Friday! Ahh! The end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend.This is the day I have set aside (ahem) for cleaning the house. I really don't look forward to the cleaning part...what I look forward to is the reward we let ourselves have after we clean: Art and Music history and free choice of creative activities and reading. Friday evenings are traditionally our pizza night so I never have to wonder what's for dinner and if everyone does their part we can have the whole place in decent order in a little over one hour...not bad.

The way we divide up the house cleaning differs by year and season of life but I make sure everyone has a job, even the toddlers. I have a list for each person (which I print up each week) saved on the computer, with their name at the top and checkboxes next to the items. Each person's list has some fun personal touches: pictures and cool fonts...even mine. :-)

I also include detail instructions, because kids need explanations. Example: "Clean Toilet ~ the whole thing must be wiped down inside and out and use a scrub brush for the inside and don't forget the part near the floor!" :-).

I also find that if I write the approximate amount of time it should take for the job it helps tremendously. For example: if the list says Dust the Living Room, I put 6 minutes in parentheses next to the job.
Children get overwhelmed when they don't know how long a job should take and if the list looks long to their little eyes they will dawdle over their work. Let's face it~ we adults feel the same way...we just aren't as vocal about it.
This time reminder helps keep everyone (including me) on track and we don't let ourselves give up or skip something or sit down and put up our feet until the list is complete. This also helps prevent the perfectionists in the family from turning a simple cleaning rag job into a Q-tip and toothbrush affair!

I know I sound like our house is lovely and spotless because we practice perfect cleaning routines every week...not so!
Some weeks everything goes haywire and the only cleaning we get done is a quick vacuum and a swipe at the bathroom sink. Please remember what I said before, the schedule is merely our guide. The spirit of the thing is what counts, not the letter of the law. If we have a routine and miss here and there, that's ok. We have a guide, a target, so to speak, that helps us have something to aim for. If your routine takes more than an hour or hour and a half, you may need to re-adjust and spread out the work to other days in the week....or maybe some of those things aren't that important. Could you save a few of the jobs for a special 'spring or fall cleaning'?

The jobs I give each person depend on their age and personality. I believe every person should have meaningful work to do. It gives a person a healthy sense of self worth when they are contributing to the family. I am always amazed at mom's who think it is solely their responsibility to clean everything...especially home school mom's. We need to guard against burnout. Also, you are doing the children a favor by teaching them to work and to contribute to the family. By saying this I do not mean to imply that you should demand your dear husband to help. That should be his own personal choice...I've seen some hubbies pitch in when all the children are small and it works great...some hubbies don't want to...they are contributing to the household in other ways. My own hubby is very thoughtful when a new baby is born or we have lots of company. But I never ask him to do these things on a weekly basis (Just my own little opinion).

Example's of the work I give to the different aged children:
Teenager: empty trash, vacuum a large area, bedroom dusting and straightening, change bed sheets, clean part of the bathroom, and dust in the living or dining area, oversee toddler cleaning....sometimes more sometimes less.

8 -12 year old: similar to above but no trash removal and a smaller part of the bathroom and less vacuuming and dusting.

4-8 year old: put away toys, vacuum part of a room, dust one piece of furniture and change their pillowcase, and sometimes sweeping or helping do other odd jobs.

1-4 year old: pick up toys, dust part of coffee table or whatever someone big is dusting, :-), and in the past I gave my toddlers their own little mops and brooms and vacuums. The 3 oldest just LOVED using them alongside me while I worked. The little girls haven't had these tools yet but Christmas and birthdays are coming this winter! Shhhh! Don't tell...:-)

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

~To Market, To Market~

To market, to market to buy a fat pig;
Home again, home again, jiggety-jig.
To market, to market, to buy a fat hog;
Home again, home again, jiggety-jog.

To market, to market, to buy a plum cake;
Home again, home again, market is late.
To market, to market, to buy a plum bun;
Home again, home again, market is done.

To market, to market, a gallop a trot,
To buy some meat to put in the pot;
Three pence a quarter, a groat a side,
If it hadn't been killed it must have died.

Today I set out 'Like a Merchant Ship' to find all the food and goods the family will need for the week. I try to arrange all the errands in some kind of order so that I can make my way through town in a logical manner. I don't relish having to go back and forth all day because I forgot something on the far side of town. I use this day for groceries and clothes and all the other little errands. Sometimes my big kids babysit the younger ones and sometimes we all go. It's a sight to behold us when we are shopping at the little health food market! 2 grocery carts full of children and one piled with goods! :-)
Some weeks I get a special treat because Dear Hubby will be working nearby and we'll get to have lunch together. :-) Romance!

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

Wednesday is the day I have to concentrate. This is the day I have chosen to focus on paper and desk responsibilities.
I use Wednesday's for paying bills, filing, balancing the checkbook,



personal planning, home school lesson planning, and menu planning,



and thank you notes and letter writing.



I have a couple thoughts to share on the subject of letter writing.
1. Please take the time to send a real live letter or note, written on pretty paper to someone once a month or so.
You may find that you like the feeling and I guarantee that the person on the receiving end will be tickled to get something besides bills and junk in their mailbox.
2.Spend just a little bit of money on a pretty pen and some pretty stationery...it's motivating!

I wrote a post about my Wednesday routine earlier this year...
Click here to read it.

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

I said I was inspired by the old tradition of one large task assigned to each day of the week....but I have done a little adjusting to the times and my own life! I don't iron on Tuesday's because we don't consider that a major chore. We only iron a few things, and so I squeeze that into other days...sometimes Monday afternoon's and sometimes at the last minute...:-)





I love to sew and crochet and other handwork, so this is the day I try to focus on those things. Because I consider sewing and handwork to be a bit of a bonus in my life I don't always keep this day as strictly as the others. Sometimes I use this day for catching up on other missed chores, sometimes I go to lunch with a friend, and sometimes I read. I always have reading I would like to do...lots and lots and lots...






Afraid you don't have time to slow down and read a book?
Not one to stop and smell the roses or walk in the sunshine very often?
Or maybe you love to slow down and savor moments and would love to read something that further inspires you...
I have another favorite book to tell you about...Mitten Strings for God ~ Reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison. Not a Christian book (despite the title) but a lovely, lovely look at life. Read it and take the parts you want and leave the rest. It will remind you to focus on what is truly important.

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

Today is Monday which means, that for me, it's wash day.

Wash day includes the laundry and the car. The children look forward to an afternoon trip to the car wash...which usually includes a treat of some kind.

I have a general housekeeping schedule that I have followed for many years...
I took my inspiration for this from the long tradition of homemakers through history who had a designated day for each major chore.
I started having 'Market Day' on Thursdays about 17 or 18 years ago and haven't stopped since.

Sometimes my life gets busier and things get crazy around here...those are the days that I relax and figure I'll just have to 'get to it later'. Even when I can't get to something, it's nice to have a basic outline in my head of what I should be doing! At least that way I still feel a sense of control...because I know exactly what I need to catch up on or skip entirely.

If you consider yourself domestically challenged and have no idea what should be done to keep a house, or if you adore housekeeping, or anywhere in-between I highly recommend the book: Home Comforts- The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson. Google it or look it up on Amazon. This a favorite book of mine with lots of meat.
Chapters include (but not limited to) Easing into a Routine, Neatening, Home Cooking, Kitchen Culture, To Market to Market, Fabrics, Care Labels, Laundering, Folding, Cleaning, Daily Life chapters, Pets, Bedding, Safety and so much more.

Traditional Days of the Week

Monday ~ Washday
Tuesday ~ Ironing
Wednesday ~ Sewing
Thursday ~ Marketing
Friday ~ Cleaning
Saturday ~ Baking
Sunday ~ Meeting and Rest

Labels: Another Day, Household Helps

It's Sunday evening and the house is almost quiet.

4 year old Little Guy is sound asleep amongst pillows and comforters on our bed.

Rivergirl and Hubby are gone to visit some dear friends who live out of town. They needed some repair work done right away...and they just had a new bundle of joy. A precious baby boy...their first after 4 girls! I asked Rivergirl to 'see' him for me. :-)



Osprey is settled into his room for a quiet evening and Ladybug and Doodlebug are freshly diapered and almost ready for me to tuck them in.




At present they are happily playing on the kitchen floor with a few wipes they snuck out of the box before I noticed and also pushing the step/chair around and around...



I have been playing around wth my camera just a little...I'm not very good at using it yet but my 2 oldest have agreed to give me some pointers! :-)



I am content tonight...content to serve here in my home, content to nurture and love those dear little people God has placed in my care, content to help my husband in any way I can.
I need to close now and go snuggle the 2 little bitties into their bed with kisses and a few rounds of La La Lu...
Good night!

Labels: Another Day

Here's a little peek into our interesting and busy, busy morning...

Ds 17 and a friend going to work with Hubby.
Another friend called to cancel working...left hubby in a bind.
Me, trying to help...somewhat unsuccessfully.
Cats running under foot and tripping people...they're hungry for their breakfast.
DD 12 has overnight friend....they need food too.
The 19 month old babies are up and perky and running around the house chasing each other down to grab the book the other one has.
DS4 throwing a tantrum and getting necessary discipline.
Babies eating yogurt and making nice gooey messes all over the table. Doodlebug thought it would be fun to turn her bowl of yogurt and pears upside down and slide it back and forth across the table like a sander.

After the excitement settled just a bit and the three men were sent off to work, the phone rang.

Dear Hubby said..."could yoounmgff asdkuy the tree out front?" (I assume he means water it...) "the one that's almost dead?"

"SURE!" I answer.

Him: "Also, did you have coffee this morning?"

Me: "Uhhmmm, yes? Why?"

"Could you smell it please?"

"What?" (I think the cell phone may have garbled this part of the conversation, as well...)

Him: "Does your coffee smell normal?"

Me: "Oh! Let me see...I am smelling the coffee pot...yes...smells fine"

"Did you say it smells like a llama?"


"Uhhmmm, no, but that would be interesting if it did..." trailing off...

Him: "Well, my coffee smells like something died...must be my cup...I'm going shopping for a new coffee cup and new shoes tonight"

Me: "OK"

"Bye, Love you,have a good day"

"Bye, love you too"

And so ...my day is off to rollicking good start...:-)

Labels: Another Day

I have a few things to catch up on so I'm going to put them all right here.

First, I'd like you all to know I was one of the happy winners of Boo Mama's drawing a while back...for a Mandisa single. Due to a mailing glitch it took a long time for it to arrive. When it got here I put it on the player and had the whole family listen with me. :-) Oh My! All I can say is "wonderful!". The song 'Only the World' is so uplifting. Hope springs! Go and get yourself her new CD right away!



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Second, I was recently privileged to get a copy of a darling CD called Name Your Tune--
"a children's music compilation that is made-to-order and personalized
for each child. They’ll hear their name more than 80 times throughout 14
much-loved songs - a great way to enjoy music, have fun, and learn together!
We’ve been recognized in last month’s Parents Magazine, and have been
awarded the iParenting Award, too!"

They included all three of my younger children's names on one CD.
If only I could describe the look of delight that came across Little Guy's face when he heard his name being sung on the CD! Pure joy!
The songs on this little CD are delightful and all three of the little children danced and sang and smiled while listening for the fist time. I have no doubt that this will be a favorite at our house for a long time to come.
The CD even has a customizable label! Ours says: To (insert child's name) with love from Mommy and Daddy...
If you need a fabulous gift idea or just want to surprise your children this is highly recommended.



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Third, I was very blessed and happy to find out I have been given the Nice Matters blog award by Dana at Principled Discovery and by MaryKathryn at Just Going With the Flow.
This award originated with Bella Enchanted as a way to award
"those that are just nice people , good blog friends and those that inspire good feelings and inspiration! Those that care about others that are there to lend support or those that are just a positive influence in our blogging world!"
I am honored that someone thought I was worthy of this award...and I'll do my best to live up to it! Thank you Dana and Mary!

I need to pass this award on to some other bloggers but am unsure who....I'll be back with an update when I've thought it over.

Labels: Drawings and Contests, Just for fun, Misc

I know summer is drawing to a close for many of you.
For those of us in the south, especially Texas...there is still plenty of hot weather to come. :-)
The heat of summer isn't usually over here until the end of September or beginning of October.
Of course our summer activities will dwindle and we'll return to the school year and all things related to it.
We have had a lovely summer. The little girls learned to play outside and discovered bugs and dirt and flowers and the water hose. They squeal with delight over the kitty kitties and run to us in joy with little bits of grass and crushed dandelions in their fists. In years to come the memory of this summer will probably blur and blend in with other years but the sweetness will remain.
Some of you may remember that I have a special country drive...a road that goes from my house to the nearby small town...
The children and I always enjoy scanning the roadside in search of creatures and flowers. Through the years we have seen huge bee hives, snakes, tarantulas, fish, turtles, lots of dragonflies, blue herons, deer, hawks, buzzards and more. Little Guy has fun trying to help us spot things as we cross the bridge and usually shouts out "I SEE A CRICKET!" :-)

Here a few pictures along the road that I drive several times each week.



The wildflowers stayed with us for a long time this year because of all the cool weather and rain we had.




Recently I spotted this turtle crossing the bridge. I slowed to a stop and watched. He quickly tucked his head into his shell, determined not to come out until I had gone. As I watched, this little caterpillar caught up with the turtle and attempted to 'hitch a ride'! :-)...Thankfully, the road is not busy at all, so I was able to sit and enjoy watching for quite some time.




These are flowers that grow alongside the local horse ranch. Every time we pass here the babies begin making their doggie/horse/cow sound...a very funny woofing thing that sounds like "ruuhhhfff". :-)
Just a couple of days ago they learned the word "cow" and have started using it as much as possible while we drive!
"Where kooowww go?" "Oooo koooowww!"



I hope you are all doing well. I know many of you are busy getting ready for the coming school year. Don't forget to take time to savor the last little bit of summer before fall sneaks up on you.

Autumn~~
The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.

~~Emily Dickenson

Labels: Another Day, Inspirations

The early morning quiet times are special to me. Partly because I have them so rarely. If I wake up then so will someone else. My children, especially the younger ones, have an uncanny ability to know when I am having quiet time. :-) They zero in on the tiniest sounds...like a coffee cup clinking...and here they come. Always ready for food, hugs and another day of play.

This morning I had the briefest time of quiet. A few moments to collect my thoughts and enjoy the blissful silence.
I started looking around and pondering what it was that I enjoyed so about mornings like this. As I looked around the room I smiled at the sights that greeted me...

Rocking horses waiting in readiness for their next ride across the prairie...



The basket full of dolls and stuffed animals anticipating their next hugs and kisses and rockings in the rocking chair...



The box overflowing with trucks and tractors and cars...soon to be lined up in endless traffic jams and driven round and round in the make believe town...



Stacks and stacks of well worn story books eager to be grasped by chubby fingers and pages turned clumsily searching for that next familiar picture...



Way too many art supplies, here , there, and everywhere...made to be squeezed in little fingers to draw and paint those amazing works of art that adorn the refrigerator...



Letters on the wall soon to be copied and studied by preschoolers wanting so badly to be able to read all by themselves...


Colorful wooden beads strung on colorful wire..happy to wait their turn to provide endless hours of entertainment to 'oh so serious' toddlers...



And of course...for me...the pretty coffee mug...:-) hot and steamy for hands to be cupped around it in an effort for mommy to wake up with the rest of the world...


My quiet time didn't last long this morning...but that's ok...I was ready for the sleepy little heads...and they were ready for loving each other.

Labels: Another Day, Family, Favorite Things

Just wanted to share a couple of pictures of the Ladybug and Doodlebug. There is so much sweetness in their little lives.

They don't always share this well! But this day they were quite generous with one another.


Here they have just given up and gone to bed without being tucked in.
Apparently I was unaware of how tired they were that day!


Lot's of Love!

Labels: Family

You tell on yourself by the friends you seek,
By the very manner in which you speak,
By the way you employ your leisure time,
By the use you make of dollar and dime.

You tell what you are by the things you wear,
By the spirit in which you burdens bear,
By the kind of things at which you laugh,
By the records you play on the phonograph.

You tell what you are by the way you walk,
By the things of which you delight to talk,
By the manner in which you bear defeat,
By so simple a thing as how you eat.

By the books you choose from the well-filled shelf:
In these ways and more, you tell on yourself.

---Unknown

I found this thought provoking poem at a fellow blogger's lovely place: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home.

Labels: Inspirations

A happy homeschool moment:

Big Sister teaching Little Guy to write letters.

Labels: Another Day, Family, Homeschool

The Battle for the Toy Box Contest!

I entered the Battle for the Toy Box Contest on the HSB Company Porch.
I hope to win over $100 worth of, Tales of Glory, Bible-based toys from one2believe!!

One2believe is a company that is in a battle for the toy box. Wal-Mart has decided to carry one2believe's new line of toys for a short period of time to see how well they sell (in only 425 stores) and one2believe would like to see children playing with their Tales of Glory action figures that are true role models.

TWO people will win over $100 worth of products!

These toys look wonderful...check them out. Some of these would make perfect niece and nephew or grandchild gifts if your own littles don't need any more toys. :-)

Labels: Drawings and Contests

I've been wanting to share a few more pictures from our trip to the Ozark's.
The weather there was cooler than Texas weather.
These pictures don't capture the beauty of all the green, green, green, and the dogwoods. Breathtaking...



I do hope God provides a way for us to move soon. The peacefulness of the hills and even the fireflies in the evening make me feel settled...it would be a lovely place to call home.

~A song taken from Psalms~
I look up to the heavens, to the hills I turn my eyes.
Who will come to help me? Can I find a place to hide?
The one who made the heavens and the earth will hear my call,
He will come to help me, and He will not let me fall.

Labels: Favorite Things

Ok,
I've been tagged. Once by Icejet and also by Trina.


RULES:
1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged write their own blog post about their eight things and include these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged and that they should read your blog.

My facts/habits:

1. My dear friend and I met at Bible college in 1986 and were often together and dressed somewhat alike. People often thought we were twins. We loved it!
We both married our 'then' sweethearts (she married my cousin) and have both been blessed with twin daughters! Hers are 13 years old, mine are 1 1/2!

2. My dear husband banned me from walking on any stairs without him or at least without holding onto the handrail for many years. The reason? Because I made a regular habit of falling down them. I once did it when he and I were leaving a school meeting early so we could go eat lunch. I had an armload of books and a large purse. Everything went tumbling down the stairs behind me and he was left standing at the top. It's hard to sneak out quietly with a girl like me!

3. My first car was a lovely old 1964 Mercedes. I still miss her...she had that homey old car smell...

4. Interesting fact: (to me anyway) It is now 4:30 AM and I don't think I'm going to go to bed tonight. I was up until recently with a very unhappy 1 year old... and before that with her sister. If I go to bed now I'll completely crash and be unable to function properly for the rest of the day. Maybe I can grocery shop early in the morning and then come home and take a nice long nap...

5. I have always seen myself as a kind of 'Walton's Mama'...Olivia. She loved her God, her husband and her children like nobody's business.
I loved that old show and dreamed of having my own 7 children. (Since then I have read the book the show was based on: Spencer's Mountain: it was a 'nearly' true story based on Mr. Spencer's childhood years.)

6. Hubby and I have lived many places since getting married. Most of them were not near any relatives. Eventually we moved to Texas and lived near my family.
Flashback for a moment: I did not cry on my first day of kindergarten...I remember wanting to, but I wanted to please my mama and so I chose bravery.
Last week my parents made their final trip to Arkansas to take the last load to their new house. The next day I was driving through their part of town and missed them sooo much! I cried. I didn't care about bravery! I needed to cry. I'm so happy for them but I miss them too.

7. I used to have many embarrassing moments...of course I never do anymore! ;-)
Once after class I was walking back to my apartment down a very busy street in Dallas, with a good friend, when I felt something around my ankles. I looked down to see that my slip had slipped! The elastic was stretched out and it refused to stay up. I was so mortified! I was trying to figure out how to gracefully and quickly remove it from my ankles. I noticed my friend was walking faster and faster to get away from me! I begged her to stand near so I could duck behind her for cover but she wanted no part of it! I stumbled around and eventually got it off and stuffed it in my purse and ran for cover. I wonder how many people got a good laugh that day as they were driving by?!

8. I'm sorry but I'm out of ideas...i'll have to add this one tomorrow/later today after I've had time to think and take a nap!


Tag #2

1. 5 Favorite band's/singers: Bryan Duncan, Wendy and Mary, Keith Green, Chicago, Kenny G.

2. 5 Favorite Movies: Enchanted April, BBC's Pride & Prejudice, Princess Bride, Sound of Music, It's a Wonderful Life.

3. 5 Favorite TV shows: I don't watch/like much TV but I always liked The Walton's and Andy Griffith and As Time Goes By.

4. 5 Favorite breed's of dogs ( I like dogs but I prefer cats): Mutt's :-D, Heelers, Lab's, Bassett Hounds & Airedale Terriers.

Labels: Just for fun, More About Me

To see more Wordless Wednesday entries go here: Wordless Wednesday

Labels: Family, Wordless Wednesday

Today we celebrate 19 years of marriage! We met almost 21 years ago in the fall.
The following summer he paid my way to the Northwest to meet his family and he asked for my hand in marriage.
We were married the following summer after a long year of separation while he earned some money and I devoted a little more time to be with my family, especially my parents.

It has been a long and difficult road, as those of you who are married will understand! But the rewards are worth the effort.
True love is an act of selflessness and serving. We have both grown so much through the years, and are still doing so now.

Just this last week I found myself feeling selfish and grumpy. I was unkind...to many members of my precious family. I am so sorry when I do these things but I know that because of love..of my dear heavenly Father, I can be forgiven. I am so grateful that my dear husband is forgiving of my weaknesses and faults and my children are so gracious.

Yesterday, our oldest son treated the whole family to a lovely breakfast at Cracker Barrel as an anniversary gift. Wasn't that sweet? We had to wait for quite a while to get a table so we all enjoyed looking around...as we always do... at that lovely store.
I saw a set of salt and pepper shakers that were so adorable. A darling old couple with rosy cheeks and gray hair and hats. She in a long dress and he in overalls...and they are kissing! Loved it! I just wish I had a photo to share. We didn't buy them but enjoyed looking at them immensely! I told Hubby that it was us in a few years...he smiled at that.

I love that dear man. He is strong and true to his convictions. He takes care of us and forgives us and smiles at our silliness. He is very funny and keeps me laughing. He has been my best friend for so long and always will be.

I need to go now and wash and fold clothes and supervise the children's activities and make our home a bit more welcoming for dear hubby to come home to this evening. Today, in celebration of true love, I plan to bake a special cake for the family to enjoy after supper.

I hope you have a day of sunshine and smiles...I plan to.

~~And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.~~

~~Love doesn't grow on trees like the apples in Eden-
it's something you have to make.
And you must use your imagination.~~
-Joyce Cary

Labels: Family, Holidays and Celebrations

Attention!
There is a cute blog here, that is having a giveaway. This lady is a single homeschool mom who runs her own homeschool bookstore. Let's hear it for determination! Hurray!
Anyway....let's see if we can give her some traffic over there to make this giveaway worth her while.
I won't spoil the surprise but the prize makes me think yummy!
Now go! Go! (don't forget to come back here later ;-))

Labels: Drawings and Contests