I'm spread a little thin these days - how do you do it?

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pavlovs_dog wrote: »

sound idea, reminded me of thriftlady's meal building blocks for the freezer thread



as for getting out the house, a very good idea that i came across on organizedhome when the boards were still active was the idea of a launch pad. a launch pad could be a cupboard, table, shelf, window ledge. it doesnt matter what it physically is, more how you use it. its the place where you put all the things that you need to take with you when you go out, so you are not running around the house trying to find your car keys, DS's reigns, DDs book bag for school etc. by putting everything ready together (and getting into the habit of putting the things that should live on the launch pad back there when not in use), you should be able to get out the door in half the time.


there is of course a security concern that should you locate your launch pad near an access point to your home, you shouldnt have keys, purses etc on show, in case of thieves. in that resepct, a cupboard might be best as it is more discreet

I have a launch pad which is my son's pram. I have everything ready except my handbag there. I have large bag with the following - 3nappies changing set, changing mat, travel potty + change of clothes for child & baby, crackers + water for both children, feeding spoons, bibs, wet wipes, ready made milk cartons, oats in a bottle. Ill ready for me to grab as I leave the house. Just need to add two clean bottles & away I go....

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My youngest daughter who is not the most organised lady has raised her five children with as little stress as she could .With the youngest now at 3,6&7 she had her hands full for awhile. But she said their ownly little once and they are the best times .her elest is now 15 and she also has a son of 12 so she has an assortedment of age ranges to go through .I.e the terrible twos and tantrums plus the worry of getting them all settled into scholl.Then the teenage angst, plus of course her elsest two argue with avengence as Ben will mercilessly tease his big sister Katie.there sometimes is quite a lot of yelling and door slammingg from her and she can 'flounce for England ' when required.as do most teenage girls at times .
tess just seems to let it all wash over her head and will play for hours with the children and as she says 'One day mum I will have 'things', by that she means things that don't get broken or damaged with four noisy lads and an even noisier lass.
She longs for the day when she can have a highly polished table with a vase of fressh flowers on it ,instead of an almost permanant oilcloth covered in pictures or play-dough. a spotless clean hallway instead of one that has at ;least half a dozen coats thrown over the bannisters and god know how many schol bags and shoes hither and thither .But I know she wouldn't change her slightly messy and crammed full hose for all the tea in china as her house litterly sparkles with love and laughter as well. It must do as it seems to be filled with other peoples children as well.In the summer time especially she seems to feed half the neighbourhoods kids .They all know than they will get a cake or a biscuit at her house .She has the washing machine on twice a day everyday of the year.Her food bill is quite large and I wouldn't like to think how much is spent on shoes alone .She rarely gets many treats and she also works two day a week at an estate agents .
She must be the busiest person I know ,but also the happiest.She is there for me at any time that I need her and if I could I would give her Mum of the year award as she works so hard, and cares so much for other people .
We have a yearly weeks holiday to Norfolk which is a challenge itself getting her, her husband (who is an absolute smashing chap) and the five kids and Granny into two cars with all the luggage that it entails 150 miles up the road to a cottage.
We do get some odd looks at times on the beach as there are so many of us ,but the kids and us all have a great time . This year will be even better I hope as my cancer treatment will be over and if you are in the Sherringham area in the first week of August and see a troop of assorted kids and three adults sitting on the beach ,come and have one of Tess's cakes and a cuppa ,you will be made most welcome.
She lets her children and the family be the first priority ,then comes the housework. Her husband is a gem as he will iron the kids school uniform first thing every morning .As he often works from home it is a great help to her .