Thursday, February 4, 2010

I'm Ultra-Organized Now, But Will It Last?

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that I struggle with organizing my time. (An example of that is HERE.) You also know that I've been nesting, and somehow, that has caused a change in me. Actually, I honestly don't know if this change came about because of nesting or if I was just ready to change, but it feels wonderful. My house, literally, has never been this clean, and I am loving it. That is not to say that every corner is spotless, but for me, this is huge...which reminds me of a time when a dear friend once said to me, in such a chipper, Mormon-y voice, "Don't you just love it when every last corner of your house is perfectly spotless?" I looked at her with a dumbfounded expression and said, "I don't know. That has never happened to me." Yeah, Tracie, I'm talking to you. It still hasn't happened, but I'm getting closer to that ideal day by day.

I'm pretty sure this is all going to be swept away when the baby comes, but for now, I'm relishing!

Okay, so my point is, I now have a system. Instead of roaming around the house aimlessly, I've come up with a tactic to accomplish most of what I need to do. Here is how...

First, I write a list. This may seem like common sense, but it is sense I have lacked for the last 20 years. I guess I just thought I would see what needed to be done and do it, but now that I have a larger home than before and more kids than before, I guess I get confused and lost...but no longer! Here was my list of things that needed to get done on Monday, which included beginning preparations for my mother and sister's visit this weekend...


(Sorry I kinda of broke out into Spanish there at the end. Sala means living room.)

Now this is not to say that I needed to do all this myself. The dear children were assigned about three-quarters of the tasks, leaving me with only a few things to do. Of course, this list didn't include changing diapers, doing laundry, fixing meals, doing toddler time, laying down for 2 hours to gestate, etc., so I definitely kept busy all day.

So that's housework, now let's move on to blogging. People who blog know how time-consuming blogging can be and there are those who have marveled in awe that I now keep three blogs running. I've come up with a system for that, too! I find that it helps if I can think of topics in advance, because then my wheels can be turning until the day I write the post. This especially comes in handy for the toddler blog, as I've found that if I haven't planned out an activity to blog about that day, it usually doesn't get done. Here's my list for this week's blog topics, starting from Monday...


Speaking of blogging, when it comes to having a successful blog (in this case, meaning a monetized blog that receives good traffic), one has to do more than just write. One must network, comment on others blogs and in forums, send reciprocal emails, and much more. (P.S. If you'd like to know much more about taking these steps to have a successful blog, you should check out The BlogStar forum.) This takes even more time than actually writing the posts, so I've worked out a way to do that as well. Here's how...

First thing in the morning, after the babies have had breakfast and the 5 olders have left for school, I change the babies diapers and get them dressed. When I say dressed, I mean into clean sleepers. If you want my full explanation for that, you can go HERE. After accomplishing this, I fold a load of laundry, then network for about 5 to 10 minutes. Then the cycle repeats itself....one chore, on load of laundry, a little bit of networking, one chore, a load of laundry, a little bit more networking, until about 11:00 AM. At this time I begin to prepare lunch for the kids, who, as you remember, attend a school which does not provide a cafeteria. And just so you know, in my ultra-organized current state of being, I have even begun to make special casseroles that can easily be doubled, thus allowing for one meal for the fam, plus leftovers, and one meal for the freezer, in preparation for the birth of the baby.

Can you just believe how amazing I am? I can't believe it, okay? Strangely, though, for some strange reason, I do keep thinking that this is all temporary, that it will all be washed away soon, and that I'll be going back to my old self, falling back into my old, wandering ways. Weird, right? Maybe with your encouragement, I'll stay this way. Wish me luck!

And thanks, as always, for listening. :)

17 comments:

Olga said...

Jenn, I am so glad when you post about house work and your schedule. It motivates me to get on a better schedule too. And to be better with laundry. Maybe your new baby will have an organizing personality.

Amy Snow said...

You are ,indeed, awesome! I will encourage you to keep it up. You can do it!!!!

Cheryl B. said...

Jen, God's timing is so-o-o humerous! chuckle, chuckle, chuckle. I had just clicked on the comment box when Brian walked into the room, commenting about how one of these days he'll clean up all of his corners and get organized and then not have to go digging every time looking for one of his hats .... "won't my wife be surprised?!!"

I am a very organized, detail orienated person. That does not mean that I am also a compulsive cleaner - reading books, playing with the kids, blogging, heck, lots of things, are way more appealing than non stop house cleaning in my book.

But my house is seldom any wheres near organized and orderly, let alone clean to the very last tiny corner. And the mass majority of that has to do with my husband and his influence on our four sons.

And, as I've shared before, I am very certain all of that has to do with my MIL's excessive / maxed out housekeeper style.

So why I do not necessarily personally desire absolute spotlessness, the inner me would be thrilled to the bone (is that possible for a "inner me"?) with a excessivly massive overhaul/ cleaning/organizing of our home!!! Oh my would I.

But right now, I'd be willing to settle for this Vertigo to end so that I could at least start tearing into things again.

But Jen, I did not click on your comment box to talk about me. Honest. I wanted to compliment YOU!!!!!

You really have "come a long ways baby" (;-p), and I know that that has taken reworking your perceptions, your attitudes, and your view of your own self and your selfs abilities. BRAVO!!! :->

I am also quite certain that the reason you think this won't last long, is because you have not yet reached the 'settled in comfort zone' of this new way of doing things. Daily keep sticking with it, working at it, and that too shall come dear!!!

It's like how you became a good piano/organ player - by sticking with it and practing doing the same things over, and over, and over again.

o/~ YOU are a CHAMPION my friend, and YOU'LL keep on FIGHTING to the end, because YOU are a CHAMPION, YOU are a CHAMPION ... o/~

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Cheryl, the end of your comment really made me laugh! And you really have a good point about practicing. I'll have to remember that. Definitely a proponent of the practicing!

Emily said...

Good for you! I always find this hard to maintain after having a baby. My house gets so neglected for about a year, but you have lots of older helpers right?

The Farmer's Wife said...

Holy cow Jen....you are nesting in a serious way! Victoria really enjoyed seeing the 3-D pictures of the baby the other day....so fun for her. Keep the nesting up!

Unknown said...

It does indeed feel great when things start to fall into place. I find my attitude affects everything...including housework and organizing. I hope everything goes well with the new babe.

Luvmy9 said...

You CAN do it, Jen. While I was pregnant with number 8, the household was spotless and Homeschool was getting done, yet after she came everything fell apart. I fell on my knees asking why (when I felt so much better) couldn't I do it anymore. The Lord whispered gently, "You never did it. You always needed my help." I was humbled and again prayed for His help and all of a sudden "I" could do it all again.I think that's the key. The Lord does want us to be organised and he will help us accomplish that goal. You go girl!

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Luvmy9, that is a beautiful thought from a beautiful person and something I'd never considered. See, you are always opening my eyes to something new! Thank you!

singlemormonchick said...

you are amazing!

Tiffany said...

Whew, I am beat just reading this!! {wink}

CHELZERS said...

I've said this so many times, but YOU are AMAZING!!! I only have three and I feel so overwhelmed and disorganized and every other similar adjective. I am slowly getting there. I feel like I've accomplished more in one month than I have in 6 years!! It's my "resolution" I guess. Thanks for the inspiration!! Have a great {organized} day! :)

Janet said...

Well, you inspired me to tackle the rubbermaid tubs sitting at the end of my basement hallway that are overflowing with Christmas that was never properly put away. I went through and sacked up Christmas stuff I don't want and it's ready to go to the second-hand store. The lids now close on the storage tubs. Thanks for the post----it made me want to do better. I'm SO unorganized and such a procrastinator.......

Mom2my10 @ 11th Heaven said...

Janet, thank you so much for sharing that I inspired you! That makes blogging things like this totally worth it. You made my day!

And thank you, all of you, for your encouragement!

Trisha said...

I am a "list" person as well so I understand. Sometimes I find myself adding something to the list that I already did just so I can cross it off! Such a good feeling. Keep it up!

Jamie H said...

Amazed, simply amazed....

Jaime said...

Hmmmmmmmmmm (as my two year old would say tapping his chin) I'm impressed! I still don't know how you do it. I'm motivated, I'm ready, and tomorrow I am going to try to become as organized as you! I can't wait for my kids to help me out! LOL