Dinners On???

I know it isn't MENU MONDAY - but TODAY, after being married for 20+ years,
I came to a realization: I don't think I am EVER going to LOVE cooking.

I've REALLY tried! I've subscribes to magazines, I've gone to cooking shows, I've watched the food network, I've asked my amazing friends (the one's that don't use recipes), I've even made cooking GOALS! BUT still - I just don't really enjoy COOKING!

But as we ALL tell our kids - "just because we don't LIKE something, doesn't mean we don't have to DO it!

I know it must be done - for many reasons:

• I feel like a better mom when I have dinner on the table for my family!
  I have four hungry boys that look to me for food each night (although truthfully - most evenings they seem to prefer COLD CEREAL!)
• I feel like a better wife when I make dinner!
  My hubby goes to work everyday with out a complaint. (And I am a stay-at-home mom - I REALLY ought to get dinner on the table for my sweetie whenever I can)
• I save money when I cook!
• We eat healthier too!

SO Here's how I conquer the "I really don't like to cook" blues"

Sometimes I use the crockpot -Love this post from vt'ing HERE

I like to dabble in freezer cooking - Love this computer program HERE

"PICK-a-CAN-Nights" are a HIT with my kiddos ( everyone picks a can of soup or ....from the pantry)

I bought my Hubby a Barbecue for Father's Day! :0)

I really LOVE leftover nights - everyone gets a microwaveable plate and spoons out what they want from the leftovers and warms the goodies up!

And don't forget...Pizza Nights every Friday - this isn't as expensive as it sounds - we rotate - frozen, take and bake, English muffin pizza's, home-made, ...

How do you conquer the no-cook blues?

Toss-It Out Tuesday

It's the kind of day that makes you just want to stay in bed under your warm covers with a good book- it's windy, rainy, and dark outside.

Instead, GET UP, start a fire in your fireplace, put on some upbeat music, grab a box and a trash bag and tackle the most irritating area of your home. Then at the end of the day, instead of a lumpy, un-made bed - you'll have transformed a frustration into peaceful, clutter-free, usable space!

Today is TOSS-IT OUT Tuesday.
If your new to Just Organize Yourself - this is the day of the week to focus on de-cluttering, usually in the ZONE of the week, but more importantly - wherever you're mood takes you. Focusing on one area each week, not only keeps us from getting overwhelmed, it helps us enjoy progress as we work our way around our home.

I'm decluttering a hall closet.
Recently, it became necessary(to keep family sanity to give up my "craft room/guest room" to one of my kiddos. This caused a domino effect as I have tried to fit a roomful of crafts, projects, and guest items elsewhere. I've decided to transform a hall closet into a craft-closet - so I'm tossing out the extras, the broken, and un-used to clear the way for a peace-able, usable, and re-trievable craft closet!

What are you working on today?

This pic is from clutter-free queen -
See the JOY on the organized cubbies :0)

Be Diligent & Consistent

My MANTRA for the year, and this is why: If we are to accomplish anything worthwhile - We must be Diligent & Consistent!

Being DILIGENT means taking little steps to accomplish BIG things.

Being CONSISTENT means continue taking those "little steps" over and over until they become habits. Then use those good habits to accomplish GREAT things.

I'm guessing, since you're reading this blog, you're striving to change your world from frazzled & frenzied to relaxed & hassle-free!
Here's how being diligent and consist can help!

Goal: Dishes kept up.
Family members must be diligent in these steps:

1. Assigned family member empty the Dishwasher in the morning.


2. Everyone put their own dishes in dishwasher during the day.


3. Assigned family member start the Dishwasher at night.

Family Members must be consistent by practicing these steps daily until good habits are created! Then the good habits will continue to help the family keep their dishes under control.

Here's another example:
GOAL: Be able to find scissors, tape & glue-stick quickly and easily.
Family members must be diligent in these steps:

1. Label one drawer in the kitchen or office "office supplies"


2. Stock office supply drawer with scissors, tape, glue stick...


3. Return office supplies to office supply drawer immediately after using them.

Family members must be consistent by practicing these steps (especially #3) daily until good habits are formed...

Try it with anything... Menu Planning, Losing Weight, Sewing a Quilt, Reading a Book, Emergency Preparedness, Organizing a Closet...

REMEMBER: January is GO MONTH (get organized).
Be Diligent & Consistent and you'll be on your way!

January's Organizing Tip

I get to write a monthly organizing tip for the Kern Family Magazine!
What FUN!

Click HERE to check out this month's tip!

Goals or Wishes?

Have you made your New Year's Resolutions yet?
I have mine running around in my brain - but haven't actually got them down on paper. I remember someone telling me once that a goal that is not written down is only a WISH. Since January is GO month (get organized), let's get our goals written down today!

Whether you decide to make one goal a month or write down a long list for the year - if your serious about your goals, you must include a a plan to accomplish them. Be specific and add small steps to your routines. Practice your routines until they become habits. You can do it!

If you are serious about making your goals a reality - you ought to join Mandi this month - She is running a great series about some of the most common resolutions and how to make them part of your life ! Click HERE for the first post in her series.

GO Girls!

GO Month!

Everyone loves a NEW START!
and every new start begins with the first step.

January is GO month! (Get Organized).

Take a step today by filling out your 2010 calendar.

If you don't have a calendar yet - HERE is a link to one of my fav's

and below are some links to some FREE printable calendars.

Blue Ant Studio

Mint Printables

Tip Nut

Make it fun by heading over to AlphaMom where she has a some printable stickers to dress up you and your kiddo's calendars!

For more posts about calendars click here!

Happy New Year!