BACK TO BASICS

(what you can't see is the 3 more overfilled laundry baskets on the floor)

I have GOT to get back on track of my KIT DAILY LIST. Geezo- loooweezo would ya look at that pile of laundry!
The system works. Promise.

EVEN DAYS:

1 load laundry (complete load)

Kitchen sink (dishes/wipe down/ clean off counter)

Bathroom wipe down with "these" handy little ditties

Pick up the house

ODD DAYS:

Vacuum

Swiffer wet mop (quick job)

Kitchen sink

Pick up the house

SATURDAY:

even or odd list +

Dust

Change Sheets

KIT Summer Cleaning

In my hasty cleaning frenzy last weekend I got a little carried away. It started with cleaning the cupboards of baby stuff and it turned into re-organizing and deep cleaning a few rooms. The majority of the house still needs it's annual deep clean but that will have to wait until I get "the itch" again.
My spring cleaning never quite got completed.... or started. But my summer cleaning is off to a great start.

It all started with creating a place for Layla to "safely crawl" about her room.

I put all of the baby toys into storage... then I got "the itch"

So I started cleaning all of the new "big girl" toys that Layla's sweet cousin gave her.

And somehow that led to cleaning out the "junk drawer"

Next I moved to my closet top

Then the closet bottom

And last but not least we finished off cleaning out the bathroom drawers.

I also cleaned the blinds in the master bedroom, the baseboards in the bathroom, and created a new place to store Layla's toys in the living room. Gah, it felt so so so good to have the cleaning itch. If only it would come back soon and on a day that I have a lot of time to accomplish the rest of the house!

Attempting to KIT

Started the week with almost nothing on "the brain."

Ended up being crazy hectic anyway.

Had a few minor melt downs early in the week, but sat down with Kday and we re-grouped

Came up with an ever trusty plan. Everyone needs a plan people! 

Started with a happy Lady

Made me one of these.... to post Kday's and my weekly goals. In sight!

Wiped a bunch of these.... gross I know!

Used some of these to take care of the problem noted above...

Then this happened.

So we went to see Him and his bikes

We chillaxed at the shop for a few min.

Tried on some accessories...

Then went home and made some accessory hair clips of our own.

Ate dinner and hit the hay.... Can't wait for May Flowers!!!

ROCKSTAR

Please go over to J's blog and congratulate her on her HUGE SUCCESS AS A MOTHER OF 2 YEAR OLD TWINS WHO DID AN AMAZING JOB AT THE BOSTON MARATHON! Her and C are my inspiration as mothers who Keep It Together.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR

Spring fever? Maybe.

 Seasonal Affective Anxiety? Maybe.

Feeling Overwhelmed? Yes.

Had a few really busy weeks that have left my life, home and daughters eating and sleep routine in complete disarray. 

Absolutely. 

I am feeling like organized piles are multiplying like easter bunnies around the house and the winter mess is catching up to our little abode. The snow has finally melted and revealed a soggy wet list of things to do to get the yard somewhat presentable.  And I've finally come to the reality that I have fallen into accidental encouragement of Layla's poor napping habits. She is a breeze to get to sleep and stay asleep at night. But her daily naps leave a lot to be desired.  So the pair of us are at a turning point. Next week has been dedicated to "nap - sleep training" and there needs to be a game plan involved. I'm mentally prepping for the heart wrenching minutes filled with the sound of her learning to sooth herself to sleep and stay asleep longer than 45 minutes... I need a list to keep me focused and busy. Last spring we had 6 short weeks to prepare our home to welcome Layla. It was awesome. I washed almost every square inch of the house with a toothbrush. The vacuum was vacuumed and the drawers were all organized and the label maker was labeled. This year she is inspiring me once again. Next week will be the perfect host for our spring cleaning and organizing event while she learns to organize her sleeping habits. 

So, I'm reminding myself before spewing out this list that I need to take a deep breath in..... and slowly let it out. Here goes.

*Basic Once Over on each room (vacuum, mop, dust all surfaces and objects in room. Wipe down walls and baseboards and any light fixtures and doors.)

*File the "To File" drawer full of papers

*Organize and label current "To Do" folders

*Revise Monthly Budget Forms

*Read "Positive Discipline - the first three years"

*Read "Child of Mine - feeding with love and good sense"

*Make a rotating meal plan and hang on the fridge

*Plan Wasatch Back Training Run Schedule and hang on fridge

*Organize and de-clutter Layla's toy bins

*Plan 6 months of Family Home Evening

*Sew Layla and I matching summer hats

*Finish and hang Vision Board

*Re-design Sdayrunning website

*Re-Label all file folders for 2010 and rotate out 2009 files into Long Term filing cabinet.

I'm sure I won't have time to achieve all those projects. But it gives me an idea of what I need to get done in the next few weeks. That way we can relax and enjoy watching the spring flowers bud and trees blossom on our daily walks. My theory is bust it all out in 1 week and enjoy the rest of the year!

FEEDING THE "FLOC"

( Side note) I'm writing this while I sit in Layla's nursery rocking chair and listen to her try to fall asleep in her crib without her beloved and oh so loved "swaddle" or binki.

Anyway, as I was scrubbing the door to my oven this afternoon I got to thinking... that's the problem with cleaning. I think too much when I'm elbow deep in scrubbing bubbles. However, I came across a realization that everyone tolerates different levels of cleanliness and that is OK. For example, I get comments on my blog all the time from fellow mothers telling me that they just live amongst the mess and keep going without focusing on it. Mothers who say they despise cleaning and don't have the patience to keep their house really clean. Another example, I have two dear sister-in-laws who keep the most spotless homes I've ever been inside, even down to the tiniest detail. Whatever the level of cleanliness, it's a personal moment between feeling functional and feeling like you're going to lose your mind if you see one more spec of dust.

I'm calling it your "FUNCTIONAL LEVEL OF CLEANLINESS." My FLOC is different than your FLOC, and we must tend to our own floc, not someone else's. I am able to function well with a disorganized closet and dirty mud room, but I can not even begin the day unless the bed is made and the kitchen is clean. I can tolerate lots of "organized piles" on the kitchen table and a somewhat clean bathroom, but I can't tolerate dust bunnies on my hard wood floors. I have a really hard time dancing around her nursery together when all I can notice is the dust beneath my feet. So as long as the floors are vacuumed, then I can enjoy all the dancing we can squeeze into a day. And someday when I have carpet, I won't have to vacuum as much! Other people must have a perfectly bleached bathroom 24-7 but could care less about making the bed... get my point?

As much we would all love for our houses to look like the inside of a P0ttery Barn catalog, I encourage you to find the level of cleanliness that you tolerate well. The level at which you feel comfortable accomplishing the day to day tasks without feeling like your being swallowed in clutter and dirt. And there is no judgment on your FLOC! That's the beauty of it!

So remember this, the next time someone comes over to your house and you jump onto the apology wagon for your house not being as clean as theirs... stop and remember that your house only has to be as clean as you need it to be in order to function without focusing on the mess. Then invite your guest in, make her a yummy snack and enjoy the conversation and company without feeling guilty or embarrassed :)

(P.S. Layla fell asleep about half way through writing this post! Holy miracle)
*** update: 2 hours later she woke up screaming and wouldn't go back to sleep until I swaddled and binki'd her. We'll try again tomorrow...

KIT DAILY Catch up

I know the Holidays have technically been over for almost a month! But we've been VERY busy around here with some exciting adoption related events. So I am afraid to say we're a LOT behind on our KIT daily Do's. I haven't mopped in weeks. Dust bunnies are floating around the house on every horizontal surface available, and the laundry is piling and piling and piling up.

Lucky for me... today and tomorrow are slow at the hospital and I got called off! So I'm spending the next 48 hours catching up and getting back in the groove. The mess has been driving me crazy, but it's all well worth it because this month has been the best month of my life!

Lots of things to post about... but for now it will have to wait because I've got LOTS of folding to do!

KEEPING IT TOGETHER

KIT- In the Kitchen

Do you hate sifting through 14 different tupperware lids trying to find one that fits atop your tub of leftovers so you can throw it in the fridge already? I do. Don't wait until spring to clean out your drawers and cupboards... do it now.

ORGANIZING TUPPERWARE

Step 1: Take a look at your sad, disorganized tupperware drawer and say "goodbye."

Step 2: Make "like piles" of all the tupperware by stacking similar shapes and sizes each in a separate pile. Do the same with the lids.

Step 3: Match up each container with its rightful lid. 1 container & 1 lid... no need to keep 3 extra lids for only 1 container. (p.s this is a great time to assess what sizes you're lacking and need)

Step 4: Here comes the hard part.... THROW AWAY ANY EXTRA LIDS!!!

Step 5: You may want to keep any extra containers for storage around the house. I use mine for organizing our tiny drawer-less refrigerator.

Step 6: Get out your trusty Label Maker - or use permanent marker (it won't last as long) and label each container and matching lid with coordinating numbers.

Example:

All five of the small round Zipl0c lids are #2 and all five of the small round Zipl0c containers are #3. All three of the square GlAd lids are #4, all three of the square GlAd containers are #4.

Any single sets are labled as S1, S2 etc. and they'll be stored in a separate pile.

Step 7: Stack and store in whatever method makes sense to you and your needs.

P.S. Kevin just laughed when I showed him "the system."

EVEN DAY KIT DO'S

Even days of the month- means that I TRY to get these things done on the even days ie, November 18,20,22 etc. And here are the dreaded "rules."
1. Complete 1 load of laundry- I have a love affair with Layla's laundry. I hate more than most things to do Kday's and my laundry. What fun is it to wash giant, old, boring clothes when you can opt to wash and fold all of Layla's darling, tiny, yummy stuff? I love love love doing her laundry, so I had to "make a deal" with myself because I found that my "1 daily load" was always hers. So now I have to complete 1 grown-up and 1 baby laundry load. Now here's the catch!!! COMPLETE A LOAD OF LAUNDRY MEANS washed, dried, folded, and put away.... in the drawers or closet. Not the laundry basket shoved in the closet waiting for items to be picked through and wrinkled until its not even considered clean anymore (you know what I'm talking about! Don't pretend you never do that :)) This way I can throw a batch in and fold it up throughout the day only taking about 5 min at a time instead of wasting every saturday beneath piles and piles of dirty socks.

2. Wipe down the bathroom: My second love affair in my life is Clorox wipes. I keep a bottle of them in the kitchen and bathroom at all times. I do the shower (Kaboom- no nasty chemical smells and it takes away all the grime with ease and my clorox wipes), toilet (clorox wand and Lysol gel), sink with the dirty hand towel (feel free to splash some water about onto the floors while cleaning the sink... to be used to wipe the floors!) and last but not least wipe the floors down with the dirty hand towel. Throw away the wipes, toss the towel in the dirty clothes and it's done in no time! Don't forget behind the door, I know you never shut it... but your guests do!

EVERYDAY KIT DO'S:

So, today is an "even day" and a Monday on the KIT list so I've already completed my 1 load of laundry and made the bed with fresh sheets. Here's a quickie description of what I do to make the cleaning process easier, faster, and hopefully low hassle. And remember, my house is tiny and I only have 2 beds to make and all hard surface flooring so vacuuming is a must. If you decide to follow the KIT plan, feel free to modify it to meet your household needs. Or feel free to tell me if you think this plan is the most ridiculous thing ever.... I don't care cuz it works for me!

EVERYDAY RULES:

1. Now, I have never had a dish washer since the day we've been married. (8 lovely years) So, If I can keep the number of dishes stacked in the sink to a minimum then my life is much easier. I start by emptying the rack of dried dishes from the night before, then wash the new ones and set out to dry. Then, in the evening repeat the process. Simple, fast, and it helps that I have a beautiful view out the kitchen window :)

2. Quick theory, kids should be responsible for doing chores from a young age. So starting at the age of 2 I think they can help in the nightly clean -up process as part of their bedtime routine. (with help of coarse) So for every year they are in age, they pick up around their room for that equal number of minutes. (example: 3 yr old picks up his room for 3 min each night) But it max's out at 10 min at the age of 10.

Doing a quick sweep through the house to straighten couch cushions and pick up piles of shoes will dramatically change the way you feel when you walk into your living room each morning. It gives you a fresh start.

KIT DAILY DO'S

Tomorrow I will explain how I try to complete these tasks in the most efficient and thorough way. Usually the total time spent each day should not take more than 24 minutes (remember that I have a small house) and although it doesn't get the deep cleaning done, it keeps the house tidy and clean enough to think straight.

Here is my "KIT DAILY DO'S" to keeping an orderly house clean without sacrificing an entire day or week EVER to cleaning!*

EVERYDAY RULES:
1. Always start and finish the day with an empty sink
2. 2-10 minute pick up before bed
Even days of the month: (ie. November 1,3,5.....)
1. Complete 1 load of laundry
2. Wipe down the bathroom

Odd days of the month: (ie. November 2,4,6....)
1. Vacuum
2. Empty garbage cans

Every Monday:
1. Change the sheets

Every Saturday:
1. Dust
2. Wipe down Kitchen floors

*Except when deep cleaning is necessary.... I've got a plan in the works for this too!

Keeping It Together Part 2

I have a problem. I physically can NOT relax or think clearly if I'm in a messy environment. If the floor is hiding beneath piles of dog fur and the sink is bulging at the seams with dirty dishes, you really can't expect me to relax and enjoy my day with Lady. I can't get the bills paid or the family brain filled out unless the house is in order.

I've tried different approaches to keeping the day family household ship shape all the time and here's the list of things that didn't work and why:
1. A cleaning day (because it must be done more often then once a week and I hate missing out on an entire day of events just so I can catch up with my laundry)
2. A chore list for HIM and HER (they never work for reason's that don't need explaining :))
3. Trying to do it all every day (I was missing out on valuable time with Lady because I couldn't always squeeze it in between her naps)
4.5.6.... (all the other ways that never work because by the time I get done cleaning, I have no energy left to do the stuff I NEED to do!)

SO I HAVE DEVISED A PLAN and so far it has been working out nicely. We are still in the trial period but it has been over a month now and I've found the success rate to be high and the stress rate to be low..... It's a way to avoid wasting an entire day or week away to cleaning your house. If done properly it should not require more than 24 minutes of you day, that's shorter than an episode of the Brady Bunch! That is only 1.7% of the total minutes you have in a 24 hour period. That means you get 98.3% of your time spent on more important stuff and you're happy because your house is in order!..... Stay tuned:)

Don't forget to be FLEXIBLE!

My dear sister-in-law who last name conveniently rhymes with the word "Leisure," reminded me that when "KIT"ing we must not forget the silent "F" in the middle ='s KIFT! Flexible! There is no point to Keeping It Together if we break at the first sign of change in the plan. Please take note that the word Flexible is an adjective.... Now, think way back to the elementary years of education and what does an adjective do? It describes something. It describes what you must be in order to KIT successfully. Keep It Flexibly Together :)

Flex⋅i⋅ble

  [flek-suh-buhl]–adjective

1.	capable of being bent, usually without breaking; easily bent:a flexible ruler.

2.	susceptible of modification or adaptation; adaptable: a flexible schedule.

"Keeping it together" part 1

I'm still a little busy as I am gathering my ideas and techniques that work for me on how to "KIT," Keep It Together on a day to day basis. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE organizing and planning. If you know me well, you know about my little "brain." Otherwise knows as the color coded day planner that goes everywhere with me. Recently, Kday has been struggling to KIT himself and has been awfully forgetful. So, my remedy is this.....

The new and improved "Family Brain." We TRY to sit down each Sunday and scan ahead the next few weeks over our individual "brains." Mine is usually a little more full of actual appointments and items to complete, while his is full of cute sketches and blank space where he forgot to write appointments in :) (this is why kday and I work so well together) But we piece together what our week is going to look like and post it on the side of the refrigerator for quick reference. It's been working nicely.

I prefer a weekly calendar vs a monthly because I need a lot of writing space. But it's absolutely personal preference and here is where I purchased this.