In my last post, I gave the update on my successful October Mission! Now it is time for me to make my November Mission but my mind is blank. In the past I have had no problem making a list a mile long of things I need (or think I need) to do. I know there are things that need to be done or that I want done, but sitting here my mind is blank.
While doing my daily chores, I was thinking about what my mission could be. My daughter will turn 8 next week, quickly followed by my birthday, and Thanksgiving. Now we normally don't have a big Thanksgiving since it is just the three of us but this year is going to be different -- we are traveling. Herein lies the problem. What mission can I do for 2 1/2 weeks?
As I am preparing our home for our pet/house-sitter, I am going to start using the JustMommies Home Organization Plan. I need to set up a daily/weekly schedule and stick to it. There are weekly cleaning task suggestions, a decluttering challenge checklist, and a calendar that gives you ideas on cleaning tasks to tackle each day. I started this on November 1 and so far it is easy. By doing this, I think that it will make organizing and decluttering an easier task for myself.
Then of course I have to start thinking about Christmas. For many years now, I have not been able to enjoy Christmas and find that I dread this time of year. You always see pictures of homes decorated with beautiful wreaths and gorgeous Christmas trees - a Christmas tree that will soon be surrounded by excited kids and happy parents and other family members too. All of this will be followed by a scrumptious holiday meal awaiting them in the next room. I want to be that family. I am NOT Martha Stewart and never will be and unfortunately I have turned into the Grinch - hating the whole Christmas season and every Who down in Whoville. I can make excuses but to be honest, I don't know why. One thing I do know is that I am not able to enjoy the holidays. Retail stores seem to be pushing Christmas earlier and earlier. While doing Back to School shopping, one isle over were Christmas cards! For Halloween followed Christmas lights, and it is not even Thanksgiving and there are Christmas trees! We should all enjoy Christmas and not think of it as just another dreaded chore.
BUT this year is going to be different. I have a plan. I found a website called Organized Christmas. On this site they have a printable Christmas Countdown planner to help you in your Christmas planning goals. Now with most plans that you find you have to alter their plan just for you. This plan started on October 24th and here it is November 4 - so I am 12 days behind but quickly working to catch up. The first week was to get organized. There is a complete weekly checklist to help those of us who work with a list. The first week had activities such as start a master gift list (check), begin a Christmas card list (check), schedule a family portrait session, and begin decluttering tabletops and public rooms before decorating (process started).
I also have thirty people to shop for this year and eighteen of those must completed before November 26th as Santa will be arriving early this year to save on shipping. So this year I am going to do all of the things that might become a chore well ahead of time in order that I can enjoy this Christmas season. I'm giggling a little because I always scoff at all the shops that start stocking Christmas items in September and here I am joining in but . . . November is going to be 'Christmas Month'!!! My second goal is to be able to roll right into December without feeling stressed out and be able to spend time with my husband and daughter doing Christmas things. This isn't a real specific list of things to complete but more of a concept.
And last but not least, I have been neglecting our homeschool blog which has resulted in MANY emails from family and friends inquiring about our activities. So my final mission is to update our blog weekly. I would love to do it daily but let's start small right?
My November Mission(s) of the Month:
- Stick to with the November JustMommies Cleaning Calendar.
- Make (or buy) Christmas stockings. (ballet slipper, elf boot, and fancy boot from Family Fun.)
- Begin Master Gift List (check on gifts in gift closet).
- Make Christmas Card List
- Address Christmas Cards
- Schedule Family Photo Session.
- Begin gift shopping.
- Make a budget
- Narrow down the holiday menu (oh so many ideas)
- Maintain homeschool blog weekly.
