Day 1.  I thought I would cover some of the things I hope to accomplish during my time away from the computer this week.  At the end of the week I’ll check back in and we can discuss.  As I said in my previous post it appears that the Amish accomplish considerably more during their day than we do.  They also seem to do their work with joy and happiness.  Their lives are not about what fun activity they can do after they are done with a job…in fact, I doubt they’d see much of what they do as a job.  It is just what they do and how they live.

I want to have an attitude like that.  I want to wake up each morning and stuff each day full of things of meaning and purpose. I want to be an example for my kids of doing what is "Best". Not just what I can get away with.  If I have my house in order I want to reach out to others.  Scratch that – I want to reach out to others AND have my house in order.  I can do both but the first is my priority.

One of the things I think will help me with my objectives is a schedule.  My family and I waste alot of time just because we don’t have focus.  I’m not saying that playing is not valuable or naps are not allowed.  Absolutely those things should be included in any good schedule.  Even naps for mom.  I am at my best if I take naps.  Of course, if I take adrenal support I don’t need naps (or coffee) as much but that is a topic for another post.  Schedules are meant to be changed and reworked as necessary.  Sometimes you even need to throw them completely out the window for a little while.  But other times schedules are great to help you change your focus and push your family in a different direction.  Having a schedule is going to help everything else run smoothly here while I concentrate on the bigger picture.

Another neat thing I found quite by accident was this. It is known by several different names.  Tansy calls it a household binder and also her "brain".  I’ve heard the term home management binder but the subsections and content were not of interest to me.  I really don’t want to clean my kitchen sink so it shines every night and I don’t want to scrub the baseboards every Wednesday either.  It didn’t jive with me.  What I like more is the term "Commonplace Book". That is how I’d like to use this book.  I have a daily planner but I had no place to keep info for longer term goals, wish lists, phone numbers to electric, etc., kids clothing sizes…stuff that it comes in handy to have.  I obviously don’t have my book bound in a 3 ring binder yet as I am having difficulty find a half sheet binder.  They have them at Staples though so I’ll be picking one up next time I am in town.

I wonder if I can learn to enjoy my work in only a week. Will it be too easy after a week to sit down at the computer and stay there all day?  Or will I long for more hard work so I can feel more satisfied and more fulfilled.  Maybe I’ll meet some neighbors.

Here is a short list of projects I’d like to accomplish in addition to just changing the tone of my home.  These are things I’ve been meaning to do but I just haven’t gotten around to it.

Sew a shirt and skirt for myself.

Sew 3 dresses for Jodi.

Finish "scary monster" quilt for Jonah.

Plant herbs in garden.

Plant onions in potato patch.

Plant potatoes in the potato patch.

Paint scripture above the front door.

Start 90 day Bible reading challenge.

Make a bunny cage and yard for Bob.

Clean my bathroom.

Clean the fridge.

Put together Commonplace Book.

Hang pictures.

Shelves up in stairway.

Shelves in bathroom.

Finish cleaning my room.

Work on bible study with kids.

Read.

In other news, Janice sent us a great package in honor of Jillian’s 2 year anniversary.

I’m not sure what her intention was with the soap but tell you what, it smells so yummy I am tempted to keep it all for myself!! 

Now the cookies, I did let the kids eat.  And eat them, they did. They are the Sweet Potato Cookies from Nourishing Traditions.  They are very cool!!  And delicious!!

The cookies came in two handy dandy serving boxes.  Perfect for little hands.

Mmmm…mmmmm.  Now the kids are begging me to make some.  I’m going to assign that job to one of the older kids.

Thanks so much Janice and family!!!

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