Thingy Thursday

Today over at CHBM it's Thingy Thursday. When I saw the subject my heart fluttered just a bit because the word container store and gift card were put into the same sentence. But because the subject is organization I soon became just a little let down because that is one area that I might need a we bit of help on occasion. Better Today is offering some cool prizes to help all of us get motivated for 2008.

You see to the average person I might look and act organized, but I assure you it's not always the case. I have to really work at it and stay on top of things because if I don't, oh lord watch out everything will really overwhelm and it will all come crashing down. I'm sure this is the same with most people. Clearly staying organized is really just putting things back where they belong. I think most people can't get organized because they just don't have that place to put those things back to. The "spot" does not exist so everything just piles up.

I have learned that the key to a happy home and less stressed family is to try to keep everyone organized. So here are my top 10 tips we use here at our house. And a few that I would love to start using again. These are not in order of importance becasue I believe all of these are crucial to my sanity.

1. Toys have a home. Really they all should, everything should have it's place to be put back into. NO deep dark toy boxes in this house! We sort everything and each theme or collection has it own container. Example: Barbie, Barbie clothes, Barbie accessories (furniture, cars, etc.) each go in a separate drawer in one of those stacking containers.

2. Art supplies are separated by type and stored on a bookshelf in plastic shoe containers.

3. Our Dog has his own kitchen cabinet to put all of his crap into. Food, brush, shampoo, etc. That way when we need something for the "dog" we know it should be right in there.

4. When it's broken or to small get rid of it...if it's broken but still usable, have a specific place to put items in need of repair. Like a small box in the laundry room. Give yourself a time frame to repair or throw away.

5. Have containers of clothes for kids for the next few seasons, when you come across a great deal you can purchase for a great price and save it in the correct container. This is also great for siblings who outgrow things. They can be saved for the younger sibling and you always know exactly where to look when they outgrow and need to move into a bigger size.

6. Write everything down on a calendar placed in a central location. Ours is a big desk calendar I put on the refrigerator and we write down everyone's schedule. This way my husband knows where we are when he comes home to an empty house and the kids can always check what's happening on what day.

7. If children participate in sports or other after school activities, give each child a "bag" to store items pertaining to the activity. We have a soccer bag, gymnastics bag and girl scouts bag. That way all the misc items can go into the bag and be ready to run out the door when its time to go.

8. Plan a menu and shopping list and stick to it. Trying to go shopping and pick out stuff to buy is CRAZY when you have no clue as to what your going to cook.

9. Have a cleaning schedule. Your house is much cleaner and you feel so much better when you know what's coming next. I discovered this website years ago and although I don't follow it exactly it's helped keep me on track.

10. Last but not least put things away. Figure out a best place for "things" and always put them back where they belong.

Now I cleaned my house from top to bottom yesterday and put everything away where it belongs. If I can just keep myself on track and practice what I preach then it will be a wonderful day. I don't ever have a problem suggesting things to others or coming up with ideas on this exact subject, but practicing myself can sometimes be a challenge.