Preparing for Our Disneyland Vacation

Today is an exciting day! This morning I booked our hotel reservations for our upcoming vacation to Disneyland to celebrate Alexa's birthday. 

I can't begin to contain my excitement over the whole idea. We have not been on a proper vacation in over 5 years. This trip is well deserved and long over due. 

I have 4 months to plan and prepare for our vacation and I am using Pinterest to help: 

Here is my inspiration for my first two projects-

Disney Countdowns

Oh my which one to choose

Countdown Chain from Get Away Today Vacation

Countdown from The Crafting Chick via Someday Crafts

Countdown from A Creative Princess


Autograph Books
I would like to make one for Alexa 

Mommyword.com via That's Vandy

Upside Down Homeschooling

RobbyGurl's Creation

I Should Be Mopping the Floor

Faith Abigail Designs

I can't wait to get started!

Until next time,

Karri

Throughout the week you can find me at these fabulous link parties

Christmas Binder

Back in July I shared my favorite websites that help me get organized for Christmas. You can check out the post here. 

My Christmas Binder is now ready to keep me organized and sane this holiday season.

I purchased a red binder from the Martha Stewart Collection at Staples. I also purchased the plastic dividers from her collection. I love the durability and look of her products.  

I divided my binder into the following categories: 

Gifts: This is my master gift list which I downloaded from Organized Christmas; I also included gift idea planner for Jim, Jacob and Alexa; an envelope for receipts and previous master gifts lists so I can look back to see what we have given before. 

Entertaining: I have the Rules of a Cookie Exchange (I will host one sometime in my lifetime); several cookies recipes I would like to try and my holiday menu planner.

Card List: On the Organized Christmas website you can download a Christmas Card List that lasts for three years. This is the best list I have found on the web.

Decorating: A room by room decor planner - I like to decorate each room and certain spots around the house with a theme; I also included a to-do list of chores I would like to complete before the holidays really begin, and my decor storage inventory so I can keep track of everything we own for decorating. 

Scheduling: My final section contains schedules - I actually have two schedules - one from The FlyLady and one from Organized Christmas. I don't follow each schedule exactly but I do use each schedule to help me remember the little things that can get lost in the busy holiday shuffle. 

So bring on the Holidays because now I'm ready.

Until next time,

Karri

This post was included in the Christian Home Magazine

Monday:  
Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack,

Tuesday:
 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife,  Clean and Scentsible, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co, The Well Crafted Home

Wednesday:
 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, Practically Functional

Thursday:
 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls , The Mandatory Mooch

Friday
It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Homemaker in Heels, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, Just Us Four

Saturday: 
Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff, Just Us Four; Cheerios and Lattes, Or so she says..

Sunday:
 I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

Fall Organizing and Decorating Projects

It's time to start looking over my house again and plan the organizing and decorating projects I would like to accomplish before the end of the year. Pinterest is my go to place for ideas and as always I was not disappointed.

Source: lifehacker.com via Karri on Pinterest

Helping my best friend go through all the paper work after her husband passed away has made me realize that I need to get all of our paperwork in order. This great post shares everything I will need to do to get organized.

Source: iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Karri on Pinterest

It's time for my freeze to get a makeover. Using plastic bins to hold my bagged items will work perfectly.

Source: thekrazycouponlady.com via Karri on Pinterest

I am determined to make 72 hour emergency backpacks for the family by next year.

Source: plumprint.com via Halie on Pinterest

I have boxes of old art work from when Jacob was young and files of new work from Alexa. This is one of my options to get them organized. I have also thought to take a picture of each or scan them and make a book on Shutterfly.

I figured 4 big projects are enough since I also have the holidays to think about. Wish me luck!

Until next time,
Karri


This post will be included in the Christian Home Magazine

Journey to a Clutter Free Home

It has been no secret that I dislike clutter, yet for some reason I tend to find myself living in it all the time. At the beginning of the year I was doing a great job getting rid of excess "stuff" in my house. Then I just stopped. The main reason was due to my surgery in the Spring. For 6 weeks I couldn't pick up anything so unloading bags of "stuff" was out of the question. Then the weather got hot and I hated having to be in my garage for just a few minutes. I was not about to spend a lengthy amount of time loading my car with Goodwill donations.

So enough with the excuses right! - It's time to get back on track and I hope you will join me.

The challenge is simple for the rest of September vow to get rid of at least one bag or box of unneeded "stuff", either as a donation or toss it in the garbage.

We have three full weeks left in September so I'm going to divide my home into three sections:

Section one: bedrooms (this includes closets) I will take care of my room, closet and Alexa's room and closet, Jim will handle his closet and Jacob will take care of his room and closet. I'm going to do this section 1st because it will be the hardest.

Section two: Kitchen, laundry room and bathrooms: I'm spending time under the sinks and in all the cabinets. I've decided that if I have not used an appliance this year it's going into the garage, if I still haven't used it by the start of 2013, it's being donated.

Section three: Living room; family room and coat closets: Coat drives for the winter will be happening soon and we have tons of extra coats. I'm also anticipating a great number of new toys for Alexa since her birthday is in November so we are going to sort though her toy box.

So will you join me? Why not share your plans for decluttering your home.

Until next time,
Karri

This post will be included in the Christian Home Magazine


Linking to:
Monday:  
Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack, For Love of Cupcakes, How to Nest for Less,  Between Naps on the Porch 

Tuesday:
 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night; Not Just a Housewife, Snap, Clean and Scentsible, Jillify it, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co

Wednesday:
 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, 

Thursday:
 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls 

Friday
It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Homemaker in Heels, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, 

Saturday: 
Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff 

Sunday:
 I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

How I Organized My Mountain of Photos

I'm back to organizing and my crafting area is now my newest challenge. First up photos:

Since I am seriously behind in my scrapbooking I have boxes of photos that needed to be organized. I had photos from 2004 to 2009 that I needed to take care of. (That's how far behind I am.) Thank goodness my most current years worth of photos are on my computer or else this was going to be too over whelming. 

I sorted the photos by year, good thing I wrote on the back of them. Once I had them organized I put them in order by month and event, then each was put into one or two plastic boxes and then labeled with the year. The small boxes are part of a larger photo organizer I bought from Michaels. In addition to sorting by year I also created separate boxes for Jacob's school and sports pictures since these will be going into different scrapbook albums. (eventually)

Here is the finished box full of photos which now sits neatly in my crafting closet. Now I just need to get them out of boxes and into albums. Wish me luck! 

Until next time,

Karri

Linking to:

Monday:  

Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack, For Love of Cupcakes, How to Nest for Less,  Between Naps on the Porch 

Tuesday:

 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night; Not Just a Housewife, Snap, Clean and Scentsible, Jillify it, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co

Wednesday:

 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, 

Thursday:

 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls 

Friday

It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Homemaker in Heels, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, 

Saturday: 

Tatertots and Jello, Craft Envy, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff 

Sunday:

 I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

Top 5 Books for Organizing Your Home & Family

Since January, I have been on a quest to organize my home and I've been blogging about also. If you would like to review my organizing posts from the past year click here.

One of  things I do very well is read about organizing my home. Reading is one of the things I do best. I have read some great blogs posts, found articles in magazines and purchased some very helpful books. I will admit I am currently reading more about organizing my home each week then I have been putting the tips into practice.

Today I want to share my 5 favorite books for finding ideas to get organized. Some of the books are ebooks that I found on my Barnes and Noble Nook others are books that you can purchase in your local bookstore. I've added links under each book if you would like to purchase any of them. Why do I like these books? Some are quick reads that will give tips you can use today. Other's like "Organizing from the Inside Out" will help you find the cause of your disorganization. This is important because if you don't look at the cause of your disorganization real change will never happen. You might get things organized for a little while but over time you will find areas in your home getting back to the state of chaos they were in before.  

My depression has been my cause for disorganization, when I'm in the middle of a depressive episode I do just what I need to do to get by. Because my depression causes me to be very tired I'm too tired to work on any organizing projects, so reading organizing books helps me still feel that I'm being productive. 

Here are my favorites in no particular order:

Photo credit: Barnes and Noble: Click to purchase

Photo source: Barnes & Noble: Click to purchase

Photo Sources: Barnes & Noble Click here to purchase

Photo Source: Barnes & Noble: Click here to purchase

Photo Source: Barnes & Noble - Click to purchase

 Enjoy and I hope you find solutions to your organizing needs.

Until next time,

Karri

This post will be included in The Christian Home an e-magazine published on Mondays


Linking to:
Monday:  Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack, For Love of Cupcakes,How to Nest for Less, Between Naps on the Porch  Tuesday:  Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night; Not Just a Housewife, Snap, Clean and Scentsible, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co, Wednesday:  Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts, Thursday: Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage,  The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls Friday: : It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Homemaker in Heels, Chic on a Shoestring, Craft Envy, Saturday: Tatertots and Jello, While He Was Napping, Six Sisters Stuff Sunday: I Heart Naptime, Flamingo Toes, Blissful and Domestic, 

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.....

Scary title but did you know there are only 167 days until Christmas. Yep count them, only 167 and since this day is more the half over it's really closer to 166. Now I didn't write this to freak you out, I want you to be prepared so that you can enjoy your holiday's with your family and not worrying about the gigantic to-do lists that seems to reflect the season. I usually begin my Christmas prep in October but I'm finding with a family and a job with the Church, this is just not enough time to get ready. It's Christmas in July from now on and I'm hoping you will enjoy this adventure with me. 

I'm not for reinventing the wheel, why spend time making charts and lists when some incredible websites have done this already. So the first task in Getting Organized for Christmas is to make a Christmas Binder. I've used a Christmas Binder for several years and I find it to be the best way to keep everything together. I'm not going to share my binder right now because mine will be going through a complete overhaul this year but I promise to share it as soon as it's done.

To get started I've created a list of my favorite websites for Christmas Organizing I have found so far

Organized Christmas - Not only does this site have great printables they also have a Holiday Grand Plan you can follow. This is a week by week list of things to do to get your home and family prepared for the holidays. Each week you will be challenged to compete different organizing tasks in a specific area of your home.

Christmas Organizing - This site offers a "Go From Stressed to Blessed" series. It's 25 lessons you can purchase and download to get your Christmas organized.

Christmas Your Way - This site has tons of printables for your binder and last year they had a series of blog posts titled 101 Days of Christmas. They had lots of ideas and tips for a memorable holiday. If they don't do it again this year you can at least look at last years posts and enjoy.

Are you ready to get started? I hope so, the holidays are about faith and family so why not get the things that seem to always be in the way done so that as you enter the Advent Season and Christmas you can enjoy the real reason for the season.

Until next time,
Karri






Linking to:
Monday:  
Craft-o-Matic, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Skip to My Lou, The Gunny Sack, For Love of Cupcakes, Inspired by Felicity, How to Nest for Less, Keeping it Simple, Between Naps on the Porch 


Tuesday:
 Lil Luna, Sugar Bee Crafts, The Blackberry Vine, Today's Creative Blog, Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night; Not Just a Housewife, Snap, Clean and Scentsible, Jillify it, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co, I’m Topsy Turvy


Wednesday:
 Polkadots on Parade, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Gluesticks, The Trendy Treehouse, Somewhat Simple, Ginger Snap Crafts,


Thursday:
 Delightful Order, Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, My Turn (for us), The Shabby Chic Cottage, the therpblog, The Crafty Blog Stalker, The Frugal Girls 


Friday
: It’s a Hodgepodge Life, Blissful and Domestic, Sippy Cup Chronicles, Homemaker in Heels, Chic on a Shoestring, Home is Where My Story Begins, Craft Envy, Whipper Berry, for Mamas, Sassy Sites

I've Finished the Biannual Blogathon Bash

I've completed my first Blogathon and I'm so sad it's over. I met some wonderful bloggers who have been a great help and support. I'm looking forward to staying in touch with them and participating in the winter blogathon. 

I spent about 15 hours total over the 3 days on my to do list and participating in the challenges. The goal was 24 but I'm happy with 15 since it was a very busy weekend for our family. 

I was able to complete almost everything on my list, I just need to finish my blog/work/family schedule. I am almost done with it. Probably I will be done before bed time.

If you need a refresher here is my to-do list: Everything in black was from my update post from yesterday. I'm using purple for today's update. 

Here are the things I hope to accomplish
1. Update my About Me section  
2. Change my Follow Me buttons - had a problem with one button but with help from other blogathon participants I should have the problem solved today I was able to finally fix my problem with my RSS feed button thanks to the amazing participants of the blogathon.
3. Figure out how to add Pin it buttons on my posts This turns out to be so much easier then I thought it would be. I added Pin in buttons to all my posts for the month of June. 
4. Brainstorm 10 blog post ideas
5. Make a Blog/Work/Family schedule - should be done tonight 
6. Set up a Twitter chat account
7. Open a Stumble upon account -  To be honest I found I don't really like Stumble upon so I don't think I'm going to end up using it - I did add Stumble upon button on some of my posts though
8. Add additional pages to my blog - I added a Grab My Buttons page and a Featured In page. I also redid my The Family page
9. Make and order business cards I can't wait to see how these turn out. I used my Scrapbook Max software to make them. They will be a square shape with a QR code on the back so people can access my blog by clicking the code with their smart phone.
10. Participate in at least 2 Blogathon Bash Challenges -  I leaned how to make a photo collage using PicMoney. Check out My Little Beauty Queen here and I created a Fav Con. Check out the tab on the top of your screen when you are open on me blog. Notice me new logo it's a T for Treasure of course. 

I decided that 2 challenges was not enough, I completed 5 more challenges yesterday and this morning. I learned to create a better tweet on Twitter. I completed a blog notebook. I signed up for Picket Fence so please take some time to hit the picket fence button on the blog to vote for My Life's a Treasure. I read about different groups that offer blogging support and signed up for one called She Speaks. I was also introduced to three new Twitter Tools - Tweriod which looks at my twitter feed and determines the best times for me to send a tweet; Buffer which allows me to schedule my tweets based on the feedback from Tweriod and finally Twylah which turns my tweets into a very attracted magazine page. I had to request an invitation to Twylah so I won't see the results until I receive that.

I also read a number of  great blog posts that will help me as I grow as blogger - I am very excited to begin using all my new found knowledge. 

My recommendation is this- if you are a blogger be sure to sign up for the Winter Biannual Blogathon, if you are not a blogger but are thinking of getting started - Do it! Then sign up for the Winter Biannual Blogathon.  

I would like to that Kathleen at Callistas Ramblings for putting together the blogathon. I could tell it was a ton of work.

Until next time,

Karri

Biannual Blogathon Bash

This weekend I'm participating in the Biannual Blogathon Bash. I will be dedicating much of my weekend to completing items on my blogging to do list. If you would like to participate just click here.

It's going to be kind of a crazy weekend since Jacob officially turns 13 on Sunday and we are going to the Giants vs A's game, but I'm going to spend as much time as possible on my blog without ignoring my family completely.


Here are the things I hope to accomplish
1. Update my About Me section
2. Change my Follow Me buttons
3. Figure out how to add Pin it buttons on my posts
4. Brainstorm 10 blog post ideas
5. Make a Blog/Work/Family schedule
6. Set up a Twitter chat account
7. Open a Stumble upon account
8. Add additional pages to my blog
9. Make and order business cards
10. Participate in at least 2 Blogathon Bash Challenges


Wish me luck and keep checking my blog for my progress.


Until next time,
Karri

Becoming a Smart Martha

About 4 years ago, Jacob and I were at daily mass. On that particular day the gospel reading was the well known Mary and Martha gospel. You know the one where Martha is running around trying to get everything done and Mary is hanging out with Jesus. Martha gets fed up and asks Jesus to get Mary to help her only to find that Jesus says Mary has made the right choice in what to do. As Fr. Roberto begins his homily he starts to describe the characterics of Martha using terms like, worrying over little things, stressing to get the house clean and so on. At this point my then 7 year old turns to me and whispers, "You're just like Martha, Mom." 

Fast forward 4 years and I'm visiting the gift shop at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland and I spot this.

to purchase click here

I knew I needed this book. If I'm going to be Martha, I at least needed to be a "Smart Martha"

According to Tami Kiser, author of Smart Martha, "The Smart Martha" way is for women who want to get their work done, yet know that their first priority is to look for and always be attentive to Christ, who is present."

Smart Martha's find Christ present in their families, understand the need to be both Mary and Martha and find practical ideas to take care of their household. 

By drawing from her real life experiences of raising 9 children, Tami shares how she learned to manage it all and while I only have 2 children to manage her tips for household organization have become a valuable tools in our home. 

Some chapters that really spoke to me where Chapter 6 - Memories - In the Corner of our Closet. As a scrapbooker I collect everything my kids have ever done and since I'm very behind in my scrapbooks those items just sit and create clutter. One of Tami's ideas is that each of her children has a memorabilia box and she also created a rotating art gallery on the wall to display all her children art work.

Also Chapter 7 - The Heart of the Matter - this chapter shares the importance of your true presence to your children and really hit home to me. Since my work is in ministry and in essence for God, I sometimes forget that my first priority is my vocation as wife and mother, not as a youth minister. Tami also shares the importance of four areas that lead your family to God - reading, the arts, nature, and service. Our family has reading and service down but we need to work on nature and the arts. 

This is certainly a book that I will be reading over and over again. There is so much useful information that I know during each new reading something will hit me that I missed the first time or even 2nd time around. 

In addition to her book Tami also founded the Smart Martha website. On her website you can even find more tips to being a Smart Martha and also find information on Smart Martha Seminars. I would really love to attend one someday. If you are looking to add to your summer reading list, I hope you consider this helpful book. I know you will not regret it. 

Until next time,

Karri

Organizing My Kid's Memories!!!!

This week I tackled the mass of memorabilia that's hiding under my craft desk. This pile included every piece of scrapbook paper, cards, pictures and embellishments for Alexa's baby book; all of Jacob's school papers from 3rd grade to now that I want to put in albums for him, random cards and pictures I've collected this year, magazines and a candle holder I bought for the backyard last Spring.  

As you can see everything was stuffed in bags, folders and just on top of each other. There was really no system which made the thought of beginning Alexa's baby book very scary and Jacob's school albums just as bad.

When I found these wonderful boxes at Ikea I knew they were going to be part of my solution. The boxes actually come folded so if you buy them and don't use them right away they can be stored simply without taking a lot of room. The boxes were also very easy to put together.

Here are most of the items I have for Alexa's baby book. I went paper crazy when I found out I was having a girl, I also collected every sticker set that was made for scrapbooking a baby book, even if it didn't quite match my style. I tell you I was obsessed. with all things baby girl. In the end it really was to much so I pulled the pieces I knew I was never going to use and worked on organizing the rest.

Here is the finished area, I still had to store everything under my desk but at least it looks much nicer and I can fit the chair under it again. From left to right this is what I did. The plastic handled file box box holds all of Jacob's school papers from 3rd grade to 6th grade that I want to scrapbook. I was also able to keep school theme scrapbook paper that I want to use. The black file box holds everything for the year. Jacob's school pictures, his 7th grade work and any awards he has gotten this year. I also have Alexa's pictures from day care, her art work, and her daily activity logs her teachers write for me. Each is in it's own hanging folder which make it easy for me to add to. The two skinny plastic folders hold all the scrapbook paper I purchased for Alexa's baby book and any memorabilia that was to big for the boxes like her Baptism Certificate and hospital paperwork.  Now for the boxes. The top box holds Alexa's 1st year photos. The 2nd box has all the embellishments I bought to put in her baby book. Box #3 has all the cards we received from my baby showers, after Alexa was born and from her Baptism. The final box is full of cards we have received for birthdays, our anniversary and Christmas over the last few years.

I'm happy I was able to at least bring some order to this mess. I now feel less overwhelmed with the piles to actually put Jacob's school scrapbook and Alexa's baby books together. The task has now been added to my summer to do list. Wish me luck!

Until next time,

Karri

Linking to:

Lil Luna,  The Blackberry Vine, Not Just a Housewife, Snap, Clean and Scentsible, Jillify it, Natural Nesters, Crystal & Co., Polkadots on Parade, Somewhat Simple, Fireflies andJellybeans, The Trendy Treehouse, I'm an Organizing Junkie, Delightful Order, The Shabby Creek Cottage,

My Smart Hubby

When we purchased the new furniture for Jacob's room we had to decide what to do with all his old furniture. Some of the pieces are sitting in the garage and a few bookcases we moved into Alexa's room. This left Jacob's desk and my wonderful and smart hubby came up with the best idea.
He put it in Alexa's room and made it her changing table.

 I love how it turned out, she was getting to tall for her previous one so this is perfect.

Her diaper's fit just right in the cubbies.

In the other cubbies we stored her lotions and some books. We have found that the only way to change our wiggle worms diaper is to hand her a book. This keeps her still.  

In the drawers we are holding everything else, her brush, tooth brush, extra binkies and her favorite the bulb syringe. (just kidding she hates that.)

I certainly have the most clever hubby. He's a treasure that's for sure.

Until next time,

Karri

linking to

Lil Luna

Clean & Scentsible

Jillify It

Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night

Polkadots on Parade

Jennifer Rizzo

This post is part of The Christian Home Magazine.