Wonderful Woman Wednesday: Clean House Edition

It is Wonderful Woman Wednesday again!  Congrats you made it to the middle of the week again!  Last week's blog was all about taking a break from being amazing.  This week is about getting the house clean during the week so that you can take it easy on the weekend.  We usually end up with multiple activities on Saturdays.  By the time Sunday rolls around, I am in no mood to clean my house top to bottom.  Half the time I am doing good to get off the couch!  About 18 months ago, we put a cleaning schedule into place.  Now it has changed and been tweaked over the past year but it works.  Each day has one big task (like vacuuming) and several small tasks (like someone's laundry, clean room, dishes, take out trash, etc).  The kids know when they come in from school, they can look at the fridge and tell what chores need to be done.  It's on the fridge because that is the easiest spot and the ONE place everyone looks!

This is what our weekly schedule looks like.  Yes, it's color coded by day (I tend to have a TAD BIT of OCD at times).   And yes, we vacuum 3x a week... we live in the country and tend to collect a lot of dirt!  The beautiful part is everyone has to pitch in!!  I am no longer the only one doing everything!!  Once you get a schedule going, it's a piece of cake.  Now don't get the idea that we stick to this every week of the year.  We have those weeks when we are never at home due to sporting events and school activities.  But we do our best to stick to it as much as possible.  By the time the weekend gets here, I only have sheets and a load of towels to watch.  It's awesome!!

Now put one into place so that come Sunday afternoon, you can sit in a bath listening only to your thoughts (since you will have locked the bathroom door to keep the little ones out!)  Take the earbuds too so that you can drown out their "MOM!!!" cries:)

Hugs ya'll,

LSG

Wonderful Woman Wednesday: Take a Break From Being Amazing, Dear

So you've made it to Wednesday...you're exhausted.  You've ran kids to their after school activities.  You've done housework.  You've made Mexican lasagna for dinner and are just praying that it's edible since you were missing some ingredients (that last one hits home today).  You've worked a full time job and probably ran into overtime as well.  Whatever the reason...you came home saying "It's just Wednesday."  You've done all you can do and you're really looking forward to Thirsty Thursday.

Why do we run ourselves til we can't run anymore?  Is there an "off" switch that women didn't get?  Did God only send the memo to get the "off" switch to men?  No, I am not man bashing so step off that soap box.  My hubs is currently at baseball practice with Pistol while I made dinner and cleaned up a little.  I am just trying to figure out why we don't take time for ourselves.  I challenge you to put yourself first for a small amount of time  each week.  I am about to give you a list of "mommy/woman timeouts" that don't have to break the bank.  That way you can't say, "Well,  I am broke.  I can't take time for me this week."  Not an option. No excuses... you know what they say about excuses.

1.  Close your bedroom door (and lock if needed) and watch your favorite show. 

2.  Take a nap.

3.  Take a relaxing bath.  (check out last Sunday's detox bath)  Be sure to lock the bathroom door!

4.  Put a movie on for the kids and give yourself a manicure.  Use a nailpolish you don't usually use. 

5.  Read a book.

6.  Take a nap!  

7.  Send the kids wth the hubby, relative or close friend and enjoy quet time in your house.  (This one is my favorite!!)

8.  Complete a craft you've been wanting to do that is just for you.

9.  Take a nap!  (are you noticing that I like to take naps?)

10.  Put the kids to bed 30 minutes early and enjoy a glass of wine.

These are all things you can do that cost little to no money.  If you want to get out and spend a little money, go see a movie or have lunch by yourself or with a friend.  Go get a massage or a manicure/pedicure.  Buy yourself a cute new shirt, skirt, necklace, whatever!

However during your "me" time do NOT:

1. run errands

2.  watch cartoons

3.  clean house

4.  grocery shop

5.  pay bills

6. cry because you miss your kids (strangely enough there are moms that do that)

Remember your challenge this week is to take time for yourself-even if it is only 30 minutes.  If you feel inclined, leave a comment about what you did and how it recharged your batteries!  Slow down for a moment and realize you can't be fully amazing if you are running on empty.

Hugs ya'll,

LSG