This is Part 4 of “Organized Women Do THIS for Christmas!”
Eloise Wilkin, Illustrator
When I worked outside the home I was always sick either
right before Christmas or right afterwards, and I know it was the
stress. But many times our children or husband brings home a cold or
the stomach flu, and sometimes we just pick up something while out
grocery shopping.
In 2018 we had a fever and chills run through the family, and I was
in bed on December 21 and 22. Yet that was my first completely
stress-free Christmas because I was DONE. Everything on my list had
been accomplished, so it was no big deal to just lie in bed until I felt
better. Within 24 hours I was fine. (See post From Christmas Chaos to Christmas Calm.)
Now I am not a doctor, and some of these are only folk remedies, but
this is what I do to prepare for colds and flu, because once you are
sick, it is too late to run to the store!
I make sure that these 3 things are done year round:
Our bathroom is kept clean – from sinks to floors, because there
is nothing worse than staring at a dirty floor when you are nauseous.
There is plenty of toilet paper and tissue boxes (you don’t want to run out while you are ill!)
There is an empty trashcan with a liner already in it that can
be quickly grabbed (I keep one in the back of a lower cabinet so it is
not in my way daily, but can be accessed quickly by removing two
baskets). Our everyday bathroom waste basket is a beautiful glass mosaic that I later realized is completely inappropriate to use on your lap, so I had to plan a back-up.
By December 1st of each year I make sure I have: (the rest of this post can be read at ThriveOnOneIncome.com)
Eloise Wilkin, Illustrator May God bless you as you plan ahead and care for your family.
Oh yes, stress! It certainly contributes in some way, to most illnesses. And we are coming into, the cough-cold-flu time. -sighhhhhh- So it is common sense, not to add to our susceptibility, by stress.
And a harried Holiday Season, is the perfect recipe, for Stress.
Excellent plans for being ready, if/when illness strikes.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I like your way of decorating!!!!! It's quite amazing to me, how some people/countries do not decorate, until soooooo late. Very interesting. So glad I did this post! -smile-
Am also delighted to see, that you are a one income family. -smile- I never worked outside the home. My husband worked... I stayed home and kept the home and children... He always pitched in, even with long working hours. And I never over-spent. We never over-spent. But let's face it, the woman is the one, who controls "the purse strings." -smile-
I wish you well, with your life style. Now being 83, I can assure you, that it can be done. -smile- Probably harder today. I understand that. But in the long run, in any time period, if people do not *need* all the latest gadgets and 'toys,' it can be done.
Janine, This is such a helpful post! Just getting over the "crud" myself, I can attest to the value of keeping things extra clean at this time of year. I also like to keep a supply of extra medications, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, tissues, Vick stick, for those times when perhaps we might feel to unwell to run to the store. I am a great believer in keeping a stock of extras all through the year anyway, since you just never know when you might not have the ability to get out, etc. Also, 100 percent agree being prepared in advance for upcoming holidays and such is a great boon. Not only does it relieve alot of stress, it means should the worst happen, you are still ready! God Bless, Christine
Last year I read a very interesting book by Cassandra Aarssen called The Clutter Connection, How Your Personality Type Determines Why You Organize the Way You Do. The first time I took her test was on her website, Clutterbug.me , I came out as a “Butterfly.” But when I read her mini online book detailing the four different organizing styles that are based on your personality, I thought I was a Bee who coveted being a Cricket! (See her website for a quick explanation of the four Clutter Bugs.) I bought this book since it goes into depth on the four areas, with color pictures, and I wanted to know more. I was skeptical of her test and felt that the questions weren’t clear enough, so I took the test several times on different days, and again after reading each of the four sections of her book. I felt that on many of the questions I could answer “Yes” to 3 out of the 4 scenarios. So one time I did this on all the questions, and then added up my score that way.
Priscilla Poynter I spent many, many years unorganized. After reading countless books and decluttering, I just had my best Christmas ever, even though I was ill Dec. 21 & 22. I had NO STRESS. Everything was on schedule! Let me share with you the four steps I took to move from Christmas Chaos to Christmas Calm : 1) Write up, then type up, your Christmas Countdown . This is what MY list looks like: Christmas Countdown January Buy Christmas cards for next year (I do actual Christmas cards, not photo cards). Go to post office and buy Christmas stamps (I did this today, and saved myself the postage increase happening Jan. 21, 2018) Shop online for after-Christmas sales - Christmas themed items for next Christmas (it can be gifts, partyware, decor, wrapping paper, etc.) Place large empty box or Christmas bag into closet for gifts bought throughout the year, with post-it note for who it is for, or you will forget! Type up Christmas card list and
Hello Beautiful Homemakers! It occurred to me that, since half of my readers are already married, we could also study the book Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood at the same time we are reading the Original 1922 Fascinating Womanhood pamphlets, because they go hand in hand. This is not the book by Helen Andelin entitled Fascinating Womanhood . She rewrote the pamphlets and added in her own observations, Bible verses, and eventually, reader testimonials. This book, Secrets of Fascinating Womanhood, was written by David Coory. The story I heard years ago is that his wife had taken the class in the 1960s, and he was so happy in their marriage afterwards, that he put his book into a “class” format – with Helen Andelin’s permission – and with at least 20 testimonials from her files. I am reading the updated version of the book, so sometimes you can tell that this is from the 1960’s ($25 to buy an entire outfit) and other times updated words have been used such as “la
Oh yes, stress! It certainly contributes in some way, to most illnesses. And we are coming into, the cough-cold-flu time. -sighhhhhh- So it is common sense, not to add to our susceptibility, by stress.
ReplyDeleteAnd a harried Holiday Season, is the perfect recipe, for Stress.
Excellent plans for being ready, if/when illness strikes.
Thank you for your comment on my blog. I like your way of decorating!!!!! It's quite amazing to me, how some people/countries do not decorate, until soooooo late. Very interesting. So glad I did this post! -smile-
Am also delighted to see, that you are a one income family. -smile- I never worked outside the home. My husband worked... I stayed home and kept the home and children... He always pitched in, even with long working hours. And I never over-spent. We never over-spent. But let's face it, the woman is the one, who controls "the purse strings." -smile-
I wish you well, with your life style. Now being 83, I can assure you, that it can be done. -smile- Probably harder today. I understand that. But in the long run, in any time period, if people do not *need* all the latest gadgets and 'toys,' it can be done.
Happy to count you among my Dear Readers.
Gentle hugs...
😊🔥😊
Thanks for all your lovely comments!
DeleteJanine, This is such a helpful post! Just getting over the "crud" myself, I can attest to the value of keeping things extra clean at this time of year. I also like to keep a supply of extra medications, Tylenol, Ibuprofen, tissues, Vick stick, for those times when perhaps we might feel to unwell to run to the store.
ReplyDeleteI am a great believer in keeping a stock of extras all through the year anyway, since you just never know when you might not have the ability to get out, etc.
Also, 100 percent agree being prepared in advance for upcoming holidays and such is a great boon. Not only does it relieve alot of stress, it means should the worst happen, you are still ready!
God Bless,
Christine
We are such kindred spirits, Christine. I wish you lived next door!
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