Day 12 of 30 Day Gratitude Photo Challenge

Day 12: Music

I hate to clean. I mean really I know most people don't like it but I seriously just don't like it.  I will let the dishes go days sometimes just because I don't want to do them.  And frankly I can live with mess to certain point.  When I do finally clean I find the task much more doable with music.  That's what happened today.  I couldn't take the pile of dishes and dirty counters so I spent over an hour cleaning the kitchen this morning.  I had my iPad on the counter and was listening to music.  I found myself fast forwarding a lot to hear songs I loved.  Since it was music theme today I decided to take screen shots of the bands or artists that I love.  Pink is one of my all time favorites! She just kicks ass.  Red Hot Chili Peppers has to be one of my all time favorite bands along with No Doubt.  And of course Bob.  My daughter's name is Marley .... now you know why!!

Ten on Tuesday

1. What are your designated chores in your home?
I do 90% of the cooking, 80% of the dishes, 100% of the laundry, and I'd say 75% of the cleaning up and putting away of things.

2. What is your least favorite chore to do around the house?
I HATE doing dishes and cleaning the bathroom.

3. What was your designated chore growing up?
I was responsible for doing dishes and my brother and I would take turns emptying the clean dishes.  I also had to clean my room

4. Did you get paid to do chores or was your allowance connected to you completing your chores?
My allowance was connected to finishing my chores.

5. If you had a bit of extra money, would you hire a cleaning person or would you save the money for something else?
If we could afford a cleaning lady I would so totally do it!!

6. What chores will you make your kids do around the house?
They already pick up their rooms and the messes they make in the family room.  My son is old enough that he can feed the cat and the dog so that's one of his chores.  I know my husband can't wait until he's  old enough to mow the lawn.  I'm ready for them to be able to help with dishes or do dishes.

7. How frequently do you do laundry? Wash your sheets? Dust?
I do the laundry once a week.  It takes me about 4-5 loads to wash every one's clothes then I also do the towels/sheets once a week too and that is usually 2-3 loads.  I dust when I can't stand the dust any longer or my children leave hand prints in things.

8. Do you have a designated “chore day” during the week?
No, not really.  I just do things as they need them or the day before someone is supposed to come over.

9. What is your favorite chore–if such a thing exists?
I actually don't mind doing laundry. 

10. Do you do anything to help pass the time while doing chores (music, TV, etc.)?
I should.  I have found that when I put on my iPod and listen to music it makes cleaning much more bearable but I just forget to do that most days.

Ten on Tuesday

1. What is your cleaning style like?
It's pretty much leave it if it's not disgusting or clean when I get them whim (rare) or clean when I have company coming.  I'm just not a big fan of cleaning nor am I a neat freak.

2. What is your favorite thing to add to an outfit to take it from casual to classy?
Add cute flats and nice jewelry.

3. Do you like stormy weather?
Yes! I like thunderstorms and rain when I don't have to go anywhere.

4. What is your favorite cold treat on a hot day?
Ice cream, ice cold beer, or a gin and tonic with lots of ice.

5. What is your favorite warm treat on a cold day?
Fresh warm chocolate chip cookies out of the oven or chili.

6. Who is your favorite animated character?
Woody from Toy Story!

7. What do you keep your jewelry in?
I have a few jewelry boxes but the pieces I wear the most I keep in a anti tarnish travel jewelery pouch on my dresser.

8. Do any of the rooms in your house have a theme?
Not really.  The kids rooms kinda do in general terms.  Noa's is cowboys (cowboy quilt my mom made him and cowboy sheets and decals from Target) and Marley's is flowers (quilt my mom made her and decals from Target and the flower mobile I made her).

9. Do you watch any interior design TV shows – if so, what is your favorite?
I used to watch them all the time ... particularly Trading Spaces and Dear Genevieve but I rarely watch them now because I cut back on TV that James doesn't watch with me.

10. When was the last time you did something risk-taking?
Everyday when I drive here! Seriously people here are terrible (we literally have the highest accident & insurance rates in the state).  I chalk it up to all the retirees from up north, students and tourists.  I have been hit 3 times (NONE my fault) in the last 5 years.

Help!

I have to start out by saying I love my husband a lot, I really do!  He is kind, funny, smart, loving, generous and lots of other wonderful things but he is driving me a bit batty lately.  I mentioned awhile back that I have taken on a part time job.  I am working about 20 hours a week outside the house above and beyond my normal stay at home mom stuff.  Last night I came home to a house that was a wreck, except for the half of the kitchen my husband cleaned.  To his credit he did this all with out me asking him to, which was awesome.  More often than not I feel like I have to ask/tell him what things I need/want him to help me get done around here.  Like this morning I asked him if he would help me finish getting the downstairs cleaned up before he left for work at noon.  As I was working on finishing the kitchen and laundry and floors he would kind of walk around and pick up little things/organize them then stand and watch me clean.  I would then ask him to do something else (take the table cloth of the table please it needs to be washed).  Again he would do what I asked and then come stand and watch me work/talk to me.  Point blank it pissed me off.  Could he not look around and find things to be done himself!?!?  Yes! He's a smart man and perfectly capable of doing that.  So being the kind to let my voice be heard I told him what I felt about it.  He got mad and pissy about it but I really didn't care that much.  I just wanted help.  I have always felt that when I was at home not working I would do most of the house work and that's pretty fair I think.  But I still thought (and he agreed) that he would help out some.  In fact when I am home with the kids I feel like playing with them and doing stuff with them is the priority not cleaning (although in times of need cleaning comes before them).  But now that I am working too I thought he might step up and try to help out more.  He has stepped up with the kids and doing more cooking but the cleaning part not so much.  Anyway I already have 2 kids I have to tell to clean up I really, really don't want to have to tell my husband what to clean up too .....  it's just too much.  And that's my rant for the day.  James I love you but dude help me out and take some initiative!  Let see if he reads my blog....