Simplify Your Life......Fat Chance Part 2

If you read last week's post on Simplify Your Life, then you know that I was supposed to post part 2 of it on Friday!  But, alas, life got complicated and I didn't get it up in time.   Here it is:

I have been doing some small things to make my life less complicated.  They are a lot and I am by no means telling you that you have to do these things but they have helped me and maybe they can help you, too.

1. I wake up 30 minutes early to pray and read scripture.  This helps me balance for the day and keep me focused on what is important in life.

2. When I get out of bed, I make it up!  I have never been a firm believer in making my bed cause I am just gonna get back in it anyway.  I am not talking military corners and crisp sheets.  Just throwing the sheets and comforter up and over and making sure the pillows are everywhere.  Makes me feel like my room is clean, even when it isn't!

3. Give my kids chores!  My 5 & 6 YO boys can clean the bathroom counter and put away clothes, wipe off breakfast bar, sweep under the stools, feed the dog, etc.  My girls can wash/dry/fold clothes, put away dishes, clean toilets, push a Swiffer, take the dog out, wipe windows, etc.  Kids can do more than you think especially if you are not a perfectionist!

4. Planning meals is something that I loathe but life is easier when I have a plan.  I am not furiously running around trying to thaw out meat and scrounge up ingredients.

5. I quit holding on to things!  I have been getting rid of things that I have been holding on to.  I am convinced that I am a borderline hoarder.  I had bags and bags of gift bags that I kept because I might use them one day.  Well, they have been recycled.  I have books and books and more books!  Eventually, they will be gone as well.  Clothes that I haven't worn in 5 years, shoes, hats, etc all gone!  I am talking 6 large black trash bags of stuff not including the 6 bags of recycled materials.

So this week my life is a little more simple!  I even cleaned off my dining room table so that we could have a jewelry party.  I sell Paparazzi Jewelry and my girls are hosting my 1st party.  No jewelry is more than $5.50!  Interested?  Let me know if you are interested in becoming a consultant where you live!
So simple!

Motivated Moms

At the end of 2010, I entered a contest on Learning as They Grow's blog. I won a calendar from Motivated Moms. This calendar has on it chores for the day, tasks for the day, places for appointments, & Scripture reading. I was highly skeptical about it when I 1st downloaded it to my computer. I thought how can I possibly do all this. But on January 3rd(I was out of town on 1st and 2nd), I printed out my calendar for the next 4 days. The version I chose has 2 days on 1 side of a piece of paper. So I printed out front and back. I looked at it and thought, "How can I get all of this done?" I plugged away and assigned my kids some of the tasks as their chores. So far at the end of the month, my home is cleaner on the whole. I don't get as stressed out as I used to when I let stuff pile up. She has you do stuff like clean 1 shelf in the fridge. Do you know when the last time I did that was? Me either! Cleaning out the microwave once a week is so much easier than once a month. Crud can be really stubborn to get off.
I have missed some days due to work, home schooling, and sick children and sick me but I just pick the task that needs performing the most from the day I missed and add it on. I am going to try and do this for the entire year and maybe just maybe my home will be cleaner. Who am I kidding? Maybe I won't be yelling as much at the end of 2011. If you are interested just click on the link Motivated Moms Tell them I sent you! Let me know if you like it and how it goes. Well, I am off to clean the top shelf of my fridge. What is that stuff stuck on there?