Friday, April 3, 2009

Nothing

What do you feel like doing right now? Nothing? Me too. I have two kids in the tub, one down for a nap, a whole day's worth of housework to do, and I feel like just sitting and veggin' all day. I'm sure Brett thinks I do this all day everyday as our house is usually a mess, and lately I have been doing a lot of nothing, but it sure sucks when anything you have done gets undone by the end of the day. I have two rooms clean right now...we'll see how it looks at 4 o'clock tonight.

Anyway, my question for you all is this, how do you get the house clean, give the kids the attention they need, do homework, make dinner, grocery shop, clean out closets, plan meals, have playdates, and anything else you need to do in a day? What kind of routine do you have? How do you fit in hobbies or personal time? How do you lay out your week to get everything done? Yes, please post what your day to day looks like because I'm in a chaotic slump of mess...I think I'm doing nothing in anticipation of the nothing I'll be getting done when #4 arrives, also because I'm playing the pregnancy card and I'm really tired. I'm avoidant when I'm stressed though, I know that about myself. But, if anyone has ideas I'd sure love to hear them. And then I'll sit for a while doing nothing while I think over whether or not I have the energy to try your ideas out. Also, if anyone is sitting around bored, just reading blogs and you happen upon this, you're welcome to come on over and help out, I'll even give you your choice of chores!

9 comments:

Holly said...

I'll fix you dinner if you want! ( : Seriously, I will.
I hear you- when you are tired it's too hard to accomplish much of anything, especially since it's going to get messed up in 10 minutes anyway! Here's a couple thing I do that work for us:

I focus on the things that have to be done or they cause more work later. You can get away without mopping the kitchen or vacuuming the family room, but if the dishes get backed up it just makes it harder to fix the next meal and it's a much more horrid job when you finally get around to it. Laundry is the other one in my opinion. I stay on top of it so that it never becomes this HUGE mountain of clothing that seems impossible to take care of. I have a specific laundry day one day during the week and I just plan on being home that day and getting it done, and then the rest of the week I don't have to worry about it at all! I gather everything in the whole house that needs to be washed, sort, and run it through. I make myself get it all put away the same day too. It's so nice to only have to think about it on one day and I can relax about it the rest of the time. I hurry and do the dishes right after dinner and get the whole kitchen cleaned up, and then I can relax the rest of the evening and not have to look at a mess.

The other thing that really works for me is being organized enough to have a place for everything, and then forcing myself to always put things in their place by the end of the day. Piles of clutter everywhere make a house look so much more messy and out of control, but knowing you've got a spot for things and then making sure you always put stuff away keep it all neat. I'm lucky that Ben picks up after himself so no problems there. He's in charge of cleaning up the toys at then end of the day too.

You know, if my kids weren't still sick and ornery I'd be over there right now knocking on your door with my broom in hand! ( :

Mel said...

So.. I was just thinking how nice it is that my livingroom is clean.. it is clean because, Austin and I have been out all morning. So.. my thought it, clean the house during the kids nap... then get them the heck out of there. Get a hotel room.. and go visit your clean house occasionally... but DON'T stay long...

yeah, sorry I am not much help...

Cuddles, Kisses & Tantrums said...

wow, your friend Holly sounds amazing. Do you think she could fly out here to Florida and help me be organized!? WOW I'm impressed.

Shane Rasmussen said...

I would say do more of NOTHING. It seems to work for me.

No really - my kids don't get the attention they need (or deserve), they do homework while eating breakfast and my closet doors are always shut!

I love you, give my sweet little kids kisses from their best aunt Kathy!

Jessica G. said...

I used to religiously follow Flylady.org's plan. Then I stopped and my house paid dearly for that. But what gets me moving is my timer. When I feel like just reading blogs, I do but only for a certain amount of time. Once the timer goes off, I have to get up and do one thing with the kids and one thing for the house, then I can do one things for me (like read more blogs).

And it's always nice to announce that it's Pajama Day and just let 'em watch movies.

Anonymous said...

I'm not much help. My house is a mess right now too, I'm playing the pregnancy card too, but I am really sick so doing anything is horrible for me. I do try to keep on top of my dishes or they make the house smell. Laundry is my big problem. It needs to be done and yet I can't seem to get through a pile. I've had a mountain of it waiting to get folded for days. Whenever I feel well I start with the kitchen and by the time I get to the laundry I'm sick again. My house is a disaster if you saw it, you'd realize how clean yours really is! Oh well I just keep thinking it will get better when I'm not so sick and I'm out of school for a little while. TTFN Kim Jensen

Amy W said...

Wendy you always look on top of things. I really like Holly's ideas...I work 40 plus hours a week, with 24 of those hours being from my home office, and I feel like if I am not organized then I really fall of the wagon. My kids are a bit older, so I do get a little time for my endless list of hobbies - and I try and get my kids to join in with me on art or running or whatever I am up to at the moment. Kids are also great at washing floors, they just need a wet and dry rag and a little instruction. If all else fails, light a candle, it will make you feel better and it smells clean. :)

Kenton and Haylee said...

Wendy, your household hold sounds like any other household! Doesn't is just plain stink that we can have a clean, spotless house for 1 day? Let alone 10 minutes? I am with Holly on this one. Sadly I just started doing those things she suggested with laundry and dishes, but boy has it worked out wonderfully! Less stress for sure. Also I am here and I will come and be assigned ANY assignment you'd like to give me to help you clean, although I will have my 2 rascals with me. But sometimes it helps keep your kids preoccupied so you can actually get something done, right? You just give me a holler, I am sure to hear you, you're not that far :).

Analei said...

My dear friend - just keep doing what you're doing. Focus on the kids and everything else will fall into place when it needs too. You are a great Mom and friend! I feel the same way you do but you know what? The house will get clean when someone comes over (LOL) and other than that - spend the time with your kids & hubby.

Love & Miss you!