Speed Cleaning 101 . . .

[Bucky]

Meld - yes, I have heard of the "FlyLady".  I've also read several books by Don Aslett and Peter Walsh dealing with clutter and how to get things organized.  I "know" what I need to do, it's just a matter of doing it.     All of the books and shows I've seen about the subject say to tackle the projects a little at a time.  When you try to do it all at once it becomes too overwhelming and you give up.  Most big tasks didn't just happen overnight and can't be expected to be "fixed" in one day.

You know what my biggest hurdle or obstacle is?  The boys.  My hubby and son.  I clean things up and they come along and mess it up.  grrrrrrrrrrrrr  When I was single, I didn't have all this clutter problem.  Training them to pick up after themselves is like talking to a brick wall.     Some times, I just leave the mess and wait to see if they finally clean it up.  Finally after days of walking around it or stepping over it - I end up taking care of the matter myself because I can't stand it.

I finally refused to clean my hubbies bathroom.  He's a guy . . . guys and bathrooms are disgusting.  If they can't aim better . . . I'm NOT cleaning up after them!!  After a while even he gets grossed out by his bathroom and will break down and clean it.  He knows if he doesn't do it, it's not going to get done!

Tomorrow the internet person is coming back - that means Speed Cleaning 50-1/2 since I know what time he is expected ahead of time.  LOL 

Bucky

[Meld256]

Hi Bucky,

I hope I didn't sound like I have it all together and was telling you what to do!  Lord only knows I don't "have it together" most days.
I understand how the guys can be a problem. No offense, all you guys...I know a few men who do most of the housework. My husband can be really helpful, but I can get the most done when he's at work.  Mostly because of my brain fog. I get on a roll and if I'm alone sometimes my brains work better because I'm not distracted.

Know what you mean by the projects. I started fixing up our bedroom about 4 mths. ago, and almost done. It's tiny, and in my "normal days" I would've had it papered, painted and decluttered in about a week. Oh, well. Got more time now; so I do what I feel like when I can. The result is the same. Just takes me much, much longer...

Good luck with your internet person coming back!

[Bucky]

Meld - your post was very thoughtful of you - no, I didn't think you were telling me what to do.   

<<I do NOT turn on the TV or computer or make any calls, because I'll get side-tracked.>>

I hear ya on this one, sista!!  I "should" do that too.  It's too easy to start out checking something out on the internet "for just a minute" . . . that turns into hours later!   

My late sister told me about two gals, who are sisters -  Pam Young and Peggy Jones - they used to be called "Slob Sisters", but I think they changed their names to "Sidetracked Home Executives" or at least they have a book by that name (which I have  ).  They went from "pigpen to paradise".  Have you heard of them?  Their philosophy is very similar to FlyLady's.

In my humble opinion - much like weight loss - you have to be in the right mindset to take on this challenge.  I've had times where my house is tidy and everything in place.  Boy, it feels good when it's like that.  Plus, it looks good.  But . . . . (and there's always a but  ) . . . for me, it never lasts.  Back to the same old, same old.  Clutter city.

I always use the excuse . . . we need more storage.  When, in reality, the truth of the matter is . . . we need less "stuff"!  Letting go of stuff is hard.  Even if you don't use the stuff, but spent hard earned money to purchase it, you can't let it go.  Lordy, Lordy . . . don't EVER let Peter Walsh in my house - he'd have a heyday getting rid of stuff!!       

Plus, I've got items from my late Mother and Mother-in-Law mixed in with all of our things.  You can't keep collecting stuff without getting rid of stuff too.  See, I KNOW this - I know what needs to be done . . . but, I don't practice what I preach.     Again, don't send Peter Walsh to my house!!

I've got to give myself some credit . . I DO have garage sales yearly - most of the time, twice a year.  So, I do get rid of "some" stuff - and donate items too.

OK - I've stalled long enough this morning . . time to get crackin' on straightening up the house "again" for the internet guy.   

Have a good day . . . . 

P.S.  We really DO need more storage too . . . then, everything would have a "home" - which is the key to an organized home.  So I've read.   

Bucky

[Bucky]

This morning I could take my time tidying up the house for the internet guy to come back.  Got everything done (or hid  ) and had an hour to spare.   

They were 45 minutes later than expected, but that's okay - I'm just glad they made it out here today so I wouldn't have to redo this all another day. 

Every thing is going well . . . until they ask to go into our son's room to check his connection.  YIKES!!     He's a teenager . . . he's a boy, his room looks like a cyclone was on the loose in there.  Talk about being embarrassed!!  Of course, son is at school, so no embarrassment for him . . just for ME!!  Just wait until he gets home from school today!!

As a mom, I can only control so much.  However, what other people do, or don't do - is a reflection on me.     I guess the nut didn't fall too far from the tree as he can whip his room into shape in a hurry if he wants someone to come and play video games with him.

Oh well . . . I didn't die from embarrassment . . . but, pretty close!   

Bucky

[Meld256]

I just wanted to make sure I didn't sound arrogant, heaven forbid!    Gotta admit I don't take my own advice sometimes, too. Every once in a while I'll "just check something online" first and I am behind my little schedule. Used to do that so often, I have tried to learn!

I think I'm still learning to deal with not working at a paid job. It's been nearly a year, but I'm still adjusting. Seems like if I make myself a schedule of sorts then I have some kind of structure.  Never been one of those wash on Monday, __ on Tues. types, but now I TRY to do certain things on Mondays, try to make doctor appts. on a Tues. or Wed., and hopefully get things done around the house so that by Friday I can do whatever I want. A LOT of times it doesn't work, because if I feel rotten it all get pushed back, but that's ok, too.  I'm also learning to be flexible!   

If I still had a teenager around, it would be a whole different ball game. I remember!  Well, your internet person has seen teenage boy's rooms before, I'm sure. Probably was no big deal to them.

I know what it's like having family member's stuff. My parents moved from their patio home at the retirement community to an 11' x 14' room in assisted living about 6 yrs. ago. Good grief, the stuff!  My Dad was in total denial about going, so he didn't pack anything. We packed as the truck got there. They had clothes, and clothes and tools and lamps and...and...he wouldn't let any of it go, so my husband and I put it all in our garage for about 2 yrs!  Can you imagine?
I finally talked with them and they agreed we could try to sell a few things and "bless others" by taking the rest to Goodwill. 

I'll never let Peter Walsh around your place, ok?  I COULD send him to my mother-in-law's house, but that's a different story.
Have a good day,Melinda