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!

 

October 14 (Friday)

Today's Projects:

ORGANIZE: The pile up of outerwear by the front door.  We are in the dreaded in-between season around here.  Almost cold enough for winter gear but not quite.  Definitely needing sweaters and fall coats.  Time to round up the rain jackets and windbreakers and put them away or pass them on.  Store the winter gear outside but in an easily accessible place. ~not yet! there are new hooks waiting to be installed when Dwayne brings the drill home~

SIMPLIFY: Come up with a visual chart for the kiddos of all the things that need to happen in their day.  I don't expect this to be completed today but I'd like to start.  It can include chores, grooming, fun activities, quiet time, etc.  Then each kid can just check their chart when in doubt. ~hahahaha! enough said?  one of these days...~

CLEAN: The bathroom.  Time to wash the floor, clean all the fixtures, wipe down the walls, and clear some clutter. ~yes, mostly.  walls still need to be tackled~

AESTHETICS: Clear the top of the piano.  It has been safely storing a few piles of precious items for far too long.  I need to move them to another secure, yet contained location.  I feel much better once I've gotten rid of horizontal clutter. ~the piles have been sorted but are awaiting appropriate sized storage, need to make a run to the store for boxes with lids~

RELAX: Movie night?  Perhaps the rest of Star Wars: Episode 1 with Hendrik, and before that, something more gentle with the girls.  Time for popcorn! ~oh yes! we all watched the second half of Star Wars: Episode I.  Lots of cheering for the good guys.  And popcorn!~

Tomorrow...OUTDOOR PROJECTS! ~this didn't happen!  it was very cool outside and Dwayne went hunting so this will happen another day~