Back To School Shooping!!!

I am finally back!! I had to get my kiddos ready for school!! Plus my teenager has been really sick for 3 weeks, so I have been taking a bloggers BREAK!!! I wanted to write something about getting ready for “back to school shopping!!” I know most of you have already had your kids in school for a couple of weeks…BUT there are still some of you who haven’t started yet!!! So here are some tips on “back to school shopping.”

This year I get to shop for a kid in High school, middle school, elementary and pre- school!! Yep that’s right 4 different stages of life…LUCKY ME!!!! Shopping with four kids, ages 15 and under, is not a fun adventure, that’s why I try to find the best deals and

have a plan of attack before I even leave the house.

Here’s what I do. I take all of my kids supply lists and highlight everything that’s the same on the lists this way I know to double my count. At their school they need typical things like paper, scissors, and glue sticks. I know that I will be able to find these at just about any store that sells school supplies.

I like to create one big master list with everything on it for the kids back-to-school needs, including things like backpacks, lunch boxes, and water bottles. Next to each items I include the quantity and any specific notes like brand names, specials like buy 3 get I free.

If you find that you really do have to go to more than one store make a separate list for each store. This will keep you on task and save you time.
I also must add that I started my list in June…I know CRAZY!!!! BUT I listed each of my kiddos names. Underneath I made a list. For example… Avery needed new socks and tennis shoes. I realized that back in June and I didn’t want to forget so I wrote it down right then. In July I went through each of their rooms to figure out what clothes they each needed, and listed them.

The best way to know that you are getting the cheapest price possible is to just head to Wal-mart. They will price match their competitor prices. Any store that will price match is a guaranteed best bet as long as they carry what you need.

Good luck with “BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING” I know it can be dreadful but you can make it fun!!! Growing up I always would looked forward to August because my mom would make it unforgetful, with lunch and a GREAT new outfit for the first day of school!!! I have since carried out that tradition, I take each of my kids to lunch and school shopping alone. They each love it and every year ask “when is it my turn to go school shopping?”

Homework: Make your supply list!!! Have a great an ORGANIZED week!!!

TIP OF THE WEEK #8

Tip of the week #8...

Find a home for all your electronic games!!!

How many of you have your WI game, Play Station, X Box, or Nintendo out for the whole world to see???

Find a place on your entertainment center, or somewhere in the room where you play them. So when company comes over they wont know they are even there.

Last week I had an organizational job, and she said her family doesn't play the WI very much...so I found a basket that fit all the accessories to the game, and also all her games she had for the WI. We found a HOME in a closet by her playroom, so when the family wants to play WI they just have to grab the basket...when they are finished they put everything back in its proper spot in the basket, and put the basket back in its HOME!!!

Homework: Find a home for all your electronics. Have a great an ORGANIZED week!!

3 MAGICAL QUESTIONS, THAT COULD HELP YOU!!!

From a site I was on, I came across 3 questions the writer would ask herself, when she was De cluttering her house. They are...

Do you love it?

Do you use it?

Do you have the room to store it?

Those are some of the questions you need to ask about your stuff on a regular basis. If the answer is no to any one of those questions then it’s time to share that stuff with someone else or trash it. Otherwise it’s just going to pile up in your home, you are going to trip over it, you are not going to be able to find what you need, the pile is only going to continue to grow and you are going to get frustrated and overwhelmed when the weight of it becomes more than you can bear…physically and mentally.

So when you are cleaning a room in your house, or helping someone De clutter...ask yourself or them those 3 wonderful questions!!!

Homework: Clean out your junk drawer, (we all have one), and put those 3 questions into practice!!! Have a great and organized weekend!!!

YES!! MY BABY LOST HER FIRST TOOTH...check out my blog http://www.fuzzystreasures.blogspot.com/ to read all about it!!!

Keeping kids on task...Is it really as easy as 1-2-3??

Keeping kids on task, is not always as easy as it sounds. Most kids have a little chaos and disorganization. Yours might go from one thing to the next — forgetting lunches at school, forgetting to do chores, not finishing projects they have started. wouldn't you like them to be more organized and to stay focused on tasks, such as homework?

Theb keep reading...

Some kids are naturally organized, but for the rest, organization is a skill learned over time. With help and some practice, kids can develop an effective approach to getting organized.

The website kidshealth.org, there is an article called...Easy as 1-2-3. I actually thought the steps were great. Here they are...

Easy as 1-2-3

For kids, all tasks can be broken down into a 1-2-3 process.

1.Getting organized means a kid gets where he or she needs to be and gathers the supplies needed to complete the task.

2.Staying focused means sticking with the task and learning to say "no" to distractions.

3.Getting it done means finishing up, checking your work, and putting on the finishing touches, like remembering to put a homework paper in the right folder and putting the folder inside the backpack so it's ready for the next day.

Once kids know these steps — and how to apply them — they can start tackling tasks more independently. That means homework, chores, and other tasks will get done with increasing consistency and efficiency. Of course, kids will still need parental help and guidance, but you probably won't have to nag as much.

Not only is it practical to teach these skills, but knowing how to get stuff done will help your child feel more competent and effective. Kids feel self-confident and proud when they're able to accomplish their tasks and responsibilities. They're also sure to be pleased when they find they have some extra free time to do what they'd like to do.

I hope this helps get your kiddos ready for school. Some of my friends kids start next week...as for mine they don't start until August 8Th. Good luck to all those that start soon!!!

Homework: Help your kids finish a project they have already started. Have a great and ORGANIZED WEEK!!!

Tip of the week #7

Dump Something Daily!- Every day, throw one thing from your house away, recycle it, or set it aside for donation.
I always say if you buy something then get rid of something!! For example this week my sister was in town and we always go shopping!! I bought the cutest sweater shrugs for only $4.94. I had to buy 2 because they were a screaming deal!!! OKAY... So that means I have to part with 2 of my shirts. YES, it is usually the ones I have not worn for a couple months...in fact I ended up parting with 3!!!

Homework...get rid of 1 item of clothing this week!!! (I know you have something to part with!)

Love for Lana

Friends, many of you have seen the news reports that my dear friend Lana was brutally mauled by a black bear in Pinetop, AZ. She is a very close friend of mine.

I served as the Relief Society president for my church for 3 years, and that wonderful woman was literally my right hand man!! If something happened in the ward or neighborhood, I would run over to find out that SUPERWOMEN LANA had already been there with food or her cleaning supplies or both. I look up to Lana in every way.

The Sunday before it happened she came up to me and gave me a big hug... JUST BECAUSE!! If I would have known I would have hugged her a little longer, and told her again how much I love and appreciate her.

Lana, I love you and pray daily for your recovery. Thanks for being such a great example for all of us.

Please come out on July 8Th and 9Th on the Corner of Val Vista & Baseline
3651 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, AZ
***Help up raise money for this amazing woman.***

There will be bands playing in the parking lot, car washes, booths with items such as baked goods, knock off jeans, purses, boutique items. Inside the building we will have massage therapist doing massages, hair stylists doing hair cuts, eyelash extensions ect. Also Lakeside Cosmetic and Family Dentistry owned by Dr. Kris Heap has offered to do cleanings, exams, xrays, and whitening by a first come first serve basis.

These two days, each activity is set up so ALL proceeds will go to helping Lana with this terrible tragedy that has happened. For those of you that don't know dear sweet Lana she has spent a lifetime serving our community and helping those in need. We want to give back and she needs us right now. After the bear attack she spent her first night and morning in surgery for about 8 hrs and another round of surgeries today.

Please come, tell your friends and neighbors to come. We have also set up an account through Bank of America if you would like to donate details on that will come. If you are a business owner we have created containers with her picture in which people can donate money but we need businesses to place these jars.

This will be a HUGE event with media/news attendance and we will need all the help offered. Thank you for your support, love, donations and prayers for our sweet friend Lana!

Go to: www.loveforlana.org for more info!! Thanks for all your support!!

Tip of the week # 6...THEY ARE ONLY THINGS!!!

For the past 10 years I have been in many people's homes helping them organize a room, closet, kitchen, pantry, garage, office and much much more. In fact 3 in half years ago, me and my sister started a little business, we called it, ORGANIZED R U. Yep that is were I got the name for my blog. We didn't advertise we just got clients from word of mouth. What we do is we go into peoples homes and offices and teach and help them to make "HOMES" for there things and to teach them that they can have a more fulfilled life if they had a place, or what I like to say is 'HOME" for everything.
Through the years I have seen so many different mistakes that people make with their homes. Many of the clients I have worked with have had such a hard time letting go of their "THINGS." The first things I teach them when I go into their homes Is that they are only things.
I have listed 30 reasons why we should get rid of some of our "THINGS!!"

1. It has no value, sentimental or monetary.
2. It hasn't been used in over a year.
3. There is no logical place to keep it.
4. It doesn't work.
5. And what's the worst that can happen if you throw it out?
6. Search for phone numbers online instead of storing bulky telephone directories.
7. Lose the road maps and get a GPS system to download up-to-date travel guides.
8. Eliminate paper statements by banking and paying bills online.
9. Call 1-888-567-8688 to stop unwanted credit card solicitations.
10. Opt out of mailing and telemarketing lists by logging on to Fight Identity Theft
11. Running shoes need to be replaced after 300 to 500 miles in order to prevent injuries.
12. Throw away your toothbrush every three to four months.
13. Change out disposable air conditioner filters once a month (during the hot, air conditioning season).
14. Replace the batteries in your smoke detector every year.
15. Find the USDA's recommended storage limits for refrigerated and frozen food!! THEN TOSS OLD FOOD!!!
16. Throw out mascara and moisturizer after three months.
17. Discard foundation and sunscreen after six months.
18. Keep concealer, lipstick, eyeliners, lip liners, fragrances, powders, blushes, and shadows no longer than two years.
19. Trade in an old iPod and receive a 10 percent discount on a new iPod.
20. Easily convert spare change into "real" money. (Your local Walmart's have a machine.)
21. Sell it to anyone.
22. Get cash for gift cards you'll never use.
23. Trade the books you have for the ones you want.
24. Trade the DVDs you've seen for the ones you haven't.
25. Clear off your CD shelves and make money in the process.
26. Getting rid of clutter will reduce housework by 40 percent. I KNOW THIS TO BE TRUE!!!! TRUST ME!!!
27. Around 23 percent of people pay late fees on bills they cannot find. Make a special HOME for bills!!!
28. 4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter. THIS IS VERY TRUE AND SAD!!!
29. People waste 55 minutes a day looking for things.
30. 80 percent of what we own we never use.

I hope this helps on your crusade of making your home or office a better place to live and work in. Have a great an ORGANIZED week. Remember the question...ORGANIZED R U??

Don't forget to check out my new blog and website!! www.fuzzystreasures.com