**OUR MODIFIED "CHOREGANIZER" CHART**

This item has been a huge help to our family in getting organized and staying organized! We use the plastic pamphlet holder containers that are found in the stationary store, and the children put their cards in there instead of the holder provided in the kit. The cards kept falling out of the original holder. We laminated all the cards, and created a few extras of our own! I attached the cards to a vinyl background, with velcro sewed onto it. This way the cards would not fall off! I had these plastic holders screwed onto their bulletin boards in their bedrooms, with (see photo) the "Choreganizer" chart beside it:

CHOREGANIZERS (by Jennifer Steward, Introduction by Gregg Harris)

"Devised by a homeschooling family wanting to get organized, this simple and ingenious system will motiviate children to do their chores cheerfully. Package of 44 colorful, smudge-resistant picture chore cards, one “How to” chart, one “Job” chart."

http://www.hsmarketplace.com/sections/products/Resources/CharacterBuilders/MiscellaneousMore?product=3668

We have a FILE called, "Daily List of Activities for Children", which is a checklist that you can print off, with daily chores for each child.

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/files/

It is my hope that you and your family will be blessed by these posts!

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**DINNER'S IN THE FREEZER! (by Jill Bond)**

This is a helpful book to have, with some lifestyle changes that go with it!

".. Dinner's in the Freezer! by Jill Bond ... Fuller, author of Motivating Your Kids From Crayons to Career. Dinner's in the Freezer! is much more than a cookbook ..."
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1931343136/104-9459741-0901568?v=glance

We made some "lifestyle" changes after reading this book! (Especially since we have a large family of 9!) This book is NOT just meant for large families, though!

a) We shop at a restaurant supply store to buy "in bulk" and save money!
b) We buy large bags of organic rice (in bulk) from a health food store, instead of small bags of brown rice (not organic), at the grocery store.
c) We use TWO microwaves, every day now, instead of only one. (This has made a HUGE difference in our food preparation time!)

Jill has some excellent timesaving pointers in her book, that will cut your
preparation time down, considerably! Though I don't use her book as much as the "MAKE-A-MIX COOKBOOK", I am SO thankful for the changes we made after reading her suggestions!!

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**THE CLEANING AND DEJUNKING CARTS**

I am quite excited to finally have the opportunity to show you these two photos on this website! The photos are of two tools I use, to clean my house!

a) THE CLEANING CART - It is a grocery cart with a dishpan in thebottom. I purchased it at Wal-Mart. I have attached two small pails to the sides. One plastic "kitchen catcher" bag is attached to each side of the cart to hold the following: (I use binder clips to hold them.)
1) garbage (in the bag on the side with the handle)
2) used cleaning cloths (in the bag on the front)
One pail has unused cleaning cloths in it, rubber gloves, etc.The other pail has tools, like brushes, scrapers, old toothbrushes,etc. The dishpan holds all the cleaning products.

b) THE DEJUNKING CART - is a laundry cart, to sort laundry, that I also purchased at Wal-Mart. It has three main sections, and twoextra sections attached to the sides. These are the sections fromleft to right, which are all colour coded:
1) The bag on the far left holds empty shopping bags, that I collect to be donated to the thrift store, or recycled.
2) Donations to the thrift store, in the "Blue Bag It" bags they ask customers to use at the Salvation Army.
3) Garbage goes in the dark bag. (It looks like a garbage bag.)
4) The orange bag holds recycling paper (mixed paper and cardboard).
5) The bag on the far right, holds newspapers and magazines that will be recycled.

You could organize a cart anyway you like! These carts have been HUGE timesavers!! I can move very quickly through a room, and sort through items, as a wheel it around. It is very lightweight! In closing, I would like to tell you that I found these ideas after prayer with a friend, for solutions to organizing my home. I went to Wal-Mart, and met a professional cleaning lady, who was shopping in the cleaning section! She taught me how to set up these carts, and showed me where to buy things, like disposable gloves for cleaning. It was an amazing answer to prayer! I'd love to hear if these will help you out! They have been a HUGE blessing to our family!

Blessings to you!!

© Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**OUR RECYCLING PROBLEM IS FINALLY SOLVED!!**

For those of you struggling with handling recycling materials, I have attached a photo with a solution that our family uses. We purchased large Rubbermaid bins and cut out a rectangular slot in the top. (For some reason, kids like to put the papers through the slot and "mail" them into the bin!!) I saw these type of bins used in a school, for recycling, and it worked extremely well! The lid kept the items from falling out, and had the label on the top, so kids knew where to put their recycling. (You can color code your bins, any way you like!)

METAL CANS & GLASS - green bin
MILK JUGS - beige bin
BOTTLE DEPOT - darker blue bin
MIXED PAPER - medium blue bin
NEWSPAPERS & MAGAZINES - blue recycle waste basket
I have attached a photo, so you can see what it looks like! Hopefully this will help some of you out, in putting chaos into order! (It helped us out a lot and the bins stack easily, to save space.)

For more housekeeping tips, please come visit us at:

http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/

We are a group of Above Rubies ladies, as well as some others, that are working hard to organize our homes and lives. You are welcome to visit us!

© Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**THE ARMY WALK**

The "ARMY WALK" is amazing! It literally MELTS the pounds away! If you can do it at least four times a week for 15 - 30 minutes at a time, it will really help to get in shape FAST! My father taught me how to do this walk, when I was a little girl, and late for school. (It was TOO far for me to run all the way!) He said, "DO THE ARMY WALK!" ....and away I went!! (He had learned to do it in the reserves, while he was a teenager. You can keep it up for long distances without getting tired!)

WHAT IS THE ARMY WALK?

a) 50 paces of running (every time your LEFT foot hits the ground, count one)
b) 50 paces of walking (count the same way) ....this is your "recovery"

I searched for this method of running on the internet, and could only find
a few articles similar to it, called, "Fartlek". I found one at the link below:

http://www.kasd.org/hs/tlindenmuth/NewStrengthSite/Articles/Fartlek2.htm

Hope this helps you out!!

© Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**THE ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE Xbx PLAN FOR WOMEN**

Since several women were interested in the fitness programs I had used to get "into shape" with my seven children, I have posted a link below. (The book retailed at $12.89 and I recently discovered that it is no longer for sale at bookstores, but would only be available second hand, since it is out of print.) I LOVE this program, since I do believe that women can do A LOT in 15 minute time intervals, and this exercise program will take you 15 minutes (maximum), to do each day! (I take one day a week off, as a day of rest from exercising.)

The Royal Canadian Air Force Xbx Plan for Physical Fitness for Women (Penguin Health) (Paperback)
A simple 10 - 15 minute, daily exercise program for women, that produces great results!! (If you read the write-ups from Amazon, you will see reviews for the 5Bx program for men as well. Both programs have received 5 star ratings from reviewers! I recently contacted a book supplier, and discovered that the book is no longer available. You may be able to find it second hand. You may find it for about $5.00 to $10.00 Canadian.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140069720/qid=1127191707/sr=1-2/r\

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**TURNING COMPLAINING INTO BLESSING OTHERS**

This is a good way to "dejunk" our marriages! I recently read how Gary Thomas recommends turning our COMPLAINING energy, into something USEFUL, to BLESS others, especially our husbands!

"Experience the joy--perhaps for the first time in your life--of SELFLESS LIVING...Eventually, Satan will get the hint, but if he doesn't, your husband is going to feel really special! Either way, you win." (page 106)
"Devotions for a Sacred Marriage"(Gary Thomas)
http://www.garythomas.com

His closing remarks are:

"What spiritual travail do you face that you can overcome by turning all the negative thinking and fretting into a positive act of love and affirmation.....If, like me, you have a difficult time keeping yourself from fretting, stop resisting and start substituting. Use every temptation to fret as a call to pray for, and act lovingly toward, your spouse. This week, revel in God's great escape." (page 107)

What a challenge!

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**THE PEDOMETER LADIES**

On September 13, the "Pedometer Ladies" group just started up! This group was created especially for LADIES who use pedometers during the day. We track our steps, as we clean our homes! We set our pedometers at Zero, at the start of the day, and then log in our steps when the day is over!

The group description is below:

"We are a new group of ladies that wear pedometers to keep us moving! Using a pedometer while doing housework, is a GREAT motivator, to MOVE!! We monitor our progress, by counting our steps with our pedometers. We track 15 minute intervals, or 1 hour intervals. Our goal is to put on 250 steps in 15 minutes (1,000 steps/hour) for LESS ACTIVE jobs such as: cooking, dishwashing and ironing. Our goal is to put on at least 500 steps in 15 minutes(2,000 steps/hour) for MORE ACTIVE jobs such as: putting laundry away and putting other items away. So set your pedometer, grab your "Housekeeping Pedometer Chart", (in our FILES), your timer, and let's go!!"

The group site can be found at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/

An excellent website to purchase pedometers from is "Steps Count Inc.":

Steps Count Inc. - Health Organizations - Canada's #1 Pedometer Company

"Biofeedback is an important part of motivating people when they are starting a physical activity program. ... number of steps can be inaccurate. Steps Count pedometers use a patented coiled spring mechanism that ... steps along the way."

http://www.stepscount.com/health.html

© Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**GREAT FITNESS POSTERS - "SHAPE-UP EXERCISES"**

I found out about these posters, from a Christian chiropractor at a church we attended. He and his wife were in great shape, and he felt these exercises were safe for the back, neck, etc. They will work out every major muscle group!

Bruce Algra's Fitnus Series, Food Pyramid, Workout and Stretching ...
Bruce Algra's Health, Educational and Inspirational Posters. Featuring FoodPyramid Posters, Weight Training, Workout and Stretching Posters.
www.algra.com/

The also have prenatal exercise posters for women. This is the exercise poster place!! We put our poster, "SHAPE UP EXERCISES" on the wall in our rec. room. I made two exercise mats, about 27" x 72" long with 1" foam inside, and heavy vinyl on the outside. We made them so they could attach together, with velcro, like the school gym mats. You can also use them for camping! YES, it is GREAT for homeschooling!! We exercised using the "SHAPE-UP EXERCISES" together. Now that four of the seven are teenagers, they are STILL very "fitness" oriented! Children learn by example, even if we are not always consistent in our role modeling! My mother made me an exercise mat, when I was a teenager, so I did the same for my kids! Just passing on the tradition!!

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING**

Natural Family Planning (NFP) has been a huge part of my life, over the past twenty plus years of my marriage. Having attended many workshops on this topic, as well as numerous conferences and couple to couple training sessions, I felt I had enough of a background to share this information with other women. Since the medical doctor, who delivered my first three children, was a medical advisor for SERENA CANADA, I naturally used the Serena method, throughout most of my married life. (She had also been on a Faculty of Medicine, educating resident doctors, about the benefits of using Serena.) These methods are safe, natural, and have no harmful side effects. Natural Family Planning has also been proven to be highly effective. Many Christian women prefer to use natural methods, since there are many risks and side effects associated with artificial birth control. They may need to delay or avoid pregnancy due to health related concerns, their medical histories, or other reasons. I have posted four new links on the website:
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10

For those of you who would prefer to contact an organization, with personal feedback, and teaching on the Natural Family Planning methods, I would encourage you to contact the three groups listed in this blog. I have posted them below:

THE COUPLE TO COUPLE LEAGUE:
"Couples worldwide are choosing Natural Family Planning (NFP) for its healthful and marriage-building qualities, as well as its usefulness to plan or postpone pregnancy. Many couples are also grateful to use a family planning method that is in harmony with their religious beliefs."

http://www.ccli.org

SERENA NATURAL FAMILY PLANNING:
"Serena is a Canadian organization of people who use and promote the Sympto-Thermal Method (STM) of Natural Family Planning. "

http://www.serena.ca

WORLD ORGANIZATION OVULATION METHOD BILLINGS (WOOMB)
"offers information on the Billings Ovulation Method of natural family planning, research papers, and teaching material."

http://www.woomb.org

TAKING CHARGE OF YOUR FERTILITY (by Toni Weschler)
"This is the ONE book you must read to help you on your journey to pregnancy. It is the Ultimate Guidebook for those who are seriously trying to get pregnant.Taking Charge of Your Fertility has helped literally hundreds of thousands of women achieve pregnancy, avoid pregnancy naturally, or simply gain better control of their health and lives. This book thoroughly explains the... FertilityAwareness Method."

http://www.babyhopes.com/takingchargeofyourfertility.html



THE OVU-TRAC (microscope with slides & a 28 page booklet)
This site contains a microscope with slides to test your saliva. This will help determine your peak day of ovulation. (Other artificial contraceptives are for sale on this site, as well, and I cannot personally endorse these.) Using the OVU-TRAC is a totally NATURAL method of family planning, to prevent or achieve pregnancy.

http://www.onlinebirthcontrol.com/ovutrac.html

Hope this blesses you and your families!

Copyright Organizing Annie 2005


http://www.advicefromannie.com
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/ToDosandTaDas/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniesFitnessGroup/

**Devotional Summary: "A SPIRITUALLY TIGHT MARRIAGE"**

This morning I finished reading a devotion by Gary Thomas from his excellent and inspiring book: "Devotions for a Sacred Marriage".

http://www.garythomas.com

I would like to share a summary of his comments with you. He began his message by quoting from Proverbs 3:3. "Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart."

He reminds us all to:

1) Remain faithful to the wedding vows we made to our marriage partners, and be 100% faithful to that partner, with NO distractions! Remain mentally faithful as well!
2) Wear modest clothing, so that we "stay connected" with our own husband, and do not weaken the intimate "wall" that is there to protect our own marriages. Do not breach this wall!
3) Value fidelity! A woman's husband is her exclusive partner for life.
4) Be faithful to God's commands.....no fornication, no adultery. "You shall not commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14)

His closing comments are, "Become extreme. Throw yourselves at each other while becoming blind, sexually, to everyone else. Only then will you know God's full design and intentions for true sexual satisfaction." (page 104)

Hope you found this summary inspiring and thought provoking! Let us commit to "cleaning out the cobwebs" of our marriage, along with cleaning our homes!!

Praying for you ladies!

Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**CONFIRMATION**

An amazing thing happened on the second day! I began the morning with devotions from my ONE YEAR BIBLE (The Living Bible Translation), and the devotion for that day, September 5, had a verse which literally jumped out at me! It was 2 Corinthians 8:11.....

"Having started the ball rolling so enthusiastically, you should carry this project through to completion just as gladly, giving whatever you can out of whatever you have. Let your enthusastic idea at the start be equalled by your realistic action now." (In the NIV it reads: "Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means." )
All I could think of, was wow!! This is amazing!! I had just finished posting a message to the Above Rubies ladies, that our group was up and "rolling"!! Here was a passage, using the same word "rolling", in a very appropriate context!! Reading this passage was a HUGE motivator to me, since it came exactly when I needed it! We were literally "up and rolling", with new members being added every day!! PTL for His faithfulness!! I am hoping and praying that these sites will be a blessing to many, in spreading the Good News of the gospel, and help us to bless others, as the keepers of our homes!

© Organizing Annie
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://www.organizingannie.blogspot.com/

**THE FIRST DAY - SEPTEMBER 4, 2005**

The idea for beginning this group began years ago. I was never quite sure how to start one up! After searching through various support groups on the internet, for housekeepers, I decided to start up one myself! I had enough ideas and resources available to me, to share with other women. I have been particularly blessed with resources and people who have really improved my life in various ways. The website contains links and files, which I keep adding to daily. My first post, welcoming new members was at 5:47 pm on Sunday evening. Within 24 hours we had 10 new members! I began loading as many files and links as possible, since I knew that time is limited in reaching people. I am hoping that the links will provide answers to questions and problems that the women are struggling with. There is a balance of links, with practical and spiritual help available. It will take time to post them daily, but I am posting them "as the Spirit moves me". If I wake up, and feel the leading to put a particular link or file on the site, I do it! I am hoping to increase the sizes of the files and links, from what they are now. We hope the site has been a blessing to you! Please feel free to add your own links and files to this site. (They must be uplifting and beneficial to the ladies on the site. ) Please feel free to visit our site and join us! You are MOST welcome!! :)

Annie


http://www.advicefromannie.blogspot.com
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organizing50in10/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PedometerLadies/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/ToDosandTaDas/
http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/organizingannie/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AnniesFitnessGroup/


Copyright Organizing Annie 2005