Morning To Do

Feb
03

Morning to Do: Start Laundry


Would you think I was totally crazy if I told you that I think maybe my dishes and laundry are in cahoots together, conspiring against me? Laundry is one of those things that just never gets completely done. As soon as I think every item of clothing in my house is clean, someone decides to spill something on their shirt (just to spite me, of course), change into their favorite jeans, or put on their pajamas, thus creating...MORE LAUNDRY! Since it isn't going to clean itself (oh, joyful thought), let's at least get it done and out of the way so we can move onto other, more enjoyable things...such as tickling one of those laundry-making kids you love.

Like washing dishes and wiping up the bathrooms, doing a little laundry every day helps keep it from becoming an overwhelming task. Sometime, I'll talk about different "systems" for managing your laundy (I've used a variety of methods over the years), but for now just try to stay one step ahead. It helps to take a quick moment to at least think about what laundry needs done. Does your husband need clean work shirts for tomorrow, or does your daughter need her game uniform this evening? Are you almost out of towels, or has it been ages since you washed the sheets?

If you start that load of laundry first thing this morning, you'll be more likely to find a couple of minutes later in the day to fold it and get it put away. Dirty laundry is a part of life. Cleaning it is just one more way that we can show our families we love them. It's practicing gospel homemaking...one dirty shirt at a time.

Photo credit: Taylor

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Jan
28

Morning To Do: Wipe Up Bathrooms

The most dreaded job on anyone's cleaning list: the bathroom. We all hate to do it, but it needs to be done. To make the job easier, I do it every day. I know what you must be thinking. Doing it every day doesn't seem to equal easier. But, hear me out. This is my quick routine:

     

  1. Use a bathroom cleaning wipe (or spray bottle of cleaning solution with a wad of toilet paper) to quickly wipe down the toilet and the floor around the base.

  2. Wash and dry my hands.

  3. Use the damp towel (that I just dried my hands with) to wipe up the sink and shine the faucet.

  4. Give the mirror a quick swipe with the damp towel.  It's usually just damp enough to clean it without leaving streaks.

  5. Hang up a clean towel.


There you have it.  It takes about one to two minutes each day.  I wipe up our two downstairs bathrooms, and the kids take care of their bathroom upstairs.  About once a week I try to clean the tub/shower, disinfect the fixtures, and clean the floor.  It is so nice to walk into a clean bathroom every day.  And if company drops by, I don't have to worry about what embarrassing state the bathrooms are in. Which is a relief, since I'm probably already worried about the embarrassing condition of the rest of the house!

Jan
26

Morning To Do: Kitchen and Dishes


Have you ever heard the old song that says, "You work and work, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt"? Well, that's sort of how I feel about doing the dishes. I wash and wash, and what do I get? Another day older and deeper in...um...more dirty dishes! Alright, so it might not be poetic, but around my house it seems to be true. If the dishes don't get done, they do not go away. Actually, I think they may multiply. While I'm searching for scientific proof of this, I'll keep washing that pile of dishes...unloading the dishwasher...reloading the dishwasher. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Oh yeah, and while I'm in the kitchen I'll put away the cereal, the milk, the eggs, the toaster, the bread, the jelly...you get the picture. So, kindly remind the kids that milk and eggs will keep longer in the fridge, get the dishwasher unloaded and ready to be filled again, and smile about getting this job done and out of the way. Until the lunch dishes. Wash, rinse, repeat.

Photo credit: Kejreeves

Jan
25

Morning To Do: Make Bed

Your bedroom may be in desperate need of decorating, and your bedding might be a hand-me-down from your sister-in-law who bought it second hand.  Or...maybe you saved up and bought the perfect duvet cover to match the perfect paint in your perfect bedroom. Whatever the case, the room will look and feel better if the bed is made. Don't worry if there are clothes on the chair in the corner or dust on the night stand. You'll get to that when you're able. For now, just pull up those covers, fluff the pillows, and enjoy the fact that your bed looks nice and neat.

This is also a great chore to start with the kiddos when they are young. I always told my little ones to sit at the top of the bed and pull up the covers like they are going to sleep. Then, they can slip their legs out from under the blankets and arrange their stuffed animals on top. You'll never notice the bumps and wrinkles when you see your preschooler's proud grin because they did the job "all by myself."

Jan
22

Morning To Do: Dressed, Make-Up, Hair

I know it’s tempting. The pj’s feel so comfortable. And, you figure, all you’re going to do today is change diapers and wash piles of laundry. Lots of diapers. Lots of laundry. Or, like me, you are just going to be at home teaching homeschool lessons all day…and doing lots and lots of laundry. So, why bother?

First of all, changing into “day clothes” and taking care of your hair and make-up has its practical benefits. It’s nice not to have to make everyone be quiet and pretend you’re not home when someone knocks at the door. It is also helpful to be able to run out the door quickly if you suddenly realize you forgot an appointment or meeting (been there, done that). There's another benefit, too. Getting yourself ready for the day puts you in a mindset to get things done. It’s much easier to be lazy in your pajamas.

Most importantly, consider those who have the "joy" of looking at you each day. Remember your Prince Charming? Of course, he loves you no matter what, but one way that you can express your love and care for him is by taking care of yourself. Your sweetie will appreciate the time you put into looking nice for him when he comes home after a long day at work. And, since you wouldn’t dream of walking around the mall, surrounded by perfect strangers, with bed-head hair and no make-up on, then why should your kids have to look at that sight all day? When my kids think back to their mom during their growing up years, I really don’t want them to picture me in fuzzy slippers with frizzy hair sticking up all over. Believe me, it’s not pretty.

Now, let me clarify one thing. I’m not talking about a ball gown and an up-do, Cinderella. My usual “uniform” around the house is a pair of jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt. And, most days, my hair just gets pulled back into a ponytail. I slap on a little make-up, and that’s pretty much it. You know what’s right for you. Don’t usually wear make-up? Then put on your chapstick and a smile (I’ll try not to hate you for being naturally beautiful). The point isn’t how hard you work on your hair or how dressed up you get. Just do what makes you feel ready to face the day. You (and your family) will be glad you did.

“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Prov. 31:25

Jan
18

Morning To Do: Quiet Time

"O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch." (Psalm 5:3)


You may have noticed the little box to the right titled "Morning To Do". These are the things I do every morning to get my day off to the right start. First on the list is Quiet Time. This is the time I spend reading my Bible and praying. My favorite is when I get up early, before anyone else, and spend some truly quiet time by myself. Just my Bible and my cup of tea. Well, I might also have my journal and a good book I'm working through, but you get the picture.

This time of the day is so important! Your time might not always be so "quiet", but at least your heart can be still before the Lord. I find that when I neglect this time of my day for too long, it starts to show. I begin to fall apart. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that God zaps me because I've been naughty. Remember, there is NOTHING we can do to earn God's grace. No amount of Bible reading will make Him love me more. And Christ's blood covers the selfishness and pride that sometimes keep me from setting aside that all-important time with Him. But, when my mind isn't set on "things above", I tend to slip down into the depths of my own thoughts and emotions. If I am not continually setting God's Word before my eyes, my heart starts to drift. And believe me, it isn't pretty.

So, let's start our day off with our Best Friend. Let's commit our day to His care. We will, no doubt, need to recommit our hearts and minds throughout the day, but when we start our day with the cross before us, we'll be more likely to continue turning to it all day long.