30 Day Organizational Course- Book 4

I once again am forced to admit I'm an organizational book addict.  I suppose there are worse things you could be, so I guess this is one I can live with. Although, I'll have it be known I recently did not purchase the Better Homes and Gardens January organizational magazine, because as I flipped through it I realized I already had viewed all the ideas previously!

This book gives you a day by day job that will allow you to get your whole house organized in 30 days.  Truth be told, I did not follow each step.  What I chose to do was create a list in Cozicentral.com where as I read a tip I thought was worth it I would then add it to that list.  I don't have time each day to follow the tip for the day. Some days I have more time than others, but I have been trying to focus on prioritizing what needs done, and allowing room in each day to truly enjoy the day.  Otherwise it becomes all about rushing around.

Some of the tips I found interesting included how to organize the fridge based on the different temperature variations that your fridge has.  Not sure I'll use it, as I like the milk on the top shelf, but interesting non the less.

When you read as many organizational books as I do they begin to merge. This one was good, as I could read one little section each day and then jot notes on my list if needed.  Some of the things I jotted down are:

dust and vacuum closets
reevaluate the furniture in a room
vacuum behind couches, and the cushions more often

If you want some quick ideas this book is for you.  If you want a book you can read a little each day this book is also for you.  Don't try to do it all in 30 days though, unless you truly have time, as you will just make yourself feel bad if you don't get your job for the day done!

I'd give this book 3.5 stars.  Great resource, I just had most of the tips already accomplished.

Currently reading The Lies Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  Decided reading 1 book at a time instead of my usual 3 or 4, might help me get it done faster!

Pride and Prejudice- Book 4

I decided back when I read the Mother Daughter Book Club books that I really should read some of the classics that I hadn't yet read.  About that time I found Pride and Prejudice free for Kindle and downloaded it. 

It took a lot of time to get into the book.  I love to read, and feel like I'm a pretty good reader, but this just took time. Not being familiar with the characters aside from Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy it was hard to figure out who was who, and who I should find likable and who I shouldn't.  The whole book really is about realizing that people form preconceived ideas about others based on social status, or what they are told. That these prejudices can make the people seem prideful in how they treat other people.  Sometimes these preconceived notions prove to be true, while other times they are discovered to be wrong.

For Elizabeth she had a lot of ideas.  Ideas of how people look, how they carry themselves, whether or not they talk to others.  What she discovered is people are not always what they seem to be, and sometimes you truly have to get to know the person directly to understand who they really are.

I'm glad I read the book, for it is a classic.  It also still reminds us today that in order to understand someone truly, we have to know them for who they really are, not who we think or have been told they might be.

I'd give the book 4 stars.

Beyond the Chore Chart- Book 3

Beyond the Chore Chart by Kimberly Eddy, was a FREE kindle book I picked up off of a daily email I get from either Money Saving Mom or Ebooks.com.  I mainly picked it up because all to often I've used a chore chart, which works for a little bit, and then find myself back to just asking for help at different times.  Usually the kids are good about helping when I ask.  They have both have homework, instruments to practice and sports or church activities so I try to look at what is going on each day and then ask them to help me with that days daily jobs.  The biggest complaint I usually hear is that one of them was asked to do more than the other one.  While at times this is true due to illness or schedule conflicts I do try to give them each the same amount of jobs.  With all of that in mind I thought perhaps I'd pick up some tips from this book.
This book did discuss the use of chore charts at different seasons of parenting, as well as different types of jobs that children can learn how to do, based on age groupings.  I liked that it also mentioned that each child is an individual and therefore a given list of what is acceptable for a certain age needs to be looked at from the perspective of your child's skill level and responsibility level.  I've read lots of books with chore suggestions  as well as lots of books that talk about not doing all the work yourself.  This is the first book that really focused on the "why" children need to do chores.  Yes, the load gets lighter when they are helping out. But if you've ever said "I'm not the maid" to your children, are you really telling the that they are?  When I've used those words, it has been from the thought of I shouldn't have to pick up for you something that you can pick up yourself, not from the perspective that I shouldn't have to do the work. Still those aren't words I'm glad I've said. Kimberly set in motion the idea of giving kids chores as a  means to raising responsible, successful adults. While I think I've always thought this in some way a light bulb for getting them to help finally went off.  My kids are pre-teen and teen age at this point. So when I stopped the last time I asked them to help and pointed out that chores aren't just to make my life easier, but so you know how to do these things when you are on your own, a mini light bulb went off for them too.  They need trained and retrained how to do things to learn the information.  Yes, maybe they will still fold towels and laundry differently when they are older, but knowing how to fold it in general will help them take care of those items better and have them last longer.  Learning how to do the laundry, clean up after themselves and manage their time are all useful benefits and life long skills that chores can help with.
I don't think I took the time I could have when they were younger. I didn't have the balance in my life that I do now.  I was out of control and over committed which made taking the time to show them how to help hard to do and so I skipped it.  I'm glad she points out that yes, it is valuable to start young but that you can start at any time.

Great book to refresh the why for kids doing chores and for gaining perspective on what and how to get them started.

I'd give this book 4.5 stars.

Balancing It All- Book 2

It is nice to find an author that you know without even cracking the cover will inspire you in some way.  Candace Cameron Bure is one of those authors.  I read her book Reshaping it All and was inspired to really think about my faith and my choices. 

Her newest book is:
Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure

When I first opened the book I have to admit I was hoping it would be filled with lots of info about her and her life. While it was, I'm glad she didn't share too many details.  She did use her family and her life as her examples of how she has learned to Balance It All, but at the same time she kept them private.  I don't know if that makes sense unless you read the book, which you may have to do to understand what I mean.

In her book she talks about growing up, about values and good morals being instilled in her and her siblings, despite the fact that their parents were not church goers to begin with.  Times have certainly changed. I found myself thinking about how different the generation of today is raised. That many aren't taught right from wrong, which even 30 years ago was still pretty standard, even among non church going people.  She praised her parents for how they raised her and knows that it is by their guidance that many things in her life have been the way they have been. 

She openly discusses her faith, which has gotten her into a lot of "trouble" with the media lately.  The thing that gets me is, it is her faith, if you don't like how she feels why care how she feels?  If you think she is a weak woman for being submissive, by Biblical definition, to her husband then don't follow her or model her.  I'm always surprised at how quickly people like to put others down when their ideas differ from what someone else's does.  Of course, we aren't allowed to be upset by those opinions.  Double standard anyone?

Sorry for the rampage. 

I enjoyed how she pointed out that she isn't perfect and that she doesn't have it all together even still.  Yet, that she strives to find a balance and how she feels God is calling her to do that.  It isn't an easy thing to do, and with being in the public eye this is a way God is using her to share her faith and her love for Him.  She shared lots of good ideas about what works for her, and I truly enjoyed reading the book.  She has helped me once again to refocus on how to continue to raise my children Biblically, put my husband first and to be submissive to him as head of the household.  She also helped me to remember that there are seasons in our lives. It is during those seasons that we must decide what the right balance is for us, and that it is just that, for us.  Each of us can handle different amounts and different times, and we need to turn to God to see what he is calling us to do.  Yes, reading her ideas are interesting and give us some thoughts to ponder. Yet if I read her book and started doing everything she does, I certainly wouldn't be able to stay in balance.

It was a good book. I did buy this one, I think it was $6.99 on Kindle, I couldn't find it in any of my local stores.  It was worth the cost and the time it took to read it. I'd give it 5 stars.

Things My Grandmother Taught Me About Organized Living-Book 1

2014 is here, which means it's time to start a new list of books.  I'm in the middle of reading several.  So far though I've finished two, here's the first of those.

Things My Grandmother Taught Me About Organized Living  Gloria Barry
I downloaded this book for FREE shortly after the start of the new year.  It's a extremely quick read with only 7 chapters.  It starts off talking about the author's grandmother and how she loved spending time with her, and some of the basic things she enjoyed about her.  From there it launches into the lessons learned.  From keeping a routine, to making sure that you take time to eat.  Most of her advice is straight forward and stuff we really already know, but forget to follow in this day and age when the pace of life seems to need to move so quickly.  I'm partial to routines, so being reminded again that keeping routines helps keep your mind and body to know what is next was great.  When you do the same thing in the morning your body and mind begin to wake up, when you do the same thing at night your mind and body begin to wind down.  It makes sense, and perhaps we laugh some when we think of how routine older people seem to be, but it really does help.  It was also a good reminder of how much excess in many ways we have in our lives. 

I found this book to be helpful in reminding me of things I already know.  It was worth the time it took to read it so I would give it 4 stars.  I would not have been drawn to buy it, but since I got it for Free it was a good deal!

I am also currently reading:

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Beyond the Chore Chart by Kimberly Eddy
30 Day Organizational Course by Ben Night
Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh Demoss
and the Teen version of the above book with my daughter

Happy New Year!!!

Welcome to 2014, the year that will be different.  Isn't that what we all think, or even say at this time of year. This year will be different. This year I will....fill in the blank, and make a difference.  I've done it too, I have ideas of what I want to get done this year, areas I want to improve. Five days in and I find myself wondering, will this year be different?

If I had to pick a statement for this year it would probably be "stay focused, without making myself crazy" Guess that's pretty broad, so what do I mean?  I'm very much into organizing, and making everything look good.  I'm a list maker, and find that I stay focused better when I have a list, but sometimes I get so focused on the list that I get overwhelmed with getting stuff done.  This year I want to remember there is always stuff to do, but a few steps in the right direction are far better than no steps.  The list, the jobs they will always be there.  Making a little progress and then taking a break to enjoy those around you are far more important that digging in and getting it done and having no one to enjoy it with.  That's the goal.  Which is why this year I also want to have Sunday's be a day of rest for all of us.  We can worship in the morning with our church family and in the evening with our small group church family, and in the middle relax.  Sometimes that won't happen, sports and other commitments may come up, but overall that's the goal.

I want this year to be a year of improved health too.  More water, less pop. More eating at home, less eating out and of course more physical activity.  We all can improve in that way.  I know ultimately weight loss is on my list too, but in the past when I've succeeded it's been by focusing on changing a lifestyle and not as much on the loss it now attitude. 

I have a list, in my mind and some things on paper too.  I'm ready to take on 2014 and see what God has in store for me this year.  My focus is on following His lead, and moving forward.

Happy New Year!  Bring it on!