Book Review: Organize Your Way By Katie and Kelly McMenamin

ORGANIZE YOUR WAY
Simple Strategies for Every Personality Type

By: Katie McMenamin and Kelly McMenamin

Published: March 14, 2017

Publisher: Sterling



For many, September is the start of a new year. With getting the kids back to school and back into a routine, it is also natural to get our homes reorganized and systems in place to know where everything is.

Everyone has their own system of organizing and you can tell that by the hundreds of organizing and decluttering books available. The McMenamin sisters have taken organizing another step by linking your styles of organizing to your specific personality type. By offering tips based on your specific personality (or PixieType as they call it in the book) then you can learn how to better create systems in your home that you can maintain and understand.

The book begins with an explanation of the different PixieTypes and gives you an opportunity to take a quiz to see which type you belong to. This is my only real negative of the book and I will offer a caveat that I had an eBook which didn't make it as easy to read rather than if I would have had a physical copy. But, in taking the quiz, I found that I fit nearly every category of PixieTypes. The quiz results didn't give me any definitive group to identify with. My notes showed Fun, Classic, Organic, Smart Freedom, Organic Freedom, Organic Structure, Fun Freedom, and Classic Freedom depending on situations. So, I just decided to move on from the personality types and just read the organizing tips.

Much like any other book, you have to offer numerous solutions and this book does that well. Since the authors/professional organizers are trying to give tips to numerous PixieTypes, they offer lots of different ideas for organizing. The chapters are broken down into areas of the home including the entryway, the home office, the master bedroom, the kitchen, the dining room, the family/living room, the bathroom, the kids'/rooms/playroom, and the garage/attic/storage spaces. By reading each section and working with their tips, you can certainly get your rooms in order. One thing I appreciated in each chapter were the illustrations (not photographs of perfect rooms but illustrations) of the main areas of a room first cluttered and then rearranged based on the tips shared in the chapter. Every chapter ends with a checklist of things you should do to put your room back in order. My favorites were the home office and master bedroom chapters. Those are areas that seem to get cluttered the most for me and I took away some tips that I'm hoping will help me keep the chaos contained. I loved that the authors gave me permission to throw out my white t-shirts. They never look the same after a year of wearing, yet I hate to throw them out but I should. White t-shirts are cheap! YES! The same goes with underwear and socks. Why do we hold on to socks that barely have any material left or underwear that no longer fits or is comfortable???? Adding a small dish for my daily jewelry was also a life changer. I typically wear the same earrings and necklace, once in awhile changing them out. Rather than having to put them away every day, leaving them in a small dish on my counter keeps them close since they are in my rotation frequently.

So, I came away with some helpful tips on keeping our home organized, but the personality type part just didn't work for me. If you need an organizational book that breaks down the rooms and steps for each room, then this book is for you. It doesn't get much simpler and offers you motivation to get it done and keep things looking nice.


Check out the book trailer:

Katie McMenamin and Kelly McMenamin - source

Katie McMenamin and Kelly McMenamin are sisters, professional organizers, personality-type experts, and founders of PixiesDidIt!®. Their business is the product of buttoned-up hedge fund analyst Kelly spending years trying to get her messy older sister Katie, a writer, to be more organized. Countless fights ensued until they had an idea: What if there is more than one way to organize? Today, they spend the bulk of their time consulting with clients, writing for their website — www.pixiesdidit.com — and giving talks on how to organize according to your personality type. Kelly lives in NYC with her husband and three sons and Katie lives in their hometown, Cleveland, OH, with her husband and three daughters. For more information, check out their website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of ORGANIZE YOUR WAY, click the photo below:





Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase the above book, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up By Marie Kondo

THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP
The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

By: Marie Kondo

Narrator: Emily Woo Zeller

Published: October 14, 2014

Publisher: Ten Speed Press and Tandor Audio for Audiobook

I would be shocked to hear if you haven't heard of this book or the term "kondoing" in the last few years. I am quite sure when the author, Marie Kondo, began her career of decluttering, she never would have imagined her last name used as a verb. But, by googling the term, you are given a wide array of tidying up ideas.

Marie Kondo loved organizing, even as a young child. She would stay in for recess because she preferred organizing the bookshelves over going outside. She has made a career of decluttering in Japan and her methods have spread all over the world.

I listened to her book on audio after getting it in an Audible Daily Deal. I had been curious about her methods and wanted to check it out for myself. I will admit that listening was enjoyable. The narrator is also Japanese but with very little accent which made her very easy to listen to. I found 1.25x speed was the perfect speed for this book which made it a short 9+ hours in length.

Listening to her methods and various case stories, I found myself wanting to rush home and declutter an area. She states that her methods must follow a specific order and there is a reason behind the order, saving the most sentimental items for last. She also expects you to hold each item and ascertain if it brings you joy. If not, then thank it for the purpose or need it fulfilled and let it go. Kondo expects you to acknowledge your home when you come in the door, greeting it and thanking it for providing you shelter and safety. She also encourages you to empty your purse each day because it has worked hard carrying your items all day and needs a rest. Now, I find all this a bit silly and haven't added this to my daily routine. But, I did find her tips on decluttering helpful and have folded some of my clothes with her specific method noticing I have much more space in my drawers.

I expect to continue decluttering other areas of our home, especially our kids' rooms as they continue to grow out of clothes and toys. Even though some of her ideas were too radical for me, the reasons for letting go of all the stuff can inspire all of us to let things go.

Marie Kondo was just interviewed this Sunday on the CBS Sunday Morning Show. Check out that interview HERE.

Marie Kondo - source

Marie Kondo (近藤 麻理恵) is a Japanese organizing consultant and author. Kondo's method of organizing is known as the KonMari Method, and one of the main principles is keeping only possessions which "spark joy."

Kondo's best-seller The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has been published in more than 30 countries.

She was listed as one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time Magazine in 2015.

Personal website: http://konmari.com/en/
Book website: http://tidyingup.com/
App website: http://konmari-media.com/

To purchase a copy of THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF TIDYING UP, click the photo below:





This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com.

A Little Monday Inspiration - Time

Lack of direction,

not lack of time,

is the problem.

We all have 24-hour days.

Zig Ziglar

Zig Ziglar is a well-known and respected speaker and author. Even though he has been gone for 3 years, his words and knowledge still live on.

I'm spending my time over the next couple weeks focusing on my family and myself. This may sound selfish to some, but this is just what my heart and soul needs. I'm hoping when I return, I'll be ready to dive back into my work, being more organized and refreshed.

I'm wishing all of you a wonderful new year and I'll be back soon with lots of book reviews and other fun posts!

Book Review: Taming the To-Do List By Glynnis Whitwer

TAMING THE TO-DO LIST
How to Choose Your Best Work Every Day

By: Glynnis Whitwer

Published: August 18, 2015

Publisher: Revell

Non-Fiction/Christian



Are you constantly making to-do lists and moving the same items over week to week? Do you look at your to-do list and immediately do the easiest thing just so you can check something off? Do you put off projects and deadlines until the last minute?

If you answered "Yes" to any of those questions, then my advice to you is to read this book. I was shocked while reading this book and realizing Whitwer was speaking directly to me. I am guilty of making to-do lists and constantly ignoring the bigger or harder tasks. It is much easier to finish the smaller and easier items and feel accomplished because I scratched off three or four things. But, the underlying problem is that I am really procrastinating on the bigger things I need to be doing.

Whitwer makes this point because she too has avoided the bigger and harder projects. For years she found ways to avoid and make excuses for not writing this very book. But, by naming her issue, "procrastination", and then finding ways to work through those bigger tasks she obviously, was able to finish this book as well as a number of other elusive projects, Whitwer found she was less anxious, less overcommitted, and accomplished more by completing the steps she outlines in her book. Her first step was to remove some of her overwhelming commitments from her life and releasing the fear of letting those tasks go. Also, removing the perfectionist piece from any project allows more room for things to get done versus getting done perfectly.

Her book of tips and advice applies to so many areas of my life. I never thought of myself as a procrastinator until I realized that is exactly what I am. Her tip for making a project list and then breaking each project down into its own task list was a "light bulb moment" for me. I have been moving the same tasks from my to-do list each week with no real intention of completing them. By, breaking each larger project up into steps allows me to not see it as such a huge project and inspires me to start and end each step along the way to actually finishing the whole project. Why I didn't figure this out before is beyond me.

Whitwer is a Christian and bases a lot of her advice on wisdom from Scriptures. God's purpose for us is clearing detailed through the Bible and she relies on it to help her overcome her procrastinating tendencies. I found these passages reassuring and motivating as well.

I will be keeping TAMING THE TO-DO LIST close by my desk, referring to it often when I am feeling overcommitted, anxious, and weighed down by projects. Her wise words of advice will be sure to push me to get the job done.

Favorite Quotes:

"Every yes to one choice is actually also a no to something else."  Page 50

"Excellence is possible in some things; perfection is possible in nothing. 

Excellence pushes us to do our best; perfectionism pushes us to be the best." Page 115

Glynnis Whitwer - source

Glynnis Whitwer, executive director of communications for Proverbs 31 Ministries, is one of the writers of "Encouragement for Today", the Proverbs 31 email devotional. She is the author of numerous books and the coauthor of EVERYDAY CONFETTI with Karen Ehman. Glynnis, her husband, Tod, and their five young-adult children live in Arizona. You can find our more about Glynnis by visiting her website, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of TAMING THE TO-DO LIST, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Product Review: eCloth Deep Clean Mop

I was thrilled to try out a product that will hopefully make cleaning my house easier. I have never been the person with the cleanest house. I dread cleaning and tend to put it at the bottom of my list. There are a lot more fun things I can think of to do than to clean my house. Would you believe I cleaned a house during college as a side job? But, when I do have a clean house, I'm in a much better mood. So, any product I can find that will make my life easier and the cleaning job quicker, is a win-win for me.

eCloth Deep Clean Mop

Mopping my floors is one of my least favorite jobs. Especially in the summer months, I feel like as soon as I mop, the kids run through and make it dirty again. 

The e-Cloth Deep Clean Mop is my new favorite cleaning product. It is super simple to use...all you need is water! When you aren't spraying product or dipping in and out of a bucket, you can save a lot of time. The Deep Clean Mop cleans all types of flooring including linoleum, laminate, concrete, hardwood, and tile. Use can use this product without worrying about the type of cleaner to use on certain types of floors...all you need is water. 

The unique mop cloth removes dirt, grease, oil, and over 99% of  the bacteria on your floor with JUST WATER. The design of the cloth allows you to get into corners and hard-to-reach places that other mops can't.  The handle is telescoping which allows you to set it for whatever length is comfortable for you or your children. (They need to start doing chores sometime!)

I used the Deep Clean Mop on my linoleum floors and found it to work quite well.  It was super easy to move around and even picked up debris on the floor that my broom missed. With just water I was able to quickly mop up juice stains and other sticky areas without leaving the nasty cleaner smell behind.

Once the cloth is dirty, you can just rinse it out with water. For a deeper clean, you can boil it or wash it in the washer. Just don't use fabric softener. 

eCloth has offered Chemical-Free Cleaning for over 20 Years.  They offer specialized cleaning with products catered to specific areas of your home. The eCloths offer a 300 machine wash guarantee, so with once/week washing, that 6 years of use! You can't get that from a bottle of cleaner! Real Simple Magazine even named the eCloth Deep Clean Mop the "Best Washable Mop" in their May 2012 edition. 

eCloth Deep Clean Mop can offer you more effecting floor cleaning with much less effort! Check out this Deep Clean Mop by clicking HERE. 

If you would like to bring Chemical Free Cleaning to your home, eCloth has the products for you. For more information about eCloth and all the great products they offer, check out the websites below: 

Website: www.ecloth.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eclothUSA

Twitter: @ecloth

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/eclothUSA

Instagram: @eclothUSA

YouTube: www.youtube.com/eclothcleaning



Thanks to eCloth for sending their product to me for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. 

Product Review and Giveaway: 100 Days of Summertime 2015 eBook from ListPlanIt

I'm a list maker. I constantly make lists of things to do, things to pack, things to buy, things to remember, etc. I can't remember anything unless I write it on paper or in the notes app on my phone. If you are like me, you will love Jennifer Tankersley and her website, ListPlanIt.

One of her best products is her 100 Days of Summertime eBook.

The 100 Days of Summertime 2015 is available as a PDF that can immediately be downloaded to your computer. You can print out all 37 pages our just the totally awesome worksheets that are included in the eBook.  Those worksheet printables are worth the $8 this fabulous eBook costs. The printables can be used over and over again and are critical to planning out a fun, well-organized, and productive summer.

Some of my favorite sections of the 100 Day of Summertime 2015 eBook include:

• End of school/Beginning of summer party
• Planning for your summer vacation
• National Strawberry Shortcake Day
• Not every day can be sunny and warm, so a list of rainy day activities
• Quench Your Thirst with lots of fun summertime drink recipes

This book fits the needs for families of all sizes and ages. There is truly advice and planning ideas for everyone with ideas that I had never thought about. Some of the planning pages available to print off include:

• Cookout Planner
• Summer Chore Charts
• Monthly Planning Calendars
• Travel Itinerary
• Budgets sheets
• So much more

The 100 Days of Summertime 2015 eBook is designed for daily inspiration and guidance, taking you from Memorial Day to Labor day. Each page lists the date and a motivational task, activity, or event. Most days also include links to a Pinterest board, website, or other resources to help you fulfill the activity.

Whether you have a family reunion, a wedding, a vacation or summer camps to get ready for ListPlanIt can help you organize all of it.  Even if you have no summer plans, Jennifer has loads of ideas to help you find the fun in every day this summer.  If you didn't know, June 13 is National Strawberry Shortcake Day, so she has a recipe to make sure you celebrate that day in the best way possible.

This giveaway is no longer available.
 Thanks to all who entered!

I am offering a giveaway for two, yes TWO copies of the 100 Days of Summertime 2015 eBook, but you must enter quickly as the giveaway will end Thursday, May 21, 2015 at 11:59 PM. That way the winner will have time to download it and start with Day 1 of the 100 Days of Summertime.





I can't recommend Jennifer's website enough. She has planners and lists for EVERY. SINGLE. NEED. She has done all the work, you just need to print them off and follow the plan! To see all her planners and lists, click HERE.





Thanks to Jennifer for sending a copy of her eBook to me for the purpose of this review as well as offering copies for a giveaway. I was not compensated in any way for this review, but if you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews. 

Product Review: The Confident Mom Summer Survival Calendar

It's time for THE CONFIDENT MOM'S SUMMER SURVIVAL CALENDAR! This is your one-stop guide to keep boredom at bay and make time for fun with your kids. Susan at THE CONFIDENT MOM has done all the leg work for you. All you have to do is get the supplies and get ready to have a fun summer!

If you have young children, this is your ticket to a happy, memorable summer.  Can't afford a family vacation this year, do a stay-cation full of fun activities right in your own community. Susan has given you four months worth of recipes, games, and activities to do with your kids along with the list of supplies you need to carry out all the fun! It really doesn't get any easier folks!

The Summer Survival Calendar is a calendar like no other—it includes over 120 fun-filled activities and supply list in a PDF document for only $7! This is such a great deal, I felt compelled to share it with you! The 10 Strategies for Your Best Summer Ever action guide bundle includes the 2015 calendar and supply list for only $9. Or for $12, you can get all this plus the previous 2010-2014 Summer Survival Calendars for endless activity ideas!

To learn more about The Confident Mom’s 2015 Summer Survival Calendar, click HERE. Then choose the category eBooks and Printables. With everything from making rainbow ice box cookies, crayon canvas art, knot tying, and homemade quicksand to spaghetti slime, blooming dirt cups, magic milk, and making a terrarium, you won’t be disappointed! Even though I have tweens and teens, there are still plenty of ideas that we can use to make our summer memorable.

Even if you have a baby-sitter for your kids during the summer, you can use this calendar. What better gift for her than to pass on this Summer Survival Calendar full of ideas for her/him to do with your kids. She doesn't want to hear "I'm bored" any more than you do. Keep your kids busy, happy and engaged with this awesome calendar full of ideas!

By downloading this PDF, you will have everything you need to print off for your summer. Calendars also have clickable links directly to recipes and videos needed to carry out the activity. I plan to let our daughter go through and select things that she would like to do. With a summer full of baseball games, she tends to get left out. So by letting her choose the activities, she gets to be part of the planning as well. Don't miss this opportunity to make time for fun with your kids! 

Thanks to Susan at The Confident Mom for sending a copy of this calendar. This is my honest opinion and I was not compensated for this review. If you choose to purchase the calendar through these links, I may receive a small commission without you paying anymore for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.

Getting Organized: Kitchen Utensils Drawer

For months I have spent way too much time digging for my cookie dough scoop or my metal spatula or a wine stopper.  I'd finally had enough and decided it was time to get this drawer organized.

Does anyone else have a drawer that looks like this?

My first step was to pull everything out and wipe the drawer clean.

How do crumbs get in there anyway???

Once everything was out, I did some purging. I moved some things that I still use but not very often to our downstairs "kitchen/bar" area. I got rid of broken or unused items. Then I prioritized what I needed in this drawer and organized by categories. 

Once everything was placed in category piles (baking, pizza, wine, etc) then I decided what I wanted in the front of the drawer and what could go towards the back. 

Several months ago I found Progressive Drawer Dividers on Zulily.
I love finding great deals on Zulily. Click HERE to be notified of all their great deals.

These dividers are also available on Amazon by clicking the photo above. 

I love how they separate everything and keep utensils from sliding all over the drawer. The dividers are spring-loaded and fit to any size drawer and fit tightly.

I did this drawer over a month ago and it still looks exactly like this. It is so much easier for everyone to find just what they need and can hopefully put it back in the same spot.

This project took me less than 30 minutes from start to finish. I'm looking forward to organizing more spaces in our home over the next few months. 

What can you spend 10, 15 or even 30 minutes organizing today? Spending that time now, may save you 5 minutes here and there over the next several months because you will spend less time looking for something.

This post does contain affiliate links. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

My One Word for 2015

During the Fall of 2014, I had a wake-up call. I went to my annual physical and had a long conversation with my doctor about how I'd been having periods of anxiety. Waking up in a panic, lack of sleep, chest pains, and inability to concentrate. We discussed my stress level and overall lifestyle.  Without holding back, my doctor gave it to me straight (which is why I love her). She said I had to get a hold of my life, get rid of some of the things on my plate, and find time for myself or I would be in big trouble. She suggested prescription meds, but felt that I could manage some of my symptoms if I changed my habits.  Since medication isn't my first choice, I decided it was time to make some changes.

I'm one of those people who have a hard time saying "No". I like helping others and doing good things, sometimes at my own expense (physically and financially). I realized my plate was overflowing and if I didn't make some serious changes, I would be risking not only my health, but my sanity.

I've been reading The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands
 by Lysa TerKeurst and in it she talks about saying "Yes" to yourself, to your family and to God. I am still reading, praying about it, and reading passages again. This book has been such a life-saver to me. I realized while reading her book that my family was getting my leftovers. My husband and kids were getting whatever I had left after working, laundry, writing, volunteering, etc. Basically, they were getting nothing or a cranky, crazy, and tired mom and wife. I knew something had to change.

For seven years I ran an after-school program at our church with my friend, April. We started with 12 kids and saw up to 54 kids at one time. It was wonderful and stressful, time-consuming and exhilarating, exhausting and exciting. But, it was getting harder and harder for me to find time to plan out lessons and activities for each of the approximately 21 times we met during the school year. Plus, finding volunteers to commit was getting more difficult as well. In December, after much prayer and discussion, we ended this program. I just added hours to my week.

I have been leading story-time at our library for several years. It is just once a month, but also takes time planning out the story, craft, and songs. Lately, only one child has been coming. Since I have also been subbing at the school more, it has been harder for me to attend. I am giving this up. I just added hours to my month.

For ten years I have been writing the newsletter for our local Senior Dining site. It gives them publicity for their program and promotes all the good things they are doing. Even though I could do this during my own time, at any hour, I was finding it hard to keep up and was falling behind, which added to my stress. I gave this up in December. I just added hours to my week.

As you can see, I am finding ways to balance my life.  Finding things I can give up, so I can enjoy what is right in front of me...mainly my husband and children.

Our life has changed now that we have a high school student in the house....a very active high school student. Most weeks include sporting and music events to attend. We also have two other active children in music and sporting events. Add in all their activities, my own commitments, our jobs, and my husband's schedule and we have a pretty packed calendar.  I found I was falling extremely behind on my household duties and my commitments to others.  I needed to find a way to balance it all out.

If you haven't guessed yet, my ONE WORD for 2015 is..................................................

I need to find a way to balance it all.  Life isn't going to get less hectic. I'll have all three kids playing basketball every week now.  Show Choir season has begun for two of our kids. Subbing dates are filling up my calendar. There is always going to be something going on.

I know that many women can relate to my life, the commitments that find their way into our schedules, that overwhelming feeling, and the anxiety. I haven't given up every volunteer obligation, but I feel like I have a better balance of things on my plate. Each of us need to take stock of our life, our schedule, and our family obligations and decide what is best. Giving up something may not be what's right for you, but it was for me.

Balance: a state in which different things occur in equal or proper amounts or have an equal or proper amount of importance (i.word.com)

Finding ways to balance what I NEED to do with what I WANT to do. You have to work fun and enjoyment into your day.  A life full of work, chores and deadlines is no fun. A life of solid fun means important things don't get done. Life is all about balance, finding happiness between too much and not enough, and when to hold on or let go.

I found some Bible passages that also talk about a balanced life.

My life constantly hangs in the balance, 

but I will not stop obeying your instructions.  Psalm 119:109 NLT 

There are constantly going to be distractions, things that will push me off track, set my life off-kilter. But, God is there, if I am willing to listen, to keep me on track and in balance.

For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, 

but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, 

but let God transform you 

into a new person by changing the way you think. 

Then you will learn to know God's will for you, 

which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2 NLT

I love the same verse from Romans 12:1-2 in The Message version:

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: 

Take your everyday, ordinary life - 

your sleeping, eating, going-to-work and walking-around life -

 and place it before God as an offering. 

Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. 

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 

Instead, fix your attention on God. 

You'll be changed from the inside out. 

Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. 

Unlike the culture around you, 

always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, 

God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

We have the power to make the choices in our life. God doesn't want us to be timid, taking on too much to please others, not having self-discipline to maintain balance in our own lives. He expects us to handle our lives with love and care and keep everything in balance.

Some of the areas I plan to create Balance in my life:

Reading only books for a review requirement makes reading more tedious and less for enjoyment. Working in books that I have been wanting to read helps me get books off my shelf and allows more relaxation while reading.

Balance

Making time to plan and making a plan for time. I am a planner and list-maker. I can't keep everything straight just by remembering to do it, so I find making lists help me stay on track as well as gives me the enjoyment of crossing items off my list. It doesn't do any good to make lists if you aren't going to do the things on the list. Balancing my lists so they aren't so overwhelming and leaving room for fun and accomplishment is important.

Balance

Finding time to plan and cook meals that are healthy and filling for my kids versus finding the quickest and unfulfilling meals because they take less work. Yes, there are going to be frozen pizza or chicken nugget nights, but I hope that meals made with love, those that simmered in the crock pot or baked in the oven will fill our bellies more often.

Balance

Social media is fun and a great way to stay in touch with family and friends, interact with other readers and bloggers, and stay connected to the world. But, it can be all-consuming and can easily eat up an afternoon or evening. I want to balance my down time with less online activities and more family interaction.

Balance

In order for me to feel my best psychologically, I have to also feel my best physically. I tend to go in streaks when it comes to taking care of my physical fitness needs. I need to make this a regular habit, but find a way that it doesn't become overwhelming and is still enjoyable and attainable.

source - quotesfrenzy.com 

I love this photo and quote above. I can't think of a better word to focus on this year. My life certainly needs some balance and I am hoping that balancing my life, will hopefully reflect on others.  No one can balance the scales of life perfectly, but there is a way to stay in control without falling off the beams and I hope to find it.

Get Organized in 2015 with The Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner

I have been of a huge fan of Susan Heid, THE CONFIDENT MOM, her blog, her planners, her faith, and her support for several years. I can honestly say she has improved my life as well as several of my friends' lives through her Weekly Household Planner.  Her 2015 Weekly Household Planner is now available and I highly recommend you click HERE now and get yours!



You didn't click yet, well let me tell you something even better, the Weekly Household Planner is FREE!!!  Now you can click HERE to get yours!



Still haven't clicked over? Better yet, this Weekly Household Planner is customizable so you can create your own tasks or edit out what you don't need, making this planner fit YOUR lifestyle and schedule.  No pets? Take those tasks out. No household plants to water? Remove them from the list of tasks. I'm telling you....click HERE to get yours now!

You can print your planner and place it in a binder. You can print it and have it spiral bound at a place like Staples for less than $5. You can print it week by week and hang it next to your calendar. You can also download it to your iPad or Kindle if you prefer a paperless version. It couldn't be any simpler. Get yours HERE.

If you want more, for just $6 you can purchase the Supplement to the Weekly Household Planner. With this you get:

• Master Family Planner
• Special Occasion Calendar/Gift Planner
• Holiday Gift Planner
• Babysitter Information Sheet
• Quick Contacts
• Family Emergency/Medical Information Form
• Website/App List
• Account Keeper
• Household Maintenance Log (NEW this year)
• Special Occasion Reminder Chart (NEW this year)
• Gifts Received List (NEW this year)
• Let's Plan a Party Form (Updated)
• Blessings for Your Home (NEW this year)
• Weekly Menu Planner/Shopping List (Updated)
• Bible Bookmarks

This is a HUGE value for just $6 along with the FREE Weekly Household Planner. You won't find any other planner with all these resources for this price! Click HERE to get your planner, NOW! Don't delay! Get started on organizing your home and your life right away!

You deserve the feeling of accomplishment at the end of each day. With this planner, you will see results. Being organized helps you feel better, gives you confidence, and accomplishing tasks gives you the sense that in the crazy days of mommyland, even if you didn't get to take a shower, you still accomplished something!



I really love this planner. I am affiliate, but even if I wasn't, I'd still tell you about it. 

Product Review and GIVEAWAY - Motivated Moms 2014 Planner

UPDATE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NO LONGER OPEN. 

THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED. 

THE WINNER IS MOLLY.

Are you looking to get more organized?  With the holiday season coming up, do you need to find a way to get your house and your life in order?

Click here to visit Motivated Moms. 
The best part is you don't have to wait until January!  You can get started right now.  When you purchase the 2014 MOTIVATED MOMS calendar, you get Oct-Dec 2013 FREE! Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

Last January, I reviewed MOTIVATED MOMS and her new app.  I loved having it right on my phone and could adapt it to my own needs.  See my review HERE.  Since then, I have found that I am more of a pen and paper gal.  I like having the planner in front of me and being able to add items to the list and then having the satisfaction of checking them off.

MOTIVATED MOMS is a chore planning system to help you get your house clean and your life organized including time for yourself!  You can download the calendar to your computer and print it out or purchase the app for your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or your Android phone. The 2014 app for Apple products isn't quite ready yet, but will be soon.  Stay up to date on her website if you are wanting that one. Susan at MOTIVATED MOMS has also freshened up her look with a new logo and new colors.  Click here to visit Motivated Moms. 

You can choose several different printable layouts and with or without scheduled Bible readings.  There are half-page, full-page, black and white, or colored options as well. With the app version, you can add or delete jobs.  For example, if you don't have a pet, just remove that from the list. I like how she has even thought about those areas you forget about like cleaning the top of your refrigerator or deleting unused files in your computer hard drive.  

For $7.99 you can get the app for your Android devices.  For $8 you can get the eBook version of the 2014 planner with the rest of 2013 for Free.  It doesn't matter whether you choose the color or black and white version, half page-per-day, full-page version, or with scheduled Bible reading, each version is $8. For just about $.02/day and a little elbow grease, you can get your house and life back on track! Isn't that a great deal???? Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

Remember, if you purchase before the end of the year, you can get the rest of 2013 free so you can get started right away.  

You can also stay up-to-date on MOTIVATED MOMS by liking her Facebook page, HERE. You can also follow MOTIVATED MOMS on Twitter, HERE or Pinterest, Here. 

If you would like to WIN a FREE version of the MOTIVATED MOM eBook planner, all you have to do to win is fill in the information in the blocks below.  I will choose a winner on Friday, November 8, 2013.  I will email the winner and the winner will have 48 hours to respond or I will choose another winner.  You may only enter to win once.  

I received a free copy of the Motivated Moms planner for free in exchange for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  As an affiliate, I will receive a small fee if purchases are made through my link.  

My 2013 Goals

Resolutions.  The new year makes us think about the things that we want to change about ourselves, our schedules, our homes.  We have a fresh start to "be better" and "do better".  But don't we really get a fresh start every day?  Why do we wait until January 1st to "start over"?  Over the last year, I worked on 40 things I wanted to accomplish by the time I was 40.  I turned 40 in October and accomplished a good chunk of the items on the list, but not all of them.  To see my list, click HERE.  After October, I really didn't look back at that list much.  Traveling and the holidays kind of took over.

Now, 2013 has arrived and I have some things on my mind that I want to focus on.  First and foremost, my main resolution is.....

After reading THE HAPPINESS PROJECT by Gretchen Rubin, (review HERE) I decided I want to focus on those things in my life that make me happy and get rid of the things that steal happy moments away or prevent me from being happy.  I want to let go of the little things....not worry so much about things out of my control...and just be in the moment.  That is what I want for my life.  Isn't that what we all want?????

Aside from that, there are definitely things I want to accomplish....I still want to get our photos under control and organized.  I want to get my recipes organized.  I want to do better with having a clean/organized home and planning out our meals.  I also want to accomplish that elusive task of making homemade bread!

I want to keep reading, spend time with Jesus, pray, and be an encouragement to others.  That is what I want out of my year.  I don't think it is too much to accomplish.  I believe all these are within my reach and accomplishing them will make me happy, which again, is my focus.

Some devotionals I have added to my daily reading include:

JESUS CALLING

By: Sarah Young

Published: October 12, 2004

The readings for each day are short, but even just after three days, are very thought-provoking.  I can only assume this will enrich my daily life.

DAILY STRENGTH FOR DAILY NEEDS

By: Mary Tileston

Published:  1928

I first heard about this book while reading THE END OF YOUR LIFE BOOK CLUB by Will Schwalbe.  Since it was a free download for the Kindle I thought I would give it a try.  So far, the lessons have been intriguing and even though the writing is of an older style, I have been enjoying it.

I have some other things that are brewing and ideas rolling around in my head, but I'm not ready to begin them yet.  I'm taking things slow and seeing what I can accomplish before biting off more than I can chew.

I am blessed, loved, and healthy.  I have a loving husband and three talented, beautiful, and exceptional children.  My parents are healthy and active in our lives.  My extended family is ever present in my life and I am so thankful for their love and encouragement.  In 2013, I want to embrace all that is good and wonderful and cherish the moments....and BE HAPPY!

Get Motivated in the New Year with Motivated Moms

You all know how I love to make lists.  I like that satisfied feeling of checking off a task.  I feel like I have accomplished something rather than at the end of the day, feeling like all I did was run from one thing to the next.  It is also a way for me to remember what NEEDS to get done.  I don't know about you, but I have a hard time remembering things to do or pick up.  Lists save me.

Two years ago, I reviewed the Motivated Mom's planner HERE on my blog.  It was a great way to keep track of all those things that need to be done to keep your house and life in order.  Well, now, Motivated Moms has a even better version and I had to tell you about it.

Motivated Moms is a chore planning system to help you have a clean and organized home and still have time for yourself!  You can get this planner as an ebook/pdf that you can keep on your computer or print off.  But....wait......you can also get this as an APP ON YOUR PHONE!!!!!  Isn't that awesome?!?!  I don't know about you, but my phone isn't more than a foot away from me most of the time.  My whole life is on there.  I am lost without my phone.  Why not have my To Do List on there to?

 Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

I've been using the Motivated Mom's app for my Android phone for the last couple weeks and I am SOLD! I can edit out the things that don't apply to our family like pet-related items or items that I already did that week.  I can also add in items that apply to me like adding "complete review post" or "drop off permission slip at school".  With the list being on my phone, I can add errands or meetings to my list as well.  Then, once complete, I just touch it and a check mark is added!

If you have an iPhone/iPod/iPad, there are apps for you too!

If you like to be able print off your lists, then the ebook version is your best bet.  You can print off the whole year and place it in a binder, or you can print off a week or two at a time.

This system is really set up to fit your needs. So, if you are looking for a new way to get organized, there is no time like right now to get started!  If you like the ebook version, I have a coupon code to get you started:  Type in STACIE to get $1 off the $8 ebook version starting today and running through 1/12/13.

Click here to visit Motivated Moms.

If you are like me and want the phone version, you can try it out for free for two weeks or just go right to the full version.  Both iPhone and Android versions are available in your App Stores (iTunes and Google Play) under Motivated Moms for $7.99.  The coupon code above is only valid for the ebook version.

There are a lot of planners and systems out there, but this is the first app that I have seen that really meets my needs.  In our technological and paperless society, this system really works for me!



This review is my honest opinion.  I did not receive any compensation for this review however, this review does contain affiliate links and if a purchase is made, I may receive a percentage of the cost.