If you were a fly on the wall at my house, you'd be sure to hear your share of fussing, complaining and whining. Maybe even a slammed door or two.

But enough about me.

In the pressure cooker that's parenting, I have exploded more than once. And it's harder to clean up than spaghetti night with a toddler.

So after years spent indulging in fruitless self-flogging, I finally let go of my obsession with getting it all 'just right.' I confess...I'm not a perfect parent.

Whew. That felt good.

Now, when my son saunters in with his 42nd tardy of the school year, I let it go. When I hear myself hollering "Whatever!" at my teenage daughter, I move on.

Having it all together is overrated anyway.

And I've determined not to waste God's grace. I'll never get it just right. You won't, either. So read on, sister. If you see a little of yourself in me, I hope it helps to know that you're not alone. Nope. If you're a mom, face it. You're never, ever alone.
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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Operation Organization: The Battle for Order!

When someone asks what your decorating style is, do you say “Clutter”?

Do you risk bodily harm when opening your closet?

Are you putting off doing something about it until you “have more time”?

Yea. Me, too.

Guess what? I’m ready to wage war! Are you with me?!

Then join me in Operation Organization: The Battle for Order beginning July 31st! Every Friday for the next eight weeks, we will choose an area of our homes to reorganize. At the end of the challenge, we will have EIGHT reorganized areas of our homes. Woo Hoo! Can you smell victory?!

Let me make one thing clear. This is NOT about perfection. It is about less stress and conflict and more efficiency. It’s about transforming our homes from messy to marvelous!

Here are the battle plans:

  • The challenge is from July 31 – September 18 (8 weeks).

  • We will tackle ONE organization project in our homes each week. Projects can be SMALL – cleaning out a drawer or tackling a pile of clutter. Even “little” jobs can make you feel so much better about your home!

  • Every Friday, beginning July 31, post your goal for the week on your blog. Please copy the code to my cute little button (in my right-hand sidebar) to go with it, so others can learn how they can join the battle! Then come here and leave the link to your organizational post via Mister Linky.

  • Try to visit as many of the other blogs as you can, so you can meet new blogging friends and we can support and encourage each other!

  • Email me your Before and After photos! I will post them every Friday. I'll be giving away a prize each week (great gift certificates). Before and After photos are not required, but you will get an extra TWO entries into the prize drawings if you send them! I think it would be GREAT if we could see each other's progress and share ideas! Please email them to melinda@parentingconfessions.com.

Every Wednesday and Friday, I will post organizational tips and resources to help us along the way, as well as your Before and After photos and other updates on your progress – and mine!

Just think. By mid-September, you’ll have eight projects done!

Alright, soldiers, if you’re ready to be deployed, here’s what you do:

  • Leave me a comment below!

  • Tell your other blogging friends about Operation Organization! The more the merrier. More friends? Good. More clutter? Bad.

  • Post your first organizational goal on your blog on July 31 along with my button or a link to this post.

  • Come here and leave your post’s link on Mister Linky.

  • Follow the “battle plans” above throughout the Challenge. I'll remind you along the way!

You’ve got your marching orders. Now enlist! And that’s an order!

Melinda
Posted by Melinda at 6:13 PM
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57 comments:

  1. ok! I'm in. A little nervous. A little excited. I just know I need some help in this area and well...why not?? Thanks!

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  2. Oh Melinda! I am READY to enlist cause I sure need some help around these parts.

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  3. Nice idea Melinda! Lots of people were following the Spring Clean from Simple Mom and they were so excited. I wish lots of people enroll in these too. Although I've been doing this quietly, one area I haven't been able to conquer is our mini office or study desk or.. whatever... So can I enroll for only this one?

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  4. Hey everyone! So glad you're joining me!! ;0)

    Leyda, you can absolutely join for that one challenge!

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  5. Here are the battle plans, girls....

    So are you making this a girls only - boys are bad site?

    Let me know - I am a fan but I am considering changing to an MMA site or something like that ....

    Can guys help with the clutter...I think so. Working together is a principle that is sooo long gone that it makes Dr. Laura stand back and wonder. Couples working together to eliminate clutter and disorganized areas....that might make for better parents and better spouses.

    Just a thought...include us....Guys are VERY imperfect parents..........let us in and we can do this together.

    By the way Melinda - I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!!!!

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  6. Added your Buttton you my blog! ;)

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  7. Hi Doug!
    You ARE right ... I did not mean to be exclusionary. Couples working together is an excellent idea in far more areas than just organization!!

    I appreciate all my male readers, especially somelike you who's been on board since Day One! ... it was a slip of the keyboard! I won't let it happen again! ;0)

    Okay, Doug ... I must know, what is an MMA site?? Maybe it's because it's after midnight, but that is not computing! ;0)

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  8. Oh yea baby!!! Mama is ready!!! I posted just now, and how lucky am I that my husband and daughter get emailed my posts immediately! Can't wait to start!!
    giturbuttingear

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  9. Get blog post. Clutter is my middle name!

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Robyn
    http://www.ZenCupcake.com

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  11. I wonder if it's even possible to fix me.

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  12. MMA - Mixed Martial Arts - a guy thing...but lots of ladies follow as well. Trying to make a point.

    YES - Guys can help too. HECK - we are responsible for the majority of the clutter.

    Thanks Melinda - your BLOG rocks!

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  13. what a great idea!!! i would love to play along but can't :( we just moved a few months ago and everything that came out of the box i put away IN IT'S PLACE! so far so good, but football season just started for my son... i have a feeling that will change soon *bummer*

    I LOVE your cute blog. have a great weekend :)

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  16. Count me in!

    I love to organize.

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  17. Forgot to tell you why I'm up so late.

    Can't sleep.

    Too much chocolate.

    I know. I know. But it was sooo good!

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  18. I need all the help I can get! I used to be so organized...enter Hubby and Princess Nagger - and all the organization went right out the window! :)

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  20. I'm SO IN! I have some... *ahem* problem areas that need to be worked on *L*

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  21. So excited about this! I'll be looking forward to it!

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  22. Happen to come across ur blog..can I join in this challenge?

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  23. Graywolfie,
    You absolutely can join! So glad you found me!

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  24. Joining in...I had such big plans to get organized this summer... now it's almost over and I'm even more behind.

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  25. I'm not a parent- can I still participate? I just moved and need some motivation to unpack in a timely fashion and get rid of unwanted clutter along the way!

    Love the plan!

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  26. I'm working on a post tonight about your blog and the challenge. I can't wait to see all the responses!

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  28. I am in! I have a few areas that just overwhelm me when I look at it. This might actually help me overcome and actually get those areas organized. I hope others will be sharing photos with some mess, or am I the only one?

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  29. Don't worry Lil' Ms. P... you will get to see my mess too :)

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  31. I heard about this Battle Plan on orgjunkie.com. I actually started a plan of my own yesterday and made a post before reading about this, but I'm joining in on your plan! WooHoo! Can't wait to get started. Looking forward to reading other's success stories too. I didn't link to your blog in my post yesterday since I didn't know about it, but I did add your button to my side bar. Hope that's good enough for this one post.

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  32. I'm in too. I'm REAL new to the blogging world and I hope I'm doing everything correctly!

    I know I'm joining a day late but I gotta start somewhere! One step at a time...I can do this.

    Pray tell...what is a Mr. Linky??? Silly question, maybe I should just goggle it. Where is it??

    So glad I found this challenge. Going now to add your button to my very new blog.

    Thanks!!!

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  33. I just found your blog! I'm a day late but want to join in!

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  34. I'm SO in! :)
    I posted a quick intro post today.

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  35. Darn, I'm a day late too - but I'm in!

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  36. Just found your blog and I'm so excited! I'm late, but I'm in!! (and a new baby is coming right about the end of the operation, so I NEED it!)

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  37. I'm in too! Anything that will kick me out of procrastination mode!! (P.S. I've never had a blog before, so tips and suggestions are welcome!)

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  38. Ok, I'm in too!

    I've been decluttering for the past 4 weeks. The first three were great; my motivation was high and energy was good. Last week I did zilch, so I need to jump back in!

    Thanks for organising this and good luck everyone!

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  40. Here I am- I have got to the point where I can now bring order to my chaos- I did throughly declutter so now it is time to organize and make some decisions re keepers
    -hugs from Meme

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  41. So ready to tackle some clutter! Thanks!!!!!

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  42. I'm ready! Coming Clean...make my house cleaner!

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  43. Thank you - I need something to help me - I am not organized and collect ALL kinds of things - why can't I throw things away!?! Please keep me posted and will try to check every Friday - do you have one for work, too?

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  44. Count me in, I have a list of lost/misplaced things I'm hoping to find!

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  45. I have posted a link to your challenge on my blog. I need to clean up my closet and several drawers in my kitchen. I will be posting photos. Karen L

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  46. Im lovin your blog...Im sorta new to the whole blog thing BUT Im an Orgjunkie fan as well..soo this is gonna be great..I cant wait to do this...Thanks for taking your time to help others.
    Jeanne

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  48. I just found this, and I would love to join in! I dont know how to put a button on my blog though, any one help with that?

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  49. Hi Shelley!
    Welcome aboard! So glad to have you!! To put the button on your blog, just copy the code under the button (in the righthand sidebar) and paste it into the top of your post. Write your post. Click publish. Voila! ;0)

    I'm learning so much about all this blogging stuff, too ... I don't know if I'll ever have it all figured out!! ;0)

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  50. A tad behind, but joining in! Here's my first before pic.
    http://psalm37v4.blogspot.com/2009/08/operation-organization-battle-for-order.html

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  51. I'm a week late, but I'm in. My house is a disaster area. HELP.

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  52. Running late, but I'm in!

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  53. Im a little late but would love to join this challenge not sure if i will be able to do the holle picture thing(i am a little challenge...lol)but i am game to get things done!!!!

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  54. Just found out about this and would love to join in! I know just the spot to conquer first!

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  55. I just visiting your blog. I am addding your button to my page. :)

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  56. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  57. hey


    just registered and put on my todo list


    hopefully this is just what im looking for looks like i have a lot to read.

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Now it's your turn to "Come Clean"! Tell me what you think! I love to hear from you!

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