Today I woke up and said, "I can't go on living like this..." Does anyone have those kinds of mornings / days? Sometimes I call them 15 minute days. I tell myself I only have to do my first task for 15 minutes and then I can quit. Then I do 15 minutes on the next overwhelming task. After several 15 minute periods, I start to feel ok about life, and have hope that I can get through the day in larger time segments. The funny thing is that I get a lot more done on those days because I am more focused on sticking to my little segments.
Well, anyway, today was like that. Except I needed to engage the kids in their regular school work, house work, etc. As I was carrying a load of stuff up the stairs, the game "Simon Says" flashed into my mind. I went back downstairs and told the kids that all day long we were going to play a game. They were leery, because I have come up with so many hair-brained tricks to get them to do their work. (Remind me later to tell about "the mystery object" game from my Sister!) I told them, "Simon Says, go clean up the Monopoly game on the floor in the front room." Peachy jumped up and got the other two to do it with her. Then I said, "Ok, now you can tell me to do a Simon Says." They conferred and then chorused, "Simon says clear off all the counters." (That was Maddo's job that she knew she was going to have to do before she got breakfast.") So I hurried and did it while they happily played. I hurried way faster than I normally would have, because it was really bugging me that they were sitting around playing when they should have been doing thier morning jobs and school. When I finished, I got to say something for them to do while I "played." This has been going on successfully all morning. It backfired on me when they all decided to say, "Simon says, make us chocolate milk!" But I did it anyway. Dallin got home from a school thing and said, "Ok! I'll play! Simon says, go to the park!" Yikes! I wasn't prepared for those kinds of commands! Luckily it wasn't his turn to issue a command. So far we have got a good amount done, although it is very out of order from what my priorities would have been. It is funny to see what they think is the most important things to do for school and for house work. In fact the reason I am typing this, is because in thier hope to get rid of me for a long time, their most recent command was, "Simon says, Go type your blog!"
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
It Pays To Do Laundry!
I love doing laundry!
A few months ago, Homey commented that when he switched a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, he got a tip! I realized that he must have been talking about a load of KayBee's things. She is supposed to do her own laundry, but sometimes she forgets to switch it, and we end up doing it so someone else can use the washer. KayBee has a lot of babysitting jobs, and not a lot of concern about money. Frequently I find rolled up 20 dollar bills lying around her room, and in her jeans pockets when I borrow them. I used to give them back, along with a short lecture on the importance of keeping track of her money better. However, now I have decided to keep whatever I find and consider it payment for my hard work! For the past three laundry loads that I have had to switch for her, I have found between 5 and 20 bucks left loose in the washer or dryer each time! I told all the kids if I am cleaning and find $ laying around, I get to keep it. Doing laundry provides me with a great income! I am trying to save up to buy a really neat (but expensive) set of curriculum for some of the kids' schooling next year. All the money I collect from my housekeeping endeavors will go to this! Oh! This is so fun! But don't tell Brother. If he finds out he can make $20.00 for switching a load of laundry, it will be a huge race to the laundry room the minute the buzzer goes off. I don't want any competition!
May you all be blessed in your laundry adventures today!
Love, Maawwm!
A few months ago, Homey commented that when he switched a load of laundry from the washer to the dryer, he got a tip! I realized that he must have been talking about a load of KayBee's things. She is supposed to do her own laundry, but sometimes she forgets to switch it, and we end up doing it so someone else can use the washer. KayBee has a lot of babysitting jobs, and not a lot of concern about money. Frequently I find rolled up 20 dollar bills lying around her room, and in her jeans pockets when I borrow them. I used to give them back, along with a short lecture on the importance of keeping track of her money better. However, now I have decided to keep whatever I find and consider it payment for my hard work! For the past three laundry loads that I have had to switch for her, I have found between 5 and 20 bucks left loose in the washer or dryer each time! I told all the kids if I am cleaning and find $ laying around, I get to keep it. Doing laundry provides me with a great income! I am trying to save up to buy a really neat (but expensive) set of curriculum for some of the kids' schooling next year. All the money I collect from my housekeeping endeavors will go to this! Oh! This is so fun! But don't tell Brother. If he finds out he can make $20.00 for switching a load of laundry, it will be a huge race to the laundry room the minute the buzzer goes off. I don't want any competition!
May you all be blessed in your laundry adventures today!
Love, Maawwm!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Swallow the Elders
Wow! I didn't realize it has been so long since I have written something. So here is a small paragraph to satisfy my need for typing stories, and the grandparent's need to hear them:
During scripture study Hunkey frequently blurts out unrelated things. It is really obvious that his brain is not on what we are reading. Lately, when he raises his hand or starts to talk, we ask him, "Is this related to the scriptures we are reading?" Thankfully, he has gotten way better at sticking to the topic. So we were surprised the other night when he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Why did they swallow all the Elders?" I thought he was trying to be silly and break up the boringness. We all looked at him baffled and a bit annoyed. Then I kind of heard in my mind the last few sentences that Peachy had read. I asked her to re-read what she had just read. She started, and this is the part that made us all start to laugh: ". . .and so all of the elders. . . " She had been droning on and reading a bit sloppily. Poor Hunkey. Sometimes I wonder what other wild and crazy ideas the kids must be getting from the unfamiliar wording in the scriptures. I have to admit that I was delighted that he was listening, and that he cared enough to clarify when something seemed really wonkey! Maybe I could get the kids to tell me all thier strange interpretations and I could write a translation of the Bible called, "The New Children's Version. I bet it would introduce all kinds of interesting stories and new doctrine!
During scripture study Hunkey frequently blurts out unrelated things. It is really obvious that his brain is not on what we are reading. Lately, when he raises his hand or starts to talk, we ask him, "Is this related to the scriptures we are reading?" Thankfully, he has gotten way better at sticking to the topic. So we were surprised the other night when he suddenly raised his hand and said, "Why did they swallow all the Elders?" I thought he was trying to be silly and break up the boringness. We all looked at him baffled and a bit annoyed. Then I kind of heard in my mind the last few sentences that Peachy had read. I asked her to re-read what she had just read. She started, and this is the part that made us all start to laugh: ". . .and so all of the elders. . . " She had been droning on and reading a bit sloppily. Poor Hunkey. Sometimes I wonder what other wild and crazy ideas the kids must be getting from the unfamiliar wording in the scriptures. I have to admit that I was delighted that he was listening, and that he cared enough to clarify when something seemed really wonkey! Maybe I could get the kids to tell me all thier strange interpretations and I could write a translation of the Bible called, "The New Children's Version. I bet it would introduce all kinds of interesting stories and new doctrine!
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