Declutter- Handbag!!

I am struggling to find time out side of work hours to get my posts done so I have been using my lunch breaks to get everything done.... the other day I was trying to figure out what I could do from my desk and so I had a look at this post from The Orgaised Housewife.

My handbag is generally full of stuff but I do try to have regular clean out sessions. So, on Friday I gave it another, more thorough, clean out. This is what I found!

This is my little handbag. It is quite full of stuff that I don't need. Like;

I apologise for the quality of the photos but they were taken on my phone as I didn't have my camera with me. As you may be able to see, there were two Malteasers!! What the?!?! Along with 2 hair clips for the baby, two pens, two lip glosses, two types of hay fever medication, a dummy, some bills, and my purse and note book, keys and a bottle opener... and a dog pooh bag!

I managed to get it down to this-

Again, sorry for the photo quality. But I have my asthma meds which have to stay with me at all times, my purse, note book, one pen, both lip glosses and my keys. Beautiful!!

Then... I thought I'd have a look at the purse. Oh Ma Garsh!!! Talk about stuff I don't need, and some that I do!

I clearly have more "loyalty" cards than I need, some tickets that don't need to be there, Bruneian dollars that I can't even use and then some partially used gift cards. I checked on the back on the gift cards and went online to check the balance.... $20 on one and $8 on the other!!! Yay!!! Thanks to The Organised Housewife for making me clear out my purse and get free money!!!

I am loving this de-cluttering frenzy... I am actually making money!

Favourite Products- Bathroom

This post is a for me to share my favourite products with you.

I am lazy. No butts about it. I hate cleaning everything... except for the bathroom. I don't know why, it's just always been my favourite room to clean... maybe because it gets so shiny and beautiful! Before our bathroom had it's makeover it was much easier to clean because we didn't care about what we used in it... nothing was too powerful. Bleach, Draino, Gumption... you name it, we used it. Now, when the new prettified room came to be, my DH wanted to only use Enjo to clean the entire bathroom. This is fine for most things but you do spend a stupid amount of time buffing, rubbing and polishing things that just don't warrant it! So, I do the sneaky!!

Our shower sits over the bath so the bath gets heaps of soap scum and general grime all over it! So, I use SHOWER POWER!! I am in love with Shower Power! You just spray it on.... wipe it around a bit... leave it... and then wipe it off. It gets EVERYTHING off! I can't even explain properly my love of Shower Power! Say it with me! "Shower Power"
It's not very often that a product does what it says it will but this is one of them. If you haven't tried it before, do your self a favour and try it! It cuts my bath cleaning time to about 120 seconds. 

Next, on to the toilet. I like having a clean toilet so I have to dedicate quite a large chunk of my grocery budget to buying toilet cleaner as I refuse to scrub it! I went through a few toilet cleaners before I found one that would genuinely do it itself! Here it is (I strongly suggest you try this if you haven't before... it is a god send!) Harpic White & Shine Bleach Gel... it is my second favourite cleaning product. Get on this wagon asap... I just chuck it in and leave it for 10 minutes.... it is done by the time you get back!!!!! If it is not perfect you just need to give it a bit of a smash with the brush... beautiful!

Well, that's it. I'll get onto the rest of my time saving product tips over the next month. There won't be too many because as you know, I hate cleaning.

X

1000 Things Challenge

This is a great challenge which I have started and I thought you might all like to have a go too!

The challenge is to sell 1000 things. Easy!

The idea is that even if you only made $1 on each item you'd have $1,000... and who wouldn't like an extra grand?

Things to note, if you are going to sell some stuff on ebay make sure you make more money than the posting costs. These will vary depending on how many details and options you pick. Keep an eye out for their free listing specials! They will often have a weekend where anything that starts as a 99c starting bid can be posted for free... this way if you are just going to sell a few cards or a great picture you drew (why not?? if you made a dollar on it it all goes towards your final goal) then everything will be profit. Also, do not list something for 99c if you are not prepared to sell it for that. If only one person bids 99c you MUST sell it at that price. You can set a minimum reserve, so do it.

Also make sure you pay attention to shipping costs which can be underestimated through ebay. The postage cost does not include the Parcel Post bag!! This will cost YOU extra!

See if you can tee delivery up if the person lives on your regular route, maybe they can come over to collect the item when you know you will be home all day doing your cleaning so you are not wasting valuable time, if you need to post it, will it fit in an envelope??

So, what can you sell?

First, go through room by room and find all those things you no longer need or want. I read a great quote somewhere (sorry that I can't remember which blog it came from and I am paraphrasing) 'If you don't use it, if you don't look at it... let someone else give it the life it deserves' or something like that. I suggest you sell per room. Start with your bedroom and don't move onto another room until you have finished selling everything from that room. This means you can leave it where it already was while you wait for it to be sold rather than move your junk around the house!

To make it to 1000 things you are probably going to have to get creative in finding things to sell. Try other methods too! What about a cake stall at the local footy game? A stall at the local market or swap meet? Can you make something? Often the most simple ideas sell the best... knitted scarves, home made cards, jams??

Keeping Track.

If you are not very computer savvy you could just buy a 50c note book and write every thing you sell in there. Make sure you only write the total money you MADE on top of any fees like stall hire or listing fees, this will make your progress easier to track. Other wise, you could make yourself an Excel spreadsheet to track all expenses and profits gained out of your little venture.

I hope some of you will take up this challenge... we all have soooo much stuff in our lives that could be sold to give you some extra money for the things that mean something to you... and help de-clutter your home and life!

Why Blog??

I have been asking myself that question. Why am I blogging?

I shelved any ideas of notoriety a very long time ago, in my teens when I fell pregnant and kept my baby instead of continuing with my blossoming modelling career. Since then I have been pretty happy just getting by. So, it can't be because of the chance of being well know for doing something.

I am not a very good writer. Even though I read all of the time I haven't picked up the skill to translate all these A++ ideas into the written word. I try and write what is in my head but it just doesn't come out that way. So, it can't be because I am a literary whiz.

So, I guess it must be because I just wanted to relate to people. I want people to know me because they can relate to me and my life's struggles. Maybe they will like the way I write... not really smart.... just like a normal woman who is just venting and experimenting, and sharing with a bunch of friends she doesn't know yet. I have always been the talker in my group, not uncommon for people to just start walking away (especially if the vino has been flowing) while I'm still talking on a train of thought that has spanned the last three hours. Occasionally though, someone will sit and listen. Then even less frequently, someone will just look at me and say "You should write this stuff down". So, here it is.

I think I have found something that hasn't really been over-blogged, there are plenty of blogs dedicated to being really good at something but there aren't so many where the writer is willing to put their hand up and go "I can't do this... I'm just like you"

I have two followers at this stage and I have to say, I get such a thrill from looking at them and my one comment that it just makes me want to keep going... and that's just with two! So, thanks for enabling me to do something that makes me happy.

5 Great Blogs I Have Discovered

Hi all,

Things have been a bit quiet on the "organisational" front. I have been insanely busy trying to get myself back into the swing of full time work that the house has become a very low priority. Saying that, I have been trying to get a few of the basics done every day so that there isn't too much to do on the weekend.
At work, I have the opportunity to do a bit of personal browsing and have started a few challenges which a running on them at the moment. I like a bit of friendly competition and work better if I have a goal to head towards so I suggest you have a look at these and give them a go. Just click on the names.

- Aspiring Millionaire

This woman has got the know-how and the drive to get to her goal of being a millionaire by the time she's 30. I am really impressed with her blog and it has inspired me to get a wriggle on and take charge of my finances and life in general. She has various challenges, how-to lists, life stories and great links to other blogs that she has been inspired by. Well worth a look.

-The Daring Kitchen

Now, this is something I am passionate about, food! This is an exclusive group that you can request to join that sets itself a monthly baking (or cooking) challenge. Then everyone goes off and blogs a photo diary on their attempt of the challenge. I have put my application in and I'm eagerly awaiting acceptance!! Last month they made caramel cheesecake.... it looked divine.

-The Ultimate Blog Challenge

Got a blog? Is it only just beginning like mine? Or, is it not quite what you want it to be?? Well, this is a free programme which encourages wonderful blogging for an entire month. The daily tasks are sent to you via email so you can keep them all on file and re-use them month after month to keep up the good work. I am finding it very inspirational (hence this post!)

-The Organised Housewife

Ahhh, my muse! I know I have put her site up before but this is the only reason I have a blog so I'm putting it out there again. She sets totally do-able daily tasks that will help you keep your entire house under control and de-cluttered. She also has meal plans, tips for keeping your kids happy, craft and scrapbooking ideas (I for one hate scrapbooking but that's just me) and she'll also chuck some decorating and weight loss tips in there for free! LOVE HER!

-Bonkers About Buttons

This one is just because I loves it!! I am so in love with buttons, the fact that they can have so much wonder and still be so teensy! The woman who writes this blog is witty to boot and finds great tutorials on button craft and has a good eye for the unusual and brilliant. Jump on over and have a look-see!

Thanks for reading today's post. I hope you enjoy the above websites and have a go at their challenges like I am... I will post more about my involvement with these challenges and their blogs.

Happy Disorganisation!

Good news!

I have fulfilled one of my goals!

I got a JOB!!!

I am now a full time employee at a recruitment firm. I will be sorting out their database and contacting everyone on it and making their information current. It is pretty good pay and good options for the future as they will be looking at employing a recruiter in the new year and I'll be all ready to step up.

So, what does this mean for my housewifyness?? Well, I guess I'm just going to have to get more organised! Working 38 hours a week, keeping a home, making all meals and caring for two children and a man is a lot to have on your plate but I think I can do it. I worked full time when P was our only child so it can't be too much harder with only one extra child.

Bad news about this job, I get paid monthly!! OMG!! I am going to be broke on a very regular basis while I get used to it! Please be patient with me if I complain endlessly about having no money for no reason.

I plan on putting a few posts up on how to get things done in creative ways when you're working full time!

Daily Task- Tuesday 28th June

{DAILY TASK} Fix something that is broken...stop putting it off, today's the day.


So, here it goes! I don't really have that many things that are broken because my DH tends to get most things fixed pretty quickly. And, I'm terrible at sewing things. I have a lot of respect for people who can sew even the simplest thing because I am all thumbs with a needle and thread. 


My baby S got a little jacket from a friend of ours and after one wear, one button had come off completely and a second was on its last legs. So, today I reattached them!! (Has anyone noticed the quality of the button sewing at Target kids going down hill? I have had heaps of their buttons come off recently!)


Here is the jacket with its three attached buttons. The one in the top left is on its last thread.

It's such a cute jacket! Anyway, as I said above, I am not really any good or interested in sewing so I don't have much of a kit. I just went to Coles and bought one of the ready-to-go emergency kits which has pretty much been enough for the last few years. Every now and then I need something different so I just add it to the kit. I haven't needed to upgrade my little bag yet, if I ever get to that point I hope to have enough money to pay someone else to fix things. Here is my kit!

Everything I could ever need! So, I set about sewing the first button back on and then removing and re-attaching the second. Umm, as you'll be able to see, it didn't actually go so well. The bottom right button is way too high and the top left is slightly too low. You know what? I DON'T CARE!! I am so stupidly chuffed with my effort and they almost line up with the holes anyway so I'm delighted!Sooo Ms Organised Housewife, I have succeeded in your daily task! How good does it look!

(Let's not share the end result around with too many people, it's actually quite shocking!)

Bathroom- Exhaust. Drains.

{Daily Task}- Using the brush attachment, vacuum the dust from the exhaust fans and drain in your bathroom.

A good task! We recently blew an enormous amount of money on our 1960's bathroom and turned it into the glamour-puss it is today. DH found an extractor fan cover which is gorgeous and doesn't have an exposed vent... yippee!

We also haven't really got a drain, it is a channel which runs the length of the bath/shower and is filled with river stones. These are vacuumed lightly every week but they do get filthy... it takes about 2 hours to clean them all properly! After the last clean, DH declared that it would be cheaper and easier just to replace the stones when they got dirty, so that's what we do. Twice a year we pull them up, stick them in the yard and replace with all new stones... costing a mere $30.

For today's task I have vacuumed the vent and gave the stones a brush over with the vacuum. Sorry the pictures look a little blurry, I have been playing the the new settings on my camera and haven't figured out how to use them properly.

See you at the next task!

Umm, Day 3?

Ok, so maybe it's not day 3 but I guess I couldn't be the Disorganised Housewife if I actually posted on time each day!

Now, I have a few daily tasks to catch up on so I will just label them under the room they are occurring in. Today will be flooded with posts to compensate.

Other than not blogging since Wednesday I have actually been pretty busy. I had so much washing to do and during winter it just takes such a long time to dry that you only just finish putting away the last of it before the next batch needs to be washed again.

I've also had three very sick people in my house (not me luckily) and I have been undergoing some medical tests to deal with some joint pain I have had for years.

I have discovered that I am probably only going to be able to post on Tuesdays and Thursdays as these are the days that baby goes to daycare.

Oh, and in other news... I have 1 follower!! Hurrah!!

Day 2

Dear Blog,

So, I haven't received my daily newsletter and tasks from The Organised Housewife but on facebook she has supplied a task for the day; dust the top of your fridge.
Umm, have you seen the top of my fridge?!?!? The dust is the least of my troubles! I gave it a crack anyway and the results have been interesting to say the least! Firstly it took me a very long time to "clear" my fridge of all the things that call its top home. The next bit was not so bad, the actual "dusting". It wasn't so much dusting as scraping a few years worth of dust mixed with airborne cooking grease away from its surprisingly shiny surface. I don't usually tend to use chemical cleaners where they aren't desperately required but my handy Spray and Wipe bottle was in full swing on this little task.

Once I had dusted my fridge as required by her Highly Organised, I was filled with a great sense of accomplishment. This was quickly crashed by the view of the items on my kitchen floor. What is all this stuff? Why was it put here in the first place? How can I dust/scrape a cardboard box?? You'll see in the picture that there aren't actually too many things up there but why are they there at all? Of course I remember putting them there but that doesn't mean it's my fault, does it? But then, low and behold, I opened the mysterious white box from atop the fridge and it was full... of goodies!!!! Well, they used to be good. Fortunately the wine, olives and olive oil were all good! Yay, free wine!

Anyway, my plan of attack for the other irritatingly displaced items is to wash them all (groan) and see if they'll fit in the cupboards... but what about the dog treats?? Help!!!
I didn't manage to get much of the serving wear into the cupboards but a few pieces have been cleared. I have put the dog treats in a Tupperware container, feedback on a better solution would be great!

Yes, we have a pink kitchen, it is the best kitchen in the world! I hope you enjoy the photos of this deceptively simple task...

End day 2

Time to set some goals

Over the next few months I'd like to use this blog as motivation to complete some goals I have set for myself. These including the care and organisation of my house and family but also some self-improvement.

1) Lose some weight.

I used to work in retail and managed to keep a pretty trim figure because I was constantly on my feet running from one end of department store to the other. I then decided to get a "grown up" job sitting at a desk Monday to Friday 9-5. This resulted in a rapid gain of weight (13kgs in less than 12 months) and a drop in my self confidence. Then I fell pregnant and had a beautiful baby and stopped working outside the home. The result? I am 20 kgs over my goal weight. I have been going to the gym intermittently, walking daily, eating terribly... basically I'm not getting any better.
So, goal one is to fit 1 hour of strenuous exercise in to my daily routine.

2) Get creative.

I used to paint, draw and write a lot when I was a younger adult. Then life got on top of me and I just didn't see the point in doing anything that I couldn't be the best at. After having my baby a year ago I have dabbled in making a few things and they have been very therapeutic and I'm dead proud of them. I'd like to knock out a few paintings, maybe make some clothes for the kids and start getting my sketching mojo back. So, that's goal number 2... I'll post proof on a weekly basis I think... I don't have too much time to do something everyday.

3) Get this house organised.

I don't have a large family but I do have a little house. We live in the most gorgeous 1919 Federation cottage in a great suburb a few minutes walk from the city of Perth. It is ideal living. Except for the old house issues that anyone in an old house will understand. I have no storage. The house drops dust like there is no tomorrow. There is not very much natural light and each room is its own entity with its own door... no open plan throughout the entire house. Luckily we have finished renovating so there is nothing else that needs to be done. Also, I live with a hoarder, he is a 36 year old hoarder of everything imaginable. My laundry (one of the only rooms with cupboards everywhere) stores power tools, painting things, spare rags, old (possibly useful one day??) light fittings, one million keys and the list keeps going. So, my goal is to organise everything from both girls' rooms to the dreaded laundry within one year. Now that might seem like a decent amount of time but there is also the next goal...

4) Get a job.

Now, not too many housewives are supposed to have a full time job but this one needs to be working. The main reason is financial but there is also the emotional reasons. I loved working and having the freedom to just go and do things if I wanted to because I had the money to. I also get a little overwhelmed if I have lots to do and lots of time to do it in... I work best under pressure! It can take me two days to clean the house if I don't have a reason to but I can get the same stuff done in 3 hours if there are people coming over!
I have been doing a bit of casual work and the compensation doesn't meet the output, I have been mystery shopping because of my extensive retail experience. No more of that for me now... this housewife wants to have a reason to fit into her old Cue suits and hit the big smoke.

5) The Organised Housewife Challenge

Now, the reason behind the blog. I want to follow her daily tasks and yearly organisation tasks for 1 year and report back on everything to you. You know what? I am most worried about this one (oh, and the weight loss) because I already just assume I can't do it because I'm not an organised person. Hence the blog... a way to gather my thoughts and watch my own progress.

Falling at the first hurdle

I think that choosing a Wednesday for my start day was poorly thought out. No one wants to do the dishes on a Wednesday night!

I had very few goals for yesterday other than to get the washing done so that P would have her uniform for today, and wash the dishes before bed. Not hard really. Think I could do it? Absolutely no way! The uniforms were washed but only because at 11.30 pm I remembered that every single item of her clothing for school was in the washing machine waiting to be switched on and I felt guilty that she might have to go to school once again (it happens a bit) in dirty clothes! After starting my blog and completing my mystery shopping assignment for the evening the dishes just got left.

Why must the dishes be done?

The Organised Housewife hates having to wake up to dirty dishes and I have to say that I agree with her. They just put a bad taste in my mouth knowing that as well as the myriad other things I have to do today, I now have to do things from yesterday too!

Why didn't they get done then?

Well, other than the reasons mentioned above, otherwise known as I couldn't be bothered, I had run out of dishwasher powder so the dishes needed to be hand washed. I know there are plenty of Mums out there that manage without a dishwasher every day but when you have been used to having one for the last six years you just don't know how to function properly without one! Now, I know that I could have just popped down to the shops to get some more but that too is firmly placed in to "too hard basket"! It isn't shopping day so I flat out refuse to go just because I didn't better calculate how much dishwasher powder I'd require.  

So, have they been done?

No.

In the beginning

Well, I have decided to start my blog. This has been a quick moving idea as I only just thought of it the other day but I thought I must get a move on with it before I never do it (this is an issue I come across a lot in my life, just not doing things!)

Blog Outline:

I have been an  admirer of The Organised Housewife and her wonderful blog. I love getting my newsletter updates, my daily tasks, hit and tips, meal plans etc. But, I read them and then might attempt a few bits and pieces but at the end of the week I have essentially got no further into my organisational utopia than at the beginning of the week. My plan is to try to live my life, week by week, by the helpful hints of The Organised Housewife and then let you all know how I go! Hopefully this will be like an interactive diary where I can tell you how things went, what worked and didn't work for me and hopefully you can share how you are going with your mission to be a domestic goddess.... or simply your attempt to get the pantry in some kind of order!

Dedication:

Right now I am writing this without any followers so it's pretty easy for me to say that I will continue to write until I have heaps of commenters and followers. Realistically I have to balance writing with my baby, my ten year old and my partner... along with any of the tasks The Organised Housewife sets for each day and... ummm... maybe trying to have a life too!

The Plan:

Want to follow along with me on my journey to organisational bliss?? Well, first bookmark my page. I know there is not too much here now but you never know... this could be HUGE! Secondly, sign up for The Organised Housewife's newsletter so you can follow what I'm doing and give things a go for yourself. That way we can get together and discuss how we went. Now, I am very new to blogging and thus unsure of the etiquette for blogs so I haven't requested permission from fellow blogger but here is where you'll need to sign up... www.theorganisedhousewife.com.au

Then, I guess we wait and see where this takes me.