Showing posts with label organisation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label organisation. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
The Declutter Challenge.
The evidence of an active household; but the reality is that a lot of items in our house are surplus to requirements. Many things hold value to us as they have been given to us. The challenge now is to get the rooms emptied of the things that are not used or that are not especially meaningful.
When one has to think of what one actually needs in case of evacuation etc, there are not many things that are crucial are there?
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Tupperware Tidy Up.
My sky scrapers of tupperware.... drying in the sun.
Filled with pantry goods to change.........
this to ...........
this.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Clutter, Yes.
Clutter, yes; but tidy. New drawers under my desk remove the paperwork. I hope that I still remember to do something with the paperwork!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Getting Around Tuit!
Today, Melissa suggested an "Around Tuit" session.. see the little clock which she sent to us in our invitations.... We were to bring projects to work on and enjoyed the time with tea/coffee, munchies and chat. I did manage to get work done on my project, which was to go through six year old daughter's little journals which I had written in order that I can make an easy to see table with her all of her milestones from birth till now. She had been asking me what her first word was and I had forgotten. Well it turns out that it was "Mumma". Two weeks later, it was "Da Da"!
Mrs N filed recipes and Aunty L planned her folder of lists for party organisation.... I heard talk of a letter and Melissa sorted through things to clear space for us all to be productive. She also made a few phone calls....Yay for us!
Memory Suitcase.
10 year old daughter was home unwell this week and relished the chance to go through her 'memory' suitcase. It is an old, leather suitcase (which I collect for this purpose). Inside are her first shoes, all her birthday cards, photo's from school, special letters and other keepsakes.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Ikea Equals Organisation.
A lovely bread holder which "The Private Lady" bought for me at Ikea. I love the fabric so much that I am storing books and my Bible (bread of life?) in it.
We have had so much rain that I cannot store boots and wet/muddy shoes in the front area ANY LONGER.
Shelves at the door; for quick access or for drying. The 'bin' is actually a pot for plants and it now holds gum boots.
An Ikea noticeboard...before....
And after; filled with lists and a timetable.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Towards 2012.
I had too many scraps of paper stuck on to the bottom of December 2011, so I have started putting details into the calendar for 2012. I bought a super duper organised calendar with a space for each of our names. This year's calendar has country scenes from my favourite magazine Country Style. The organised calendar for next year also has stupid phrases at the top. Guess which one I prefer??? I am going to miss the lovely pictures and I am not that confident that I will be any more organised with the new calendar.
Strange, but it Works.
The weight that holds the cord for the blinds has disappeared. A cube takes its place.
The daily hair brushing takes place in the laundry.....strange but it works.
Hessian Bags at Work.
As I am enjoying the warmth of inside, I am looking around the house and have noticed that hessian ish bags are in a few places. The two above are actually on top of the fridge and hold small chip packets and pretzels. The one under the table holds cereal. The lavender one waits in the laundry for its job. A present from L.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Shoe Rack.
A few weeks ago I had looked for a shoe rack to hold the school shoes etc that get kicked off at the front door. To no avail. However, on a recent council cleanup, I spotted this... I brought it home, cleaned it with lavender polish and voila. It even has six shelves for the six of us.
Friday, February 5, 2010
All Ready for Friday.
This morning I had to have:
bag with wallet/phone etc.
bag with activities for 3 year old daughter whilst at speech pathology with 5 year old
bag with Bible, lunch/m.tea for 3 year old.
This is what that looks like. These bags are going to remain somewhat packed and ready. The morning was really lovely actually.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
24 Hours in the Day.......
Friday, February 6, 2009
Paperwork like a Magic Pudding.
I do not like piles on my benches. Wednesday is note day from school and this week there was much to attend to. I have finally sorted through all past paperwork/tax/bills and reduced paperwork to cover the last seven years only.The bench is a "Magic Pudding" though....
"Magic Pudding" means that it continuously replenishes itself. This is based on a wonderful children's story called "The Magic Pudding" by Norman Lindsay.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
First Aid.

In our living room which looks like a junk shop, the furniture is crowded. 2 year old daughter rolled off the couch and cut the back of her head on the table. Lots of blood, but thankfully not a serious cut. Although I thought our First Aid box was well organised and stocked, it was hard to get at quickly and hard to dig through and find what I needed.
As I reorganise and clean up after the floor in the family room is fixed, I will wipe out the dusty kitchen cupboards as a result and I will be rethinking the arrangement of our First Aid items.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Around the Home.
I do not like paperwork on the bench and I find it hard to cook or bake (especially with helpers) when the bench is cluttered. The paperwork does not magically disappear though. I have photographed the depths of a cupboard in the kitchen that houses these things.
This wicker suitcase houses all my household management folders; lists of presents for family, linen lists, holiday ideas, menus, garden information etc.
The upright mini shelves have a shelf designated for each child. The games on top are ones that are favourites at the moment. The blue tray carries folders with things I am working on with each child (I was once a teacher!), the white tray can be brought out as it is all the current projects I am working on such as organising birthday parties, bills etc.
There is a lower section of the cupboard that has all computer related 'stuff'.

I visited a blog called That British Woman. I enjoyed reading her "Housekeeping from A -Z" and had a go myself:
There is a lower section of the cupboard that has all computer related 'stuff'.
I visited a blog called That British Woman. I enjoyed reading her "Housekeeping from A -Z" and had a go myself:
A ~Aprons--y/n If y, what does your fav. look like?
Once in while, I have a green one with embroidery and a cream one with coffee cups on it. Also a nice maroon apron that a good friend gave me for my birthday.
B ~ Baking--Favorite thing to bake?
Almond based goodies, shortbread and at the moment, weetbix slice.
C ~ Clothes line?
Yes a Hills Hoist (whirly). I love the smell of sun kissed washing.
D ~ Donuts--Have you ever made them?
Never. I worry about doughnuts: refined flour, then deep fried and then sugar on top. I do remember though that I enjoyed nice fresh doughnuts when on holiday on the South Coast as a teenager.
E ~ Everyday--One homemaking thing you do everyday?
Make the beds, wipe the bathroom and washing up.
F ~ Freezer--Do you have a separate deep freeze?
Yes, an upright in the garage. I could not do without it. It stocks bread and meat or chicken. It also stores cooked meals, cooked chicken and baking goods for lunchboxes. In the Summer it has ice blocks. There is also a back up supply of frozen vegetables and bacon.
G ~ Garbage Disposer?
No, I have a compost section in our bin.
H ~ Handbook--What is your favorite homemaking resource?
Friends, the internet, old fashioned remedies.
I ~ Ironing--Love it or Hate it? Or hate it but love the results?
I don't mind it, but don't have the time to do it. At the moment, dear husband E does it. I have said I will do it when all the children are at school!!
J ~ Junk Drawer--y/n? Where is it?
Well a junk cupboard for paperwork etc. I do have a second drawer for things like potato peelers, zesters etc. It is checked often though, so it never becomes a junk drawer.
K ~ Kitchen--color and decorating scheme.
Green tiles and wooden cupboard doors that husband E made. The door handles are brass forks, spoons, teacups and teapots. I love old jars and tins.
L ~ Love--what is your favorite part of homemaking?
Creating a haven for my family. Everything in its place, good smells, keeping on top of jobs, enjoying beauty.
M ~ Mop--y/n?
I use a static mop and then paper and vinegar.
N ~ Nylons, machine or hand wash?
I don't wear them.
O ~ Oven--do you use the window or open the oven to check?
Both.
P ~ Pizza--What do you put on yours?
Homemade base, sauce, mozarella cheese, grated zucchini and then bacon on top.
Q ~ Quiet--What do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment?
Do a project, pray,read or rest.
R ~ Recipe Card Box--y/n? What does it look like?
A big folder divided into food categories ie chicken, beef, vegetables, baking: biscuits, cakes etc. There are loose leaf papers in it and I stick recipes on to the paper.
S ~ Style of house--What style is your house?
Single level, 60 years old. 4 bedrooms plus a study, 2 bathrooms and 2 living areas.
T ~Tablecloths or Place mats?
Placemats. I look forward to using table cloths when the little ones are older and don't risk pulling the whole table cloth off.
U ~ Under the kitchen sink--organized or toxic wasteland?
Clean and relatively empty as cleaning products are up high away from little fingers.
V ~ Vacuum--How many times per week?
With wooden floorboards, I use a static mop every second day. We vacuum the hallway weekly though and bedrooms whenever I think of it.
W ~ Wash--How many loads of laundry do you do per week?
5/6 loads a week, all separated into coloured, white, darks, towels/linen, socks and underwear.
X's--Do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off?
I have a new system that works brilliantly: I have a generic list on the computer in black text. The day's jobs will be highlighted in blue until they are done. If it was a 'one off' job, then it is deleted, if not and the job is there every day, I will highlight it back to black again. Each night I review the day ahead, type in extra things at the correct point of the day. The day is divided as a table, based on the time of day. All aspects of the day are included , even "wake children up"....
Y ~ Yard--y/n? Who does what?
Yes. I was the main gardener when we had one child, planted the garden beds, weeded, fed plants etc. Now I am pleased that the garden looks after itself. The children and I will weed occasionally and husband E and 9 year old son love pruning. Husband E does the mowing.
ZZZ's ~ what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed?
Checking the children and their blankets, putting blankets and cushions straight again in the family room. Sprinkling lavender on my pillow.
I saw this at That British Woman, who saw it at Niki's Rural Writings, who saw it at Pieces from Me, who saw it at Coffee Time At Home.
Please play along on your blog!!! Let me know if you do, so I can visit.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Renewal.
After staying in holiday accommodation, it is good to gain perspective and question what one actually needs.
When I walked back into our house I felt it was quite full. Today I have realised that I spend a lot of time picking up things, putting things away and organising things. How much do we actually need?
I have read in books that the clutter that makes up your home is a sign of joy and a growing family. The emptiness that comes later when all flee the nest makes one long for those days of toy cars, dolls and little lego pieces.
I also feel though, that being surrounded by too many things does not induce a busy, productive playtime.
Our toys are organised into boxes and many of them are still useful as our children grow older. Husband E is also a gifted craftsman and repairs toys beautifully. We also do not want our children to receive, destroy and throw away. Therefore, our toys grow in number, not decrease.
So what to do? Is it the restlessness of Spring in the air? The extra energy pulsing through the veins after a lovely holiday? Do I just need a big box to scoop things into at the end of the day and take an inventory once in a blue moon?
Monday, September 8, 2008
Fixing Our Finances.

Alas, I have not started on sorting the financial paperwork. For hints and information regarding how long paperwork should be kept, drop by Happy To Be At Home.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Fixing Our Finances.

There is a great challenge to join in with Happy to be at Home and the theme changes each month. Firstly was Clear the Clutter, then Face Time With the Kids and now Fixing our Finances. My aim for the month will be slightly different. I will attempt to clear the backlog of filing that we do not need to keep anymore regarding bills etc.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Thursday's Things to Do....
There is a busyness at this time of year which seems to erupt. I am not sure why....
At school there is an assignment for 9 year old son due next Monday, Multicultural day, a trivia night, family photos, school photos, cricket try outs, Fathers' day stall, cake stall and bbq for an upcoming local election....
The preschool has a bbq fundraiser as well and a create-a-plate fundraiser where the child draws something lovely to 'make into a plate'.
Soccer will reach its climax this weekend with a gala day and then a presentation day the following week.
Nieces and nephews start having birthdays in earnest...
I have not heard about the ballet concert yet.....
So what do we do when we feel a little muddled? We make lists.... I am good at making lists.
To help the older two keep on track of their daily tasks, I put a whiteboard on the bench with reminders of their homework, chores and what they need to prepare for the next day. This has been useful.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tidy up
I divide my jobs in the week and although I would love a tidy, clean house all in one go, it is not possible with little ones still at home in the day.
Monday: dust bedrooms (the children do their own)
Tuesday: dust bookshelves in hallway and clean glass sliding door, TV screens....
Wednesday: bake and clean kitchen, including kitchen floor
Thursday: clean bathrooms and wash towels
Friday: dust living areas and clean floors, sweep outside front door
Saturday: vacuum entrance, hallway, study, laundry and bathroom
At some point from Friday to Sunday, two childrens' beds (linen) are dealt with.
Every second day I need to clean our wooden floors with a static mop.
I love rearranging furniture or sorting things out and I love a good chuck out. Doing this sort of thing in the room I am cleaning is a good incentive along with the routine job. I also love to spray lavender in the room when I am done.
I really enjoy clean floors before the weekend so that Saturday morning we can all relax (till we need to go to soccer) and the fluffies do not annoy!!
Every day there is invariably laundry to wash, dry and put away. Every morning, beds are made and the bathrooms are wiped over. Tables are wiped too. This means that as we walk through the house, things look fine...
So the house remains somewhat dealt with, the car however is filthy!!
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