OK. Well, they aren’t in full force exactly. Mainly because I didn’t really make any New Year’s Resolutions. With Lydia’s birthday and party the first week of the year, I feel like this is actually the first week of the year.
I have had a sense of a “one word” for the new year, though. It’s a simple one: Home. I’m not a great homemaker. I try. And then mostly, I don’t try. It gets overwhelming and I just end up cleaning for 2 days before a birthday party. (*gulp*)
But I want to get my HOME under control. And it’s more than just dishes and laundry. It’s how everything works together. For example, Lydia takes ballet once a week. So, she has one leotard and one pair of tights. The tights are $8 and every time I’ve tried the $3 tights from Wal-Mart they rip the first day. THE FIRST DAY.
Anyway, when I don’t have the laundry done, or Lydia’s room is a mess (her fault AND mine for not teaching her how to keep it clean) she gets aggravated that she can’t find her ballet outfit. Then I get aggravated that she can’t find it and usually uncover it under her hamper.
So, now when I mention, “It’s time to get ready for ballet!” she gets an immediate attitude. It doesn’t matter if the laundry is done or not, she gets an attitude because 9 times out of 10, she does have to look for her leotard. And honestly, I get an attitude, too. Do you see how all of this could have been stopped? That’s right! IF I HAD JUST KEPT ON TOP OF THE LAUNDRY! This is the kind of thing I want to eliminate and change in our home!
This week I have tightened the reins in our home by doing a few things I know to do anyway (and have done in the past on a semi-regular basis).
1. Menu Planning.
Seriously, why is this so hard? It’s not like it’s harder than staring at the pantry at 5pm every single night. Why not just do it all on one day?! This week I used the 30-day free trial at Plan To Eat. And I do like it because it organizes your recipes so well. But it’s $4.95 a month. So, I’m not sure I want to commit to it.
I might try to get a Once a Month Mom freezer cooking session planned. Staci? Mandi? Anyone up for it?
I was also thinking about doing eMeals again. I absolutely adore not having to think a lick about my meals! And a shopping list ready to print! But I feel like my kids have gotten decidedly picky as of late. And preparing 7 new meals every week for them? Sounds daunting.
And while we’re on the subject, I’m in the middle of reading Stephanie Langford’s new ebook, Plan It, Don’t Panic about meal-planning. It launches today! And since I officially love Stephanie, I think you should get the book. I’ll let you know if I can make myself put it in to practice.
{See, I really have been thinking about Menu Planning! It’s kinda been my main order of business this week!}
2. Laundry
So, my husband has this habit. He likes to do laundry. Well, he doesn’t really like to do laundry. He just likes to have clean clothes. So, he will wash a load of clothes. And he’ll even put them in the dryer. But folding? Notsomuch. So, right now? I have about 4 loads of clothes to fold. And put away.
My new weapon of boredom is listening to an audiobook while I fold. I’m listening to The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck right now. I love it.
3. Food
Let’s just say, my pants are getting tight. So, I download the Sparkpeople app. Yesterday I stayed within my calories. But that might be because I didn’t eat lunch. So, I’m not sure how well that’s going.
4. Homeschool
Lydia’s school is really easy to do. They plan it out so well, it’s just up to me to do it and make it fun. It’s Asa’s school that takes some planning. I do some Tot Trays and get tons of ideas from Carisa at 1+1+1=1. So, this week, I planned all 3 days of his Tot Trays at once. I’m so excited because I found some fun stuff!
5. Bring the Awesome
I haven’t forgotten about bringing the Awesome. But I have slacked on the “wherever you are, be all there”. It’s partially my iPhone’s fault. So, I’ve been putting the iPhone by the door, hiding Tweetdeck on my dock and only checking my blogs once a day. And wow, it’s amazing how much you can get done when you’re not plugged in!
6. Stuff Still On My To Do List
The Maximize Your Mornings Challenge with Inspired to Action begins on January 16th. I’m an Accountability Captain. That means I have to get up early. Earlier than I am right now anyway.
Institute a few new routines. I am still stuck on #4 in One Bite at a Time. Do you have routines? Like something you always do before going to bed to make your morning better? Or something you do before breakfast? I’d love to know what it is!
OK. Hope you’re still awake! So, what’s you New Year’s Resolution? How are tightening the reins of your life this year?
