Cleaning has its rewards

No, really. I'm talking about a real reward!

You see, I saw this post the other day on the FlyLady Forums, about a woman who was keeping a marble jar for herself. The idea behind a marble jar is normally for kids. For each chore done, they get to place a marble in the jar. Once the jar is full, they get a reward. So this woman had adapted the idea for herself. For each routine that she gets completed, she gets a marble. She also gets a marble for any weekly goal that she finishes.

So here's my "marble jar".


So I have a morning routine, that begins as soon as I wake up. It ends when I put the kids on the bus for school. Of course, parts of it will not work on weekends, such as getting the kids on the bus, or hubby off to work, since those things don't happen :p

The catch is, I have to do ALL of the items in the routine to be able to put a marble in my jar. Okay, so they aren't marbles, they are glass pebble things I found while decluttering, and the "jar" is a votive candle holder, but the principle still works.

I put this into practice this morning, and have already earned 2 marbles, and am working on the 3rd. Just need to clear a hot spot and work 15 minutes Zone Cleaning.

Once my jar is full, I get to take $5 for myself. I can blow it on whatever I want, or save it to blow on something bigger ;)

So yes, cleaning DOES have its rewards :)

Procrastination has Consequences

So I'm on the phone talking to my sister about the FlyLady Crisis Cleaning segment on BlogTalkRadio. I had just finished mentioning to her about how I kept putting off washing the pots and pans. I would wash cups/glasses, plates, bowls, utensils, but would always find an excuse to stop before the pots and pans. So needless to say, they were all dirty, still waiting to be washed.

While talking to my sister on the phone, I hear a noise from the kitchen, so I go in there to investigate. Nobody's in there. Alyssa? I'd thought my little girl was playing in there. Then I see a cabinet door move. I open the door, and there she is, hiding in the cabinet where the pots and pans belong. Of course there's plenty of room in there for her to play, because all of the pots and pans are on the counter, still dirty, still waiting to be washed.

Here's a pic I snapped of her playing in the cabinet.


Okay, so now I need to go wash those pots and pans. I think my procrastination has gone on long enough, and I need to do something about it.

Flylady Musings

It's funny when you look back and begin to realize exactly how much influence a person has had on your life. Marla Cilley, aka the FlyLady, has had a tremendous impact on the way I clean my house. Even when I start to think that I've "fallen off the wagon", I just stop and remember that I can jump back on at any time. No catching up, just jump back in.

A short list off the top of my head of what FlyLady has taught me.

You can do anything 15 minutes at a time.
Even housework done incorrectly blesses the home.
My house didn't get dirty overnight, so don't expect it to be clean overnight.
Babysteps and Routines are important!
Do It Now!
My before bed routine prepares me for the day.

There are tons of other things that I've taken to heart, but those are a few of the important (to me) ones.

Wow, I'm up really early on a Saturday morning. And I haven't even done my Morning Routine.
Okay, part of it is done, because technically, getting Randall ready for work and out the door is part of my "Morning Routine", but there remains a few things to be done. Make the bed. Swish and Swipe. Start a load of laundry. Feed the dog. Eat breakfast.

Oh well, Farmville is calling, so I'll start on all that later.
Laters!

Flying High

So I went to the Western Kentucky Women's Convention, last Saturday. The FlyLady was there. It was so awesome to listen to her talk, and give us tips, and pointers for life. Not only for cleaning your house, but for living a healthier life. Leanne Ely, the Dinner Diva gave talks about how to work nutrition into your meals and still keep a budget, and taste good, too.

It has motivated me to again start FLYing in my life at home. Being a stay-at-home mom has some drawbacks, but the biggest joy is knowing that >I< am raising my children.

I'll try to keep things updated on how well I'm doing with the house, and the children. ;) So stay tuned.

Moving again

Looks like it is that time again. Time to move out of this dump. I can say with absolute certainty that I hate packing. :p

But maybe this time will be the end of moves for us for awhile. One can dream, right?

Found a new addiction on the web. Well, not really new. Neopets. Check it out!
Neopets.com

Look me up if you go. Let me know how you found the place and all. ;)

Yay, finally some pictures

I thought I'd upload a few pictures of the family.
This first picture is a group photo of my husbands side of the family. Starting on the top row of faces on the left:

Randall's (middle) brother Josh, holding his son, Michael Gene. Lucas's wife Shari holding her new baby Makayla. Lucas, (Randall's youngest brother), Randall's mother, Pam, myself, holding my new baby, Alyssa, my husband, Randall.

Bottom row:

Josh's oldest son Hunter, Lucas's oldest son Ethan, My oldest son, Jacob.

This next picture is one of my husband with his daughter, Kaytlynn, and son Jacob on the horse.

The Last Mimzy

I just bought this DVD, and it was a great movie. Then I went to the official website for it and found a few fun things to do.

FastAccess DSL

Yay!! I finally got DSL. Yes, I was stumbling along with regular old dial-up internet but today, I finally got my DSL modem and installed it and it is wonderful! I'll never go back!..!...!...

On to other things. I really wish I had a digital camera. I would upload so many pictures on here.
My son went swimming with his daddy and stepsister the other day. DH said it took him about an hour to coax him into the water but then once he was in, he wouldn't get out. Almost fell asleep in the pool playing so hard. He's only 3.
Speaking of the stepsister. She lives in Ohio, but is visiting us here in Kentucky for 10 days. DH hardly gets to see her because she lives so far away. It is a 7 hour drive from our house to hers. So we love any time we get to spend with her. She is 11. Wish I had some pictures to post.

My baby girl is 4 1/2 months old. Finally putting cereal in her bottle at night and last night she slept 10 hours because of it. Wow. I was really able to catch up on my sleep. Speaking of which, I really need to get to bed.
Bye!

It's Me Again, Margaret...

Here it is, late at night, and I'm still awake!! I can't seem to go to bed at a decent time anymore.

My baby girl is now 4 months old. She should be turning over and making distinguishable sounds but she isn't. Of course, I know, all babies develop at their own rate. And I have to keep in mind that she was about 3-4 weeks early, so these milestones will come later. But she's definitely getting more active. She plays with her rattle now for several minutes at a time before dropping it. She laughs and smiles at me whenever I stop to talk to her. She stays awake more during the day. She's trying her voice out, just not quite making good sounds, even though I swear I heard her say mama earlier today, although that was probably just wishful thinking.

Right now I'm watching Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. This is hilarious. I've always liked her comedy and this show is really tickling my funny bone. :-)

Can't wait for tomorrow night's new installment of Top Chef: Miami. Of course, I know I'll Have to wait, but I don't wanna!! I like that show. :-P

Well, that's all for now.

'Nite, 'nite..

Long time, no see...

Wow... It's been awhile since I posted anything here. Too much else to do with a brand new little baby!!

Well, let's get you caught up on a few things that have happened...

My dad's dog, Penny, died last week. I went over to help bury her in the back part of the yard, under the weeping willow tree. She lived 9 long full years, and passed peacefully in her sleep. Gotta be one of the best ways to go... I hope I'm so lucky.

My little boy is finally (mostly) potty-trained!! Yay... I thought he was going to be in diapers/pull-ups forever!! He finally decided one day that he was going to wear big boy underwear, and that meant he had to use the potty. We still have a few accidents every once in a while, usually when he's busy playing outside and doesn't want to stop to come in until it's too late. :-)

Also, been doing a lot of yard work at my parent's house. (With help from sister, Tammy) We've planted four trees, a plot of marigolds, I mowed the yard for my dad, as he just didn't feel up to it this week. Still need to do some more landscaping, plan on making a little patio area down between the retainer walls outside the basement door, and setting up the patio table and chairs, with umbrella, and planting a small flower garden. Also need to hang flower boxes on front porch and finish cleaning off back porch.

As for my house, I finally got around to taking down the garland and christmas lights from the front porch. Isn't that awful?!? Need to find someone with a trailer I can borrow to get rid of some junk from the yard. Also really wanting to do a little planting around the front porch. Is it too late in the year to try to grow plants?? Maybe if I get something already started and blooming.. hmmm..

I know I'm just renting here, but the place looks so bare, and devoid of personality... I want to do something to liven it up. Maybe I'll actually get around to posting some pics of it, too.

Housecleaning, Yay!!

Well, I've always been challenged by keeping my house clean... So I thought one day I'd look up motivation for cleaning on the internet. I found FlyLady. www.flylady.net

FlyLady is great. Since finding this site, and reading her tips, I've actually kept my house cleaner longer!! I suggest everyone who finds housework to be a challenge to go here and use her tips.

I'm a FlyBaby now... FLYing in KY!! That's me!! Ha Ha Ha...

It's all simple routines, and just 15 minutes at a time. Very handy now that I'm pregnant and seem to have NO ENERGY!! Yuggy... Sometimes....

Love being pregnant, though. Love it... This little girl kicks the crap out of me all the time though. I wonder if she even sleeps! I think she's going to be very energetic once she's born. Yay, just what I need. TWO kids to run after. Shouldn't have to worry about losing those extra pounds! I'll work them off just taking care of the kids!! LOL.

Speaking of housecleaning.... I've got some work to do this morning. I've just woken up, but at least I've already made my bed. Mainly as a deterrent from getting back in!! Ha ha. Now I need to get dressed, finish my cup of coffe, make some tea, maybe clean a little in my boy's room. That's my project for November!! Get that room clean and organized. He's got WAY too many toys. Poor thing! I don't think he even plays with them all, just likes to pull them out of the toy box and scatter them everywhere!! More cleaning for Mommy, YAY!! (Yes, that was a bit sarcastic!)

Then, it's over to Dad's house to clean there in prep for my Mom coming home from the boat. I'd like for her to be able to walk into a clean house. Makes things so much less stressful for Dad.

Well... Got lots to do, so I better get off here and get busy!!

Poker Night with the Boys

Well, my husband has gotten into the habit of playing poker several nights of the week with the guys who work for him. They sit around the kitchen table drinking, smoking, and throwing the cards. I don't mind letting him play, as long as he keeps an eye on how much he is losing.

Tonight... I got in on the game. I won $1.25 by the time it was over. Not bad... My husband broke even, with one guy owing him about $20. Another guy went home with his whole paycheck gone. Sucks for him, especially since he told his girlfriend that he had gotten paid that day, and was still working. So now he'll be going home with no paycheck, and the lie on his conscience about working when he was actually sitting playing poker with the guys.

I actually had fun. I was ready to quit once I'd lost my original $10 that I started with, but hubby kept loaning me money so I could keep playing. I ended up winning back all my money. Not too bad for a first-timer, huh? :-)

So now I'm sitting here on the computer, writing this blog, while my husband is snoring away on the couch. I'm snacking on some great little things. Saltine crackers spread with peanut butter, with a big marshmallow cut in half on top. Stick 'em in the toaster oven and let the marshmallows get browned and there's a handy snack. Love these little things.

Oh, had a Yard Sale this past weekend. Made about $70 on that. Not too bad, considering we didn't have very many customers, and all I was selling was junk I didn't want anymore. Of course, my eldest sister was there, and she bought about $30 worth herself of my stuff, but hey, money is money, right?

Going to do the yard sale thing again this Saturday, and then go to the Civil War days in Columbus Park. They always have this big civil war reenactment the second weekend of October down there. Pretty interesting, really. Maybe I'll get some pictures and post them.

Later!!

Another Late Night

Well, I sprained my foot last Sunday morning. I got up to turn off the alarm clock, and stood wrong on my foot which was numb/asleep. Down I went. Being 5 1/2 months pregnant, this was cause for quite a bit of concern, but luckily, I landed on only my foot. Not so luckily for my foot...

Today, I was walking all over the place. It seemed that way, anyway. I'm tired, my foot/ankle/leg aches. It is still sore and has a rather remarkable bruise all down one side of it.

Me being doctor-shy, I haven't been to the hospital with it. I think it will be okay, though. Just a little sore, no real sharp pains or anything. Now, if I can only keep my 2 year old off my foot things will be great! :-)

Can't sleep, though. Seems like I have insomnia most nights now. Looking at baby names... My husband is fond of a name that I can't find a spelling for. Guess I need to keep looking... It's a pretty name, though. It's growing on me.

Guess I'll knock off for now and try to get some sleep.

Later all...

My first post...

So, I was sitting up late on the internet, reading through all my email, when I come across this one that referred me to a blog.
Okay, that was pretty interesting. Just some guy posting his thoughts, and other people were actually reading and responing to it. So I thought, why not? I know my sister has one of these out there somewhere...

Well, I'm pretty sure my posts are going to be wide and varied, because many people tell me that I'm a weird person/have a weird thought process.
Things probably to be posted:

Family Drama
Running my own business (my husband is self-employed in the construction business, and I help him run it)
Raising a toddler
Being pregnant again
Jokes I found particularly interesting/funny
What to do with my spare time?

Stuff like that and maybe more. So I don't know. Maybe someone will find this interesting, maybe not. Can't even say I'll post often...

More to come... (hopefully)