Simplify the home

About twice a year, when people will ask me what I am up to, the answer will be "Going through my house, cleaning out and reorganizing."  Well, it's that time again.  When I consistently feel I can't get the house to look presentable, it's time to take action.

Last year Emily gave me a great resource for this task. Project: Organization by Marie Ricks
This book was very easy to read and to put into practice.  My copy is underlined here and there so I can quickly refresh  my memory of tips I have forgotten.  Here is Marie's website for more ideas.

Today I am focusing on the boys' bedroom.  My goal is to have only three bottoms and five tops for each boy, the closet has become unmanageable since I have introduced exercise clothes to their wardrobe.  And only their very favorite toys will be allowed to keep residence in the sleep area.

Once noticeable progress is made on one room, it motivates me to keep my focus for several weeks, until I feel happy about the condition of my home again.  Here we go.



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Vitamin D

Our week at Lake Powell was spent with old friends and new friends. My new friend Allie, is a nurse practitioner and she was teaching me about the benefits of vitamin D.

 Vitamin D helps build strong bones and a strong immune system.  The sun is anti-viral and anti-bacterial; that's why we are sick less often in the summertime.  The darker your skin, the longer you can soak up the vitamin D before you need to put on sunscreen.

I know I had heard some of this before, but had forgotten it in my frustration about the sun making us look old and give us skin cancer.

The message - spend at least 10 to 20 minutes in the sun each day before you put on your sunscreen.  Oh and one other thing to think about, here are two links about  the sun fighting other cancers, and being aware that you need to let the vitamin D soak into your skin before you wash.

Living within a Budget

Our ward had a Mini Women's Conference in October and I took a class on budgeting. The teacher said you need to think about your goals. Big and small, near and far. Realize how money plays a part in helping you achieve many of your goals. This is important to help you stay focused.

After you have received your paycheck, pay your tithing and then pay yourself 20%. Next pay your bills and with what's left, set up a budget for the rest of your expenses (groceries, gas, babysitter, etc.) Any left for savings? Well with your 20%, you can choose to save it or treat yourself to clothes, music, etc.

My teacher also told about a website called Mint.com and I have since read from another source it is legitimate and a safe place to record your financial goals. Try it out. Stating my goals really helps me keep my money in Savings, in addition to having Mint.com track my progess.

The Dinner Problem

I recently purchased a book from my neighbor Connie Solok. She has written "Back to Basics" that is giving me lots to think about. Connie begins with helping you write your life mission statement. It was very satisfying to produce something so specific for me. The rest of the book you can jump around the chapters depending on which area you want to focus on next. She gives lots of ideas on how to improve yourself and at the end of each chapter you pick one goal; write it down and how you will reward yourself when it is complete. Double rewards! I already feel good for completely a goal AND I get something special on top of that. So far I have enjoyed watching the movie "Hello Dolly" and next I am looking forward to picking out a new sweater for the fall.

My most recent goal I have selected is to figure out six healthy, simplified dinners. This will bless my family and help me to feel less stressed each day as dinnertime comes around. I have set up categories to ensure variety throughout the week.


Night #1 Soup w/ Sandwich or Salad
Night #2 Mexican
Night #3 Roast
Night #4 Omelet
Night #5 Asian
Night #6 Italian

I went the extra mile and made a list expounding on each category with page numbers referring me to different cookbooks. Then each week I make a menu and ingredient list the day before my big shopping trip. It's not fool prool, but I do feel so good about myself as a wife and a mother on the nights when I conquer dinner. And feeling good is good.

List maker

In an effort to make the most of each day I have compiled a to-do list for each day of the week. I then went to my local print shop and had copies made into my very own notepads!

I also have made a notepad for grocery shopping. The common items that are always on my list have already been typed in, with room for the occasional items to be written in as the week demands.

Mrs. Meyer's

My friend Tracy introduced me to the Mrs. Meyer's cleaning products this fall. We were shopping at Orson Gigi in Salt Lake, which is a very fun kitchen store. Anyway I have completely fallen in love with the all purpose cleaner. It shines my mirrors and granite counter tops, disinfects my toilets and fills the entire room with a lovely scent when I mop the floors.

I just ran out of my bottle last week and have been beside myself, not wanting to go back to my old cleaners. Bleach is always bound to make a spot on my clothing, the scent of Pine-Sol or vinegar just don't count it anymore more now that I know there's a natural product that offers choices like basil, geranium, or lavender.

It's taken me a while to obtain another bottle because I won't shop at Wal-Mart, and Target is fair distance from my house, both stores I have heard carry the Mrs. Meyer's line of products. I finally made it to the Orem Target today and was told their store didn't have any in stock. Fortunately I found a similar product called Caldrea. The scent I chose is a combination of ginger, grapefruit, and basil; and I am happy for the present. Does anyone know of other Utah County locations for purchasing my new favorite product?

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

I was about the throw away the boy's bath toys, when the thought occurred to me to check Martha Stewart's website first, to see if she had any tips for cleaning off the soap scum. The answer came - soak in a mixture of 1/2 cup vinegar for each gallon of water. She had a whole list of ways to keep your bathroom clean using natural ingredients. I ended up cleaning my drains as well.

I started thinking about these techniques that have been used in the past. I am guessing that main stream America forgot them some time in the 1950's when cleaning products started appearing in the market. But really, this knowledge wasn't only for the pioneers into the present. I am going to guess that people on the earth have been cleaning their homes with vinegar for centuries. Which is so perfect. When Heavenly Father put us here on the earth he provided a way for us to be clean. Just like he provided herbs and spices to make our food delicious.

These thoughts correspond with our study of the Creation this month in Sunday School. I am so filled with joy when I realize how clever Heavenly Father is. Oranges, which provide us with Vitamin C, are in season right at the time of year when we need a boast!

The Joy of Homemaking

The shop that calls my name, every time I drive past it on Main Street in Spanish Fork, is Confetti Antiques. Past discoveries include milk glass goblets and music magazines from 1925. But an unexpected treasure was found in the dollar book cart this Summer when I decided to take a chance on a 1975 homemaking book.

The Joy of Homemaking, written by Daryl Hoole, has taught me alot this past month as I have read it most nights before going to bed. I will note the main points that have stuck with me, in an effort to retain these ideas.

1. You have to go the first mile before you can go the second. (This is a big one for me, I need to force myself keep on top of my tasks before I am allowed to go on to the really fun projects.)

2. The better one does, the better she can continue to do. Success begets success.

3. Plan ahead and make a list. Being organized is really the easy way to live.

4. Make certain you've got mind over mattress. If arising early makes the day seem too long, take a short nap after lunch. That hour isn't nearly as vital as the one before breakfast.

5. Honoring the Sabbath can aid us in working out a more effective schedule and managing our time more satisfactorily. (For me this will include food preparation on the Saturday to bless my Sundays with peace.)

6. One the wisest things a woman can do to help her husband is to enthusiastically welcome him home at the close of his work day by looking attractive and refreshed and the table set and dinner ready.

7. Femininity is a priceless gift. What is charm? It is the perfume of the soul. A charming woman is adoring, admiring and appreciative. She is spontaneous, responsive and warm.

8. Self discipline is one of the greatest gifts you can help a child acquire.

9. To help a child feel the love he needs, a parent's love should comprise attention, availability, acceptance, approval, appreciation, advantages, and affection.