organization – Just a Dash

Holidays, Humor, Life, Pictures, Quotes, Uncategorized

Frazzled

July 6, 2012by SymoneFLeave a Comment

I’ve been out of it for the last couple of days. Definitely not in a good/settled frame of mind to be writing a blog post. I was hardly home and then when I was I just felt (feel) overwhelmed when I look around. We’re moving in 20 days exactly (very excited) and I have furniture I want sold and I’m also trying to get rid of unnecessary papers that are everywhere. As well as going around the apartment and cleaning out little nooks and crannies that can be done now and again, throw out stuff we have never used or what we used to use that we don’t anymore. Moving is hard. And since my husband’s last move happened while I was home and he had to do it alone, he’s not in a hurry to help. I’m not bothered by that because I might frustrate myself more trying to make him understand what I want with my millions of demands. Hence why I’ve started tidying up and cleaning so early.

It’s hard for me to not stress. I do it naturally about everything. I’m thinking of doing yoga again, it really helped a few weeks before our wedding. I have so many things in my head that I want to do, have to do, am in the middle of doing and don’t want to do. Yes, now you can see why I’m so stressed. I have notes everywhere – on my cell, on post-its, on the fridge, index cards, notebooks… I’ve had to write out daily schedules to make sure I don’t miss a thing, yet I still miss something because I forget to look at it.

I’m just writing today to get my frustrations out I guess. I intend to get help closer to the end but for now, it’s stuff I have to deal with. I know where everything is and where I want it to be. And that’s how it has to be. For me at least. But as I’m trying to repeat to myself all the time: don’t sweat the small stuff… and it’s all small stuff. I don’t know who I’m kidding, I can’t even finish the book! But that phrase pops into my head every now and then and I try to take a few breaths and just go with the flow.

I’ve been sharing those quotes of the day because I figured they give me a little peace of mind and something to think about daily and if I can share them with you I will. So here’s todays:

Here are a few pictures from Wednesday (July 4th). My phone crashed at the start of the fireworks (forgot my camera) and when we got back by my friend I managed to get it on and realised I could’ve gotten a few more pics *sigh*.

I’ve also been trying to get back into exercising and as I’m typing this, my legs are still rather sore from a twenty minute workout on July 4th and walking over a mile to and from the park, plus walking over an hour along Alki Beach with a friend Monday. I don’t have the Summer body that I dreamt of but honestly f*ck it.. I’ll take myself with a few extra, oddly placed curves than to be stressing myself over my diet and exercising schedule considering all the other stuff I have on my plate. Thick chics are in! (at least in my head and that’s all that matters :D). Yoga isn’t as hard on my body as weight training is so that should be a plus for me doing it. Look good, feel good and be in a calm state of mind… Namaste.

I hope that whatever you do this Summer, you live to have no regrets. Just wonderful memories, experiences and time with loved ones.

Craft, Home, Uncategorized

Michael’s (haul)

June 20, 2012June 20, 2012by SymoneFLeave a Comment

This morning I went to Michael’s with one thing in mind. I told myself I will not stray but obviously that didn’t work. I wanted to get baskets to store my toiletries in because I’m trying to have more organization around here. Yes everything is stacked up neatly, but I just wanted them to be grouped in containers that I could find them better. Well I got my baskets and I just couldn’t help but go in search of other goodies! So let’s start this haul!

After I decided on 3 baskets, I went looking for invitation ideas. As I said before, we’re moving, and I want to do a housewarming and be a little old fashioned with invites. I love my craft as well so I wasn’t just looking for regular invitations. In searching for note cards with our last name initial on it, I got awfully sidelined and ended up getting more stuff than I could ever imagine. Everything was under $2!!!

invitations — Cards, stamps and ink pads

I have a fascination with notebooks/journals/paper. When I saw these journals I thought ok, maybe one Symone… But nooooo! They all looked so pretty I couldn’t help but get these (there were more but these were my fave, so imagine my heartbreak!). I also found a memo cube with our initial so I picked that up as well. I believe in writing notes, I don’t always remember to check the extra notes in my phone >_<.

Next, I picked up some trinkets for my dresser. I’m trying to make my space more feminine and personal. I thought these frames were adorable (and in my colours) and I love the ceramic owls for dropping my daily jewelry must-haves in if I’m too lazy to put them up properly.

dresser goodies — picture frames and trinket trays

For my last two items, the colour drew me in more than anything. I love the colours for the coupon folder! I got this so that I can now free up my purse. The size is perfect to drop into my handbag, and it’s cute! I never liked the plastic ones people use and I don’t carry that many coupons to have something that big. The other set of paper so neatly wrapped up are recipe cards. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while (the white index cards just aren’t doing it for me). I know I’ll be on the hunt for a cute box to store them in that is kitchen-friendly. Maybe I may pull out recipes more now haha!

more paper! — recipe cards and coupon folder

I only decided to do this post after I packed everything away in the baskets so another time I’ll take things out and take pictures. The baskets were also a very good deal. Michael’s has 40% off all Ashland baskets so I paid under $30 for 3 baskets! I love Michael’s! I could get lost in there for hours but I still need money to buy other goodies hahaha.

Hope you enjoyed this post!

Home, Life, Uncategorized

For the Real Housewives

April 25, 2012June 10, 2014by SymoneF2 Comments

Lately, whenever I’ve been asked where I work I respond by saying “Fowler Inc.” with a straight face and enjoy the perplexed look I receive from the other person. There is no formal Fowler Inc. but for me there is (I have listed it as my place of employment on Facebook). I’m a housewife, and this job is just as serious as any other job. I run this family of two which we do wish to expand, therefore, in a few years there should be a minimum of four and maximum of six ~~who am I kidding having four kids?!? I should make that three, is it too late???~~

Within a month of being married, my husband made it clear he had no desire to be following up on household stuff. I didn’t mind, it meant I wasn’t sitting twiddling my thumbs so as far as I knew, all was well. We’ll be married for 3 years in September and since October 2009, responsibilities have definitely increased.

Take our car for example. We’re a one car family – hey I don’t drive to work and he doesn’t need it during the day. Taking the car to get serviced etc is all up to me. Dealing with this is knowing what hour he needs to be at work, what hours I’ll be free to take it in and still be able to pick him up on time. I’m listed as the contact for everything. So car is finished – call Symone, we want to call and hassle you to buy your car – call Symone, there is a recall for a part on the car – call Symone, you get the idea?

Being the C.E.O. Of Fowler Inc. means I am the contact for everything and chances are, even when you need to speak to my husband about something I know more than he does on the issue (except anything to do with Comcast, that’s his department).

We started having a “family meeting” for me to know when my husband started work during the week to be helpful in choosing the best times to go the gym for personal training and syncing his work hours with any appointments I may have or he may have or need to be scheduled. This meeting time has now progressed to be the time where I decide what I will cook for the week so I also know how to shop at supermarket. Coordination just helps everything to run smoothly. I have a set day for laundry and cleaning is very spontaneous, but at least I know it happens during a certain period.

I’m always asked what do you do? Aren’t you bored? I run a family who is always on the go, I run a household with chores to be done as well as food to be made (we don’t like eating out a lot), I have to make sure everything on this ship runs smoothly and that 80% of the time there are no hiccups (I’m human I need a margin for error). I will never, and never have, mock the life of a real housewife. I’m not talking about the ones who have staff to run a household and say life is hard. I mean the ones who dig in and get dirty. Who schedule, coordinate, live on coffee to keep everything going smoothly so everyone is mostly happy. Every job is an opportunity for growth and humility. A chance to learn how to be more efficient and feel a great sense of pride in what you do. It doesn’t matter how others speak of your job when you know deep down that you have given it your best and feel some accomplishment for what you’ve achieved. Take pride and work your way up to bigger and better things.

#fastfoodthursdays on the menu 🙂