Two Quick Cleaning Tips
I am in the middle of picking up my house right now, so that the clutter and dishes aren’t an eyesore when A.J. arrives home.
(It was a long night last night. And it’s been a long day today.)
This post describes exactly where I am today. One of the tips Sarah Mae mentions is to clean room by room, rather than in a haphazard way.
I love that tip because it’s one of my cleaning standbys. I thought of a couple more while I was picking up just now:
- Start at one side of the doorway and clean till you get to the other side. I do surfaces first in this order, and then the floor. It’s easier to focus with a visual of where to go next.
- If you hand-wash your dishes, clean the kitchen before you start washing. Put things away, wipe down the counters, rinse and stack dishes, and sweep the floor first. Then the task of washing is much less intimidating.
Maybe I’m just revealing my cleaning idiosyncrasies…
What are some of your tried-and-true housekeeping methods?
Rebuilding
In the early days of pregnancy, I feel like a different person.
It’s hard for me to remember what life was like a mere three weeks earlier, before I started feeling sick all the time.
The elusive “before pregnancy” days tease me mentally as I lie on the couch, remembering melodramatically how I “used to” pack A.J.’s lunch every day and keep a clean house.
But the change lies in more than daily tasks. I feel of touch with people. I don’t blog. I don’t read. (Whispering…) I skip my devotions for weeks.
How do I remain confident of His love when I’m slipping?
Thirteen weeks in, I’m feeling exhausted, but otherwise a lot like my old self. I know I have to rebuild… on a foundation of grace.
Japan and God’s Goodness
I’m sure I’m not the only one who doesn’t know what to say when a disaster like the one in Japan strikes. I feel so faraway and cocooned from the trauma and tragedy that it feels impossible to even attempt to empathize.
But there are two things that I want to remember:
1) “Those people” are just like me. They were going about their daily lives, thinking about what to eat for dinner, plans for the next day, an argument they had that morning, a party they were going to that night, and then suddenly their world was shaken and submerged.
2) God is good. This year I have been reading a lot about God’s goodness. Some Christians seem to implicitly trust in it without questioning it, while others agonize over the suffering and evil all around us and how we can reconcile that with God’s character. It’s not wrong to ask why things happen, or to mourn, or not to have all the answers. But… the lie that God is not good comes from the pit of hell, through all too many voices in the aftermath of tragedy. He is sovereign and good; His character has not changed.
I hope writing this will help me and you remember to lift up the people of Japan in our prayers.
Housekeeping :: Elizabeth Bennet :: Love
From my perch on the couch, with a copy of Good Housekeeping next to me (ah, the irony), I see a living room with toys scattered everywhere; a floor desperately in need of vacuuming; a kitchen filled with the remnants of everything we’ve eaten in the last 24 hours; and (happily) an open window with springy weather outside.
Monday I was feeling quite like my old self again – running around to Walmart and the dentist, doing three loads of laundry, and making delicious chicken spaghetti. I was so optimistic when I ended the evening by 1) putting all the laundry away, and 2) putting Christian’s toys away. The house was actually tidy when we woke up the next morning. How refreshing! I had high hopes for my productivity level the next day.
Alas, on Tuesday morning a vicious sore throat attacked (yes, I still have a sinus infection), as did a recurrence of nausea. I haven’t been sleeping well either, and have been utterly exhausted. Meanwhile, Christian hardly napped. Thank goodness, he’s been napping like a champ today.
I really can’t stand living in a chaotic, messy environment. (Ask my college roommates.) My garage and office need probably a good week between them to clean out, and the rest of the house, which I usually keep up with pretty well, has built-up grime and general clutter. I’ve been cleaning the kitchen an average of once a day, before I make dinner – which is super annoying and intimidating to attack at the end of a long, tired day.
I am looking forward to feeling better, Lord willing, and getting this place shipshape and organized before #2 comes along. I’m also excited to get back into exercising.
On the bright side, I got the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice from the library yesterday. I haven’t seen it for a couple of years, so it’s been fun to revisit the story during my downtime.
I loved (and desperately needed) this post from Passionate Homemaking this morning. I actually own the book she quotes, and I’m looking forward to reading it.
“When our eyes are on ourselves and our inner cravings for approval are found in our own doings, accomplishments, and successes, we have lost sight of the gospel. As wives and mothers, it is easy to get depressed and discouraged because we are setting our hope on our own accomplishments, and not on the truth of the gospel. Did my child yell at me? Then I have failed as a mother. Did I only get one thing done on my to-do list? Then I have failed as a homemaker.
Where should your eyes be? Upon that beautiful Savior who suffered and died for you. We must cling to the truth that his love is ours right now – in this very moment – fully, completely, and unalterably ours. His approval of you is not based upon your performance, your goodness, your success…it is all based upon His undying love for us.”
Deep sigh of relief… now, it’s time to dig myself out from under the dishes.
Photo credit
Laundry and Little Girl Dreams
These days, laundry is my nemesis, and I dread doing dishes. And oh, how I long for Mary Poppins’ magical clean-up powers.
But sometimes, as I hang a little shirt up to dry, or fold a pair of tiny socks, I remember how I used to think as a little girl. Even though I rarely did laundry, there were times when I was folding it or putting it away, and I would imagine myself doing the same thing for my future husband one day.
And once in awhile when I was babysitting in a quiet house with napping children, I would tidy things up, and daydream about someday having a baby and a home of my own.
I mothered my dolls devotedly. My sisters and I dressed them carefully, fixed their hair, fed them, homeschooled them, and settled their frequent arguments. I could only imagine how fun it would be to have real babies one day.
I remember those daydreams in sweet moments, like when Christian is snuggled up against me before bed and I’m singing him a lullaby.
Though I often forget, I’m such a blessed woman. I can’t believe those little girl dreams came true. They are gifts meant to be cherished, gifts I did nothing to deserve, and they won’t last forever.
I’m thankful for days so sweet they feel tenuous, reminding me to trust in our Father, where we dwell secure. In the words of Christian’s lullaby:
Children of the heavenly Father, safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in heaven such a refuge e’er was givenGod His own doth tend and nourish; in His holy courts they flourish
From all evil things He spares them; in His mighty arms He bears themNeither life nor death shall ever from the Lord His children sever
Unto them His grace He showeth, and their sorrows all He knowethThough He giveth or He taketh, God His children ne’er forsaketh
His the loving purpose solely to preserve them pure and holy
She Goes to Church
Two churches hold a special place in my heart.
When I was 6, the first meeting of our little future Evangelical Free church was held in my parents’ basement. I saw a church grow from the ground up. It grew up as I did.
I still treasure my history and friendships there. When I was 14, our pastor preached an Easter sermon from Isaiah 53. By God’s grace, I grasped Christ’s substitutionary death in a deeper way than ever before.
When I married A.J. I joined him in attending a Sovereign Grace church, which is both Reformed in doctrine and charismatic in worship (both of which I love!).
My two church families have blessed me unstintingly. My Ohio church helped send me to Peru in 2007. My Florida church literally made our wedding possible. And there are a myriad of other examples.
I love online friendships, but I’m so grateful for the body of Christ in my immediate vicinity.
The Simple Woman’s Daybook
It’s been since June that I filled out these little notes. Abigail’s post reminded me to do it again.
Outside my window… the sky is a clear, soft blue and the leaves are swaying ever-so-slightly. It’s going to be beautiful today!
I am thinking… about many, many things I need to get done. It is amazing how quickly things disintegrate when I’m under the weather, even with A.J.’s help.
I am thankful for… the fact that Christian still takes two naps, giving me some downtime in the morning.
From the kitchen… tonight I am trying hearty chicken and noodle casserole for the first time. I try not to use a lot of “cream of” soups, but I do appreciate not having to make my own sauces right now.
I am wearing… um, my pajamas? *blush*
I am creating… ideas and plans. Even that is progress.
I am going… to do a brain dump of all the to-do’s floating around in my mind, then use it to update my binder. After Christian was born I started using a home notebook, and by keeping it simple and easy to use, it became one of my most helpful tools and I used it consistently until a few weeks ago. I am amazed at the difference it makes to plan.
I am reading… nothing. I’ve stalled. I have two books from my reading list waiting to be finished.
I am hoping… to begin spending more time outside.
I am hearing… lovely silence.
Around the house… things are messy.
One of my favorite things… Starbucks frappuccinos. I had a decaf caramel one yesterday for the first time in a long time. Mmm…
A few plans for the rest of the week… small group, young married’s class, and getting Christian’s one-year pictures taken.
A picture thought I am sharing… Christian and me outside last week.
