Christmas 2007 - The Debriefing

Merry Christmas! Here's the good, the bad and the ugly of our Christmas 2007. Also my plans to improve next year. No particular order.


GOOD! - Gingerbread House kit from Costco. Inexpensive. Everything is included. Box lid forms the base for the house so it's easy to assemble. Grom, Surferman and I had a great time decorating it. Grom and Surferman had fun snatching candy off the house thinking Mom didn't know what was going on. And the candy doesn't tempt me (much).

Next year - no changes.

BAD! - No Christmas Card. I blame my computer switch around Thanksgiving, but truth be told I don't think I've ever had a Christmas card go out on time. One year I sent 3 years worth of letters at once. I manage to get the letters done, but not sent.

Next year - Order Christmas card by October 15th. Mail at Thanksgiving.


GREAT! - Grom and I made and decorated sugar cookies.
The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies and Sugar Cookie Icing were foolproof and delicious. These were the best sugar cookies I've ever made. Mixing the dough was fun. Rolling was challenging as Grom wanted to help more than I wanted him to. I rolled and baked the dough on parchment paper. The parchment paper made it easier and faster. When the cookies came out of the oven I slid the paper off the cookie sheet and onto the counter to cool. We made stars, hearts, Jesus stars, Christmas trees and BIG hearts. Icing and decorating the cookies was a lot of fun and went better than I expected. After my frustration with rolling the cookies, I decided I needed more control over the decorating if I was going to keep my hair. We did the cookies by type and kept the decorations simple. All of the Christmas trees were green with multicolored dot sprinkles. All of the stars were white with multicolored sugar sprinkles. Etc. The big hearts we glazed white and after they were dried I used a food marker to write "Happy Birthday Jesus" on them.

Next year - Roll and cut one sheet of cookies with Grom right before naptime (I realize I'm dreaming that a 4 1/2 year old will still be napping, but a girl can dream right?). Do the rest of the cookies while he's occupied.


BAD! - Advent Calendar from Trader Joe's. The calendar wasn't bad. I was just out of my mind when we started it. I had the brilliant idea to start the calendar with the highest number and move down (as a sort of countdown). But if you forget (and how Grom forgot to get me to give him chocolate is beyond me), you have to try to figure out how many doors you have to open to catch up and it's all backwards. If you're confused reading this, I'm sure you'll understand the confusion. The best part of being forgetful with the advent calendar is that we had a couple of days where Grom was able to share candy around the house. The joy we experienced with him sharing made it all good.

Next year - I plan to do a Jesse Tree and use that to countdown the days until Jesus' Birthday. My friend Stacey is going to organize an ornament exchange, so we should have beautiful, wonderful ornaments to display. I'm going to look for a little tree when I shop Target tomorrow morning.

OK! - We went to Christmas Eve service at my parent's church. It was a very nice service, but it wasn't our church and I missed my "family".

Next year - I hope to be able to attend service at our church.

GREAT! - For family Christmas gifts, Surferman and I agreed on 3 gifts each. One to wear. One to consume. One for fun. We budgeted and did very well at using only money we had set aside. Surferman turned all the change in his mug into a Starbucks card for me. Lattes are on me for quite a while.

Next year - No changes except to shop more throughout the year.

GOOD! - Our family tradition for stockings is that we each buy 2 items for everyones stocking. Grom and Gigi buy one item. Our stocking are great fun. We had some last minute racing around.

Next year - Collect stocking stuffers throughout the year. When I'm out somewhere and see something that would be great for brother-in-law I'm going to buy it.


BAD! - We never made it out to look at Christmas lights.

Next year - Set a date early and make a night of it.

GREAT! - I made some more cloth gift bags. I bought the fabric on sale last year. I didn't wrap a single present in paper! All reusable.

Next year - I have quite a stash. I think I can get away without making anymore next year.

BAD! - No caroling. No visiting neighbors.

Next year - Make cookies earlier and take them to our neighbors with invitations to Christmas Eve Service. Not sure what to do about the caroling, but maybe friends with kids would like to go early one evening. Caroling with church was a little late for us.


GREAT! - Grom and I rang a bell for the Salvation Army with a friend and her boy (Grom's buddy). We did it right after Thanksgiving. It helped jump start my Christmas spirit and also set us out helping others rather than focusing on yourself. Plus, after whenever we saw someone ringing bells and collecting money for the Salvation Army afterward, Grom and I had a memory to share and another opportunity to talk about helping others. I don't think I've given so much change ever to the Salvation Army. In our community, the Salvation Army is the first stop for people in need.

Next year - I want to encourage my friends with kids to take some time and ring a bell. I'm also going to encourage the volunteer who schedules ringers to consider one hour shifts for moms and kids.


GREAT! - I didn't know how Santa was going to play out in our house. I knew I didn't want Grom thinking Santa was a real person who was going to bring him presents, but I also didn't want to kill Santa either. We let him be a fun thing that is a part of celebrating Christmas, the birth of Jesus. Grom had a couple of funny conversations with Mimi (my paternal grandmother). She asked him if he had made his Christmas list for Santa yet and he asked why - like why would Santa bring him anything. And then today, she asked him if Santa had been here and he said, "No, but he's coming to town".

Grom and I have had some great conversations about Jesus during this season. His questions make me think, make me appreciate all that Jesus did for me, make me appreciate my God who would humble himself and come to the world as a helpless baby just for me (and you too!).

Next year - I want to read more stories with Grom about Christmas and look into some of the ways Christians celebrate Christmas in other parts of the world.

I'm sure there could be more...

A Mostly Normal Morning or Why I Should be Crazy.

Let me tell you about today.

6:45 a.m. - Surferman tells me to get out of bed.  He's on his way out the door to usher at church.  He knows I need to get moving to get what I need to do done.  I roll to his now cool side of the bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:05 a.m. - I look at the clock and think I really should get out of bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:10 a.m. - I look at the clock and think I really, really should get out of bed.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:12 a.m. - Bathroom stop.  Kitchen stop.  Ugh!  Surferman didn't have time to make coffee before he left.

7:13 a.m. - Opened Grom's bedroom door to find him sitting on his bed.  He looks at me seriously and says he's not ready for talking.  Then he turns away from me, fold his hands and begins to pray for his "baby" monkey  and then for himself.  He prayed that he would have patience today, that things would go smoothly and we would be blessed by a good day.  Mop my melted heart up off the floor.  I want to be out of the house by 8 a.m.

7:15 a.m. - Grom goes to the bathroom.  I dig through a laundry basket for clean pants for him and gather up his clothes.  After much pushing of the belly button "button" and several "battery" changes - he is finally dressed.  I only get cross 23 times and threaten a spanking once.

7:20 a.m. - Sippy cup of warm milk (Grom is particular and coddled) prepared.  Vitamins placed on the floor so Grom the dog can eat his "treats".  He goes down to my parents apartment to watch some Little Einsteins before church. 

7:23 a.m. - More bathroom time.  Still no coffee.

7:28 a.m. - Get me dressed.  I didn't have to dig through any baskets of clothes.  VICTORY!

7:31 a.m. - Wake up Gigi.  Help her get her support hose on.  Find a Christmas outfit for her to wear to church with my parents.  

7:35 a.m. - Remember I have things to prep for Sunday School.  I stopped teaching Sunday School and now I remember why - the Sunday morning making a big "Jesus Star" to attach to a pool noodle for the kids to follow around the room.  No one has had breakfast yet, but I got the star made and found the necessary baby oil for the craft project.  Aluminum foil is my friend.  I want to be at church by 8 a.m.

7:45 a.m. - Gather stuff up that needs to go to church.  Purse - check.  Big Jesus Star - check.  Laptop computer (I work at church and if I don't take it, I'll need it) - check.  Baby oil - check.  Sweater - check.

7:55 a.m. - Get to my parents room just before Little Einsteins is ending.  Grom gets 2 minute warning.  I want to leave the house by 8 a.m.

7:56 a.m. - Put together a tray for Gigi's breakfast.  At least someone around here is eating breakfast.

7:58 a.m. - Grom walks into the house.  Fight (I won) with him about using the potty before we leave.  Find him a jacket and Momo.  Belt Grom (into his car seat) and bring purse, baby oil, computer bag and Big Jesus Star out to car.  I want to leave the house by 8 a.m.

8:00 a.m. - Pat knees and prepare to blast off as I pull out of the driveway.

8:01 a.m. - Realize that I don't have Grom's bag with change of clothes in case of an accident.  Realize I never had a cup of coffee.  Realize Grom and I didn't get breakfast.

8:02 a.m. - Tell Grom he can't have an accident today.  He tells me we'd better turn around and go get his bag.

8:10 a.m. - Pull into Albertson's.  Bagels for everyone and a VENTI 1/2 caff, upside down, extra Hot Carmel Machiato for me.

Good thing that church doesn't start until 9:30 a.m.

Zealous

I was reading from 1 Kings 19 this morning. 

Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty." 1 Kings 19:10

Elijah got me thinking about zeal.  It's really a cool word.   There aren't a lot of Z words and zeal has to be one of the best.  

zeal - eagerness (marked by enthusiastic or impatient desire or interest)
and ardent(fiery, hot, shining, glowing) interest in the pursuit of something (Jesus!)

Lord, I want to be zealous.  I want to live passionately for You and the things You call me to.  I want to eagerly await Your return.   I want to be able to say that I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty.

Help.  

Yellow Lines

Grom and I took my sister to the train today. It was Grom's first trip to the train station. I can't imagine why I haven't thought about taking the boy who chugs through my house making train noises to see a real train.  You can bet we'll be back.

The timing of my sister's train was perfect.  The southbound train arrived and left and then her northbound train arrived.  Grom was able to get on the train for a couple of minutes to see the inside.  I can't recall a time when he was more joyful.  He was ecstatic.  A big smile was permanently installed on his face.

We had some time to wait for the train.  Quickly he figured out how the train station worked - that there were tracks that the trains would be riding on.  He intuitively knew that he was supposed to stay behind the yellow line.  No train in sight and he would get very upset if we got anywhere near the line.

It made me think about the yellow lines God paints in my life.  Yellow the color of warning and caution.  His Word is full of warnings to heed.

So often though I find myself inching closer to the line instead of standing way back. 

Father, give me a fresh desire to know Your heart, to know Your Word, to heed Your warnings.  I want to be holy and wholy Yours.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Organized Blogging

GeMoOrgNo ended only 11 days ago.

I miss it.

I had so much fun and was so encouraged posting organized and organizing posts during November for GeMoOrgNo that I've decided to blog about organizing on the 11th of each month. Why the 11th? November is the 11th month of the year.

How organized is that?

I came up with this idea just now. I want to show you how I've organized something in Grom's room and he just went to sleep.

Watch for my GeMoOrgNo post for December tomorrow.

Done #40 - Read 10 Fiction Novels

Austenland by Shannon Hale

A fun, quick read.  Can't wait for the movie.  Anne Hathaway would be good for the lead.

The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers

The Healing Quilt by Lauraine Snelling

Back to Holly Springs by Jan Karon

I was excited to hear about a new Father Tim book.  Father Tim travels home to Mississippi and his past.  I missed the gang in Mitford, but look forward to getting to know the folks of Holly Springs.  

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Wow!  This book was published in 2004 and a bit prophetic for 2007.  It's about thwarting ecoterrorists and their promotion of the idea of global warming or abrupt climate change with questionable science.  It was eye opening and revealing.  I appreciate the research Michael Crichton did for this book and his thoughts and notes in the back of the book are as good as the book.

Waiting for Morning, and A Moment of Weakness by Karen Kingsbury

She's All That, She's Out of Control, and With This Ring I'm Confused by Kristen Billerbeck

Gingerbread Fun!

We were invited to a Gingerbread House Building Party this weekend. It was great fun. Grom did great even though he was the only person there under 4 feet tall.

The hostess had a table full of every kind of candy you can imagine, boxes and boxes of graham crackers, and the biggest bowl of frosting I've ever seen.

Surferman and Grom built a house together. It weighed at least 5 pounds when they were done. I snuck off to another room to hang out with the girls. I made a gingerbread nativity. It was great fun.



I'm still trying to figure out how this MacBook works. For now it seems posting pictures is harder.

Change is good. It will get better. Change is good. It will get better.

Done - #90 Plan and execute the best 4WD Club Christmas Party ever!

Tonight was our annual 4WD Club Christmas Party.

Surferman is a jeeper.  He and my dad co-own a green jeep.  I don't know much about it.  It's ugly and it always needs to have something done to it or something fixed.

They belong to a local club of people who like to take their cars off road.  I don't really get it, but it's something that Surferman likes to do and I try want to be supportive.

I volunteered last year to be the Social Chair for the club.  I only had to plan and execute the Christmas Party.  We held the party at the place where we have our meetings.  The restaurant did an excellent job with the food.  All I had to do was decorate and take care of desserts.  I bought the desserts and kept the decorations simple.

I did such a good job, I get to do it again next year.

Notes to self...

no scented candles on the table - who knew so many people have a problem with fragrance?

bring trash bags

chocolate desserts were most popular

What to do with a bad mood...

I feel ugly.

Dry.

To console those who mourn in Zion, 

To give them beauty for ashes, 

The oil of joy for mourning, 

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; 

That they may be called trees of righteousness, 

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.

Isaiah 61:3

Heavy. 

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

Matthew 11:30

Discontent.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Wrathful.

A continual dripping on a very rainy day 

and a contentious woman are alike

Proverbs 27:15

Tired.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Overwhelmed.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

Really ugly.

Hopeful.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Father, refill me with your Holy Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, 

kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Against such there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Thank you, Lord.

Organized Spices

It's hard to believe that GeMoOrgNo is done.  I still have a couple of posts of organized things.  They'll show up sometime.

These shots are of my spice and herb collection.  I bought the wooden racks and some of the jars (white lids) at Cost Plus.  I don't remember how much they cost, but they couldn't have been too expensive, because I'm rather frugal.  I made labels with the label maker and also use a black or silver sharpie.  Silver sharpies are the greatest.  The star sticker tells me that I have a giganto Costco bottle out in the utility room to refill the smaller bottle when it's empty.

I separate the "sweet" spices and keep them together in one area.  The rest are arranged more or less in alphabetical order.  I'm not compulsive about it - a zone kinda arrangement.

A big thanks to Lara the Lazy Organizer for motivating me to post every day this month.  It's been fun.  I've also made a few new organizing friends... Multi-tasking  Mommy, Corrie at Tyler's Triumph and Andrea who is Just About Perfect

It's been fun.  And #31 is done.

Organized Pantry

This is my pantry cupboard in my kitchen.  I have a lot of food storage in a utility room outside.  My utility room is like a garage, but there is no where to park cars.  Canned goods and extra stuff is kept out there.

These are Tupperware containers.  They are 2 deep.  The top shelf has all the staple stuff like flour, sugar, open pasta, etc.

The next shelf down has smaller containers.  Stuff like corn starch, raisins, crackers.

The bottom shelf is always the least organized.  It's the transient stuff.  The box of cereal we are eating instead of cookies, chocolate covered edamame, and more crackers.

I label the containers with either labels with my label machine or with these cool write on-erase off labels.

GeMoOrgNo is almost done!

Organized Baby Clothes

Grom's clothes are all carefully stored and sorted by size. Rubbermaid bins are the greatest.

Sometimes I wonder why in the world I'm storing all of these clothes. I don't think (God knows though) Grom is going to have any siblings.

BUT... He is going to have a cousin.

My sister is pregnant! Praise the Lord!

I'm praying it's a boy. Someone needs to wear all these clothes.

Organized Earrings

A while back there was a backwards Works for Me Wednesday. Backwards because the blogger gets to ask for help with a problem.

I asked for help with organizing my earrings.

I got a lot of great suggestions. And here's what I came up with... a cross between a few of the comments with a little Robin thrown in.


The egg carton was inspired by Lara's idea of using an ice cube tray and putting the dangle earrings through the lid was inspired by my commenter who suggested putting the earrings through cards and then "filing" them.

I plan to paint and decorate my earring organizer. Bet you can't wait to see the pictures.

Read more GeMoOrgNo posts at:
The Lazy Organizer
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

My Aunt Rocks!

To celebrate and acknowledge my 40th birthday, one of my favorite aunts (all of my aunts are wonderful) sent me a lovely gift.

HAND KNIT SOCKS!

They are so soft and cuddly. They fit perfect AND they are orange.

What more could a girl woman over-the-hill broad want?

Thank you Aunt Rosemary!

Happy Birthday to Me!

I'm feeling thankful
for the small things, today
I'm feeling thankful
for the small things, today

Happy, Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
and to you

Happy, Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
and to you-ah

from Happy Birthday to Me by Cracker

I'm 40 today
and I feel fine.

Organized Wrapping Paper

Here's an organizational problem that I just threw money at. My Aunt had one and I had to get one too. This is the Elfa Wrapping Paper Organizing Cart. I've had it a couple of years and as I looked for a link - it looks like it has been improved. Don't you hate it when they do that to you.

It's great. It holds roll wrapping paper, sheet wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, tissue paper... all the necessities. And the top is a flat surface for wrapping the gifts. Notice that you don't get to see said flat surface in the picture - it's got some stuff on it that has to be taken care of before the Christmas wrapping begins.

Just a few more days of GeMoOrgNo.

Read more at:
The Lazy Organizer
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

Organized Eggs

I have yet to find a better way. Ha Ha!

Join the Lazy Organizer every day this month for GeMoOrgNo - Get More Organized Now!

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Organized School Supplies

These are MY boxes of crayons, colored pencils, markers, scissors and glues. Grom and I use these supplies during our Before Five in a Row adventures.

Grom has his own crayons and markers. I can't count on them for our activities, so these are set aside for school.

I bought the boxes at Staples during their Back to School sale - quite a deal. I labeled them with lower case letters (better for learning letters and reading - I'm told) using my handy dandy labeling machine.

GeMoOrgNo was started by Lara the Lazy Organizer. I'm joining her every day this month with photos of organized things.

More Participants
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
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Tyler's Triumph

If this was Emeril's recipe I'd be yelling...

BAM!

But it's Bobby Flay's recipe. What would Bobby yell?

I was assigned Sweet Potatoes for our family Thanksgiving dinner. I didn't want to make the usual marshmallow laden - sugar filled dish.

I found Smoked Chile Sweet Potatoes at the Food Network. I used half and half instead of heavy cream. I love my family after all.

They were a hit. Zippy but not too spicy. Delicious!

Next time, I'd use yams - for the color - the light yellow color of the sweet potatoes was bland. I might also try adding some jack cheese for an au gratin version.

It's here!

If only I had time to get it out of the box.

Organized Brain

I'm letting you into my Brain. Brain book that is. It's the book that is always with me. It contains my lists. Scraps of happy things. It's all inside. Bring on the pictures...
This is my current book. I pick up journals, notebooks, composition books on sale or at garage sales. Sometimes I decorate the covers. This one came as is. I'm almost ready for a new brain - this one is full.
The pages above are examples of random quotes I find. I fill up empty space in my Brain with them. I try to group phone numbers on one or two pages. I also add in fun stuff that comes my way like Grom's art work, fortunes from Chinese Food, pictures of friends and babies.
I rewrite my to do list most every day. Anything that I need to do gets put on the list. I code items with p - phone, w - work, b- blog, e- errand, etc. I have a page marker so I can find this page easy.
I use the Motivated Moms chore list to keep up with the house. I like that it's mindless for me. I just do it.
This is my habit chart for Smart Habit Saturdays. You'll see I wasn't doing that good with my habits. And some pictures of a cute baby I know from church.

I keep a running shopping list. I cross things off as I buy them.

Prayer list

Notes from teaching Bible Study

Notes from Staff Meeting at Church

I try not to have to remember anything but to make sure it gets into my Brain.

Read more GeMoOrnNo posts at
The Lazy Organizer
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

Organized Resources

Organized Junkie

It's been a busy day and I haven't had the time to get some more photos for GeMoOrgNo. Here are some links for my favorite organizing websites (above) and stores (below).






Organized A to Z


I enjoy surfing these websites for inspiration and ideas. Hope you enjoy.

I hope to be back tomorrow with some photos.

GeMoOrgNo was started by Lara the Lazy Organizer. I'm joining her every day this month with photos of organized things.

More Participants
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

Organized BFIAR

Grom and I are having a lot of fun with Before Five in a Row(BFIAR). We are both learning a lot and enjoying some classic children's books. So far I'd be hard pressed to choose a favorite. Every week we read the "best book ever".

I have one of these drawer organizers that I'm using for our BFIAR journey. I request a lot of books from the library and have supplies to gather.

I put the materials we are currently using in the top drawer.

The second drawer has stuff for the next book.

The bottom drawer has the books yet to come.

I love coming home from the library and loading up the drawers. I get to anticipate the fun, the learning and the memories.

GeMoOrgNo was started by Lara the Lazy Organizer. I'm joining her every day this month with photos of organized things.

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Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
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Tyler's Triumph

Done #65 - Get a Mac

I just ordered my MacBook. WAHOO!

5 business days and it's here.

I'm so excited.

Any Mac / Apple tips for a newbie?

Organized Surfboards

Surferman surfs. Waves, not the internet. He has a great time. All that he lacks in form and finesse he makes up with his enthusiasm. Surferman like any respectable surfer has a quiver full of boards. All longboards, but each for a different kind of wave and ocean conditions. Surferman wants them protected from the sun. I want them neat and organized (isn't that a surprise?).

Here's our solution... The Surfboard Shack.

Here's the view of it closed.

Here's the view of one of the side doors opened.

Here's the gate we (uhh.. I mean Surferman and Wonderful BIL) cut out of the fence.

And here's how the boards slide in and out.

Grom and Surferman painted it a couple of weeks ago. We used up all the leftover blue shades in our paint cupboard. I think it's going to get plastered with surf stickers and maybe a Bible verse or two.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them. Psalm 89:9

The seas have lifted up, O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Psalm 93:3

and probably "PRAY FOR SURF"

Join the Lazy Organizer every day this month for GeMoOrgNo - Get More Organized Now!

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Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
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Organized Garage Sale Shopping

Most every Saturday you can find me out at garage sales. I have realized that another way that I am blessed is that I get to live in California where we don't have "Garage Sale Season" like so many parts of the U.S.

My Dad, my Mom, my Sister and Grom and I head out. I drive. Dad navigates. We have a great time and there is usually a stop at a Starbucks or similar. We have great fun, find some things to sell on ebay, find lots of stuff for Grom and my mom talks to everyone and tells them way more than they need or want to know.

Today, we were without my parents (they are travelling), but we still hit the sales. I scored 3 pairs of shoes for Grom - Vans, Tevas and Airwalks all in great shape for $1/pair. Anyway... on to the GeMoOrgNo part of this post...
We organize our outings. Every Saturday morning we scour the newspaper and Craig's List - get the addresses and plug them into our Thomas Guide Software. It's great for marking all the sales and makes it much easier to not missing any of the good stuff.


GeMoOrgNo was started by Lara the Lazy Organizer. I'm joining her every day this month with photos of organized things.

More Participants
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
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Organized Silverware

The hardest thing to find at my house is a spoon. They aren't in a drawer. They're in cupboard.

I don't remember where I found this tote, but it's perfect. It comes out of the cupboard and the clean silverware is shuffled into it from the dishwasher basket. It comes out of the cupboard, goes to the dining table and the table gets set.

Join the Lazy Organizer every day this month for GeMoOrgNo - Get More Organized Now!

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Multi-Tasking Mommy
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Organized Budget

Surferman and I have been using an envelope system for budgeting for a few months. When we started I had paper envelopes that I carried around. They always wore out way to quick.

I was doing some decluttering and found this great wallet that I had spent too much money for from Levenger. Keep me away from Levenger's I have no resistance when it comes to the stuff they sell. Stuff no one needs, but I WANT it! Anyway... I refound this great wallet. It has multiple compartments that are great for separating the cash from our different budget categories.

The blue heart is a magnet off my fridge. It covers my monogram.

Under the flap there is a zippered coin pouch.
All change goes to our change jar.
The first section holds my grocery money and receipts.
The next section holds our dining and entertainment money.
The next section holds our blow money.
The last section holds the money for fun and food with Gigi.
The back of the wallet has card holders where I keep club and loyalty cards.

There is a pocket on the outside of the wallet where I keep grocery coupons.

Dave Ramsey would be proud.

GeMoOrgNo was started by Lara the Lazy Organizer. I'm joining her every day this month with photos of organized things.

More Participants
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

Organized Calvary Kids Club Stuff

If it's Wednesday... it's Calvary Kids Club!


Today I'm showing off one of Lara's Organizing Bags. I bought a sample pack and all I can say is THEY ROCK! I keep finding better and better uses for them.

Grom started Calvary Kids Club this fall. He goes every week. He has stuff that he is supposed to take with him each week to earn beans for his age group. His kids page, his starter book and his Bible all fit easy in a large bag. He loves to carry it, and is happy to show his cKc stuff to anyone who will take the time to listen to him talk about it.

I love the pocket on the organizing bag that is sized perfectly for a business card. I got free family cards made through Vistaprint. I keep a few there and then if I meet someone new at church I can easily share our contact information.

Today's GeMoOrgNo post is a blantant commercial for Organizing Bags. Get your's today. They're great!

Read more GeMoOrnNo posts at
The Lazy Organizer
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph