The Blogger Who Never Blogs and the Family that Loves Her

This is awkward.

I feel like we haven't seen one another in an awfully long time.

I've been distant.  Apologies.

Let's move on to something SUPER exciting which might (maybe?) explain my brief hiatus.

This August, we will become a family of four!  Baby Girl #2 is healthy and kicking, and we are thrilled and blessed beyond belief :)

(That's not a beer belly.  Promise.)

After the First Trimester Sickies of Doom passed, I started reevaluating some of my priorities as a home economist, mother and wife.  I've loved the past two years as a SAHM, but I was feeling a bit overwhelmed with some of my endeavors and goals.  It was time to scale back and assess what I considered "successful".

One major thorn in my side was my feelings of inadequacy as a house keeper.  When I was under the weather and chasing a toddler, I felt like I slipped up even worse.  You know the sad internal monologue of...
"I'm a stay-at-home-mom...why can't I just DO the chores?"
"Clearly, I'm the laziest woman alive."
"I don't have time to do A, B, or C.  Because I must catch up on my Hulu shows and take a nap."
"I'll think about that tomorrow.  Hell, it worked for Scarlett O'Hara, right?"

I needed a solution that actually worked for me and the way I think.  There are LOTS of super organized women out there that write faaaabulous blog entries about home journals, chore charts, and the art of the to-do list.  Lots of free printables, examples, and pretty photos of their organized and sparkling homes.

As I've said before, I am NOT that woman.  If you are - congratulations.

If you're not, join the masses.

A friend and past co-worker mentioned to me what she had been using for years to help stay on top of the housework.  She promised me not to judge the site on first look, but just to try it.  Maybe it could work for me.  This is a friend who always has it together but not in an intimidating manner.  I was sure to take note.

Shortly after our conversation, I checked out Flylady and signed up for the daily emails.  I started slowly and hopped around her site a bit.  Okay, I technically cheated in the beginning, but I found a strategy that worked for me.  So, I'm considering that a win.  I've also maintained (more or less) my new routines and can see a real benefit to me and my family.  With the madness of a newborn in the house, I know I'll be very grateful in the months to come.

If my internal monologue starts up again, I fill it with...
"I can do anything for 15 minutes."
"It doesn't have to be perfect - just do a bit now and more later."
"Whatever - at least I'm dressed to shoes and my kitchen sink is shining!"
"Having a clean and uncluttered home blesses my family."
"Don't get sidetracked.  One job at a time!"

My control journal is still a messy notebook with penciled notes, and I really like it that way.  I've been purposefully resisting my urge to laminate, color code, and obsess about making the journal perfect.  This is how I know FlyLady has creeped into my psyche.

FlyLady does have a shop and lots of fantastic looking products.  However, she really preaches a sense of frugality when it comes to house cleaning.  You don't need the fancy gadgets or expensive cleaners to get the job done.  As she says, "Soap is soap!"

f you feel like you could use some help, I suggest trying it out for a month.  Start here and see how it goes. I'm still "fluttering" but I'm hoping to one day be "flying" :)

Ode to my Wardrobe

I've been having lots of moments lately where I stand in front of my closet and mourn the loss of my clothing.  Dress slacks, fitted collared shirts, and a few skirts hang listlessly in my closet.  Sometimes we reminisce about all the good times we had together.

Maybe part of my depression stems from my lack of organization...

Were you expecting a color-matched and pristinely designed closet picture here?  Wrong blog, people.

Anyway, I think I speak for a lot of stay-at-home and work-at-home Moms when I say, I really miss my work wardrobe sometimes.  Sure, jeans and a comfy top are playdate staples that every mom appreciates.  But, sometimes, you just want to pull on something a little less durable and practical.  And not just for date night, but during actual hours of sunlight.

I miss the act of buying work clothes as well.  I was a teacher, so I loved the easy, dressy style of Banana Republic, The Loft, and JCrew.  I feel like there's no real purpose buying "nicer" clothes now, I mean, they have to be play-doh and snotty nose resistant - right? (That's code for No Dry-Cleaning).

I need to pull some of my favorites aside and consider how to make workable outfits out of them.  I think this would be an adventure in frugality.  Learning to work what you own, instead of buying new.

I love blogs that help me feel moms can be chic and comfortable while chasing after small children.

How do you mix your "work" and "play" clothes to make your own style?  Do you have a favorite everyday style blog?

Motherhood Mondays: Lovey Loves

Cup of Joe was asking readers about how long they had a lovey.  Or if their children were attached to one.  Or four.

We have entered into lovey stage around here.

Meet Piglet.

Well, actually, he's just called "pig" or "piiiiggy".  She will call him Piglet, but she doesn't know much about Winnie-the-Pooh yet outside of a couple of books floating around the house.

She just loves pigs.

It got to the point, that we had to get a back up because I was getting anxiety about losing this precious pig.

I still get a bit nervous when she totes it around in public.  I kind of wish it was contained to the crib (along with the pacifier), but we're just not there yet.

I'm learning to be patient with this small, piggy friend.  It could be worse.  She could take her singing baby-doll to bed with her.  Hearing that thing squeal and giggle on the monitor would be terrifying.

No thank you.  I'll stick with pig.


What about you?  Does your child have a special lovey?

Work from Home - Find your Super Power

Being a stay-at-home-mom is not what it used to be.  There are endless ways to bring in extra income and supplement life on a single income.  It takes time, patience, energy, and some organization to get it done.  I really struggle with this last quality - organization.

Managing my time and uncovering my strengths has helped me realize that I can make money from home.  And not from some sketchy pyramid scheme that claims I will bring in six figures by chatting on the phone and eating bon-bons all day.  Right.

I have to remind myself to keep my goals, jealousies, and insecurities at bay.  It's so easy to slip into the everyone-is-so-much-better-at-this-than-me scenario.  Playing the negatives on repeat doesn't get me anywhere.

Make a Choice
Pick and choose something that you love.  Something that really fulfills you, but has maybe been on the back burner since having a baby.  For me, writing was one of the first things to go.  My blog was a ghost town and my journal was collecting cobwebs.  I have to make writing a priority, or it will immediately be moved to the bottom of my list.  Right under dusting and washing my car.

Make Time
I tend to say things like, "I don't know how I'll find the time for that".  Well, I realized that it's not about finding.  It's about making the time.  Make a conscience effort daily to carve out time for what you love.  It can be 15 minutes or before your family wakes up in the morning.  Give it as much priority as you would a part-time job.

Quiet the Time Suckers
Ever sit down to watch just one TV show at night, and quickly realize it's 11 pm and you can barely stumble upstairs to bed?  Been there.  Turn off the TV and make your evenings time to prioritize and organize your goals.  It's amazing what can happen when you don't even know who Kim Kardashian is marrying.

Find your Super Power
Allow yourself time to make mistakes.  Know that something will eventually stick, and you'll be working at some sort of side hustle, or several, with income filtering in soon.  It might not be much at first, but it will inspire you to keep going.

You have talents that are unique to only you, so why not use them?  Just throw on your boots and matching Super cape, and you're good to go!