Ctrl+Alt+Delete

I have to admit that I'm a technology lover. While some may be avid instruction readers, I prefer to make that my last resort. I'd much rather discover the intricacies of technology than have a step-by-step tutorial showing me how it's 'supposed' to work. I enjoy trial and error. I start clicking buttons and see where I end up. Now, one would think that as an organized, rule-follower (for the most part), who loves to read I would snatch up the instructions and read them cover to cover. Not so, my friend. I want to live on the edge, toss out the playbook (not literally- it will get neatly filed behind the proper tab in my "Manuals" binder), and explore new territory. I am the Lewis and Clark of technology.

This week for my birthday I was ecstatic to receive a Kindle (from my in-laws) and a label maker (from my dear friend at work). Both perfect gifts for me and both new technology. So of course, as soon as I get the Kindle, I turn it on and immediately begin clicking buttons and finding free books. And, seconds after installing the batteries, I created my first label that said, 'It works!' and gave it to the friend who so kindly blessed me with that gift! My next adventure will be discovering how to add borders to the labels!

This love for technology has also given me opportunities to serve others. But, I always have to laugh when helping someone with a computer problem, because the one phrase I hear most is, "I was afraid I'd mess something up." I have to say, I don't think I've ever uttered those words. I come from a Ctrl+Alt+Delete generation. I am all for trying something new and if it doesn't work, reset and fix the problems. It seems that people often do the same things year in and year out just because "it's what we've always done". I hope that I never get to that point. Even in my classroom, I teach the same books, but every year looks a bit different. I add to, subtract from, and sometimes completely scrap what I've done in the past. Change keeps me on my toes. It keeps me alert and prevents me from living on auto-pilot. I don't want to coast through life. I want to take risks and have adventures. I want to live as if Ctrl+Alt+Delete is not just a computer option, but an option in life, too. If something doesn't work, don't stress, reset. What would you try if you could just Ctrl+Alt+Delete if it didn't work out?

My Blog Title

When I decided to finally create my own blog, it took a long time to decide what title I wanted to give it. I thought about some ideas that have to do with teaching, maybe even an allusion to Shakespeare, but didn't like anything I came up with. Picking a title is harder than I thought it would be!

Have you ever been part of an ice-breaker activity where everyone had to name an object that describes them? Well, that is how I chose my blog name. I am a to-do list.

As long as I've been able to write, I've created to-do lists. I think it comes from my very organized and efficient mother. On Saturdays, I used to see her write her list for the day on the back of a white envelope that came in the mail that day. Then, as the day progressed, I would see each item get crossed out and, even though it wasn't my own list that was dwindling, I felt excitement as each item got the neat black line.

That is how my list-making began. Now, my first to-do lists weren't anything spectacular. They usually included: get up, get dressed, eat breakfast...things like that. And yes, I really did include "get up" as an entry on my to-do lists. As I got older, the lists got longer and the items more significant, but at the core was my enthusiasm to cross out each item. Some people ride roller coasters, others jump out of airplanes, I draw straight lines through list entries for my adrenaline rush. For me, there is no feeling like a list with everything completed. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Strange, I know!

All that being said, this is my favorite part of who I am, the part I got from my mom. An organized, efficient, goal-oriented person who uses these qualities to serve other people. Thus the name of my blog, which I hope will include the big and little things on my life's to-do list.

Organization, My Favorite Hobby

I love organizing. I know most people cringe when I say that, but I can get lost in the possibilities of the storage section in any store. Any time I wander off, Mark knows right where to find me. (Think Monica from Friends, although I don't own a label maker, but would love one!)
Over the years, I've learned that when my house is organized I feel like my life is organized and I'm just happier. Somehow my emotional state is connected to my level of organization.
That being said my house has been cluttered for months (and my level of stress has been pretty high, no surprise). Now, I don't want you to think of my house like an episode of Hoarders or Clean House. I could never let it get to that point, but we've had piles of papers waiting to be filed and laundry I keep trying to fold and never get to. So I decided to tackle the paper mountain first.


I wanted to turn an empty wall in our kitchen into our paper and life organization center. I saw this one from Pottery Barn, but I am way too frugal to spend that kind of cash on something I knew we could make!


So, step one was to determine the pieces we wanted:
- calendar
- at least two mail trays (one for new mail, one for things to be filed)
- phone charger stations
- key hooks
- a functional shelf
- peg boards for menus and invitations, etc.


Then we started creating...I had a cheap magnetic calendar on this wall before, so after adding some nice white trim($2) that went back up.

We also had 12'x12' peg board sheets so we again added trim to them ($2) and used ribbon to give another a French memory board feel (under $1). We had an extra white decorative shelf from a set we bought for our bathroom, so that went up as well. (probably under $5)

The major project, however, was the mail/phone charger station. I knew exactly what I wanted and couldn't find one anywhere, so we decided to make one on our own. For several weekends, Mark worked to build me the cabinet exactly like I wanted it and then I put coat after coat of pure white lacquer so it would look clean and simple. (This whole cabinet was less than $30!)

The final step was to add some decorative touches and labels of course! I made the Mail and File labels using some scraps from some scrapbooking paper I had left over. I also had some cute ornaments we'd received this year, which I made into a monogram.

So, for under $50 we were able to make an organization system that perfectly met our needs and fed into my OCD tendencies!

For organizing tips and tricks, check out my favorite organizer's website: RealSimple.com