Hello friends!  As you know this month through Org Junkie’s Monthly Organizing Round-Up we are tackling our Command Centers in time for starting the school year off on the right foot.  I had totally hoped to spend some more time on this topic than I have but with everything going on I just haven’t been able to.   So this month I want to do things just a little bit differently.  In order to offer you as much inspiration as possible and because I think this is such an essential part of EVERY home, I’m going to go ahead and put up the Mr. Linky today and open it up to anyone who would like to share what they do to keep their homes running efficiently.  How do you manage the school papers, schedules, to do’s, etc.?  Show us a picture, describe how you do it, share any special products you use.

I’m hoping this will compile a big list of Command Central ideas to highlight the many various ways there are to organize in this area.  No one way is right or wrong.  We all have different needs and requirements, so hopefully you’ll find something here that will inspire you to create something for your own home, if you haven’t already.

The Prizes:

One random participant will receive BOTH of these fabulous prizes:

These are two of my favorite products for organizing my week.  The first one is the Week over Week Dry Erase Magnetic Calendarthat I use for multiple purposes.  I love it!

The second prize is an AWESOME tool for organizing very important papers.  It’s called the Fridge File and you can read my review about it here.  The winner will be able to choose between the white or blue one.

Both of these tools keep my day organized and running very smoothly.

The Rules:

* your post link does not have to be current

* you must include at least one picture of your command central in your post – this month “before and after” pictures are not necessary.  Of course these are the most inspiring of all so if you have them please share.

* please link directly to your command central post and not to your home page to make it easier to find in the future

* please link to this post within your post so others can also see the list of ideas for inspiration and encouragement

* I reserve the right to delete any links that don’t follow the posted rules

* deadline to have your link submitted for prize consideration is Friday, September 4th by 6:00 pm PST.  Draw will take place shortly thereafter.  The winner will be chosen from the Mr. Linky list below by random generator.

That’s it!  Please encourage others to link up if they have a post they’d be willing to submit.  The more ideas we get the more inspiration we provide.  Here is a quick twitter update if you’d like to use it:

Check out the Command Central Organizing RoundUp at @orgjunkie. Link up & share your own ideas & pictures. Details here http://tiny.cc/jpPql

Thanks everyone!

Related posts:

Command Central Ideas

Command Central Round-Up & Giveaway is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Today’s question comes from Melissa of Seven Matters. Melissa’s question is such a common one that I knew I had to try and answer it.

I have a question about mail and other papers that come into my house. I have tried for so long to find a system that my husband can get on board with, but he still comes home and puts his papers and keys and briefcase etc. on my kitchen counter! I only have a small amount of counter space and what I do have is a catch-all for junk, and important papers alike. It drives me crazy! As you can see in my pictures, there is some wall space to the left of the counter. Can you recommend a wall hanging organizer that might help de-clutter my counters, but is budget friendly?

As with many families, the kitchen seems to be the hot spot for accumulated paper such as incoming mail, school papers, receipts, newspapers, etc. Finding a system that works for the whole family is a must in order to relieve some of moms frustration and free up valuable counter space.

What we need to establish here is a Command Center and Melissa has a great space in the corner that is ideal for this purpose. It’s ideal because it is centrally located in a room that is frequented by all and can be utilized by all. I think Melissa’s suggestion of a wall hanging organizer is a terrific suggestion and I was able to find a few that might work for her.

A Command Center is a beautiful thing. It’s somewhere to capture the bits and pieces of life that are happening right now and can’t be filed away just yet. It is not a solution to the permanent filing. No, no, no. Instead it is a revolving display of miscellaneous documentation, a communication center for the goings on of life. Perfect for things like important telephone numbers, birthday party invitations, receipts for items needing to be returned, school papers with specific information on an upcoming event, bills to be paid, and so on.

In Melissa’s case I think she has room to incorporate either a bulletin or magnetic board as well as a wall organizer. I personally like the idea of giving each member of the family their own space (or at least a section for mom/dad/kids) so some of my selections below will allow for that if she so wishes.

First let me show you a picture of one of my favorite Command Centers from Organize Magazine. Isn’t this something! The links to the products they used can be found here. The green bins are my absolute favorite and were purchased from Staples. Unfortunately I can’t find them online but further on you’ll see I found a pretty good replacement.

I have so many ideas and in my research discovered all sorts of wonderful products out there, it really was hard to narrow it down. Keeping in mind Melissa’s desire for it to be budget friendly, this is what I came up with. Clicking on the pictures will take you to where I found them online.

1. I LOVE this one from Amazon for $34.95:

2. NiftyTin HoldIt Organizer Bin for $8.99 each:

3. Fabric Organizer from the Container Store for $14.99 each:

4. The Fridge File for $10.76.  I love this product.  Also available in white.

5. Wall mounted mail basket for $31.46:

6. Charging Station Memo Board for $19.95.  Also be sure to check out Etsy for cute memo boards.

7. Desktop Sorter for $19.99 ~ even with a wall organizer something like this might still be nice for the counter:

8. Magnetic Magazine Pockets from Organize-It for $19.99 each:

9. Bulletin & Magnetic Strips from the Container Store for $14.99 each.  I’ve also seen these at the dollar store.

10. Make your own wall organizer with Momready, this is fantastic!! Instructions here.

The thing to remember is that no matter which organizer you select it will take some discipline and consistency to establish the new routine of putting the papers where they belong and not on the counter. It CAN be done though and you CAN succeed!

Happy Organizing!

Related posts:

Organizing your entryway

Create a Kitchen Command Center with Real Simple

Awhile ago I posted about using an inexpensive plate holder to organize papers

Creating a Mail Center with Declutter It!

Command Center Ideas is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Come on over and tell me which one you would choose.

Choosing a 2009 Wall Calendar is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

I worked full time when my oldest two were little. I look back on that time now and wonder how I ever did it. I do remember it being stressful but with the exception of having housecleaning help (I was fortunate to be able to hire a house cleaner ever two weeks) I still managed to get everything else done. When I first came home two years ago I couldn’t figure out why I struggled with getting everything done considering I now had more time in the day to do it. I was really overwhelmed by it all. That’s when I realized it was because I was no longer following any sort of schedule. I fell into the trap that I had nothing but time now that I was home. I told myself that there was always tomorrow or the next day or the day after that. Problem is the longer I procrastinated on something, the longer it went without getting done and the more stressed out I became and the more dysfunctional my family became. This was specifically apparent when I no longer had a cleaner to rely on. I hate cleaning so of course I had trouble concentrating my efforts or even finding a huge chunk of time to do all my housework at one time. You see that is how I was raised, we always did all the housework Saturday mornings. It never occurred to me that it could be done any other way.

It wasn’t until I started reading some blogs and discovered another way, a way that has made life so much easier for me and completely taken the pressure off. It’s called the weekly work/cleaning schedule. I know many of you are already using this method but just as many are not following any sort of routine which is why I bring it up today.

We started by making a list of all the chores that needed to get done in a week. Then as a family we sat down with this list, wrote our names across the top and started writing in who was going to do what and when. It looks something like this:

Monday: Me ~ grocery shopping and laundry

Tuesday: Me ~ whole house clutter bust (just making sure things are put back in their homes, general tidy)

Wednesday: Me ~ dust

Thursday: Me ~ wash floors

Friday: Me ~ clean bathtub, Daughter ~ toilets/sinks/tidy room, Son ~ glass/tidy basement and room

I stay on top of the kitchen every day and hubbie does the vacuuming on Sundays. My kids also have daily jobs such as helping with dinner, putting dishes away out of the dishwasher and tidying up the living room each evening.

Yes there are still some days that I get off track but having my schedule written out and posted where I see it regularly helps to remind me of what I need to do and when. Since I am a visual person I find that using my week over week calendar on the fridge is what works best for me. Knowing that I don’t have to commit any more than an hour to house cleaning each day helps me to stay focused and get it done. Talk about freeing.

The other thing I’ve learned from the lovely Rachel-Anne (her Small Things series is fantastic!) is to have a Housekeeping Mission Statement. I’ll be honest and admit that at first I didn’t see the benefit but I decided to give it a try and I am amazed at what a difference it makes in my attitude.

My Housekeeping Mission Statement

To provide an inviting and peaceful household environment, for my family and all that enter, that is conducive to living simply, loving deeply and laughing abundantly. I will make strides everyday to achieve this by practicing and teaching good daily habits and routines along with effective organizational skills. I will graciously and cheerfully serve my family and genuinely enjoy my commitment to creating a home sanctuary that is above all else pleasing to God.

For years I longed to “come home” to take care of my family. I am so grateful to now have this opportunity and having a written mission statement is a daily reminder of how I want to accomplish that goal.

Whether you are a stay at home mom, work at home mom or work outside of the home, committing to a schedule and following through will help you achieve whatever goal you are seeking for yourself and your family. Try it!

See also:

How does your home operate?

Weekly Cleaning Schedule is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Since I only menu plan one week at a time, the other three week panels were just sitting there unused, lonely and dejected. Until today! I had a flash of brilliance (it happens occassionally…lol) and decided how I could use the other weeks. In addition to menu planning, I am now going to use a week to record my daily chores, one week to record my daily fitness accomplishments and the last week to track my daily devotions. I am so excited about this. Having it all recorded like that in one place right on the fridge, where I know I will see it a billion times a day, will assist me in getting done all that I want to get done each day. All I have to do is look at any given day of the week and take my eyes down the column to see what still needs to be completed. I don’t know about you but I tend to get so easily sidetracked during the day that I’m hoping this will help provide the focus I need by serving as a gentle reminder each time I open the fridge door.

Later Mater!

Let’s talk about the week over week calendar…. is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

I appreciate you feeding my addiction like that and I can’t wait to check them all out!

Kath recommends The Yearbook for the Homemaker from Marmee Dear

Janelle recommends Bizzimom

Debbiem recommends LobotoME

Kim and Queen B both recommend momAgenda

Angie recommends Calendars.com

Ginger recommends DaySpring

Jennifer recommends the Busy Body Book

Barb recommends Paula Deen’s calendar

Stephanie recommends the Polestar Calendar

Thanks ladies! If I missed anyone it wasn’t intentional, please let me know!

Calendar and Planner Links is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Let me walk you through my obsession. First of all I buy most of my calendars at the Dollar Store for $1.00 or during Boxing Day sales for 50% off. That’s the justification part of my addiction.

In my kitchen resides my MAIN calendar better known as grand central station. This calendar is displayed in a very prominent position of the kitchen where it can be seen and USED BY ALL. This is the key. EVERYTHING is written down on this calendar from birthdays to events. Everyone checks this calendar before scheduling anything, that’s the rule. The kids even check it. The other rule we have is whoever gets their activity on the calendar first wins. In other words if I want to do something with the girls one evening and my husband has already got something scheduled in (ha!) then it’s up to me to pick a different night (although we’ve been known to compromise when I whine when necessary).

After much deliberation and selection this is my kitchen calendar pick of 2008 (purchased at Shopper’s Drug Mart for $1.99):

As you can see, I’m going with a different style this year just to be wild and crazy. It’s a family planner which uses both the top and bottom portions of the calendar making more space to write on each day. And yes I know it shows February but I already wrote on January so I had to flip the page for the picture.

Next is my personal day planner. This year for my blogging notes and other goals I’ve decided to try out the Polestar Family Calendar that I’ve heard so much about. It’s very popular with my homeschooling friends. I just purchased it yesterday (had to wait for the sale!) and so far I’m very pleased with what I see. It’s got a lot of nice features. Stephanie from A Keeper of the Home just did a review about it here if you are interested.

So now on to the “freak” part. I also have two calendars in my office, one by my hubbie’s computer and one by mine. I don’t write on them but I love to look at them.

This one below is my Whomi calendar that sits beside hubbie’s computer and the only reason I didn’t use it for my MAIN calendar is it was too wide for my space.

I also have a small one by my bed but I don’t write on it either but it sure is pretty to look at.

I also carry one a small one in my purse and another small one resides by the computer to record our financial information including paydays and when all our bills are due. Each of my bigger kids also like to keep calendars in their rooms as well and my hubbie has one in his workshop.

Oh and I almost forgot the magnetic weekly wipe off calendar I keep on my fridge for menu planning!!

It’s a sickness I tell you.

And after all that, this would be my reject pile, otherwise known as the poor suckers that didn’t get picked:

But don’t feel too sorry for them, I’ll give them away to good homes, I promise.

I’m also finalizing the family weekly cleaning schedule and will probably use one of these calendars for that. I’ll post about this soon once it’s completed.

So if you didn’t get it before or perhaps for whatever reason thought I was just putting you on all this time, nope it’s true.

I AM AN ORGANIZING JUNKIE!

So my only advice at this point other than to run for your lives is that it doesn’t matter so much what type of calendar you decide on as long as you are using one. There are so many variations and methods out there that are all wonderful and trust me I know it is hard to decide but once you do, stick with it. Your household will run much smoother for it. Also for those of you that prefer to go paperless, Daily Home Planner is an excellent software calendar/planner program to help you do just that.

My “small thing” for today is to record all the birthdays for the year on my kitchen calendar. You can read in more detail about how I go about that here.

So now won’t you help feed my addiction and tell me what kind of planners/calendars you are using. I’d love to hear about YOUR favorites!

You’ll be happy to know that I draw the line at putting a calendar in my bathroom…. is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie