Saturday, May 2, 2009

A Flexible Schedule

I have found both in my single life as a daughter at home and my married life, that having a schedule is very important, but being able to be FLEXIBLE with my schedule is even more important. If I don't have a schedule I tend to run around doing things all day without really getting anything done. Sometimes I feel like I'm running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, for lack of a better metaphor. :-) I know also from my life before I was married that at times there is just so much to do that without a schedule it is overwhelming and you don't know where to start. Now that I'm married and there is just the two of us at home, and our home isn't very big, I don't have nearly as much to do. That will come though as we ( Lord willing ) start a family. I need to make sure I get in the habit of being on an orderly schedule now so that it's not so hard when I have little ones running around.

However, having a schedule can be more of a curse than a blessing if it is not flexible. Some days the schedule works out perfectly, but sometimes, "life happens" as they say. Things come up, your husband needs you to help him with something or go somewhere for him, or sometimes it's as simple as your husband ( or father ) would rather have something different for dinner than what you were planning to make.

Sometimes I'll have my whole day planned out the night before and in the morning Josh will say, "Would you mind coming to work with me today? I could really use your help." POOF there goes my plan. I say, "Sure I'll come with you!" but meanwhile my mind is racing as I try to figure out what I can make for dinner since I won't be home until dinner time or later, and I'm thinking of the cleaning I wanted to do that day and now won't be able to do. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE going to work with Josh. It means I get to spend the whole day with him, and what could be better than that! And Josh understands that when I go with him the house isn't going to be cleaned up when we get home and dinner might be late. I have to learn not to panic about it. It's really pretty simple. Josh needs ( or maybe just wants :-)) me to go to work with him, so the cleaning will have to happen tomorrow, and I can either put something in the crock pot for dinner or think of something fast to make when we get home (which is why it's also good to have things on hand for making fast easy meals, something I need to get better at!). Schedules are important to keep your day from being crazy, but if you are too strict with it and area unwilling to bend it a little (or change it completely) it will add more stress than it will take away.

I am curious to see if anybody reading this has any thoughts on the subject and if you agree or disagree with my opinion. This has just been on my mind for the last few days as I was thinking about keeping the house clean and inviting, and Josh has had me come to work with him for two days in a row now. :-) It's been really nice to spend so much time with him!

7 comments:

Marci said...

I personally think it is VERY selfish of him to hog you all to himself. Not only do you have your own home to take care of, but his Mom likes visits too!!!

Just kidding. Good words again.

Brittany said...

Thanks :-) I like visiting with you too! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Brittany,

This really looks like a great blog. I am looking forward to reading more of it and my girlie is too. I am glad she can have other young women to look up to and get good advice from. Thank you. My girlie says she really enjoys spending time with you.

Your mother-in-law's neighbor (smile)

Sharri said...

Very wise thoughts!
A nice reminder for me. I tend to want to be a slave to my schedule!

I am enjoying your blog!

p.s. thanks for being kind to my son! :)

Brittany said...

Sharri,
Thank you for the advice and encouragement! I enjoyed spending some time with Brad. He is very sweet! He reminds me of my little brother too. :-)

Nancy said...

Your thoughts are very wise and encouraging. Thankyou. I'm glad you started a blog!

The Dearborns said...

Hi Britt! Wow, you are doing great about keeping up your blog (something not all of us are good about ;)). I do have some thoughts to share on this. As far as going to work with Josh and not getting cleaning done, I can relate to this very well! Not going to work with Aaron, but getting busy in the day with last minute plans with friends, etc. I have tried to make it a habit to have the house clean before we go to bed at night. That way, if anything comes up, the house isn't waiting for cleaning the next day. It's nice to wake up in the morning to NO mess as well! Usually it takes about fifteen minutes for me to load up and start the dishwasher, sweep the floor, and do general straightening up. I also try to keep on top of things. Vacuum everyday (I have cats though, lol), do laundry everyday, etc. Removing that "overwhelmed" feeling goes a long way for me toward keeping up with things. Also, don't put off! Do it now, or it won't get done. These are just some things that have helped me as I have tried to mantain a nice home.