I woke up to this fun note in my mailbox, which I really needed after spending a day in bed yesterday!

“Thank you so much! We have incorporated many of your wonderful ideas and are very excited to have our program on the 31st. This is being done on a Stake Level and will be very exciting for the girls. We have received many props from a teacher that had trees made and I will be sure to forward you a few pictures of our evening and let you know how it went. Thanks again. We love your site! Keep up the good work!”

Monique

It’s such a small thing, but it’s what keeps me going on the giant task of getting my many files digitalized and shared on my blog. On the upside of this task, I did get a lot of computer organization done this week. So here’s hoping that I’ll be able to keep up the pace and get more stuff shared.

Today I’m making a mental note to myself to send a simple word of thanks to someone who may not know how much what they share or do means to me.

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Sharing Organizing Positive Impact Inspiration Blogging

Earlier this week I took the plunge to clean. Normally this would be in reference to some home related task, but this time I’m talking about cleaning up digital clutter.

One thing is certain, clutter builds and it comes in many forms. Although I was only using 30% of my available space on my Gmail account, the folders I had filled with e-mails were old, generally useless and adding to clutter. So I forced myself to go through them and delete all the old stuff that didn’t have a place or purpose in my archives in preparation for a new year. I kept the family e-mails, a few important ones for reference but by in large I deleted folder after folder of e-mails. Some from e-mail groups I take part in, others that just seemed to build over time. It was like an invisible weight was lifted! Which, come to think of it, shouldn’t be a surprise given how many thousands of e-mails went into the great deletion void.

The reason I share this is because it’s been a progressive battle for me to let go of little things. I’m an organizer by nature. Years past you’d find a neat little (okay make that big) stash of perfectly labeled and filed old bills, photos, etc., etc., etc. I would never in a million years have considered clearing old e-mails because with the typical pack rat attitude I’d have countered that you just never know when you’ll need one! *giggle* Over the years I’ve had no problem moving to a thrifty storage mentality of all things physical. I go through closets, toy bins and cupboards on a regular basis removing items and clutter not used, keeping only what is needed and current. But I had some sort of block when it came to digital clutter. Three computer moves have helped me with it a little but this year was a giant leap for me. This year instead of having a dozen or so folders for organizing e-mails, I’ve got ONE titled “Misc. to keep” and only a few more for things like school and family. Instead of keeping and sorting e-mails as they come in, I’m reading and then deleting most of them. Sounds simple, but for me this is a big step forward.

I’m learning to let go, be more practical and get more done. I heard it said once that if you want new and good things to come to you there is a need to make room for them. So I’m starting 2009 with a bang of making room.

Anyone else got big plans for the coming year?

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Sharing Organizing Positive Impact Blogging

You’ve got to love going to start a new article only to find you’ve already used that title before! I find that happening more and more the longer I blog. *grins*

So it’s Monday morning and I find myself asking where to start the new day and week. Not that any one day is more important than another, but for me Monday is pretty critical. It has the power to set the tone for my productivity and pace for the remainder of the work week. Therefore, it often gets more of my organizing attention than other weekdays. Today I’m sifting through the many things that I want and need to do, balancing it with the time available and trying to define the best attack.

I’ve noticed a pattern in my life where tasks and to do lists seem to cycle. I’ve gotten much better over the years at doing enough of the critical stuff often enough to keep the list floating instead of sinking with regards to the quantity of items on it. This has come from the learned value of discipline in consistently devoting small sections of times to various tasks. This is great, but the self-discipline often wanes especially when it comes to doing the things I enjoy. When this happens, I find that the list gets heavier and heavier as I continue to spend more time procrastinating things by keeping at the things I enjoy doing. Eventually the weight bothers me enough to do something about it again. That’s where I am this morning.

And so I begin where every good story must - deciding the purpose and defining a path. In short, prioritizing the list. Ironically, the time when this job becomes the most important is most often the time when you feel it’s not as pressing or urgent. Why is it that the up times of progress and ease are the times when we most often fall off the wagon? I guess that’s the reality of why trials are required for our continue progress, sometimes they are all that will move us from our procrastination point of comfort. I also find at this point that there’s a bit of illusion in keeping your task list floating; almost a false sense of security. It’s amazing how much the non-critical items can suddenly carry more weight and influence that the bigger critical ones, especially when allowed to build. Perhaps that’s just the nature of things, that non-critical things remain that way until they themselves by sheer volume begin to carry more weight? I’m not sure. I only know that today my list feels heavy even though the things on it are not really that important or big.

So where will you begin? How do you define your lists of task for a new week?

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Organizing Balance Blogging

I’m finding as I grow older that it’s not about finding time, it’s about making it. There are always so many things that keep me busy, most of it busy work. The crazy thing is that the busy work can so easily crowd out any time for other things, little things that matter - things like taking a few minutes to visit a friend or reading a story to your child.

Years ago I had a friend who always used the phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff. And it’s ALL small stuff.” I wasn’t sure I was on board with that thought then but I sure understand it now. Today was a good reminder that the things that really matter can’t be checked off a to-do list.

I hope that among my just enough days and my productive ones that I never forget to take time for the things that matter.

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I started my week this morning determined to make it a great and “get lots done” week. I woke up early, tackled the cabinets over my computer for gutter clutter, soaked the garden spot, cleaned the patio and was so grateful I spent those extra minutes late last night doing dishes and folding laundry so I could wake up with less to do and more boost!

I sat down at my computer around 9:30, caught up on blogs, e-mails and changed my desktop background to a fall theme. I couldn’t help but ponder on changes, I glanced at the calendar to be reminded of how much time has already passed and chuckled when I read “Autumn Begins” on today’s square. I’m so bad about stuff like this, I leave the official season change dates and winter solstice to my uber competent hubby. Then it occurred to me that I didn’t need a calendar to tell me this, something inside me already knew.

Some Arizonan’s would argue with this because of the more common complaint regarding the lack of season changes here. To their credit, we don’t get snow we just get various degrees of warmth and rain. But I know when the changes come, and I love it. Although I have to admit that before I really started tackling gardening here I didn’t notice as much either. Now it’s like an internal barometer that kicks in when I know it’s time to prep the garden plot again for seeds. This is my favorite time of year here. Tonight we’re planting our fall garden and I’m really looking forward to it!

On this note, Saturday Blake tackled the yard with a vengeance and Tay was hot on his heels. I love that this little guy loves helping in the yard and garden so much. I came home from a morning activity to hear all about how Tay mowed all but one or two swipes of the front yard on his own under daddy’s watchful eye, then moved right into tilling the garden. He was so proud of his blister on his thumb and his “strong muscles” from all that work. He gleefully shared his blister with anyone who would listen at church yesterday. Although we got a lot of weird stares we just smiled right alongside him.

Here’s hoping the rest of the week will keep up the current level/pace of productivity for me. Maybe I was just waiting for “the change.” *giggle, giggle, snort*

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I’m so glad it’s Friday! I’ve had a few weeks of “just enough” in my productivity and it’s starting to really bug me. You know, those times when you’re getting just enough done to feel okay but not enough done to feel the satisfaction of accomplishment.

Some of my piles are growing, there’s some drawers and cabinets that need my organization attention, my garden and yard are screaming for some as well. I know I need to just force myself to tackle them and I’ll feel better but some days it’s so hard. Wonder why that is? My computer isn’t helping because it’s so much fun! I’m finding so many fun things I can spend time doing with graphics, music, etc.

I know I have to get things on track because next month is full of some bigger commitments which mean I need to get them organized now. How come all the “miracle juice/pills/etc.” MLM companies can’t bottle and promote something for procrastination? *giggle*

On the upside, some fun things this week included going to the screening with hubby of “Ghost Town” which was truly a fun surprise! I laughed so hard I cried for several minutes. Can’t remember the last time I laughed that hard in a movie. Read Blake’s review.

I’ve had a week full of friends and family and you can’t beat that. Next week though, I’ve got to get more than just enough of the yucky work done!

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Homemaker Sharing Organizing Balance

I don’t know why, but Tuesdays and Thursdays tend to be the hardest days of the week for me. Mondays are hectic, but it’s expected so I never pay it much mind. Wednesday gives me refueling knowing it’s mid-week and Friday of course stands alone as the day that signifies the end…relief! But these other two days hit a lull for me that’s hard to pinpoint.

This morning I decided to figure out what my “toughies” are today. First I noticed my tile floor…yipes. My steamer may run away with how much is waiting there to be cleaned up! It occurred to me this morning how odd it is that when we moved into this home I would faithfully steam my floors every single week - when they needed it the very least! *giggle* I’m not sure how much of that was ease because there was so little to do and how much of it was the new bug, but it’s funny to me that I was so faithful with deep cleaning when it was least required. It made me think that I often make things harder simply by putting them off. It’s why I feel such relief when I get it done! My yard is screaming for attention and the weather is just starting to turn so I’ll be able to give it some of that much needed time and energy. But as I looked out my (dirty) kitchen window this morning, again I saw how much harder jobs are when I let them build through neglect. I know in theory and practice that maintenance is always easier than an overhaul, but for some reason bridging that gap with simple household chores is a real challenge!

I’m going to pull the ’sick’ card because I don’t get to very often and because it makes me feel better today. I’m still a little under the weather but mostly feel it only in my productivity department. It’s amazing how such simple things can put my world on tilt. Last week at this time I was feeling dumpy with a cold and thinking how I couldn’t wait to start a fresh new week. Today I’m in the same rut with a different kind of bug but a bug none the less. I need a health bug exterminator! *giggle* I keep telling myself if I ignore the silly bugs and pretend they don’t exist, maybe they’ll go away on their own! At any rate, I know more has slipped in the past couple weeks and is more visible simply because I haven’t felt up to doing things. This is another testament to the reality that maintenance is worth its weight in gold!

So today’s toughies for me are to get something more productive done at my computer. I’ve spent plenty of time here the past couple weeks but what’s gotten done doesn’t fit in the productivity bucket! I also hope to find my steamer and clean my very dirty floor and windows. I’m not sure how much tackle is in me this Tuesday, but by sharing it here I feel like be committing myself a bit to it! Maybe that will help. *wink*

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Homemaker Organizing Housework Balance

Last week was nearly a bust with me catching a cold. But I did get another photo day in there, just didn’t get around to posting it, so I’ll share today’s work with last week’s day eight.

Project stats: 975 photos, day 9 is my highest day for total scans at one time coming in at 187. All remaining photos not yet in albums to be scanned are now in two folder in front of my one drawer. This is HUGE progress as I began with two drawers!

My control sheet is moving into spreadsheet form. It’s interesting to note how much I scan on specific days, as well as seeing about how many photos I have accumulated thus far for each year. This will be even more interesting when I hit phase two of this project which is getting all the new digital photos in paper backup. I wonder if I took more pictures once I went digital or if I’ve always kept about the same pace over the years?

At any rate, I wanted to share that today I am struck again by how quickly time passes. I’ve been scanning a lot of baby photos of my little guy. Something I’m especially grateful for given that his birth grandmother was able to sit with me Sunday night and it was so easy to share these! As I scanned photos today I saw glimpses into the not so distant future of a teenage daughter and son. How grateful I am for the time we have had to enjoy them and the time we have yet!

In honor of capturing some big growth insights, I’m sharing these two pictures for today’s project picks:

Both pictures are from just 4 years ago in 2004, which doesn’t seem so long ago but compared to how they look today it’s a lot! In 4 more years I’ll have two kids in double digits age wise! That hardly seems possible, but there it is.

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Family Sharing Organizing Positive Impact Potential Inspiration Perspectives Motherhood Memories

Today was a happy dance day. I made it all the way through my first file drawer of pictures! I scanned almost 150 pictures today bringing the total to date 720. I can see some light at the end of this project tunnel as it’s really fun! I’m already visualizing new projects that will be so easily put together now that I can see having ALL my photos organized digitally. I’m so glad I haven’t given in to the burnt out bug on this. I love that I can really see progress with each step and each day I put some effort into it. It’s also nice for me knowing that I can do this much in only an hour or so a day. I’ve spent less than 10 hours total over 7 different days and I have over 700 photos to show for it and organized digital files to boot. Did I mention happy dance day?

So here’s today’s pick:

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Family Organizing Positive Impact Success

I’m nearly to the end of my first file drawer of scanning and I need that success because it’s harder and harder to keep myself scanning! Getting going is the hard part, once it’s rolling it’s always fun seeing old pictures and reliving great memories. It’s a great reminder of how important persistence and pieces of success are to completing any big project.

I scanned several today of events from the years 1993-2002. Here’s today’s pick from 1995:

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Family Sharing Organizing Positive Impact