Holding me accountable...

Some of you may know that I am NOT a natural housekeeper.  Instead, it is something I have to work very hard at, and even after nearly 6 years of marriage,I stilll haven't quite established a routine. Likely because I am a natural at procrastination, so any plan I have put into place, ends up on the back burner, meaning I get to it when I can and want to, which in the end, isn't very often.  Because, after all, who can't find something better to do than vacuum and dust?

With my summer break nearing, less than two weeks away, I am trying my hardest to establish a plan that works, one that I can stick to.  Drew has really done a great job staying on top of his duties and house projects, so I am determined to uphold my end of the bargain when it comes to keeping our house tidy.  Especially knowing our little girl is moving more and more each day, and the thought of doggy furballs and dust in her mouth and little hands is not too inspiring.

So here is my plan...

I try to make about 3 meals a week, spending a total of an hour each of those nights to prepare it. While I do a pretty good job of loading and unloading the dishwasher, gotta have clean bottles and dishes and tidying up the kitchen, vaccuming has always been my downfall.  And with a 90lb lab that seems to constantly be shedding, that is a bad downfall to have.  So my plan is that I will spend the hours in the evening, on those other four nights I do not cook, trying to do something for the house.  Below are the activities I plan to alternate in the evenings on a weekly basis:

1. Ironing
2. Vacuuming downstairs
3. Vacuuming upstairs
4. Dusting

These activities are going to be added a week at a time, so it doesn't feel too overwhelming at first.  This week I have added ironing, next week vaccumming downstairs, and so on.  So after 4 weeks, at least that is the plan, I will have managed to establish a good routine that only takes up about 4 hours of my week.

I also hope to start putting one load of laundry in  the mornings so I can switch it over to the dryer that same night.

I post this ONLY so each of you can hold me accountable.  I get mad at Drew when he tries to do such a thing--even though I told him to remind me, but I expect I will be a bit better and nicer with my friends who do not share a home with me.  And don't worry, I have fun things scheduled for this summer too, but that is a whole other post.