August 2006 Ensign - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

70
Three Hours
of Good,
Clean Fun
We paint, clean,
garden, and
organize. We
even do windows! How
can five busy mothers
accomplish all these
things and have fun at
the same time? We get
together and take turns
“hostessing” group work projects in
our homes. With all of us working for
three solid hours, we enjoy accomplishing
a myriad of tasks for one
another. One morning every other
week from nine until noon, we work
on whatever our hostess needs us to
do. We have painted kitchen cabinets,
worked in the garden, organized children’s
schoolwork in binders, refinished
furniture, cleaned garages and
food-storage areas, redecorated,
and scrubbed anything that needed
it. We have also used the time to
serve, painting three rooms for a
family in our ward who moved into
a fixer-upper home.
We often bring our children and
let them enjoy a play date in the
hostess’s home as we work nearby.
Providing a good assortment of toys
and a movie helps to ensure that they
have a good time too.
Five or six committed group
members seems to be the right
R A N D O M S A M P L E R
number to accomplish
tasks effectively. And, of
course, any number of groups can
be formed to include those wanting
to participate. It’s also a great way
to involve extended family and
friends who are not members of
the Church.
Not only do we now have more
organized, attractive homes, but we
also enjoy strengthened friendships
as we learn from each other and
work together.
Sharilee Penfold, California
Raising Smart
Shoppers
Mom, there’s nothing to eat!”
Sound familiar? One day in
frustration I retorted, “Well,
why don’t you buy the groceries if
you don’t like what I bought?” I then
realized that that might actually be a
good plan. I decided to let each of my
four teenagers take turns shopping
for the groceries.