Friday Filing – 2

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Posted on January 16, 2015

Another week has whizzed by and the filing basket is slightly fuller this week.

The pile beside the basket is what I collected from the mailbox today.

I opened the mail and then sorted it into piles according to the action required.

Clockwise from top left:

Paper to go in the recycling bin (by far the biggest pile)
Some family history information which my mother gave to me – needs to be put in the storage container with other similar papers
Basket – almost empty
To be filed – includes new insurance schedule as a result of my follow-up phone call, tax assessments, notification of gas bottle delivery and bank statement
Plastic bag – to be kept to use as a rubbish bag
Confirmation of electoral enrollment which we will need when we vote in 2 weeks time – will put them in our wallets
ReNew magazine – I have almost finished reading it so it will go in the rack with the other issues
2 newspapers – to be read tonight then added to the recycling

Here is what is left in the basket:

Our list of jobs/goals for the house and garden – some short-term and others much longer but it serves as a reminder
The yellow tag is the variety of blueberry bush which The Duke wants to buy to replace a couple that did not survive. We will not be buying these until the weather cools down a bit so what better place to keep it than in the filing basket?
The brown “thing” in the corner is actually 2 small bits of timber that broke off one of the outdoor chairs and The Duke is planning to repair it.

In just 3 weeks I feel as though I have made real inroads into creating a system that works for us to keep the relatively modest amount of mail and other papers that come into the house under control.

I do not see the need to post a similar thing every Friday about the ongoing filing activity which will be very similar each week. However, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

Do you have a system for keeping the paperwork under control?

Planning is the Key

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Posted on February 24, 2014

As I sat down at my desk on Saturday morning to write a menu plan for the week, I started to think about how much planning goes into keeping our lives running smoothly.

I have always menu-planned to some degree but I have now developed a routine which works for us. Every Saturday morning I write a plan for the next 7 – 10 days. I keep in mind what food I have in the refrigerator as well as what is available in the garden. From that I then write a shopping list. This generally a few basic groceries such as milk and cheese as well as fruit and vegetables. I buy meat every couple of months and pantry staples about every 3 months.

We have big plans, such as our overseas trip but also small, day-to-day plans that ensure things run smoothly and we work towards achieving our goals. If this sounds like our lives are totally structured and regimented, think again as nothing could be further from the truth.

Over breakfast on a Saturday morning, either The Duke or I are often heard to say, “So, what are your plans for today?” Then follows a discussion about what we have individually considered that we need to get done. It usually centres around shopping, washing, lawn mowing and the like. The next step is to plan.

On Saturday morning we had to take the dog to the vet at 8.30am so we decided to leave the shopping until Sunday morning and do some outdoor work. We needed to finish by 4.30pm so we could be cleaned up and head off to dinner and the movies by 6pm. We planned our outdoor work and achieved a real sense of satisfaction when the jobs were done. All of the piles of mulch were collected from various spots around the yard, we weeded and mulched the garden bed beside the front steps. The Duke lightly pruned the roses and we planted 5 more pineapple tops. The remainder of the mulch was spread under the native shrubs on the front verge.

Since it was drizzling with rain most of the day we then adjourned under the house to start on one of the other jobs on the master list – covering the area which is bare dirt under the verandah with pebbles. The original plan was to build 3 more low retaining walls to create stepped levels to hold the pebbles in place, however, we have decided to retain the sections using some timber sleepers. We will also place some along the outside edge to separate the pebbled area from the garden bed outside. We have calculated how many sleepers, how much weed mat and the volume of pebbles that we will need to complete the job. The ground has been dug out and is almost at the levels we need so I hope we can get this finished over the next few weeks.

Sunday was a different story. I did the ironing early, before we went to do the shopping in a couple of different locations and came home with the intention of more outdoor work. One simple message on the answering machine changed that. A friend had left a message to ask us to come for drinks at 4pm, so I amended the menu plan as I knew we would have plenty of late afternoon/evening nibbles. I then spent the rest of the day in the kitchen. I made pizza bases, wraps for our lunches and a chocolate cake (all gluten-free). I made 1 pizza and took that and the chocolate cake with us that afternoon. The remainder of the pizza bases are partly pre-cooked and in the freezer.

So, to round off a fairly long-winded story, I think it is important to have a plan, otherwise things can turn into a disorganised jumble and you end up wasting a lot of time. The organisation that results from these plans allows you the flexibility to change those plans to accommodate things that arise out of the blue. What do you think?

Clean Clothes

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Posted on July 23, 2013

Housework is a never-ending circle. Whether you view it as a closed-loop system which supports and sustains your family or as a treadmill that you cannot escape is entirely up to you. I prefer the first view because it is positive and values homemaking as an important role.

I was interested to read recently that ‘doing the washing’ is not about tossing a heap of clothes into the washing machine, followed by the dryer or perhaps hanging them on the line. In this scenario the final step is then seen as throwing the heap of clean clothes on the nearest sofa or bed. This results in disorganisation and clutter while various members of the household grab whatever they need to wear.

Unsurprisingly, the above view emanated from a discussion about how clutter and disorganisation go hand-in-hand. It is easy to imagine that over time the pile of clean clothes becomes dusty and soiled and then need rewashing. Perhaps items cannot be located which results in buying more clothes. Items which need mending are left and forgotten. Then there is a downward spiral, the pile becomes a permanent fixture, the bed is no longer able to be used for its original purpose and so on. This is an extreme picture but one that it is best to avoid.

Confession time: I resorted to this practice last week and here is some of the evidence.

It took me 5 minutes yesterday to set things to right which made me wonder why I hadn’t done it sooner.

The discussion went on to say that you should not regard the washing as ‘done’ until the clothes are dry, sorted, folded and put away as well as any ironing any items which require it.

I generally manage to do all of this in one go except the ironing. Ironing is always done at least once a week. This is one of the benefits of having a streamlined wardrobe. The selection of clothes are limited and I am being perfectly honest when I say that I have to do the ironing otherwise we would have nothing to wear to work next week.

By considering tasks within the home to be a closed-loop it is easier to gain satisfaction from the work you do. It is not simply a chore of folding clothes but rather can be seen in the following way. A hamper full of soiled clothes is washed, dried in the fresh air and sunshine (hopefully), sorted, folded and drawers and wardrobes replenished with clean clothes for the next week. It is also an opportune time to review the state of clothes and do any repairs as required. You can rejuvenate items before they become beyond repair.

How to you deal with washing, folding and ironing? Do you fold clothes as they are taken off the line?

Getting Back on Track

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Posted on April 14, 2013

I have had 2 weeks back at work since my holidays and I still feel as though I am chasing my tail at home. Somehow everything has been done but the smooth process seems to have flown the coop. In fact, last Friday morning I had to iron a shirt for The Duke as there were no business shirts in his cupboard. That was not good.

This weekend has been pretty busy as Miss O and Izz came to stay and that certainly limits what I get done. However, I have managed to finish the washing and ironing, written a menu plan and have the meals prepared for Monday and Tuesday.

Do you plan your meals? What is your process?

I have have also decided what I will wear to work tomorrow so I feel as though I am ready to start the week. How about you?

Small Steps

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Posted on February 14, 2013

During the week I do not have much time to do housework but some of the smallest things can make a difference.

I have managed to do 2 loads of washing since we arrived home on Sunday evening. The folding is done and put away but I have not got near the clothes that need to be ironed.

Last night I quickly sorted out the pile which had been upended on the single bed in my sewing/ironing room into piles of similar items – The Duke’s business shirts in one pile, my skirts in another etc. It now looks much more manageable and I plan to do at least some it tomorrow morning before I catch the slightly later train in the morning.

Do you have any tips and tricks that make a task seem less daunting (and look more organised in the meantime)?

Keeping Things Contained

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Posted on February 15, 2012

One aspect of organisation that constantly eludes me is pending paperwork. We do not have much as most of our bills are direct debits or paid online as soon as we get them. I am quite efficient at filing things once they are dealt with but where do you keep things such as concert tickets, flight itineraries?

I have seen all sorts of systems that different people have but none really seemed to suit this household. That is the important thing – make sure your system suits your needs. Do not expect that just because it works for others that it will work for you.

Yesterday I decided to use a binder with plastic sleeves in it and label each sleeve starting with 1st through to 31st for each day of the month. There is also a sleeve at the back labelled next month and some spares if I need them.

Here is the folder and so far I have put the tickets for a dinner we are attending on Friday night in the relevant sleeve. There will be other things as they turn up. This is not a permanent filing system but a dynamic container for paperwork that we will need to access in the coming days and weeks.

I am hopeful that this will eliminate the various bits of paper lying around on the desk and kitchen bench.

The other thing we have contained is all of the fittings for the bathroom renovation. They are all tucked away in an alcove ready for the work to start. The plan is for it to commence next week. How fortuitous that I am away for 3 nights for work! It will not be too much of an inconvenience as we have a second toilet near the laundry as well as a fairly basic bathroom downstairs.

I am really looking forward to having it all done. I will post more photos once the action begins.

A Quick Fix – Utensil Drawer

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Posted on January 28, 2012

Today I have been working on sorting out my email address book and making sure all of the details for my contacts are current and also that they match my hard copy address book which sits on the bookshelf. This is an arduous process and I have also linked it to other jobs such as cleaning out the business card folder.

This is necessary and even admirable but sometimes you need a job which is small on effort but big on results to give you a boost. This morning I did that by cleaning out the utensil drawer in the kitchen. It was a spur of the minute decision as I was putting the clean dishes away. I noticed that there were crumbs everywhere and it looked rather grotty so I took everything out and wiped the drawer out thoroughly.

In true minimalist fashion everything really had to earn a place to go back in. This drawer has been seriously decluttered before so there was not much to go – just a corkscrew and multipurpose bottle opener. Many would say I still have too much but it suits me at the moment.

Here is the finished project which gave me the incentive to go on with my other jobs today.

Minimise For Multipurpose

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Posted on January 19, 2012

I know that keeping our stuff to a minimum and simplifying as much as we can is a good thing but sometimes it is difficult to articulate why this is the case. It is not until something occurs that we are reminded of just how useful it is to live with less.

Last weekend we had 20 guests for a BBQ lunch on the verandah. About an hour before they arrived, The Duke announced that we could use the folding table as well. This happens to be my sewing table and it was far from perfectly tidy.

I quickly tossed a few pieces of fabric and UFO’s on the spare bed and almost instantly we had an extra table for our entertaining. Even though I had to move a few things it was no real imposition. It makes sense that this table is being used almost every day rather than being folded up and gathering dust, waiting to be used once or twice per year.

This is the spare bed with everything that was on the sewing table.

The BBQ is over and the table is back in the room. Everything is still on the bed as I am going to take this opportunity to sort out a few more things and find proper homes for them. The table is pretty well bare at the moment apart from my sewing machine.

I will have to get the sorting done before Saturday afternoon when Miss O and Izz come to stay the night as this is the single bed and trundle bed that they use.

Back to Basics

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Posted on January 3, 2012

A new year is a good time to remind myself of my aim. It is to live simply while adhering to the principles of organisation and sustainability.

Today I have done something that ticks both boxes. It may seem like a small, or almost insignificant action, but I see it as worthwhile.

After doing a trial last year, our council have decided to offer the option of receiving rates notices by email. When I saw this mentioned in a promotional booklet before Christmas, I sent an request for this option. I have now registered our details, and while I am not exactly looking forward to our next rates notice, it is good to know that I can receive this notification electronically. This means that there is no paper used (sustainable), the council saves money on postage and I do not have to handle and file the paperwork as it lands directly in my inbox (organised).

We receive as much correspondence as possible electronically. This includes statements, phone and internet bills. There are probably others that I cannot think of right at the moment. Automatic payments and direct debits also help to streamline and simplify the business of running a household. By automating as much as possible this leaves more time for doing productive and fun things.

Speaking of productive activities, yesterday The Duke and I planted out 23 rockmelon (cantaloupe) seedlings. If they all thrive and produce fruit I will be able to run a market stall! Some were planted in the rather desolate area nicknamed ‘the snakepit’. It is a barren patch near the low part of the garden and seems to be filled with rubble. Some months ago I managed to plant a couple of pumpkin seedlings which i had rescued from the compost heap and they are doing well. I counted at least 10 tiny pumpkins growing on the vine yesterday.

Do you receive mail electronically or have automatic payments set up in order to streamline the business of running your household? What other strategies do you use? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Be Prepared

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Posted on December 20, 2011

Here we are in the third week of December and everyone’s thoughts are firmly focused on Christmas celebrations.

There are other things we should be thinking about at this time of the year as well. The weather bureau is expecting a low pressure system which is south-east of Papua New Guinea to develop into the first cyclone of the season, probably within the next 48 hours. You can see the details here. While it is unlikely to directly affect Queensland in the immediate future, it is worth remembering that cyclones can be extremely unpredictable.

Regardless of where you live or what natural disasters are a threat to your region, you should have both an evacuation plan and arrangements which ensure that you can survive in your home or current location without supplies or resources for at least 3 days (minimum).

Part of being organised is that it is easy to decide what to take if you have to leave in a hurry, or conversely, being able to function with what you have for at least a few days. I have no intention of being in the queue for toilet paper and other basic necessities in the last 12 hours as a cyclone or flood approach.

What plans do you have in place in the event of a natural disaster?