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The Imperfect Homemaker: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Preserve a Memory


I have a family blog where I post pictures for the grandparents or anybody else who wants to see what we've been up to.  But...that blog is often sadly neglected.  I always have great intentions, but it gets pushed to the bottom of the priority list too many times.  For my Anti-Procrastination task today, I got it updated.

Whether or not you have a blog, keeping up with family photos seems to be an area which many people neglect.

What are you going to do about it today?  I'm  not asking you to start a month-long project updating a year's worth of scrapbook pages.  I'm challenging you to preserve A memory.  Just do one thing.  What will it be?  Getting pictures printed that have been sitting on your camera card for who-knows-how-long?  Putting together one scrapbook page?  Posting one blog post? 

I am finding that a big reason we procrastinate is because the situation looks too big and too overwhelming, so we don't do anything.  Just do one thing and enjoy it!  That's better than not doing anything at all!


 If you're just now joining our Anti-Procrastination challenge, you can read all the details here. be sure you're subscribed to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each day's new challenge!


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Thursday, February 23, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Call or Email a Long-Distance Friend



There are a number of people that were good friends of mine in college, but now I feel like I hardly know them.  They have moved away, and I have done a horrible job at keeping in touch with them.  In my opinion, "liking" or commenting on their Facebook status once in a while is a lousy alternative to actually calling them or emailing them with a meaningful message.



I am tired of making excuses for everything.    Among my excuses for not keeping in better touch with my long-distance friends are thinking that they are too busy or that I'll call at a bad time for them, my kids don't like it when I'm on the phone, and more.  But the real truth is that I've just been too lazy to make the effort.  A true friend will take the time to keep in touch with people she cares about.  Even if it's not always convenient, a true friend will make a way to do it.

Today I called one of my very best friends.  You know what?  It was so good to hear her voice.  So good.  You know what else?  She was so happy to hear from me too.  She told me more than once that I made her day.  She will be hearing from me a whole lot more often from now on.

Do you have any friends that you have been bad about communicating with?  Make some time to call them.  If you can't make a phone call, send a meaningful email message.  Proverbs 18:24 says  "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly."  I'm going to stop saying "I should call..."  "I should email her..."  I'm just going to do it.    

If you're just now joining our Anti-Procrastination challenge, be sure you're subscribed to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each day's new challenge!

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My Super-Wimpy Workout Routine



I mentioned here that I had quit making excuses and started exercising again.  Can I tell you something?  Whatever it was in me that was telling me that I was getting exercise by working vigorously when I did my housework, playing with the kids out in the yard, etc. was LYING! 

I have been doing a 15 minute workout routine, with only 5 minutes of that being cardio.  After those 5 minutes, my heart rate was maxed out.  I was at the top of the chart for my age where it is suggested that a workout that intense should only be done for short periods of time.  My heart rate has always tended to be high, but I am in BAD shape!  Not to mention my muscles are just a tiny bit sore too. {Sarcasm.}  I am now more determined than ever to keep at this thing.  I am realizing more and more how much my lifestyle now is going to affect me when I'm older.  I am only 26, and I am struggling to do this wimpy little workout.  If I keep neglecting to exercise, I honestly think I will be shortening my lifespan.  I want to keep my heart and body strong so that I have the health and energy to take care of my family (and so that Lord willing I can stick around longer too!)    

So, what's my Super-Wimpy Workout Routine?

I knew I needed a workout routine that would be easy enough for me but still challenging.  I saw a workout on Pinterest somewhere that had 15 different 1 minute things to do.  I knew that would be perfect for me.  I can do anything for 1 minute, and I love the variety of it!  I came up with my own little version of it. 

If you're in the same boat as me, and you're needing to work back into regular exercising, here's my little plan:

Do the following for one minute each:
  • Walk in place
  • High Knees
  • Jumping Jacks
  • Front Kicks
  • Jumping Jacks
  • Run in place
  • Walk in place 
  • Lunges
  • Hip Raises 
  • Pushups
  • Squats
  • Hip Raises
  • Lunges
  • Walk in place
  • Calf Stretches
When I get to where my heart rate isn't maxed out, I will probably repeat this 2 times and do 30 minutes worth.  To make it easy to time each thing for 1 minute, I set this online timer  for 15 minutes.  When it gets down to 14 minutes, I start on the next thing; at 13 minutes I do the next thing, and so on and so forth.


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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Taking Care of Business


 Well, folks, it's time to tackle another of those (dreaded) Anti-Procrastination tasks again.  Really, I hope you don't dread them.  I hope you're enjoying the feeling of getting things done so they won't be hanging over your head any more.  I know I am!

Today you need to take care of any business that needs to be done.


 For example, I had to make a couple of calls that I was not looking forward to.  One that I can't post here, and another one to my credit card company to settle a dispute with a company that charged my card but did not fulfill my order.  I hate making calls like that, and I avoid it as long as possible with my excuses.  "I'll be on hold forever, and I don't have time for that."  "The kids hate it when I'm on the phone, and they start running around and acting crazy."  (Really, they do!)  Well, too bad honey.  You just need to stop procrastinating and get it over with.  You'll be done and won't have to worry about it any more. 

Now it's your turn.  Go take care of whatever business you've been avoiding and then enjoy the rest of your day!

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Can I Really Make a Difference?

 It seems like just recently I have really been struck with the incredible needs in the world around me.  One of the things that influenced me was this post regarding adoption and the needs of orphaned children around the world.  Of course I wish I could help every single one of them.  Then I started thinking of villages in Haiti where people are dying because they don't have clean water to drink.  I want to dig a well for every single one of them.  Then I started thinking about the homeless right here in America - there are multitudes of them in every city and even right here in my own little town.  I want to help them all!  What about the nursing homes I have visited where there are not enough staff members to properly care for the residents?  Many of them don't get proper nutrition because they cannot feed themselves and the staff members are too busy to do it.  They lie in bed begging someone to come change their soiled pants because they are starting to get sore, but are only replied to with, "We'll get to you later."  I want to stay there all day and personally tend to all of their needs!

I could continue to go on listing needs - desperate, heart-breaking needs of people all around the world.  I want to do something - to make a big difference somehow.  But the whole world is full of needs!  There's no way I can possibly do anything that will help!

Then, it dawned on me.  I have had the attitude that since the needs are too great for me to fulfill, then I will just throw up my hands in despair and say, "I guess there's nothing I can do about it other than hope that the Lord will come back quickly and redeem the world from the curse of sin."

I was reminded of this story by Loren Eisley.  I'm sure many of you have heard it:   


One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean.
The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die."
"Son," the man said, "Don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said , "I made a difference for that one."


I may not be able to make a difference in every person's life who needs help, but I can make a difference in someone's life.  That will be one more person who can be shown the love of Christ who would otherwise never know it.  Just think!  When I get to heaven one day I will be so ashamed at all the lives I didn't influence just because I wasn't trying, thinking that it was impossible to make a difference.

I don't know what God has planned for my life, but I know he wants me to do something more than what I've been doing.  I am praying specifically that He would lead me to the one thing that I can do to make a difference.

In the meantime, I have three little people for whom I will strive to make a big difference every day.  I have a husband for whom I will make a difference every day.  There are store cashiers, church members, neighbors, and numerous other people with whom I come into contact on a regular basis.  Am I making a difference for them?  Am I doing all that I can to help them both physically and spiritually?

I am excited to see what doors God will open as I do my part to meet the needs of others.  If we all do our small part, just think how many more people can be helped than if we all throw up our hands in defeat!

You may not be able to make a difference for them all, but you can make a difference for one.


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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Make Someone's Day



I often have great ideas of things that would be nice to do for someone else.  The problem is, I don't often get around to doing them.  It's just never a convenient time.  But making an extra effort is what makes a thoughtful gesture all the more special!

Today I want you to do something special for someone.  It doesn't have to be anything big; just something that shows you expended extra effort because you were thinking of them!

I took time to do a chore that my husband normally has to do.  I know he will appreciate not having to do it when he gets home.


If you're just now joining our Anti-Procrastination challenge, you can read all the details here. be sure you're subscribed to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each day's new challenge!

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Monday, February 20, 2012

Bread Machine Pizza Crust



 I love my bread machine.  I use it at least a couple times a week, usually to make dough of some sort.  It took me quite a while, though, to find recipes that worked well every time.  Sometimes a recipe would work great once, but the next time it would turn out awful.  It took me forever to find a pizza crust recipe that I liked, so I would often end up buying a mix.  I'd much rather make it homemade, so I was very happy when I found this recipe.  I have been using it all the time, and haven't had a bad batch yet! 


Ingredients:
1 cup lukewarm water
2 T milk
2 T olive oil
1 1/4 t. salt
1 T sugar
3 cups bread flour
2 t bread machine yeast



Run on dough cycle.  When the cycle is complete, roll out onto a large round pizza pan.  I like to use the kind with holes in the bottom.  The dough should not be terribly sticky, but you will still want to put a little cooking spray on your pan and on your hands as you roll it out.  After I roll out the crust, I like to put it over top of my oven vent while the oven preheats.  This gives the crust a chance to rise a little bit, and it also cooks the bottom of the crust ever so slightly so that it doesn't get soggy when you put the sauce on it.    Let it sit there for about 10 minutes, then top and cook at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. 



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Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Choose Your Own



I've decided to let you choose your own Anti-Procrastination task today!  I know each of our situations are a little bit different, and there's probably something in your home that's been bugging you in the back of your mind knowing you need to get it done.  Since I don't know all of you, and I've never been to your house, I'll let you determine today what it is that you need to work on.  Check out this post to see my original list of rules that I made for myself regarding what an Anti-Procrastination task should be.  

It's been warm here, so I went outside and cleaned up the kids outside toys.  I got things straightened up and put where they need to be so that our yard doesn't look like a bunch of hooligans live here!  (Maybe they do!)

If you're just now joining our Anti-Procrastination challenge, be sure you're subscribed to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each day's new challenge!

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Light a Candle!


Today's challenge is so easy, but it will brighten up your day!  I want you to light a candle!  Some of you may think this is funny because you keep candles lit in your home all the time.  I don't.  I have lots of them, and when I see them I think "Oh, I don't want to have a pretty candle lit until everything is perfectly clean."  The problem is, I have 3 little kids.  Therefore, my house is pretty much NEVER perfectly clean.  I don't live in a dump, but there is always something - dishes, or toys, or spilled food on the floor.  I never get to enjoy my candles because I am always waiting until everything is perfect. 

Why wait?  Let's just enjoy a little bit of beauty and a nice aroma even if there are couple dishes in the sink!   





If you're just now joining us, you can read all about the Anti-Procrastination challenge here.

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Clean out your Nightstand





I don't know about you, but my nightstand tends to gather quite a collection of random items.  Glasses of water, books, tissues, and miscellaneous lotion bottles are all items that tend to land on or in my nightstand.  Since my nightstand has a door that can be shut, I often end up throwing a book in there when I'm half asleep, and then it becomes forgotten. 

I just found 8 books in my nightstand that I'm not currently reading.  Eight!  I got them all out and put them all away. 

Go put any dishes in the sink, replace empty tissue boxes with new ones, and throw away half-used bottles of lotion that you don't use any more.   Make sure every item on or in your nightstand is something that you use on a regular basis. 

If you're just now joining us, you can read all about the Anti-Procrastination challenge here.


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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Choose a Goal Toward Which to Work



This Anti-Procrastination thing is working its way into every single area of my life, not just in keeping my house clean.  I am realizing more and more that I am all the time saying "I need to..." or "I really should...".

Talking about these things is not helping me reach any of my goals for my life.  If I continue on the same path that I'm on, I will enter old age realizing that I have wasted my life.


While goals are very good things, they will get you nowhere if you don't take the necessary steps to carry them out. 

Today I want you to think about your goals for your life.  (If you've never written them down, you need to start by doing that.)  Choose one of those goals and make a  list of the steps that need to be taken in order to reach it.  Then, just start.  NOW.  I mean, right now.  Get off the computer and go start.
   

My personal task was to start exercising.  Immediately.

Here's my little secret.  I hate exercising.  I hate it.  I really, really hate it, and I make every excuse possible to avoid it. Me:  "I need to wait until the baby is sleeping through the night."  My conscience: Okay, he is.  Now what?  Me: "Well, there's just not a good time to do it.  If I do it in the morning or during naptime, I'll wake up the kids.  After they're up there's just no time to do it.  I mean after all, I'm running around all day, fixing their food, changing diapers, cleaning up messes, doing laundry..."  My conscience: "Are you finished with your excuses?  You're just not doing it because you don't want to.  You're procrastinating. You've been making these same excuses since the day your first child was born 4 years ago."  Me: "4 years!  Have I really been saying for 4 years that I'm going to start exercising just as soon as...whatever?"

So, here's the grand Anti-Procrastination challenge lady, waking up to the fact that she is being a lazy bum.  So I started exercising today.  No fancy program or DVD's.  No gym membership.  Right now, I don't even have a set time to do it.  I just keep doing a few squats or situps throughout the day for a couple minutes at a time.  I think I've gotten over the biggest hurdle, which was just starting.  As I continue, I'm sure I will get into a routine that I like and find a good time to do it.  I just needed to let go of my excuses and get started.

So, what area of life are procrastinating in?  Are you going to get to the end of your life and realize that you didn't even reach half of the goals you wanted to reach?  You can do something to change that, right now.       



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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Clean out your Spice Cabinet


Today's challenge should be pretty quick and easy.  I'm not asking you to organize your spices (although you certainly can if you want to!).  I just want you to go through and throw away anything that is old or that you do not use.  There is no sense in letting things you do not use take up room and make it harder to find the ones you do use.  Old spices lose their flavor and basically do you no good anyway. 

 If this is your first time visiting The Imperfect Homemaker, you may be wondering what The Anti-Procrastination Challenge is.


Basically, I challenged myself at the beginning of the year to complete one task every day that I would normally put off until all of my "regular cleaning" is done.  I've done things like clean out a drawer, vacuum under the couch, clean out my coupons, etc.  Just recently, I realized that maybe some of you are like me and do better when you have a little nudge, so I decided to start posting a challenge for you to complete every day as well.  If you go here, you can see all the challenges I've posted so far.

Be sure to subscribe to email updates or follow me on Facebook so you won't miss any of the challenges! 

This post may be linked to one of these parties.

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15 Self-Directed Activities for Toddlers




One of the biggest challenges I face while making dinner is how to keep the children busy.  They are constantly hanging on my legs and telling me they're hungry.  They don't seem to understand that the more they whine the longer it will be before I can get dinner finished and they can eat. 

That's why I started having them sit at the table to work on an activity while I cook.  I have a cabinet that has fun things that they can do by themselves.  They only get to do these activities while I'm cooking so that they stay fresh and fun. 


A lot of the things I have are educational games I have bought on clearance.  But there are a lot of different ideas around the web that you can make yourself.  I have three criteria for the activities that I choose to make or buy: 1. They aren't expensive or extremely time-consuming to make 2. They aren't too babyish for my 4 year old but not too hard for my 2 year to do by herself 3. They won't create a big mess. 

Here is a round up of some ideas that meet all of those qualifications.

Popsicle Stick Puzzles

Popsicle stick color matching



Build a cupcake   




Building with velcro and craft sticks


Pipe cleaners and a spice jar


Button practice with felt


Clothespin Color Match

Weaving with pipe cleaners and a cooling rack







Practicing shapes with stickers





Popsicle Stick Shape matching

Pom poms and tweezers


Printable Sewing Cards


Block puzzles


I spy book



Magnetic items and a cookie sheet

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Monday, February 13, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Pinterest



I've been working you hard doing some not-so-fun tasks.  Let's do something fun today!  It's time to actually do something you've pinned on Pinterest.  Go take a look at your boards and choose one thing to do today, whether it's making a new recipe or craft, doing an activity with your kids, or whatever. Just do something!  If you can't complete a project start-to-finish today, I want you to at least write down whatever supplies or ingredients you might need on your shopping list so you can get started as soon as possible. 



I've been experimenting with some of the homemade cleaners and such that I have pinned.  I have yet to find one that I love, though.  I'm going to keep experimenting, and when I've found a recipe I especially like, I will post it here for you.

All right, time to go get busy; you've got a job to do!



If this is your first time visiting The Imperfect Homemaker, you may be wondering what The Anti-Procrastination Challenge is.

Basically, I challenged myself at the beginning of the year to complete one task every day that I would normally put off until all of my "regular cleaning" is done.  I've done things like clean out a drawer, vacuum under the couch, clean out my coupons, etc.  Just recently, I realized that maybe some of you are like me and do better when you have a little nudge, so I decided to start posting a challenge for you to complete every day as well.  If you go here, you can see all the challenges I've posted so far.

Be sure to subscribe to email updates or follow me on Facebook so you won't miss any of the challenges!

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

A Brand New Ending



This is exactly where I am today!  It's just been "one of those days", and quite honestly I feel like giving up.  But giving up is not going to help the situation any.  It's just time for me to get up and get going starting from right where I am!

photo credit

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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Attack your Mending Pile



 I worked on my mending pile a couple weeks ago, but I never got all the way to the bottom of it.  I finally finished up the mending today, but I have a half-sewn dress that I still need to finish.  I started working on it last year, but I got pregnant and couldn't finish it because I couldn't fit into it to try it on!  Now I have a few more pounds of baby weight to lose before I can finish it.  Anyway, I'm rambling.

On to your challenge for the day:

Whether you have 1 article or 10 in your mending pile, I want you to mend at least one item start to finish.

That includes putting all your supplies back away when you're done and putting the clothing back in the closet or washing it if need be.  (If it's been in your pile for a while, it may be a little dusty.  I won't tell you how I know that clothes in the mending pile can indeed get dusty.)

If this is your first time visiting The Imperfect Homemaker, you may be wondering what The Anti-Procrastination Challenge is.

Basically, I challenged myself at the beginning of the year to complete one task every day that I would normally put off until all of my "regular cleaning" is done.  I've done things like clean out a drawer, vacuum under the couch, clean out my coupons, etc.  Just recently, I realized that maybe some of you are like me and do better when you have a little nudge, so I decided to start posting a challenge for you to complete every day as well.  If you go here, you can see all the challenges I've posted so far. 

Be sure to subscribe to email updates or follow me on Facebook so you won't miss any of the challenges!

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Monday, February 6, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Do you Have a Will?



Today's Anti-Procrastination Challenge is something none of us like to think about.  But the truth is, all of us are going to die one day.  (Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment)

We tend to procrastinate on matters like making a will because we don't really plan on dying anytime soon.  But in reality,  none of us are guaranteed another moment.  (James 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.) 

So let's stop procrastinating and get things in order so that our loved ones do not have extra stress should we suddenly pass away.



Obviously you may not be able to complete this task start-to-finish today, but I am challenging you to take the necessary steps to begin the process.  Contact your lawyer, or find a place online that has a fill-in-the-blanks version that you can get notarized.

We are using the service that is provided to members of the Homeschool Legal Advantage.  They have a fill-in-the-blank form that you can send to them to make any necessary corrections.  They send it back to you to get it notarized and you're done!

If anyone else has any helpful resources for getting your will drawn up I'd love for you to tell us in the comments!

And of course, be sure you're subscribed to email updates or follow me on Facebook to receive each day's new challenge!


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10 Things Small Children Can Do in the Kitchen



My children are always begging to help me in the kitchen, but sometimes I have a hard time thinking of things that they can do.  I did a little brainstorming and compiled a list of 10 things that children as young as age 2 can do in the kitchen.

1.Dump ingredients into a bowl.  You measure it and then allow them to dump it into the bowl.

2. Stir.  Since they will probably not stir it as well as it needs to be done, you can tell them that you will start and they can finish.

3. Put toppings on pizza.  Lay out the toppings and let them have fun spreading them on the pizza. 

4. Put forks, napkins, and condiments on the table.  Of course you're not going to let a very small child put the breakable dishes on the table, but they can set the forks and napkins around and help you put small items on the table like ketchup or salad dressing. 

5. Sweep the floor.  A child is not going to be able to get the floor completely swept, but they will feel like such a big boy or girl using the broom.  It will probably keep them occupied for a while.  You can also teach them how to hold the dustpan for you while you sweep the dirt into it.

6. Tear up salad greens.  If salad is on the menu, you can keep children occupied tearing the lettuce.  They may even do a better job at it than you!

7. Wash dishes.  Give them a chair, a sink full of soapy water, and some unbreakable dishes, and let them have at it!  They may end up a little bit wet, and you will most likely have to re-do the dishes, but they will have fun!  They will also be developing the skills they need to wash them them right way when they get a little older.

8. Dry dishes.  If you're not in the mood for a wet kitchen, you could wash and let them dry.

9. Chop Vegetables with an enclosed chopper.  If you have a hand chopper that is enclosed, they could take a turn at chopping. 

10. Help you unload the dishwasher.  Kids as young as age 1 love to help unload the silverware from the dishwasher.  They can hand you one piece of silverware at a time while you put them away. 


Children will probably not do everything perfectly in the kitchen, and you may get frustrated when they use the spoon more often as a bat than as a stirring utensil. But when you allow them to help, they will develop skills that will allow them to really be a help in the future.  You are also spending valuable time with them, and they will know by the time you spend how much you love them.


 What did I miss?  I'm sure there are more things that kids can do in the kitchen that I didn't think to put on this list.  I'd love for you to leave a comment and give some more ideas!

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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Are You Ready for Valentine's Day?


 Valentine's Day will be here in just 10 days.  Do you have your cards and gifts picked out and purchased?

If you do, you get out of today's challenge, but you need to pick something else that needs to be done and get it done!

If you're not ready for Valentine's Day yet, your task is to purchase the cards and gifts for your valentine(s)


If you can't get to the store to actually make the purchases today, you need to make a concrete decision on what gifts you will be purchasing and/or making.  The kids and I got their Valentines for their cousins done, but I need to nail down exactly what I'm doing for my husband.  I have several ideas, but I haven't made a final decision. I know I need to before it ends up being the last minute and I have to rush.  It looks like I have a little work to do along with you today!


If you're just joining the anti-procrastination challenge, you can read about what it is here.  Be sure to subscribe to email updates or follow me on Facebook to get daily reminders of your next challenge!
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Friday, February 3, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Clean out those Coupons!



 If you missed it yesterday, I told you that I'm going to start posting an Anti-Procrastination Challenge for you each day.  If you need a little inspiration or motivation to start working on those annoying things around the house, this is it!  Be sure to subscribe to email updates so you'll receive each day's new challenge in your inbox!

(By the way, I will not be asking you to complete any task that I have not first completed myself.)

Today's Challenge: Clean out your coupons and receipts.


Depending on the type of person you are, this could be a small task or a very large one.  If you don't use coupons, you may only have a few random receipts lying around.  Round them up and file them if need be or throw them away.  If you are a big-time coupon user, you may have a big job ahead of you.  Don't just say "I ought to..." or "I really should..."; just get up and do it!  Toss the expired ones, file the current ones where they need to go, and get them all cleaned up.  Maybe you're somewhere in the middle.  You clip a few coupons for things you usually buy and you have a few restaurant flyers lying around that have come in the mail.  Throw out anything expired and put the rest away.

I got mine all taken care of today.  I know everyone has a little different system for how they organize their coupons.  I call my system the "messily neat system"...or should it be the "neatly messy system"?  Either way, it works for me.  Basically, I came up with a way to keep everything corralled into one place and fairly easy to find without spending forever filing it just so.  Maybe I'll show you how I do it one day.   

For now, you've got a job to do!

And when you come back, I'd love for you to tell me how you keep your coupons organized!

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Thursday, February 2, 2012

Anti-Procrastination Challenge: Your First Task!



I shared my anti-procrastination challenge with you before this year even began, and I've been plugging away at it ever since.  I told you last week how it has affected my home, and I am so excited to see the progress I've made in just one month!  I left it up to you to establish your own rules if you want to join me, but if you're like me, maybe you work better if someone tells you what to do!  So, I'm going to start posting the challenge for the day to help spur your thinking as to what those little nit-picky things are that need to get done around the house!

Your first challenge is to vacuum or sweep under your living room furniture. 
I mean, actually move it and thoroughly clean underneath.  You may be surprised at what you'll find under there.  Perhaps you'll only find a few dust bunnies, but if you have kids there is no limit to what might be lurking under there!  You know what I just found under mine?  A clementine!  I am so glad it wasn't rotten!  Putting off cleaning under the furniture would have left a nice little odor in my house in a couple weeks!


So, go get started!  If you find anything interesting under there, let us know about it in the comments!


And be sure to keep yourself updated on each day's challenge by subscribing in the box below!




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