I checked off what I accomplished from the list. I also unloaded dishwasher, handwashed breakfast dishes, and sewed a patch on DD2's girl scout vest. Yes, I did put the sewing machine back!!

[x] Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
[ ] Clean out kitchen cupboards
[x] Clean microwave
[x] Clean kitchen blinds
[ ] Clean bathrooms
[ ] Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
[x] Write thank you notes
[ ] Weed out magazines
[ ] Paint laundry room (?)

I burned 505 calories on the elliptical and another 100 on the rowing machine. I also lifted weights and sat in the sauna. Good workout day!

Now, I have to venture to Walgreen's to pick up a prescription. I don't expect to buy anything else. I will use gift card for part of precription payment if I can.

In order not to spend this week, I am going to give myself some projects to work on. These are normal things to get done...but I really need to stay off the computer and out of the stores.

1) Workout everyday at the gym (M-F)
2) Clean out kitchen cupboards
3) Clean microwave
4) Clean kitchen blinds
5) Clean bathrooms
6) Whiten dishtowels and washcloths
7) Write thank you notes
8) Weed out magazines
9) Paint laundry room (?)

Just some ideas! Today, I went through the file cabinet in my desk and found lots of paper to shred and recycle.

The kids are back in school, so I need to keep myself busy in a new way this week. Wish me luck!

Are you working on any projects in the new year?

Since all the gifts are bought it is now time to set up for wrapping. I brought all my items for wrapping up to my living room and set it up on a folding table. The basement is unfinished and a bit too cold. In fact, I even need new light bulbs down there!

Here's my wrapping station:

I was able to get all of the girls presents wrapped today in about an hour. I like how they are all coordinated in red and green.

Here's the pile before I put it under the tree:

I hope to finish all the other wrapping by tomorrow. The wrapping station needs to come down before my parents arrive on Saturday! Oh, and I have to clean too. Tomorrow will be busy!!

We've had the a/c turned off almost 7 full days. We did turn it on one night when it was rainy and humid.

I can't wait to see the electric bill next month to see how much difference we can see.

The weather is going to heat up a bit more over the next five days...so by tomorrow afternoon the a/c may be back on.

About to spend a few hours in my basement, organizing the shelves! It will be even cooler down there. Maybe I'll have to find another project for next week and spend my afternoons in the basement. Then maybe the a/c could stay off!!

Organizing and decluttering, that is. It just kind of goes with this time of year for me. With school starting, it is important to go through all the clothes and shoes from last year.

I need to file some papers that are piling up in my "to file" pile. I'm sure half of these don't even need to be kept.

I'm also trying to come up with a new way to keep school papers organized for myself and the kids. Last year, I used a large magnetic clip for each child on the fridge for current papers that needed to be acted on. Then on a cabinet that sat next to the fridge I used file folders on a stand up rack. I just didn't like having that much paper out...so I'm still thinking what will work without losing track of everything. Any good ideas?

I also think I need to install decorative hooks by the front door for backpacks. It could double as a place for guest coats when not used for backpacks...see I would probably toss backpacks in coat closet when company comes.

Our house is pretty paired down when it comes to clutter, but I'm just trying to make sure we are using our space most efficiently. Like with like and things available near where we use them...rather than all spread out. I'm also thinking cleaning supplies are needed upstairs for the two bathrooms there, rather than all in the laundry/bath that is on the first level.

I recently acquired a over the door shoe holder. I have put it on the door to our basement...right next to the family room and on the way to the garage. Right now, it has bug spray, sunscreen, and extra school supplies. I'm on the lookout for things that would go well here. I guess it is okay if it is not FULL!!

Here's to an organized school year!!

I changed some settings on my dishwasher. I no longer have it set to "sanitize." I think it puts the dishes through an extra rinse. It seems to get them just as clean and in a shorter period time...and with less water.

I've also had good success putting a dry towel in with the wet clothes in the dryer. It does seem to shorten the time it takes to dry them.

I've been turning off the A/C much more frequently. I had it off all of yesterday, last night and until about noon today. That has to save some energy.

One habit I wish to work on is our ceiling fans. I usually leave the bedroom ones on 24/7. I don't think we really need those running unless we are in there. Now to retrain to children!!

Today was a no spend day. I should try to have several of those in the next few days. We did swing by the library. I checked out books on organization, recycling and green cleaning.

I've always loved organizing and could probably make it a business. It is interesting how the more organized one is, the less money is spent on late fees, and double purchases.

I think the more I learn about green cleaning the more I will save financially,too. I think it comes down to baking soda and vinegar for many things. Has anyone else noticed habits changing because of environmental reasons?

And...just so you know I don't really believe in global warming...but I don't like to see good things be thrown in the trash to be preserved forever in a landfill. I find that to be such a waste.

I recently received an email from a online photo processor for a great discount. I paid a penny for up to 50 prints, plus shipping. This is a great deal considering I rarely print pictures anymore.

Normally, this company has prints for 9 cents each. So, I saved 8 cents per print or a total of $4.00. The shipping was $3.47.

The email, of course, gave me a limited time to take advantage of this offer. They send me them fairly frequently, too, since I'm registered on their site for free. This time the timing was just right for me. I needed some prints anyway for my daughter's scrap booking project.

It does pay to sign up and register at various sites to be included in special promotions. Just make sure you don't take them up on all of them!!

Update, did plenty of ETE today. That is Erase the Evidence for those of you just tuning in. My sister is coming for the weekend...so I had to tidy up and erase the evidence in numerous areas of the house. Looks very nice now!!

I was hoping that we would avoid spending any money this weekend. Not happening.

We headed out to our local farmers market this morning to enjoy the outdoors and the atmosphere. I did intend on buying sugar snap peas. They are so yummy right now! I bought two large containers for $6.

However, we also bought a large loaf of ciabatta bread for $5. I also bought the girls a juice drink to share for $4.75 along with a large cookie for $1.50. DH also bought a coffee...not sure on his total. I bet we spent over $20.00. Parking was free!

We then moved our van to another location a couple miles away to enjoy our local art fair that is going on this weekend. The art is pretty expensive to buy, but it is free to look at. One daughter got a free balloon. We stopped to listen to free music while the girls ate the cookie from the farmers market.

My husband is now mowing the lawn while the girls play with the neighbor girls. So, maybe now we can keep to no more spending this weekend.

We do have one errand to run. I need to return a patio screen door that did not fit. Hopefully, we can find the right size for the same amount that I spent on the original. I want a screen door so I can have my patio door open to let in all the nice breezes we are getting today!

Oh, on a decluttering note, I tossed out our old gazebo cover today. We replaced it with a new one this year as the old one was getting pretty torn up.

Now...to find something free to do!

cash, stock options and or real estate !

Really, this would be a job I would love to help people with. I have only received pay once...and that was from my sister!!

The satisfying feeling of order is what drives me to dig through piles of junk. When I was still a teenager, I even sent away for information from the National Association of Professional Organizers. Well, college got in the way and I earned a degree in finance.

Now, I'm a stay at home mom with a finance degree with time on my hands to help others declutter and organize. Has anyone ever hired one? How much did they charge?

I really think this would be a flexible and fun way to earn some cash. Any ideas on how to promote such a thing? What would you pay someone to help you clean up and organize a room?

thinning out my filing cabinet. Wow, I don't think that I've been through these papers in over 2 years...maybe even three. I had utility bills from my last house in there.

The picture is of two bags of shredded papers for recycling. One bag is not shredded but also ready for the recycle bin. Did you notice the trash can is still full of shredded paper? Also, there is a small pile of paper that my DH is going to shred at work for me. My shredder can't keep up with the amount of paper I'm finding!!



I feel so much lighter. I noticed that some folders didn't have anything current in them. You know why? I receive those items electronically now and actually save them on my computer. Reminds me that I want to get a flash drive to back up some of those things.

Keep decluttering and erasing the evidence! I hope some of you are working on erasing your evidence of debt, too!!

Yesterday, I was getting the house cleaned up. My DH was coming home after 3 weeks out of state. I was able to erase the evidence (ETE) all day long. My girls even joined in and erased their own evidence. That was a huge breakthrough. I hope it continues!! I save so much time, if I don't have to pick up after them.

Another beautiful day here. Nice enough to open the windows and turn off the air. I've had at least four days this month with no air!! I'm guessing weather wise there could have been more, but youngest daughter's allergies also play a factor.

Yesterday, I bought groceries and spent less than $100 for our family of four. This should be enough to get us through the end of the month. I also used my new canvas shopping bags. I brought only one plastic bag coming home. I think I usually come home with at least ten. Huge difference!

I did go to Aldi for my first time yesterday. I took my girls. They loved that you had to put a quarter in to get a cart. We didn't actually get a cart, but the liked the idea. My daughter even brought her own quarter to use!

We picked up 3 things. Baby carrots, bag of red onions and ice cream bars for the girls. My total was $4.29. The woman ahead of me had a cart full of groceries. Her total was $79! I was very impressed with many of the prices. I'm sure I will be back.

This morning we traveled to our downtown farmers market. We bought 1 quart of strawberries for $5, a quart of sugar snap peas for $4 (later saw these for $2 at another stand), a dutch letter for the girls to share for $1.50, and romaine lettuce for $2. Parking was free as was the poetry reading, the music, the view of the river that is finally beginning to recede but is still higher than normal. We saw a three month old puppy, cool art, and many pretty flowers.

I really would love to make this a regular Saturday event for my family. It is just a good time. I think I need to go just a bit earlier next time, so that it is cooler and the crowd is not as thick.

We received $25 rewards from my debit card the other day. This is the extra money that I sent off to the home equity loan payoff. I expect to get a little interest on our money market account and some funds from ebay sales...all will go the home equity payoff.

Today was the sign up for dance and tumbling classes. I paid for the year in full in cash...$730. One daughter decided not to take dance because we expect she might be a bit busier in middle school with homework. This saved me from spending another $300. Love that!! I will hold on to it, in case we did to make a payment towards braces.

I reworked out escrow account today, too. I decided to start saving for dance classes for next year. Turns out instead of my previous monthly amount of $124, the new amount will be $200. I will split this evenly between the two checks we receive each month.

It was a good money day. Tomorrow I must grocery shop because my dearest soldier husband is coming home from three weeks of training. Can't wait to see him.!!

If you don't know what ETE is...read my post from yesterday. I did great with it today!

Those letters stand for something and I'll let you know what it is in a moment.

By knowing what ETE is I am able to:

save time
save money
feel calm
have a party at the drop of the hat

Wow! What could possibly do all that?

ETE refers to erase the evidence. It is a little organization helper, that reminds me to pick up after myself. If I make a turkey sandwich, I must clean off the counters and put everything away so that it appears I was never even there.

ETE saves me time, because I put things back where they go...without misplacing or redirecting them. ETE saves me money for the same reason. I know where all my bills and library books are.

I confessed to my sister just today that I was a little compulsive about order at times. Why? It really seems to make me calmer. Although, I've realized in the last 6 months that there are other ways to relax. I also deserve to relax even before I get everything in order.

ETE means I don't have to pick up for company. I've already done it as I go along. Of course, I'm still trying to teach the rest of the family.

Disneysteve...anyone else want to try? See if it works for you this week. Think ETE...Erase the Evidence. Do it all day long or just once a day. For me it's both! Remember, I told you I'm a bit compulsive.

I'm not decluttering like Disneysteve
...yet! However, I am doing a little bit of spring cleaning. Only a few days left and it will be summer.

I have artificial plants above my kitchen cabinets in baskets. It looks pretty until they become dusty.



Today was such a cool calm weather that I decided to pull them all out onto the deck for a cleaning. I pulled the greenery out of the baskets and literally hosed the dust off them with water. In a short time, they are dry again.

I used a special spray for artificial plants to remove the dust from the greenery. You simply spray until dripping wet and wait to dry. Amazingly, the dust is gone and the leaves are shiny again. In the past I have used a bucket of water and a microfiber cloth to wash each leaf by hand. It is very time consuming.

The spray was $4.97 and I have yet to use half. It is quick and looks nice. Next time, I think I will just try the hose on all of it. How much could water hurt a plastic plant? I'm pretty sure the water would cost less than the spray.

on craigslist. I have quite a few nice things left over from the garage sale last week. I had success with the desk, so I am going to list as much as possible today.

The advantage of craigslist over ebay, is that it takes much less time to list the items. I don't have to calculate shipping or find a box. And, I set the final price instead of waiting for the highest bidder.

I had such good response by listing all my garage sale items that I think there is a large amount of traffic on craigslist.

So, I think I'll make a goal. To sell at least $50 worth of items on craigslist. The listings are 45 days, so I will give them that much time. If they don't sell there, I'll set them up on ebay.

In our town this week, it is spring clean up time. This is when people can put out trash that isn't picked up normally. Ususally, this means larger items you can't fit in your trash.

The fun part about this is that people also come looking for things they can take from your pile. I saw two different neighbors put out old lawn furniture. Someone with a van, came and hauled them way for their own use.I like it that some of the items are saved from the landfill and that someone gets something for free.

I actually found something to take from a neighbor's pile two doors down. They were getting rid of 8 foot landscape timbers. I took 3 from the pile. I'm going to use them with 3 that I already have to box in my new garden.

Happy spring cleaning!

Oh, I'm so excited! My daughter's cleaned out their rooms yesterday. They found so much stuff to get rid of.

I did bribe them, though. Money from the sales of these items will go to give them a new bathroom makeover. They are thrilled. Their bathroom is about the only room in the house we haven't done anything with since we moved in 1 1/2 years ago. It needs new paint, a rug, and a shower curtain.

I will sell some things on ebay this month. Everything else and unsold ebay items will go on the garage sale at the beginning of May. We'll have more than enough to makeover the bathroom and then some!!

Here are some of the things they are getting rid of: large ride on pony, throw pillows, doctor kit, stuffed animal, junk toys, leotards, socks, clothes, books, books and books!!

I'll let you know how we make out when it's all sold off.
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I received a Pinecone survey check yesterday for $5.00

Old Balance $20.20
Add Check $5.00
New Balance 25.20

This will be the second day that I have attempted to arrange for pickup of our old TV. I advertised on Freecycle. The woman responded right away. I named a time on a day she was available. The time came and went...no response.

I offered today at 5pm...another day she was available. Will she show up to claim her free TV?

If she doesn't show, I have three other people that are interested. Who knew it would be so hard to give away a TV?

It would have been easier to take it to Goodwill!!

It's a beautiful day here! I decided to work on my basement. It is unfinished and was pretty organized, in that I knew where everything was. However, it wasn't set up quite the way I wanted.

We bought a metal shelf yesterday that we set up as two shorter shelves. I set these up parallel to the two taller shelves that line a wall. There is now a path between the two on the same side of the basement as my furnace.

I have most of my things in plastic storage bins of varying sizes and colors. I have written the contents on an index card and taped it on the bins.

As I loaded the shelves, I came across numerous items that can be sold at my garage sale this spring. These items are now in a pile. Do you want to know what I'm getting rid of?

The pile has a student desk, gum ball machine, games, two children's sleeping bags, snow boots, paints, McDonald's Happy Meal toys, end table, torch lamp, outgrown children's toys, VCR movies, a microwave, and many of the old style camouflage uniforms of my husbands. Some of these may end up going on ebay.

I have found enough to trash to fill a large garbage bag, too.

So, now my basement has two zones...storage and play area for kids. For now, there is also a temporary garage sale zone.

Spring always inspires me to clean and declutter!! Anyone else working on a room makeover or decluttering?