Using Command Hooks to Organize

Command hook

Instruction to hooks

Command hooks are my friends.  They help me stay organized.  They help house my objects.  Things that we need at our fingertips are readily available to us.  Whether we hide our items behind closed doors or leave them out in the open, we know where each of these important items are.

Clipboard hangs

Chore charts hang

Above, in the left picture, my clipboard hangs on the door of my office cabinet.  To the right is a photo of my daughters' room, where their chore charts dangle on the wall.

Wall is utilized for space

The picture to the right illustrates how I've employed Command hooks in the kitchen.  I wanted to free up some slots for more cooking utensils.  I applied hooks under a shelf and moved the measuring cups to the left of my stove.  I hung strainers and funnels.

Light-weight cleaners hanging

The picture to the left shows how I've hung light-weight cleaning helpers.  They are off the floor and hanging on the inside of a door.  There is no space taken over.  As soon as one opens the door, one can pull them off and use them right away.

Old dress holding plastic bags

Finally, this picture shows an old dress that holds plastic reusable bags.  Long ago, I sewed the bottom of the dress shut.  That allowed a bounty of space to fill it up with the bags.  The small metal part of the hanger hung securely on the hook.

Command hooks in different sizes

There are countless ways to use Command hooks.  There are other rooms where the hooks can be of great value.  For the bathroom, I have hung my exfoliating sponge.  In the classroom, it could hold interchangeable small posters.  No matter what the project, Command hooks are removable and reusable.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about how I've used Command hooks in my house.
If you enjoyed this entry, please share it with others.
I would appreciate that very much.

How about it, my readers?  Have you organized anything in your house lately?  Would you consider using Command hooks?  How would you use Command hooks?  Right now is the perfect opportunity to do your fall cleaning.  I hope you will find time to change things up for the fall season. 

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry is part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Chores Update

Monday-Sunday Chore List Template

I have been enjoying a more organized home this week.  This is the second week that I have assigned chores.  I worked on a template that I found at a Microsoft website.  I modified it to include the weekend.  I like that it starts with Monday because it works out better for me.

Filled in chore list with my son's chores

Well, thanks for viewing the pictures and reading this update. 

Click on the template if you need to organize your kids' chores.  You can customize it.

How about you, my readers?  Have you updated your chore lists?  I hope your chore system is working.  If not, you could change things up a bit.  It could help your family want to do their chores.  For us, it has made a difference because the kids can see exactly what they need to do for the family.

May God bless you all with His wisdom and peace.

This entry has been part of the Family Fun Fridays series.

Updates and a Wishlist

These are bell pepper cut up.

Today, I am mixing it up with updates and a wishlist.  I am wanting to record our progress as a family, within several areas.  

Updates:

First of all, I think the weight has stayed level.  It's kind of hard to tell at times because I weigh myself at different times of the day.  I do think that I have stayed at a good number.  I think as long as I stay away from potato chips and soda, I will not gain extra weight.

Second, my sanity hasn't left me.  Our chores are coming along.  We are on our second week.  I must admit that I didn't keep up with signing them everyday like I wanted.  Still, the kids did most of their chores.

Third, we had takeout only once last week.  It was hubby's birthday.  I was exhausted.  Hubby didn't want leftovers.  Let's just say I didn't enjoy our pizza.

Fourth, I cut up some veggies for the coming weeks.  I cut up some bell peppers of all colors and stored them in the freezer.  Wow!  They were so pretty.  I went ahead and cut carrots, zucchini, and cucumber, too.

Here's my wishlist for the coming weeks:

1. Get more sleep.  Quit seeing Netflix at night.  That makes the hours pass by so quickly that I forget to go to sleep.  Must change that!

2. Prepare for school.  Getting the chores going is likely to help transition into schooling.  A sort of schedule is already emerging.  This past weekend, we bought some material for my eleven year-old's sixth grade.  We also bought a student planner for my high schooler.

3. Research cooking methods.  I want to find ways to cook safely.  There are always alternatives.  Perhaps I should cook with better pots and pans.  Boiling and steaming over grilling is healthier.  Information like that is what I want to compile for a possible ebook.

4. While on the subject of compiling, yes, I want to compile lists like for our food pantry and/or household cleaners; we already have some running lists.  I need to get uber-organized.  I never know what's up ahead.  I'm thinking of writing a romance novel in November.  Hopefully, my organization will help me squeeze some time for that.

Well, thanks for reading our updates and my wishlist about things I would like to accomplish.  I appreciate it very much.

How about you, my readers?  How are you all doing?  Have you struggled with organizing yourselves?  Or are you comfortable with your household management?  I encourage you to consider bite-size changes in your life, gradually accumulating the better habits in your life.  If you need to improve your health, in any form, please ask God to help you.  Surely, He will, if you pray for His guidance.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Chores for Our Homeschool

This is my master chore list.

I mentioned about chores on Monday's blog entry, Going Manic Over Lists.  I stated that creating chore lists was necessary for my sanity.  It's working great, by the way.  Today, I want to explain how I went about creating my current chore lists. 

I was becoming frustrated with the need to write up four chores lists.  I have a problem with organizing something if I can't see it clearly.  That's why writing out a running list was not working for me.  My kids are not in favor of cleaning a whole room (click for a simple Cleaning Check Lists printable I found) by themselves.  For example, one child puts dirty dishes into the dishwasher, while another one takes out the clean dishes.

This is the Topic and 8 Ideas Graphic Organizer.

I had been finding free printables for other subjects, like writing.  I found this simple organizer for a writing assignment.  It's much like a web or a cluster to help organize your ideas.  Now, that's a visual I could use to organize my thoughts about chores!

I used the organizer to list each room inside each triangle.  From that, I shot off chores that need to be done in each room.  Then, I used different colors of highlighters to assign chores to each of my four kids.  In the large circle, I posted extra chores that could not be listed in any room.  For example, assisting in creating menu plans and grocery lists were placed in the circle.

I used sticky notes to place on a blank chore list.

Once I had color-coded the chores in the organizer with highlighter markers, I placed each individual chore onto similarly-colored sticky notes.  You can see on the picture above how I placed most of the chores on the left side of the blank printable (found at currclick.com).  Most of those chores will be ongoing during the week.  The ones on the right are for individual days.

I used this chore system, which resembles others.

My previous chore charts were placed behind a sheet protector.  I found some playdough-like substance for hanging posters on the walls.  The mini-pictures were placed on the sheet protector.  Then, as the children finished the chores, they would use a marker to check them off.  That would be great if they marked them, but most of my kids did not mark them.

The problem is that the sheet protectors were becoming messy.  You can see the finished product below:

These chore lists are still behind a sheet protector, hanging in each bedroom.

I hand-printed the chores in each box.  Since Kaelyn is my youngest child, I still have both of these versions, inside a sheet protector.  It hangs in the girls' room.  She uses a marker to check off those chores she's done on the picture-filled chore list.  I am allowing her to do this because she is still learning how to read.

I then pull out the above version (which I placed behind the pictured chore list) and sign my initials at the bottom.  The signed list will show what she has been accomplished.  I can leave a note here and there when chores need tweaking.  We can also see the progress of what she's done in the weeks to come.  

A reusable chore chart inside a sheet protector is great.  To show the progress of each child, I want to make a new chart for each child for each week, at least for a few months.  For my two oldest, the teenagers, I will want to rotate the meals they work on.  That's why I have to customize their chore lists every week.

Writing out these chore lists is time-consuming.  I feel it's worth it.  My house seems more organized now.  I get help with keeping the house clean.  My kids get to learn that everyone pitching in helps to keep the house clean.

Chore list template is available for free as a download.

A few days ago after I had made my hand-written lists, I found this chore list template.  I downloaded it to my computer because I might use it.  I'm not good at creating templates because of the different versions of Windows and software (Microsoft Word and Open Office).  There is no need to re-invent a template as this one is available.  I simply will type in the chores and print it out.

Well, thanks for reading this entry about how I've organized our chore lists.  I appreciate you stopping by my blog.  I hope this entry helps some of you who are struggling to customize your own chore lists.

How about you, my readers?  How are you assigning chores?  Do you have a database printed out?  Or are your chore lists hand-written?  Over the years, I have used different methods of assigning chores.  I think it's important to teach our children about cleaning.  Also, our children need to see the big picture of teamwork at keeping our house clean, organized, and presentable.

I pray that God helps us find the right method of assigning chore lists.  May God bless us all with His wisdom and peace, as we teach our children.

This has been an entry for Thorough Thursdays.  Hope you liked it.

Going Manic Over Lists

This is my master chore list.

I think I've gone over the cliff of sanity.  I succumbed to the need for creating lists.  Everyone's doing it.  'Tis the season for creating lists due to the new school year.  I might as well have created mine, too. 

It's not like I created anything beyond the chore list.  I've been consumed with perfecting my chore lists for each child.  I've had so much fun creating the chores lists. Not!!!  I had created some before, but they weren't working.  

Some background is necessary for clarification.

You see, each kid had a list to draw from.  It was driving me crazy that some of them would mark theirs up with their dry erase markers.  There were others who did not have a single mark at all on their chore charts.  According to my standards, my house was a mess.  Simple things weren't getting done.

That's why I discussed the subject of chores with them after dinner last week.  I informed my kids about my plans.  I would reward them with something they would like to work towards.  Can you guess what they came up with?  You guessed it: technological games, for the most part.

Oldest son's chore chart is full as are the others.

I was armed with the rewards.  I decided to sign under each day they accomplished the goals.  I experienced a great hope that my house would get cleaned.  I indeed wrote up the chore lists and posted them on the wall.  I took a nap in the afternoon, after having stayed up all last night.  

Then, I woke up to...

a clean house.

It worked.  My insatiable need to create the chore lists paid off.  I signed Monday's chores.  

I pray this will show my kids that I'll be checking their progress.  I hope it will also keep me accountable to them, too.  

Chores are a fact of life.

The children will be accumulating a monetary amount until they earn enough to buy their desired reward.  I have let them know that we parents will not always reward them for their chores.  I am merely giving them a jump start into them doing their chores.  I wanted to give them some motivation. I have tempered this with the reality that we parents don't get paid for doing our chores. 

Creating my chore lists were a lot of work for me.  I'll mention in another blog how I went about creating them. For now, I will admit that I must continue with the list mania.  I need to create other lists for our family.  My plan is for the following areas:

1. Food pantry

2. Non-food pantry

3. Freezer/fridge

4. Office supplies

5. Homeschooling material

When I get around to creating some of these new lists, I will share them here in the blog.  For now, thanks so much for reading this entry.  My mania over lists is, oddly enough, to keep me from going insane.  Stay tuned to see if I don't really go crazy!

How about you, my readers?  Have you struggled with organizing yourselves and your family?  Have you struggled with assigning chores?  Or have you mastered chore management?  I encourage you to consider bite-size changes in your life, gradually accumulating the better habits in your life.  If you need to improve your mental health, ask God to help you organize your life.  God is sure to help you, if you pray for His guidance.

This is an entry for Medical Mondays.  For past entries, click here.

Installing Manga Studio Software Into a Netbook

Daughter wanted the Manga Studio software installed on her Net Book.

I love all kinds of technology, even though I cannot fully grasp it.  I know that this Japanese comics software, Manga Studio, was what my darling daughter, Iris, wanted.  I struck a deal with her.  I would buy it, but she would pick up a few more chores.  The deal was so simple.

A few weeks later and the pots and pans were habitually dirty.  It could have been my fault.  Most parents will start with asking a child to show how much he/she wants that latest toy.  Not me!  I had to do something about it.

The problem started when we thought we knew how to install the software that she so coveted.  Her Netbook has no CD drive in which to put the physical shiny circle.  We knew this going into the venture.  I could have bought the software online, but the website greatly encourages you to buy some insurance in case the download goes wrong.  I had spoken with my oldest son, Gabriel, who assured me that he could download it onto my last desktop computer and then transfer the software to Iris' Netbook.

Sounded easy, especially since I wouldn't have to do it myself!

Here's the problem: 

The software was installed into my old computer that runs on the Windows Vista operating system.  It did run successfully on that computer but when Gabriel tried to install it onto Iris' Netbook, it wouldn't work.  Her Netbook runs on the Windows XP operating system.  

Incompatible operating systems equals not being able to see through a dirty window.

Gabriel knew the solution.  He had to install the software onto Rafael's computer, which runs on Windows XP like Iris' Netbook.  He was sure it would work.  Iris did not press Gabriel on the matter, though.  I think she had become disappointed that it had not worked the first time around.

In order for my pots and pans to get washed, I had to act.  

I asked Gabriel to do the work required for Iris to be able to use the Manga Studio software.  My hubby prepared the hot water, and Iris busied herself with the chore.

There were several steps Gabriel took to bring about the desired outcome:

1. He downloaded Manga Studio onto Rafael's computer.  The software went into a folder which was moved into a USB drive stick.

2. He also had to export the registry files and place them in the USB.  He explained to me that those files are like a register at a hotel which tells who is situated in which room. 

3. He also had to find and download an .exe (executable) file. This would allow Iris to use the software without having to use the shiny circle called a CD.  He inserted this file into the USB, as well.

4. He installed all 3 components into the Netbook.

5. He created a shortcut for the software onto the desktop of Iris' Netbook.

Gabriel set up the software before Iris had finished washing the pots and pans.

I knew Gabriel could do some interesting computer stuff.  Interviewing him to see what this all entailed blew my mind.  I was curious to know why he had learned how to use software without requiring the physical CD.  He related how he wanted to play some games without the actual CD because the CDs were getting scratched with overuse.  Another reason was that two persons cannot use the same physical CD at the same time when playing a two-person game; hence the need for the .exe file for those particular games.  

He wanted to be able to play computer games with his younger brother, Rafael.

I asked him how he's gone about finding those .exe files.  He said he's tapped into Yahoo! Answers and Answers.com to find the files for his games.

I must say that I am proud of my son.  He has taken initiative to find answers to his questions.  He has researched when he did not know the answers.  My younger son says, "He knows more than you, Mom, about computers."  Yes, that is true, but I am glad that someone in the family can handle the technology in our household.

How about you, my friends?  Are you computer savvy?  If so, do you help your family and friends when they need computer help?  I hope you or someone you know can help when computer problems arise in your home.

God bless you all with His peace and wisdom.

This has been an entry for Technology Tuesdays.  I hope you enjoyed it.