In search of adequacy

Just finished my Flylady Weekly House Blessing (WHB) – pick 6 chores and spend 10 minutes each on them. I mopped, vacuumed, swept, changed sheets, dusted, and did trash/recycling. Wow! My house is now *far* from perfect, and in fact, I feel like it's in worse shape than before. When I do this, I'm aware of all the clutter and messes around. On the other hand, I got a lot done, and more than I would if I hadn't done it. I know DH will come home tonight and mention how it looks better. (He makes a point to do this, since he knows his praise helps me stay on track.)

It would be wonderful if I could do a perfect housecleaning in 1 hour. Lots of things – like the bathrooms – I didn't even touch. But I have to admit that's not a possibility and look for adequacy, not perfection. And remind myself to say, yay me!

Office Hats

I am a completely disorganized (yes, I'll admit it) work-at-home-mom with my own business. How do I keep it together? One step at a time, but I am trying to create systems and routines that make it easier on me (and my family).

Today I sat down and thought about what I would have if I worked in a "real" law firm. You know, all those little things I don't want to do because they take away from my billables. There's quite a lot, actually. First, I would have a set work schedule. OK, I can do that. DS is in daycare, so his daycare days help define my work schedule. I need time without him to do some housework, so I need to set some hours while he's in daycare to do household things as well (cleaning, laundry, that type of thing).

The scheduling has worked pretty well at least today. I considered the time I dropped him off as my time to start work – I did a planning session and hit the ground running. When I got home, I kept reminding myself that I'm not "home" until later today, when I can take care of the dishwasher, etc. I'll get "off work" about 2 hours before I pick up DS from daycare, hopefully enough time to get the house somewhat manageable.

The second thing I would have if I worked in a "real" office is support staff. I would have a janitor, a bookkeeper/accountant, a secretary/paralegal (in an ideal world), and an office manager. So I assigned chores to these people – what would each of these people be doing so I can do my work? I also listed my "lawyer" job description.

Then, I started working – I brought the janitor in for 30 minutes to clean. Wow, my office looks better! Then the janitor left and I worked as a secretary for another 30 minutes. Decided that's not nearly enough time, but at least I made a dent. The office manager then came back in and did more planning. Now I am freed up to be a lawyer for the rest of the afternoon. And, the best part – I actually feel like I've gotten things accomplished today! Recently I've had the feeling that I'm spinning my wheels and spending all day not getting anything done, so I feel much better about what I've done today.

I finally feel like I'm getting some progress toward having systems in place. Yay me!

Netbook

I'm trying out DH's Aspire One Netbook this evening.  The keyboard is awfully short, but it's really not too bad to type on.  Surprising.  It is annoying when I mistype and have to backspace though.

DS loves the up-down game.  He signs up, and DH lifts him high into the air.  Then lowers him (whether or not he signs down).  He's learning the more sign and the milk sign, too.  Still does the Tarzan yell when he sees the cats ... but the new game tonight is tease the daddy.  He goes for the cookbooks or water bowl, looks to make sure we're watching, inches closer ... then closer, and if we're watching, he goes for it so we have to chase him and make him move.  Argh.

OK, I think it's bathtime now. DH has to go get cat food, let the cats run out.  Maybe we'll skip bath, DS is seriously falling asleep.  Signing off.

Anti-stress work day

Woke up with no power this morning; I think it had been out for a few hours. No fun – and cold! It's a dreary, foggy day. I couldn't get myself out of bed until the sun started coming up, and even then, it was rough. To make up for it, I took some reading to BreadCo and read over breakfast. I couldn't get anything done at home, anyway! It was nice to sit, drink coffee, and read for a few hours.

I had to do some writing too, took some notes. I noticed my writing was sloppy, and made myself slow down. There is no rush to get a URL or note written down! That seemed to help relax me, too, and it was easier to write. Growing up with dysgraphia, I always felt pressure to write faster – and my mind goes much faster than my hand. It was a nice change to slow down.

My cats have needed some attention. I took some time this afternoon to sit down and pet Madeline. She was shredding earlier and has really needed it! I think that helped my stress level too. It made her very, very happy.

My mantra today: slow down. It is important to get work done, but not necessary to do it at the frenetic pace I usually move!

Preparing my Briefcase

I inevitably get to court or a meeting missing something out of my briefcase. Usually it's something minor, like I forgot to pack business cards. Today I spent a few minutes pre-packing my briefcase and making a list of what needs to be in there.

Always keep in my briefcase:

• Yellow note pad
  
• Pens & pencils
  
• Paper clips
  
• Binder clips labeled "urgent" "to-do" and "file"
  
• Business cards
  
• This list
  
• Post-it notes
  

Add to my briefcase

• Calendar
  
• Blackberry
  
• Wallet (unless I am taking my purse separately)
  
• Lipstick
  
• Client files or documents I will need that day
  

And when I get home:

• Empty my briefcase, re-fill the "always keep", and put it away.
  
• Enter new business cards into address book
  
• Look @ my calendar, update case management software, and put calendar away
  
• Follow-up with new client information and to-dos