Jumpin-Beans

Are you getting back into the routine of school these days?  We have been in a little bit now, but I know others are still starting back. I did not realize there was such a wide start date across the USA for school.  I don't know about you, but around here... Life gets crazy.  Hectic.  Chaos.  I try and stay organized, but it doesn't always work.  How do you do it? FTC Compliant Review Policy:    The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Broxton doesn't have a ton of homework, yet, but I know it is coming.  I see some of my friends talking about their kids having HOURS of homework - IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. What?  I don't get it.  I am so thankful we don't have that issue yet.  He has a little homework each night and then if he doesn...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I am not sure when school starts where you are, but here in Georgia, we have some schools that start back on August 3rd, some on August 7th and I am sure there are other dates too.  The point I am trying to make is that school is about to start here, so that means we need to get our things in gear and get organized and ready! One thing that I think will be a great help to me this year?  The 2015-2016 Academic Planner from Order Out of Chaos.  We received one in the past, I am 99% sure I gave it to one of the boys to help them with their time management, but this bad boy here is going to be all mine!   No, Broxton doesn't have 9 million classes and what not, he is still in Elementary school, but I think...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation .   When we lived in our apartment, I knew that we would not paint or do anything permanent to the walls, so I was happy to learn about Wall Pops .  I enjoyed the ease of peeling the art off and sticking it on the wall (not to worry if you messed up, just peel and re-stick where you want it go.)  When we bought our house, I knew that I was going to want to have something like that again. (Yes, we brought the original with us, but I needed one for another room.  Having a son with a very social life gets to needing organization!) We were sent the Globe Trotter Organization Decal Kit and I fell in love.  We don't travel nearly as much as I would love to ... lets be honest here, it is so much e...

FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. You would think I would be better at terminology than I am... but I will not even try.. That being said, our bathroom has a nice big tub... but it also has the separate shower that is in the glassed off area.... (Whatever that is called.) Anyways, having that stand alone shower is great, but it also doesn't give much room for my bath products and Marc's too.   Think about it---  I need shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and face wash...  He needs his own shower gel and whatever else we think we may need...  All of that and we just have one little square to put everything...  When I was contacted to review the Shampoo and Soap Shower Dispenser by Toilet Tree Products , I was so excited!!! ...

FTC Compliant Review Policy:  The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Broxton has decided to fall into the love of Legos.   I am not sure what happened, but all of a sudden, he was asking me when he was going to get Legos...  Of course, I thought about it and realized that he might be good to work with Legos now to continue working with his hand / eye coordination.  So, you know that means we bought some!!!  Those jokers can add up to be pricey... wow, but it does give him toys that are very open to his creative imagination!!!! The only problem?   They are super tiny...  Like in some cases I can not take them apart they are so small... nor can Marc, so I don't feel that bad...  But let's cut to the point...    H...

 FTC Compliant Review Policy: The product(s) featured in this review were provided free of cost to me by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the sole purpose of product testing. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation. Having a dad that has his own CPA firm... and a brother that is getting ready to graduate with his Master's in Accounting... You know I am all about sharing a few tips to make tax time easier.  I never thought much about Master Lock in terms of organization.... Quite honestly, I thought they just supplied locks of all sorts... Then, I was informed of more... With Tax Season's Deadline almost here... When is a better time than now to start preparing for next year?  In stead of running around trying to find all the different types of papers you need to give when filing your taxes, why not keep them all nice and neat in a Master Lock Storage Security Box ? We were sent one for review and I was rather im...

I am all about trying to be organized. But, I hate to admit it, I am not the best at times. I used to have planners to try and be more organized, or at least to appear to be. Truthfully, I needed a bit more help than just an organizer to write in.. I need a list to help me have a foundation to start with. A foundation. Everything has a foundation for support and structure. When I learned of the Confident Mom Planner , I knew this was just what I had been looking for! This is just so much more than a  planner. This is a HUGE HELP!!!! The Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner is a weekly to do list. There are currently two versions available. One has a scripture on it for weekly quiet time and the other doesn't include scripture at all. I took a screen shot of mine so that you could see what it somewhat looks like. I really love that it gives a moment of quiet time each day.  I also love that it gives you a place to check when you have completed a tas...

I was very intrigued when I heard about " packaways ."  Have you ever heard of them?  If not, you are going to love this!!! Packaways are storage containers that are reusable.  But get this, they are not just any storage container!  They are collapsible!!!  You can write on them and erase when needed!  Yes!  I think it is awesome!!!! Picture this... You have all of our Christmas decorations packed up.  It is labeled CHRISTMAS.  You unload and decorate... Then, you just collapse them and it takes up less room.  You decide to donate them and decide to buy Halloween decorations... Next year, you break out the boxes and pack up your Halloween decorations. Since they are "dry erase" you just erase off CHRISTMAS and then write HALLOWEEN.  Or.... do you camp?  (I don't so no worries there...)  Well, you can pack up what you are going to take on your trip in your packaways... then, when you get to your campsite, just u...

   I am not sure how people would feel about getting a book telling them how to Organize their family as a gift... Unless they specifically asked for it...  I mean, would it be an insult?  You know, like... Man, your place is so messy, thought you could use a bit of help... UNLESS - you are giving it to someone with a child.. This book is perfect for ALL parents!   I can remember when a friend came to visit once and laughed at how much of Broxton's stuff was over the house.. She was adamant that she would not be the mom with kids toys in the living room and kids books/DVDs on the bookshelf.  She knew it was going to be minimal... and contained.  Then, she had a child... and it was VICTORY when she called to let me know that she was wrong..  She had books in the living room too... She had large toys in the living room...everything she wasn't opposed to having, she was just like me!  When I saw the book, Absolutely Organize...

I am a calender person...  I used to have a million of them..  One would hang up, one was in my purse, one on my desk...  You get the picture...  Then, Broxton came along and so went my calender.   I still have one for blogging, but that is about it!  Now that Broxton has started school, I knew that I needed at least A calender again... Between his school events, Marc's drill stuff, Marc's work and then with me wanting to join MOPS, I needed one to figure out what and where and when.. I was so excited to have the chance to review one of the removable wall decal calenders from Wall Pops. It arrived in a nice little roll and I was quick to place it on my wall!  I knew exactly where I wanted it to go. It might not be the most practical for everyone, but hey... It is my house and how I want it, you know?!  When I am on the phone, I tend to stand in one area... That is now where my calender is... It is on the tiny wall space betwe...

School is a time for education, but also for fun... I think that if you spend ALL of your time stressing academics, you will miss out on life lessons that you might need down the road.  I remember when I was in school, I would get a planner to try and help me with the school year.  From trying to remember my work schedule to my school schedule to chorus practice and so on and so forth. I think that a nice well developed planner is a great tool that will help you more than you ever know!   That being said, I was so excited to get a planner to review and share with you from Order Out of Chaos . But, this isn't just any planner... It is a planner that really has room for everything! First of all, I love that it is a nice size.  (8 1/2 by 11 on the overall cover, but the inside actual PLANNER pages are 7x11)  The reason the cover is larger?  So that you can write your class schedule on the outside and have it line up with the inside for slots to help y...

You know, I always have good intentions... I have been talking about how I want to try and get more organized.   With Broxton getting ready to start school, I know it is now or never. I have plans.. Big plans!   But until then, I wanted to take a minute to tell you about a few different products I am planning to work with to organize and get a bit of structure in our house!   I know, I should be starting to get organized now... and I am! I just wanted to share the products I will be using to accomplish my goals! See File® Organizer The See File® Organizer with "U" cut pockets allow users to quickly identify which pockets their papers are filed in and gives easy access to documents. The two-tone file has 12 pockets. They are non-indexed and include labels: Alphabetic A-Z, monthly Jan.-Dec., daily 1-31, household subjects and blank. The files feature a flap and cord for security and easy transport. • 12 pockets with flap and loop closure fo...

I don't know about you, but when I am working on laundry, I like having a hook to help me out with hanging the clothes. What I do not like is how the hook can sometimes mess up the top of your door. Also, where do you put the big hook when you are finished with it? I was sent the Zip-N-Hang for review and I have to say... This is pretty cool! I quickly opened it and took all of about two seconds to hang it up on the laundry room door. You see, the Zip-N-Hang is just that easy! It is this little plastic disc that is suspended on two fishing line type strings... Meaning, NO DAMAGE to your doors! Also, that means you can hang it at whatever level you wish it to be at!!! Also, if you have a glass door, you can use it to hang a wreath or whatever you might want to decorate with! I really like it and the fact that it holds over 20 pounds works great! We have been using it to hold Broxton's laundry as I work in the laundry room. For those that live in small area's... You can als...