How do you do it "all"?

mpillow · #1 08/19/10, 02:20 PM

My garden is great this year....my goats are very productive too(6 in milk and 10 "others")...my children will be starting high school soon and one is in golf the other starting her orthodontic appts...my 9yo is in need of a lot of supervision(behavioral issues)...my son is practicing for his license and we've been down to one vehicle for 2 weeks....and I hate leaving home!

Take husband to work, milk goats, take boy to golf, clean house, pick garden, pick up boy, get husband, make dinner,milk again, can/freeze....fit in lunch and a shower somewhere there....my neighbor visits during night time milking and my other friend is needing me to watch her youngest a lot due to daughter being hospitalized...my son turned 16 yesterday and last Sunday was a 50th wedding anniversary in the family to attend....I want to scream and then go to bed for a week...

And I'm not happy about having to buy a newer used truck(major rust not the engine), my daughters teeth cost about as much as a good used truck 5 yrs old F250-350....so we bought a beater(Dodge 4cyl car) for the boy from my brother yesterday until we can find a decent truck deal and son gets his license...

Juggle juggle juggle....

Ernie · #2 08/19/10, 02:36 PM

My secret? (And it's no secret to the few who have visited Casa de Ernesto)

Just don't sweat the small stuff. When time is your most limited resource, spend it on only those most important things. Let weeds grow in your garden, let the lawn go unmowed, and let those fallen tree branches lay in the yard until you can get around to them.

Pam6 · #3 08/19/10, 02:41 PM

What about selling some of the 'other' goats for starters. Maybe you can ask your friend if they want to pick your garden and then split the can goods 50/50 if she will can them and you can give her jars for yours. Is there anyone in your church/family that will let you borrow a car for your husband to get back and forth to work in for a couple of weeks? I know it is a trying time for your friend with a daughter in the hospital but maybe you can ask her to have the grandparents help with her youngest child or point her in the direction of a good babysitter.
When I start getting frustrated I just start telling people "No".

mpillow · #4 08/19/10, 03:39 PM

Well trust me the laundry is folded but isn't put away! My kids do help a lot...my husband is gone 12 hrs a day...I try not to nag him much when he gets home...he walks about 7miles a day between warehouses and deliveries not to mention the lifting...120 degree warehouse when product comes in is about like bailing hay all day.

My friend's kid is special needs and his one grammy lives a long distance away and she works...paying a sitter is not an option...my almost 15yo daughter watches him but needs me for back-up...

I did sell 2 calves, 2 goats and a broody bantam this past weekend...but now I'm overflowing with milk despite selling 3-4 gallons a week! My animals are the "good" part of my work, but I could stand a few less!

The beater car will be here Sat. afternoon I hope and will help dramatically...daddy will be able to pick up boy at golf ...so 2 birds one stone!

I picked about 5 gallons of beans, 7 tomatoes, 10 cukes, 5 summer squash, a gallon of broc shoots and a dzn corn this afternoon....my kitchen table is under there somewhere!

Farmerwilly2 · #5 08/19/10, 03:53 PM

Gotta go with Ernie--don't sweat the small stuff, the sun is due to come back up tomorrow. Gotta also throw out a plug for my Mrs.---don't waste time a worryin till there is something there to worry about. I find every day a blessing and get something done every day rather than get everything done every day. 100 years from now nobody's gonna know or give a flyin flute whistle if I got all my chores done on a regular basis.

pancho · #6 08/19/10, 04:05 PM

Do what you are able to do and let the rest wait.
Another thing that really helps. Say no. Lots of things people think they have to do, they don't. When you don't have time to do something say no.

unregistered29228 · #7 08/19/10, 04:51 PM

It's crazy at my house too, with all the laundry, dishes and cooking for 6 people, three kids going to a school 40 minutes from home, three different sports for the kids, the garden and animals, canning and dehydrating, etc. It never all gets done and sometimes it does bother me. But I try to just have a little something to show for the day, like getting my desk cleaned off or the bathroom scrubbed and a nutritious meal on the table. I have dust bunnies and pet hair and splashes of stuff dried on the kitchen floor, but I'm only one person and can't let trying for perfection drive me nuts.

When I have someone new come over I laugh and say "I'd make some excuse for how the house looks, but it always looks this way. People who love me just pretend not to notice it."

Callieslamb · #8 08/19/10, 06:08 PM

I feel your pain. Keep it in perspective. What's the most important? Do those things first. We have had 16 extra people for a week. We have been very, very busy. Meanwhile, my tomatoes are rotting in the garden waiting for me to get to them. Today we made jam and canned applesauce so the grandkids could experience picking apples It isn't what I PLANNED on doing with the kids....but we are doing something!

FrontPorch · #9 08/19/10, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie

When time is your most limited resource, spend it on only those most important things. Let weeds grow in your garden, let the lawn go unmowed, and let those fallen tree branches lay in the yard until you can get around to them.

Yikes, Ernie have you been looking around my yard.

I'm dealing with one in drivers ed right now and my life is just about as crazy. I do what absolutely has to be done and try not to even think about the rest. If all else fails, I break out the wine. LOL

Cindy in NY · #10 08/19/10, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callieslamb

Do those things first. We have had 16 extra people for a week.

Drop the tomatoes in freezer bags and toss them in the freezer! You can process them when you have more time.

Forerunner · #11 08/19/10, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ernie

My secret? (And it's no secret to the few who have visited Casa de Ernesto)

Just don't sweat the small stuff. When time is your most limited resource, spend it on only those most important things. Let weeds grow in your garden, let the lawn go unmowed, and let those fallen tree branches lay in the yard until you can get around to them.

I will emphatically bear second witness.
Ernie diligently practices what he preaches.

Ernie · #12 08/19/10, 07:10 PM

Heh. But you know what? When I was out walking in my yard the other day I noticed that those weeds have all sprouted the prettiest assortment of flowers. It was a feast for the eyes, all the more so because it was an unexpected gift. And seeing the multitude of butterflies dancing in the sunbeams beneath the maples as they moved over the surface of beautiful wildflowers was a sight to behold.

None of my neighbors have a beautiful lawn like that.

JuliaAnn · #13 08/19/10, 07:33 PM

Consider the lillies of the field, how they grow. They toil not, neither do they spin. But... Solomon in all his glory was never arrayed like one of these....

Do what you can. If the yard goes unmowed, you may well get flowers and butterflies.

But nothing lasts forever, even being *too* busy. Just do what you can and don't worry about accomplishing every little thing.

mpillow · #14 08/19/10, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the moral support! You guys are great! Just got off the phone w/ a friend in NH---it was nice to sit and chat---I did get those summer squash sliced and dehydrating while chatting!

My husband is now taking cukes to work...did you notice I took some? When he came home...um no I'm so overwhelmed ....take 10 tomorrow!

I am having a dilemma though...can more beans or save jars for tomatoes....the beans are staying on the table for the night!

The truth is my home is probably more "hill billy" than Martha Stewart...and to me that is great... I'm friends with a few Martha types and they all come to visit me and eat my cooking regularly! And trust me, are you hungry? and sit a spell....are first priorities for me!

My yellow lab can shed more in 5 minutes than most dogs do in a year and he drools and has 2 kitties to kiss....my dad calls me to save Jack hair for his garden repellent!

This too shall pass!

Win07_351 · #15 08/19/10, 08:36 PM

(Vehicle rust/rot) I've found that spraying some penetrating oil or kerosene occassionally on the back side of body panels that rot can help prevent rust/rot (or at least slow it down).

mpillow · #16 08/20/10, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Win07_351

(Vehicle rust/rot) I've found that spraying some penetrating oil or kerosene occassionally on the back side of body panels that rot can help prevent rust/rot (or at least slow it down).

My husband won't be allowed to shirk his maintenance on next truck...my brother has offered use of his garage and used motor oil

Some lessons come hard and cost a bundle!

texican · #17 08/20/10, 03:15 PM

Rarely does everything get done. Most days, things that have to be done, get done.... occasionally, a few 'bleeders' occur simultaneously, and supper is late (after 10PM or later).

nehimama · #18 08/20/10, 04:29 PM

I sure do know the "Late Supper" ordeal. I call it "Fine Dining at Nine". On many more days than not, not everything gets done - not even close. However, the important stuff gets done, and there have been no tragedies. Knock on wood, and break out the wine!

Spinner · #19 08/20/10, 05:16 PM

Years ago I read a book that taught me the best way to get things done. One chapter was about "the $25,000 list."

It's really simple. Every evening, make a list of everything you need to get accomplished. Put EVERYTHING you can think of on the list. Be sure to put "down time" on the list (a bubble bath, fishing or hunting, etc.) Don't be surprised if the list is several pages long. My original list was 11 pages long!

When the list is complete (or as complete as possible), read thru it and number everything from most important to least important.

Set the list aside until morning. In the morning, get your list and start working on #1. Stay on task until completed. Once you've finished #1, then go on to #2, then #3, and so on. As you work your way down the list, it feels real good to see things crossed off. It gives a nice warm feeling of accomplishment.

You won't complete everything, don't even try, it will only stress you out. Don't worry about the things that you didn't get to. Be happy that you got the most important things done.

At the end of the day, write up your list again. Add any new things that need to be done the next day. Number the list, same as you did the with the first list. Next morning, start with #1 again and go as far down the list as you can. EVERY night make a new list and number it in order of importance. Every morning get that list and get started.

After using this method for a few weeks, my list ended up being about 1/2 a page! It's amazing how quickly things get done when you have an organized plan.

If you have a letter to mail, put it on the list. List laundry, mopping floors, washing windows, going to the store, cooking dinner, making beds, milking goats, feeding chickens, gathering eggs, cleaning bathrooms, ironing, watching your favorite movie, put everything you do on the list. If you leave something off the list, it won't get done.

I use a spiral notebook for my list. I put the date at the top of the page, then make the next days list in the same notebook, keeping all the old lists. They are almost like keeping a journal. If you need to see when a bill was mailed, just look back thru your notebook and find what date it was mailed. If you need to remember when a doctors appt was, it's in the book.

A calendar works well with a list. If you have appts made a month or more in advance, write it on the calender, then check the calender every evening when you are making your list so you'll be sure to add the next days appt to your list.

JuliaAnn · #20 08/20/10, 09:20 PM

Quote ""washing windows""

WHAT?? Is this supposed to be done regularly?? I hope not, because the number of green anoles, geckoes, walking sticks and assorted tree frogs that stick to my windows all the way around the house and their bug-catching and squshing activities along with their defecating and leaving sticky little spots of unknown matter on the glass would render that a DAILY chore, and I ain't got time for that!!! I'm lucky to get the windows cleaned twice a year. Sometimes I hose them off, but that's about it...