I am a creature of habit and I have found that I work best to a schedule. This became very apparent this past summer with my house cleaning...or should I say lack thereof! When I was able to start baking bread to sell at the Farmer's Market again, I was home all day and figured I could clean house whenever I had some spare time. HA! As anyone who has ever worked from home can tell you, there isn't really ever any spare time! I was also blaming my lack of house cleaning on the fact that Jerry's mom was here and I didn't want to disturb her TV watching. ;-)
I already work to a schedule with my baking. On Monday, for instance, I make the loaves of bread because I can bake two at a time in the oven and I can knock out quite a bit on that one day. I also have "Cheese Bread" Tuesday when I work on all the breads and rolls that contain cheese.
When I was a stay-at-home-wife in my former life in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I actually did my house cleaning per a schedule and it worked really well for me so I figured I should probably go that route again. I have been using a schedule for cleaning for almost two months now and I am very pleased with my "cleaner" house! :) Monday is bathroom day. Cleaning the shower is my least favorite chore in the whole world but I have found that now that I do it every week, it is a whole lot easier! LOL!! I also take the dirty towels and damp mop the bathroom and kitchen floors before throwing them in the wash, keeps the floors looking nicer in between regular mopping. Tuesday is dusting day and cleaning "kitty noses" off of the windows. Wednesday is vacuuming day, especially the sofa and chair where the kitties like to sleep. Of course, EVERY day is laundry day! Thursdays and Fridays are usually pretty busy finishing up the baking for the week and getting everything ready for the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning. On Monday, I check the weather forecast for the week to see which day will be nice for hanging out the sheets and that becomes bed-changing day. I have also found that since I am only doing one chore each day, it isn't so overwhelming and I will actually get it done rather than procrastinate. When I was trying to do everything on Sunday, it was very easy to find something else to do and then, guess what, nothing got done!
Schedules seem to work best for me. What strategies do you use to keep on track with chores?
Lazy J Bar C
14 comments:
Would you please come over here and whip me into shape? I am such a sloth! I would be happier if I was on a schedule, but I seem to be anti-schedule lately.
I'd have to say I hate to clean the toilet more then the shower... ;)
I try to do certain things on certain days, but sometimes they all run into one day! Now that my kiddos are getting older they can help and take some of the load off me! Plus it makes them take more responsibility for the stuff in the house!
With both of us working (except summer and school breaks for me) we do- laundry on weekends (his Sat./mine Sun.), mid week vacumming, etc. Dave does his laundry, I do mine, we split the bathrooms. But we have a smaller house and I can't stand clutter, makes it easy. Summer's I do most of it all except his laundry...
Oh my. You put me to shame! I used to have a regular schedule, but now, other than doing laundry EVERY DAY, the cleaning gets done in between when I can. It feels so good when I get my kitchen floor mopped, but it doesn't happen often enough. I like your idea of using the soiled towels to wipe the floor before laundering!
Susan,
I know I'm much happier on a schedule, must be my Air Force brat upbringing! ;-)
SweetLand Farm,
My mom always used to say that she raised children instead of goldfish so that she would have help with the housework! LOL!!
Nancy,
Sounds like you guys have a pretty good schedule and sharing of responsibilities! :)
Alica,
What is it with farm life and laundry EVERY DAY?!? And there's just two of us! LOL!!
Candy, I also hate cleaning the shower. Hubby rarely does any cleaning, and I get overwelmed by the 2800 sqft house. I just get in the mood to do it...and spend hours cleaning. I am thinking about a robot floor cleaner for the hardwood. Sharon
OH my! I loved this article about LISTS AND SCHEDULES... I used to be an avid List maker and schedule maker especially when all four of the kids where here and homeschooling...now?
I just flit from thing to thing...wandering aimlessly through my *empty nest*... I JUST CAN'T SEEM TO GET A RHYTHM ...
One thing I'll share as I've been trying to get back into a routine. I broke down and bought a kitchen timer at Dollar General a few weeks back. I have been carrying it with me ...as I wander aimlessly setting it for 15 minutes at a time...and working where I am.
It is helping put a dent in this mess I've created since May!
thanks for the tips. I'm making a daily list right now!
Pat
Sharon,
I would certainly be overwhelmed with a 2800 square foot house! Yikes!! Ours is only 1300 and I get a bit overwhelmed at times! :)
Pat,
I like the idea of the timer to keep on track! I have to set one EVERY TIME I put something in the oven or put eggs on to boil or I forget! LOL!!
I have to learn to stay in one room till it's done. I'll start in one room ,then see something that I need to do in another and start doing that. By the end of the day I am exhausted and not one room is completely cleaned. A schedule and list would help me a lot.
Michelle,
I have that problem too, my schedule is really helping.
I am hoping that with this new job, I will be able to have something of a regular schedule. my house could really benefit from that! :)
Kateri,
I hope you can get a regular schedule, it always makes life easier! :)
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