THE SIMPLE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU SHOULD DO FOR YOU.

You working on your New Year's resolutions? Last year, I worked out something that changed my whole life.

It wasn't a voluntary thing, but the result of a corporate session held at work. The workshop was about negative behaviour and how it impacts our lives. After a totally inspirational talk, we were to do an activity. It was to write down just one negative pattern of behaviour in our lives, and work through the steps to make it positive.

My first struggle was to think of just one negative thing. I couldn't help but go through the extensive list of things I wanted to change in my life: exercising more, eating right, being a more patient parent, managing my work/life balance better. I wanted to meditate each morning, and make time for myself so I was better able to provide for my family. The list was getting quite long. Then after some more though, I went deeper: to the underlying issue of why I don't do any of these things.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO...

Make pancakes.

Plan next week's menu.

Bottle some garden produce.

Update the family wall calendar. 

Pay some bills.

Clean out a drawer (or two).

 Prepare dinner with a friend.

I love days like this.

What are you planning to do today?

ACCESSORIES. SORTED.

I've been meaning to share this post for over two weeks now. It's shameful that I've left it so long. But seriously, I think life has just gotten in the way of blogging. Even scheduling posts. Yes, life is sad when there's no time to even schedule!

My best friend couldn't come to my birthday do back in September, but instead decided to purchase something she knew I'd love.

You see, I have a few accessories. Not as many clothes, but LOTS of earrings, necklaces, bracelets and scarves. And she found this amazing standing mirror-come-secret-cupboard-with-a-key.

See? You wouldn't know there was anything in this slim-line beauty!

I'm especially loving the key bit, because then little fingers can't break my cute things. (It's been known to happen before, just once or twice... I even have jewellery repair tools for this very purpose...)

Before I had my fancy new secret-hiding-place-mirror, this is how I use to have my things... on the dresser, and very easy access to toddlers and pre-schoolers.

Sure, it looks pretty, but seriously, how can you get all your trinkets out of a box like this?

I'm all for easy access, and colour coodination...

... like this.

It makes my inner OCD very happy.

(Thank you Nine for the cool present!)


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IT'S GOOD TO REMEMBER THE LITTLE THINGS.

So, last week I received this email from a friend:

Hi Kym, I found this today in a pile of papers Alesia had been drawing. I think she is a good candidate for the Kym Piez school of personal organization :-)

I know she isn't related to me (except by awesome friendship), but I was so proud. Alesia had written a 'to-do' list of her evening, making sure she hadn't left anything out. She had even included "Clean YOUR teeth" (probably the exact way her mum says it each night).

On the odd occasion, I might have mentioned that I make lists (here and here). In fact, I write one every day. And because I'm an overachieving neat freak, it helps me to ensure that my days aren't wasted. I'm sure Alesia feels the same way.

Did I mention that I'm so proud? Probably prouder than her mum (who thinks I should start a school of organisation). Which isn't a bad idea when I think about it.

Hmm, perhaps I should add that to my 'to-do' list?

Is there something that you're renown for? Are you teased about it? Do you think it's a good thing to be remembered for, or a bad thing?

why my kids are helping me go a little lala

I just want to say up front that I love my kids. Really I do.

But sometimes they drive me a little LaLa.

Because they really ruin my OCD tendencies (perhaps better said CDO - because then it would be in alphabetical order. There, much better).

I may have mentioned a few times (like here, here and here) that I like systems and order. The house in its entirety - cupboards and all - in its place. That includes the toys, the tupperware cupboard and even the third drawer in the kitchen. Yes, that drawer.

Let's face it, the idea is much nicer than the reality. But kids just ruin. it. all.

LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF SAMPLES.

In my weird little mind, not buying $40 foundation helps to square up the cost of my husband's recent trip to Europe.

Yeah, I know. And to save all those thousands of pennies, I've reverted to using make up samples.

I don't know what's wrong with me... I don't even wear make up more than twice a week. (And that's a big make up week.) So, it's not like I slap it on and buy new stuff every month. 

And please don't ask me what else I've done to 'save' money.

How do you try and save money?

9th silly thing | check first before spending

There's a reason why we need plenty of storage space. Firstly, we own too much stuff. Secondly, in order to see all the stuff we have, it needs to be easy to see and access too. Just so we don't forget what there is.

And Friday, I discovered other benefits.

Like financial benefits. Emotional benefits. And health benefits.

And having a little clean out of two small baskets holding herbs, spices and first aid stuff, I was amazed.

Amazed at how many double ups we had (financial). How much rubbish we had (emotional). How many things had reached their use by date (health).

And the other emotional benefit. Knowing I didn't need to buy Lemon Pepper, Cumin, Basil and Panadol for around ten more years, or until their use by date. Whichever comes first.

how on earth did i manage time to do this?

My life is a like a fish bowl.

Well, okay. My life is a Very Small fish bowl. Without water and fish. I'm not good with fish.

I put large stones in my bowl. It looks full. Then I put in pebbles and shake the jar lightly. The pebbles roll into the open areas between the large stones. The bowl is now full. A box of sand is then poured into the bowl. The sand fills up everything else. The jar must surely be full. Then I pour two cups of tea into the bowl, which fills the empty space between the sand.

Now, the bowl is officially full.

The large stones are the important things in my life – God, my family, health, friends and favorite passions — things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, my life would be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like my job, house and car. Well, maybe not my car. The sand is everything else — the small stuff.

If I'd put the sand into the fish bowl first there would be no room for the pebbles or large stones. The same goes for life. If I spend all my time and energy on the small stuff, I would never have room for the things that are important to me.

Like blogging.

I can't believe I'm going to say it. But after four days of not doing it, I miss blogging. And, I quickly discovered that even though I had an hour more free time each night, I wasted it on things I didn't enjoy.

Like folding washing. And ironing.

Ugh.

I also realised how much blogging was the reward at the end of my busy day. My quiet time to reflect. The inspiration to finish my tasks quickly. Turns out that my daily 'to do' list isn't the only thing that keeps me focused. If I don't have a goal, I just dawdle my way to the end of the day.

And still go to bed late.

Then, when I don't have to, on my first 'blog free' day, I thought of a million things to write about. I was writing blog entries in my sleep.

So here I am, willingly going at it again. Picking a theme and blogging about it every day.

What do you know? Blogging is one of my passions. One of my big stones. If I reset my priorities, ironing is just sand.

And the cups of tea? No matter how full my life may seem, there’s always room for a cup of tea with friends.

ALL THE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD. AND I STILL GET IT WRONG.

Empty reasons for my past

Excuses do not hold

I’m stuck with my affliction

An inner perfect storm

Why didn’t someone warn me

To save me from myself

The pain is self-inflicted

The decisions were my own - Cutless

Confession: With all the technology I own, you'd think I was completely organised.

But today I had it wrong.

Outlook, my iPhone and my calendars all synced. Except the one I actually looked at - my handwritten diary. There was an appointment and I wrote it on the wrong page.

Doh.

But not to fear, my VIA (very important appointment) was also making sure I hadn't forgotten and so reminded me last night to make sure we were still catching up. Lucky for both of us. Because she would have travelled 40 minutes to not see me, and I would have missed her and her beautiful children by a whole week.

No matter how organised I think I am... sometimes I really miss the boat.

Do you forget to check all your electronic devices?

23rd plan b | doing all the work instead of letting it go

I love you like a fat kid loves cake - 50 cent

My once a month Food Club finally arrived and I was excited because it's been two months since I last went (thanks to sick children).

The theme? Christmas in July, or as a fellow foodie called it: Merry Midwinter.

I personally prefer the latter. But we did wear Christmas hats, feast on hors d'oeuvres, roasts chicken, turkey, pudding with Brandy Sauce, baked vegies, and the most divine bean salad.

Not that I like to squeeze too much in my day (cough, cough) I decided as well as making dinner for my family, and two sides for Food Club, I also thought I could also clean my house from top to bottom, as well as get my hair done, put on makeup and - oh - wrap up my Kris Kringle gift.

So please remind me if I decide to do this again, that it doesn't matter if I don't do everything.

I did do it all, but it's definitely not worth all the stress.

20th plan b | what a joy to just watch and play

After chasing sunsets

One of life's simple joys

Is playing with the boys - Kenny Loggins

With all the helpers in the home right now, all my work is mostly done, and completed much faster than usual. And there's so much more time to stop and play.

Watching the boys in action is far more enjoyable than working, or even more, housework. And seeing the youngest boy taking part in a game of Hide and Seek was so cute. Especially when he kept hiding in exactly the same place. And the look of delight every time. Oh, I could eat him all up.

So much better than housework.

19th plan b | changing rooms instead of changing scenery

Every day is so wonderful

And suddenly, I saw debris - Christina Aguilera

When family take over your house, one thing is certain. Once the cleaning, the washing, the entertaining and child minding is taken care of, there's nothing left to do.

Well, almost.

My first employer drummed into me that there is always something to do. She said, There's no such thing as being bored, which I've learnt is true.

And when when the every day jobs are done, there's time for all those other jobs. The ones you rarely have a chance to do.

Like, going through my wardrobe. Sorting my necklaces. Visiting Vinnies on a very regular basis. Cleaning out and changing rooms.

It's been so much fun. And to cull like there's no tomorrow has certainly proved to be cleansing for the mind, and the space.

12th plan b | a day of innings instead of a day of outings

Never opened myself this way

Life is ours, we live it our way

All these words I don't just say

and nothing else matters - Metallica

When a child wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, it's easy to just say 'no' to all previous plans.

That's what I did. Playgroup could wait. So today we did other stuff:

• We cooked dinner for the next three nights
• We played with our toys
• We opened birthday presents (thanks to Kellie)
• We played checkers
• We learnt the names and moves to all the chess pieces (well... he insisted)
• And we taught our new monkey (also thanks to Kellie) how to play chess too
• We drew on our face
• We played Memory
• We ran errands, and bought a few necessary items from the shops

And despite the unsure start this morning, the day turned out quite nicely. Two happy children for most of the day.

(We also discovered an extra tooth this evening which might account for the bad behaviour this morning.)

It's days like today that I don't mind being at home for most of it.

TOO LATE FOR AN EARLY NIGHT.

There's only emptiness

In the late of night

Just before I closed my eyes - Toni Braxton

Every night it’s the same.

I say, “I’m going to have an early night.” But then I work until all the jobs are done, and then I want to unwind, log onto Facebook, do some blogging, and...

Voila. It’s after midnight.

And I wonder, how did this happen?

Then I retrace my steps... was there a stage when I should have stopped my jobs? Perhaps I shouldn't have checked my emails? Should I just have not tried to finish everything?

Why so late every night?

So last night I'm in bed by 11:30pm. Not bad. But definitely not early.

At midnight my phone rings. It's my Special People calling from Heathrow Airport. We chat for a bit, and then we're disconnected.

An hour later they ring again. We chat some more. They were upgraded and spent their 22 hour journey in first class. They have had a great trip. They're buzzing with excitement and have just passed Windsor House.

Then I can't go back to sleep. For a moment I felt like I was in their hire car with them. And I'm replaying the conversation, sensing their relaxed vibe. And wishing I was there.

Perhaps I'll try an early night tomorrow...

lesson twenty seven | there's liberation in slothing

“Free your mind and let it all hang out, be yourselves, go there with positive energy if you have any in your body.” – Fred Durst

Today was one of those 'hang it all out' kind of days. The days where we wore pyjamas until before dinner, the house was a mess, and I didn't even care.

I figured that nobody wass coming over, and I didn't have to worry about what my husband thought (he should be home from his weekend away any minute now). We just slothed.

Yep, that's what we did.

I threw my list out the window today. Okay, not literally. But I made a conscious effort not to make a new one for the weekend on Friday. And it worked. I achieved nothing really special today, and I liked it.

We cooked what we wanted, ate when we felt like it, and today I just put aside the 'guiltometer' on just about everything.

It was so liberating that perhaps we might do it again sometime. In fact, there's a husband-free weekend coming up again soon...

lesson eighteen | a list a day keeps the procrastinating away

"One of the secrets of getting more done is to make a TO DO List every day, keep it visible, and use it as a guide to action as you go through the day.” – Jean de La Fontaine

My Type A personality, says that I'm a list person. And not only do I write a list just about every day, I do today's list the day before.

Yes I do.

Each morning in that sacred time before the family wakes up, I go through yesterday's checklist for today in conjunction with my diary, update it, and then during the day, I work on the next day's checklist.

Am I a little insane? Yes, most likely.

Perhaps a little obsessive compulsive? Definitely.

And so the picture above is yesterday's checklist for today. Taken first thing in the day before things are crossed off. (Is it just me, or does that feeling of accomplishment happen when each item is addressed?)

Of course, I never achieve everything on my list. And many things are transfered from one day to the next, sometimes for days. And there are things that don't even make the list. Things like 'prepare and eat meals' and 'play with the kids'. I guess they usually happen in some informal way everyday. And then there's things that should be on the list, that aren't. Like 'get dressed' because, if I don't write this down, on days like today, it may not happen until after dinner time. Perhaps I should add that to my list too?

So, I've started this post at the beginning of day, and will finish it this afternoon... let's see how we go.

* * * * * * * * *

So, I'm still in my pyjamas, but the phone calls were made, the spreadsheets balance, the house is clean, dinner is prepared and the boys and I are about to head to the bath. I gave work the cold shoulder today, but feel good about the time I spent with Madison (although it didn't seem to quell the attitude issues I've had to deal with today). I guess I can't have everything ticked on a list, despite my willingness to try.

Where would I be without a list? Well, firstly I wouldn't be completing my daily blog this moment, and perhaps would be surfing the internet instead, checking my emails and procrastinating. (I'm awfully good at the latter.) Secondly, I wouldn't have a routine (which I need so desperately), and finally, if I didn't have a list I don't think I'd be able to have a sense of satisfaction when I wondered what I did today.

lesson thirteen | a day of rest guarantees good things for the rest of the week

“Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” – Ralph Marston

There's nothing better than taking a day 'off' during the week. A day where you don't think about anything else other than that day. A week off the pressures of life. To just enjoy.

Statistics say that you live longer if you do.

My theory is that we also function better too.

After having a restful day yesterday (including a nana nap), today was relaxing too. But I'm amazed and what was achieved.

By 4pm, I had prepared 3 cooked meals (which included yummy pancakes for breakfast), done all the washing and folding, completed all those little sewing jobs, washed walls, cleaned 2 prams and had a spotless kitchen.

In that time I'd also spent enjoyable time with most of my little family.

It was just one of those days where the kids played quietly, hubby and I could catch up over casual conversation (and guitar playing), while getting those little jobs finished. All in a semi-rested environment.

It was bliss. And the perfect way to finish a lovely weekend.

lesson four | late to bed early to rise achieves results, sleep optional

"To know much sleep less." — Anonymous

Never has my desk been more organised, my days been more planned or my house been so clean and tidy. There's been time to bake, and I even have lots of time to enjoy, play and learn with my boys.

But I have a confession.

It makes me so tired.

Let me explain...

With the boys' changing their afternoon routines, I decided to change mine. Madison and Noah both used to have an afternoon sleep at the same time. But now Noah has merged his two sleeps into one while Madison has suddenly discovered he doesn't needs a sleep after all. Let's just say, Quiet Time isn't as quiet as it was.

So instead of getting frustrated every afternoon expecting both of them to go down to sleep, I just now get up earlier and work quietly in my office.

It had been working like a dream. Before the household rises at around 7am, I've already worked an hour or two. The house is completely quiet, and there's time to focus on my 'desk' jobs. And then when the afternoon comes, we're free, and I'm not thinking about when I need to get all that work done.

My original theory was to turn my day around so I'm not up late doing things. But that side of the plan hasn't exactly worked. So, instead of going to bed at 10:30pm like I hoped, more jobs have crept in, and I'm still hitting the pillow around midnight, sometimes later.

And even though the boys now sleep through, 4-5 hours of sleep a night for me just isn't working.

Which is a shame, because if I didn't need sleep so much, I'd be getting so much work done.

HOW DO YOU LIVE WITHOUT SYSTEMS + ORDER?

Or·der (ôrdr) n. 1. A condition of methodical or prescribed arrangement among component parts such that proper functioning or appearance is achieved.

Call me an Overachieving Neat Freak, but I love it when my house is clean and tidy. It makes me feel complete.

Okay, that makes me sound totally shallow. But, it's true.

Somehow my head comes out of the fog, I feel like I've accomplished something during the day, and it puts me in a good mood.

And so after getting all dressed up yesterday, today was the Day of Sloth while getting the house sorted.

I decided that I'm sick of tripping over toys, and they just can't be in the hallway anymore. Most of them have now been sorted in baskets and placed on top of the boys' bedroom cupboards where no-one can reach them (until I say so, that is). The pile of papers on my kitchen bench that has been there for months has finally been cleared. And my desk: I can see the fake wood grain once again.

My husband, who likes things sort of organised and kind of ordered, also hates change. So he does get worried when I'm on a spree like this, because after a big clean up, there's usually a change in the organisation system (ie. the toys). And he may groan a bit, but grudgingly gets used to the new way We Do Things.

Mind you, just because I like being organised and systematic, doesn't mean that I have things that way all the time.

These days it's an incredibly rare phenonomen.