The Queen of KAOS @ Home

Still Wondering About Your Spring Cleaning Checklist?

2008-05-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

GET YOUR SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST DONE!

Spring is the time of year when busy becomes Busy with a capital B.

With the end of school year activities, gardening and outdoor activities and trying to prepare for summer, it leaves one wondering when we are ever going to get to our spring cleaning checklist.

Oh yeah. that would be tomorrow.

Part of the reason that we put spring cleaning off is that it's not urgent today.

It's not even urgent tomorrow.

In the small picture.

But when we look at big picture it becomes a different ballgame.

Imagine yourself in the heat of summer. The kids are at home. Piling mess upon mess.

Upon old mess...

How much nicer would it be to start the summer fresh?

To pile a new mess upon a clean table. And see it instead of having it disappear into the abyss.

Seeing it means being aware and able to say "hey - get your stuff off the table!"

The possibilities are endless.

Have you ever noticed that mess makes stress?

How much calmer and more enjoyable do you think the summer holidays with the kids is going to be with less mess from the get go?

And let's go bigger.

Your little rug rats and mess makers are grown up and gone from the house.

What kind of memories do you want your kids to have?

Do you want them to remember a peaceful home or a place they remember frustration and embarrassment.

Are they going to want to come back? Or will they prefer to send a house cleaner?

What if there's an easy way to tackle spring cleaning and get that checklist done?

There is.

The secret is in a few words.

Priorities
Planning
Consistency
Action
Achievement

Put those words into practice.

Make a plan.
Do it consistently.
Over and over.
Enjoy your achievement and let it motivate you to do it again.

You can apply this to anything and everything in your life.

At the moment - I'm off to get started on my spring cleaning checklist!

If you need a plan, a structured spring cleaning checklist, support and motivation, join me at the Spring Into Spring Cleaning Challenge. We're cleaning up, 20 minutes at a time!

If not, why not drop by the iShine Community and introduce yourself?

New Queen of KAOS at Home Blog

2008-01-20T05:55:00.000-08:00

I have revamped the Queen of KAOS at Home Blog.

You can see it here
Time Management and Organization for Mom's (and Dad's) at Home

Some of the latest articles...

Boys Will Be Boys Damn It!

Simple Pleasures - My Confession of Dishes Undone

Home Organization - Self Discipline and Daily Routine

NEWSFLASH! Bare Butt Husband Does Laundry

10 Tips To Control Clutter

Success Factors - Habits

I will be switching the RSS feed from this blog over to the new one as well, so if you are subscribed, stay tuned!

You can unsubscribe at any time.

Have a Shiney Day!
Jan

Movie Rave - Snow Cake

2007-11-05T02:30:00.001-08:00

This movie stays with you. It is a movie about small kindnesses... and large. And about how sometimes we get more than we give.

It's sad and wise and humorous.

I don't want to give much away, but I will tell you that the main story is about a man(Alan Rickman does a bang up job in a completely different role to the sorcerer Severus Snape he plays in Harry Potter) who ends up staying with a highly functioning autistic woman for a few days (Signorie Weaver who is nothing less than incredible in this role) while trying to deal with a trauma. She helps him by showing him (and us) her unaffected view on life and the world - it's often refreshing as well as funny - and he teaches her a few things too.

The grandparents in the movie are truly beautiful people, people who teach you about strength and unconditional love, people who everyone would be better for having in their life - the kind of people you'd love to have in your corner (they remind me of mine, who are gone now).

Vivienne, the girl who is never forgotten throughout the film, teaches us that appearances can be deceiving and not to be so quick to judge. And she teaches us a thing or two about living.

The real kicker for me is that the movie was filmed in Wawa, Ontario, a good drive, but not too far from here. I'm seeing many more really good Canadian films and books the past years, I don't know what has taken so long. Come to think of it, the characters are often kind of strange and quirky, but they are always unique :0)

To see more reviews and get the movie, click here.
Snow Cake

See Snow Cake at amazon.ca, although it is probably cheaper to purchase it US and ship it here if you can, the Canadian price is double.

Satruday is D Day (D-Clutter!)

2007-10-20T07:01:00.000-07:00

I've been working on deep decluttering the past few weeks and it is really making a difference in the appearance and time it takes to maintain the housework around here.

Since decluttering is something that needs to be done regularly to be effective, I decided to pick a day - Saturday for me - and do a decluttering session, even if it is only one small thing.

This week it is a large thing so I've been spending more time with it - my office supplies cupboard.

You can see more info on the project - the starting picture and the article that inspired me here

Organize Your Office Supply Cabinet

You can see how it is coming along and more details about joining the D Day Challenge so that you can get results for yourself at this link.

Declutter Day Project

Hope to see you there!

Meal Time On Time at last!

2007-09-21T16:17:00.000-07:00

I've been having a lot of fun getting my family back on track with meal time, using an ebook called Meal Time, On Time - Meal Planning Made Easy.

I'm taking the slow approach, building a little at a time, starting with supper time meals, using what we have in the house and going from there.

I've seen a huge difference in just the first 3 days.

It has really shown me that 90% of success is not only in the planning, but in the focus.

Merely having a plan on the white board calender on my fridge, printed neatly so it is easily read, has been enough to remind me to stay straight in making our meals and remembering to get them started on time.

It all started with an ebook that I stumbled upon a few weeks ago. Just one idea from it, the idea to use a white board on the fridge (and freezer) has made a huge difference. And there is a lot more where that came from.

I am so impressed that I started a personal blog called "What's Cookin' at Jan's" that is available to anyone who purchases purchases Meal Time On Time through the link below.

You can see my family recipes in "real time", how I "make it easy" and the worksheets etc that I use in my own meal planning. And I will be providing it in audio form as well. Like I said, it really can be a lot of fun, and together, it is a lot more fun!

If it sounds like something you could use, you can see more details at
Meal Time, On Time - Meal Planning Made Easy.

Back to School Lunches

2007-08-21T03:11:00.001-07:00

Many kids are back in school already, mine are going back soon, so I am starting to think about school lunches (uggh, the bain of my existance since my son started school 11 years ago, and it didn't get any better as my 2 daughters followed).

It's always a challenge to pack healthy lunches that the kids can get enthusiastic about so I've decided to skip the wailing and knashing of teeth (sometimes it's me, sometimes it's the kids, depending on the day!) and enlisted some outside help.

It's a big load off because frankly, I worry that they get enough nutrition for a strong start in life if I don't make a special effort to be sure.

One thing that I am grateful for myself, is that fact that my mother always had 3 square meals a day for us (we helped, but they where there). I have always suspected that my own good health in my adult years where because of it.

PS: I joined Healthy E Meals today because they not only have 31 healthy lunch ideas as a bonus (as well as another 31 healthy snack ideas) but they also have fitness tips and motivation, cook free meals and a list of other items that will make healthy eating easier.

Just what I need!

One thing we don't want to fall behind on as parent is our children's health, but it isn't easy to provide healthy meals on a consistant basis.

After having a good look around, the one thing that strikes me as being incredibly useful is the potential to brainstorm food choices at a glance with my daughter.

I will be printing some of these ideas so that we can pull them out when planning any meal really, lunches included, and decide together what to have. (recipes are also included)

If you are stuck and looking for a resource to help you create a healthier meal and lifestyle plan, you should check it out. The owner also donates 10% company profits to charity.

Eat Well - Live Well. Join the one member's only website that caters to busy people who want to live a healthy lifestyle! Recipes, snacks, fitness and motivation tips and more. All for one low price!

Just Get It Going

2007-07-05T04:57:00.001-07:00

With the hussle and bussle of the school year end and the new challenges of the beginning of summer holidays, once again I got off my routine. Hate when I do that! I shows within days and goes downhill from there.

So I had to bite the bullet and get back on track. I've been making an effort to get back on my BOOST Circuit and dedicate at least an hour to it every day.

Since things are unbalanced, the time slots have been as well, I've spent longer in some rooms than I normally would when I have been doing it daily.

But now, at the end of the first week I am seeing big changes. And I realize that the only difference between this week and last is that I made the commitment of one hour per day and did it, no matter what.

It brought to mind the common internet marketing advice, it doesn't have to be perfect, just get it going.

We get overwhelmed and wonder why bother, but the truth is, that if we start, and keep doing it every day, even a little bit, we will see a difference. It may never be perfect, but it will be better, and that counts for a lot!

ACTION TIP

If you've been treading water or worse - drowning, time to move ahead.

Pick a time to do a 10 - 15 minute clean up in a few rooms or areas of your house of your choosing (to total about an hour, if you are inspired to do more, go ahead, just know when to quit, if it becomes a chore, you won't want to do it again tomorrow, or your brain will tell you that you did well today so when tomorrow comes you will have an excuse not to do it. You need to develop the routine and stick to it)

Get your timer and go.

Do it every day for a week. By then you will be so happy you won't want to stop.

You may want to check out Carole Pagan's "Whole Life Overhaul", a weekly email program that will bring gradual improvement to your life. Interesting, down to earth and practical.

Whole Life Overhaul

http://myuam.com/x.cgi?a=r&id=155&aid=7480&p=37&cp=athoblogger

Life is in "The Moments"

2007-04-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

Most times we don't plan for "moments", they just happen.

A few days ago my two oldest children, myself and my husband where installing some windows on a beautiful spring day.

It's been a very long time since just the 4 of us have worked together on anything, usually my youngest daughter is home so it is either all of us, or various combinations.

It was one of the nicest evenings that I've had in a long time, having us all work together. My son and daughter seem to be over the hump of moodiness and uneven development, they are starting to be on the same page in development again, almost like when they where small and used to dance together (their picture sits on my desk).

How do you get a "moment"? You usually can't plan them, but you can set yourself up to having more of them.

What does it take?

You all need to be together.
You need a common objective that suits everyone.
You need patience and a calm, happy atmosphere.

That's about it.

Sometimes parents make date nights with their kids, either alone or in various combinations.

It could be something similar. Or it could be a family project. It could be game night too.

It just needs to be something everyone is interested in so there are no "sour grapes" (nothing spoils a moment faster!)

Have a "moment" with your family. It will last a lifetime.

Absorb Your Success and Watch It Grow

2007-03-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

We spent some time over the March break getting things in order around here. Decluttering - a seemingly never ending job - putting things away etc.

When we where finished, I found myself with a sense of peace over the following days, the mere act of walking in a room was calming and just made me feel good.

It occured to me that I needed to take notice of this feeling, absorb it and be sure to notice it, and my surroundings if I wanted to stay motivated to keep it that way.

All too often things get really nice, only to fall back after a busy spell, a time of illness or any number of road blocks.

But if we can fully ingrain the good stuff, feel it so fully that it feels off every time we waver away from it, we will find ourselves doing what it takes, taking that extra step, even when we don't feel like it, to keep things at the "new normal".

It becomes far too precious to us to loose.

ACTION TIP

What is your normal? What have you gotten used to, either good or bad?

If it's something good, you have found a way to keep it that way, how can you apply your strategy to a problem area in your life, or house?

Is your normal KAOS? Pick one area, work on it consistantly, if only for 5 minutes a day until it's a place where you feel good being. Notice it. Breath it in. Make it your new normal.

Use this strength to keep it this way, even when you don't feel like it.

Me? Even though I rather feel like vegging for awhile, I'm going to go and do my circuit for 1/2 hour because I really want to keep it this way!

Do It Anyway and Be Happy

2007-03-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Over the holidays I was lucky, my husband was home and not only painted my daughter's room, but enlisted the kids (he is a natural born delegator) to help get the house back in order - it was still limping from when I was sick for a few weeks and then busy with catch up and a busy business month.

So now I am more determined than ever to keep up my circuit, it is my saving grace amongst KAOS! (I will have more details on my circuit so that you can do it too... coming soon on my website, just waiting for a few more details on the graphics for my logo and we will be on our way)

I had been doing well but was having a complete block as to wanting to do one of the modules in my circuit - my hall - it is a gathering point, both at the bottom and top of our stairs.

So I decided to do a fun one first - I did 5 minute magic - choosing a corner that had been nagging me for a week. It was finished in about 3 minutes - why didn't I do it sooner? - so I continued on to the hall.

When the time was up, I set it for another 5 minutes, pushing myself to just do that.

In 5 minutes, it was pretty much finished both of hallways, so I worked another minute and got it done.

Now I am enjoying a coffee, feeling very good about my clean space and the fact that I didn't cave and go for the easy now, hard in the long run solution - which would have been to leave it and pretend that I was going to do it later - later never comes!

ACTION TIP

Push yourself to do what you know you need to do to function happily and peacefully. You will probably be amazed at how easy it ease. Reward yourself when you are finished.

If you are having a problem getting started, set your timer for 5 or 10 minutes, what ever you can manage. At the end of the time, you will likely want to finish it. If you don't, promise yourself that you will set aside another 5 or 10 minutes tomorrow, next hour or this evening, and do it again.

Keep it up until your task is finished. And feel great all the way knowing that you are heading in the right direction.

Feels good, doesn't it!

Another Gift for Today

2007-03-18T08:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my birthday. I blogged about "My Gift" on my work at home mom blog - today I have decided to give myself another gift.

I decided to give myself the time to declutter something that has been nagging me, without rushing or feeling that I should be doing something else. Just enjoying the feeling of giving myself one more peaceful space, one more beautiful thing to look at when I walk into the room.

So I'm decluttering a small table that has a small waterfall on it that my sister gave me for Christmas. The waterfall has been empty for awhile, it's been "on my list". So today I'm getting it back in order.

March for me, is traditionally "me" month as it is my birthday so I try to re-evaluate and catch up on appointments etc.

This year I truly feel like I am getting a fresh start, partly from the progress I have made in organizing and clearing out what I don't need. It is an ongoing process.

A program that I really like and am going to start again from the beginning is Carole Pagan's program called Whole Life Overhaul.

It has a little bit of everything, you recieve an email every day as well as a weekly file download of each day so that you can print it or get a preview of what is coming.

She covers a lot of life areas. I love her down to earth style and practical advice. I have purchased every product that she has and found each one to be very good.

If you would like to get your start with me, sign up today. Your worth it.

If I get enough people who would like to join, I will consider starting a blog or forum just for us.

If you have some friends who might like to join us, now would be the perfect time to pass it on.

Whole Life Overhaul.

ACTION TIP

Plan to spend part of today decluttering or beautifying something of your choice, something that will increase the pleasure in your every day life, something that will take a load off, remove a small piece of stress that you have been living with every day.

If you'd like some guidance and new ideas, a daily incentive, join Carole at Whole Life Overhaul

I'll be doing it right along with you! If you join, send me your invoice number and let me know if you'd like to be notified if I create a forum or blog for us.

House Wife Head

2007-03-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

I had my hair trimmed last week and as luck would have it have spent the past two days going places so took the time to blow dry it and curl it, do the make up, all that fun stuff.

I realized that I looked a lot better than I usually do.

It has occured to me that much of the reason that I am looking older and more plain, is simply because I am not looking after my appearance the way I used to in my younger days. I NEVER left the house without doing my hair and make up back then. I remember myself as having character in my appearance - I wore eye catching earrings and clothes that suited my style, not just anything that fit and was fast to throw on.

Granted, I don't have the time now that I did then, but a lot of it was just habit and also the fear of someone seeing me look a mess. Now days I don't care about that so much, but the revelation is that I care what I look like. I feel so much more "me", and so much better when I look presentable.

So I wanted to share it with you, in case you are feeling frumpy. Maybe you still got the goods :0) You just need to take a bit of time in the presentation. Most imporantly, do it for your self.

The nice side effect may be more respect and acknowledgement from the people around you who have come to think you are part of the woodwork (I'm thinking kids at the moment, it can never hurt to give them a good example, but it could include husbands, inlaws, other family members and who knows who else)

ACTION TIP

Plan an extra 10 - 15 minutes per day to do your hair, a little make up if you choose, sometimes lip gloss is all it takes.

You'll look "marvelous" (think Billy Crystal and give yourself a kiss :0)

Is Your Schedule "Wishy Washy"?

2007-03-10T08:24:00.000-08:00

I was thinking back to the days before kids - the days where generally anything I wanted to do - I merely had to wait until I was off work for the day or for the weekend, and I could do it. And I thought I was busy then!

After I started having children, it became a challenge. I remember chatting with a girlfriend and we where commenting on how after spending a whole day at home, we where lucky to get one "thing" done.

Somewhere along the line, I gave up trying to schedule things, as interuptions and change of plans was an occurance measured by minutes, not hours, days or weeks.

I started winging it.

I realized the other day that although my kids have outgrown the juice, bath, snacks and feeding schedules (except for my 9 year old daughter who just came in and interupted me for a drink of juice I have sitting on my desk :0), I still operate by the mindset that I will do a task "if" I can.

Do you do that?

Are you at the point that with a bit of planning, will power, self discipline and (I forget what it was, she just interupted me again :0) - that you CAN make a plan, no matter how small, and do it? On a regular basis?

This can mean huge accomplishments and astounding peace around the house as you create your own oasis of calm and order, by "having it your way" again.

I am off right now for a family meeting with my husband and kids because they are old enough now (9 - 14 - 16 and 40) to be doing their share - we need to chat :0)

While they take some of the load off with their own chores, I will be brainstorming and implementing a few new "non negotiables" for myself, things that I had assumed that I could only wish for these days.

ACTION TIP

Ask yourself if there is any area of your life where you have been "stuck" by old limitations.

You might be surprised.

It may take a new approach. I a bit of planning. A bit of co operation.

Try one new thing if you find that in fact, you are still back in the dark ages, operating from your limitations of a decade ago.

Just Say Yes!

2007-03-05T09:04:00.000-08:00

Have you ever put something off so long that the energy taken to stress about not doing it was more than actually doing it?

I've been "meaning" to bath our pomeranian for a few weeks, she was getting shtinky!

But I kept putting it off, waiting for my daughter - who's dog it "really" is, to be home to help, to have a night without other stuff to do etc etc.

Yesterday, on Sunday, she said, can we wash the Deva Dog (website coming soon :0) now?

Normally, I would have on autopilot just said no, I was in the middle of "other things".

But I somehow short circuited and just said Yes.

So up we went and gave the poor dog a bath.

It probably took about 20 minutes and it was finished.

I should have done it weeks ago!

ACTION TIP

What are you putting off that has passed beyond the point of waiting for a good time, into the point of feeling like a 100 lb weight on your shoulders.

Just go and do it. Then dance a little jig because it's out of your hair. Take a deep breath and feel the freedom!

Declutter that Sock Basket, Once and for All!

2007-02-28T06:56:00.000-08:00

This week I have been cleaning with an eye to eliminating rather than managing.

My sock basket has been an eye sore in my bedroom and a general all around pain in the butt for as long as I can remember.

I finally figured out the secret to decluttering the sock basket once and for all.

I sorted through the basket piling socks by owner, matching any obvious pairs as I went. After doing that, the piles are then placed in a smaller basket or box for "the owner" to sort and manage. The box or basket now belongs in their bedroom instead of mine!

It's so simple and effective.

One thing you may want to do is to check periodically that "the owner" is sorting and putting away so that they don't end up with a sock fest all over their bedroom.

I am going to get my younger daughter to do her sorting before she takes hers to her room so I am sure that it gets done.

I now have a new 2x2 square feet of clear space in my bedroom, and one less thing to nag me daily.

ACTION TIP - Manage Your Socks!

Sort all of your socks that have accumulated into your sock basket or pile into piles by owner.

You may want to do a grand sorting first, we did one a few weeks ago.

Be ruthless is getting rid of old and holey socks.

You can use "some" of them for rags, kids have fun putting them on and using them to dust. (that's on their hands, although I'm sure they would have more fun dusting with their feet :0)

If you have really nice socks, you can cut the feet off and use the squares to make a little blanket. But don't allow this to become another pile (been there, done that :0)

Let your kids know that their socks are now their own responsibility.

If you don't have a nice, little basket or box for them, make it a point to get one.

Younger kids would probably enjoy decorating a box for their room, maybe with some sock people.

Take one grand step towards peace and tranquility. Get the sock basket out of your bedroom!

(another great advantage to this is that you will no longer have people wandering through your bedroom looking for socks - and even better - they won't expect you to know where their socks are!)

Blitz At My House This Week

2007-02-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks have been seriously low on the production scale as my kids have had the flu, and then I got it and have spent days this past week asleep.

So, now that I have awakened :0) I am seeing things with a new eye and really am motivated to spend this week with a focus on getting rid of the things that I have been hanging on to.

Since I've spent so much time in my bedroom, I must be getting sick of it (pardon the pun) as I had an irrestistable urge to change the furniture around.

In doing so I am also cleaning out a corner that has collected a lot of stuff, a corner that's been "on the list" for quite awhile.

While our pomeranian pup isn't going to be happy, it's her place that she goes when she needs privacy, I will be happy to get rid of it.

ACTION TIP

Make this week your blitz week. It's going to be spring soon, so why not celebrate by spending some time preparing your house for the days when you don't want to be in it.

Do your usual cleaning routine with an eye to the piles that you have been ignoring or putting off.

Also look at the things that you have been hanging on to for no reason.

Now is the time to get rid of them.

Have you got an odd sock basket? Sort it and get rid of it. That's a good start!

Magazines? Books? The library would love them.

Cupboards? What could you do with some extra space if you get rid of the old stuff you don't use?

Could you save on your groceries this week if you use up some of the items that have been sitting there for awhile.

I hope you join me this week with your own "Blitz".

Flash forward to next weekend. You'll be glad you did.

Happiness Really Is In the Small Things

2007-02-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

I spend a considerable amount of time planning and waiting for this to be done and that to be finished etc etc, thinking at that time things will be so much better - various items in our house are yet to be complete, there is always a project that would make things nicer - that kind of thing.

I was soaking in the tub the other day and looking at a candle holder that holds about 8 candles that is beside our tub. I don't think that there is anything that I enjoy more than a nice soak in the tub. Back in "the day" I used to do it for an hour or more with a magazine and a glass of wine, I can't seem to sit still that long now, and I need the relax time these days.

Anyway, the only thing better is a bath with candles. Guess who hasn't had candles set up in the bathroom for who knows how long?

We have been sick with the flu that past few weeks, I am due for a nice candle lit soak. So today if I do nothing else, I am going to get the candles set up in the bathroom!

It is so small, yet such a big thing in the all around enjoyment of my life.

ACTION TIP

What do you have already that you don't use or haven't set up that can make your life more enjoyable. Or what little thing can you do right now that you have been putting off until something bigger is finished.

Think about it and do at least one small thing to improve your home and/or your life today. It really doesn't take much - it could be candles, flowers on your table or desk, a new bedspread or sheets (my other favourite thing, fresh bedding and a good book) It can be a nice table lamp for your dresser in your bedroom, or a nice floor lamp in your livingroom. It can be as easy as taking 15 minutes to spruce up a small corner of a room in your house - declutter something that has been bothering you and then add something nice to the empty space. Wash some windows or add a bit of paint to something.

The ideas are endless. Just do one for today and keep it done. It will make a difference.

Speaking of Lack

2007-02-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Starting the morning off with my new checklist designed to help me speed up by slowing down - laying out exactly what I need to do and giving myself time limits - a place to stop - so that there is an automatic boundary and place to be "enough", I found myself pondering once again the subject of lack.

Why?

Because I was repeating it to myself as I went along after an especially trying evening with my youngest daughter - "it will never BE enough".

It struck me right away that I was in a place of lack again, not lack in the manner of time, but in manner of me. The knowing that I doing my best, and that it is good enough and then some, but acknowledging the nagging fear that I am not providing "enough" - even though consciously I know that I am.

This is a treadmill that can make you downright miserable and is almost unbeatable unless you take it by the horns as soon as you finding yourself "going there". The best thing that can happen to you is that you become aware that this is what is nagging you. Then you can beat it.

Since it is mostly psychological, it will usually be proceeded by triggers. It will creep upon you when you are tired, when you are over scheduled and especially when people complain at you or treat you in a disrespectful manner - even if they are not justified in their claims.

What to do?

Remember this quote.

"I am what I am, Dat's all what I am".

It's from Popeye, the original self development guru!

Don't let this insidious sense of lack interfere with your productivity and happiness.

And don't forget to examine your boundaries.

This is huge. Are you allowing people in your life to treat you in such a way that you feel "less than"? If so, your productivity, your creativity, and your joy is going to fly out the window. And it will show in your environment - your house and the feeling of peace that you are trying to achieve.

ACTION TIP

When you find yourself wondering if "you" are enough, in what ever area of life it may be, remember Popeye.

And set your boundaries. The best way to do this is gently. A soft resolve. Draw the line and don't allow it to be crossed without consequences. Make it clear and stand firm.

Crazy Buzy?

2007-02-08T05:50:00.000-08:00

Today I was pondering what the reasons may be for my continual sense of hurry and rush.

I haven't always been this way, at one time, many years ago it seems, I just lived. I rushed when I had to go somewhere as I almost always lost my keys or spent too long on my hair (like I said, a loong time ago!)

But I didn't have the mindset that I do now, the constant need to fit 110% into a 100% time slot.

I first noticed it when my first child was born. An herein lies the key.

That was when I first started getting interupted on a regular basis.

So I started rushing to get everything and everything finished before the next interuption. (and it never seems to stop, actually it only gets bigger - he's 16 now and called me at 9 am from school yesterday to bring his backpack that he forgot - my first much anticipated "office day" in some time. The school is 45 min away!)

Anyway, I just interupted myself :0)

After that, I had a daughter, the another daughter, then a home business, then another home business.

They snowball onto themselves until life is almost one big interuption with me scurrying in between to "do something".

The one thing that all of this has in common is that I now have an ingrained fear of lack.

I am constantly feeling a lack of time. Like "my time" has been taken away from me. It's a common Mom thing. We're doing something bigger, we need to keep site of that, but the fact is, our time... our life... is no longer our own.

The good news is that there are ways to make it better.

The first one is to step back and breath, on a regular basis :0)

Hurrying and scurrying becomes so much a part of us that we don't even realise that this has become our mindset.

Slow down. Life is not going to get away on you. Ironically, the more you chase it, the farther away it gets.

Tomorrow I will post a very easy and practical tool that you can use to change your mindset instantly. It works for me!

ACTION TIP FOR TODAY

Look at your mind set. What condition is it in?

Are you rushing constantly, even when you really don't have to. Are you always trying to fit one more thing in just because you can (or even when you can't) You need to step back.

Take a deep breath. It will relax you and energize you. And give you a moment to pause.

Do this as often as possible through out the day.

Remember - no matter how fast you go, there are only 24 hours in a day, you can't change that!
And they are a limited comodity. Better enjoy them NOW.

Maybe It's In the WAY That You Spend It

2007-02-05T10:10:00.000-08:00

My daughter was getting ready for school this morning and was having a problem locating her backpack (which was supposed to have been located and loaded last night, rule #1, check for yourself that all is in order that is supposed to be for the next day – our new rule is no tv until everything is order for school tomorrow)

I wasn’t of much help because #1, I had no idea where she had put it and #2, she has two, one older one that is very similar to the new one.

It occurred to me – why does she even have two? There is a pretty good reason, the old one was still usable but it’s nice to send them off to a new year with new school supplies, so she got a new one in Sept. But it did get me thinking that she has far too many “twos” (or more)

Both of my daughter’s have “shoe collections”. When I was a kid I had one pair that lasted me the entire year, my "good" shoes for school became my play shoes for summer (besided winter boots and one pair of slippers)

So I got pondering why this is. We are not rich. When they where young, they got a lot of “new to you” things from relatives, but we never went overboard on shopping.

And it hit me. I never used credit cards back then. It wasn’t so easy to cave when they wanted something, frivolous purchases just where not the norm.

It is nice to be able to pick up some extras sometimes, but I think the availability of credit in our house has created a few problems.

Firstly, I just did bills last night, and we never seem to get far with our credit card payments. As fast as we pay, they are “loaded” again.

Secondly, there is so much more clutter than I ever had growing up. Because we just have too much. Mostly stuff that isn’t even used, or so junky that it breaks after a week or so.

It also does nothing to teach the kids that everything doesn’t grow on trees. My 2 older “pre credit card” kids seem to know this lesson and pay for most of their own extras. But my youngest resembles a movie star marching through the store - she'll take one of everything some days. One time I bought her a doll that she “had to have” and when we got it home I forgot to give it to her. She never noticed! Ever!

It was an eye opener for me.

I think that I am going to go back to cash when shopping at the mall in particular. Cash for groceries as opposed to the debit card also helps to cut spending. That’s a whole other story.

ACTION TIP

Think about your spending habits. Not so much what you spend it on, but how you are spending it. Look into the habit of using cash or the envelope system.

Get your shopping habits under control and the benefits will trickle down in many ways.

PS - I came across this handy tool that is the answer to a lot of the problems that I and many of us have with tracking our spending, especially when using credit and debit cards as well as cash.

It's called Budget Map, it works just like a check register only it includes your budget and/or tracking system for all areas.

It's very simple to use - my kind of thing (if it's not simple, it won't work for me!)

Budget Map - Makes it easy to keep it together for a change!

2007-02-02T07:36:00.000-08:00

I have been making some changes in the KAOS blog world.

To make it a little easier to focus on your area of interest, this blog will be geared towards making home, family and your self happier and healthier through time management and organization skills and ideas.

My newest blog - Time Management For Work At Home Mom's - Everyday KAOS, is geared towards home business success.

Both contain the basic priniciples - practical application and advice in the areas of time management skills, organization, tools and resources that I like to use to make it all easier and more efficient and most importantly, more fun. We only live once. Really.

You'll be able to have a peek at my day to day experiences, my highs, my lows and everything in between and how I cope and even triumph some days. And how you can too.

You can check out Time Management for Work At Home Mom's - Everyday KAOS - as it happens!

Be sure to sign up to get an email subscription so that you don't miss anything.

You can do that on the sidebar for this blog as well (you need to sign up for both if you would like to recieve both blog posts to your email)

I will probably try to get on a schedule of posting to each blog on alternate days so as not to flood your inbox sporadically.

Both will contain the Action Tips feature, this is a section at the end of each entry that will give you a specific action to focus on until the next entry comes along.

Why? Because knowledge is nothing without action, period. And action is often the missing element. So I try to make it easy.

ACTION TIP

Subscribe to the blog of your interest or both if you work at home.

Access the subscribe box for this blog in the top right hand corner.

Access the Work at Home blog by clicking this link. Sign up box is in the top right corner as well.

Time Management for Work At Home Mom's - Everyday KAOS

It's Sad, but Sometimes We Bring It On Ourselves - I Know I Do!

2007-01-13T09:58:00.000-08:00

I was contemplating how I dug in and stuck to my guns today, doing my BOOST Circuit as I was supposed to, to keep the house nice this weekend, instead of working on my far overdue bookkeeping. Have you ever been tempted by work when you had other obligations?

I had a shower and walked up the stairs to my bedroom, so totally relaxed in the feeling of peace and freedom that the clear and clean spaces gave me.

And it occurred to me how easily I could have spared myself a lifetime of guilt and feelings of failure but simply sticking to my guns, sticking to my plans, the ones that I made for myself!

It all boils down to self discipline, trying to get away with something, and trying to do too much.

I have always found it ironic when I would have people drop in and would be horrified at the mess, and know that these people are thinking that I’m a lazy sloth.

Nothing can be farther from the truth.

I have unbelievable drive. I jump out of bed at the earliest time I can wedge my eyeballs open every morning and work until I can’t keep my eyes open at night.

I seldom watch TV or do much of anything that isn’t “doing” something.

But sometime I still fall behind.

And I know exactly why. It’s because I don’t always discipline myself to do what I know I know I should be doing. This leaves me scattered. And that does not accomplish what needs to be done in the order that it needs to be done in.

I think that by plowing through that I WILL get it all done, and I probably will, but at what cost?

My kids get muddled and stressed with the mess, what kind of an example I am setting I shudder to think.

The feeling that I just can’t get it right on those days, and those days are the ones that stand out like a sore thumb.

All it takes is the pledge to yourself, to do what you say you will.

Do you ever notice that the people who have it “together” have an iron will of self discipline? The are in control and don’t let what they need to do be messed with.

Take an example from them. (The ebook by Carole Pagan called “Confessions of a Clean Freak” is an inside look on one of “those people”. Ever wanted to be a fly on a wall. Now you can!)

So…

Set clear priorities first. Every day.

Home and family are a must. And the basics are a neat and functional home. And proper meals.

That comes first – a little bit every day is all that it takes.

If you can relate, believe me, it isn’t hard, it just takes conviction to stick to your plan.

Make one today. Make it doable and stick to it. And be sure to make it consistant.

The feeling of accomplishment – that you have ARRIVED – is so energizing that you will blast off from there to get the rest done.

Your family will win, your business will win, and you will win, big time.

Start today.

January is the Month of Beginnings

2007-01-11T09:56:00.000-08:00

One of my favourite ways to stay on track is to give each month a theme.

December is endings, time to tidy up all the odds and ends so that we have a clean slate to work on in the new year.

January of course is beginnings, a most exciting time for the middle of winter!

I am always busy in January reorganizing and creating new systems so that I can get things done faster and with less stress.

Some of them last, some of them don't :0)

One of the best and most practicle in terms of targeted usability that I've stumbled on in a long time is Jeanette Cates "Organize Your Online Biz" package.

Think tools.

It gives you actual downloads of worksheets that you can use to see everything at a glance, you can set them up in minutes.

She has videos and an audio as well as so much more, I started using it the same day I got it and just can't believe how valuable it is.

I can forsee it to be one of the best purchases I've made for my biz in 2007, and the good news is that it doesn't cost $97.00+!

You can see it here Organize Your Online Biz

I really hope that you check it out, it really can help you to crack down on the KAOS this year!

Biggest Parenting Challenge So Far

2006-12-07T04:54:00.000-08:00

When they told me that parenting issues just got bigger as they got older, I couldn't imagine.

Then my son started to drive (insert dripping font!)

I don't know that there is any feeling comparable to sitting in a moving vehicle, with none of my hands or feet on the controls, with my child at the wheel, who up until a few years ago wasn't allowed to ride his bike on the road.

I was just having that conversation with a friend of mine the day before yesterday.

Then yesterday it happened. We had to go to the mall, a 45 minute drive from here, the roads where worse than I thought, and you guessed it. In the ditch we went.

It was a scary experience but thankfully no one was hurt. It gave my son a lot more respect for careful winter driving, and just how fast and easy it is to loose control even when it looks ok.

For me, I thought I had gratitude for my family and my life before.

It has been magnified to infinity!

I am so grateful that nothing major happened except for a lesson in winter driving that will hopefully stick with him for the rest of his life.

I can't imagine what I could have been thinking this morning. I don't even want to try.

Once again, I have to urge you all to remember that our time is limited, like it or not. Your babies are going to grow older, (next time you get in your van with a bunch of kids, have a look at that car seat and be thankful that they are buckled in there instead of the drivers seat :0))

Some day all that we know and take for granted will be dust.

Your alive. And in the drivers seat. Enjoy it!

Christmas Ponderings

2006-11-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

This morning I was making breakfast (we have chickens so I just ran out to the coop, collected a few eggs and presto, had the makings for a good breakfast - store bought eggs do not compare - raising chickens for eggs is easy - if you live out of town with a bit of property I highly recommend it)

Anyway, as I was making breakfast my youngest daughter came down the stairs looking all cute and sleepy eyed in her (actually mine) flannel nightgown.

I was right just turning to flip the eggs but in a split second decided to go give her a hug and tell her how much I loved "my beautiful girl".

It made me think that when she grows up, she will have some great mommy moments to remember and how precious that is. And all it took was a moment and a concious decision.

Then a few moments later I heard a funky song on the radio that went

"I just want to celebrate another day of living,
I just want to celebrate another day of life.
Yeah, Yeah."

And that reminded me of a thought I was having yesterday about how we should take more time (and some do this naturally, especially our grandparents generation) to honour the people in our lives, bottom line is that the people in our lives are who make our lives what they are and we sorely notice it when they are gone.

When they are gone, or when we are gone, we will never have this opportunity or experience again to be here with them. How rich we are at this very moment.

And that got me thinking of how we are all the same in spirit truly - some good, some bad and somewhere in the middle, nobody is perfect and we all want to love, even if we don't show it.

And for some reason the saying "turn the other cheek" popped into my head and I wondered, maybe Jesus meant not (or only) to turn the other cheek to those who hurt you - not worry or waste time on revenge as it only hurts ourselves in the long run - but to turn the other cheek literally - look the other way to the positive side of your life. In my own life, many times I spend far too much time dwelling on the negative instead of celebrating the so many great things that I have to enjoy. Most of us have plenty to be happy about if we just "turned the other cheek" and looked that way.

I think the greeting Namaste (the spirit in me meets and honours the spirit in you) sums it up very nicely (there are many literal translations)

Namaste and Have a Happy Christmas

Support Work At Home Mom's and Home Biz when Xmas Shopping this year!

2006-11-26T08:13:00.000-08:00

Hi

It occurs to me every year that if the work at home market could get a fraction of the department store business, just how much it would mean to them, personally and financially.

But we don't seem to be out there as we could or should be.

So I'd like to provide this opportunity for any of you to list your site under the comments section if you have a work at home business that provides Christmas gift giving solutions.

I need to specify that any links posted here are not personally tested by me, but that is no reason not to check them out for yourself.

Merry Christmas!

Note: If you would like to read my full article on Beating the Christmas Crunch for a lot of Christmas ideas, you can see it in the WHAM Time Tips Archives

Don't forget to use the comments link to add your url and sign up to get other urls sent to your email using the email link or RSS feed.

Honey - Slow as Mollasses!

2006-11-09T07:16:00.000-08:00

As a miraculous result of having a clean fridge, I accidently put our jug of honey in there yesterday (it never would have fit before!).

It pours and as a result was very slow coming out of the bottle. I almost gave up when it was about 3/4 of the way out.

Then I thought, if I did that, all of the time I've stood here waiting would have been a waste of time.

Then I had a guilty moment, thinking of all of the projects I have half started, never finished.

The times that I had my house looking great and was at the point that I was going to start painting/decorating etc, but went off my schedule and had to start from 0 again.

Do you do that?

Take a moment to make a list of everything that may fall into this catagory for you.

If you will see big results from finishing it, put it on your project list (more on what to do with your project list later)

If it is something that you have started but will never finish, get rid of it. It is taking up space in your house, on your computer or in your brain and preventing you from having a "blank canvas" to work from.

If it is your daily circuit in keeping your house clean, if you've gotten behind, get back in there pronto! Every day that you fall behind makes the load that much heavier.

Don't rush or over do, just get back to your routine and the rest will take care of itself in short order.

Have a Great Day!
Janice

More on Getting It Done

2006-11-05T07:18:00.000-08:00

If you received my newsletter , I had meant to add that I also did a quick clean up of my silverware drawer this morning as it was beyond being functional.

I admit, I was sidetracked while doing it as I had originally been getting something to make breakfast, but it's one of those things!

I found using the small organizing baskets that you can get 3/$1 at the store to be very helpful. I am using them to both divide and store like objects (measuring spoons and mini whisks for instance) and also as a holding spot for a bunch of lids that I need to check to see if I have bottoms for, we often save bottles that we buy to use for water bottles later, especially if they have the fancy lids that you can twist open.

Just wanted to throw that in there, hope it helps!

Clean Out Your Purse in No Time!

2006-11-02T04:52:00.000-08:00

My purse had been out of hand for quite some time, it somehow seems to slip by the regular sessions around the house. I had to start digging for my debit card in plenty of time before I checked through the grocery line! Not cool!

Meantime I have regularly been driving to town with my son , he recently got his G1 driver's license which is a whole other story :0)

Anyway, I was sitting in our van waiting for him and it occured to me to just go ahead and do my purse right there and then.

When I was finished I had an unbelievable pile of garbage to take to the house , but my purse is manageable and it took NO TIME out of my day to do it.

The moral of the story? Just Do It Now!

My inspiration? Carole's "Whole Life Make Over" ecourse. She advocates "wearing it away" - getting it done a little at a time. The funny thing is that often I seem to get it done a lot at a time in less time than I think.

A lot of this stuff really is a game we play in our heads. I am becoming convinced that much of the overwhelm in my life is due to me turning molehills into mountains, therefore avoiding them until they are mountains. One reason why the ecourse works so well, she gives it to us in bite sized, doable pieces so that it's easy to get to the top.

A Dream Come True

2006-10-30T03:20:00.000-08:00

I dream of getting up extremely early to get an amazing head start on my day.

I dream of waking up to a clean kitchen so that I can start my day with a smile.

I dream of waking up to a clean bathroom so that I can start my day with a sparkle.

I dream of waking up to the washing machine on with a full load of clothes in it.

Guess what?

Today my dream came true.

I was lucky enough to stumble on an ebook called "Secret Confessions of a Neat Freak" and ecourse - "Whole Life Overhaul" by Carole Pagan last week.

To be honest, I haven't even been following the course or read the entire ebook yet. But through skimming I have already found a few gold nuggets that have made a huge change in the way I've been doing things.

It even works beautifully with my BOOST Circuit, making it even easier.

The first nugget is to make having the dishes done/counters wipe a non negotiable every night by bedtime.

That seems to be the general concensus of every "clean freak" I have ever known, and it really does change things. The first few nights I found myself propping my eyelids open to finish up before I went to bed. Guess What? Now I make sure they are done after supper, or at least early evening. It's already becomong a habit.

She also spoke of wiping down the bathroom as well. I thought - no way - dishes at bedtime is enough for me. But Guess What? After I started getting the dishes finished earlier, I had time to give the bathroom a quick wipe. It takes less than 5 minutes. The bathroom looks great. And it gives me another BOOST so that when I am in there during my cleaning time, I can do other things like pick up clutter that seems to collect there.

And, for the first time I tried out the timer feature on my washing machine. If you are lucky enough to have one, I highly recommend it! What a great feeling to get up in the morning to the washer washing and I didn't have to groggily touch a thing!

And it's done in plenty of time to dry if the kids are out of something too.

It kind of makes you WANT to get up in the morning!

If you are tired of buying books that you don't use, check out either one, I recommend both of them.

They are full of practical information, written by a real, live, Clean Freak.

Now we can find out the real, inside secrets to how they do it, which I have personally always wondered about!

And Guess What. It really is as easy as they make it look.

Use The Time Change to Your BIG Advantage

2006-10-28T09:11:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know an easy way to get a whole extra hour of quality work time every morning?

Tonight when it is time to set the clock back, leave your alarm clock as it is.

Prepare by finishing your evening chores a little early, maybe allow for a nap tomorrow.

Use that time for your most pressing and results oriented project and watch the results pour in after using this bonus hour for a week.

Try it! You'll like it!

You can read more about in my WAHM Time Tips Ezine

Don't forget to subscribe for even more WAHM Time Tips.

What About Sunday?

2006-10-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

In the last post, I mentioned Saturday and how fresh I feel on Mondays - but I didn't mention Sundays. Sunday also has an important place in the "grand scheme of things".

Sunday is for meal planning and kitchen organization - cupboards, fridge etc if they need it. Sometimes is for make ahead mixes, freezer stuff - that kind of thing.

Sunday is my true 'Set Myself Up" for the week day. Saturday is catch up, Sunday is LEAP Ahead day.

This is a true gift when Monday comes along. If I don't do this on the weekend -not only do I feel that there wasn't a weekend - but I often have to spend Monday doing the catch up and then the rest of the week running because I had no LEAP day to keep me ahead of things like meals for the week.

There is nothing like thinking ahead (and doing) to Set Yourself Up for Success! And this is fun and allows you to spend time doing good things for your family, and being a family.

Speaking of, another thing that Sundays are good for are family meetings.

They can go a long way in getting the help you need to do your own thing!

It's Saturday, Another Homey Day

2006-10-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

I like to breathe on Saturdays and dedicate the day to puttering around the house. It's the day that I focus on catching up on anything that's gotten out of hand or jobs that I just can't get to through the week.

Not to say that every Saturday is a blank slate, there are still lots of distractions and many times obligations that take much of the day. But in the time that I do have, I don't try to spend time on the computer, pack orders or think about work.

I like to set myself for the week ahead by organizing and spending the day concentrating on the "Home Base" (that seems to be a missing equation in the term "Home Based Business", or home truly is our work base and it needs attention to!)

Do you have a day that you can set aside just to be "homey"? It does wonders for stress relief as well, it's a day that I truly feel "at home". Be in the moment, one moment at a time.

Try it! You'll like the fresh feeling you'll have on Monday!

Strange Euphoria

2006-10-19T05:14:00.000-07:00

I ask myself some mornings what is the best way to get motivated to do my daily BOOST Circuit instead of hopping right to the fun stuff at work.

What it comes down to is connecting with the deep feeling of gratitude for everything that I have, and the knowing that if I take care of it, it is even better, by a long shot. Remembering just what I am doing everything else for.

So when the kids go out the door for school, a feeling of deep peace comes over me. Not just because of the obvious!

I look around me and really see everything that I have to be grateful for. I have a home to clean. I have kids to look after. I have lots of things that I enjoy and admire, like a dishwasher (the best investment I have ever made)

I reflect on the fact that this won't always be so. So I want to enjoy it to the fullest today.

And that starts by taking the time to keep it nice.

So I'm off to do my BOOST Circuit - along with an MP3 audio, a timer and a smile. It really does give me a boost for the whole day!

Take a Day To Be a Mom - it's not as easy as it looks!

2006-10-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

Upon looking around and feeling stressed because things around the house and some paperwork was getting out of hand, I decided to take the day to "just be a mom".

It took me back to the days when that was "all" I was, the days before my home business took over most of my days and competed relentlessly for my time and attention.

Hectic as they where, I look back on those days as the best of my life, at no time has my life ever been so full of love and adoration, both for my kids... and from my kids. There is no better feeling.

So... Having made the great decision to tie up a few loose ends and spend the rest of the day basking in hominess, enjoying my circuit and getting up to speed on a few things that where lagging, I immediately, before I even had time to write this post, received an email that I had been waiting for.

I deliberated on putting it to the side, but find myself working on it! I can't seem to help myself.

The clock is ticking and I am once again wondering if I am going to get "the day" or not.

Hmmm.... the life of a work at home mom... nothing is cut and dried.

Work/Home, Work/Home, the saga continues :0)

post script: The Good News - The good news is that either way I am having a great day! Hope you are too. The important thing is to do what is important, be it work or home. What's nagging you today? Is there a niggling chore that you have been putting off in favour of checking your email or surfing the web? If so, get to it. You'll feel great! And don't stop there! Use that euphoric feeling to keep you "up" for the next one!

Help Me

2006-10-13T06:31:00.000-07:00

This morning the kids are home because the roads are icy. Usually I feed my daughter's puppy in the morning. Since she was home we where looking throught the Regal catalogue for Christmas ideas and I said, when we are finished looking at this, you can help me feed the puppy.

Then it occured to me that it is as easy as that.

Including the kids as a natural step while you are doing something is very powerful. It not only increases your manpower, although while they are young it isn't necessarily faster, it teaches them how so that they will be conditioned and able to do it themselves. And enjoy it, it is a time to spend true quality time. The trick is to do the task with them, they love to have the time and attention from you as well, that in itself will pay dividends in their future, and yours.

This concept is huge. What ever their age, if you are not doing it now, make it a point to "do it with them instead of for them".

Action Tip: Focus and try it this week and see what happens. Write it down on a sticky note and put it where you will see it often to remind yourself.

Easy Car Travel Time Passer for Kids

2006-10-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

My husband and I went shopping today and brought along our 9 year old daughter.

I ended up waiting for him for about 1/2 hour outside of the store with my daughter. As luck would have it I had bought a few small dry erase boards for my office (I have lots more to say about that, stay tuned!)

So I pulled one out and started playing an unscramble the word game with her. She loved it so much that we continued all the way home.

It's a great, inexpensive educational toy to keep in your vehicle as long as your kids are old enough not to write on your car (or each other) or eat the marker!

More than one can play at the same time and the number of actual games that can be played are endless. You can purchase coloured dry erase markers with eraser attached as well.

You could get one for each child and keep them really happy!

Just had to share. Dry erase boards are one of my favourite things, now even more so!

I'll have more info on some great things to use your dry erase board for in your office coming up on my newsletter, you can read about it and get free access to the i-Shine membership site too.
Subscribe here

Your Biggest Challenge?

2006-10-06T04:33:00.000-07:00

I find that my biggest challenge as a WHAM is to stay focused, there always seems to be something staring me in the face that I need to do, or should do instead of business.

The best way I have found to combat that is to do my BOOST circuit every morning. I often feel that I am wasting good productive work time, but the day is always more pleasant and productive.

What is your biggest WAHM challenge?

More info on the BOOST Circuit can be found at Queen of KAOS.

Welcome

2006-10-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

Hi, It's great to be here, hope that you enjoy the resources that I will be putting together for work at home mom's. It's not as easy as it looks! Although some days it's pretty nice!