OCD or organizational skills?

I like to be organized. Doesn't always mean that it happens, but I strive for it. I make lists. Have a certain order of doing things. Etc. And I often get fussy if you mess with said list or order. Some might say I get a little OCD in this area. Some examples might include me re-writing a list because someone wrote on it and their handwriting and ink choice does not match mine. That would drive me crazy!!!! So for sanity reasons it's just better to re-write the list than have to look at it's disarray. Also, I will re-fold a whole basket of laundry because someone folded it in a different fashion than what I prefer. That might make me sound really picky or critical. But really, I'm just trying to preserve my sanity! As our family has grown and my time needing more management, I have learned to let a lot of things slide. The above examples don't happen nearly as often.

There are plenty of other ways I can work on with my organizations skills so that it doesn't effect the family. Like.....color coding my closet. See, my closet is MY closet. No one else in the house keeps their items in this closet, but me. So I not only color code my items, but I also hang them according to their style. Long sleeve with long, short with short, workout shirts, tank tops & undershirts, etc. You can see such an examples below. Although now that I look at the picture I see where I could assign certain color hangers to match certain shirt styles. But now, come on, let's not go overboard! : )

Every so often I go into overload and tackle a bigger project. Case in point, the box of picture negatives I found in the basement this summer. They were all just stuffed in there. I ignored the box for some time, but eventually couldn't stand it anymore. So for a week or so I slowly but surely went through all of the negatives & organized them by year. The next step will be to organize them by month as well so that they flow in accordance to the photo albums.

Some may wonder WHY?!?!?! If you know me, you know how much pictures mean to me. I am a fanatic about them. Whether I'm taking them or having them taken. I cherish them so very much. Preserving the negatives takes it all a step further in case anything were to happen to the original picture.

Ok, so now you are for certain that I am wacky. Maybe you already knew that. I think I have a few lists to go make out and laundry to hang in my closet! : )

Watermelon Stampede

I raced last weekend in Muscatine at the Watermelon Stampede. It was a 5k course, which is pretty standard in weekend racing. Since the race took place in my hometown it gives me plenty of chance to see lots of familiar faces. What I wanted the most though was one of the melons they were giving away for FREE! Muscatine has the best melons around.....anywhere. If it's a Muscatine Melon it's good! They randomly drew race numbers to decide the winners. Of course, they drew the number before mine....and the number right after mine....but not mine. Yes, I unashamedly pouted about this for awhile.

It was a good race. Wonderful weather. I raced a good, average-for-me time and placed 1st in my age group. I'll have to run next year & wait to see if I win a melon!

Precious Memories

Who says mom can't have any fun?!?!?!

Children's Museum / Discovery Depot

At least once a summer I take the kids to Discovery Depot, a children's museum here in town. The kids earn a free pass from the reading library program & we spend the day at this great place. Even after spending several hours there I still get the mandatory whine "I don't wanna gooooo" when I tell them it's time to leave. Angel doesn't really go with us anymore. Why would she.....it's a CHILDREN'S museum and she is clearly a teenager. (Yes, picture her rolling her eyes and giving a big heavy sigh.)

I took pictures of all the kids measurements. We measure them at home inside the closet door a couple times a year. I liked the visual though of the 5 ft. marking on the wall. That's how tall I am. Angel already has surpassed me in that area. I know some day the others will too.

Mandy, age 11


Brianna, age 9 1/2


John, age 8 1/2


Andrew, age 3 1/2


Carmen, age 19 months

Cupcake eating 101

It takes quite a bit of skill to eat a cupcake with no hands and.....
to look so cute while doing it. Carmen just makes it look so naturally easy!

Busted