Mega Laundry Solutions

Some Moms Who Should Definitely Know are sharing about laundry systems, and I couldn't help but jump right into this 'agitating' discussion. This is one (and about the only) area of homemaking I have down to a sweet smelling, neatly folded science. 


 And I'm sure  now that I've proudly stated that fact, I'm bound to wake up tomorrow morning to a house full of wet bunkbeds (and it wouldn't be the first time, I can assure you of that.)


Here's the link to my previous post on laundry - complete with cutting-edge pictures of my family's amazing, individually labeled, (white, plastic) laundry bins. After you read that post, be sure not to miss the sequel. Because just like everything else in a large family, we needed more than one (booths in a restaurant, pews in a church, carts in a grocery store, refrigerators in a kitchen. It always takes two.)


 I'd write a new laundry post but why should I?  Don't need to.  My system is still working like a charm. Seriously. The only time it gets slightly out of control is after a Boy Scout campout, when my 5 Scouts come home stinkin' to high heaven. (And if that's what high heaven smells like, I'll be completely happy to stay in the lower part, thank you very much.) 


Maybe I should start a new blog called Pioneer Woman Washes
and Dries. 


This just in - One of my favorite, and more attentive, blog readers just reminded me of the sequel to the sequel laundry post. In this post I tell about the dot system - and get an award for Bravest Blogger (and most embarrassing mother.) I'm so proud of me!




After you've had your fill of my laundry solutions, be sure you get all the dirt from these gals.

Check out the other All in a Day Bloggers...

Carrie @ Our Full House

Christi @ Where the Creek Meets the Lake

Elizabeth @ Yes They’re All Ours

Kathy @ Kathy Mom of Many 

Kristy @ Homemaker's Cottage 

Lori @ Happy Busy Mama

Monica @ Natural Mama

Renee @ Bakers Dozen

Coaxing habits

Habit is habit, and not to be flung out of the window by any man, but coaxed downstairs a step at a time.  ~Mark Twain



I think Mr. Twain was referring to bad habits needing to be coaxed down the stairs, but if he had kids like mine, he might have been commiserating over the basic process of trying to help them decide on one cotton-pickin' habit to put down on their 100 Day form.  


See my last post for the great idea my BFF Ann(e) came up with. 


 The great idea that is taking the national Blog World by storm.


The great idea that is so simple, yet is making a positive impact on women and children far and wide.


The great idea I'm pretty sure I thought of before she was even born. 


Mine was exactly the same as hers, except I called mine an Encouragement Chart. And mine had a few more than 3 boxes to check. And mine was connected to an intricate system of rewards. And mine was written in fat, black Sharpie with no quotes or cool fonts. And mine had things like "Keep your fingers away from your nose" and "Sit like a lady" on the ones I made for my kids. And there were about 20 things for each child to work on each day - for a year.


Other than that, my idea was identical to Ann(e)'s. (I've always been a little before my time. It's a curse, really.)


But I'm super happy to have Ann(ie) take international credit, us bein' kindred spirits and all. 


 Personally, I had an enjoyable and easy time choosing which 3 habits I would work on for the next 100 days - my only problem was trying to narrow it down to 3.  Leaving so many areas off the list felt akin to saying that there were only 3 things about me that need improving. That seemed too proud for an exceptionally humble girl like myself. But I'm a rule-loving/form follower, so I did what Ann(e) told me to do.


And I had high hopes that my good example, coupled with the lengthy, eloquent instructions I gave, would make the process easier for my own, dear, badly-in-need-of-some-reformation children.


So, I optimistically sent them off to be alone with their form and their God. I patiently waited, with visions of post-100 day children who cleaned under their beds, no longer cracked their knuckles, and looked for ways to make life easier for others/me.


My boys eeked out a grand total of 1 each - and even that 1 seemed negotiable - since they weren't completely convinced it would take anywhere near 100 days to cement their new habit.


Such is the male ego.


I'm just sayin'.


(With threats of no lunch until I saw 3 Mom-Approved habits on the dang miracle form) We ended up each completing our assignments. 


Phew! Now the easy part.  Doing our three new habits each day for the next 100 days.


It is my intention not to check my children's progress daily. I really want them to take ownership and responsibility for this character-building project. (Plus, I don't have time to check on them each day, and it would make my #2 below a little harder.)


Here are my 100 Day Habits
  (1) Drink 6 glasses of water each day - preferably before dinner (for the sake of helping my husband sleep through the night...)
 (2) Publicly praise my husband and children - preferably heart-felt
 (3) Delete 10 emails a day - preferably read first


There were a few things in my top 10 that I easily eliminated because I knew I would have the motivation to do them without the form. Scripture memory - because we're doing it as a family (and the embarrassment when my kids pass me will be enough of a motivator...); exercise (jiggly fat and tight jeans make a form unnecessary) - and there were a few things I realized I wasn't ready to be committed to; daily journaling and no sugar. The beauty of 100 days is that when your 100 days is over, you can choose 3 more things....and then 3 more, all within 2011. That Ann, she is brilliant!


 I've heard from a few of you about things you're trying to put off/put on in this New Year. How's it going? Anyone else take Ann's (originally mine....) challenge? Did you find it easy or hard to limit yourself to 3?

At least someone has blog time...

...but she certainly doesn't live in my house!

Because in my house the computer is taken up by half-written upper school essays. And biology definitions, spelling websites, and states and capital matching games.

School is defining us.

However, I plan on rectifying our misaligned priorities.

.....Right after we get finished with (way, way) overdue essays, mysteriously missing writing journals, and several big fat 0's on math homework, we will put away our Ticonderoga pencils and make a plan to put school back in its proper order.

God. Family. School. Blog. Chores.

After all, Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God and man, right? I see more than just one category in there!

Jesus grew in wisdom. It's just too short and out of balance.

But I humbly ask you - How can one expect to grow in stature if one doesn't have time to eat, sleep, and play soccer? And may I add that part of the blame needs to go to Frankenstein?

His doggone story takes up ELEVEN CD's, all of which had to be listened to this weekend (good story, btw!) And don't bother me with the little detail of the book being assigned 6 weeks ago. It's not our fault that whomever had the CDs before us took their sweet time listening to them, probably taking occasional breaks to eat, sleep, pee, and play soccer - none of which we had the luxury of being able to do.

And what about growing in favor with man? I'm not feelin' the favor right now.
Could it be because of the sign on our front door that says "Do Not Disturb our Study!"


Perhaps that's enough ranting for one blog post. (although my faithful readers know I am really only getting warmed up....)

If misery loves company and you haven't gotten your fill of ranting, just call me. Or better yet, meet me at Panera. Their orange scones are rant-inducing. So I may need to rinse that down with a rant-calming chai tea latte.)

In the meantime, here's a blog you'll like, and it will keep you plenty busy because she sounds amazing.

I bet she doesn't have kids in private school.

Maybe she doesn't even have kids.

If she does, they must be illiterate. Lucky ducky blogger.

Just kidding, my dear, studious children. You're very worth it. I'm glad you're not going to be illiterate. I'm glad we spend every waking hour doing homework. I'm glad I read the Illiad and Frankenstein and The Yearling instead of Southern Living and Cook's Illustrated. I love learning about the locomotion of flagellates instead of playing online Scrabble.

And who needs to blog anyway?

(Just because it's my only creative outlet.)

Why should I even get to pretend for 10-15 lousy, precious, rare moments that someone is actually listening to me? I mean, who cares if this is the only writing I get to do that isn't "assigned" to me by someone 1/2 my age?

Whoops. Was I just ranting again?

I can't end on a rant. I'll end on a touching moment in my otherwise academically overloaded life. You may have noticed that I haven't blogged in awhile. But I'm honestly awed (actually, stupefied) that I keep getting visitors every day. Visitors to nothing. And comments.

You deserve better. Go read that other girl's blog.

Love,
Debbie; teacher, mom, and blogger (in that sad order)

Why should I blog.....

.....when you can just read my two married daughter's great posts this week? Plus, they are showing me up, Big Time, in the creativity department. Go and see.

http://redefining-normal.blogspot.com/2009/08/projects-of-week.html

http://www.thedomesticationproject.com/



Are you gone yet?

It's worth the click(s), I promise.

For your viewing pleasure

If you keep up with my sidebar (and I know you don't...so don't even try to pretend...), then you know that my oldest daughter has a blog (a blog with a new layout, I might add) - and if that wasn't enough rip-roaring excitement for one sidebar, now my next oldest daughter has a brand new blog, complete with Adorable Pictures of the Amazing Eli, my fourth and newest grandbaby (who will be here, live and in person - along with all the other granchildren) in less than two weeks!

But for now I will be content with his starring role in his mom's new blog.


So go on over there and check it out, and get a looky at Eli's orange blueberry-picking pants. He is up for Best Dressed Baby of 2009. Hopefully, his mommy will post lots and lots of pictures of him so you will see why.

You can comment over there - or you can come back here and tell me how cute he is. Or both.
Your choice.

To blank with it!

When you do something because it's delightful and fun and enriching, and you're fairly good at it, - and then you notice one day (when you're sleep-deprived and over-scheduled and trying to break your Coke-A-Day habit) that it's the opposite of delightful, feels like a chore, non-enriching, and you don't even care if you're good at it, then it might be time for some rethinking.

No, I'm not quitting my blog. I've lived long enough to know that I'll probably wake up tomorrow with a renewed excitement about Blogging Every Day (except the weekends...and an occasional Friday) in May - and I'll have some great idea that I can't wait to share. I'll blog about it, then I'll check in every 5-10 minutes to see if I have any comments (yeah....I still do that .....occasionally.)

But I woke up today and felt Blog Pressure - and my immediate thought was, "You're not the boss of me!" (speaking to my blog....or my readers...or even my pride)

So for today you can read my post on balancing Beauty and Simplicity over at Chic Critique (where they are also not the Boss of Me!)


And if I piqued your interest when I posted last night (after midnight) about my book club pick for this month, Sacred Influence - then hop over to my friend Lea's blog and read what she had to say about it. Because even though I told you I was going to do a review today....I've decided not to.

And I can do that.

Because you're not the boss of me. (sorry if I'm overusing that phrase but i do so like the sound of it.)

I do however plan on continuing to read my issue of Women's Health, and anything else I darn well please, and will post about it when and if I feel like it.

So there.

(and just so you know I still love you and this little blog rebellion is only temporary, you can go here and try to win a Land's End bathing suit.... I did!)

Shhhhh...Rekindling an old flame!

I recently started seeing someone I had a crush on years ago (more like infatuation, to be honest). We used to spend A LOT of time together. Think. Daily.

I thought I was over the whole thing. It was something I did as a young woman and I wrongly thought it was no longer a temptation now that I had some years on me. It was all part of my young, sordid past.

What a waste of time, I thought. So many other things I could have been doing. (like focusing on my kids....or my husband, for heaven's sake!)

I hid this from him for too long.

Although I didn't marry a dummy -he's a smart guy. Occasionally he would find evidences in my trunk.

I'd make a terrible criminal.

He did mention it a couple of times and even asked me if I thought the whole thing was really necessary. He thought I had everything I needed at home.
I probably did - but those early years of marriage and child bearing can be a tempestuous time of discontent for some women.

So this time around I didn't even try to hide it. Actually, with the way things are in the world now, it doesn't even seem like something that needs to be clandestine at all.

I'm OK, You're OK, you know?

They say confession is good for the soul, and I guess I'll find out since I'm posting pictures and everything.

Yep, I'm definitely smitten again. And the object of my affections is Will.

Good Will, that is. And before you start to judge me, look at what I've gotten from him in the last two weeks! He speaks my love language - - - - Pillows....Preferably pillows that are under $5, as each of these were!

Take a closer look at the tassels on this beauty! Nester would be so proud of me. (Check out the tassels she sells if you want to see some amazing fringe, plus she has a giveaway and a Super Good decorating post today.)

And who could resist these polka-dots (which are a little too casual for my living room, but the way I move things around they'll be in another place soon anyway.) The green dots match my living room walls. And all for $1.99 :)


Now, I ask you - Why would someone donate this black toile pillow with the Thick Fringe! And the checkered border!

Can you see why I can't resist Good Will when he offers me things like this?! Who needs clean houses? Who needs to read great literature? Who needs Dave Ramsey's stupid budget with no category for Pillows?!

Different toile, more of a cream background, so I put it on my daughter's black iron bed, which will look even better when her black and red sham comes out of the wash.

And here is the piece de' resistance - the floral round pillow with the striped piping and border, And rub your hand across those flowers, would you? There's candlewicking on the leaves!

And did I mention? Every pillow but the polka dot one has a zippered cover so I can wash them?! Not that being zipperless would have deterred me from shelling out $3-4 for them, but with 7 sons....Washable is Nice.

Yes Indeedy, I feel better now that I've told you that I'm seeing Mr. GoodWill several times a week right now. And when I can't see him - I still wonder what he might have for me the next time we're together.

And Don't Even Bother to Ask the location where we meet. I'm trying to keep this all to myself!

work in progress.

i'm playing with my mom's blog for a little while to try to make it less of an organizational nightmare.
if thing's don't work it is entirely my fault. if you get bored without CBTBD you can look at my pictures, which should still work while i disassemble this blog.

In Defense of Comment Addiction

Here's a link to a well-written post (mostly because I agree with it) that explains why Us Bloggers need feedback .(Notice how even though I've only been blogging a few months, I wholeheartedly count myself as one of "Them".)

http://www.ishouldbefoldinglaundry.com/i_should_be_folding_laund/2008/05/beth-on-comment.html


Also, notice how short my post is today. You're welcome.


I'm tempted to tell you about my favorite part of the post. But I'm restraining
myself.


Oh, who am I trying to kid. I have No Restraint. And if I did, I'd use it on that box of Milk Duds hiding in my dresser drawer, not something with no calories, like this gal's blog post.

So anyway, I really liked the way she explained the reasons why people blog.
And I think she has a really cool blog title. One I can relate to. Check it out. Please.