My wonderful in laws are going to watch the boys at their house for a day so that I can get some things done around the house. I am so excited! Those kind of days are few and far between (ones where I can clean w/o the boys here). So here is my dilemma (not really, but my life lacks drama- which I don't mind at all!). I have to decide before then what I want accomplished. I would love to do some deep cleaning, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. I also would like to shampoo the carpets. There are two major closets that I'd like to switch some things between and clean. That will take a couple of hours. I'd like to clean the van out and shampoo those carpets too. I'd like to finish some sewing projects that have been sitting around. It would be fun to make up some meals and cookies to put in the freezer. There are also lots of "cleaning up" projects that I could do outside. I'd also like to take some breaks through the day to just sit and go through some magazines so that I can get rid of them. I guess I just need to start a huge to do list and the prioritize. Just like I wake up every day thinking that today will be the day that I conquer all clutter and get organized, I have that same dream for that day! I guess it's always good to have a dream or a goal. Ha ha.
To sweeten the deal even more, they offered to watch the boys while Tim and I go out for supper and will even bring them back and put them to bed if it gets late!
Part of me thinks I should try to get a bunch of small things accomplished before then so that I can focus on the big things that day and not be distracted by the little ones. Where to start, where to start?!
I will have to take a bunch of before and after pictures to post on here when I'm done. Don't expect to see any of those until the beginning of next week.
14 comments:
I say, you make the list and then work your dang fingers to the bone from now until then and get the list done and take the whole day off. Everytime you do a project and stay up late an extra hour, think about the day off.
Or if you won't do that, then the list is best and prepare anything you can ahead of time. Ya know if you had more toys for those boysand could bring a "unique" collection out every once and awhile, you could work with them there. They are sick of the same ol toys all the time. When I bring "new" toys out, I get at least an hour to work. My child is younger than yours so I know it would work for you. The next time to go to a yard sale, buy something special (or 3) and save then for when you want to do a big project.
I had honestly thought about splitting their meager toys into two different groups and rotating them. I have to clean that closet out first to make room for them.
another idea would be to hype up a new "project" for several days and then gate them in the living room and give them a couple of bags of rice and some pasta (less than a buck a bag)and give them cups, bowls, pvc piping (if you have any), large spoons and let them play in it. It is easy to clean up and I reuse all the stuff that i recover from the floor for the next time they play it(stored in a large baggie). It might give you 2 hours if they all have enough pieces to play with. Or, you can sit down with them and play.
oh yeah, i forgot to mention that we use our play kitchen and the tools when we do the pasta play. they can pretend they are making recipesetc. or you could screamin your "order" while you clean.
Great ideas Sonya.
I say you make a list and try and multi-task. You can bake cookies as you are cleaning the kitchen! Maybe set the timer for an hour at a time and clean for an hour, rest for a half hour or hour, clean, rest, clean, rest. Something like that. Don't do the sewing. That can wait for winter time, or a quiet sunday afternoon while the boys sleep. You want to do the noisy, messy stuff now, while they are gone.
Oh and as far as going to dinner... I say you tell mom and dad that you won't be home until late and have them bring the boys back about 8ish. That way you and Tim can hang out at home alone for awhile, do some more cleaning and things you want to do while they are gone. Then you and Tim can leave around 7 and go get a late dinner.
Ooh, that's a toughie for me. I'd probably end up wasting the day and be back right where I was. I like everyone's suggestions though.
Ok, Lura, your first step would be to STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!!!!
The computer, for themost part, workswith me not agaist me. I use it as incentives all day. of course, i have those days when nothing is going on and no one is commenting or posting but usually someone is. I stop here after i serve breakfast, as I am cleaning up breakfast etc. I make myself do so many things before I check people's blogs etc. and it works.
Get a list together, and try to multi-task like Charity said. Focus on the deep cleaning first and then the decluttering!
How's it coming along?!
I didn't say that today was the day. It's coming up. Right now I'm just preparing for that day.
I think the first thing you should do is invite that wonderful Amanda girl over and have a strategy session with diet coke and chocolate. Maybe you could serve some of those red velvet cupcakes too.
How about stratagy next Tuesday with cupcakes at Amanda's?
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