January 21st-27th 2024

[sweetpumkinpye]

A month since Christmas. A busy week here with the usual comings and goings and this week sees us celebrating Australia Day on Friday, a holiday for us.
I am still working on my January 4 week/4 room routine. This week sees me finishing off the kitchen and starting a minor clean and tidy up of the loungeroom. This is not a deep clean, just a focus on getting things back in order after Christmas. I am also starting to really think about what I need to declutter before the move to the farm. The goal is to have at least 100 items out of the house before then.

Daily:
Water throughout day.
Clean kitchen and DW on before bed.
Moisturise, brush teeth, lip balm, hand cream
Read and sleep at reasonable time/schedule no tech nights

Weekly/Fortnightly:
*washing /fold washing(X)(X)
*vacuum floors (X)
*clean bathrooms (X)(X)
*general tidy up/household maintenance (X)
*clean fridge/freezers ( )( )
*tidy pantry/stockpile ( )( )
*meal planning ( )
*shopping list (fortnightly) (X) grocery shopping (fortnightly) (X)...remember to take water (X)

January goals:
*Target savings in bank ( ) Need to focus on this, there are a lot of expenses at the beginning of the year.
*Choose 10 goals/areas of improvement for 2024 (X)
*Mini room maintenance January Loungeroom (X), Kitchen (X), Bedroom (X) and Bathrooms (X)
*Lunch with friends January 24th ( )Postponed until February
*Australia Day celebrations January 26th (X) have started planning a bbq at our house
*DD, DSIL and my birthdays are in January. Celebrate ( ) Dinner on Tuesday night ( )
*January in review ( )

Extras:
Fun/Christmas prep:
*tidy/rearrange gift closet(X)
*update planner (X)
*do something that is just for me ( )
*read. The goal this year is 10 books (X) Have read 2
*start/continue/finish one craft project (X)Start baby cardigan/look at making quilt
*continue looking for stocking fillers, gifts and supplies (X) Will start buying items for stockings and Christmas baking and meals

This week:
*Connect with family via phone, email or text (X) Need to make time to speak to SIL
*Pay DDA invoice Sunday (X)
*Work Monday and Tuesday (X)
*Work meeting Wednesday (X)
*Groceries with Mum Thursday (X)
*Australia Day bbq Friday (X)
*Day trip to farm Saturday ( ) DH is on call again

5 small chores:
*Clean lounge room windows (X)
*Declutter tv unit (X)
*Freshen curtains (X)
*Wash throws and cushions (X)
*Iron bunting for quilt (X)
*Declutter under kitchen sink(X)
*Declutter last of the kitchen cupboards (X)


Word of the Year 2024: Value

 

[Holiday_Mom]

You've got a good plan for the week. Are you getting together with family on Australia Day? Have you set a date for the move?

I'm hoping for a regular work week. Dd starts back with her afterschool schedule this week. Warmer temperatures and rain are forcasted for the next two weeks. Between the snow and the rain, it is good to be inside getting things in order. I'm happy with the way last week worked out over all. Tackling a project just a little bit everyday seems much more doable for me.

Daily:

• Exercise
• Prayer
• Calendar Review of Appointments/Meetings
• Reading
• Writing
• Prep coffee for the next day.
• Prep lunch for the next day.
• Prep breakfast for the next day.

Weekly:

• Plan outfits for this week.
• Plan the menu for this week.
• Prep meals for this week.
• Dust/Vacuum/Mop.
• Pay Bills.
• Do Laundry.
• Buy Groceries.
• Read a book this week. [4 of 5 weeks to complete]
• Answer one autobiographical question this week.
• Identify one incomplete craft project or one project waiting to be started. Estimate time needed to complete and start the project.
• Write an “End of Last Week” Reflection.

Monthly: Living Room, Entrance, Dining Room and Front Porch

• Dust Blinds.
• Sweep the front porch.
• Clean the front door.
• Wipe down the wall and door jambs.
• Dust the chandelier.
• Wipe down dining room chairs.
• Declutter for 15 minutes.
• Make a “Spruce Up” list.

New Habit: Research 15 minutes daily or the equivalent of that in a week until February 10th.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

Are you getting together with family on Australia Day? Have you set a date for the move?

Mum and DB will come to our house for a barbeque.

DD and DSIL do not celebrate Australia Day so they will do their own things. 26th January is a contentious date with some people calling it invasion day as it is the day that many believe the white settlers took over the indigenous peoples land. I believe at some stage the date for our National day will be moved. In the meantime I will continue to celebrate as we always have.

We have not locked in an actual move day. DH is hoping to retire by June/July and the move will take place then. This is fluid depending on the status of the house and how DH work load is.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I'm happy with the way last week worked out over all. Tackling a project just a little bit everyday seems much more doable for me.

It is so much more settling to have a normal work week. Means that our to do lists are so much more achievable.
Hoping that the forthcoming week is a great one.

 

[halimer]

I

It is so much more settling to have a normal work week

s anything every normal in our lives? be it work or our personal lives?

 

[Holiday_Mom]

I

s anything every normal in our lives? be it work or our personal lives?

Ah, the million dollar question! I guess normal is more like what we expect things to be as a result of a routine.

 

[Miss JoDee]

I have DDil and Dgds coming tomorrow so my week will not be the norm. DDil will be home schooling while here but who knows what I will be asked to do. Let's see what plans can I make

Monday: Do final prep for the arrival of family.
Tuesday: Volunteer work at church and food shopping
Wednesday: Update finances
Thursday: Take Dgds bowling?
Friday: Pizza Party with family?

This is only a guess who knows. I do know that I need to be very fluid this week and just go with the flow.

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

This is only a guess who knows. I do know that I need to be very fluid this week and just go with the flow.

Jody, sounds like you will have a great week.. Enjoy!!!

 

[missjane]

Ah, the million dollar question! I guess normal is more like what we expect things to be as a result of a routine.

I find myself asking the same question lately. Nothing seems to go as I expected anymore. I think I awaken each morning and say, "Okay, what today?"

 

[jampss]

Wow ... a month since Christmas, eh!?

DD31 and I did de-clutter and organize the computer/craft room when she was here for her visit! Things taken to the donation box in the laundry room! Cleared off my craft table so I can actually do a CRAFT!

Daily:
Exercise & Water (XXXXXX)
Bullet Coffee (XXXXXXX)
Watch The Bible Recap on YT; Prayer Journal & Devotional (XXXXXXX)
Calendar Review of Appointments / Email / MHH (XXXXX)
Read / Watch News (XXXXX)
Dinner Prep (XXXXX)
Listen to Audio Book (XXXXXXX)
Review / Edit one Etsy Listing (X)
Crochet for Fun / Ministry (XXXX)

Weekly:
Jumpstart Cleaning Plan area (X)
Menu Planning (XX)
Groceries / Meal Prep (XX)
Clean Bathroom / Dust / Vacuum / Mop / Laundry (XXX)
Bills (X)
Online History Class ()
Post FB / IG for Etsy (XX)
Work on Etsy Crochet Item ()
Water Garden ()
Errands (X)

Monthly:
Check Pantry / Freezer / Refrigerator (XX)
Upcoming Holidays / Birthdays: Need Cards / Gifts (XX)
Etsy Shop Sales / Expenses (X)
Check Subscriptions Tracker Sheet / Supplements (X)
Weight Check (X)
Norwex Rewards Club Monthly Order ()
Work on Christmas 2024 Crochet Gifts (XX)
19th Celebrate Me Day (X)
House To Do List (X)

Quarterly/Seasonal Goals:
Clean inside Windows / Sils ()
De-clutter Areas & Donate (XX)

DEC JAN FEB - WINTER
Mulch Over the Garden ()
Word of the Year (X)
Meal Plan for Christmas / NYE / Baking (X)
Decorate for Christmas (X)
De-decorate Christmas (X)
Start Jumpstart January Cleaning (X)

MAR APR MAY - SPRING
Garden Prep for Spring ()
Check Smoke Detector Battery / Test Carbon Monoxide Alarm ()
Meal Plan for Easter ()
Decorate for Spring ()

JUN JUL AUG - SUMMER
MHH Christmas in July ()
Sign Up for Christmas Card Exchange?? ()

SEPT OCT NOV - AUTUMN
Garden Prep for Fall ()
Meal Plan for Thanksgiving / Baking ()
Decorate for Fall ()
Check Points on Apps for Rewards / Gift Cards ()

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

DD31 and I did de-clutter and organize the computer/craft room when she was here for her visit! Things taken to the donation box in the laundry room! Cleared off my craft table so I can actually do a CRAFT!

Was it an easy process? Was it beneficial having someone help? I am thinking of asking DD over to help declutter my home but am not sure if we will disagree on what needs to go vs stay.

 

[jampss]

For us, it was easy and great. We had done a Marie Kondo like purging in 2019 of the whole house together. It has stayed rather clutter free since then. She really has an eye for doing this. Also, I watch a lot of The Minimal Mom on YT for minimalism ideas.

 

[Miss JoDee]

Was it an easy process? Was it beneficial having someone help? I am thinking of asking DD over to help declutter my home but am not sure if we will disagree on what needs to go vs stay.

When someone is with you while decluttering it is called body doubling. It is suppose to keep you going. If you hesitate in a decision on something ask the person with you but you get the final decision.

 

[Ahorsesoul]

I use a cardboard box as my body doubling person. Into the box something goes. I know I can pull it out if I want and friends know they are welcome to take anything in it too.

 

[Miss JoDee]

I have a time will tell basket for items I am decluttering. It stays there until it is time to transfer it to a box for donations. I rarely pull anything out as I am keen on getting things out of the house. This has been such a busy month that I am going to Jumpstart in February. I would like to start in the kitchen, lower the number of utensil we have. Do I really need 5 pancake turners?

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

I would like to start in the kitchen, lower the number of utensil we have. Do I really need 5 pancake turners?

My kitchen is still a work in progress. My utensils are multiplying I am sure!

 

[jampss]

Enjoyed this Minimal Mom YT video:

 

[sweetpumkinpye]

Looking forward to reading that jampss. I quite enjoy her videos.

 

[Holiday_Mom]

My 3 day work week was a 3.5 day work week. On my day and a half off, I did those things on the list that I like to do and spent today doing the housework that I can't stand. This is the way to do things from now on.