Credit to the book: Organize Now by Jennifer Ford Berry

A tear or two....

While out driving today, I was flipping through XM Radio and this song came on that always gets to me....I immediately teared up. Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin. I have always tried to live my life by this song. I never in my life want my children to look back and think that I never had the time. 8 children makes for a lot of care, but I also have to keep up with my housework, cooking, running to different functions, etc... but no matter what, I always find time for my kids. I purposely schedule in days on my calendar so there is never a chance of not getting that time in. Time with your kids is just as important as any appointment.

For anyone who thinks that there is never enough time, listen to this long, read the lyrics. They are grown before you know it and we never know how much time we have with anyone. Take the time.

Cats in the Crade-by Harry Chapin

My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me

And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

I am on my way!

  So, who has begun the first week of "Project Clean Up 2017" in your home? I am just so excited about this process that I can't stand it! 

  I began my days of Week 1 by starting with "Organizing my Mind" and making my daily "To Do" list first thing. I post mine on the refrigerator so it is in a neutral location to write down things as I think of them. If I need to move to another floor, I carry it with me. After writing down my "To Do's," I separated them into A, B, and C categories so I knew when to do each. A is today, B is this week, C is sometime in the future.

 One of my "To Do" items was to find myself a journal to jot down my thoughts in. I came across this one, from Goodwill of all places! It has my favorite quote on the front so I knew this was the one that was going to represent my year.

  I scheduled in exercise from 8-9pm with my daughter, Kaplyn, every night. In our home, things definitely have to be scheduled in especially if a TV will be involved. We exercise in our Game Room which is also the main communal area that the older boys share so they have to move their lives elsewhere for an hour.

  As part of "Organizing my Priorities," I made a Priority List with my Top 10. What I picked, I feel, are the things most on my mind. Some are things I have done over the last few years and some are new. This is what I came up with:

 1. Date Night with Hubby (every other week)

 2. Parent/Child Day Out (every other off week)

 3. Discovery/Story Nights (Wed) and Movie/Board Game Nights (Fri) (back and forth each week)

 4. Double Date with our best friends (each quarter)

 5. "Me" Day (once a month)

 6. "Us" Day (with our at home littles, every Wed)

 7. Exercise (Every night 8-9pm) Weigh In (Every Saturday)

 8. Craft Project (once a month)

 9. Parents/Best Friend Time (every other month)

 10. Family Day Out (once a month)

  It is a lot to schedule in, but I only have a few additions to what I had been doing all along until now. 

  As another piece of my "Mind Organization," we sat down with our kids and went over our year and how we are breaking it all down. They are on board with everything. Hopefully everything intertwines nicely along with our 3 older kids' jobs. 

  As for my "Cleaning Schedule Organization," I have always had a system that works great that I am sticking with. Just needed this new process to help with my "Overall" De-cluttering and Cleaning system.  

  How have you done thus far? Do you have your Top 10 Priority List ready?

  I'll be checking in with you soon!