I feel like a grown up!

OK - why did no one tell me how empowering this could be!

Today .... I bought .... my own power tools!

Specifically I got sick of not being able to get the garden done when and how I want and having to wait ... I like to get what I want now!!

So I went looking. I was going to buy some hedge trimmers. That's all. And look what I found!

BOSCH has a new range of garden tools!!! Including these amazing hedge trimmers. Light weight. Easy for me to hold. Oh - and rechargable thank you!!!!




And then I splurged. Lookie lookie!!



A line trimmer (whippersnipper for you aussie folk!) that is light enough that I can actually manage it. And it doesn't use that horrible plastic line so it doesn't get tangled (I guess it isn't a line trimmer then ... but you get what I mean)

Oh - and it is RECHARGEABLE too!!!!! No power cords. No petrol. (or whatever you put in those mower type things)

I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! Look out garden! Here I come!

Next thing you see I will own my own cordless drill :)

Now - if someone could buy me a rechargeable lightweight lawnmower and I will be in power tool heaven!

Sometimes the simple things are the best ... LISTS

Don't get me wrong - I love cute stationary as much (more??) than most people.
The net abounds with free and cheap downloads and I love them! And when I go to Brisbane Kikki-K is one of my all time favourite shops! (and I still have to post on what I am using from there!)

But we all know a list is an organisers best friend. And there is no need to spend money or buy something purpose fit to do it.

I keep a stash of these cheep notepads from the $2 shop. They are cheap, brightly coloured and fun, and just the right size for me.




Yellow is my current-on the go list (and right now my getting back in order list)
Pink is currently my list for the very beginnings of bridal shower planning.



Blue is family fun.

I LOVE lists. Nothing like getting to the end of the day and knowing you have actually done SOMETHING that you set out to do!

Keep it or dump it? - an update on how Spring Clean all Round is working for us.

Now that some of my systems and ideas are starting to become habit, and we have been living with some of the changes for a little while, I intend to review some of my older posts to let you know what has been working, what we are changing, and what has gone by the wayside.

A month ago I reviewed "Spring Clean all Year Round", a sweet little cleaning system that helps you spread out those ongoing cleaning tasks throughout the year.

http://findingthecalminthechaos.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-is-what-i-love-spring-clean-all.html

I'll be honest - I didn't use it while we were renovating. It was enough for me to cope with keeping things generally tidy. Any more was beyond my reach.

But now things are becoming *somewhat* normal again I am loving using this.

It sits in a corner of my kitchen.
Each night I lay out the cards that are set aside for the following day, and discuss with Paul any tasks I need his help on, or would like Miss E to do.




As I complete each task I refile them vertically in the next spot they will be done. This is so I can pull them out if I need to refer back to them the same day.



At night I file them horizontally, and pull out the next day's tasks. Easy.


I like this system as I am reviewing the day before what needs to be done, and Paul and Eliana are clear on what I need them to do for me.

My next task is to make a few extra cards for tasks that are not in there, but I would like added to the system. This way it will evolve with our families needs.

Definately a keeper! Cute and functional. Perfect for me!

Pop-up laundry baskets - my favourite decluttering tool

The only way to organise clutter is to get rid of it.

These are my favourite tool to do that.



I was using garbage bags, but they tore, fell over, and basically annoyed me.
Plus they are B.A.D. for the environment.

These are a great solution. Pop up laundry baskets. They are light. They fold down to nothing to store easily. Plus - you can play Australia's national sport, and take potshots at the bin for a bit more entertainment.

The ones I use are from flylady. But you can get cheap pop up laundry baskets at your nearest "$2 shop", or in the laundry or toy departments of big W, Kmart etc.

Makes organising SO MUCH easier!

I *heart* my timer!

This is the best cleaning invention ever.

Don't want to clean? set the timer for 5 minutes and clean till it goes off. If you want to stop then you can. Normally by then I'm in the groove.

Too busy doing other stuff? Set the timer for 10 minutes. Allow yourself that time guilt free on the net/reading/craft ... whatever. When it goes off. You clean.

Whole house messy? 10 minutes in each room. By the end of am hour we are looking pretty good.

Too hot, too tired, too something else to clean? Timer for 5 minutes. Clean for 5, rest for 5. Repeat. A lot.

I love my timer! Do you?
Let me know how you use yours!