This morning TJ and I went to MOPs at Crossroads.  This is our third week there and I have met so many wonderful ladies.  I get so much encouragement from meeting with these ladies every other week.

  I have really embraced this staying at home thing - at least from the perspective of being on some sort of schedule.  

  Mondays are preschool days - I take TJ to preschool, come home and have some time to myself (Bible Study, play online time, laundry folding time :) )  Then in the afternoon we have lunch and if he is tired enough, TJ takes a nap.  Jordyn gets home at 3:45 so the deal is he gets to get up when Sissy gets home.

  Tuesdays are stay at home days - these are usually lounge around in pajama days.  Painting or playdoughing done by TJ.  Chores for me.  Whee.

 Wednesdays are preschool and bible study days.  I head off to bible study at church after dropping TJ off.  We are studying Beth Moore's Seeking A Heart Like His - a study on David.  The afternoon looks the same as Monday, except that Jordyn gets home around 2:15 so nap doesn't usually happen.

 Thursdays are MOPs/stay at home days - if you are getting the jist - afternoons are always the same.

 Fridays are preschool days again.  

So as long as we don't have any other stuff going on, this is what the week looks like.  I like being in a smaller house where TJ can play in the front room with me or I can hear and talk to him down the hallway in his room. It's easier to keep the front room picked up (which I need to do today) and vacuumed.  I try to vacuum at least twice a week since the dogs keep the carpet filled with hair.  

I never thought I would be comfortable staying at home - maybe because I feel like I won't have anything to entertain TJ - but he is old enough to entertain himself while I do chores - or blog.  LOL.  I like our schedule and right now I am in danger of losing it, if I don't find enough piano students.  I have 3 now, my neighbor starting soon and 2 prospective students from MOPs.  With that and AVON I think I should be on my way to being okay.  I can buy soap and shampoo and makeup from AVON thus saving us money for other things.  

FlyLady Mission today is to shine the sink in the kids bathroom.  Score - I did that the other day.  So instead I will gather up toys in the front room, put them in a basket for each kid and vacuum.  Have a blessed afternoon.  I know I will.

Mid-October

Here I am sitting at home with TJ and realize I have a bit of time to actually write a blog for a bit. Not necessarily for anyone to read but more for me to get my thoughts down as we go about our day.

I am struggling with keeping the house clean, not that this is anything new. Last week at bible study I felt God telling me that I need to get the house under control, not for me but for the love of my family. So for the past few weeks I have been trying to keep the front room picked up and the dishes done. I end up vacuuming every few days because we bought a new Shark vacuum and I LOVE it. Every time I empty it, a small dog comes out.

I am trying to use FlyLady and it goes okay for a few days and then I forget and pick up after a few days. In fact, after I am done I should go and do today and yesterday's mission. This gives me a goal every day. So here are my daily small goals. Let's see if I meet them each day - maybe that's why I'm writing this now. As a way to keep myself accountable. If someone reads it, then I have to get my stuff done. LOL.

Here's my list:

1. Dishes done and kitchen cleaned up

2. Front room straightened

3. Laundry going in all stages - washer, dryer, folding, putting away

The kids each are responsible for putting away their own laundry. Jordyn actually starts her own wash and then I put the dry clothes in a pile on her bed for her to fold and put away.

4. FlyLady zone

5. Pilates for at least 15 minutes.

So let's see how I do. A lot of these are things normal people do, but I have had a very hard time feeling the need and drive to do them. 5 things a day - that's all I have to do. I can do it right? Right!

Today I have laundry going and I have done pilates for 30 minutes. Time to get the front room straightened. OMG - TJ just came in after making himself a jelly only sandwich. He is telling me it is his lunch, but when he is done he will not be ready to take a nap. Oh, you are so wrong Mister Man.

I could go on and on today because this makes me feel like I am talking with an actual person. But alas, I must attend to my duties. Tata for now. Thanks for the ear.