The Kitchen Cabinets!!

So, I'd gone thru and organized the kitchen once, right after we moved into our apartment last March...basically re-creating how the cabinets were arranged in our old apartment...which really wasn't the most efficient arrangement. We also STILL had too much stuff to really fit comfortably into the cabinets. So while my dh was working on his project, I tackled the kitchen cabinets. I got rid of some random things...potholders, a vase or two, some mugs and mismatched bowls...and just by doing that, rearranging where certain things went, and switching out my canisters to some pretty ones my mom got (from an old country store that closed down)...it freed up a lot of space and made things much more user-friendly!!

I will let the pictures do the rest of the talking...posting before and after pics of each cabinet and drawer area. If you look closely, you can see where things were moved around and re-arranged and what things didn't make the cut to the "new and improved" kitchen area!!

 

My dh's latest project...

I realize that this blog is really more about my personal organizing projects...as well as posting about frugality and simplicity and green living...but I really think my dh's latest project really fits into this realm of organized simplicity...and well, I really must brag about my man!!

Inspired by some posts on Lifehacker.com, my dh decided that something MUST be done with all the cables piled up in dusty piles behind the desk and the entertainment center!! Those piles of cables and cords only attracted dust (and our curious kitten) and really were a mess to sort thru when he wanted to rework a particular component...as he had to untangle ALL the cords to get to the one he wanted.

So dh headed off to the hardware store and brought home some 1x2's and pegboard and got to work. With saw, hammer, and zip ties he came up with a very neat and organized desk area...and then tackled the entertainment center and got it in order too!! Now our printer actually fits into the entertainment center..which clears up surface area in our apartment...helping us maintain a simple, uncluttered look.

The coolest thing is that not only did this clear up the actual under-desk area and the inside of the entertainment center...but there is not even a big pile of cables and cords hanging around the back of them either...in fact, behind the entertainment center there is only one cord...going straight back to the electrical outlet!!

Once again, we failed to get before pics...but just take a look at these after pics and see how neat and uncluttered it looks!!

 

 

Tackling the storage room...

So it's been a while since I've posted...but we have sure been busy!! A few weeks ago we decided to tackle our biggest project...that of getting the storage room off our balcony in order. It had not really been organized since we moved into our apartment last year in March...and the plastic tubs of stuff were piled onto each other so high that the bottom tubs were buckling and breaking!! So one weekend we tackled it...and it is now in much better order (though we still have a couple tubs full of papers to sort thru that are occupying corners in our bedroom)!! We unfortunately did not think to take before pictures, but you can just imagine it piled up as high as the top of the door, with no floor visible!!!

My dh went to the store and bought a couple of sturdy shelving units and some clear plastic tubs for organizing. We've gone thru everything and have Freecycled a LOT of things that we no longer need and taken some things to family members as well. The things that remain that need to be stored (suitcases, Christmas tree and ornaments, the Star Wars stuff that is waiting till my dh has a separate home office space for it to be arranged in, grilling stuff and the ice cream freezer...along with any bulk food items we've purchased) are all neatly organized into tubs and labeled with my new label machine. I'm pretty excited to have such a nice organized space now that we can actually find things in without pulling out half the contents of the room to find!!

Here are the after pics...what do you think?!!

 

Random Stuff...

A bunch of random stuff thrown together...

Susie is finally back in the US after her year of teaching English in Taiwan!! She got to stay with Brack and I for a couple of days till we could take her home over the weekend. I sure did miss my little sister and am glad she's turned into such a beautiful young lady!! I want to have both her and Beka over for visits this summer...but probably not both at the same time. Two teen girls at the same time in our small place...and a cat too...YIKES!!

Ami-punk is still as ornery as ever, but she really is growing--filling out, sleeking up, and sleeping a lot more!! She is gonna be one gorgeous cat...and yes, I know I'm prejudiced!! I have to say...she is my most favorite Valentine's Day present ever!!

The organizing is still progressing, and there IS a light at the end of the tunnel...but right now as I blog, there are at least a couple more loads of laundry to do and there are piles of magazines and papers strewn about!! My mom is on an organizing kick as well and has sent us back home with more of my stored belongings each time we've visited...which then have to be gone thru and dealt with. Since we really are in a small apartment and we are trying to simplify, it's rather interesting to pull out these things of mine that have been stored away for 3-5 years and wonder "why in the world was I keeping THAT?"!! I THINK that I'm down to a packing trunk full of stuff at my parents house now...and that is gonna have to stay put for a while...as I most definately don't have space for my childhood handmade dollhouse and such...but that is something I do want to keep for future kiddoes!!

Something else I've done is started another blog!! Yep, I'm insane!! But actually, this other blog is just to help keep me accountable with my quiet time, planning out my day, and the rest of my early morning routine. I haven't set it as private, but I may. I am not linking to it though. You can figure out how to find it, or ask me and I will let you know how to find it.

Brack's b-day is Thursday, and since I happen to be off work this week we are heading off to Lubbock for a long holiday weekend with friends and family there. David and Danielle are even gonna be out that way too (staying with Josh and Kym)...so that will be even more fun!!

Friday will be four weeks since I was last on Crossings...and though I do miss the MWF some, it hasn't been that hard to find plenty of ways to keep busy. I've read a lot, spent more time with Brack, watched a few really good movies, tried out my DDR that Brack got me when he got his 360, and of course, spent plenty of time getting organized!! I've heard a few Crossings things from Brack (who still follows a few threads). I know that there's some more drama going on now cause someone's always gotta stir up trouble when they are bored. But frankly, why should I let the opinions of someone I barely know get to me? If they've GOT to take it out on someone, I'd rather it not be my husband...believe me, if it gets personal like it did last year, then all bets are off and claws come out!! Otherwise, I could care less is someone wants to be bitchy!! Treaba ta!!

Today starts the beginning of the Wardrobe Refashion challenge. Even though there's been a delay in the invites for guest posting on the blog itself being sent out, today still counts as part of the challenge. I have a few projects in mind to start out with. I've got a pattern and enough material for two aprons...one for myself and one for my poor person in a long-ago PR apron swap!! At least now she lives in the metroplex, so maybe I'll actually be able to pass it on to her in person. I also plan on making a purse organizer...one that will slide down into my massive bag and keep all the little stuff from settling to the bottom!! I found something online the other day that I want to try as well...making a duvet cover from thrifted sheets. It'd be pretty cool to have a bed like the Europeans do...with just a bottom sheet and a duvet with a totally washable cover for the top...way easy to make the bed in the morning!! Then of course, if I have enough time (haha!!) I can always work on our renfaire costumes...which really do need to get done before the fall faires roll around.

To see the results of my organizing and check out some new freebies, head over to my Essential Simplicity blog...cause I'm gonna try to get a couple more posts out here by tomorrow. You need to check out the cool stuff Brack did to help us get organized too...I will post some pics of that as well!!

Oh yeah...and the farmhouse is actually slightly improved!! I took pics of the bathroom when we were there in May and posted them on the "A Home For The Seale Family" group on Facebook, but never got around to posting them on the A Missionary Journey blog...and now the pics are obsolete!! The bathroom is far from finished, but at least there's drywall over most of the insulation in there now and no plastic hanging down from the ceiling!! Dad actually was able to put some stuff around the tub too, so now they can just use a regular shower curtain and don't have to worry about getting everything soaked in there!! Also, Mom's best friend from college was down last week with her husband and he and Dad actually built a small room for Susie off the dining room!! It's not finished out yet, but there's an actual floor, roof, and walls!! Pretty cool!! Of course, they still need a LOT of help getting the place completely livable...so please check out the blog and remember to pray for them!!

Well, as much as I'm NOT looking forward to sorting thru more papers, it's gotta be done...so I'll close this out. I will attempt to post more often...it gets a little hectic and now I've got four blogs of my own...plus two more I need to be posting to...but I've just gotta make myself keep 'em up!!

Wardrobe Refashion...and cleaning out the storage room!!

Well, I've signed up for a two month stint on Wardrobe Refashion starting the beginning of July. The pledge for this is as follows...

I, Julie, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, and recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn, or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted, or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that my thriftiness brings!!

Now if I can only figure out how to add the button to my sidebar...my compy's being stubborn!!

I'm a wee bit sad, cause after spending a good bit of time posting freebie links on my Essential Simplicity blog the other day, I didn't even get one single comment!! I sure hope that somebody at least got some freebies out of the deal...but I sure do love me some comments...especially over there, since I really work on posting more relevant stuff there...whereas here I just post my rambling!!

Today Brack and I tackled clearing out and sorting thru all the junk that we'd managed to accumulate in our storage room since moving into this apartment 14 months ago. We've already had a lady come pick up a load of stuff we posted on Freecycle, and we've got easily three times that again still to give away...plus a bag for the homeless shelter, a bag for Brack's mom, and three bags for my family!! It's amazing that we had that much JUNK piled up in there...and we still aren't done yet!! I had a bit of fun trying out my label machine that I bought for my organizing business on labeling the containers that have made it back into the storage room...stacked nicely on sturdy new shelves. I will post pics of the storage room on my Essential Simplicity blog once it's all done.

Well, gotta eat dinner and try to at least finish sorting the stuff still on the balcony, since I doubt we'll get any more of the stuff inside sorted by the time Saturday Night Live and bedtime roll around. We'll finish most of it tomorrow after church, though!!

Who Loves Freebies?

Okay...I don't think there are many people out there who DON'T like to get something for free, no matter how much money they have. I also don't think there are many people who don't like getting a fun surprise in the mail. This then, is for everyone pretty much!!

Since it usually takes a while after requesting something and since that time varies, I never know what is gonna be in my mailbox each day...but at least half the time there is at least one fun thing...and some are really great surprises, cause I'd forgotten I'd signed up for them!!

Here's some cool stuff I've gotten in the past couple weeks in the mail!!

There were a few more, but this is most of it. The magazines are free subscriptions...some for less than a year, but most for a full year!! Pretty cool, right?

Well, I wouldn't be getting such awesome freebies if it weren't for the people that pass these along on their blogs...cause I would only ever be running across such freebies on my own only rarely!! I'd encourage you to check out their blogs in case I miss anything good (they are in my fave links area..the biggest ones for freebies are The Motherload, Freebies4Mom, & MoneySavingMom), but I'm gonna attempt to post a decently comprehensive freebie list at least once or twice a week...so here we go!!

Babies/Children:

Free BeechNut baby cereal

Fifi and the Flowertots DVD

TONS of awesome more freebies can be found here on Freebies4Mom

Foodstuffs:

Attune Probiotic bar

Folgers coffee sample

On the Go drink mix samples

Fiber One Caramel Delight cereal sample

Free Bourbon Street Blends spice sample every month

Toiletries/Vitamins/Meds:

Benefiber sample

Kotex sample pack

Lancaster 360 sample

Vaseline Men lotion sample

Playtex Gentle Glide sample

John Frieda Lustrous Touch samples

Escada Moon Sparkle perfume sample

Pantene Pro-V Color Expressions sample

John Frieda Weatherworks/Night Serum samples

Body Eclipse Aromatherapy Moisturizing Shampoo

Home/Auto:

Car air freshener

Sample bottle of Clorox 2

Healthy Recipes booklet when you play a quick game

Fun Stuff:

Father's Day music sampler

Cartier Love music sampler

Free music download from Walmart

RCRDLBL site for free music downloads

Sterling Silver jewelry for free from silverjewelryclub.com, only pay S&H

Out and About:

Starbucks is offering free wi-fi, free refills on brewed coffee, free beverage customization, etc. to those people who register their Starbucks gift card and either use it to buy something or reload it at least once every 30-day period. If you haven't registered it yet, then you'll also get a coupon for a free drink in the mail if you register before July 14th.

Starbucks is also offering iced coffee samples from June 9-13, and June 16-20 between 4-6pm at participating locations. Sample as many as you like!! Call your local store to see if they're offering this deal.

I'm Back!!

Yeesh!! I sure am bad about blogging...especially on my personal blog!! At least I've blogged SOME on my other two blogs in the last three months, even if rarely!!

So, I am taking a bit of a break from Crossings...we'll see how that goes. It may last a couple weeks or a month, but I just needed to quit spending so much of my time there and concentrate on the real world. I might not even miss it, who knows? It was a big part of my life the last couple of years and I'll definately always like it simply for the fact that it's where Brack and I met, but I don't know. Lately it seems I'm just growing away from the whole forum thing. I haven't posted on tehbean in a couple months (nobody has, really). I've been once on the curlygirl forum to look up something specific and been a couple times on the renaissancefestival forum to look at pics and ask a couple questions. The other 3-4 forums I used to frequent, I haven't even been on in months!! Anywho...the few ladies I'd most miss from the MWF are Facebook friends anyway (and some are Xanga bloggers too) and there's always chat if I can get on the compy those days...so it's still all good!!

Speaking of compy stuff, though...I just found out that Ringo is shutting down at the end of the month!! Yikes!! Where will I post all my pictures now...and more importantly, where do I move all the existing pictures to? I could use Flickr cause I already have an account on there, but I'd have to go pro. I've also heard different people liking Picasa and Photobucket. Then there is always the option of just creating albums on Facebook (which would definately streamline things and fit in with the whole "simplicity" thing, but eh!). What do ya'll recommend? The thing I guess I hate the most about it is that most of my contact with Romanian friends is strictly thru Ringo and Hi5...and I don't really wanna lose that contact...you know?

As far as other stuff goes...eesh, it has been a while, hasn't it? Well, since I last blogged a LOT has happened. The biggest thing that's happened is very sad. My FIL passed away in his sleep in early April. Though he'd prepared my MIL and his youngest son for the eventuality of his passing, it came as somewhat of a shock to Brack and I. It's very hard to stand there and watch your husband suffer and know that you can't just make it all better!! I just wish I'd had more of a chance to get to know my FIL, as I still felt like I needed to prove myself to him as a good DIL. It's only been since he passed that I've even really felt like I'd passed the DIL test with my MIL...but she seems to like me pretty well now...and it's always a good thing to get along with MIL's, right?!!

After the death of my FIL, Brack decided that we needed to make an effort to spend more time with both sides of the family...so it seems we've been running around almost every weekend since!! Another trip out to Lubbock, one to East Texas, one up to Oklahoma, a weekend in the metroplex with my bro and his wife, and this weekend is a family reunion for my dad's side of the family!! It does settle down though...thank goodness!! After this weekend I think the next thing planned is 4th of July in Lubbock...so we get a few weeks reprieve anyway!!

I actually started a weekend job at Scarborough Rennaissance Faire just before my FIL passed, but only ended up working a pre-faire event and the second weekend. After that, we decided that I needed to at least have my weekends free cause I had also started a nanny job in March, taking care of three little children who (to put it nicely) were challenging!! It was a struggle some days to not let it get to me, and I learned a lot of what parents should not let their kids get away with!! That job ended the Friday before Memorial Day.

The day after Memorial Day I started at my current nanny position and I LOVE it!! The little guy is seven and we spent the last two weeks just hanging out...marathon Monopoly games, lots of craft projects (we built a cardboard castle, two boats out of drinking straws, and a sword and helmet just last week), trips to the library and park, and afternoons at the pool at the country club!! Yes, I did say country club!! I've started getting a nice tan from all that poolside sitting, and am even starting to make some contacts for my future business as a professional organizer!!

Speaking of that, I have set myself a goal that by the end of June I will have things in place to unofficially officially start my organizing business. I've even ordered business cards!! WHEE!! So far I've only organized for family, but I've got a pantry organizing job lined up for Monday morning for a lady that I babysit for...we'll see how that goes and hope that if she's pleased that she'll put the word out!! Anyway, fingers crossed and prayers appreciated!!

And on that more upbeat note, I'll sign out!!Take care, God bless, and have a wondrous weekend!!

Organizing a Teenage Girl's Bedroom!!

As I stated in a previous post today, it has been rather hectic the last two months with lots going on!! One weekend, about two weeks ago, we went to my parents old house in the country. (To read about my goal of helping them get that house in decent shape, please visit my A Missionary Journey blog).

The big project that weekend was to help my sister get her room organized. I have to admit that organizing and keeping things organized is not something she's good at naturally!! She really needed some help to clear out unnecessary stuff and to get the rest organized in a neat fashion.

We started out about 11am and didn't finish till just after 10:30pm with only a few breaks here and there...but I think it was worth it and turned out pretty great...what do you think? Here are the before and after pics!!

Revolution Money Exchange

Have you heard of this? It is somewhat like Paypal, only you don't have to pay fees. It is super simple and safe to use. Plus, if you sign up right now before May 15th, you will automatically get $25 credited to your account and I get $$ to for referring you. Why are they doing this, you ask? Well, the program is still in beta and they are wanting to get the word out...so what do you have to lose? Yet you can gain $25 even if you never use the program again!! So give it a shot!! If you do decide to sign up, please do so by clicking on the link here on my page...so that I get the referral $$. Thanks!!

Some Past Shopping Savings

I realize it has been a long time since my last blog post, but between dealing with the flu, a new nanny job, my FIL passing away, a friend's wedding, and all the weekend trips to spend time with both sides of the family...I admit, blogging was not very high on my priority list. This last weekend was pretty much the only "downtime" we've had in a while...and I even babysat both Saturday and Sunday nights, so it still wasn't totally restful!! It looks to be rather busy for the next month as well, with my bro and his wife moving back to Texas from Korea (where he's been stationed for the last three years) this weekend, plus a birthday or two, a couple of family reunions, and my husband's work retreat...but I thought I'd try to catch up a bit before the whole whirlwind of activity catches back up!!

This post is mostly gonna be a brag. I don't remember the exact prices on some of the items, and the deals I made are long gone, so it won't help you to rush out to make the same deals!! I hope that once I get back into the habit of blogging that I will be able to post some awesome current deals for my readers though!!

Way back, not too long after my last post, I managed to get a few deals. My first trip out to snag some deals that I actually could work got me three big bags of chocolates and a big bottle of mouthwash for under $6 at CVS...not bad for starters, but I could do better, I was sure. I also snagged five cans kitty food and some treats for around $1.50 total at Petsmart. Pretty cool!!

My next foray was just before being hit with the flu...and it was a good thing I'd stocked up!! I got four cans of chicken noodle soup and four cans of chicken broth, plus two toothbrushes and a lollipop (just for fun). After ECB's (extra care bucks)...I think I spent a total of about $4.50!!

We had just recovered from the flu when my FIL passed away...and then there was a friend's wedding, so it was a while before I ventured out to score another deal. The next one was one I just couldn't pass by!! I had coupons for Arm and Hammer detergent and CVS was selling them BOGO one week!! I managed to snag the only bottles of the Sensitive Skin formula that they had and walked out of there with four bottles!! After ECB's I paid a total of $2.81!! Better and better, no?

This past week I decided to use some very good coupons for cereal. I stopped off at a Walmart Neighborhood Market and bought one box. The cereal was $3.12 at the market and my coupon was for $3...so I paid 12 cents for it. I was a little disappointed that I had to pay anything for it, as the coupon was so good, so I held off using the second coupon. On Saturday I headed out shopping with my husband. At Target I surprised him by being able to walk out of the store with 40 Lipton on-the-go packets for FREE!! (I'd used $1 off Lipton Target coupons and there were little baggies of 4 packets for just under a dollar near the registers). At Walmart I was able to use a $1 off coupon on the Kotex that were priced at $1 and then found that my cereal was actually marked down to $2.50 at the SuperWalmart...so I used my coupon on another box. With the other purchases that day, it actually worked out that the 12 cent cost of the first box was more than absorbed when the second box was bought...so check out this picture of what all I got for FREE this past week!!

Anyway, so there is my brag. I can't say that I'm in with the big girls just yet...not when I still can't brag about my WHOLE shopping expedition...but I'm definitely getting better at this whole grocery thing!! I hope to be able as I continue blogging to pass on some deals to my readers while they are still current...so that you may also have great deals to brag about!! Pray for me, that God will bless my endeavors to live simply and frugally, and that I can then pass the blessings on!!