Thursday, September 10, 2009
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Welcome to the World, Baby
- Love Story meets Viva la Vida by Jon Schmidt
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Blue or Brown?
It's always so exciting when two brown-eyed parents reproduce because it's fun to see if the recessive blue gene will manifest itself. We know D has a blue gene (from his mom), but we don't know about me . So, are Pip's eyes blue or brown?
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8 comments:
I'm all ears. I want to know too!
I will say that since Tyler has been laid off things actually seem so much simpler and I feel much happier...weird! I think that I just automatically have put Tyler as first priority with the kids as a close second...that's the way it should always be and it is just easier to see how to do that when he is around more...I think another thing I have done lately is to take better care of myself physically eating well and exercising...you know that object lesson where you put the balls in the jar first and then the beans and everything fits and if you do it the opposite way they don't? I have been really trying to do that lately and I have so much more energy! I think I have been less of a people pleaser and have done what I know I need personally and family wise and ironically it helps me to help others at a deeper level:)
Three things that really help me...
One thing I do to try to minimize time spent cleaning is what I call the "touch it once" rule. Laundry & dishes are for sure in this category. Its pretty self explanatory, I try not to spend time organizing things to be organized or cleaning up things that need to be cleaned up. Like rinsing the dishes & then letting them sit there in the sink. I'd rather rinse & wash right then & be done with it. Unload the dryer & put the clothes straight on a hanger & into the closet rather than separate them out into piles first. Of course this doesn't always work, as is evident by the laundry sitting in my bedroom right now!! But I find it helps save time & keep my house relatively clean.
One other thing that simplifies my life when I do it is to let the kids help out. They really want to so I might as well let them!
The last thing that helps me simplify is to get up a little earlier. This is hard for me to do but it always makes my day that much easier if I'm showered & have had a moment to myself to read my scriptures or to get breakfast ready or to plan the daily meals (especially dinner) before my girls are up.
There you have it. I'll also be waiting for some other great ideas!!!
I won't claim to do all these things, but here are some ideas.
You hear it all the time, but I've learned that saying "No" can really make life more simple. We used to live in an area with tons of kids nearby, 30 LDS families in our apartment area, libraries with wonderful programs, numerous parks, and all kinds of activities (many of them free) to participate in. I often felt overwhelmed with all the places to go and people to see. Now that we've moved, we just don't have so many choices. There is only one library, two grocery stores, and a handful of parks. It's nice not to feel obligated to attend play-dates, not to have to drive all over town for the best deal on produce, or worry about whether I should sign up my kid for some program. Now you might not have the luxary of moving to SD, but you can also set limits for yourself. One of my friends has a no car day. She doesn't drive anywhere on Tuesdays. She might go by bike or bus, but mainly limits her-away-from-home activities. I like walking places.
Limit phone, internet, computer time. Turn of the machines and do other things. Turn off the music sometimes and enjoy silence.
As for cleaning, I am an advocate for tackling reoccuring messes immediately. Don't let the dishes pile up and get crusty. You can wash them faster when you do it right after using them. Do two loads of laundry everyday. Give your shower or sink a quick wipe down more often rather than waiting a month or two and having to really scrub.
Keep your stuff in check. Moving helps get rid of stuff, but it can come back quickly if allowed. Cherish empty space as much as stuff, so that you can say, "We don't need that," when you see some bargain.
Make your bed everyday.
Spend time outdoors. Shop less.
Try to make appointments early in the month for visiting teaching.
Get enough sleep.
This is a silly, stupid thing, but it cuts down chore time by a great deal. I no longer fold certain things. I throw clean dish rags into the drawer unfolded. I keep clean cloth diapers in a designated basket--also unfolded. And I don't fold kids clothes. I just lay them flat in their drawers. Since they are so small, they fit that way, so why bother?
I like the book Clutter's Last Stand by Dan Aslett, an LDS father of 8 and cleaning/decluttering expert. It's been awhile since I read it but it basically gave me permission to throw away/donate/get rid of the excess. He talks about the amount of work that goes into cleaning, insuring, storing, worrying about stuff. It's draining. Just let it go. Having always been on a tight budget I sometimes feel like I need to hang on to all the toys and trinkets and hand me downs we're given. Not so. A thank you and then doing as I please with it is fine. I take a bag to the thrift store almost every week and never miss what I've donated. Also, I just started but haven't finished Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley - The Flylady. She talks about "blessing your home" instead of housework. She sets a timer for 15 minutes and working efficiently. You can do even arduous tasks for that short period of time. Also, she's big on routines. You shouldn't have to analyze all house chores you do in the course of day. Just break it down simple have a little routine and get on to better things. I've enjoyed the suggestions so far. Do share what you decide to implement.
I've been checking back every now & then for more ideas, people are so clever.
The best thing I've ever heard but neglected to mention before is to just do what works for YOU. & Don't feel like you're not keeping up or as good as somebody else if their awesome ideas don't work for you or your family.
Here's one thing to simplify your life...let me bring you dinner or wash some dishes or laundry for you so you can have a break after the baby comes. We don't even have to visit, so its actually a break for you, you just do your thing or take a nap & I'll do something for you & be on my way. Let me know & I'll be there to drop off dinner or whatever you need :)
I LOVE YOUR IDEAS, EVERYONE!! KEEP 'EM COMING, SERIOUSLY! Some things you suggested were things I did before but forgot about, but other things were NEW ideas!! THANK YOU!
I remember reading an article on clutter once, and it talked about this woman who aspired to be a writer, but she had too much STUFF in her life to be inspired. So she got rid of all the excess in her life, and one day she sat down and the ideas just flowed. What a concept! I'm hoping to get there someday!
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I really think the following link could help you a lot
http://seriouslysoblessed.blogspot.com/2009/08/so-deep-and-so-true.html
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