Larger families living in smallish homes need to declutter at least half-yearly. This is no longer something that I should do. I have to do it, seeing as how my sanity left sometime in early February. We haven't seen it since--my sanity, that is.
I had a baby in December, 2006 and another in December, 2008. Non-stop diapers and spills and spit-up and toddler-rescues quickly took over my time. Every task is a right now task. All this, coupled with the extra laundry generated by the rain, snow and mud of Northeast Ohio, rendered decluttering a some-day dream.
But no more excuses, real or perceived. Now I have a plan. I needed a plan. Because I rather like my sanity. We had a good thing going all these years.
Today I moved every container of children's clutter (and some paper clutter) into the living room. This project will be a clandestine affair. I will organize and bag up at night, and then load the van with the loot. By day, I'll shuttle it to Goodwill or to the church nursery.
We'll attempt to keep the children out of this--they were told only that Mommy will be organizing. One in particular, my Paul, cries and stresses if I throw even a broken toy away. This reaction is rather recent, so we're thinking it stems from underemployment stress. He won't miss the things I'm purging, so I don't think we'll have any problems. Many of them were already taken out of the playroom and stored in the baby's room. We had to do it this way, when she began ravaging the playroom on a hourly basis.
I should add that we have no garage or basement--two sanity-savers most moms utilize in toy management.
I am treating myself like quite the child in all this. I won't be blogging again until the job is done. Blogging is the reward. Next time you hear from me, my friend sanity will be back.
I hope.
Bless you!
P.S. I turned 44 yesterday. Oh, the horror! While the whole thing proved significantly depressing (no cake or anything--we're too busy with everyday chores to observe much of anything right now) something good did come out of it. $125 from relatives. I got my camera!
The other day Beth sat down in a soup pot--looking so cute! I mourned the loss of the camera so much that day! It's only a material thing, but one that makes memories live on. I'm so grateful we could replace it!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
what will we do?
I eagerly anticipated Kristin's final Kenya post this morning--even asking the boys to check for it during their computer-math time. Here it is. Don't miss it.
She asks us: Now that we've seen, what will we do?
Here are some ideas:
- If you have a blog, spread the word about Compassion International.
- Sit down with your kids and see how many multiples of $38 (sponsor amount for one child) you can create by cutting unnecessary expenses/luxurious experiences.
- Read Bible verses as a family about caring for orphans.
- Spread the word to family and friends, through letters or e-mails.
This world has enough food, enough clothing, enough shelter, enough money. It's a matter of us sharing the wealth. It's that simple. Yes, governments are corrupt. But Compassion does their life-saving work despite corruption. Even North Korea allows humanitarian work to go on in their country--Franklin Graham has been there many times.
One thing is true.
We have to do something.
We will be held accountable now, for our new knowledge.
She asks us: Now that we've seen, what will we do?
Here are some ideas:
- If you have a blog, spread the word about Compassion International.
- Sit down with your kids and see how many multiples of $38 (sponsor amount for one child) you can create by cutting unnecessary expenses/luxurious experiences.
- Read Bible verses as a family about caring for orphans.
- Spread the word to family and friends, through letters or e-mails.
This world has enough food, enough clothing, enough shelter, enough money. It's a matter of us sharing the wealth. It's that simple. Yes, governments are corrupt. But Compassion does their life-saving work despite corruption. Even North Korea allows humanitarian work to go on in their country--Franklin Graham has been there many times.
One thing is true.
We have to do something.
We will be held accountable now, for our new knowledge.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
scrumptious
Do you put your children to bed and then go right into the chores? If so, what's your secret? How do you motivate yourself at that time? I need help!
I like to read and write first instead; it relaxes me and sorts out my thoughts. Husband is only home on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and his presence on those nights helps motivate me to do chores earlier.
Other nights, I immediately sit and read or write after tucking in the last child. My mind sorts my thoughts into mental file folders so they can be given separate themes. The themes then get prioritized, and learning and focus occurs. Sounds crazy, but I do better spiritually when I make time for this thought-sorting. Must have to do with being an analytical, introspective personality?
After a couple thought-sorting hours my night person body shifts into higher gear, and I do chores. Beth wakes up for nursing a few times before 2 a.m., and sometimes I fall asleep nursing her, only to wake up at 3 a.m. or so and realize I didn't finish the dishes or shuffle the laundry that one last time.
This is a terrible system, if you can call it that! I get little sleep and feel foolish the next day, but I seem incapable of making a change right now. The kids are so little and it's all so emotionally exhausting. Still, I know all about the "me time" trap--the more you get the more you want, followed by getting less done around the house and feeling more frustrated.
Suffice it to say, when dealing with little ones life is far from balanced. I don't want to be a slave to perfectionism, or cross over into selfishness. My family deserves folded socks and underwear, tucked properly into drawers--not into clothes baskets. My baby is older now so I don't have that excuse any longer! Time to get back to efficiency.
God, get me off this roller coaster! Help me with self-discipline in this area!
Do I need some kind of token economy system, like a child would use? If I do the chores first four nights in a row, I can get a treat? Tell me I'm not that immature!
Off my frustrations now.....
...and on to that cornbread review. The 3-Minute Microwave Cornbread was delicious. My husband said it would never work--that the microwave would dry it out. But no! It was wonderfully moist and delicious. I added some extra sugar, as I like my cornbread to have a good hint of sweetness.
The black bean soup was scrumptious! I'll post that recipe sometime soon.
On to those dirty dishes, that cluttered counter, and that last load of laundry.
Good night, Friends!
I like to read and write first instead; it relaxes me and sorts out my thoughts. Husband is only home on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and his presence on those nights helps motivate me to do chores earlier.
Other nights, I immediately sit and read or write after tucking in the last child. My mind sorts my thoughts into mental file folders so they can be given separate themes. The themes then get prioritized, and learning and focus occurs. Sounds crazy, but I do better spiritually when I make time for this thought-sorting. Must have to do with being an analytical, introspective personality?
After a couple thought-sorting hours my night person body shifts into higher gear, and I do chores. Beth wakes up for nursing a few times before 2 a.m., and sometimes I fall asleep nursing her, only to wake up at 3 a.m. or so and realize I didn't finish the dishes or shuffle the laundry that one last time.
This is a terrible system, if you can call it that! I get little sleep and feel foolish the next day, but I seem incapable of making a change right now. The kids are so little and it's all so emotionally exhausting. Still, I know all about the "me time" trap--the more you get the more you want, followed by getting less done around the house and feeling more frustrated.
Suffice it to say, when dealing with little ones life is far from balanced. I don't want to be a slave to perfectionism, or cross over into selfishness. My family deserves folded socks and underwear, tucked properly into drawers--not into clothes baskets. My baby is older now so I don't have that excuse any longer! Time to get back to efficiency.
God, get me off this roller coaster! Help me with self-discipline in this area!
Do I need some kind of token economy system, like a child would use? If I do the chores first four nights in a row, I can get a treat? Tell me I'm not that immature!
Off my frustrations now.....
...and on to that cornbread review. The 3-Minute Microwave Cornbread was delicious. My husband said it would never work--that the microwave would dry it out. But no! It was wonderfully moist and delicious. I added some extra sugar, as I like my cornbread to have a good hint of sweetness.
The black bean soup was scrumptious! I'll post that recipe sometime soon.
On to those dirty dishes, that cluttered counter, and that last load of laundry.
Good night, Friends!
corn bread surprise
It's AWANA night and I needed to whip up cornbread quickly to accompany our black bean soup. Guess what I found? A five-minute microwave recipe! Can you believe it! Here it is. I'll review it later.
a steal
When you are looking for used homeschool curriculum here, you have to check every day for new posts. Everything sells within hours. This morning, I saw that a bunch of math manipulatives were posted for $15.00.
Momma: "A mom is selling unifix cubes, 3d shapes, pattern blocks, geo boards, a judy clock and counters, all for $15 postage paid. That's a steal!"
Paul, looking over my shoulder: "Did she have go to jail?"
Momma starts laughing.
Paul: "I mean because she stole something."
Momma: "No, when we say that something is a "steal" we mean it's a real bargain. It's just an expression."
Paul, laughing: "Oooh! I get it."
Momma: "A mom is selling unifix cubes, 3d shapes, pattern blocks, geo boards, a judy clock and counters, all for $15 postage paid. That's a steal!"
Paul, looking over my shoulder: "Did she have go to jail?"
Momma starts laughing.
Paul: "I mean because she stole something."
Momma: "No, when we say that something is a "steal" we mean it's a real bargain. It's just an expression."
Paul, laughing: "Oooh! I get it."
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