Donna Darsey Lorenson: Kelsey's application to A&M

Well, Kelsey has turned in all of her letters of recommendation to A&M. WHEW! It's so hard for me to believe that she is going to college. I just PRAY that she gets in A&M. If she doesn't, she'll go to Blinn and then to A&M. Papaw would be so proud of both her and Katy. Katy will start in the summer...I will get the BIGGEST "I'm an Aggie Mom" sticker you have ever seen! WHOOP! We should know in about 2 weeks.

I Can't Believe It's Not Clutter!

Donna's Decluttering Tips

*With cooler weather comes really cute new fall shooes and RAIN. Go to WalMart or Target and check out their garden shoes/clogs that are now on sale. They make for PERFECT rain shoes to keep in your car for those rainy days at work.

*Purse decluttering!! There are just WAY too many cute purses during the fall and you need to make quick changes for all those fall outtings! Buy as many clear makeup bags as you need. In one, put your pens and small pads of paper. In another, your makeup that you use to "touch up" during the day. In another, receipts, coupons, etc. In another, kleenex, gum, breath freshener, chapstick, tweezers, bandaids. You get the idea. Now when you get ready to switch purses or bags, just pick up the clear bags and plop them in the new purse.

*Magazines, magazines, magazines - This is super easy and you will be glad you did it. No thinking involved! : ) Buy a wonderful, colorful three-ring binder and clear plastic insert sheets (top insertions are best). Make sure your binder has a design that is fun and happy!! Put all of those magazine that you were wanting to look at in a big basket, all together. Place it beside the couch or chair where you sit to watch tv. While watching tv, pick up ONE magazine. Go through it QUICKLY page by page, tearing out those pages that you might want to read LATER. Place in the clear inserts. Throw the magazine in the trash. Repeat! : ) Now you have ONE binder that you can look through to see those recipes, room designs, articles,etc. that you had been wanting to read.

*Now's a great time to go ahead and splurge and buy those umbrellas. Small ones. Get four different colors so you know where they "go". One for the car...one for your purse...one for your office...one for the house. Always remember to return them to their "places".

*Buy a big enough decorative hat box (great fall and Christmas designs at this time of year) to put all of your scissors, tape, ribbon, gift tags, bows, pens, Christmas cards, etc. in. As you find cute gift tags, stickers, etc. for the upcoming holidays, just throw them in the box and you're ready when you need them.

*"Spring" cleaning is better in the fall/winter when there's not a lot of dust, grass, etc. in the air. Spend those rainy days cleaning out ONLY ONE THING. ONE closet, ONE box, ONE purse. You will feel better not being so overwhelmed.

*Keep Clorox wipes (any brand) under your bathroom sink. Great for those quick makeup-wipeups in the morning.

*Spray your cleaned sink with windex and wipe clean. Your sink will shine longer!