deep thoughts.....makeover mojo

Something funny happened when this blog glammed up this week.......I started liking it more, wanting to put more effort into it, wanting to show it off.

I've been in a rut lately- not simply just behind on the dishes and not quite to the point of needing medication. Have you ever looked around your home/life and just thought, "Where do I even begin?" It isn't even that life is necessarily dealing a rough hand at the time, but just that you know you are at a fork in the road. Like so many things, it is just the beginning that is the hardest part.

What do I pick up first? Would my time be better spent mowing the long grass or watering the dry flowers? If the baby only sleeps for 30 minutes, should I tackle the kitchen & chance clanging things that will wake her up or start the laundry that won't be ready to fold/switch until she is up and needs changed, fed, held? Where do you start?
I made great strides in my homemaking efforts before this beautiful 3rd baby was born. I changed habits to be more organized. I kept it up too. Until lately.
Daddy-long leg spiders have some how taken over every corner of my house. My house is a DISASTER! I wore the same shirt for 36 hours straight this week, (I kept telling myself I couldn't change/shower until I actually exercised- which I finally did). My baby wore her own same shirt for this time period too.... The lawn needs mowed, garden weeded, car needs cleaned out, laundry folded, and on and on. I realize none of this is unique only to me, (Well, maybe the wear-the-shirt-for-a-day-and-a-half part- don't worry, I have really good deodorant.), and life could be a lot worse- but I could make it so much better. I could.
I started thinking about what some of you commented on with the original Ponytail Challenge- about how once the hair was done, the make-up, and then you felt good, and then you felt up to accomplishing more.
SO, I finally exercised, so I could finally shower & finally put on nice, clean clothes. This little bit alone made me feel so much better. I started cleaning- it didn't matter what I started with- just that I started. I am not a get it all done and move to the next job type of gal- which could be part of the problem. I tend to do a little work here and there and never quite finish the job I began with- but at least I made progress.
I also realized that while I may not feel like I am accomplishing much- stirring Ramen noodles with one hand, while holding a baby with the other hand, while calming down an injured 2-year-old, while laughing with a 4-year-old, while wiping spit up off the floor with a napkin & my foot is doing something that I CAN feel proud of- it may not win me an award, but I know it should. And that, for today is enough.

Anyhow, this post is more for myself than for all of you, but I needed to add in a little extra challenge for me this week. -to get going- on something- anything- and as Nike says best, "Just do it."
We all do so much- even when we might not think we are. Often, we feel under appreciated and underachieving. It is funny how a little "makeover" can change so much- whether that makeover is a new blog header, lipstick or an attitude change.

So, if you need a little extra umph today too- just do it- and I will be thinking of you.

CHALLENGE....Showdown

It has been one of those weeks.

The shortened condensed version is:
hurt back, pulled over by police for speeding, tantrums, hospitals, grandma died, scouts, took dinner to 2 different families, procrastinated church lesson, viewing, pulled over by police and late fee at the library.
Yes, all those things really happened. No- I didn't accidentally put the police thing twice- it happened twice- by the same officer- 5 days apart from each other.

Now then, I share all of this not to complain or ask for sympathy- but to help you understand why my house is a complete absolute horrific disaster. Not only did all of the above happen, but I also chose to "take Mother's Day off," which in and of itself could cause at-home-chaos.


On the way to church, I questioned if I had remembered to unplug my hot curlers. Now, obviously, to those who have been with this blog from the beginning, it is not often that I actually curl my hair. When I do, I usually forget to unplug the electronic hair miracle.....ok, moving on....
So, I am driving down the highway thinking, "I wonder if I unplugged the curlers." As I repeat my mental checklist of things I did while getting ready, I also thought, "My house is such a disaster. If anyone stops by I will be mortified." Please note, this thought was especially scary because of extended family, (fancy aunts and schmancy cousins from the big city and all), being in town for the funeral.
Then, looking at my children safely buckled in their car seats behind me, I also think, "My children are safely with me. We have good insurance. I would be completely fine if my house burned down while we are at church. Precious pictures of my children are somewhere in cyberspace. I have my credit card. No need to go back and double check the curlers."
Really, truly, I thought all of that.
Do I have a problem? Naaa.... just a really overwhelmingly messy house. And, in order to help myself out, you are all going to help motivate me by participating in this week's challenge full heartedly......... RIGHT???

Here goes:



We each have somewhere/something in our homes that is equal to an enemy.

Maybe it is your kitchen that has counter tops.....somewhere;
your french fry/crumb/wrapper infested vehicle;
the closet that can only be opened while wearing a safety helmet;
the flower bed that is a safe haven for all weeds known to mankind;
a laundry room that doubles as a walk-in clothes hamper;
grout in the tile that's original color is unknown;
between the couch cushions- no explanation necessary;
a junk drawer/cupboard that was organized.......once;
and many many more.

Pick and choose your battles, right?


Presenting the:
Showdown Challenge

Find that one chore that just needs to be done, the one chore that has been staring you down, the one chore that thinks it is winning and take back control!

For me, it will be the Showdown at the Kitchen Corral...I mean kitchen sink. (Sometimes I get a little carried away w/the cutesy writing- I'm assuming you are now thinking, "Ya think?") The dishes, pans from dinners not even enjoyed by me, and the grime.... yowsers.

Some of you are obviously better housekeepers than I. Hey, we all have our faults....but we can't talk about those, because we just finished up with last week's positive thinking challenge.

Anyhow- even though it may be small, I am sure you each have something- somewhere in your home that has been "attacking" you. Well, to this, I say CHARGE!!!!! Battle back, accept the challenge and I hope you conquer the enemy.