Holy Hoarder!!!

Believe it or not, Gianna was a neat child. Things has their place & if we asked her to clean her room it would be done, no problem. She basically kept a clean room.

Second grade came along & this child changed. I've heard it said that second grade is the adolescence of elementary school. Kids stretch limits & test their independence. Gianna definitely fit this description (Marissa went through it too). One of the obvious changes was her room.

This disturbing mess is pretty much what started "Operation: De-Hoarding".  That pile of books towards the bottom right was her attempt at cleaning....

So lately, Gianna's room has been a crazy mess. We would tell her to clean her room & she'd make the motions but nothing seemed a lot different. Something needed to be done. This child needed an intervention. She needed a rough, tough no holds barred clean out.

That's where I came in.

I first made her go through her books & make a donate, store & keep pile. I was happy with her decisions & ready to move on to the next step. We went through her bookcase (that holds more than her books) & I made her make some harsh choices. She had lots of those stupid little fast food toys that I made her trash. She opened a purse that had another purse in it, when we opened that purse it had yet another purse in it that had some junky toys in it.

No lie.

Don't go thinking I made her get rid of all her favorite things. I'm not entirely mean, despite what you might've heard. She had three choices with everything: keep, donate, store. This pic was just stuff from her bookcase...I basically was done for the night at this point.  Progress was made but I needed a break.

It took awhile....I made her do most of the work so she wouldn't feel like I was getting rid of things behind her back (Not that I would EVER do that...snicker...). While this was going on, I happened to peek inside her dresser & wanted to cry. All the times I've made sure her clothes came out of the dryer wrinkle free was for nothing (I do not like to iron clothes). {BTW-I make the girls put their clothes away} I took everything out & was amazed at how many things didn't fit her that were still in her drawers. I thought we had cleaned this out not that long ago??? I basically trimmed down each drawer in half. I have a friend whose daughter I can pass these on to...it'll be Christmas in August for her!

Our next attempt was made a couple days later.  This time we were focusing on her closet.  This girl doesn't get a lot of new clothes, she gets all of Marissa's hand-me-downs plus clothes from my niece Nikki.  Don't get me wrong she gets new clothes but not a whole new wardrobe.  Believe me, she's not deprived.... 

We started working on her shoes.  I made her try them all on to see whether they fit or not & about half of them didn't fit. Some were so worn out & were just trashed.  This girls basically lives in flip flops during the summer.
 

I then tackled the winter clothes on the left side of the closet & found lots of clothes that won't fit her come the cold weather months.  All her pants, Capri's & shorts were folded & put on the shelves where her shoes were.  She had trouble getting them on hangers so we made some much needed changes.  Looks so much better.  I still have to go through the right side of the closet since I can't fit anything else in there.  It's all her summer clothes (dresses or outfits on the top), but I suspect several items are small for her & have slipped through other "clean-outs". 

I feel like we accomplished something.  Her room looks so much better.  Perfect it is not, but I'm OK with that.  Now to find something to do with all these extra baby hangers.....I have tons more......

Ikea Run

Yesterday we didn't have any plans but Joe stayed home to make up for all the long days he's been putting in. He knows how I've been wanting to go to Ikea for those Expedit bookshelves for the Den & the girls rooms. I think he got sick of me saying what a mess the girls' rooms were & said we could take a ride to Ikea to pick some up.

I jumped on that!

We measured the girls rooms real quick deciding where they would go but that turned into some furniture re-arrangeing for both rooms & then we left for the store. He put them together right away & the girls & I went to work arrangeing things. Their rooms are roomy now & we're all happy!

Marissa's room BEFORE
Her bed was in the middle of the room...

Marissa's room AFTER....
Gianna's room BEFORE
Her bed was against the outside wall...
We switched her dresser to where her bed was & put the bed where the dresser was on the opposite wall.


The rooms still need to be tweaked a little but overall we all like it so much better!

Today Joe said he measure the Den for another set of the bookshelves & we'll be doing that soon! YEAH!!! Mommy is HAPPY!!!

Not so Spring Cleaning

Ever tell your kids to clean their rooms? Do you have to stay with them & direct them in how you want it cleaned?

Apparently I do.

I sent the girls to do this thankless chore while I did some other cleaning. I asked Marissa to go through some of her things & make a pile of things she didn't want anymore since her room was the worst. Gianna needed to clear the dolls off her floor.

After awhile I went to see the results....wonder what I found??

I found them playing.

Gianna was playing with her dolls that I had asked to be picked up.

And Marissa was playing with some things she found & had forgotton about...

She found this kooky knit hat & topped it with an old New Year's tiara, finishing off her ensemble with these lacy pink gloves.

Yeah, apparently I need to clean out their rooms more often...by myself....

Everything in it's place....

Today I spent a good amount of time cleaning up the family room. Getting the girls to brings things up to their rooms made a dent in the mess. I re-organized the Den a bit to make room for Gianna's new dollhouse which freed up the family room even more. I got to vaccum the room & it looks CLEAN!! I can see the carpet again!! It feels good. Next week I plan on taking down the decorations. It's always been a tradition in my family to leave it up until after New Year.

I was hoping to spend the day scrapping but I realize now that I was aiming high.

Last night I messed around with the Christmas Journal but wasn't feeling the mojo. I ended up going to bed & staying up way too late (again) watching the Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He is hysterical!! Don't even get me started on his accent!! I love Scottish, English, Irish accents!!

Another thing I got around to doing was updating the blog--in case you haven't noticed! Posted Christmas Day pics & pics from the fun-filled weekend we had. I am officially saying no to any future invites for the weekend after Christmas from now on. It was fun but not relaxing--know what I mean???

Two Days Til Thanksgiving....

I'm in the process of cleaning the house for Thanksgiving. I was taken down Saturday thanks to a nasty head cold, but happily I've been feeling better. I started cleaning Sunday but really I'd call it de-cluttering the house.

The piles of crap we accumulate in this house is amazing!

Really my "cleaning" didn't actually start until Monday. I procrastinate about cleaning. So that's why it's Tuesday & I'm still working on it, but I'm happy to say I'm done except for the powder room...unless you count upstairs!!

I'm not even counting that part of the house!!

There are about 4 baskets of laundry piled HIGH waiting to be put away. Crossing my fingers it'll get done but not gonna stress over it either.

Tomorrow I'll be making desserts. Yummy Apple Pies, Cheesecake, chocolate covered pretzels, possibly even mini caramel apples (if I can figure out if they'll keep overnight). The pretzels will look like this but I'll probably talk the girls into sorting the m&m's into fall colors (if I can't remember to just buy a bag of the autumn ones--not holding my breath!)

Hopefully on Thanksgiving I'll remember to take pics of the spread. Each year I forget to take pics of the food. I'm getting a little better, so maybe this year I'll get it right. This was last year's bird. The pic does not do it justice! I slathered it with butter & turkey rub & then bake it in Reynold's oven bags according to the directions & it comes out moist & juicy & ummmm ummmm good! Oh yeah & it cuts the cooking time too--love that extra sleep!!

Here's Joe carving the bad boy. Got a 20+ pounder this year. I was going for something like 17lbs but my only choices were 20 or 12lbs. It was free thanks to the promotion so what do I care? It'll get eaten.Last year we changed tradition a bit. I've made Gingerbread houses with the girls for a couple of years now at some point during December, but last year I got the kit early & had the kids decorate/play in between dinner & dessert. They had so much FUN!! I've got to run out tomorrow & get a kit at Michael's.

Word of advice--Save yourself a headache & get the pre-assembled kit!!Here are my sisters Marie & Chet & me messin around after trying to wrestle the kids for a group pic, which didn't go according to plan.As for tomorrow....let the baking begin!

Something to look at...

Since this will be my last post before we leave I figured I'd leave you with something to look at, besides cold medicine!

As always I make 2 of each Disney LO for each of the girls albums, just slightly different. I made this very similar to the other except I changed the cardstock under the vellum from pink to blue. Someday I'll be done with this trip so I can move onto the April '08 trip & then eventually move onto this Aug. '08 trip so that means you'll be seeing lots & lots of Disney LO's for a long, long time......



Maybe once in awhile I'll throw in something random like these.....


Remember this post from the other day?? Well I was motivated to scrap it for a couple of reasons.

1. I finally (thanks to Laura) figured out how to use the collages from Scrapbooks Etc's website. I am technologically challenged & have never mastered Photoshop, but these, once I watched the how-to video (several times, pausing it continuously) were simple to do. I used these pics since there weren't a lot to choose from.

2. I needed a change from all the Disney.

**GASP*** Did I just say that?? Please, don't tell Mickey!!

It's not perfect, like the close up of the crayons rotated on it's side. It's a little stretched but since it was printed I figured I'd go for it. I also covered up 2 spots that I didn't add pics to with the crayon & the title. Like I said not perfect but I like 'em.

Yes I did 2 of them for each of their albums. The difference is very slight but Marissa can't choose which she likes better the purple crayon & white lettering or the green crayon & black lettering. She's my child when it comes to making decisions! I figure I use of more of my stash when I make 2, especially since I've had this paper since forever! I kept it simple & got to say these were the fastest LO's that ever came from my desk!

----------------

I'm done packing except for the last minute things & I'm happy to report that I managed to fit everything into 4 suitcases! Oh and the bags DON'T weigh over 50lbs!! That's a record for me (actually 2 records)!!! I had my doubts thinking I'd spill into a 5th bag but I pared things down to the essentials.

I had a few odds & ends to do around the house today. One was cleaning. I don't like to clean before we go away because really who's gonna be around, besides my F-I-L (whose watching the house)? However, I have been neglecting the house so I felt compelled to make the house "presentable". I cleaned the bathrooms, I vacuumed, and I mopped the kitchen floor. I am now suffering with a throbbing pain in my hips which never fails when I vacuum & mop. However, I can now go to sleep in peace, knowing that my F-I-L will not judge my housekeeping skills!!

So once again we are off to Disney. We are all excited!!! Marissa is so excited that she even helped me out A LOT today. Total brownie points but I'll take it! I hope the weather is decent & since Joe is bringing his laptop I'm sure I'll be blogging at some point during the trip. Don't miss me too much! LOL!!

Random Blah Blah Blah....

So yesterday as I was cleaning out my scrap area I also went ahead & purged some old stash. I filled a priority mail box to send to a charity. It's not even worth using as a RAK.

I also realized I have SO MUCH STUFF! I've got to stop spending so much time online & scrap more! What's the possiblity of that happening??

I also think I lost my scrapping vibe. This tends to happen when I'm on a roll. Everything I want to work on has nothing to do with the Disney albums that I feel like I have to get done in order to do other stuff. It just makes me feel guilty to think of starting something else without finishing that up. On the plus side I managed to order some of the 6-Up Pgs from We R Memory Keepers you can get them here. Hopefully that will make my life easier on the whole Disney front.

On another Disney/RAK related note....I won a RAK from Denine. I've recently found her blog but always admired her work. She needed some tips for--what else--DISNEY! I always like helping people out on that topic so I sent her some tips...actually 3 pgs worth...and then I got picked for the RAK. My goodies arrived yesterday after my eyes were all screwy from the eye Dr dialating them so I haven't really gone through it well. Maybe it was a sign that I was cleaning my stash!

BTW--If anyone is headed to Disney World & needs some tips just let me know & I'll be happy to send you my notes updated every trip! Just call me a nerd!!!

Today I plan on hitting Target. Marissa has a friends birthday party tomorrow so she needs a gift.....and Mommy needs to see if they got any new goodies! I saw on Laura's blog that her Target already has the new MM Spellbound collection. Can you say Happiness??

Yes, I know I was complaining about having too much stuff, but isn't the rule..."for every new thing you bring home you must throw something old out?"

I think that applies to scrapping perfectly!!

I also think that will be just the thing I need to jumpstart my vibe.

That and a Large Dunkin' Donuts coffee!

Summer Cleaning & Stuff

Today I unintentionally ripped apart my desk trying to organize it better. I fully intended on getting a few more LO's done but I guess you can say......I'm avoiding it.

I had the overwhelming desire to completely rip everything apart & start all over but I knew I didn't have the time today so I started small-ish. Hopefully once I'm done I'll post some pics.

-----------

On another note (and another excuse as to why I didn't scrap), I went for my annual eye exam today & the Dr. dialated my eyes. That is the worst part of going!! It completely throws my eyes out of whack for hours & gives me an awful headache! But I'm in the clear for another year!

-----------

Last night Joe & I watched "21". It was GOOD!! It's something I'd watch again AND buy the DVD.

Speaking of movies....My sister Marie called me today about plans for a group of girls I used to work with (yes my sister & I worked together AND that's where I met Joe.) to go see Mamma Mia! on Fri. I can't wait!!! It'll be good to have a Girls Night!

We're getting there

So today I got much more accomplished. I got the downstairs all cleaned plus another room upstairs. All I have left to clean are the girls' bedrooms & their bathroom. I have to straighten up the kitchen but since I have baking yet to be done that'll be last.

Tonight after the girls went to bed I put together the goodie bags for the party. I know I'm gonna hear crap about doing it when they weren't here to help. This I'm sure will be mostly Marissa complaining, Gianna of course will just echo her. SEND SOME ADVIL PLEASE!

They had me flipping out a lot again today. Maybe I just feel pressure to get things ready for the party & that's why they're getting under my skin more. I'm just gonna say right now that I'm already looking forward to Monday night!

So that's all for tonight. I know it's a lame post but......I did manage to finish the LO that's been sitting on my desk for weeks! I would put in 5 mins here or there when I could. Now I just need to snap a few pics of it & hopefully share that tomorrow to make up for this boring post. LOL!

Time Flies!!

Today felt like Monday thanks to my mom being here yesterday. So I feel like I have an extra day to get ready for the party on Saturday but I don't. **SIGH**

The girls are still getting up early, not super early--thank goodness but 8am--not bad. The day started out with them behaving wonderfully! Marissa helped Gianna get dressed & they were ready by the time I got out of the shower. How great! They behaved & listened when I said we'd be hanging out upstairs cleaning today. Before I knew it, it was 4pm & I only had 1 room cleaned! What the hell happened?? I know I put some laundry away too but that didn't take all that time. Not only that but the girls started fighting & made me flip out on them sending them to their rooms.

After dinner (& more flipping out on the girls) I cleaned the entire master bath (jacuzzi included) & I'm beat! All that scrubbing has me drained! I want nothing more than to relax the rest of night. Ha--the "rest of the night"--it's already 10pm!! I've now got tomorrow to finish cleaning the house. I think I'm going to focus on the downstairs tomorrow & do what I can upstairs afterwards. Where did the day go??

I'm already looking forward to next week & hope to get some quality scrapping time in.

Would it be really selfish if I pray for rain all next week???

Better Late Than NEVER!

I was super productive today! Got the food shopping done. Got some never-ending laundry done. Then I tackled my dining room. I should have taken a pic of how bad it was. We aren't real "formal" people & hardly ever use the room except for holidays & when we have a lot of people over or parties. The rest of the time it's a "drop zone" for things that can't find a home right away.

When we were getting ready to go to Disney I was too busy getting ready for the trip to take down all the Easter decorations. I figured no one but my F-I-L would see them since he was watching the house for us & didn't bother. Last week I started taking things down & tossed them on the dining room table. Today I decided I had had enough & tackled the mess! First things first, I had to pack up the Valentine's decorations that I threw in a box & put downstairs until I could pack them up!!! I'm a procrastinator--what can I say?

So I went to work & got it all done. From the Valentine's stuff to Easter--it's all packed up!! I even put out some "Spring stuff" out, but let's stay real--I didn't finish it!! LOL!!

Purging...It just feels GOOD!

This afternoon I was straigtening up the house when I realized that it's been awhile since I'd gone on a "Toy Spring Cleaning". I slowly started purging the "little things". Before I knew it I threw out a small armful of toys & what-nots. It felt good!!

Then I went to pick up Marissa from school only to have her invited to her friend's house for a playdate. Know what I did?? Yep! I came right back home & went through the basement, family room, & their bedrooms & filled up a bag & a half of crap & tossed it without a second thought! I feel good!! I would like to do more but I'm not pushing it.

Just wanted to share how much lighter my house is....