Just Check The List

            Last week I made my first weekly cleaning list.  I used it last week and this week.  So far I really like it.  I used some ideas from some really great blogs. 

            My weekly cleaning list has a list of chores for each day, except Sunday.  This will get some changes as I figure out what needs to happen when during the week.  And as I figure out what does or doesn’t work about the schedule.

            Several of the blogs I looked at had morning chores lists which really are not an option for us.  But I did include a nightly chore list.  This is mostly just straightening up each night and preparing things for the next day.  This has really helped with our time management during the week.  It is also nice because it gets the kids involved.  Nonny helps with packing his lunch and both kids have to help pick up their things each night.  Anything that doesn’t get picked up goes into “time-out” and they don’t get it back until they do a chore of mom or dad’s choosing.

            This blog (Little Green Notebook) had a really great idea about swing chores.  I used this for the chores that need to get done about once a month.  Like I said I know this will get altered many times before I find the best schedule that works for us.

            The other great blog I found was here (A Bowl Full of Lemons).  She has done some AMAZING things.  I haven’t even hit the tip of the iceberg of what she has planned out and all of her ideas.  I look forward to exploring her site more in the future!

            Lately our little guy has been really agitated.  His teacher says she has seen the same thing at school.  We have had many talks with him and cannot pin point the source of his aggravation.  For the last couple of years, we don’t think he has gotten the amount of sleep necessary for him to function at his best.  Our doctor suggested using some melatonin to help him sleep.  We have done this for a few nights and it seems to be helping a little.  We have gotten more hugs, smiles, and good moods from him than we have for quite some time.  It is definitely something that we will be bringing up with his doctor at his next check up.

            Somehow even when I think I can’t do anything right for my little guy, he surprises me.  Last weekend in a short spurt of anger, Nonny screamed at his little sister.  Before I even had a chance to say something, he took a big breath and very sincerely apologized for screaming at her.  It is at those times I feel like some of what we talk about with him has stuck and is coming through.

            With getting more organized I’ve also done much better with meal planning.  This has given me a chance to try some new recipes.

- WhiteChicken Chili: yummy and in the crock pot, so no fuss after a long day of work

-CreamyRanch Chicken: again super easy and out of the crock pot (crock pot meals have become what we eat on Mondays and this site is absolutely AMAZING!)

- Taco Pasta: good but very spicy

I end with these words of inspiration.  I spent so much of my time/life talking about how I couldn't do this or couldn't do that because I didn't have enough time (or whatever other excuse I came up with).  Making the cleaning schedule was my first step in trying to stop all the I "can't"s, "won't"s, and "don't have enough time"s.  I hope you are inspired to do the same!

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Where does the time go?

It is hard to believe how fast time flies by.  I can't believe that it has been a month since the last time I wrote. The last month has been absolutely crazy!

My poor kiddos spent a week taking turns being sick.  Poor Nonny had the brunt of it though, with two days of diarrhea and throwing up and then getting pink eye.  Peanut had fever off and on with a nasty cough.  Thank goodness we have been mostly healthy since then.

After the week of sickness we got to enjoy a weekend visit from my mom.  She really is amazing.  She helped me get a bunch of things done around the house, and we even got to do a little shopping.

 She helped me pick out a new shower curtain for our bathroom!

 And hang my new curtains up!

The week after mom’s visit the kids and I got to enjoy two snow days.  This was a welcome little break (especially after being sick).  Unfortunately, Daddy didn't get to stay home with us.

          This part of this entry is not easy for me to share.  I have struggled with depression since junior high.  All people go through highs and lows; however, in the last couple of years I have had some pretty bad low points that lasted much longer than is normal.  For several months all I wanted to do was sleep.  I had zero interest in doing anything else.  I would go to bed early and still wake up completely exhausted.  Not to mention the numerous trips home from work spent crying, even if it had been a good day.  At work and at home I did as much as I could with the small amount of energy that I had.  After talking with my mother I decided I couldn't just wait for this low patch to pass.  So I called our family doctor.  After talking with him, he prescribed an anti-depressant.  Even on the lowest dose during that first week I began to feel so much better.  This is hard for me to share because there is a huge stigma about people with depression.  I am thankful for family and friends who have been so supportive as I go through this issue.  I think my doctor explained it to me the best way possible.  Depression is a lot like high blood pressure.  The body reaches a point where it can’t regulate that issue on its own so it needs help.

          Due to the depression, the goals that I set at the beginning of the year took a very hard hit.  However, now that I have some energy, I plan to take advantage of it.  It’s time to buckle down and work on making things better for my family.  I think I may even take a page out of Nonny’s book and create some schedules to help me get it all done.  Somehow I think I may find some help with that on Pinterest!

      Speaking of Pinterest, I recently tried a couple of new recipes from there that were very yummy.

-         Cookies and Cream Fudge: This very good but very sticky and gooey.  If anyone has suggestions on how to fix that problem I would greatly appreciate it!

-         SpinachArtichoke Dip:  It was amazingly good and oh so easy to make!

     I want to end by saying that I am blessed with some amazing friends and family.  And some of them are going through some very difficult situations right now.  I want you all to know I think of you often and when I do I say a prayer for you.  The minor situations in our family have made me immensely thankful for all of you!

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