The OSCAR Project

It's almost December!

The end of November is when I usually have a mini panic attack/inspiration burst.  I am overwhelmed by all the cleaning and organizing I want to have done BEFORE I decorate, and also inspired by all the decorating that can be done AFTER everything is neat and clean.  The last two weeks of November have evaporated and here I am on the day before December starts wondering how much I can accomplish in one evening.  I really love to start Christmas decorating on December 1st each year.

Today's Projects:

ORGANIZE: The pile up of outerwear by the front door. This is an ongoing battle.  We are really and truly in the throes of winter now though so all we need is the very cold weather gear.  The rest can be stashed away in a bin.  I still need to get hooks set up a child height so the kiddos can put their own things away.  I better call Dwayne right now and see if he can bring home a drill...

SIMPLIFY: Make a meal plan for the next two weeks at least.  I need to go grocery shopping tomorrow anyhow.  That will makes things simpler and my afternoons much calmer.  No more "what are we having for dinner tonight?" dilemnas. 

CLEAN: The kitchen.  Stovetop, counters, dishwasher, fridge, bottom of the oven.  Maybe the floors if I don't run out of steam.  If I do, I'll imagine what they look like clean until I get to them tomorrow.

AESTHETICS: Clear off the top of the piano (a few books, pictures waiting to be framed), put away the loose DVDs on top of the DVD player, remove non-seasonal items from shelves to prepare for Christmas decor.

RELAX: A movie while I do laundry.  I think perhaps "The Family Stone", on loan from a good friend.

On a very exciting note, Dwayne is going to install our new dryer tonight!  It is the first time for us to have a dryer in this house (4 years!).  I am so excited.  I hope it revolutionizes my life.  Really.  I think it's going to be that good.  I don't care that it's a compact, it is so much more than just relying on clotheslines.  Yippee!

 

Busy Saturday

I could have gone into town today, but decided against it.  There is to much to do at home.  It ends up taking at least 2 hours each time I go in (Getting everyone ready and in the van, running errands, etc.).  So far I've had a very productive day. :)

Today's Projects:

ORGANIZE: Added another plastic drawer unit to the kids' toy area.  Much better!  Now the stuff that was sitting around in reusable shopping bags on the floor has a proper home.  Done!

SIMPLIFY: Sorted all of the clothes into clothes that fit now, clothes for next season, and clothes that are too small for everyone (at least for this season).  I put all of the clothing currently not in use into clear plastic garbage bags for now.  When I am able to better sort that lot I will move the "keepers" into sturdy bins and store them outside in the trailer/shed.  I also sorted the bedding and put all of the heavy flannel sheets into a bin to store outside as well.  These two tasks have increased the amount of space we have upstairs enormously! Done!

CLEAN: Loads upon loads of laundry!  Wash the floors.  Clean the bathroom.  Done!

AESTHETICS: Dining table fully cleared off, fresh tablecloth put on, pansies from the garden and some flowers still lingering from a grocery store bundle in vases on the table.  Done!

RELAX: Old cartoons, favourite books, puzzles.  Done!

 

FAMILY PROJECT: Planting the tomatoes and a few of the pots of flowers we brought home from the greenhouse the other day.  Done!

 

The Sick Day Edition

The Projects

ORGANIZE:  No time for this today!

SIMPLIFY: Socks and underwear for the kids are now stored in the bathroom storage baskets.  It seems to make sense given this season of potty training and extended outdoor play sessions.  Socks aren't lasting long out there!

CLEAN:  Lots and lots of bedding!  I've washed the mattress covers, mattress pads, sheets, and blankets for the girls' beds.  Tomorrow I will tackle the pillows and remaining beds.  I would have done it today but we were running dangerously low on water.  

AESTHETICS:  Air freshening was high on the list of priorities today.  The diffuser was in use, as was the screen door.  It's so nice to have the outdoor breezes blowing in.  De-cluttering also helps - there were lots of laundry baskets scattered throughout the living area and bedroom from yesterday's laundry marathon.  They should all be empty by the end of the evening.

RELAX:  If children allow, I think a movie is in order.  Something with lots of action in it.  I've had enough action of my own for today, I want to watch somebody else sweat it out. :)

 

Pictures will follow if the kiddos settle easily.  Otherwise, perhaps tomorrow.