Home Organization: Household Routines for Mom

I suppose I could have done this in January, but as my preparations for the holidays have increased, I've felt the need for organization in my life. I've looked at FlyLady.net before, but got completely overwhelmed. This time, I realistically decided what this stay-at-home mom could usually accomplish. Remember: I have independent-get-our-own-breakfast teens, and a four year-old. So you young moms who work may get overwhelmed with my schedule. Just create your own routine. It really makes sense to have a Bedtime and Morning routine. Obviously you can't always stick to a routine. However, I have been very happy with mine. It keeps me from getting sidetracked. I still need more practice, but it's so nice to wake up to a tidy house. Still tweaking, but eventually I want to laminate these as cards and keep them in the kitchen and desk.

Bedtime Routine
1. Clean up house (20 min. tops)
 Tidy LR, FR & Kitchen
 Kitchen: clean up, shine sink, put out clean dishcloths
 Put items away on stairs
2. Think about tomorrow
 Check calendar for appointments
 Write up To Do list
 Put out tonight what will make tomorrow easier
 Check the weather
 Lay out clothes (my girls do this, so why not me!)
3. Focus on Self
 Get ready for bed
 Bath (sometimes)
 Read scriptures
 Read or Sudoku for fun
 Prayer

Morning Routine (M - F)
1. Rise & Shine
 Prayer
 Exercise (treadmill)
 Make bed (if hubby is out)
 Make sure teens are moving
 Shower
 Swish toilet w/cleaner
 Get dressed
 Put in a load of laundry (Mon/Fri)
 Eat breakfast/vitamins
2. Think About My Day
 Check calendar
 Check To Do List
 Check email (10 min. tops)
3. Kitchen
 Wake 4 year-old
 Help her get dressed
 Start her breakfast
 Unload dishwasher
 Let out/feed dog
 Put out something to thaw for dinner

Christmas Gifts Under $10: Jeweled Princess Mirror

My little 4-year old has been making gifts for her siblings. Since my teen girls don't usually read my posts (hint, hint!) I thought I would share this very cute idea. If you have any of the materials on hand, try to use them instead of purchasing materials.

Time: 30 minutes (not counting drying time)

Materials: (enough glue and jewels for 2 - 3 mirrors)

$.99 Glitter glue (Walmart $1.97 total)
$1.49 Jewels with flat backs. Size depends on the width of the area around the mirror. (Walmart $2.97 total)
$5.50 Mirror (From a beauty supply store. They had a nice flat edge to work on.)
Beads and small charms (On hand at home.)
Needle-nosed pliers and/or tweezers
Toothpick

Napkin to clean little fingers

Step 1 - Adult apply a 3-inch line of glue on the edge of the mirror.
Step 2 - Child then places jewels, beads and charms of her choice on the glue. When I tried to put on a jewel she said, "Why are you doing that?" So I stopped. :-)
Step 3 - Adult tap the jewel, beads, or charms in place with a toothpick.
Step 4 - Adult should turn the mirror as she goes so little hands don't bump the glue.
Step 5 - Adult twist off hanging hoop clasps from charms.



Step 6 - Continue adding glue and other items around the mirror until you are done. I did offer to help my daughter with a color pattern by saying, "Okay. You haven't used blue or purple in awhile. How about using one of those?"
Tip: Don't place the jewels on the handle of the mirror as they may fall off from being touched so much.


I think these mirrors turned out beautifully. Shhh! They are hidden while they dry completely. Please keep this a secret!

LDS Missionary Christmas Care Package Ideas

Today I mailed a few Christmas care packages to my son serving an LDS mission in Bolivia. About a month ago I asked him to send me ideas of what he might want or need. This year I wrapped each gift and put a mailing label on it with a scripture for him to look up. I looked up the correlating scriptures in the Topical Guide and the Bible dictionary. It was enjoyable for me, and I hope he reads them instead of tearing open all of the little packages first.

Shipping Tips:
Keep package weight under 4 lbs. to prevent expensive customs fees at the other end.
Use a postal scale at home before you get to the post office so you don't have any surprises. When I arrived at the post office, both packages weighed 3 lbs. 14 oz. each! Pretty good.
Choose items that are lightweight.
Don't try to send everything you desire because if he gets transferred, he can't take it all with him.

Items I sent:

Water filtration bottle - John 3:5
Beef Jerky - Matt. 25:35
Cracker Jack's - Matt. 12:1
Rice Krispies Treat - D&C 89:14
Starbursts - Genesis 1:16
Sugar Free Hawaiian Punch singles - John 2:3-9
Life Saver Storybook - Luke 9:56
Swedish Fish - Matt 4:19
Wonka Laffy Taffy - Eccl. 3:4
Post-it Notes - 2 Chron. 30:6
Nerf Basketball w/hoop & net - Matt. 13:47
Candycane Cocoa packets - Mark 6:8
November Conference Ensign - D&C 1:38
CTR rings in Spanish for kids - Joshua 24:15
5x7 Pictures of President Monson - Amos 3:7
Sm. Hand sanitizer - D&C 50:28
CD "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" - D&C 58:4
Oatmeal packets - D&C 89:16-21
Family Testimonies written in English & Spanish to be put in BofM's he passes out - D&C 76:22
Pillowcase with family handprints - 3 Nephi 11:15-17
Ties for companion and converts
Willowtree Thank You ornament & bookmark for pensionistas (cooks). I wrote a thank you in Spanish on the back of each gift.
Mini Christmas tree (Walgreens)
Super-mini Christmas lights (Walgreens)
Garland
Advent Calendar
A few gifts and letters from relatives.

Gifts of Love and Inexpensive Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas

For many, Christmas this year will be different. It will be frugal. It will be more thoughtful. It will be creative. Today I've been reflecting on how to put the true spirit of giving into our Christmas. How to give the gift of self. So I'm taking a moment to pause and really think about my loved ones and how to give gifts of love this year. So my gift to you is to share my ideas:

How to Give Gifts of Love:
1. First, write down the names of those you want to give to. It's impossible to give to everyone in the world, so be realistic.
2. Decide on your overall Christmas budget, and then write down a budget for each person. Now is not the time to go into debt. This year may be leaner for many of us, but you can still have a wonderful time together with some creative planning.
3. Consider your skills and talents. Giving a gift of service to a family member or friend, is one of the most memorable gifts you can give. With your typing skills you could type up a journal for your Dad. With your baking skills you could make a food item. With your art skills you could paint or decorate an apron or a T-shirt. With your carpentry skills you could build the shelves your wife has always wanted (hint, hint). With your computer skills you could design a website for your mom (thanks, Josh!). With your photography skills you could create a family movie.
4. Now, think of each person's hobbies, job, favorites, or other interests. Really think. Have they been having a difficult time recently? What could make a difference? Write down what comes to mind. Do they like to cook, work in the garden, read, or play a musical instrument? Is their favorite color green? Do they love to eat? Do they have a favorite band or sport?

5. Next, pray for guidance to know what the real needs are of the person.
6. After you've written down some your ideas and their interests, if you still need help then go through the links below and jot down your gift ideas. Just write the gift idea and the link number below so you can find it again.

This year try to make Christmas more thoughtful and memorable by giving a gift from the heart. Best wishes!

#1 Read article: "Slow Down and Appreciate Christmas"

#2 Read article: "A Christmas Made at Home"

#3 Read article: "Our Best Tradition Yet"

#4 100 Home-Made Gift Ideas from FamilyCrafts.about.com
#5 Home-Made Gifts
#6 Christmas Gifts from FamilyFun.go.com
#7 Homemade Food Gifts from AllFreeCrafts.com
#8 Gift Basket Meals from Budget101.com
#9 Christmas Crafts & Handmade Gifts from Better Homes and Gardens
#10 Homemade Christmas Gifts for Tweens from MomsWhoThink.com
#11 Gifts in a Jar from OrganizedHome.com Great website!
#12 63 Gifts for Just Under $10 from BetterBudgeting.com
#13 Printable Gift Coupon Book from Kodak.com
#14 Free Printable Paper Dolls Very cute gift for a little girl.
#15 50 Homemade Gift Ideas – From Around The Web
#16 Homemade Gift Ideas from Instructables
#17 Crafts by MarthaStewart.com
#18 Craft Ideas from Joann.com
#19 25 Great Gifts for $5 or less