Sewing fabric bins has been going on apace and I was thrilled to complete four more this week, bringing my total to seven bins. Finally I was ready to set up a new toy area!  The last three years our toy area has been set up in our ‘new bathroom area’, as this room is not plastered it smells of cement sheet dust. Also it wasn’t very large to play in, therefore the children haven’t played much with their toys.   We filled up the new bins, set up the toys on their new shelving, sold unused toys and gave away surplus furniture. The new toy shelving is a pleasure to…

Every family needs a shipping container, truly it is an organisational dream.  Originally, as we spent three years squishing a large family into 77 square metres the shipping container was a necessity. Now it plays a different but integral role. As we had a massive cull and re-organisation of the shed and container recently, I thought I’d take you on a tour, perhaps I shall convince you that you too, need one of these;) *In Australia most homes do not have attics or basements, flooding and white ants are deterants. On the immediate front left we have baby furniture and tall sports equipment, golf clubs, cricket bats, tennis rachets etc Continuing along we come to…

Throughout our married life our homes have consisted of two extremes; very small or very large.  We have owned three homes, the first we reinvented and sold (a story for another day), the last two(8 sq metres-Aust) we renovated and then added huge (house size) extensions. Reflecting on Multiple Mum’s deliberatings; sell and buy larger, extend, or to make better use of current space?  I thought I’d share some of my thoughts and experiences. Perhaps you’ve looked at moving but have decided it is currently best to consolidate financially and re-visit moving in a few years.  Perhaps you’ve considered extending but finances also dictate it is best to wait.  Or your current location is not…

One item that we mourned, when we moved to this property, that was left behind in our town yard was our clothesline.  We were the proud owners of a genuine Hills Hoist.  A huge metal and wire clothesline with long arms spanning nearly half our yard.  Large enough to hold ample loads of clothes and  strong enough to withstand children swinging on it as they swung madly in circles hanging off its arms. Alas all we were able to purchase for here was a modern Hills Hoist,  of the aluminium and plastic lines. These modern lines are vastly inferior in quality to the old and for the last few years I have regretted not…

The undeniable fact is, eleven people generate a large, consistent amount of washing.  To ensure the laundry is maintained, a workable system needs to be implemented.  Family dynamics impact dramatically on what is needed and how it is carried out.  The number and ages of family members, family lifestyles and the seasons create variation.  Over the years our methods have been organic, changing and expanding with our family.  Babies, toilet training, winter, summer, sports, farming, building etc all have created variation. Washing is a task I enjoy, an effortless way to change the dirty to clean, and time in the sunshine hanging the wash is always refreshing.  Whilst folding is a little more mundane, I…

 The symptoms arrived suddenly this afternoon, no warning at all.  I walked up the hall and instantly knew.  I went from a leisurely stroll through the house to instant command mode in two seconds flat.  Within another three seconds I had a battle plan… It was time to declutter!  The entire house from one end to the other was going to be transformed. The next item on the agenda was to marshal the troops.  There my plans slowed a little, the troops were less than enthusiastic. Undaunted I enlisted the ‘Major’s’ help.  He devised a plan he knew they couldn’t resist. My family have been most willing to support me in…

At times I feel that running a large household is similar to being at the helm of a large corporation, or a major in the military.  Over the years we have devised strategies or gleaned ideas to aid in running a smoother household.I have shared in detail previously how we shop monthly  but thought I’d share a few random tips we have learnt that work for us. Appliances 1. Buy ‘daily use’ appliances of semi-industrial strength. ie. Washing Machine, Dishwasher, Stove.  You will save $ in the long run. Laundry 2. Designate each child a towel colour. Our children each have two towels of their colour, ie. red for one,…