Taking the next step

I don't know about you...but I LOVE Pinterest! The problem is all I do is pin...pin, then I pin, then I pin again. I see something and think, 'if I could just do that, I would be a wonderful housewife.' I often forget this is a place for ideas to implement in my life, not just think about. 

I have started to challenge myself to implement the things I dream about on Pinterest. To start trying new ideas, new things and not just dream about what to do. It seems I am not the only person who has become obsessed about Pinterest with a lack of action. When I looked around, it appeared that I was not the only person with this problem. There are websites in honor of 'Pinterest Challanges'. Even ways to share in this challenge. 

The Pinterest Challenge:
Over a year ago, this group started hosting challenges to inspire people to action. Just blog about what you did, tell them about it and, if people vote for you, you can even win prizes.

Personal challenges:
I googled 'Pinterest Challenge' and found several people who are dedicated to following through on acting on their pins. From blog posts to committing to do something from Pinterest for every day of the year. 

So I have decided to join them in this challenge! I have already implemented several things on Pinterest and am trying to look back on what I pinned in the past and impliment those items too. 

Here are a few of my favorites:
A new way to clean the shower: http://pinterest.com/pin/146789269075340514/
DIY Clothing Wrinkle Remover: http://pinterest.com/pin/146789269075038440/
Watermelon Salad: http://pinterest.com/pin/146789269075496620/

What are some of the things you have tried?

The Power of Baking Soda

I marvel at all the wonderful uses of baking soda. It is not just for baking cookies or cake! There are so many ways to use baking soda…cooking, medical uses, personal hygiene, as a cleaning agent, etc. It can even be use to extinguish small grease or electrical fires. This stuff is magic!

Until the two years ago, my knowledge of the use of baking soda was only with baking.  Since I have become a housewife, I have used it to clean, to make a medical paste to pull out splinters, and remove grease stains in clothing!

Recently, I found out a new use for it…to take the stink away. At the end of a fun  summer day, my two boys feet smelled something fierce!  Knowing that their constant time in sandals was the cause, I did a little google search and discovered the key to taking away the sandal smell lay in baking soda! Sprinkle some on overnight and just brush it off in the morning. There should be less smell on the sandals. If one round does not work, repeat each night until successful.

If you are eager to know additional ways to use this wonderful tool… check out this list of 75 wonderful uses of baking soda! Thanks to the internet, I am continuing to expand my knowledge too!

Starting up again!

Sometimes you just need a break. I know I did, so I took one. So much was going on in our lives (moving homes again, learning to be a mom to two kids, continuing to build community, husbands busy work schedule, etc.) that sometimes you just need a break to figure out what you want to do. I want to write about all that I am and have been learning as I continue to learn about being a housewife, but have not had the time or energy to put it down. My thoughts were still with this blog because I kept stopping once in a while to document ideas I wanted to write about but none made it past a one line note. I am starting to see some of the light in the clouds. Starting to get some breathing time to think about what I want to say about my life, do with my life, etc.

Here are a few things I have learned:

1. I want to do my job well but what that looks like is different then I thought… As a Mom, a homemaker, your job is not just a list of to-dos you cross off at the end of the day. So often you start a task and don’t finish it until another time. So often you have to choose - play with your kids or get the dishes done. I decided to redefine what my job looks like and work to do it well based on my new definition. The cool thing is that the definition of housewife is now so very personal. I would love to hear what you think your ‘job’ of being a homemaker looks like to you!
2. When you get a moment for rest and take them with both hands…no apologies! Since I am not making money, I keep trying to rationalize my worth by not taking breaks. It ends up not being helpful because no one can keep up at that pace. I need to remember to stop, breath, take a moment and do something just for me. But most of all, to try not to feel bad about it. I say try because lets be honest, I am not always going to succeed but I should always try. I continue am learning to be ok with taking breaks and taking care of myself too.
3. Be willing to try new things. When mastering the art of caring for others be willing to try new things. Be ok with trying out new way of doing things until you figure out what works best for your family. Experiment with new motivation tools and be ok when that new thing does not work. Then, start again and try something new.
4. Be prepared for change and accepting you cannot control life. I am a structure-based person and sometimes that means I struggle with change. I like to know when things will happen and figure out ways to prepare. The truth is, you cannot prepare for all change, you cannot control everything, and you need to learn to be flexable. My family needs, wants, and motivators are changing every day. I have been learning figure out what I need to cope with this constant change.

There is allot more I have been learning but this is a start. I hope to find more time to write but make no promises because time management is something that takes time to master, and I am only a novice.