The truth is I am not a good housekeeper, I never have been, and I have my list of excuses as to why, emotional baggage, and old scars from growing up and doing alot of the housework and others people housework for them so when I grew up I didn't want to do it anymore. Ridiculous right, but that has been my mentality.
There have been some recent changes and discoveries in my life that are helping me make some changes, and God is changing my heart as well. One of the websites that has changed the way things are done in this house is www.flylady.net I signed up for her emails, and read the baby steps. I have only been following along for maybe 2 or 3 weeks but there is a huge difference in the house and in me. Even her Pamper Mission tips are awesome and they are teaching me to take care of me along the way. Her philosophies about perfection (see my post about how i feel about perfection here) and ways of cleaning speak to my personality. I guess in some ways I am still bouncing around but with a purpose!
Another discovery that changed my life was this blog http://proverbsfamily.blogspot.com/ The writer behind this blog did a surrender series that you can search for on the site. This was one God used to bust my heart big time http://proverbsfamily.blogspot.com/2013/07/does-anyone-appreciate-you.html
One of my biggest sources of frustration was feeling unappreciated and a huge source of anger was feeling like I had no help and that I did it all for nothing. Seeing it from a biblical perspective changed my way of looking at what I felt I had a right to.
Anyway over the next few weeks I will be posting updates and revealing the changes that are being made but here is the clutter and chaos that have ruled the Toomey house (we have lived in this one for a year)
The office....i know i know its bad....but I now have a plan!!!! I am so excited and can't wait to share updates!!!! Stay tuned......................................
Hey MJ! The laundry area looks good! Hang in there as far as work goes and good luck at the doctor (tomorrow?)..hoping no surgery required!
ReplyDeleteNo I'm not a camping fan..I guess I just prefer the comforts of home.
Happy to hear about the sink..coupons totally rock - you're justa movin' and a shakin' girl!
Way to go!
thank you so much Shelley, you are my biggest chearleader.......!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHave you made a chore chart for your kids? I know they are little but they can help with things that are age appropriate like putting away clothes or making beds. I know you are following Flylady but I also found that working in just one area every other day really helps me. Such as deep cleaning the laundry area (which I believe you finished)that way it is just easy to wipe down and keep clean in the future. I can really relate to chores as a child, since I was an only I had all the work and it wasn't noticed how much I did until I moved out. Of course this made me crazy about cleaning the bathroom, I won't let anyone else touch it but me. Good luck and keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteShelly, that is a good idea. I tried it briefly before, but it wasn't very successful, I don't think either of us were consistent in using it. So after this comment, I have rediscovered the pad of chore charts that I got at a yard sale for .25 and my son and I have discussed ideas on where we can put it, how we should break down his time, for his chores etc. My daughter is only two and I am unsure on what to teach her to help with .....any ideas? What is a good location to place it where we might not forget it....on the fridge didn't work last time....guess I need to find a "command central" space for the house.
ReplyDeleteI have lots of ideas...for your daughter: picking up her toys, putting her clothes in the hamper/basket, and bring the bathroom garbage to the big garbage once a week. For your son: everyday feed the pets, pick up his toys, clothes in the hamper and bring to laundry room every week (or however often you do laundry), help dry dishes. All chores that take very little time to do. My favorite that I did with my daughter, once a week she picked a "special" chore from the jar. It including cleaning all the mirrors, or taking out recycling, sweeping the floors, cleaning ceiling fans. I would skip the chore pad, get a large piece of poster from target (usually $1) and a packet of stickers. Line grid the poster for the kids to put the stickers on everyday and at the end of the month if they have all of their stickers in place, they get to pick something fun. It could be taking a picnic to the park, baking something special they want, making a meal they love, spending one-on-one time with a parent for a day, or movie night of their choice. Have fun with it and it doesn't have to be expensive.
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