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Post by monklady123 on May 20, 2015 11:16:42 GMT
And...organizing in general (title continuation because there aren't enough characters in the actual subject line)... So yesterday I subbed all day in a kindergarten. It was a very last-minute job, as in 30 minutes' notice. oy... Fortunately it's the school two blocks from my house, so I leaped in the shower and into some clothes and rushed down there. But because of that I didn't have time to pack much lunch -- just grabbed some yogurt and fruit. So when I got home I was starving and decided to have my dinner early. We were having leftover chicken tortilla soup. The bag of tortilla chips that was opened was almost used up, just a bunch of smaller pieces in the bottom. I wanted to use those up before opening a new bag. What does this have to do with cleaning kitchen drawers? oh yes, there is a connection.  So the large chip bag had all these small pieces and little bits way at the bottom, plus it was ripped a bit on one side making it difficult to pour them out. I thought "oh let me cut the top half of the bag off so it's easier. Take kitchen scissors and start trying to cut the bag, but because the darn scissors are old they caught on the bag instead of cutting through, and made the rip bigger. That sent crumbs and bits of chips flying EVERYWHERE. Large pile on the counter, a bunch on the floor (the dog was very helpful there), and a whole mound of them right into the drawer where the scissors live. Which I'd left opened right below where I was cutting the bag. I confess to saying a bad word or two. ugh. I finished fixing my soup, went to the dining room to eat, got to answering emails and totally forgot about the cascade of chips.  My ds came home, went into the kitchen and said "um....Mom....?" hahahaha sigh. So I started cleaning out the crumbs from the drawer and realized I should just empty the drawer and clean the whole thing. I ended up getting rid of a bunch of gadgets that I never use -- garlic press, extra bottle openers (why do we need five?), etc. Nice clean drawer. And you know, it really didn't take that long. So why don't I do this sort of small quick job more often? Is this what plans such as Flylady are all about? I was on Flylady's email list several years ago but I quickly unsubscribed because she sent SO many emails. She was cluttering up my inbox, which I thought was kind of ironic. lol Anyway, let's talk about cleaning schedules. How do you organize yourself to keep on top of things? My house isn't awful but I always feel like I'm on the defense -- like cleaning the drawer because of a chip bag disaster, or sweeping the corners of the hallway when I realized the dog hair that's there -- rather than getting to stuff as sort-of routine maintenance. (Except for the bathroom, that I do daily because, well because it's the bathroom.  ) I think I'll go clean out another kitchen drawer in a bit and see what else I can get rid of.  oh and eta: I threw away those darn scissors!  |
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purplebee
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732 
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Post by purplebee on May 20, 2015 11:21:32 GMT
Well, I know exactly what you mean by getting organized re housework...and I just can't get myself there. I'll be watching this thread for inspiration!
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lesley
Drama Llama
My best friend Turriff, desperately missed.
Posts: 7,179
Location: Scotland, Scotland, Scotland
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Post by lesley on May 20, 2015 11:28:59 GMT
I often proclaim that I'm going to dejunk the house one drawer at a time, starting in the kitchen. Problem is, it's like painting the Forth Bridge, except I never get to the end. I'm very much like you, always on the defensive. I did read once that you should clean things while they're clean and it takes a lot less time. I never get to that stage; by the time I finish cleaning the kitchen, I'm too tired to go back and clean a clean bathroom!
I'm planning to move into my mum's old house in the next few months, and I'm hoping that it will be a lot easier to keep clean, as it's less than half the size of my current house.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 17, 2024 20:52:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2015 11:34:22 GMT
I have been working on my kitchen drawers/ cabinets, also. I was pleased with the results but now dh apparently has a new hobby: collecting over the counter meds. His meds have taken over 3 cabinets. I have more work to do.
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Post by monklady123 on May 20, 2015 12:04:43 GMT
I have been working on my kitchen drawers/ cabinets, also. I was pleased with the results but now dh apparently has a new hobby: collecting over the counter meds. His meds have taken over 3 cabinets. I have more work to do. I had to laugh at this, in a "totally understand and relate" kind of way. We all had a horrible winter cold season around here and I noticed the other day (when I was looking for something else in the linen closet ) just how many over-the-counter cold medicines we have. ugh. Cough and cold, cold only, cough only, night time cough, night time cough and cold, day time cough, day time cough and cold, stuff that tastes decent, stuff that works better but tastes yucky, etc. etc., etc. Seriously. I guess I'll take a chance now in hopes that we're past cold/flu season and get rid of all the bottles that are more empty than full. |
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Post by Jockscrap on May 20, 2015 18:46:07 GMT
To answer your question, yes I think it is part of the Flylady concept. She advocates setting a timer for 5 minutes and just doing something and all those little somethings start to make a difference. I liked the 'putting fires out in your hot spots' concept as I am now very aware of where my home's hot spots are and I frequently spend a few minutes clearing them up. I know exactly what you mean about your utensil drawer...where on earth do all thos crumbs come from!
You can sign up for different levels of Flylady emails..you don't need to be bombarded but just opt to get a daily, and I think possibly a weekly, digest.
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Deleted
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May 17, 2024 20:52:10 GMT
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2015 1:23:13 GMT
I spent three hours cleaning my house today and it made me realize that I'd much rather spend three hours cleaning it when needed, than to do that stuff every day.
(I do clean every day, just not stuff like brushing the curtains and dusting the bookshelves and moving all of the furniture around).
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Post by 3dcrafter on May 21, 2015 2:52:54 GMT
I keep up with the dishes, laundry, bathrooms, vacuum and generally pick up clutter in the main areas; I find those are those most important things in keeping our home functioning. I pick one or two things to de-clutter/purge in a month and if it is a big job I complete it in stages.
Don't get me wrong...I enjoy having a clean home, but sometimes there are just more important things going on, so I no longer allow myself to stress over the little things. I figure there are enough big things to fill the stress department, why add more when it isn't necessary.
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happymomma
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,078
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Post by happymomma on May 21, 2015 3:25:49 GMT
Unfortunately, what you described is pretty much how my cleaning projects unfold.
I can think of a dozen 'projects' that need to be done around here at any given time. I was thinking just today that I could clean the clock around and never get it all done. And my house is actually very neat. But things like cleaning out the dirt between the windows and the screens, organizing closets, cupboards and drawers, etc. always seem to need to be done. I actually do sometimes clean for a whole day at a time. And it still isn't perfect. In my younger years my house was always spotless and looked like a page out of a magazine. I guess with age I have lowered my standards so I am not cleaning all day every day. Again, my house is neat and clean for the most part. If someone came over I believe they would say I have a very clean house. But it's those hidden things that I know need to be done that I don't always keep right on top of any more.
Now with the weather being nice, I like to spend my good days (I have chronic migraine) outside working in my yard and flower gardens. I've learned to do what pleases me the most. And I am a-ok with that.
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Post by maryland on May 21, 2015 11:11:43 GMT
I feel like if my husband went on a work trip (to a fun place) for a week, and my kids all spent a week with a friend (in a fantasy world) then I would have time to get the entire house cleaned and organized. Then I could "maintain" every day. But in reality, I can't get it done in one day, and then they come home from school and there it goes! I can't ever get "ahead" of things, so it's always moving forward, then family comes home and I am back where I started. And with the family home, I still have to grocery shop, cook, do laundry, run them to activities, so there goes my cleaning time.
Of course I don't want to miss out on family fun, that's why they are all at different places when I have my week of cleaning. I would actually enjoy cleaning that is productive and will stay clean for a few days!
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Post by monklady123 on May 21, 2015 11:32:52 GMT
I feel like if my husband went on a work trip (to a fun place) for a week, and my kids all spent a week with a friend (in a fantasy world) then I would have time to get the entire house cleaned and organized. Then I could "maintain" every day. But in reality, I can't get it done in one day, and then they come home from school and there it goes! I can't ever get "ahead" of things, so it's always moving forward, then family comes home and I am back where I started. And with the family home, I still have to grocery shop, cook, do laundry, run them to activities, so there goes my cleaning time. Of course I don't want to miss out on family fun, that's why they are all at different places when I have my week of cleaning. I would actually enjoy cleaning that is productive and will stay clean for a few days! hahahahahaha You have been reading my mind. BUT -- I will have this scenario in the fall! My ds will be moving to Georgia to go to school, dd will be back at her college, and dh will be traveling (State Department). This will be the first time I have been ALL ALONE in I don't know how long! woot! It will be three weeks. omg...  My plan is to tackle major cleaning projects -- like pulling EVERYTHING out of closets or getting into that "everything" room in the basement  -- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. I. Cannot. Wait. |
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,128
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Post by M in Carolina on May 21, 2015 11:43:45 GMT
I tried Flylady, but she just drove me nuts. "shine my sink?" nobody cares what the sink looks like--it gets clean when we do dishes and spray it down. I'd rather shine my front entry floor so it doesn't have cat hair tumbleweeds on it all the time.
I have started doing little jobs around the house to declutter. Dh and I are probably moving at the end of the year, and we'd rather not have to move a lot of clutter that we could get rid of.
We're both feeling really poorly now, but we are doing what has to get done like laundry and cleaning the kitchen. I'll spend the time while I wait on the microwave to clear clutter off the island or go through a drawer.
My mom is clean freak and can't sit still and enjoy herself. I hate going over to her house because she can't even let me eat in peace or have a freaking drink on a coaster in the living room without trying to take it away every 5 minutes. I think when she's on her deathbed that she'll regret all the time she spent recleaning a clean house instead of doing things for others--like coming over and helping me clean.
I'm also organizing my wardrobe. I think taming that dragon will help me tame the other clutter dragons in my house. It's amazing the items you can pick up. I've been meaning to take a ton of clothes to a consignment shop, but when I cracked a vertebrae in my back in January and was so sick with pancreatitis, I just got really behind. I'm feeling much better now--I can eat solids again!!!! So I have a bit more energy.
My first declutter task is to organize my bedroom beside my bed where I keep craft supplies, etc. to do when I don't feel well. It's a huge mess, a fall hazard, and I've just not been able to fix it because anytime I bend over, my back muscles spasm from the MS. I gave myself the worst spinal headache the other day by bending over and washing my hair in the kitchen sink, like I always do. I keep persevering. Dh is feeling better with his migraines, and he wants to help me. I just keep putting it off because I want him to rest instead of do stuff that will make him feel worse.
I've heard great things about that Japanese organizing book, "The Magic of Decluttering" --or whatever, It's $8.60 on Amazon right now, so I'm going to buy it and read it. I've gotten some great tips from organizing books before.
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M in Carolina
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by M in Carolina on May 21, 2015 11:48:25 GMT
I feel like if my husband went on a work trip (to a fun place) for a week, and my kids all spent a week with a friend (in a fantasy world) then I would have time to get the entire house cleaned and organized. Then I could "maintain" every day. But in reality, I can't get it done in one day, and then they come home from school and there it goes! I can't ever get "ahead" of things, so it's always moving forward, then family comes home and I am back where I started. And with the family home, I still have to grocery shop, cook, do laundry, run them to activities, so there goes my cleaning time. Of course I don't want to miss out on family fun, that's why they are all at different places when I have my week of cleaning. I would actually enjoy cleaning that is productive and will stay clean for a few days! hahahahahaha You have been reading my mind. BUT -- I will have this scenario in the fall! My ds will be moving to Georgia to go to school, dd will be back at her college, and dh will be traveling (State Department). This will be the first time I have been ALL ALONE in I don't know how long! woot! It will be three weeks. omg... My plan is to tackle major cleaning projects -- like pulling EVERYTHING out of closets or getting into that "everything" room in the basement -- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. I. Cannot. Wait. That sound awesome. I know my mom is an extreme, but she kept "decluttering" my bedroom--which was practically empty except for the items I wanted to keep when I moved away. She had all sorts of excuses as to why she threw away my grandmother's jewelry and jewelry box (but she didn't accept you because you're adopted--um, she treated me just fine, she didn't like you because you're a horrible person). There's a lot of items that I don't have because my mom didn't see the reason why I wanted to keep them. I'm not a fan of all the stuff dh hangs onto, but I don't have to understand why he wants them. They're his. He's very neat, and he doesn't give me a hard time about all my craft stuff and things that I keep. I really wish I had put deadbolts on my bedroom door and voodoo curses. I have nothing left from my childhood. |
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Post by monklady123 on May 21, 2015 12:24:11 GMT
hahahahahaha You have been reading my mind. BUT -- I will have this scenario in the fall! My ds will be moving to Georgia to go to school, dd will be back at her college, and dh will be traveling (State Department). This will be the first time I have been ALL ALONE in I don't know how long! woot! It will be three weeks. omg... My plan is to tackle major cleaning projects -- like pulling EVERYTHING out of closets or getting into that "everything" room in the basement -- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. I. Cannot. Wait. That sound awesome. I know my mom is an extreme, but she kept "decluttering" my bedroom--which was practically empty except for the items I wanted to keep when I moved away. She had all sorts of excuses as to why she threw away my grandmother's jewelry and jewelry box (but she didn't accept you because you're adopted--um, she treated me just fine, she didn't like you because you're a horrible person). There's a lot of items that I don't have because my mom didn't see the reason why I wanted to keep them. I'm not a fan of all the stuff dh hangs onto, but I don't have to understand why he wants them. They're his. He's very neat, and he doesn't give me a hard time about all my craft stuff and things that I keep. I really wish I had put deadbolts on my bedroom door and voodoo curses. I have nothing left from my childhood. Well, I'm very sorry about your grandmother's jewelry. But obviously that's not the "perfectly good" things I'm going to get rid of. I'm talking about the extra coffee pot (we already have two, one big one and one mini), the floor lamp that's been sitting down there for over a year, the extra pieces of under-the-rug padding that someone thought would make good bases for some model or something, boxed up books that no one has looked at in forever....stuff like that. No one will miss it. And if someone does say "hey I think I'd like that lamp in my room" I'll say "what lamp?" and they'll say "that old one we had downstairs" and I'll reply "oh that, no one liked it so I gave it to Goodwill" and they'll say "oh okay." Which won't happen anyway. |
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Post by maryland on May 21, 2015 12:26:54 GMT
I feel like if my husband went on a work trip (to a fun place) for a week, and my kids all spent a week with a friend (in a fantasy world) then I would have time to get the entire house cleaned and organized. Then I could "maintain" every day. But in reality, I can't get it done in one day, and then they come home from school and there it goes! I can't ever get "ahead" of things, so it's always moving forward, then family comes home and I am back where I started. And with the family home, I still have to grocery shop, cook, do laundry, run them to activities, so there goes my cleaning time. Of course I don't want to miss out on family fun, that's why they are all at different places when I have my week of cleaning. I would actually enjoy cleaning that is productive and will stay clean for a few days! hahahahahaha You have been reading my mind. BUT -- I will have this scenario in the fall! My ds will be moving to Georgia to go to school, dd will be back at her college, and dh will be traveling (State Department). This will be the first time I have been ALL ALONE in I don't know how long! woot! It will be three weeks. omg... My plan is to tackle major cleaning projects -- like pulling EVERYTHING out of closets or getting into that "everything" room in the basement -- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. I. Cannot. Wait. Wow, you are one lucky woman! Not that I don't like my family around, I do! But just to have time to get things done! I can't tell you how many times our family sets out to do something fun, but it's ruined because we can't find something, or the house is a mess, then we are all in crabby moods and the day is ruined. My family doesn't equate the mess to the bad moods, but I easily see it!
When my kids were 2, 5 and 7, my husband would go away for 3 weeks three separate times over 5 months. I painted the house for the first time in the 8 yrs. we lived here. The kids were little, so much easier than they are now! Much less messy, they could entertain themselves, took naps, didn't need driven all over the place. And the house would get so clean.
I can't wait to hear about what you get done this fall! Sounds amazing! I bet your whole family will benefit from what you get done!
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Post by monklady123 on May 21, 2015 12:45:50 GMT
hahahahahaha You have been reading my mind. BUT -- I will have this scenario in the fall! My ds will be moving to Georgia to go to school, dd will be back at her college, and dh will be traveling (State Department). This will be the first time I have been ALL ALONE in I don't know how long! woot! It will be three weeks. omg... My plan is to tackle major cleaning projects -- like pulling EVERYTHING out of closets or getting into that "everything" room in the basement -- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. I. Cannot. Wait. Wow, you are one lucky woman! Not that I don't like my family around, I do! But just to have time to get things done! I can't tell you how many times our family sets out to do something fun, but it's ruined because we can't find something, or the house is a mess, then we are all in crabby moods and the day is ruined. My family doesn't equate the mess to the bad moods, but I easily see it!
When my kids were 2, 5 and 7, my husband would go away for 3 weeks three separate times over 5 months. I painted the house for the first time in the 8 yrs. we lived here. The kids were little, so much easier than they are now! Much less messy, they could entertain themselves, took naps, didn't need driven all over the place. And the house would get so clean.
I can't wait to hear about what you get done this fall! Sounds amazing! I bet your whole family will benefit from what you get done!
Yes, very lucky! It's my reward for all those years of him traveling when the kids were little and when we'd always have car trouble, a roof leaking, and a kid in the ER. Or some combination of those things. I'm thinking that with my three weeks in October I'll get the place whipped into shape. Then before the pre-Thanksgiving trip I'll have him get down the Christmas stuff from the attic and while he's gone in November (a shorter trip) I'll get Christmas all set up. When the kids come home at Christmas it will all be done. Then....for his February/March trip I'll lay around and eat bon bons all day and watch movies. hehehehe  |
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Post by maryland on May 21, 2015 13:11:42 GMT
Wow, you are one lucky woman! Not that I don't like my family around, I do! But just to have time to get things done! I can't tell you how many times our family sets out to do something fun, but it's ruined because we can't find something, or the house is a mess, then we are all in crabby moods and the day is ruined. My family doesn't equate the mess to the bad moods, but I easily see it!
When my kids were 2, 5 and 7, my husband would go away for 3 weeks three separate times over 5 months. I painted the house for the first time in the 8 yrs. we lived here. The kids were little, so much easier than they are now! Much less messy, they could entertain themselves, took naps, didn't need driven all over the place. And the house would get so clean.
I can't wait to hear about what you get done this fall! Sounds amazing! I bet your whole family will benefit from what you get done!
Yes, very lucky! It's my reward for all those years of him traveling when the kids were little and when we'd always have car trouble, a roof leaking, and a kid in the ER. Or some combination of those things. I'm thinking that with my three weeks in October I'll get the place whipped into shape. Then before the pre-Thanksgiving trip I'll have him get down the Christmas stuff from the attic and while he's gone in November (a shorter trip) I'll get Christmas all set up. When the kids come home at Christmas it will all be done. Then....for his February/March trip I'll lay around and eat bon bons all day and watch movies. hehehehe What a great plan! I get so much done when my husband travels, but he doesn't travel much anymore. I actually don't mind cleaning when I get the uninterrupted time to do it. (cooking is another story, can't stand it!) I can't get anything done when my family is home. I used to be fine when the kids were little, but not now that they are teens. And my 17 yr. old is a senior (my oldest), and today is her last day of school (and my last day of the house to myself during the day - although husband works locally so comes home for lunch). I better get to work! But I am enjoying your posts, because I think like you do when it comes to cleaning strategies! |
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Post by monklady123 on May 21, 2015 13:21:02 GMT
Yes, very lucky! It's my reward for all those years of him traveling when the kids were little and when we'd always have car trouble, a roof leaking, and a kid in the ER. Or some combination of those things. I'm thinking that with my three weeks in October I'll get the place whipped into shape. Then before the pre-Thanksgiving trip I'll have him get down the Christmas stuff from the attic and while he's gone in November (a shorter trip) I'll get Christmas all set up. When the kids come home at Christmas it will all be done. Then....for his February/March trip I'll lay around and eat bon bons all day and watch movies. hehehehe What a great plan! I get so much done when my husband travels, but he doesn't travel much anymore. I actually don't mind cleaning when I get the uninterrupted time to do it. (cooking is another story, can't stand it!) I can't get anything done when my family is home. I used to be fine when the kids were little, but not now that they are teens. And my 17 yr. old is a senior (my oldest), and today is her last day of school (and my last day of the house to myself during the day - although husband works locally so comes home for lunch). I better get to work! But I am enjoying your posts, because I think like you do when it comes to cleaning strategies! And hahaha about hating to cook. For every single minute of the time I'm alone I will not ask "what do you want for dinner?" and hear "whatever" back. I will not cook a thing for the entire time, except stuff like eggs and salad and sandwiches. I'll buy a Costco roasted chicken and eat that for a few days, then make chicken salad. I'll eat yogurt and fruit for dinner, and cheese and crackers for a snack. I might make some oatmeal for breakfast. NO COOKING! NO THINKING IT UP! NO COOKING!   |
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lalakme
Shy Member
oPEAra Singer
Posts: 42
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Post by lalakme on May 21, 2015 13:32:05 GMT
Yes, very lucky! It's my reward for all those years of him traveling when the kids were little and when we'd always have car trouble, a roof leaking, and a kid in the ER. Or some combination of those things. I'm thinking that with my three weeks in October I'll get the place whipped into shape. Then before the pre-Thanksgiving trip I'll have him get down the Christmas stuff from the attic and while he's gone in November (a shorter trip) I'll get Christmas all set up. When the kids come home at Christmas it will all be done. Then....for his February/March trip I'll lay around and eat bon bons all day and watch movies. hehehehe What a great plan! I get so much done when my husband travels, but he doesn't travel much anymore. I actually don't mind cleaning when I get the uninterrupted time to do it. (cooking is another story, can't stand it!) I can't get anything done when my family is home. I used to be fine when the kids were little, but not now that they are teens. And my 17 yr. old is a senior (my oldest), and today is her last day of school (and my last day of the house to myself during the day - although husband works locally so comes home for lunch). I better get to work! But I am enjoying your posts, because I think like you do when it comes to cleaning strategies! My husband will be home tomorrow after a two week trip out of the country. I've gotten so much cleaning and organizing done! It's so funny how much easier it is to do when he isn't here. Plus, I painted our bedroom! |
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My ds came home, went into the kitchen and said "um....Mom....?" hahahaha sigh.
)
-- and throw stuff away while no one will see it and say "but it's still perfectly good". I'm going to make a list and work on those things first thing in the morning. Then after a certain number of hours (haven't decided yet) I'll stop and the rest of the day will be my play time. 
Southern Side eyed Pea 
