Tuesday, sept 14
September 14, 2010 by Stephanie · 10 Comments
Tuesday.
We have PTA tonight. Right after soccer. And last night was a Daisy Girl Scout meeting. I’m a big fan of saying no, I really am, and it’s only once in a while when our weekly schedule gets (what I think is) too much, but when it does, I HATE IT.
I like down time. I wrote last week on the crockpot blog that I’m kind of a hermit, and while most people I come across on a daily basis wouldn’t categorize me as exceptionally hermit-like, I’m the most comfortable at home in my pajamas.
Just like Hugh Heffner.
I really liked the comments you left yesterday on how to help Jill out. IN A SUPER WEIRD twist of irony a different Jill emailed yesterday (hello to the Jills!) and asked if I had a regular weekly schedule. I sort of do. Kind of. Maybe. This is what I wrote back to her:
Hi Jill!
I have a loose schedule that I sort of kind of stick to, depending on outside activities/responsibilities. I work from home, so I don’t have a set time for when I do these things, I just fit it them in when I can.
Monday: weekend recovery
Tuesday: run errands/make sure we’ve got food in the house for the weekly meal plan
Wednesday: dust, vacuum, mop (I try to spot clean through the week)
Thursday: water indoor plants/garden/ I end up baking a lot on Thursdays because the kids are cranky and I like to have some sugar around to ward off the crankies. 
Friday: catch up day/clean off desk (I’m not in charge of paying bills, but if you are you might want to)
Sat & Sun: yard work, punch list items, family meeting to make meal pla
I truly try to do the Daily 7 as much as I can. If I can’t get to the speed dusting/mopping/vacuuming on Wed, I’ll just spot clean and make sure the Daily 7 is up to speed. It’s amazing how put together the house is when all you’ve done is make beds, emptied garbages, and kept up with the laundry.
I hope this helps just a bit.
One thing I’ve learned is that *I’m* in charge of my time. While I typed this to you, the phone rang. I saw it was my girlfriend, and let it go. She then called my cell phone, but I let it go. I get it that this kind of seems mean, but if I stopped what I was doing to chat (technically answering email is work? I’m not sure— anyway, the baby is napping, and it’s the ONLY time I can be on the computer, whereas I can call my friend back while the baby is up, KWIM?) I’d never get the stuff done I need to.
I also try real hard to make some sort of To Do list everyday where I quickly write down the absolute MUSTS for the day—-not the “wouldn’t it be nice.. ” items. So for today, we’ve got a Daisy meeting and I signed up for snack which means I MUST make muffins, and I MUST write up a list for the moms on the ground rules.
LOL, the phone is ringing again!!!
anyway, there you go! clear as mud.
What about you? Do you stick to a schedule? Maybe schedule is the wrong word. Routine?
Today:
Tuesday. the 208th day of the year
208
We’re baking a bunch this morning to make treats for an impromptu playdate. I am just THRILLED that the new Betty Crocker GF mixes are in every grocery store. It makes life so much easier!
Today:
clean out the fridge and wipe down the outside. If you’ve got stainless steel, use an approved oil-based cleaner, or you can use furniture polish, Pam, or olive oil and a super soft (think cloth diaper or t-shirt) cloth. If you don’t have stainless steel, scrub away with disinfectant wipes an a Mr Clean magic eraser if your handle needs it.
Thursday, July 22
July 22, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
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:
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
Tuesday, run errands
201
Good morning! How’d your weekend recovery go yesterday? I got a lot accomplished, and the kids did a great job, and did not argue once.
so we drove through McDonalds and got McFlurries.
win-win!
Today:
clean out under the kitchen sink, and srub the cabinet down. If you’ve got a lot of icky build-up, open the windows and spray Fantastik or 409 (or something similar) and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub away with an old sponge. Let the area air dry for a good 30 minutes before closing up again.
the first weekend of (our) summer vacation!
163 & 164
It is finally summer vacation in our house. It seems like our school was the last to get out for the year, and I’m thrilled that we’ve made it through the school year and can sleep in a bit.
The kids are spent. They need a vacation.
This weekend:
play outside
garden; do yard work if applicable
family meeting about chores. step it up a bit for the summer—if the kids are home with you, the house will get messier. Write out a chore schedule.
Happy Tuesday–day 159
June 8, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
159
I hope your week started off well. There are primary and local elections today in many areas. Make sure to vote. It’s the last week of school, and things are beyond bonkers in our house.
Today:
meal plan if you haven’t done so already
run errands—make sure you’ve got teacher/graduation/father’s day/upcoming wedding gifts purchased or in the works
I’m going to be reading The Help, and will host an online discussion July 15 (it’s a thursday)
Friday the 113th
April 23, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
113
I’m totally tripping out that it’s a Friday and the 113th day of the year. Last night we had a carpet picnic and watched the Project Runway marathon and ate Mexican take-out. It was wonderful!
I’m greatly looking forward to this weekend, because it’s the last working weekend I’ll have before turning in my manuscript. YAY!
Any big weekend plans? Do a quick company clean so you’ll be prepared for anything.
Today:
catch up on the stuff you need to catch up on!
clean your desk area
yesterday: host/schedule a family meeting
day 111–Wednesday!
111
Hello to a brand new day! It’s the middle of the week–get as much done as you possibly can today so you can begin chilling in anticipation of the weekend.
Today:
change linens (it’s been a while!)
wipe down the baseboards in the front room
yesterday: tuesday string beans
I only want to spend time with the people who make me feel good, the ones whom, after they leave, I think, “Wow. I’m a better person, or at least have laughed harder, than I was when she arrived.” –Shauna Ahern, gluten free girl
day 102–28 days until Mother’s Day
April 12, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
102
dude. ONE HUNDRED and TWO? how did that happen?
I launched a 30 days of working out challenge for myself over the weekend, which isn’t really fair, because no one really hangs out on the computer on Saturday and Sunday. But I did it anyway. Don’t worry about catching up or keeping up—you’ve got to make your own goals to fit your own schedule.
I did run a mile on each day over the weekend, and I’m going to run at least a mile every day for the next 28, because I’ve got 10 pounds of baby weight that still needs to come off, and I’m the type of person who needs a deadline.
and thankfully I’ve already eaten all of the girl scout cookies in the house so there’s nothing left to tempt me.
Today:
weekend recovery/spring break recovery
run a mile/exercise/find a way to move
get clothing out for spring/summer, and PROM accordingly
over the weekend–exercise challenge
The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you’re willing to work. —Oprah Winfrey
days 100 + 101: the weekend
April 10, 2010 by Stephanie · 4 Comments
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
yesterday: friday’s post
