At the Well: Housekeeping Helps

Come, gather at the well today!

     Today "At the Well," (click on the link above to participate and read) we're discussing the woes of Housekeeping!  When I read that title, I immediately groaned and became depressed! Housekeeping, though, is not going away in this lifetime, and we all have to do it...So, let's put this subject in a more pleasant perspective!
 
Let's remember:

1. Housekeeping is Temporary, not Eternal!
2. Housekeeping is due to the curse--Even We Will Return to Dust!
3. Housekeeping is an opportunity to serve our Lord and our family.
4. Housekeeping is God's training ground of our character and it's All About Attitude.
5. Housekeeping is an opportunity for God to train our children through us: a) We need to train them by our attitude towards housework and b) We need to Train them in the skills to do it.
6. Housekeeping is more difficult because we are Blessed with (too) many Belongings.
7. Housekeeping is more difficult because we have bad attitudes.
8. Let's Be Thankful for the riches God has given us: People to clean up after, and Things to put into place (and take care of and use for His glory).
9. Let's Be Thankful for the body He has given us to do the work (and if we are able to do any work, let's thank Him for every bit we can do)!
10. Let's Be a Good Steward of the Time and Possessions that God has given us, remembering that everything we have is really God's, and we will be called upon to give an account: a) By Learning ways to do the work we have to do more quickly and efficiently; b) By Using the things we have, or giving/selling them to someone else who will (or throwing them); c) By Taking care of the things we have so they will last longer.

Resources to Help Us Get a Handle on Housekeeping:
(under Home Organization below)
"Sidetracked Home Executives/From Pigpen to Paradise" by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (This book actually changed my life.  Pam and Peggy, the SLOB sisters, showed me a way that it was Possible for Me, someone who's not "born organized," to have a clean and organized home and life and still be me and be happy. They encourage you with their own examples and stories, because they're actually worse than you are, or they were until they came up with this system. And they are so funny, you'll "laugh til the tears are rolling down your cheeks"--I promise.)
"Get Your Act Together: A 7-Day Get-Organized Program For The Overworked, Overbooked, and Overwhelmed" by Pam Young and Peggy Jones (Written by the same sisters who co-authored "Sidetracked Home Executives."  Please read the reviews on Amazon for this book--you'll definitely buy this book if you do!  I hope it will change your life as it has others!)
"Speed Cleaning" by Jeff Campbell (This is a great, compact "how-to" book to teach exactly how to clean your house in what order and what way--FAST! I learned how to clean my bathroom in about 15 minutes from this book.)
"Is There Life After Housework?" by Don Aslett (Known for his humorous and helpful look at this timeless topic, he tells you how to clean everything in your house. Also includes spot and stain removal tips.)
"Do I Dust or Vacuum First?" by Don Aslett (All of Aslett's books and videos are funny and informative, and I recommend having these as resources on your bookshelf.)
"Houseworks: Cut the Clutter, Speed Your Cleaning and Calm Chaos" by Cynthia Townley Ewer (This author's "Christmas Organized" forms and tips have helped me tremendously, so based on that I include her book here on organizing the Housekeeping area of your life, but if the reviews online are any indication, you'll be buying one for yourself and your daughter! Great shower/wedding gift idea!)
"The New Messies Manual: The Procrastinator's Guide to Good Housekeeping" by Sandra Felton (This is the new, updated version--My sister-in-law absolutely loved this book and couldn't stop talking about it! It gave her such hope! It will you, too!)
"Streamlining Your Life: A 5-point Plan for Uncomplicated Living" by Stephanie Culp
(Culp, a time management expert, gives ideas on how to declutter and simplify and the motivation to do it.  Examples of timewasters, how to eliminate them, and why. A no-nonsense approach and if you follow her advice, you'll be so glad you did!)