I had to go into work today to pick up some papers for a student. I had planned on cleaning and packing up my teacher desk area, but that didn’t happen. I overslept, so by the time I checked in with the office, got the paperwork I needed, and visited with the ladies covering the office today, it was already 9:00. I had to leave by 11:00 to get home in time for my first Google Meet with my class. Maybe next Tuesday I can get both of the boys to go in with me to get a bunch of packing done? I really wish that we could just leave everything as is and just have them clean the carpets where the student desks are.
Today I was determined to find a backyard pool for the summer. We live in the south, so it’s already getting up in the 90s. I had to go to three Wal-Marts, an Academy Sports, and a Loews to find one, but I finally got it! By the time I got back home, I was too pooped to do much. The weather should be dry for the next several days, so hopefully we’ll get the yard prepared and have it setup by the weekend.
I have a department staff meeting in the morning, so I needed to get my lesson plans done for the last two weeks of school tonight. Before I knew it, I worked for 4 hours! It’s crazy how long it takes to prepare lessons for distance learning. That’s only four activities – 3 google forms and a team Kahoot! review game for tomorrow. I guess I did a little more since I have 20 text messages to my team (not counting the personal conversations we’ve had tonight as well). I miss my team!
I don’t have a green thumb, but I got myself three plants this week. One is a pretty purple hanging basket, another is a pink hydrangea bush, and one tomato plant. If I can keep them alive, I may add more in a couple of weeks. My husband reminded me that I still have to water them every day. Doh! I’m adding that to my daily checklist so I don’t forget.
I didn’t do a lot of housework today, but I did do my daily items. This morning was Planning Day with Lisa Woodruff. After that was over, I worked in my planner a bit. When I got to the section on creating routines for myself, I pulled up A Slob Comes Clean and started looking for the show notes of the podcast I listened to recently about her cleaning basics. Then I just started reading and taking notes. Before I knew what hit me, I had the writing bug again. I’ve been writing all afternoon and evening. I’ve added several new topics for my blog and have several posts in the works. I don’t have a set routine in the planner yet, but I do know what I need to get done daily to get my house cleaned.
Made bed
Emptied dishwasher
Folded and hung the laundry I started Friday
not enough dishes today to run tonight (only a few plates, cups and utensils)
Several years ago, I started following the Fly Lady to help me learn how to get my house out of CHAOS and keep it clean. The one thing that I have maintained since then is making my bed every morning when I get up. Even if the rest of my bedroom is messy, at least my bed is straight. I don’t make it perfectly mind you, but it’s neat and ready for bed at night.
I need to develop some better cleaning habits for my house. I know from past experience that if I try to do too many new things at once, nothing will stick. So this week, I’m going to focus on one new habit – DISHES. I’ve already talked to the boys. I will start the dishwasher before I go to bed, and I will empty it in the morning. They just need to put their dishes in the dishwasher – not on the counter, not in the sink, not left on the table or in their bedrooms, IN THE DISHWASHER.
I started this blog originally to support teachers. Many times we are excellent caregivers, but we don’t always take very good care of ourselves. I’ve decided to add some additional categories for the time being at least. Now that most schools are closed for in-person learning, many of us are in survival mode. I know that I’ve been on Facebook more since March than ever before in my life. I look for positive posts, funny pictures and stories, and other such things to help myself to cope with life’s uncertainties right now. I try to ignore or scroll past the petty, ignorant, or just plain mean things that are they.
One of the new groups I joined includes thousands of teachers across the country. We are supporting each other, sharing resources, laughing together, and sometimes crying together. Teachers, we are not in the alone. We are all weathering the same storm. Our ship may be different, but we are all trying to make the best of this crazy situation we are living in right now.
I’ve wanted to write for a long time. I am lucky enough to be a writing teacher, but I never seem to make time for my own writing. I decided it’s time for me to make time. If I don’t do it now when I’m forced to be at home, I’ll never make the time to do it.
This blog may never get read, and I feel like I’m rambling on a bit right now. I have so many ideas that I want to share. Facebook is great, but as you may be able to tell, I like to write. I also need to get my house in order. I have this platform already set up for my travel blog, so I might as well use it right?
Decluttering and Organizing
I have too much clutter, not enough energy to clean, and I’m a bit overwhelmed with it all. I’m gearing up this weekend to focus on my Organize 365’s 100 Day Program. I used this system last summer to take back control of my kitchen and master bedroom. That’s as far as I got when my dad passed away. I spent the rest of my summer helping my mom get her house in order and settle his estate. Without Lisa and this program, I never would have gotten through the summer with my sanity.
Cleaning House
I recently heard about a blog called “A Slob Comes Clean“. I’ve listened to a couple of her podcasts now (I’m a podcast addict), so I finally started reading her blog this weekend. One of the things she did in the beginning was post her daily checklist. They’re short and to the point about what things she did to clean her house each day. If it worked for her (accountability, not fame and fortune), it can work for me. I need some way to keep myself accountable. My 100 Day Program has its own built-in accountability, but it doesn’t really address housekeeping.
Teacher Tips
As I come up with an idea or find something online that I have tried, I’ll try to post something here as well. I’ve already shared my email system in another post.
