A two-month cleaning schedule.  Oh wait, let me rephrase that.  A two-month, pretty font, color coded cleaning schedule.  And before I break off of this organizational high, I wanted to share it with all of you–just in case I can’t mark every chore off in flawless duty, I won’t feel like a total failure, right?

Let me give you a tour: On the far left is a list of chores that need to be done daily.  Blue chores are done on a weekly basis. Green chores done every-other week.  And Red chores done once every two months.  Wednesday are our “no-tv day”, and has turned into a day full of fun.  For the kids, this day cannot be tainted with extra chores.  And Saturdays are pretty much the “honey-do list” days.  And changes weekly.

And if you are interested in this free printable, you can click on the links here: for the   pdf  , and the excel spreadsheet (to make your own changes).

(And the fact that I included a pdf and excel spreadsheet is nothing short of miraculous.)

This next image is the one they chose to go on canvas large above their mantle: LOVE IT!

Oh, and as an FYI: The last picture in the slideshow is a snapshot of the picture we just HAD to buy after getting off a roller coaster.  Because it actually captured the moment right after Nate ELBOWED ME IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD.

But Mackay is so excited.  All she wants to do is grow up.  I can drive the car, I promise! she tells me.  I can go in the store myself.  I can stay at home by myself.  I can do my own hair.  I can make my own smoothies.  I can cut my own pancakes.  It really never ends.  She even tells me she needs a cell phone…so she can text her friends.

So on Sunday after our general meeting, just when we were to split up into classes, Mackay told me she could take herself.  She didn’t need me.  I immediately didn’t want her to go, but I knew she could do it herself.  My little girl, in the big sea of people walking through the hall.  I knew she knew where her class was and where her teachers were.  As much as I didn’t want her to I let her go.  She really is growing up, I told myself.  I watched her walk out of the room.  And then my class started and I put it out of my mind.

And then Nate walked in, after taking our son to his class.  And he told me he found Mackay.  In the hall.  By herself.  Crying.  She said that she decided she did want her mom after all.  She said that she missed me.  And I knew that no matter how big and grown up she appears to be, no matter how much she tells me I’ve ruined her life because she can’t have a cell phone, she’s still my little girl.  And oh how much I love her.

Nate: No.  I didn’t know that.

Me: Did you know that to divorce a woman in Saudi Arabia a man only has to repeat his intentions to a witness three times?  It is almost impossible for a woman to get divorced.

Nate: Really?  That’s interesting.

Me: Did you know that a woman can’t even go shopping in Saudi Arabia?  Even if her entire body is covered?  One time this lady in my book did, but before she could go in her husband had to clear out the entire store, including the store employees, just so she could go in to buy a specific brand of formula for her baby.  When she walked into the store there was a line of men just outside with their backs to her.  A man cannot look on another man’s wife.  It’s considered a sin.  Isn’t that crazy?

Nate:  Oh, yes.  Crazy.

And thus it went while I was reading Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia by Carmen Bin Laden.  It was so fascinating I couldn’t put it down.  Nor could I help sharing interesting tidbits of information constantly.  Poor husband.  I absolutely love reading.  It is my release and my escape.  And even if you do it all day long it doesn’t make you feel gross and lazy like lounging in front of a tv does.  I love that.  So here is to more of my recent reads:

Inside the Kingdom: My Life in Saudi Arabia by Carmen Bin Laden.  Do you get that I would recommend this book yet?  It is written by the ex-sister-in-law of Osama Bin Laden.  (She ultimately divorces Osama’s brother.)  Fascinating read into the Saudi Arabian culture.  Something I didn’t realize was so completely fascinating.  Carmen is a foreigner who follows her husband to the country to pursue his career.  How she deals with the culture shock, how she chooses to raise her daughters, and how she ultimately tries to keep her own identity and Western ideals is fascinating.  It’s a definite must read.

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  So many of my friends said this was their absolute most favorite book.  And those friends that didn’t pick it as their #1 at least had it on their top 5 list.  But I didn’t feel it.  It was a good read.  I just never felt like it took off anywhere, with no climax, and then ended suddenly.  It’s about a young girl and her family as they grow up in the poor area of Brooklyn, as second generation Americans.  I’d recommend it just because so many of my friends really connected with it.  And I’m not sure where I missed the boat.

Uprising by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  My mom gave this book to me for Christmas, saying it came recommended from one of my cousins.  She had no idea what the basis was about, but something from United States History.  And I said, “You’ve never heard of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory?”  I have no idea how or why I remember that from high school history class with Mr. Birrell.  But it is a wonderfully written story of three girls all involved in the fateful fire.  It was refreshing to read about Unions and why they came about in the first place and how wonderful they were for the immigrants trying to live the American Dream.  I definitely recommend it as a quick and enjoyable read, and I loved the deeper, more personal insight I saw into this American tragedy.

The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  This book is written as an entertaining self-help book.  Gretchen read every study and research article done on happiness and how to become a happier person.  And she shared those interesting facts throughout her book.  She broke a year up into months, with each month being something different she wanted to focus on to bring more happiness into her life.  The first half was so inspiring and exciting to read.  The last half seemed like it was just a woman on a mission to finish a book.  It seemed more sloppy, not as thought through, and was difficult to finish.  By the end I had lost all the inspiration and excitement I started off with.  And haven’t put together my own Happiness Project…yet. 

Frontiersman’s Daughter by Laura Frantz.  If I ever want to feel lame, I start talking about this book in public.  I start out, “Well, it’s a western, but…”  And that’s where people completely shut down.  But this book was seriously one I could not. put. down.  I loved the entire story.  It was recommended to me by one of my wonderful clients, and was a free download on the kindle.  I instantly downloaded it, but it took me a while to get to.  Both my mother and father-in-law read it (from my client’s recommendation on Facebook!), and said they enjoyed it.  But when I started it, and instantly got drawn into the storyline, I couldn’t stop reading.  I’m not going to go too in depth, for fear of sounding lame, but read it.  Seriously.

Say Her Name by Fracisco Goldman.  I did not like this book.  It was recommended to me (sorry Kelcee), so I read it all the way through.  At first I thought our lives were too different, that I just couldn’t relate.  Most of the book was reminiscing about his lost wife, who died unexpectedly in an accident in the ocean.  So where most of the book was to highlight and celebrate this woman, the more and more I read, the more and more I did not like her.  Or him.  It was interesting to see how his grief was getting the best of him, and ultimately was controlling him and altering his reality.  But generally I found the book to be uninteresting and really crude.  (I have loved all your other recommendations though, Kelcee!)

Room by Emma Donoghue.  I’ve heard the name of this book going around a bit.  I was never really sure what it was about, but my great sister-in-law read it and said she enjoyed it.  It was a great and fast read about a little 5 year old boy who has been born and raised in one little room. His mother was kidnapped at the age of 19, and I love how she has learned to live in isolation, as well as provide a wonderful life for her son, who has no understanding of the outside world.  Recommend it!

The impromptu wedding would be Andy’s fault.  For accidentally being sworn into the Navy earlier than anticipated.  Ten days after their wedding he heads off to Basic Training.  And 8 weeks later he comes home, finds out where he will be deployed, and will have a few days to pack and prepare for wherever he’s going in the world.  The only problem is he really wanted to have the love of his life, Jessica, by his side throughout this crazy journey.  And there enters a wedding planned in a month!

Andy and Jessica, I can’t wait to see you all this weekend!  The wedding is going to be wonderful.  I’m trying to explain to Mackay why she can’t also wear her wedding dress, but hopefully by Saturday she will understand that brides don’t like competition and leave her white dress at home.

Dear Erin,

Words cannot express the love and gratitude I feel for you and your friends.  When I think of all you did for my family that night on November 26^th.  We had been hit by a drunk driver only moments before you arrived, and I had just pulled my children from the car.  My son had no shoes, my daughter was shaking uncontrollably, and it was dark and cold.  I had no idea what I was going to do.  When your friend walked up to us, it could only have been an answer to my prayer.  You gave us a warm place and comforting words.  When I think of how you saved us that night my chest turns heavy and I find it hard to breathe.  Tears sting my eyes.  There is no way I can ever tell you what you did for me and my children.  But thank you, thank you, thank you.

Please pass this on to your friends who also helped so much.  I didn’t get their names, but for them also I am forever grateful.

I hope you all have a great Christmas and an absolutely wonderful new year.

Kalli Barker