Welcome to another post in my Fabulous {Organized} Friend Series! I’ve created a new page that highlights each of my beautiful friends. If you want to be inspired feel free to hop over HERE to see them all!
This month, allow me to introduce you to Jill….
Jill has been a lifeline for me here in Portugal. First of all she speaks Portuguese, which can be very helpful, especially when you head to downtown Lisbon together and stroll through the markets. She can parallel park like a pro, is always the hostess with the mostess and shares my love of fitness. Jill has helped me to get more involved with a variety of activities, whether Book Club, Yoga Classes on the beach or our weekly Tennis Clinic (where we chat more than we play). I love that we share so many common interests!
Her friendship has been such a blessing to me and we’re not going to talk about the fact that she will be leaving Portugal this summer. 🙁 She is a Queen – who reigns in a house full of boys!
Now, let’s hear from the majesty herself…
Give me a snapshot into you and your family. What does your “whole” life look like? Schedule etc…feel free to over share!
We are a family of five-my husband and I and three boys, (ages 17, 15, 9) along with a big chocolate lab. My husband and I are normally up between 6-6:30. He makes the kids’ lunches (thank goodness) and then heads to work right around 7. The boys are up around 7:15am. Three days a week, I have English lessons to teach so I am up and ready to go after the boys’ bus leaves at 8am. On the teaching days, I finish around 1:30 then usually do a couple of errands and head home to get in some exercise and start dinner. On my off days, I play tennis, run or do yoga, plan for my lessons and see my friends.
My older boys play soccer four times a week and the youngest has swimming and after school activities two days a week. So normally everyone is home by 7pm. A few times a month, my husband and I have to go out or entertain in our home for work but if not, we all eat dinner together. Then the boys do homework and my husband and I get to relax a bit (I may be doing laundry too). My youngest will read with me a bit before he goes to bed at 8:30; the older two are in their rooms by 9:30. Before I head to bed, I usually take something out the freezer for the next night’s dinner and finish tidying up the house. After that,we may watch some TV or read but by 10, I am done!
What is your number one organizing tip you would share with other busy moms?
Well I try to take advantage of those little slices of time that I have during the day – just 15-30 minutes. I used to say “I don’t have enough time for that” but now I find that using that chunk of time to return emails, change the laundry, or run to the store, really makes our lives run smoother. If I have some down time, I try to figure out what I can get done in that period of time – dry cleaning drop off, scheduling appointments, cleaning out a drawer, etc. And then when I really don’t have anything to do, I always have my Kindle. 🙂
Meet Swish – also a boy.
How do you find time to plan meals and to grocery shop?
I tend to shop every couple of days for a couple of reasons. Number 1-we are constantly out of fresh food…especially milk. Number 2-I usually plan meals just a day or two in advance. If I buy a ton of groceries for meals for the next couple of weeks, I might forget what I’ve bought. In terms of cooking, I definitely have some easy standbys but I do try new things. The biggest constraint in terms of cooking for me is time. So if it can be made in just an hour or less, I’m in.
How do your kids help around the home?
My three boys (Nick-17, Joe-15 and Will-9) have chores around the house. We started when they were young with simple things-clearing the table, feeding the dog, putting away their laundry, etc. Now between the three of them, they feed and walk the dog as well as do yard cleanup, set and clear the table, do the dishes after dinner, take out the trash and recycling, and sort and put away their laundry. I also do ask them to keep their rooms tidy (pick up clothes, hang up towels, etc.) although there are definitely days when this is a losing battle.
Sweet Will in the middle is always reading, just like his mom. 🙂
How do you create the time to exercise and take care of your own health?
I do much better with a scheduled exercise routine – preferably with other people. I regularly play tennis twice a week and run at least once a week. I also try to fit in a yoga class as often as possible but sometimes my schedule doesn’t allow it. On other days, I aim to be active in some way for at least 30 minutes a day, whether I walk or just do sit ups, squats and push ups. Sometimes when I am tired or unmotivated, I tell myself “Just 15 minutes” walk , workout , whatever. I usually end up exercising longer (but not always-everyone needs to rest!). Like I say “one step out the door is one step away from the couch.”
What are some of your secrets to keeping a clean home?
Ah yes, a clean home. Well my house is never completely clean – well maybe for an hour or so. I am fortunate to have a cleaning woman once a week so that is a huge help to keep on top of everything. With my boys playing soccer, swimming and just being boys, the laundry can be overwhelming. I try to run at least a load a day and have started asking my boys to help out some with that. I also hate clutter so I try to keep things put away in the right place for my own sanity.
What are your tools for managing stress and finding time for just you or time for just you and your hubby?
My best strategy for managing stress is to be organized. If I am organized and ready for the next day, I am relaxed and also ready for whatever curveball life throws at me. I also subscribe to the principal that you should do the thing you dread or hate, first. Then it is done and you can move on to the more enjoyable things.
About time for my husband and I, it is a challenge. Each month, we tend to have 2-10 work functions either in our home or out-so we get out a lot but there are usually other people there! We try to go out to eat or go to the movies at least twice a month, just us. Also a couple of times a year, we usually plan a weekend away without kids.
What advice would you most like to share with other moms in how they can best live their lives with intention?
Live your life…follow your heart and do what interests you and makes you happy whether or not anyone else is doing it.
I am personally taking away two tips – 1) getting things out the night before from the freezer, I tend to wait until the morning and 2) “One step is one step away from the couch!” – I love that inspiration!
Thanks Jill so much for stopping by. I hope you know how much I admire and respect you. You have been such a light for me in this current season of living abroad. You are an excellent example of pushing onward despite the extra challenges that come with living abroad. You choose to make things work, something I really appreciate and have learned from as well. Additionally your marriage has been such a good example for us, we love the role model of mature and healthy relationships.
BUT…the fact that you have your three boys clean up the kitchen (every night after dinner) is still something I am kicking myself for not starting in my own home – what were we thinking? This is the best idea ever! You are one smart momma and a wonderful (and very organized) friend. xoxo
Speaking of the kitchen…here is the recipe for the week, go the Easy Recipes Page to get your own printable copy! Have a fabulous weekend!!!
