Kids Can Help Too

I believe it is very important for children to have responsibilities around the home. Today the weather is nice, mid to upper 60s. Right now I am taking a break from the laundry and have the kids outside doing some chores. The boys are cleaning out my van getting it ready to be vacuumed and Zoe is walking around the yard picking up stray papers and trash that has blown into the yard. Yes, they’re fussing, but they will be okay. Afterall, mom needs some help, and deserves some help with all the things she does for them. Like getting up this morning and baking muffins for breakfast.

My kids also have daily household chores, small things, but things that help out in the big picture of everything. They each have a “special area” that must be maintained at all times, along with their chores. There is no tv, computer, outside or play time before homework and chores are done. We put these rules into effect about two months ago and posted them on poster boards in the hallway where they can be seen, and not “forgotten”.

Maybe seeing my children’s list can help you with ideas for your own chore chart.

Bradley (10)

• Vacuum living room rug (about a 4×6 area rug)
• wash breakfast dishes
• take out trash
• clean kid’s bathroom
• clean bedroom
• take laundry down to basement
• Special area – dining area (eat in part of kitchen)

Jarod (6)

• sweep floors
• match socks
• gather dirty clothes
• dust
• empty waste baskets
• clean bedroom
• Special area: Hallway

Zoe (3)

• clean bedroom
• replace bags in waste baskets
• fold small towels and wash/dish cloths
• hold dustpan for Jarod
• gather dirty clothes
• dust
• Special area: Foyer

Bradley always complains about getting his chores done and will take his sweet time on homework to try to get out of his chores. Unfortunately for him that means little TV/computer or free time. I figure it’s his age, and laziness.

Jarod and Zoe, however, absolutely love having chores and never complain about them. I think it makes them feel big and gives them some sense of responsibility in the family.

Even the smallest of children can start simple chores. As you can see, most of Jarod and Zoe’s chores go hand in hand, like the waste baskets and sweeping. It’s just a matter of thinking what your kids are capable of doing. You’d be surprised at how much it does help you out and how much time it saves you in the end. I really think it teaches them a valuable lesson.

Flowers In The Window

When Russell and I first started dating he picked up his guitar one Sunday morning and started to play a song I had never heard before. As he strummed and sang I began to cry because the words were just so appropriate for what we were going through and what we were feeling. The song is Flowers In The Window, by Travis. It is also the song in the background of the slide show I put together here.

I felt like painting. I’m no painter, trust me. The idea struck me to brighten up the windows in my workspace so I painted flowers in the window. With one project I was sentimental AND I made the window pretty. What do you think? I like it.

Today

How much can I possibly get done in one day? Good question.

I have to make three T-shirt designs for a customer’s home day care.  I already have a bunch of ideas running around in my head, so that’s good.  I have an Etsy Starter Package to get working on.   I really want to get all of my files and folders on this computer organized.  Right now I’m listening to a mix of great music through my noise canceling (block the kids out) headphones hooked up the computer.  What a great list:

Jack Johnson, Alkaline Trio, Incubus, John Mayer, James Blunt, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, Blues Traveler, Jimi Hendrix, Gorillaz, Gavin DeGraw, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Dada, Counting Crows, Collective Soul, Cold Play, Colbie Caillat, Bob Marley, Amos Lee, Anna Nalick, Augustana, Live, Marcy Playground, Oasis, Panic!, Presidents of the United States of America, Prince, Radiohead, RHCP, Snow Patrol, Spin Doctors, Sonya Kitchell, Stone Temple Pilots,  The Doors, Travis, Weezer, and Sublime

Wooo! This list should keep me jammin’ for days!

I had to go pick my 6 year old up from school just a little while ago.  He is not feeling too well.  This is another perk to working from home.  My job is not at risk because one of my kids gets sick.   I love it.  I’ve already showered and got my hair did.  (Yes, I meant to type that) I also want to get some sewing done today.  I haven’t sewn anything since last week.  I have a huge curtain project for my bedroom that I know I will be blogging about but I’m just not sure I’m ready to start that right now.  Gotta go the grocery store to pick up items to make stir-fry for dinner – Yummmm! I really should start taking pictures of my kitchen creations.  I’m a great cook!

Well, as I am bobbing my head to The Doors I end this blog and wish you all a wonderful happy day!

A Video for Russell

Plastic Grocery Bags

Yes, I know, I should NOT use them.  I know.  I should use canvas shopping bags, and I should make my own or buy some really nice handmade ones from some really nice etsy sellers.  Here’s my dilemma: I buy all of my groceries once or twice a month in one trip.  So I figure I would need about 30 or more reusable bags, which would take up all of the room in my cart and then where would my groceries go? So, alas, for big trips to the store, I have my goodies put into plastic bags.  Sorry.

The Good News:

I don’t throw them away!  I keep them and reuse them.  I use them for all sorts of things.

The Issue:

I stored them in my pantry and they scared me.  Every time I opened that door it was like they were going to attack me.

The Solution:

A bag keeper/holder/dispenser.  Not an original idea, but a good one.  I made a few.  I made one for myself.  I put all of my bags in it, and they just pull right out from the bottom.  Even the kids can use it.  Mine now hangs on my pantry door and keeps all of those unruly bags in check! I listed some in Angelalala etsy shop if you are interested.

Day Two: On the Job

It is a very gray, cold, and gloomy day here in Farmville. It’s not starting off well at all. I was so tired last night that I just stayed on the couch and was lazy after dinner. BIG, no, HUGE mistake! Russell told me he put the food away from dinner and I didn’t even venture into the kitchen after thanking him. We had what was supposed to be a bad storm come through while we were sleeping. It was supposed to be a wintry mix, looks like it was all rain. Anyway, school was delayed two hours, so since my wisdom tooth is causing my jaw to swell, and my sinuses are not behaving, I told the kids I was going back to bed for a bit. I woke back up right before their bus got here.

Then I went into the kitchen. Put the food away is certainly ALL he did. Dishes everywhere. No trash bag in the can, but there was trash in the can and the counters. Cereal bowls with an inch of sugar in the bottom of them strewn all over the counters. All the things from dinner, just piled up. My fault for being tired and lazy last night? Or their fault for having no concern whatsoever? I guess it may be a matter of opinion.

In any case, I snapped at Russell this morning when he asked me a question. I told him I was pissed for having to clean up after sloppiness all day when the purpose of me cutting back my hours is to spend on MY businesses! I think I’m right. Others will argue.

Of course, I expect, and actually look forward to, a certain amount of household chores and duties now that I am staying home. But cleaning up after pure carelessness really gets to me. Show some respect, some appreciation, SOMETHING!

So, I’m going to drink one more cup of coffee and take Zoe to daycare. Then I’m coming home, cleaning up just a little bit. Saving bedrooms for all the males that live in this house, and saving dishes for Mr. Pre-Teen. Then, I am working on what I am supposed to be working on!

There, my foot is down. 🙂

Thanks for reading. Hopefully I’ll have some pics to take because I learned how to put a zipper in my pouches! YAY!

Ang

Back to work today…

Well, I thoroughly enjoyed my day yesterday and I got a lot accomplished. I only sewed one purse though, and I don’t even like it. I found that I was full of energy all day, even through my yawning spell right at dinner time.

It’s back to bar tending today though. Blah! Russell is still sick and not working. What wonderful timing. Just when our income will decrease he gets sick and it decreases even more. 😦 Let’s just hope I can sell a few banners on etsy this week. It’s been slow there for me these past few weeks. I’m no where near where I was this time last month and yet all of my friendly competitors seem to be selling daily. I dunno what I’m doing wrong. C’est la vie!

My First Day…

I’m getting a pretty slow start. Even with all of my excitement I am just plain tired. Russell is sick with a pretty bad cold. He whines quite a bit when he’s sick, that’s okay, I do too, and he always takes care of me.

I have a bunch of errands to run. I have to go make a deposit at the bank. Go to the post office. Go to the Town Office for some paper work. I’m getting my business license today provided it’s not very expensive. I don’t think it is. I also want to go by this place here in town called Motley’s Emporium. I don’t even know how to explain it. It’s sort of like a thrift store/flea market/antique shop all rolled into one. I’ve only been in there a few times but each time I am amazed at the amount of things there are. Anything from old silverware and dishes, to fishing rods and reels, jars of buttons, boxes of doorknobs, clothes, records, furniture, old metal signs, etc. It’s crazy, and it is room after room after room of, well, what would be to some, junk! Maybe I’ll take my camera and the old guy at the door will let me take pics for my blog.

I want to get some sewing done today too. I’ve been working on wristlets and I want to complete at least two purses today. Oh yeah, I also want to go buy Zoe a new booster seat for the van because she is outgrowing her car seat.

Maybe I have too much planned and am setting myself up for disaster. Who knows. We’ll see…

Today is the last day…

Today is the last day of my regular work schedule. I will now be working only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Wow. I’m really excited and really nervous. I have tons of plans, and am a bit overwhelmed. Tomorrow, my first day off, I actually have a lot of errands to run so we’ll see how much I get done at home. Lots of cleaning and organizing to do.

I made some cute wristlets and pouches last night, hoping to make more of those. I got all of my ordered supplies in within the past couple of days too, that’s exciting. Very pretty fabrics and ribbons, so stay tuned for that!

I definitely need to start working on my “Freedom Purse” – the purse I’ll be making from my old work aprons, hehehe.