Holiday Home Blessing Challenge

[KatieMae]

Welcome to the 2008 Edition of the GCM Holiday Home Blessing Challenge!
Beginning Monday, October 27th!

How it works:
Every day, check this forum for the HHBC post. The format looks like this:

DAILY'S:
Devotions: 100pts
Dishes: Some done 10pts / Shiny Sink at Bedtime 20pts
Laundry: Wash, Dry, Fold, Put away - 3pts per step OR 20pts per completed load
Hot Spots: 5mins = 15pts (limit of 30pts/day)
De-cluttering: 5mins = 15pts (limit of 45pts/day)
5-minute Challenge Participation: 50pts

Challenge: Description & Points will vary day-to-day, sometimes a lump-sum amount of points OR points per room or per item (that's a great opportunity to catch up on points!)

Bonus: Same deal as the Challenge, but usually the task will be a little less enjoyable or more involved


Simply reply to the post & mark your points as you accomplish the tasks! At the end of the day, write your Total Points & I'll add it to this post :) At the end of the month, the winner gets bragging rights - and we're working on getting a blinkie for your signature too! :rockon You can play along even if you don't want to count points; knowing that your sisters from GCM are working on the same task at the same moment seems to make it less like drudgery & more like blessings for your home & family.


Guidelines:
1. Devotions This is whatever you want to be doing on a daily basis to spend quiet time with God. This challenge is an excellent way to establish new habits!
2. Dishes What does "Shiny Sink" mean? This is a Flylady idea - a Shiny Sink is what our goal would be for all-day conditions, but for this challenge I mean "Shiny Sink at bedtime" - that all of your dishes are either clean in the cupboards or dirty in the dishwasher; the stovetop & counters are wiped down & your sink is rinsed clean too. The idea is that you'll get a boost when you wake up to a clean kitchen!
3. Laundry This is broken down into steps (wash, dry, fold, put away); each step is 3pts, but the big motivation is to have completed loads in one day, which are worth 20pts! Example: 2 completed loads + the last one tumbling in the dryer at bedtime is 20+20+6 (washed & dried) = 46pts. When you finish that last load the following day, it's only 6 points for doing the folding & putting away.
4. Hot Spots Another Flylady idea. These are the places where clutter breeds in your house. You have to put out the hot spots before their little fires get out of control. Take a few minutes to think about what your hot spots are - usually they're the dropping place when you come indoors, the bottom of the stairs (things to take upstairs), the dining table or kitchen counter. The places you're always clearing, but the problem always comes back. This is also a great time to re-train your family to put things where they belong instead of in those hot spots!
5. De-cluttering This can mean working on a larger de-cluttering/reorganizing project or simply walking around the house & picking out things to sell/donate/trash.
6. 5-Minute Challenge Participation There's another daily thread in this forum that helps you to do work in spurts of five minutes. Participating in this other challenge is worth points on here, as it will help you accomplish the daily tasks AND it helps to motivate the rest of us to keep going!
7. Yes, You can join late! / Yes, You can catch up! If you miss a day's challenge (for any reason ;)) you can come back to the Challenge & Bonus later, but the Daily's are only available for each day. Example: If you were sick on Tuesday but want to do that day's Challenge & Bonus on Friday, write it in FRIDAY's post but note the original date of the challenge with your points for doing it!


Participants & Points!
AdrienneQW/Adrienne
Anani/Rachel 485
ArmsOfLove/Crystal 597
Atarah 609
Blue Savannah/Kristin 575
CakeLady/Wendy 520
Charla 411
ChristmasGirl/Susie
Countrymama/Kelly
dylansmom/Leah
gentle2blue/Tracey 477
gentlebirth/Ashley
GodChick/Michele 95
Heather R/Heather 326
IslandHome/Eva 405
jblairosu/Jennifer 505
joyful mama/Jen 547
joystrength/Tonya 300
KatieMae/Katie 419
klpmommy/Kimberly 545
knitlove 565
kwisie/Karen 506
LoveIsGentle/Sarah 455
lumpofclay/Jessica 330
MaiMama/Mai 373
MessianicMama 338
michelle3802/Michelle 31
mom2threegirls/Cari 640
MommyNae/Jenae 510
monkeylicious/Jennifer 150
nebraskanmom/Liz
Niphredil/Lindsay 503
Playful Mommy/Sheryl
ProudMommaof2/Traci 382
Rea T 475
RealLifeMama/Amy 590
RiverRock/Jessica
Schmamy/Amy 430
scottishthistle/Sara
Sign Of The Fish Burger/Candice
SonshineMama/Jodi 454
thomer/Tracy 515
tigerlily/Robin
TrinMama/Gina 937
valentine
WI Mama05/Kim - On Leave for babymooning! Join us whenever you're ready :heart

**PM me with any changes :)**



here is the participant blinkie if anyone wants it for their siggie. Thanks to Niphridel for making it for us!!!!!

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/MissEllieNora/Digi%20work/hhbcp.gif

[inesperada]

I'd like to try to play. :)

[schmamy]

I've never done one of these before, but I think I might try this time. :yes

[Blue Savannah]

:cup

[joystrength]

:yes :yes :yes

[joyful mama]

:jump2

[tempus vernum]

:rockon

[Six Little Feet]

I would like to join

[Heather R]

Sure, sign me up! I'm also doing the MM accountability thread with MtnMama, but this should be fun, too.

[Anani]

:rockon

[charla]

I'm game.

[Blue Savannah]

When is this starting?

[CakeLady]

I'm in. But can someone :poke me to remind me if I don't check in.

[KatieMae]

Sure, sign me up! I'm also doing the MM accountability thread with MtnMama, but this should be fun, too.

Definitely!
When is this starting?

This coming Monday, October 27th :rockon

I'm in. But can someone :poke me to remind me if I don't check in.

:yes

[MaiMama]

Go ahead and sign me up, please, but I'm scared. It's been a while since I've tried anything comprehensive. May I ask why it's called a *holiday* home blessing challenge? To get it decent by the holidays?

[KatieMae]

Go ahead and sign me up, please, but I'm scared. It's been a while since I've tried anything comprehensive. May I ask why it's called a *holiday* home blessing challenge? To get it decent by the holidays?


:yes Many of us will have guests for either Thanksgiving or the Christmas/New Year's holidays, so, quite honestly, fear of embarrassment is a great motivator :shifty And even if you don't have anyone coming to your home (like me), having a clean house will hopefully allow you to enjoy the season more & not be distracted by a to-do list!

[joyful mama]

for me, its for peace of mind during the holidays :heart.

i'm hosting Thanksgiving for my ils, and Christmas only for fil... so I guess I am hosting :doh duh, I didn't even think of that, lol. Yeah, my brain is fried. silly baby likes to be awake at night :yawn :yawn

[KatieMae]

:jawdrop You're hosting with a little baby to take care of?! Practice saying, "Yes, that would be great if you could bring X to dinner." :smile

[joyful mama]

:jawdrop You're hosting with a little baby to take care of?! Practice saying, "Yes, that would be great if you could bring X to dinner." :smile
:yes :giggle

its 'only' my inlaws and dh cooks the turkey :lol. i just do the rest.... i might just make it a day early and reheat :think

[Atarah]

:jump2

[Herbwifemama]

I'm in! I"ve never done something like this before either, but I think it will be fun, and goodness knows I need it. :)

[knitlove]

ok I guess I am ready. :pray4 that this can help me get things under control and in to the habit of cleaning so I have some thing to come back to after I have the baby.

[LoveIsGentle]

I want to join!


I'm in. But can someone :poke me to remind me if I don't check in.


Me too? :)

[KatieMae]

I want to join!


I'm in. But can someone :poke me to remind me if I don't check in.


Me too? :)


Welcome to the challenge! I can definitely :poke you too :yes

[LoveIsGentle]

Welcome to the challenge! I can definitely :poke you too :yes


:giggle Thanks!

[CakeLady]

I'm in. But can someone :poke me to remind me if I don't check in.

:yes


Thank you!

[RealLifeMama]

I am in and very excited!
Last night, I even told DH about it. He was confused at first, but then I think he got it and he said 'Oh, well, it will be nice to have someone hold you accountable. Spouses don't make good accountability partners. " :smile I said "Yes, especially regarding housework! " I can just imagine what I would say to DH if he came home and asked me what I did around the house that day! :haha

[Atarah]

:haha about our possible reactions to our dh's asking what we do around the house all day.

I agree that fellow moms are better to have for accounatbility IRT housekeeping. :yes

[KatieMae]

I agree that fellow moms are better to have for accountability IRT housekeeping. :yes


My DH is more apt to notice the mess of toys on the floor (a "tidy" issue) but totally miss the spotless kitchen or sparkling bathroom :rolleyes

[IslandHome]

Can I join in still? I think I need something like this!! :)

[KatieMae]

Can I join in still? I think I need something like this!! :)


Absolutely! :)

[dylansmom]

I would like to join. I have let things get out of control and need some motivation to get back on track. :)

[Rea T]

Joining in, I really need something to keep me accountable and it will help if it is (sort of) fun.

[KatieMae]

Great :cheer More people!!!

And yes, it's strange when I hear myself telling DH about this & words like "fun" and "exciting" and "I can't wait" come up... I'm thinking, "Am I talking about cleaning?!" :hunh

[GodChick]

ooo . . . count me in too! :)

Erm . . .uhm . . . about how LONG each day does it take to do all this stuff? [size=6pt]Please, oh please don't tell me 3 hours a day. :shifty

[tempus vernum]

You could get lots of points with 1/2 hour a day. Even more with 45 minutes - check it out.
Devotions - 10
Laundry 10 minutes
Dishes 10 minutes
Hot spots 5 minutes
Declutter 5 minutes
5 minute challenge - 5 minutes

All the main stuff can be done in 45 minutes :rockon Since you get points for 5 minute increments, you can do 10 minutes and still be successful. The success is in the difference it makes in your house. AND for me, reminding myself that 5 minutes can make a world of difference in my home :grin

[GodChick]

:mrgreen :tu

[MaiMama]

When is this supposed to start? I put away TEN LOADS of laundry today. :shifty :giggle
I told Trinity about it, though, and saw the effects of external motivators when I tried to get her to clear her table: "No, you do it, Mommy. You get the points. You do all the work." :giggle So that won''t work.

[KatieMae]

When is this supposed to start? I put away TEN LOADS of laundry today. :shifty :giggle
I told Trinity about it, though, and saw the effects of external motivators when I tried to get her to clear her table: "No, you do it, Mommy. You get the points. You do all the work." :giggle So that won''t work.


:jawdrop & :haha It'll start next week - Monday morning, October 27th :tu

[kwisie]

When is this supposed to start? I put away TEN LOADS of laundry today. :shifty :giggle
I told Trinity about it, though, and saw the effects of external motivators when I tried to get her to clear her table: "No, you do it, Mommy. You get the points. You do all the work." :giggle So that won''t work.


I see them as family points. We're all in this together, and anyone can help get it done. :)

[ProudMommaof2]

Can I join? :) I have never done anything like this, but I need something to change my habits. :yes

[KatieMae]

Can I join? :) I have never done anything like this, but I need something to change my habits. :yes

Absolutely! :cheer I'll add you to the list :)

[scottishthistle]

me please

[MommaNae]

I'm in.

[ProudMommaof2]

Can I join? :) I have never done anything like this, but I need something to change my habits. :yes

Absolutely! :cheer I'll add you to the list :)


Thank you! :smile Now I just have to figure out how to add that little blinky thing, and get busy cleaning! :shifty

[joyful mama]

Can I join? :) I have never done anything like this, but I need something to change my habits. :yes

Absolutely! :cheer I'll add you to the list :)


Thank you! :smile Now I just have to figure out how to add that little blinky thing, and get busy cleaning! :shifty
right click to save a copy to a file, upload to photobucket, and put photobucket url in your profile :tu

[CakeLady]

Where is everyone getting the cool blinkie....I want one. :hissyfit

[Blue Savannah]

This thread, W. :) http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/mb/index.php?topic=200099.0

[TrinMama]

I want to play!

[KatieMae]

I want to play!

Great! :smile

[tigerlily]

I want to join, too!


--Robin

[Rea T]

So, does it count as taking care of a hot spot if I put the stuff from Target away as soon as I bring it home instead of letting it set in its bags in the kitchen for a week or so?

And, if all my dishes are washed AND the sink is shiny, is that 20 points, or 30 points total?

This is fun. (I can't believe I just said that about cleaning..... :shifty)

[KatieMae]

So, does it count as taking care of a hot spot if I put the stuff from Target away as soon as I bring it home instead of letting it set in its bags in the kitchen for a week or so?

And, if all my dishes are washed AND the sink is shiny, is that 20 points, or 30 points total?

This is fun. (I can't believe I just said that about cleaning..... :shifty)


Yes, that is an odd feeling :giggle

Hot spot/putting away - yeah, I'd count that as preventing a hot spot so definitely worth points
Dishes - it's either 10pts for doing some work or 20pts for doing the whole job :tu

[Rea T]

So, does it count as taking care of a hot spot if I put the stuff from Target away as soon as I bring it home instead of letting it set in its bags in the kitchen for a week or so?

And, if all my dishes are washed AND the sink is shiny, is that 20 points, or 30 points total?

This is fun. (I can't believe I just said that about cleaning..... :shifty)


Yes, that is an odd feeling :giggle

Hot spot/putting away - yeah, I'd count that as preventing a hot spot so definitely worth points
Dishes - it's either 10pts for doing some work or 20pts for doing the whole job :tu


Thanks.

I'm not letting my husband touch the sink when he gets home.

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

Oh oh oh!!! I definitely want to play!!!!!

I do have 2 questions though- where do we record our points and do we add the new days points to our previous points, or will someone be doing that at the end of the challenge?

[KatieMae]

Oh oh oh!!! I definitely want to play!!!!!

I do have 2 questions though- where do we record our points and do we add the new days points to our previous points, or will someone be doing that at the end of the challenge?


Yay! :hug Record your points in each day's thread (you can look at Monday's to see how we all did it) and then I, your Fearless Leader, will record the points & keep a running total :)

Tuesday's Challenge is up now too! But don't over-do it & get ordered back in bed, okay? :heart

[DragonfliiMama]

I think I want to join. Can I count the cat boxes as a hotspot? It's not exactlyl clutter building up there but it is so important to get them cleaned every day and for some reason, even though I know it's a simple quick little thing, it is one of the things I have the hardest time doing.

[thomer]

I think I want to join. Can I count the cat boxes as a hotspot? It's not exactlyl clutter building up there but it is so important to get them cleaned every day and for some reason, even though I know it's a simple quick little thing, it is one of the things I have the hardest time doing.


Ooooh that! I hate and avoid the cat boxes with all my might. :sick

[KatieMae]

I think that's a great idea for a hot spot :yes

[Aisling]

Is it too late to play? I could really, really use this right now. I think my family and home would thank you. :shifty :giggle

[KatieMae]

Is it too late to play? I could really, really use this right now. I think my family and home would thank you. :shifty :giggle

Definitely not too late :) You can make up Monday's challenge & bonuses at any time, just write the task & points in the *current day's thread* so I see it & give you the points :tu

[Countrymama]

Can I join too? Sorry I'm a little late...I kept hearing about it but just found everything today. I hope I'm not too late....my house could really use it! :yes

[KatieMae]

Yes! Please join us! :heart Let me know if you have any questions :D

[Sign Of The Fish Burger]

I have a question- since I only started today (didn't know about it until late last night) is it possible to make up for Monday (which IIRC was kitchen)?

[KatieMae]

I have a question- since I only started today (didn't know about it until late last night) is it possible to make up for Monday (which IIRC was kitchen)?

You can make up the challenge & bonuses at any time, just write the task description & points in the *current day's thread* so I see it & give you the points :tu

[Countrymama]

Hey Katie...I have a really stupid question but where did you all get that blinkie? :scratch

[KatieMae]

Niphredil made it for us! You can have it too, but I think you're at your blinkie limit, so one of the others will have to go :(

Anyway, right-click on the blinkie, "Save As" on your hard drive, then upload to your photobucket account, get the IMG Code & paste it into your signature :)

[Countrymama]

Thank you!! That's ok...my blinkies are super old....they need to get the boot! :giggle

[joyfulmomof2]

Is it too late for me to join? Sorry, I just saw this today or yesterday, but I have been doing quite a few of these items this weekend and thought I would try to jump in. If it is too late, that's ok, I can wait for the next time. :)

[KatieMae]

Is it too late for me to join? Sorry, I just saw this today or yesterday, but I have been doing quite a few of these items this weekend and thought I would try to jump in. If it is too late, that's ok, I can wait for the next time. :)

It's never too late to join :hug
You can catch-up on old challenges if you want (at least, you can catch up until we repeat a challenge, if you know what I mean), or just start with this weekend's post & go from there :) Great to have you with us! :heart

[joyfulmomof2]

Thank you, Katie!

[Naked Camper]

accountability is good - sign me up :)

[KatieMae]

Great Morgan! You picked a good time to join too - it's catch-up day!

[arelyn]

Sign me up!!

[KatieMae]

Welcome! :heart

[Grover]

HI Sign me up

[KatieMae]

:rockon

[Rose]

I'll play...

[Rose]

I'll play...

[KatieMae]

:woohoo

[KatieMae]

:woohoo

[sgreen]

ok ladies..count me in...need to have a sea change in my home... :yes

[KatieMae]

Welcome!


To all the new members, make sure you check out the OP to get the blinkie for your signature, if you want :heart

[sgreen]

devotionals
5 min challenge
cleaned bathroom
picked up/vaccuumed in lounge
shiny sink!


206 points for today!!! :) :pray4
thankyou God

[KatieMae]

devotionals
5 min challenge
cleaned bathroom
picked up/vaccuumed in lounge
shiny sink!


206 points for today!!! :) :pray4
thankyou God


You can post this in the daily thread - here :) (http://www.gentlechristianmothers.com/mb/index.php?topic=201995.0)

[sgreen]

oops! thanks katymae! posted it in the right place now!!...hope i added my points up right! :)

[mokamoto]

Although late, I am game! Sign me up!

[KatieMae]

Welcome Marie! Let me know if you have any questions along the way :)

[Grover]

Hi Katie,I can see me up on the list,but Im sure I had a total points somewhen/somewhere?Sorry to be a pain :hug2 :hug2 :nak2

[KatieMae]

Hi Katie,I can see me up on the list,but Im sure I had a total points somewhen/somewhere?Sorry to be a pain :hug2 :hug2 :nak2


You're not being a pain at all :hug I've been really horrible at keeping points updated on here since there was so much sickness in my house last week & this weekend, but I do have everything recorded on my tally sheet & the updated points will be on today's daily post around mid-day (EST) :)

[Grover]

Katie Im sorry I didnt realise your family was sick,take all the time you need :hug2

[Naked Camper]

i'm out :( sorry. i have sick kids and 2 physical therapy apts a week. i'm doing good just to keep up with the daily stuff let alone extra challenges.
thanks katie for hosting this game :)

[jtidwell]

All right, I'm in. We have GOT to be more disciplined about daily cleanups, and here's a fun way to do it! :shifty