Kitchen Disaster: Tackled!

I rarely go to bed without all my dishes being done, and the kitchen being relatively clean. Nothing makes me more cranky than waking up to a complete disaster mess. No matter what I do, at that point, I feel like I'm playing "catch-up" for the rest of the day.

However, crazy times, call for crazy behaviors..right?

It all started on Friday, when I remembered last minute that I needed to make a breakfast casserole to take to a church function. They were going to refrigerate it, and bake it Saturday morning. I decided that I also needed to make some muffins, you know, just in case they needed them. I cleaned up for the most part, thinking that I would do the final touches when we returned home. Not so. We returned home after 10, andI was ready to call it a night.

Saturday morning, my daughter had her last soccer game and had to be at the field at 9:30. The kids ate breakfast, dressed and we left. We returned home at 11:30, I made a quick lunch and we left again at 1 to go to the corn maze in a neighboring town. Came home at about 3. Made Snickerdoodle Blondies for Bible study and we left at 6. Returned back home at about 10. There was little cleaning in there.

Sunday morning, I popped a breakfast casserole in the oven, and realized the counter was almost non-existent. Everyone awoke, ate breakfast, and we left. Returned around noon and I made a big lunch since we would be gone to a marriage class during dinner hours. As soon as lunch was finished (roughly 1pm) , I had to get started on making snacks for our class, since it was my week. My husband had requested I make certain things, having no real idea how long those things would take. Nor realizing just how little time we had, or the current state of my kitchen. I made Pickle Wraps (2.5 pickle jars worth), Brownie Cheescake Bites, and Tri-Color Bread Braid. Did I mention I had to run to town to get cream cheese and pickles? I was finally done at about 4:10, and we left here at about 4:20 and we returned home at 7:30. Just plain exhausted!

Having said all that, please understand why my kitchen looked like this. I can't even believe I'm showing you all this. However, I am all about keeping it real. I had just started cleaning, when I decided to snap a picture, which is why the dishwasher is open.

I'm hanging my head in shame. That.Is.Bad!

Thankfully, as I wind down for the night, getting ready to check my 4 year old's temp for the 50th time today, I know for certain--that is not the sight I will see first thing in the morning. I won't have to fight for counterspace to make my coffee. Instead I will revel in the cleanliness that is my kitchen. And pray, that no matter how busy I get, it will never look that bad again!

This post is linked to Tackle it Tuesday.

Finding Freedom Friday: Time Management

Time Management. What an important topic. One that I still do not have perfected, but I'm well on my way. Or so I like to think.



I have receieved a lot of emails over the last few months on how I manage to take care of my young family, make most of my families food from scratch, coupon, garden and still have time to function. I must admit, that once upon a time, things did not flow all too smoothly around here.



First off, I think it is very important to first become organized, then you really need to have your priorities in line. What do you really want to accomplish today? This week? This month? Year? Dare we think any further? Sure!



Once you realize what it is that needs to be done and have a basic understanding on how long it will take for you to accomplish it--you are well on your way.



Obviously it wouldn't be logical for me to think that I would be able to till/weed/plant my entire garden in a day, as well as all the laundry, cleaning and baking for the week. Breaking these tasks up into manageable blocks of time helps greatly in accomplishing things, as well as being efficent and not feeling overwhelmed. It is very important as a wife/homemaker/mom/person to not feel overwhelmed! I know for me if I am overwhelmed, more than likely I will shut down. Either that or I will go all crazy housewife and accomplish everything under the sun in no time flat--but, I'm not a nice person/wife/mom. And honestly, what is the point in that?!



Balance.



So, my advice--plan your day. Here is a snapshot of what my typical day has looked like in the last few weeks.



6:00am-6:45-Wake. Get kids on the bus to school.
6:45-7:30 Computer time. Answering emails. Blogging. Popping in on twitter.
7:30-8:30 Shower. Laundry. Kitchen Pick-up. If I'm making bread for dinner or for the week, this is when I will start it.
8:30-9:30 Noah wakes. Noah Snuggle time. Sometimes extra computer/bill time.
9:30-12:00 Tasks for the day. Lately it has been gardening, and spring cleaning all while being interupted by an energetic, very playful 3 year old that really makes my life fun!
12:00-1:00 Lunch. Big kitchen clean up.
1:30-3:30 Relax/Quiet Time--unless I feel spunky! :) If I have added umph (which I have had the last few weeks. yay!) I catch up on anything that I have been slacking on, bake or whatever else.
3:30-4:30 DH and Big kids are coming home.
4:30-7:00 Prepare/Eat/Clean Dinner.
7:00-8:30 Homework. Getting Big Kids ready for bed. Last minute watering of seedlings/plants.
8:30 on. Time with DH, computer time, reading--basically anything goes.

Paying attention to the clock on my "must get stuff done" days, has really helped me to manage my time better and actually get things done. I have found this escpecially helpful in the area of computer time! I love my blog(s), twitter, facebook, and reading other blogs, but I have to limit myself or it could easily consume me. So, please forgive me if I seem to be MIA--I'm really trying to balance everything in my life. My once new born children have quickly grown up on me, and before I know it they won't need me anymore. I must cherish it now!



Also, not only is time management important for accomplishing your day to day tasks--it is essential on snagging those deals! If you don't allow time to shop the weekly sales with your coupon match-ups and keep a close eye on expiration dates, you could easily miss out which will cost you more in the long run. I've been guilty of this very thing far too many times to count!

Now it is your turn! How do you manage your day and fit all your duties in?

Don't forget the rules to linking up found on this post.

Finding Freedom Friday Reminder

Just wanted to give a reminder about Finding Freedom coming up tomorrow. The topic is Time Management, just in time for the busy summer months!



How do you stay on track during your busy day and accomplish all the things that need to be done? Prioritize? or a mad dash to see just what you can get done? How do you fit in play time with the kids? Quality time with your spouse? Me time? Dinner Time?



Come back tomorrow and fill us in!



Here is the extended schedule, as well.

• April 24th: Finding Freedom with Time Management
• May 1st: Finding Freedom: 2009 Goal Update
• May 8th: Finding Freedom: Easy Travel Snacks/Meals
• May 15th: Finding Freedom with a Frugal Challenge

If you have any suggestions for Finding Freedom Friday topics, you can email me at phendricks @ centurytel.net or drop me a comment.