tenaha wilson: Slightly obsessed with lists.....

I have been a working mum since the girls were very young. To ensure I maintained a healthy lifestyle - I hired a cleaner for most of my working career. After deciding to put my career on hold to be "just a mum" (tongue in cheek - it is the most important job in the whole entire world!) last April, I decided I really had to get into some type of routine for house chores, as well as still allowing some "me" downtime; run an efficient house with a FIFO hubby and two very busy young ladies in the house; and somehow still be healthy and train for Busselton half ironman next May. It really made me think, how did we do this when I worked full time? Sure we hired a cleaner once a week, but we still managed to lead a healthy active lifestyle; maintained gardens; cooked healthy meals for the week ahead; all played several sports; socialised; and somehow had some fun family times. How did we fit this into 24 hours each day?

My career as an environmental scientist shaped me into an obsessive list maker. Without setting goals, I feel overwhelmed and have a sense of not achieving anything - even in something that seems as simple as running a household. After playing with various methods of multitasking - I found a method that works for me.

I write all the things I need to do each week on a white board - this includes my house and garden chores; finance management for the house; triathlon training, strengthening and rolling sessions; and "me" crafting time - essential for ensuring I don't go insane looking after everyone else. I progressively wipe these chores off as I complete them. I also have a daily list that I tick each day, which includes tasks like dishes; the girls lunches for the next day; preparing meals etc. Oh and of course our little princesses don't avoid the house chores - they also have a daily chore list they must complete. Overkill? Maybe. I sometimes don't feel like I am getting enough done each day. My family thinks I am hilarious and even try to sabotage my list by adding tasks to my whiteboard. It appears to work for us somehow and being a busy FIFO wife and mother to two active girls, it helps me to stay on track.

I would love to hear how other busy working mums organise their houses and associated chores.

Here are a few items I recently completed as part of my "me" time....

Proof I need more me time - I am now five years behind in my Scrapbooking pics. Layout made using Sassafrasslass papers, Kaiser flowers and bling.

A canvas of a Mulla Mulla - using acrylic

painting and collage methods.

I had to use this favourite stamp of my eldest daughter - she has already asked to have this card put aside for her next birthday.

This, and the next few cards, are made using a cute elephant stamp. Loved colouring him in and trying a few different backgrounds and layouts with this little guy.