Week at a Glance

In my years of attempting to be "Super-Homemaker," a combination of Martha Stewart and Betty Crocker, I have figured something out about myself: I am a planner, but not much of a do-er. I can create the most detailed weekly schedule for myself, and never get everything accomplished. I have tried so many different types of planners and organizers that I should have bought stock in Franklin Covey! I have tried programs such as Flylady, and have downloaded so many printables from Pinterest, but spent way more time creating and beautifying my binder than I did using it.

Previous weekly schedules have broken down my chores per day, including a small list to accomplish before going to bed. Everything fit together perfectly to make a master plan for a perpetually beautiful home and amazing meals on the table every evening. However, I failed again. If I didn't get my list done for one day, my perfectionism told me that the week was a bust. It was too much to try to catch up the next day, and there are always unexpected things to throw a wrench in the mix. The guilt grew each day because I wasn't getting enough done for my home and family. Of course I was getting SOME things done, but not enough, and not on the right days (I feel like I am channeling Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory here). As I write this, I can see how crazy I sound and that it shouldn't be this complicated. And it shouldn't.

After a few months of being home with Little Man, I have decided to simplify my weekly schedule. Knowing that I won't look at 3 different lists, no matter how cute they are, I created a one page list for my weekly housework and meal planning. This Week at a Glance has several elements, but most importantly everything is in ONE PLACE. The plan is to laminate the page and keep it on the fridge. Then as I accomplish things during the day I can cross them off with a dry-erase marker. My goal is to have everything done by the end of the week- however and whenever I can get it done. I have daily goals, but instead of breaking weekly chores down by each day, I will just have a list to work on as I can through the work week. Hopefully a little flexibility and freedom will get me out of my head more and actually doing things that benefit my family and my home.

I have attached my prototype, in case you want to try this along with me. I can change chores, fonts, and colors, so let me know if I can customize something for you! We'll see how this goes! Happy cleaning!

Click HERE to Download

A New Beginning

I am excited to join the blogging world again! So many life changes have happened since my last blog, and I can't wait to share our new adventure. The biggest change is that we have now realized our dream of me staying at home with our family! I am taking some time off from teaching (which I do love and miss) to be home with our little man. It has only been about six weeks, but the time has already been amazing and invaluable. He has a sibling on the way in February, so timing could not have been better!

We bought a house about a year and a half ago, and have been busy renovating and beginning the lifestyle we have always wanted! My hopes for this blog are to share our journey into homesteading and living the simple life. We have a little over an acre on a beautiful hill (thus the blog title), and we are getting things going!! Our first attempt at a garden was very successful this year, chickens will be arriving in the Spring, and we are working on making more food from scratch! I would love to share any great recipes I find!

I am hoping to sew and craft much more than I have been able to in the past, and maybe even be able to sell some for a little extra income. I have so many projects I want to share... time to get started! Join me!