Paperless Organization from Simplified Pantry

Once upon a time, in the land of make believe, there was a fair homeschool mama.  She had four lovely children, a well organized house and life.  She never missed an appointment or a birthday, and had it all together.

Ha! Ha! Well, at least the lovely children part is right! {smile} For some reason, I used to think that I was organized, not sure sure what gave me that idea, but I have hit reality.  As my children have multiplied and gotten older, it seems that for me, organization is more like a dream than a reality.  Until now.

Recently, I was given a much needed eBook called Paperless Organization, to review for the Molly Crew.  It was written by Mystie Winckler from Simplified Pantry, a homeschool mom of 5.

 

Paperless Organization, just as the name implies, has the goal to helping us harried homeschool mama's (well anyone really) to get organized. Minus stacks, piles and binders.

Right off the bat I felt like this was a product written for my stage of life.  Busy. Homeschooling. Busy. Somewhat disorganized.  Oh, and busy.  Mystie is herself in the trenches of raising kids, homeschooling and running a household.  She is a great source of organizational wisdom, especially since she is there herself. 

Ok, enough rambling.  Here's the nitty gritty of what Paperless Organization teaches you.  First, Mystie explains all of the wonderful benefits of having a homemaking binder.  To be honest, this was not really new information to me. I have liked the idea of a homemaking binder ever since I had heard of it.  I have actually tried to make them before, but I think I got buried in the whole idea of a binder for this and a binder for that.  But Mystie's idea of paperless binders sounded a like a dream come true.  Ahhh, organization at last!

Mystie gives detailed instructions on making a paperless home binder.  Her plan utilizes 3 online programs/ apps that are F-R-E-E!  You can get organized on your computer, pad, pod or phone.

One of the apps she uses is Evernote.  I frequently use Evernote, but I didn't realize what all I could be doing with it until reading Paperless Organization.  Basically, she shows you step by step how to turn Evernote into  personal home binder files.  This is the spot where you dump everything from your brain into - to do lists, curriculum plans, shopping lists, recipes, menu plans, clothing sizes, ideas to try, and chore charts, it all goes in Evernote.  She also suggests having a blogging binder for those that blog.

Mystie also shares how to set up Remember the Milk, a task management app, and Google Calendar and Mail.

Getting organized is not an over night thing, at least not for me, but I am on my way.  Thanks to this little eBook, I am in the process of transferring everything over from paper files to paperless files.  I really love all of her ideas with Evernote and Remember the Milk.  I have been the queen of spiral notebooks, but I am moving on to being paperless.  It just makes sense for many reasons.  Here's lookin forward to never losing a list again!

You can get a copy of Paperless Organization for yourself in either pdf or kindle format for just $3.99.  

Right now, Mystie is currently offering 30% off of any of her e-books!  To take advantage of this offer use the code TOS2013 when you checkout.

Mystie has also written two other eBooks that are worth checking out, Simplified Dinners and Simplified Dinners Gluten Free/Dairy Free.

The Molly Crew has reviewed all three of these books, you can read the reviews by clicking here. 

Hand Me Downs and Yard Sale Finds

I am so thrilled and blessed that we don't have to spend a bundle for kids clothes once the weather is starting to get cooler.  The Lord has tremendously blessed us with hand me downs and great bargains at yard sales. 

There are a few people that continually bless us with kids clothes that they no longer need, this is one way that the Lord has provided to our family.  I have also been amazed at the prices I find on kids clothes at yard sales, I mean like nice, looks like it has never been worn, church kinda clothes.  Like this past weekend I bought a few church outfits for Little Bits, they were dress shirts, dress pants, a sweater vest and 2 cozy pairs of pj's (17 items total) and I paid $10 for the whole bag.  I was very excited to say the least.  I had them babies washed and ready to go as soon as we got home, he even wore one of the outfits the next day to church. 

It is not only a blessing to get but it is a blessing to give.  I am thankful that we have been able to bless others.  I pretty much have a designated home for most of the clothes that the kids out grow.  Whatever these families can't use, we give to our church's Great Clothing Giveaway, which is actually coming up and part of my motivation to go through all our clothing bins.  Well that and the freezing cold weather we've been having : )

While I will admit that it is so tiresome to go through all our clothes bins in the fall and again in the spring, I am very thankful that we don't have to go buy all new stuff.  i am thinking that buying all new stuff for 4 kids would probably cost lots.

This year I am wising up though, I am pulling out the fall/ winter stuff that we need now and while I am at it I am also getting all the spring/ summer ready for next year.  I am going to just stick the bins on the top shelf of their closets.  Please don't ask me why I haven't been doing this all along, it really was one of those Duhh! moments. 

Have you switched out your clothes yet?  Any helpful hints to make the clothing switch out easier?

My New Planner, The 2010 Schoolhouse Planner

It is almost that time again, time to get school rolling again.  Books ordered, supplies bought, school room ready.  The only thing I did have was a planner.  I had gone back and forth looking for a new planner for this coming school year, although nothing really fit the bill for my crew. I had finally decided that I was going to make my own UNTIL I was given the chance to review the 2010 Schoolhouse Planner from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  To sum it up, I think it is the Big Mac Daddy of School Planners! 

Once I downloaded my my planner I started going thru it and I just really couldn't believe it, it has EVERYTHING!  Literally! I was very impressed.  I was thrilled to be able to customize and print the pages that worked for us.  This planner was not only made for homeschoolers, it was made by homeschoolers.  It is not only for school but for the home.  All the things that a homeschooling mama needs to keep her house and school in order.  I love it! I love it ! I love it!  Ok, now that I got that out of my system here are some details...

To start with, on the schooling side of things, you get daily planning pages with customizable dates to adjust to YOUR schedule.  I really liked this idea since we don't school on Fridays I don't have to feel locked into someone else's schedule.  There are even several to choose from depending on the number of children you are schooling. 

There are week at a glance forms, quarterly planning forms, unit study tracking forms, and even forms for unschoolers.  They, I believe, have thought of EVERYONE!

The school planner includes many great extras like Bible reading schedules, and forms for curriculum information, goal setting, field trips, library books, science labs, grade keeping, instrument practice, extracurricular activities and TONS MORE.

Each month the planner has several great ideas that you can incorporate into your home/school like in September you can read about different back to School Traditions, in December you can try a Family Spa Night (doesn't that sound just dreamy after all of the holiday hustle and bustle.  Hold please while I go mark this on my calendar) or in May you can read about making your Nature Walks more successful.   I love learning new ideas that I can incorporate into our little home. 

The Schoolhouse Planner also includes several encouraging and how to articles to help us thru the school year.  Two of the articles that I really enjoyed were, Top Five Tips for Managing Your Homeschool While Managing Your Home by Malia Russell and Beating Burnout: Don’t Just Survive THRIVE! by Heidi St. John.

The household part of the planner is also full of goodies.   If you are a list maker or an organizer of any sort, this planner will definitely WOW ya! 

There is a calendar, a phone directory, chore charts (for you and the kids), to do lists, health records, car maintenance forms, birthday and anniversaries reminder list (Praise God, I really need one of these babies!), cleaning schedules, family schedules and budget records sheets.  Like I said EVERYTHING!

Every month you also get several new family friendly recipes to try out.  The ones I am looking forward to eating making are Taco Soup, Lentil Chili, Cranberry Pork Roast and Pumpkin Pie Dumpcake.  The planner also includes several grocery lists, weekly and monthly meal planners.  I don't think I could survive with out meal planning and the forms in the planner make it very simple to do.

For only $39.00 you get a fabulous planner that will help you to organize your homeschooling efforts and your home.  Well worth the price!  Almost all of this planner is reusable Year after Year.  All you have to do is print the pages that work for your family, you can stick them in a binder and your DONE!  You will be all set to keep up with homeschooling, your home and you even get to Keep Your Sanity!  Hard to imagine, I know!



I am a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew,and I have used this product for review purposes.  I was not otherwise compensated.

The LSG School/Playroom

I posted pics of our school/playroom a while back.  Since then we have added a few taller bookcases and have a different table ($15 at a yard sale) in there.  I also got rid of the larger TV and replaced it with a smaller one, I decided I would much rather use the space for books than a TV stand. 

Yes, we love books (and YES! I got my new camera, Yippee)!  Yippee!  Do you see the little 13in dinosaur in corner just under our laminated wall map (which I got at Borders for super cheap)?  This table was supposed to be a island in my kitchen but all my real life friends and finally even I agreed it was too big, so it ended up in the school room. 

I "try" to keep the books separated by subject or type.  Kinda like this, math books, science/nature books, history/cultures/countries/maps, readers, Bible stories, health/manners, chapter books, coloring/activity books, etc.  I also try to keep the different series together.  My lovely children do not always share my passion to be organized (sigh) but for the most we keep it together. 

We currently have 3 workboxes (which we REALLY LOVE), I am considering getting one for Little bits but I am thinking the same thing you are probably thinking, where in the world would I put it.  Those 2 blue creates contain our file folder games in one and the school books that we do together in the other.  That tall shelf in the corner does hold some books but it mostly holds math manipulative's, art supplies, paper, beads, a flower press and activity bags.

To display our artwork I strung a clothes line across the whole back wall and we just clip them there.  

For our games and toys we use these white wire shelves along with some laundry baskets from Target.  The baskets are sorted by blocks, toddler toys, heroes/men, Little People, cars & trucks, dolls, doll clothes, Dora doll house stuff, etc.   I try to switch out the toys on top of the train table for the boys, they really seem to enjoy it. 

We have a large green tote for all things dress up - clothes, purses, hats, shoes, swords, capes, Hulk boxing gloves (don't ask, it was a Hubs thing), etc.  The couch was a $50 purchase from craiglist (I really L O V E Craigslist BTW).  Usually, I sit there to read Bible, Read alouds and History with the kids although this summer we've been hanging in the family room. 

We do alot of the subjects we do together in the school/playroom, like Bible and anything that we read together.  Language Arts, Math and anything they are doing independently seem to get done at the kitchen table.  The school/playroom is right off my kitchen. 

I have to admit I am kinda glad to be starting school again.  I had high hopes of doing some school thru the summer and yeah, it just didn't happen, other than Bible and a read aloud.  Oh well, maybe next summer or maybe not : )

You can check out some other schoolroom ideas at My 3 BoyBarians.

Saturday Solutions: Mason Jars

My plan was to tell you all about some of ways that I use mason jars around here, with lots and lots of pictures.  BUT, since I live with four young people my camera isn't always in good working order. 

Accidents happen, like last night when SOMEONE dropped my camera on the ground and BROKE it!!!  I am not naming names nor am I upset about this, cause accidents happen (sigh).  I am not even going to bother telling you all how I just can't seem to keep a camera in working order for any length of time (double sigh).  Do they make disposable digital cameras yet??  Any camera suggestions?  I am thinking, how can a person blog with out a camera?

Ok, now that I got that out of my system lets talk about mason jars.  I really do love them, what is there not to love right!!  Here are some of the ways that we use them round these parts, I may not live in the country but at least I can talk like I do.  LOL! 

Soap Dispensers - I recently turned my one and only blue mason jar into an adorable with hand soap dispenser, kinda like this one here... except I have a cute little raggedy piece of fabric tied around mine. 
It is sitting on my kitchen sink and it looks just adorable.

Food Storage - I love to store my oppy-meal (that is oatmeal for anyone that is 5 and under), popcorn kernels, brown rice, and pasta.  I also like to use it for my homemade colloidal silver and kombucha.

Craft Storage - Love to use them to hold, knitting needles, ribbon, beads, buttons, colored pencils and paint brushes.

Drinking Glasses - we have jelly jars, pint and quart sized jar that we drink from.  Actually, I talk a quart of water to bed with me every night, although I never quite finish it.  That might be a good thing otherwise I may not get much sleep. 

Lamp - Yes, I have a mason jar lamp that is filled with buttons.  It sits on my kitchen counter next to the one pile of junk that I allow myself to have.  I have strategically placed the lamp here in hopes that eyes will be drawn to the "cute and adorable lamp" and off of the junk pile.  See, I am one smart cookie! 
The lamp is just a quart sizes jar and a lamp attachment thingy that you can buy at Michaels, AC Moore or if you live out in the country I believe it is Hobby Lobby.  I tied a fat gingham ribbon around the top of the jar because it just needed somethin'.

Canning - Well, kinda.  I have only done this twice and it was appleauce.  I guess taht counts.  we go apple picking at this lovely orchard each fall and we always end up with way more apples then we could ever eat So we made applesauce, in a crockie pot and canned it.  It was yummy, I hope to do it again this year.

Candle Holders - You can stick a candle in the bottom tie some cute ribbon around your jar and call it a day OR you can take a quart sized jar and fill it with something (like right now I have sea shells and water, at Thanksgiving I do water and fresh cranberries or you can just use potpourri) then put a glass votive holder in the jar opening.  Now finish it off with a ribbon, raffita or berry ring around the jar.  These are great sitting on your kitchen counter, in a bathroom or sometimes I will line up three of them as a centerpiece.  Once you have the jars and votive holders you are all set for any occasion.

Really wish I had a camera to show you all a picture of these.  I will have to post a picture once I get a new camera.

Flowers - I would love to tell ya that I fill my mason jars with all the beautiful flowers from the flower garden that I have out back but that just isn't so.  I have concluded that this is just not the season in my life for that to be.  I do however make sure that ours trees are trimmed well enough for me to enjoy all the flowers in my neighbors garden. 
I occasionally put flowers of the store bought variety in mason jars.  Flowers in a mason jar just shout Spring Time!  And you know when your adorable little ones bring you weeds "flowers" from the yard, Mason Jar! 

I have our house decorated our home in a Primitive Country kinda Style (or like Bob Evans as The Hubs says) so anywhere or anyhow I can fit mason jars in here suits me just fine, like I said I love them.

There are a few ideas taht I have found and would like to try with mason jars:

Sewing Kit - A Mason Jar Sewing Kit.  You might wanna check it out, it is made by Martha Stewart so you know it is cute.

Canning - I would love to get into this but I think you need to have a successfully growing garden.  Well, Lord willing there will be next year. 

Gifts - I have never made the Mixes in a Jar, I think I might put some of these together to give out for the holiday.  I also wanna make some Applesauce Cakes in a Jar because they just really sound neat.

Mason jars are so veritile, you can really use them for so many things.  How do you use your mason jars?

Tips for teaching a Houseful

This evening as I folded laundry and tidied up for the new week I listened to a wonderful web seminar called Tips for Teaching a Houseful. The seminar is by Marcia Somerville, she is the author of Tapestry of Grace.  She gives alot of practical tips for schooling with toddlers.  She also gives wisdom for schooling all the way up to highschool.  Thought you might like to listen to it.

Our Playroom/ Schoolroom

I have to admit that over the years I have tried many, many ways to keep some form of order for the toys that seem to make a neverending beeline to our house!  I have tried different shelves and different containers trying to find the right system for us and by golly I think I finally got it.  I also have to admit that I have, in the process, driven my dear husband amost insane.  Every so often I go on a whim, as he calls it, to try yet again the find some other way to house the kids stuff.  I enjoy change and he well just doesn't.  Moving on...  I just wanted to share the "current" system that is "currently" working for us.

This is one of our 4 big shelves.  The top shelf holds our manipulitives for math and phonics, which I am glad to have out and easily accessible.  The top stripes baskets have craft kits, clay, stamps, ink, etc.  The 3 smalled baskets some instruments, card and logic games and group work for school.  The bottom 2 striped baskets have paper in one and flashcards in the other.

These are the kids bookshelves which I have tried to keep organized.  I have them organized by board books, letter and number books, dinosaurs, math books, readers, chapter books, art books, science books, and then we try to keep books in a series together.  One of my oldest daughters chores each week is to organize the book shelves.

 The table is for coloring, art and games, the occassionally do school there but most of the time we are at the kitchen table. 

These are the other big shelves.  I used laundry baskets from Target to store our toys in.  I have the bins labeled and most things end up in the right container.  I do a quick reorganized about once a week because I am, as my wonderful hubby says OCD : ).

As you can see I am a collector of games, all most as much as I am of books, LOL!  I love finding games, reasonably priced of course, for the kids.  I love getting games from yard sales, consinment shops, TJ Maxx and I do try to make sure we give them a few for the holiday.  I love being able to add games and puzzle into our studys just to add an extra bit of fun. 

Workboxes.  I think by now most homeschoolers have atleast heard of them, right??  Well, this is my 2nd, oh wait a minute, make that my 3rd attempt at using workboxes.  I have loved the concept of them from day one, except the large shelves that Sue Patrick recommends.  I have so much going on in the playroom already, I just don't have the room for those large shoe shelves.  Anyway, I first tried magazine holders and that worked for a bit.  Packed them up for a while and then a few months later I pulled them out again this time I actually used the schedule stripes, nope that didn't work for us either.  3rd (and FINAL) try, I ordered

the 10 drawer organizing carts from Joann Fabrics.  So far, love it!  I am really trying to just keep it super simple.  I fill their boxes with school work and a few extra fun goodies and off we go.  For some reason we always seem to end up at the kitchen table so I am glad that these carts are on wheels, the kids just pull their cart to the table and start their work.
(Please note:  these pictures were taken while the little one was napping and the 3 bigger kids were outside playing.  This play room only looks this way twice a day, once first thing in the morning and second before they all go to bed : )