Ladies, we thrive when there is order.

We don’t have to be slaves to it, though. And in those years of many children, busy schedules, we need to embrace the fact that orderliness may not be “the order” of the day! That’s OK.

I think we can admit, though, that when we are able to maintain some structure in the running of our homes, everything functions more smoothly.

So…while we are to give of ourselves to the task (or child) at hand, maybe there are some things we can tweak to help us gain more orderliness in-between times. And with a little more order in our lives on the outside, we can experience it more on the inside.

The following is an excerpt from Emilie Barnes’  More Hours in My Day

Do you look around your home, room, or office and want to throw up your hands in disgust and say, “It’s no use. I’ll never get it together!”

We can help! With a few simple tools you can be organized. When I (Sheri) met Emilie, I was hopelessly disorganized. She gave me many tools to use that made my life easier. These concepts can make the difference between a stressless, organized, functioning home and one that is in chaos.

I call them “Commandments for Organization.”

1. Break the big jobs down into manageable tasks. This may be a very difficult thing to do in the beginning for those of you who are “practicing perfectionists.”

This was a tough area for me (Sheri) because I always wanted to do the job perfectly and all at once, but since this isn’t a perfect world, I wasn’t able to do it perfectly. So instead of getting a small task completed, I wouldn’t do anything.

My home was a disaster. This was the rule that changed how I functioned at home, allowing me to go from “total mess to total rest.”

2. Do the worst job first. Once you complete what you consider the most difficult job on your to-do list, everything else will seem much more doable.

Get the worst out of the way, and you’ll be more relaxed as you take on the less overwhelming tasks.

3. Don’t put it down, put it away. This seems too simple, but you will amaze yourself at the time you save by following this rule.

If you tried to figure out how much time you waste picking up and moving the same objects from place to place and room to room, you would understand the magnitude of this simple tenet of organization.

And this is such a great thing to teach your children. Start when they’re young and be diligent and consistent. They will catch on quickly, and your workload will decrease.

4. Invest in a timer. This will be one of the best purchases you ever make. Again this may seem simple, but in the long run you will have more time if you use a timer to keep you on task.

I like to consider myself “spontaneous” when in reality I am just very easily distracted. I start out on a project but very quickly become distracted by something else–a phone call, finding something out of place and stopping to return it, etc., and soon I will completely forget what I was doing in the first place.

A timer keeps me on track. Timers will also help us get more jobs completed because many times we won’t start a project because we assume it will take more time than it actually does.

Working against the timer keeps us on task and motivates us to work quickly. Try it and see what a difference it makes for your home organization.

As you get small tasks completed, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment, which will encourage you to tackle another project.

This is a great way to make a game out of picking up toys, books, games, or tidying rooms with your children. Set the timer and the first child to complete his or her chore gets a small prize.

Get creative and let the children learn the benefits of a clean and organized room. The old saying “everything has a place and everything is in its place” is a very helpful mind exercise and quickly became one of Emilie’s principles of organization.

Many times the reason we don’t put something away is because it really doesn’t have a “home.” A main reason we end up with too much clutter is because we purchase items but have nowhere to store them.

So let’s get organized!

(You may also like this related post My Rule of Life…)

“Be sweet to him. He’ll always be glad for a little of that. There’s such strength found in sweetness. And something not commonly found in our harsh world today. Be that refreshing, soul-stirring voice in his ear.” – Lisa Jacobson, 100 Ways to Love Your Husband https://amzn.to/2JZwLsY (afflink)

A Housekeeping Schedule you can use, not to stress you out, but to tweak to suit your own needs…

One of our all-time favorite sermons…. “Holy Families Don’t Just Happen”

Blessed Mother “Queen Bee” Apron! Feminine and Beautiful! Fully lined, quality material, made with care! Available here.

A must-read for the married and those considering marriage! This guidebook to finding a happy marriage, keeping a happy marriage, and raising happy children has been out of print for over 50 years…until now! From the master of the spiritual life, Raoul Plus, S.J., it contains loads of practical and spiritual advice on family life. Have you been looking for a handbook on marriage and raising children that is based on truth? You’ve found it!

The saints assure us that simplicity is the virtue most likely to draw us closer to God and make us more like Him.

No wonder Jesus praised the little children and the pure of heart! In them, He recognized the goodness that arises from an untroubled simplicity of life, a simplicity which in the saints is completely focused on its true center, God.

That’s easy to know, simple to say, but hard to achieve.

For our lives are complicated and our personalities too. (We even make our prayers and devotions more complicated than they need be!)

In these pages, Fr. Raoul Plus provides a remedy for the even the most tangled lives.

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

I consider Emilie Barnes one of my mentors throughout my married life. I am very happy I stumbled upon her works in my search to become a better and more mindful housewife. She taught me how important the little things are…and how important it is to keep a semblance of order and beauty in our daily lives in order to lift the spirit and set our feet on the path of spiritual order and beauty.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her…

From Keep it Simple for Busy Women by Emilie Barnes

More of everything please

“More storage, more time, more money!” It’s the cry of most every frustrated homemaker!

There just never seems to be enough cabinets, cupboards, or shelves, enough time to get all our projects done, or enough money to do all we want to do. But stop! Is it really more that we need, or less?

Try rearranging your existing space. Look for wasted “air space” and organize more efficiently Things you use often should be in easy-to-access places. Save your difficult-to-reach places for what you seldom need.

Give one item away every day It’s tough, but it will give you more room and cut down on the “stuff” you have to manage.

Today, determine to think outside the box. Assume that you have plenty of everything, and think about how you can make your life less cluttered, less time-consuming, less costly.

The idea is to organize your life so that you have time for the important things. Remember that by using small amounts of time and resources faithfully, you can accomplish great things!

Simple Pleasures

It is the first mild day of March; Each minute sweeter than before… There is a blessing in the air… -WILLIAM WORDSWORTH

All these things

Unless you have unlimited resources, you can’t have everything. Here are a few tips to help you maximize what you do have.

Remember, the key is simplicity. If you want to save money and time on redecorating, try adding small, round end tables with table skirts and overdrapes to your living room. They’re much less expensive than most end tables, and the fabric will add color and interest to your room.

Buy in bulk when items are on sale. I receive so many catalogs that I now shop by phone. It’s amazing. Smart shoppers take advantage of clearance sales after Christmas, Easter, and the Fourth of July. You’ll find bargains galore during end-of-season season sales. Make a day of it with friends!

Above all, keep God’s comforting promise in mind as you trust Him for your needs: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 NASB).

Simple Pleasures

Hang out in the stacks at your local bookstore for a cozy evening. Buy a porch swing or hammock-and then use it. Be on the lookout for the first signs of each season

A Memorable Meal

Oh, how I long sometimes for the good old days, when our family gathered every night around the dinner table and shared events of the day. Life seemed a little less busy then and there weren’t so many options to keep us away from the ritual of evening meals. It’s sad to see family meals becoming a thing of the past for so many.

Tonight, buck the trend. Plan a memorable mealtime with family and friends. What makes a mealtime memorable? The attractive way you set the table says, “I care enough to do a little extra.”

A simple centerpiece can establish a mood, especially if it includes candles, creating a spirit of warmth at mealtime.

Obviously, food takes the starring role, so healthy, tasty fare is best! Think of Jesus – even He chose to share a special meal with His 12 disciples during His final hours. The fellowship with these dearest of earthly companions must have given Him great comfort as He prepared for the trials ahead.

Make the most of these times – they are times to cherish! And they nurture more than the body; they feed the soul and prepare us for living full, productive lives.

Simple Pleasures

Cooking is a bit like painting; strong herbs are reminiscent of oils; delicate ones, of watercolors. -MICHAEL GUERARD

Can We Make the Kitchen a Spiritual Place?

I might be walking on theological eggshells, but I think the answer is yes! There’s something about that room of the house that reveals – and sets – the tenor for the entire household.

Keeping kitchen clutter under control is the first step. It can be a frustrating task – but it’s not impossible. Starting with the cupboards closest to the sink, pull everything out. Wipe out the shelves and refresh them with contact paper.

For all the things you’re not using – either put them in a “throw away” bag, a “give away” bag, or a box marked, “kitchen overflow.”

Put the things you don’t use very often on the highest shelves. Items you use daily go back into the cupboards in easily accessible places.

What about gadgets and utensils? Put them in a crock and tie a bow around it. It looks cute and keeps your counters uncluttered.

What’s so spiritual about all this? The next time your husband or children need a hug or a listening ear, you’ll be ready, with the heart of the home under control.

Simple Pleasures

Create an herbal nosegay to scent your towels. Crawl into a warm robe for that first cup of coffee. Place a few roses in small bottles beside your bed.

Don’t Answer the Phone!

It couldn’t be simpler just don’t answer the phone! “But how can I just let it ring?” Here’s how…just let it ring. Or purchase an answering machine and let the “mechanical secretary” protect your time until you’re ready to make your calls.

There are only a few things in life that we can truly control, but we can control the phone. In our day, we’ve become slaves to the telephone – in our homes, our cars, and everywhere we go. The ringing phone triggers a knee-jerk reaction that compels us to answer.

Unfortunately, for just that moment, it also robs us of focus and, in a small way, disturbs our peace and tranquility.

How often does the phone ring just as you’re sitting down to dinner? Don’t answer the phone at mealtimes. Let your family know that they are much more important than the unknown caller.

Certainly, there are times when we need to answer the phone-but you decide when. Don’t let others control your life and alter your activities. You have the power to decide. It’s as simple as that!

Simple Pleasures

 People who live in cities need tranquility most. -CHRISTINE GUERARD

“The wise mother, having an eye to the future, will at once seek to initiate her daughter into the mysteries of housekeeping. Most young girls are interested in domestic affairs, and are never happier than when allowed to have their finger in the domestic pie; but in this as in other things a thorough grounding is the most satisfactory.” -Annie S. Swan, Courtship and Marriage And the Gentle Art of Home-Making, 1894

Blessed Mother Graceful Religious Pendants….Wire-Wrapped, Handcrafted

This graceful necklace can be worn every day as a reminder of your devotion to the Blessed Mother. Get it blessed and you can use it also as a sacramental.

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Filled with inspiration, encouragement, and tried-and-true tips, this book is a must-have for every woman!

The good news is that a beautiful home doesn’t require too much money, too much energy, or too much time. Bestselling author and home-management expert Emilie Barnes shows readers how they can easily weave beauty and happiness into the fabric of their daily lives. With just a touch of inspiration, readers can

• turn their homes into havens of welcome and blessing
• build a lifestyle that beautifully reflects their unique personalities
• enrich their spirits with growing things (even if their thumbs are several shades shy of green)
• make mealtimes feasts of thanksgiving and kitchen duty fun
• establish traditions of celebration that allow joy to filter through to everyday life

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

Some thoughts today to spur you on to keep ahead of the clutter! 101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter by Emilie Barnes

The 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule is one of the greatest principles you can use to figure out your top priorities. If all of the items on your to-do list are arranged in order of value, 80 percent of the value comes from only 20 percent of the items. The remaining 20 percent of the value comes from 80 percent of the items.

Sometimes a little more and sometimes a little less. The 80/20 rule suggests that in a list of ten projects, finishing two of them will yield 80 percent of the value.

So don’t be overwhelmed by a large list. Remember the top 20 percent of the list gives 80 percent of the value. What’s left undone today can go on the list for tomorrow. Rearrange your to-do list so that it is in order of priority and keep the 80/20 rule in mind.

Accordion Files Fit the Bill

One item that makes great use of space and effort is an accordion file. Go to your local stationery store and purchase one or a few. Accordion files are wonderful and oh, so versatile.

You can use them to store bills for future payment, to keep track of important papers, and to gather greeting and thank-you cards for those special occasions. Set the files up with labels. For example, your bills folder could have pockets labeled “Pay,” “Read,” “Answer,” “Pending,” and “Hold.”

Designate a shelf for a row of accordion files. You’ll be able to store many of your most needed paper items in these. And because accordion files are portable, you can take them with you to meetings so your records are handy or to the kitchen table when it’s time to pay bills.

Don’t forget to purge them occasionally. The files won’t serve you well if they are full of outdated or unneeded items.

Managing the Mail

Now, let’s talk about the mail. The key to managing this area of our lives is doing it daily. If it can’t be done when it arrives, assign a specific time each day to process it.

One area of your home should be designated for this purpose—a desk, table, or a section of the kitchen counter. If you use the kitchen counter, be careful that it doesn’t become a catchall area.

Remember the rule about paper: Don’t put it down, put it away. It only takes a minute to sort the mail when it arrives, even if you can’t process it at that moment.

A simple file system can help you do this. You could use one file for letters you want to read. If you have older children, each might have his or her own folder to check when arriving home from school.

There needs to be a file for bills, another for things you need to discuss with someone in the family, one for mail that needs to be answered, and maybe another for those that require a phone call.

Juggling the Junk Mail

Don’t hesitate when junk mail and unwanted catalogs arrive. Don’t worry about what you might be missing because the same items will be listed again in the next catalog—due to arrive in a couple of weeks.

In fact, if you can get in the habit of instantly tossing junk mail, you’ll get rid of at least 30 to 50 percent of your daily mail.

When your favorite catalogs and magazines arrive, be sure to read them and then put them in the recycle bin or pass them along to a friend.

If you begin receiving too many catalogs and they are not ones that suit your lifestyle, call to cancel them and request that your name be removed from their mailing lists. Some catalogs are available online. You might consider receiving the email version of your favorite store’s publication or an organization’s email newsletter.

Break It Up

To accomplish a big task, break it into a few smaller parts—these become “instant tasks” that you can easily handle. It’s the big items that throw us and leave us in a panic.

Think of one project that you have put off because it seemed too big to take on after a busy day or in the middle of a hectic one.

For example, let’s choose cleaning out the refrigerator as your dreaded project. Can you give it 15 minutes? Even the craziest of days usually have a few breaks in them that could be put to good use.

Set a timer and work like mad for those 15 minutes evaluating leftovers, checking expiration dates, and wiping off shelves.

Tomorrow, set the timer and toss out old vegetables, refresh the ice trays, and rinse the meat and produce bins.

In a day or two you’ll have invested two or three 15-minute sessions and completed the larger task of cleaning your refrigerator.

“We must have a daily habit of prayer; it should be ingrained in us. Morning and Night Prayers, the Rosary and frequent lifting of the mind to God will help us to hear His Voice.The daily habit of prayer leads us to spiritual health. We are more “tuned in” to know what God’s will is in our life, to desire it and to do it. By our habit of prayer we will experience the tranquility and happiness that comes from Him Who sees our efforts and loves us so much! He will give us the peace that passeth all understanding….” – Anne Joachim

A housekeeping schedule to give you some ideas and to tweak to suit your needs….(not to stress you out!) https://www.facebook.com/timewarpwife

“The alarm went off. Rose stretched and slowly pried her eyes open. Already? It seemed like she had just fallen into a deep sleep. The baby had been especially restless that night and so she was sooo tired. But the day must begin…”

Beautiful and durable Wire Wrapped Rosaries for the Guys! A great gift!

Each link is handmade and wrapped around itself to ensure quality. Available here.

Author Mary Reed Newland here draws on her own experiences as the mother of seven to show how the classic Christian principles of sanctity can be translated into terms easily applied to children even to the very young.

Because it’s rooted in experience, not in theory, nothing that Mrs. Newland suggests is impossible or extraordinary. In fact, as you reflect on your experiences with your own children, you’ll quickly agree that hers is an excellent commonsense approach to raising good Catholic children.

Fr. Lawrence Lovasik, the renowned author of The Hidden Power of Kindness, gives faithful Catholics all the essential ingredients of a stable and loving Catholic marriage and family — ingredients that are in danger of being lost in our turbulent age.

Using Scripture and Church teachings in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format, Fr. Lovasik helps you understand the proper role of the Catholic father and mother and the blessings of family. He shows you how you can secure happiness in marriage, develop the virtues necessary for a successful marriage, raise children in a truly Catholic way, and much more.

Fall candles!

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

by Emilie Barnes, Keep It Simple for Busy Women

Rewards for Cleaning House

I’m a firm believer in rewards! And I reward myself often when it comes to some of the more mundane tasks of cleaning house.

Discover your idea of bliss, and use it to make those tasks a little less mundane. Let me explain.

Cleaning house is a very personal issue. Start by not worrying about other people’s standards. Decide what clean means to you, and make that your goal.

Establish simple, bite-size priorities. Identify those tasks that absolutely have to be done, ones that should be done, and ones that would be nice to get done.

Work on them in that order-and forget the rest. Set time limits. Do what you can now and be happy about it.

Relish what you have accomplished instead of focusing on what still remains to be done. Finish one task before you begin another.

When you’ve finished, reward yourself for a job well-done. For me that often means a time of quiet-with my Bible, my journal, and a cup of tea-and my feet propped up. Discover your idea of bliss!

Simple Pleasures

*Experience a “lights out” night and live by candlelight.

*Share your favorite book with a friend and then find a quiet book shop to discuss your thoughts over coffee or tea.

*Settle into your favorite chair and breathe a sigh of relief.

Celebrating Femininity

We may never look like models or movie stars, but we can honor God’s gift of femininity by taking care of the unique person He created you and me to be.

My daily walks help me keep my figure under control. I look forward to how wonderful I feel after this brisk morning exercise.

It always restores my energy, lifts my spirits, and gives me a sense of well-being that makes it easier for me to reach out to others.

Yet, as much as I believe in taking care of myself, that’s not enough. True beauty comes from within. If that beauty is lacking, no exercise program, eating plan, or wardrobe update can put it there. No interior decorating scheme can give it to me.

First Peter 3:4 defines it wonderfully by telling us that, “the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit… is of great worth in God’s sight.”

Today, take a few moments to reflect on the grace and peace that God offers you every day. Today, seek the beauty that comes from within. Its as simple as that.

Simple Pleasures

*Write your notes with a feathered pen. It’s so elegant!

*Pin a silk flower on your lapel or add it to your hair.

*Create a parlor look with stacks of books and warm fabrics.

The Lost Art of Eating Together

Don’t let our modern culture take away some of the most precious times you can have as a family One of those is sharing a meal together sometime during the day.

Here are some ideas on how to keep it simple. Pick at least one meal of the day when your chances for getting everyone around the table are best. If one meal each day is too demanding, compromise. Set a goal of eating as a family four days a week instead of seven.

Involve your children in planning and cooking those special meals. Preparing foods in a different way can capture kids’ interest. Use pasta in unusual shapes. Draw a smiling face on top of a casserole with cheese or veggie strips. Make it a time of fun and fellowship.

Even teenagers should be involved in meal preparation. It can be an important time for conversation and interaction. Then, when it’s time to eat, don’t forget to offer a prayer of thanksgiving.

Model a heart of gratitude, peace, and warmth around your table. Now, relax and enjoy the meal.

Great memories can come from these daily times of sharing!

Simple Pleasures

*Find some roses today. Buy one for yourself and one for someone you love.

*A fragrance spray can enliven any room in your house. *Draw a picture and mail it to a child with your words of encouragement.

In Just Five Minutes

Are you overwhelmed today by all the projects you feel you must accomplish? Do you find yourself on a treadmill of one thing after another, until you feel you’ll never get off?

How can you have time for the important things you want to do, like prayer time, reading to your kids, or making a special batch of cookies for your family?

Well, you can do it all, but it will take some planning.

First, be ruthless-get rid of extra paper! Almost 90 percent of the paper in your home (or office) is never referred to again. Get rid of it!

And then apply this simple rule, which I call the “five-minute pickup” rule.

Pick up and dust each room for five minutes-time yourself self with a kitchen timer! Discipline yourself to stop when the bell goes off.

Sometimes all it takes to eliminate mess, clutter, and confusion are a few hooks here, a basket or two there, and a bit of reshuffling of items on a shelf. Give it a try and make your life a lot simpler!

Simple Pleasures

*Begin collecting lovely toiletries-powders, unguents, creams.

*Start an evening ritual of herbal tea and a candle. Nourish a sense of calm.

*Pretty new pillowcases add a special touch

🧹 A housekeeping schedule to give you some ideas and to tweak to suit your needs….(not to stress you out!) From Time-Warp Wife.

“As a family, try to lead a hidden life with Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Through holy Mass, offer yourselves through Mary’s hands as a sacrifice with Jesus; at Holy Communion, you will be changed into Jesus by divine grace so that you may live His life; by your visits to the tabernacle, you will enjoy His friendship in the midst of the many problems of life.” -Fr. Lawrence G. Lovasik. The Catholic Family Handbook (Photo from our daughter’s wedding)

Honey Bee Apron! Feminine and Beautiful! Fully lined, quality material, made with care and detail. Available here.

Filled with inspiration, encouragement, and tried-and-true tips, this book is a must-have for every woman!

The good news is that a beautiful home doesn’t require too much money, too much energy, or too much time. Bestselling author and home-management expert Emilie Barnes shows readers how they can easily weave beauty and happiness into the fabric of their daily lives. With just a touch of inspiration, readers can

• turn their homes into havens of welcome and blessing
• build a lifestyle that beautifully reflects their unique personalities
• enrich their spirits with growing things (even if their thumbs are several shades shy of green)
• make mealtimes feasts of thanksgiving and kitchen duty fun
• establish traditions of celebration that allow joy to filter through to everyday life

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support.