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Saving Space

January 10, 2012

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For someone who is as allergic to cleaning the house as I am, decluttering is strangely therapeutic for me. It’s a simple theory really, because the less stuff I own, the less stuff I have to end up cleaning. Over the years, I’ve adopted a very brutal approach to dealing with clutter – which is when in doubt, just chuck.

The husband says I have a heart of stone because I don’t hesitate to throw out boxes of handwritten cards and cute trinkets but I’m just un-sentimental that way.

Only problem is that there will be these items that are 50-50. You know the sort. The ones you think you will need to use at some point (just not now) but takes too much space to store. Chances are, I’ll keep it for years and not use it. Then one day, I’ll decide to throw it out only to find that I finally have use for it.

Recently, I was introduced to a genius new way of dealing with this sort of items. Space Saver Vacuum Bags from Mummy Cents. They’re essentially Ziploc bags (with double Ziploc closure for more security) with a one-way valve that prevents air from reentering the bag after deflating. Once all the excess air is removed, it saves up to 75% of the space. The bags are also reusable, which makes it great for the environment and your pocket.

The bags come in 5 sizes ranging from S to XXL. This largest one was big enough to keep all their stuffed toys and then some.

Kirsten is still in her photo-taking phase so she had to get in the shot.

After extracting all the air, I was left with this. Poor Tweety looks like she’s being asphyxiated, which I suppose, only makes it seem so much more effective. The great thing is that the plushies (and other stuff) will retain their shape once the air is let back in so you won’t end up with deformed toys that will make your kids have a meltdown.

I tried it on a bunch of other stuff like cot bumpers, curtains and baby clothes and they all worked like a charm.

These also work great for travel packing as it comes with a handy manual air extractor to bring along while traveling. I usually end up having to sit on my suitcase to fit in all the items but with these space saver bags, it’ll be a breeze to squeeze everything in.

Did I already say it was therapeutic? I’m having so much fun sucking out air that I’mma get me more of these magic bags. It’s like squishing bubble wrap, except more productive.

Mummy Cents will be giving away a $50 voucher (to be spent on any item in the shop) to 2 readers, so head over to the Facebook page to join!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Mummy Cents. All opinions and text are my own.

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how i pretend to be a cool mum, i embarrass myself sometimes

How NOT to work from home

January 9, 2012

I really enjoy working from home. It’s very liberating. There’s no one breathing down my neck to monitor my productivity. There’s no one to judge me when I have crazy hair. There’s no one to give me the stink eye when I’m late or write me passive aggressive emails explaining why “jeans is not an appropriate dress code for work”. And there’s no one to tell me I can’t take a nap when I damn well feel like taking one.

I get judged on one thing alone – which is the quality of work that I deliver. Nobody cares how I do it as long as it’s done.

But I’ve come to realize that this sort of arrangement only works with folks who are self-motivated and organized and responsible and non-procrastinating. All the qualities I don’t seem to possess.

Instead, here’s how my typical day goes down.

Every morning, I prep the kids for school, pack their bags, drop them off and send the husband to work.

Then I get back and turn on my laptop to make a list of all the things I’m supposed to do for the day.

Great, list completed – this level of productivity deserves a cup of coffee. So I take my time to pull a beautiful shot of nespresso and froth the milk to perfection.

Wait, a Facebook alert. Must. Resist.

Ok, since I’m enjoying my coffee anyway, I might as well browse Facebook for 15 minutes.

Time check, where did the last hour go? And how did I end up with 13 opened tabs on my browser? Just let me finish watching this baby panda youtube video and then I’ll get to work.

10.52 am. I should probably start with the easy emails frist.

  • “68% off authentic Italian cuisine” – 68%? Blistering barnacles, buy now!
  • “Boost Your Stiffness” – Reply “Dear Maribel, my stiffness does not need boosting, stop sending me spam. Also, I’m not David.”
  • “ASOS Sale Now up to 70% off” – I’m going to be disciplined here but just in case, *bookmark for later browsing.

Clear a bunch of work emails. Look at how prolific I am today. Hi-5 self.

12.30 pm. Time to pick up the kids.

Bring the kids home, put them to bed, fix my lunch, read a couple of blogs and squeeze in a second cup of coffee before the kids wake up.

Finally get down to writing. Struggle to write a paragraph then realize I haven’t showered the whole day. Go take a shower to freshen up and clear my head.

Reread previously written paragraph – hate it. DELETE.

Maybe I should blog instead. Stare at blank screen while grabbing my face for 5 minutes. My brain seems to be broken. Screw this, I’m going to watch Alicia Florrick kick ass at her job for motivation.

“Mommy, can we go to the playground?” Why of course, sweetheart.

Come back, fix dinner, play with toys, feed the kids dinner, read stories and put them to bed before getting back to more empty screen staring. Decide to finish the work tomorrow instead.

But of course the same thing happens tomorrow and the tomorrow after, until my deadline approaches and I realize that I’m suddenly able to finish in 24 hours what I couldn’t in a week. Apparently, there’s nothing like a client breathing down my neck to maximize my productivity.

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kids in motion, kids inc

Busted

January 6, 2012

“MOMMY WAKE UP!!”

Baby girl was yanking open my eyelids as I curled up on the floor in the living room. We were playing a sorting card game and from a sitting position, I found myself progressing to propping up my chin on my arms while lying on the floor, to a curled up foetal position within a matter of minutes. It was one of those post-insomniac nights and I was exhausted.

Besides, sorting card games didn’t make for the most mentally-stimulating exercise.

I was hoping they wouldn’t notice my lack of participation for 15 minutes but seeing how closely they monitor my participation, they quickly did and before I knew it, my child was in my face screaming at me to WAKE UP AND PAY ATTENTION.

I mustered a lame “Can mommy sleep for 15 minutes please? I’m very tired.”

I fully expected her to do more screaming but she let go of my eyelids, glanced at Tru and said “Ok, it’s very bright, you go to the room and sleep.”

I couldn’t believe my ears but hey, I wasn’t going to wait around for her to change her mind. I hastily got off my ass and did a swan dive into my bed, making a mental note to blog about how considerate and AWESOMESAUCE my kids are.

Now one of the skills I’ve learnt as a mother is to fall sleep with my ears still open for suspicious sounds. I would know if they were playing with water in the bathroom, or climbing up the window grilles or stealing gummies from the fridge. My brain would register all these sounds as I slept, flagging up the ones in which I would have to intervene.

They were quiet for several minutes but then I heard an unfamiliar clink coming from the kitchen.

I bolted out of my bed to find the both of them standing on chairs next to the kitchen counter. They were breaking into the fried shallot stash and shoving spoonfuls into their mouths. My mom makes these fried shallots as garnishing for porridge and they usually only get one spoonful mixed in with their dinner. This “crispy”, as they like to call it, is the magic ingredient that makes them finish their food and we ration it out sparingly. So it was like they found their pot of gold (en brown).

“Orhhh, you guys are busted,” I said, pretending to look upset.

Truett looked a little nervous but Kirsten was unflinching. She looked at me innocently and said “Mommy you tired? You lie down I pat you to sleep.”

I look at my two-and-a-half-year-old and I’d like to think that she’s too young to be masterminding such an elaborate scheme of mischief but honestly, I can’t be sure.

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