Spend the day with me - Blogging the old fashioned way

A homemaker's day is pretty much the same.  We get up and start doing the same tasks we did the day before, there's hardly a change to our routine, unless there is an appointment or a visit from a family member or friend.  The tasks often seem mundane, and it's easy to get discouraged, when your mind is not focused on the the purpose of your life, and the importance of being a homemaker.

We send our husbands to work, our children to school, and yet we remain, in these same four walls, facing the same kitchen sink full of dishes, the dust needing wiped away, the laundry needing washing yet again.

When I first started blogging, back in 2006, blogging was the newest thing.  I stepped into a sea of like minded homemakers, moms, women wanting to share their days and at the same time record their memories for prosperity.

There were some really good bloggers out there, and not because they had a blog all decked out, or tons of ads, or were making any kind of money.  They certainly didn't claim to know it all, to be all, or be perfect, and that is what first attracted me to this wonderful world of blogging.

There was blogger and Wordpress, and to this day, there seems to be a one versus the other.  Some prefer one platform, others prefer the other.  I've always been a blogger girl, I just thought it was simpler and easier to work with, and so I remained until this day.

My life at the time was divided into taking care of my young children, my husband, my home and then taking my spare moments to visit other mom bloggers.  I loved seeing their posts, their days, their children, what they were doing.  The recipes were amazing, the tips and tricks that made our homemaking easier, book recommendations, movies, tv shows, gardening, you name it.  There was nothing flashy about these lifestyles, we weren't out here competing with anyone, just merely sharing our days.

Then slowly things started changing, some bloggers started growing their blogs as businesses.  Suddenly there were blogs filled with ads, click here and click there, telling others how and what they should be blogging about, writing books, seeking fame, and with that the innocence and beauty of simple mom blogs, began to fade.

I started feeling this sadness but also a determination to hold on to what blogging was all about.  I felt so out of place in the midst of it all.  I don't want to see professional looking posts with catchy titles, multiple links and ads all over the place.  I just wanted to continue sharing with other moms and seeing their days, that was all.

I won't even go into what I feel about blogging nowadays, or what it has become.  It is extremely difficult to find a group of homemaker blogs today that really capture the essence of what it was created to be.   It was created to be an online journal written in an informal way, like having a conversation with someone, and that is what made it special.

The feeling of not belonging is part of the reason I stopped blogging consistently, I started feeling like I needed to change to keep up, and my soul fought every step of the way.  God's loud voice kept echoing in my head "do NOT conform to this, it is NOT who you are, who I want you to be, or what is needed."

The truth of the matter is that we shouldn't be conforming, but rather holding on to that part of life that is quickly being erased.  The importance of family, of keeping a home, baking and cooking, sharing tips, reading, cleaning, gardening, everything I mentioned above, is even more important today than it was years ago.

So I said ok, I will continue blogging the old fashioned way.  I'll share my life, my day, what I'm doing.  Some may find it boring, but I think for you my sweet readers who have been here all along, and still keep your blogs going to this day, you will understand and you will appreciate the consistency in staying true to a real homemaking blog.  

Come in, sit, let me show you a few pictures of how I spent my Tuesday.

I start my days by opening my front door, opening the back patio doors and curtains around the house.  I tend to do this early in the morning to let in fresh air before the heat of the day kicks in.  Just feels like a breath of fresh air through the house refreshes things.

From there I move onto the dining room.  Usually the night before, after dinner we always play a game as a family.  It's a habit we've always had, it's a way to spend time together, to keep people off phones and to laugh and chat about our days.

Typically when we are done, I push the chairs in but that's it because often times, my husband and brother in law are still sitting down chatting.

So in the morning, I finally put it all in order.

The next room I move into, is the kitchen, and that one always tends to take longer to put together, although I often wonder why even bother because no doubt, an hour later, it will need attention again.  Hahaha

I start by putting away the clean dishes, then wash up anything from breakfast, take out the meat or chicken for dinner, prep anything that needs prepping, refill the fur babies water and food bowls, and give the floor a quick sweep.

 

After the kitchen, I move on to the living room and fold blankets, plump pillows and put away the babies toys that are usually all over the floor.

I also go ahead and fold up any washing that I left drying overnight.  I love using my floor racks for sheets or comforters, instead of throwing them in the dryer.  Saves on electricity and it also leaves the entire house smelling amazing while it air dries.

Vacuuming and dusting are usually the last things I do before either turning on a candle, my wax melts or using some air spray, just to finish it all off.

I often stand back with a smile on my face when it's all done.  Is there anything better than a clean and tidy, cozy home?  I don't think so.

The rest of the day, I pick up of the house as I go, you know the usual daily tasks here and there.  I also read my Bible, read my book, and do my workouts for the day.  I am currently getting in 10 000 steps a day, some days I come just shy of it, some days I pass that goal.  It doesn't matter, it is what it is.

Yesterday, I also took some time to post the mystery books on my Paperbackswap, and already had some requests, which means today I need to print out labels and get them ready to ship.

To finish the day, I did my 30 minute workout, and I wanted to share this picture with you.  I do it not to gloat, but to show you that at 49 years old, with work and determination, you CAN lose weight and you CAN go back to the body you once had.

I am in better shape today than I have been since my 20s.  It hasn't been all easy but I'm determined to keep going.

One thing that God has been pushing into my heart, is this "We don't live to eat, we eat to live."

Keep that in mind, because when we break the unhealthy habits we have with food, it all falls into place.

And with that, I am ending this post.  I need to get going with my day, get started and do what I need to do.

I hope you found some encouragement in my words, if you're a blogger keep blogging the way you always have.  Keep sharing because there are many young women out there today, who need encouragement, need tips and help and a healthy view of family and home.

Have a blessed Wednesday my friends, see you back here in the morning for a Cooking Thursday.  Yes, I'm going to be sharing a recipe.