Hi there, Thought I would concentrate this week on my bedroom and the mountain I am climbing over to get into bed! I am still pretty shattered from the weekend but don't want to let this go. I plan to do the 27 Fling Thing in our bedroom and get stuff ready for work tomorrow. Feel as though I'm jumping about the house a bit so, I am going to stay in a particular room each week.
If you haven't been doing as I do so far, just jump in wherever you are and post your experiences on the blog. Let's me know I'm not the only one doing all this. Is anyone doing the same??
Talk tomoz x
Monday, 26 October 2009
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Day 11 -
Good afternoon guys. Just up! 2.30pm! Night-shift last night so I do have an excuse. Today is a day for updating my diary for the week ahead, washing the uniforms, mine, Allan's and the girls, Allan's ironing and sorting the socks, remember. Then it's off to church tonight.
Friday, 23 October 2009
Day11 - Late in the Day x
Hiya folks. First off, thanks to all who responded to my appeal to sign in as a follower. It just helps a lot to keep me going. Mind you, if this is me on Day 11, I wonder where my steam level will be at further on in the year!
Anyway ............. today I am going to discuss the '27 fling thing'. My upstairs hall has been in complete disarray since I came home from holiday, what with suitcases being taken up there, clothes drying and other leaveables like shoes, books or general paraphernalia (distinctly not sure about the spelling of ).
So, here is the rule of the fling thing. Trusty wash-basket in hand, count out into the said basket 27 items. No idea why 27, before you ask, except it seems to make a noticeable dent in the clutter each time. Then I just put them away in their respective homes. You just use this everywhere you have a clutter hot spot. I am trying to do this each day, at some point. Result? the hall is CLEAR! Next?? The room upstairs.
See you tomoz x
Anyway ............. today I am going to discuss the '27 fling thing'. My upstairs hall has been in complete disarray since I came home from holiday, what with suitcases being taken up there, clothes drying and other leaveables like shoes, books or general paraphernalia (distinctly not sure about the spelling of ).
So, here is the rule of the fling thing. Trusty wash-basket in hand, count out into the said basket 27 items. No idea why 27, before you ask, except it seems to make a noticeable dent in the clutter each time. Then I just put them away in their respective homes. You just use this everywhere you have a clutter hot spot. I am trying to do this each day, at some point. Result? the hall is CLEAR! Next?? The room upstairs.
See you tomoz x
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Day 10 - Wahey!!!!!
Now, today, girls, I need to ask especially if you would be kind enough to sign in and chat with me, good or bad, cos I will struggle to keep the momentum going to keep tidying the house if I don't have any clutter buddies. I know you are out there!! So, please, please join me!!
Today, I am getting on a morning routine. Here it is;
1.Swish the toilet. This means that you squirt toilet cleaner down the loo and give it a good brush & flush. I keep a pack of wipes in each toilet and use them to wipe round the seat. This means the toilet has daily freshness.
2. Shower, dress, moisturise, make-up and bejewel. This is really important, when I manage to do it, cos then I feel as though I'm really ready for the day. Like, how much work would you manage if you turned up at work wearing that negligee you sleep in at night (kidding!!!). It's back to looking your best, feeling your best.
3. Next, breakfast and/or medication. For breakfast, I have some toast and a coffee, not the greatest but breakfast nonetheless. Always scope for improvement. I do use Flora Light and Candarel in my coffee. I have started to put a bottle of water and some fruit in my bag, at this point, to take out on the road with me.
4. Now, first washing of the day goes in, the one from the last load gets hung up/out and the one hung up from yesterday gets put away. Dara!!!
5. Teeth brushed and flossed. Electric toothbrush, by the way. Allan gets his plaque marker done by the dental hygeinist (I must admit I do think we are getting more and more to count, cholesterol, blood pressure, Body Mass Index and now Plaque Markers!!!!) anyway, she tells him that since he has changed from manual to electric, his marker has gone from 32 to 12!
6 Pick up everything that you have laid out the night before to go with you today and off we go, another day, another dollar.
Talk tomorrow x
Today, I am getting on a morning routine. Here it is;
1.Swish the toilet. This means that you squirt toilet cleaner down the loo and give it a good brush & flush. I keep a pack of wipes in each toilet and use them to wipe round the seat. This means the toilet has daily freshness.
2. Shower, dress, moisturise, make-up and bejewel. This is really important, when I manage to do it, cos then I feel as though I'm really ready for the day. Like, how much work would you manage if you turned up at work wearing that negligee you sleep in at night (kidding!!!). It's back to looking your best, feeling your best.
3. Next, breakfast and/or medication. For breakfast, I have some toast and a coffee, not the greatest but breakfast nonetheless. Always scope for improvement. I do use Flora Light and Candarel in my coffee. I have started to put a bottle of water and some fruit in my bag, at this point, to take out on the road with me.
4. Now, first washing of the day goes in, the one from the last load gets hung up/out and the one hung up from yesterday gets put away. Dara!!!
5. Teeth brushed and flossed. Electric toothbrush, by the way. Allan gets his plaque marker done by the dental hygeinist (I must admit I do think we are getting more and more to count, cholesterol, blood pressure, Body Mass Index and now Plaque Markers!!!!) anyway, she tells him that since he has changed from manual to electric, his marker has gone from 32 to 12!
6 Pick up everything that you have laid out the night before to go with you today and off we go, another day, another dollar.
Talk tomorrow x
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Day 10 - Kitchen Once More
Today, I have decided to tackle the "tins" cupboard. As per, the best rule of thumb is to tip it all out. Then, wipe down the shelves and start re-stocking your "shop" with all the tins you normally use. You can actually prepare a stock list to keep in the cupboard to check off as you go. Mines goes like this;
Assorted Soup x 6
Peas x 2
Baked Beans x 4
Sweetcorn x 2
Chopped Tomatoes x 6
Hot Dogs x 2
Tuna x 3
Carrots x 2
This saves me money, saves me keeping tins that go out of date, saves space and time spent running to the shops to get that tin of chopped tomatoes for the curry, the stew etc etc. Just a wee list on a 6x4 record card tucked inside the cupboard, that's all you need.
Other achievements today consisted of 15 minutes with my timer, clearing away stuff from the upstairs hall, food shopping and Allan's weekly ironing. Done deal for the day. Talk tomoz x
Assorted Soup x 6
Peas x 2
Baked Beans x 4
Sweetcorn x 2
Chopped Tomatoes x 6
Hot Dogs x 2
Tuna x 3
Carrots x 2
This saves me money, saves me keeping tins that go out of date, saves space and time spent running to the shops to get that tin of chopped tomatoes for the curry, the stew etc etc. Just a wee list on a 6x4 record card tucked inside the cupboard, that's all you need.
Other achievements today consisted of 15 minutes with my timer, clearing away stuff from the upstairs hall, food shopping and Allan's weekly ironing. Done deal for the day. Talk tomoz x
Monday, 19 October 2009
Day 9 - Busy Day!
Just drove home from Manchester and my youngest DD (dolly daughter) has been all round the ground floor of the house, tidying up and lighting scented candles to welcome me back - wee darlin'. I'm knackered from getting up at 7.30am, teaching most of the day, then driving 200 miles. So, what a welcome!
For tonight's plan, I have decided to launch a two-pronged attack, one being the bathroom cabinet downstairs, the other a much more pleasurable task. Armed with my trusty wash-basket, I cleared the entire shelf of the cabinet into the basket and, as I do with all boring chores, I carry out this operation in front of the TV.
Here, I arrange a small basket to contain skin care and cotton pads, another with sanitary towels, (3 girls in the house) and one with tampons. This way, I can see at a glance when to top-up. Next are all the male and female disposable razors (unused). These are good, upright in a plastic tumbler, again to see when to re-stock. There is also a make-up bag with all the little accoutrements such as tweezers, nail-clippers, spare unused make-up and brushes to match.
This is the bathroom beauty zone. Sorted..........! I threw out lots of empty tampon wrappers and you know those wee curled up papers from the ST's. I threw out all the empty this and that and all the rust-encrusted razors, only fit to shave a hairy T-Rex! Wipe down the shelf and hey presto! A ten-minute de-clutter!
Next, I present the reward for today! I bought a paper gift-bag (pictured here), labelled "Just for you". I packed it with beautiful-smelling bubble bath, lady's shaving foam and razor, a lovely exfoliating scrub with a puff-ball to use with it, a back-scrubber, a foot-grater, cotton buds for the little "tricky" bits, and shampoo and conditioner (the good stuff, kept away from little pouring hands who seem to use it to clean the drains with). This gets hung on a hook or handle in the bathroom and replenished after each pamper session.
I fill an oil-burner with some coconut essential oil, put the fluffy bath-robe on to the radiator to heat, the fluffy slippers at the ready and Classic FM on the bathroom radio. Chill-time! I emerge like a bar of melted chocolate, I'm so relaxed and unwound from this day in the life of........................x
For tonight's plan, I have decided to launch a two-pronged attack, one being the bathroom cabinet downstairs, the other a much more pleasurable task. Armed with my trusty wash-basket, I cleared the entire shelf of the cabinet into the basket and, as I do with all boring chores, I carry out this operation in front of the TV.
Here, I arrange a small basket to contain skin care and cotton pads, another with sanitary towels, (3 girls in the house) and one with tampons. This way, I can see at a glance when to top-up. Next are all the male and female disposable razors (unused). These are good, upright in a plastic tumbler, again to see when to re-stock. There is also a make-up bag with all the little accoutrements such as tweezers, nail-clippers, spare unused make-up and brushes to match.
This is the bathroom beauty zone. Sorted..........! I threw out lots of empty tampon wrappers and you know those wee curled up papers from the ST's. I threw out all the empty this and that and all the rust-encrusted razors, only fit to shave a hairy T-Rex! Wipe down the shelf and hey presto! A ten-minute de-clutter!
I fill an oil-burner with some coconut essential oil, put the fluffy bath-robe on to the radiator to heat, the fluffy slippers at the ready and Classic FM on the bathroom radio. Chill-time! I emerge like a bar of melted chocolate, I'm so relaxed and unwound from this day in the life of........................x
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Day 8 - Back home
Got in bout 1.30am this morning, jumped in the shower and off to bed after putting a loada whites in the machine. Told ya!
Woke up at 8 this morning, 9 over there, you see. Body clock seems to be tuned in for getting up at 9am all week with my trusty friend Liz as my sunshine alarm clock! Anyhow, have decided today is a minimalist day on the house-front due to limited time to get anything much done.
I plan to make the basics for every day to;
1. Dress becomingly. This, for me, means actually getting dressed, at all, some days! As some of you already know, I am plagued by depression and some days, the face doesn't even get a lick! Not so much recently, I have to say. Putting on clothes I have ironed and laid out the night before with jewellery to match and getting the slap on. This gives me a start to my day.
2. In my house, we would be resorting to living-in-the-jungle status (Me Tarzan, you Jane) if I didn't keep up with doing 2 loads of washing per day.
3. One distasteful other. This has to be a task that you always put off. Mines is opening mail. You know that tray I told you about in the kitchen? Well, my pile has had to be moved to the top tray cos' it doesn't fit in the middle one, any longer!
For my sins, I make myself take the bottom 3 envelopes and, yes, wait for it, yes, open them! Surprisingly, out comes, not a poisonous snake, not a piece of mouldy cheese or a dirty sock. Out comes mail!!! I have 2 of those brightly coloured studded plastic document wallets. One is labelled "Action" and the other "File". Are you beginning to see how I am a mistress of procrastination,- "slothful" but in 5 syllables!
Well anyway, the first was a letter to say I had been paid some money for marking student papers - nice. The second was a letter to let me know about some changes in the training organisation I temp. for and the third was junk. I survived!!!!
Right, off to dress becomingly........................................x
Woke up at 8 this morning, 9 over there, you see. Body clock seems to be tuned in for getting up at 9am all week with my trusty friend Liz as my sunshine alarm clock! Anyhow, have decided today is a minimalist day on the house-front due to limited time to get anything much done.
I plan to make the basics for every day to;
1. Dress becomingly. This, for me, means actually getting dressed, at all, some days! As some of you already know, I am plagued by depression and some days, the face doesn't even get a lick! Not so much recently, I have to say. Putting on clothes I have ironed and laid out the night before with jewellery to match and getting the slap on. This gives me a start to my day.
2. In my house, we would be resorting to living-in-the-jungle status (Me Tarzan, you Jane) if I didn't keep up with doing 2 loads of washing per day.
3. One distasteful other. This has to be a task that you always put off. Mines is opening mail. You know that tray I told you about in the kitchen? Well, my pile has had to be moved to the top tray cos' it doesn't fit in the middle one, any longer!
For my sins, I make myself take the bottom 3 envelopes and, yes, wait for it, yes, open them! Surprisingly, out comes, not a poisonous snake, not a piece of mouldy cheese or a dirty sock. Out comes mail!!! I have 2 of those brightly coloured studded plastic document wallets. One is labelled "Action" and the other "File". Are you beginning to see how I am a mistress of procrastination,- "slothful" but in 5 syllables!
Well anyway, the first was a letter to say I had been paid some money for marking student papers - nice. The second was a letter to let me know about some changes in the training organisation I temp. for and the third was junk. I survived!!!!
Right, off to dress becomingly........................................x
Saturday, 17 October 2009
Hey, I'm back!!
Well not really, yet. Still in Malta but flying home today at 8pm. Its about 9.30am her just now, sun is bleaching and yet, I'm home-sick! Missing my man, my friends and my blog! How sad! Am dying to read all your responses and what you are all up to with your organising.
The first thing I'm going to do with that, is un-pack. I tip the whole case out in the kitchen next to the washing-machine. Whilst I have a load of whites in the machine, I lay aside a load of dark colours and take the toiletries back to the bathroom. This process unearths the gifts, the sun-glasses the books and magazines and the passport. Restoring these to their homes, I have time for a nice cup of home-brewed coffee.
When the laundry is done, I tend to replace the clothes that I would only be seen dead in, on holiday, back into the suitcase. Spray the case with some of the new duty-free fragrance you bought, I know you did! Then, suitcase straight back to the loft, not, as I did, earlier in the year, leave it lying at the top of my hall stairs to trip over and rumage through whilst looking for inspiration for a night out! I could show you the photograph to prove it but I won't.
I am off to Manchester tomorrow lunch-time to teach on Monday at a nursey thing so I don't see me having much time for any tidying. I am hoping that my DH (darling husband) has kept the house lovely and tidy whilst I have been away. You never know??
Anyway, what do you all think about this next idea? I am hoping to take out a lease on a shop in Strathaven selling craft materials. I am planning to take out a short-term lease to begin with, only opening on Saturday and my day off through the week. On a Saturday, I shall do craft demos at 12 and 2pm in an attempt to inspire folks to buy my wares. I am musing on the idea of a craft swap-shop sorta thing to swap materials of one sort with similiar from the shop?? The whole idea is being geared towards starting up a web-site from home, perhaps, doing the same thing unless the shop is a storming success! I need your support girls and your ideas if you think this is a goer. CraftyJacq's is the name. My brother is designing the shop-front sign as we speak!
Talk soon ........................ x
The first thing I'm going to do with that, is un-pack. I tip the whole case out in the kitchen next to the washing-machine. Whilst I have a load of whites in the machine, I lay aside a load of dark colours and take the toiletries back to the bathroom. This process unearths the gifts, the sun-glasses the books and magazines and the passport. Restoring these to their homes, I have time for a nice cup of home-brewed coffee.
When the laundry is done, I tend to replace the clothes that I would only be seen dead in, on holiday, back into the suitcase. Spray the case with some of the new duty-free fragrance you bought, I know you did! Then, suitcase straight back to the loft, not, as I did, earlier in the year, leave it lying at the top of my hall stairs to trip over and rumage through whilst looking for inspiration for a night out! I could show you the photograph to prove it but I won't.
I am off to Manchester tomorrow lunch-time to teach on Monday at a nursey thing so I don't see me having much time for any tidying. I am hoping that my DH (darling husband) has kept the house lovely and tidy whilst I have been away. You never know??
Anyway, what do you all think about this next idea? I am hoping to take out a lease on a shop in Strathaven selling craft materials. I am planning to take out a short-term lease to begin with, only opening on Saturday and my day off through the week. On a Saturday, I shall do craft demos at 12 and 2pm in an attempt to inspire folks to buy my wares. I am musing on the idea of a craft swap-shop sorta thing to swap materials of one sort with similiar from the shop?? The whole idea is being geared towards starting up a web-site from home, perhaps, doing the same thing unless the shop is a storming success! I need your support girls and your ideas if you think this is a goer. CraftyJacq's is the name. My brother is designing the shop-front sign as we speak!
Talk soon ........................ x
Friday, 9 October 2009
Day 7 - Mail, mail, mail and more mail!
Good day girls. How are you all today? It's time for me to tackle the paper mountains. I have them in the hall on the bottom stair, in the living-room and on the kitchen work-top. I have them at the side of my bed, not to mention the LOUNGE (remember the lounge).
Begin by collecting all the paper in one place. I go round with a laundry-basket. That's how much paper we're talking! I bought a 3 tier mail tray from Ikea last week just for this purpose. I have decided to set up my mail zone in the kitchen on the dining-table. All paper that walks, floats or flies into the house has to make it onto that table.
I have allocated the top tray for Allan, middle for me and the bottom one for the girls. Don't even have to open the mail, just separate who its addressed to. Next job is to open it and decide what needs attention, what needs filed and what needs binned. Make sure that you shred anything with names addresses or account numbers on before you bin it. I keep the shredder beside the table in the kitchen. Everything in one place, get the drift?
Now it's time for me to shut shop for the next week since I'm off to Malta in the morning! I will be back blogging next Sunday 18th October without fail. Have managed a staggering amount this week. Hope for some of you it's likewise. Please post your comments even whilst I'm away x
Begin by collecting all the paper in one place. I go round with a laundry-basket. That's how much paper we're talking! I bought a 3 tier mail tray from Ikea last week just for this purpose. I have decided to set up my mail zone in the kitchen on the dining-table. All paper that walks, floats or flies into the house has to make it onto that table.
I have allocated the top tray for Allan, middle for me and the bottom one for the girls. Don't even have to open the mail, just separate who its addressed to. Next job is to open it and decide what needs attention, what needs filed and what needs binned. Make sure that you shred anything with names addresses or account numbers on before you bin it. I keep the shredder beside the table in the kitchen. Everything in one place, get the drift?
Now it's time for me to shut shop for the next week since I'm off to Malta in the morning! I will be back blogging next Sunday 18th October without fail. Have managed a staggering amount this week. Hope for some of you it's likewise. Please post your comments even whilst I'm away x
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Day 6 - Packing to Go
Good morning! Just checked the website on NHS for the symptoms of swine flu since I had such a 'cold' last week , was beginning to feel better and now, back to where I started, sore eyes, sore head and blocked nose all over again! However, from all accounts, in most people, this is as bad as it gets, so Lemsip and nasal spray and off we go!
Saturday, 2 days from now, I'm off to Malta for the week, wahey! So, today, I thought I'd talk packing since I'd better get on with it. Flying with Ryanair, so baggage allowance 15kg in the hold and 10kg in the cabin, not a lot, eh girls? So, here's the packing list;
Clothes
Travelling in a track-suit and a pair of trainers there and back. Leaving a jacket in the car.
Underwear
1 pair socks
3 swimming costumes/bikinis
3 pair PJ's
7 evening tops or 5 with a couple of dresses
4 bottoms suitable for night-time
3 pair shorts/cropped trousers
2 cardigans (a cream and a black)
1 pair heels
1 pair walking shoes
1 pair flip-flops
1 beach-bag
1 handbag
Total weight =12kg. I weighed the case on one of these portable luggage scales that I bought in a local luggage/bag shop. It weighs up to 32kg and folds up small to fit in your case so's you don't end up with any surcharges at the airport, either direction.
Also, thought I would start putting in some cleaning tips I've picked up over the years of reading self-help books on cleaning, organising and de-cluttering. Starting in the kitchen, the sink, to be exact.
Start by taking everything out, basin, dishes, smelly cloths, scourers. Now clean the sink with a clean cloth and an all-purpose cleaner. I use one of these things with a wee scourer on the end that you fill up with washing-up liquid. An old tooth-brush with washing-up liquid goes all round the taps and wee awkward bits, not on its own, I hasten to add! Next, I pour some bleach down the drain, if it's been a while, it's an idea to use some drain cleaner like Mr Muscle to clean out all the bits of rice, fried eggs and potato peel that has managed to escape down the plug-hole.
Now, take a dry cloth and some oil, olive,baby, sunflower, any oil on a dry cloth and polish the sink till it gleams! I have decided to get shot of the basin today cos it's discoloured and scratched. Time to get a new one. Wee tip. Whenever you have finished in the sink after dishes. Leave the cloth in the basin, drop a spot of bleach in and cover the cloth with water. Cloth never loses freshness. Voila!!
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Comments, suggestions please, please. x
Saturday, 2 days from now, I'm off to Malta for the week, wahey! So, today, I thought I'd talk packing since I'd better get on with it. Flying with Ryanair, so baggage allowance 15kg in the hold and 10kg in the cabin, not a lot, eh girls? So, here's the packing list;
Clothes
Travelling in a track-suit and a pair of trainers there and back. Leaving a jacket in the car.
Underwear
1 pair socks
3 swimming costumes/bikinis
3 pair PJ's
7 evening tops or 5 with a couple of dresses
4 bottoms suitable for night-time
3 pair shorts/cropped trousers
2 cardigans (a cream and a black)
1 pair heels
1 pair walking shoes
1 pair flip-flops
1 beach-bag
1 handbag
Total weight =12kg. I weighed the case on one of these portable luggage scales that I bought in a local luggage/bag shop. It weighs up to 32kg and folds up small to fit in your case so's you don't end up with any surcharges at the airport, either direction.
Also, thought I would start putting in some cleaning tips I've picked up over the years of reading self-help books on cleaning, organising and de-cluttering. Starting in the kitchen, the sink, to be exact.
Start by taking everything out, basin, dishes, smelly cloths, scourers. Now clean the sink with a clean cloth and an all-purpose cleaner. I use one of these things with a wee scourer on the end that you fill up with washing-up liquid. An old tooth-brush with washing-up liquid goes all round the taps and wee awkward bits, not on its own, I hasten to add! Next, I pour some bleach down the drain, if it's been a while, it's an idea to use some drain cleaner like Mr Muscle to clean out all the bits of rice, fried eggs and potato peel that has managed to escape down the plug-hole.
Now, take a dry cloth and some oil, olive,baby, sunflower, any oil on a dry cloth and polish the sink till it gleams! I have decided to get shot of the basin today cos it's discoloured and scratched. Time to get a new one. Wee tip. Whenever you have finished in the sink after dishes. Leave the cloth in the basin, drop a spot of bleach in and cover the cloth with water. Cloth never loses freshness. Voila!!
Comments, suggestions please, please. x
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Day 5 - A blues day
Hello everybody. Not feeling that great today, I'm afraid. Anyhow, want to keep going so this time I chose my dining-room table which was covered in clean clothes. Yea, clean clothes. I haven't mastered the art of getting from dirty to clean to dry to sorted to ironed to put away. I will kiss the feet of the woman who can do this seamlessly and, I don't do feet!
There are 4 of us at home now (previously 6). There are 3 of us girls and 1 boy (Allan, my man). The girls 19 and 15 do their own ironing and have done since their first Home Economics class in 1st year. I am not sexist, our 2 boys had to do the same ever since Andrew let the cat out of the bag that he was learning about laundry labels and what they meant. He knew more than I did! I had to seize the opportunity and all my kids are very adept with the old ironing.
Just to say at this point, girls, the best iron out there is the compressor iron. Here is a link to what one is, in case you don't know - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14418662/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/2%7Ccat_14418476%7CIrons%7C14418661/c_3/3%7Ccat_14418661%7CSteam+generator+irons%7C14418662.htm
These are just the best thing!!! You can iron the front and back of a T-shirt all at once! Okay, I digress. Back to the washing. I sorted the clean laundry into 3 piles. A pile each for the 2 girls then deposited into their respective rooms. Another pile was then taken to my room and my clothes hung up and put away un-ironed. I iron as I go - works well for me cos I find that things get crushed again in my cramped,
crowded wardrobe - still to get to that.
Allan's clothes are kept in a basket to be dealt with once a week (weekly task in notebook). At that point, I will iron 2 pairs of jeans, his PJ's for the week and 7 T-shirts. He's a T-shirt, not a shirt man. End of clothes mountain on dining table and heaven for the Parlour Palm struggling to breathe underneath it all!
Nite folks x
There are 4 of us at home now (previously 6). There are 3 of us girls and 1 boy (Allan, my man). The girls 19 and 15 do their own ironing and have done since their first Home Economics class in 1st year. I am not sexist, our 2 boys had to do the same ever since Andrew let the cat out of the bag that he was learning about laundry labels and what they meant. He knew more than I did! I had to seize the opportunity and all my kids are very adept with the old ironing.
Just to say at this point, girls, the best iron out there is the compressor iron. Here is a link to what one is, in case you don't know - http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Browse/ID72/14418662/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CKitchen+and+laundry%7C14418476/c_2/2%7Ccat_14418476%7CIrons%7C14418661/c_3/3%7Ccat_14418661%7CSteam+generator+irons%7C14418662.htm
These are just the best thing!!! You can iron the front and back of a T-shirt all at once! Okay, I digress. Back to the washing. I sorted the clean laundry into 3 piles. A pile each for the 2 girls then deposited into their respective rooms. Another pile was then taken to my room and my clothes hung up and put away un-ironed. I iron as I go - works well for me cos I find that things get crushed again in my cramped,
crowded wardrobe - still to get to that.
Allan's clothes are kept in a basket to be dealt with once a week (weekly task in notebook). At that point, I will iron 2 pairs of jeans, his PJ's for the week and 7 T-shirts. He's a T-shirt, not a shirt man. End of clothes mountain on dining table and heaven for the Parlour Palm struggling to breathe underneath it all!
Nite folks x
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Day 4 - The secret of the TIMER
Now, here we have the simple egg-timer. You can buy these from any kitchen/hardware shop, cheap as chips. I hear you say "how is this going to organise me?". The answer is that it won't unless you use it. I have a real problem with becoming very quickly bored of any monotonous task like de-cluttering the cluttered places in my home. I have, however, come to the conclusion that I can do anything for 15 minutes that I can't do all day long.
So, first I picked a spot (not the pimple kind), the kind I have shown here. This is a table, yes a table, can't you see the table? This table is in my upstairs lounge. I really dont feel honest in saying it's a lounge cos if you tried to lounge in it, its the bed of nails variety with the amount of clutter in it. It's the room we keep the books, clothes, TVs, craft stuff, broken printers, zebras, elephants and the like. You know the kind of room I mean, don't you?
You take your trusty timer and set it for 15 mins. The clock is ticking!! Take a big laundry basket and tip as much stuff off the table as the basket will hold. Now go to a clear area, if you can find one, and sort the basket into 3 piles -
1. Put away in that room (not yet!)
2. Put away in another room
3. Give away (right now!)
Stop tipping and sorting as soon, I repeat, as soon as the timer rings!
Start with the pile that has to be put away in that room. Now we are not into micro-organising at the minute, ie; 1p pieces and 2p pieces counted and put into separate compartments of your purse and safety pins separated from sewing needles. This is about books on a book shelf in any old order, craft materials in your craft cupboard randomly etc.
The 'other room' pile goes to each room it belongs, by carrying a pile to each room in the laundry basket and shoving it in beside its partners, ie; one shoe in the shoe cupboard, a DVD beside all the rest etc.
Now, you should be left with the elephants and zebras that don't belong in your house cos you don't use them, need them or have used them for 6 months. Put them in a bag and straight to the car ready to go to the nearest charity shop. That way, you wont be tempted to start using that American juicer that uses 8 carrots to make 30mls of juice, lol.
See you tomoz x I leave you with the table -
Monday, 5 October 2009
Day 3 - Still no pals
Well, not long home from work. Pretty tired and a wee bit disappointed cos still no responders to the blog. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day and all that.
For today's task, have decided to tackle the sock drawer. I have a dresser-type thing in the kitchen where 2 drawers are nominated for the socks. I suggest you have at least 1 drawer or container set aside wherever you sort the dry washing into piles.
Anyway, until I did this, me, my husband, and the kids openly spoke about the 'sock monster'. Have you got one? He's the dude who eats the socks you are looking for to make pairs. He still exists but doesn't get fed quite so well now, thanks to this system.
Firstly, I dont stress about making sure they are paired up for the washing-machine. Just toss them in! I do white socks with white washing, red with red and dark with dark etc. When dry, either by hanging outside on one of those wee circular clothes pegged sock hanger things or having been through the drier, I just separate light from dark into these 2 drawers I was telling you about.
Then, like tonight, for instance, I tip them out on a surface with good light and play the 'sock game'. My mum used to enjoy playing this game when she came to stay, seeing how many pairs she could make. It helps if you buy same type or colour of socks for each person in the family. Like, one of my girls likes trainer socks, the other likes funky looking ankle socks etc.
Even young kids enjoy 'the game'. You can reward the one who finds the most pairs, for example. Odd leftovers are left in the drawer, out of sight, out of mind till the next round. I suggest this gets written into your 'home handbook', (a notebook), specifically set aside to schedule tasks. The sock game ideally should be played once a week. In your notebook, just head up a page "weekly tasks" and this could be the first task on it.
Sooooo.. let me know what you think and if you have any great ideas on how to sort socks. See you tomorrow.
xx
For today's task, have decided to tackle the sock drawer. I have a dresser-type thing in the kitchen where 2 drawers are nominated for the socks. I suggest you have at least 1 drawer or container set aside wherever you sort the dry washing into piles.
Anyway, until I did this, me, my husband, and the kids openly spoke about the 'sock monster'. Have you got one? He's the dude who eats the socks you are looking for to make pairs. He still exists but doesn't get fed quite so well now, thanks to this system.
Firstly, I dont stress about making sure they are paired up for the washing-machine. Just toss them in! I do white socks with white washing, red with red and dark with dark etc. When dry, either by hanging outside on one of those wee circular clothes pegged sock hanger things or having been through the drier, I just separate light from dark into these 2 drawers I was telling you about.
Then, like tonight, for instance, I tip them out on a surface with good light and play the 'sock game'. My mum used to enjoy playing this game when she came to stay, seeing how many pairs she could make. It helps if you buy same type or colour of socks for each person in the family. Like, one of my girls likes trainer socks, the other likes funky looking ankle socks etc.
Even young kids enjoy 'the game'. You can reward the one who finds the most pairs, for example. Odd leftovers are left in the drawer, out of sight, out of mind till the next round. I suggest this gets written into your 'home handbook', (a notebook), specifically set aside to schedule tasks. The sock game ideally should be played once a week. In your notebook, just head up a page "weekly tasks" and this could be the first task on it.
Sooooo.. let me know what you think and if you have any great ideas on how to sort socks. See you tomorrow.
xx
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Day 2 - A place for everything and everything in its place
Hello and welcome. I'm in the kitchen today. The cupboards, in particular - check out the 'before' picture of what I call the Utility cupboard.
Got a cupboard next to the oven door or dish-washer, usually full of what you can see here? The only reason the cupboard has been given a name is to try and create 'zones' or specific areas for things.
This morning, I began by tipping everything out on the floor and from there, deciding what I wanted to keep in this cupboard.
The list goes like this;
1. Flower vases (you really only need 2 unless you're partial to freshly cut flowers in every room - lol) I need 2 in case a biggg bunch of flowers arrive
2. Casserole dishes
3. Food mixers (only if you use them - to charity shop if not used for 6 months)
4. Shoe care box - Black shoe polish (liquid kind available from own brands of supermarket)
Brown
Clear
Duster
Brush
Leather/Suede protector
Whitener (for trainers)
5. I keep my wee 'blu step' in here. I got it from Woolworths but I think you can get them from anywhere that does the JML stuff. Those of you tall enough won't need it, of course!
6. A bulb box with a selection of 40w, 60w, energy saving bulbs and Christmas light bulbs. In this box are another 2 containers, 1 with fuses (3,5,13 amp) and another with batteries (AAs, AAAs).
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2. Casserole dishes
3. Food mixers (only if you use them - to charity shop if not used for 6 months)
4. Shoe care box - Black shoe polish (liquid kind available from own brands of supermarket)
Brown
Clear
Duster
Brush
Leather/Suede protector
Whitener (for trainers)
5. I keep my wee 'blu step' in here. I got it from Woolworths but I think you can get them from anywhere that does the JML stuff. Those of you tall enough won't need it, of course!
6. A bulb box with a selection of 40w, 60w, energy saving bulbs and Christmas light bulbs. In this box are another 2 containers, 1 with fuses (3,5,13 amp) and another with batteries (AAs, AAAs).
Let me know your thoughts and ideas on today's blog. Dying to hear from you!!! Nite x
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Day 1 of the next 365
Hi there
Just getting started. Hoping to spend the next year (365 days) getting a new life through organising my entire house, in and out.
Join me and it will help me to keep going. Day 1 is all about the decision to get started! I have made the decision. By talking to me, I am hoping you have too.
See you tomorrow x
Just getting started. Hoping to spend the next year (365 days) getting a new life through organising my entire house, in and out.
Join me and it will help me to keep going. Day 1 is all about the decision to get started! I have made the decision. By talking to me, I am hoping you have too.
See you tomorrow x
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