Marie from the Mommy Community blog has started a Tuesday Meme called the Tuesday Toot.

Participation is easy. You go to her site (you can click the graphic to get there), leave your link and then Toot Your Own Horn on your blog.

And you also are eligible to win a prize as well. Each week is different - this week it is a $10 gift certificate for either Starbucks or McDonalds.

One of the upcoming prizes will be a free subscription to Make It Fun, a monthly activity guide to give you ideas for some great quality time with your kids, written by our very own Lisa Marie Fletcher. 

This couldn't have come at a better time. Although I couldn't get it posted until Wed because the weather was playing havoc with the hydro and the kids where home too, on Monday night I realized that I had a breakthrough!

It was late and I was getting ready to go to bed.

Next thing I know, I am standing in the kitchen, putting stray dishes in the dishwasher and getting it ready to turn on.

I am tired, so I ask myself, "Why not just leave it and do it in the morning?" as I have asked a thousand times before.

Sometimes the answer has been, "Good Idea" and I have sleepwalked to bed. And regretted in the morning.

Sometimes the answer has been, "I wish… but I must… finish… dishes… zzzz…"

But last night was different.

Last night I said to myself "No way, this is no big deal and I DO NOT want dirty dishes on my counter in the morning, I want CLEAN dishes in the dishwasher!" and that was that.

It was then that it hit me. I had arrived.

The process of developing the habit of making sure the dishes are done and counter wiped every night is complete.

I no longer have to think about it. My feet walk themselves in before I go to bed. I don't even notice I'm doing it - that's another benefit of being half asleep!

It is no longer an option. I don't want NOT to do it.

Now the trick is to be sure that nothing gets me off track.

If it does, even for a few days, I know that I will be back to square one.

So that's my win for this week.

BTW, something that has made it easier is to also get in the habit of cleaning it during the day.

Instead of ignoring a mess to clean "later", I find myself doing a bit here and a bit there anytime I walk into the kitchen.

This means that the nighttime clean up truly is not a big deal and much easier to do.

I hope that you have enjoyed my Tuesday Toot and that it inspires you to remember you best win this week. (btw, noticing and recording your best wins is one of the best ways to notice what you are doing right and to encourage yourself to keep on doing it, another great reason to participate in the meme). 

Go over to Marie's blog and join us with your Tuesday Toot. Good luck with the prize!

Marie's Mommy Community Blog