Operation Organization

We had a major chord problem.

It was very serious.

I tackled it in my attempt to continue in #11 on my "Thirteen Before Thirty" List.  I labeled each chord with a piece of paper and scotch tape.  (Very high tech stuff; be impressed.)  And, I folded each chord and used a twist tie.  Rocket science.  I know.

Then I put them all in this great little basket I found at the market.  It fits perfectly on the bottom shelf of the entertainment center.

Next time Mr. Sojourner or one of the Little Sojourners says, "Hey, where is the chord to the _________?"  I don't have to spend an hour trying to find it and then untangle it.  Sweet!  Now all I have to say is, "It's in the basket!"  Now if I can only get them all to put it back when they are done...

Kind regards,

Organization

This has been one of those weeks where I am running around crazy busy and at the same time feeling like I accomplished nothing at all.  Ever have one of those weeks?

So today I am playing a little blog catch-up.  I love participating in Alicia's New Adventures Thursday and I worked on this project, took the pictures, and never got it posted this week.  So a few days late here it is:

This week I came up with 13 things I want to accomplish before I turn 30 in less then 10 months.  Because #11 on the list is likely to take every single minute of that I went ahead and started working on it right away.  The cabinets in the kitchen in our new house are kind of a joke as has been the task of keeping them organized with the help of three eager Little Sojourners and Amelia Bedelia our sweet and well-meaning part-time house helper. (Have I shared about her yet? I think a little bit, but not the whole story, I'll put that on my "to blog about" list. Trust me on this...having a house helper is not as glamorous as it sounds.) 

So, I came up with a plan which I hope will put us all on the same page.  I pulled everything out, wiped down the cabinets, re-organized everything into it's own place, and then proceeded to label in English (for the Little Sojourners) and the local language (for Amelia) what was on each shelf.

Re-organized cabinets with little labels on each shelf.

I am really not an organized person.  Never in my life have I labeled a shelf before.  It's only pure desperation which brings me to it now.  For my sanity, I sure hope it works!

A close-up with lots of glare.

So now my kitchen cabinets are organized and I am on my way to accomplishing #11!  Sure hoping it stays organized!

Doesn't it look tasty?!

And, since my new adventure of labeling shelves was not so exciting i also decided to throw Sticky Chicken in the crock pot and give it a try along with the broth that Alicia raved about.  I can't wait to try it tonight!

 Kind regards,

Thirteen Before Thirty

Last night I was lying in bed thinking of turning thirty this coming year.  I know thirty isn't really old, but because it is going to be me...it seems very old!  I couldn't possibly be close to thirty.  But, then I realize I am about to have a ten year old and reality sets in.

Me; not long before my 29th birthday.  I still feel like the 18 year old newlywed (plus a few pounds and with the addition of three kiddos).

This led me to think about the things I would like to accomplish before turning thirty.  Not too far-fetched because I only have ten months and one day!  Attainable goals for the next ten months.

Before July, when I will turn thirty, I would like to:
1.) Lose some weight and figure out how to be healthier in my current situation.
2.) Be pregnant again.  I would  really like to have another baby.  Before I can do that I feel the need to finish goal number one for the health of the baby and me, because of the medical care where we are currently living, and because of the complications of the birth of Little Sojourner.
3.) Plant a garden.
4.) Learn to can (or canning?).
5.) Learn to make a cheesecake.
6.) See the last herd of desert elephants in West Africa.
7.) Make a quilt with African fabrics.
8.) Help Middle Sojourner to begin speaking at school and to her teacher.
9.) Visit the US and see family and friends.
10.) Read Radical by, David Platt and participate in the read along.
11.) Paint the different rooms in my house and get the house organized.
12.) Learn to re-create a Chick-fil-A meal for my family at home. (I think this and number 5 might work against number 1!)
13.) Learn to be frugal here in Africa. (I know that seems really silly, but I am great at being frugal in the US and just have not figured it out here.  Things are a lot more expensive and there are no sales and coupons.  I am going to need to get creative!)

I can't wait to get started on these new adventures!  I will keep you posted to my progress and share as I try new things.

Do you have a list of goals for the next couple of months or years?  I'd love to hear them!

Contemplating thirty,

*Linking up to Thursday 13.