I go through phases. Sometimes I'm focused on keeping the house neat and making it a better home for my family. Sometimes I find myself in a self-indulgent funk that makes housework seem pointless and certainly not worthwhile.
I was recently in such a funk until I started reading some information over at Large Family Logistics. Is my family large? I don't consider it so, but many do. Three babies can be a handful to pick up after, I suppose. But the point is that I read about what this amazing woman does with her family and how she manages to keep on top of the chores and it's simply inspiring.
Then I looked on Amazon for a book about housekeeping. I purchased one for a whopping $5 and I was happy with it. That is until my sister Jennie recommended a book that she loves. Once again, I find myself truly inspired!
I've been keeping up with the dishes so that at most times of the day the sink is empty. My counters are clean and I have a pretty little plant on the one that can be completely empty. It makes me smile every morning!
Laundry hasn't gotten too out of hand and my next daily chore to tackle is keeping up with the baby toys. The living room is just too chaotic to live in most of the time.
I've been able to bring my focus from the larger tasks to the smaller ones. Like today, I bleached my kitchen cabinets (they are painted white) and was amazed at just how much grime there was on them. I've cleaned them before, of course, but not so thoroughly and now they are gleaming in the sunlight that is streaming through my windows . . . which I should go clean, come to think of it!
I guess the part that feels so good about this is that I feel like I'm actually in control of our home, and the home is no longer controlling me! I have a plan of attack that's manageable and I feel free.
So, if you happen to be in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by for some tea or hot chocolate. We have a stocked pantry, a clean table and a lot of relaxed and happy company for you to enjoy it with!
1 comment:
I can help a bit with the baby toys, too, I think. We pick up all the toys BEFORE meals...everybody helps and it gets done quickly, also eliminating any pre-bedtime mess cleaning. Of course, with all those babies, you'll have to do most of the work, which means...you probably have too many toys. Oh, yes, I saw that handy dandy, super sized toy storage unit that you got for them. A sure sign that there are too many! Consider putting away the ones they've outgrown or have little interest in, or maybe have rotating boxes on a weekly or monthly basis.
I love having the little toys around, neatly stored in wicker baskets in convenient-to-reach locations, but I absolutely hate stepping on them, over them, or around them. We don't have so many to make rotating an issue (I am notorious for culling toys while they are bathing!) but I do store away the ones that are no longer of interest. In fact, it's time to climb into the attic for the baby toys, isn't it!
Good luck, lots of love, and happy homemaking! Also, check out noblewomanhood.com and ladiesagainstfeminism.com. Both sites for women who want to be what they were made to be.
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