Trying something new

Ever have those days where you feel like you've worked your butt off and have nothing to show for it? Well, I have those days. A LOT. I read something from a friend that I'm going to try for a few days:

Keep a log of what you do around the house all day. Everything! It's 9:43, and here is my list so far-

1. checked email
2. unloaded dishwasher
3. made bagels
4. loaded dishwasher
5. cleaned fronts of 2 cabinets
6. swept kitchen
7. laundry into washer
8. took out trash
9. put in new trash bag
10. finished crocheting teacup
11. changed a diaper
12. unloaded washer into dryer
13. loaded washer with diapers to soak
14. started on crocheted teapot
15. changed lightbulb in girls' room
16. sat my butt on the couch to do this list LOL

The idea behind the list is three-fold; 1.) Let my hubby know that I really don't sit around all day eating bon bons (he doesn't think that, but it's nice to show "proof" now and again LOL), 2.) listing will make it a competition with myself to "outdo" the previous day's list!, and 3.) Help ME feel accomplished for the day (this is obviously the most important reason). My schoolage children have a tendency to void everything I've done while they are at school, and then at the end of the day I'm exhausted and the house is still a mess.

And really, the issue is teaching my family (myself included) is to learn how to pick up after ourselves better so that I don't feel this way.

Now back to work....

A tip for Today

If you have small kids, it is CRITICAL that you store away out-of-season clothing. My children will wear whatever is in their closet or drawers. It doesn't matter how many times I tell them that Christmas tights are not acceptable in Spring, they will put them on and attempt to wear them to school. And when I'm not looking or busy and not paying attention, they will "dress up" in whatever they have and leave them on the floor. Or cram them in their hamper not to be discovered until I am washing laundry.

Save yourself the headache!

Keep a big storage box under kids' beds. At the change of seasons trade out. Put away things that can be passed down to younger children and give the youngest child's seasonal clothing to a charity.

Believe me.... 2 hrs of work is a fair trade out for 6 months of "ugh! again!" headaches.

Food for Thought...

taken from the book Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin:

"We want a good future for our kids, so we work harder or become a two-income family and relegate raising the kids to daycare centers or nannies. We buy them the newest toy to prove our love. We earn for their college educations but relinquish the opportunity to spend time with them during their formative years. We bemoan the influences of 'bad company', but we ourselves have never been in their company long enough to influence them. We are spending so much of our precious time earning in order to spend that we don't have the time to examine our priorities."

A good read

If you have a little bit, this is a great read:
Richard Louv's Testimony

Moms for Modesty

I stumbled upon this blog today. I added a link on the right, but I think it warrants it's own entry as well.

Moms for Modesty

Moms for Modesty Mission Statement

• As a Mom for Modesty I believe in common-sense modesty for girls and young women.
• I believe in refraining from sexualizing our girls and young women.
• I believe that it is unwise and unfair to taunt boys and young men by permitting my daughter(s) to dress in an immodest manner.
• I believe that true beauty comes from within and I strive to teach my daughter(s) this truth.
• I will loyally shop at retailers that provide girls’ and young womens clothing that is modest, affordable and stylish.

I talk about my feelings regarding children's wear on my website a bit, but I'm not sure if I've ever addressed it here on my blog. I think children should look like CHILDREN. The sexualization (is that a word?) of our children makes me ill. The style of having our little girls look like hoochie mamas is just criminal. Not only is it sickening on a societal level, individual parents HAVE TO step up and take responsibility for this. Retailers and clothing manufacturers would not be creating these trends if parents weren't buying them. "But that's what she likes" is NOT an excuse for letting your 8 year old dress in midriff tops and short shorts. I started sewing clothing from THIS PATTERN by Fern & Faerie, a great WAHM who also has a deep passion for maintaining modesty in children and spreading the word of "children looking like children". She created this pattern specifically to address this concern. If you sew, this is a fabulous pattern. It is printed on thick paper to last through years of use!

Please. I beg of you. If you are a mother of girls, read the link above. Think about it. Pass the link to any other mother you know. Do something.