I’m quite sure I get labeled as a “snob” on regular occasion. How do I know this? I’ve been told – “Gosh! I used to think you were a total snob!” True story…over and over.

I’m an introvert…maybe to the extreme. I’m sure other people see me as “snooty,” “stuck-up,” or “too-good.” But really, the truth is….I feel so socially awkward that I just cannot be a socialite, no matter how hard I try.

If you’ve ever met me in person or seen me in public, you can vouch for this…I’m a wallflower. I don’t speak in public settings. If I’m with Barry, I stand with him and let him do the talking. If I’m in a group of mommies, I stand on the outside edge and just listen.

I’ve tried to be more “outgoing.” But then I totally end up saying something utterly bizarre so that people just stare at me and walk away…true story. Again.  [Read more…]

There are no more toys in our kids’ bedrooms. There are no more toys in the kitchen. There are no more toys in the living room. They have migrated on the winds of the Northern Wind called Mommy.

Our toys have been relocated to one central location – the new “play room” in our basement/den area. One spot – not spread all over the house. It’s amazing, I’ll tell you.

I was inspired by Large Family Logistics that bedrooms should be for sleeping and privacy. When I started thinking on that, it made sense to me. I don’t go to my bedroom to play. I go there to sleep or because I’m about to have a break down and need a minute.

When my kids had toys in their room, it was easier for them to disobey…because at a young age, they think if you can’t see them, it’s totally okay for them to disregard what you said. But when their toys are located in a communal area where everyone is, it keeps them accountable (which is also why our computer is in the living room on full display.)

I was going to write about toys today – but then I changed my mind. I change my mind like I change underwear. And that’s daily for those of you who are interested.

I decided to write about how to declutter your home when you have little kids – because it seems to be a common question that I get. “Stacy! How can I do this if I have little kids?! I can’t even go to the bathroom without someone being injured, much less declutter the pantry!” 

Hey, I get it. Last night I got a total of 2 hours of sleep, Andy rubbed face wash all over his body with his clothing on, Annie cut up little pieces of paper and confettied (yes, that’s a new term here) the basement and Eli just threw up all over my chest. So, yeah. I get it.

Annie is currently 6.

Andy is 2.

Eli is 9 months old.  [Read more…]

When I first read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and I started decluttering our entire home, Barry was 100% on board. I actually think he wanted me to start this process 12 years ago…when we got married.

But then, there was Annie.

Let me tell you about my Annie (age 6) – she’s a firecracker, a smart cookie, an actress in the making….and a PACK RAT. She would save anything her little hands grabbed hold of: junk mail, broken toys, wormy chestnuts (yup), toilet paper tubes, empty packaging, you name it.

I thought, “Annie is going to FREAK OUT.” But guess what? We didn’t encounter the fight that I thought we would.  [Read more…]

Barry will tell you that’s an exaggeration. But I’m sure that by the end of this story, if you’re a woman, you’ll agree. If you’re a man…probably not. Because I think as long as men have on underwear, they consider themselves dressed. :-p I’ve already shared this on Instagram, so it might be a repeat for some. 🙂

It was the end of the service. We were leaving…having been at church for about 2 1/2 hours at that point. That’s when it happened. A blessed saint leaned over as I was leaving and said, “Dear, you do know there is a rip down the side of your top, right?” Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I’m pretty sure I had a deer in the headlights look. I laughed it off and said “No doubt! The kids have been pulling on me today.” I smiled and continued my trip out.

Inside I was screaming “DEAR GOD! PLEASE LET IT BE A TEENIE, TINY LITTLE RIP?!”

You know how sometimes God says “no?” Well….this was one of those times. I had that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew it was bad.  [Read more…]

Not too long ago, the big thing for moms was the mantra “Be a yes mom!!!” The idea is that we should be trying to say “yes” to our kids more than we say “no” to them…within reason.

I tried so hard to make this work for me. I thought it was a great idea! I saw people using the hashtag on Instagram (613 posts to date). I tried. I really did.

I think I maybe lasted part of a day. I even used the hashtag once. Fail.

The truth is, you guys…I’m a “No” mom. It’s true. I can’t try to be something I’m not. Just yesterday I said to Annie, “Can you please ask me something that I can say yes to?!” True story.  [Read more…]

My dad called. The first thing out of his mouth was, “I wanted to call and tell you this before you saw it on Facebook…” I was done. Finished.

I’ve walked away from Facebook for personal use. Mostly because it was driving me nutso. I’m not sure if I’m your average Facebook user, though. I found that it was stressing me out more than helping me out. Ain’t nobody got time for that.

No, this isn’t a post why you should leave Facebook. I’m well aware that most people won’t – and that’s okay. It’s a good tool for those who know how to use it. I don’t.

I’ve stayed on FB for this blog, to announce new posts or something I’ve seen that I thought you might enjoy. Otherwise, I stick mostly with this blog and Instagram. If you’re one of the types of people who can use Facebook to your advantage, not get upset at things you see, or get addicted to being on it a million times a day, that’s why I’ve stayed – for you. 😉 I usually check it about once a day to make sure I don’t have anything pressing to answer…but sometimes it’s every two-three days. Sometimes butt wiping puts me behind on things…pun intended.  [Read more…]

I had given a very specific instruction before I left to go to the basement to get laundry out of the dryer. I was probably gone for two minutes – not long at all. But one of my children greeted me at the top of the stairs. “I’m sorry, Mama.” Do you know that feeling of dread that settles over you when you hear those words without seeing what’s going on? It’s like your stomach falls into the floor. Oh. No.

My coffee. Everywhere. My instructions had not been followed and because of that, coffee had been spilled all over my Home Management Notebook that I had spent days making – and all our school papers – and my calendar. And it had spilled down the counter and leaked into the cabinets and drawers. Basically, it was everywhere. You know they say “Don’t cry over spilled milk!” Well, this was coffee, so I felt like it didn’t apply.

I don’t know if it was because I was so tired from lack of sleep the night before (Eli dealing with growing issues) or because my instructions hadn’t been followed or because something I had worked so hard to make was now a total mess. But, whatever it was…I lost it. I totally lost it. No excuses and no reason for it…but I went raving around the house like a complete lunatic.  [Read more…]