Time Management

I've noticed lately the need for a lot of attention to time management. I kept track, one day, of all that needed to be done and I have to say, I'm not sure how I did it. There aren't enough hours in the day! For example, just today, this was my schedule so far (it's now 11 am):

6 am wake up and have quiet time
7 am left for the gym
8:15 am returned from the gym
8:30 am showered and got ready for the day
9 am started school, did science, history, algebra, and spelling by 11 am also, baked a banana cake for my family for desert tonight (try to do that 2 times a week)

Now, I have to make lunch, finish the laundry, take the kids swimming, make dinner, finish language arts with ds9, do more reading for tomorrow's classes, and spend time reading for myself (I'm working through all of the Jane Austen books again).

I think as moms, we do more before lunch than even the army does all day!!!! It's overwhelming. At first, I want to see what can go from my schedule, but, there isn't anything. I would love to get rid of the gym! But, because I have a heart murmur and I need to loose weight, that can't happen (I want to live to see my grandchildren!). Besides, why is it that we always assume that whatever we, as women, do for us is automatically open to cutting out of the schedule? Well, that's not going to happen! Not in my world!

One thing I've done is take a book I need to read to the gym to read while I'm on the treadmill (I call it the torture device from satan's lair, but, I'm informed that the proper term is treadmill) and that saves me time and helps the miles melt quicker. I also utilize the time at the pool or horseback riding for lesson planning or reading (for me or for school).

I know that one thing that gets put aside is the rest time, the mental downtime I need as a wife, mom, and minister. I really need to make sure that I can fit it in. It's super important! I need to prioritize that and maximize it.

Meals are also something I can't just set aside. My family gets hungry regularly! One thing that has helped me is menu planning (I'll try to post an example) and trying to cook as much ahead as I can. When I buy the hamburger, I brown what I'll need for the week for different recipes and put it in the freezer in labeled containers for the different meals. I also try to clean all the veggies and fruit as soon as I bring them home. I grate up the cheeses I need and put them in labeled containers as well. I precook my chicken and prep as much as I can on Saturdays. During the week, I just have to throw it all together and cook it. I also make sure I make up at least one large pot of soup, stew, or chili to keep in the fridge for when I don't have time to cook for lunches.

There are other things I can do as well. I'm working on maximizing my time so that I can do everything I need to do as well as having time to enjoy my family and have time for myself.