While the cat's away...

...the mice scurry to prepare for the winter of despair.

And scurry I did:

• Chores left undone beget sparkling surfaces.
• Allergens became an indoor endangered species.
• The bedroom was transformed into single space living quarters.
• Memorabilia of a fonder time was posted at every corner.
• Family portraits (my anniversary present) arrived and were proudly displayed.
• Thank you notes purchased.
• Funeral arrangements explored.
• The telephone battery was worn dead each day. (Many thanks to all of those who listened, advised, prayed, cried, made me laugh and had the courage to change the subject.)
• A million tears fell.
• Emotions ran high.

I knew I needed to run the full gamut of emotions before Russell got home...then, I would have to be the strong one for everyone. Why? My role was going to change.

I would no longer be allowed to show my dread. You see, it is not fear. Those close to me know I have absolutely no fear, truly: NONE. I am so confident, at 20 I was declared DNR. (I inserted that link for a reason.)

I had to execute an intricate strategy to ensure the least amount of disruption for my family. For instance:

• Plan how to explain to my pregnant daughter our first grandchild may not be born with a grandfather.
• Plan how to encapsulate the epic battle with the South Carolina Department of Education (We will blog that later.) so as to prevent its intrusion into his more delicate times.
• Plan how to procure another profession of faith. I could not bear thinking my husband would not enter the Kingdom of God.
• Prepare all of the therapists and the school of the scheduling disaster area which was well on its way to becoming routine.
• Comfort some of our care givers who would be party to Russell's illness.
• Mentally prepare for the conversation of final wishes and wills.

How did I pull this off? I am not a miracle worker, but I have friends and family who are. I talked to those who are my dearest friends. I cried on the telephone with my mother and sisters. I prayed with everyone who would pray with me. I spoke to the pastors. I emailed my globe-spanning prayer chain. And I played a lot of video games.

Next time we will talk about the value of distractions...for everyone.

Ann Marie

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No time to clean house?

With more children than the old lady in the shoe, I can guarantee I don't have a ton of time to clean...and then again, the only thing domestic about me was I was born in this country. If cleaning is just not your bag or does not fit in your schedule, take these time-saving tips.

Busy moms do not have time to spend two or three hours a day cleaning. Pick up a few of these quick cleaning tips to make cleaning a breeze for busy families. Singles can learn these cleaning tricks before they pick up "dirty" habits!

Organize:

Have a cleaning station where all household cleaning items are kept. This can be under a sink (for those with older or no children), top shelf in the laundry (for the toddler stage) or in a carry-all in a closet (great teen-aged access).

If you have cleaning items you only use in one room, keep them organized together. Consider a carry-all or basket under the sink for bathroom-only cleaning supplies like toilet tabs and pads.

Schedule:

Clean bathrooms and bedrooms on Tuesdays & Fridays; Common areas Monday, Wednesday & Saturday; Laundry room & appliances on Sunday afternoon.

Make the carpet an everyday affair. Before you go to bed, all items need to be off the carpet. Share this duty. Children should pick up their own messes.

Cannot do it all? Break it into smaller parts. Stick to your schedule, and you don't get behind!

Make a chore chart. It helps keep track of progress and aids in delegating tasks to other family members.

Down Time:

While a machine does a task, do something else. Do you have five minutes? Clean the tub. Waiting for the dryer? Dust the living room. Dishes drying? Collect the garbage from around the house.

Everyday:

Simple tasks like making the bed go a long way to keeping your house clean. Clean as you go when you are cooking. If you take out a project, put it away as soon as you are finished. Adopt the rule that you are not finished until the mess is clean.

Mail:

It comes six days a week. Read it over the garbage can or paper shredder. Do it now. When you put mail down, it should be in the trash can/shredder, in a return envelope, filed for tax time or in your scheduler to be paid on the appropriate day. If you bank online, you reduce the amount of mail you get and have to throw away.

Dishes:

Empty the dishwasher in the morning. Fill it during the day. Run it when you go to bed. No shortage of hot water, it helps heat the house (if you use the heated dry cycle) and is ready in the morning with clean dishes. Good for the psyche: Wake up to no mess.

Laundry:

When you take it off, put it away. Hang up your coat when you come in the house. In stocking feet? Put shoes away. Time for bath? Put dirty clothes in the laundry basket. If it is clean, put it in the closet or dresser.

There is more, so read on....

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