In need of an antidote for busyness!

Starting Wednesday, our family's life is going to get seriously busy.

Usually we have a maximum of 2-3 activities slated on the week's agenda.  But soon, we'll have commitments almost every single day for the next week and a half.

I'm getting edgy and nervous as to how this added busyness is going to shake out.  Besides affecting me adversely, I know it's also bound to make for crabby attitudes and increased meltdowns in the kids.

Thankfully, most of the activities on the calendar don't include ALL of the family.  A lot of it is falling squarely on me.  Sigh.

I REALLY don't want to transform into monster mommy/scary wife during these busy days.  I know it affects the ENTIRE household when mama is stressed out.

So, here's where I need your help.  How do you keep your spirit and attitude calm when life is going a zillion miles per hour?  I know God is key in the equation here.  I'm already drafting a plan to prioritize some quiet time for reading and praying each day. 

Any other practical tips for maintaining sanity during busy seasons?

Why I like Mondays

Contrary to popular opinion, I think that Mondays are fantastic!

Why, you ask?  Because . . .

1. Monday is my most productive day of the week.  After a weekend break from the weekly routine, I'm ready to jump back in whole-heartedly on Monday.  Not surprisingly, my surge of Monday-adrenaline makes me uber-productive.  There's something magically motivating about trying to start out the week on a good note.  Half a pot of coffee helps boost the productivity level too. 
2. Mondays are "at home" days.  I purposefully try to keep our calendar free on Mondays and Fridays.  Sunday mornings are busy so on Monday we need a built-in recovery.  It's lovely and rejuvenating to putter around the house tidying up, putting laundry away and enjoying the comforts of home.
3. The Packers are going to the superbowl!!!!

Ok, ok, so the Packers have nothing to do with why I like Mondays.  But their playoff victory sure is making THIS Monday better!

How's your Monday going so far?

In need of physical "white space"

Recently I spent an evening in a friend's home. Her home was peaceful, calm and inviting. The house was clean, thoughtfully decorated, and uncluttered.

In stark contrast my home is filled to the hilt with stuff. Because we have a small home with little built in storage (i.e. no first floor closets) we often use that as an excuse to put things everywhere and anywhere. In reality, we have lots of space; it's just poorly used.

In seeing my friend's living area, I've finally pinpointed what our home needs - white space. You know what I mean, like the border of white margin around a typed sheet of paper. As white space is easy on the eyes, so I think strategic empty spaces in a home are soothing and calm-inducing.

Granted I have not forgotten that we have two small children who are experts at creating messes. I'm not referring to their playspace here. Obviously many areas of our home will be unavoidably messy throughout the day as the kids use their creative energies in play.

This afternoon I'm attempting to look at my home with a new reorganizing perspective in mind. Trying to rethink our current systems and come up with some better more efficient ones.

My initial thought is that we own way too much stuff! Several items we keep in drawers or cupboards have gone unused for months or even years. Why am I holding on to this stuff? So that I can have an actual gravy boat for the theoretical Thanksgiving I might host 5 years from now? (Sorry gravy boat, your days are numbered.)

Picture frames are also getting the axe. While I love being surrounded by photos of family and loved ones, we just do not have the shelf space to house them.

I'm sure this is the beginning of a lengthy process. How do you fight the clutter in your home? Any unique ideas you can give me would be much appreciated!