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Monday, January 10, 2011

I Can't Believe It's Been a Year (Giveaway)

I can't believe it's been a year since I started Organized Homemaking. Like I always say, it took me years to become a great homemaker. When I first got married I lacked a lot of domestic skills. Lee had to teach me to separate loads of laundry (yes in college I threw it all in one load - luckily it was cold water). I couldn't cook to save my life (unless you count the microwave/reheating foods). I was horrible with money (well it was more that I had never lived on my own so I didn't pay bills or have a credit card or know how to follow a budget). I didn't have any clue how to coupon or save money (in fact I didn't know anything about couponing until a year and a half ago). I could clean really well since that was my job growing up and I was a great organizer, but otherwise I was domestically challenged.

I wanted so desperately to be a great homemaker, but my meatloaves were always mushy, our clothes were always wrinkled (if they even got done), I couldn't balance the checkbook, and I had no clue how to meal plan and grocery shop in a money-saving way.

After years of reading books and blogs, combing through cookbooks to find simple yet tasty recipes, and many trials and errors, I finally learned how to be an organized homemaker. Like I've said before, I am no June Cleaver or Martha Stewart, but I manage to keep an organized and generally clean home, have a simple yet yummy dinner most nights of the week, keep up with the ever expanding loads of laundry, and utilize coupons to save a load of money on our groceries.

I decided to start a blog because it is my heart that wives and mothers who are struggling to be the homemakers they so desire have a place to get simple ideas that they can easily implement and see big changes quickly. I wanted to share tried-and-true recipes for simple and delicious meals so that families could sit down and have a nice meal and conversation each night. I wanted to share simple couponing, meal planning, and grocery shopping techniques to cut down on time, money, and stress. I wanted to share tips on how to organize, clean, and do laundry without all the headache of wondering, "Where do I begin?" I wanted to share budgeting and bill paying tips to cut down on financial stress. Overall, I just wanted to share all of the wonderful things I have learned through all of my own failures and successes.

I hope and pray that this blog has positively impacted my followers and/or readers.

All of that being said, I would love to hear how my readers have enjoyed the blog and what you guys like and want to see this year. So if you leave a comment filling out this survey, you will be entered in a drawing to win the book, "Secrets to Getting More Done in Less Time" by Donna Otto.

http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Getting-More-Done-Less/dp/0736917152

Name (or a fake name if you are worried about security)?
Do you follow and/or read the blog?
How did you hear about the blog?
When did you start reading the blog?
How often do you check the blog?
What is your favorite thing about the blog (in general)?
What is your favorite thing about the blog (specifically - ie couponing, cleaning scheduling, etc)?
What is/are some thing(s) that you have learned from the blog and implemented in your home and what has/have been the result(s)?
What would you like to see more of on the blog this year?

Thanks so much for reading the blog. It is a real joy to me to be able to share it with you. I appreciate all of the love and support I have been shown from my readers. Y'all are the best!

Ashley

4 comments:

  1. Ashley-
    I started reading your blog over a year ago, when your sister and I reconnected! It was the best thing that happened last Thanksgiving. I wish you two lived closer! I have enjoyed learning how to coupon--something I never did until I read your blog. It has been so helpful. I would love to read/see more about your organizing. I have so much trouble keeping it organized because I am a working mom and when I get home I only want to spend time with my little one and cleaning/organizing gets put on the back burner! I really have less time and would love to win this book. Thank you for taking the time to write this blog. I love reading blogs but your's is one of my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Name - Louise
    Do you follow and/or read the blog? - yes
    How did you hear about the blog? - your FB page
    When did you start reading the blog? - when you first started it
    How often do you check the blog? - whenever you post a link on FB
    What is your favorite thing about the blog (in general)? - your openness about not being perfect
    What is your favorite thing about the blog (specifically - ie couponing, cleaning scheduling, etc)? Coupons!!!
    What is/are some thing(s) that you have learned from the blog and implemented in your home and what has/have been the result(s)? Trying to schedule my housekeeping more regularly instead of just trying to do it on the fly
    What would you like to see more of on the blog this year? more of the same!

    Love you girl!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Name (or a fake name if you are worried about security)? Hello! *waves* My name is Katie

    Do you follow and/or read the blog? I am just learning the RSS thing but I have you book marked and check daily for updates!

    How did you hear about the blog? I googled you and you came up (aren't I lucky!)

    When did you start reading the blog? About 3 months ago. My little one is 4.5 months old and I need a lot of work in the cooking and cleaning department.

    How often do you check the blog? Daily.

    What is your favorite thing about the blog (in general)? How positive you are and how organized you are. You give amazing lists of things to do. I love to hear how you organize your home.

    What is your favorite thing about the blog (specifically - ie couponing, cleaning scheduling, etc)? I loved your dayplanner posts. I love cleaning lists and cleaning how-tos the best.

    What is/are some thing(s) that you have learned from the blog and implemented in your home and what has/have been the result(s)? How to do a cleaning schedule. You taught me how to wash dishes properly! LOL! However your earlier posts on how you go about cleaning your house are the ones that I live by!

    What would you like to see more of on the blog this year? I would love to see maybe some before and after photos, things like your pantry organization and room organization. I just love photos and it's easy to visualize that way. Anything to do with organization or schedules is what I love!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Name? Steph Hipp
    Do you follow and/or read the blog? read
    How did you hear about the blog? over 6 months ago
    When did you start reading the blog? over 6 months ago
    How often do you check the blog? whenever a post is updated on FB
    What is your favorite thing about the blog (in general)? as a SAHM I relate and love it all!
    What is your favorite thing about the blog (specifically - ie couponing, cleaning scheduling, etc)? coupon deals and freezer meals
    What is/are some thing(s) that you have learned from the blog and implemented in your home and what has/have been the result(s)? i started freezer cooking after your posts :)
    What would you like to see more of on the blog this year? money saving, deals of things going on in the area and creative things to do with kids. Ashley, check out this sight for fun and creative kids projects and readings: http://www.icanteachmychild.com/

    ReplyDelete