I realized a long time ago that the paper/ keepsake/Very Important Document deluge each year had to be managed. I have four kids; that's a lot of Thanksgiving turkeys made out of paper plates and construction paper. I needed to get on top of it.
I came up with a system that has been miraculous: first, because it may be the only organizational system I've stuck with for longer than 15 minutes, and second, because it really works.
Every year I get a plastic bin with a lid (roughly twice the size of a shoe box). I keep it in the floor of my pantry. Every year, as important papers float past me, I stuff them in the box.
At year end, the box is invariably flowing over the sides. I sort through it, culling away the things that really aren't keepsake-worthy. With the right amount of stuffing and sorting, I'm able to get each box to the point that the lid will snap on. If it won't snap shut, it means I have to do more culling. (And I also need to find more reasons to use the word "culling", because seriously, what a great word.)
(And no, I don't have the stuff sorted by kid. Everyone's keepsakes--all six of us--go in the same box. After my funeral someday, my grieving offspring will just have to sort and fight amongst themselves for the construction paper turkeys.)
The box then heads to the deepest recesses of my daughter's closet, to join its cohorts from previous years:
I hesitate to show you that picture, because it seems a little misleading, as if all my closets are neatly stacked and labeled.
They're not.
In the interest of transparency, here's the other side of that same closet:
And here (brace yourselves) is the floor of the closet:
That stuff you see on the floor is dried acrylic craft paint, the result of an incident that easily tops my list of Worst Parenting Moments, a moment so heart-stopping and terrible I still cannot, a year later, discuss it in detail without inducing an anxiety attack. There was paint involved, and carpet, and a very cheeky three-year-old girl. Let us never speak of it again.
Anyway, my main point is that limiting myself to one box of keepsakes per year has been a very manageable way to control all the stuff.
(And my secondary point is that you shouldn't inadvertently leave acrylic craft paint within reach of a three year old.)
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1. Blue Castle (Boots to Bookends)
2. The Well-Rounded Woman (get more back rubs)
3. The Diaper Diaries (google alerts)
4. Audra Krell (Santa Storage)
5. We are THAT family (Organizing Giveaway)
6. Abundant Frugal Life (Raising Financially Fit Kids)
7. kitchendoor (baked eggs!)
8. Life At The Circus (Family Fun)
9. Muses of Megret (new year reading lists)
10. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (One Room At a Time)
11. And how did that work for you?
12. Queen mother blog (Pantry inventory)
13. Mother Hen (breakfast secret weapons)
14. Lisa@ BlessedwithGrace(Emergency Lovie Surgery)
15. Carol
16. Purvi\'s Pensieve (First time!: No More Pesky Food Stains)
17. Amy @ Finer Things (Da Best Mom Ever)
18. Mother Hen (coupon success)
19. Green Baby Guide (FREE gym alternatives)
20. HEALTHY LOW-CARB DIETING-Kelly the Kitchen Kop
21. A Simple Walk (the deeper significance of toilet paper)
22. Smockity Frocks (Packing Away Christmas)
23. Happy To Be At Home (moms of littles)
24. It Feels Like Chaos (Privilege Chart)
25. Five J\'s (A Useful Kitchen Tool)
26. Amy (Managing Baby Stuff)
27. Three Bay B Chicks (FREE MAGAZINES!!)
28. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (Theme Weeks)
29. Extreme House Wifeing (Babys 1st Birthday)
30. Kim @ Forever Wherever (Easy Bowl Game Snack)
31. Kari (mommy quiet time)
32. Jean Stockdale (Memorizing Scripture)
33. Joy @ Five J\'s (Fly to BlissDom for Cheap)
34. EveryChapter (bento lunches)
35. Margot (Easy Cleaning of Crockpots
36. Milehimama (Free health/mood tracker)
37. marina (movie reviews)
38. Kelley (Pet Hair Removal)
39. Garibay Soup (Building a STRONG Family)
40. Kerri (Gift Bags)
41. CarolinaMama (Love Dare)
42. Cooking During Stolen Moments ($300 monthly grocery shopping)
43. Mkriggs (Label Your Cords)
44. Barbara H. (Couponing once a month)
45. Jane (Hardwood Floor Tip)
46. Hillary (Toy storage that works!)
47. Ann Kroeker (steel cut oatmeal bonus info)
48. Mandy (Liquid Bandage for cold sores!)
49. Mom on the Run
50. col @ life by muse (changing your life game)
51. Beth (Quarter Fold Method)
52. Sandy Toes(Special K)
53. Rina @ Into Still Waters (finding pictures for my blog)
54. Many Little Blessings (Motivation to Clean, Plus Giveaway!)
55. Heather (cleaning product review)
56. Heaven In The Home
57. se7en (living with a diabetic)
58. Amber @ Classic Housewife (mandatory nap time!)
59. Melonie@Momma&More (cheap, green, clean!)
60. Lisa (Action Figures!)
61. Em @ Gratitude. Simplicity. Frugality (Ornament Storage)
62. Thrifty Jinxy (Healthy Eating on a Budget)
63. Stretch Mark Mama (Industrial Strength Dishwashing Gloves)
64. JanMary, N Ireland party craft for 11 yo girl
65. mom2my9 (Girls)
66. Mama Bear (Kid Tips)
67. Kimi @ The Nourishing Gourmet-Yummy and Healthy Palm Sugar!
68. Just Pure Lovely (weird. entertaining. cheap.)
69. Heidi @ Blue Eyed Blessings (scrapbooking Christmas greetings)
70. Janelle @ Now Play Happy (Ikea happiness)
71. Kristine (Making Reading Fun)
72. SARAH @Real Life (Video: Organizing Laundry/Craft Room)
73. momsfrugal -laptop in the kitchen
74. Gina @ Six in the Country (Organize with Style)
75. The Gluten-Free Homemaker (free blogging software)
76. Melissa @ Miss K Cooks (Quiche for Dinner)
77. MIchelle@Momstoppable (Great lunchmeat at a great price)
78. Mandi (Organizing Kids\' Toys)
79. Kay (pretty Baker\'s Twine)
80. A Frugal Housewife (Easy Meal Time)
81. exhale. return to center. (my monthly inspiration binder)
82. Kate\'s Kitchen: coffee cup sleeve
83. BusyMom (keeping up on laundry)
84. Free Diet and Exersice Help
85. Fiddledeedee (Easy Mail Stop)
86. Kim (Trash to Treasure)
87. Leanne - Getting kids interested in school
88. Sarah Mae (Modesty Blog Fashion Show!)
89. Susan (document your childhood memories)
90. Sarah (Kid Resolutions: Organization & Cleanliness)
91. Sarah (recipe organization)
92. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (finances)
93. Mandi (Wii Fit Mommies)
94. Lily On the Fly (Birthday Card Pilgrimage)
95. Wildwood Mama (Hand soap)
96. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (Morning Routine)
97. Edi (New Year Family Plan Meeting)
98. Minimalist Mommy (dish rag basket)
99. flexible dreams (Bible Challenge)
100. Mom Of Faith (Reducing My Grocery Bill)
101. Petersonclan (Affordable School Copies)
102. Stop the Ride! (wall stickers)
103. Bailey\'s Leaf (Fire Box Updating)
104. Sandra (resolutions for my boys)
105. Leaving Excess: Organizing Kids\' Hand Me Down Clothing
106. Alicia (resolution makeover)
107. Counting Sprinkles (Save Money)
108. Monica (make your own duvet- frugal room makeover)
109. TrentTribe (Peanut Butter Pie)
110. KLee (easy resolutions)
111. Becky (organizing with Google Calendars)
112. Allyson @ A Heart For Home (An Organized Craft Space)
113. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (StumbleUpon! It\'s great!)
114. Fairion - Sewing
115. MC (What to do with Christmas Cards)
116. Jen (Cheap Valentines gifts)
117. Everything Mom ( Saving money through organization)
118. Camian Academy (Kitchen Towels from Costco)
119. Beth/Mom2TwoVIkings (EZ kids cleanup strategy)
120. Chief Family Officer (Magic Eraser)
121. Gina (Highchair clean-up)
122. Kim @ Beanish & Other Languages I\'m Learning - Preparing Kids
123. Mo (Coir coco peat discs)
124. Kristen@frugal antics (stone soup)
125. "Cents"able Momma (Get rid of junk mail)
126. Tara (easy bandaid removal)
127. Jena (Organizing Mommy) when I\'m blue..
128. Wendy (Round Robin Thank You)
129. Brooke (help with keeping resolutions)
130. Michelle (Unlikely Moisturizer)
131. Janelle (the almost-free lunch!) |
132. Olivia (7 minute birthday card)
133. Jennifer (make it thru winter)
134. Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers (Preschool Math)
135. BeyondJustMom (revisiting parenting principles)
136. Sonshine(shoe racks)
137. Jennifer (using up snacks and cereals)
138. Kara (Daily Product Storage)
139. Lynn (weight loss)
140. Jerri @ Simply Sweet Home (menu planning supplies)
141. Traci @ The Sullivan Sitcom (family calendar)
142. Vicki Arnold (weight loss)
143. Maria (Reuse Containers)
144. Linda\'s Lunacy(Holiday Reminder Notes)
145. whimsy (remember everything)
146. Suzie (Reading to your kids)
147. Michelle (homeschool preschool)
148. Grace (exercise for couch potatoes)
149. Teal - Moms Crafty Life
150. Heaven In The Home (shopping with coupons)
151. FishMama @ LifeasMOM (A Tale of a Turkey)
152. Deni (Linen Closet Organization)
153. Lori L. (Craft Clutter Solution)
154. Christy (freezer cooking)
155. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (the solution for washing kids socks!)
156. Abigail\'s Mommy (Forget your mail)
157. Gin (Potty Training)
158. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE- (mmmm, smells good)
159. Lizzie (an easy "table")
160. Janelle (block internet ads)
161. Donna@The Frugal Mom Blog("Fast Food Night" At Home)
162. REPURPOSED (Frugal zipper repair solution)
163. Raise Them Up (Wax Paper Handyman\'s Trick)
164. Kirstin: Reducing Garbage
165. Lindsay @ Passionate Homemaking (cold solution & immune booster: emergen-C)
166. Julie - Homemade Cleaning Wipes
167. MamaHenClucks(Baskets)
168. JessieLeigh (Storing Baby Clothes)
169. Sherry @ Lamp Unto MY Feet (Baking in Smaller Quantities and a Crouton Recipe)
170. Rachael @ Beans & Rice (cheap but gourmet tasting beans and rice)
171. Amanda @ and amanda writes (Mr Clean Magic Erasers)
172. Jeni (Simplifying Toddler Bedtime)
173. His Girl (Finding a Church)
174. Homeschool Classroom (Homemade Rice Center for Preschoolers)
175. Amy @ Momstoolbox (HEALTHIER SWEET SNACK IDEAS)
176. Upstatemomof3
177. Gloriana (thinking ahead)
178. Jewel (Storing Leftovers)
179. Jerri (Brownie Recipe)
180. Mommin It Up (Yummie Tummie and GIVEAWAY)
181. Shannon (printable menu planner)
182. Amyswandering (Cookies for Breakfast)
183. Dawn@Pshelovesyou
184. Tari at The Grass Widow\'s Diary (recycled Wednesdays)
185. Amanda (serving trays)
186. Cammie (breakfast idea)
187. Christine (finger knitting)
188. Innkeeper Seely
189. Meshellyn (coupon organization & cool link)
190. Kara(the ma\'am,sir debate)
191. Rosie @ Home and Heartwork (15 minute meal assembly)
192. Suz (BigCrumbs)
193. Amy (photo postcard thank-yous)
194. Ginger
195. I like to call it controlled chaos! (sock keeper)
196. Kimberlee (eating out and playing games)
197. Nicol (record of items)
198. The Thrifty Mommy- Date Night!!
199. Abbi (organizing my letter supplies)
200. Erin K. (keep track of WFMW tips)
201. Ginger (Homeschool Assignment Sheets - 1st timer sorry for triple posting)
202. MemeGRL (holiday review)
203. Liz (Reusable Shopping Bags)
204. Mandy (Felt Play Food)
205. Saving Money Ideas (Goodreads)
206. Crayl (Little relationship savers)
207. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (Recipe Organization)
208. What Moms Want To Know (Snacks for Moms and Kids)
209. Heather @ Not a DIY Life (staying in a hotel w/ a toddler)
210. Blessed with Olive Plants (fixing furniture)
211. Aunt LoLo (How to REALLY help with a new baby!)
212. Kristine (Ready to clean out car in an instant)
213. Frugal Fulfillment ($1.00 School Lunches!)
214. Sarahlcc(getting my kids to drink water)
215. The Simple Life of the Boreings (Organization with a Cork Board!!)
216. Lalena@Finding Freedom (Out of Sight - Out of Mind)
217. Catherine (keeping kids moving)
218. K :) (Eyebrow Tweezing)
219. Sandwiched (Smelly laundry fix)
220. Amy (red sauce, red shirt)
221. Sabrina@Raising Oaks of Righteousness (What to do with Christmas cards)
222. Mary (hotel tips with little ones)
223. Amy @ Our Bumpy Road
224. Angela @ Diapers & Stilettos (Fielding A Compliment)
225. Jill (photo storage)
226. Marianne@Writer-Mommy (Make Your Own Planner)
227. EmilyV @ Random Ramblings (Haircuts at Home)
228. Jen (Cure Washer Odor Giveaway!)
229. Day (I don\'t feel like cooking meal)
230. Wani (no DVD cases!)
231. More Than Rubies ~ Seasonal Storage
232. Lori @ enjoy the process (Photo Editing)
233. Boysmum2 (Removing Tar)
234. emily (capital one)
235. Lindsay at not2us.net/losers (Weight Loss)
236. Kristin-The Goat (Super Concentrated laundry supplies)
237. Christine @ Lily of the Valley (Simple Scrapbooking
238. Carol ~ I Throw Like a Girl (CollegeZapps)
239. Dodge&Weave (calendars)
240. Amanda (image resizing QUICK and EASY!)
241. Tara @ Feels like Home (celebrating Epiphany)
242. Paula (Steps not Resolutions)
243. Kathryn (Tired Toddlers)
244. Free 2 Be Frugal (Exercise TV)
245. Penny Raine
246. Stephanie\'s Mommy Brain (menu planning)
247. Sarah (first time clean counter top!)
248. Cathy | Mommy Motivation
249. Jessica-XL Ziploc bag
250. Melanie (Winter Blues)
251. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (Filing bills & receipts)
252. Jacquelyn @ Because I Said So! (the perfect present)
253. Reading Rosie (Giveaway)
254. Kelli (the best baby wipes)
255. Laane (peeling,slicing,carrots)
256. Linda (quick de-cluttering)
257. Melinda @ The Nest Egg (Make Leather Look New Again)
258. Rookie Mom 101 (Funny Town Names)
259. MaryBeth (Car Fresh Scent)
260. Tracylea (organizing mail time)
261. Rebekah @ No Place I\'d Rather Be (garage sale)
262. Sarah (Corrected Link - Kid Resolutions) |
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