Simplify.

I am feeling a bit out of sorts this week. It's probably because we were on vacation last week and I had to hit the ground running, getting Bit into a new daycare and trying to catch up on the chores that fell to the side when I was planning for the trip. I'm also really tired...probably just because I didn't sleep well sharing a room with Newb. She's cutting 6 teeth right now! I guess she's trying to make up for the fact that, at nearly 10 months, she's not crawling yet.

Anyway, I have the desire to utterly gut our belongings and simplify life as much as humanly possible. But 1) I don't know how my family members would feel about it. For one thing, I could never turn the TV on again and be happy. I could limit computer use to the ground floor and be happy. But the rest...not so much. 2) I have no time! I can't even keep up with everyday chores and cleaning, let alone make time for side projects...sigh. Oh well, I need to let it go and focus on the good things in my life. The rest will fall into place eventually.

Procrastination Update

Updated list:

1. Install the pull out drawer in my pantry--I did one but not the other. It'll be a pain in the arse, but get a box off my dining room floor that's been there FAR too long.
2. Install the correct door knob on the spare bedroom door.
3. Fill in the mirror photo frame and hang it in the hall.
4. USE the Space Bags (sort of, using some for now)
5. Put up the new towel ring in the guest bathroom.
6. Hang the magnetic boards we got to display Bit's artwork.
7. New item: Install new shiny hardware on kitchen cabinets.
   

Link to Original Post

Procrastination Challenge: October

For this month, I want to focus on using the things I've bought that have yet to be put to proper use. This is because my list of things I want to get for the house is growing, yet other mini-projects are left undone. This is precisely the type of consumerist behavior I want to avoid, so I must complete my tasks before taking on new possessions. Make sense?

(Since I don't have any readers, I don't think it matters.)

Anyway, here's the list:

1. Install the pull out drawer in my pantry--I did one but not the other. It'll be a pain in the arse, but get a box off my dining room floor that's been there FAR too long.
2. Install the correct door knob on the spare bedroom door (it currently has a key lock instead of a passage lock due to some weirdness of the previous owners).
3. Fill in the mirror photo frame and hang it in the hall.
4. USE the Space Bags, stop being afraid of them! (or regretting buying them, whatever)
5. Put up the new towel ring in the guest bathroom.
6. Hang the magnetic boards we got to display Bit's artwork.
   

Life is short: DO Something!

I'm subtitling this "An argument for productivity." It pays to be organized and motivated. Why? Because life is short and we should make the most of it. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have down time, but it should be conscious down time--time that you've specifically set aside for relaxation. Not just time where you happen to have nothing to do, or are slacking on other tasks, or are bored.

As if you could kill time without injuring eternity. - Henry Thoreau

I think the problem most people have is being realistic.

1. They are unrealistic about how much time they actually have in a day. No matter what you do or where you are, a minute is still 60 seconds. A day is still 24 hours. So don't try to cram more than is reasonable into finite limits. (Yes, this requires a little bit of forethought, planning, and even saying "No.")
   
   
2. They are also unrealistic about their priorities. Most people think they know where their priorities lie. Mostly they just know what they believe their priorities should be, not what they really are.

I urge anyone who feels out of control or unfulfilled to try this: Track your week.

Each day, make a list of the 3 most important things you want to (or need to) accomplish that day. After a week, go back and see what those things are (and note whether you accomplished them).

If you actually did your top 3 things, those are your priorities. If you didn't do them, but did something else instead, then your priorities aren't what you thought they were. Even if you did the top 3 things, you might find that the things topping your list (your actual priorities) are different than you expected.

Thanks to SimpleMom for her Daily Docket, which helped me identify my own needs (and also clear out some brain clutter).

Simplify

So a couple months ago I established a schedule for N and I to eliminate the question of who was getting Bit up for the day. Previously, I let N do it most of the time, except weekends, when we were supposed to split duties, but N was opting to sleep in both days. No good!

So the schedule was set up so that 4 days a week N gets her up and I make b-fast. The other 3 days, the roles are reversed. No one gets to sleep in (unless Bit sleeps in), but it's fair. The only problem was that we kept forgetting whose day it was, even with the schedule posted in the bathroom. (No one wants to get up and go to the bathroom to find out the answer.)

I FINALLY came upon a perfect solution, related to yet another of our scheduled events: showers. We decided, also earlier this year, that N should shower on "T" days (Tues, Thurs, SaTurday). That way I always know when I'll be able to get my own showers in without being preempted by his sudden "OMG I need to bathe!" moments! (If it were up to me I'd just shower every other day most of the time, but N needed a schedule and T-days is easy to remember.)

So, duh! I've now applied this concept to the morning routine: on T-days N showers (at night) and I get Bit up while he makes b-fast (in the am). Perfect! If only everything could resolve itself so smoothly. (And if only I had thought of this months ago! lol)

Courage

My hubby is quite brave. Last night he let me trim his hair (shave the base of the neck and trim the hair around his ears and sideburns). I'd never done it before but I was tired of having him take time out on the weekend to pay to have someone else do it. I didn't do a great job, but it's acceptable for my first time. He was happy and that's what counts.

I think he is a brave, brave man.

I, on the other hand, need my hair cut by professionals...SOON!

What Not to Wear: My Style!

Since losing over 60 lbs. in the two years, I have found myself sorely lacking in wardrobe. My clothes are way too big and it's just as depressing as the opposite problem (contrary to popular belief). For my birthday, I finally made major strides toward remedying my clothing situation. It was very intimidating at first because my bottom is still big (and curvy) enough that I can shop at my old standby: Lane Bryant (plus size clothing). Totally in my comfort zone. But my top has shrunk so much that I can't fit into the smallest size at that store.

You're probably wondering what the problem is, but you see, I've never in my life had to (been able to) shop at a "regular" clothing store, so I have no idea what my style is or where I "want" to shop! Despite my teenage disdain for trendy clothing and stores, today I finally broke down and visited Old Navy. I have to blame my addiction to TLC's What Not to Wear for what happened next...I loved it! Not only was it a rush to be wearing XL and L tops (depending on the style), but I also enjoyed the selection and challenge of learning how to layer, etc. Shopping was exhausting, which is why I do it in bursts like this.

The photo-shoot, however, is highly unprecedented. I'm just so glad to be getting rid of shirts that I hate and having shiny new digs, that I had to mark the occasion. Check it out!

Teaser image (click for "remix" slideshow):


(Disclaimer: My husband, I love him, but he's not a great photographer! And I'm too tired to edit the photos anymore...)

Wahoo! Domestic ninja!

I discovered you don't need a table to fold a t-shirt in 2 seconds. (I did it on the bed.)

I also learned HOW to fold a t-shirt in 2 seconds. It almost makes me want to have more t-shirts.

Almost.

I feel like such a domestic ninja!