Project Get Organized, Project #2

Project Get Organized

Problem: Chaos in Craft Area (this happens very easily when you have many different types of crafts you are interested in and you have multiple ongoing projects.

The peg board before I re-organized it...

I am obsessed with scrabble can you tell?

Great way to store all of my craft paints...I can see each color with ease...

Ribbon, Craft Punches & Buttons...

I somehow lost my cutting board so got this board at a thrift shop for $1 with of course scrabble games pieces that I love...and I use it for a cutting mat and it has lines on it which are great!

My favorite item on my desk, my daily planner with my daughters photo in it...love this daily planner it keeps me so organized!

Paper, stamps, ink pads, finished scrapbook pages before they go in albums etc...

Interesting Organization Tips

As I've been doing Project Get Organized I've been reading some articles on the matter and I found this one to be a great help for me to know what is OK to get rid of: Click Here for Article or look below for some tips I found helpful from the article.

Here is a list of seven things that generally cost more to keep then the value they give you in return.

1. Things that you have printed off the internet that you've been meaning to read. They take up physical space and often weigh heavily on your mind because you haven't read them. The really good news is that should you need any of this information in the future you can reprint it.

2. Old, travel size, half used bottles of shampoos, lotions, soaps, cosmetics, etc., that you simply don't use. These items take up valuable cabinet and counter space. It is true that some of the products may still be good and someone else could use them but unless you are using the products you are not getting any value from them and neither is anyone else. Give them away or throw them away and benefit from all of the found space.

3. Clothing that you will wear again when you lose 10 pounds or are stained, don't like or don't wear. These clothes are preventing you from finding the things that fit you and look good on you. Another benefit of getting rid of these clothes is that when you lose 10 pounds you'll get to buy something that you will really enjoy.

4. A gift you received that you don't like or will never use. Even if the person who gave it to you is special or the gift was expensive. What value is that gift giving you? Do you think that the person who gave it to you would want you to feel burdened by it?

5. Something that you bought for yourself, even if it was expensive, that you simply no longer like, never use or won't use again. What benefit are you getting from keeping it? How much space does it take up? How do you feel when you look at it?

6. Tools or gadgets that work great for someone else but don't work for you even if others swear by it. Just because it works for someone else does not mean it's right for you.

7. Knick knacks, souvenirs and other little things that you've collected over the years that remind you of a trip or experience. Do you smile when you look at it or does it get lost in a collection of stuff? Just because you don't have the souvenir doesn't mean you don't have the memory.

As you go through your things use these questions as a guide: • What value or benefit does this give me?

• Is it costing me more then I am getting from it?
• Does someone else what me to have or use it?
• Is it something I keep meaning to use but never seem to? 
• Is it costing me more then it is worth to me? 

Far as Number 1 goes, I have something to add to that: Any old magazines you've been meaning to read (THROW THEM OUT AND KEEP THAT 1 ARTICLE YOU WANT TO READ) I have a box I keep that is small but large enough for magazine pages to fit and I rip out interesting articles, recipes, tips etc. and keep them for a rainy day!

Project Get Organized, Project #1

Project Get Organized

Problem: Toys EVERYWHERE!

Plan: Limit the amount of toys out at once and have a good place to store the ones out of rotation. 

I turned our linen closet into a toy closet! It worked great! Here are a couple pictures of the start of it all but I will soon post a picture of all the toys in their containers and it will be even more organized!

I also placed all the art/craft items in the closet, it works great to keep it all together and it's easy to see what we are out of!

Before this we had a bunch of our toddlers toys in our office and it was just taking over our office, we couldn't see the floor! I've had alot of her small toys in containers already to rotate out and even a few large containers for large toys but many of the toys were getting moved all over the play and not truly out of rotation because she still had access to them all with exception to art/craft stuff and a few other small boxed items I had put up for directed play.

Project Get Organized...

Project Get Organized

Since my daughter came along in November 2009 I have felt I've not been my usual totally organized self.  My challenge to myself was to get organized no matter how long it takes...if I only get one little drawer done in a week it's okay as long as I am trying to get everything back in order it will eventually happen. Well we are almost there! These post will be in a series starting with my first project until I do my last! Pictures and helpful solutions soon to come!

Trying new recipes....

We were in a food rut for a while so we've been trying some new things, this is what we tried tonight:

 RITZ Parmesan Chicken

 

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 30 min

1/4 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

25 RITZ Crackers, finely crushed (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup KRAFT Grated Parmesan Cheese

4 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1 lb.)

MIX mayo and lemon juice in bowl; set aside. Combine cracker crumbs and cheese in separate bowl.

DIP chicken in mayo mixture, then roll in cracker crumb mixture until evenly coated on all sides. Place on baking sheet.

BAKE 20 min. or until chicken is done (165°F).

Kraft Kitchens Tips

Serving Suggestion 
Serve with a hot steamed vegetable and mixed green salad tossed with your favorite KRAFT Dressing.

Substitute 
Substitute 1/4 cup KRAFT Classic Caesar Dressing or KRAFT Ranch Dressing for the mayo and lemon juice. 

Nutrition Information

Calories	360
Total fat	20g
Saturated fat	5g
Cholesterol	80mg
Sodium	440mg
Carbohydrate	13g
Dietary fiber	0g
Sugars	2g
Protein	29g
Vitamin A	0%DV
Vitamin C	0%DV
Calcium	15%DV
Iron	8%DV

It was pretty good although we are thinking of adding some cheese next time also this time we used Ritz Veggie Crackers instead of the original ones.

Uplifting Song

Here's a uplifting song I thought I would share...Every time I listen to this song it brings up lots of joy and emotion. I've listened to this since I was a child.

Here's one more from Dolly that is great but more recent:

Craigslist Deals, Bust & Funnies...

These post will be about bad deals on Craigslist and funny ads I find...I often check Craigslist for items for my daughter (outdoor toys, strollers, etc.).

Bad Deals...
As a rule of thumb, you should never pay more than a third of the full price for used items that aren't of collectible value such as baby gear.
Bad Deal #1-

Little Tikes Slide - Has some sun fading but is in excellent condition.  $10 (You can find this same slide for $20 new with No Sun Fading)

Bad Deal #2-
I am selling a Bright stars bouncy chair, vibrating, babies loves it, neutral colors, good condition, from clean and smoke free home. email if interested, thank you for looking$15
(You can buy this new for $29)

GOOD DEALS (Assuming the ads aren't misleading and items are in good shape)
Good Deal #1-
Baby Einstein baby gym in good condition, $10, cash and pick up only. thank you!
(You can buy this new for $54)
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/bab/2235013472.html

Good Deal #2-

Fisher Price papasan bouncer in great condition. $15, cash and pick up only. Thank you.
http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/bab/2235017550.html

You can buy these new for $60-$70 online.