My 5 Biggest Time Savers...

The following are all mentioned in terms of parenting, because that's where I use them most, but they could all be applied to 'non-parent' lives as well...

Now that school is in session and we're all getting into routines again, I thought I would share five places in our everyday life where I save myself a few minutes...

Fold Laundry While Watching TV | I can't tell you the last time I sat down and watched TV without folding laundry {or editing, but since most of you aren't photographers, that wouldn't apply!} I pretty much do a load of laundry each night.  It works great for us, because I pretty much only stay up long enough to fold one load of laundry after the kids go to bed, before I go to bed.  :)

Clean The Bathroom While The Kids Are Taking Baths | We bathe our kids every other night, so one {or two} nights a week I use this time to clean the bathroom.  I usually have just enough time to clean the mirror, dust, and scrub the counter, toilet, & floors before one of them is ready to get out. On the rare occasion they're playing really nice together and behaving {not wrestling in the tub, taking toys from each other, or dumping cups of water onto the floor--true story!} I'll also use the time to tidy our room {which is connected to the bathroom}.  Also, now that they're a little older I use the other bath night {or two} to put clothes away or unpack bags from the weekend. {again, within eyesight of the bathtub}.  And I'm always listening for it to get quiet--quiet is rarely good in our house! :)

Book Appointments In The Car | Utilize car time!  I use Bluetooth {speaker} in the car to book appointments and reorder prescriptions while stuck in traffic {or at stoplights}.  With a family of four {plus a dog on several medications} we're constantly at appointments {eye, medical, dental, vet, specialists, etc.} and filling prescriptions.  Bonus for me, Adam drives 99% of the time when we're together, so I use that time to respond to emails and make phone calls.

Listen To Books While Working Out | I talked about this one here, but it had to make this list.  I would probably read 5 books a year if it weren't for listening to books on my kindle.  I listen to books while running {bonus::makes the time go by 462864286 times faster!} and also while I'm driving to and from work and photosessions {the kids aren't in the car}.  Also listen to books while editing client photos, but again that won't apply to most of you.  Because of this, I've read over 80 since January.  Best.invention.ever!

Prep The Kids Clothes For The Week | This one is so easy and is such a time saver for us!  Sunday night, when I would normally lay Monday's clothes out for the kids, I grab clothes for the whole week. Takes me like 5 minutes longer, but saves me at least 20 minutes a week.  I happen to have an old locker room wire basket that fits the weeks clothes just perfectly.  I was forgetting to lay clothes out some days and letting the kids {Jordyn} pick out their outfits each morning is a battle I don't have the energy to fight takes forever.  Doing this all on Sunday saves me {Adam} about 5 minutes each morning {& 5 extra minutes in the morning is a big deal!}.  *One suggestion is to have the weather forecast ready {especially this time of the year} or to have a bonus {warmer/cooler} outfit in the basket for the days the weather changes.


>>What advice do you guys have for making the weeks go by smoother?

A Weekend with Family...

After waking up to the horrific news Friday morning, I was never so thankful for a weekend full of family and friends.  

Adam used his last vacation day Friday, so we finished a few holiday errands, packed the car, and headed to the lakehouse for the weekend. 

Friday we wrapped most of the Christmas gifts and took a family nap.  That night we brought pizzas over to Adam's parents and spent much of the evening with them.

Saturday morning we headed out bright and early to watch one of my nieces play in a basketball tournament in Traer.  Then we headed to Lonski's Deli in Grinnell for lunch before coming home for another family afternoon nap.  That night we fed Jordyn and took her to Grandma Joy's house for the evening while we attended our friend's annual Christmas [Festivus] Party.  No photos, but it was a great night!

 

 Sunday morning we watched four of our six nieces and nephews in their Church program.  One had a solo and the other had a large speaking part and danced in front of the church [which is SO not him! :]

Not pictured, my oldest niece

Then we came home and did the great purge of 2012!  I cleaned out a bunch of closets.  It felt so great!  Next up...transforming our guest room into a play room [& getting my living room back!] :)

This was one of the 4 closets I cleaned out!  Goodbye pre-baby clothes!!

::cough cough::

I come home sick from work today with a monster headache, cough, and worst of all a sore throat.

My intentions...come home, take a nap, go to kickboxing.

What really went down...come home, call & whine to my mama, take meds, and ...

CLEAN!  With most people cold meds make the sleepy, but not me!  I forgot [because I haven't taken cold medicine in so long] that they make me wired!  So...I spent the next 4 hours vacuuming, doing 4 loads of laundry, taking Murdock's kennel down, shoveling the deck, unloading the dishwasher, scrubbing the bathtub, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, and getting things ready for New Year's Eve.

I'm exhausted... last week I worked 40 hours in 3 1/2 days and planned to do the same thing this week.  I'm guessing that's part of the reason I'm sick now.  So...hopefully tomorrow brings me some relief.  I'm thrilled to get off at noon tomorrow and be done until the New Year! :)

I hope this sickness isn't hitting your home!  

Yet another reason..

why my hubby rocks my socks off..

it's Friday night...9:30pm..we're young & kid-free..

most of our friends are out..

..partying..

..bar hopping..

..cooking out..

having a grand time celebrating the end of another crazy workweek

not Adam..

knowing that I was overwhelmed with the condition of our home he helped me tackle it.  together we did dishes.dusted.mopped.washed windows.scrubbed counters & showers.attacked the dirty clothes.washed rugs & bedding.dusted vents & ceiling fans.vacuumed.& picked up

challenge me to a 'cleaner house' competition...i dare ya! :)

oh...did i mention that he did it all without complaining!!

sometimes my hubby just rocks!

Getting to know you [ME]

Time for a little funday..Getting to know YOU action..

To play..Grab the questions..copy them..answer them..then come link up with Keely..

It's as easy as easy gets..

1. How often do you wash/change your sheets?

Usually once a week.  I kind of have a thing about washing sheets & rugs...weird I know!

2. When is your birthday?

August 15th.

3. Have you ever met a bloggy friend in real life?

No.  I have only had my blog about 2 months...hopefully someday! :)

4. Brad Pitt or George Clooney?

Neither...is that bad?  I'm not hung up on many actors...well except Channing Tatum & Gerard Butler!

5. If you could change one thing about your body what would it be?

Tummy!  I want a flat tummy!  Close second would be a nice boob job but since I haven't had my kids yet, tummy for sure!

6. How often do you wash your hair?

Every other day.  I'm even worse than that if I don't have to leave the house. Scary...I know! 

7. Do you have pets?

Yes.  I'm sure you have all seen Murdock!  At this point he is our 'child'! He is part Great Dane & part Weimaraner...21 months old.

8. How many social networks do you belong to..if you had to give up one, what would it be?

Two.  Facebook & Blogger.  I could ditch Facebook anytime!  

Your turn now..