Get Organized!!

With a new business, homeschool, general paperwork, coupons, and, and, and.... Sometimes I feel like I'm swimming in paperwork that I have no idea what to do with.  I find myself moving stacks from here to there and back again, never quite knowing how to organize/handle all the "stuff" that I had collected.

Well about a week ago a professional organizer came and spoke to our homeschool group and here is the method that she recommended for immediate organization for paperwork. She used a stack able drawer system much like the one found here...


Each drawer was labeled


Take Action (address in 2-3 days)
To Calendar
Bills to Pay
Hold for 30 days (can hold on to this for a month, then it must be taken care of or thrown away)
Business Stuff
To Be Filed


A few other tips that were shared where...

1. Make sure you are passing some age appropriate jobs to your children. This is not only a way to help yourself, but starts a legacy of put together/clean homes for your families future.
2. Start with baby steps. Don't overwhelm yourself with a master organization plan. Instead, start with one drawer, one shelf, one closet, one room... As you go, your will notice huge changes from the baby steps you are taking.
3. Stay in one area at a time.  While you are taking baby steps in one room, make sure to assure your success with three simple boxes.  Each labeled (Donate/Sale, Belongs Elsewhere, Trash). By implementing these simple boxes, you don't find yourself distracted and jumping from one room to another.
4. Remember to stick with it. Spend 5-10 minutes every evening placing things back in there forever home.  That way you don't have to go through the entire process again, next year!
5. Use products, like baskets, plastic boxes, or my favorite... Large Utility Totes from Thirty-One Gifts  to group like products and create "forever" homes for your belongings.

Start now and stick with it!! Your home, attitude, stress level and life will drastically change! I think we are all nicely surprised when we accomplish the task of organizing! I have to tell you I'm a bit of a self proclaimed organizer, so if you have any questions or need help brainstorming on any problem areas of your home, I would be happy to help, just shoot me a comment or email me at  m.a.caldwell@hotmail.com


Happy Homemaking Everybody!!

Is the toothfairy real?

Mythical Characters have always been a struggle for me. On one hand I feel like I am lying to my children, leading them away from Truth and morals that are weaved into my soul.  On the other hand, I don't want to steal away the innocents and magic of their childhood. There are too many other things in this world that will do that for me.

So far, we have taken the side to keep mythical characters, but not build them up...

We have kept Santa, but downplay his gifts and build up Jesus' birthday. 
We have kept Easter baskets on Easter Sunday, but side stepped actually verbalizing who supposedly brought the baskets.
  

And now, William has his 4th loose tooth, and we are about to face the question again.... "Is the toothfairy real? "

Your probably wondering why I'm just now dealing with this question, and how I have gotten by the last three teeth with out having to answer it? Well it went something like this...

Tooth #1, William didn't really know the "tradition" is to put the tooth under your pillow and get $$ back, so we didn't really say anything.  Of course, the instant one person saw that he has recently lost a tooth they asked the question I had feared, "What did the toothfairy bring you?".  I cringed as the words came out of her mouth, and William turned around and shot me a look of inquiry. He instantly knew he had missed out on something, he just wasn't sure what.  We moved on through the store and by the time we got home, he had forgotten all about it.

Tooth #2, was lost during Christmas Vacation, and he literally lost it... It was such a non-issue to him, so we let that go by also. By the way, we never found that tooth. I'm sure it's floating around my parents house somewhere.

Tooth #3, was pulled one afternoon, a brief question about the alleged toothfairy was brought up, to which I responded, "I don't know what do you think?" He walked off to think about it, and never got back to me. We ended up leaving the tooth on the counter for 2-3 days, had a quick Science lesson on types of teeth, and... that's about it!

I have completely dodged the bullet!! But I know my time is coming.

Tooth #4, it is hanging on by a thread. And I know any day now it is going to fall out and I will again be faced with the question, "Is the toothfairy real?" 

We have decisions to make and quick!! We have a few ideas on how we would like to handle this in our family, but I'm curious to see what you think!

 If I call out one mythical character, does it mean an automatic out for all of them? 
Is it really even that big of a deal?

Do you follow traditions and let the magic live on? 
Do you flat out say it's not real and not participate in the myth?
 Do you tell your kids it's not real, but it is fun and do it anyways?  

How do you handle Mythical Characters with your kids, and Why?

Spring Salads On Blissfully Domestic.com

Looking for some great menu ideas for the upcoming weekend?  Cooking out and need a side?  We have got you covered... Check it out!
Simple Salad Recipes for Spring On Blissfully Domestic.com

Williams Comic Books:

(William, 6 years old, wants to be a comic book illustrator and writer when he grows up. He practices drawing/tracing/copying his favorite comic characters and stories daily. William used his Fisher-Price camera, took pictures of his drawings, and asked me to download them on here for everyone to see.  He then gave me all the dialog of the comic... so I'm not promising grammer or typing perfection... enjoy everyone! This is all William! )

Transformers: Animated Volume 8, Return of Guard

Written by: William Luke Caldwell
Illustrated by: William Luke Caldwell

This is a big clean up job. Even for big guys like us. "Hey, where is Bumble Bee?", said Bunkhead. "Isn't he supposed to be helping too?", asked Optimus Prime.

 Elsewhere at Sumdak Tower. "Isn't it time that you just do something?" says Dr. Sumdak. "Why is the point that your dad is missing?". "No he's my dad and if I were missing he would do the same thing for me", Said Sari.

 "Ok boss lady. but you might want to take a look at this." says Bumble Bee.  "Hold my calls, I need a break." says Sari.

 "Did you guys see that?" says Prowl. "It's kind of hard to miss," says Ratchet. "Autobots transform and roll out", says Optimus Prime.

 The Autobots race to downtown detour. VROOM!

 The ship crashes in the park. "Robots!?  why does it have to be robots?" says the army captain.

 "No captain. Make your men stand down.  Let us handle this" says Optimus Prime. The main hatchet opens at the bottom of the ship.

 The Autobots line up to meet their commander come off the ship. Ultra Magnus, Centinal Prime, and Jazz all come out of the ship. "Jazz, put a force field around the ship to protect it from the humans." said Ultra Magnus.

 "Commander, we have just started cleaning up after battling Megatron and the Decepticons", said Optimus Prime.

 "Come on Bumble Bee", Says Bulkhead. They get closer to the ship before Jazz cuts them off with the force field.

 Somewhere deep, close to the river. "And so I will sneak attack cyberton" says Megatron. "What do you need me for Megatron, I'm a bounty hunter, not a mercenary fighter," says Lockdown. "I've got quite a bounty for you, Lockdown. I need you to capture one of the Autobots' space bridges." says Megatron.

"Now you are talking my programming language, Lockdown out".  Back at the Auto bots secret headquarters, Since someone took sari's home away, the Auto bots let her live in the secret headquarters with them.

After that the Auto bots went back to the meeting of the all spark. "What the all spark is destroyed?!?", Ultra Magnus, Centinel Prime, and Jazz yell together.

"Not completely destroyed, just part of his energy was destroyed,"says Optimus Prime. "Why don't you stand up for yourself big guy?"says Bulkhead. "Because he knows his place." says Centinal Prime.  "How about I put you in your place?" says Bulkhead. 

"Why do we hide here like mole rats?" says Lug nut.  There is a sound patrol machine so we don't have to worry about the Auto bots, "says Mega tron.

"That sounds crazy, even to me!" says the guy that is two vehicles.

That night, the Auto bots search for the new Decepticon, but it isn't a Decepticon it's a robot body with a human controlling it. "Well, I felt that. It hurt!" says Centinal Prime. "I wasn't trying to tear apart your body, I was trying to keep your body from putting the shield spikes in my face." says Optimus Prime.

A few minutes later... In the Auto bots secret headquarters. "Arn't you  guys tearing stuff up?" says Prowl. "No, we are trying to make Sari happy, but on accident we are not trying to make stuff worse, but we are." says Bumble Bee.

Optimus Prime, beats the headmasters robot and hits him in the head with the battle ax.

THE END!

BECAUSE: Every number represents the life of a victim!

"Human Trafficking is an organized criminal industry that affects every nation. Whilst the statistics can seem overwhelming, it is important to remember that every number represents the life of a victim. The A21 Campaign has recognized a significant need in the region of Europe, and is committed to combating this injustice through rescuing one life at a time." -A21 Campaign

Human Trafficking is something that I had never really thought about. It is something that came up in movies, that were to scary for me to watch, and  "sometimes" happened in countries that I have never visited. What I didn't realize is how prevalent Human Trafficking really is, or how it really does happen in my own community! 

There are 1.39 Million victims in servitude world wide, right now! Generating $27.8 Billion, each year. These women and young girls are forced to service 40-110 customers in one day.

I don't know about you, but for me those are bone chilling statistics.  But the thing to remember is that each of those 1.39 million victims represents a life. A life that started just like mine, and just like yours. They are daughters, mothers, sisters, friends, and most of all made in Christs image. These women need help, they need to know that there is someone in the world of hatred, abuse, and disgust that they face each day; that will love them, and show them what a precious jewel they are. I am making commitments to help educate those in my sphere of influence starting with you! 

Please take the time to visit The A21 Campaign website to learn more and to find out how you can get involved and rescue lives! 

You can also sign up for the newsletter, and stay updated on the events and happenings of the Organization!

Easter Breakfast! Resurection Buns

Easter, like Christmas, is a very meaningful and important time for our family! We love and take part in the fun traditions like egg hunts, and Easter baskets stuffed with goodies, but are always looking for fun ways to keep our family focused on the actual reason we celebrate Easter. This recipe has become a fun project we feel accomplished just that. 

Resurrection Buns

*a can of Grand biscuits
*large marshmallows
*sugar
*cinnamon
*butter

1. Preheat oven according to the directions on the biscuits.
2. Flatten the biscuit out until it's about 5 inches across.
3. The marshmallow represents Jesus.Explain that it is white because it stands for His purity and His sinless life.
4. Roll the Marshmallow in melted butter sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Explain how they anointed Jesus body with oil, and spices. 
5. Place the marshmallow in the center of the biscuit, then fold the sides around it forming a "tomb". Pinch the sides of the tomb closed. Explain how Jesus tomb was sealed with a large stone.
6. Place it crease side down on a baking sheet so they will not open while cooking. 
7. Bake the buns. Follow package directions.
8. Allow time to cool, the marshmallow will be very hot!

EAT UP!

• When the children bite into their buns they will be surprised to find the center empty. The marshmallow has melted. As each child discovers the empty tomb, we repeat : He is not here for He is risen.
• As you eat the biscuits,  talk about the sweetness of the biscuits and how sweet a gift Jesus gave us when he died for our sins, and then rose 3 days later proving He is our Savior and the Son of God!

I love this project.  It is a great way for my kids to remember what Easter really means, and for us to have a little fun while we do it.  Hope you enjoy!!

Blissfully Domestic- Salads for Spring

Looking for some great salads for spring?  Well look no further, here is all the inspiration and the recipes you need to get those creative juices running. As long as they are running down the produce section!!

Check it out @ http://blissfullydomestic.com/2011/simple-salad-recipes-for-spring