Day 31 Complete!

Day 31 is complete and I am officially done with this challenge.


This week I worked on my laundry system- 2 loads a day, from start to finish.  I should also let you know that I have my two oldest daughters wash their own clothes.  As well as have my son fold and put his clothes away.  So, I  ended the week with clean clothes.


Since I do not have a utility room, I did not work on the Martha challenges.  I have my washer and dryer in the garage.  Not only are they in the garage but they are at opposite ends of each other.


I did however look at that area and tried to devise a plan where I could make my area a little more pretty.  If my husband will consent, I am hoping to tackle it this summer.  My plan?  Get rid of the stove, if possible, and actually get one in my kitchen :). Do something to the ugly cabinet, like paint and shelf liner. This ugly cabinet is going to become my pantry when we redo our kitchen.  I do not want ugly and my food in the same area :) I am also considering painting my area of the concrete floor.  Maybe hang some sheet rock.  Of course, some of this stuff will depend on the budget.


I gathered boxes for the goodwill and started gathering items to get rid of.


I got to hear from one of my favorite people, Sally Clarkson.  I just love listening to this woman.  I have sat through teachings from her and could do it all day long.  She is an amazing woman. Do you think I like her? :)


To hire help or not?  I use to be the help when I was younger.  I have hired help, in the past, when my youngest was born.  I had someone come in for a few hours every 2 weeks.  She would come in and deep clean those areas that I ran out of time for.  I knew this person and I absolutely loved it, but the budget did not, so it lasted for about 3 months and then we went back to normal.  It was such a blessing at that time though.  It gave me some extra time to get use to a new baby and the newness that this added to how our household ran.  I have walked into women's homes that homeschool with lots of children and they are very involved in other things as well and their houses are spotless.  I finally asked them how they did it all.  You know what their answer was??? Hired help.  Yep, they all had someone that came in and cleaned. Just a pipe dream here.  Besides my children are older and I would feel guilty.


We ended with contentment and balancing it all.  I listed so many things that I am thankful for it helped to keep all the dirt in perspective :).


I am glad that I did this challenge.  It was my first one since entering the blogging world a few months ago.  It helped me meet some other ladies and I do believe I learned some things about myself through the Mary challenges.


I am off to kiss my husband, giggle with the kiddos, and read my Word.


Blessings!

Time, Organizing, Planning, and Schedules

Well I was hit by the irony of the titles this week.  Considering that the whole month of May has whizzed by like a tornado and understanding that my time was maxed!


Summer has started for us.  Therefore my time is more mine. Well sort of :) I have planned on using this time to get some real habits in order.


My plan is to make a habit of doing at least 2 loads of laundry daily-completely done.  Not just shoved in the washer or dropped on the couch but complete.  I added to my daily list- beds made, maintain kitchen order, 10-min tidies 3 times through out the day for the kids, and wiping bathroom down.  If I can do this it should keep some order. Then Monday through Friday I will deep clean one area. M-Kitchen, T-Living Room, W-Bathroom #1, Th- Bedrooms, Fri- Bathroom 2.  If I can stick to this plan I will not have to deep clean anything on the weekends and my house should be in order. I have printed this schedule off and placed it in a plastic protector and have it posted on my refrigerator.


I will be good if I don't get distracted by shiny things, beautiful sunny days, a great book or magazine to read, or anything else that might show itself better then my plan. :)