Organizing Week and Winter Projects

As many are starting back to school this week, I am taking this week to get things back in order after the holidays. 

I've been
    making out menus,
             putting away 2011 files,
                   and   catching up on laundry after the holidays.

I love this time of year when everything seems new:
new, empty files ready to be filled with receipts, bills, and basically a scrapbook of the new year,
new lesson plans with a fresh perspective,
new menus for Winter-time dishes,
 and last but not least..............


a new list of Winter projects. 

Yep!  That's what saves me from those Winter Blues that come along around mid-January and last through March, when I finally see that Spring really does exist.

Every year I start a list of projects that I want to do, but never seem to have time for.   I write them down in my trusty household notebook and continually add to them until after Christmas.   Then, after the holidays have come and gone and the short days of Winter creep in, I pull out my list of projects and slowly work my way through them, until Spring starts to show itself (which, here in Texas, is fairly early).

These projects are a life-saver!  

When I start to feel isolated or start missing the sunshine, I can focus on one of my projects and get my mind off feeling blue. 

Here is a list of some of the projects I'll be attempting this winter:

*Organizing kitchen cabinets
*Painting doors and trim in kitchen
*Cleaning and organizing the dry sink in the diningroom and creating a gift wrapping station
*Organizing office supplies
*Cleaning and purging bookshelves and putting school books on ebay
*Organizing my keepsake magazines with matching magazine holders
*Painting the coffee table
*Painting the mirror in the livingroom
*Several outside projects as it gets a little warmer

I will probably add more to this list as the weeks go by.   You know how it goes: as you start on one thing, you recognize other areas that need work as well.  Pretty soon, your projects have multiplied!

Another fun thing I try to do, as the nights get longer, is work on puzzles at night while David is watching TV.   Having a jigsaw puzzle out on the table is a great way to ease anxiety when the sun goes down.   It gives your mind something else to think about and it feels productive.   Not to mention, you get to rejoice at the finished product!  One year we even framed one of the puzzles that went along with the decor in Collin's room.    It's a great way to work alongside the kids, as well.

So, if you're like me and you battle feeling the "blahs" when the days get shorter, then make your own list of Winter Projects and give yourself something to look forward to.

Here's a great way to get started:
1.  Get a notepad and pen
2.  Label your paper with the name of each room or area
3.  Walk through each room, looking for things that need improvement or changing

The first year I did this, I came up with 20 projects!

Now, what are you waiting for?

Get going!  You have projects to work on!

Blessings:)

Debbie