Finally!

Well I didn't post the results of my challenge last week because I didn't get it finished. I finally did this week thanks to a friend who put my shelf up for me. So here is my 'before' and 'after' shot of my desk area so you can compare. I also kept my counter clean. yay!

My next challenge is a big one. I have this two door cabinet in my hallway upstairs that is supposed to be used for extra storage of things like shampoo, first aid, and whatever. This is the mess it has become though, so it really needs to be done.

Finished and moving on

Well, I did it. I think the biggest challenge will be to keep it clean! Bring on the next challenge!

My challenge this week will be to declutter and organize my desk area. Here is my before picture. It was much worse a few days ago but I kind of cleared some things off. 

Christmas 2014

Wow, we have not taken a family picture since Christopher, my youngest, was a baby. We are awful parents. This isn't professional but it's what we got this year. I do love my family. 

Clutter in my brain

New Challenge

Today my friend Rosa and I started a challenge. We used to do challenges together all the time but life kind of got in the way and we stopped.

Our first challenge is one that will help us get control of our 'hot spots'. If you are not familiar with Fly Lady, a hot spot is that one spot, or many in my case, that collects clutter. 

So our challenge this week is to clear off one hot spot. For me it is this one counter in my kitchen that seems to pile high with everything. So the picture is of my hot spot as it currently is. By the end of the week it has to be completely cleaned off and then maintained on a regular basis. 

I can't believe how long it's been

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted here. Do you ever get so behind, you think you can never catch up so you just don't write at all. Silly I know.

I'm just going to start where I am.

This year I went back to work part time. It was only supposed to be a temporary 3 week position but no I am working about 15 hours per week.
I also went back to school in September. I am attending BYU Idaho online. It's a lot more work than I anticipated. I am only taking two classes but because it's online, there is a lot of discussion board work that I don't really care for though I understand the purpose of it. I do really enjoy school. I'm excited to have this opportunity and that it is so affordable. I am participating in the Pathways program. Check it out if you are interested in going back to school. Check it out here.
I am also homeschooling my youngest. I just think traditional school is not going to work for him. It's ok though because he is pretty self taught. I don't have to help him a whole lot and when I do it's a nice refresher for me.
I also started taking piano lessons last week. I have always wanted to learn. When I was young my parents couldn't afford lessons and then as an adult I couldn't afford them either. We are finally in a position that both me and my daughter can take them. We take two lessons per month each. It's exciting.
I hope I am not taking on too much. I have enjoyed being busy. It leaves less time for temptations to be idle.
Sarah got her drivers permit last April and is a really good driver. Though she doesn't really seem all that interested in it. I can't wait for her to start taking on some of the errands.

John's real estate business is finally starting to pay off. Things are getting better and we have been able to work on paying off debt. He moved over to a new broker. The Margolis Team It's been very good for him and for our family.
Well, that's about it for now. Ta Ta

Stowaway

For our anniversary this year, my mother took our kids for the whole day. We decided to go to the parade of homes. The first set we went to wasn't too far and they were having a BBQ. They were the best burgers I think I have ever had in my whole life. No kidding. I had two. Anyway, when we went to leave there was a grasshopper on the windshield. I don't like killing things. Even bugs that I hate. In fact, the only thing I will kill is a fly and that's because I can't catch them and they are too dumb to go out through an open door. So, needless to say, we didn't turn on the windshield wipers for fear of it smooshing all over the windshield. We figured it would just hop off after we started driving. It lasted for probably 10 miles at 75 miles per hour. (We were on the highway). Stupid bug. It was all I could stand. I think grasshoppers are among the worst bugs there are. I HATE them!! I was traumatized as a child - long story. Anyway I was relieved when it finally blew away.

Wow it's been awhile - I'm not going to try to catch up tonight

I put my boys at a new school this year. I felt that, although I liked their other school, that they needed something different. So we went to a charter school. They weren't thrilled about the uniforms but it has turned out to be really good so far. Adam is in fifth grade, which is considered junior high at this school. It's been good for him. He is in band and gets to play the saxophone. He didn't want to choose that as his elective but daddy made him. Now it's his favorite class. Daddy is smart. Christopher is doing well too. He spends his spare time drawing mazes for his teacher and giving her cool rocks that he finds. They LOVE the food. All of it. Vegetables included. Awesome. I am soooo happy. Things are off to a great start. Sarah is having a great year too. She has such a great attitude I don't think she could have a bad day. At least not very often. Yay for new starts.