we had another snow day yesterday! Overnight we got several inches of snow. Now, typically, as a home school family snow means very little to us. We still sit in our school room and get our work done. But yesterday, I volunteered to watch a friend's kids so she could go to work since they weren't going to school. And it was a wonderful way to spend the day.
AJ and Emily are such pleasant kids. AJ is entertaining and funny. Emily is sweet and helpful. We had only one fight all day and it was between Maverick and Aiden (shocking, I know).
We got "behind" on school work but gained so much more. They played and had some fun. That is important for kids. They played restaurant, legos, and I'm sure more that I missed out on. I got out art supplies and they made masks. It was a wonderful day!
And while they were playing, I was able to clean and get some other things done. Snow days are fun when we spend them with friends.
Today we got back to school work slowly. Aiden is starting subtraction and it is a little frustrating to him. But I think he will get it once he gets rolling.
2011 is off to a great start! :)
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Complicated Computer!
I am simplifying online. It takes forever to get through emails. Flylady has already gone. Step one is completed. Now you know all that junk mail that you have to delete everyday. Mine was excessive. So right now, instead of deleting it, I am finding the link to unsubscribe. I unsubscribed from several today...I'm sure there will be more tomorrow. It will take a little extra time for a few days here but in the end, will save me loads of screen time (I would think). If they aren't there, I don't have to worry about them or take the time to delete them. The important emails from real people will be easier to find and enjoy. I also set my facebook account that I get NO emails about ANYTHING! NONE! I get tired of reading everything twice. And it wastes time.
That was my step for today. I could do that much on a busy busy Sunday! Feels good to clean out that inbox!!!
That was my step for today. I could do that much on a busy busy Sunday! Feels good to clean out that inbox!!!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Simplify 2011
This is my theme for the year. Starting now....I am getting rid of stuff. I've cleaned off my desk area. And cleaned out kitchen cabinets. And started on bookshelves (this one is hard since I am mildly addicted to books). Things of sentimental value are safe Things we use regularly are safe. Things that I have to dust and that is the only time I notice them are GONE!!! I am boxing things up to have a big yard sale this spring.
I was inspired by this post I read on the Happy Housewife's website. Her theme for the year is also to simplify. The same day, the boys broke the second of their Christmas gifts (they lasted less than a month) and I decided to put ALL the toys up. Then Shane sent me this link on "minimalistic toys." The boys have had only a couple toys out for almost a week and we have no tv (only movies). School has gone better, we've had less fighting, and the toys they have are being taken care of. All the other toys are still in a closet for rotation...but they aren't necessarily going to last long...I am going to be doing some careful weeding.
I have been trying to use Flylady to keep my house clean. But she is not working for me. I like many of her principles. "You are not behind. Do not try to catch up." "Do a little bit every day" and "You can not organize clutter...you have to get rid of it" (These are paraphrased). So I am taking her advice and unsubscribing from her emails. The "inbox clutter" her millions of emails every day creates is not worth it. I can not organize them...I do not read them...not even the reminder ones...so they are going. Sorry Flylady.
In her post, The Happy Housewife mentioned the Motivated Mom's Planner. I am going to get this. It is $8 and it is a chore planner. (If you follow the link above you can use the $1 off coupon code). You can get it on a weekly or daily basis (daily has a little agenda spot) in a full size or half size. You can even get one with daily Bible readings to read through the Bible in a year. Unlike Flylady, you download the ebook and then print each week/day page and then you have a checklist. I like this. It is not computer based and I won't be inundated with emails each day. Bible time is something I really need to work on and I have something to check off when I do it that day. Plus, I LOVE LISTS! I love checking things off. Sometimes I am making a list to get ready for something and I put things on it that are already done just to cross them off. I hope this will work for me.
Part of my goal is to make/save some money. We would like to build a substantial savings account in the next few months...I'm hopeful that living simply will help contribute to that savings.
As I think about simplifying our life, it is a daunting task. We are so connected to our stuff and our habits. Since it is such a HUGE thing to do, I am breaking it up into "baby steps " (stolen from Flylady who I really do like except for the emails). I am setting many small personal goals. As I get them figured out and into place in my mind, I will share. Right now, I am just purging...if it isn't nailed down it is under scrutiny. And it feels great!!!
I was inspired by this post I read on the Happy Housewife's website. Her theme for the year is also to simplify. The same day, the boys broke the second of their Christmas gifts (they lasted less than a month) and I decided to put ALL the toys up. Then Shane sent me this link on "minimalistic toys." The boys have had only a couple toys out for almost a week and we have no tv (only movies). School has gone better, we've had less fighting, and the toys they have are being taken care of. All the other toys are still in a closet for rotation...but they aren't necessarily going to last long...I am going to be doing some careful weeding.
I have been trying to use Flylady to keep my house clean. But she is not working for me. I like many of her principles. "You are not behind. Do not try to catch up." "Do a little bit every day" and "You can not organize clutter...you have to get rid of it" (These are paraphrased). So I am taking her advice and unsubscribing from her emails. The "inbox clutter" her millions of emails every day creates is not worth it. I can not organize them...I do not read them...not even the reminder ones...so they are going. Sorry Flylady.
In her post, The Happy Housewife mentioned the Motivated Mom's Planner. I am going to get this. It is $8 and it is a chore planner. (If you follow the link above you can use the $1 off coupon code). You can get it on a weekly or daily basis (daily has a little agenda spot) in a full size or half size. You can even get one with daily Bible readings to read through the Bible in a year. Unlike Flylady, you download the ebook and then print each week/day page and then you have a checklist. I like this. It is not computer based and I won't be inundated with emails each day. Bible time is something I really need to work on and I have something to check off when I do it that day. Plus, I LOVE LISTS! I love checking things off. Sometimes I am making a list to get ready for something and I put things on it that are already done just to cross them off. I hope this will work for me.
Part of my goal is to make/save some money. We would like to build a substantial savings account in the next few months...I'm hopeful that living simply will help contribute to that savings.
As I think about simplifying our life, it is a daunting task. We are so connected to our stuff and our habits. Since it is such a HUGE thing to do, I am breaking it up into "baby steps " (stolen from Flylady who I really do like except for the emails). I am setting many small personal goals. As I get them figured out and into place in my mind, I will share. Right now, I am just purging...if it isn't nailed down it is under scrutiny. And it feels great!!!
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