This set of tea towels was embroidered by my Grandmother over 50 years ago. You can tell by looking that they are well-worn. Over the years, a few of them have disappeared, probably worn out from use. Yet, they still offer some sage advice:
Be An Angel
– Rest on Sunday
– Wash on Monday
– Iron on Tuesday
– Mend on Wednesday
– Bake on Saturday
These towels are very special to me for obvious reasons. But, they also impart some very good, old-fashioned wisdom – the simple wisdom of scheduling our tasks.
Very few of us have full days to give over to one task, and our lives are so automated that we don’t really need to. However, the simple act of setting up rules for when you will accomplish certain chores will put tasks in their place and allow you more time for the simpler pleasures in life.
A few examples to get you started:
After cooking a meal, put the kitchen back to rights. Sweep the floor, wipe off counters and appliances, clear off and put away any clutter that may have collected.
Set aside one day for all laundry chores. On laundry day put away shoes, straighten stacks of clothing, put away any apparel that is on the floor of the closet or draped over furniture, hang up coats.
After paying bills, complete all filing. If your files are bulging and need to be purged, set a kitchen timer for 10 minutes and purge and straighten as much as you can. Note where you leave off so you know where to continue purging and straightening the next time you pay bills.
When you go to the car wash, take a sack and spend a few minutes gathering things that don’t belong in the car. Immediately put these items where they belong when you get home.
Just a few extra minutes spent with each task and you will soon eliminate those marathon cleaning days and weeks. A constant drip can accomplish as much as a waterfall and with much less energy and anxiety.
I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home…. I am thankful for the piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby. ~Nancie J. Carmody