woman conquers the war on paper.

And she really has. For her I don’t even think a war was ever even declared. There wasn’t a battle. From birth any piece of paper to touch her hand she probably followed the “touch it once” rule and it was put in the right bin, filed or tossed.

So Crissy, Jen and girls, and all other mystery visitors out there, (a special hello to each and every one of you! or should I say – just you!) in a formal reply to this issue of paper let’s take this in: there is such a woman, she is a mother of 6 children whom over the years of my drive-by and stop-ins there has been no evidence of any pile worthy to be called mass destruction – anywhere. Not found. All while managing many children – all individual persons involved in gymnastics, hockey, basketball, swimming, football, tutoring, music lessons, summer camps, youth activities – you get it.

She has a tried and true philosophy of too much stuff causing chaos. She likes simple, clean counters and coffee tables. She keeps things at the minimal. Including knick-knacks, paper, toys, clothes etc…

I have asked her to take pictures as proof, but she doesn’t have the time. Likely because she is filing, sifting, wiping, driving and the like.

She did agree to an interview – here for all of you to take in:

“Barb – how? how????? Let’s break it down – the mail - where does that go?”
Half of it goes in the recycling on my way from the mailbox into the house, dates go on the calendar, or bills into the slot in the cupboard…” (Wow.)

“Ok – school – the kids activity forms and permission slips?”
I sign right away, write the date on the calendar, write the check (the checkbook is in the kitchen) and it all goes immediately in their backpack. If I am not home, the paper sits on the island but never for long. Otherwise it will get lost (she should of said tossed here, I think that was a slip).

“What about volunteer forms??”
I only volunteer for the valentine’s party. That’s it. Nothing else. So I don’t hang onto forms for other things. (Less paper and less of those should I shouldn’t I decisions both? Wow).

“Art projects???”
I have one sliding display frame in my kitchen and rotate out one art piece at a time. If it is a big special project I sometimes take a photo and scrapbook that, or if the piece fits, I may scrapbook the original. Each kid also has a bin in the basement that special projects can go in. I might save one or two a year. I do toss projects, and realize that not everyone would want to do that. And I realize I may have blown it a couple of times. Ry-Ry once said “I like art – but my mom just tosses it.” So there is that part of it. Whoops.

“Ok – here’s one – report cards?”
Toss.
“Really???” (I mean, you can do that? Shouldn’t someone here be ashamed of something?)
You get a transcript when they graduate. I do read it and go over it when shown to me – and ohh and ahh – but yes – I toss.

“NWEA tests – or whatever other MN standard tests results?”
Toss. I mean as long as the results are fine. Plus we can get those through the school if we ever want to…

” Ok – certificates – awards?”
I do save some, not all. But yes, special honoring awards I do save.

“Ah – hah! So where are those hidden??” (hmmmm???)
I have a manila file for each kid. Or it goes in their scrapbook.
(Yes, people – she scrapbooks. Everyone – deep breath. I once saw her at a hockey practice with the big book on her lap as she was writing down the captions by each of the photos…)

“Anything else?”
When my youngest was 7 – I decided after years of sorting toys or even having bins around we would limit toys with pieces to only legos. Yes, I did let my daughters littlest pet shop in, but no other random cheap sets to keep track of and sort. It made me feel like less of a slave to picking things up. I really don’t enjoy that part of keeping up.

I once heard a rule that to keep from having piles you should be throwing (recycling or giving) away 28 things a day. (She then went on to kindly say that for some of us with piles already – that might be more like 60 things a day – appears 28 things a day is once you are in peacetime). That could be junk mail, some party give-away pieces, a frustrating toy, tupperware that doesn’t have a lid, giving up on finding a match for some socks or gloves, a few pieces of clothing – it will keep the chaos down if it is part of the routine.

Another thing I love is my DYNO label maker – I put labels on containers for pens, tape, fingernail clipper and scissors…etc. Something about the official label seems to help the kids put it back.

So-ahh friends. How are you doing? Inspired? Depressed? I will say, and hear me, she has told me that at times when she observes my life she admires all the fun I can squeeze into a week. And she doesn’t roll her eyes at my piles (or the floating items that aren’t even in pile status yet). To top it off, she is willing to share the joy and help when some of us who need a hand. Or two.

Have a question for Sister Barb? Ah-hah! (I guess that is supposed to be a big moment here. Like: I got you! She’s my sister all along! Likely not enough build-up? Oh well).

As a privileged family member of hers, I will pass along your question and get back to you here. (She could just read her little sister’s blog, I could confront her about that – - – chosing my battles here.)

Feel free to recycle any of her tips, otherwise official permission granted just to toss.

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junk mail photo by Mac and Mel Wisler