Making your home a haven: Today 1/19

~I am getting a cold! I am going to take lots of vitamins and rest a little longer than normal today. There is a cold going around the pre-school I work in so I am not to shocked.~

Daily Schedule:

1. Rise and Shine ( bible and Prayer time) * Done*
a. Make Bed as soon as you get out of it *Done*
b. Swish the toilet and leave the room never to return till later. *Done*
c. Reboot Laundry *Done*
2. Kitchen
a. Dishwasher (Forgot to start it last night! Stated will unload and reload later)
b. Feed cat*done*
c. Feed Family *Done ( Family invited us to breakfast out)*
3.Plan
a. Dinner *Done*(Invited to dinner party to celebrate new opening of Bowling alley!)
4.Quick Clean *Done*
5. Rest*Done*
*Computer time & Reading*
6. Cleaning and To Do List
(See bellow)
7. Dinner
* Will be out so also Before Bed rountine
8. Before Bed
a. quick clean up
b. unload/load dishes and laundry
c. Think about tomorrow (Church Yeah! Pastor out on mission trip, guest speaker)*Done*
1.God & Church
2. Family
3. THIS YEAR I RESOLVE TO DO NO BUSINESS ON SUNDAY~Day of Rest!
d. Gather bags and things I don't want to forget and put by door
e. Set out clothes
9. Get read for bed
a. Bath
b. Vitamins
c. Quiet time & prayer
10. In bed on time!

Todays Chores:
Catch up on any cleaning & project
1.3rd Saturday:Clean under kitchen & bathroom sinks. *done*
2. To Do (Carrie sover from yesterday)
Deep Clean Bedroom *Done*
Deep Clean Laundry Room *Done*
Clutter Control*Done*
Inventory Groceries*Done*
Menu For Freezer Cooking
3.Weekly home check up*Done*

Amazing Cleaner~Cheap, homemade & Natural! Better than Bleach!

I know this is going to sound crazy,But it really does work! Try it!A family member works in the Oil Field and is always covered in gunk. Needless to say the show has a permenent discusting soap scub and gunk stain. I have tried every fancy product on the market to clean this and nothing works.I have been trying to be more "green" and use homemade more natural (and cheaper) cleaners. I use baking soda and Vinigar to clean my toilet bowl and it does wonders. So I had an idea.I wetted the shower and tub a it. I sprinkled baking soda all over it. I poured so vingidar on my sponge and put some in a spray bottle. I added the vinigar to the soda and WOW like magic it ate away all the scum nd gunk! I have never seen the tub so clean! Give it a Try!

Making Your Home a Haven Challenge

Good Evening Ladies! I just stumbled upon something I had not seen Crystal's Blog,Making your home a Haven, find it here. This is what being a good Christian Women is all about! I am writing out my Schedule TONIGHT in hopes to start following it tomorrow~

1) Refresh Your Spirit
Have a cup of tea ( I love tea) and do my devotional. In the morning I like to read: Daily Power Thoughts By Robert Schuller and I am now reading: Seeking Him by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I will write in my prayer journal and daily reading journal.
2) Tackle your Morning Routine
Morning Routine: (See Below)
1) Devotional/prayer time
2) Exercise
3) Get dressed
4) Make beds & Breakfast
5) Tidy up
6) Start Laundry
3) Take Time to Plan
I will post this tomorrow
4) What's For Dinner?
Chicken Alfredo
5) Do Something!
I will be doing my home blessing hour and others chores I didn't get to yesterday!

Daily Schedule:
Morning Routine
1. Rise and Shine ( bible and Prayer time)
a. Make Bed as soon as you get out of it
b. Go into the bathroom.
c. Shower and clean the bathroom while you are there.
d. Fix your hair and face.
e. Swish the toilet and leave the room never to return till later. It is clean and you can forget about for now.
f. Leave your bedroom with a load of laundry in hand and go straight to the washer.

2. Kitchen
. If you did your Before Bed Routine, the kitchen is clean and all you need to do is empty the dishwasher.
a. Make coffee and start breakfast. ( Usually made when I make my tea)
b. Feed the critters.
c. Feed the family (including yourself).

3. Think About Your Day
. Check your calendar.
a. Make your list of what you are going to do today (PODA or To Do List)
b. Thaw something for dinner.
c. Checkbook (bring down your balance).
d. Reboot the laundry (put in dryer).
e. Do quick check and tidy house.
~~~~~ Do Chores & Tuesday/Thursday Work in Christian Pre-School~~~~~~
After noon Routine
A. Get ready For Dinner
1. Clean table and Living room
2. Get dinner started
3. 3. Have lunches ready to go in boxes!
B. Clean House
1. Pick up
2. REBOOT LAUNDRY!!!!!
C. Get ready for DH to come home
1. Light Candles
2. Check House: Make sure inviting and clean
3. Freshen hair & Make-up
4. Make my self smell good
5. Get remotes and TV ready
6. SMILE!!! DON”T STRESS HIM OUT!
7. Have dinner & tea waiting for him!
Before Bed Routine
1. Clean up the house before you go to bed. (20 minutes - tops)
a. Living room: Pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes, shoes.
b. Kitchen: Clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher.
c. Dining room/entrance: Clear the hot spots.
d. Review your check list to make sure you have not forgotten anything.

2. Think about tomorrow before you go to bed.
. Check your calendar and/or planner for appointments.
a. Start a PODA (Parade of Daily Adventures) or "To Do" list for tomorrow.
b. Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make lunches?)
c. Gather up items that you do not want to forget and place them in a spot by the door. Make sure you can see them before you walk out.
d. Start Breakfast: Set table and plan what you are cooking (just make a mental note).
e. If you plan to use the crock pot, then get some of those things ready so all you have to do is throw it together.
f. Lay out your clothes for tomorrow. It is a simple thing that saves lots of time by being decisive. If something needs to be ironed, or has a spot on it, you can deal with it in a calm manner or choose to wear something else. Take it to the cleaners on your errand day, launder it, or fix that missing button according to your schedule - no pressure. All the stress has been relieved.

3. Focus on God & family before going to bed.
. Get yourself ready for bed.
a. Brush your teeth, clean your face, comb your hair.
b. Take vitamins and other meds.
c. Bath time! Bubbles mmmmmm...
d. Night time bible study
e. Put on jammies!
f. You are now ready for bed.

Weekly Chores:
Sunday: Spend time with God
Monday: Kitchen
Tuesday: Work & Desk Day
Wednesday:Home Blessing Day ( Clean living room, dust, mop ect) & Zine Clean
Thursday: Work & Bathrooms & Grocery/Errand Day
Friday:Clean Rooms & Start Weekend Chorse & Paper Work Ect.
Saturday: Catch up and "once a month project"

Daily To Do List:
Morning exercise

Morning prayers & quite time

Make beds

Pick up & control clutter around home

Do Dishes

Sweep & Mop Kitchen

Clean outside of Cabinets & Counters

Wipe sink & counters in Bathroom

Spray tubs with daily cleaner

Sweep/vacuum high traffic areas

Start Load(s) of laundry

Feed & water pets

Take care of Garden & plants

Fill Birdfeeders & baths

Dry or hang laundry

Fold Laundry & put away

Plan & prepare meals

Clean up after meals

Set out family clothes for next day

Prepare for tomorrow

Spray home & air disinfectants

Spend quality time with family

Nightly bible & quite time

Once a Month Items:
1st weekend: Wash/ vacuum couches curtain & rugs
2nd weekend: Clean out Pantry and freezer – Complete
Monthly inventory sheets
3rd weekend: Clean under kitchen & bathroom sinks.
4th weekend: Clean out drawers
Monthly Budget & other worksheets
Monthly Home check up

Through the Week in Feminine Dress

This is a Great article.Through the Week in Feminine Dress

Here is the Summury: "This section is here to inspire you and encourage you as you seek todress in a uniquely feminine way every day. The idea for thisweekly "journal" came about as LAF fielded questions from women whosaid it simply wasn't practical or realistic to "go feminine" in ourculture or with all the things we have to do at home and in ourcommunities. The photos shared here will demonstrate that it isn'tjust practical; it is fun and beautiful to dress in a distinctivelyfeminine manner on a daily basis. Lovely garments aren't just for church!"

How inspiring! I thought I would try this yesterday, But I found A poblem:

I have one casual skirt!

I am going tothe thrift shop this weekend. I am hoping to find some blue jean skirtsor something of that nature. I have seen some really cute sets made outof sweat suit type material. That would be comfy and perfect forwinter.

I want to try to start trying to wear more dresses and dressmore modest.

I am in prayer about it now. I am trying to find out ifGod wants me to always wear dressses or not. I have been real convicted lately about dressing more modest. I have also feel a bit convicted because I love to wear big comfy sweaters from the men orboys department and those jean Old Navy and some of the companies makethat fit like guys jeans. They are so comfortable, but the bible sayswomen should not dress like men and men should not dress like women. I am not real sure at this point what God wants.

To Do Today

Ok So I am guilty of Sloth today. I had a migraine last night andslept in this morning, so I am getting a late start! Here is what I have planned for today:

Get Dressed to shoes*Done*

Morning Devotional*done*Make beds*done*

Bake Bread ( Friendship,sweet rolls,&Wheat)*Done Friendship*

Reboot laundry*Done*

Deep clean kitchen*Done*

Deepclean living room*Done*

Deep clean bathroom*Done*

Deep clean Bedroom

Deepclean aditonal room ( Today laundry room)

Get rid of clutter

Write out money orders for bills*Done*

Go to post office*done*

Wash Bedsheets, wash cloths ect.*done*

Disinfect sponges*done*

Inventory Groceries

Make menu for freezer cooking

Work on Websites & Sewing*done*

Cook Dinner (Beef pasta in cream sauce)*Done: Went out!What a treat!*

Clean up*done*

bath*done*

Read Parenting book(for hours at Pre-K)*Done: 2 Chapters*

Nightly devotional*Done*

Bed*Good Night!*

* I hope and will strive to get all these things done but with my lates start, Some will probably get done tomorrow!*

Tomorrow:

Any unfinished business for Fri

Once Month Chore:Clean under sinks

Shop for Freezer cooking

Weekly home check up

UNFINISHED FROM FRI:

Deep Clean Bedroom

Deep Clean Laundry Room

Clutter Control

Inventory Groceries

Menu For Freezer Cooking

***** Today started off awful but turned out ok! Praise God*****

The Lost Apron

The amazing apron. A necessity in the days of old. Until recent years a women would not be caught dead with out an apron.
Why an Apron?
Well for one its practical. We are so very wasteful modern working women and homemaker alike wear an outfit for a few a day or a few hours or a few minutes and it is dirty. You waste resources washing and drying the garment. Also clothes wear out allot faster when you are washing them all the time. Now as women we waste millions of dollars on t-shirt and jeans or sweats to "wear around the house." We wash these clothes all the time to. With an Apron you can wear an outfit multiple times with out washing. The apron protects your clothes and keeps them neat and clean.
Our families?
The apron is beneficial to you and your family. Why? Don't you feel better when you look nicer? I do. Maybe June and Lucy knew something we didn't. Unless they were involved in a really really nasty job like painting they wore there dress and apron. When company or their husbands arrived the messy apron was removed the hair snug was removed and they were beautiful. Wouldn't your husband feel better if he came home to see you in a comfortable dress instead of those old sweats or worse, still in you PJ's. Wouldn't your kids feel better if Mom looked Good. Wouldn't you feel better if you looked Good? And apron gives us that Freedom. The apron has become a symbol of the ball and chain of homemaking. It is not that at all. It is a practical tool to make our work easier and us feel better.My Quest:I have searched the stored high and low. All I can find are plain canvass aprons with no pockets meant for grilling. This doesn't help with my work. This doesn't make me feel pretty and it doesn't protect my clothes. So I am going to do something about it. I have gathered some apron ideas. I have some $1 a yard material and some old canvass aprons. I plan to reinvent my home wardrobe with these beauties and see the difference it makes.
I will start making the aprons today 1/16/2007 as they are finished I will share the help it brings.