Laundry Central

One of the things my mom suggested might help me in my constant struggle for laundry is a "laundry center." The theory is that if I deal with the laundry right when it comes out of the dryer I won't have wrinkly clothes that take days to put away.

So tonight I have been organizing and tidying the laundry area. I got Leif to move the rolls of insulation that were there so I have room to hang clothes as soon as they exit the dryer. I cleaned off the top of the washing machine (put the detergent, bleach, etc. along the back, but kept the front open) so I have a place to fold clothes. And I have the ironing board set up and cleared off (except the items that need to be ironed) so it's ready to use when I need it.

We'll see how "laundry central" goes, but so far so good on the one load I've done tonight. I've got another drying right now, one in the washer, and one waiting to go in, so that should give me a little practice with the new setup!! =D

Maintenance

I am still working on decluttering and cleaning the house, but I just want to say that I have thus far maintained Eliana's room and the kitchen and that makes me happy.

++Double Plus!

I just did some math and figured out that if I do an hour of housework every day I can lose 10 lbs in 8 weeks**! Sweet!!!

Not to mention that my house will be VERY CLEAN! No wonder those stepford wives were model thin!

**(okay, so this isn't entirely true since an hour of housework WILL burn 200 calories, but 55 of those I would be burning anyway, just by being alive.)

... on a completely different note, I shined my sink tonight, for the first time in a while. And I cleaned the guest bathroom while Ellie was taking a bath. And I am working on decluttering the countertop in the kitchen. It's good stuff.

Schedule Bumps

When Eliana's schedule changes, it always throws me for a loop. And for some reason, this last change has really been a doozy. I have been off kilter for a few weeks because of it, and it's not just my house that's suffering. I haven't been doing my morning and evening routines, which means I haven't been reading my Bible. And because I haven't been starting my day off with prayer and the Word, it's been hard for me to keep my priorities straight day in and day out. I get selfish. I want time for ME. I don't want to do the things I ought, and I start to resent spending my entire day looking after a 2 year old who doesn't nap anymore.

But you know what? My time is not my own. It never was, and it never will be. That's what it means to be a servant of Christ. My time is His to use for whatever He has called me to do. And right now, do you know what He has called me to do? That's right... be a wife, mother, and homemaker.

So again I sit down and write out a schedule. Nothing too strict, but some guidelines to get me through the areas of life I can't seem to maintain on my own. Bible reading. Housekeeping. Parenting. Meal planning. Weight loss. These are the areas I struggle with, and the struggle is always over consistency. So I sit down to write out a schedule to help me be more consistent in all of these areas. Because I am inconsistent.

I have a general schedule for meal planning and daily meals/snacks for Eliana. That works when I follow it. Now I need to work on planning meals in advance so that I know what I'm making for dinner and not trying to wing something when Leif calls to say that he's on his way home. I want to make food that is tasty and nutritious, made with ingredients that are good for my family. I want to make food that helps me work toward my weight loss goals. And I want to make meals that are cost efficient and piggyback on one another for time efficiency.

So... what are we having for dinner this week? Good question. Today is Day 5 of our meal planner, and we're having pulled pork sandwiches for dinner tonight. Tomorrow starts Day 1 and I should get planning now so I know what we're doing:

Tuesday (1 - Italian): DD Lasagna
Wednesday: Bite of Bozeman
Thursday (2 - Mexican): Fajitas on the grill
Friday (3 - Oriental): DD Aloha Chicken Kebabs
Saturday: Sweet Pea Festival
Sunday: Sweet Pea Festival
Monday (4 - American): DD Chicken Nuggets with Baked Beans

So that gets me through the week. And it lets me try a few Deceptively Delicious recipes. And hopefully it lets me eat and serve to my family some healthy food.

I will not eat the bread of idleness.

A Wife of Noble Character

10 ^[c] A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I'm taking one step at a time, and today I will not eat the bread of idleness.

Updated to do list

Here is today's updated list...

• Make guest bed
• Sweep and mop kitchen
• Vacuum upstairs and down
• Type up kit instructions
• Transfer Ellie's laundry
• Empty dishwasher
• Clean table and counters
  

Progress...

It's not even 10:30 yet and I've already made more progress than I made all day yesterday. Hooray!

I'm about to head into town to get stuff for tomorrow's class at the scrapbooking store, and as of right now the sheets on my bed have been changed, the bed has been made, I've got the dishwasher running, the washing machine is running, and Ellie and I are both up and dressed. I've even blogged this morning (on MIM and our family blog, in addition to this one).

So I'd say it's a good day so far!

Off to town with us!