Command Center

Inspired by a post that I link from I'm an Organizing Junkie

Budget Friendly Family Command Center

Here is my version of my command center: 

Its just near the back door and laundry room.

I always kept the main calendar in the kitchen, right next to my son's room and close to the refrigerator.

former location of main calendar

opposite the calendar the refrigerator

I've had the calendar frame for many years. I can't even remember where I bought it. It has a small hook to hang your calendar. But this time, I folded the calendar in half and made some holes to place it on the calendar frame. At the bottom of the calendar. I placed a white board. To write messages.  

I made rules for after school. 

Framed and placed on a small easel.

The bookshelves have been in the hallway for a few years. They have some of my books, binders, and other craft paper sorted in magazine holders.  The keys are in the opposite wall, where they always been. I decided not to switch them yet. 

The Calendar frame has an attached basket at the bottom. That's where I would keep appointment reminder cards, invitations, or any loose small papers.  I have a cubicle sorter right next to the door. That's where the kids would keep their backpacks. There is a space for me too. I will show you the picture later.

So how much did I spend? Zero!  I had everything already in my home. I  just figured out, a different way of using the items.

Pray

Every year, I choose a word to meditate on all year.  The word I chose for this year was Action.  I needed to Act on things that I had been procrastinating, such as my health, my home, my relationship with my husband and other relatives.

I did well all Spring, but then Summer came and things began to loose its joy. I fell back into inactivity.  Some days things did not get done.  Exercise got put aside.  A few projects that got started in the house have not been completed.

With school back in session, meetings, appointments, back to school shopping and other family events have kept me busy this past two weeks.  There are rooms in the house that looked cluttered.  Clutter makes the house look messy.  A messy house makes me feel, confused, overwhelmed.

I could ask for some assistance from my children, but now they have the excuse that they have homework.  I have always had problems getting my children to do chores.  I'm not a disciplinarian. I feel I have lost all hope trying so many ways to get my children to help me.  

I know that with some good communication and a good set up schedule, I can get them to do things.  I have asked my husband to help me in the parenting.  I feel that everything is left to me. All the household management, school activities, soccer practice.  I felt alone!

I understand my husband has a hard day at work. But its is important for him to spend some quality time with his children.  He also has a part in parenting.

A few days ago, I felt overwhelmed. I just felt I needed a break.  I need help.  I can't do all the house management on my own.  So I called on to God for help.

"Lord I need direction. I need guidance in being a good parent.  How do I get my children to help me with chores?  How do I get my husband to help with parenting issues? Show me what are the things I myself need to change in my attitude, and behavior towards my family?"

We all need God's help in our life.  He is the only one that can help us when we have given up hope in all the other method we have tried in the past.

So for this new school year, I have chosen the word Pray.

"...Pray and not give up" Luke 18:1
"Pray that you would not fall into temptation." Luke 22:40

There is so many other scriptures that I could quote, but I can't remember the exact scripture.  If you have any scriptures that you know please share them in the comments.  I'm going to make a print out of those scriptures that speak more to me and meditate on them daily while I have my quiet time.

I have updated my home shrine (altar).  This month we remember the cross on September 14. Our lady of Sorrows is celebrated on the 15th of September.  The color is green for Ordinary time.  I always keep St. Anthony on my altar.  I'm a very forgetful person and often misplace things.  St. Anthony is a very faithful intercessor.

The open bible reminds me to read it often.  This one is open to Psalm 91.  The rosary, a very important tool in prayer.

Please keep me in your prayers.