Disappearing Act & Round 3

~~from round 1, I wish I was still this tiny! ;) ~~

I wrote my last post, oh so long ago, with so much excitement for building a routine I could have put two exclamation points at the end of each sentence. I was ready. Ready to wake up early, tackle the impossible and live more efficiently.

Little did I know . . .

I was about to find out I was pregnant! (yes, again!)

I know a lot of you are super-women who aren't phased one bit by the challenges brought on by the first trimester. I, however, am not one of you. I simply could not bring myself out of bed one minute earlier than absolutely necessary. The thrill of ambition left me as quickly as the morning sickness came a' callin.

God's abundant grace carried me through those first several weeks. My loving husband offered me understanding and a whole heap of slack instead of calling me a whimp.

Now I can revisit my ambition, I think. My lofty routine can be realized, maybe. Okay, so perhaps I am a little hesitant to fully commit to an absolute. But, I am feeling much better in body, the Spirit fills me and life is needing some intentionality.

Blogging on a regular basis may now become a reality rather than a thought for "tomorrow". I'm glad to be back!

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Clean Home Plan: routines & assignments

A few days ago I shared with you my desperate need to form an action plan for keeping my home in working order. After leeching information, tips, and how-to's from friends and internet sources (see below), I have written up a rough plan for creating a clean and efficient home. To start, I have developed a routine for both the morning and the evening. These routines are designed to help me maintain an orderly home as well as to ground me with a plan for success.

I have always scoffed at plan-makers and goal-setters, only because I have been insecure of my lack of ability to make plans and set goals myself. Alas, those homemakers are the ones who I now aspire to, recognizing their wisdom and practicality. After all, how I run my home effects more than just myself.

I have also assigned chores to each day of the week. This way, I can say with confidence that I have in fact cleaned my bathroom this week, and I can rest assured that no one day is left with hours of catch-all cleaning. A little here, a little there, and done.

Here are my routines and chores. I am using this week to faithfully stick to the routines and see how they work. I am counting on needing to tweak them a bit after this machine has had it's first run.

P.M.

Goal:

Going to bed with a deep sigh of relaxation, and to wake up with a "ready" advantage.

After 7:00, when the kids are down for the night . . .

- pick up all toys and books

-clean and put away all dishes

-clear off counters, everything finds a home

-prep any foods for the following day's meals

(includes soaking grains, thawing meats, making kefir, etc.)

-wipe down counters, stove, and sink

-sweep entry way and kitchen

-fold and put away laundry (if for some reason this didn't get done)

-Relax! Enjoy a quiet, clean home.

-Go to sleep between 10 and 11:00

A.M.

Goal: Get up! Have a formed plan for the morning

that accomplishes the "must do's" so my afternoons can be filled

with "want-to's"

-Out of bed at 6:00 a.m. (yes, this will be the greatest challenge for me!)

-Shower, dress, hair, & make-up

-2 minute wipe down bathroom

-quiet time with God, prayer with husband

-(kids wake up around 7:00)

-serve a hot breakfast

-clean up breakfast, wipe down counters

-dress kids

-daily chore + vacuum living area

-(kids nap)

-read, study, internet

-prep lunch

Daily Chores

Sunday: rest

Monday: clean bathrooms

Tuesday: dust

Wednesday: deep clean kitchen

Thursday: vacuum all rooms

Friday: organize all closets, pantry, and desk, mop floors as needed

Saturday: laundry catch-up

Everyday chores: maintain tidiness through a.m. and p.m. routines,

laundry as needed

(about every 3 days)

We'll see how I do this week!

Here are some blogs I gleaned wisdom from:

www.flylady.net

www.passionatehomemaking.com

www.keeperofthehome.com

www.inspiredtoaction.com

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Using the "D" Word: Turning off the Tube

I've been struggling with the "D" word for as long as I can remember. The "D" word, of course, is discipline. I can beat anyone at finding excuses for living an undisciplined life. My list of excuses includes:

• I am a free spirit. Living with routine, order, and daily ritual goes against how God made me.
• Discipline= boring.
• I like to leave room for the unknown in my daily life.
• I have time to grow into a disciplined life when I get older.

Each excuse is invalid. While God made me a "free spirit", he is also the Creator of order. His word speaks numerous times to the value and need for a disciplined life. My personality may factor into how I pursue this disciplined life, but it may not excuse it away.

Having discipline amidst my daily living does not have to be boring. Also, being disciplined does not mean I cannot be flexible to whatever unknown event may show up that day. The excuse of waiting till I am older no long stands because I have arrived to that place of "older". Yes, I am still young, but I am now an adult. I am a full time wife, mom, and homemaker. This lofty job requires a lot of discipline if to be done in excellence.

So now that I have faced my fears and uttered the "D" word, it is time I take action. My first step towards living a more disciplined life is turning off the television.

TV is my old friend. I love flipping it on, surfing from one station to the next. I watch any program that may peak my interest, from design, cooking, style, games shows, crime drama, whatever. I can unwind and be mindless in front of the TV. I don't have to do anything but sit. I love to sit.

So what's the problem?

The days I have the TV on, almost nothing gets done. Time slips away as I think, "just one more episode . . .". Suddenly, my bedtime has come and gone, I have dirty dishes piled up in the sink, clothes in the dryer, and clutter in the living room. By watching TV, books go unread, projects untouched, and often, my sweet son is left to entertain himself without much care. To put it plainly, TV has become the biggest time waster in my life.

The choice to turn off the TV is my most crucial step to living a disciplined life. I am now free to do what matters. I can pursue what has lasting value. My mind is also much more free to think on Kingdom matters, rather than being filled with images often sexual, violent, or materialistic in nature. Commercials are also problematic for my eyes, lying to me about what I simply cannot live without.

My husband and I have discussed some guidelines for the TV:

• Avoid all daytime TV. This allows me to have full, productive days. Also, Rafferty benefits from not thinking TV watching is the norm. We hope to raise our children with a love for reading and using their imagination. Although the television offers programs geared towards aiding in these things, we prefer to go the old-school route of straight up books and make-believe.
• Avoid channel- surfing. This is to help me only turn on the TV if I have a free evening and a specific show in mind.
• Remember Psalm 101:2-3a. "I will be careful to lead a blameless life- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing." What I see with my eyes affects the condition of my heart. As my heart belongs to God, it is crucial I protect it and keep it blameless. Watching many TV programs and ads can easily fall under the category of "vile thing(s)".

"Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." - Proverbs 10:4

It is my hope that as I turn off the television, my hands will be diligent to work hard and produce an eternal wealth.

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