Functioning in Dysfunction

-


I like being organized. I like when things in my home function well. As my family life has changed over the years (from babies & toddlers to young people to teens and older kids).. my systems of organizing things have changed too, at least in some areas. I recently decided to give my laundry room a good cleaning. Last year I organized the pantry shelves and cleaning supplies and such. But I was still fighting with a few things in there, such as my vacuum cleaner, my Sh-mop, empty laundry baskets, etc.. it seemed I was shoving and stuffing these things and fighting with them when I needed them. That is when I realized that often times we will learn to function in dysfunction (I'm not talking about major dysfunction, just small things that can cause frustration and we don't realize it). We don’t really see the issue and we just keep working with a system that obviously does not work well… but it works enough to adapt to it or to function within the dysfunction.




My personal challenge for my home as I usher in 2012 is to start taking a better look at the way things are functioning and determine if it is working well.  Each time I am trying to accomplish something within one of my household systems I will ask myself the Dr. Phil question.. “So how’s that working for you?” ~smile~ .. and then set out to determine a better method if needed.




My first stop is my kitchen cupboards. I will post about this in the next week (hopefully.. if life goes according to my plans!! :).. I have a few areas of dysfunction that we have all learned to function in. The other day as I was getting a coffee cup it came to me that I had us all walking to the other end of the kitchen from the coffee pot to get to the cups. To change this will require changes in a few other cupboards but I think when I am done it will function much better. I will keep you updated on my progress!!

Comments

  1. JessicaDecember 31, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Your pantry sounds like mine!(imagine ALSO fitting a well-meant-husband gift of a shop vac-that did go to shop eventually)

    Every time I make bread and travel from one side of my kitchen to the other I remind myself of one of your organizing tips I haven't given in to, like having a baking station. but I can say can say my coffee cups are close to the coffee maker...hope this doesn't reflect on my priorities!
    Looking forward to your updates - they always encourage me to get with it!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownDecember 31, 2011 at 5:13 PM

    This is one of those moments where it is like a slap in the face, lol. I have had an empty spot in my cabinet over my coffee pot for weeks. Now I know exactly what I am going to place in there!

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. SharonRJanuary 1, 2012 at 4:46 AM

    Having an effecient kitchen, meaning, making as few steps as possible while doing a task, is something my home ec teachers successfully taught me. However, they didn't teach me anything about routines or check balancing, etc. I suppose they thought that we all had that down before coming to class. My mother never taught me how to clean, organize, so I have everything in the right places, but I struggle with the every day cleaning and putting things away. I think you're ahead of me, Jennifer and Jessica. Thanks for your blog. I enjoy reading it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2012 at 6:07 AM

    I have recently found myself re-evaluating my kitchen area as well. How much time to I run around getting the supplies I need...they are usually not in the most handy spaces. I like to look at it as trial and error. Find what works and what doesn't...
    I do have a question for you. In your recipe for your Mom's basic bread...what size bread pans do you use?

    ReplyDelete
  5. CrystalJanuary 1, 2012 at 7:46 AM

    Hi Monica! My pans are 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches. 9x5 inches would work as well..

    Crystal

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJanuary 1, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Looking forward to hearing more on this subject as I am working on organizing and cleaning every room in our house (and outside too).
    Happy New Year Crystal--God bless you and yours.
    Aimee

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2012 at 4:06 AM

    I really need to fall in and get some organizing done this year. We moved mid summer and we've finally been in the new place long enough that I know "how" I need things to function. I've just got to undo the original disorder...lol.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Louisa McFarlandJanuary 2, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Good luck getting life to go to your plans...Its great when it does. I am looking forward to reading your orgainzing tips as I am in the process of doing the exact same thing with kids getting older and moving out.

    ReplyDelete
  9. MelindaJanuary 2, 2012 at 1:58 PM

    I am in! I am in the same mode - make things function better. The bigger problem that I have is . . Every cabinet is overstuffed. With one child out of College and one nearing driving, I don't need 6 - 9x13 Pyrex dishes! :) or Do I?? I am clearing out! Can't wait to hear more!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All messages are moderated. After approval your message will be posted. Thank you for your comments!! Crystal :)

Popular posts from this blog

Canning Chicken Noodle-less Soup

-
Image
Today was one of those busy days that it seemed I was moving from the time my feet hit the floor until this evening.. But, I got so much done and that is a great feeling! :) One of my accomplishments today was canning 14 jars of chicken noodle-less soup. I call it “noodle-less” because you can’t can noodles. They end up falling apart. So I canned the chicken, veggies and broth. When I go to use the soup I will bring it to a boil and then add a handful of noodles (any type of pasta will work) and cook it until the noodles are done. Because I plan to add the pasta after the fact I wanted to make sure there was enough chicken broth to do this. So I only filled my jars about half to two thirds with chicken and veggies and then filled with chicken broth. Here is how I did this…. I started off with 2 chickens that were a total weight of about 10lbs. I put them in my 14 quart stock pot… I then added 2 gallons of water.. And 3 tablespoons salt.. I brought this
Read more

Canning Cabbage

-
Image
I had 4 large heads of cabbage that weighted about 25 pounds. We had some really hot days and I figured I better get the last of them picked soon. My daughter Sierra and I ended up processing 3 of them yesterday and I have one left for a meal on my menu this week. I made pickled cabbage and then canned up the last of the cabbage. Here is the recipe for the pickled cabbage (according to how I made it)… 8 pounds cabbage 1 large onion 1 ½ red peppers 1 lb carrots ¾ cup salt 9 cups water 12 cups white vinegar 10 cups sugar 1t mustard seed 1t celery seed Slice cabbage thinly. Slice onion and peppers. Grate carrots. Mix all veggies together in a very large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and mix in well. Let sit for 2 hours to soften veggies. Rinse veggies well.  In a large stock pot (mine was 14 quarts) combine water, vinegar, sugar, spices. Bring to a boil. Add cabbage/veggies. Bring to a boil. Fill hot pint jars with veggies using a slotted spoon. Fill jar with brine to
Read more

Canning Beef Stew

-
Image
In my last blog post I shared that I had bought 10 pounds of beef roast. I cut it all up and used 4 pounds in 2 crockpot freezer meals ( http://homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com/2012/02/two-more-crockpot-meals-for-freezer.html ) . I used the other 6 pounds of meat along with potatoes, carrots, onions and celery to can beef stew. Here were the general proportions I used in canning 7 quarts of beef stew.. 6# beef 2# potatoes 2# carrots 1# onions 1# celery After I cut up the meat and got the freezer meals done I moved to the beef stew. I peeled and cut up the potatoes and carrots. I chopped up the onions and sliced the celery. I pulled out 3 quarts of veggie stock from my freezer to use for liquid in the stew. You can use beef or chicken stock or you can use water. I did not add anything to thicken the liquid as usually thickeners don’t hold up in canning. You can thicken the broth after it is opened if you would like. I added 1 teaspoon salt to each of my
Read more