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A Better Way to Clean

Weekly Wrap Up

Well friends I am back to work and 13 days from my due date. Needless to say that in all the recent hubbub I have neglected this blog. Please forgive me.

I am still trying to figure out a good night time routine for me. I think before I wasn't having much success because I was trying to do too much. This is my current list of what needs to be done before I head to bed every night.

1) Do one full load of laundry - wash, dry, fold, put away
2) Clean kitchen - load and start dishwasher, wash other dishes, clean counters and table, sweep floor
3) Pick up house - put things where they belong, sort laundry
4) Put meat in refrigerator to thaw for the next night

I've been on this plan for three nights. I'll keep you posted on how I do. I had not anticipated going back to work being so hard for this very pregnant woman. I am so tired and swollen by the end of the day. I miss nap time. My plan is to keep going until the baby decides to make an appearance. We'll see how I do.

Tips From a High School Teacher

I do not yet have school age children, but I am a high school teacher. These are some of the things I would recommend to parents who have a student in high school.

1) For freshmen students: help your child feel familiar with the new building. Take advantage of tours and welcome events. Practice opening his or her locker using the combination.

2) Be sure your high schooler gets involved in at least one activity. All the research shows that kids who are involved in activities do better academically and have a more positive high school experience.

3) Get to know your child's guidance counselor. Send an introductory email or stop in and meet him or her. This person will be your child's advocate and you want to build a relationship with him or her.

4) Talk to your child about your academic expectations and help them set goals. Let your child know that his or her school performance is important to you.

5) Utilize online student information systems. Most districs have online gradebooks, blogs, etc. Check to see how your child is doing. If you don't have access to the online gradebook contact the school and find out how to get access. Don't be afraid to contact teachers when you have concerns, but don't abuse this either. The last thing any teacher wants is to be hounded daily by the same parent.

6) Work with the school, not against it. Teachers and administrators truly want what is best for your child. If we have concerns, they are valid and we want to work with you as part of a team to help your child. Nothing is more frustrating than parents who see the school as the enemy who just wants to pick on your child.

7) Ask your child about school. If he or she does not want to open up, ask questions like "What is something good that happened to you today?"

8) Attend parent-teacher conferences. Our attendance at conferences constantly dwindles and some of that can be attributed to all the information available online, but nothing beats a face-to-face conversation.

9) Help your child develop the habit of tackling homework as soon as he or she comes home from school. Don't nag your child about homework, but periodically check to see how he or she is doing. If your child routinely comes home with no homework, contact his or her teachers. All high schoolers have homework.

10) Monitor your child's friendships. I have seen so many bright young people pulled completely off track by poor choices in friends. Making certain friendships off limits will backfire, but talking about the importance of good friends and your expectations will help your child stay on the right track.

One Hour Clean Sweep: The Nursery

In 15 Minutes I...

• Picked up and sorted all the toys
• Put away all the toy bins
• Collected laundry
• Moved the little workshop I found at a garage sale
• Put away the dehumidifier
• Changed the crib sheet

Weekly Wrap Up

1) http://www.allrecipes.com/ has an ingredient search. I use that website all the time, but did not know this. I typed in green pepper, chicken, and spaghetti sauce and found a 4.5 star recipe for chicken cacciatore. We'll see how it turns out.


2) A 22 month old boy + a playground to explore = pure little boy joy


3) Sometimes God speaks quietly to my heart and other times (like this morning) he whacks me with a 2x4 and speaks with a megaphone through a wise Christian woman I greatly respect. I needed it.


4) Check registers were meant to be used. I used to just keep track by checking online, but discovered I really need to write down where that money goes. It's surprising to see how many transactions occur on one day. I am being forced to really think about each little transaction.

5) I am learning to cut myself some slack. I need this with baby number two due to arrive in less than a month. Simplifying and de-cluttering mean much easier housekeeping. Bulk shopping and stockpiling mean much easier meal prep. I enjoy having more time to relax and spend time with my husband and son before we adjust to life as a family of four.

6) Finding out I am out of eggs while making pancakes was enough to send me into tears Saturday morning. Apparently this is what happens to women who are 37 weeks pregnant.

7) Preparing for a new baby does not have to cost a small fortune. More to come on this in the next week.

One Hour Clean Sweep: Master Bedroom

My master bedroom is currently serving as our office and temporary storage for some baby items. We are finishing our unfinished basement and had to move everything out. Once the basement is done, the upstairs guest bedroom/office will be going downstairs and baby #2 will be moving into the upstairs guest bedroom/office. We have been living like this since March and I am ready to put my house back together.

Anyway, in 15 minutes I...

1) Made the bed. This always makes the most difference in a bedroom.

2) Picked up laundry off the floor and put it in the hamper. Removed all other clutter from the floor. I put away items that belonged elsewhere and threw away/recycled trash.

2) Cleared off and put away the clutter from the tops of the two dressers, nightstand, and bench at the end of the bed.

For more about the One Hour Clean Sweep follow these links:

Introduction

Kitchen

Living Room