1 January 2018 - Happy New Year!!

A couple years ago I started collecting interesting antique books. I love seeing a peek into the time period the book was written. Until the end of 2017 I was a stay at home mom. We moved across the country and a new chapter began for our family. This morning for the beginning of the new year I pick up my "Illustrated Almanac for Homemakers" book. 

This book was written in 1974. 

Just check out those bellbottoms. 

Originally sold for $9.95. I bought at Half Price Books for $7.00

I thought this book would be fun to flip through. Just see what homemakers were doing in the 1970's verses what I was doing or not doing. So for 2018 I thought it would be fun to see what I can accomplish this 365 days from this almanac even though I am no longer a full time homemaker. 

Lets begin in January! 

Each month has a super cute illustration featuring our homemaker heroine! 

It's the first day of the first year so let's peek at today's task! 

Y'all

Dirt

I can't stand it. We have a place for our shoes at the back door of the house and we do not walk through the home with our gross shoes on! So far me and this book are on the right mind set. 

The passage goes on to explain a new no shoe rule for the home to help keep the floors dirty. Objections by the family?

1. Explain to them it's a fun Japanese custom!

2. The less time you have to clean, the more time you have for them!

3. Or just freaking tell them to do it!

Ok I might have embellished that last one but seriously! 

The less time we as parents have to spend on dirt and clutter the more time we have to think of other things. I would rather have a heated game of Uno than sweep the floor every night!

The last part of today's entry states " A neat house will look clean even if it isn't. Conversely, a cluttered house will appear dirty no matter what condition of cleanliness."

Amen

My husband and I took down our Christmas decorations today after reading this entry together. There is less around us and that extra uncluttered space looks refreshing. 

We even took boxes to Goodwill before the new year of toys that were in good condition but our kids just don't have interest in anymore. Cleaning up and organizing those spaces in their rooms has helped them to feel less cramped and better able to enjoy playtime in their spaces without invading the other non-cluttered spaces of the house. 

Thanks for reading my blog this new year's day! 

I hope to keep up with this in between dishes, laundry, and all the other cleaning!