307! Wednesday, clobber the clutter and cobwebs

307

How are you feeling today? Do you have a day-after-the-election hangover (figuratively, of course)? I’m so happy that the UNLISTED calls have stopped. I swear the phone has been ringing nonstop over here.

I shared a wonderful email chain with Sandy of God Speaks Today and The Amazing Adventures of Fitness Friday Girl yesterday. I’ve admired Sandy’s writing from a distance for quite some time, and it was so lovely to put a “face” to the name.

I shared with Sandy* that one of the ways I keep myself honest with the Daily 7 is to not check email in the morning. I try my hardest to not look at the computer until after the kids are off to school and the baby is down for her morning nap–about 9am. This is a recent development. I felt for a very long time (and still have twinges of guilt) that in order to “do my job correctly” (i.e. blogging, writing), I needed to be available at all times.

It’s just not healthy. The kids aren’t happy when they don’t have my full attention, and I’ve found that if I give them what they need, they are usually quite ready to then give me time to attend to work/email/etc in return.

But they have to come first. I’m sure as bloggers we’ve all been guilty of trying to just squeeze in one last email, tweet, comment, etc. with a kid standing at our shoulder chanting “mom mom mom mom.”

it happens. I know. I’ve been there. And since I’m aware, I can do better.

we all can.

* This isn’t actually what Sandy wrote to me about—she’s firing her cleaning lady. But somehow in my head I tied the two together! LOL!

Today:

daily 7

laugh.

cut yourself some slack. you’re doing a GREAT job

catch up with a friend and listen more than you speak. let her lead the conversation, and when she asks about you, answer concisely but then switch it back to her. Give the gift of listening.

To listen well is as powerful a means of influence as to talk well, and is as essential to all true conversation. –Chinese Proverb

third weekend of September

261 & 262

Hello, weekend!

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend since Tuesday afternoon. We’ve got soccer on the agenda, but that’s about it. I’m really glad to have some down time.

How about you?

this weekend:

family time

yard work

anything need to happen on the punch list?

are Halloween costumes picked out/purchased?

keep up with the Daily 7

Thursday, July 22

203

Good morning! I hope you’re having a wonderful week so far.

Dig out your punch list today and get stuff crossed off. Paint the baseboards that look crummy, touch-up the paint in the front entry to get rid of the grimy handprints, and replace the burnt out lightbulb above the vanity in the guest bathroom.

that kind of stuff! You can do it all by yourself. It’s tempting to pawn all that stuff off, but use today as a learning opportunity for the kids. Moms (girls) can do anything!

Today:

daily 7

cross stuff off your punch list

There are very few jobs that actually require a penis or vagina.  All other jobs should be open to everybody.  ~Florynce Kennedy

Thursday, July 1, 2010

182

Happy July!

I’ve met all my big deadlines that have been hanging over my head, and can now breathe deeply and sleep soundly. I’m typing this Wednesday night, and I’ve got a bottle of champagne waiting in the depths of the fridge. I hope the kids go to bed without too much fuss!

I’m looking forward to getting some of the things done around the house that I’ve been neglecting. I’m going to tackle the stuff on the punch list that I know I can do myself, and I’m going to FINALLY print out some new pictures of the kids to hang in the frames I bought at Ikea back in December!

What about you? Any projects you’re working on?

I’m also looking forward to getting The Help back from grandma. She was holding it for me until I met my deadlines.

And I’ve got a dentist appointment today. I have a cavity I’ve been neglecting. ick. I also need to schedule an eyedoctor appointment. I’m in need for a mommy tune-up!

Today:

work on updating the baby book/printing out pictures/etc.

daily 7

the weekend:days 177 & 178

177 & 178

Hooray for the weekend!

I hope you’ve got some fun planned. We do. I’ve got a bit of work to tackle, but I should be done by mid-day Saturday.

yay!

If you’re out in the yard, tend to a few small things that need it, but only if it doesn’t take away from having fun. Grab a handful of weeds, trim a branch or two, and water the vegetables—that kind of thing. If you’re feeling ambitious, look over your punch list and see if there’s anything you can cross off with only a few minutes worth of work.

I’m always amazed at how easy it is to touch up the paint trim. Once I dig out the paint can, I can get quite a bit done in no time flat, yet I’m a horrendous procrastinator and so I don’t.

I really should though.

huh.

maybe next weekend.

This weekend:

have fun!

keep up with the daily 7

squeeze in a family meeting

He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day needs to reorganize his life. – George Matthew Adams

Thursday, family meeting day

140

Good morning to another brand new day. The slate is clean. It’s up to you how today goes!

Today:

family meeting: go over the calendar, and plan out the weekend. Make sure you have birthday presents if needed, plan meals (make sure you have food in the house so you don’t end up getting unnecessary fast food), dole out punch list projects

daily 7

clean out the car

yesterday: check list mania

“I’d like to be the ideal mother, but I’m too busy raising my kids.” – Unknown

day 107 & 108–the weekend!!

107 & 108

Happy weekend! I’m so excited to have a few days off. I’ve been at the computer so much the last few days my eyeballs are going to fall out.

This weekend:

keep up with the daily 7. the weekend is so hard to get stuff done, I know. Every little bit counts, though. It doesn’t have to be perfect,  just do the best you can.

cross some punch list stuff off

anything need to happen in the yard? divvy up the work if possible.

enter a crockpot contest!

yesterday: friday fun day

103–run errands, prepare for summer

103

Good morning to you! It’s time to gear up for summer. For some reason you can’t buy shorts or a swim suit in the middle of summer, you have to now. Everything’s on sale—I like to order online, but if you prefer to go into stores, you should be able to find a good selection.

It looks like the kids are going to pretty much live in Lands End clothing over the summer. I just received a big order the other day.

I love shopping in my jammies.

Today:

efficient erranding (remember the sunscreen!)

finish PROMing everyone’s clothing from winter

daily 7

schedule 3 more punch list items for the next few weekends

exercise. 27 days until Mother’s Day

yesterday: monday recovery day

Those who can, do. Those who can’t, complain. –my grandma Bunny

days 100 + 101: the weekend

100 & 101

Happy 100th day of the year! Check over your list of things you were itching to do this year. How have you done so far? What do you need to tweak?

We have exactly one month until Mother’s Day—and for me, that means, one month until a family vacation to Disneyland. A family vacation which means sundresses and tanktops, and maybe even a swimsuit.

gulp.

I need to work out more, and I need to do it now. I have been using the finishing up of this book as an excuse to live off of coffee and boxes of girl scout cookies, and it’s not doing me any favors.

Who’s in for a 30-day exercise challenge? Run everyday, do the 30-Day shred, just something. ANYTHING. Somethings gotta be better than nothing, right?

This weekend:

exercise. for reals.

write down everything you’ve done in the last 100 days. Even if it’s silly things like brushing your teeth consistently for 100 days in a row.

Feel proud of yourself.

cross something off of your punch list

daily 7

yesterday: friday’s post

day 98–Thursday

98

We’re closing in on the 100th day of the year! I had a very productive day yesterday, although I didn’t get dressed until 1pm. I hope you are doing well this morning.

Today:

call a good friend and listen more than talk

daily 7

schedule punch list items for this upcoming weekend

Any idiot can face a crisis – it’s day to day living that wears you out.
–Anton Chekhov

yesterday: take down the Easter decorations. for reals.

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