So I fell off the Face of the Blogging World

Well, at least that's what it feels like. I haven't blogged in over a month. Yes, Hema even got sick of not seeing updates and wrote the last 3 posts. I guess I was just waiting for life to slow down a little - but realized this week as Hema was called as Young Men's President that it probably never will - so I better get back at it before I fall further behind. My goal is to post a bunch of little mini catch ups post as I go. Nothing overwhelming! We've been busy so there may be a bunch - feel free to skim through or even skip what you wish!

I have been busily sticking to my New Years Resolutions. I know for a lot of people New Years Resolutions are just little nagging goals that they hope to stick to for a few weeks or even a few months. But not for me. Several years ago I decided that I would no longer set goals that were vague or extreme or unlikely to be done. Really, why waste the effort. Now I take some time and seriously think through what specific things I really believe I can do for at least the whole year and only then do I resolve to do it. I don't set a bunch of goals. Just a few. Last year I resolved to eat no candy. Not even one tiny little sugar free life saver. I haven't eaten a single piece of candy since December of 2008. I decided to continue that one through this year too. I added another goal for better eating this year too. Something that a friend did last year. No fast food for me in 2010. I have to admit the only food I have been tempted by was Chickf-fil-a. But like I said - I don't make the goal unless I plan to keep it.

I set 2 other goals: To write in my journal weekly and to take a class on organization and use it to better organize and de-clutter my house. (I actually tried to set another goal: to adopt baby this year - but Hema talked me out of actually setting it as a goal since we really don't have control over getting a baby! But I am secretly still hoping to have that one happen this year!!!) The journal writing is going okay. I have to admit that I think some entries may be really short - but I guess that is better than nothing right? As far as the organization - I am loving that one! I am taking the House of Order classes that Marie Ricks teaches. Man are they good. I leave feeling empowered and with specific assignments of what to do and how to do it. Part of why I wanted to take the class is because often I found myself trying to organize stuff, but really I mostly seemed to just move my clutter from one place to another. I can finally say that there are a few specific parts of my house that I think are really organized! (By the way, we aren't talking about cleaning - I think my house has always been pretty clean. This is mostly about what is in what closet and drawer and room and so on.) Here is what I have done so far:

• Organized the laundry room.
• Hung hooks for the coats and bags by the back door.
• Cleaned out and organized the pantry.
• Put up shelves in the coat closet and organized all the games, kids games, puzzles, art stuff, and craft stuff in there. It is such a better use of the space than the few coats we stored in there!
• Cleaned out my side of the master closet (Hema's will be done tomorrow).
• Cleaned out most of the cupboards in the kitchen.
• Organized all of my recipes in a binder. Got rid of the old recipe box, about a hundred random papers with recipes on them and 18 cookbooks that I never used.
• Set up an office to store my binders, sort mail, and organize that part of life.
• Made my house cleaning box. A little box that helps keep all of the big and less frequently done cleaning jobs organized and done regularly.
• Started to organize the toy room. This one still needs some serious work - but needs to be finished when the kids are gone. Every old or broken toy I pull out to get rid of is suddenly their new favorite toy ever!

That was all from week one!! No wonder I haven't had time to blog! ;) I have gotten rid of so much stuff. It is amazing how much stuff I have accumulated over the past 10+ years in this house that I really don't need, want or use. My in-laws have appreciated the items we've passed along, I have sold stuff online, Taken stuff to DI and even traded some old dishes for a new scout shirt for my hubby (since he now needs a scout shirt). Pretty cool huh?? I'd post some before and after pictures, but honestly I don't want you to see how disorganized some of these areas were to start with!

Up this week: The rest of the kitchen cabinets and drawers, Hema's side of the closet and the filing cabinets!!! Hooray for New Years Resolutions!!!