I need a House and Home "mentor"!! Anybody interested??

I was going to ask about this too. Do you guys have a cleaning schedule or clean when it is dirty? I keep my house very clean - that is the one thing I am good at

I have a schedule that I follow as much as I can in the morning. I get up, shower, dress, wipe down the shower, sink and then toilet, I swish the toilet, too. Then I have devotions, the children are up by that time and we have breakfast. I have other things that I do during the day, too.

 

After I boil my chicken, I freeze some of the broth for later. I like to use it in my Spanish rice, soups, and sauces. The same with the canned broth. It freezes nicely and comes in handy when you need it.
Patty

 

You can freeze any liquid in ice cube trays. A cube is approx. 2T.

4T or 2 cubes=1/4 cup
8T or 4 cubes=1/2 cup

and so on (like I have to tell you guys that, right?). I like to do this with lemons & limes (when on sale, I STOCK UP!! and then zest & juice them), buttermilk, tomato paste, etc.

 

That sounds very much like the FlyLady stuff. I try to do that, with varying degrees of success. Sometimes I get a little lazy! The idea of her system is that you are always doing a little each day so that your house is always pretty clean and you are not having to do big cleaning.

 

Tiffany, if you are really interested in learning to sew, I think that places like Joanns occasionally offer sewing classes. Another idea might be an actual sewing machine store if you can find one anymore! My mom taught us how to use the sewing machine by sewing quilt block size material pieces together and making pot holders out of them. I have a machine but rarely get it out. I need to teach Joyce how to sew but I need patience! Not for her for me!!LOL!

 

Well I out a little broth on the dogs food and I am going to freeze the rest. My dog loves me even more now!

So I actually got up earlier than usual this morning. I wanted to get up when dh got out of the shower but sleep another 45 mins and got up at 7:30. Oh well it is better that usual. I took a shower and then made blueberry muffins and woke the kids up. I am taking them to a puppet show this morning and I am going to find books on cooking and gardening. I'll see what kind of videos they have also.

 

See? You're already on the right track. Way to go!

 

My favourite cleaning schedule

is found at Motivated Moms and is called the Motivated Moms Planner. It's a download that costs under $10 and I love it! Everything is listed by week for the current year and has spots to check off what to do each day. It keeps housecleaning down to about 30 min. each day for me and everything is getting done.
Here's what it is listed today:
(taken from Motivated Mom's Planner July 31)
-Change dishtowel/dishcloth
-clean out purse/wallet
-de-clutter/organize desk
-dust office
-vacuum bedrooms or 2nd floor
-change hand towels in bathroom
-clean bathroom mirrors
-clean bathtubs and showers
There is also a list off to the side that has daily chores to check off. My kids look at that list as well. It includes things such as: make beds, feed pets, sweep kitchen/entryway, exercise...and so on.
I think it's a terrific deal.
Michelle

 

You have to be sure to slowly work your way into waking early. If you just start doing it, your body will pay you back by the middle of the day. :lol:
Patty

 

Either that or I'll just crash and burn after a week! A few weeks ago when I was a camp counselor I got up at 6:15 everyday and went to bed around midnight. I did it because I had to not because I wanted to. Once I was up I did enjoy being up early. However when I got home I slept for 13 hours straight!

 

OhioGrandma I need you over here. Or maybe I should tell dh to move to Ohio and we can park the rv in your driveway and then when you are done cleaning you can come out and clean mine...

 

That looks neat. So through the month do you go through the entire house? The sample just had 2 pages, so I couldn't tell.

 

Yes!

It even has listed "clip children's fingernails"! How is that for thorough?
My kids can look at the lists and choose something to do each day as well.
Michelle

 

Hello Tiffany,
I know what you are talking about. I got into a nasty habit of sleeping until the kids got up. I needed that time in the morning to spend with God, shower and try to pick up the house before they hit the floor running. My day always goes better when I put God first and then have a somewhat schedule of what the day may be like.
As far as gardening, we did that this year, went all out. Well now we are down to a couple of tomato plants, carrots, watermelon and something else growing which I have not a clue what it is!!! All I know it's vined all over and we have to move it every time we mow the lawn. Think small, I will next time.
Let me know when you figure out how to simplify life, I could use some pointers.:idea:

Kellie

 

That list would take me 8 days to finish!!!

 

Grow zucchuni! They'll grow whether you know what you're doing or not. Other than that herbs are great. I usually have something growing in the kitchen window, and someone bought me a Chia herb garden for my birthday (2 years ago or so, but that's not the point!) and ds and I planted it last week. It's already sprouting and ds loved planting it! We even made a chart so we can keep track of how long it takes everything to sprout.
I wish I could sew, too. I've tried, but sewing machines are not my friend. Everything always ends up tangled up, the thread keeps breaking, you name it. And how you figure out how to thread the thing is mind boggling enough! I'd love to make my own diapers, but guess we'll be buying prefolds instead.
And you really swish your toilet every day? Every single day? I'm such a slacker, lol. I do it maybe 3 or 4 times a week. Shhhh...don't tell.

 

Once you get into a routine, it just come natural. I do have my days when things don't go as planned, but I try to stay on schedule. Right now I am working on getting lesson plans ready for a Teacher Training Bible Class. I have stuff all piled up around my computer. I don't put it away until I am totally done or I might lose something or forget about it until the last minute. Class starts on the 11th of this month and I still have about 8 hours of work to do.

 

Wow Michelle that list is really extensive!

Kellie I asked dh about doing a garden next year and I think we will but it will have to be pretty small.

Danielsmom I have a sewing machine that was given to me years ago. I have never once done anything with it. There it sits on the floor of the spare berdoom. I wouldn't know what to do with it anyway!

Well yesterday I decided to clean some more. I cleaned the back porch which is really a pain because it isn't covered and it has rained for like two months so it was looking kinda gross. I really need to pressure wash it. I transplanted some plants - about 6 - and they look really nice I just need those things you put under the pots so I can bring them inside. I will probably go get some today.
Then I cleaned and reorganized the junk on my shelves in the laundry room. Threw old stuff away and it looks nice. I would like to paint that room next. Actually I have about three rooms I'd like to paint.
Then I made garlic mashed potatoes to go with our other left overs last night.
I was mashing the potatoes when dh went to the fridge and saw a roast in there. He asked me what is up with all of the cooking all of a sudden!!! I told him I just have more energy without the smokes and that I thought he'd like a variety of more fresh foods. He said whatever it is keep it up because he loves it!! He even told me yesterday that he feel so much better already from not smoking - he can breath and isn't coughing.

Today I woke up at 7:15 - I'm getting a bit earlier everyday. I'd like to get up at 6:30 but that may take some time to get there. I am making oatmeal for breakfast for the kids (in just a minute) and then have to run to church and drop something off then go get plastic things for under my plants. Then back home to put a roast in the crock pot. I'm sure then I will find something that needs cleaning.

 

Tiffany,

Congratulations on early rising. You can do it!!! It sounds like everyone is enjoying the "new you". One step at a time, reminds me of a song we sing with the children in our Bible Clubs

When mountains tower rugged and high,
Rise to the challenge, look to the sky,
Trust in the Lord and start out to climb.
Reach for the goal, one step at a time.

Chorus
Little by little, inch by inch,
By the yard it hard, by the inch what a cinch
Never stare up the stairs,
Just step up the steps,
Little by little, inch by inch, it's a cinch!

Growing in Christ takes work ev'ry day,
Reading your Bible learning to pray
Build godly habits, seek help divine
Great things are done, one step at a time.

Musical Ministries 1987

You're doing a great job.

 

Ok, loving this thread!! Working towards many of the goals here too - I see I am in good company!!
Anyone use or have a home notebook or home management that they made? Mine is always a work in progress, just curious how others who may have one use it.
If you dont know what it is, do a search on the net and see what comes up. There are lots of web sites out there.