A bit of a strange question, I know! If you follow the instructions on each piece of clothing you'll end up with about 10 separate categories and some with only a few items of clothing in them. This is what I do at the moment: Hot Wash White or Light – the goal is to sterilize and get rid of dust-mites on towels, sheets, cleaning cloths etc. I imagine in the same way the commercial cleaners do for hotels that they service. The water in the washer we have gets so hot on this setting that steam starts coming out, so it's verging on boiling. Dark Wash – on synthetic setting Red Wash – on synthetic setting Lights Wash – on synthetic setting I've also decided only to buy white sheets and towels etc. as hotels tend to do, to make laundry easier. I don't buy anything that would need to be hand washed or dry cleaned more than every 6 months. I use a natural unscented detergent, water softener (we live in a hard water area), and natural oxy-bleach powder for the whites and lights. For items that I really want to ensure items are clean I'll add an antibacterial fabric conditioner to be applied at the end of the wash. Considering also adding a regular natural fabric conditioner. Though I've never bothered doing so before. Just seems like it might be a good idea. What works for you?

Tell me about how you schedule it. Do you pick certain days of the week and make whatever you feel the need for on those days? Or always make certain items on the same day (e.g. tortilla Tuesdays)? Or pick a frequency for regularly used items and squeeze it around the rest of your schedule? ETA: I am looking to stop buying anything sold in plastic packaging, so references to other foods you make are fine as well. I do make yogurt when our jar is getting low and I have enough milk.

I need a serious kick in my pants. I know that I should just be a grown-up and do what needs to be done around here but it's just not happening. I grow so weary of the non-stop urging my children to help, the follow-ups, and trying to keep up. But I'm sinking further and further into mess and disorganization. It's really just picking up and putting away and making the house look sort of tidy and working on some organization (ie make sure everything has a home and if it doesn't, it's out of here). I start and feel overwhelmed and then quit. I've tried all kinds of cleaning plans/routines but they don't really help because they aren't asking me if I actually got it done and they are generally way too overwhelming. DH is too sweet to complain and keep me accountable and thinks I do enough. And all my IRL friends are perfect (LOL! I know that's not true! but it seems that way!) I've hired in some help, too. And I don't want to waste that and use that time wisely to really get some organizing projects knocked out. But I'm the ultimate time waster. Ideas? Groups I could join? Hire a drill sergeant to come in and yell at me periodically?

I am up to my ears in paper. Anyone really good at figuring out what's important and what isn't? Some things: Utility bills (old and new) Loan statements School and Homeschool-related paper (everything from DD's assignments yesterday to stuff brought home from her enrichment program in October) MY school related stuff (law school) such as last semester's outlines and notes recipes DD's artwork DES communications (about food stamp/medicaid benefits) etc. Things that I know I should have I honestly am not sure where they are, they're buried in the clutter. It's in boxes, in bins, on desks, and on counters. I have no clue where to start or what to do with it all. I worry that if I just chuck it all in the recycle bin, the next week I'll need X or Y or DD will notice her precious Z is missing.

I am working really hard getting rid of clutter (hard to do with a packrat for a husband and three kids 4 and under). I am also making a clean house more of a priority. I want everything organized and neat when we start HSing in July. What is your best trick or habit that you use to motivate yourself or makes the most difference in keeping your house clean? What is something you are trying to improve on? Maybe we can give each other hints to make our lives easier!

I need a crash course in LIFE. This is NOT living...what I am doing is surviving...putting out fires ....getting done bare minimum and exhausting myself doing it. Our house is a mess. It is falling apart! (Not dirty or messy...just needs tons of repairs!) Our finances are a mess Our school is a mess. I am a mess Dh is a mess.... The kids are not scheduled or purposeful. I do not know HOW we got into this shape except for the past 6 years were BIG MAJOR changes...as in caring for sick dying parents, children growing up and out...new babies...beginning our business etc. I am totally over the top overwhelmed, plus I have been dealing with a huge flare-up of Fibro which is not helping. I NEED A BOOT CAMP! I haven't even had time for a shower in 5 days!!!! I need meal plans that do NOT include a phone call. I need to make reasonable meals for my kids and husband. I need to organize our stuff (I did de-clutter to the MAX...at least i am not a clutter keeper!) I need lesson plans and ALL my materials TOGETHER. I NEED a schedule! I need to get it together before it all fallls apart so terribly there is no coming back. Anyone else ever been here before?? How did you pick up the pieces and put them back together and move on from there? Books? Websites?? Personal Assisstants?? Life coaches?? Super Nanny?? (For me..not the kids...they are pretty good...LOL) SOS ~~Faithe