Get into the groove...

So far, so good with the first week of school. We are gettin' into the groove!

This week I have been super busy, but trying to stay super organized too. During the summer I threw all meal-planning, laundry schedules, and anything "organized" out the window. I have a lot of catching up to!

This week, I've got the boys back on their "Hamburger Helpers" chore chart, I started a meal plan again, and have been trying to get my laundry system back in gear. So, it's not just the first week back for the boys...it's the first week back for mom.

While meal planning I thought about how great slow cooker meals are. I have always loved my using Crock Pot, but I think it only made it to my counter top once this summer. I decided to drag it out and dust it off.

{And you might have gotten married around 1999 if your Crock Pot looks like this...}

 

{Someone please tell my husband that I want need this one! Mine is 13ish years old and the plastic lid is now cracked.}

{source}

 

I am hoping to return to work a couple of days a week this school year and thought it'd make my life easier if I did a few crock pot meals a week. So I started shopping around my favorite blogs and Pinterest for some new recipes.

The first first one I found was an Easy Crock Pot Lasagna... and it was! And it was also very tasty.

{source}

Ingredients

• 1 pound (16 ounces) ground beef {I used ground turkey.}
• 1/2 cup diced white onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 (24 ounce) jar spaghetti sauce {shhhhhh! Don't tell my family!}
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 (15 ounce) container ricotta cheese
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 whole egg
• 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley
• 6 uncooked lasagna noodles {Whole wheat noodles work just the same.}

Directions

1. In a large skillet brown beef and onion. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Drain.
2. Add spaghetti sauce and water and simmer for about 5 minutes.
3. Mix ricotta, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella, 2 Tablespoons Parmesan, egg and parsley.
4. Pour 1 cup of spaghetti meat sauce into a 4 to 6 quart sized slow cooker. Place half of the noodles and half of the ricotta mixture on top of the sauce. Cover with 2 cups meat sauce. Top with remaining noodles (If the noodles don't fit exactly break them to fit) and cheese mixture and meat sauce.
5. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until noodles are soft. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of mozzarella and remaining parmesan. Cover with the lid to melt the cheese and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.
6. Do not overcook and don't try to speed up the process by cooking it on high.
7. *Works best with a 4 to 6 quart size slow cooker.

No complaints from the fam, except for maybe a certain 3 year-old who happens to currently detest all food, so it's a keeper!

Next up...

This yummy Crock Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice from a blog I love called Skinny Mom. I'll let you know how that comes out too.

I'd love to hear if your family has any tried and true crock pot recipes.

Now, on to my pile of laundry!

XO,

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm giving thanks for all the little but HUGE blessings...

•An awesome Memorial Day weekend in Edisto with good friends. I was just reminiscing about the great time we had last weekend and how thankful I am for these friends.

•My SC teaching certificate is being renewed as we speak. We're saying a few extra prayers that the perfect job for me and my family will show itself!

•My neurologist showed me a series of beautiful images of my brain. The headaches are just that...headaches. And he's trying to help me manage them.

•My mom kept Sam and Fu tonight and we were able to clean out 3/4 of the laundry/craft/multi-purpose/storage room. Can't wait to knock out more tomorrow! {Thanks Mom & Dad}

•My dad turns 65 tomorrow...June 1! I am thankful for every year we get to celebrate with our parents. They are so very important to me! Happy Birthday, Dad! You're the bomb-dot-com!

That's all folks!!! Stay tuned for Phone dump Friday!!

CTBaker

Hamburger Helpers!

Several weeks ago I decided to do a little revamping of our chore system. The previous plan had actually become non-existent and I had just resorted to having temper tantrums to get them to get things done. Not working so well.
I googled chore charts and found a few on Pinterest, but none of them were "new" to me. I wanted something to make them excited about helping and earning a commission.

We are big Dave Ramsey fans. I have mentioned him several times (here, here, and here). Dave suggests paying your children a "commission" rather than an "allowance". Here's his theory: An allowance is kind of a given...not earned. A commission is earned. Then there are responsibilities...you don't get paid for those. It makes perfect sense to me.

Our new system covers commissions and responsibilities. There are no handouts in the real world. So why should there be in our home? We have a "PAYDAY" and they are paid only for the work that has been done. We are also teaching them about tithing (Malachi 3:10), so 10% is immediately taken off the top and put in their envelope for church. They're not so fond of that part, but it will make it less painful when they are adults.

Any who...
I took a combo of concepts online (from this blog) and made up my own. I like to call it Hamburger Helpers.

I made it with Popsicle sticks, mod-podge, and magnets. Super easy!

Each burger has a bun; top bun= A.M. Responsibilities and bottom bun= P.M. Responsibilities.
Sam and Fulton each have six sticks making up the burger and condiments. Each stick has a chore (or chores depending on the complexity) and a value of the commission to be paid. There is an A list and B list of chores to be rotated between the 2 big boys. Yes! Ollie has his very own baby burger, since he is only 3, with age-appropriate chores.

So far, so good. There hasn't been any yelling or complaining involved and they really look forward to payday. Who knew Hamburger Helpers could be so good?

If you'd like a copy of the printable Hamburger Helpers to make your own, just leave me a comment below or contact me. I will email it to you! It will have our chores on it, but they are very basic and common household tasks. If the chores don't suit your family contact me through my SHOP and I'll customize one for you.

new package, same great product

for the purpose of simplifying, i have decided to start using my what's bakin'? blog as my primary blog. i love doing practically put and will continue to write posts similar in nature. however, i originally started practically put with intentions of simplifying and organizing my chaotic life. i can blog about my organizational journey here, the same as i could there, and still blog about our family...all in one place. it was getting a tad difficult trying to keep a business blog, a personal blog, and a family blog. quite frankly...i was doing a lousy job.

so here i am. back at what's bakin'?. wholeheartedly.

for those of you new to what's bakin'?...welcome!

for those of you who have been stopping by since 2002 at our first what's bakin'? geocities site...thanks for continuing to share in our lives.

we hope you enjoy our new look and new links to the right. i hope you will check them out and come back to visit often.

xoxo

E-mealz meets Coupons!!

Just in...a post about using coupons with the e-mealz service.

Read about it here!

It's a great plan and well worth it.

To subscribe to e-mealz click the link below or to the left and it'll take you there!!!

Practically Yours,

An update

A simple equation for my readers:

+

+

=

I am a speech therapist by trade and a stay at home mom by the grace of God, the hard work of The Yard Man, and the little sacrifices we make as a family. In an earlier post I was struggling with how I could use my degree and still be at home with my MM's. I also want to still be able to use my talents and keep my creative juices flowing. IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!?!

Which leads me to my update on a few things...

# 1- So I have been researching part-time speech therapy prospects and have a couple "in my pocket goin' jing-a-ling-a-ling". (Go on...I hear ya...sing it sista.---I loved that song.) The extra cashola sure would be nice and it would keep my foot in the do' for future speech gigs. Not to mention with these particular prospects I would be available for my little MM's. I just gotta keep praying one of them will work out.

# 2- I have been trying to revamp my business website Letter Bugz Social Stationery! I have decided to move away from stationery and focus more on my themed invitations with coordinating thank you notes, favor labels, and address labels, as well as photo cards. I will also be adding children's birthday party services soon. These will include a variety of services such as; custom invitation packages, inspiration boards, handmade decor, and full-service party planning for a WIDE range of budgets! I have been praying for a while now for God to help me use my talents in a way that others may also benefit and the LORD knows how much I love planning fun parties and entertaining! So, I am going to give this a shot and I am hoping He will give me the strength and knowledge I need to get this up and running. Word of mouth is the best advertisement, so I also hope I can count on your support and prayers as I dive in to something new.

# 3- On an organizational note: Daily I think about how much I enjoy planning parties and celebrating birthdays. But at least three times a year I am reminded exactly how much I LOOOOOOOVE it! Well it's one of those times of the year. Tomorrow, September 9th, is MM2's 5th birthday. I can't believe it! About a month or so ago, I asked MM2 what kind of party he'd like. He said he wanted an Ice Cream social! So I have been hard at work shopping around for specials on supplies for DIY decorations and all the party necessities! Details to come!!!
 I have been plundering through photos of the past 5 years to include in MM2's celebration of life presentation at school. This reminded me that back in the summer I began organizing all my printed photos from 1974 to present and got stuck somewhere in the early 2000's. I need to get on it again! I was on a mission and I have fallen off the wagon. But Hobby Lobby and Target have great stylish photo boxes for storage and I bought a few last time they were on sale. Organizing photos makes projects like this very easy...only MM2 was born in 2005 and I didn't make it that far in "operation photo organization".

Any who...just an update.

Practical Tip- I am trusting in the Lord. He knows me best of all and it will work out the way it is supposed to!

Practically Put- Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Practically yours,

Time Budget

Love this! I really need to think about my time budget. I tend to over-commit myself, as I'm sure most mothers do!
Are You Budgeting Your Time Effectively? - Budgeting - daveramsey.com

Practically Yours,

It's Suppah Time!

Happy September, y'all!! It's almost fall, school is back in full swing for most of us, and obligations to ball games, after-school activities, volunteerism, and various other "things" to keep us crazy and busy are at hand. Along with all of this comes the daily dreaded 5:00 question..."what should I fix for supper"?  Sometimes planning dinner for my family of 5 feels so overwhelming! It can also be very costly. Even though I "coupon", it seems that all the stuff I need for new creative recipes are never on sale, nor do they have coupons!!! And I truly love sitting around the table with "all my men". I feel it is of vital importance to every family, but I get so sick and tired of dreaming up healthy inexpensive meals. I needed help.

We are Dave Ramsey freaks! He dictates everything we do with our $. One night, while searching his site a few months ago, we found this awesome site. I didn't try it at first, but after asking around, a good friend said she had been using it with her family and she convinced me to give it a try. It's the greatest concept ever and worth the $1.25 a week! I don't have to think about supper...YAY!!!

Y'all check it out...you can choose regular menu plans, low-fat menus, or WW POINTS menus!
E-MEALZ Easy Meals for Busy and Frugal Families

In a typical week, I use my little BLD menu schedule that I created. Now, I don't have to dream up dinners...they're done for me on E-Mealz and all I have to do it plug it into my schedule. If you'd like a copy...just let me know.

Practical Tip- Planning regular meals can be a pain in the be-haunkus, but it is so important for the health and well-being of our families. It is also a huge challenge for most people. So, even if you don't want to do the E-mealz, you could plug in dinner ideas of your own to my BLD schedule or make your own. It makes feeding the masses a little easier!

Practically Put- Luke 9:12-17
12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here."

13He replied, "You give them something to eat."
They answered, "We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd." 14(About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15The disciples did so, and everybody sat down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Practically Yours,

DAY 10

Today, I decided to clean out our toy closet and have MM 1 & 2 participate. Oh what a joy that was! I armed myself with my keep, ditch, donate bags. After sifting through all the Star Wars men missing appendages, happy meal toys, and toys worth saving, we could see clearly and make sense of who, what, when, and where. It was a great feeling! Project Accomplished!
However, at the very top of the closet are the boxes of my former life. No, not some crazy dark secret sordid stripper-girl past. It's the stash of boxes that hold all my old therapy manuals, activities, due process forms, thematic units, and supplies. It unearthed a whole host of emotions for me.

Happiness. Regret. Sadness. Thankfulness. Pride. Etc.

Thankful, Prideful, and Happy that I had the opportunity to serve these students and make a positive difference in their lives and that I was privileged enough to have been educated and hold a rewarding career. Regretful and Sad because I wish I had gone on an gotten my master's degree before I had children, because I have no control over the laws being changed to prevent therapists holding a BA from practicing, and because I wonder where some of my most severe and less fortunate students have ended up.  I was a therapist for middle and high school students. Most of them have graduated and moved on. Some of them, I wish I could have followed forever. I wish I could be there for them everyday like I was when they were in school, the constant in their lives.

I had true flashbacks with each activity and therapy treatment plan I rediscovered. I could hear the laughter, re-sense their frustrations, and I relived their excitement upon success. I remembered the prompts I'd give them and their answers, sometimes off the wall. Administering therapy was MY therapy as well. It made me proud to see a student reach or exceed his/her goals. It made me happy to know that out of all the adults in their lives, I was the one they looked forward to seeing the most. I had fun. They made my day and I made theirs.

I am truly thankful for that God moment. It is amazing how He speaks to us through the junk in our closets and memories sometimes. I have been struggling with whether or not to go back to school to pursue my masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology. I worry about the time commitment away from my family. I worry about the stress of it all and mostly I worry about the money. I wish I had a fairy Godmother to wave her wand and make a check appear. I wish I had an abundance of support to help me take care of my little peeps while I take on this load. I could sit here all day and list all the circumstances that "I wish" were different, but it's not going to get me any closer to my goal...going back to get my masters and getting back into the classroom. If I wait for the right circumstances it'll never happen!

So tonight, I sat down at the computer and researched my options; MCD distance ed 3 yr program at USC, MSP full-time 2 yr program at USC, and the program at SCSU which I ruled out b/c of the 1 hr drive to class at night (no, thanks). I am now seriously investigating the MCD program at USC.
I'll have to take the GRE...UUUUUUUHHHHHHHGGGGGG!!!! I detest TESTS! But I can do it!

Any who...I need some prayers and encouragement, folks, as I make this decision on whether or not to go for it.

Well, I didn't expect it, but my thoughts got cleaned out and so did the closet!

Practical Tip- Think about a time when you were most fulfilled. Are you there now? If not, give it to God! He'll help you figure out how to get back there. It may not seen to be the "right time", but what IS the "right time". We're on His time any way. So does our time really matter? Huh-uh!

Practically Put-  If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done!

-Ecclesiastes 11:4


Practically Yours,

Day 9

Agenda Shopping
I have been shopping for several weeks for a new agenda/planner. My current planner is about to run out and I am looking for the one that best suits my lifestyle and is the most PRACTICAL. An agenda is an essential in every family! I use it to organize my days, weeks, and months for all my peeps. It keeps us from forgetting important bits of info and scheduled events. So I am in need of one that can accommodate all 5 of us and our scrambly schedules! I am personally familiar with a few of them and I have been pleased with their functionality, but I also wanted to weigh my other options. After conducting my own search, I've narrowed it back down to the 3 I'm most familiar with.

• Mom's Plan-it
• Pros- Size, Storage Pocket, Tear-off Shopping lists, Cost, 17 month calendar, Spiral bound (great for folding pages back)
• Cons- No Month at a glance, Wasted stickers I don't use, non-transferable address book
• MomAgenda
• Pros- Size, Nicely bound w/page marker, Aesthetics, Reusable address book, Week and Month at a glance, Designated areas for each child
• Cons- 13 month calendar, Cost
• Pocket the Date
• Pros- Great pocket storage for each month, Spiral bound, Cost
• Cons- Size, 12 month calendar, No week view

PLEASE!!! If any of you have opinions of which planner works best for you and your family, I'd love to hear it!!! Help a sista out and comment below.

Practically Put- Every family needs to have someone to write down the rules, schedules, and important info. And we all need a handy place to store it, such as an agenda. If you don't already have one, go on the hunt for your family's perfect organizer. It will keep you sane and your family on top of its game!

Practically Put- Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. -Joshua 1:8

Practically Yours,

DAY 8

I think it's safe to say that I love a good list!!! That's exactly what we did today, made lists...To Do Lists, Lists of Chores, Lists of Rules, etc. School will be back in a week from tomorrow and we will be back on rigid schedules. No more sleeping until 9:00, lounging on the sofa in PJ's for most of the morning, no PB&J lunch dates at the kiddie table in the playroom, no more late movie nights with popcorn and skittles...uuuuuuhhhhggg! The first two weeks I know will be absolute agony, but we'll get through it. And as usual, we will see that schedules and structure are good and that I really do like them.

MM1 will be going into 2nd grade (YIKES!) and MM2 will be going into all-day 4k (Double YIKES!!!). MM3 will only be doing mothers morning out 2 days, so I can handle that (Sigh of relief). In preparation for BACK TO SCHOOL we pulled out paper and pencils to make our lists. These are OUR lists but maybe it will help you make yours or even jog your memory for your own list(s).

List 1
Back to school to do
Start Back to School bedtime schedule (8/8)
Practice using the alarm clock with MM2
Finish shopping for school supplies
Get MM 1 & 2 new athletic shoes
MM 1, 2, & 3 Haircuts
Finish sorting/separating play clothes and school clothes
Make 2 Bag Tags each for MM 1, 2, & 3 (for lunch & book bags)
Monogram MM2 book bag
Monogram MM2 nap towel
Label school supplies
Go out for a special Back to School dinner (sushi/hibachi)
Attend Back to School Rally- purchase spirit wear

List 2
Daily Gimme 5's (to be posted on the fridge near "the hub")
Gimme 5 AM

1. Wake-up 6:15
2. Eat Breakfast
3. Potty, Teeth, Get Dressed to shoes
4. Make Bed
5. Wait by the door

Gimme 5 PM

1. Snack and Free Time
2. Homework/Read 4:30
3. Pick-up/Wash-up before dinner
4. Bath, Teeth, Potty, PJ's
5. Lights out 8/8:30

In addition to my regular to-do lists (grocery, chore chart, weekly/daily to-do, etc.), I tried to organize our week-before-school-starts to-do's and routines. I am looking forward to a wonderful year, as we are all very excited about the boys' teacher situations! Each new school year brings another opportunity for us to give thanks that we have smart and healthy little boys.  MM1 & 2 sat down with the Yard Man and me today and made up our Gimme 5's for this school year. I think it may help things run more smoothly, especially in the morning (GAG).Setting rules and making checklists for children gives them appropriate guidelines for behavior and holds them accountable for their choices. I am NO expert, I but am learning as I go.

So ----- Here's to a fantastic week to you all and hopes that we can all get it ALL done and kick off the new school year right! And...if you'd like a copy of our Gimme 5's, just comment below and I'll send it to you!

Gimme 5 Chart/Checklist

Practical Tip- Sit down with you littles and get them to help you create their rules and checklists. It's a good way to learn what's important to them and what they view as being helpful.

Practically Put- These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. -Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Practically Yours,

DAY 7

This week while wallowing in sinus infection and stomach bug grossness, I didn't feel much like physically organizing anything. I took a few days off from projects and cleaning to pretend to rest and take care of myself and to care for a vomitous MM3...love his heart! He kindly shared his sinus infection with me, but thankfully for the rest of us, he kept his stomach virus to himself. So as I was being as inactive as possible, I decide it was a good time to get spiritually organized.

As busy moms, we often don't have that 30 minutes of spiritual alone time that so many professionals recommend. Frequently, I find myself spending my personal time with the Lord in the shower, car, and just as I am drifting off to sleep. I even fall asleep in the middle of my nightly prayers!!! Does God really have a clue what I'm trying to say???? "Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the blessings of this day and for... ZzZzZzZzZ... and I pray that you will help me... ZzZzZzZzZ..." Yes, he actually does know the desires of my heart because of my 30 second snippets throughout the day and bedtime prayers with my boys and I think he appreciates my intentions. However, I am attempting to rework my "spiritual style" so that I can take full advantage of my personal time with the Lord. Along with my 30 second snippets, I would also like to incorporate AT LEAST 15-20 minutes each night to reflect and talk to God. I read my devotionals, sometimes with the Yard Man and sometimes alone. I try to remember all the prayer requests I've received throughout the day/week and I try to give thanks and talk to Him about my heart's desires. Sometimes I am just so tired and I can't seem to squeeze it all in. I know "God hears amen where ever we are" but I'd like to devote a little more time and energy to Him and not always give Him my left-overs! I'm not that person who is going to get up 30 minutes earlier each day...NOPE I am not. So this is my PLAN!!!

• 
  
  Carry my pocket Prayer Journal in my pocketbook for handy note taking and jotting down prayer requests, sermon notes, bible study notes, etc.
• 
  
  Head to bed 5-10 minutes earlier each night
• 
  
  Begin nightly devotions with prayer and thanksgiving FIRST, so as to not fall asleep before I'm finished talking to God
• 
  
  Spend 20 minutes doing our couples devotional, personal devotional, or bible study
• 
  
  Keep all devotional materials handy in my newly organized DEVO-BIN on my bedside table!

Which brings me to the DEVO-BIN. One of my books suggests a basket in which to store all your spiritual references. Thankfully, this chapter spoke loud and clear to me, as all my books, notes, pens and highlighters regularly stay in a jumbled mess on my bedside table. I didn't have a basket, nor would a basket fit on my bedside table, so I used this smaller metal bin I had on hand. It worked perfectly!

My DEVO-BIN includes some of my favorite and most frequently used spiritual guides

• 
  
  My Bible
• 
  
  Moments Together for Couples by Barbara and Dennis Rainey
• 
  
  The Yard Man's copy of The Power of a Praying Husband By Stormie and Michael Omartian (Lord knows I need all I can get!)
• 
  
  The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian (I did this one in a Bible study when MM1 was a baby and still refer to it weekly...love, love, love it!)
• 
  
  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (Given to me by a dear friend who frequently offers great spiritual insight on her blog.)
• 
  
  Where to Find It in the Bible: A to Z resource guide
• 
  
  My Prayer Journal (which will travel with me but have a "home" in the DEVO-BIN)...pictoral details below
• 
  
  Pens, Pencils, and Highlighters
• 
  
  Special keepsake prayer cards issued at our women's retreat

Any who...I am very pleased with how functional and PRACTICAL it turned out. I love my DEVO-BIN!!!!

So...on to the Prayer Journal! This particular org book also suggested a small spiral notebook with dividers to serve as a Prayer Journal. I found mine at the dollar store and it worked perfectly. The author has hers laid out differently but thinks the reader should personalize hers according to her lifestyle and needs.

Prayer Journal

4 subject spiral pocket notebook

Tab #1- Desires of the Heart- this is an area for me to jot down my personal requests for God; my ambitions, goals, requests for forgiveness and worries

Tab #2- Sermon/Bible Study Notes- for the obvious

Tab #3- Prayer Requests- I finally have a designated place to write down all the prayer requests I receive from email, facebook, bible study, church, friends and family. I always feel so bad when I realize the next day that I left someone out! Hopefully, that won't happen anymore!

Tab #4- Notes- this section is to record thougts and feelings about answered prayers and waiting on the unanswered prayers

Note Cards clipped to the back cover for writing notes offering words of encouragement to others and those on the prayer request list.

Practical Tip- Just as God allows us to come as we are and fills us with purpose, go find that unused basket or bin, dust it off and wipe it out and make your own DEVO-BIN. Set the stage for regular well-deserved moments with our Lord and Savior!

Practically Put- But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. -Matthew 6:33

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Matthew 11:28-30

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13

Practically Yours,

DAY 6

Makin' a List...Checkin' it Twice

It was a good day to wake up with a sinus infection. It was gloomy and looking as if it could rain at any minute. Not feeling too hot, I climbed back in bed after breakfast was fixed and slept until noon when the Yard Man had to leave for a meeting. I wrangled Mini-Messers 1 & 2 for a little while then sent them off to watch shark week and play with Legos while Mini-Messer 3 took his nap. I retreated to the sofa with my list and pen in hand to prepare for our "family meeting".

We have started having a little family meeting on Sundays to plan our week. We delegate chores, discuss obligations and schedules. So far, so good. It only takes us about 15 minutes. I let the MM 1 & 2 choose from a few chores so they can't say, "I didn't want to do that." They have a couple of jobs to do on their own and a couple with mom and dad. It seems to be working pretty well. When the Yard Man returned from his meeting we sat down to chat for a few minutes and filled out our Call-See-Do list and our Chore Chart together. I continued to fill out our weekly B-L-D Menu and Grocery list. I created a few cute lists of my own based on the ideas I've gotten from my org books to post on the fridge as reminders for the whole gang.

This system has been working quite well, so I'm sticking to it for now. It will probably change when school starts back in TWO WEEKS (Yikes!). After having it in place for a few weeks, a couple of changes hopefully won't throw us off too much.
Practical Tip- I'll be happy email you a PDF of the Room-by-Room chore chart I created. Just comment below!

Practically Put- For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:10
Practically Yours,

DAY 5

Tidy Friday [pronounced- Fridee] ;-)

"Organized" or not I have always enjoyed having a tidy house on Fridays. It sets a great tone for the upcoming weekend. When tidy, the house is ready for unexpected guests, or spur of the moment gatherings, or even better...just knowing it's neat and you won't have to mess with it over the weekend!!! I want to feel like I am ready to receive friends and family in comfort. An untidy home I feel is a reflection of how well I manage my responsibilities.

On my monster to-do list for today I included tidying. I made a quick list in addition to my to-do list of all that needed to be tidied. When it's broken down (to me) it looks a little less daunting.

#1 quick dusting with swiffer duster (up & down) (15)
#2 vacuum carpets (10)
#3 help boys fill bins w/out of place toys/books and put them in their homes (5)
#4 swivel sweep hardwoods & kitchen (not swiffer---"swivel") (5)
#5 wipe bathroom (down) (5)
#6 windex front door (even though it's a moot point b/c the Mini-Messers put their hands all over it 5 mins later...but I did it.) (2)
#7 Fluff throw pillows (2)

It only took about 45 min! I was shocked when I actually semi-timed myself. Looking at the addendum, I thought Wow! I've got my work cut out for me!!! But It wasn't that bad. So, even if it isn't deep cleaned, it's clean enough to not have to worry about if someone stops by or if we decide last minute to have friends over. Nor will I spend my entire weekend worrying about the need to tidy up (except for the TOYS maybe)!

Practical tip- Make a to-do list. Make and addendum and allocate a certain amount of time of each task. When you break it down it doesn't look as intimidating. And it's a little easier to hold yourself accountable.

Practically put- So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. - Romans 14:12

Practically Yours,
 

DAY 4

When the Purge Regurgitates all over You!

Yesterday, I started my room-by-room purging and making more room for storage. I started with the spare bedroom closets. I went through clothes, shoes, hat, pocketbooks, unwanted gifts, etc. Wow! I felt like a new woman as I separated everything into piles---keep, purge, donate, consign. I finally got everything back where it needed to be. I was so proud!

I had a bag of fall clothes that I needed an extra storage bin for sitting off to the side. Today, I walked over to where the bag was to assess exactly what size box I would need. I couldn't find the bag. I texted "The Yard Man" and dragged him out of a board meeting to tell me where it was. I then learned that he thought he was being helpful by hauling it out with the garbage for weekly pick up earlier this a.m.!!!!!
Ummmmmmmmmm What???????? (Bite you tongue, Bite your tongue.)
Okay honey. Thanks for helping. Does this mean I get to go on a shopping spree to replace all that you threw away???

Practical Tip- LABEL EVERYTHING! Even if it's only temporary. Create dialogue---so others know your intentions.

Practically Put- And why do you worry about your clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. - Matthew 6:28

Practically Yours,

DAY 3

I think most would agree that Mommas are the "Hub" and heart of a family. We are the ones who know who, what, when, where, and why 99% of the time. We have lots on our plates. Our moods set the mood and tone for the rest of the day for our family, in many cases. Sometimes I think my heart and tongue are in need of an organizational over-haul too.

The Heart-Tongue Over-Haul---

Earlier this week, I woke up grumpy and immediately couldn't wait until 8:30 pm so I could go back to bed. The Mini-Messers grated at my nerves, The Yard Man "wasn't listening", and the geriatric pets were just in my way AND this was all before breakfast! My happy Mini-Messers suddenly turned irritable, The Yard Man stormed off to work and the geriatric pets were just still in my way. So by 9:00 am I realized that my bad mood had carried over into everyone else's day. Great. What a nice gesture from MOM!

At that moment I decided that I MUST do better. I do not have the right to ruin everyone's day! Nor do I want my children to grow up thinking I am a total grouch. This scenario is not typical. However, if they see it enough they too will think it's okay to subject others to their bad moods. I do not set a very good example when I act like that. (Not to mention, that behavior is not very pretty!) I want my children to respect me. I want my husband to think I've got it all under control. And I am not EVEN trying to give the impression that I'm not allowed to have a bad day, because I will from time to time and that's just life. I think I get like that when I feel overwhelmed by my "To-Do List". I often wonder how I'll ever get it all done. And I don't want my family to think I'm Super-freak!

Well, I found something to help me! It's called Xanax!!!! Just kidding! I know I need that too but actually...I was doing my daily thumbing through one of my fave org books and it popped out at me like it was written for me. The co-authors, Emilie Barnes and Sheri Torelli note that we must #1 Delegate- because we can't do it all by ourselves...others in the home need to be responsible for certain tasks. #2 Dialogue- Let others in the home know how you're feeling or if things aren't working and need to be adjusted. #3 Interaction-Allow others in your home to work along side you. You will learn a wealth of info about each other while tackling all your duties. They also suggest giving my nasty attitude to God to let him clean it up. As for my tongue, I need to learn to bite it! I'll have to do lots of praying about that.

Now, all this is obviously not a 1 day job. I'll have to get up and remind myself daily of these things. After all, it should become a habit if you do it long enough. Right? I think remembering these things will help create a greater sense of peace, respect, and happier hearts in my family.

Practical tip- Delegate, have Dialogue, Interact, Give it to God, and Bite your tongue!

Practically Put- Her children arise and call her blessed, her husband also praises her.
- Proverbs 31:28
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. - Proverbs 16:24

Practically Yours,

DAY 2

So I have spent my day creating the family "HUB". I actually really enjoyed this dreaded project. I have cleared a space in the kitchen to make our family hub. Every family needs one! It doesn't have to be a fancy desk or workspace. If you've got that, GREAT! I f not, an extra shelf or cleared counter top will do. It's the place where calendars and memo boards hang, schedules are posted, and family files can be found. I decided to use a standard file box and a card file box that everyone in our family can easily access.

In the past my PILES were my FILES! But No More, My Friends! I have hanging file folders labeled appropriately with manila file folders in each one. The tabs are labeled for every category and aspect of our family's life. I have started using the "touch it once" policy. I touch paper/mail one time only, then put it in its home - trash or file. If "The Yard Man" needs to look at it, I made a clip that is labeled "touch once" to encourage him to do the same.

I also made the cutest card file EVER!!! I took Mini-Messers 1 & 2 to the pool and sat by and made my file box with all my appropriately labeled tabs and cards. This little box has "in a flash" info such as; important phone numbers, chore cards for the each member of the family, important dates, gift wishlists, schedule cards, etc. You can put anything in there that you think your hubby, sitters, grand-parents keeping children, or that you might need in a flash. The cards can be easily edited as well as the file tabs. I love mine! I found that the standard manila dividers were far too boring for me and didn't suit my needs...so I made my own.

Practical tip- Start with little projects like filing systems. They help you feel a sense of accomplishment and it keeps you motivated. I like making things unique, different from what you can buy at the store. I have a bad habit of trying to do it all at once and making it ALL perfect and it inevitably does not get finished, I get discouraged and never go back to it. Doing a little at a time works much better, I think. So...Stop waiting for that perfect moment to do it all. Start now with less stressful projects so you can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Practically Put- If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done!
-Ecclesiastes 11:4

Go ahead, pick your project!

Practically Yours,

DAY 1

Here we go... According to the experts the best place to start is with yourself! I have been soul searching and trying to figure out why I am not as organized as I'd like to be. So here I am...wide open...short-comings and all!!!!

1. I get easily distracted by external "things"...phone calls, other commitments/obligations, text messages, facebook, BLOGGING!!!
2. I enjoy being lazy sometimes
3. I have not been the greatest at holding my children accountable. Why? Because sometimes it's just easier to do it yourself.
4. I feel overwhelmed.
5. I try to implement too many other people's ideas of what works, rather than what works for me.
6. I was neurotic as a child. I dreamed of being Marcia Brady and my room was always spotless when I went to bed so I could wake up feeling refreshed. And maybe now that I realize that Marcia Brady is not real and neither is her perfect bedroom, I have also realized that I was a disillusioned child. (wow...deep)
7. We lack good storage
8. Poor time management
9. Perhaps a tad on the ADD side
10. Flying by the seat of my pants is fun sometimes!

So there you have it. Whew!...now that that's off my chest...I'm off to get organized.

Practical tip- Get your soul-searchin' on! Examine your day---like your diet. Carry a notebook or piece of paper with you. Each time you notice something out of place, undone, or disheveled, make notes and then address why you think it's that way (books/toys out of place: I didn't make the boys put them away, errands didn't get finished: I answered the phone call of a long-winded friend when I could have called her back later.) If it's something an older child or spouse should have done, make note and hold him/her accountable also. This might help you determine what's holding you down and help others in the house notice where they're falling down also.

Practical Plan- Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. -Proverbs 16:3

Practically Yours, "The Manager"

To Whom it May Concern, Some of you who have followed me before know that I love blogging! I find it to be therapeutic when I have the time. Well, I am back and I have a new blog in store! "Practically Put" is my documented, unscripted attempt to organize my home and my life! My hope is to feel somewhat free from all that weighs me down and keeps me and my family from living our lives as happily as we can. My goal is to conquer the bulk of it in a 45 days. Now, I'm not promising 45 consecutive days...this is me we're talking about! But I'm going to try my best. This is not necessarily going to be about de-cluttering or finally throwing away the unwanted gift I have stashed for quick display just in case the giver decides to stop by. This will be more about organizing information/schedules, maintenance/cleaning, finding homes for the things we use, and giving my family a sense of security that "mama's got it under control".
Let me debrief you on who and where I am. Back in October of 1974 (just kidding. that would be a BLOG all by itself))...fast forward a few years to July 2010 and what you see, is what you get... I am a God-fearing woman, wife to the cutest, sweetest guy I know (we'll call him "Yard Man"), mother of 3 adorable boys (we'll call them "Mini-Messer 1" (age 7), "Mini-Messer 2" (age 4), and "Mini-Messer 3" (age 18 mos.)), daughter of 1 set of parents, sister to 3 brothers, owner of 2 VERY OLD dogs (Dixie 14 and Linus 16), daughter in law to 1 set of parents, sister in law to 3, volunteer of the local Junior League and my church, member of the "Bunco Belles", and friend to several crazy women who are like the sisters I never had! With all that on my plate, I also have a few side-dishes from time to time...neighbor, homeroom mother, speech therapist, children's party-planner, stationery designer, NOW my new-found obsession...organizational junkie. Without all of the above I wouldn't be ME. These people and things are the fabric that make me who I am. However, with all these titles, obligations, and responsibilities come many events to be PUT on calendars, papers to be PUT in files, children to be PUT in cars, clothes, toys, and books to be PUT away, dinners to be PUT on tables, dogs to be PUT in the yard, numbers and emails to be PUT in my phone, trash to be PUT on the road, etc. So you get it! I, like most busy moms, find myself PUTTING stuff and people where they belong...all the time.
With the help of a few really good books written by "the experts" and "the written Word", I want to figure out a way that I can continue doing these things and taking care of loved ones and do it in the best way possible for me. I am learning as I go and hope to inspire someone else along the way. Maybe a few of you can offer some advice and tips worth trying. I hope you'll continue on this journey with me! You never know, it just might be what you've been looking for and you might be able to take something with you along the way---PRACTICAL tips/tricks, giveaways, and maybe even a good chuckle or two! I am not attempting to be entirely PUT (because that would make me perfect). I am not as awful as the people on that hoarding show but I'm just not quite "PUT". Being more PRACTICAL would suit me better and would bring me towards my ultimate goal of being "Practically Put"!

Practically Yours,
"The Manager"