The Domestic Goddess Files: More Creative Tips For You And Your Family

Hello Ladies~

Top Of The Morning To You!

I have some more Tips & Tricks to share with you this Morning. Unfortunately I had a whole slew of real cute Vintage Housewifey type photos to go with them but after I posted this one I couldn't get any more to post. Oh well. At least there is one. I guess that means I will have more for another post at another time. :)

So, I will just jump right in to the good stuff..

ORGANIZING YOUR PURSE

~First, empty all of the contents of your purse, to separate the groups of items, and put away or throw away anything that shouldn't be there. I like to do this over a plastic grocery bag, so that I just dump all of the contents, and then remove what isn't trash. It makes it easier, and all of the usual bits that I would have to pick up later are already then taken care of.

~Then separate all of the items that go back into your purse into groups. Some ideas for groupings to get you started are:

~Wallet: money, id & credit cards, checkbook, coupons, etc.

~Personal Planner: notebook, to do list, address book, calender, etc.

~Food Items: medicines, mints, gums, candies, etc.

~Writing Utensils: pens, pencils, note pad, stamps, envelopes, etc.

~Cosmetics: make-up, lipstick, gloss, etc.

~Manicure Stuff: nail file, clippers, polish, etc.

~Hair Stuff: hair brush, comb, sprays, clips, rubber bands, pins, etc.

~First Aid: band-aids, ointment, sun block, etc.

~Now, we don't usually want to keep ALL of these things in our purse ALL the time. But, once we put in in there, our purse becomes a black hole and we forget to take it out. Then, once we have so much stuff in there we can't find what we need.

~The trick is to use little make-up bags or zippered pouches to divide and contain everything. Then, it becomes a matter of grab and go. If I need to do my nails, I know that everything I need is in one little bag. Same with make-up, or food items. Then I am not digging through my lipsticks to find my coins at the bottom of my purse.

~Another great item to have in your purse, is one of those organizers that wraps around the inside of your purse. They have all kinds of little pockets, and it keeps the center of the purse free for larger items.

ORGANIZING BOOKLETS, MAGAZINE ARTICLES, RECIPES, ETC.

~I happen to keep my magazines for later reference; but I know that most people don't. Many magazines, like fashion, current events, sports, and the like; are only meant to be read once. In that case, sometimes it is easier to go through your magazine and tear out any articles you would like to read, or recipes to try. Then, you can either keep these in a folder to read when you have time, or you can file punch holes and file them into separate binders for later reference. This cuts down on the amount of magazines that you have to store, and helps you to find and read the articles that you are interested.

~Keep a binder , a file, or a plastic pouch section in your Home Binder, for appliance warranties and instructions. You can also punch holes in large Ziplock bags, to keep these items in. Each time you get a new appliance, put away the instructions in this same spot. Then, when something breaks, or your husband asks you where those warranties or whatnot are, you will easily be able to locate them.

~When you get a new reference book, (such as a cookbook, or a gardening manual), attach an envelope or pocket to the inside of the back cover. This is for any loose notes or other related information. That way you can keep it all together with the book.

~If your wall calender does no already have one, attach a large envelope or pocket to the bottom of the last page, (usually the cardboard backing). Now, whenever you get an invitation, jot down the date on your calender and file the invite into the pocket. This makes it easy to look for the phone number or directions. This is also good for upcoming events, such as for school or sports, or even for doctors appointment cards and the like.

~Create a "Tickler File". This can be done in many ways. You can use one folder for everything, and just keep it in the order that the things need to be done in. Another way is to use 12 folders, one for each month. As things come in, put them in their prospective places. As one month ends, empty the contents, and either file what you don't need anymore; or put the leftovers into the coming month's folder. Then, put the older month's folder into the back of the stack. You can organize up to a years items in this way.

~Having more than one phone is a convenience, but can also be a frustration. Make sure that by each phone you keep a list of important numbers, a pad and a pen, and anything else you commonly need at each phone.

~If you conduct a lot of business by mail, and order or ship things, keep a separate wall calender strictly for this purpose. Each time you place or send an order, mark it onto the calender, (send date and receive date). That way, if something is late, or doesn't arrive, you will have all of the info in one spot.

~Keep a running list taped to the inside of a cabinet to record loaned and borrowed items, AND remember who you lent it to, and when.

Okay Ladies, that's it for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday, and a great

weekend. I know I am looking forward to it after a long, busy week! Take Care.

The First Edition Of The Domestic Goddess Files~ Tips Tricks & IdeasTo Make Life Easier

The Eternal Struggle Of The Domestic Goddess!

...Our Work Is Never Done.

Once in awhile I come across ideas for an article or post, that I am not sure where to put. I have 4 blogs; a family blog, a spirituality blog, an arts & crafts blog, and this, my retro fantasy blog. You would think with all of these areas to choose from, that I would never run into a problem finding a place for all of my ideas to fit…but from time to time, I do. This is an a post about home care and life organization, not so much retro, but I figure out of all of the blogs, this sort of information could go over here. Kind of a Domestic Goddessy Post.
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When I became a Mother, I knew that life would get busy and everything would change. (It is funny because I refer to everything in my life before children as My Life B.C. It is quite fitting actually.) I have always been an artsy kind of girl, and I always loved kids, animals, and plants, and worked very well with them, but I was never really what you would refer to as domestic, and certainly not organizational! I never struggled with the childcare part of being a Mother, and I love the homemaking part of my life; but even today, I still have a hard time with the “domestic duty” portion of homemaking, and child raising.
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I am the kind of Mom who would rather spend the afternoon in the park, or doing craft projects with the kids and their friends than sweeping, mopping and dusting. I am rather laizze faire about my house cleaning duties. As long as things are presentable, the kids are fed a well rounded diet and we all have clean clothing to wear, I am a happy Mom. My biggest priority is raising healthy, happy loving little humans, and creating a warm, safe environment for us all. Most of the time I hit that mark pretty well, but as with all things in life, there is always room for improvement. (Kind of a theme with me!)
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[Also, just so everyone knows…these are ideas and tips that I have read, learned, heard, tried and want to share with others. But by no means do I do all of these things, all at once, all the time. No matter how much I wish that I did. I am a work in progress just like anyone else. I am by no means perfect, or even anywhere close. I wouldn’t want to give that impression. God forbid I might invite you over to my house someday and it be in a disaray, because that is just as likely to happen as it looking nice!
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I just am an idea girl. And I like to share. If I can pass something along to others, and someone enjoys it and it’s useful, I am happy. I don’t think that housekeeping is anywhere close to the most important thing in the world; it is just one way of making life a little easier. If done efficiently, we may possibly have more time to do the truly important things. Like enjoying that warm, welcoming happy home! ]
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We all have unwanted chores, jobs and tasks that must be completed before we can get on to the business of living life. Here are some tips and quick ideas that can help you with just that. They can keep you from backtracking and wasting valuable time that could be spent truly actualizing your goals. If you do a little each day and you will be amazed at what happens in your home. I have gathered some of my favorite, and most useful organizational homemaking sayings, tips and ideas, that have made sense, or helped me. Also, many new ones I hope to use and implement in my life.
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I hope to make this a regular addition to Crafty Chick’s Retro Fantasy, called The Domestic Goddess Files. I hope you find as much use and value in these ideas as I have. As always, take and use what makes sense to you and fits with your life…and leave the rest. No two people organize their homes or their lives in the same way. What may not work for me or you, may be
exactly what makes the difference in someone else’s life.
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SOME WAYS TO PUT IT ALL IN MOTION
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~Work with the rhythms of your body. Try to plan high priority tasks around the way your body naturally works, whether you are a morning or a night person. Do routine work during your “low” times.
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~The key is to start NOW. No matter how small the job. Do you have a letter to write? A call to make? As Nike so eloquently coined the phrase…Just do it!
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~Keep a daily to do list and assign each task with a priority number, 1-4. Do all of the high priority stuff, (the 1’s) first; and get to the rest as you can.
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~Provide yourself with a notebook, either loose leaf or spiral bound, and small enough to carry around with you. This notebook will become your “Master List”- a single continuous list that replaces all of the small slips of paper you may be used to. Use this notebook to keep track of all errands, things to buy, to do and any other general notes you may have, and things that require action.
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~Another even better system, is to have a 4 or 5 tab divided notebook, (again, small enough to carry). In this book, you keep your 4 sets of lists. In the first section you have your to-do, to-buy, to-go, to-call, to-mail, and to-send on the computer. A calendar in the second section, an address book in the third, budget and expenditures in the fourth, and maybe a blank miscellaneous notes section in there is room. These can be bought or made. They can also be obtained on-line from various sources. That is the super supremo organized way!
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~Keep your list with you at all times. A list is worse than useless if you can’t refer to it because you left it behind!
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*And, because I have always strived to fit somewhere between these to ways to get the lists organized, and come close to what I wanted, but never just right…I recently switched to a whole new method, and have found that I like it much better!
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~Now I use an online calendar and list system by Better Homes and Gardens. It is fairly new, and called COZI. I can enter all of my appointments, errands, etc. for my family and myself, all phone numbers, shopping and to do lists, even driving directions, and it will call me and/or leave me emails or texts to my phone if I choose. I can read it and change it from my phone. I can color code my whole family’s year, and it will automatically update items that happen more than once, when I program it that way. For years to come. This system has pretty much replaced my wall calendar, to do notebook, and much else. It even has a journal/blog where I can put photos and journal entries for special occaisions. If you are already using Microsoft Office, it will interface with that, and combine the two. It automatically updates the whole family’s calendars, so your husband or kids can enter something, and even if they forget to tell you, you will still know. You can even send messages through it to family members. Another big bonus for parents who have school age kids, is that COZI automatically uploads the school information and calander from most of the school districts, with more being added each month. You don’t have to worry about your kids forgetting to bring home the note from school about their minimum day…the calendar gets an automatic update and loads it in! Yeah! It is a truly invaluable tool. I love telling people about it.
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~Beware of the tail wagging the dog syndrome where your appointment book, budget records, filing system and master list take more time to maintain than working out the problems they are supposed to solve.
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~ Use separate notebooks or folders for bigger, long term individualized projects, like party or holiday planning, home repairs and decorating, or enrolling a child in college, retirement, etc.
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~I keep an extra large 3 ring binder with 2 smaller paper folders inside, (on for each kid), to hold important papers and info for the kids. This is not their ‘schoolwork to keep folder‘- this is for yearly things like the school schedule, school & class info, baseball, dance and karate schedules, I keep their current report card for easy reference, recent or pending medical info. Basically it’s all that stuff for the kids, that I am not using daily and weekly. I don’t need to be carrying all that stuff in my notebook, but I still need it close at hand, and not in storage.
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~Don’t be in a hurry to throw out notebook pages that have been completed. That stove part you ordered 2 months ago could be all wrong when it arrives, and you may have to call the same people all over again. (For instance, I keep all of my notes on parties that I have planned and hosted. That way I can look back to see who came, what we ate, who liked what, the number of the table and chair people, etc.)
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~Set up an area for yourself to keep all of your home management items, notebooks and tools together. Even if it just a notebook, and a basket on a shelf. Use it to keep pens, paper, stamps, envelopes and everything you will need to organize yourself.
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I have about a gazillion more of these quick helpful tips and ideas to share, but I think I will stop now, and leave some for future posts. I hope that you find some of this helpful for your life whether you have kids or not. I also have plenty of tips for makeup and purses, parties and holidays, travel, cooking, and a whole lot more. So be sure to check back once in awhile to see if there is something new; in addition to the usual retro awesomeness!
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I also would love to hear from any of you, who may have other ideas. I am always on the lookout for new and innovative ways for making my life easier and run more smoothly. You can leave them here, or you are welcome to e-mail me at (craftychick1221@YAHOO.com)

THE DOMESTIC GODDESS FILES...Even More Ways To Put It All Into Practice

~Have a ‘home’ for everything. Don’t let stuff ooze. Herd your belongings like stray sheep; back to their ‘homes’. It is actually kind of fun to see how many logical 'homes' you can find for your stuff, and if one doesn't work, and you still find yourself leaving something out, or putting it elsewhere...then find a better spot for it. This needs to be a flexible, workin system. One that makes sense and works for the people using it.

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~(No matter how well we practice all of these organizational skills, I think most everyone still has a “junk” area. I think that is normal, whether it is a junk drawer, a junk closet or a spare room that gathers all of our excess stuff. Just remember, that is what doors are for! As long as the junk isn’t in the common living areas, it is not so big a deal. If you have to have miscellaneous junk…and I do…have a drawer, or closet, area, a toy box, basket or crate to hide it. That way it isn’t on the couch, or eating table, etc.!)

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~Group like items together. (ie:things for a projects, activity, or things you normally use together [baking tools on one shelf, sewing items, letter writing and bill paying, ironing, etc.] This makes it much easier to find what you need, and takes less time doing it.)

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~Try to store things where you normally toss them. If you toss your shoes and coat by the door, put a hook there. Keys and change on the table, or nightstand,; put a basket there. Don’t force yourself to change habits, so much as use your habits and way of living, as an inspiration for organization. Put the organizational products, where you naturally tend to use them.
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~It is also true that you should always keep things in one place, so that you can find them. Have a key spot, a place for your purse, sunglasses, etc.

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~My grandmother always told me (…and I wish I always did this); making a bed first thing is a good way to start the day, psychologically, and instantly makes the room look better

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~List on paper 10 things that you wish to do before the end of the year.

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~Make a list of 3 things that you want or need to do. Write the reasons why you are not doing it. Now change the negatives to positives. The ability to change a negative situation into a positive one is one of the keys to self-organization.

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~I have found that the “Do the worst first” motto helps me get started. Once the worst is done, everything else is so much easier.

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~Use the “Salami Method” to help you reach a goal. If the size of your project overwhelms you, tackle it bit by bit. You wouldn’t eat a salami whole would you? You would slice it into pieces. Do the same with your goals and projects. Slice them into pieces that are more manageable.

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~No one has several hours to leisurely devote to the tasks at hand. The key is to use the 15 minute segments that you do have, to make a dent in the project. For example, file your nails, make an appointment to see the dentist, or just clean one shelf of that closet. You will double your efforts if you do small tasks, (like writing thank you cards), while engaged in some other activity, like running a bath or waiting for a casserole to heat.

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~Do 5 minute pick-ups, or what we call a “Blitz” in my house. Pick up and dust or put away each item in a room for 5 minutes. Always work around the room. I go clockwise. Just go from one end of the room to the other, instead of crisscrossing all over. That way everything behind you is clean. You can see your progress much better that way. Use a timer. When the timer goes off you can choose to stop until the next work period; or you may choose to keep going.

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~I have a shelf area right next to my front door. This is my “out the door shelf” Shoes and backpacks go on the bottom. There are a couple of baskets on the top for the kid’s papers, lunch tickets, videos or library books to return, etc. Jackets, hats, and gloves also go there. When it is time to go, I can easily see items that I must remember to bring with me.

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~I also keep a similar basket in the car for this purpose. In it I keep my laundry cards, and detergent, etc. I keep magazines, books, and paper, pens, and stamps, and a few other things that I may need to handle stuff while I am out. I also keep my bill info in my glove box. That way if I am out running errands, and want to stop and pay a bill, I don’t have to run home for the account numbers. (I learned that one the hard way!)

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~I keep extra food, sweatshirts, clothes and toys in the car for the kids; in case we stop to visit friends or family and decide to stay awhile. I don’t have to worry about cold, bored or hungry kids, and Mom can stay and enjoy herself awhile!

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~Try not to put stuff down. (This actually becomes a fun challenge to see in how few ‘steps’ that you can handle stuff. Only deal with it once. ie: Don’t put it down, put it away.

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~Go through the mail over a wastebasket and DUMP THE JUNKMAIL! Don’t even bother to read it. And for God’s sake, don’t keep it around to “read” later. It is called “Junk Mail” for a reason!
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~If you are making coffee, don’t get it out, spoon, sugar, cup, etc. with out swooping it up and putting away. All at once. Take it out, pour, put away, stir, wash spoon; and by the time it is made, it is put away. THEN, you drink in peace. When you are done, and get up, grab the paper, the cup, etc. Don’t leave it all there.
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THE DOMESTIC GODDESS FILES...The 15 Minute Organizer

“IT ONLY TAKES 15 MINUTES A DAY AND YOU WILL BE ON YOUR WAY TO BECOMING A CREATIVE HOME ORGANIZER“, Emilie Barnes, Time Management Expert
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So, along the way on my quest of becoming Mommy Extraordinaire and Wanna Be Domestic Goddess; I have picked up a few tips from the experts. One of these tips that have worked really well for me is to live life in smaller intervals. I picked this up when I had my first baby, and it has just kinda stuck. Especially when the children are young, a Mom finds that her time is consumed with all sorts of little childcare and housekeeping chores and duties; and there is not much time for the rest of life to be lived.

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In order to keep some semblance of sanity, and find the will to get everything done…I began chopping everything up into 15 minute sections of time. I found that while I may not have hours to spend doing things that I liked, or just needed to do; that I could get a whole lot done in smaller chunks of time.

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An author really inspired me around this time; and helped me to see that really ANYTHING can be done if we just break it down. This already fit with what I had been discovering on my own, and helped me to find even more ways to manage my precious time better. It really is not a new concept…I just liked how she presented it.

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The author is Emilie Barnes. She and her husband have a whole empire of Time Management books and courses, that they call, More Hours In My Day. I have a couple of her books that I absolutely adore. One is called The Creative Home Organizer, and the other is The 15v Minute Organizer. I have found both to be 2 of the most indispensable books in my home management library. I often go back and reread them for inspiration, and have loaned them out many, many times over the years.

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So, the premise is, that no matter how large or undesirable the job, or task to be done; that if it can be broken down into smaller chunks, it can be accomplished much easier and without all of the pain and anguish. This really hit home with a Queen Procrastinator such as myself!

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Emilie calls it the Salami Method. She says that, “You wouldn’t eat a salami whole; but, if you take it slice by slice it goes down much easier.” And it works, very well.
Take a job such as cleaning out the fridge. While I may not have a whole afternoon to clean the fridge, (assuming it would even take as long as I originally anticipate). Now, if I try to wait until I have a whole afternoon to do the job, it would probably not get done for a while. However, if I use the little bits of time that I have, and break the job up shelf by shelf, I will have it done in no time.

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So, if I clean one shelf in the morning, while the kids eat breakfast, then another while I am on the phone waiting for someone on hold, and another while the laundry is going…well, you get the idea! Another great way to utilize this concept it with rewards; and multi tasking. Let’s say that I have to clean out a cabinet that I am dreading. If I find myself watching a TV show in order to avoid my work, I can watch 15 minutes of TV, clean a portion during the commercial, and then watch more TV, until the next commercial/work break. That way, the job gets done, I get to watch my show, AND time that would have been wasted watching commercials has been put to good use.

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How about the time we spend waiting in line? If I have all of my bills or coupons in a folder in my purse, that bit of time can be used for that purpose, instead of me having to take more time later to do the bills. Or the 10 minutes that I would be waiting for my friend to arrive for us to go somewhere. Instead of twiddling my thumbs, getting upset that she is late…I could be loading the dishwasher, (if I had one!), or putting a load of laundry in. While the kids are in the bathtub, I spend 10 minutes wiping down the bathroom. 10 minutes before my own shower, I can scrub the tub, etc. When I clean the kid’s room, I watch my show in their room, instead of on the living room couch. Before I know it, my show is over, the job is done, and the hour that I normally would have wasted killed two birds with one stone! See the beauty of the system?

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It is really fabulous for those jobs that you really-just-don’t-want-to-do! Instead of dreading it, and putting it off, (which by the way, I still do quite often!), I can combine it with a desirable activity. I can check out my favorite blogs for 15 minutes and then work on something I don’t want to do for 15. I know that I only have to do that undesirable job for 15 minutes, and then I can go back to my fun activity. This really cuts down on the “Mommy Guilt” too! I don’t have to feel so bad for doing the stuff that I like, if I am also tackling the important jobs too.

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Part of the fun is timing yourself to see how long activities really take, and then seeing how many 5, 10, 15 and 30 minute activities you can accomplish without effort. One example of this is mopping the floor. I used to dread mopping the floor. I hated it. But, I hated walking on a dirty floor even more. It caused me untold stress and anguish every time I thought of having to do the job, how much I hated it, how bad I felt about myself for procrastinating, and the guilt every time I looked or walked on the dirty floor! I had estimated that it took somewhere between 30 and 45 minutes to mop my floor. When I timed it, I discovered that it could be done in 12 minutes! Wow! All of that guilt and negative self talk over 12 minutes worth of work! Now that just seems silly. When I think of it now, I just think of the fact that after 12 minutes or so, I will be done, AND have a clean floor. Sweet!

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So to get you started, I thought I would write down a few of the things that can be done in 5, 10, 15 and 30 minute intervals, and you can take it from there. See how many of your own chores and activities you could break up into smaller, more workable pieces. Also, time yourself to see just how many of the tasks that you thought would take a long time, actually only take a matter of minutes. Try it yourself and see if this might be something that could be of use to you. Even if you do not have children, I am sure everyone could use more time, better spent! Not to mention all of the time that it frees up to spend doing the things that really matter to us.

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This theory also works at your job. I am sure there are tasks and chores that you are not keen on doing, but that could be done with less stress and more efficiency, leaving you more time for projects that really need to be done. See if this method could help make your life any easier and more productive. *And remember ~Work smarter, not harder!*
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5 Minute Tasks

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~Going through the mail
~cutting up veges for a later meal
~loading the dishwasher
~sorting laundry
~putting in a load of laundry
~looking up directions for something on the internet
~Filling out a form
~Handling a phone call
~Ironing an article of clothing
~Wiping down the counters (Kitchen or Bathroom)
~Making a bed
~Signing a card and putting it in the mail
~Making a list for shopping or errands
~Writing a journal entry or blog post

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10 Minute Tasks

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~Writing checks to pay bills
~Folding a load of laundry
~Sweeping the floor
~Keeping up with a pile of things to file
~Picking up a room, putting away odds & ends
~Dusting
~Washing dishes by hand
~Writing a letter to a friend or family member
~Filing or painting your finger nails
~Making a list of goals
~Cleaning off a desk or table, (sometimes less)
~Mending a piece of clothing
~Cleaning out your purse
~Making a lunch for the next day (Yourself, Kids, Husband, etc.)

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15 Minute Tasks

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~Vacuuming
~Cleaning a shelf, or drawer
~Mopping the floor
~Cleaning out the car
~Making a party schedule plan and to do list
~Making a trip schedule or plan, and packing list
~Going thru the closet to get rid of outgrown or unwanted items
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30 Minute Tasks
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~Cleaning the entire Kitchen/ Bathroom/ Bedroom, etc.
~Pulling weeds in an area of the yard or garden (or even less time depending on the area)
~Planting or transplanting some flowers
~Washing the car
~Balancing a checkbook
~Organizing photos

Springtime Has Arrived...finally!

Spring is finally here!

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Well, at least for those of us in Southern California. (But then again we don't get much of a real Winter
anyways!)

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So sorry for you guys in the rest of the country, I know many of you are still covered in snow. I guess you will have to live vicariously through me for now.

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Spring always makes me want to put on a pretty dress and walk barefoot through the grass. This Spring has me thinking of new wardrobe options.

Seeing as how there is not much extra money in the coffers right now; I am turning my thoughts to crafty ways to stretch and upcycle the wardrobe I already have.

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Recently I was bitten by the Clothing Reconstruction Bug, and it has me looking at everything in a whole new way. Now, instead of getting rid of clothes that I haven't worn in awhile, or don't fit anymore; I am now thinking of other uses for these them besides the thrift shop.

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I have a whole bunch of t-shirts that I wasn't wearing, for one reason or another, (too big, too small, not cut the way I like, etc.) A few weeks ago, I got out my fabric shears, and went to town. I recut the necklines and the sleeves into more appealing designs. I made scoop necks, v-necks, even made a one shoulder cut. For the sleves, I trimmed some a bit, others I sliced up the top seam, and made flapping shoulder sleeves, and some I used the extra strips to tie onto the shoulders. My favorites are the ones where I opened up the back with slits, and tied strips to them to searate the slits.

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My next project entails me cutting down my old hippie skirts to make some flowy blouses with v-necks and some with spagehtti straps. I also have some skirts in mind. I want to try my hand at the recycled jean skirts, and also make some cotton flare skirts, for all those nice Summer days. If succeed, then I will be duplicating them in a smaller size for my daughter, Makayla. I used to make sundresses,; and I may have to start again...because a girl needs a few new dresses to enjoy the warm weather.

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Untill then, I will just have to keep fantsizing about about these gorgeous creations that I find on the web. I love the cute and classy look of them. Even the prices are right, (just not for broke little old me!) Now maybe I could make friends with a talented seamtress an barter...Hmm***One of these days!