Refocusing

Here is a little that I have been thinking and praying on:

I have been suffering from an imbalance of my time, my efforts, and my goals. So I made a list of my priorities and here they are:

1. God: Devotions/Scripture reading, prayer/meditation on the Scriptures, quiet/focus & listening to God
2. Husband: His needs, his laundry, areas to clean for him: bedroom, office, upstairs bathroom, food/weekly menu
3. Family: their needs, their laundry, keeping all rooms clean for their safety, devotions: Scripture memory, sewing girl's clothes
4. School: reading, writing, math, science/history, the arts (music/art), P.E./Health
5. Cleaning: for husband, for family, for me
6. Me: time w/God, serve husband/family, conduct school lessons, spend time cleaning, exercise
   

Each one of these areas is important and I am aiming to spend equal amounts of time on each every day, Lord willing.

I have a garden this year, raised beds... so no tilling, no weeding, just keeping the cats out of the garden and the dogs. Trying to grow tomatoes from seeds again, and realized if they don't get enough light they grow really tall & and become weak. If my seedlings in the house don't make it, I am going to plant April 1 outside underneath plastic milk jugs with the lids off right straight into my raised beds.

So here I go to plan my work and work my plan!

Blessings!
Heather

A Little Motivational Exercise...

So, there is much to be done and I am really feeling overwhelmed. So I am going to post a list, then go tackle that list...

Probably updating this post...

Here goes:

1. Clear tables
2. Wash pans from weekend (we are so busy getting ready for church on the weekends that I never get everything done, so I will wash things that can't go in the dishwasher. My second oldest son already loaded and ran the dishwasher once...)
3. Lunch at one table, finish portfolios at the other.
4. Nap time for 2 & 4-year-old, crochet time for me.
5. Get dinner going.

Starting now.

Updated:
Tables cleared by my daughter.
Pans washed, dishwasher reloaded.
Of course, lunch over and done with.
Naps done, and crocheted a bit more.
Dinner cooked, delicious & done (baby back ribs, mac & cheese, green beans)
Portfolios, started... not completed yet, but maybe tonight still?

Quick Clean-Up List (for floors)

Okay, so here is ANOTHER LIST... Did I tell you that I am a list maker? I make list after list, usually to help my children get things done.

This list is supposed to be used throughout the house. It is a FLOORS ONLY list. I created it specifically with my children in mind.

UPDATE: Just wanted to let you know that I gave this list to my almost 12-year-old son and he went to town! What I like about this list is that all he has to do is the next thing on the list, usually when he is finished there are only a few oddball items that he has to deal with. He also doesn't always use it for EVERY room, if he is helping me clean the upstairs, then he just uses it for the upstairs rooms. I was pleasantly surprised last evening when I walked upstairs and saw the difference he had made up there.

1. Go to each room and pick up laundry to take to basement (or laundry room).
2. Take the lego bucket to each room and pick up legos.
3. Take the crayon bucket to each room and pick up crayons.
4. Collect books in each room and put on bookshelf.
5. Gather all shoes and take to mudroom shelf (or shoe closet).
6. Take the pencil bucket to each room and pick up pencils.
7. Gather all dishes in each room and put in kitchen sink (or empty dishwasher).
8. Gather all coloring sheets in each room and put in crayon bucket with crayons.
9. Gather all girls’ toys in each room and take to girls’ bedroom.
10. Gather all boys’ toys in each room and take to boys’ bedroom.
11. Take linking cubes/counting bears bucket to each room and collect linking cubes & counting bears, then take to homeschool area.
12. Gather all coats in each room & hang in coat closet.
13. Gather all blankets, fold and put in living room.
14. Gather all game pieces, puzzle pieces, marbles, and any other small pieces and put in bucket for miscellaneous items (to be put away).
15. Gather all hangers in each room and hang in coat closet.
16. Gather all old newspapers in each room and put in paper basket.
17. Go to each room with trash bag and gather trash in trash bag.
18. Gather school papers in each room and give to Mom to file away.
19. Gather up any other items that you don’t know what to do with and ask Mom about those items.
20. Finally, sweep/vacuum all floors.

There you have it, another cleaning list. I'm sure that in the next several weeks I may come up with more!!!

Blessings!
Heather

Bedroom, Bathroom, Closet & Hallway Organization

Here are some lists I just created for my own use that I thought you might find helpful. We have been working on our Spring Cleaning this week, so that I have an orderly home in time for the baby's arrival.

I am not sure I will make it to my deadline to get it all done this week as I am not moving as fast these days and the cooler weather doesn't help. But I am aiming for success, and plan to achieve it ASAP!!!

10 Steps to Bedroom Organization
1. Remove Clutter
2. Remove Misplaced Items
3. Remove Trash (including broken items that cannot be fixed)
4. Remove Dirty Laundry
5. Remove Boxes of Stored Items from Closets
6. Straighten Hanging Items in Closet
7. Make Beds
8. Place other Items that belong in the room in such a way that they will not be IN the way.
9. If needed, provide baskets for storage.
10. Sweep & Mop Floors, Wash Windows, Apply Window Treatments.

8 Steps to Bedroom Closet Organization
1. Remove all items from floor and shelves & place on a flat surface like a bed or table (or floor for shoes).
2. Wipe shelves.
3. Sort through items on flat surface only keeping the items that you WILL use.
4. Put seasonal items (for opposite season) on shelves above hanging items.
5. Sort through hanging items, keeping only things that you wear.
6. Hang like items together (dresses, shirts, slacks, coats, etc.).
7. Sweep & Mop Floor of Closet.
8. Replace shoes or other floor items back in their places.

5 Steps to Linen Closet Organization
1. Remove all Items from Closet and place neatly on a flat surface like a bed or table.
2. Sort Items by Category (sheets, towels, blankets, toiletries) & remove all other items that don’t belong.
3. Assign Shelves for each Category
4. Match up like items and replace on shelves
5. Sweep & Mop Closet Floor.

10 Steps to Bathroom Organization
1. Remove all dirty laundry from bathroom, sort in baskets, & take to laundry room.
2. Set all Shelves, Hampers, Trash Cans, Scales and other floor items outside of bathroom.
3. Clear all Flat surfaces of Clutter removing misplaced items.
4. Scrub shower wall, toilet, sink, bathtub, & baseboard.
5. Wipe Walls, Window Sills & Mirror.
6. Straighten Medicine Cabinet.
7. Wash Shower Curtain, bleaching if necessary.
8. Sweep & Mop Floor esp. around toilet.
9. Replace Items that belong in Bathroom (including shower curtain).
10. Wash Windows & Apply window treatments (curtains).

5 Steps to Hallway Organization
1. Remove all items that don’t belong in hallway and return to their homes.
2. Clear and Straighten any tables or shelves of Clutter & dust.
3. Sweep & Mop floor.
4. Wash windows & window sills & apply window treatment.
5. Hallways are a thoroughfare through your home, don’t allow the hallway to become disorganized again by taking 5 minutes a day to pick it up.

I plan to make up list for the living room, kitchen and any other room I can think of soon!

Blessings!
Heather

Schedules & Routines & such...

I have been quite busy lately making schedules and routines for my day. Over the course of a week and a half I have not only made my new "Spring, Hectic day Schedule" but I have also made up morning, afternoon and evening routines AND a zone-cleaning list personalized for my home. While I am not going to post my zone cleaning list (since it only applies to my home), I am going to post my new revamped Schedule for Hectic Days (which is EVERY day of spring due to gardening and my sewing projects) and I will also post my routines.

Modified School Schedule for Hectic Days*
(this would be considered my master schedule for spring as it is quite a busy time)

<>Children get up/dressed/beds made (7:15 – 7:45)
<>Morning Chores for children (7:45 – 8:00)
<>Bible/Music/Breakfast (8:00 – 8:45)
<>Breakfast Clean-Up (8:45 – 9:00)
<>Math (9:00 – 9:30)
<>Group Lesson (9:45 – 10:00) Science, History, Art, Music
<>15 minute transition time (10:00 – 10:15)*
<>Spelling, Writing, Or Handwriting (10:15 -10:45)
<>15 minute transition time (10:45 – 11:00)*
<>English Grammar Worksheet (11:00 – 11:30)
---Capitalization, Noun/Verbs, End Marks
<>Reading/Phonics (11:30 – 11:45)
<>P.E. (11:45 – lunchtime)
<>15 minute transition time (12:00 – 12:15)*
<>Lunchtime (12:15 – 12:45)
<>Scripture Reading w/Dad (12:45 – 1:00)
<>Lunch Clean-Up (1:00 - 1:15)
<>15 minute transition time (1:15 – 1:30)*
<>Inside/Outside Work Time (1:30 - 4:00)
<>Dinner Prep (4:00 – 5:00)
<>15 minute transition time (5:15 – 5:30)*
<>Wash up for Dinner (5:30 – 5:45)
<>Set up/Sit down for Dinner (5:45 – 6:30)
<>Dinner Clean-Up Time (6:30 – 6:45)
<>Outside Work/Play Time (6:45 – 7:45)
<>Come in and clean up for bed (7:45 – 8:15)
<>15 minute transition time (8:15 – 8:30)*
<>Lights Out/Bedtime for children (8:30 p.m. – 7:15 a.m.)
<>Quick tidy for Mom (8:30 – 8:45)
<>Get baby down for night (8:45 – 9:30)
<>Computer time, bath time for mom, etc. (9:30)

*If you notice, I have transition times built in to my day so that if we do NOT get started as early as we planned, we can make it up by using the transition times. Transition times can also be used for quick clean-up jobs in between subjects.


Intentional Daily Routine**

Morning Routine
Get up, go to bathroom, scrub toilet & sink
Put on deodorant, get dressed to lace-up shoes.
Grab dirty clothes (to take to basement).
Brush hair.
Get coffee for husband.
Make breakfast, start bread & coffee.
Read scripture & prayer.
Look over school stuff & get things out for homeschooling, check emails.
---Daily lessons: Music, Proverbs, Math, Phonics/Reading, Handwriting, English, Spelling, Group lesson, P.E.
Look at menu plan, lay out meat.
Start laundry.
Get children up, change baby.
Set table for breakfast.
Breakfast.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher while others are clearing table & sweeping floor.
Load breakfast dishes in dishwasher.
Begin homeschooling.
Put laundry in dryer.
Start new load of laundry.
Feed baby lunch.

Afternoon Routine
Put homeschooling stuff away. Avoid the computer.
Set table for lunch.
Prepare food for children.
Change baby’s diaper.
Get baby down for nap.
Eat lunch.
Scripture reading with Dad.
Get laundry from basement.
Start new load of laundry/put laundry in dryer.
Clear table & floor with children.
Put dirty dishes in dishwasher and run dishwasher, if necessary.
Finish up school lessons.
5 minute room clean-up or quick cleaning of cluttered spot.
Clear another cluttered spot (set timer for 5 minutes).
Fold and put away laundry.
Get laundry from basement.
Start a load of laundry.
Start supper.
Declutter time, set timer for 15 minutes.
Finish preparations for supper, clean up as you go.
Spend time on zone cleaning.
Get baby from nap.
Change baby’s diaper.

Evening Routine
Set table for supper.
---Food, plates, forks, spoons, knives, napkins, cups, water pitcher, condiments, bread already sliced.
Feed baby & eat supper.
2nd oldest son unloads dishwasher.
Clean up table & floor from supper.
Put dishes in dishwasher.
Put away any items left out from supper prep.
Wipe counter tops, stove, microwave.
5 minute room clean-up w/children.
Declutter for 15 minutes.
Put last loads of laundry in dryer.
Outside/garden time.
Baths for children.
Pick up bathroom laundry and take to basement.
Children ready for bed (remind children to use toilet and brush teeth).
Children to bed.
Get baby to sleep.
Computer time.
---Prepare for next day’s homeschooling, scan & print necessary worksheets for school, look over next day’s events, menu, check/delete emails, sharpen pencils, get out school things and set them in a special spot.
Zone cleaning in bedroom, sewing if able.
Brush hair.
Bath or bed.

**Also note that I have called this an "Intentional Routine," I do what I can to get things done, I intend to follow the routine, but every routine takes time and there are always interruptions.


I also have been planning a monthly menu, if you are interested in seeing this "Menu Plan" just leave me a comment and I will post it. I have almost typed up the entire menu plan for the month of April, so all I have to do is copy and paste!

Blessings!
Heather

Happenings....

Well, things have been busy as usual. Life is very full with everything there is to do, as many of you know and have experienced.

First off, my dear 8-year-old daughter, who is an animal lover, injured herself a couple weeks back. She was playing with her brothers upstairs in her bedroom and jumped from one of the top bunk beds like a FROG!!! Yes, no kidding, a frog. One of my boys came to get me and told me that she had hurt herself badly and was crying. So, I waddled upstairs (my hubby likes to raz me about the way I walk when I am pregnant)... and checked to see if the emergency was really worth a trip to the hospital. She was crying, a cry that I rarely hear her cry, and complaining that her heel hurt and she could not wiggle her toes or put any weight on her foot. I could not carry her downstairs... so, I went to the freezer, got out an icepack (one of those that is squishly and flat) and wrapped that around her heel stablizing her ankle & foot so that she could at least scoot across the floor. Then, she was able to get downstairs where I could better tend to her.

I, then, called my husband with the wonderful news. I waited until he got home (also making sure that my diagnosis was correct) to take her to the ER. Thankfully she wasn't in a lot of pain and was able to stand waiting a little while. He got home and shortly after we went to the ER.

Unfortunately there was no parking places in the ER parking lot (ugh) and I had to back our 15 passenger van out of the parking lot (because I couldn't turn it around). I, then, dropped her off to the ladies at the ER desk, and had to go find the parking garage for the hospital (which also included a bit of a walk to get back to where I needed to be).

After the x-ray, we were informed that she did indeed break her heel bone, close to the growth plate, and she needed a splint (half cast) until we could get an appointment for the orthopedic doctor. So, after our visit to the ER, we went to see the orthopedic doctor who put a full cast (to the knee) on her leg & foot.

Now the problem is how to keep an active 8-year-old busy with indoor activities that involve sitting. So far, she has learned how to crochet, she has been making bead necklaces, and she has been doing her latch-hook kit (of a golden lab puppy). Of course, there is also school (which has been extremely challenging these last couple weeks) and she also has been doing a lot of drawing. I am not sure how she is going to stand the next 3 weeks with a cast, but only time will tell.

GARDENING

Now for other things going on...

My boys are helping me to garden this year as I am not up to digging and using my garden claw, etc. Interestingly enough, one day I had asked my oldest son to dig a hole for me in the garden to hold all of our coffee grounds, egg shells and plant matter (for compost)... He was thrilled that I asked him to do this. SO... I made the comment, "You know, you can dig up my whole garden if you would like!" and this thrilled him even MORE!!! So, these last several weeks he and his brother have been digging up my garden plot for this year's garden, YEAH!!!

So yesterday, I gave him instructions to get some leaves and put on the garden as well... Leaves are not a problem with us anymore... as you can see in the picture below, we have an abundance of leaf matter where we live now as this whole plot of land is COVERED with trees. I will continue to have them get leaves until I have enough leaves to cover all of my garden plots. They also get the privilege of digging all of those plots up this year as our tiller is in need of repair. And the best thing is, THEY LOVE DOING THIS JOB!!!




Also, in regards to gardening, I have been learning about what plants to plant together as some plants actually benefit from others! This is called companion gardening (or plant pals) and there are several articles on the internet that talk about this. A few things that I learned is that tomatoes like to be planted with basil and carrots, strawberries do NOT like to be planted with cabbage, beans like to be planted with celery and cucumbers, and garlic keeps the aphids away from roses... It also recommends planting herbs around your garden to keep away common garden pests. But, my advice to anyone who is gardening this year for the first time is to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! That is the only way you are going to have any success at all.

I am hoping to have a MUCH better garden this year, than last... though I did enjoy our tomatoes and squash, I would really like to have many more veggies than last year. However, one thing I have learned with all gardening is that you start small and work up to the garden of your dreams.... I don't know if I am starting small enough this year or not, but I have the will and determination to have a better garden than last year. My biggest thing this year is to keep up with those weeds, use the leaves, and lay newpaper down around my plants before the weeds take over.

So far, our expected crops are going to be strawberries (planted last year), blueberries (will plant this year in March), blackberries (growing wild), wineberries (like raspberries, growing wild), peaches (from the peach tree at the edge of the woods), herbs (from my herb garden planted last year) and hopefully many more fruits & veggies... like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, green beans, peas, carrots, radishes, lettuce, spinach, cabbage, pumpkins, canteloupe, watermelon, onions, beets, several varieties of squash, potatoes, and the list goes on.

I have already ordered the seeds and they should be arriving any day now. I plan to start my tomatoes and peppers immediately upon receipt and any other veggie that can be started indoors. The secret to that is to have the soil stay at around 65 - 70 degrees, I learned that lesson last year when my seedlings didn't do so well. I also plan on starting several flowers indoors as well... now is the time!!! I probably could have started a bit earlier, but our home doesn't stay as warm because we use wood heat only which means that the only room that really stays warm is the kitchen. This is fine for us as we have learned to layer clothing, but seeds DO NOT like it AT ALL!!!

Okay, that's my spill on gardening...

OTHER HOME MATTERS....

As far as everything else, this week our dishwasher died. That sure was disappointing as I had loaded it, as always, and went to start it and nothing happened.

So this week I have washed dishes 3 to 4 times a day by hand... I do this because I know how many dishes we go through with each meal. If I wait till the end of the day to wash them, I will be there for 1 1/2 hours. So, I basically take 15-20 minutes after each meal to wash up the items we used for that meal and "WOW!" everything is done in about 30-35 minutes (that includes putting food away, clearing the table and washing the dishes). If I included the floor sweeping, too, we are now talking about 10-15 minutes longer as my boys are not as efficient at sweeping as I am yet.

So, the good news is that our dishes pretty much stay clean all the time and the kitchen looks nice most of the day... the bad news is that my arms and hands are covered in a rash that itches and burns due to my sensitivity to Ajax handwashing dish soap. Sorry, haven't gone to homemade soaps yet as that requires a trip to the store and time that I just don't have these days. Maybe someone can offer me a quick solution to making my own soap FAST.... and with what I have on hand, I don't know. I just do what I know and have known for years... you can teach this old dog new tricks, but it has to be dropped in my lap so that I can stop long enough to notice it!

Well, that's my update for now! I think that lunchtime is calling, as are my washers begging to be emptied so they can be filled again... haven't had much time lately to do laundry, wonder why that is??? ;OP

Blessings!
Heather

A big, "DUH!" moment....

Now as the owner/moderator of Home Management for Large Families, you would think that I have it all together. I do, in my head. Ideas just seem to flow out of my head, and when reading my schedules, to-do lists, and other things, it SEEMS that you WILL end up with the clean and tidy home/organized schedule that you have always dreamed of! But reality strikes when you realize, most things take more time than that!

Anyway, to get to my point...
I enjoy reading other blogs that inspire me to get it all together, make things tidy, and give me hope that, I CAN DO IT!!!

So, I'm reading along... and it says, "Today we are going to wipe and dust everything in sight!"
Okay, that's easy, I can do that! But then as I look around, I find my, "DUH!" moment... No, I can't wipe everything down because I can't see a clean surface in sight! "DUH!"

So, I can print out all the ideas that I want, but in reality, I have to find my way by myself.

For those of you who are in the same boat that I am in, I sympathize. However, I did sit down the other day and write up a cleaning schedule that goes above and beyond normal cleaning so that we can find peace for Thanksgiving. I will share that here for any of you who DON't want to join a group right now, but do want to find organization waiting at your doorstep on Thanksgiving. ****Note: This schedule has already began, but most of the jobs can be added to the next several days so that you CAN potentially catch up... and I am behind as I find most evenings that I crash at 8:30 p.m. on the couch in front of the roaring fire in our fireplace. Something about the sizzling and cracking of burning wood that just sets me up for a peaceful slumber that I can't avoid without leaving the room.


****UPDATED: I did just realize something else that takes a lot of time... two things actually:
1) I have a very needy baby that requires a lot of attention. She is content quite a bit of the time, but she is only 15 months and learning to walk and getting in to things, she has discovered my cabinets and the things they contain.

2) I also have a wood stove to BABYSIT... meaning that I am constantly adding to the fire, trying to keep it going, if it has gone to long without wood, I have to get it going again which can take up to 30 minutes of my time.


Thanksgiving Planner
Sunday........Monday ........Tuesday ........Wednesday .......Thursday .........Friday......Saturday

9	10	11	12	13	14	15
16	17	18	19	20	21	22
23	24	25	26	27 Thanks- giving DAY!	28	29

Monday 11/10/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…17 days!

¨ Try to do at least 4-6 loads of laundry. Follow all steps: Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put away.

¨ Room Focus: Kitchen, make it sparkle!

¨ Straighten your computer desk. Clean pantry floor.

¨ Plan your menu for the week. Lay out any frozen items that you need for you meal today.

¨ Add any grocery items to your grocery list as you think of them, esp. any items needed for Thanksgiving.

¨ Have children keep floors clean, including their bedroom.

Tuesday 11/11/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…16 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Set your goal and press toward it! Follow steps!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hallways, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear counter tops & cabinets in your kitchen or living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals.

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten their bedroom…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/12/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…15 days!

¨ Laundry (an everyday task for us), my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Clear a table or dresser somewhere in your house! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

Thursday 11/13/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…14 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Clean Office and wash windows, clean up and clear the clutter!

¨ Since today we are doing the windows, go to every window sill and remove all clutter!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Do you remember something that you needed? Write it down on your grocery list! Maybe today is errand day…things are starting to take shape, so go run your errands!

¨ Children should have this down by now, but make sure that do their part in cleaning the floors!

Friday 11/14/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…13 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads…large families make large laundry messes!

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make them sparkle AND dust, dust, dust!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Do you have leftovers to serve from your refrigerator? Make something new, serve up those leftovers, or freeze them and order pizzas for Movie night!

¨ We should have everything under control as far as groceries are concerned, but nobody’s perfect… Write down a new list or add to the old!

¨ Children need to quickly clean the floors…this should be easy since it was already done today! The floors need to be ready for this evening so you can enjoy a movie as a family! I suggest watching the Waltons!

Saturday 11/15/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…12 days!

¨ Laundry…make sure things are ready for church tomorrow. Everything laid out and ready to wear down to the shoes! Washing shouldn’t be necessary if you have kept up the rest of the week, but if not…catch up today!

¨ Room Focus: NONE!!! Today we focus on Preparing for the Lord’s Day!

¨ Family Fun Day OR Baking day! Make you breads, desserts, and snacks for tomorrow and the following week! Or have a fun day with family!

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and plan a picnic for Family Fun Day!

¨ Don’t bother yourself with your grocery list today!

¨ Tidy up before your day of baking or fun! Then clean up when done!

Sunday 11/16/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…11 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family.

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/17/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…10 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Is your kitchen still sparkling? If not, make it sparkle! How is your entry way? Shine it up too!

¨ Make things easier Day!!! Today we are going to hunt down and gather those items that keep us from keeping things tidy! You know what they are! Mine are toys! Today, I will gather up extra toys and put them away until our family has enjoyed Thanksgiving with friends!

¨ Plan menu for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Keep that grocery list going!

¨ Children, get after those floors! Many hands make light work.

Tuesday 11/18/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…9 days!

¨ Continue doing laundry, my goal is still 4-6 loads. Sort, Wash, Dry, Fold, Put Away!

¨ Room Focus: Living Room/ Hall ways…dust, wash baseboards, straighten shelves, vacuum furniture!

¨ Clear a cabinet, fireplace mantel, or piano in your living room that has attracted clutter.

¨ Look at menu, and soak beans, lay out meat, brown meat, make bread…something to assist you for meals. If you have fresh pumpkin, cut it in half, scoop out the seeds, bake it in the oven at 350º in a large dish cut sides down with a little water in the bottom for about an hour. Then when it is done, scoop it out of the shell, puree it, and freeze it for Thanksgiving!

¨ Continue working on grocery list.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and ask them straighten their bedrooms…make sure you do yours, too.

Wednesday 11/19/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…8 days!

¨ Laundry, my goal remains the same, 4-6 loads. Follow steps as above!

¨ Room Focus: Bedrooms/Stairway or Porch!

¨ Run through the house and clean the cluttered spots, that is dressers, tables, exercise equipment, hanging mail baskets, and sewing areas! Then clean out your refrigerator!

¨ Make sure you are ready for today’s meal, get things started or put them in the crock pot!

¨ Yes, grocery list time… keep it going so you won’t forget ANYTHING!

¨ Children, as always, need to help clean the floors… Want it done really good? Help them out!

¨ EXTRA JOB: Straighten pantry so it is ready for cooking for Thanksgiving!

Thursday 11/20/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…7 days!

¨ Take a break from laundry (if you can)…clean off your dryer, and wipe down washer/dryer, also take a vacuum and sweep out the lint from the inside of your dryer!

¨ Room Focus: Office… straighten desk & shelves, then dust!

¨ Clean off top of refrigerator & microwave. Didn’t finish the panty? Finish it next!

¨ Do you have a meal in the crock pot yet? Maybe you can brown your meat and prepare it, and put it in the crock pot on low.

¨ Grab grocery list and make a run for the door! Make sure you have the fixings for THANKSGIVING!!! OR stay home and tidy up!

¨ Children should clean the floors!

Friday 11/21/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…6 days!

¨ Laundry: Wash Sheets! Make Beds! My goal is again, 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Bathroom(s)…make sure they sparkle!!!

¨ Rubba Scrubba Scrubbing day! Once children have cleaned the floors, time to scrub them (and/or vacuum to edges), wipe baseboards, vacuum cobwebs from corners and walls!

¨ Use those leftovers & LAY OUT TURKEY!!! (in refrigerator)

¨ Groceries: Write down a new list or add to the old!

¨ Children need to quickly clean the floors…this should be easy since it was already done today! The floors need to be ready for this evening so you can enjoy a movie as a family! I suggest watching the Waltons!

Saturday 11/22/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…5 days!

¨ Laundry…make sure things are ready for church tomorrow. Everything laid out and ready to wear down to the shoes! Washing shouldn’t be necessary if you have kept up the rest of the week, but if not…catch up today!

¨ Room Focus: Guest room…usually I focus solely on getting ready for the Lord’s Day, but due to Thanksgiving, I make sure things are ready in the guest room. Dust, sweep, mop, freshly made beds.

¨ Prepare for the Lord’s day!

¨ Make cranberry sauce, & cheese ball for Thanksgiving. Make a few loaves of bread for M/T/W.

¨ Get you meal in the crock pot for Sunday and make your easy meal for today!

¨ Write down any last minute items you need for Thanksgiving!

¨ Children, tidy floors! Mom, clean up kitchen mess when finished… must keep kitchen CLEAN!

Sunday 11/23/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…4 days!

¨ Lord’s Day! You should be prepared for church so that your getting ready goes smoothly and peacefully!

¨ No activities planned for this day except to plug in your crock pot before church (or the night before).

¨ Spend time fellowshipping with friends and family. OR rest up for the busyness of this week!

¨ Meal clean-up should be a family thing today, to ease one another’s burdens!

Monday 11/24/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…3 days!

¨ Wash weekend laundry so stains don’t set in (from Sunday’s meal). My goal 4-6 loads.

¨ Room Focus: Keep that kitchen sparkling, entryway sparkling, and living room sparkling.

¨ Today we make sure things are tidy and stay that way! Find something you missed and attack!!!

¨ Plan EASY MEALS for the week and get things laid out for today!

¨ Forget the groceries! Make pie crusts, lay out cool whip, chop veggies for stuffing.

¨ Children, get after those floors, tidy rooms and clean up the yard!

Tuesday 11/25/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…2 days!

¨ Do minimal laundry, we should be caught up by now!

¨ Room Focus: Make sure bathrooms are sparkling… including a clean shower curtain for guests!

¨ Dust all surfaces!

¨ Get that meal ready early, THEN make up veggie tray, make corn bread for stuffing, and make pumpkin pies.

¨ Clean up kitchen as you go! Wipe cabinet fronts while waiting for pies.

¨ Encourage children to keep up on the floors, and straighten bedrooms. MOM, make sure you do yours, too! We are preparing for company!!! Yeah!

Wednesday 11/26/08: Countdown to Thanksgiving…1 day!

¨ Do minimal laundry, if any!

¨ Room Focus: Quick tidy of entire house!

¨ Thanksgiving prep: Make crescent rolls, remaining pies, mix mushroom soup into green beans for green bean casserole and put back into refrigerator, cook sweet potatoes.

¨ Eat up those leftovers or make something super easy! Make & bake a breakfast casserole.

¨ Keep cleaning up your cooking messes!

¨ Help children do a super job cleaning the floors.

¨ Set time for your Thanksgiving meal tomorrow, then plan to have turkey done one hour before so you can cook your green bean casserole & pan of stuffing at the very last.

Thursday 11/27/08: Thanksgiving Day!

¨ Get up early and put turkey in oven! Once finished, make gravy from broth.

¨ Cook potatoes for mashed potatoes, mash and put in crock pot.

¨ Room Focus: Be prepared! Rooms should be tidy, but make a quick check! Make sure bathrooms have plenty of soap, towels, and toilet paper!

¨ Make sure dishes stay washed!

¨ Clean up breakfast mess quickly, THEN set the table for Thanksgiving dinner.

¨ Warm up sweet potatoes and prepare them as desired, remember you can put them in a crock pot if you have an extra one. If they have a topping, it can be added at the end and placed in the oven for 15 minutes to crisp up!

¨ Light candles, put on some light music & set out veggie tray & cheese ball or other appetizer just before guests arrive.

¨ Children should help where needed.

¨ Finally, enjoy your day of thanksgiving!

Last year’s Menu

Appetizers

~Cheese Ball with Crackers

~Veggie Tray with dip (celery, pickles, olives, carrots, pretzels, ranch & French onion dip)

Main Meal

~Turkey

~Dressing

~Candied Sweet Potatoes/or Sweet Potato Casserole

~Rice/or Mashed Potatoes

~Gravy

~Crescent Rolls

~Green Bean Casserole & Regular Green beans

~Cranberry Sauce

Dessert

~Pumpkin Pie w/whipped topping

~Pecan Pie

~Pumpkin Streusel Cake

Making a Thanksgiving Menu is helpful to keep you focused and on task. It also helps when you begin to set things out so that you don’t forget anything! One year I forgot to set out my cranberry sauce!!! Boy, was I embarrassed! Ever since then I have made a list of my menu!

***If you need recipes or instructions on how to prepare any of the items I have listed, just leave me a comment!

Blessing!

Heather

Easy Button

Is there an easy button that I can push to make my day go smoother...

An easy button that makes...

• sweeping floors easier
• washing clothes in the washer easier (as mine kept going out of balance today...had to babysit it)
• hanging laundry out on the line easier...without the threat of being infested with ticks & chiggers
• getting little silly girls down for their naps easier
• having children help with the tasks around the house easier (without the distraction of a snake eating a frog)
  
• getting to eat lunch ON TIME easier
• getting baby girl to sleep easier
• getting the house in order for daddy easier
• keeping the room that was just cleaned clean easier

It sure would be nice if our homes had a reset button like our computers...that restarts everything fresh & new... of course it would have to reset the house as it was the last time you completely cleaned the entire house... ;O)

I just want to push the easy button or the reset button... then I can keep up with all the work, HA! HA!!!

Lord, give me patience,
Lord, give me speed,
Lord, help me with this day,
to give hubby what he needs!

Blessings!
Heather

Time to Restore Order Around Here...

As many of you know, last week was quite a challenge for me. However, you only knew part of it...

You see, my daughter got sick on Tuesday, I started to miscarry on Wednesday AND my friend (nearly sister) went into the hospital to have her baby on Thursday(she was induced). I had spoke of her earlier this year as she had several episodes of premature labor...well, she made it to 39 weeks for the first time in all her pregnancies. AND since she lives quite a ways away, when my hubby was up in their area for work he picked up their children and brought them home with us...so I had 9 children under the age of 11 (or almost 11) in my home for several days last week.

I had a 1-year-old (almost), a 2-year-old, a 3-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old (almost), a 6-year-old, a 7-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 11-year-old (almost) in my home all at once...

Now, maybe your thinking, "NO wonder she miscarried!" No, that's not the case as the extra children arrived Tuesday evening (when I still wondered what was wrong with my daughter) and all we had to do was put them to bed.

Since I started miscarrying on Wednesday morning (around 5 a.m.), my older children took care of the younger children outside...Yes, we sent them all OUTSIDE to play...so the house was nice and quiet (for the most part).

It was quite busy those few days as we had their children from Tuesday evening to Saturday afternoon...

Thankfully a family from church drove up (2 hours away) on Friday to provide a meal and help with the cleaning... Shortly after they arrived, I arrived home with my daughter from the doctor.

However, with all the down time that I had to spend while trying to keep from miscarrying, I made up a chore chart for my children so things could start getting done daily around here...We are still trying to make it work, but I thought I would share our chore list with you.

NOTE: Usually we are unable to complete our tasks, but sometimes they get them done early in the day...

First thing I did was buddy up my children... The buddies (groups) are:

1. 11-year-old (almost) with 6-year-old
2. 9-year-old with 3-year-old
3. 7-year-old with 5-year-old (almost)

Here are the jobs:

Group 1 does these jobs on Monday & Thursday, Group 2: Wednesday & Saturday, Group 3: Tuesday & Friday

• Unload Dishwasher
• Feed & Water Chickens (3 times daily), Gather eggs
• Pick Up & Sweep Living Room Floor
• Pick Up & Sweep Mudroom Floor
• Set Table for Breakfast & Clear food and dishes when done
• Pick Up & Vacuum Stairs
• Take ALL trash out & Replace trash bags
• Make Ice for drinks (which included emptying trays)

Group 1: Tuesday & Friday, Group 2: Monday & Thursday, Group 3: Wednesday & Saturday

• Load Dishwasher
• Help Potty Train 3-year-old
• Clean & Sweep Kitchen Floor
• Set Table for Lunch & clear food and dishes
• Fold Laundry
• Clean & Sweep Bathroom Floors
• Scrub Shower & Tub
• Pick Up Laundry in ALL Rooms

Group 1: Wednesday & Saturday, Group 2: Tuesday & Friday, Group 3: Monday & Thursday

• Changes baby's wet diapers
• Clean & Sweep Hallway Floors (upstairs & downstairs)
• Set Table for Dinner & clear food and dishes
• Make ALL beds (if not done yet)
• Changes Sheets (of assigned rooms once a week)
• Put away folded laundry
• Clean & Sweep Porch (our outdoor dining room)
• Scrub Toilets & Bathroom Sinks

I have made my own job chart, but will have to share that later...but one of my jobs is to help one group a day with the middle jobs (that starts with Load Dishwasher).

So far that is the plan and if my children do their work, they get paid a little something and earn special privileges. But if I end up doing the job, they pay ME for it... $.25, unless I have been assigned to help them.


This new system is still a work in progress, and NO we NEVER get it all done, but hopefully we will eventually get the hang of it and finish our daily task lists.

I am one of those people that is organized in the brain, but not too organized on the outside...so I am working on this.

And if you were to put me in a class, the groups being "Cleanies or Born-Organized people" and "Messies ," I'm afraid that I would fall into the "Messies" category... Just being honest here, as I can't boast about my ability to tackle the entire house in one day, one week, or even one month. I am a work in progress, and I will be until my children are grown and able to help me more efficiently.

But those are the goals, I hope it helps you somewhat.

Blessings!
Heather

Ever wonder what all those laundry symbols mean?

Here is the link for all those laundry symbols:

Guide to Common Home Laundering & Dry cleaning Symbols

Other News (in no special order):

• Well, things haven't stopped around here, meaning they are quite busy these days. Non-stop dishes, laundry, and dirty diapers...and non-stop dirt, sand, gardening, and cleaning.
• Yesterday (June 15) was our 12th wedding anniversary, but we were unable to celebrate...
• Two weeks from yesterday, my son jumped off the dock (barefooted) and landed on something VERY sharp...needless to say, he had to have 13 stitches to repair his foot. He has now been hobbling around for two weeks. (That was when we had company over...my husband and son's visit were cut short.)
• My second youngest daughter turned 3 on June 3rd.
• Our biting black (sheep?) flies finally arrived a few days back...thankfully they only bite you if you are on the lawn mower.
• The heat has finally subsided a bit, the cool weather blew in just today! You know, there is nothing like sweating while you hang laundry out on the clothes line.
• My "secret garden" is taking shape, but it is no where near what I want it to be this year. I have a feeling it will take a few years to get it in shape. However, I did find a clematis growing amongst the weeds...got a trellis up and weaved it through the trellis. I can't wait to see it a few years from now!!! Right now we have begonias, peppermint, spearmint, oregano, thyme, lavender, sage, four o'clocks, and a sunflower growing in it. Eventually the entire back yard (which is surrounded by a wall) will be my secret garden. Oh, and I have lettuce and radishes growing off to the side in my back yard (future secret garden).
• Last week I sat down and made my 3 middle girls each a dress. They turned out adorable...now I just need to get them off of them long enough to take a picture of them!
• Baby girl is crawling, pulling up and sitting all by herself. She has become quite the little mover and shaker...she just won't slow down, not even for a minute!
  

Anyway...that is all I have time for today! Don't know when I will be back, as keeping a blog can be quite time consuming and right now, I just don't have that kind of time.

Hope to get things normal around here soon. Get a schedule or something! If you have any great ideas or suggestions for me that you would like to send me, email me at runningtothecross@yahoo.com

Have a great summer, if I am gone that long! (I probably won't be...(O;)
Blessings!
Heather

Willling Workers Job Chart

I apologize for not being around much! I have had little time lately...but I just created a Willing Workers Job Chart to go along with the First Time Obedience Chart.

Here are the links: Willing Worker's Chart
First Time Obedience Chart

On the First Time Obedience Chart, you'll have to print page 1 only...the computer program read it as two pages even though it was just one.

And to get your copy, once your are at the link, click on Download, select PDF, and it will be downloaded to your computer!

Have a great week! I'm of to get things done...be back when there is time!
Blessings!
Heather

First Time Obedience Chart

To get your First Time Obedience Chart go HERE.

Then, once you are there, click on Download in the upper right hand corner. You will then get a list of different options...I recommend downloading it as a PDF...otherwise, the program manipulates and distorts the document. Unfortunately, it will tell you that there are 2 pages. There is only one page, so just tell it to print page 1.

Have a great weekend!
Heather

Updated: First Time Obedience Chart...Made Public!

Updated: Get your First Time Obedience Chart HERE.
Thanks Mama!

Original Post: Jessica,

I would love to share the template for my First Time Obedience Chart, however, I am not quite sure how to put that form online.

Can anyone help me with this?

Thanks...
Heather

Thanks for all the Advice!

I appreciate everyone's comments (although I don't always get them published right away!)...I did read them and ponder over them for quite some time.

Normally laundry, dishes, and floors are all that I get to...that is the floors downstairs.

We have been blessed with a large house...at least large for me.

On the first floor there is a large mudroom, a large eat-in kitchen, a somewhat large living area (broken up into a living area & piano area that houses the home school books), a screened-in porch which serves as our second eating/home school area, a hallway/stairway/closet area, an office, and a bathroom.

On the second floor is the bedrooms: girl's room, boy's room, master bedroom, and guest room; then the linen closet, bathroom, and hallway.

The basement isn't much to talk about as water streams through it when it rains, but it has the "extra" junk, the freezers, a refrigerator, 2 washers & 2 dryers (one of which I am waiting for my husband to hook up), and our stove that has the broken door (broken during our move). NOTE: I am thrilled to have both washers hooked up as my dear hubby hung some clothesline up just the other day...I am able to attack the laundry with a vengeance daily...

I am getting a game plan together so that I can attack this home with a vengeance...so far, I have attacked the hallway/stairway/closet area but it needs to be tidied again, the kitchen which is always in need of tidying, and the living area which always needs tidying, and the laundry (never ending task as my children love to play in the water all summer long!)...

We have company coming over on Sunday, so I must keep attacking the house...I DO plan to get as much done as possible.

Again, thanks for all the advice!

So far, here is what I have done with it:

1. Yesterday I employed all of my older children in the kitchen, I washed the dishes, my younger son rinsed, my older daughter dried, and my oldest son put the dishes away...then we, as a team, attacked the floors, counter tops and table.
2. I DO own a copy of Teri Maxwell's Manager's of Their Homes, (which is what the Duggars use) however I have not yet read it all the way through...BUT, my children usually buddy up like this: two middle daughters, oldest son with second youngest daughter, youngest son with youngest daughter, oldest daughter is my cleaning angel...she goes behind me after I have swept up a pile and cleans it up.
3. Laundry, dishes, and floors are just about all that I get done daily...at least the floors downstairs...we have a BIG problem with sand here, it's not good for the floors but it gets on the children's clothes everyday. I am unable to keep up with all the sand, but I am trying to get a routine that works.
4. Standards, standards, standards...we all have them. We have our "standard" about what we think is clean...mine are somewhat high, but I have achieved them in the past. I'm not getting any younger, nor am I getting any less busy...so my standards need to be lower, but as I teach and train my children to clean, I can raise my standards as, "Many hands make light work".
5. My own advice...I have a First Time Obedience chart for each child. I am using this as a tool to encourage my children to do the job the first time and diligently. It seems to be working as my children are always anxious to see how many stars they have earned so far.

And, if any of you have been wondering where I disappeared...I have been on Planet Laundry...I did 4 loads on Monday, 5 loads on Tuesday, and 6 loads today....ugh...The laundry still isn't done,
but that is no thanks to the beautiful weather that called my children outdoors to play in the water on Monday and Tuesday... ;OD I love the warm weather, but I don't love the laundry it creates, LOL!

Well, I'm off again to find SOMETHING to clean...it's getting there. Once most of my laundry is folded and put away (& winter things in temporary storage...my closet), I will be 75% there. (O;

Have a great day! & Blessings!
Heather

How DO you do it?

Thank you ladies (Leanne & Hadias), for your concern in regards to keeping on top of things in my home...yes, it is difficult and yes, I have learned that it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep things spotless all the time. In fact, if my house is even remotely tidy, I am thrilled.

I know that I need to lower my standards...but in a sense, I just can't. I DEEPLY desire to be a good steward of my home. I DEEPLY desire to please my husband with a tidy home...he really needs it to be that way. Although, I have never been able to keep it clean for long (at least not since I had my 5th child), I have tried. So if you are wondering, YES, I did keep it clean when I had 4 children (all under the age of 5)...now it just seems like a dream.

I guess part of the reason why I want to get it clean is because I once asked a born-organized individual for some tips on keeping my house clean and they looked at me, shook their head and told me, "I don't know how you can be disorganized." Ever since I have backed away from asking others (especially the organized) how they do it.

However, I am going to be brave today and ask again...HOW DO YOU DO IT?

What kind of cleaning schedule do you keep? Do you get everything done on your schedule? If not, HOW do you fit the undone tasks into the rest of your schedule?

Now, I know you folks are out there...I have visited your blogs and seen your clean and tidy homes. I have also read your comments (at other people's blogs). Although, I dare not ask you on your blog how you do it...I will here (that is, ask you that very question).

Keep in mind, I DO have seven children...ages: almost 11, 9, 7 1/2, 6, almost 5, almost 3, and almost 10 months. Also, I NEVER get a full night's sleep...I wake up exhausted, but I try to get up around 7 or earlier. My children DO help...as they have assigned tasks. They also help with the baby, holding her and such...

If you were to give me some advice, what would it be? I tend to stress with schedules because I NEVER get it all done, but I am a list maker. I know how well menu plans work. AND as a homeschooler, I know that usually when you have 5 children under the age of 10 to school that you find yourself overwhelmed (esp. with NEW curriculum)....

Anyway, enough time spent...if you have some kindhearted advice (not criticism) and would like to share, I am all ears. If your are one of those who can keep on top of everything (in the home)...what a gift you have! If not, I'm with you on that!

Have a blessed and wonderful day and weekend!
Blessings!
Heather

My Kitchen

*NOTE: The previous resident took the piece of corian off of the island before he moved, thus my husband hasn't had a chance to replace it.



I wanted to post pictures of my kitchen online so that I could look at it CLEAN... I struggle daily with keeping up with everyday tasks as it always seems that someone needs me, or my help, or my arms to hold them, or my kisses for their boo-boos...etc., etc., etc.

My goal is to look at this post every time I get discouraged or need motivation to keep things maintained. I know there will come a time when I get behind AGAIN for the thousandth time, but I am striving to get things in order around here so that my home is "guest ready"...

As I go through each room and clean it over the next several weeks, I plan to post a picture of each room so that I can go back and look later on when I feel a bit overwhelmed. Again, a "guest ready" house is the goal...it will take weeks, as I still have much organizing to do and many children to undo my cleaning, but I am aiming for an organized home that I can MAINTAIN.

Thanks for sharing my clean kitchen with me! I am so thrilled that it is clean!

Have a blessed day in the LORD!
Heather