Today’s Homemaker

I love to walk around my neighborhood in the winter. I love going to the park in the winter. Pretty much anything having to do with the outdoors is great this time of year.

Am I crazy? Maybe. Have I always felt this way? Certainly not. I have gradually acquired this fondness, and I’ll tell you why: we have the place all to ourselves. My son steps into other people’s yards wanting to grab a stray pine cone, and no one even notices. I can hum and sing, and there’s no one out to bother. It’s a precious time where my non-stop talking toddler can ask questions and wonder (and wander). We love it.

It’s not like we’re doing anything spectacular, but I feel like we are when Nolan says, “We’re going outside?! OutSIDE?!!! YAYYYYYY!!!” and starts his series of victory laps around the house.

Lilah is a little more serene about the whole thing, but she enjoys it nonetheless. Even though I can’t actually see her in the backpack carrier, I know from her sweet babbling that she just can’t believe how lucky she is.

We set out on our journey, and Nolan is determined not to trip. He proceeds to do so several times, but it’s all okay because he just can’t wait to get back up and continue.

And then there’s me, looking decidedly nonchalant in comparison. (I am a little concerned posting this picture that I’m going to end up as a model on Mrs. Fussypants’ Fight the Frump Fridays…and not in a good way.)

I am always so absorbed in the happiness of the moment that I don’t think to take pictures of the grand things we encounter — the now-treasured tiny red ball that Nolan found, the squirrel that ran away, the “lots of plastics and asphalts and sticks everywhere” that we see (I know. Picturesque.) And I really should because these memories are what make all of the frantic “trying to make a living” part worth it.

Remember when I previously urged you to take a look at StumbleUpon? Well, I changed my mind. That was bad advice. It is deliciously addictive, and if you’re to get anything done at all, just forget that I ever mentioned it. Proof.

Today, my only goal and objective is to get my laundry folded. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit to you that yes, I did all of my laundry Monday. Meaning I washed and dried it. But there are currently four loads of laundry piled on the sofa, making the whole house look embarrassingly sloppy. I fault those mentioned in the previous paragraph.

For those of you have led a far more productive week than I, yes we are still in the bedroom. For today, I encourage you go through your clothing and get rid of everything that is unflattering or that you never wear. If you’ve never done this before, this could be an unfathomable task, not quite fitting into my “small things that make a big difference” mantra of 2008.

Therefore, fit in whatever seems reasonable to you. Go through one drawer or one section of the closet. Perhaps we can get a game going. Who can toss the most items of clothing? (And by toss, I mean give away. You know that.) Or possibly even, who can toss the ugliest item?

If you feel overwhelmed with this task, just remember — anything you accomplish today makes your home better than it was yesterday.

I think I’m going to implement a new rule for “laundry” Mondays. It will also be the day I change the sheets. It just makes sense to do them both on the same day.

I love going to bed on fresh sheets. There’s something nostalgic about the experience. Have you changed your sheets lately? Without an actual day to do it, it can be hard to remember when you last put on new ones.

Speaking of laundry day, I have been having one for the past three weeks, and it is going really well. I discovered that when I do laundry once a week, I end up having about four loads to do. That’s completely do-able in a day, and I love that I don’t have to even think about laundry for the rest of the week.

And on an un-related note, I discovered that using Lysol on permanent marker stains works really well even after hours have passed. After John got home last night, he lovingly pointed out all of the things that Nolan drew on that I didn’t notice. I am convinced it is a miracle product for permanent marker on plastic and painted wood.

Julia said in the comments yesterday that Goo Gone works really well, too, even on fabric. I’ll have to try that…thanks!

Not in that way. Sheesh, people.

So who’s going to admit that their bedrooms are the most hideously awful rooms in the house? [Me, me!]. My kids bedrooms are not TOO bad, other than not being decorated very well. But mine? It’s under construction, so obviously that hinders the atmosphere a bit. But besides that, there’s clutter everywhere.

What I would like to do is a TLC-like thing where I remove every piece of furniture/junk that’s in the room and then get rid of 3/4 of it, re-decorate the room, and move back only what belongs. If you’ve got the time and energy, go for it.

But this week, I’ve got a ton of work to do. I was just commissioned for another web design job (so now I have four launching in the next four weeks), and I’ve got to iron out the details for it. Today’s laundry day, so I’ve got at least four loads to wash and at least two extra to fold (I stashed two clean loads in my room last week when company came and promptly forgot about them).

In addition to that, I’ve recently decided not to work on the weekends. Since I work at home, my boundaries have become rather blurry. I decided to not even clean the house if I didn’t feel like doing it. So I’ve got a playroom cleaning session to supervise (my son needs very SPECIFIC direction) and several loads of dishes lurking in the sink.

So all I think I can handle today is one bedside table. My bedside table is currently so full of junk that I don’t even use it anymore. And wouldn’t it be nice to have only a few relaxing things stashed in there? Maybe the scarf I’m knitting for Lilah, one or two of the books I’m currently reading, and my journal?  I think I can handle that.

What is your bedside arrangement? What would you like it to be? I encourage you to make it happen today.

Oh, and one more thing: I’m also going to take my kids on an adventure in the yard to see what we can find as far as “floral” arrangements go. I know there’s not much out there but sticks right now, but perhaps with some imagination, we can come up with a way to bring nature in. Maybe I’ll even be inspired to take a picture to share tomorrow. Gasp!

My daughter is one! I know I have said that probably three times in the past week, but I still cannot believe it. Saturday, we celebrated with our closest friends and family.

A simple wall of snowflakes and birthday wishes decorated the living room.

My friend Carol from Not Just Frosting made this beautiful (and DELICIOUS) two-tiered buttercream/fondant layer cake.

My friend Fernanda hung snowflakes from the ceiling all throughout the kitchen and dining area.

My favorite moment was when all (26!) of us were singing Happy Birthday, and she just looked at all of us like “Wow…they are all singing for me!”

She opened lots of presents.

She loved them all…especially this teddy bear.

She also received lots of sweet cards. This one’s from her 5-year old friend Olivia.

Nana and Papaw didn’t forget about Nolan.

John was the trash man.

Everyone took home one of these yummy treat boxes filled with graham cracker bunnies and teddy bears (thanks, mom!).

So all in all, a good day! And isn’t it refreshing to have pictures on the blog once again? Courtesy of my mom, who is always the honorary picture-taker.  One day I will learn to love my half-broken digital camera. Or ditch it and get another one. That wasn’t a very green sentence, was it?