Order or not in order...

How do you get organized, or a new routine down? Are you a throw it all down on a list and check it off as you go? Or are ya a place for everything and everything in it's place type? Or maybe you're a labeler/boxer-upper type.

Well whichever one of those fits your style, it's a sure sign of how easier your days flow, from the start of the day headed out the door, to the end of the day when you're all crawling into bed. If you're a mom like me, I like my mornings to not be rushed, and flow easy going. It usually helps when you have multiple kids, to get the older ones involved with doing things for themselves. It's always a teaching/learning experience at the beginning of the school year for us. Making sure that all bus schedules match up in some sort of order, that we all get out the door with the right bags, coats and paperwork. We had a routine going at the beginning of the year. Then Lilly started school and she goes to school on the bus now.

That means I wake up at 6:45am to get her up and dressed then, me up and dressed, and looking semi presentable to the bus driver. Yea, it's rough some mornings. I at least try the night before to get the coats, bags, and shoes near the door. And have the older two daughters to pick out some of their clothes. It helps. But there are some mornings where I just feel like 15 extra mins of laying there, in bed, not moving is my better situation.

I don't know how many mornings, I've spent searching for something I just put on the counter, to only find that one of my small little humans have took it upon themselves to move it to a whole another room. So I try to clip anything important up high, on the fridge, and announce that if they touch it, they might lose a limb.

Another idea so that our family can function pretty easy, has been The Calendar. I even get abnoxious about it and buy the HUGE one that you usually keep on your desk. I learned the hard way, that if you want your husband to be in the know, it usually has to be in BOLD so I write everything down. It's not all color coordinated or anything like that but it's definitely filled up. It's a life saver and it keeps the husband and I talking about our days.

So what is your favorite thing that keeps your life organized? Share with me!!! =]

Mother Nature is on the Fritz again!

I tell ya! I really think that Mother Nature has gone wacky!   My hometown is West Seattle, Washington. Growing up I think we had maybe a handful, maybe two of school closings when it came to winter weather.  It's true that it does rain a lot there. But, usually is during the winter months and early spring. I think I only remember 1 time where we got sent home because of weather that was coming.  When we got snow, it usually was only an inch or so and the whole city shuts down. It sounds ridiculous but it's true! Seattle is full of hills and nobody knows how to drive in the stuff.  It's as if common sense flies out the window at first sign of a drop of a snowflake.   So people are finally thinking, and are staying home.

Here in Toledo.. well it's winter. It's finally here, and we are due to get another 3-5inches by Saturday morning! It's going to start coming down overnight heavily, but they said around 3pm we'll be getting a few snow showers.  With all the snow, my biggest pet peeve is scrapping the car.  I am usually the one to get the girls up and running in the morning.  I usually have to go out and brush off the trailblazer and scrap the windows.  Now, visualize a oompa loompa trying to brush off a huge pickup truck.   Yes. That's pretty much me, nil the orange. I'm 5'4" and it's a job all in itself.   So I had to find a easier way. There has to be an easier way to get this ice business outta here!

So I went to Pintrest.. why well I heart Pintrest! And there are a ton of great links to ideas on Pintrest. That's what it's all about!  If you're not there, let me know, and I will send you an invite!  So I came across these Pins.

Source: coffeebreakwithlizandkate.com via Lara on Pinterest

This first one is a list of help tips on winter whoas.  It's from http://www.coffeebreakwithlizandkate.com  Few helpful tips, and who doesn't like tips right!? My favorite from them is the sanitizer tip! 

The second one is from http://www.homemademamas.net . 

Source: homemademamas.net via Roseann on Pinterest

They have a few different routes to take, but all easy!  I really hope these help you!
If you have any other tips PLEASE Share them with me!! I love simple and easy stuff to get rid of the nasty icy mess that mother nature brings!