Your Routines are the Backbone of Your Day

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
As we start this week, I want you to really be conscious of your Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Routines. If you have one of these or all of them that you consistently have issues completing, the summer is the time of year to get them firmly in place.
For those of you who homeschool, the school year will start off much easier, if you have these routines in place. It will also help your children to transition into a school schedule, if they have gotten used to their daily routines.
Many of you find excuses to not do all of the routines. They are all important, from the home blessings to the daily routines to the monthly maintenance routines. Your routines help you love yourself and your home through decluttering.
Here are you missions for the week:
Zone 3 Missions: The Main Bathroom and One Extra Room
Monday – Clean the bathroom vent and dust along the tops of the walls. In the Home Office work on decluttering items from the left side of your desk.
Tuesday – Wipe the bathroom door facings, light switches, and knobs. In the Home Office declutter from the right side of your desk.
Wednesday – Wipe the front of your bathroom vanity. Wipe your computer screen and keyboard.
Thursday – Check your bathroom supplies. What do you need to put on your list? Finish decluttering items from the top of your desk.
Friday – Wipe the bathroom baseboards. Check your office or school supplies.
Set your timers and then take a break when it goes off!
Weekly Menu Plan
Monday – Leftovers
Tuesday – Meatloaf and potatoes
Wednesday – Soup and sandwiches
Thursday – Chicken and broccoli casserole
Friday – Pork chops
Enjoy your week! Keep your routines simple.
Your Home Blessing for today is wash your sheets.
Your Zone Mission for Monday is to clean the bathroom vent and dust along the top of the walls. Declutter items from the left side of your desk area.
My menu plan for Monday is leftovers.
Have a blessed day!

My Routines and an Update

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
It’s time for a long overdue update from my heart to all of you. In recent weeks, my life has gone through some transitions. I have not written about them online because it has just been a lot to process.
This spring you might remember that I was doing some projects and painting two of the boys’ bedrooms. At the end of April, I discovered our home had an issue with water coming into our home when I was painting downstairs.
This small discovery lead to learning that 80% of our living space on the main level had water intrusion coming through the block walls from underground. Our home is built into a hill, and what you would consider a basement below ground level is actually our main living area.
We consulted with several experts plus an engineer hired by our insurance company. Through their efforts, we found that all of our interior walls had significant wetness on the insulation, framing, and drywall. We had no visible water damage showing on the floors or walls until you really pushed them.
We have had a lot of rain this year, and that pressure was a lot on the sealant that was put on the outside of the block walls when we built 30 years ago.
Basically, we were displaced from our home due to water intrusion and mold. We hired a company to do the repair and remediation. They started repairs at the beginning of June, and they are still working on it.
There are blessings through all of this.
We have a place to stay with my mom. We have been able to help her with some things around her house, and she has helped us a lot in our day to day lives.
My real estate business has taken off. I am busy from morning until bedtime every day.
Living in the city is so convenient!
My routines are a lot different right now. Much of our stuff is in storage. Many, many things are water damaged.
During this time, I have kept the habit of writing to you daily. I did stop doing my Facebook live videos, but I hope to resume them when my life settles down after we move back home.
Your encouragement and replies to my emails have been a great boost to me while I am living out of boxes. It’s not easy by any means to live with most of your belongings packed up, but I am thankful I have the routines and habits established in my life!
Today’s Zone Mission is to sweep and mop the kitchen.
Your Home Blessing for today is to take off the trash, sweep, and mop.
My menu plan for Friday is pizza!
Have a great weekend!

Having Friends Over to Play with Your Children

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
Recently a friend asked me how I motivate my children to do their routines when we have company. This can be a tricky situation when you have children with a 15 year age gap like I have.
When one of the children is having a friend over, I encourage everyone to get up early to do their morning routine. While a guest is here, I only ask them to do minimal things around the house.
What I find is that they are usually agreeable to doing what I ask them to do when we have company, but that is something that is easier to do now that they are older. When they were little, it was hard to motivate them to do things when we had a guest.
One area that I do remain firm is in cleaning up after a guest leaves. If one child has a guest, they are responsible for picking up the area they played in, but usually I notice that everyone pitches in to help since they are mostly in the living room area of the house.
I can remember some play dates where all of their toys were dumped out in their rooms. I learned to box toys up prior to a play date and only allow them access to a certain amount of toys at one time.
When we have a friend over, I like to have a specific activity or two in mind for the visit. That helps maintain the house a little better. Yesterday, we had a friend over. The boys played a video game in the living room for a bit. Then they played basketball in the driveway. Finally, we all went for a short fishing trip to the lake.
My house and routines stayed intact. We had dinner and cleaned up afterwards. It went really well. But it has taken years of practice on my part and learning things the hard way.
How do you handle play dates at your house?

Times of Transition in Your Life

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
Are any of you preparing to send a child off to college, or do you have one getting married or moving out? These are big transitions in your family. How do you prepare for it?
The good news is that you have been preparing for this time for their whole lives. Sometimes things do not go the way you want them to go, but your goal as a parent is to raise children to be responsible adults.
Last year we had a lot of transitions. One child got engaged and moved home for a few months prior to the wedding. Before the wedding another child, moved back in for a short time. I traveled. Then, I got my real estate license.
As I reflect back on these events, I am proud of my children. Each one of them has special gifts and abilities. I have enjoyed the past 28 years of parenting, and I realize with my young adults that parenting does not end at age 18. It continues on as they grow and mature. They seek advice and prayers.
Homeschooling allowed me more time with my children to teach them and enjoy them. I am grateful for homeschooling the last 18 years. As I am approaching a new school year, I do so with a thankful heart.
There are a few visible reminders of the busy spring I had. One child has moved most of his stuff out, but I still find things here and there. So I have a place I put those things. Another child is settling his stuff into his room, and we have moved furniture and made his room feel like his place.
If you have a child who has a big transition coming up, remember to make time to just talk. Sometimes you get so busy in the “getting ready” part that you neglect just spending time together. If you have little ones now, this stage passes quickly. Enjoy playing and making memories with them.
As we do our kitchen zone mission for the day, make it quick and don’t overthink it. Start with the top shelf of your refrigerator and toss the leftovers.
Your Zone Mission today is to declutter leftovers.
Your Home Blessing for today is to wipe windows and mirrors.
My menu plan for Wednesday is spaghetti and salad.
Have a blessed day!

Small Steps Bring Big Changes in Your Kitchen

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
How does your stove top look this morning? I know that sounds like such a simple task that won’t make a difference in your home, but if you keep doing this daily zone missions, you will see a difference.
Some of you may have even been tempted to skip this mission. Trust in the process The FlyLady gives you. I see messages daily from ladies asking her for help.
She is helping you through the daily missions and home blessings. I am a part of how she helps you through these emails. You have it inside of you to get organized in your home. I believe in you and so does The FlyLady!
The simple, daily missions add up to making a big difference in your home. You can compare it to snowflakes that fall down in the winter. Individually they don’t add up to a lot, but as you get more and more coming down, you start to see it add up.
You need to keep your focus on your routines, and I don’t want you to lose heart that you aren’t making a dent in the things you need to do around your house. Step by step. Day by day. You can do it. You can change how your home looks a little at a time.
First, get dressed to the shoes, swish and swipe the bathroom, and make your bed.
Then, I want you to check your calendar for the day, start a load of laundry, and check to see what’s for dinner.
After you do these 6 steps, you have started your day off successfully. Don’t let yourself get derailed. Do these 6 things first. Then, you can make a priority list for the day.
If your children are old enough to help around the house, here are a few ideas for them to help you after they finish their morning routine.
  • Load the dishwasher
  • Shine the sink
  • Sweep the kitchen
  • Pick up in their bedroom
Your zone mission can be done quickly as well. Clean the holder that organizes your silverware. Make this a fun little game with your children. Turn on some music and do this quickly.
This morning, I sat down and made a list of things I need to do around the house for maintenance this summer. The boys and I will work on it one thing at a time over the next several weeks.
What’s on your summer wish list?
Keep doing your zone missions. You can make a difference one small thing at a time.
Your Zone Mission today is wipe the outside of the kitchen cabinets.
Your Home Blessing for today is to dust and vacuum.
My menu plan for Tuesday is chicken and rice casserole.
Have a great day!

Let’s Save Time and Money in the Kitchen this Week

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
The kitchen is an important part of our homes. It’s used a lot for most of us. It’s an area where we can spend a lot of money or save a lot of money. Keeping your pantry organized and knowing what is in your refrigerator and freezer will help you to not purchase things you already have. That will save you money.
If you have not menu planned yet, use what’s in your pantry and freezer this week and see what you can create in the kitchen. This is your week to get things organized in the kitchen. Ready. Set. Go!
You may also want to do some training with your children is in teaching them how to hand-wash dishes. Last summer, I realized that I have not taught all of the boys the steps to washing dishes. When we did our kitchen renovation, we did not have access to the dishwasher, so we worked together to wash the dishes as needed.
Here are you missions for the week:
Zone 2 Missions: The Kitchen
Monday – Dust along the tops of your kitchen cabinets, along the ceiling, and above the doors.
Tuesday – Wipe the outside of your kitchen cabinets.
Wednesday – Toss leftovers from the fridge.
Thursday – Wipe the counters and put things away that you do not use daily.
Friday – Sweep and mop the kitchen.
Set your timers and then take a break when it goes off!
Weekly Menu Plan
Monday – Pork roast, veggies, and salad
Tuesday – Chicken and Rice
Wednesday – Spaghetti, salad, and garlic bread
Thursday – Pot roast
Friday – Pizza
Enjoy your week! Keep your routines simple.
Your Home Blessing for today is to wash the sheets.
Your Zone Mission for Monday is to dust along the tops of the kitchen cabinets and along the ceiling.
My menu plan for Monday is pork roast and veggies.
Have a blessed day!

Quick Pick Up Day

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
After a few days of celebrating and having fun, your house probably needs a little pick up time. Today, we are going to make that a game for everyone to play.
First, start your laundry right after breakfast today. I know you have some to do.
Now, write down five areas that need to be cleaned up.
Number them 1-5. Make out slips of paper with the numbers 1-5 written down. Put these slips of paper in a bowl or hat.
Get your fun music ready to go. Get your timer out.
Draw the first number. Tell everyone what area has been drawn, and they have 5 minutes to make it look great. Set the timer and go!
Do this four more times. This should not take too long, and it will help you get the hot spots tamed down.
Check your menu plan. Do you need to lay something out for dinner tonight?
Next, have you done your Home Blessings each day, or do they need to be done, too?
Use your timer and divide and conquer!
When my floors need to be done, I set one person off with the broom to sweep. I set the second person off behind him to mop. I have one area rug that another person can vacuum in 2 minutes. While they are doing this, I can do a quick dusting job.
Then, we can have a paper gathering session. While I trash papers, they can start collecting trash in the other rooms and meet me back in the kitchen. While they take the trash outside, I can do a quick swipe of the windows and mirrors.
Do you see how I have learned to make my Home Blessings roll into the next thing? Keep training your children. It is worth it! They need to know how to do it, and they can help you!
Today’s Zone Mission is to dust and water house plants.
Your Home Blessing for today is to take off the trash, sweep, and mop.
My menu plan for Friday is chef’s surprise!
Have a great weekend!

Happy Independence Day!

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
Happy Independence Day, friends! Today I want you to keep your missions and routines short and sweet. I don’t want you to neglect to do them, but see how quickly you can get through your routines.
First thing, you need to put away your phone and computer. Both of these can be a distraction while you are doing your routines.
Next, turn on some music and set your timer. If you are dependent on your phone for these, don’t check email or social media. Just set these and move into your routines.
What I have seen with myself and my children, is that we sometimes fall in the habit of checking our phones during our routines, and it takes much longer to do them.
Today’s goal is to do them quickly and then enjoy the rest of the day with your family. Check your local listings to see what’s going on around you.
For those of you who live in North Carolina, it’s free fishing day. You don’t need a fishing license to fish on the 4th of July.
Other fun things to do for the 4th of July is to have a cookout or go on a picnic. One year, we went to the mountains and enjoyed a picnic and playing in a cold creek.
Many areas will have fireworks tonight. Check out a local place for your family to enjoy the fireworks.
Your Zone Mission today is to do a quick dust in the Living Room.
Your Home Blessing for today is to toss paper and magazines.
My menu plan for Thursday is leftovers.
Have a blessed day!

What are you thankful for today?

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
What are you thankful for today?
I am thankful for my independence, for my family and friends, and for the freedom to homeschool my children.
On the days when life is hard, I make a conscious effort to write down my blessings. It helps me to refocus and look for the positive things in my life. I do not want to dwell on the difficult things. I need to pray and give the hard things over to God.
This morning, I read something a friend of mine wrote about loss. It touched my heart. She shared how difficult it is to walk through the valley of grief. She wrote about the good memories, and she wrote about the hard memories.
Some of you are grieving now. I want to encourage you to write down the good memories. Go through pictures. You may find that your eyes leak a bit as you remember, but you will also find memories that make you smile.
Make memories with your family daily. Don’t let yourself get so caught up in checking off a To Do List that you forget to stop and play with your children. They are only little for a short season. I see this in my life as my children have grown up right before my eyes.
The days of packing diaper bags, snack bags, and lugging around car seats and strollers are behind me. The days of constant supervision of a toddler are behind me. Presently, my children enjoy different activities than when they were little, and I have embraced the days of fishing, hiking, and kayaking.
I am grateful for the time I have with my family. I love talking to them and listening to what’s on their mind. I enjoy hearing them share their favorite childhood memories with me. It warms my heart to know that they have many of the same fond memories as I have.
If you are going through a tough time right now, stop and breathe for a minute. Pray. Write down your blessings. If you feel alone, reach out to someone and ask for help. You are not alone in this. God is with you.
Your Zone Mission today is to declutter and sweep the front porch & wipe the front door.
Your Home Blessing for today is to wipe windows and mirrors.
My menu plan for Wednesday is seafood.
Have a blessed day!

Summer Fun for Young Children

Getting Organized:
In your Home and Homeschool 
 

Dear Friends,
Some of you are enjoying a Holiday week or vacation, so I wanted to share some ideas with you for summer fun for your little ones. I have such fond memories of summer vacations and making memories when my children were young.
Water Table.
Young children love playing in water. We had a small water table that the boys played with for years. I set ii up in the shade and let them play as long as they wanted. Often, I would also have a small wading pool nearby, so they went back and forth.
Water tables provide hours of fun and education. You can play float and sink games with various items. They will learn about buoyancy and also how some things sink faster than others.
Sand box.
My children also enjoyed a sandbox for playing with cars and trucks. Children love to dig holes and fill them in. At the beach, we spent hours building sand castles and making trenches and moats around the castle. They learned a lot about the properties of sand and how to use a little bit of water to form their buildings better.
If you have outdoor pets, I recommend a sand box that you can cover when it is not being used. Sandboxes are easy to maintain, but they can attract animals, and you don’t want to deal with the mess an animal can make in your sandbox.
Sidewalk Chalk.
If you have a place outside for your children to draw with sidewalk chalk, it’s a fun activity that can be washed away with a water hose. I have such fond memories of drawing outlines of my children when they were little. Then, we decorated their chalk outlines. If you do this, remember to take pictures.
Bubbles.
When I am working in the church nursery, a favorite distraction for them is blowing bubbles. Children love bubbles, and if you have the ability to set up a big vat of bubble solution outside, your children will have fun for hours. We had large wands and a large tub that I made a mixture with liquid dishwashing soap that allowed them to make large bubbles.
Park Day.
If you have a park close to you, schedule a park day each week with friends. Two of our local parks have splash pads for young children to play and cool off on a hot summer day. We have several parks that are not too far to drive, and there are moms in my homeschool group who set up play dates and send out emails to remind us about them. Park day is a lot of fun for your kids and for you, too.
What are some of your favorite summer activities with young children?
Your Zone Mission today is to Declutter and sweep the front porch & wipe the front door.
Your Home Blessing for today is to dust and vacuum.
My menu plan for Tuesday is chicken and rice casserole.
Have a great day!