Monday, May 22, 2006

Back In a Routine


Boy, what a busy past week! Noah finished Kindergarten, I had a bunch of room mom stuff to do, design team projects to work on....just a lot going on. Now we'll start the week with Noah going to the doctor (6 year checkup) and the dentist! Then baseball and Tae Kwan Do start soon. I'm really looking forward to this summer, except for the heat. Ugh. Last year I remember 108 in September. Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of air conditioners!

Lately I have not been on a good home routine. It throws me off and really makes me feel like I'm not accomplishing much. I need to get back on track. I am a list maker, so a while ago I developed a household chore list/chart for myself. It divides my chores up throughout the week so I'm getting a few things done each day, it keeps the house clean, and it allows me to "check things off" on my daily list so I know that I HAVE gotten something done around the house that day. And since I've followed this routine in the past, I know it works and the house is clean because of it. So I thought I'd share it here!

Mondays:
Laundry
Change bed sheets
Sweep kitchen
Dust furniture
Take out the trash (Sunday night, actually)

Tuesdays:
Vacuum UPSTAIRS
Grocery shopping/menu planning

Wednesdays:
Sweep kitchen
Clean, sweep, mop bathrooms

Thursdays:
Laundry (if needed)
Sweep, mop kitchen and tile floors (entry, hall)

Friday:
Vacuum DOWNSTAIRS
Sweep kitchen
Clean all mirrors, glass
Sweep front entry and porches

On my monthly chart I also list one special project for each week such as cleaning baseboards, dusting ceiling fans, washing bath rugs, etc. I have a blank space at the beginning of each week on my chart to write in one of these projects. And of course if something else needs to be done I add that in, such as the kitchen needing an extra sweeping/mopping or a room needing vacuuming again. Oh, and I always leave the kitchen clean when we go to bed at night. There's just something great about waking up for coffee and seeing a clean kitchen when I go downstairs. :) (I know some of you agree with me! ha)

This is what works for OUR house and for me. If you are thinking of doing something like this, first list ALL of your cleaning chores on a piece of paper, dividing them into two columns - heavy and light. When you divide up your chores according to days, try to balance the light and heavy chores so you aren't doing all of the heavy chores on one day. Also, you can do more housework on certain days and allow yourself one free weekday. Just schedule what works for you and your household. If I follow this schedule and attack it shortly after waking up in the morning, I can usually be done with housework in a couple of hours. (except for laundry) I also know that I accomplished something each day as it's checked off the list. Then I have the rest of the day free with Noah for summer activities or on some days for design team work and scrapbooking! God, please help me stay on schedule and get these things done for my family and for me!

The project pictured above is an ABC Book that I just completed for We R Memory Keepers. I used the Embossible Designs stickers and punch outs...they are so cute! If you click on the photo above, it will take you to a larger photo and a photo of the 2nd half. :)

Have a WONDERFUL week!
- Jennifer

"Peace of heart lies in perfect resignation to the will of God. What you need is true simplicity, a certain calmness of spirit which comes from entire surrender to all that God wills, patience and toleration for your neighbour's faults, and a certain candor and childlike docility in acknowledging your own faults. The trouble you feel about so many things comes from your not accepting everything which may happen to you, with sufficient resignation to God. Put all things, then, in His hands, and offer them beforehand to Him in your heart, as a sacrifice. From the moment when you cease to want things to be according to your own judgment, and accept unconditionally whatever He sends, you will be free from all your uneasy retrospects and anxieties about your own concerns." - Francois Fenelon

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Okay...number one, the tall tall ABC book is darling. Simply adorable.

Number two, I think I'll try this schedule--maybe I'll be a little more organized. Thanks for the inspiration!

xoxo,
Becca

staceykingman said...

Reading this has me motivated to get my summer days more organized! How have I let this get so sloppy? Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

Love your list of chores. I really need to do something like that. I do have a laundry day. With 4 kids, ya gotta. Thanks for the inspiration. :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the inspiration to create a chore list for each day of the week! Also love your ABC book. :) You rock Jennifer!

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU for sharing this weekly cleaning routine! I have wanted to start something like this for a long time and this gives me a great place to start! LOVE IT!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Becky said...

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your cleaning routine - it is such an inspiration to me to get things on track again around our home!

Lamech said...

Or you can give ME some of the work to do... that is allowed, you know :P

Anonymous said...

perfect jen!

i always pick up the toys and the kitchen before going to bed. i agree with you on that!

i NEED to make those lists but, i too like to get everything done way early in the day and then the rest of the day is mine to do as i please!

have a good one girlie!
kimber

Anonymous said...

Your posted schedule just gave me the kick I need to keep busy this summer. We're already sliding into doing nuthin' already. :)

But I always go to bed with a clean kitchen sink. Flylady's the best. :)

Jennia Hart said...

I LOVE your ABC book. It is just adorable.

I also have slipped away from a routine. I call my routine a Basic Weekly Plan and try to adapt it and update it as life changes. I include a time slot for errands and paper work (bill paying, etc.) as well as my cleaning routines.

I added your blog to my list of favorites. I'll be visiting again!