Update...

Hello out there!  I'm still here... still struggling with my messy nest!  BUT  I just dropped off two garbage bags to charity and a couple of boxes after cleaning little man's room.  You can see his floor!  Yeah!  Now time to get back to all of the other rooms in the house. Ugg.  Trying not to be discouraged.

Blessings,
Jen

Progress- Week of 7/16

Just a quick progress report...

Watched the show Clean House and became very motivated, plus my husband said something that made me think... it was along the lines of... "Boy, they are clean and seem like the perfect family, but they live like a bunch of slobs."

 Ugg.. I don't want to live like a bunch of slobs!

Okay- back to the progress..this way when I get down about the mess, I can see that there is light at the end of tunnel.

1. Cleaned off the messy front porch- so embarrassing.  I always wonder what the mailman might be thinking.
2.  Went through kid clutter with my girls.  They filled up one garbage back with clothing to sell or give to charity and I filled up one basket to give away and sorted and organized items they were going to keep.

3. Did a couple loads of laundry.  Cleaned in the kitchen/dishes.  Vacuumed in the living room.

Also this week- had the girls help me organize in the dining room. 

Still a messy nest, but at least I can look back and say.. work in progress.

Hope you are having a good week!
Jen

Progress Check-In

Hello!  Just checking in- the nest is still very messy.  But I did make some progress since the last time I posted.  I've been working on the clutter in my girls' room.  It's overwhelming for them, so Mom's tackling it and then I'm going to need to work on teaching them organizing skills (once I learn these strategies myself). I filled up two bags of toys/ clothes for charity.  Yeah.  Cleared and vacuumed the floor- woo hoo.

I've been sick for a week and 1/2- summer flu- maybe, so the rest of the nest fell apart.  Slowly, trying to get things together.  Worked in the kitchen this week- cleaning counter tops, dishes, and sweeping the floor, etc.  and the dreaded laundry.  Cleaned in the living room, but as I look around- looks like my family has started to mess it up already.  Ugg... endless battle! 

Trying to stay positive!

Jen

The Great Laundry Challenge: Week 2

Sunshine girl was the proud winner for week 2 of our family competition! 
Peanut wasn't far behind her, though.

Sunshine.. 53
Peanut.. 47

Mom and Dad didn't do very well.  Our kids are seriously kickin' our behinds in this challenge.  If you missed my post about the Great Laundry Challenge, be sure to check it out.

Happy Cleaning.. I have Soooooo much to do!

Jen

The Great Laundry Challenge

Yes, Peanut is proud!  She is this week's winner of our family competition.  With a little creativity, I came up with this idea to motivate family to fold and put away their laundry...introducing The Great Laundry Challenge.  A fun, family competition... Who can put away or give away the most clothing in a week?  Guess what- the kids kicked our butts!!  My husband's score was 11 pieces of clothing, I had 36 (this doesn't include all of the other laundry that I put away- towels and little man's clothing), Sunshine Girl had 59 and the winner had a whopping 62!!  Way to go Peanut!!  She'll be wearing the Queen of Laundry T-shirt award this week. 

To record our totals, I created the sheet below and laminated it. 

The Great Laundry Challenge

I also created T-shirt awards- just for fun! These were cut out, laminated, and made into a necklace.  One side says Queen of Laundry and the other says King of Laundry. (just in case Dad wins- he better get moving though!)

Sunshine girl is ready for some competition, so I think a lot of laundry will be flying around this week!  She wants to steal or I should say earn that T-shirt necklace from her little sis!!

Hope you are doing well! Thanks for reading!

Jen

Progress: Week of 5/7

Ugg!  Progress is slow this week.  I've been so busy with very important kid stuff!  Watching my girls perform in musicals, helping with school work this week, and I also attended a baby shower.  The house is a mess, but I still managed to help with yard work.  So the outside is starting to look better than the inside.  :)

Oh well, I'll get it together.  Some weeks are just like that. 

On a positive note...
I gave 2 small bags of clothing away
My girls cleaned out their school desks
I re-organized my coupon binder- watch out- crazy couponer on the loose!
I cleaned out the diaper bag and my purse.
And today- I scrubbed the nasty sink in the basement and wiped off the top of the washer. (not sure the last time that was done.)

I hope your house is looking better than mine.  If not, count the positives and try again tomorrow!

Blessings,

Jen
Keeper of The Messy Nest
 

Trouble Spots

Do you have hotspots that you need to attend to?  I found an awesome trouble spot printable at simplify 101 that will help us plan and to take action!

Creative Organizing Blog: simplify 101


Isn't it amazing what a two year old can do to a room in just a couple of minutes?  Most of the mess is from little man, but I pointed out some other issues in the room as well. 

1.  Bad lighting- we often take the lamp shade off just to get lighting in the room- not very welcoming and appealing, huh?

2. Shoe area- continue to struggle with having a nice shoe space.  I've tried baskets, putting most of the shoes away, etc.  Somehow this area continues to be an issue. 

3.  Laundry- I've blogged about this issue!  Ugg.

I hope that this printable will be helpful for you as well!

Enjoy your day and happy de-cluttering!

Jen