New Month Resolutions-March

Looking ahead to March, I am looking forward to warmer weather, hubby starting plants for the garden, and the kids being able to spend more time outside.  About this time of year I think we all start to get the spring cleaning itch.  There are so many areas that desperately need spring cleaning in my home.  It is hard to keep focused on little steps. 

Here are my resolutions for March:

1.  Continue to follow February's resolutions

2.  "Target Room Cleaning"  I have divided my home into sections to clean each day.  Here is my schedule (Sorry it is blurry.  I am not exactly sure how to insert a document):

3.  Pick 2 Popsicle Stick exercises to do each weekday. My exercise ideas are simple and include crunches, push-ups, arm exercises, jumping jacks.  I plan on having the kids participate as well. 

That is all for this month.  I am pleased with how things are going as I move to more order in our  home.  It is a satisfying feeling to look around and see things that have been cluttered or needing attention cleaned up.

Go pick a Popsicle stick.  :)
Di

February-New Month Resolution Check up

Two more days and I made it.

On January 31, I set some new New Month Resolutions (see earlier post).  I am happy to say that 98% of the time I was able to complete each task. 

Here were my resolutions and a little note on how I did (in bold):

1.  Set New Month Resolutions for March during the last week of February.  In the works.  Should be ready by Wednesday.

2.  Do one full load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every weekday and as much as possible on the weekends.  Do one delicate load on the days that are necessary.  I shocked my self at how well this went.  Mondays are hard after not doing much on the weekend.  I wash and dry in the morning.  In the afternoon the kids and I fold and put away.  Really has helped a lot.

3.  Complete one 10 minute chore (see http://stephanieodea.com/) each weekday.  This has been great!!  The kids are having fun seeing how quickly they can get their chore done.  I am pleased with how much I have been able to get accomplished in a short time.  There is still much to do!!! 

4.  Work on "after meal chores" with the kids (washing dishes, wiping table, cleaning under their chair).  My main focus with this one has been breakfast.  So far, so good. 

The Popsicle Stick Jars have worked great.  The kids have really "risen to the occasion" and helped out.  We have started some other things with the kids as well.including nightly bedroom checks before supper and new chore charts (a post for another time)...same chores new chart.  I feel good about the progress we have made.   I like little steps.  There is still so much to do, but I feel like we will get there...one little step at a time.

Enjoy the day!
Di

New Month Resolution Check-up-Week One

It wasn't a full week.  February started on Wednesday.  It was a challenging week to keep up with my resolutions.  Dentists appointments, home school chapel, a sick little girl leading to lack of sleep, not feeling well myself really pushed me to the limits.  On top of all that, I had the bright idea of organizing all of the kid's clothes I have in the attic.   I am talking 10 years plus of clothes here both genders.  What was I thinking!!!???!!!! 

I have to say I was able to keep up with the laundry as well as complete a 10 minute chore each day.  Since I didn't want to bring a coughing little girl to church she and I stayed home today.  That helped me stay on top of the weekend laundry.  There isn't much on the schedule this week, so I should have a better week. 

Working on the kids table chores has been a little inconsistent, but I am trying.

I made this little system to help with our 10 minute chores. I didn't come up with the idea on my own.  I am pretty sure a fellow home school mom told me about it many years ago.  The basic idea for 10 minute chores came from http://www.stephaniodea.com/ and http://www.flylady.net/.


1.  Get some Popsicle sticks.  Write one chore on each Popsicle stick. 

2.  Put Popsicle sticks in a jar.

3.  Each day pick one Popsicle stick and complete the chore written on it.  Remember this is a 10 minute chore.  The goal is to complete it in 10 minutes.  So, set your timer and get to work.  If your time is up and you haven't completed your chore you can keep working if you have time or pick up where you left off on the next day.   I made a jar for the kids too.  It will be a challenge to see who can complete their chore in 10 minutes.

4.  Store all of your jars in a basket.  I have a jar for me, a jar for the kids and two discard jars.  Some chores will go back into the jar when completed.  Some will go in the discard jar and after a month will be put back in the rotation.

5.  Do it.  I am a planner.  I love to write lists and make up chore charts.  The hard part is the action.   The last part of the 10 minute chore jar is action.  Pick a stick and get going. 

Some 10 minute chore ideas:

• Clean a section of a closet
• Sweep porch or deck
• Clean one drawer (kitchen, bath, bedroom)
• Dust the top of door jams and windows
• Clean of top of your washer/dryer or laundry area
• Wash the windows in one room
• Clean 2 kitchen appliances
• Wipe off light switches
• Clean out one linen closet shelf
• Clean out one kitchen cabinet
• Disinfect one garbage can
• Wipe off refrigerator shelf
• Dust random knick-knacks
• Wipe down kitchen cabinets, furniture
• Wash one bathroom wall
• Wash stairs
• Dust trim/corners