This fall, we decided to do things a bit differently, so we asked several of our blogger friends to share what a typical day in their life is like, including all of their best tips and tricks for staying organized and efficient. This is a two-part series, with half of us sharing today, and the rest of us sharing on September 6th, so we hope you’ll join us for both.
One quick note about the schedule: Megan of Honey We’re Home was originally going to post today, but she lives in Houston. While she and her family are safe from the flooding, she’s understandably exhausted. She’s going to join us on September 6th instead. In the meantime, please visit her blog post on “Helping Houston.”
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Let’s get started with a day in my life:
A typical school day at my house begins with coffee, and it doesn’t begin without coffee. I’m a night owl, not an early bird, and thankfully my kids don’t have to be at school until 8am (Amy’s oldest has a 6:15 bus pickup; I can’t even imagine!). I stagger out of bed around 6:45 most mornings.
This is the coffee bar I’ve set up on our kitchen cart. We aren’t messing around, are we?
My kids pack their own lunches every day, although I do pitch in if someone oversleeps or if they get home late from the gym or yoga, because they sometimes work out in the morning (#didntgetitfromme). My daughter usually meal preps on Sundays–she’s a ballet dancer and the healthiest eater in the family–and packs her lunch the night before. My son leaves his for the morning. The fewer people in our kitchen at one time, the better, because it’s quite petite.
(We love these Sistema {affiliate link} containers for packing lunch)
For those of you who are visiting from the other Operation: Organization participants, here’s the quick backstory on our family: my husband is in the Army and received orders to move to Ft. Riley, Kansas, this summer. The kids and I stayed in North Carolina so our son, a senior, can finish high school. We considered moving, of course, because we hate to be apart voluntarily when we’re so often separated involuntarily, but that would have been Connor’s third high school. To offset the costs associated with maintaining two homes and traveling back and forth, we downsized from a 4000sf house {see it here} to our current home, which is about 1600sf {see it here}. It’s quaint and quirky, and lots of fun, though!
I’m a bed-maker and if you ever see my bed unmade, you either came over while I was still sleeping, or I’m sick. My kids make theirs in the mornings, too.
{see more of the powder room here}
I usually do at least one load of laundry a day in my basement dungeon. Old houses are the best except when it comes to laundry rooms!
Since I use a laptop, I can work almost anywhere. The kitchen table is my office most of the time.
I also talk to my husband at least once a day, in the evening, and we text during the day. He tries to come home every 4-6 weeks, and so far that’s working.
The kids go to bed around 10pm and then I go to sleep around midnight; I usually read a bit and then lose consciousness within minutes. And then it’s time to do it all again!
Wow you’re day is crazy busy like mine. I am thinking that is the normal day of a blogger! Your home is so warm and cozy too!
I blame the children. 🙂 Just kidding, but of course if I had to choose I’d rather stay crazy busy taking care of my family than have plenty of free time without them. Right?!
XO,
Christy
CHRISTY, YOU’RE WAY AHEAD OF ME ON THE COLLEGE GAME… I’D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU’RE DOING. WHATEVER IT IS LOOKS SUPER ORGANIZED! ALSO, NOW I’M REALLY HUNGRY FOR TOMATO SOUP TOO! 🙂 LOVED SEEING THIS PEEK INTO YOUR DAY!
That screen shot was just the schools we’re sending his SAT scores to…I wish he’d narrow it down a bit because only the first four are free and it gets expensive! 😉
Christy! I love your post – you’re a doll!!
xoxo,
Sam
Thanks, Sam. Can’t wait to see yours–you always inspire me!
Christy
Can you tell me where you got your blue coffee mug? what brand is it, and what pattern? many thanks!
Of course, Margaret! It’s Spode Blue Italian and it’s 16 ounces to hold a lot of coffee! They’re on Amazon here, or you can sometimes find them at HomeGoods or TJ Maxx (they’re still $10 each there–kind of pricey). I only have two and love them!
Hope that helps–
Christy
I know it’s crazy, but I miss those days! With Henley and Katie here for a little while, I am getting to experience a bit of it again and it’s nice. The one thing Katie loves about it there is the ability to walk most places and how pet friendly it is.
I know that I will miss it, too! I’m trying to soak up all the moments while they’re both still at home. Katie is correct: this is such a dog-friendly community. Harley couldn’t be happier!
Love it, girl! And your day sounds so similar to mine! ? — Right down to the dressing up every day and minus the husband being away part! Maybe that’s why we get along so well 🙂
That’s probably exactly why!! 😉
Christy–I hope these all caps aren’t misconstrued! My caps Lock is off, BTW. Your downsizing looks like it went pretty smoothly and you’re all in a groove. I’m an Aldi shopper, too, but I ventured up 1 North (Tramway/Sanford) to Lidl and it’s pretty great! More choices, fresh bread, great produce to round out the farmer’s market, and no fumbling for a quarter for the cart. Bring your own bags. Love reading your posts!
Dale, Level and Plum Photography
Dale–I didn’t know we had a Lidl so close by! Thanks so much for the tip. I am definitely going to head north next week to check it out. Hope you’re doing well!
Christy
I know that you are always a busy lady and you get so much accomplished as you are so very organized. I think getting “dressed” every day just sets the tone of the day to accomplish what you set out to do! You have made your little cottage a most beautiful home!!!
Thanks so much, Shirley. My mom always dressed for the day and while I didn’t always do it when the kids were younger, now I feel like it starts me off on the right foot every day. Hope you are doing well!
Christy! Loved learning a little more about you through your daily life! Such a fun post! My daughter is a dancer too but man.. now I’m excited for when my kids can drive themselves! 😉
FUN post sweet friend! xo
What a fun post! I loved seeing what keeps you busy all day. I need to check out your Etsy shop.
It was really fun to see that computer screen re: college applications. I have to admit I do NOT miss those days. My oldest applied to 15 colleges; my middle son to 13 colleges. But then my youngest visited High Point and said, “This is it.” Saved us a lot of money on application fees!
My house is right in between Duke and UNC, so if you come to visit these parts, please let me know. My oldest went to Duke and my second to UNC, so we know quite a bit about those schools. And my husband taught at Hillsdale for 7 years, so we know a LOT about that school!
Take care, Christy!
Hey, Richella–
I will definitely keep in mind that you are a great stopping off point (and resource for college questions). How neat that you’ve got three of Connor’s choices covered within your family! Thank you so much for your willingness to be a resource–it’s so different from when we were applying to college, isn’t it?!
XO,
Christy