Today I get a GOLD star!

Since being a mom I haven't really cleaned my house.  Priscilla initially came a few days a week and since we weren't messy, I didn't have to do much on the days she didn't come.  Since the arrival of DS, help was required more frequently and as he grows, if she could move in that would be perfect.

The problem with DS is, he constantly messes .... when he eats, it is all over him and the table and the floor .. and I didn't give him that much to begin with !  He unpacks things and isn't too fond of repacking ..... (unlike DD who will make sure it is packed in the EXACT spot at he EXACT angle !)

Anyway ... so at 7:45am I realised I was on my own again today.  I could no longer avoid the mess and dirt and Monday is too long away to wait for Priscilla to return! ;-)

So, this is what I did (wearing my combat/camouflage pjs nogal! ) While the kids ate breakfast, I swept the kitchen (I had to have DS tied up else he eats the dirt!) and rather than mop the

 entire area - I just wiped the dirty spots (my standards have sunk so low!). Swept the tv area while DD tidied. (isn't it great having a 4yr old ?! ) Oh, and since th elaundry was piling too and the weather was iffy yesterday I HAD to do that as well ... so in between the sweeping and wiping, I hung the washing.

With this big area now almost sorted I put thekids in the shower ...... they love it there - it's like a play area and they are confined!  So I swept the lounge and hung the last load.  Woohoo half a house complete !!  Got the kids dressed and then started on lunch! Yes I make lunch on a Friday cos DH comes home, and even though I could have phoned for a pizza, I wanted to see how much I could do.  Today we are having a chili chicken pasta (SP's Fusion).  With the food brewing - I could finally do the dishes !! Now, the problem with being at that area is that DS visits, and he unpacks the plastics .. so while moving around I have to dodge tupperwear at my feet, my DD packed away (isn't she just the best little helper?!)  I was by the last load - the POTS and DS decides he has had enough of me playing house and not with him .. and starts hanging on my legs crying.  Before pampering him I managed to finish the food and pop it into the oven and ...... and .... AND .... there was enough food for TWO dishes !!! BONUS !!!!! What a treat !!  Now I have freezer food and I wasn't even expecting it ! (For those who do not understand: it is like 

finding money in your bag you didn't know about!)

Now, if there is ONE thing I am picky about - it's my bed! When DH does it, I let it slide, but when I do it - I do it the way my lovely Granny showed me how: the sheet has to be tucked in TIGHT, and have that double fold over on top so you can see the pretty edging of the sheet.

AND my pillows HAVE TO BE FLUFFED !! It just doesn't look good without the puffy pillows ! (I recommend Latex pillows - they stay puffy and don't need the daily poof .)

So it is 12:38pm and THIS is why I get a gold star:

The kitchen is clean, dishes washed, laundry washed and on the line

All living areas neat, tidy, swept.

All beds made, rooms tidy (just don't go into the playroom )

Bathrooms clean.

Kids and ME washed, dressed and fed !

ALGAMDULILLAH !

And as I humbly accept this gold star  I'd like to thank the following

 people:

Firstly Priscilla,  who I couldn't do without in my life.

My DD, who when asked to help always answers with "of course",

My DS, who without - none of this would have been necessary,

My BFF, who always knows the right thing to say,

My DH, who affords me to stay at home,

And the Almighty who  has given me all that I have and all the abilities required to accomplish what I need to.

"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear".