My S.W.O.T.

---1. Strengths- I can use these strengths in ANYTHING I choose to do. I just need to CHOOSE!

a. I’m Reliable

b. I’m Friendly

c. I can be Fast

d. I am Skilled

e. I’m super Creative

f. I can be Motivated

g. I am Respectful

h. I’m very Unique

i. I can be Versatile

j. I get very Passionate

---2. Weaknesses – Any of these weakness can be improved on with just a little bit of focus

a. I’m Not licensed

b. I can be Naïve

c. Sometimes I’m too Detailed

d. I can be Sensitive

e. I can be Indecisive at times

---3. Opportunities- Combining my strengths with the following possibilities gives me great opportunities.

a. Should I Become Licensed?

b. Should I take this time and bond with my children?

c. Should I Make a career for myself now or later?

d. Should Go back to school?

e. I would love to start my own business.

---4. Threats- The so-called ‘threats’ may be ‘excuses’ but they are a reality of the obstacles I face.

a. Money, or lack there of

b. Children, daycare expenses

c. Husband, lack of support

d. Self, pitfalls of confidence & determination

e. Time, need to organize it better

The Challenge...

Since I'll be a 'stay-at-home-mom' soon- I thought I’d focus on a NEW CHALLENGE for the month of May. Once I get my house the way I want it- the REAL Challenge will be KEEPING it clutter-free!

clutter cramps my style

I loathe clutter. I know what you're thinking... but I DO! To me it’s just more stuff to look at, put away, pay attention to, or clean. I would much rather have less stuff so I can spend more time scrapbooking, playing with my kids, writing, or of course... faceboooking.

found money

Clutter also represents wasted money.When I go through things, I literally find money. Recently, I even found a money order from 2005- completely blank, completely unspent... I even tried cashing it- ugh. That was a $50 mistake. :o(

On the seldom occasion of finding ACTUAL cash- you may find also things which are sellable, and net a tidy profit from a few hours of decluttering. At the very least you can get the value of the items and take a tax deduction.

the NEXT 30 day challenge

I’m calling all you Clutter Bugs to come forth and join my CHALLENGE with me. 5 a day to keep the clutter away.

The guidelines are simple.

• Find 5 things a day that you can get rid of. Size doesn’t matter. It could be a spoonrest or an entire wardrobe.
• Put them in a box/bag/bin in an out of the way area (your garage, laundry room, a closet)
• At the end of each week or the month (depending on your storage space) trash it, give away or donate all the items
• If you find something that indeed is sale-worthy you have the month to sell it. If by the end of May- it’s still in your box, it goes, and you get a nice tax write-off.

Options for getting rid of your items include:

• - Goodwill/Salvation Army/Savers/Homeless shelter... or other charities for toys/kid’s clothing consider a local domestic violence shelter
  
  
• - CraigsList (free or for sale)
  
  
• - Freecycle
  
  
• - eBay
  
  
• - Be creative! Maybe you have a friend who could use your old lawnmower, or you create a neighborhood swap.
  
  

By the end of the month you should have 155 things to go. Take a photo of it and upload it to an album if you want. (For me, I'll do a before and after picture of my worst cluttered areas- only 'cause Photos help me stay modivated.)

As you read this note- Let me know if you are up for the challenge, and as you start your own album- tell me what your struggles are with stuff.

I find that most people (especially ME) have issues letting things go for one reason or another, and I’m happy to help you work through yours. Feel free to email me, text, or comment here on facebook.

A few things that will tie-in with the 5 a day challenge:

• live chat through fb instant message
• before and after photos of my problem areas (if it helps you know- you're not alone!)
• videos to show you how I determine if things are saleworthy, and how I choose what to get rid of
• a possible giveaway! (working on sponsors for this right now, feel free to email me if you have a product that ties in with the challenge)

Looking forward to hearing what you think, and getting rid of the clutter with you! We all know that My house needs it!

Poem to HomeLovers

I know your time is valuable
But frankly- mine is too

That’s why I just decided
I’ll write a poem just for you

For 3 months I’ve been working
At HomeLovers LLC

As much as I have loved it
I’m afraid it’s not meant to be

It’s just not smart to stay here
Despite the way I feel

With two kids still in daycare
I can’t even pay 1 bill

I’ve hem hawed these last few weeks
I’ve hinted and I’ve pleaded

To stay, I need a raise please
But not sure if I’m needed

I thought I was doing great
I am good with people and such

But my 90 days have come
And no one’s ever said much

So here I am just waiting
Till Dave and Mike ‘have time’

To talk to me about options
‘stead of listening to me rhyme

I’ve thought about becoming licensed
I’ve thought about working from home

But if HomeLovers doesn’t want me
Then it’s time that I move on

Can you afford to keep me?
‘Cause I’d really like to stay-

I’d need thirteen an hour
Or from home, $60 a day

Is there a future here with you guys?
If not, then that’s okay.

So I’ll sum it but by telling you
I’ll work till the 10^th of May.

My Jim is GREAT!

I just had to clarify a few things…

My Jim is great. I really don’t mean to complain about him- I guess you can say that the only reason why I do it is to ‘vent’, but that’s only ‘cause we (women) need to let off some steam once in awhile and I don’t want to blow off my steam to my oh-so-wonderful husband. And who else do I have that I can talk to? YOU! J

The truth is. I love him- I do. Yes, I wish we were a little bit more lovey dovey & more respectful of each other, but all in all- we are a pretty amazing pair. You see…

My husband takes care of me and his kids. He’s our protector and provider. He loves me, he loves his family and in everything he does he thinks of us first. In return I take care of my husband, I love him and I take care of our home (to the best that I can) and our children. In everything I do -I think of him and the children first.

Sometimes I think we both forget that it takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice to raise a family like ours. (4 kids ranging in different ages, blended but simple) There are days that I am at my wits ends and I wish I had more time, energy, help and LOVE! But on the whole, I muster up my will power to be the best wife and mother I can be.

I am not surprised by the hours it takes to wake up, dress the kids, go to work, come home, feed, play, bathe, clean and yes, sometimes I cook too. What I am surprised by is that my hubby’s there to help me with every bit of it. Plus, I am so grateful and surprised that he doesn’t get overwhelmed too often. I am also in awe that in this day and age I have a man who loves and protects his family so selflessly and joyfully.

He is a husband and dad that arrives home from work ready to ‘get the night started’. Some days he has a relaxing break from the work day, for at least a little while, but some days there is no such thing. When the kids and I walk in the door- most days, we’re laughing and he gets to see a pretty wife with happy kids. But other days, he witnesses crying fits and it’s a frazzled who wife greets him. In both scenarios, he jumps right in to whatever the evening has in store like he’s hard wired to do so. He is a dad that: changes diapers, wipes noses, takes the trash out, does the yard work, mops & vacuums floors, reads stories, budgets the bills and cleans up the kitchen too! He is even a dad that helps cook dinner on a regular basis. (And he’s a darn good cook I might add.)

So- just to put him in the light of a more ‘loving’ vibe… my husband is a wonderful father and helps me tremendously on a daily basis. I know how easy it can be get carried away when we start complaining about our loved ones, so I just wanted to balance it out with the silver lining of our marriage.

Thanks for reading. See you around soon, I’m sure.

We lost her!

Jim went to wake Brooklyn up this morning (our usual weekday routine) and she was MISSING! - * - * - * - WTF?
Where could she have gone? He checked downstairs, her brother's room, the closet... she was no where to be found. I rushed out of my shower and went searching with Jim (while in my towel... that's how worried I was) and as soon as we went back into her room and called out her name, we could hear a wimper. It was Brooklyn! Phew... she had fallen asleep UNDER her bed. And not just any bed, she was under her 'low-to-the-floor' toddler bed! Poor thing... I tried asking her why she was under there, she didn't know why. Thank goodness she was SOMEWHERE tho! :o)

101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter - by Emilie Barnes

Starting today, I will be reading each "way" to clean out clutter and also doing my best to put each suggestion to use in my real life.

1. Why all that clutter?
2. No more Piles
3. Remove the unused
4. Tools of the trade
5. It’s a family matter
6. Labels are helpful
7. A place for everything
8. To-Do Lists
9. No more excuses
10. New items in-out items out
11. Unfinished business
12. The 80/20 Rule
13. Accordion files fit the bill
14. Managing the mail
15. Juggling the junk mail
16. Break it up
17. Practical Expectations
18. When are you most productive?
19. Prevent Interupptions
20. Today is the day!
21. The family communication center
22. Purge the paper piles
23. Smart storage solutions
24. Filing financials
25. Get motivated
26. Stick a label on it
27. Tips to tackle the garage
28. The drop off and pick-up place
29. No more lost keys
30. A tote for household tools
31. Phone calls take time too
32. Don’t delay small tasks
33. Be my guest
34. Little tasks take time
35. Just give it a try
36. A chance to change
37. Do you reall need it?
38. Sell? Donate? Toss Out?
39. Breaking down the big ones
40. The paper shuffle
41. Distribuiting the mail
42. Filing the files
43. Evening… a time to clean up
44. Beware of procrastination & laziness
45. Why so many?
46. Clear the clutter in child’s room
47. The closet of mystery
48. The messy medicine cabinet
49. Broken and outgrown toys
50. Do the worst first
51. Friends help friends
52. Learn to let go
53. Hydrogen peroxide has many uses
54. Shopping tips
55. Keeping a tidy home
56. Store items where needed
57. Be a good steward
58. Find another use
59. Simple ideas make easier days
60. Unused electric gadgets
61. Watch for hidden costs
62. Plasticware everywhere
63. Paper bags, newspapers, bottles & cans- oh my!
64. Freezer food fuss
65. Use it or Lose it
66. Share your heirlooms now
67. Use up the leftovers
68. Speed Cleaning
69. Is the box half full?
70. Great gift ideas
71. When giving gifts
72. Those old trophies… dust or discard?
73. Choose people, not things
74. New life for old favorites
75. Pace yourself
76. Why so overstuffed?
77. Make a date
78. Evening efforts ease morning’s rush
79. The idea jar
80. Common items gain novel purposes
81. What to begin with
82. Time to get organized
83. Creative ways to make storage
84. Begin a better way today
85. Tricks to tuck it out of sight
86. Made in his image
87. Too many books?
88. Sell it
89. Put away, throw away or give away
90. You cue to clean
91. Monthly and quartly chores
92. Develop your own style
93. The annual paper purge
94. Freedom from clutter
95. Practical and creative solutions
96. Good reasons to use good china
97. The must-have junk drawer
98. Sorting laundry the easy way
99. Think double duty
100. A goal for the whole family
101. Your home… A Lovely Reflection of you

Poet for Hire!

Some might say I have a knack with words

You might say that 'writing is for the birds'.

So that is why I'm here for you...

Just call on me if you need a word or two.

For a special event, service or present

Be totally wealthy or even a peasant.

'cause my charges are fair at less than thirty

but I won't be crude, raunchy or dirty.

Yes I do love to rhyme,

And not just any old time!

I can do Romantic or Gory;

Just tell me, what's your story?

Do you need a Resume or a letter?

Trust me, no one can do them better!

You could even be in Timbuktu

and I'll just email it straight to you.

You won't have to pay a thing

until you hear the fat lady sing.

That means pay me when I'm done.

Are you ready? Now let's have fun!