Already? Really?!?!?!

Really? I mean it's not even June 1st yet! For those of you that are not familiar with the South's 5th season, June 1st starts Hurricane Season. On Wednesday, I tuned in to see the last 3 minutes of American Idol, just to see who won. I am not an AI watcher, but I wanted to see who America voted for. After the show the New Orleans news came on and the first thing they talked about was this low pressure system sitting over Florida. Great. It was already taking the shape of a storm. Well, about 20 minutes ago we got the first feeder band (the band of rain that comes off the storm before the eye of the storm hits land). The low is moving fast and is not even strong enough to be called a tropical depression. We will get some well needed rain from it and that is about all. The winds are not any stronger than the breeze we get from the beach daily. So this is just a little teaser, hopefully the rest of the season will be quiet!

Fun Foto Friday

This picture is from my graduation last July. My mom and Nana came up for it. Olivia and Bryce were visiting their Buddy (grandpa - my Uncle Jeff) in Wyoming and I drove over and picked them up for a couple of days. I giggled when I saw this picture because not even a year ago, I could still call B "shortie" - even though we were the same height. I still call him shortie even though he is now 3 or 4 inches taller than me.

Streamlining ... it's a must!!

I read this on Erica's blog and decided to steal it. It is such a great idea! I know I organize and then in a couple of weeks I can't find what I am looking for (but with everything I own in boxes, I have no clue where most things are). I will definitely be streamlining when I unpack my boxes in a couple of weeks in my new apartment or house! (hopefully!!)

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For enrichment last night our stake had an amazing lady come and talk to us about streamlining vs. organizing. Organizing is put your things in order...however in about two weeks the house once again looks cluttered and messy. Streamlining is going through every single item in your house that is yours or you are in charge of and asking your self....do I need, want, use, like, or have room for this? Have bins/bags/boxes with you to help sort through your things. Have a garbage, DI/other charity/yard sale, file later (for all of those important papers you find in odd places), and doesn't belong in this room bins. Work in a clockwise pattern in each room. Go through EVERYTHING, touch EVERYTHING.
Some tips she gave for children are: 7 (+1 extra incase something gets dirty) shirts, pants, socks, underwear (depending on the stage of potty training you may need more); and 2 Sunday outfits. To make the closet practically empty, fold the shirt, socks, underwear inside the pants to make a outfit pack and store in dresser. This way clothes match and you don't have a sock drawer, a underwear drawer, a pants drawer, etc. Her motto last night was LESS IS BEST! You don't want clutter you want empty spaces. Our homes should look and feel like the temple. You should feel at peace! By clearing out the things that we don't need, want, like, use or have room for we give ourselves more time (we aren't spending so much time looking for things we can't find or spending money on something we already have because we are tired for looking for it), energy (not searching for lost items, easy to find an outfit with the outfit pack, etc.) , and a lot more other things that I can't remember. 

A tip from Oprah...if you aren't sure which clothes you wear turn all the hangers backwards on the rod and when you wear something put the hanger the correct way in a few months you can tell which clothes you wear and which ones you don't.
You only need 2 pairs of sheets (get rid of the linen closet: store sheets and extra blankets between mattress and box-frame), one towel (if you want one hand towel and wash cloth as well) per person in your family (we don't really work with the cows everyday an more, so we really are bathing clean bodies).
Going through clothes is the hardest thing; remember you only wear about 25% of your clothes: they are your favorites so you know which ones I am talking about. Get rid of the other 75%.   A lot of room was just made in your closet! Get rid of the clothes that aren't in style, are old and warn out, have holes in the knees, have fred edges, stained (arm pits, oil) etc. Be careful though, if you are like me and on a budget don't get rid of every pair of pants because you have had them since high school and they are fraying...you won't be able to replace them. Perhaps you could set aside a few dollars each month in your clothes budget to buy some more down the road. Store winter/summer clothes under your bed/couch.
When you are getting ready to start your streamlining you may want to let someone babysit your younger children...this can take a long time and it will be hard to give your attention to them. Shut your teenagers door...don't touch their stuff. Don't touch your spouses stuff...let everyone know that you are only going to be streamlining your things and the things you are in charge of (which is basically the whole house). Let the older children help; they are more than willing to help. Children love to be helpful...use them! A smart mom does less chores!!!

Fun Foto Friday

This picture is from when I went to Norway three years ago. It was taken on May 15th, 2006. Syttende Mai (May 17th) is Norway's constitution/independence day and a huge celebration. They have parades, people wear costumes and their national dress and downtown Oslo is packed! It is also a day that kids (and adults) can eat as many hot dogs and ice creams as they want!! and ice cream in Norway is so stinkin good... so are their hot dogs. Hot dogs are not eaten in buns but are rolled up in these flat potato things. mmmmm... now I want one. Since I can not be in Norway with Marte, Lars, Tinde and Torn, I will have hot dogs and ice cream alone here at home. I also need a Norwegian flag. Anyways... Gratulerer Med Dagen!

Fun Foto Friday

Winter 2007...It had been 6 years since I had been in college and 10 years since I had to share a room with anyone. Gulp. I had never lived in the same place with 5 other people either. Was I nuts?!?!? New state, snow, and having to live with 5 people I DIDN'T KNOW!!!

However, I was where I was supposed to be and I was blessed with the BEST roommates EVER! So here we are, clockwise from me... me, Natalie, Brittany, Kim, Erica and Wendy. We had so much fun taking this picture...I think we took at least 300 pictures trying to get everyone in before Scott came over and we had him take it. But those are some fun pictures and great memories!

Fun Foto Friday

Erica, Hannah, Becca and I thought it was funny how we all were wearing pink and white (and I was the only one without a black skirt on) to church this day. We didn't even notice until we were back at home. So we decided to take some fun pictures. That was a fun summer! I miss these girls!