First month of my project

     I have committed to having month one focus on home. I am lacking discipline with housework.  Here's the areas that will require attention during this month to fulfill my resolution:

clothes-all of our closets need a good cleaning/purging, including all clothes, shoes, and accessories

books-oh a real problem here (Jeff), we need to purge and organize them and figure out a plan to intake/output ( i just can't get Jeff on board with the output part)

movies-we have to work on storage for everyones movies

papers-this ones all me, i have to revise my filing system and bill system to cut back on paper clutter

mementos- this stuff is everywhere, we need a system for preserving memories such as pictures, videos, art work and news clippings

toys- no explanation needed

     I am also committing to devising a morning and evening routine for myself and a chore list/chart for the kids with real enforcement. I have done this several times, but later let it go by the wayside. No more, this is it!
     I am going to run my months from the 15th to the 15th since I am getting a late start. I will try and post weekly with my progress. I am looking forward to getting this month done with and moving on to better things. I just have to make sure that our systems and routines will continue. Y'all got any suggestions?
     This months resolution: I will make my home a place that my family and I can enjoy, cherish, respect and be proud of. I will make it serve our needs while bringing us joy in our daily life.

My Project

     I have been inspired! I read a book this summer called "The Happiness Project". It was an interesting account of one woman's plan at gaining pure joy in her life. I enjoyed the book, despite the fact that I felt like my life was not terribly comparable to the authors. Well actually I guess we all mostly want the same things from life, but the context is different. Anyway...I was inspired to give this happiness project a try. Overall I would already describe myself as a generally happy gal, but come on, who doesn't want the most of life? I am intrigued. I decided to use this blog to document my journey. Here goes!
     My plan is a year long work trying to focus at times on different aspects of life that has potential to bring joy or potential to destroy it. I have chosen the following areas/ideas and will devote one month to each:
     God
     Home
     Marriage
     Children/Parenting
     Health
     Friendship
     Money
     Passion
     Mindfulness  
     Leisure
     Attitude
     Servitude

     That is my working plan. Who knows, I may change my mind as we go. I haven't committed to the order that I will go in yet. This will purely be a work in progress. Anyone interested should join in, we could start a happiness project group.
     Even though I am 7 days into the month I really want to get started. I am choosing Home to work on this month. This is an area that brings me great dismay. I have neglected my home for a while now, being so busy with the kids, work, church, cub scouts, and helping around Luke's school. It just seems like there's never enough time for the house. I do realize though that this is where we spend most of our time and a place that can bring much joy or frustration. That's why I want to start here, to kinda help set the tone for my project, to give me a great setting for my project.
     With each of the areas I have chosen to address in my project I will identify specific resolutions that will help me to measure my success and and chart my progress. Well it sounds like I have work to do. I have to figure out the specific resolutions for this month. I will blog again once I have all this figured out. I just wanted to share this while I was excited about it. If you have any ideas, feel free to share them. I need all the help I can get.