My house has clutter, lots of clutter and I am often in awe of some of those super organized mommas!  Nicole from Restrained Chaos has offered to guest post a few of her organization tips… I love them!  They are cheap and easy!  Hope you can take and glean from them as I have.  Here is Nicole in her own words:
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Now, I can’t give the key to total organization. This is not because it’s a secret from Martha Stewart’s vault or hidden in a remote (and very clean) monastery …

This is my preschoolers favorite way to paint!  Basically, it is what it sounds like; shaving cream mixed with paint.  We usually mix the shaving cream with tempera paint as it has the smoothest consistency and is the cheapest!  We have three tubs of primary colored paint: red, blue and yellow that we mix to get a whole host of colors.  When mixed with the cream, the colors look more neon and bright.

Here are some simple ways we can show love to our families:
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Pick a 24hr period and try not to complain about anything during that time. Someone who is positive is more pleasant to be around!
Go on a date together as a whole family! Is there a family event or place that your kids enjoy where you can be together?  We love going to play centers and the park if the weather is nice.
Be quick to apologize if you have done something hurtful or inconsiderate. As a parent …

For the past eight years, my husband has worked out of town most of the week. This presents some unique challenges to maintaining family unity. Life is in a constant state of adjustment. I have read good articles addressing the struggles of military families, but there doesn’t seem to be good advice for families in my situation. The struggles we face are different because it is not one long stint in another location and then a homecoming. Each week we say goodbye, and …

A secure marriage, has secure kids in it!  Spouses who love each other raise their children in a home that is full of love!  Lets see if some of these ideas will help build our homes, strengthen our marriages and bless our children.  Aimee, of Women’s Marriage Ministry, joined us in co-authoring this post of  Ways to Show your Love , let’s try to implement one of these suggestions each day.
P.S.  Isn’t my fella handsome?  I rarely include personal photos on this blog, but I couldn’t resist this time!
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Ways to …

Are you feeling the post-holiday belt crunch?  I know our budget is a bit tighter each winter.  One of my favorite ways to save is through hounding our local discount grocery store (aka Bent and Dents).  Most of the food is at or near its expiration date, and many of the cans or boxes are beat up, but often I can find food for half the price it would be at the regular grocery store.  Be sure to check the food before you eat it to make sure that it …

Every New Year I take a look at this list I created years ago… 50 Ways to save money.   Including general tips, ways to save money in your household, with your kids, and when feeding your family.  So many of them I slip away from as the year goes on!  Want to join me in pinching some pennies?  Do you have a frugal tip?  I’d love to hear about it!
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General:

Make a goal chart and as you save the amount of money or pay off debts, …

Want to make a homemade, personalized gift for Christmas?  Something from this list should inspire or help you!  Have any ideas that were not listed?  Lets see if we can come up with more!  Have a blog with instructions on how to make one of the gifts mentioned below?  I’d love to hear from you and feature you!  Have a similar list of gift suggestions?  Join our Linky at the end!
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Jars of Fudge and Icecream fixings
Cake-in-a-Jar
Coffee Mixes with chocolate spoons
Hot Coco Mix with Chocolate dipped pretzels
Box of assorted cookies (Biscotti …

My husband came in and told me that I was taking this ‘decluttering thing’ too far when he caught me vacuuming out my tool boxes. He told me it was against the tool welding code to vacuum tool boxes in the first place. If you have a tool box, it is supposed to be messy and have dust. lol!

But alas… my tool boxes now have no dust. Each one (one for garage and one for house) has a multi head screwdriver (yet another “no-man’s” idea… according to most men I …

I don’t know about you, but my storage areas were seriously lacking in organization or neatness in this house. Usually, about 6 months in to a house, I go through and put up hooks, baskets, buckets, buy lg storage Tupperware, etc so the spaces look decent and can be used.  That 6 months is quickly coming to a close and my storage areas could use some serious help. My garage is my pantry, garden shed, school supply closet, and camping/travel equipment storage area.  It has a lot of jobs and …