Cleaning Systems...Daily Routines

 I've been exploring cleaning systems on YouTube primarily and in the book "Sink Reflections" by the flyLady, Marla Cilley.  I am realizing as I explore this topic, I already have a pretty decent system in place.  Maybe I should start a channel telling about MY system.   There ARE ways however, for me to IMPROVE on my system and constant tweeks are good!  

Here's my system....which I started developing pretty good in the Fall of 2020.  

I already had some daily routines which I have been tweeking and they are very helpful.

My morning routine on work days includes Quiet time in the Bible with my coffee, a 20 minute exercise routine, getting dressed and getting out the door to work.  Rob makes me a breakfast I can eat in the car and at work in my desk and he also does a good bit of bed making.    

My after work routine includes some type of activity such as walking, yard work, gardening.  Emptying the dishwasher/reloading and tidying the kitchen, a load of laundry, practicing the piano.  Then it's time for Supper.  I have developed a system of cooking a meal on Tuesday which we can eat for two days and another meal on Thursday which we can eat for two days.  This is working really well.  (Monday evening Rob goes to a men's Bible study and he eats there, so I can grab whatever at home)

Before bed routine includes loading the dishwasher, a quick kitchen tidy/sweep in main areas, getting my vitamins ready for the next day, making sure the coffee pot has water, getting my clothes ready for the next day and a few minutes in my office trying to stay on top of financial matters, etc.  Then it's shower/bath time and into bed.

If I keep these routines up, life flows pretty well.  And these routines are a little different depending on whether or not the next day is work day.  

In my next post, I will address my bathrooms and kitchen zone cleaning.  

Mid Life Crisis...

 It seems I find myself having a Mid Life Crisis of sorts, AFTER my mid life has passed!  For 30 years, I lived as a single woman, always hoping and praying that there would be someone for me even as I neared the half century mark.  I kept my life very busy with work, family, friends, pro-life activities and political friends and activities.  I had spent years cultivating a life that held meaning and purpose for me, always with an eye towards the future in hope that even yet, there would be someone for me.  

Then, almost overnight, I began a relationship with Rob and we were married five months later.  My life changed completely in very short order.

I got married.

I moved.

Covid happend the next year.

I changed jobs due to Covid.  I went from working in Overland Park, to driving in the total opposite direction to work in Lawrence. 

All this time we have been in a constant state of flux remodeling the house and cleaning up the property.

I quit being involved politically like I was.

I no longer have my music business due to Covid.

I quit attending Nall Ave Baptist Church where I loved playing piano due to Covid.

I thought I was only going to have work like this for one year, then I could ease up on working and focus on my music business and being a wife.  Didn't happen.

I went through Menopause.

I had a new family, who I love, to be around.  (One of the positives)

And I wonder why I feel so lost?  I'm still trying to find my footing!  

Our world has changed so drastically in four years.  Not only did my personal world change completely, but the entire world has changed.  And alot of the change will never go back to the way it was.  

The Apostle Paul felt the pangs of this life when he wrote "...we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.  yes, we have the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us..."

Having a marriage finally means that I have accomplished one of the deepest longings of my heart.  Now, to build the marriage and deepen it is the priority.  

But, what do I strive TOWARDS now?  My time on this earth shrinks each day!  This reality has become clearer to me and distresses me.  There are so many things I still want to do!  And I'm stuck in a job that has no end.  It's just a J-O-B.  Can I trust God with all of my desires yet unfulfilled?  Can I trust him when the marriage is not a fairy tale?  (No marriage is, by the way).  Can I trust him with my list of dreams?  Longings?  

I believe I CAN!  The same God who delivered Paul, WILL deliver me.  He will deliver me from myself.  My selfishness, my shortsidedness.  He will aid me and bring me into His glorious kindom someday.