http://onebagnation.wordpress.com A Quest for Order, Serenity & Peace of Mind Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:13:31 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Today as we were driving to camp, my daughter noticed someone talking on their cell phone while crossing the street. She was scandalized (as only a 6-year-old can be) because it was unsafe to talk and cross at the same time (smart cookie). I told her that yesterday morning while I ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/my-daughter-the-efficiency-expert/ My daughter greeted me with this note when I went to pick her up at daycare the other day. (If you have trouble deciphering kindergarten spelling, it says "You Were Late, Really Late"). I was hit with a tidal wave of Mommy Guilt. The worst part is, I had completely forgotten about ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/i-forgot-and-im-sorry/ For the last few days - since I had my "ah-ha moment" about being messy - I've been trying hard to keep things clean and neat around here. I've also been moving my home office so I'll feel organized when I start my new job. I've also been thinking a lot ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/more-doing-less-posting/ I'm looking around my house and realizing that what I see is not really clutter, or the result of being disorganized; what I see is a messy house! The kind of clutter I'm seeing is not the kind of clutter you need to purge, it's the kind of clutter you ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/im-not-disorganized-im-messy/ Any anti-procrastination advice worth its salt will urge you to just get started on whatever it is that you're putting off. Everything from daily housekeeping chores - like washing the dishes - to really important and complex projects - like writing a will - can be broken down into ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/just-do-it-starting-is-the-hardest-part/ A while back I wrote about My Big Rocks, inspired by Stephen Covey in First Things First, and Leo at Zen Habits. This week I accomplished a huge goal: I got a new job! I've been working at a job for two years that's been making me miserable, anxious and depressed. I ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/20/my-rocks-are-in-a-row/ Yesterday I needed a gift bag and some tissue paper for the end-of-year gift for my daughter's teacher. A few weeks ago I probably would have just bought them new, rather than face the mess in my basement. But this time, down I went, put my hand (almost) immediately on a ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/the-basement-report-its-working/ Yes . . . chalk it up to end-of-school-year busy-ness, Father's Day busy-ness, whatever! But this morning, I tried to pick up my check and it was stuck to a drop of maple syrup, left from yesterday's Father's Day breakfast. And I was so proud of myself for getting the laundry ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/16/my-paycheck-is-stuck-to-the-dining-room-table/ There are many areas of household management I struggle with, but I'm good in the kitchen. Even before I hit on some of these kitchen organizing solutions, I was able to pull meals together pretty easily. But I know that's not the case for everyone! My mother was and is a ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/in-the-organized-kitchen-five-tips-for-efficient-meals/ This was said to me today in response to my description of a job I had several years ago. I was in an informal job interview, so I didn't snort, giggle, or shriek with laughter . . . I behaved appropriately. But I'm giggling now! Gosh, I hope they aren't looking ... http://onebagnation.wordpress.com/2008/06/11/you-have-to-be-really-organized/