Put a marble or penny in it and see that puppy freeze when you shake it.
Does that young man's neck seem to be at an odd angle?
Over the year I received many emails telling me that this advice was indeed helpful, and could I post about cleaning house?
Well, do you know what's for dinner?
Is your laundry under control?
If not, read up and then come back…
…because you won't be able to raise the bar on your housekeeping if you are stepping over piles of laundry on the floor or unable to come up with anything other than spaghetti for dinner.
{Just a thought — are you getting up on time? It's a terrible time to ask this, because what with getting sick, holidays, and the cold dark mornings, it isn't easy to start or maintain a good schedule. But it's so important to feeling in control of your day to be rested, up, and showered. Have you worked on that?}
If you feel you can say “70% yes” — in other words, “most of the time, dear Auntie Leila, I have meals and laundry under control” (Auntie Leila would NEVER ask you to be more on top of things than she is herself, or she would be going to your blog for advice), then you may move on to the next resolution, which is —
The Reasonably Clean, Fairly Neat, and Comfortably Tidy House.
Hereinafter to be referred to as The Reasonably Clean House.
Now, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter we write for people like ourselves. People who would rather be reading than cleaning. People with lots of other people around. People who will stop whatever they are doing to hear a good story. People who like children and dogs, at least in theory.
People with big ideas who are continually surprised at the intractability of the material world — its propensity towards disorder, for instance…
We would rather make plans for a difficult and complex project than execute it, and we tend to get bogged down in the details. But, I'll say this about us, we do realize that the details matter, and that somehow we must stoop to conquer. We don't scorn cleaning a bathroom even if it doesn't come naturally, because we know we are happier when things are clean. We know they could be cleaner. We're good with clean.
It will take a while, but here you will find the deepest thoughts we have on The Reasonably Clean House. And some secrets that I really don't think you will find anywhere else on how to maintain a Reasonably Clean House with a passel of kids, because we all know that if we lived alone we too could be just like Martha, and it's all these people who are causing our problems.
For starters, have you ever read these books? You can check them out at the library. They are the ones that helped me the most, and I'll tell you why.
Confessions of an Organized Homemaker — She raised five kids and thinks things through. For whatever reason (maybe I'll tell you later) I just had no idea how to get started, and this book really helped me a lot. She's realistic and practical.
Her book on organizing the kitchen is just as good. She applies engineering principles to a sector that could well use them.
Sidetracked Home Executives- What helped me in this book was the idea of starting in the same place in a room and working your way around, every time. Thinking about cleaning rooms rather than the whole house worked wonders on this easily distracted mind. The authors are genuinely amusing, which is just such a blessing when you are contemplating how bad at something you are.
Is There Life After Housework? — Using the right tools and time management to reduce housework — yes, it can be done. Some of Aslett's books descend into product pushing, but his professional outlook can shake us housewives out of our inefficient ways. If it wasn't for him, I would have never spent the money on rubber mats for my mudroom, but 20 years later the same ones are doing the job cutting my housework time.
I haven't read every book on the market, especially in a while. When I do read a new one, I am confirmed in my thought that these authors who might seem somewhat out of date are nevertheless the best of the bunch. It's these that I always recommend anyone who asks start with.
I'm going to tell you my own way of doing things, and you'll recognize the influence of these writers on my methods! So, if like me, you'd rather read than clean, here's the perfect procrastination!
Much more to come,
XOXO
Betsy says
Some of my resolutions this year are as follows:get up earlier than the childrenplan my mealsI am happy to report that so far, I have done both. Today is the beginning of the second week. Meals are planned and I was up at 5:21 a.m. Snacks and lunches are made, breakfast is cooking, clothes are laid out. I am completely dressed, appropriately makeduped and ready for work.
Pippajo says
I have been both dreading and eagerly anticipating this from the moment I saw your first warning about it!I have always battled insomnia so it seems my #1 issue on any given day is getting up early/on time and getting a good start. How do you do that when you didn't fall asleep until 3:00 am and had to wake the children at 7:00? 15 years as a housewife and I still don't have the answer…BUT. I DO know what's for dinner (roast beef) and I DO have the laundry under control. For now.
The Kampers says
ooooo…I am excited for this series! I am working on having the laundry under control (70%) and meals, I have to plan a month out for those, so usually I am good! It's this beast of a house!
Betsy says
Oh my goodness I love this paragraph! (Now, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter we write for people like ourselves. People who would rather be reading than cleaning. People with lots of other people around. People who will stop whatever they are doing to hear a good story. People who like children and dogs, at least in theory.) — What a great description of my family and so many that I love. Can't wait to hear more about keeping house! Oh, and I have implimented your laundry plan and love it. Thanks. Betsy M
Freckled Hen says
Your puppy picture is priceless! I just don't feel like keeping my house tidy today. It's cold in here, the wood stove and a book seems more appropiate. Is this okay?PS I did do the dishes and we are having fish for dinner.
Heather says
Laundry is under control, but dinner is being left to my husband tonight. He can handle grilled cheese sandwiches on the homemade bread I had frozen. Momma has a fever and needs to go back to bed!
Decadent Housewife says
Yes. I will trade a mop for a book any day. Laundry is done. Supper's done. Time to read.
Kari says
Yay, yay, yay!(I must start reading the laundry and meal sidebars at HOME when I can actually do something about it!–I'm at work at the moment and by the time I get home….what's for dinner? What, we're in the middle of a project in the garage and our washer isn't even hooked up yet…)Such great ideas and tips–so hard to get started!Kari
Shawna says
Thank YOU!! Can't wait for more.
Unsinkable Kristen says
I read your warning about this series, and I actually stopped and reread it out loud to my husband, who said "Wow, have they been listening to our conversations??". We had just been talking about the best way to run our home as our family expands and the homeschooling marches on – so thanks for reading our minds 🙂
Dawn says
Yes–the paragraph Becky quoted! Loved it! And loved the Dog and the duster!
Margo says
heee hee – I would much rather read too! But I LOVE a clean house for the mental peace. . .I'm curious about your books listed – not ones I'm familiar with. My cleaning bibles are flylady's book Sink Reflections and Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelssohn.
Martine says
I can’t wait to see your next post. Like alot of people I would rather read than clean. Perfect timing as the house has fallen apart while I was sick. Thank goodness dinner is prepared and in the freezer for the next two weeks. Laundry (wince) needs some work. Thank you for taking the time to write this.
Mrs. B. says
Thank you for tackling the subject with your usual down-to-earth, but witty!, wisdom. And I'll never thank you enough for writing, a while ago, that some things just need to be made a habit, not a decision.I can't wait to learn more! (Especially about when homeschooling – and a new baby! – are added to the mix)Thank you!
Crafty P says
laundry- no problemmeals- another story. I just scrounged up the worksheets I printed out last year when you "inspired" me. now to actually execute the mission- that will be my work in progress.this is good. very good for me to practice b/c if I can do it here, in this townhouse of a home, I'll be able to keep our new home reasonbly clean, too. right? well, it all begins with practice.
gretchen says
I am in LOVE with your blog. It is full of all the things I adore. I am so envious of your quilting..I so wish I could do that but cannot even figure out how to work my sewing machine. Blessings,Gretchen
Leila says
Dear Gretchen,Most of my quilts have been made entirely by hand! Just start sewing, it'll be great.See you soon!XOXOL
Elaine says
do you know, Leila, that I was checking on your blog as a reward for doing my menu plan and shopping list for the next week, thanks quite a lot to your inspiration over the last year.I think I just scrape pass the 70% test. Look forward to hearing more!
Anonymous says
I love the opening paragraph to this series. Your advice has humor and honesty–2 things you don't find in many housekeeping manuals.Reading and learning, as always,Meredith
Keri says
I third what Becky said – love that paragraph! LOLAnd I'm timidly eager to read what you have to say. And now I have to go put some laundry in because there's a pile in the hall I keep walking around. Sigh. I have read two books already this week, though…
Su says
Hi. . I found your thru the link on The Nester's blog. So glad I did. I needed to hear this truth. It so zinged me that I did a post on it.Here it is:http://theintentionalhome.blogspot.com/2010/10/housekeeping-zinger.htmlI am looking forward to carving out some time to soak some of your posts in.Thanks for sharing boldly. . thanks for the time and energy you have given creating this resource. I feel like I have found a treasure.Warmly-Su
Aly says
Was feeling so overwhelmed and like I didn’t know where to start. We had our routine down but then a series of unfortunate events and the ever-shifting nap schedule of my youngest threw me off kilter. So glad I remembered to come here. Feeling reassured already.
Karen says
I am not sure what you mean by rubber mats. You wrote about them in your book and I just need more information on what you mean by a rubber mat. Thank you.
Leila says
Discussed at length here: http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2010/02/confine-and-corral-kids-and-dirt-part/
Hope that helps!!