Friday, January 27, 2012

How We Do Our Laundry

In case you haven't picked up on it I'll just blurt it out: our lives are far from normal right now! (Whatever normal is.) I won't even try to explain. Just trust me. :)

Today, I'm supposed to tell you how we do laundry. Well, okay. It's humbling, but I will.

My husband, bless his heart, hauls the laundry to the former parsonage across the street and washes and dries it over there because we don't have a washing machine or working dryer in the house in which we're staying right now. It's very sweet of him to do this for me. Isn't he wonderful!? There are reasons for this. I'm not just being lazy. :) Still, I appreciate his help more than he knows! Anyway, when it's all washed and dried he hauls it back home and the girls and I put it away.

And that's how we do laundry. For now.

I do want to share two things related to doing laundry that I would never want to go without (not counting my hubby):

Shout stain remover. This stuff is A.Ma.Zing. Really. It's worth every penny.

Don't you just love the name? :) This laundry sorter isn't pretty, but it sure is a time-saver. I wouldn't want any other hamper! So simple even the little ones know how to use it. Towels/washcloths in this one...lights in that one...and darks in that one. Voila! Laundry all sorted. 'Sides, these bags are easier for my hubby to lug across the street than a bulky laundry basket. ;)

(Oh...here's a totally random reminder. Don't forget to clean your dryer vent no less than once per year to avoid causing a fire.)

And that's that. 

How 'bout heading on over to Cherish the Call to see how Jennifer tackles laundry? 

                                             

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Just Being Thankful

For the happiness I see on my children's faces when their daddy comes home from work or school. 

For the delightful sound of my son giggling in his sleep. 

For rain. 

For boo-boos made better by mommy's kisses. 

For my husband's arm around me in church. 

For new friends and sweet fellowship. 

For a letter from someone special. 

For a surprise package from wonderful friends. 

For laughter that hurts. 

For visits with an elderly grandfather whom I love more every day. 

For tears. 

For difficulties that remind me to rely on God and not myself.

For grace. 


For all these "little" things, I'm thankful. 

Friday, January 13, 2012

How We Schedule Our Days

Schedule? Did I hear someone say "schedule"? Ah! What a wonderful word.....

I like to think of myself as an organized person. I adore lists. I make 'em all the time. For everything. Somehow, even if I never accomplish half of the items on that list I feel better just for making it. :) I even made a schedule. A really great schedule, planning out my day to a T and leaving a little room for the unexpected things that pop up in a normal day.

One of these days I'll start following that schedule.

In the meantime, we're following the "do the next thing"...um...thing. We get up, eat breakfast, get ready for the day, do some school work, eat lunch, do some more school work, eat dinner, clean up, and so on and so forth. No set time for anything...just doing the next thing. It works, but it's not what I want. And that was before our little winter break. Our company just left two days ago, so we're not back to even that much of a "schedule"! (Bows head in shame....) As you know, I homeschool our children, and right now we're rather behind. I've got the "January Panic"!

My husband, at the ripe ol' age of 34, started college classes last week. (I'm so proud of him!) With his classes and homework we are forced to get back to a regular schedule, which will be good for all of us. It will probably be a combination of my dream schedule and the "do the next thing" routine. I don't want to be too rigid, because I know I'd tend to get a knot in my tummy if we didn't stick to the clock, and then I'd stress all of us out. I'll let you know how it works out.... :)

Now you can go see how these ladies schedule their days. (And they really do! :))
Jennifer @ Cherish the Call
Joanna @ The LaVans