Plan it Out Thursday: The Bedroom
I know; it’s not Thursday. But, I started this project LAST Thursday and because it it a massive one, I gave myself a week to complete it all. So look for the update to this post on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
Before I get to the video, let me explain exactly what the problem is with our bedroom. We moved to this apartment in April 2008. It is the nicest place we have ever lived and the only place that I really ever felt like calling home for longer than six months. So, when we moved, I vowed that I would unpack fully and decorate, and keep it clean and presentable. Of course, life does not understand these kinds of promises. We never fully unpacked and while I clean, it has never been the way that I want.
My bedroom is the messiest and the most embarrassing place in the whole place. I never let anyone in my bedroom and when I usually start cleaning it, I am so overwhelmed by the mess that I give up.
But not this time. I decided on Thursday of last week that I was going to tackle my bedroom once and for all and make sure that I declutter and make it comfortable. I wanted to document the process partly because I wanted my husband to see just how much work needed to be done and partly because I really wanted to see the difference.
The video below will show you what our room looked like 40 minutes into the cleaning process. It is not a pretty site but it will be.
Tackle it Whenever
Yes, this is my living room. Well, it was. I know, it looks like a tornado hit. Well it did. My daughter. In fact that is her nickname: The Tornado. and while this is not entirely her fault, she helped. So when my mom offered to give us a beautiful three piece entetainment center and she hired the movers to bring it in less than 24 hours, I decided that it was time to tackle this massive mess.
I worked long and hard in between tweets and surfing the net. Then, my husband helped when he got home from work at 1:00 am. And then we moved some stuff in the morning. Still, it wasn’t until after 9:30 PM that night that the living room actually started to take shape. Of course much of this had to do with the fact that I had a EXQUISITE piece of furniture to work around. And so, without further ado, I introduce my new living room.
Isn’t it beautiful?! I love it and so does my daughter. She likes to open and close the cabinet and roll around on the rug. It’s a good quality rug too- soft and thick.
It’s funny how one really expensive and beautiful piece of furniture can change your mood. I was geting kind of bummed because my apartment lacked character and style, but not any more. It is beautiful. It almost makes the big whole in my wall left by the movers worth it- ok, not quite.
Next, my dining room table. 
This is what happens when a mom is trying to start her own business and a husband is working very hard to pick up the slack. Hey you think this is bad? You should see my bedroom. I have a lot to do before… Continue reading
I’m a WHAM (Emphasis on the “Work”)
When we decided that it was worth it- me giving the web design business a real shot- we also decided that it would behoove us if I did not work outside of the home. After all, it was way too expensive to pay for child-care and my hubby understood that I was not happy under the circumstances.
The plan was as follows:
(1) I would work part-time (1 day a week) outside of the home at my current place of employment just to ensure a steady income on my part.
(2) I would bust my butt to build my business.
It was a simple plan, right? But hubby and I recently had a little spat about the roles that we would now play. Specifically, th “you’re home now so you do the housework,” comment sent this Mom on the Rise down a war-path.
After I managed to keep from ripping my hubby’s heart out, I decided to explain the difference between a WAHM and a SAHM.
“Let’s get this straight. A SAHM does not find ways to bring money into the house. She works with what the family has and takes care of the domestic duties. A WAHM cannot do both alone. She cannot focus on bringing money in AND take care of all the household duties. It’s unfair to assume that would be the way things will work. We are both working Parents and we are both responsible for the housework. If you want me to do it all, that is fine- I will be a SAHM, but don’t look to me to being in any extra money- that is all on you.”
It did not sit to well with him, at least I don’t think it did. But what I know is that WAHM cannot and should not… Continue reading
Out, Out, Damn Ants (and a word from my husband)
We have been invaded by ants. They started out as little tiny ants and then grew into these big, intimidating, black ants. We thought we had them under control. A few strategically placed Hot Shots ant traps, and the party wa sover. Or so we thought. We came home after a cool outing with the in-laws, and to my dismay there was a meeting of the ants, well, EVERYWHERE. I was disgusted and after beating the hell out of a dozen or so of them, my husband went to the stor to buy more traps and some spray. Now I know that children and bug spray don’t mix, but I when weighing the odds, killing the ants seemed safer than letting them shack up with my daughter in the house. So, we opened all the windows, closed SWHS’s bedroom door (where for the first time in a week she was sleeping peacefully), and went to town spraying the hell out these disgusting insects. And after poisoning our lungs, we laid traps behind the furniture. Then, I took a shower, grabbed the little one and took her into my fume-free room where we could both sleep without gagging.
I only saw ants in the living room and kitchen, but I need to check the bedrooms too. I om going to be on a cleaning mission this weekend, so ant’s beware. But if the spay and traps don’t work, I am going to call the landlord and demand that he get an exterminator.
In other news, read a totally awesome post from my husband.