I'm Back and Ready to Go!

I hit the proverbial wall that I feared was out there looming.  I haven't written in over a week.  I think my problem was when I was getting ready for a weekend camping trip with the cub scouts, I piled to much other items on my to do list.  When they didn't get done, I felt defeated.  So the camping trip was a lot of fun and my son had a blast.  But when I got back, I was exhausted which flowed into the new week.  Yesterday was Wednesday and I felt very weak and down.  I think because my house was a disaster, and I felt that it would take to much work to get it back in hand.

Today, however, was a new day.  I told myself to do what I could and next week was a new beginning!  So I have tried to put a dent in cleaning the house.  No it doesn't look perfect, but when does it ever look "perfect"?  Well never, five people live in this house:)  There are always things that need cleaned and there always will be.  I need to learn to be less critical of myself.  I am a good mom, a good wife, and a good friend.  Being a good cleaner or a good cook will never rank as high in my book:)

So next week may be a little rocky as well.  My kids have a five day weekend!  Friday through Tuesday off from school.  And my husband decided to take Tuesday off as well.  I am hoping to post my weekly plan on Sunday like usual, but who knows.

Monday Again???

Wow, another Monday is rearing it's ugly head and I actually feel ready to face a new week.  I missed posting my plan for the week because I got caught up in hanging with the family on Sunday:)  Saturday was a bummer for me though.  I had planned on a fun night out with the girls only to have it ruined by the threat of snow/freezing rain.  But I guess I would rather be safe than sorry.  Evenings this week are busy for me.  I have two scout meetings and then Cam and I have eye appointments one day after school.  But luckily my days are free unless I can get one of my friends to go to lunch.

Monday & Tuesday- I will work on decluttering the toddler's room
Wednesday- Hoping to organize in the dinning room
Thursday- Work on my 9 year old's room (might need some help from him)
Friday- packing for my weekend camping trip with the cub scouts:)

I am hoping to have the house mostly done decluttering this month.  I still need to do some organizing in the dinning room and office room (I skipped those after the kitchen because we were in the process of moving a bunch of stuff around).  And the kids rooms still need some work.  I need to find some time to work on my teenager's room with her help.  But after this month I hope to set up a schedule where I do monthly cleaning in a different area each week of the month.  One week will be the bedrooms, one week the bathrooms, one week the dining and kitchen areas, and one week the living spaces. 

Loving my To Do List!

I have finally found a "to-do" list strategy that is actually working for me:)  I am so happy.  For whatever reason in the past to-do lists were made but rarely were finished.  I think my problem was the size of the list and having an open ended time frame to finish it.  Now I make a new list everyday.  It will contain no more than 10 things (some big and some small) and I then star three that I feel are the most important.  I have been doing this for a week and a half and have finished almost everything every day.  I like how it gives me focus and how it gives me a sense of accomplishment when I check things off.  It also keeps my expectations within reason.  I don't have a list of 50 things staring at me all just waiting to be done. 

About my "chores" for the week, I am well on track.  Monday I cleaned the laundry room.  Other than taming the pile of rag towels (we just got new towels for the adults and shifted old towels into the rag pile).  I keep 5 in the laundry room for spills and to use as temporary rugs after playing in the snow.  And the others go downstairs in the basement.  I then cleaned and it really needed it.  The baseboards really need cleaned at least once a month in the laundry room because of all the lint. 

Tuesday and Wednesday I spent in the kids bathroom.  With a teenage daughter, her stuff was getting out of control on the counter.  So I got her two plastic boxes to keep under the sink.  One for hair products and one for face and body supplies.  She just has to pull them out and use whatever and then put it back.  I changed out the shower curtain for one we had only used for 6 months and then stored away.  I think the kids will like it because it has ducks on it:)

I fell like life is more calm and I am more focused.  I am really starting to love my house not just like it!