tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81095512024-03-07T02:36:41.231-06:00Keeping the HomeKeeping the home - or attempting to - as a Gen X Mom of four and wife to one. This blog is on keeping the children & dh happy, keeping the house, keeping God in first place, keeping the chickens & the bunnies, keeping homeschool & more. I'm not the person who is ahead of you in motherhood knowledge. I'm just the gal right beside you, pushing the stroller, dragging the preschooler, and hollering at other kids while wishing they'd grow up and wishing they'd stay little, all in one thought.Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-83970310920964335962008-01-23T16:47:00.001-06:002008-03-25T12:14:49.568-05:00A New BlogThis year, 2008, I'm following my interests more and allowing myself to do what I love to do so very much...create pretty things and photograph pretty things.<br /><br />If you'd like to see what I'm up to, come visit me here: my new <a href="http://justpurelovely.loriseaborg.com/">Just Pure Lovely </a>blog.<br /><br />Please visit!<br /><br />Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1140324843114615882006-02-18T22:50:00.000-06:002006-02-18T22:54:03.126-06:00New Blog AddressI have been Simulcast-Blogging between this blog (my first) and my newer (and prettier) blog at HomeschoolBlogger. To tell you the truth, I am tired of copy and pasting every post to each blog. In fact, that's the reason why you never got the end of the Decluttering series!<br /><br />Do you mind just reading the other blog from now on? <br /><br />Here is the link: <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/keepingthehome">Keeping the Home </a><br /><br />and here is the address in case you need it: <a href="http://www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/KeepingtheHome">http://www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/KeepingtheHome</a> (the blog is the same as this one; just because it is hosted at homeschool blogger does <em>not </em>mean I only post hs stuff!)<br /><br />I'd love it if you stuck with me!<br /><br />Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138941060062192112006-02-02T22:29:00.000-06:002006-02-02T22:31:00.073-06:00Day Thirteen: Declutter Your Home Series: The Home Manager<p><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=226889037">In today's post by Mrs. Cat, well worth a read today (click here),</a> she urges us to think of five blessings. Even when things are going rough, as they have been for me lately, I can always think of five blessings, because there are five members of my family besides me! :) <br /><br />Here are my blessings, right off the top of my head: </p><ul><li>After a decade of asking for it, I am so grateful to God that we live in the countryside (on good old American soil!).</li><li>I am thankful for Tim, who works hard to provide for us, and who gives me anything I ask, especially when I look at him in just the right way (<em>how else do you think I got him to agree to the goats?).</em></li><li>I am thankful for our four children. Not only did we get four blessings, but we were double-blessed by having two boys and two girls.</li><li>I am thankful for this house that I get to work in daily.</li><li>I am most thankful that I get to stay at home with our children. They are a treat that I would not miss!</li></ul><p><strong><em>What are your five blessings?</em></strong><br /><br />by Lori Seaborg</p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138843554271139882006-02-01T19:25:00.000-06:002006-02-01T19:25:54.273-06:00Day Twelve: Declutter Your Home Series: Mrs. Cat's Story<a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=226021853">Today we have a personal story to read from Mrs. Cat (click here to read it).</a> For those of you who are just now joining, we are decluttering our homes for 21 days on this blog, with the help of Mrs. Cat's blog posts. <br /><br />I have had a great amount of clutter in my home in the past, too, and could write you a long story to read about it. But for now, read Mrs. Cat's story, and I'll write mine another time. I am experiencing great back pain (not great as in "good," of course!) and just want to lie down for a while! <br /><br />I hope you've had a good day today!<br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138843505413214372006-02-01T19:24:00.000-06:002006-02-01T19:25:05.426-06:00Day Eleven: Declutter Your Home Series: Food Tips<a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=225413525">Today's post by Mrs.Cat is about saving money and time in the kitchen. Click here to view the post.</a><br /><br />If you'd like more advice on saving money in the kitchen, <a href="http://www.lainesletters.com/">go visit the advice of Laine at Laine's Letters (click here to view it). </a><br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138686416047268182006-01-30T23:46:00.000-06:002006-01-30T23:46:56.060-06:00Day Ten: Declutter Your Home Series: The Kitchen<p style="MARGIN: 0px">I wrote this blog to you earlier, but it deleted before it posted. That is <em>so</em> frustrating! </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">Here you go again, much later....</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"> </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px"><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=224808403">This is the link to Mrs. Catherine's post on decluttering the kitchen (click here).</a> </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">I just want to add a note to you moms of young children, like I have....</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px">I don't think we need to feel guilty or burden-pressed by the idea of the Dinner Hour. It is a goal for us to work toward, and of course, we would love to have a beautiful ritual of a Dinner Hour, with well-behaved children, adoring husband, and pretty things surrounding us, but we are in a stage....just a phase....of years in which our children are young. It won't be long at all until they grow up and we can have our pretty Dinner Hour with their help. </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">Right now, let's give our Mommy Guilt a break by just taking baby steps. We can begin by concentrating on getting a nutritious meal into our youngsters while teaching them the basics of manners. </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">by Lori Seaborg</p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138477630232111762006-01-28T13:46:00.000-06:002006-01-28T13:47:10.246-06:00Day Nine: Declutter Your Home Series: The Dining Room<p style="MARGIN: 0px">Today's focus is on decluttering the Dining Room. In our house, our dining room not only <em>looks </em>like a School Room, but it really <em>is </em>the School Room! We don't have a set-aside dining area, as we do school much more often than we entertain! </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=224352028">Here is the link to Mrs. Cat's post on decluttering the Dining Room (click here).</a></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">by Lori Seaborg</p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138309906349982912006-01-26T15:09:00.000-06:002006-01-26T15:11:46.373-06:00Day Eight: Decluttering Our Homes: The Master BedroomJust a few days ago, I said I felt like I'd been taken off the hook because Mrs. Cat's* focus was on the Family Room and I (pat, pat) have that room in ORDER.<br /><br />Today, our focus is on the Master Bedroom and I have not only been placed on the hook again, but I have also been placed under a spotlight for all to see the fraud that I am! <br /><br />Mrs. Cat says of the master bedroom (this is painful to write!), "<em>This room should take precedence over all the others. This room over all the others shows where you place your marriage in your priority list. This room shows how we are feeling and exactly what we are thinking in regard to our spouse." <br /></em><br /><strong>Is there anyone else who has sore toes from being stepped on by Mrs. Cat??</strong><br /><br />Recently, I did get our bathroom and our closets cleaned out. Tim was happy to come home to an organized closet one day! I told him that I will maintain it as long as he doesn't purposely (lazily, I meant) mess it up. He has held his end of the bargain, throwing dirty clothes in the laundry basket instead of on the closet floor, and I have kept the closet clean by peeking in there daily and putting clean laundry where it belongs. <br /><br />In our master bedroom, we have had boxes to be sorted stacked against a wall. They were there for months, so I moved them to the garage last week. The boxes still have to be sorted -- I didn't really fix the problem -- but they don't need to be in our master bedroom while waiting for me to get to them!<br /><br />If you are overwhelmed by the work to be done, just set a timer for 15 minutes and only work that long. You will be so surprised by how much you got done in 15 minutes!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=223751136">Here is the post for you to read today (click here)! </a>I am off to work on the master bedroom!<br /><br />*<em> To those who are just joining in, Mrs. Cat is a blogger who has great ideas on getting the house in order. We are reading her posts for 21 days as we work to declutter our homes.</em><br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138253226778270432006-01-25T23:26:00.000-06:002006-01-25T23:27:06.790-06:00Day Seven: Decluttering Your HomeAll I have for you today is Mrs. Cat's post on the challenge she presented (to not spend extra money for these 21 days). <a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=223126440">Click here to see the post.</a>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138138341300097952006-01-24T15:32:00.000-06:002006-01-24T15:32:21.316-06:00Day Six Decluttering Our Home: The OfficeIt is so easy for papers to get out of hand, isn't it? I have a computer-paper box just full of papers that I need to sort through. At least there is only that one box to do. I've had a dozen at a time in the past. <br /><br />The #1 thing that helped me cut down on paper clutter is to take care of the mail the minute it enters the house. I don't even open junk mail, unless it is from a company with which I already do business (I open those because I've been surprised in the past to have a refund check or an important note in what was disguised as junk mail). <br /><br />We also subscribe to few magazines now. I wasn't taking the time to read them anyway, and then I'd feel guilty about throwing away something I hadn't read! When you get rid of your magazines, take them to your doctor or dentist office. Have you ever noticed how old their magazines are? Ugh!<br /><br />About the bills.....<br /><br />What works well for us is a very simple system that we created after years of frustration:<br /><br />In a three-ring binder (mine is RED so I won't lose it), I have:<br /><br />several page protectors<br />college-ruled paper<br />a pencil case (or use the binder's front pocket)<br /><br />On the page protectors, I wrote in permanent marker:<br />"To Do"<br />"Bills To Be Paid 1-15th"<br />"Bills to Be Paid 16-31st"<br />"Paid Bills"<br /><br />The college-ruled paper is kept behind the page protectors.<br /><br />The pencil case is kept in the front of the binder. It holds a credit card for paying bills online, a checkbook, envelopes, stamps, and a pen.<br /><br />Now that I have the binder set up, here is the system: <br /><br />One sheet of paper is labeled with the current month. "January 2006" is our current paper. It is placed in front of all of the page protectors.<br /><br />When a bill comes in, I write simple information on my "January 2006" paper, such as:<br /><br />DUE DATE----BILLEE---AMOUNT DUE---PAID?---HOW/WHEN PAID<br /><br />For example, when a bill comes from my phone company, I write:<br /><br />1/08---Bellsouth---$47.00<br /><br />The bill with its envelope wrapped over it is then placed in the page protector pocket of the date range where it belongs, which in this case is "Bills to Be Paid 1-15th." <br /><br />When I pay a bill, I simply write the following on the (January 2006) sheet of paper:<br /><br />1/08---Bellsouth---$47.00---OL 1/01 CC (or PH Lisa 1/01 CK)<br /><br />My codes:<br /><br />OL=online; SNAIL=post office mailed; PH=phone-try to get the name of who took the info; TELLER=in person<br /><br />CC=credit card or bank card; CK=check; CA=cash<br /><br />I pay almost all of my bills online, and my email program saves the email from the company saying that they received my payment, so I don't usually write down a confirmation number on my paper. <br /><br />I then write OL 1/01 CC on the paid bill, in case I find it loose later and wonder if I've paid it (this step is not at all necessary, but since we have a mischievous toddler, it is nice). The paid bill is then placed in the PAID BILLS folder. <br /><br />At the same time, I remove the last paid (Bellsouth) bill, because I know that they received the payment or the balance would have been off. (I do keep medical bills longer if they have itemized information on the bill, because I've had disputes with the hospitals before, and have been double-billed for items. If your credit card company does not have good online records, you might want to keep this bill for record-keeping, too). <br /><br />The "To Do" pocket is used for things like bills that come in too early to be put in the To Be Paid pockets, such as our Auto Registration Bill which comes too soon. It is also used for forms that we need to sign or offers that we may want to accept. Rather than taking time to do them when they come in, I let the offers or forms wait until our Bill Paying Day, around the 1st or 15th. This pocket is always cleaned out on the 1st or 15th, keeping its clutter down. <br /><br />A couple of notes: <br /><br />I like to pay our bills on the FRIDAY before the 1st of the month and the 15th of the month (but making sure there is enough time for a snail-mail bill to get there). Why Friday? Because paychecks often come on Fridays, but also because creating a day of the week to think of bills helped me to form a habit of remembering to do them. If it is not the Friday before the 1st or 15th, I am then happy to ignore my mind's reminder.<br /><br />I used "I" in the above, but actually Tim and I have found it more pleasant to do our unpleasant Bill Paying task together. Usually, he takes care of any phone calls and I take care of online payments. He does the math, and I am the record keeper.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=222504171">p.s. Here is the link to Mrs. Cat's post on Decluttering the Office.</a><br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1138049984442567282006-01-23T14:59:00.000-06:002006-01-23T14:59:44.456-06:00DAY FIVE Decluttering Your Home: Family RoomI feel like I've been let off the hook today. Our focus, in Mrs. Cat's posts, is the Family Room, and that is the one room that I keep continually picked up and clutter-free. <br /><br />That wasn't the case in our smaller home, and I think it had something to do with the plethora of magazines I used to keep and the toys that I'd store in the room and the plants that were forever being tipped over by clumsy toddlers. <br /><br />In our current living room, there is lots of furniture: big fluffy chairs and couches to sit on and a big screen television. There is only one basket in the room, and that is the one that holds the pine cones for fire starters. It is set near the fireplace. Next to the t.v. is the DVD player and the XBox -- they are just on the floor. A guitar and a drum are near the t.v., and there is a rug in the center of the room. That's it! It's a large space, but we haven't filled it with knick-knacks and tables and lamps and plants, etc. At our childrens' ages, empty space is something they enjoy more than anything. They love to set up the train track or build Lego creatures on the big rug in the Family Room. <br /><br />No coffee table, no extra bookcases, no plants . We use t.v. trays when we snack in the room (adults only, except in special cases when we lay a sheet on the floor for the children).<br /><br />The simplicity of the room allows everyone to enter it feeling calm and relaxed. It tends to be everyone's favorite room to hang out, and I think that has to do with the lack of clutter in the room. <br /><br />If your kids are also young like mine (we have four under age 10), you might want to consider keeping your Family Room more empty than full, too. This not only gives the kids room to play, but you'll find yourself less frustrated as you don't have to worry about them breaking things or spilling potting soil on your carpet! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=221834841">Here is the link to Mrs. Cat's post (click here). </a><br /><br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137897149527801842006-01-21T20:29:00.000-06:002006-01-21T20:32:29.540-06:00Day FOUR Decluttering Challenge: The Bathroom<p><br />Today's focus is on the bathroom. <a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=221268834">You can read today's advice in Mrs. Cat's entry, which we have been reading daily (click on this last sentence to go there). </a><br /><br />Here are a few of my own bathroom tips:</p><ul><li><strong>Wipe the bathroom every day with a Clorox (or whatever brand) antibacterial wipe.</strong> I usually use one wipe; sometimes two. Wipe in this order, so that you are going from cleanest to dirtiest, as far as germs are concerned: <em> the doorknob, the light switch, the sink handles, the countertop, the sink, the toilet top, the toilet seat, and the base of the toilet.</em> If you do this daily, you will never have to face cleaning a dirty bathroom again. It will always be maintained and company-ready. Another plus: your kids can do this easy job for you!</li><li><strong>Change the hand towel daily.</strong> This cuts down on germ-spreading and is a minimal amount of extra laundry to do.</li><li><strong>The push-up Aquafresh for Kids toothpaste</strong> is a good one to give the kids, as it only allows them to pump up the right amount each time. No toothpaste messes and no waste!</li><li><strong>Keep extra toilet paper in the bathroom,</strong> preferably within reach of the toilet. This seems like common sense, but I've been guilty of only storing it in the hallway closet!</li><li><strong>Have the kids sponge the bathtub and shower area while they are bathing (or before they get out).</strong> Just let them use one of those scrunchies (I dedicate an old one to this job) and let them use plain old soap. It does a fine job and isn't toxic for your little ones. When the shower and tub are soaped-up, turn on the shower to rinse. </li><li><strong>Recently, I found trashcans at BigLots that are perfect for a bathroom.</strong> They are plastic and have a hinge lid, the kind that swing back and forth like a big trashcan at a park or a stadium. They were only $1.99 each and nestle right next to my toilet nicely. I put a plastic grocery bag in mine as a liner. These trash cans are very nice for your used Kleenexes and for your "monthly visitor", as they hide the trash. (I've also seen stainless steel trash cans like these at Tuesday Morning. Of course, they were much pricier, but very chic!)</li></ul><p><br />I'll keep us going on our decluttering again, starting Monday. Have a wonderful weekend!<br /><br />by Lori Seaborg</p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137702896141933202006-01-19T14:34:00.000-06:002006-01-19T14:34:56.143-06:00Mary Jane's Ideabook, Cookbook, LifebookWell, it was finally time to remove the Christmas book that I had on the left column on this blog! I mean, how long after Christmas must you wait for me to update my blog? So sorry about that!<br /><br />I've replaced the Christmas book with the book that I am currently reading, called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400080479/ref=ase_keepingthehom-20/102-8649188-4557715?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=keepingthehom-20">Mary Jane's Ideabook, Cookbook, Lifebook</a>. I like to be sure of a few things before buying a pricey book like this one:<br /><br />Is it full of useful content?<br />Is it pretty to look at?<br />Is it big?<br />Yes to all of those regarding this book! It is full of useful content such as recipes and craft projects and many little reads that make my heart feel warm and fuzzy. <br /><br />It is pretty to look at...no, make that breathtaking. Mary Jane's farm is in Moscow, Idaho, which is very near Gold Hill, Idaho, where my father grew up. I love to visit the family's homestead site, with the nearby one-room schoolhouse and tiny church. Mary Jane's photographs bring me back to Gold Hill each time I look at them.<br /><br />And, yep, the book is big, with 416 pages of 8-1/2 by 11" paper. <br /><br />I've only had the book for a few days but already I am loving it. It will make a wonderful gift for the women in my life who love the home and garden as I do. <br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137702689317133522006-01-19T14:31:00.000-06:002006-01-19T14:31:29.333-06:00DAY THREE Decluttering Challenge: Children's BedroomsHonestly, I'd rather skip the focus of today -- the Children's Rooms! Tim and I were blessed greatly with one little one who cleans spectacularly and organizes her room daily. ...... And then we have boys....two that don't want to pick up and don't seem to be able to organize. I have them do daily chores, but they just don't see the messes! Or so they say...<br /><br />I've removed quite a few of their toys, but I've never done the drastic measure that Mrs. Cat suggests. I'll take things away for a little while, then feel bad about it and return it to the culprit. Mrs. Cat is much stronger than that. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=220615067">Read her entry for today and let me know what you think!</a><br /><br />Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137631427237005892006-01-18T18:43:00.000-06:002006-01-18T18:43:47.266-06:00DAY TWO Decluttering our Front EntrancesTim and I spent the afternoon in the back yard, decluttering it. We picked up lumber and stacked it, put branches in the burn pile, and Tim even shingled the roofs for our goats and chickens. Now I want it to rain, so we can test it out! <br /><br />We also moved the bunnies to be near the goats' pen. This keeps all the animals (except the dog, Toby) in one place. The goat pen adjoins the chicken aviary and the rabbits are attached to the wall of the goats' pen. I hope they enjoy one another's company! I think that moving the animals like this is a form of decluttering, as it allows me to be more efficient in the mornings when I feed the animals. <br /><br />Today's challenge from Mrs. Cat is our Front Porch area. We didn't get to that at our house today, as we had our 2-year-old outside with us and didn't want her near the front road. Feel free to adjust the challenges to suit your day, also.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=220056025">Here is your reading for today!</a> Be sure to read what Mrs. Cat says about our goal of not spending extra money for these 21 days. Enjoy! <br /><br />(a note: I apologize for not getting this up this morning! Tim is off work today, so I plumb forgot to blog it!)<br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137517002170575132006-01-17T10:56:00.000-06:002006-01-17T12:06:25.373-06:00Decluttering Challenge -- DAY ONE<p><br />Today is our first day to work on decluttering our houses! Are you as ready as I am?<br /><br />If you missed the Introduction to this topic, please scroll down to read yesterday's post. You are not behind! Especially not yet - we haven't really begun yet.<br /><br />Your first task today is to <a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=219424563">read Mrs. Cat's Day One post</a>. Your first assignment is to create a layout of your house.<br /><br />My layout looks like this:</p><p>Front Porch<br />Foyer and Foyer Closet<br />Schoolroom<br />Kitchen<br />Laundry Room<br />Living Room<br />Back Porch<br />Hallway and Hall Closet<br />Main Bathroom<br />Boys' Room and Closet<br />Girls' Room and Closet<br />Master Bedroom<br />Master Bathroom and Closets<br />(I'm leaving the Garage Monster out of the 21 Day Plan for this time around!)</p><br />For the rest of the day, as you wander through your house, pay attention to things that you may want to get rid of when you delcutter. Do you love the item? Does it bring back happy memories, or at least not sad/mad ones? Ask those questions as you decide what really deserve a place of honor in your home.<br /><br />We are all working together for these 21 days, but since all of us have different rooms to tackle, and different messes in different rooms (for example, my Living Room is already clutter-free, but the Boys ' Room is a mess), we will work independently on each room. So, as Mrs. Cat suggests, and as FlyLady does as well, work for 45 minutes then take a 15 minute break, working as you can on each area. If you don't have a full 45 minutes free today, then just work 15 minutes each day in an area that needs it.<br /><br />We will focus on certain areas each day as we keep reading Mrs. Cat's posts.<br /><br />Are you ready? Create your Layout then start your timer and declutter a little today!<br /><br />I'm with you!<br /><br />See you tomorrow as we start on the Front Porch area!Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1137448262748243122006-01-16T15:50:00.000-06:002006-01-16T15:51:50.546-06:00Who Is With Me? Declutter Your House in 21 DaysI know we all have the excuse of the recent holidays, oh, and since today is Martin Luther King's Day, we also have the excuse of a current holiday.....but, whew!, is your house in as much need for a holiday break as mine is??<br /><br />In this blog at some time or another I've written out our family's daily schedule and a homeschooling schedule, and who-knows-what other seemingly wise advice, but in reality, I'm just a gal spinning her wheels like you are. I have grand plans, but life, and four kids under age ten, somehow keeps me off balance!<br /><br />Our problem, I can see clearly by the stack of boxes in my bedroom as I type, is CLUTTER. I think it was FlyLady who said, "If you have too much laundry to do, you have too many clothes!" Well, I am guilty of that 100%!<br /><br />I hope I'm not disappointing you who regularly read this blog, but I think you need a dose of reality! Several of you have written me and commented on how together I seem to have it, or that I am intimidating to you, since you don't have it together quite yet. Well, like I say right on the Home Page of this blog, I am just the girl right beside you, not in front of or behind you. I'm learning right along with you. So often, we tell ourselves that others know all the secrets we don't know, and that everyone else has all her ducks in a row. I've found that is just not true! We are all struggling in one area or another.<br /><br />I'm committing to getting my clutter under control. A clutter-free house is an easy house to keep clean. I know, because I've had that once, when we moved to this house two years ago. We didn't have any clutter inside (the garage did) and the house was a breeze to keep clean and company-ready. Somehow we collected too much stuff in the two years since our move. I want to have my decluttered house back!<br /><br />I've sought out the counsel of others who are wiser than I am. I have been helped by FlyLady in the past, and she has some great advice. But for this decluttering, I'd like to try Mrs. Catherine's (a.k.a. Cat) series entitled "It Takes 21 Days."<br /><br />Are you in this with me? 21 days to a clutter-free house?<br /><br />If so, read Mrs. Cat's first entry, called<a href="http://www.xanga.com/item.aspx?tab=weblogs&user=MrsCatherine&uid=218893754"> "Who is With Me?"</a><br /><br />And then let me know who is with me!<br /><br />We're starting tomorrow, Tuesday, January 17th, 2006!<br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1136125664587300092006-01-01T08:27:00.000-06:002006-01-01T08:27:44.603-06:00Happy New YearComputer problems still plague us at home. I am praying daily for a little Divine Intervention! But on the bright side....<br /><br />not having a computer gives me extra time in my day. I've been cleaning and organizing and crafting. It's the crafting that makes me smile. These have been fun days, even without a computer.<br /><br />Still, I miss you all! I'm at my parent's computer in Florida right now for the holidays. I'll let you know when God answers our prayers and we are blessed with a working computer!<br /><br />Have a wonderful holiday!<br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1135298947182745142005-12-22T18:48:00.000-06:002005-12-22T18:49:07.183-06:00St. Lucia's Day - December 13thWe are going to do a little something on St. Lucia's Day this year. My husband is 25% Swedish and our last name is Seaborg, so it is fitting that St. Lucia's Day is celebrated in our home. The thing is, he is so American that he doesn't know anything about Sweden or Swedish customs, so basically I'm just using that as an excuse to celebrate St. Lucia's Day. Why not add another fun day to keep the holiday season rolling along?<br /><br />I don't know enough yet about St. Lucia's Day to explain the holiday to you. But I do know that there is a custom of the eldest daughter serving her parents breakfast in bed on the morning of St. Lucia's Day. I am all over that! I hope 8 years old is old enough!<br /><br />I'll let other sites tell you more about St. Lucia's Day:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.internet-at-work.com/hos_mcgrane/holidays/nora.html">Here is a little history on St. Lucia's Day</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.borg.com/~corgyn/corgyncombecottage2.htm">This is a photograph of a little girl</a> in a white dress with a red sash. She has battery-operated candles on her head and is carrying a serving tray for her parents. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_7719_celebrate-st-lucia.html">How to celebrate St. Lucia's Day.</a><br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1135298778622472742005-12-22T18:44:00.000-06:002005-12-22T18:46:18.636-06:00Merry ChristmasWe are having computer problems at home (I'm using my parent's computer tonight). I wanted to let you know I"m still around, thinking about you, and will get back to blogging as soon as I can! <br /><br />Have a wonderful Christmas!<br /><br />Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1133969142620858972005-12-07T09:25:00.000-06:002005-12-07T09:25:42.633-06:00In the Spirit of Giving...In the spirit of giving this Christmas, consider going to <a href="http://www.freecycle.org/">Freecycle.org</a> and finding a group in your area. <br /><br />Freecycle groups are people in your area who want to give away and receive free items from each other. Our family has given away clothing, toys and shoes mostly. And we have received a basketball goal and a pile of rough-cut lumber. <br /><br />I can tell you from experience that when you are generous, the blessings come right back at you. They don't usually come from the person to whom you gave (this is an important point to remember when helping out relatives - don't expect them to help you out later, or you may be disappointed). <br /><br />One lady who is coming by today for girls' clothing, said she knew our street well because back when she first moved here, Farmer Bishop gave her some furniture. Later, she gave Brandy - the mom up the street with the blond 2-year-old - her extra dryer. Now, she is picking up items from me to take to her grandchildren who lost their home in Biloxi, Mississippi during Hurricane Katrina. See? The blessings continue.<br /><br />by Lori SeaborgLori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1133893823023856212005-12-06T12:28:00.000-06:002005-12-06T12:30:23.036-06:00It's St. Nicholas Day!It's St. Nicholas Day!<br /><br />We are going to have a pizza party (any excuse for a pizza party is a good thing in our house!), bake cookies from Sweden (from a recipe at the <a href="http://stnicholascenter.org">St. Nicholas Center</a>, and have a Christmas tea while reading "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0849914922/ref=ase_keepingthehom-20/103-4341902-0483833?s=books&v=glance&n=283155&tagActionCode=keepingthehom-20">Santa, Are You For Real?" by Harold Myra</a>.<br /><br />Because we were out last night, the kids are going to fill their shoes tonight with hay for St. Nicholas' white horse (or on a sleigh). I guess we were supposed to do this last night, but hopefully St. Nicholas will still come! (I can assure you, he will!). In return, the children will have a candy cane and a little gift in their shoes in the morning. <br /><br />What is your family doing to celebrate Santa Claus (a.k.a. St. Nicholas) today?Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1133740739499599152005-12-04T17:54:00.000-06:002005-12-04T18:02:42.440-06:00St. Nicholas Day ~ December 6th<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Several years ago, when Tim and I were new parents, Tim and I needed to decide what Christmas traditions we wanted to pass on to our children. We definitely wanted our child and future children to celebrate Christmas as Jesus’ birthday, because that’s why there is even a Christmas Day, after all. But could we also fit the magical fun of Santa Claus into Christmas without taking anything away from Jesus? <br /><br />For a while, we just opened our gifts on Christmas Eve and had our feast and a cake for Jesus on Christmas Day. That’s it. No Santa Claus. But as our children grew older, they started asking about the jolly red fellow they saw in the mall, and they kept seeing his image on nearly every sign in sight. There’s something cozy about believing in a magical reward for doing good. I could tell that the kids wanted to believe in Santa Claus. <br /><br />It was a happy day when I read about St. Nicholas and realized that I could have both – a special, set-aside day for Jesus, and a celebration of Santa Claus, too. And I was also happy – no, delighted – to read that St. Nicholas’ day is December 6th. This gave me a way to extend the holiday season.<br /><br /><strong>Who is St. Nicholas, Santa Claus?</strong><br /><br />Nicholas was Bishop of Asia Minor in AD 325. He was known for being an all-around great guy, very generous and kind to all. The story goes that Nicholas once threw bags of gold into a window one night, to help pay the dowry of a poor man’s daughter so she could be married. When he threw the bags of gold, they landed into the daughter’s stockings which were hung to dry near the fireplace.<br /><br />(This is where we get hung stockings near the fireplace)<br /><br />The Santa Claus that we Americans have grown up knowing – the one who comes down the chimney, wears a red robe, and says, “Ho, ho, ho,” originated in 1822 when Reverend Clement Clarke Moore wrote a poem to his daughters. This Santa Claus is a fictional character, but one that many Americans love.<br /><br />You’ll have to decide which Santa you want to celebrate – the American version of 1822 or the real St. Nicholas of 325. I think you can figure out ways to mix the two, if you like, and celebrate them both on St. Nicholas Day on December 6th each year. <br /><br />You can read a lot more about the history of St. Nicholas at the website that I’ll mention at the end of this article.<br /><br /><strong>How can we celebrate St. Nicholas Day, December 6th?</strong><br /><br />This is only our third year celebrating St. Nicholas Day, so I don’t have a lot of traditions established. You will want to visit the website mentioned below for more on how to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Here is what we have planned for December 6th this year: <br /><br />On the night of December 5th, the children place carrots and/or hay in their shoes. Legend has it that if a child leaves a treat for St. Nicholas’ white horse, he will leave a gift of candy and a present for the child. I don’t tell my kids that the real St. Nicholas will be coming down from Heaven to do this, but I tell them that since St. Nicholas was such a kind person, he has inspired others to do kind deeds like he did. The kids then get all twinkly-eyed trying to guess who would do a “St. Nicholas deed.” <br />We like to bake, so this year we will try the St. Nicholas Breads at the St. Nicholas Center website (below), and maybe some cookies from Germany or Switzerland. <br />Since St. Nicholas was known for giving to the poor and needy, we are going to go through our belongings in the next few days, and have them ready to give away on St. Nicholas Day.<br />After our trip into town to give away items, we will have an afternoon tea (with our baked items front and center, of course!)<br /><br />You can read a lot more about St. Nicholas Day at this website devoted to the day: <a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/">http://www.StNicholasCenter.org</a> . The site is full of recipes from around the world, traditions from other countries, a kids page and much more. I love to visit this site!<br /><br />by Lori Seaborg<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Georgia, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"></p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1133504345346895812005-12-02T00:16:00.000-06:002005-12-02T00:35:13.893-06:00Christmas All Season Long<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></i></b></p><p align="left"><strong></strong><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>”Can you not see it is clear folly to crowd Christmas into twelve very<br />full hours of one day and expect everyone to enjoy themselves?<br />Christmastide is, after all, not just a day but a season.<br />Let us make the most of it. By spreading out the gifts, parties,<br />and special treats over an extended period, parents quiet down<br />the choruses of ‘I can’t wait,’ as our little ones discover that<br />they can indeed learn to wait –<br />as long as they don’t have to wait very long.” ~</em><br /><br /></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?link_code=ur2&tag=keepingthehom-20&amp;camp=1789&creative=9325&path=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2F074321076X%2Fqid%3D1133504874%2Fsr%3D8-1%2Fref%3Dpd_bbs_1%3Fn%3D507846%2526s%3Dbooks%2526v%3Dglance"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">Mrs. Sharp's Traditions</span></a><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" height="1" alt="" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=keepingthehom-20&l=ur2&o=1" width="1" border="0" /></span></span><br /><br /><br />A few Christmases ago, I decided that <strong>Christmas was becoming more of a burden than a good time.</strong> The day after Christmas, I was faced with a huge mess – wrapping paper scrunched up across the floor; a new toy already broken; greedy, grouchy and over-sugared children; leftovers to deal with; the tree’s needles scattered across the carpet; decorations to pack up; and a few store returns, the thought of which created a migraine. Yes, Christmas had become a burden.<br /><br />Memory-making is terribly important to me. I determined to figure this holiday thing out before the kids had a childhood-full of grumpy Christmas memories.<br /><br />I absolutely believe in what Mrs. Sharp is saying in the above quote. <strong>Can’t we see that it is crazy (she says folly) to celebrate all in one day?</strong> What great expectations we are putting on one little day! We think we are supposed to enjoy family, invite friends, sing carols, open perfectly chosen and perfectly wrapped gifts, enjoy a dinner as large as Thanksgiving, give at least a thought if not a basket of fruit to someone else, and have a tray of goodies to equal all the sweets eaten all year long, plus much more – all in one day.<br /><br />Are we absolutely <strong>crazy</strong>??<br /><br />Well, I was.<br /><br /><strong>So with the reminder in my heart of the true meaning of Christmas, and with the help of Mrs. Sharp in the book above, I decided to change.<br /></strong><br />Over this next week, I will write you a series of articles about holiday traditions that we have observed in our home. Instead of celebrating Christmas all in one day, we celebrate a holiday season that stretches from Thanksgiving Day through February’s Mardi Gras celebrations. I will focus, in my articles, on December’s traditions.<br /><br />I will share my ideas with you, but honestly, I’m as eager as you are for new ideas. So please feel free to share your family’s traditions in the comments.<br /><br />Let’s extend the Christmas spirit throughout the month of December, starting today, December 1st !<br /><br />Coming Articles (blog posts):<br /><br />St. Nicholas Day<br />St. Lucia’s Day<br />Hanukkah<br />Christmas Eve<br />Christmas<br />Boxing Day<br />New Years<br />Twelfth Night<br /><br /><br /></p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8109551.post-1133192149815444312005-11-28T09:32:00.000-06:002005-11-29T11:39:05.986-06:00A Little Extra Cash<p style="MARGIN: 0px"><strong>If you want to make a little extra cash</strong>, and if you enjoy blogging and don't mind copying and pasting your blog posts from Blogger to another site every day......</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px">...you might want to check out <a href="http://www.writingup.com?referer=675">Writing Up,</a> a blogging community which was started by two computer and marketing guys. It's free (as is just about everything I do online), and isn't any kind of "sign up," really. You're just creating a blog, just like you did here at Blogger. </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px"><strong>How will you make money, then?</strong> Google Ads will be placed on your blog there. That's something I've been doing here for a couple of months (see mine on the right column, scroll down -- oh, and click on them so I get a few pennies!). You'll get the revenue from the ads.</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"><strong></strong></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"><strong>What ads will be on your site?</strong> I was worried about this when I first signed up to place Google ads on this site. But the ads are based on content. In other words, the ads change all the time based on what you wrote. I have gotten ads from the American Red Cross and Martha White flour and Super Target. Usually, the ads are so great that I find myself visiting the sites! Your ads will not be on the shady side, unless you are writing that way. I once got an ad for meeting singles. I didn't want that ad on my site, so I simply went to Google Adsense and blocked that ad from being on my site. </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">I'm a huge skeptic when it comes to "make money from home" opportunities, because there are too many scammers out there. But I did create a simulcast blog at <a href="http://www.writingup.com?referer=675">Writing Up</a>, because I already know that Google Ads are a fine way to make a few dollars each month (I'm getting around $50 a month between Writing Up and this blog's ads but I've just started, so that should really increase), and because all I have to do is write a blog here at Blogger, like normal, and then copy and paste it at the <a href="http://www.writingup.com?referer=675">Writing Up</a> site. </p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">A no-brainer way to make a passive income. That is<em> sooo</em> my style!</p><p style="MARGIN: 0px"> </p><p style="MARGIN: 0px">How do you get started? <br /><br /><strong>1.</strong> <strong>Click on my Google Adsense banner</strong> (in the right column) and create a Google Adsense account. This is easy to do and - of course - free.<br /><br /><strong>2.</strong> <strong>Go to </strong><a href="http://www.writingup.com/?referer=675"><strong>Writing Up</strong></a> (click on the name anywhere in this blog) and create a blog there. It's free and very quick to do. <br /><br /><strong>3. Blog every day and wait a little while for it all to kick in.</strong> Once it does, you should be getting a little revenue each month (<em>note:</em> Google pays you each time you reach $100, so you'll have to wait until you get to that point before you get your first payment). <br /><br />by Lori Seaborg</p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">Use the links above to check it out and let me know what you think.</p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0px">by Lori Seaborg</p>Lori Seaborghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04964487686395763134noreply@blogger.com3