This is just a brief post - because I’m pretty excited about it I had to say SOMETHING, lol. (OK, who am I kidding? I can’t write a brief post!) I feel I am actually making a little bit of progress getting a handle on clutter, etc.

My desk always seems to collect EVERYTHING.  It is in the Living Room and is a convenient place to drop the mail and anything else we might find in our hands that needs to be sat down somewhere.  I did a clean sweep of it and only added back items that REALLY needed to be there - there are still things I am going through.  I’ve also added a little bit of organization to it for paper clips, pens, etc, etc that is out of the way, yet easy to access (the desk has no drawers because I wanted something small for the Living Room).

ALSO - because the loveseat is near the desk, I have a bad habit of sitting stuff on the loveseat as I’m working as well as using part of the loveseat for clean laundry as it comes out of the dryer before being folded.  Both of those issues are also resolved and the loveseat is no longer a “hotspot” either.

I discovered a great laundry system that has revolutionized the whole way I feel about laundry and has eliminated the pile up (both clean and waiting to be washed).  More on that in another post.  Since I cleaned up the desk, I eliminated the need (and the bad habit!) of using the loveseat as an extension of my desk.

Finally, I found a template for a daily planner page that I have been tweaking as well as paying more attention to, and also tweaking, my morning routine / morning to do list. 

All in all, piece by piece and step by step, it is progress.  Things have gotten to a point of being chaotic, unorganized, and cluttered to a certain extent and it feels really good to finally start moving in the opposite direction!

 

 

 

Book Of The Month:

One Year To An Organized Financial Life
by Regina Leeds

I will be highlighting one book each month during 2010 from my reading list.   The featured book for March is One Year To An Organized Financial Life by Regina Leeds with Russell Wild.  It is broken down into monthly chapters, each with an intro and a section for each week.  Each month offers one habit to adapt, that may or may not be directly relevant to your finances but is beneficial to you.

Tonight I read the intros for January and March.  Including this from January’s intro:

This entire year is about organizing the details of your financial life.  No more papers scattered everywhere.  No more dramas over lost documents.

Seriously?  Is it really necessary for her to tell everyone my business just for her intro?  LOL!  OK, maybe it is possible that it isn’t just me with scattered papers and lost documents drama (let’s not EVEN get into the Passports details, just know I found what I needed to just in time).

She promises by the end of the first month that I will have a working file system. I appreciate the faith she has in me and I’m equally impressed that she is up to the challenge - and honey, it just might be a true challenge! There was a time when I had something of a system, but I can’t remember now when that was. I can’t wait to reach the end of this book, loaded with knowledge and taking small steps along the way, to be truly financially organized.

 Follow my thoughts on One Year To An Organized Financial Life.

 

One Year To An Organized Financial Life was provided by the publisher on behalf of the author. All opinions are 100% my own.

 

 

I love couponing and getting the deals.  I buy 6 papers each week for the coupon inserts (if you get coupons & don’t want them, feel free to send them my way, lol!), which means I’m able to stock-up on great deals.  That stockpile has to go somewhere, preferably somewhat organized. That presents somewhat of a challenge for me because space, especially storage space of any kind, is very much at a premium here.  Confession: I do not have a pantry.  My cabinet space is sparse, but admittedly not as well utilized as it could be. 

I have a goal this year (well, not a goal persay, but I’m taking little steps in all areas making improvements) to really get all the “stuff” organized.  I discovered Sterlite’s clear bins (lid colors vary by season) in 3 sizes that are really working for me: shoebox size, 16 qt, and 56 qt.  I love that the clear bottoms helps me know exactly what is inside & the lids are very flat and simple, no extra bulk. 

I discovered that the 16 qt fits nicely between the dryer & water heater in the laundry room, which is just off the kitchen.  We put in a few shelves in the laundry room, some of which I’m using for food items (need to add more to maximize the space).  Putting like items together in a bin makes it very easy when looking for something specific and I’m loving the organization. It is a small step, but it is working for now. Still have much to organize, even with just the food items.

The bottom bin is full (crammed full!!) of different types & brands of cookie mixes.  The next bin up holds a wide variety (also crammed full) of Homemade Gourmet mixes. Bin #3 from the bottom has 12 bags of Chex Mix (and there are another 7 bags that wouldn’t fit - what can I say? It was an awesome deal!). On top of the Chex Mix bin, there are 3 shoebox size bins: (1) packets of seasonings, gravy, marinades, etc; (2) (can’t see in pic) unopened spices; and (3) cornbread mixes and Crystal Light packets.

I am using the spare room’s (was the office when my computer was in there, but is basically a storage room / dump zone) closet for stockpiling all the non-food stuff, but it is in need of desperate reorganization, so I hope to work on it soon and possibly add in a few more shelves.

 

For more Tackle It Tuesday, click here.  For more Tuesday Toot, click here.  For more Works For Me Wednesday, click here.

 

2010 Book & Resource Guide

MAKING 2010 THE YEAR OF GRADUAL BUT STEADY IMPROVEMENTS IN ALL AREAS OF LIFE!

Instead of the traditional New Years Resolutions - that are often discarded before February - I am opting to make gradual improvements, baby steps if you will, across the board.  There’s nothing that cannot be improved or tweaked, but instead of becoming overwhelmed or biting off more than I can chew, I’ve decided to take it step by step.  Make a little improvement here and there.  Then another one.  Then another.  At the end of 2010, I want to be able to look back and see the path that all those little steps have taken me on and all the improvements that I’ve made.  This Guide is a collection of books and resources that I will be using and referring to throughout the year.  I hope it will be a great reference guide for you as well. 

 

HEALTH / FITNESS / MENU PLANNING

 

30 Day Shred DVD - Jillian Michaels: I purchased this last year evidently as some sort of home decor item because I never used it prior to 2010. I’ve done it a few times here and there throughout January - Jillian is tough! There are 3 levels and all I know is she kicked my butt on level 1 so I haven’t yet to venture to levels 2 and 3.  She does a 3-2-1 (3 minutes, 2 minutes, 1 minute routines then repeats 3 times) technique that accomplished a full body workout in 20 minutes.  If you are not familiar with Jillian Michaels, she is one of the trainers on Biggest Loser and I believe the season winner has been from her team 8 out of 9 times.

Cool Waters (50 Refreshing, Healthy, Homemade Thirst Quenchers) by Brian Preston-Campbell: I haven’t tested any of the recipes in this book yet but I am excited to!  From Agua de Jamaica to Workout Fuel to flavorfull ice cubes and everything in between, Cool Waters has an awesome selection of beverage recipes that will take your water from blah to wow!  A few recipes that sound especially yummy to me - Honeydew Mint Mist, June Fields, Blueberry Twist, and Peach Thai Basil Cubes. 

 

Hyp-Yoga 6-Week Weight Loss DVD Program: I am a little intriqued yet cautious of this one. I don’t do the hypnosis deal, but I am interested in checking it out and seeing how it may still be beneficial.  More details: combines yoga and hypnosis to help individuals change their mind to change their body. Hyp-Yoga begins with a yoga session, opening up the body and calming the mind with expansive, full-body poses and deep breathwork. The resulting relaxation and openness make the gentle hypnosis (weight loss program, written by a certified hypnotherapist and RN) that follows incredibly effective.

Kids Choice Baking Mix Variety Pack from Kids Central Kitchen: We received this variety pack of seven baking mixes and will be trying them out over the coming months - I’m seeing lots of yumminess ahead.  Homerun Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix, Slam Dunker Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Snow Angel Sugar Cookie Mix, Mudslinger Chocolate Brownie Mix, Swinging Monkey Banana Bread Mix, Flip Flop Flap Jacks Pancake Mix & Propeller Chocolate Chip Energy Bar Mix. 

 

Melt It Off with Mitch Gaylord is a comprehensive exercise and nutrition program designed by American gymnast and four-time gold medalist Mitch Gaylord. The Melt It OFF! program consists of a three step guide using Gaylord’s unique calorie melting weapon, the G-Ball, which engages the body’s core to sculpt lean muscles and build strong abs. Melt It OFF!features a three-day kick-off program, a healthy diet blueprint for planning meals and exercise DVD programs providing four intense workouts.

 

Mom’s Big Book Of Baking (200 Simple, Foolproof Family Favorites For Birthday Parties, Bake Sales, and More) by Lauren Chattman: This is another book of recipes I cannot wait to really dig in to!  I am planning lots of kitchen time with my little chef this year.  He loves being hands on and especially loves to eat the yummies!  He will be starting Pre-K this fall {gasp!} so I foresee needing creative ideas. Details: Chattman has created streamlined recipes that produce the highest quality baked goods with the least amount of fuss, striking a balance between familiar favorites and new twists. Caramel Swirl Brownies are perfect for a rainy afternoon. Strawberry Cupcakes with Vanilla Cream will be a hit at the next school bake sale. Chocolate Milk Pancakes will feed a gang of hungry kids the morning after a slumber party, and Thin and Crispy Pizza the night before. Each recipe has advice on when and how to let kids participate. There are loads of tips on vital topics including how to mass produce cupcakes, how to make the most Christmas cookies in the least amount of time, and how to make a birthday cake your child will remember forever without losing your mind.

Pillsbury’s Pot Pies & Casseroles, September 2009 (Pillsbury Classic Cookbooks #336): General Mills / Pillsbury publishes recipe booklets (mini-magazines) on a regular basis.  The theme changes each time, but I chose this one to use as I work on menu planning, especially dinners. You can order a subscription or find them in the checkout aisles. I also love that they have great coupons with long expiration dates.  My copy was provided by General Mills & MyBlogSpark.

 

The Sneaky Chef (Simple Strategies For Hiding Healthy Foods In Kids’ Favorite Meals) by Missy Chase Lapine: I evidently purchased this one as even more home decor, because it too is unused. That’s changing! Hubs is pretty particular, so I may be using this on him too, haha!

 

 

BUDGET / FINANCES / INCOME / CAREER

Career Comeback (Repackage Yourself To Get The Job you Want) By Lisa Johnson Mandell: Unfortunately, getting older can be a career killer. That’s what entertainment journalist Lisa Johnson Mandell discovered when she sent out a resume that made her sound like an aged veteran. Her new career makeover guide-expanded from the Wall Street Journal article about revamping her “older” image to land her dream job-acknowledges that experience matters, but looking and acting up-to-date matter just as much. Mandell provides ten strategies for putting a youthful spin on resumes, Web pages, and personal presentation.

 

Career Renegade (How To Make A Great Living Doing What You Love) by Jonathan Fields: I purchased this book in 2009 but never really got in to it.  I’m going to give it another crack in 2010!  Details: There’s a revolution brewing across the nation–a movement that’s changing lives and revealing little known paths to passion and prosperity. It’s about building a great living around what you love to do most. Once you’ve been touched by it, you’ll never be the same. This book is your way in, your admission ticket to the world of the career renegade.

 

Money Savvy Kids Club Book Series - This series of four books includes: Garage Sale Riches, Putting The “Do” In Donate, Home Sweet Home, and Penny Power, and follows a group of kids as they learn about money.  Interesting fact about compound interest from Penny Power: if 12 year olds deposit $4 every day into a savings account that pays 5% interest, they will have $427,025 at age 67, with only $80, 352 being from those deposits.  Geared for 7-12 year olds, these books shed a fun and interesting light on money matters for kids.  Let’s face it, kids don’t typically get enough working knowledge about money and many parents don’t know exactly where to start or what they need to know and when.  Learn more about this series and other related projects at Money Savvy Generation. 

 

One Year To An Organized Financial Life by Regina Leeds offers a simple week-by-week, month-by-month plan to manage your money effectively and live more calmly and richly on less. In this unique guide, you will find everything you need to bring clarity, simplicity, and order to your finances, helping you feel secure for the future no matter what life throws at you (or your bank account).

 

 LIFE

Add More ~ing To Your Life (A Hip Guide To Happiness) by Gabrielle Bernstein - Designed for the dispirited millennial, this fiery, transformational book provides a new formula for a life you’re psyched to wake up for.  Gabrielle honed her approach from personal experience – she put the brakes on her unfulfilling and empty fast-paced New York lifestyle and looked within to find ~ing, a method for clearing the mind and opening a pathway for inner guidance. She is a sought-after life coach, speaker and ~ing-master.

 

  

O’s Big Book Of Happiness (The Best of O The Oprah Magazine: Wisdom, Wit, Advice, Interviews, and Inspiration) addresses three major avenues to a fuller life: “Your Mind/Your Body” focuses on emotional and physical well being; “Dating, Mating, Relating” provides the tools and insights needed to forge better connections with partners, families, friends and co-workers; “Dreaming Big” offers inspiration and practical advice to aim high and realize aspirations on all aspects of life, from work to money to heeding your inner voice. O’S BIG BOOK OF HAPPINESS is a boost of inspiration every time you open it.

 

The Attitude Girl by Mila Bernadkin: Jam packed with emotional conflict, trials and tribulations, romance, and humor, The Attitude Girl follows outspoken, materialistic 17-year-old Vicky on her rocky road to becoming an adult as she struggles with bullying, financial setbacks, idealism, loss and forgiveness along the way. Her attitude is her rock! Author Ludmila “Mila” Bernadkin draws on her experience as a teacher, mother and advanced graduate of the Institute of Children’s Literature to create this compelling, award-winning story, which identifies with the tremulous world of confusing emotions and mixed messages of “maturity” today’s teens live in as they feel their way through the process of becoming young adults.

 

 
Show Me How (500 Things You Should Know: Instructions For Life From The Everyday To The Exotic) by Derek Fagerstrom, Lauren Smith, and the Show Me Team is a revolutionary reimagining of the reference genre, one part how-to guide, one part graphic art showpiece, and one part pure inspiration. In a series of 500 nearly wordless, highly informative step-by-step procedurals, readers learn how to do hundreds of useful (and fascinating and important and sometimes downright bizarre) tasks, including: Perform CPR, dance the tango, pack a suitcase, win a bar bet, play the blues, make authentic sushi rolls, fight a shark . . . and 493 more essentials of modern life.

 

The Happiness Project (Or Why I Spent A Year Trying To Sing In The Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun) by Gretchen Rubin: Gretchen Rubin had an epiphany one rainy afternoon in the unlikeliest of places: a city bus. “The days are long, but the years are short,” she realized. “Time is passing, and I’m not focusing enough on the things that really matter.” In that moment, she decided to dedicate a year to her happiness project. With humor and insight, Rubin chronicles her adventures during the twelve months she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages, current scientific research, and lesso ns from popular culture about how to be happier. Read Gretchen’s blog and take the 2010 Happiness Challenge.

The Vision Board (The Secret To An Extraordinary Life) by Joyce Schwarz describes a transformative exercise that offers a simple way to change your life for the better. As featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, vision boards are a practical, effective approach to identifying and achieving your goals. With a foreword from Bob Proctor, featured teacher in The Secret, and an afterword by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the hugely popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series, The Vision Board offers concrete advice and motivation anecdotes designed to help you utilize vision boards in your own daily life.

 

 HOME & ORGANIZATION

It’s All Too Much DVD from Peter Walsh - Your personal, at-home organizational coaching session with Peter Walsh! With more than an hour of Peter’s tips, techniques and guidance this compelling DVD - based on his NY Times best-selling book - will provide the encouragement and direction to the fuller, richer life that you imagine for you and your family. Peter Walsh is an international clutter expert and organizational consultant best known for his tough love approach on the hit TLC series “Clean Sweep” and his regular appearances on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Part therapist, part contractor, Peter brings his clutter-busting tips and organizational know-how into your home with this DVD version of his international best-seller “It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.” 

  

One Year To An Organized Life by Regina Leeds is a unique week-by-week, month-by-month plan to forever streamline all aspects of your life. Regina helps you break down tasks and build routines over time so that life becomes simple, not overwhelming.

 

 

 

The Home Book (Creating A Beautiful Home Of Your Own) from House Beautiful is the ultimate handbook for anyone looking to start from scratch, redecorate, or just modify what they already have- it is truly a must-have. THE HOME BOOK appeals to many different design aesthetics and is the perfect holiday gift, or a fantastic accessory to any home.

 

 

 

 THE CHRISTIAN WALK

How To Hear From God (Learn How To Know His Voice And Make Right Decisions) by Joyce Meyer - In the hustle and bustle of today’s busy world, sometimes it’s hard enough to hear yourself think, much less take a minute to stop and listen for the voice of God. But learning to recognize God’s voice and the many ways in which He speaks is vital for following His plan. In How to Hear from God, Joyce Meyer shows readers that God reaches out to people every day, seeking a partnership with them to offer guidance and love. She reveals the ways in which God delivers His word and the benefits of asking God for the sensitivity to hear His voice.

 

PARENTING / KIDS / HOMESCHOOLING

I have been doing a little bit of casual, unstructured homeschool preschooling with my three year old, but will be sending him off to Pre-K this fall.  It is a couple hours each morning M-F.  This will give him interaction with kids his age while still allowing us to complement his learning at home.  After Pre-K we will decide whether we’ll do homeschool, private school, or public school.  I’ve heard of half home and half school options, but have been unable to locate any in our area.  

 

Boca Beth Beginner Backpack -Get your Spanish on with Boca Beth!  Move over Dora and Diego and meet Boca Beth, bringing you fun DVDs and music CDs, plus more that the little ones will love.  If you are trying to teach your Spanish speaking child English (or just want them to learn both languages), this is also for you!  The Boca Beth Backpack includes:

 

 

Kids Choice Baking Mix Variety Pack - see info under HEALTH / FITNESS / MENU PLANNING

  
LeapFrog Tag Junior Books - Sesame Street / Elmo: Monster Faces teaches all about emotions through monster face making fun and Disney/Pixar CARS: Shapes All Around explores teaches about shapes with the favorite wheeled characters, Lightning McQueen and Mater. Other titles available. The Tag Junior books come to life with the Tag Junior system, but are great educational reads even without it.  Check out the LeapFrog site for current deals, including free shipping through 2/15 on site-wide orders over $30 when you use code LOVE2SHARE. 

 

Money Savvy Kids Club Book Series - see info under BUDGET / FINANCES / INCOME / CAREER

 

    
True Stories About Saving Animals book series by Samuel Lopez features The Miracle Of The Little Kitten, Stinky Little Scroungy, The Three Legged Kitten, and Our Orphaned Owls.  In four fascinating stories, Samuel helps young readers understand both the joy and the responsibilities that come from having a pet. Children will read the inspiring tale of a three-legged kitten, about orphaned owls, a smelly little puppy, and how Samuel’s own dog rescued a scruffy little kitten.

 

VeggieTales is a great source of teaching morals & life lessons and kids LOVE the adorable characters.  (I LOVE the adorable characters, but ahem… we aren’t talking about me here, LOL!)  Soon to be released: PISTACHIO: THE LITTLE BOY THAT WOODN’T on February 27, 2010. Features a helpful lesson in listening to your parents, as well as “honesty” (telling the truth) and the importance of family. Brings awareness to the outside influences that affect children and the importance of a strong family unit in helping children learn to be honest and respectful of their parents and others.

 

 LEISURE & HOBBIES

Going Rogue (An American Life) by Sarah Palin: Look, Sarah Palin intriques me, well beyond the politics.  She seems to have it all - a great career, a solid marriage, a large happy family, unshakable faith in God, one who is known for getting things done - and keeps it balanced.  Love her or hate her (and most people feel strongly one way or the other), she’s now a household name and gets mega crowds wherever she goes.  Looking at the book, it isn’t a weekend read (unless you hole yourself for the weekend and skip sleep).  At 413 pages it will take me a little while to work through it, but that’s ok.  It is right where it needs to be in the LEISURE category, as it’ll be a leisurely read for me. 

Serif Digital Scrapbook Artist: Two things I want to work on in 2010 where this will come in handy is learning to create blog graphics and working on my son’s baby book and scrapbooks.  It is an impressive little program that I think I’ll get a lot of use out of.  Be warned though - y’all will be my guinea pigs as I try my hand at the blog graphics. 

 

 

REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE

Eco Discoveries Airzyme Air & Fabric Deodorizer tackles odor molecules both in the air and on surfaces with natural enzymes. Eliminate pet odor, kitchen odor, and create a fresh environment with a safe spray.

 

 

 

 

All books and products, unless otherwise noted, were provided to Shake The Salt by their respective author, publisher, brand or shop. Although my opinions may be interspersed throughout this guide, the purpose of this guide is only to provide a basic book or product description for each item, many of which were provided by the author, publisher, brand or shop.  Shake The Salt urges all consumers to make wise, researched purchases and makes no claims or guarranties on behalf of any book, product, or company.

If you would be interested in having your book or product in this Book & Resource Guide, please contact me.

 

 

2010

I am SO EXCITED about 2010!  In lieu of typical resolutions, I’ve decided to find ways to make personal, home, and life improvements, little by little, all year long. Call me crazy, but I’m not mapping out a course, making lists (well, not exactly, lol), or setting lofty goals.  Sometimes too much of that can be slightly overwhelming and the truth is, many are doing pretty darn good to make it to February still following their resolutions!  Come December, we’ll see if my idea works or not.

I’m not flying blind - I have lots of ideas and there are many areas where I’d like to make changes & improvements, plus I’m working on a little feature that will be getting quite the workout this year: my 2010 Books & Resources Guide For Personal, Home, and Life Improvements.  It is coming along great - I’m excited about all the great books, DVDs, and other resources and I have this little feeling that you’ll love it too! I’m hoping to have it posted by the end of January, though I may be adding additional resources to it throughout the year.  Want some changes but not sure where to start?  My 2010 Books & Resources Guide For Personal, Home, and Life Improvements just might give you an idea or two. 

I’ll be reading and doing and blogging all through 2010 as I shed a few pounds, paint rooms, develop a better budget, improve my working schedule (ala time management), and more.  I plan to make a small improvement here and there… then make some more.  I’ll take a few steps, then a few more, and by December will be able to see just how high I’ve climbed in 2010!  Ready to take this journey with me and see how high YOU can climb?  As I share mine, I want to hear all about YOUR accomplishments throughout the year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

HAPPY NEW DECADE!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YOU!!!!