Yes, the title is from "Evita." :)
Anyway, I haven't posted about my FlyLady progress in a while. I've been ignoring the actual maintenance of home appearance in favor of getting ready for Pesach. Everything is in its place now, but there's still a lot of cooking to do. I spent my Saturday night moving food around the house.
There was a FlyLady objective for kids: To organize books and give away ones we don't need. I did just that and my older son helped initially. He is a hoarder like me and wanted to keep everything. I did come up with a huge bag of books to give away and was able to Freecycle them today.
I vacuumed out one car today, as the other is in the shop until tomorrow, when it gets a new tire. I managed to hit a pothole and got a busted tire as a result. The same thing happened to someone else in the neighborhood at around the same time. It's a conspiracy, I think!
Not too much else to report. We had a cleaning service here last week, so there wasn't much else for me to do, other than straighten up the night before their arrival.
Anyway, Pesach starts tomorrow night and I will be offline until Wednesday night (probably after I watch the "American Idol" results (I'll just watch the performances I like online.) I already have my "Time Warp Tuesday" post scheduled for Tuesday morning, so check back then.
To those of you who celebrate Pesach: Chag Kasher V'Sameach!
Showing posts with label flylady. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flylady. Show all posts
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Futility has the word "utility" in it
Oddly enough, my efforts at cleaning the utility room have proven to be the opposite of futile. I'm pretty much done!!! There are a few boxes that need to be cleared away, but I'll use them to pack up chometz. I found some more items to freecycle, as well. The closet could use some work, but it's not dire at this time.
I also got more work done on the basement and have become obsessive over my kids cleaning up after themselves after they're done playing. I won't even let them come upstairs until that is done. And while I applaud their efforts, I nearly had a panic attack when some of the items got mixed up again. I fixed it though. I also cleaned out their art kits and condensed everything into two smaller boxes. I started working on the area that is out of their reach but was still a major clutter disaster.
Overall, I am really happy with my progress with both rooms. I think the next area to tackle is the living and dining room. It's a combined space, so it shouldn't be too awful. I also need to fix up the kitchen again and actually make good on my attempt to pack up chometz. I'm most afraid of the freezer because the utility room freezer is also out of space.
Finally, the clean-up of the utility room was made productive by the tunes of 90's female singers (most of who still perform these days) such as Gwen Stefani, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Lisa Loeb, etc.
I also got more work done on the basement and have become obsessive over my kids cleaning up after themselves after they're done playing. I won't even let them come upstairs until that is done. And while I applaud their efforts, I nearly had a panic attack when some of the items got mixed up again. I fixed it though. I also cleaned out their art kits and condensed everything into two smaller boxes. I started working on the area that is out of their reach but was still a major clutter disaster.
Overall, I am really happy with my progress with both rooms. I think the next area to tackle is the living and dining room. It's a combined space, so it shouldn't be too awful. I also need to fix up the kitchen again and actually make good on my attempt to pack up chometz. I'm most afraid of the freezer because the utility room freezer is also out of space.
Finally, the clean-up of the utility room was made productive by the tunes of 90's female singers (most of who still perform these days) such as Gwen Stefani, Jewel, Alanis Morissette, Lisa Loeb, etc.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
In 2 days time...
The FlyLady bathroom cleaning objectives for the last two days were to clean the mirrors and shine the shower. I did one task each night. Both were quick and easy. I now keep a spray bottle with Windex and some paper towels under the sink for easy access whenever the mirrors get spotted again.
In the meantime, I did about 25-30 minutes worth of cleaning in the utility room and basement both tonight and last night. Last night, I listened to my Styx channel on Pandora and tonight it was my Lady Antebellum channel. That was just for the utility room. I straightened the shelves some more and started putting aside stuff for my husband to look through. I cleared up a lot of floor space, as well. I also got started on one of our few walk-in closets. We use it to store clothes that need ironing, extra linens and luggage. I went through the clothes and separated them into piles to wash, take to the dry cleaners or freecycle. I'll probably freecycle some of the items I'm washing too. Speaking of which, our sitter took home some of the items I already put aside for freecycling, leaving more room in the box to add items tonight.
In the basement, I listened to Faith Hill last night and Jill Sobule tonight. I cleared the central carpeted area and went through the toy box that's next to the large shelves. I found some items I thought I'd never see again, including the device that plays the phonics magnets. I organized more items into their proper places and put all the games on the back shelves. I also straightened up the books. I still have a few more target areas upon which to focus, but the basement is looking good compared to the disaster that befell it during my younger son's party.
I don't know if I'll get a lot of cleaning done this weekend, but anything is possible. Our cleaning lady is coming next week to help us get ready for Pesach. I feel that through the FlyLady system, I don't have to rush around the night before "cleaning the house for the cleaning lady." When I was younger, my mom would always say "clean your room, the cleaning lady is coming." I thought that was such an annoying phrase. What was the point of having a cleaning lady if I was going to clean my room anyway? Now I totally get why my mom would say such a thing and feel like my bedroom wasn't such a big deal as compared to an entire house!
In any case, I really hope I'll have time to put away all the chametz and set up the counter space for Pesach soon. I usually procrastinate because I feel more productive when I actually have to get it all done, even at the last minute. I hope I will have some time to relax before Pesach though.
In the meantime, I did about 25-30 minutes worth of cleaning in the utility room and basement both tonight and last night. Last night, I listened to my Styx channel on Pandora and tonight it was my Lady Antebellum channel. That was just for the utility room. I straightened the shelves some more and started putting aside stuff for my husband to look through. I cleared up a lot of floor space, as well. I also got started on one of our few walk-in closets. We use it to store clothes that need ironing, extra linens and luggage. I went through the clothes and separated them into piles to wash, take to the dry cleaners or freecycle. I'll probably freecycle some of the items I'm washing too. Speaking of which, our sitter took home some of the items I already put aside for freecycling, leaving more room in the box to add items tonight.
In the basement, I listened to Faith Hill last night and Jill Sobule tonight. I cleared the central carpeted area and went through the toy box that's next to the large shelves. I found some items I thought I'd never see again, including the device that plays the phonics magnets. I organized more items into their proper places and put all the games on the back shelves. I also straightened up the books. I still have a few more target areas upon which to focus, but the basement is looking good compared to the disaster that befell it during my younger son's party.
I don't know if I'll get a lot of cleaning done this weekend, but anything is possible. Our cleaning lady is coming next week to help us get ready for Pesach. I feel that through the FlyLady system, I don't have to rush around the night before "cleaning the house for the cleaning lady." When I was younger, my mom would always say "clean your room, the cleaning lady is coming." I thought that was such an annoying phrase. What was the point of having a cleaning lady if I was going to clean my room anyway? Now I totally get why my mom would say such a thing and feel like my bedroom wasn't such a big deal as compared to an entire house!
In any case, I really hope I'll have time to put away all the chametz and set up the counter space for Pesach soon. I usually procrastinate because I feel more productive when I actually have to get it all done, even at the last minute. I hope I will have some time to relax before Pesach though.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Clusters of clutter
I cleaned on the FlyLady plan tonight. I did 15 minutes for each area I was cleaning. I was successful in some areas and not in others.
I first started with the utility room while listening to my Ingrid Michaelson station on Pandora again. I was able to clear off some space on the shelves by the window and organized my gift bag and ribbon collection.
Then I went to the front hall closet and attacked the whole thing while listening to Jewel's "Rare Angels" cassette (yes, I'm still "old school"). I put all the plastic bags together and all the environmental bags together. I also hung up some items and put all the boots in one area. I moved the bowling bags to the top shelf, after reorganizing that, as well.
Next was the basement (still to the tunes of Jewel). I just picked up a bunch of items and put them back in their boxes/containers/bags. I made a box for all the items that go with the Jewish toy kits (i.e. Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, etc.). I put all the phonics magnets away when I came across them. I hope to one day find the piece they go into in order to hear the songs about each letter. Fifteen minutes wasn't long enough, but I knew I'd burn out if I stayed down there any longer.
Finally, it is bathroom week on FlyLady.net. I followed the task e-mailed to me today. It was to clean out the cabinet and reorganize it. I didn't find a lot to throw out or give away, but it's a lot easier to find things now.
I rewarded myself by watching "90210." :)
Side note: "Rare Angels" is an album put out by Jewel in the mid-90's. It has a lot of acoustic and improvised songs, most which never made it onto any other album. There is a song, however, called "Perfectly Clear," which was made into a country tune and also became the title of her country CD. In any case, I used to listen to "Rare Angels" a lot in college and listening to it again brought back memories. I even sang one of the songs at Theater of Ted (a midnight theater open mic at the college I attended).
I first started with the utility room while listening to my Ingrid Michaelson station on Pandora again. I was able to clear off some space on the shelves by the window and organized my gift bag and ribbon collection.
Then I went to the front hall closet and attacked the whole thing while listening to Jewel's "Rare Angels" cassette (yes, I'm still "old school"). I put all the plastic bags together and all the environmental bags together. I also hung up some items and put all the boots in one area. I moved the bowling bags to the top shelf, after reorganizing that, as well.
Next was the basement (still to the tunes of Jewel). I just picked up a bunch of items and put them back in their boxes/containers/bags. I made a box for all the items that go with the Jewish toy kits (i.e. Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, etc.). I put all the phonics magnets away when I came across them. I hope to one day find the piece they go into in order to hear the songs about each letter. Fifteen minutes wasn't long enough, but I knew I'd burn out if I stayed down there any longer.
Finally, it is bathroom week on FlyLady.net. I followed the task e-mailed to me today. It was to clean out the cabinet and reorganize it. I didn't find a lot to throw out or give away, but it's a lot easier to find things now.
I rewarded myself by watching "90210." :)
Side note: "Rare Angels" is an album put out by Jewel in the mid-90's. It has a lot of acoustic and improvised songs, most which never made it onto any other album. There is a song, however, called "Perfectly Clear," which was made into a country tune and also became the title of her country CD. In any case, I used to listen to "Rare Angels" a lot in college and listening to it again brought back memories. I even sang one of the songs at Theater of Ted (a midnight theater open mic at the college I attended).
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Indebted to FlyLady for life!
FlyLady had a daily objective of cleaning out the car. I decided to follow this objective and ended up finding my older son's kipah! It's this kipah we got him prior to his upsherin (which has his name on it in Hebrew) and thought he had lost in the move last August. I was so excited to find it again! De-cluttering is really amazing. :) I still have to tackle the basement and utility room and need a game plan for both. I'm procrastinating on them as it is. :P
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Be Our Guest
The guest room is now ready for my parents to sleep in this weekend. I even cleaned out the closet in there! I went through old photos while watching "American Idol," instead of knitting like I usually do. After "American Idol" was over, I finished up in the guest room and went about cleaning out the linen closet. That was quite a feat. It's taller than me, so I had to stand on a wobbly step-stool to reach the items on top. The closet looks a lot more organized now. Yay! I think the front hall closet needs a makeover soon. The dining room also needs to be cleaned up before Shabbos.
Tonight's cleaning was done to my Ingrid Michaelson station on Pandora. It plays musicians similar to her style, such as Adele, Sara Bareilles, Lenka, K.T. Tunstall, etc.
Tonight's cleaning was done to my Ingrid Michaelson station on Pandora. It plays musicians similar to her style, such as Adele, Sara Bareilles, Lenka, K.T. Tunstall, etc.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Bedroom Eyes
Tonight I tackled the master bedroom to the tunes of Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and other alternative and grunge bands of the 90's. I put all my clothes away and put my husband's clothes aside for him to sort and put where he wants. I went through my closet and some drawers and even found some things I was looking for (such as one of my favorite hats). I got distracted for a few minutes by an old journal (in which I don't even recognize my own handwriting). It focused a lot on something that I'll be blogging about this Thursday. I also put aside a few things for freecycling, but less than I expected. I did freecycle some clothes earlier this evening, so that was nice. There was so much demand for the clothes!
I know I need to straighten up the guest room soon because my parents will be here starting Thursday evening. The utility room is a week-long project though. I don't even know where to start in there!
The kitchen still looks good. My husband washed some dishes, but there are still some more to tackle. I hope to get to them tomorrow.
I know I need to straighten up the guest room soon because my parents will be here starting Thursday evening. The utility room is a week-long project though. I don't even know where to start in there!
The kitchen still looks good. My husband washed some dishes, but there are still some more to tackle. I hope to get to them tomorrow.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Heaven's Kitchen
The kitchen is now organized (thanks to Little Miss Obsessive) and it smells of delicious vegetable soup (thanks to my fantastic cook of a husband). :) I still need to wash dairy and pareve dishes, but I'm stuck until the dishwasher is finished because I have to move more meat dishes out of the sink and into there first. I put away the dairy dishes that were on the drying rack though. I also found the time to organize my bag for work so it won't be as heavy and I'll be able to find things. :)
I can't decide which room to tackle next. I think our bedroom could use some work. I still have to put away the boys' laundry too.
I haven't really found much to freecycle yet. Most of the stuff in the kitchen was stale crackers and little pieces of junk that could easily be tossed in the trash. I think other rooms will provide more to actually give away. I'm just glad that I have less chometz to pack away now. :)
In any case, I'm proud of the work I accomplished tonight. I can actually see the counters and window area now!
I can't decide which room to tackle next. I think our bedroom could use some work. I still have to put away the boys' laundry too.
I haven't really found much to freecycle yet. Most of the stuff in the kitchen was stale crackers and little pieces of junk that could easily be tossed in the trash. I think other rooms will provide more to actually give away. I'm just glad that I have less chometz to pack away now. :)
In any case, I'm proud of the work I accomplished tonight. I can actually see the counters and window area now!
Fly Lady, Fly
I know that Passover is around the corner (and you will see a related post about it soon), and everyone seems to talk about cleaning the house in preparation. I keep telling myself that it’s as easy as having our cleaning lady over a few days prior and packing up all the chometz in the house to “sell” (or eating a lot more so there’s less to pack). A friend of mine keeps a blog about how she is de-cluttering her home. Someone had suggested that she check out FlyLady.net to help herself get more organized.
As a result of this suggestion, I decided to check out the site and see what the deal was. To anyone first checking it out, it looks extremely overwhelming. However, I decided to sign up as a beginner and get all the e-mails in digest format. There’s a disclaimer that you should never try to catch up and just pick up from wherever the process is when you first get the e-mails. They don’t want to overwhelm new readers in any way. I find a lot of validity in what is being presented, but I still need some self-motivation. I’ve decided to tackle the house one room at a time. I am planning to start with the kitchen since that’s the most cluttered room of the house. Even more cluttered than our bedroom or the utility room, in my opinion. Sometimes our weekly sitter will help straighten up in the kitchen, but it ends up becoming a disaster anyway. I need to figure out a new system soon! It doesn’t help that there’s a giant box amidst all the clutter. This box is our new oven and it will be installed a week and a half before Pesach. I don’t know if that will throw off our non-Pesach cooking, but I guess we won’t have pizza in there for a while, unless it’s made of matzah!
Also, I recently received an e-mail requesting items for a Jewish community in Ukraine. Great way to de-clutter and also perform a mitzvah. I think Hashem wanted this all to come together (my need for organization and this mitzvah opportunity that happened to stand out to me from all my other e-mails).
Anyway, FlyLady thinks that 15 minutes is enough time each day to tackle the room or area of the week. I am obsessive and need to get it all done in one straight shot, if possible. I’ll put on Pandora radio and get cracking. I’m going to attempt this while my husband is in the middle of making Journey’s End soup, but there’s room in the kitchen for both of us. It will be nice to have his company during my “mission.” Wish me luck!
As a result of this suggestion, I decided to check out the site and see what the deal was. To anyone first checking it out, it looks extremely overwhelming. However, I decided to sign up as a beginner and get all the e-mails in digest format. There’s a disclaimer that you should never try to catch up and just pick up from wherever the process is when you first get the e-mails. They don’t want to overwhelm new readers in any way. I find a lot of validity in what is being presented, but I still need some self-motivation. I’ve decided to tackle the house one room at a time. I am planning to start with the kitchen since that’s the most cluttered room of the house. Even more cluttered than our bedroom or the utility room, in my opinion. Sometimes our weekly sitter will help straighten up in the kitchen, but it ends up becoming a disaster anyway. I need to figure out a new system soon! It doesn’t help that there’s a giant box amidst all the clutter. This box is our new oven and it will be installed a week and a half before Pesach. I don’t know if that will throw off our non-Pesach cooking, but I guess we won’t have pizza in there for a while, unless it’s made of matzah!
Also, I recently received an e-mail requesting items for a Jewish community in Ukraine. Great way to de-clutter and also perform a mitzvah. I think Hashem wanted this all to come together (my need for organization and this mitzvah opportunity that happened to stand out to me from all my other e-mails).
Anyway, FlyLady thinks that 15 minutes is enough time each day to tackle the room or area of the week. I am obsessive and need to get it all done in one straight shot, if possible. I’ll put on Pandora radio and get cracking. I’m going to attempt this while my husband is in the middle of making Journey’s End soup, but there’s room in the kitchen for both of us. It will be nice to have his company during my “mission.” Wish me luck!
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