Oh My Mind Is Working

Why did I not downsixe or organize my Home Management Binder to my liking?  Great question!  I do have one thought.  Instead of starting with the pages and tips on organizedhome.com like I said I would do I just used the divider ideas.  I also for some reason thought I should include every tab even if it do not apply to my family.  So weird of me like I said believe I am OCD.  Also I tried to stick everything I had in one binder, and I have always known I wanted seperate binders.  I added all these things I might or just want to use.  I did not stick to my get rid of it all and start fresh rule. Bad Girl!! 

So since I did so much yesterday.  I did more that I did not add after my last post.  I am on strike today.  I am going to go to the master bed or outside on our porch so my dd(dear daughter) can play if warm enough and I am going to really try to be more organized.  I have to get more strick with my time and break the internet habit.  I will work on that starting Monday.  I do need it for inspiration and to find the pages I do need or will really use. 

Okay back to my new game plan:

1. Find an old box (probably a Luvs diaper box that I have not gotten all the diapers out of)
2. Open ring on binder and neatly stack all pages in box like a filing cabinet.
3. Add any loose papers floating around desk or have been packing with me - except my pages I am rewritting.
4. Admit it is okay and I kind of like some things hand written
5. Do a major delete of saved bookmarks, emails that I have not read or saved in a folder just in case.
6. Then open up flylady.net and organized home.com 
7. Now look at what I really like on these sites and make a list of how I want to add to my binder
8. go through any other sites I might remember or google and find
9. Make a list of only the pages or ideas I want to add to my life, home, and binders.
10. Thursday when at Library class with daughter, print what pages I want to start using first. 

Now I will update this throught the day either edit this or make small posts.  So wish me luck!  And since hubby forgot my birthday today I think I will ask for ink for my printer and a few dividers and page protectors.  BBL 

Another Year Older - Happy Birthday To Me

Today is my birthday!  Welcome another year older and another year I feel I have gotten further from my goals.  But that is okay,  this gives me a chance to rethink, replan, reevaluate, and get remotivated.  Maybe I should have called this the re day LOL!  But I will not spend my day complaining or thinking what might have been.  that will get me no where fast.  But I will do just what I said I will relax, and think how to get out of this rut i have been in for the last few years. 

Today started like any other.  I got up at 5:50 still not when I want but I am getting closer.  Headed for the bathroom to take care of business!  Then picked up my nightstand.  It alway has a bottle, coke can, and usually clothes, toys, and whatever I was writing on the night before.  Sometimes, I even have my dessert plate still there.  I am so naughty!  Okay then bible study....Well you get the point I have shared my Morning Routine with you.  But instead of staying up after hubby left,  I made the baby a bottle and off to bed we went.  My own treat for myself (since I do have to make my own b-day cake and dinner)  now going to enjoy a long hot soak in the tub.  Needless to say not on schedule. 

My darling Husband, (remind me to explain our relationship stat really in a post later) did not even tell me Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!  He knows I put alot of stock into this.  For all of us.  It is the one day in the world that you can claim.  I mean it is your holiday, like presidents day or somethng.  I dont expect it to be a blimp on the scheme of the world.  I do however, expect my husband to remember me.  

Does he work hard? Hell Yes! (left at 7:45 a.m. got off work at 10:30 p.m.)  pretty normal.
Does he provide what we need and want?  Yes and then some.
But come on all I asked for was 2 little words.  I thought maybe he will send me a text before I wake up.  So at 9a.m.  I sent him a text said simply HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

He has made a point all month of reminding me the pair of pink and black KSwiss I got on sale for $55.00 and my Nikie flip flops for $19.99, were my presents  do not expect more. I never dreamed that ment not even reconizing the day.   


Big joke on me.  I believe I stated earlier no complaining earlier.   Well now that it is out of my system.  I will enjoy the rest of the day, outside.  So hope to share some more of my day with you later.  There will not be much to report on my schedule.  I am setting it aside for today.  

Tell me how would you handle this?  I see I have had 176 views!!  Go you for checking me out, I never expected 6 people to show up.   LOL.  Thanks for the support.  I hope tostart getting feed back so I will know more what you want, what you like or do not like. 

Also I hope to still see some of your schedules or cleaning tips...
            LOTS OF LOVE   N
 

Morning and After-Breakfast/Mid Day Routines

So if you have been reading my blog,  (thanks),  I have been talking about my schedules.  As of now 4:40 p.m.  I am up to half through my After-Breakfast/Mid Day Routine.  I will recap with my updated Morning Routine:

• Rise and shine - Get up at 5:00 a.m.  (made it up at 6 today)
• Brush my teeth/wash my face wake up
• Brush my hair
• Straighten up my nightstand (slept in recliner with both kids so straightened up my daughter's pink table this morning)
• MORNING PRAYERS (I have three if interested I can post) - I do this while taking care of above tasks
• Bible Study (goodmorninggirls.org)
• Put Chris's (hubby) clothes in the dryer (de-wrinkles and warms)
• Listen to Music (usually CMT)
• Writ a list of 7-10 thing to do today
• Write a list of kids chores
• Start a food tracker/Body Clutter from flylady.net (need work on this)
• Check calendar ( I check the family, binder, Cozi, and my pocket)
• Fix Cappacciuno
• Start breakfast by 6:30 a.am.
• Set the kitchen table
• Wake Chris up by 6:45 a.m.
• Clean and pack Chris's Dinner Bucket
• Lunch Box Love Note
• Refill ice trays
• Clear off/Wipe Kitchen counters
• Give Children a 2 minute wake up warning
• Wake kids up/Pajamas put away by 7:oo a.m. (dd up at 9 today yeah)
• Kids Morning Prayer
• Start Chris's work truck
• Feed Jax (our master collar breaking dog)
• Mealtime Prayer
• Eat breakfast - Baby bottle by 7:20 a.m.
• Drink orange juice
• Take vitimans and medicines
• Clean calender ( for me to track sobority)
• Kids brush teeth/wash face wake up
• Kids floss and mouthwas
• Wipe kids off
• Brush kids hair
• Change baby's diaper
• Free Play time together - bath together or blocks good options
• Body Electric (exercise)
• Tummy belt
• Drink water
• Make and febreeze beds
• Baby nap 9:00 a.m.
• Read joycemeyer.org/dailydevotional
• Watch Joyce Meyer
• Shower
• Shave
• Wash Hair (MWF)
• Dry self off
• Watch youtube.com
• Moisturize face,hand,body,feet
• deoderant, perfume, bodyspray, babypowders, FDS spray, vasoline
• Clean my ears, nosespray, bellybutton
• Work on Eyebrows (as needed next 3)
• Trim Nosehairs
• Pluck chin  (Hairy Woman, LOL)
• Mouse and Blow Dry hair
• Get dressed to lace-up shoes (flipflops) including: Hair/Face, Brush teeth
• Put teeth in (have dentures)
• Clean glasses
• Wear Jewerly
• Look at posted reminders in bathroom
• Open house blinds, doors, and windows on warm days
• Swish and Swipe the bath
• Empty the Dishwasher(dishdrainer no dishwasher)
• Clean Master Bedroom - PUPA
  Start a load of laundry
• Check control journal
• Sing Songs with children
• Brush dog and cat
• Scoop yard of dog poop
• Change/Clean cat litter
• Dance with kids
• Work on Blog/Vlog
• Eat something if haven't already (Brunch)
• Organize days snacks
• Stroller Walk if nice weather
• Pick up all dirty laundry

This is in my perfect work by 9-10 a.m.  Right now it is done by 12:30 or 1:00 p.m.  The quotations are for example or explaination.  See my first post for more detail.  Now today I got a little more done.   Here is the start of my After Breakfast/Mid Day Routine: (again any times are hope for times, they usually do not happen)

• Clean up breakfast dishes
• Throw out scraps ( to the creek we go for stay animals)
• Keagles
• Load Dishwasher/Wash Dishes  (me by hand by have to not choice)
• Shine Kitchen sink
• Lotion Hands
• Unload Dishes, towel dry, Put up
• Wipe off Kitchen Counters
• Thaw anything needed for Dinner
• 5 minute pick up
• Swithc Laundry
• Room time/Play alone 30-45 minutes
• Make Calls
• 15 minute Daily Mission from flylady
• 15 minutes in Master Bedroom (Changes by day will list in later post)
• Play together- reading time, Hippo tent, List of Ideas from on-line or Buttoned Up's Boredom Buster (can get link if wanted)\
• Wash and Lotion Hands
• Fix lunch - baby bottle and cereal by 12:00
• Change baby's diaper clean up
• Set the Kitchen Table
• Mealtime prayer
• Feed the Family - Including self
• Drink Juice or lemonaide
• Sweep and mop kitchen and entryway
• Pick up/Declutter
• Reboot Laundry
• Take a Break/Relax (MOM TIME!!)
• computer Time! Check e-mails/favorite websites  (today I blogged again) 

Maybe tomorrow I will get farther, if so will update the Mid day list.  For now I love the morning routine I just need to get more focused.  Less youtube and browsing, more makring off what I have done. 

I am off to start supper - Chicken Alfreado with cressant rolls and mashed potatoes and peas.  We had bacon and biscuits for breakfast.  Lunch was leftover sloppy joe on biscuits and leftover baked potato wedges.    If interested in my meal plan or recipies just let me know   Hope everyone has a good night.  I will spen my time working on getting further on my list till hubby comes home.....Good luck on your schedule  and pleas share or give any hints on how to make go smother....

Norma 

Monday Morning Recap

What a wonderful weekend!!  Having my Morning Routnie in place really payed off.  And being able to let go of perfectionism allowed me to be okay with only getting through my morning routine.  I got a lot more family time this weekend than in so long!

Saturday,  my darling husband took our daughter and done a little stock up grocery shopping so I could have a few minuites semi alone and spend quality time with the baby.  He needs to do more father-daughter activities, he just works so much.   I got the baby asleep and picked up the house, then a quick vacuum.  And that left me plenty of time to relax with a show I had recorded last week on DVR.  After they got home it was a fast pupa of the groceries, we had bbq pulled pork sandwiches with our choice of chips.  Also cole slaw for my daughter, it is one of her favorites.  Then Chris braved the attic to put some screen over the air vents up there.  It is a circus act to get up there.  Wish you could have seen us!  Our step ladder we just purchased is still one step to short.  I had the baby in the carrier, my daughter wanting her turn to climb up pulling on my leg, and then me tring to hold weight and balance on the ladder.  Then since it was to short,  I became the human step for my hubby.  But now I feel better knowing no animals can take up house in the attic.  

 Sunday led to a awful wind storm, so another inside day.  Needless to say our 6 month old pit bull decided he is superdog and broke his choke chain!  Is there any way to contain him?  He will dig out of the lot I am told if we do not pull concrete.  Our older neighbor came and told husband.  He then had to go search for him and he has stayed put since.  After breakfast, apple flip,  on Cozi. Pretty good.  It is just an apple peeled and sliced, sautaed.  Then bacon strips pre-cooked, 4 eggs and 2 egg whites with 2tbsp of water and chedder cheese.  bake for 10 min broil for 2.  

Sorry rambled again,  but we had a blanket fort in the living room.  I got to be the sockbombing alien from Klurg.  Yes we are now MarvinMarvin fans.  It was a supper of sloppy joe and baked potato wedges.  If you would like the recipe just let me know.   Guess who made the Sunday menu?  You guessed it our 4yr old and my child-like husband.   

Okay off to finish my morning routine.  I will post about my After Breakfast Routine when I get to try it out today.  New goal for the day,  Complete my After Breakfast Routine.    I will post each routine as I get it written or try it out.  Some things will repeat on the day specific list and the weekly chore, it give me a chance to get to it one way or another.   I will talk more on that when I show it to you.  If I knew how I would make a printable for everything if anyone was interested.  

ttyl,  Norma

Family Fun Day

Last night since it is my birthday weekend, (really Tuesday the 30th), we had a movie night with Netflix.  We watched Hunger Games and I have to say I really got interested in it.  I normaly cannot sit still during a t.v. show, never a whole movie!  Other than potty/diaper breaks I managed to tune the world out and stay focused.  My late nap could have helped..

Needless to say we got up late and have had a slow morning.  Hubby and Makenzie are outside.  The baby is asleep and I am settling in for a nice hot soak in the tub.  As for my Morning Routine, I am working on it at a snail pace.  Even so managed to get up feed, diaper the baby, and make blueberry muffins for breakfast.  All before the rest got up. 

All of my daily routine is finised, will post completed list Monday. I am working on day specific tasks now and then on to weekly cleaning checklist that does not need a day just done in the week if can get to them.  Finally will make out Monthly, Seasonally, and Yearly.  Hubby said deffinatly need to downsize amount of papers in my binder.  He finds it stressful to even see it open.  Says I have a hard time letting things go - especially paper and photos.  I may try to post a pic of how full my binder is. 

Off to enjoy my hot bath and a few minutes totally alone. Its not everyday a gal get the bathroom totally alone!

Have a terrific Family Fun day and dont forget to rest and renew your spirit tomorrow..Just in case do not blog tomorrow....

How did the first day of my New MORNING ROUTINE go?? So far......

Well  I started on my Morning Routine today.  I have added a few things like Joyce Meyer Daily Devotional and watch her broadcast I forgot to put the childrens morning prayer and Brushing the frurry critters (cat and dog), scooping poop out the yard, and cleaning oe just empting the litter box.  I also added a morning stroller/walk with the kids.  Since it is warmer now thought it would break up the day and give extra exercise.  I am still tryng to loose the last of the baby weight! 

But as I sit taking my Suboxone (Yes, I am a recovering drug addict), I just wanted to give an update.  Beside the baby getting up at 6am and my daughter sleeping like a log with numerous attempts to wake her, it went good.  I knew it would not go in line to the letter so I am prepared to back track some or adjust time lines. 

For the first morning in a while, I sat at the table and ate breakfast not rushing!  I also had a normal grown up talk with the hubby while he ate and laced up his boots.  We were not on the computer, laptop, or iphone.  We took time to listen to each other.  No to finish up my morning I am now a little later than I would like.  LOl  story of a SAHM!   Off to get in pre-recorded (thanks Suddenlink for free dvr, hubby's place of employment)  Body Electric.  I have home made 2 pld weights from the hubby.  And I keep them and my Golds Gym tummy wrap in an old Huggies wipe box behind the flat screen in the living room.  Easy access and hid from company.  No one could even see the box if did not know it was there.  Hope to get a shower and a few other tasks done by 9 or 10 at latest.  

Good Luck to all on your Morning Routines.  Hope things go as planned for your day.  Well, as planned as can with sticky finger, baby spit up and unexpected potty messes!!

My New and Improved Morning Routine

Just an update on my earlier post:  After dealing with a teething 6 month old, our pit bull breaking his second collar this week, and a visit from our HANDS worker(I forgot about), I spent most of the day on youtube and various sites looking at schedules, routines, and to-do lists of other SAHMs.  I also removed my daily, weekly, monthly, and other cleaning/schedules from my binder.  I come to you now from under a stack of papers!  But I am reworking what I want or have time to do on certian days of the week, month, etc.  I have what i think is a decent MORNING ROUTINE for my family.  I hope so after spending one day almost only on making this list!  Needless to say looks like a bomb exploded on Prater headquarters.  LOL! 
  But before I begin a mad Pick up and Put away (also have to put my dog back up, I hear him at the back door again!), I wanted to show you what I have come up with .  I may need to add or take something off but will begin trying it out in the morning.

Here it is in rough form:

• Rise and Shine! - Get up at 5:00 a.m.
• Brush my teeth/Wash my face wake up
• Brush my hair
• My Morning Prayers  (I have 3)
• Bible Study (goodmorninggirls.com)
• Put Hubby's clothes in the dryer
• Listen to Music ( normally country on cmt)
• Write a list of 7-10 things to-do today
• Write a list of chores for children (just my daughter for now)
• Start my food tracker
• Check calender for appointmenst or activities
• Make cappacuino
• Start breakfast by 6:30 a.m.
• Wake Hubby up for work by 6:45 a.m. (this usually takes till 7:00)
• Clean and Pack Hubby's dinner bucket
• Write a Lunch box love note and put in
• Refill the Ice Trays
• Clear off/Wipe Kitchen counter
• Give a 2 minute warning to the children to wake up
• Wake children up/pajamas away by 7:10a.m. 
• Start Hubby's work truck and take out his bucket
• Feed Jax (previous mentioned dog)
• Eat Breakfast - Give baby bottle by 7:30 a.m.
• Drink orange juice
• Take vitimans and medications
• Hubby leave for work 8:00 a.m
• Children brush teeth/wash face to wake up( mine is listed twice for each child)
• Children floss and mouthwash (only daughter right now)
• Wipe Children off(listed twice)
• Brush Children's hair (also twice)
• Change baby's diaper
• Free Play time together
• Body Electric (exercise)
• Put on my tummy belt/wrap from Gold's Gym (Wal-mart)
• Drink water(listed for each of us)
• Make and Febreeze Beds (each name listed for their beds)
• Shower
• Shave
• Wash and condition my hair  (M,W, F)
• Dry off
• Moisturize face, hand, body, and feet
• Deoderant, Perfume, Body Spray, FDS spray, Baby Powders, and Vasoline
• Get dressed to lace up shoes, including hair/face, brush teeth
• Look at posted reminders in Bathroom
• Swish and Swipe
• Empty the dishdrainer (not blessed with a dishwasher, so sad)
• Clean Master Bedroom (PUPA)
• Start a load of Laundry (a Load a day keeps CHAOS away)
• Check my control journal/home management binder
• Play with kids (sing songs)
• Eat something if haven't already (Brunch usually for all) - Baby a snack byt 10:00 a.m.

This is just a rough draft with some added explinations for anyone who reads this.  I hope it is helpful in making someone elses morning go easier.  My daughter starts preschool this August so I am working on getting her in bed and up earlier.  Then I will have to add her lunch and driving her to school. But if I can get in the habit of sticking with this it should be easy to tweak a few times. 

Next I hope to have an AFTER BREAKFAST ROUTINE ,  It may be tomorrow because I deffinatly hav to think about supper and picking up no daily cleaning tasks today.  I hope to have that list and my flylady zones in place by Monday.  I will also share all my schedules/routines as I go. 

If you have any tasks or chores you do not see on mine please list them below...I would love to know what you think of my Morning Routine.  I would also be interested in seeing how you start your day.  You could inspire me to go a total different way! 

how to reorganize me? One step in the right direction, I hope!

Yesterday I did make my whats in my diaper bag video and posted on youtube.com  Not the best by far, but so proud I had the courage to go through with it.  I havent gotton any views yet.  Hope that changes soon and I can make a plan on what and when to blog or vlog.  Right now this is more just a diary of sorts. A place for me to ramble and hopefully one day have friends to help guide me in my glorious journey of life.  

So, previously I have mentioned my struggling with orgazination, time management, religion, and well everything.  I did not have role models growing up.  My mom is an alocholic, my father a drug addict.  He was physically and mentally abusive, to me and my mother and there was sexual abuse.  Needless to say not the best start.  But after a terrible round of my own  with addiction and loosing 4 wonderful children, I have made a life change.  About 6 years ago, I started seeing a friend from childhood.  We both had our own demons and were just lonely and looking for company. By some miricle we met that night and stayed together almost every day and night since.  He got a job, we went from a run down trailor with no utilities to a home we own and a good vechicle.  We have 2 perfect children of our own and he does anything I need for support.  He saved me.  And God gave me my angles to keep me on course. 

Sorry I am rambling and off topic.  The point I wanted to make is I never had reason to organize, or clean.  Now I have tons of reasons to.  But I just can't get on a schedule to suit our life.  I am very OCD on some things I like to do them in order and perferrably about the same day and time.  But I am trying to combine to many things and getting further behind.  I need a good routine.  flylady.net is great!  Just to vauge in some areas. I like detailed lists from wheter to bath or shower to brushing my teeth to everything in the room that I should clean. I have more zones  and do not know how to fit them into her system.  I have not checked my email in a week for not wanting to deal with all the sites and blogs I have subscribed to. 

My attempt at a home management binder has cost me 3 rounds of ink and more wasted hours and paper than I am proud to admit.  And I still am not using it or satified with it.  I have a 3 inch binder I believe that I found in the mess the previous home owners left.  It will not close and I honestly do not use any of it now.  I need to hit delete on my lists, stop looking at sites and blogs, and throw away everything that I can get back easily if want.  I am pretty happy with my divided sections but not the content. 

Now I see that to really enjoy my home and my family I have to figure this out.  I need to start with one idea or habit at a time.  I will revisit flylady today and the babysteps.  I know it is on the web and I do not need to copy every word or email by hand and keep it.  On the other hand my OCD will want to write every word I see and check it off. 

So I think I have typed myself into my first true challenge!  I need to reorganize me.  My binder, my routine, and realize if it is on the web I will find it back if need to.   So how to start?  I will delete, trash, get rid of  all I can.  I will start back over.  Hopefully for the last time.  I have to do this for my family and myself.   I have a clean home but I need to do it more effecient with less yelling.  I need to put more time into my children instead of using the tv as a babysitter.  I have to find activities to meet people instead of sitting here alone and depressed. 

My biggest challenge is ink and lack of funds to purchase more.  If only I had a magic ink fairy to help.  And a way to have time alone to completely concentrate on these things.   But I will make all the pages I can, best as I can by hand. 

How do I keep this fire under my bum lit?  I need encouragement tips and ideas.  I basically need someone to hold my hand!  Any volunteers?    Time to get off here and get to it.  First up bath, dress, and start getting rid of things.  Then 15 min decluttering, and 15 min researching.  There are a few sites and blogs I really like.  I will post them later and give credit to all.  But I need to stick with just clearing off computer and bookmarks on it.  Listing where and what I like and finding a way to combine them in my journey...Wish me luck!!  Will try to give pics to show progress and how terrible I am. 

Ready to tackle blogging and vlogging.....I think?

Not sure what happened...I had started a blog on here about a month ago, my nexus tablet broke(again), and when I decided to check on my laptop it was deleted!  So I am looking at this as a fresh strat to blogging.  Yesterday I also posted my first to videos on youtube...I really need all the advice on how to blog and vlog I can find...Wish me luck and send me tips, tricks, and any help you can....

So I am reworking my schedule, my home control binder, and on BabyStep9 (been there a minute).  I keep getting side tracked with all the stuff I see on other sites, blogs, and vlogs.  So I have decided to stick with the Flylady.net for my cleaning, I hope it works this time.  I have been trying since November and until we moved in February it went pretty good.  For my Home Management Binder I am using organizedhome.com for a jumping off point.  Right now my binder is a 3 inch binder that will not close!  I used the divider and suggestions for what to put in those from organizedhome.com.  Now to pair down and re-evaluate if I really need what I have.  Since I am out of ink right now and money is tight I am hand writting all the suggested printable pages for both sites also.  I will try to post pictures and describe in a future blog.  But not sure how. 

My binder will be a vlog soon and I am going to do a what's in my diaper bag vlog later today.  Wow!!   I have said alot and not even introduced myself...!!  Here you go...

My name is Norma.  I am a 32 yr old stayathomemom, with 2 beautiful children. My daughter is 4 and my precious baby son is 6 months in two days.  We bought our first home on Valentines Day this year and moved in the next day.  I have become obsessed with how to be a better christian, wife, and mother.   I need all I can find on these topics.  Please share!!  I have recently decided to try to find a way to work from home  but do not know what to trust and where to start with no start up money.  

Well if you want or need any more info jusat ask.  The baby is crying and my girl is wanting to bath....More soon if I can figure it all out right   THANKS FOR READING!!!!