Cupofkindness What has finally worked for me is having daily tasks: I made a table using Word and put the tasks under each day of the week and stuck it on the wall in my familyroom. I don't look at it much now, as I have the routine ingrained. DAILY: clothes meals swish and swipe each bathroom (DD8 often will do the main) clean kitchen after each meal- any dishes that won't fit in the DW are hand washed basic tidy up each day DD8 bedroom tidy up I have certain tasks on certain days: WEEKLY: Monday is the floors Tuesday is change bedding and ironing Wednesday is bathrooms and towels Thursday is dust and cobwebs Friday is floors and ironing Weekends- gardening How I worked out my weekly tasks was in reflection of the day- eg Monday the chn have swimming and we get home late- so I want and easy day. Wednesday is my day off, so I have the time to do the bathrooms. MENU: I follow a specific menu plan which is a six week rotating cycle. (Again, consider daily needs- eg Monday is my busy day so I often choose fish and salad for that day as it is quick to prepare.) DH is a computer nerd and used Access to make a menu/grocery program- each week he selects eg: 'Week 4' and the menu for week 4 generates a grocery list- with a quick check of the pantry/fridge we know what we need. The grocery list also includes store items (eg flour) and cleaning products (eg washing powder). One we check items as a quantity or a zero the program generates a grocery list. Now this is my super nerd hubby- the list is in aisle order and shelf order as you go down the aisle of our local grocery store. Sweet! Sometimes I miss the old style of hit and miss cooking days (... mince... hmmm, do I have a tin of tomatoes? oh a carrot!... any basil? yes! Spaghetti? no... oh well penne will do!). But overall, I love the fact that I can tell you that next Sunday I am having a beef roast with roasted beetroot, garlic, carrots, sweet potato and broccoli. With fruit and yoghurt for dessert! My time organiser is my regular calendar- I bought one with a column for each child (harder for you I realise). I told them all- if it isn't on the calendar it won't happen. School assignments, social engagements, meetings, visitors, family time and anything that impacts on a specific day. Good luck! How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! In other words- keep goals realistic. Em

The dolls are so cute. I like the ones that already have faces otherwise mine would be faceless!! I bought a package of just the doll Paperkins and will attempt to make some clothes. They make packages of the doll with clothes, but no packages of just clothes, I tried some other doll clothes but they are the wrong size. So I guess I'll be making clothes too!! The small checks and plaids would make cute dresses, shorts and tops, just have to get the pattern down. Wish I saved all my paper dolls from way back when, boy am I dating myself! If you have scrapbook magazines check those sometimes their might be a pattern or two in them.

You might try the scrapbooking store, or you can look up Constructive Playthings- www.cptoys.com. It's an educational company that carries all kind of stuff for teachers. They have a package of paper that is for multicultural skin tones. It is construction paper weight, and comes in packs of 72 sheets of 12 shades, for $6.

So, I've been working in that room a LOT! Packed up and donated a ton of stuff, but still have plenty left. The fabric and trims will be getting another thorough culling after I regain some steam. I wish I had taken a "before" pic, but it was just a mess. Imagine tubs and stuff and junk just strewn everywhere. Here's my "during" pics: That lamp was a $2 thrift store find! I just found an inexpensive shade, dressed it up with a little ric-rack and painted the finial to match. The desk is getting new paint and hardware. The shelf is also getting fresh paint. That yellow chair is the inspiration for the feel and color scheme of the room. The table...also getting fresh paint. I wanted a table big enough to really work at. Something big enough to sew, paint, cut fabric, etc. I already had that table, and decided this was the perfect spot for it. It has another leaf, too, so I can add another foot or so if I need to. I was looking for a rolling cart or shelf to store the sewing machines on, but couldn't find anything that met all of my needs, so I just made one! I used a piece of heavy plywood, added casters to the bottom and handles on the sides. The paint is still curing, but both machines will fit on it, and it stows nicely under the table. So far, the only new things I've bought were the lamp, the red rolling chair, and the hardware. I'm still searching for closed storage for the fabric, either a pantry or an armoire.