My housework Time Table

Now, are you always recalling when was the last time you changed your bed sheets? Or the last time you scrubbed the bathroom tiles? Or cleaned out the closets? All these chores can be a pain and make you flustered especially when you're all tired out after a day of work. Now with a time table and the preserverance to follow it, you will never need to recall again. 

This is my vanity table in my walk in closet. It's the first thing I see when I come home after work, the last thing I see before I go to bed and also the last thing I see before I leave for work. See the board on the right side? It's my time table. 

Everyone grew up with a time table. On the first day of school every year, we were given our routine time table right at the start before any lesson started. 

Take a closer look at my time table. 

Each day of the week is written on each post it note. Under each day, I write down what are the routine chores that needs to be carried out. 

So every evening, when I come home from work, I dump my bags in the closet and look at my time table. Okay, it says "Wash toilet." today, so I undress, wash the toilet and then relax with a warm shower after the hard work. 

Then before I go to bed, I slap on my moisturizer on my face while looking at the time table again. It says "Soak floormats." Okay, so I'll dump the mats into the bucket of soapy water before I go to bed. 

In the morning, before I leave for work, I check out my time table again. It says "Wash floormats." for today. Okay, the mats have been soaked the night before. And when I come back today, I'll be checking my timetable again and I'll see "Wash floormats" again, so I'll just wash them before stepping into the shower. 

The trick here is, not to just write the household chores anyhow. You have to arrange the type of chores based on your schedule so that doing the chores are convenient for you, you don't have to drag yourself to do it. And don't arrange all the tedious chores like mopping the floor, scrubbing the toilets one day after another. Make sure you have enough rest. You're a working mother without a helper, for goodness sake, you do your chores WHEN YOU DEEM FIT.

Note though, this tip will not apply if you're a couch potato. Anyways, if you're a working mother like me, the couch is just a luxury item which you can only look at and the potato just adds inches to your waist.

Fast Breakfast Idea - Ham and Cheese Sandwich

This is another breakfast I made for the kids this morning. Ham and cheese can never go wrong together. It's so simple that you can slap everything together while waiting for your turn for the bathroom.

1. Wash a few pieces of lettuce and wipe dry with tissue.
2. Heat up honey baked ham in a non stick pan. No oil needed.
3. Place a slice of cheese on top of a piece of bread.
4. When the ham starts to brown in the pan, remove from the pan and place in on the cheese so that the cheese will melt from the hot ham.
5.Add lettuce and top with another piece of bread.
6. Holler for the kids while making hot chocolate. (This wakes the hubby up so that he knows it's almost time to wake up.See? 2 tasks solved at one time)

The most important meal of the day - BREAKFAST

Most kids either skip breakfast or have some cereal for breakfast as their parents need to rush out for work in the morning. Like me, I already wake up very early to tidy up the house, so I seldom have the time to make a sumptuous breakfast even for myself, needless to say, for the kids.

All mothers have this tendency to feel guilty when they are not able to provide something homey for the kids. And all that guilt building up inside you can really make you feel unhappy and stressed out. Even so during busy work periods with deadlines to meet and cranky bosses.

Thus, it is important for us mothers do so something homey once in a while, like breakfast this morning.



This morning, I made a simple breakfast for the kids this morning. It's so fuss free, I woke up at the same time to scramble the eggs and wasn't late for work today. The kids could finish up easily and not rush through it.

If I manage to keep this up, I'll get more presentable plates for that real breakfast feel.

A mental note to add sauteed mushrooms the next time :)

The Convenient Stock List

I bought this small magnetic white board  from Daiso. It comes with a small white board marker as well but the ink dries out in 3 days (well, whaddaya expect for $2???)

I keep this board on the fridge door and will write down whenever the supplies are low and need to be purchased. The fridge is located in the kitchen which is near the washroom, near the cupboard where I keep the cleaning item etc, so it's very convenient to just write down.

When the list runs down to item 5 or 6, just take a snapshot with your mobile and the next time you're at the supermarket, just whip out your phone and ta-daa...!!!

Beats rummaging the drawers for a piece of paper to write down your grocery list, or smacking your forehead at the supermarket when you realise you have forgotten to bring along the list.

Also, anyone can just leave a funny message to cheer up your day :)

My Jogging Spots

There are a few jogging spots which I frequent, and I try to find as many different spots I can, so that jogging becomes more interesting.

This is my very first jogging spot.

I usually go to during weekends. I used to like this spot because I can just stare along the canal as I jog and not be put off by the distance, or when I do my stretching facing the trees which can be quite destressing. However, I seldom jog here anymore as it's getting more and more crowded with children cycling and people walking their pets here.

This is my routine jogging spot.

Actually it is hardly a spot, as the trail circles around the college near my house. There are several joggers using this trail, we just go round and round the college aimlessly. Boring as it may be, it is my favourite spot which I have no idea why. I finish off with the warm down at the exercise park.

This is a new jogging spot I accidentally discovered.

I was on my way to the stadium to jog after dropping the kids at the pool when I saw a few joggers heading off in the same direction. Following them, I encountered this very nice spot. It is a park actually and so the jogging trails are sheltered by trees. It can be quite pleasant under the shade. There are butterflies fluttering around as there are some fruit trees and flowery shrubs in the park. There is also a playground where you can hear children playing as you jog. The jogging trails go up- and down-slope, so there is some intensity added to your jog. Then there is a small exercise park incorporated where you can end your workout. Nice place, but too bad I can only go during the weekends when I send the kids for their swimming class.

First Week At Work

1. Smile and Smile and ..... you guessed it ...... SMILE

2. Everyone looked serious. Because they are seriously concentrating on the job. Because every project is very important to the company. No, not because they are unfriendly to you on purpose. The world doesn't revolve around you, you know.

3.  Whoa.... lunch is PRICEY in town.

4. Ooops.... made a wrong turn.... AGAIN....... where is my office??????

5. No, you don't need your access card to get out of the office, small-town girl. Because you used it to get in in the first place.

6. Whoa ..... formal office wear is PRICEY.

7. Wow. The bosses here actually know how to operate Microsoft programs. They are REAL.

8. Don't be too eager to show your efficiency, you'll end up tripping over yourself. If you've got it, you can't hide it.

9. There is a reason why the windows can't be opened. They don't encourage suicides during work.

10. Start asking questions if you are not sure. It's ok to be humbled by serious organisations, these people walk the talk.

11. Be positive.

12. Show interest in the issues and read up on the internet if you don't have the basics.

13. Be nice to everyone, don't be over-sensitive or over defensive.

14. Just relax and try have a good time.

Did you count your blessings today?

I took an hour and a half train journey, walked 20 mins in my high heels, got lost in the dark and nearly keeled over in hunger to meet my brother and my sister in law.

Blessing #1 

- Had time for meditation during our queue for the appointment.

Blessing #2 

- Funny jokes and warm laughter shared over supper.   

Blessing #3 

- Realised that being the youngest of the family, still yearn to stick to my brothers and sister in laws like when I was a kid.

Blessing #4

- learnt from my sister in law that my aloof brother got crossed with her when she didn't realise he had sent her a message that he wants to send me home. We stay at totally opposite sides of the island. Not much of a blessing that he was cross with her, but just that my aloof brother cared for his little sister, the same sister which he always dread to pick up from school many donkey years ago.

Blessing #5

- pleased to see that my sister in law is still flustered and very much bothered about missing my brother's message

So much  blessings in one night.... well, what's there to complain but a peeling blister at the bottom of my foot?

A Working Mum's Schedule - OBSOLETE

PLEASE NOTE THIS SCHEDULE IS OBSOLETE NOW THAT HELPER HAS LEFT. PLEASE SEE UPDATED SCHEDULE.


Monday to Friday
5am
- alarm clock morning call, rubs eye, contemplates lying down for another 15 mins

5.15am
- switches on water heater on the way to the refrigerator, takes out vegetables, chop, cut, wash, boil, fry, cook food for dinner

5.30am
- tsks to herself if helper shows no signs of waking up. wakes up helper

5.45am
- prepare Selina's milk

6.00am
- prick ears, listen intently for Ryan's alarm clock going off. Pry Selina away from her bed

6.05am
- finish preparing dinner, sends smurfs to harvest crops and follow Papa Smurf's instructions. Scream for Selina to bathe.

6.20am
- scream for Selina to come out of the shower

6.30am to 7.15am
- kiss the kids goodbye, bathe, breakfast, wash laundry, makeup ..... yes, all at the same time

7.15am
- sit at jewelry workspace, thinking of design to try out later in the night

7.30am to 8.30am
- grab a pack of milk, leave for work via public transport. meditation during 10mins shuttle bus ride to train station. short nap from train station to office.

8.45am to 5.30pm
- work hours at office

7.00pm
- dinner with kids

7.30pm
- TV time/ homework with kids

9.30pm
- jewelry or craft time

10.30pm
- prepare marinade, cold cut etc for next day dinner

11.00pm
- update blog

12.30pm
- visit to Land of Zzzzzz.....

Saturday
7.00am
- alarm clock morning call, rubs eye, contemplates lying down for another 15 mins

7.30am
- wake Selina

8.00am
- leave for swimming class

11.30am
- back to home

Free and Easy

Sunday
7.00am
- alarm clock morning call, rubs eye, contemplates lying down for another 15 mins

9.00am
- leave for Selina's Dhamma Class

11.00am to 12.30pm
- end of Dhamma Class

1.00pm to 2.00pm
- lunch and leave for supermarket

3.00pm
- tea break session with kid or kids plus supermarket for coming week's dinner

4.30pm
- cook dinner plus 10 mins nap during DIY facial

8.00pm
- dinner time

8.30pm
- TV time with kids

9.30pm
- jewelry or craft time

10.30pm
- prepare marinade, cold cut etc for next day dinner

11.00pm
- update blog

12.30pm
- visit to Land of Zzzzzz.....