Nothing like Hosting to Kick you in the Butt!

I'm not one to host alot of parties, but I promised my sis-in-law I would help her out, and now I am actually excited! For one: my daughter is old enough now to invite her friends as well and help out with the planning and execution. And B: it kicks me into gear to cross some of those unfinished projects off my list.

One thing on my list for a couple years now is to spruce up my front porch.  A while ago I repainted a white wicker bench brown and added a new cushion and some pillows, but I stopped there. It was a nice addition and I love it, but if you're like me, I'm not a finisher. I left it at that, which was fine for a while, but now I have an excuse to repaint the posts I've been meaning to freshen up and I'm going to paint that front door this weekend if it kills me. I honestly can't wait, finding the time without extra little helpers will be the biggest hastle, (I have a kindergartener who loves to paint-oh boy!).
So I came across some great tips last week and I can't wait to share all of them, but one is about painting! Yeah!!
How to Reduce Paint Spills!

Banish messy spills and drips when using paint. Slide a rubber band over the open can, then gently wipe the bottom of the brush against the band each time you dip.  This is perfect for small containers without handles. The brush will be less drippy, and the can's rim will stay clean, making it easier to put the lid on when you're finished.  This will be perfect for just the 3 columns I have out front. Don't forget to gather everything before you start, and not to forget the drop cloth. I can't wait to get started!
Leave a comment and tell how you plan to cross something off your to-do-list, making your life a little more blissful!

Operation: Relaxation!

Your goal: Get over your destress obstacles once and for all!

You've probably felt this way a hundred times. You know stress is bad for your physical and mental health, but when it comes to relief, you either don't do what you know you should (go for a walk, do some deep breathing, take a yoga class) or are too busy to work it into your schedule.
Step 1: Identify and Conquer
Two of the most common roadblocks are guilt and perfectionism. There seems to be this unspoken expectation that women should be able to do it all and do it well. But we need to learn to relax. Me included! Let's try this to start: Practice doing 1 thing differently than usual, no matter how small. Ask your husband to make the bed, or leave the laundry to put away the next morning. Changing the way you do one thing a few times a week will dial down your stress level.
Step 2: Make your (small) plan of attack
Think of 1 thing that will bring you a source of joy or rejuvination per day. Ask yourself whats doable and feels special. Add a few minutes to your shower, wake up 5 minutes earlier to read or have a cup of hot cider, whatever it is the smaller you start the easier it will be to make it a permanent habit.
Step 3:Think outside the box
Here are some examples, some may be unconventional but may work for you. Scream therapy (into a pillow), folding laundry-some people find this relaxing because it is a mindless activity but also completes a task, have a get-together with friends-the 'tend and befriend' response (of course, if you stress about the details, that one's not for you), baking, watching a favorite TV show (Fall Season starts this week-Yeah!), vacuuming, or walking a child to or from school-this is my favorite.
Step 4: Make it Happen
Plan ahead and make changes to help this new daily habit happen. Think and write it down, plan A, if not able to do A, then do plan B. Whatever it is planning for it also still gives you a sense of control.
Step 5: Stay on course
So now you've figured out how to squeeze it into your schedule. Now comes the tough part: maintenance. As weird as it may sound, putting yourself on your to-do list can help.The more you give yourself permission to do it, the more you do the activity, and the more you'll see the benefits, and the more you'll want to fit it in.
Step 6: Keep this last resort in mind
When things don't go according to plan, its OK. For these situations, when you feel your heart start pounding, you feel anxious, take slow deep breaths and count down from 10. This could also be useful when anticipating a stressful event or situation (like a call with your child's teacher).
Hopefully this tidbit of advice will be encouraging in making your life a little more blissful!

My New Favorite Method

With the kids back in school, all the Fall Schedules and activities have started up again.  Which means we still only have 24 hours a day, and I like 8-10 of them sleeping.  So, even though the kids still have 1 simple job per day, besides putting away their own laundry, making their bed, and cleaning up after themselves, there is still some cleaning and clutter to take care of.  Try this: setting the timer for 15-30 minutes, depending on how much time you have, and see how much you can get done!  This is great for all types of personalities, the list-maker (me-I love the satisfaction of checking it off), the competitor (racing against the clock), and the procrastinator (feeling of accomplishment when the timer goes off).  You will be amazed how much you really can do in such a short amount of time. Don't forget to reward yourself! (You know, that little piece of chocolate you've stashed away, or a pedicure, lunch out, or whatever it is, you deserve it!)

And here's a little extra bliss this month: To the first person to contact me to help organize a space in your home, you will recieve this very helpful 16-month, week-by-week planner! 8 1/2 X 6 in. Big enough to see what you need to do, but small enough to fit in your purse. So leave a comment, email, or just call!

1st Anniversary!

This day marks the first anniversary since I started this blog. I really can't believe it's been a year. There has been a lot of changes to my life since then, and I know many more to come. Which I love. I don't mind change, and I'm pretty good with rolling with it. I think because my favorite saying is, "being organized is being flexible, and being flexible is being organized". I love living in Utah, for the fact of the change of seasons. And I absolutely love this time of year.

I love the beautiful Fall colors, the crisp in the air, and the harvest and yummy food that the wonderful Holidays bring! (Not to mention it's my birthday season, we always do a girls weekend with my mom and sisters, and the kids go back to school.) Which brings me to our crazy life change. I am staying home this year and loving it, but feel busier than ever. I'm still watching my adorable little nephew 2 days a week, but have picked up a few other cuties during school hours, and my baby started kindergarten this year. So just when I got used to the big kids going and got back on schedule, a week later we had to start over with the kindergartner, a root canal, Fall soccer starting, tons of zucchini to shred and freeze, and adjusting to the new daycare schedule I've created.  Hence, I am blogging on Thursday this week, instead of Monday. But with a few adjustments we will get back on track. So, I guess what I'm trying to say this week is, it's okay if life gets in the way--come what may, and love it!! Enjoy this blissful time of year and look forward to changes in the coming year!