Pretty Chaotic

Declutter - thoughts - linen closet

2012-02-05T20:24:00.001-04:00

I sit here reading about 'minimalism' on various blogs and one I had to read what was considered the 'right' amount of linens in your closet. I see generally that each person has 2 towels, some people live with 1 and the same goes for sheet sets. Some people have eliminated the use of hand towels completely and keep one extra set of towels and sheets for guests use.

I have to say no hand towels in my home will never happen. I can't stand going to the bathroom in other peoples homes and having no towel to wipe my hands off. I see their bath towels and thoughts of 'where that's been' run through my head and I just can't do it! Lol

I'm going to go through that linen closet objectively. I have about 5 sets of sheets for my bed (amazing I started with two and boy have I multiplied) and we have around 10 towels, which in technicality would be fine for us if we went by having 2 for each member of the house and 2 guests. But I wash weekly and can safely say, when I do, all the towels are completed by that evening so we have nice warm towels ready for our evening bath. Something tells me I'm going to be emptying!

If its one thing I've learned having more just equals putting off washing cause I can just pull a new towel out, so then I end up washing two loads or more on linen day when I haven't kept up with my 'weekly' schedule.

This also applies for clothing! How many times have you just continued dirtying clothing until all your underwear runs out, I know we do this often! Which means for us, stretching out the washing schedule a bit :). Also, I have to admit I really wear the same underwear over and over because they fit better, look better and are just nicer! I do the same with clothing, even the towels, glasses I drink from, diapers I choose to put the kids in.

To be honest I have favourites in all of these things, but I rotate everything in my house on a last in last out basis so that everything gets even wear. My analness is what prevents me from just using the same things repeatedly.

Except clothing I have I admit I wear what is comfortable and looks good, also when hubby puts the LO's in his favorites I can't blame him!

My washing schedule is weekly but I can safely say I even still have underwear left, not my favourite ones but underwear nevertheless. I basically end up washing because the hamper is full, but not actually because all our clothes are dirty.

I'm seeing A LOT of opportunities for decluttering here... Are you?

Take a look at my shameful linen closet. I have to admit when I first organized this cupboard it looked beautiful... Man do I ever see the importance of maintenance!

Mission declutter

2012-02-03T13:46:00.001-04:00

I'm doing it again, decluttering and this time I'm revisiting my closet.

I always get rid of a few pieces here and there but this time I was brutal, I got rid of duplicates in colors I didn't love and kept bare essentials that I know I'd use. No more button tops 'incase' for breastfeeding (we all know that was an epic fail), no more work shirts when I don't even have an office job, nor do I intend to.

I have to admit even though I've managed to purge all those shirts a long time ago for some reason I ALWAYS hang on to the pencil skirts and work pants. Those work pants fit amazingly and I just refuse to get rid of the 4 of them regardless. I also love the 3 pencil skirts, mind you I haven't used them in years. Ok I'm going to gt rid and keep 1 skirt and 2 pants, that's right that'll be all.

I wear vests A LOT I think they're a great staple, however, I just never feel like I'm put together well enough (need to dress better! I have to admit my resolution in 2010 when I went to Miami was to do exactly this, dress better, and I've held it up VERY well, you can't pop over and ketch me off guard looking like utter crap anymore even though I'm home! I make sure to take pride in how I look), despite this there are still days where I think I can do more. Perhaps I'll get there.

I also have a lot of pull over type tops to dress up these said vests!

I counted all of my clothing last night, pants, tops, dresses and I have 105 pieces, which I managed to get rid of 29 leaving me with 76. I'm going to go back again and see if I can even get rid of more!

Oh I counted because of some clutter fat challenge thing I read about but for some reason can't get to the actual course. Go figure!

I'm going to continue posting on my de-cluttering one step at a time. It's amazing how great I feel after all I did last year during pregnancy so I want to continue my de-cluttering.

Here's a pic of the cupboard now that I've eliminated those 29 pieces of clothing!

Also check out the picture of everything I got rid of.

I'm so proud! :)

Keep your head up

2012-01-30T20:22:00.000-04:00

I just read this article on TODAY. I just have to say, this is so true, it's amazing how people do "just keep swimming, just keep swimming" (oh my gotta love that!).

I just watched a show called In Time - pretense of it is that time is what you live off of and not money, and when your times up well.. that's it. I kinda wish we lived on time, but knowing us as humans it would of course somehow manage to also become a stressful situation.

If only we could spend everyday just enjoying it, painting, colouring, singing, dancing or just doing anything that tickles our fancy!

Life really sometimes isn't fun, but when we do have actually have the time for all those moments - the singing, dancing, colouring... it definitely makes it worth it...

Our Chaotic Country

2012-01-23T21:34:00.001-04:00

Last night at just after 10:45pm there were three gun shots. I initially thought nothing of it because it sounded so fake. There was this weird feedback sound I don't know if it was because it was so close but it just didn't sound real.

Don't know what possessed us, but we looked out the kitchen window and there lay a dead body in the road surrounded by police.

Now several things are extremely disturbing about this whole scene. In no particular order:

1. Life can be taken in one split second - enjoy it!
2. No where in this country is safe, which brings me to number three.
3. As beauty queen Kamla slept, this scene occurred RIGHT OUTSIDE HER HOUSE. This strikes me as just unbelievably insane!
4. The body could be seen right from my daughters window, which thankfully because of her age she did not feel inclined to look out the window to the horrible sight, which was literally a stones throw away.
5. Forgot to add this body lay uncovered on the floor until after 1am!

What is going on? I hear today that he was shot for dancing on someone! Uh what!? Jealously is a hell of a thing, to the extent that someone has to be killed over it? This whole scene was so upsetting.

Mostly from the standpoint of a mother at just how close to home it was. My neighbour, home by herself, immediately messages me to ask if it was gunshots, which I confirm it was and someone is dead.

We then worry should we be in a state of fear seeing that the shooter could have easily hid in our apartment complex!?

Granted it wasn't just a random spree, but that doesn't make it any less terrifying.

I'm just so disappointed and I really think that parties should not take place in residential neighbourhoods period. I could give a shit that the prime ministers house is there. Our communities safety on the whole are far more important that some bump and grind fete and this coming from a 24 year old who's priority should fall into this category, however, this is utter bullshit.

I hope this is pointed out in the press that this incident occurred but also where it occurred seeing as to who is my neighbour.

I wonder when the pageant will end and the real life duties will actually begin...

Babysitting Chaos

2012-01-19T18:27:00.000-04:00

Chaos can occur once children are involved regardless of if they're with you or a family member! You know you've got a sticky situation when you don't know what the formula looks like when you mix a bottle, which you then become so concerned by it's appearance, you throw it down the sink (can you believe she did that! I mean that's like $4 gone down the drain lol) thinking this MUST be bad!

So let me free up my sister a bit - my daughter was breastfed via bottle exclusively for 4 months. I.e. I pumped breastmilk and she received it through a bottle, when she was first born we were living with my mom and everyone in the house knew the process - screaming begins, you put a cup of water in the microwave to warm while you're pouring milk from a 32oz bottle into her 2oz bottle for a feed. Water done - drop the bottle in and let it warm up, bounce baby while trying to console her that the wait will be over soon - ok bottle is warm - in mouth! Ah silence!

Clearly so accustom to this process (which now, was 2 years ago, damn does time fly!) she just doesn't even know what a bottle that she has to prepare formula looks like!

So when she mixes 2 scoops in 3oz of water and gets a ton of clumps, which she describes to me "looks like banana gone bad" LOL she had to throw it away. I'm like uh you just needed to mix it a bit more! Anyhoo! It inspires her to panic and freak out, which she then goes into the fridge to use a meager amount that's in there (I think I'm drying up :(), the date on the bottle is the 15th, so unfortunately not good anymore, poor boy throws it up, she then figures out oh wait one scoop to 2oz (why she didn't read the can first I have no idea, you would also think when someone leaves pre measured formula in a WHITE container for you and says ok one to 2oz, you won't open the coloured container and attempt to use it with 3oz of water, who knows where she even got that measurement!!).

Yup my sister! She cracks me up too lol!

Yup... Formula fed

2012-01-18T18:03:00.001-04:00

As I sit here feeding LO(little one) it dawns on me that soon I'm going to be dealing with a lot of "oh he's not breastfeeding?" comments ah the joys and damn the social pressure!

If you've read my breastfeeding post you'll know that my children never latch on to my boobs and after several people have stared at them they all go "oh keep trying." Steups, how that really helps me I have no idea?

So maybe to some I just gave up... But I did genuinely try to no avail and because I refuse to persist for the wave of anger and guilt it causes, I guess I'll just have to deal with the judgement.

But it doesn't make me any less of a mother and hey I think this is feminism at play when I say I refuse to be the only means of nourishment for my child! (Lol now this statement may cause some disturbances lol). But hey what the hell! Why must I handle all the feedings - the 7pm, 9pm, 11pm, 1am, 3am, 5am, 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm, 5pm and repeat! Lol doesn't that just look freaking exhausting!?

God bless breast pumps and formula yes oui! Cause thanks to it I'm not a freaking cow and have a husband who happily helps feed and partakes in bonding with his children too! (I should amend this statement seeing as pumping does make me a cow LOL)

Maybe I have something to justify but that's only cause of the social pressure that exists courtesy breastfeeding stigmas, I'm certainly no less of a mother nor do I love my children any less just because I made a choice that isn't socially accepted.

All I know is I'm a formula fed baby and I'm doing just fine! :)

Angel Sleeps

2012-01-17T17:16:00.000-04:00

And he sleeps.. and he sleeps... well in all fairness he wakes up to poop, then eats and goes back to sleep! Ah bliss! As a friend just pointed out he's going to give a bad impression and make ladies think pregnancy and motherhood is awesome! However, I had my daughter first so I know better! But I know for a fact some parents to get than angel the first rounds then get hit for six when they have the 'wicked' one lol.

I have to say my daughter is AMAZING! I wouldn't change her for ANYTHING, but man does she test me and my husband daily!

Come lets go bathe I say to her, "I bathe last night" is her response. Did you laugh? Cause my husband and I did! Or when you say DON'T DO IT and she watches you and steupses ah yes! This time we hold back a laugh!

Every single day something else happens that either makes us thing 'why do you not listen' or 'aww, she's so cute ah!' yup both feelings occur many times during the day! When she's asking to watch Dora then says no Diego then no doggie then... get my point?

I love my daughter, and my son! :) My husband too :) but WOW some days are challenging... thankfully one of my Angel's sleeps while the other looks for every activity under the sun to keep her occupied! :)

Thought Provoker - Sex Education

2012-01-13T10:07:00.000-04:00

So today I'm going to ask the question what do you think about Sex Education? Our society is very 'reserved' and have only recently started coming out of the box where this is concerned. Which to me is a great step forward because I think sexuality is a VERY important topic when it comes to parenting.

I'm not talking about teaching your children how to have sex, but teaching you children ABOUT sex. Too often we see someone get pregnant at the age of 16 because they are powerless, why? Because knowledge is power, and when we withhold it we create powerless teenagers/young adults.

Don't go into too much of an uproar. But I am sure there are many of you moms and dad's who think about the fact that our children do need education in this - in a way that is factual and provides our children with a means of expressing themselves in an open and honest way. Children should be able to ask questions as they see fit and have someone who can address them with honesty and openness but in ways appropriate to the age of the audience and not in any way further.

It's about time that we provide full disclosure, telling people abstinence is best will only take you so far, have we not learnt this as yet? Why are our young adults prohibited from learning about the anatomy and sexual behaviours/decision making or orientation? Must we only use scare tactics of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases as a means of promoting abstinence?

Why not give children the knowledge to know yes abstinence is key, but knowing what forms of contraception exists, how their body works, why they feel certain ways, isn't that important?

I really think this is something missing from our high schools, I went to an all girl, catholic high school and got very tired of hearing abstinence is the only way... it would have been way more enlightening to know the ins and outs of reproduction, relationships, and of course contraception options available, because the knowledge needs to be there so it can be applied effectively.

What do you as parents think and feel with regards to this?

Not so nice me

2012-01-10T21:25:00.000-04:00

Lol this was a post I wrote a couple weeks ago, which I forgot to publish and just thought I had to share! :)

Everyday is becoming a difficult day... I think I barely have patience to cope anymore and have realized some of the most drastic changes in my attitude this pregnancy!

It is no lie I was a dream come true with my daughter - you can ask my husband and he will actually reply that is true. But this time around I am a BEAST, don't cross me unless you'd like to get a cuss and a half for just being next to me.

Boy do I hope this is all a phase and things calm down next month when I'm no longer pregnant because I'm feeling sorry for the people around me.

I have to admit I do try to answer people desirably, you know sound like I care and shit... but I'm realizing doing so and pretending isn't easy for hot mouth me.

On a normal non-pregnant day I have a very very hot mouth, however, combination with pregnancy equals deadly. I really do need to learn how to calm down before I give myself high blood pressure at this late stage in pregnancy/early stage in life!

Ugh Breastfeeding

2012-01-04T09:27:00.002-04:00

So here I am again with number two, who can't latch on (I just don't have breastfeeding boobs clearly) and I'm pumping all over again.

Except this time I have a wining toddler and no drive whatsoever to pump and care with the whole breast is best nonsense!

I've been giving him breastmilk and formula this time around and man all I can say I formula is such a relief. I don't feel guilty this time around for him having it. I guess that's cause of my whole other stupid oh well some breast is better than none nonsense!

Can you tell I've reached the I just don't care point? I'm going to try my best to pump at least twice a day so that he'd get some. But I just can't do much more this time. I should add my real frustration with pumping this time around is I'm just in pain! I realized the size breastshields I've used all this time are actually too large, I'll try to get some smaller ones and then my confidence may be restored.

But right now I'm just demotivated! :(

My POS General Experience

2012-01-02T15:45:00.001-04:00

Now before you even start to cringe or think the thoughts of 'you good yes' sometimes decisions are made simply because there is no other choice.

With the rising private medical costs that occur in this country we just couldn't think of any other way to afford a delivery unless we asked for parents help. Which, unless totally necessary we absolutely hate to do!

We have (and we're very proud of this) somehow managed to keep afloat despite all the very high cost of living, though we may be 'just getting by' at times there are plenty times where we're doing great and have reason to be proud!

The costs of having a natural delivery are in excess of $10,000, which is money that we just do not have, and even if we did, saving that money towards something more important is more beneficial to us in the long run than any of my short term comforts.

Bearing that in mind, POS General is not nearly as bad as people think, and has had some upgrades (hello a/c'ed wards!) which was quite a welcomed surprise this time around! (Yup this actually my second delivery at POS General)

I have short quick deliveries, which equals me only being there for the one night and I'm home the next day.

You come into contact with many very friendly nurses and people that are all around very great to deal with. My mid wife who delivered me (I believe her name was Maria) was great!

Everyone says oh but you'll be delivering by yourself. For everyone's benefit I'm sure you'd like to know that you can actually have someone present with you at the delivery on the condition that you attend 7 Lamaze classes at POS General, when we did it with my daughter it used to be a Wednesday at 1pm now I'm not sure when it happens but it would be great info to find out.

Anyway once this is done you are able to get a letter from the nurses, which you can show when you come in to deliver. Good to note in those 7 sessions one must be a labour and delivery session to ensure you are able to be present.

I have to say that those classes we're fantastic and extremely informative, my husband and I (at the time he was the bf) learnt so much more from these classes than we did at our privately attended course at Mamatoto. Though we didn't do the classes at POS this time around (regrettably) so I can't give any updated info!

You basically go in to be admitted and you labour until you are dilated sufficiently to go downstairs to labour and delivery. Once delivered you remain on wards downstairs (101) until you are transferred to the upstairs wards (201 hmm maybe 202). Where you stay the night, nurses check on you, if you have any questions - you're able to ask and you're in a general area, which though not private is sufficiently comfortable.

You have a bathroom right nearby, as you have to pass urine every 2 hours, so it's no huge trek after everything you've been through.

Of course there are strict visiting hours which are from 11am - 12pm and 4:30 - 5:30pm, happily those times came quickly on both days and it was nice to see hubs and everyone else! Of course I had to wait to see my darling when I reached home the next day since children aren't allowed on the wards (I know that this is true in St. Clair as well, I'm not sure if Westshore has a no kids policy).

All in all, though I always hate the thought of going to POS General but - free equals FANTASTIC and of course knowing that if ANYTHING were to go wrong with baby, we're in the BEST place as that's the exact place he/she will be taken to if there is an emergency.

Initially when he was supposed to be a preemie dr. had said instantly you know you're delivering in POS right? Lol it also helps that my Dr. is a consultant of a unit and as a result also boosts my confidence in going to POS.

All in all I can't complain :) I'm home with my happy healthy baby and I ain't doing too bad myself! :)

Pretty Quiet

2011-12-31T17:55:00.002-04:00

I've had a pretty quite past couple of days, though I thought it was supposed to be me feeling exhausted 24/7 and just in a total daze.

Little One (LO) is fast asleep feeding every 5 hours or so and has just been a quiet peaceful little man!

Daughter, however, has been testing us every step of the way! Poor thing I'm sure it's just really a HELLO pay attention to me more than anything else!

All is well and just thought I'd update! :)

Post Christmas Clean Up

2011-12-27T18:28:00.003-04:00

You've just overwhelmingly opened the hugest mountain of gifts you've ever seen in your life and think, where is this going to all fit!? If you didn't get chance to de-clutter before Christmas Day hit, now is the time to do it!

Create this simple rule, for every one item in - get rid of one item in turn.

A new DVD to add to your collection? Then get rid of one that you know no longer serves any use to you! How about a new Christmas pajama set - purge one that no longer fits! Your kids toys have multiplied times a hundred? Again for every one in get rid of another. If you're feeling ambitious how about for every one get rid of two!

What about those gifts that you receive that you have no use for? If there is a possibility in re-gifting the item pack away in your gift closet and make sure to keep a note as to who gave it to you so that you avoid any sticky situations!

Also with Christmas toys the old ones may have lost their zeal, but are still items that your children will return to, how about storing in a plastic container in whichever storage area you have in your house to then cycle them out in a few months when the 'new toy' excitement has passed!

As FlyLady says it's never too late jump in where we are! :)

Finance for 2012

2011-12-27T17:39:00.006-04:00

So! For 2012 our resolution will be to bring on some finance articles, I'm by no means an advisor of ANY sort, just a mom trying to find her way in household/financial management. SO I will aim to start publishing at least 1 financial articles a month (on top of everything else we randomly talk about on here) so that we can get the ball rolling in the right direction for us all!

Maybe this year thanks to these finance articles we will also prepare our Christmas budget well in advance of Christmas and avoid the rush of buying unplanned gifts during the holidays! So an aim for a peaceful holiday! :)

I hope this article finds everyone in great spirits after their Christmas season and we look forward to the New Year and bringing it in with a bang!

The Countdown

2011-12-27T11:59:00.001-04:00

With my 14th January due date the countdown is now officially on! After all of the complications who knew I would even make it this far!

Now sleepiness is kicking in in the highest form... I think my body is trying to tell me something? Perhaps that I need to sleep now while I can? Or maybe this is how you're going to feel in a couple weeks so might as well get accustom from now! Lol something tells me it's the latter.

For all the parents with two kids, how was it adjusting to number two? I know I'm scared, especially as I barely cope some days handling one and have serious thoughts as to how I'm going to cope with two! I have to say though I really do strongly believe you are never given more than you can handle, however, I'm shocked that anyone thinks I can handle this much!

Balancing everything - daughter number one, child number two, managing the house getting into cooking wow I hope I get better at all of this!

Boy am I bringing in the new year with a bang!

My Breastfeeding Experience

2011-12-20T17:08:00.000-04:00

With my upcomming breastfeeding - which I honestly DREAD! I thought this post couldn't be more perfect! :)

A student messaged me asking if I could answer the following questions for her for a school paper she has to write and I thought the response was something I could share, as you can't get more real than this! :)

Did you breastfeed or bottle-feed your child/children?
I bottle fed my daughter breastmilk for 4 months exclusively, I did at one point try a formula mixed with breastmilk bottle when she was around 2 months to see if it would make her sleep longer, but it didn't so I continued expressing for her exclusively.

Why did you decide to breastfeed or bottle-feed your child?
My daughter couldn't latch, so I met with a lady from tibs who gave me a nipple shield, which after reading about extensively on the internet realised it wasn't the best thing in the world for her and my milk supply so at around 6 weeks I stopped using it totally and just exclusively pumped milk.

Exclusively pumping is something hardly anyone knows they can do or even does down here so I got a lot of support for it online.

Did you feel pressured when making the decision?
You have a certain 'guilt' association with not breastfeeding - it's just everywhere and that whole discussion on trini moms is the PRIME example of it, people make you feel you aren't giving your child the best just because you aren't breastfeeding when in fact if your daughter/son is formula fed it's perfectly fine. I'm a formula fed baby, my husband is a breastmilk fed baby and we are two totally different people - I'm healthy and allergy free and he has TONS of allergies! So it drove my point home even more that breastfeeding really doesn't make anything that much better! Especially because all the 'studies' that they have that make those claims are just unsubstantial and outdated!

Did anyone have an influence on your decision?
My father kept insisting that I tried to breastfeed, I have a 5 year old sister who was breastfed up to the age of 4, they were so pro breastfeeding, but it didn't take my sanity into account at all.

Breastfeeding HURTS A LOT, and when someone is gnawing away at your nipple and making you bleed no amount of “oh it gets betters” makes you feel any better!

That whole oh you'll be closer to your baby because your breastfeeding for me was such SHIT I was angry every time I had to breastfeed because it was just horrible! The day I decided no more breastfeeding, I'm pumping only, was the day I was a MUCH happier mother for it!

I did something most people wouldn't have even tried, pumping exclusively for her so I'm proud of myself for it and also glad that she got the breastmilk which according to everyone was ESSENTIAL for her well-being though I can't say I still believe it!

If you breast-fed your child, how long did you breast-feed them for and why?
Think I answered this already but breastfed for 4months exclusively, I actually had over 200oz of breastmilk stored in the freezer and for some reason it was never used so I could have probably easily gone a bit longer with it, but not sure why we didn't and also I stopped pumping because my supply dropped (I actually didn't realise it was cause I was about to get my period) and so I couldn't keep up with what she was drinking and stopped.

Play Dough Recipe

2011-12-19T09:30:00.000-04:00

So I searched for several different recipes online and after all of that I end up coming up with this one:
3 cups water
1/2 cup salt
3 tbs cream of tartar
3 tbs oil
3 cups flour

Mix water, salt, cream of tartar and canola.
Slowly blend in flour.
When blended turn on stove medium heat - stir constantly. Remove from heat and roll out to get any lumps out as well as add any food colouring you may desire.

Now I have to say hubs and I sat down to roll and mix and colour and wow was this batch a lot but I had 10 small containers for it to fit so it was perfect. However, I find that it was feeling a bit 'crusty' I'm not sure if I over cooked it or if it was drying out that quickly.

I'll have to try another recipe and let you know how that goes. But all I can say is thank God I bought playdough 14 mini containers for $80 in Westport! Now I'm thinking about getting 10 for $125 of the big containers as well because apparently my making all natural play dough dreams are not coming true! Lol go figure!

Parenting - Being Open and Honest!

2011-12-18T08:39:00.000-04:00

I had a small lime last night of close friends. You realise as we all sit there sharing stories, of course there are the hilarious ones and the not so good ones, which all display the ups and downs of parenting. But it's that everyone is just open and honest with everything that is parenting.

I keep people around me like this because then sharing the ups and downs is never fearful, and there is never a need to feel guilty for everything that happens. When a friend says the kids are driving her nuts, you can relate and you don't judge because you understand... isn't that the best to have people like that around you?

If you don't have those people, feel free to use here to be that grounds to share those moments... the good and the bad ones... but the point in it all is honesty... where no one judges!

Chores Chart

2011-12-16T10:59:00.000-04:00

Taking a break from Christmas inspired just for a few to post a great idea I found while searching the internet! Thought this was great for all of us since we can start implementing with the kids, and who says it can't be used for the Dad's too! ;)

I can't say I have anything of the sort implemented in the house, but I've considered it many many times! I've been searching the internet for one that I really liked and for once I can tell you I actually found one!

Over at Cup of Delight a mama has a beautiful tutorial for how to make your own! If I ever was to tackle one this is where I'm going to make one EXACTLY like this!

Fly Lady's Commandments

2011-12-12T07:58:00.000-04:00

I get these weekly FlyLady Digests, which void a smart phone I honestly don't check as much as I used to. My routine used to be I'd wake up on a morning read the email and that's that, now they're just piling up one by one and it's not productive in the least! I save them and try to go through 1 a day and at least get rid of the pile up but it never ever happens! So recently I deleted a whole ton and said ok I'll start over in December, well I'm still behind! I'm this morning catching up with the one sent on 3rd December!

Anyway so in this one has a summary of the FlyLady's Commandments and I've written them down in nice colours to post up on my notice board because I need to read and re read this daily for sure! Especially 4. Don't allow yourself to be sidetracked by the computer.

I honestly think the computer has become my enemy, I spend WAY too much time in front of it and have made myself very unproductive as a result, as I'm always searching something new! I so need to break this habit as it's not a good one at all! So that will be my New Years resolution and maybe even my birthday present to myself! Get back a smart phone, check at specific intervals and get back to my life!

Here are the 11 Commandments! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

FlyLady's Eleven Commandments

1. Keep your sink clean and shiny.

2. Get dressed every morning, even if you don't feel like it. Don't
forget your lace-up shoes.

3. Do your morning and before bedtime routine everyday.

4. Don't allow yourself to be sidetracked by the computer.

5. Pick up after yourself. If you get it out, put it away.

6. Don't try to do two projects at once. ONE JOB AT A TIME.

7. Don't pull out more than you can put back in one hour.

8. Do something for yourself everyday, maybe every morning and night.

9. Work as fast as you can to get the job done. This will give you
more time to play later.

10. Smile even when you don't feel like it. It is contagious. Make
your mind up to be happy and you will be.

11. Don't forget to laugh everyday. Pamper yourself, you deserve it.

FlyLady

Christmas Shopping - being frugal

2011-12-12T07:36:00.000-04:00

So I did Christmas on the cheap this year, I didn't go out of my way to buy anything too expensive, especially as we couldn't afford it and I got what would be considered 'cheap' toys for everyone. But not because I'm cheap, a friend actually advised all those expensive gifts she buys for her kids don't even end up holding their attention for as long as the cheap toys do.

So want some ideas?

Woopie cushions
Fun Snaps
Starlites
Bubbles
Small propelling toys (helicopters, cars)
Plasticine
Colouring Books
Anything that you find in the $10 store! ;)

Basically all those cool cheap toys that you see in a store and go oh cool I remember playing with this! It makes you want to be a child all over again and you realise look at that with all the expensive toys I was ever given I remember the 'cool' cheap ones! I know for me that reigns very very true!

Yes a camera may have been sweet! But nothing beats popping fun snaps and lighting starlites! Remember let the inner kid in you have some fun too! :)

Christmas Shopping!

2011-12-09T08:10:00.002-04:00

*Update* Westport made an error yesterday and the prices I received were 50% off the original pirces! :(
Toys below were from Westport unless I specified otherwise, but these were GREAT prices! I saw the same kitchen set I bought for $147.50 on Charlotte for around $400 and kept thinking that's just too much! Talk about STEAL! I forgot to take a picture of the helicopter which I got for $180 that's about 2ft big it's a pretty large one, they had smaller ones from $125! (Hope it works on Christmas morning lol). The Helicopter I actually saw in Yips and was around $350+ for it.

This one was super cute and was something like $135 roughly

Learning Desk $155

Kitchen $147.50

Clue $40

Twister $30

Nerf imitation gun - $40

Nerf set - $50

This I got on Queens Street the water shooter was $13.99 and the 'zoom ball' was $10 at the $10 Store on Henry Street

Just another stocking stuffer on Queen street $3.99

This tool set looks very impressive in person! $9.99 for it and it was definitely the most 'real' looking I've ever seen in cheap toys!

Huggies Box - Repurpose

2011-12-07T12:17:00.001-04:00

Jessie mentioned on the Pretty Chaotic page that she re-purposed a Huggies box for DVD's and at the time my brain was thinking about the plastic wipes containers (Lord help meh!). She sent me pictures of before and after of the box and this is just SO excellent and ingenious! She used contact paper in a 'woodgrain' finish to help it match her decor, but this could be covered in anything to suit your decor! Another great idea would be to use gift paper and 'decoupage' it to the box, i.e. glue it on entirely rather than just wrap the box.

Check out Justbecause's blogpost
on covering an old diapers box with fabric even!

Iron Board Deal - Reader Contribution

2011-12-05T09:31:00.000-04:00

So I've gotten to you guys! Here you are shopping and you get inspired and taking a picture so that you can come share it with all the other moms on Pretty Chaotic! I'm so proud of you, apparently I even have to take a hint from you too!

Thanks to Jessie who was in Shoppers Freezone and spotted this! (I've seen this before and always balk at the price but Jessie's breakdown is very accurate!)

Here is the breakdown - The 2 pics are of a storage unit and ironing board!! Cost $1095
Now if you consider it's actually 3 things in one, and breaking it down you’d see its soo worth it!

It’s a shelving unit, which on its own would cost around $500-600 - ironing board, which would cost $250-300 and wicker baskets, which would be another $300 so sounds good!

An amazing find, especially when you do the breakdown as above! Thanks so much Jessie for taking the pics and sharing! Look out cause we have two more posts to share with you on Jessie's finds! :)

Christmas Decor - Our Tree

2011-11-30T09:13:00.002-04:00

My red, lime green, gold with 'pops' of white Christmas Tree! Which I'm SO proud of! It still isn't finished I have to add a cool wire garland to it as well as a topper! The tree came out fantastic (I think!) at this point I'm really glad that it's a 'slim' tree and in a corner cause then the amount of decor I really would have needed would have killed me! lol

Now I will add stuff to it with each new year and take pride in my first Christmas Tree in my own place! Love love love it!