Organization is Key

Despite the fact that most of last week we looked a lot like this....I didn’t go insane.  I started working on some BIG projects, which kept my mind fairly busy even when we couldn’t leave the house…  I can't seem to pick a nice easy project right now.  It's all the way or nothing, and right now it’s all about organization.First off I'm trying to organize my home.  A very daunting task for people like us who gather clutter like it’s a collector’s item. Thanks to the trusty dishwasher, I've eliminated some kitchen clutter, but my closest have been looming at me ever since last November when a dear friend (who was babysitting my kiddos) asked which cupboard I kept my band-aids in because she couldn't find them in the overflowing closet Alec showed her.  They were in there, but only an expert clutter-er could find them.  So Friday was de-clutter the closest day, and let me tell you, it was an eye opening experience.  I spent lots of time refolding linens, throwing out expired medication, and boxing up baby stuff that we've outgrown.  I went to put away the infant car seat and noticed that the expiration date is December 2012... and I realized that by the time we have another baby it's likely that we won't be able to use it.  It seems like such a waste to stick a perfectly good car seat in the attic only to expire.  Does anyone have a need for an infant car seat?Second, I'm trying to organize my blog book.  Thank heaven Blurb's slurp feature is now working.  It was taking an astronomical amount of time trying to copy and paste all of my posts over, only to then find the photos all over again.  YEA for the slurp feature!  Just like a scrapbook, though, it takes a lot of time to edit all my text and format everything just the way I want it.My third task has been on my radar for a long time, but I’ve felt so overwhelmed that I keep putting it off.  I’m trying to plan out and organize my food storage, or more specifically my three month food supply.  Even three months is so much to take in and I didn’t know where to start.  Then last week I found this website that breaks down food storage into ten baby steps, making this task a bit more tolerable.  Through their site I found a excellent excel spread sheet designed to help plan out and organize a three month food supply!  Awesome in every way!  So after inputting lots of data I know exactly what I need to buy… now I just have to organize my finances to do the rest.Last but not least, I’ve been trying to organize a realistic half marathon training schedule.  I’m seriously considering signing up for the Dam to Dam, which is scheduled for the end of May.  That gives me many weeks to prepare, but I’ve never run anything near this far or intense, I don’t consider myself a natural athlete, and I don’t have endless amounts of time to run as a full-time mother of two.  Thanks to my friend Sara, I did find a beginners training schedule that seems reasonable, but will definitely still be challenging.  Now it’s really a matter of commitment and follow through… and finding someone who wants to do it with me.  Any takers?

 For now I’m off the hook and most of this stuff is on hold.  I’m on vacation, having a blast watching my two munchkins reacquaint themselves with Grandma Shannon… not to mention warmer temperatures and water that actually tastes good right out of the tap.  Man I love mountain stream water!  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go kick back on my mom’s comfy couch and curl up with a book and a tasty smoothie.