The Organizational Snowball

Sometimes the most empowering achievements in life are the simplest, aren't they?

As you guys know, we've been doing plenty of organizing, purging and simplification around our humble abode lately. Some are big (why hello, there, basement), others are what I call "steps" (I'm attacking my side of the office a little at a time), and still others are a quick one-and-done attack.

Today, I'm sharing one that's made a big impact, although you wouldn't know it by walking around my house. I feel like playing the "colder, hotter" game with you all. No, seriously, keep looking. Not in the living room. Nope, cold, stay out of the kitchen. Dining room? Warmer. Getting warmer.

HOT! Bingo. That's our dining room sideboard. Or server. Or console. (Not really, too big for that.) Thingamajigger that holds china and other random sundries.

We fell in love with its '20s/'30s vibe when we were in Vermont on our honeymoon. We filled it with gorgeous china (the stuff we use once a year...maybe), decor stuff, and...crap. Crap, crap and, just for fun, a touch more crap.

It had reached the point where the top two drawers were so full that I'd pull them open a couple of inches, toss an item back in, then close it as quickly as possible (pushing pretty hard to jam it shut). Just. So. Cluttered. But, those were the only drawers that I used with any regularity. (Remember: extemporaneous china in the bottom drawers/cabinets.)

We'll just put you through one of the drawers' craziness.

I had a dream of purging and making one side into decor-type stuff and the other one into a kidcentric spot. Turns out, it wasn't too hard. And I need bigger dreams.

Just had to recycle a couple dozen super old magazines. That seems to be the theme with my house purging; magazines multiply.

I mean, really. Just check out that kid side. It has made our summertime projects and "lessons" (a couple of workbooks) so pleasant. Well, the workbooks are pretty fun, anyway, but being organized has made it such a simple, more enjoyable thing.

Aaaaand the other side. My grandmother's dictionary, some thank you notes, random decor stuff...and a cat toy that we've gotta keep in hiding. Ultra special, that dangly toy.

Aside from stuff that got tossed, here are things that either a) went in the basement (rafia, red and white ball garland that I LOVE using at Christmastime, homemade pennant garland, some random hardware, hardly-used trays) or b) off to Goodwill (frames!).

I utilized my good ol' tips of 1) usage: figuring out what still has a purpose (sorry, old magazines), 2) placement: what actually needs to be there, in the dining room area and 3) getting creative: using organizational tools in different ways (a silverware organizer turned into our art supply caddy). Super helpful, super simple.

Somehow, heading to the basement after seeing such an organized little space was the kickstart I needed to dig in down there. And, the rest is history. Er. Mostly done. (We're having the walls painted this weekend, then can move the stuff back to have an ultimately super organized space after that. Squeal!)

So, there you have it. The snowball that started the avalanche of purging. Here's what's up for the next few weeks:

- Finishing the basement stuff
- Office stuff (and possibly even moving ALL my stuff outta there...we'll see)
- Hadman's closet
- My clothes 

Anyone else using summer as an excuse to organize crap? Or are you just, y'know, having fun like most people? ;-) Do tell!  

Basement Organization - Home Improvement Crap

Welcome to "Basement Organization, Pt. II - Battle of the Clutter"!! I worked my belly off during the little man's nap time (seriously, I had him rubbing my aching baby bump when he got up) to organize the stuff that Dave had pulled off our shelving units over the weekend. We have one unit that's dedicated to paint (which used to house paint, but we had a "tipping over" incident) and another that has tools, electrical stuff and other odds-and-ends things for around the house.

Oh, and there was other random crap cluttering up the space.

Seriously. This is what we were dealing with when I walked into the basement:

Just lotsa wrong goin' on. Stuff got moved. Stuff got tossed. It was fun. And my tips from our first weekend organizing came in super handy. Like stuff with like stuff, FTW! 

Hey, look! An old TV. (Which will replace our current old TV when it kicks the bucket. Not kidding.)

The stuff on the TV has actually since been taken care of, and the box on the right is stuff for Dave to go through. Otherwise, tools on the bottom two shelves, odds and ends organized by "type" (electrical stuff, cleaning chemicals, sundry tapes, safety gear) on the top two. 

Since we'll be painting the rest of the floor (Dave started awhile back) and hopefully the walls, this stuff is all going to have to be pulled out and moved, but I needed to get it out from the middle of everything. They don't look it, but they're totally organized - interior, primers, Drylok, and exterior. My favorite semi-gloss trim paint lives on the shelving...because it deserves it.

So, how're we doin'? I need to turn my attention back to the clothing situation and organizing around the washer/dryer area, plus we've got a Lowe's trip to make (I'd like another shelving unit to organize kiddo stuff and maybe totes and some spray paint for a freebie I recently scored).

One thing I've realized is the tumbling dominoes of organization rule. The more space that opens up (little by little), I realize that it loosens me up mentally to purging and storing stuff from other areas. Like, I've got some stuff from the garage that I'd rather have inside than in an outside space, and our office is in dire need of decluttering. This doesn't mean shuffling crap we don't need around, but giving serious consideration to what's needed and how often it's used, then storing appropriately.

I'm super inspired by small living and mindful living websites and blogs lately, so that also helps in my mindset. Anyone else trying to live a more fulfilling life with less?

Christmas in July

My mother had a tendency to be early...for everything. I kind of agree, and get anxious when we don't leave early (or, God forbid, when we leave late!). But, one thing I remember her saying a lot over the years is that when we were kids she liked to get her Christmas shopping done by sometime in September. If she could do it before school started, all the better.

The poor woman can't do that anymore since it's like pulling teeth to get lists out of all four kids, spouses and grand kids. I get it. We're annoying. ;-)

But, this year, I'm hopping on the "the earlier, the better" bandwagon. With a second little one coming mid-November, my usual Black Friday fun with my sister will have to be skipped. Heck, a lot will probably get skipped. But, Chrismas fun? NEVAAAAHHHH!!

We actually have a stash that we add to throughout the year for monkey, anyway, so we'll be inspecting that to see what, if anything, we need to round it out. (Figuring out his size will be a challenge for clothes.) Dave and I have a tradition of taking a Saturday to shop together for a couple of special little guy gifts from Santa and getting coffee or lunch together, so we'll most likely drop him off to the grandparents and take the little one with us to do that again.

Otherwise, I'm already searching the interwebs for deals. There are a handful of things we need to buy for the baby, so my eyes keep wandering, but my focus is CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. Lots of online sources are touting Black Friday deals in July, so I'm hoping to stock up and get some stuff off my list sooner rather than later.

So, here's my strategy:

- Paring down. Since my side of the family is doing the "only buy stuff for the kiddos", that cuts back on the number of people we need to buy for. We will still always get something for all of our parents since they do SO much for us. I'm also hoping for "quality over quantity" for Dave and I, too, and will be setting a smaller limit than usual for ourselves and the kiddos. They'll still get stuff, but a reasonable amount, especially considering that our extended family will be getting them stuff, too.

- Infant gear. We're not buying a ton of stuff because, well, we have a lot. However, because Hadley was a summer newborn (and some of the stuff has worn out), we'll be in need of some new clothes. In advance, we'll be getting some new cloth dipes, a new carseat, and some cold weather essentials. However, we won't need a million outfits because that's what we'll get (and ask for) for Christmas, along with a couple of other baby items.

- Keep things flexible and open. It seems the closer to "Santa time" you get, the more the list grows, doesn't it? The week of Christmas, it's common for a kiddo to add one thing they RRREEEEEEAAAALLY want. Hadman was so all-over-the-place in the past that it didn't matter if Santa missed something here or there. This year, I'm asking early, working on the list *together*, and getting stuff early. However, this is why Dave and I have a shopping date closer to December -- just in case there's an item that we'd really like him to have or that he adds.

- Organization! Lists are the only way I sleep at night, I swear. So, I've got a Google Doc of my list and everyone who needs to be gifted. (I'm also going to have a list of the to-do's as far as pre-baby planning and when we get closer to the holiday, too.) Seriously, savior.  

- Do as much online as possible. Sure, I could schlep out with the 3-year-old to try to buy full-priced stuff in the stores...but isn't there a better way? Yep. Shopping during naptime in your sweat shorts with free shipping and pretty decent deals? I'd call that better!


Am I the only one who is planning for (and starting in on) Christmas now? Can you blame me, though, really? ;-) Honestly, if I don't start planning now, I'm going to put off any thoughts of what's to come (and, honestly, it makes the baby feel more "real" when planning for after he/she comes) and find myself completely unprepared.

And you know that I'm starting to browse Pinterest for simple ways to celebrate Christmas (along with space saving nursery ideas).

Finding Timeless

Do you ever find yourself getting burnt out by the craziness of "now"? Feeling detached from your own thoughts because of the constant viral conversations and noise? Have you ever longed to transport yourself back to another time (any) just to appreciate the simplicity of life again?

My husband and I are quite modern in most of our ideals but, by nature, drawn to "older" interests. We have both been told that we were born in the wrong time period. We gravitate to old movies - I literally can't remember the last time we saw a movie in a theater. Our car rides entail older music (Dave's into the '80s, but can also get down with classical and Big Band, which I find an awesome spousal trait). When we take a vacation, we always make at least one historically significant stop along the way. We generally prefer older houses (although goodness knows what we'll end up with during our current house hunt). The list continues on and on.   

So, today I'm sharing some ideas for anyone who may have had enough of the current fast-paced, do-it-all world in which we all seem to be swirling. Here's how to add some timelessness to slow things down...

Simplify. Okay. Look at a person one hundred or more years ago (or even less, actually). How much "stuff" did they own? Or, simply think about their wardrobe. One nice Sunday outfit, then maybe two outfits for every other day. A woman used an apron and petticoats so that they didn't have to wash their dress every day. One pair of shoes kept cean.

Now, I'm not advising that we go to these extremes. But, consider this individual and ask yourself, "Am I any happier?" Life is easier thanks to modern day conveniences and we certainly don't have to "do the washing" nearly as much. But I didn't say 'is life easier?'; I said 'are you any happier?' Big difference.

So, address your closets. Check out your over-flowing storage situations. Analyze whether or not you need enough plates, cups, etc to feed four dozen people. Is this all stuff that you NEED in your life? Does it make you happier by having it? If so, you may need to do some more soul searching to discover where your fulfillment lies. (We are slowly but surely making our way through our own stuff and, boy, does it feel freeing!)

Be mindful and let go. Common sense truly used to be a common trait. It was partly inborn, partly taught. I find that by being in touch with one's surroundings and trying your best to be "present" in the current moment, we can find a lot of clarity - which, in turn, helps us make wiser choices. (There's that common sense thing.) Try your best to be mindful and you may also find yourself enjoying life quite a bit more, as well.

At the same time, the current issues that people have are plentiful. Yes, there were issues many years ago (disease and mortality have always been problems, right?), but when they were problems, they were HUGE - think: the crops didn't come in and we don't know how we'll keep the farm this year. Many of our current problems are self-made. Say you didn't have enough taken out for your taxes and rather than getting that juicy tax refund (the one you've already mentally spent), instead you have to pay. This isn't something to hold on to. It was a mistake -- a mistake you made. Own it, figure out a way to amend it (in other words, pay the darn thing), then move on. It's not the government's fault. It's yours. But, we all make mistakes, so it's perfectly find to move on.

Learning to let go can be downright liberating. Mindfulness can help you connect to your life. Both awesome things.

Go green. It's surprising (or not) how many of the "green" initiatives and suggestions these days are actually deeply rooted in practices that our great grandparents would have found to be the norm. Cloth diapering? Breastfeeding? Eating natural, home-grown foods? Finding natural treatments for minor ailments? Finding uses (and reuses) for things? Backyard chickens and gardening? None of this is new. It's just starting to make more sense to people.

There are a million small ways to go green. So, save rain water. Start a small potted garden on your patio. Keep an eye on your water use. Eat vegetarian once a week. Or check out the many websites that have a plethora of other suggestions (of course, I'm biased and love Green Child Magazine and The Eco-Friendly Family). Every time I water a plant, I think about the backyard garden my great-grandmother fed her five children on.  

Step outside your comfort zone. Maybe your annual vacation consists of a nice long trip to a beachy resort with lots and lots of splashing fun for the little ones. This is an awesome way to recharge and get some fun family time in, but consider just trying one thing that might be outside of your family's comfort zone, like a quick trip to a historic lighthouse for a guided tour or a stop by the visitors center to learn more about the significance of the area you're visiting. If you're camping, you may be surprised to find a gem of a museum right in the middle of the woods (my favorite is the Adirondack Museum). There's often far more than meets the eye when you're traveling, and you may find yourself with a deeper appreciation for your favorite vacation spot.

The funny thing here is that it's often a battle with older kids (or your spouse) to take precious time away from one's vacation for one of these stops. However, if you start your kids young with this type of activity, it will often spark a further interest in history of all different kinds; and older children ride along with a pout but before long are found with smiles and laughs while helping historical interpreters pour candles or test out an old trade. Now, it's your job to get your significant other on board. ;-)

Read. The best way to get in touch with the past is to get hands-on like with the aforementioned activities. However, arguably the second best way (I have friends who would claim it to be THE best way) is to immerse yourself in books that were either written during a past time period, are set in the past, or are about the past.

The cool thing about this tip is that if you're a reader, you don't have to change much. If you like a certain style of fiction, I guarantee that you'll be able to find it in a historical setting (adventure, romance, science fiction, realistic...it's all available in historical fiction form, too). If you prefer non-fiction, well, just head for ANY time period that sparks your interest.

The great thing about history is that you can tailor it to your interests: if you enjoy a good political debate, read up on American politics (things were just as raucous and rude 150 or 200 years ago, believe it or not) or even Greek and Roman politics; if you're a world traveler, pick up a great piece on the turmoil your favorite country underwent in centuries gone-by; if you're a crafty individual, grab a "book of receipts" (oftentimes a how-to book on how to run a house in the 1700s and 1800s, it's quite fascinating and creative to see what activities were undertaken and how without electricity and modern conveniences), found for a steal on Amazon; if you're into current Hollywood celebrities, try a biography on a classic starlet; fashion, try ANY historical clothing book. There are practically endless options.

If you're not a reader, a lot can be said for "books on tape" (although they're now downloadable in a variety of formats and available as CDs), especially read by a famous actor you'll actually enjoy listening to.

Watch a movie. Wait, what? First you tell me to read a book, then you say to watch a movie? Isn't that kind of contradictory? Nope, not really. There's a ton of history in movies, whether they're new films based on historic events or an old movie about, heck, anything, either way they can open your mind.

When Dave and I were just "friends in a show together" he got me an old '40s film noir called "Scarlet Street" for my birthday. While it wasn't necessarily my usual "style" of film, it was superbly acted and meant more than anything in the world to me because he realized I had a taste for the old school (ie he "got" me). Later, when we started dating, we enjoyed nights in watching, yes, the occasional "Family Guy", but also movies that had a meaning to them, like "His Girl Friday" (Dave worked in news). Now, as our family has grown, we've raised our son with Andy Hardy movies and even a Fred Astaire clip here and there. It definitely pulls us not only back into another time, but back down to earth.

Learn about your past. You may think you know everything there is to know about yourself, and to an extent that's accurate. But, you don't fully "know thyself" until you are aware of how you got to where you are and how many people are really rooted in who you are today.

I've accomplished much of this by reading our family's papers on particular past members, but also through my research on Ancestry.com. Discovering how many ancestors had hands in real, significant historical events is both humbling and heart-touching at the same time. It definitely forces me to consider what my effect on the world might be.

You don't need to buy a subscription to Ancestry, though, to learn about your family's past. Just start by asking questions: your parents (my mom somehow knows more about my father's side than many of Dad's siblings!), any living grandparents or aunts and uncles. They all have a wealth of information to share, and it's often like chatting about old times (and people that were very dear), so can be a very pleasant conversation to have.

Try something an old way. My husband has forsaken his electric or disposable razors for an old-fashioned safety razor and brush. Aside from this method giving a good, clean shave and looking super cool on our bathroom shelf, it lowers our waste (yes, the razor part needs to be disposed, but if you rinse and dry it well, they last 5-10 times as long as they would otherwise).

We also wash our dishes by hand. I'm not sure if it conserves water, but we do our best to do so. We also don't really hate to do it (most of the time) and it gives your mind a chance to wander. You may be surprised at how just-as-convenient some "non-convenient" methods can be.

Limit your online time. This is one that Dave and I still find to be a challenge, but we're trying to be mindful (ha! See above!) about it. Unless I'm hunting for a recipe for dinner, my phone is away when the guys get home at night and doesn't reemerge until after the little guy goes to sleep. It's important to give your mind a rest and to remember that you CAN survive without checking Facebook or your email every hour (or minute).

Every once in awhile, I'll do a tech-free day (sometimes without TV, most of the time just a little). It definitely helps to break the addiction and cycle of constantly leaving the "real world" for the "non-reality" of the internet. It's hard to remember sometimes that it's not a real place to give every second of your life to. Your tangible reality - your family, friends, pets - are in the now and won't always be there. Cherish the real world.

Go outside. While avoiding that internet time, try heading outside. You can be extreme and take a hike to a tall mountain or simply head to your back deck with a coffee, but there's something refreshing and soul-recharging about listening to the birds, feeling a breeze, smelling grass and flowers. You may also strike up conversations with some unexpected neighbors, much as people once did very commonly. Just think about how much time people spent outside in years gone by and how, at the end of the day, the feeling of a day well-spent in fresh air must have filled their souls with such contentment.

So, here we have just a handful of ways to find and insert some "timeless" into your daily life. What are some ways that you hold history dear in your day-to-day life? Any suggestions to add?

Spring Cleaning, Simplified

This year, I'm not stressing about spring cleaning. This doesn't mean that I won't be doing some high-octane cleaning; it just means that I'm not going to break a huge sweat or give up my long-awaited-for warm days.

Here are a handful of simple but super helpful ways I'll be gettin' 'er done. (Hate that phrase.)

- Do all the jobs. Wow, that DOES sound overwhelming. What I really mean is that when I do ceilings, I'll take a broom with a microfiber cloth and "sweep" all the ceilings in the whole house while I'm at it. (Spoiler alert: Already did this. While on the phone, even.) Or, when I do the fans, I'll wipe all of them down and only do the "take off every single light cover and wash/dry" if absolutely necessary. All the woodwork at one time. All the vacuuming at one time. Etc, etc, etc.

Sometimes, I try to do a room at a time (like last year) and, sometimes, it works fine. But, this year, I kind of prefer doing the jobs I feel like doing at the moment and getting them ALL done. Also, once I get out a particular cleaning product (say, the Old English for our woodwork), it'll be nice to just put it away when the job's done.

- Stretch it out. While it sounds like a buttload of work doing the above clusters of jobs, I'm not doing them all at one time. Instead, I already started the cleaning process and am doing a quick 5-10 minute job before work in the morning or at the end of the day, or a longer one on the weekends (sometimes a couple). It's a marathon, not a sprint!

- Use the least amount of products possible. I love multi-tasking cleaners. We use a Method all-purpose cleaner made with mostly-natural ingredients that does glass, wood, ceramic...frickin' everything. We also love our Dr. Bronner's castile soap, which can be used on pretty much anything and everything you can imagine. Sure, this time of year I take out the big guns (like Old English), but for the most part, it's simple. Kind of the point of this post. ;-)

- Enjoy the clean. By doing little jobs here and there, it highly reduces the amount of stress we put on ourselves. Know what else reduces it? Enjoying the clean stuff.

Throwing open the windows not only helps to freshen up your indoor environment, but also lifts your spirits. Opening the curtains after you've washed and rehung them helps the light come in and - yup - same thing, lift your spirits. Or just plopping down after you've finished a job and allowing yourself some relaxation time by way of a book or movie is totally allowed - even if you haven't finished ALL the cleaning yet.

I can't say how many times I've looked in my newly fresh (and deodorized, woohoo!) fridge just to enjoy a job well-done. Seriously.

Do you guys all spring clean? What are some of your tips and tricks for getting your spring cleaning done? We'd love to hear them in the comments! 

Real Food Challenge - Week #12

For 14 weeks, the family and I are undertaking a Real Food Challenge (put forth by the awesome 100 Days of Real Food blog). I'm hoping to check in about any struggles and successes along the way each week. Our ultimate goal is to cut down on our dependence on processed foods and start using some cleaner fuels to energize our bodies. And stuff.

So, here's how it works. I'll get an email every Thursday for the next 14 weeks (the actual eating challenge will start on Sunday or Monday for 7 days, so there are a couple of days of grocery prep built in). Each email outlines the "rules" for that particular week. It's up to each participant as to whether or not they'd like to try each week independently or build on top of the prior week. In other words, continuing doing the prior weeks while attempting the new weeks, if that makes sense. There's also a very active Facebook group (I've actually joined an offshoot that's super supportive and far more focused) that's there to share, answer and support.

Review of Week #11: This past week has all about "going local." I totally love the idea of it. While the suggestion was originally to eat one local thing per meal, it was far too challenging for many of us still dealing with cold temps and snow flurries (our CSAs and full-time farmers' markets don't start until May, and even them tend to have slim pickings). So, "at least once a day" it was. We hit up an indoor FM Saturday morning, which saved our bums. Local, grassfed beef made a stew that lasted us Sunday and Monday, locally milled and baked bread (sourdough, mmm) helped with breakfasts, eggs fit the bill several ways, and some local spinach and onions helped localize our salads.

I'd love to try this throughout the summer months! A fun challenge to eat as much local food as possible. ;-)

Week #12 Challenge: Well, we only have a few weeks left and, of course, the challenges are mounting. Next week is all about eliminating ALL SUGARS, whether naturally occurring or not (even maple syrup and honey, which have been my saving grace). I've decided to opt Hadman out of this one since he doesn't eat "sugary" foods on the average (zero candy, maybe a little in his organic cereal bars yogurt unless I'm packing it with maple syrup). I don't need to put him through the misery.

While we were actually told that we didn't HAVE to do the whole week (suggesting that we try a couple of days and just recognize how challenging it can be to find ANYTHING without sugar), we're going to try our best to see how much we can do. This will be relatively easy for my husband, but darn near horrible for me. I'm pretty sure I have a "sweetener addiction" (not necessarily straight sugar since honey and maple syrup have worked fine for me), and I don't quite feel ready to say "goodbye" forever. I'm sure I'll feel healthier...but I may feel hungrier, which definitely never helps the situation.

I'll be trying naked herbal teas, toast for breakfast...but my favorite snack of the day (whole plain yogurt which I usually add berries and maple syrup to) will sacrifice and, dare I say, probably won't be eaten at all. Which sucks. Also, bought some Larabars, which aren't organic but...I'll try them. I've got my doubts. I've stocked up on fruits, veggies, local breads (not made with sugar), nuts, and Dave will make some homemade popcorn...any other suggestions are terribly welcome!!!! Breakfast will be carb-laden, as you can see...

 

Today's Tip: Prep Once, Eat Twice

This is a new series that I'm lamely calling "Today's Tip." I'm hoping to share little tips and tricks (or "life hacks" as the kids these days are saying) to make your life just a wee bit simpler. The topics will range from parenting to cleaning to green living to just general time savers...and anything else that pops into my brain. 

Happy Monday, guys! "Today's Tip" has been a time-saver and an early morning stress-reducer at our house, so maybe it'll do the same for you.

With our food challenges lately, I've definitely been spending more time in the kitchen. It's actually a good thing, because I'm starting to plan far better and actually end up getting a lot more accomplished in the time that I'm in there cooking. Because of this, our lunches have had a higher quality and have been, in fact, easier to throw together. 

And did I mention healthier? They're healthier. Just thought I'd put that out there.

If I happen to be making a salad, either to go alongside dinner or as the main event, I'm sure to grab one or two of our glass containers (a lot like these ones) to make perfect lunch-sized salads. It hardly takes an extra 30 seconds per salad, and all I need to do is pour some oil/vinegar/seasonings into our small mason jars (unless I'm REALLY on top of things and do that while I'm prepping dinner, too) and grab a couple other lunch sides to round out the meal.

The same goes with dinners, in general. Most of the time, I try to make more than what we'll eat in one dinner. (There are times that it backfires and the meal is so awesome that we attack the rest of it before making up lunches, but it's not the end of the world.) So, if I make stir-fry, I make extra and toss it into containers. The next day, I just have to grab an apple, a granola bar, and maybe a handful of veggie sticks (which I also cut all at once in the beginning of the week and store in the fridge when I remember to) and -- TADA! Quick lunch. 

Super simple, right? Do you already do this? Do you have any extra tips for making lunch a fast, easy process? Share in the comments!

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House Wishlist

Happy Groundhog Day! We're lucky enough to have a snow day (and my hubby took the day, too!), which is our first one of the year. Definitely a great day to hunker down, drink hot cocoa, bake cookies, and generally appreciate the warmth together. 

That said, we love our house, but we're hoping to start up a house hunt just about when the snow melts. It's strange to admit it out loud (or, for all the internet to read), but the good thing is that we're not in a hurry. Our current situation is fine, for now, but because we're not rushing to find something, we have time to work on little areas of ours that need work and won't feel quite as pressured to buy something we don't love.  

It's not a huge move; we're still going to be in the same relative area, but hopefully safer and with more space for the little guy to play. That said, I thought I'd share Had's current thoughts on the house situation (which, quite honestly, change a little depending on the day). He has consistently asked for the following:

- More land to "run and run and run." I've asked for awhile now whether he wants a house in a "town" with people around to play with or in the "country" where he can have lots of room...and this is what he says.

- Places to play. We take this as either a room that's big enough for him to use also as a playroom, or a specifically designated place that IS a playroom

He doesn't ask for much. Gotta love a 2-year-old. His mom and dad, however... Well, here's what we're hoping for:

- More space, but not too much. We currently have a 3-bedroom, 1-bath house that clocks in at around 1,000 sq. ft. If we could have a house with an extra bedroom (or a 3-bedroom with an office or playroom area, or finished basement) and maybe an extra half bath, we'd be happy.

- Bring on the charm. Our current fixer-upper is charming. There are soooo many cookie-cutter homes that lack things like substantial woodwork or built-ins or, well, much of anything. I personally prefer homes from the first half of the 1900s. I'm flexible...but within reason. ;-) I will also gladly work to bring it up to modern standards, while maintaining its character.  

- Centrally located. We'd like for our commutes to be 30 minutes or less. Currently, Dave's is around 25 minutes; mine's 15 minutes.

- A bit of land. Again, not too much, but enough that Had and any future siblings or friends have space to roam. I'd like to be able to garden. It's also a bit of a dream of Dave's to have a barn or garage for strays. Just call him St. Francis of Assisi. But, if we didn't get a country home and instead had a nice backyard in a safe neighborhood, we definitely wouldn't mind.  

There are other things on our list, like particular townships near friends or a particular price-range or yes-to-hardwood-floors-no-to-oil-heat, but everything is flexible to an extent. We'd like it to be a place that we enjoy for many, many years to come, so we're picky about some things, but willing to work with others. Certain aesthetic issues can be remedied, but other bigger updates may not be in our budget long-term. But, seriously, I'm so glad that we don't have HGTV right now -- watching the house hunting couples walk into a place and put their foot down over bad wallpaper or easily-amended ugliness is frustrating!

That said, I thought it'd be fun to share a couple of the "wow, that would be AWESOME" mental wishes for a future home. I can't wait to get my DIY on and put some fun, love and life into a gem of a space.

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For some weird reason, I'm really into bungalows from the '20s and '30s. It's not a deal-breaker, but these have me weak in the knees.

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Then, there's my husband. When we drive around the neighborhood where he grew up, he swoons over these cottage- or English-style houses. I'm not against them, but they're not my favorite. Again, it's not a deal-breaker, but these are the styles that make us sit up.

Let's head inside our "dream house." I don't have an idea of specifics (unless I'm thinking about "the one that got away" last year; it was the perfect size and had no work to be done, so of course it was out of our price range), so I'll just share a couple of things we'd love to have or create over time.

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Our current kitchen is a pretty good size and has amazing light, so it's going to be hard to find something by comparison. However, it doesn't always function very practically (hello, 1925 dwellers). So, given what we've already seen on the market, I'm pretty much positive we'll have to do a makeover in the kitchen. Enter subway back splash, stage right. I love this stuff, and chunky open shelving comes in a close second. 

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This may not be exactly what we're thinking, but the idea is here (and isn't it gorgeous?). Wood floors? Yes. Fireplace? Definitely. (Bonus points if it works.) Space for entertaining/hosting holidays? Hopefully.

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We currently use an entire bedroom as an office. We'd LOVE to be able to have similar (or more) space for another one, or even part of the basement, but if we need to be creative, this set-up is awesome and simple (and cheap). 

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A kid space is pretty high on our list. The zillions if ideas I've seen floating around online have me itching to create a fun place for Hadman (and any future siblings). Chalkboard paint + homemade tent + reading area + art area + dress-up/stage area = fun. I'd also LOVE to put a piano in this space, as well, since our current place can't accommodate one. (sigh) Plus, if we decide to homeschool, it could double as a learning room.

So, what do you think? Are any of these items on your wishlist? What are some must-haves for your dream house?

A Star for the Tree

It's the height in hilarity at our house that the second Hadley saw our finally upright tree after his nap (after shouting "Christmas tree!!! Goody, goody!!!"), he insisted that it needed a star on top.

Huh. Yeah. We didn't have one.

As kids, we had our own hilarious time making fun of our omni-drunk angel tree topper (um, she was always crooked, no matter what we did or shoved up her dress to straighten her out). I guess we weren't a star family back then, and I didn't think I was part of a star family now.

It's even more ironic since we're a pretty non-religious group. We feel that we're spiritual and insightful, but don't relate to one specific religion. We're all baptized Catholics, and at times (usually around Christmas), I feel the pull of mass, but all-in-all, we'd like to educate our son about morality more than doctrine. (Not that there's anything wrong with that!)

So, there he was, sweetly demanding a star topper, then again later that night, then again in the morning. After seeing some crappy store versions, I turned to Pinterest (clearly my real religion...that's a joke, guys) to see if I could figure something out.

During my star search, I also heard a sweet story about my grandmother, who would annually cut out a star out of cardboard that came from my grandfather's starched shirts, cover it in tin foil, and cut a hole in it. She'd stick it on top, pull a light up through the hole to let it "shine" and call it a day. Classic, sensible and creative. Apparently, everything my grandmother was.

So, I got to work. I cut a cereal box up to expose the two large sides. After printing off a star shape, I traced it onto each box and cut them out. Then, I creased inside each point for some dimension and glued each side together. (Before it was fully dry, I trimmed it further and pressed it together again.) Finally, I glued an empty toilet paper tube to the back.

You could paint the star, cover it in glue and glitter, or put foil on it. I decided to keep it natural this time. I'm not sure if the best part is the fact that it was totally free, that it appeased the little guy's craving for a star, or that it was a pretty old-school way to handle the issue. And not to mention eco-friendly up the wazoo!

Oh, and while I'm at it, I thought I'd share another tree that has taken up residence at our house. It'll probably be up until Valentine's Day, with how long it took me to finally toss it up.

I just cut out a tree shape from a large piece of green felt, then a textured piece for the trunk and a "skirt" from red. Then, I cut out random shapes, including a little snowman and present, and of course a star for the top. I used Command strips (the poster kinds) on the back and the "ornaments" and such attach without any adhesive (one of the best parts of felt). I've also made a felt board for pretend play as a Christmas gift, a "piece of pie" to add to his collection of fake food, and may make another piece if I find the time before Christmas eve.

Felt = the perfect toddler plaything!

So, what type of tree topper do you use in your family? We've used bows in the past, and even a scarf last year (I'd LOVE to find an old antique top hat with holly berries!), but we're always willing to change if the little guy dictates a better idea.  

Holiday Cleaning

Things may be fully holiday decorated at our house, but things seem more disheveled than usual. I'm pretty sure it's because we a) have a super small house, b) bring so much additional "stuff" in (like gifts, Christmas cards, wrapping, etc) this time of year, and c) didn't plan ahead and clean before the onslaught of the holidays. So, today's just a brain dump of all the "unfun" stuff to do so that my brain isn't swimming by Christmas. Let's blame my mother; she always had the house quite clean for the holidays. I always assumed it was because we were having a special guest (Santa) come; it was probably actually because of the REAL guests (family) coming. Duh, Meg.

Anyhoo, some of this I'm sure I won't get to, but I also have T-W-O whole weeks off for the holidays, so I foresee a "New Year project" or two here...

- Kitchen walls/shelves. My open shelving area is a bit of a hot mess. The dishes we use all the time are perfectly clean, but the shelves themselves have a layer of grease (which attracts more than a little dust and probably cat fur) and need a good scrubbing and reorganizing.

- Kitchen cabinets. Also in the kitchen and also in need of a good scrubbing are my cabinets. The insides are also SUPER disorganized (namely the bottom ones, which hold all cookware). Truth be told, a scrub + paint job are in order. Blah.

- The damn "V." Okay. So. Over Hadman's crib, I applied papier-mache letters that spell out "LOVE" when he was a baby. They've worked perfectly up until this point. One day, while he was supposed to be napping (that's a whole other issue lately), I hear over the monitor a weird clicking noise. Come to find out, he had pulled the "V" off of the wall and started using it as a clapper -- tearing the middle of the letter so that he could "clap" the two sides together. I. Was. Livid. He got pretty upset, too. He's still asking where the V is and I have a hard time not snarkily responding that he's responsible for the death of the V. (sigh) I don't say that. But I want to. :-\

-  Office disorganization. This is an ongoing headache. For now we've just gotta pick the place up and make it look presentable, but ultimately we've gotta figure out our storage and do a total overhaul of how we use the space.

- Gifts are messy. I love giving gifts, and even kind of enjoy wrapping them. But, keeping the joint somewhat picked up is a pain. I always end up with a bag containing tags, ribbons/bows, tape, and a pen that I use for the whole shebang, and generally keep a large box of boxes, bags, tissue paper, and gift wrap nearby, but I'm not one to schlep the whole thing down to the basement when done only to drag it back up later. Maybe I'm just lazy? We also have a HUGE gift that arrived, box in shambles, that's giving me an eye twitch.


This is all aside from the fun "responsibilities" of the holiday, of course, and the usual upkeep of the joint. Can you say floor mopping? :-( I was hoping to get a chore or two (along with a fun "chore" or two!) out of the way today, thanks to some inclement weather, but that didn't turn out to be very bad. Blah.

I didn't really do a good fall cleaning this year, so if I had I'm sure I'd be less bummed about these jobs. So, please don't take this as complaining as much as my own mental checklist of crap I have to do -- and commiserating, if you will! :-)

What about you guys? Any chores you dread doing but that you're sick of having hanging over your heads this time of year? 

 

Free (Yes, Free) Holiday Gift Ideas

I've requested to Dave that we not only do a pretty sparse budget for each other (or, at least, it's sparse to me!) this holiday season, but also to give each other one gift that costs nothing.

So, this could mean a lot of things. It could mean that you use something you've already got lying around that you haven't gotten around to giving the person. It could mean making something by hand (whether you've got the materials lying around or had to buy them, it's totally up to your standards of "strict" are). It could mean repurposing something around your house to give. Or, it could just be a huge act of kindness or unforgettable experience. The list goes on, really, but here are a few ideas...

Artsy Fartsy Stuff

Wall Collage 
This is best if you live with the individual so that you can surprise them with it, already-done. I've had a stack of Instagram prints (had a coupon, I almost think they were free or darn near close to it), but don't we all have SOME picture prints floating around that we don't know what to do with? Well, I've fallen for the personal yet organized look of a wall collage of same-sized prints. Mine just happen to be 4" x 4" but even rectangular shots (or pictures cut down to squares) can look awesome grouped sweetly on the wall. You can use that sticky tack stuff or tape (or spend a little money and get Command strips; I won't tell). 

Handmade Wall Art
Similar to the wall collage, look around and see if you have any art supplies that would help create some wall art. Maybe you have an old canvas (or an ugly one you can paint over). Or maybe you have an old embroidery ring that's begging for one of those quirky embroidered quotes (or an inside joke!) that you can hang. If you're stumped, look for simple art ideas on Etsy or Pinterest. You can keep it simple, or if you're on the artsier side, paint a family portrait or pet portrait for your receiver.

Repurpose an Old T-Shirt
You know that ratty old t-shirt that just won't go away? Or the perfect vintage shirt with an awesome logo that they can't wear anymore because they splattered paint on the bottom? Stretch it in a frame or create a quilt, pillow or bag! You'll not only give it new life, but the giftee will love that they don't have to say goodbye to it forever.

Knit a Scarf  
Again, this totally depends on your ability level and whether or not you have the materials around the house, but a scarf seems far easier than mittens or a hat, right? Think of the person's favorite color (or if you know what color their favorite winter coat is, be sure it won't clash) and get a move on!

Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Look around and see what doesn't seem to have a life anymore. It's perfectly fine to re-gift something, especially if you personalize it a bit first. Like, you have way too many mugs in your life, so that set of white plain ones sit totally unused? Use a Sharpie (or paint pen, if you have one) to draw a design or cute quote, then cure it (may not be dishwasher safe). Or go ahead and spend a buck at the Dollar Store if you want to get new ones; I won't tell. ;-)


Nom-Noms

Favorite Cookies
You're probably making a buttload of cookies for the holidays, anyway, right? Grab a large, clean mason jar and fill 'er up. If you've got the time, feel free to add a label with a cute holiday saying (check Pinterest, there are a million), or just tie some burlap or a festive ribbon on and call it a day.

Homemade Granola 
You may already have the makings of this in your cabinet as we speak, so why not make a super big batch to dole out to all your friends and neighbors? No extra shopping needed.

Fudge
Mmm. Fudge. This pretty much goes hand-in-hand with the cookies, but I just wanted to make everyone aware: fudge. 

Favorite Meal
Make the recipient their absolute favorite meal, just be sure that it's in your grocery budget (hence, y'know, practically free ;-)). Or, make a "gift certificate" to make the individual their favorite meal after the holidays. 

Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Okay, this may not be free, but all it really takes is the purchase of some strawberries (since we all have chocolate in our pantry, right? RIGHT??). And, I tell ya, they're a show-stopper.

Keep It Simple

Create a "Thankful Jar"
This is a great gift for birthdays, Valentine's Day, Father's/Mother's Day, and more, but I love the idea of gathering together the warm fuzzy feelings you have for a friend or family member and letting them know. I've done this for Dave (on Valentine's Day), filling a mason jar with individual ideas of why he's awesome and why we're lucky to have him. You can fill it with 365 "favorite" things about the person for them to pick each day, or 52 (one for each week), or whatever! I just printed them off using Word and cut them out; easy peasy. 

Scavenger Hunt
This could be as simple as an indoor one at your house or as complicated as sending your friend or loved one around an entire city (think: your favorite haunts). The trick is to not make it too lengthy (especially if it involves schlepping all over town in holiday traffic) and to be as witty as your brain can possibly be. Oh, and don't make the clues too hard or else you'll get a tearful phone call. Maybe. It's possible.

Homemade Coupons
This is a classic from our "we don't earn an income, what can we give to Mom?" days, but you can modernize it for your current needs. Think of what you're good at and see if you can give a "gift certificate" or book of coupons to help out. If you're a budding photographer, offer free sessions. If you love organizing, offer up a day of helping to declutter one room. If you're a cook, offer a free meal of their choosing (just wanted to see if you're paying attention; this is a repeat from above, mwahaha).

Or, if it's for someone you're a bit closer to, make a booklet of kindnesses. If they have a little one at home, make one coupon of a homemade meal, another for an afternoon of babysitting, and still another a coupon for a girls' (or boys') night out. This is also your way to spend zero dollars at the holidays but offer a nice gift for later in the year, like taking a friend out to their favorite restaurant or your sweetie out to a movie (and popcorn, of course).

Movie Night at Home
Speaking of movies, this idea would honestly make my husband's day. Gather together some popcorn (we use the loose organic kernels, so I'd put them in a simple brown paper bag with cute writing on it), a DVD or two that you already own (ours would probably involve "Citizen Kane," a William Powell flick, or a fun '80s rom-com), and anything else you like to enjoy at movies. If you drink soda, put a bottle or two in; if you snack on candy (and have some around the house), throw some in. You can bag this all up in a holiday gift bag or basket or popcorn bucket or, heck, whatever!  

Walk Down Memory Lane (Literally)
You can give a card saying that you'll be (politely) kidnapping them for a day or half a day at the person's convenience. Take them to some of the spots that have meant the most to you both over the years. For example, if I was going to kidnap my sister, we'd drive by our first home, walk the town, check out the schools, maybe "play" at the playground (although they've changed a ton over the years), and grab the makings for lunch at The Village Market (or junk food at the convenient store). For Dave, we'd probably walk around the town he used to live in, waste time at Barnes and Noble (and maybe Target), then I'd take us to lunch at one of the local places we used to eat a lot -- like Raspberries Cafe. Or, feel free to do a nature walk or hike, if your giftee is into the outdoors.

The point of going these places is to trigger positive memories and meaningful conversation. So, be ready to chat and keep things upbeat. Our hometown is a bittersweet place, but by keeping the memories realistically light, it could help to reconnect with a shared, fond past.  


What do you guys think? Have any great (free) gift ideas to add? Are any of these doable for you?

Our Makeshift Kitchen

Given Hadley's propensity for pretending to be a cook with his beloved play food, I've been jonesin' to get him (or, more likely, make him) a play kitchen for, like, ever. But, it's kind of useless in our house. We live in just shy of 1,000 square feet and, while it works now, there's not a ton of "just his" play space. It's one of the things we'll be looking for when we eventually move, hopefully in 2015.

But, for now, we've gotten creative. We use bins and baskets to store most of his toys, but his "food" and anything he likes to use with it (like empty containers or spoons) has their very own makeshift home.

We have these cool but slightly crooked-door built-in cabinets between the living room and dining room. The living room side houses DVDs (perfect size) and one of the dining room ones holds decorative stuff. Awhile back, however, I cleaned out the final cabinet and decided it would be all Had's.

It isn't much, but finding a space that's his very own is awesome. Oh, and he's also only getting into my cabinets a fraction as much as he used to and he hardly gets into those "no, don't touch" places as much. And, yes. We sucked at toddler-proofing.

I still hope to create a mini kitchen area for him in some future playroom, but for now, this spot doubles as an oven, a pantry, a fridge, and more. Pretty much whatever his mind comes up with, which is incredible.

What are some tricks that you've used to contain the clutter or give your little one some space that's his/her own? I love seeing alcoves and bedroom closets transformed into little nooks just for them to play in, too. So cool!