#domore: Gettin’ Ultra Organized with a Plan and a Dell

For the first time since Chatterbox started school 5 years ago, this year was the very first time that I felt crazed and breathless preparing for Back to School.  With three kids going to three different schools, and two of them starting brand new schools, we were consumed with school supply lists, open houses, clothes shopping, getting back on a normal sleep schedule, figuring out school bus/drop offs, signing up for extra-curriculars, and…

not to mention that I am the PTA President for both girls’ schools (it sounds worse than it is – the schools share a PTA).

And so.  That, combined with the fact that, HELLO!? Blogalicious is in 3 weeks, has forced this gal to get her household organized.  We started with creating a Family Command Center, which I’ve been pledging to do for ages.  I’ve been collecting inspiration on Pinterest left and right, but since I am not the DIY-type, I’ve been intimidated and put it off.  Determined to conquer that fear, I marched into Office Depot with a plan (and three hyper kids in tow).  Score! They were having a great sale and I got the whiteboard and bulletin board for $4ea! The organization gods were smiling on me.  A few nails in our dining room wall later and…

A sigh of relief.

Next up was the setup my kids were waiting not-so-patiently for: their new computer corner.  Since we received a new family laptop, courtesy of Dell, they could not wait to crack it open.  I’d been adamant about waiting until we ‘got ourselves organized’ before introducing another element into the mix.  Truth be told, I also was avoiding the long setup process that I just knew was waiting for me.  After all, the Dell Inspiron 14z Ultrabook was…{GASP!} a PC! I’ve been a Mac user for the past 2+ years and was skeptical.

I’m happy to say that the joke was on me.  We had the laptop out of the box, and up and running in minutes.  The first order of business was to thoroughly analyze the game offerings that the Ultrabook came with.

Let’s just say, 2 weeks later, they’re still working on that.

Homework was issued this week and Giggles has already had to visit a math games website for bonus points.  Meanwhile, L’il Buddy has declared this laptop “his.”  We’ve got an entire school year ahead of us to grow, learn and explore, and we’re planning on making our new family laptop a big part of that.

Next up on the Get Organized list? Map out a personal schedule that fits in exercise and ‘me’ time with work and home.

I’m taking suggestions.

Disclosure: I’m stoked to be a part of the #DellDozen Experience Millenial and Mom teams as an ambassador for the Dell brand.

About the Dell Ultrabook

The Inspiron 14z Ultrabook delivers ultra-mobility and long 8-hour battery life and is ideal for those who love speed and style.  The Inspiron 14z borrows features loved by XPS 13 customers, such as its portability, fast boot-up times and stylish design. The Inspiron 14z also makes it easy to enjoy music and movies on the go. With a widescreen 14” HD display, built-in Skullcandy™ stereo speakers, a built-in DVD drive and optional discrete graphics, you can stay entertained anywhere you may roam.