Hello all! It's been eons since I've been here but certainly not for the lack of trying and it's sooooo great to be back! I see a ton of old cyber-faces are still here! Plus, lots of new things on GON including videos!!! Awesome!

So many false starts, distractions, new interests and life issues (and recently a 10-week old puppy) have kept me from getting back on track with organizing. Maria's most recent newsletter about picking a project struck a cord with me. I've been off since last Friday and when I had planned my mini vacay I decided then that I would take the time to re-work my organizing and cleaning schedule and do room-by-room inventories. I could say that distractions were the cause of me not getting it done on Friday or Saturday, but I think that it was just poor or no planning on my part. Doing things spontaneously has never ever worked for me, and at the end of the day I was disappointed that I hadn't gotten more done or completed at least on thing.

So, here I am with blank copies of Master Lists in-hand, and a pen and clipboard and I'm about to hit each room and get this stuff off my mind and down on paper. The puppy is in her crate and I can now have some peace and quiet and "me-time."

Dianaro, if you are reading this, I'll be jumping over to Motivations and posting in the JDI and monthly goals thread.

BBL

Lynnie

Hi Sweetie! I saw you on Facebook yesterday and was going to send you a note. Hope all is well, you've been missed.

Welcome back Lynnie! Its great to 'see' you again. The real key is taking it out of your head on to paper and on to the forum!

Thanks Kimberly! I've missed you guys as well! I posted on your lovely Easter Bunny photo!!! Too funny!

I'm doing great but had to get back on track with organizing. I never even posted on FB all that much because I couldn't find the time! :-)

Lynnie

Hi Tina! Certainly great to be back! Yup, that's just what I'm doing getting it out of my head and on paper! I'm sure by doing this, I'll add a couple of hours back to my sleep time. It's amazing how you sometimes just can't turn off the think mode in the middle of the night!

Lynnie

Welcome back! Glad to have you join us again.

Hi Bless! Glad to be back! I've got 5 Master Lists complete already! Whoo-Hoo!!!!

Lynnie

I followed my own advice and I just went to the goals list and posted my list for getting ready for the end of the school year. It was kinda nerve-wrecking and overwhelming to see it all written out but like you said it will be nice to not have it all swimming around in my head and maybe my sleep will improve too!

I bet it will! I'm looking forward to uninterrupted "zzz's"!! One thing I won't do is allow the lists to overwhelm me emotionally -- something I can easily do if I think about it too much. These things HAVE to be done and I'll fit them in my schedule and still have some "me time" leftover. I'll look at it this way -- once these avoidable items are done, hopefully I won't have to do them anymore!

Lynne

Thanks so much for the advice Lynne. I looked at your list too and it helped me remember a few things I was forgetting.

Oh, good! Glad I was able to help a bit!

Lynnie

Hi Lynnie:
WELCOME HOME!!!!!! It's so great to see you agian.
We have missed you.
Again a big warm cozy WELCOME HOME!!!!!

Thank you Craftylady! It's wonderful to be back home!!!!

Lynnie: Happy Birthday!

Thank you, Bless!!!!

Lynnie

Hello All,
I have been in the background cheering everyone on to victory. I would just read post and do a little while I was briefly motivated but it's truly time for change. I'm not super sure where to start but I think I will do the livingroom branch. Any other pointers?

PS. I am glad I'm back!

HudBud, welcome back. Where you start doesn't really matter as much as making a start, I think. So, pick your spot and join in the discussions. Posting helps to keep one accountable, I believe. You can list your steps and what you need to do and update us on what you have been able to do, either on the productivity thread, the branches thread, the room of the month or the just do it threads. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

HudBud,welcome to his site where we're all somewhere on the road to getting our homes more organized. It helps to walk through your home listing what bothers you. It could be getting caught up with laundry, organizing plastic ware so lids match or sorting make-up for example.

The very act of writing it down forms your commitment to moving the process forward. I found it's a day-by-day series of baby steps, perhaps two 20 minute sessions, twice a day works cause I can do tasks I dislike for 20 minutes. I'm always surprised to find it takes less time than I figured when I break down tasks to small bites like one shelf or one drawer or one flat surface. It keeps me from getting overwhelmed and after a few days I see results. I started in the bathroom only because it was the smallest room and I could see results in one day. Anytime I got discouraged, I'd peak in the neat drawers in the bathrm vanity and feel re-energized.

I hope you'll join us every day, make it your reward for a 20 minute session with a smoothie or cuppa tea. Looking forward to your posts and cheering you on.

Hi Bless and Cyd,
Thanks so much for the feedback. My little guy got twin beds this weekend so now I need to reorganize what I will and won't put back in there. (sigh)I will do the 20 minute sessions because I am really trying not to feel overwhelmed. I will check in and post so I can keep some motivation.

Thanks again and "see" you around

Hi HudBud1:
WELCOME BACK!!! I'm so glad to see you.
20 minutes at a time is a great idea.
Now that your little guy has twin beds it is your chance to keep motivated. Be sure to post often and let us know how you are doing, even if you only got 1 shelf done. That gives us the opportunity to Cheer you on and therefore motivate you more.

You can do this. We are all here to help. You're not alone.
I'm so glad you're back.

Welcome back! I agree writing it down provides a commitment and then working slowly (baby-steps, pieces, or chunking into like pieces will help). And post often.

hi Hudbud: How's your little guy adjusting to his new 'big boy' bed? I recall when our guys were little the easiest way to cope was to keep it simple. Seasonal clothes that fit were in the bureau, those they had outgrown were removed to a box, those not yet worn were handy in a bin under their beds.

We rotated toys and books [due to age and gifts] so that they were fun and manageable. It's fun to sit on the floor and tell a made-up story about a little boy called _______who was so-ooo big he could put away his hot wheels, or yellow lego, or [whatever toys are favorites] Whenever all the 'work' was done, it was pj time so dad could read a story.

Hi Cyd,
Well he has asked a couple times to take the beds back because he doesn't want them. I live in South Florida so we don't change our clothes out too much but the rotating the toys is a great idea. He has access to all of his toys but I will add that to the to do list.

I am also off for summer so I have many projects planned. Baby steps Baby steps.

Take Care