Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Julie's Journey to a Clutter-Free Home CONTEST -- Win a free one-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine AND the two e-books!
Well...it's only about 32 hours until my Mother arrives to stay for 6 weeks. Yep, you read that right -- 6 weeks!
Bless her heart, she's coming all the way from Louisiana to Ilinois to help me organize my house. I have for too long been enslaved with stuff.... bargain hunter that I am....it takes it's toll. Especially since we bought our first house and moved 18 months ago -- I have yet to catch up. And since I started working with TOS...and well....since I've inherited being a pack-rat...it goes way back. 
So...I'm thinking of doing a "reality show" of sorts here on my blog... taking before and after pics and posting the progress. Talking about the struggles...the fights with Mom (haha)...the fear of failure...grieving the loss of the mess (?) ... the drives to Goodwill....that kind of stuff. What do you think? Would you follow along with me and encourage me? I will need all the help I can get.
I'd really appreciate it if you would...I'm kind of nervous about it and excited at the same time. Why am I nervous?
I'm gonna be transparent here...I have adult ADD....I am highly creative but have trouble focusing! I mean I can REALLY focus when it's something I'm extremely interested in or feel confident about -- like singing, playing my flute, being goofy with my kids, speaking, or marketing...but when it's something I'm NOT interested in like cleaning, or cooking, or organizing or something I'm not very good at...well, I get extremely overwhelmed. Almost paralyzed. I'm soooo much better than I used to be...but there is much to be overcome. So friends...pray with me, encourage me, and stand with me...would ya?
The really cool thing about having my Mom here is that I feel like I'll be getting the mothering and teaching from her that I missed out on in my teen years. See... I didn't live with my Mom during those years...I lived with my Father and my step-Mother...now don't get me wrong - I had a great life with my Dad and step-Mom. But, I feel I missed a lot of the things that my Mom would have taught me had I been with her on a daily basis ... like how to cook!
So, having said all that...do you want to join me on the journey? Julie's Journey to a Clutter-Free Home...yep...that's what I'll call it....at least until one of you can help me come up with a more catchy title... Hey...that's a good idea....who wants to help me come up with a title for my "reality show"?
How about a contest? Oh goody, I love contests!
Okay, here's the deal -- if you can come up with the "catchiest" (is that a word?!?) title for my quest for a clean home....I'll give you a FREE one-year subscription (or extension if you're already a subscriber) to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine AND the two e-books that have been written -- Secrets for Successful Homeschooling and Homeschooling the High Schooler.
Are you up for the challenge?
Deadline for entries is midnight Sunday, June 4th! I'll pick the winner and post first thing Monday morning! Hurry...and tell all your friends, ok? Hey, who can pass up a good contest? (And see me being REALLY transparent...okay...what am I getting myself into here? 
)
Comment here with your entry! Happy Commenting!
Comments
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Funny!
Posted by Amber
My mom is coming today to do the same thing. I'll blog about it. In the meantime I'll be thinkin'
0:) Amber
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Contest
Posted by JenneinAZ
Julie's Junk-Free Journey.
Good luck. My mom recently cleaned by kitchen for me. I was very very thankful.
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ChathamMommy
Junk-free Joy?
This is one of the (rare) areas I don't struggle with, but I would be more than happy to encourage less clutter in the world. I just refuse to put on a cheerleader outfit to do it. ;)
Seriously, that's one step. Now take number two. :)
Chelo
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Contest
Posted by cheerleadingranny
Somehow I figured this out enough to end up here, registered and ready to go! So glad my friend Nancy told me about this site, I'm excited to learn more about you, and blogging, and homeschooling! My grandkids are 17 mos. & 3 mos. but it's never too early for a grandmother to start homeschooling, "Say Grandma, you can do it, yes you can". So I guess I should be transparant with you too and admit that I'm a contestaholic, whatchyagonnado? I hope you'll concider the following title for your clean up project: Gettin' Sparkelitified !
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - reality show
Posted by Wisconsin
"Extreme Clean: HomeSchool Edition"
Thanks for the inspiration!
Thursday, June 1, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ritatubbs
Clean It or Leave It
Friday, June 2, 2006 - an idea :o)
Posted by bluebonnetacademy
Here's mine:
"Survivor: Clutter Island"
and my daughter's:
"The Amazing Clean: 1 family, 1 clean house"
Have fun!
Terrie
Friday, June 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ElCloud
oh man ... I don't think I can compete with those suggestions. Not enough brain power left this week. :(
Friday, June 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ElCloud
Cleaning with Julie
The Cleaning Apprentice
ClutterBusters
Nanny McClean
Mommy McClean
The Chronicles of Cleania
Friday, June 2, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by telmar
How about Mom Sweep?
Friday, June 2, 2006 - You go, girl! :o)
Posted by momster
I hope your dear mother is duly impressed by all your hard work being done by her...
"Sweeping Beauty"
momster
Friday, June 2, 2006 - Here's a few more ideas:
Posted by TRINITYPREPSCHOOL
Clean Queen
Grow & Glow
Clean Peace
Maid of Honor
Serene & Clean
Let It Shine
Friday, June 2, 2006 - What a lucky daughter you are!
Posted by iluvtheland
I wish my mom was still alive---she would have done the same thing for me. I am buried in clutter, too, and need my mommy! You are so fortunate to still have your mom, and to have her willing to help you with this project! You'll have so much fun together.
How about
Just Me and My Mom: No More Messing Around!
Good luck!
Kathy
Saturday, June 3, 2006 - Thanks!
Posted by consumebyfire
Hey thanks for stopping by my blog. Have a great day!
Kari
Saturday, June 3, 2006 - How Fun!
Posted by HomeForHim
Wow, everyone has such original ideas...the only one I could think of for now is
"Bust the Dust". Maybe I'll add some more by tomorrow. Thanks for the invitation to submit ideas!
Home For Him,
Deborah
Saturday, June 3, 2006 - How's this?
Posted by matiesgirl
Cooking and cleaning with Mom and Julie
"Honey I found the vacuum cleaner"
B est L eft On Ground
Whose floor is it anyway?
Cleaning with the Stars
THe Amazing Space: race to the Goodwill
No Sentiment Required
I could go on probably, but my ride is here!
Saturday, June 3, 2006 - Comment from Titus2woman
Posted by Amber
OOOOOHHHH! I just happened to visit during a CONTEST! and a GOOD ONE! I wanna WIN~but I'm not good with such ideas... LOL!
Clean Quest~the Saga Begins!
Mission Impossible 4: The Search for Sparkle
The Quest for Clean
As the Broom Sweeps
The Chronicles of Ammonia
Mean Queen Clean
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Amber:
apparently I didn't make myself clear on my blog that YOU ARE having the contest, sorry.
0:) Amber
Clutter to the Gutter
Saturday, June 3, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by WaitingontheLord
Flea Market Finale
Operation COS - Categorize Organize Systematize
Liberty and Cleanliness for All
Junk Busters
Sunday, June 4, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by homeschoolblog
The Quest for Clean
Ready for Anything
In Search of A Clean Home
Mrs. Clean, Homeschooler
Clean to be Free
Uncluttered Joy
Cleaning Up My Act and My Home
Home Works!
The Open Door School of Housecleaning
Simplify Your Home
Paring Down and Loving It!
(P.S. I, too, am ready to *clean*!!)
Monday, June 5, 2006 - Too late!
Posted by LadyPoet33
I'm too late, but I like the one you have picked! I can't wait to read your blog. Do let me know when it is up.
LadyPoet33
