Monday, May 28, 2007

Keeping House

Over at my 30 by 30 blog, I set goals for myself with regards to diet and exercise...and it's working! I've lost 9 lbs in 3 weeks and am feeling a lot better about myself. So I've got one other area (okay lots, but this one is a priority) that needs some extra attention. Housework. Organization. Clearing the clutter. I found this other blog that's got me all jazzed about getting organized. Swistle also did these great digging out projects (she's way too pregnant now!) earlier in the year and it was so fun! So I'm starting a weekly (or more) quest. Setting one weekly goal (i.e. picking up toys EVERY night) and showing one weekly project. This week, my dining room table. With pictures! Oh, it will be so fun. Can't wait.

Here's my issue. I can't seem to figure out how you get anything done with kids. I don't get anything done with kids. Is it a nap thing? Are moms only allowed to get work done during kids' naps? I'm thinking that's it. It's tough though, when what you really want to do during your kids' nap is nap yourself. So I guess I've got to get jazzed about gearing up and getting work done while the little angels are asleep in the afternoon. That will be my goal today. While my kids are having their afternoon snooze, I'll do some chores. Start digging out!

I'm a big believer in Feng Shui (thanks to my mom) and actually think that decluttering the house will lead to overall self-satisfaction, therefore making it a worthy project that goes along with my weight loss goals. Not to mention calories burned while doing the cleaning. One of my biggest issues is that when I start thinking about cleaning and decluttering, I often get overwhelmed, don't know where to start, and just give up before I even do. So today I'm focusing on my dining room table. And the carpet in that room (dining room and living room). And then laundry. But that's it! (Doesn't sound like much, right?!?!)

I'll post later with pics to show progress. I love to show progress. It's that time of year. I'm itching to clear the crap. These posts from here on out will be called Keeping House. I'm getting way too excited!

Progress Note: I have found a TON of links to info that I was craving. From the Organizing Junkie blog to menus4moms to The Nest and so on and so forth. I've got so many ideas - now it's time to get off of the 'puter (as my little B calls it) and get crackin'. Again, way too excited about all of this. I think I've got a little anxiety about the idea of being a SAHM for 8 weeks, when I seem to be so obviously bad at it (no prior experience, so I'm just guessing) and want to start off on the right foot. I also can't imagine spending the summer in this house if it's a crap-hole. So we're keeping house! We, as in me, the kids are just along for the ride!

3 comments:

Mad said...

Ya, I'm really trying to figure out how to get things done with a kid. When she was a baby she consumed my every moment--even when she was sleeping b/c I was always running to stand still in those times: trying to eat myself, do laundry, wash dishes, sterilize bottles. Now she is two. It should be getting easier, right? Well, truth be told, it's a LOT easier but I still don't ever seem able to get anything done unless it is the kind of rare task I can coax her into "helping" me with.

Good luck with all this and pass on any good tips that work for you.

Jenifer said...

Thanks for the comments at my place...I promise to let you know if I decide anything.

I love this idea! Today my goal is the fridge, but I have a killer headache so it may wait until tomorrow. Like you I am approaching this in small chunks. I love being organized and love getting rid of clutter.

Bea said...

This is my problem. I'm fairly motivated about keeping a minimal level of cleanliness, so I don't mind taking 20 minutes or so to do that each day (or, alternatively, two hours once a week). But I can't motivate myself to spend an equivalent amount of time on exercise. That's what I've got to change - I'm pretty sure someone asked me today "how far along" I was. The syntax was weird, and she hurriedly changed the question to how hot the weather was this far along in the summer, but I'm pretty sure that she thought I was pregnant. So, yeah - 9 lbs in 3 weeks sounds amazing!