September's Organizing Expectations

Does September seem like one of those months where you've got to be organized?  

Meals made in the freezer, calendar at the ready?  

For me it feels like there's this expectation, this need to have everything in place or else I'll somehow fall behind.  

But just WHEN, during the summer with four kids home was I supposed to get everything all organized-like for fall?  

It's not realistic.  

So today's post is a reminder to cut ourselves some slack.  If there are some things you wish you'd done in time for the start of school, let it go, and do it when you can.

Here's a job I did at the beginning of the summer.  I had a fabulous time working with Robyn to organize her daughter's desk.  She was a star purger and had lots of great systems in place for where to keep items.  She just needed some help to get 'em there.  

Before

After

I show you this to inspire you.  

Go back up and scroll between the before and after.  

Ahhh.  

It does feel great to be organized, and it only took 2 hours.  

So when you have some time, whenever it turns out to be, tackle a spot that you've 

wanted to do all summer and cross it off the list.  

But until then, don't sweat it!  

September does not have to begin with perfect order!

This Day I Have Been Dreading Has Arrived

On Saturday Cate cried and pronounced that she would NEVER ride a two wheeler.  

Ever.

"I'm too SCARED Mommy."

On Sunday she screamed with delight as she coursed down the driveway.  

Isn't that the way life goes?

Today I'm terrified of my new role without kids at home.
There's crying and sadness and that feeling like it will NEVER be okay.
Ever.

But I know there will be a tomorrow where I'll scream with delight at God's new plans for me.  

I know I can trust Him.

Just this past weekend I was glancing through my gratitude journal (which was a bit of a mistake because I came across an entry where I'd written my thankfulness for Cate's little fingers reaching back at me through the stroller as we walked...BIG cry-fest) and I noticed I'd written an entry in gratitude of God giving me Zephaniah 3:17 as a promise.  Then I opened my devotional for that day and guess what verse was listed?

"The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

Yup.  Zephaniah 3:17.

Cool.

I'll see you back here next week, childless, ready to focus in on decorating.  

And organizing.  

And decorating.

Yard Sale CANCELLED

Due to rain, rain, and more rain, our yard sale is CANCELLED.  

We'll find a time in September that's dry.

In the meantime, have a fabulous last week with the kids!  

See you back here soon...

I'm Havin a YARD SALE!

Need some inspiration to get going on an organization project?

Several hours have been spent reorganizing my storage room.

I wanted to give myself a practical system for when I'm staging a home.

As a result, I've got some things to sell.

There are also some strollers and a few other items in our garage...

Drop by if you're interested!

1040 Grosvenor Ave.

Saturday, August 23

9:00am - 12:00pm

My Purchase

What I went back to purchase at Real Deals On Home Decor was a clock.

I had my husband change my kitchen curtain rod but then my clock didn't fit anymore.  I was tired of looking up at a blank wall to see the time so I purchased a smaller clock.  

My friend out west has the best quote by her kitchen sink and I really wanted to put it in my kitchen, so I combined the new clock hanging with a little project.

Sorry.  I can never remember to take a before until I'm already started but you get the gist.

After taping it off, I painted a rectangle of chalkboard paint on the wall and then wrote the quote on it and hung the clock along beside.

I feel this is my life's experience in cooking.

Cutie huh?

Storewatch ~ Real Deals On Home Decor - Winnipeg

What a treat to visit a store that has beautiful products, great prices and fabulous customer service!

Real Deals On Home Decor is a new store in Winnipeg that is a must for your summer bucket list.  

Have a peek!

I knew I'd found a great place to shop when the first thing I spotted 

was affordable, realistic looking artificial plants,  

 and...a whole lot of turquoise!

There were lots of fun and unique items for your home,

clocks,

art,

jewellery,

and a whole cowboy room!

I love it.

Check out these great pieces of furniture.

But the best part?

The owner, Jill, was sweet, friendly and super helpful.  It doesn't matter how fabulous the product is (and it was pretty fabulous), customer service is number one.  

And she was lovely.

On my first visit I saw a little item I wanted but I needed to measure my space.  When I returned to purchase it the next day, I arrived an hour past closing.  Oops.  But guess what?  When I pressed my little face up to the window, Jill waved and opened the door and let me come in and buy it!

Who does that?

Lovely.

So go check it out at 3525 Pembina Highway.

Hours:

Thursday ~ 10 - 6

Friday ~ 10 - 6

Saturday ~ 10 - 3

And did I mention they will be selling chalk paint soon?!?

I'll show ya my purchase and the ensuing project that came along with it in a few days.

Easy, Inexpensive Art

Here's an easy and fairly quick project you can tackle if you need some new art on a wall in your home.

I found this calendar awhile back and loved the pictures.  It was on sale for $3.99 so I bought it with hopes of framing the shots.  It's pretty easy to find a calendar on sale after Christmas and they tend to stay reduced for months.

I cut the pictures to fit these Ikea Nyttja frames, which are very reasonably priced and come in several colour options and various sizes. 

And now we have a pretty conversation piece on our basement wall.

I love the colours!

Hope your first two weeks of summer have been fun and relaxing!