Holiday Grand Plan - Week Twelve

Another week closer to the big day!  How are your plans coming along?  If you are in the States, how are your plans for Thanksgiving coming?  Hopefully you're all doing well.  So far this month I've been staying on track with my cleaning and working hard on all the rest.  I'm looking forward to a fun month of December so keeping that in the back of my mind when I want to listen to my inner brat and not look at my to-do lists.

This week according to The Holiday Grand Plan site we are to be working on the attic/storage areas.  I don't have an attic or storage area that needs working on this week, so I will be working on my FlyLady zone for the week: The Bathroom & Bean's Room

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

• Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
• Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL..
• Wrap and label packages. 

*Chores - Flylady zone 3, Bathroom and Bean's Room*
      1. Bathroom
          - Wash rug, linens & shower curtain
          - Wash walls
          - Dust vents & fan
          - Wash light fixtures
          - Clean window, windowsill & screen
          - Scrub tub, toilet, sink & counter
          - Clean & organize cabinets and drawers
          - Empty & wash trash can
          - Sweep & mop floor

      2. Bean's Bedroom
          - Dust Ceiling Fan
          - Wash bedding & pillows
          - Vacuum & flip mattress
          - Straighten drawers & closet
          - Dust furniture
          - Clean under bed
          - Sweep & mop floor

Need more inspiration for Christmas planning? Check out my friends & leave them a comment too! :)
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Twelve

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eleven

Can you believe there are only 45 days left until Santa arrives? I am really getting excited!! I swear I am like a kid when it comes to Christmas.  It's not the presents - well I do love shopping and buying the presents, but I love decorating the house, baking, going to do fun Christmas activities and the snow! Oh I love the snow!

Last week I had Bubs home with the flu and mid-week I ended up coming down with it too.  He's all recovered and I'm mostly better now though, so that's good.  Even with all of that I was able to get all my chores for last week done! Yay! And yesterday I got a head start on this week's chores - I went ahead and did my zone work in the kitchen while I had extra hands around to help with the baby.

This week according to The Holiday Grand Plan site we are to be working on the garage and/or storage areas.  We don't have a garage but our back shed could use some work.  And it would probably behoove me to get the outdoor decorations out and ready to be set up before the snow arrives.  I can put them under the deck for storage right now, since I think it's just a touch early to be setting them out.  You'll want to head over over to The Holiday Grand Plan site to print off the lists for this week if you are planning on following all of their chores.  I'll be doing that chore and I'll be of course doing my Flylady zone for this week.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Figure out holiday clothes and make an appointment for pictures
4. Finalize Gift list & go shopping!

*Chores - Flylady zone 2, the kitchen*

1. Wash walls
2. Clean knick knacks
3. Wash light fixtures
4. Dust blinds
5. Clean all appliance inside & out - fridge, stove, microwave
6. Straighten & wash all cabinets and drawers
7. Clean trash can - oops forgot this!
   
8. Shine sink
9. Sweep & mop floor

That's the plan for this week. I'm already off to a great start so I think I will try to do some little extra things here and there around the house to get a head start on some other rooms.

How is your Christmas planning coming? If you are in the US, how are you doing on your Thanksgiving prep?

Need more inspiration for Christmas planning? Check out my friends & leave them a comment too! :)
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eleven

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Ten

Happy November 1st! We are in the home stretch now for getting ready for Christmas.  Now I am starting to get excited!  I do wish I had been able to get more accomplished up to this point, but what I have done is good so I take comfort in that fact.  However, now is the time to really make things happen.  Keeping in mind the goal of a peaceful and fun Christmas season should help me stay focused.  At least I hope so. :)

Last week I didn't get as much done as I had hoped. With Halloween and a sick kid at home for half the week, I think I did fairly well.  Halloween was fun and we lived in the moment of that. I think that is important to do. Getting caught up in what needs to be done or what we should be doing can sometimes spoil the fun that we could/should be having.  Important to live in the moments you know - create those fun memories with the kids.

With this being the start of a brand new month, I'm going to do my best to start with a brand new attitude about getting ready for Christmas.  Not that my attitude has been bad, but I have been able to let my inner brat talk me out of a lot of chores.  This month she is going to have to behave herself so that next month she can have fun.  That little inner brat will get rewarded with plenty of shopping on the weekends so that should make her happy. :)

The Holiday Grand Plan site says that this week's focus is on the family room. If you are following along with that site for the cleaning chores, you'll want to head over there and print off the forms you will need for this week's focus.  I'll be doing the FlyLady zone for my focus and this week that is on the dining room and patio.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Take down Halloween decorations.
4. Buy LED lights and put window lights up in the dining room.

*Chores*

      1. Dining Room
          - Plant in shower
          - Dust mop walls for cobwebs
          - Dust & Clean wall art
          - Dust knick-knacks & shelves
          - Clean ceiling fan
          - Clean tea cart & glass
          - Clean table & chairs
          - Move furniture, vac, sweep and mop

      2. Patio
          - Clean off patio
          - Sweep patio
          - Clean up bbq area

I know that some of my readers may be from the US, so you should be starting to think about what you are going to do for Thanksgiving.  Start decorating now - a little each day if you have to, plan your menu, look for linens and things.  There are a lot of details for you to cover so be sure to check out the Holiday Grand Plan site if you need a refresher of what you should be preparing now so that Thanksgiving goes smoothly for you.

Be sure to stop over and see how my friends who are also doing the Holiday Grand Plan are making out with their goals. Feel free to leave them a comment as well, I'm sure they would love it!
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Ten

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Nine

We are half way through the Holiday Grand Plan! Can you believe it?  I sure can't! I really need to step up my game from now on out.  No more excuses!

Last week went a bit better.  I feel like I made better use of my time and really got some things accomplished.  Not all of the things on my list but some of it - more than lately anyhow.  That's a good feeling.  Makes me feel like there is hope for the remaining nine weeks. :)  This is going to be a fun week.  We are on the last week before Halloween.  I finally managed to get the house decorated for Halloween, made Halloween sugar cookies with the kids & caramel corn. I've started working on the kids treats they will be taking to school to share with their classmates.  You'll want to check back on Tuesday for sure to see some of what we are making. I'll probably have a second post Thursday for the treats my daughter will be taking, since I can't make those too far in advance. We will also carve our pumpkins this week and roast the seeds. I'm excited & the kids are excited.  

This is also the last week of October. *sigh*  That means that I have one month left to really get it together around here so that come December I am relaxed and ready for FUN!  I can do it right?  Yes and so can you. :)

The Holiday Grand Plan site says this week our focus is the Pantry and Closets.  So if you are following that plan you'll want to go over and print off the sheets for this focus.  I am of course following Flylady zones, so this week I'll be focusing on the living room.  This will be the last time I can focus on the room before starting to decorate next month for Christmas (I start the weekend of the American Thanksgiving), so I really need to do a good job in here.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Start addressing Christmas cards and writing Christmas letter.
4. This week I will also start talking to the children about what they would like for Christmas. Time to get a list going and watching for sales.

*Chores - FlyLady zone 5. For me that is the living room, entry, and front porch.

      1. Living room
          - Clean window, windowsill and screens
          - Windex pictures & mirror
          - Dust and/or vacuum furniture
          - Vacuum floor
      2. Entry
          - Dust
          - Straighten closet
          - Sweep and mop
      3. Front Porch
          - Sweep down cobwebs
          - Sweep off porch
          - Shake door mat

This week's list feels very do-able to me, so maybe I can get it all crossed off and maybe work on a few extra things if I have time.

How are you coming on your holiday prep?  Getting excited or starting to panic?  Don't panic, just join in with me.  Trust me you are not far behind at all - there is still plenty of time to get organized to have a peaceful holiday season. 

Be sure to stop over and see how my friends who are also doing the Holiday Grand Plan are making out with their goals.
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Nine

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eight & a Giveaway!

Winner announced at the end of the post!


Photo from jmtimages' photostream on flickr

Last week wasn't a great week.  I didn't get much accomplished on my list chore wise.  I've come to the realization I've not been using my time wisely.  This week I am going to work harder at that.  I'm sure if I can get that under control I would get a lot more accomplished.  I did, however, get the Halloween decorations out and mostly up.  Just have a few more things to put up later today.  The baby was very excited about the decorating and really wanted to help with everything.  It was really cute.  I can only imagine how he's going to react to Christmas decorating.  I'm sure it's going to be a lot of fun!

I'm hoping that next Saturday we can head out to get some pictures taken with the pumpkin people and get our pumpkins for Halloween.  Probably should get the rest of the Halloween costumes dealt with as well.  This week I need to plan our All Hallow's Eve dinner, I want to make caramel corn too.

The Holiday Grand Plan site says that this week is kitchen week.  So if you are following along with the web site you'll need to check out the chores for the kitchen there.  I will be doing the FlyLady zone plan for my cleaning and this week for me it is the master bedroom and bub's room.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
6. Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.

*Checkpoint Week! Evaluate Your Progress:*

1. If unable to find an item for a person on list contact them or their family for ideas.
2. If a homemade gift is not going well, set it aside for after Christmas and decide on another gift.
3. Buy pumpkin for Halloween.
4. Review costume plans with children.

*Chores - FlyLady zone 4, for me that is the master bedroom & Bub's room*

1. Master Bedroom
    - Clean ceiling fan
    - Wash bedding & pillows
    - Vacuum & flip mattress
    - Straighten drawers & closet
    - Dust furniture
    - Sweep & mop

2. Bub's Room
    - Wash walls
    - Clean ceiling fan
    - Wash curtains & blinds
    - Clean windows, windowsills & screens
    - Wash bedding & pillows
    - Vacuum & flip mattress
    - Straighten drawers & closet
    - Straighten bookcase
    - Dust furniture
    - Sweep & mop

 So that is my plan for this week, we'll see how much gets accomplished with my new goal of using my time wisely.  Hopefully I'll have lots of good things to report next week.


Are you doing the Holiday Grand Plan or are you doing another plan to get ready for Christmas?  I believe FlyLady's Christmas plan starts this week if you are wanting to get started now on your holiday preparations. If you're doing a plan already, how are you coming along with your goals?

Oh I almost forgot!  This is my 100th post and well, knowing how I sometimes don't post for awhile, this is pretty exciting for me.  So I thought I would do a little holiday giveaway to celebrate.

 I'm going to offer a set of 4 handmade Christmas cards inside a folder to one of my lucky readers.

You can choose this one or

You can choose this one. :)

To win all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post and next Sunday (October 25) I will pick a winner with the help of random.org.  Go get commenting! :)

The winner of the card set is:   

TopHat said...
Oh right! Christmas is coming and I need to do cards! Thanks for the reminder! Maybe I'll win some and get a head start! :)

Congratulations!  I hope that you enjoy the cards. :)

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Eight & a Giveaway!

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Seven

Photo from puttytat's photostream on Flickr

Here we are starting off week seven already. How was your week last week? Did you get as much done as you had hoped?  I did a little better this past week.  Didn't get everything done on my list but that's OK.  I got a lot done, and the house is getting there.  One thing I didn't get done last week was my fall/Thanksgiving decorating.  The kids haven't said anything about it so I don't feel too horrible.  But I am determined to get the stuff out this week and decorate for Halloween.  I am going to do it.  I love decorating but the box is at the back of the storage cabinet and I am dreading digging it out - that's why it isn't done yet.  This week I will do it though.  The kids will be glad I'm sure, since they are starting to see other houses start to get decorated.

Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving.  This year is the first year ever that it will be just us.  I am really looking forward to a nice, relaxing day.  No pressure to cook and make sure the house stays clean for company. Just going to enjoy the day and cook a Turkey.  Whenever everything is done we will eat.  Should be a nice day.  Check back tomorrow to see what we are having. :)

The Holiday Grand Plan focus for this week is on the Guest Bedroom.  I don't have one of those so I will not be doing that room.  I'll be working on Flylady zone 3.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
6. Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
7. Decorate for Halloween.
   

*Chores - Flylady zone 3, for me that is the Bathroom & Bean's room *
     1. Bathroom
          - Wash rug, linens & shower curtain
          - Wash walls
          - Dust vents & fan
          - Wash light fixtures
          - Clean window, windowsill & screen
          - Scrub tub, toilet, sink & counter
          - Clean & organize cabinets and drawers
          - Empty & wash trash can
          - Sweep & mop floor

      2. Bean's Bedroom
          - Wash walls
          - Wash curtains & blinds
          - Wash light fixtures
          - Clean windows, windowsills & screen
          - Wash bedding & pillows
          - Vacuum & flip mattress
          - Straighten drawers & closet
          - Dust furniture
          - Clean under bed
          - Sweep & mop floor

Hopefully I am able to get a lot of this accomplished.  I'm thinking if I can get the bathroom done during the week, then on Saturday Bean and I can work together and get her room shiny.

What are your holiday prep plans for this week?  
Are you starting to feel more relaxed about the up coming holidays?  

Be sure to stop over and see how my friends who are also doing the Holiday Grand Plan are making out with their goals.
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark {Recipe for Christmas Cake to bake next weekend}
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Seven

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Six

Wow! Can you believe it is week 6 of the Holiday Grand Plan already? I can't!  Do you know what that means?  There are only 11 more weeks until Santa arrives.  If that doesn't light a fire under me I don't know what will lol.

Visions of Sugarplums
Browning, Tom Buy at AllPosters.com

How are you coming along on your plans? I'm doing fairly well with parts of it.  Some days it seems really overwhelming, and I just have to remind myself this doesn't have to be perfect. Any bit I do get accomplished is great and it's one less thing I will have to worry about come December. I'm doing fairly well on the cleaning part - well, depending on the week. But the holiday part, not a lot is getting done on those lists.  I have been making lists though.  Working on what the kids would like for Christmas ect.  I do have things to make some freezer meals, it's just finding the time to actually make them.  That's a lot of my problem, and one I'm sure many of you can relate to - time and the lack thereof.  Days seem to just fly by.  I think I need to try to make better use of my weekends?  That's hard too because I want to spend time with the whole family.  Balance sure is a struggle sometimes isn't it?

This week on the HGP the focus is the kid's rooms.  So if you are following that plan for your cleaning schedule head over there and see what you should be working on this week.  I follow the Flylady zones for my cleaning schedule because that works best for me.  This week my focus for cleaning is on the kitchen again.  I love that I get another chance at this before Christmas because not much was accomplished in there last month.

My goals for the week are:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use & one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes.
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now & store packages in them.
6. Check smoke detectors and clean them, change batteries if needed.
7. Make "goody basket" for guest bath, from samples found in abundance in stores right now.

*Chores - Flylady zone 2, for me that is the Kitchen *

1. Wash Walls
   
2. Clean knick knacks
3. Wash light fixtures
4. Clean all appliance inside & out - fridge, stove, microwave
   
5. Straighten & wash all cabinets and drawers
6. Clean trash can
7. Shine sink
8. Sweep & mop floor

Be sure to see what others who are following the Holiday Grand Plan are up to this week.
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Six

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Five

Buy at AllPosters.com

Well, here we are on week five already. How are your plans going? I am so far behind on the holiday aspects of this plan. I'm really trying hard not to panic and to not just quit. Just going to pick up this week like I'm not really (that far) behind and try to get done what I can. I keep saying anything done is better than nothing, but the last 3 weeks nothing was really done. That is discouraging but it's not like Christmas is next week so I should just keep plugging along.

This week the focus on the Holiday Grand Plan site is the Master Bathroom. Yeah, I am not doing that this week. I will be doing FlyLady's zone. For me that is the living room, entry and front porch.

My Goals for This Week:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
6. Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
7. Take toys and books that are outgrown, clean them up and prepare them for donation to toy drives.
8. Make list of toys and books that children would enjoy and that would fit in their rooms and that would work with what they have. Keep it hand for telling family what they would like.
9. Inventory clothing and have another list of clothing items needed. Measure the children and put measurements on this list.
10. Decorate for Fall & Thanksgiving
11. Review and revise menus and other plans
12. Plan table setting
13. Plan centerpiece

*Chores - FlyLady zone 5. For me that is the living room, entry, and front porch.

      1. Living room
          - Wash Walls
          - Wash Curtains
          - Clean window, windowsill and screens
          - Windex pictures & mirror
          - Dust and/or vacuum furniture
          - Vacuum floor
      2. Entry
          - Wash door in and out
          - Wash blinds
          - Wash walls
          - Dust
          - Straighten closet
          - Sweep and mop
      3. Front Porch
          - Sweep down cobwebs
          - Sweep off porch
          - Shake door mat
          - Paint front door

What are you going to do this week for the holiday prep? Have you started or do you usually wait until closer to Christmas?

To see what others are up to this week, take a look at these blogs:
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Kelly at Life at the Quinn Home
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Five

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Four

This post was actually written and posted on Septemeber 27,2009. I wanted to keep the information in order for those who are following along with the plan though.

Autumn Road Art Print Romanello, Diane
Buy at AllPosters.com

Welcome to week four of the Holiday Grand Plan. According to the HGP site the focus this week is on the Master Bedroom.  What do you know, that follows a long with my FlyLady schedule as well.  Although I will also be cleaning in my son's room as well.

My Goals for This Week:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying. Ask for gift boxes
5. Wrap and label packages. If needing to ship, get some shipping boxes now and store packages in them.
6. Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts.
7. Make list of any table and bathroom linens that need replacing before the holidays, and pick up a few each week.
8. Decorate for Fall
9. Check serving pieces for holiday meals.

*Chores - FlyLady zone 4, for me that is the master bedroom & my son's room*

      1. Master Bedroom
          - Wash walls
          - Clean ceiling fan
          - Wash curtains & blinds
          - Clean windows, windowsills & screens
          - Wash bedding & pillows
          - Vacuum & flip mattress
          - Straighten drawers & closet
          - Dust furniture
          - Sweep & mop

      2. Bub's Room
          - Wash walls         
          - Clean ceiling fan
          - Wash curtains & blinds
          - Clean windows, windowsills & screens
          - Wash bedding & pillows
          - Vacuum & flip mattress
          - Straighten drawers & closet
          - Straighten bookcase
          - Dust furniture
          - Sweep & mop

Again this week nothing much was accomplished.  Although over Labour Day weekend DH & I did pretty much do the zone for the master bedroom.  There was only a few things that we didn't get to, so I'll hopefully get to those next month.

And come to think I did work on stocking the freezer with things. I know it wasn't actual meals but there were some good sales and I have stocked the freezer with meat. I've also been working on a breakfast freezer session, so there are muffins and egg mc mom's in there. So I guess that's something. :)

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Four

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Three

This post was actually written and posted on Septemeber 27,2009. I wanted to keep the information in order for those who are following along with the plan though.

This week is week three of the Holiday Grand Plan.  According to the HGP site the focus is entry/foyer week.  Well, I do my cleaning according to FlyLady zones, so this week for me is the Bathroom & my daughter's room.

My Goals For This Week:

*Holiday Prep*

1. Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
2. Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
3. Buy two canned food items from Menus (get 2 of each item, one to use and one to donate to food drive).
4. Keep 2 boxes in a pantry area or storage place to put these in so that they are not used in everyday cooking - make sure to label them so that when food drives start your holiday supply stays intact and the food drive gets the food purchased for it.
5. Buy all supplies for homemade gifts. Package each project with directions and other information in zipper food storage bag and place in a basket or box in craft/sewing area.
6. Buy film, camera batteries, blank videotapes. Hide them; write yourself a note.
7. Plan Thanksgiving dinner using the holiday menu planner (our Thanksgiving is October 12)
   

Thanksgiving Smoke Coming out of Fireplace Art Print
Buy at AllPosters.com

*Chores - FlyLady zone 3, for me that is the bathroom & my daughter's room*

      1. Bathroom
          - Wash rug, linens & shower curtain
          - Wash walls
          - Dust vents & fan
          - Wash light fixtures
          - Clean window, windowsill & screen
          - Scrub tub, toilet, sink & counter
          - Clean & organize cabinets and drawers
          - Empty & wash trash can
          - Sweep & mop floor

      2. Bean's Bedroom
          - Wash walls
          - Wash curtains & blinds
          - Wash light fixtures
          - Clean windows, windowsills & screen
          - Wash bedding & pillows
          - Vacuum & flip mattress
          - Straighten drawers & closet
          - Dust furniture
          - Clean under bed
          - Sweep & mop floor

So since this is being posted at a later date, I'll tell you not much of this was actually accomplished.  Been dealing with some health issues that basically stopped me in my tracks for a few weeks.  More on that in another post though.  I'm a little stressed about how far behind I am in the holiday prep part of things, but really not worried about the cleaning part.  Since I follow (try to anyhow) FlyLady zones I know those zones will be repeated next month & hopefully I'll be up for getting more done.

You can check out how well the other girl's are doing on their plan here:
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Kelly at Life at the Quinn Home
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Three

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week Two

 Bean feeding the reindeer on Christmas Eve

Wow I can't believe how fast week one went.  I did get a fair amount of the work I had listed done,but I'll admit I didn't get many of the lists done.  The week was a bit off with the kids going back to school. I haven't quite settled into a new routine yet but it's getting there.  I'll be carrying over what lists I have to finish to this week, maybe I can get some of them done today.  You can check here to see what my plans were for last week & what I was actually able to get done.  I think I did well. :)

So here we are in week two of the plan.  This week is question week. If you're following the HGP cleaning plan the focus is on the living room, but for me I'm doing the Flylady zone so I'll be working in the kitchen.

My goals for the week are:

*Answer these questions:

1. Do I see Christmas time primarily as a time for entertaining friends and renewing long lost acquaintances or as a time for family?
2. How much emphasis do our Christmas activities place on the spiritual side of Christmas?
3. How involved is my family in the Christmas preparation?
4. What activities are particularly important to our family at Christmas? To myself?
5. Why do we observe the traditions we do in our house?
6. How important is an elaborately decorated house, homemade gifts or food, to my feelings about Christmas?
7. What would my ideal Christmas be like?

 *Holiday Prep

1. Buy extra flour, sugar, shortening, etc.
2. Make one extra meal for the freezer labeled HOLIDAY MEAL. This should be large enough to feed the family plus two people.
3. Develop ideas for gifts, decorations
4. Buy Christmas Card envelopes and address

*Chores - Flylady zone 2, for me that is the Kitchen

1. Wash walls
2. Clean knick knacks
3. Wash light fixtures
4. Wash blinds
5. Clean windows & screens
6. Clean all appliance inside & out - fridge, stove, microwave
   
7. Straighten & wash all cabinets and drawers
8. Clean trash can
9. Shine sink
10. Sweep & mop floor

So that is my plan for this week, we'll see what I am actually able to accomplish.  No matter what anything is better than nothing!
How did your planning go last week?
Are you starting to feel more excited about getting ready for Christmas?

Several others are also blogging about their Christmas preparations. You can find them all here & if you are just joining us please put your name & the link to your blog post about this week's Christmas prep in Mr. Linky.  Then we can all see what you are busy doing & come cheer you on!

Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Kelly at Life at the Quinn Home
Pippa at A Mother's Ramblings

Holiday Grand Plan - Week Two

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Holiday Grand Plan - Week One

Today is the day! It's the official start of the Holiday Grand Plan!  Are you excited?  A little nervous?  I am both of those things.;)  In case your not sure what I am talking about you can read all about it at Organized Christmas.

Week one is List and Porch Week. This is the week we will do all of our planning.  So don't feel as though since you didn't plan yet you can't join.  You've joined at the perfect time!

My goals for the week are: 

Lists: 

• Finish setting up my holiday binder. It's mostly done, I just need to print off a few recipes and maybe design a new cover if I have time.

• Make the following lists:

         * Start a master gift list
          * Christmas card list & list of designs to make
          * Menus for Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, New Years
          * Baking list (for us & gift-giving)
             - Molasses Cookies
             - Nauvoo Gingerbread Cookies
             - Chocolate No-Bake Macaroons
             - Oatmeal Cookies
             - Shortbread Cookies
             - Rolled Sugar Cookies
             - Chocolate Chip Cookies
             - Candies – Fudge, Toffee, Peppermint bark, Hard rock candy, Peanut brittle, Chocolate covered   pretzels, Buckeye balls
          *Freezer meals list (had a list but seems to have disappeared)

Chores:

• Flylady zone 1 – for me that is dining room, patio & entrance

          * Outdoors
            -Paint front door
            -Buy new mat
            -Paint deck
            -Power wash front of house
            -Weed garden
          * Dining room
             - Plant in shower
            -Wash walls
            -Dust & clean wall art
            -Clean ceiling fan
            -Wash curtains
            -Clean windows & windowsills
            -Clean crystal
            -Clean tables & chairs
            -Vac area rug & mop floor

This is my "plan", now how much of that I actually accomplish may be a different story.  The main thing is anything I do get accomplished is better than nothing at all.

So are you ready to get started? 
What are your plans going to be? 

I am so excited and eager to get started and to share the next 18 weeks with all of you. And, remember-make this plan (or any other plan you are using) your own. Pleas link up your blog using Mr. Linky if you are going to attempt to join me on Sundays to plan for the upcoming week & discuss how we did the previous week.

Holiday Grand Plan - Week One

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Holiday Grand Plan

 Did you know there is only 118 days until Christmas?  Wow where did the year go? Are you the type that likes to plan ahead and do a little here and there leading up til Christmas?  Or do you wait and do it all in December?

I usually try to work on it a little a time.  Actually the first year that I did it in an organized fashion (on purpose) was about 3 years ago.  The year before I got pregnant with little E actually.  That year Christmas went so smooth and it was so much fun.  We were relaxed and enjoyed lots of activities together. It wasn't rushed and all crazy.  It was the one year I really felt like we truly enjoyed Christmas together.  I tried to reproduce those results when I was pg (uh, 24/7 morning sickness didn't help) and then again last year.  Last year went a little better, but still not great.  This year I'm going to try again.  I figure anything I can get done is better than nothing.

So, you wonder how I am going to do this?  Have you ever heard of the Holiday Grand Plan?  The Holiday Grand Plan is an 18 week program that was written by Katie Leckey  in 1992-1993. The Holiday Grand Plan is the Web's oldest Christmas organizing plan. 

Every week (starting on Sunday, August 30th) you are given an assignment.  Part of it will be decluttering/cleaning and the other part will be holiday related. Such as making your Christmas card list, baking and making some extra meals for the freezer.  The goal is by the time mid-December rolls around you are done. Done decorating, done shopping, done baking.  All. Done. Free to have fun with your family, to really enjoy the holidays and all the festivities.

Here is what my Holiday Grand Plan calendar looks like for this year. I was thinking that every Sunday I would come make a post about what the goal for the week is, talk a little bit about what I am doing to get ready for Christmas and I was hoping some of you might like to join me.  It doesn't matter if you can't do it all, heck I there will be weeks I'll be doing good just to think about doing the assignment, but every little bit helps.

So think about it, go check out the Holiday Grand Plan website, then come back here on Sunday and let's have some fun getting ready for Christmas!

Holiday Grand Plan

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