Organized Packing

The Big M family is up for yet another adventure soon! I will post about it specifically sometime in the next month or so, but for now....

How to pack and save your sanity!! lol

No, we are not moving right now, we are here until our lease is up in February, but I'm not going to be caught off guard! (again, lol) So I've started to pack using a method I got from the Duggar book (which came from another book). You start with the things you really don't have to have out. You know what I'm talking about, books you never got around to reading, but swear you will, nick-knacks and such. (You know, the really important stuff...)

For this project you are going to need the following...

1) File boxes (how many will depend on how much you have)
2) Note card Binder
3) Hole punched Note Cards
4) Pencil w/ an eraser
5) Crayons
6) Zip top snack bag (optional, but really helpful)

Ok, now that you have these things on hand we will get started.

Step one, put your note cards in the binder, and put holes on HALF of the top flap of your zip top. (If you choose not to go this route, then just ignore that...) Put the bag in the binder making sure you can still open it (the bag, not the binder). Then put your crayons and a pencil in it (you may also want a sharpener, but I didn't add one to mine).




Step two... Using file boxes solves a couple of problems. One, they are a really good size, which makes them hard to over load, and two, you can stack about 500 pounds on top and not have to worry! Now put one box together. Go ahead, I'll wait..... Got it?? Good! Now, decide what types of things you will put in the box, and assign those things a color.




I will be using books for my tutorial today... Now, step three, assign that box a number, and write it on all four sides of the box it it's color...



Step four is to write that number on your card (in its color) and start loading the box. As you load it, write down what you are adding in pencil...



Since this box is all one type of book, I added that to the card and the box but it isn't really necessary. When I put the box in it's storage space, I will add that to the card (in pencil) as well. This is necessary, so that you will be able to find it when you need to. Now, any time you need something, you look it up, go to the box and remove it, erasing it from the card until you put it back!

I'm finding this very helpful and worth the time it takes. I hope you do as well!!


TTFN,
Me

Are you getting ready for next year??

I am!! I have to. If I waited until fall to start I'd spend WAAAAAYYYY to much and that makes my wallet hurt! I had seen something on a web site earlier in the year to help keep me going through out the year, but then I couldn't remember where I found it. Soooo, I decided to take what I could remember and run with it. This is what I came up with....


This is the front cover of my CHRISTmas notebook. I used a spiral bound note card book. Having started to use it I wish I had used a note card binder instead so I would have a little more flexability.



This page starts my first section.



Our Traditions.....



The next divider looks like this, can you guess what the section is??


Did you guess?? I know you did! It's "people to buy for". I only included a sample of the pages to give you an idea. The first page is a complete list of peeps. Then a couple of pages that look something like this. DH, the kids and Mom each get their own page. The kids pages have a list of those that they get gifts for as well, to help keep track.


Then we come to the next divider, "stuffer stuff"....
Stuffers are my nemasis. First, because they get expensive quickly, and secondly, I usually buy enough to fill 6 of them.



I have a "fabalus" arrangement with my BF where I get her stuff and she gets mine, and then we ship them to each other. I LOVE this!! Each stocking gets it's own page....



The next divider starts my CHRISTmas timeline...



My countdown starts in November...


and goes through the day AFTER CHRISTmas....



The next section is more or less "miscellaneous"...




I've included things not to forget (Santa brings a new tooth brush in our stockings every year). As you can see, I have a line for each type of battery. I just write the number of batteries for each item next to the appropriate type and mark it out when I buy them.


It seems every year I end up with a couple of things I changed my mind about later....


I'm going to add another page for gift ideas. That way if I see something for someone, but have to wait to get it, I can reference back later. It will have the item, price, where I saw it and who I think would enjoy it. I can also take the time to find it elsewhere for less that way! Win, win!

I love this idea and have already implemented it. It looks more daunting a task than it is. Start to finish it only took me about 30 minutes. Wrapping the pages isn't a must, but it makes for great dividers and helps keep the CHRISTmas spirit going. It's the perfect size to fit in my purse so I can keep it with me. I'll never have to try to remember what I've picked up where for whom again!! "Fabalus!!"

Me

Tips for in your Home

These are just some things that I do to help keep some of the "stressers" down. These will not be in any particular order as I will add them as I think of them!

1) I lift the lid on my stove top and put down a sheet of aluminum foil on each side. I turn up the edges in case of any "runners", and I make sure that the oven vent is uncovered. I also check that the foil is not touching any wires. (You do not want any seams under there, or the runners will find them) Then in my five week Cleaning Schedule, I have an easier time cleaning my stove top!

2) When I clean off the top of my fridge, I put down a layer of plastic wrap. I can just peal it off, wipe up any dust, and put on another layer.

3) Instead of buying expensive paper liners for the cabinets, try getting flour sacks and cutting them to size. Then when they need it, you can just trow them in the wash! This is also handy if you tend to put glasses away wet!

4) Wipe the shower down with your towel after you are finished, and the tub has drained. It will keep the dreaded "soap scum" at bay as well as mildew.

5) I have kids, and what do kids do with a whole bottle of shampoo?? Squeeze it into the tub. Even if I take it out, it happens. So, I bought those 50 cent travel bottles at the store, and put just enough in there for them to use. (I usually have the more frequent culprit go last)