Day 4: bathroom!

I planned on taking it mostly easy today and just getting the bathroom floor picked up at some point. I filled the partial laundry basket with a few big towels off the floor first thing this morning. Then I decided to veg out on the couch, but o couldn't get Netflix to work and while I was trying Penny (2yr) peed on the floor. I used dirty towels to clean it up but decided she should have a bath. While she bathed I started cleaning the bathroom. First thing was to put away stuff on the changing table, which included a bunch of new hair accessories (we're still in the gift bag, from February) which meant making room in the hair stuff drawers: 

I tried to put them all away in the 1 drawer when I realized that I need 2 drawers. I couldnt say exactly what was in the top drawer so I decided to clear it out for a second hair stuff drawer:

Turns out this drawer was random stuff that fr the most part actually had other homes. There were a bunch of samples and hotel bottles of shampoo and stuff. A few vacations ago I bought this little travel set:

with intentions of filling them up for travel use, but was too busy last few vacations to get it done. So I spent a little time filling them up with all the samples and hotel bottles and the regular bottles. I also used one to scrub the toilet (soap is soap). 

I tossed out some other items that I have been saving with the idea i might use them evenutally, and never have, stuck a Biore strip to my nose, a random teeth whitening tray in my mouth ( I never think to use these on a regular routine, only ever when decluttering.) 

I wanted to get the floor clean (my original goal) but I needed a laundry basket for the laundry so I put a load away, then when I got the laundry gathered, I switched the clothes, and put another load away!

Later, I cleared off the counter and used more shampoo samples to clean the sink. 

Later, I finally did sweep the floor, wiped the front of the cabinet, the back of the toilet and filled the soap dispensers in the shower.

And the kicker, I kept the kitchen cleaned up all day, made home made dinner, and cleaned up after myself, and after dinner too! GO ME!

Day 4 of cleaning/keeping clean

It was so nice to wake to a clean kitchen this morning! I actually emptied the DW first thing. I decided to spend a minute organizing the glasses cupboard:

\

I purged a few items and put a few items where they should have been put to begin with. 

Then, rather than dumping the silverware in the drawer like I have been the last few times (to save time, which really did not save time in the end because I had to spend time to straighten it up.)

Thank you Penny for your help! 

And look, I do have plenty of kid spoons, who knew? 

Day 2 and 3 of cleaning/keeping clean

Saturday I don't really know what I did, watched tv? Rested? Nothing about the house. Ellie and I had a great date-night, pizza and a play. Then we had to stop by the grocery store.

Sunday Morning I woke up feeling sicker and had to work. I was so pleased with how much i got done on Friday that I ignored the mess all day Saturday and Sunday:

After making turkey dumpling soup for dinner (thanks to my last November self for prepping the turkey and bones so soup tonight would be super easy. 

After vegging out with my soup and reading more of A Slob Comes Clean early days blog posts, I got off the bed and went to the kitchen:

That little pile of plastic ware is my purge pile. 

Normally, I leave dishes to dry overnight. But I decided to put the dishes away, in doing so, I realized I needed to tidy the cupboard: 

I sure do love a shiny sink! 

Back at it, more of the house

I kept momentum after working on the bedroom to keep cleaning the living room (it's really just 1 big room, partitioned off).

I got this little area in front of the toy and book shelves tidyd up. And the floor in front of the TV.

I swept all the small stuff on the floor into a pile and sorted and picked it up.

Then I moved up to the counter and moved from one side to the other.

This is when it was time to leave to go out to dinner with family.
When I got home, I finished the kitchen! 

Day 1 ended great! 

Back at it in the bedroom.

I've been on and off the housecleaning wagon a lot since I last blogged, but Im hoping it'll get me motivated again. I've been reading A Slob Comes Clean from her beginning and realizing that I just need to stick to it.
I spent much of Friday cleaning up. Im going to focus on keeping it up. Meanwhile the family has colds so it may be extra challenging.
Here is what I got done Friday: I decided to start at one side of the house and work my way to the kitchen at the other side.

Cleaned side of the bed and night stands:

Then put away a bunch of laundry:

Organized/purged the linen chest

In order to change the sheets:

Tackled the stuff on the floor near the wardrobes:

And the dresser top:

I also swept out under the best best I could:

(Not all of that was from under the bed, some was random little stuff from the rest of the bedroom floor. Usually when I need to clean floors I sweep everything that won't break get nastier or spill into one big pile, then sit at the pile with a trash bag laundry basket and misc container. I pull out big trash, laundry (shaking dirt off) and misc stuff. Then I stand and sweep the leftover dirt like a normal sweeper person. This saves me from bending over a bunch of times and running all about the house taking single items to put away. I end up with a basket that I can take to each room with dishes, hair ties, craft stuff, etc)

Next I decided it was time to pack up the rest of the Easter stuff. And the random stuff that was piled up on this dresser.

A month or so ago I had visions of an indoor garden-ish space for garden plant starts and house plants since I don't have another good purpose for this space and it just becomes a catch all, plus it is right next to window.

Chest Freezer Organization

I would LOVE a standing freezer for organization reasons but this was a gift, a very generous gift, so we use what we have.
After years of digging through trying random baskets and stuff, I finally read this idea and LOVED it.

I've collected random shopping bags from various stores or promotional bags that I could use different colors for each category. I did this about a year ago and it's been working beautifully so I decided to share it!

It's easy to pull everything out to get to what I'm looking for in the bottom because it's all in bags.

I just pulled everything out, sorted by category and made a list. Easy peasy. I try to keep the list updated so I can tell what I have for meal planning.
The list sits on top with a magnet (so it doesn't slide off when we open it).

Most commonly used foods are in the fridge freezer.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP:
Do not leave an entire bag of food out on the floor after getting something out. Make sure you get it all back inside!

Fluttering, AGAIN

SO I clearly do not blog often enough because when I came to see when the last time I had blogged was, it was january (which i didnt publish until just now) and this post from October, last year. I just shake my head and laugh at how I could have written almost the same thing this last month. I decided to update it:

I haven't been flying lately, barely fluttering, if that. It has put a strain on my marriage and caused an irritability from me and disconnect with my kids too.
CURRENTLY: SAME EXACT THING

But I'm dusting off my wings. I got so disgustingly far behind in cleaning my kitchen we had the most fruit flies that we've ever had, ever. They were even in the cracker and bread baskets (although I noticed that after cleaning most more obvious food sources, perhaps they were just scrounging.)
RECENTLY HAD BASICALLY THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM

I procrastinated doing costumes (although they turned out awesome!), and getting ready for the party. 
I FOUND SOME STORE BOUGHT COSTUMES FOR THE GIRLS THIS YEAR, STILL NEED TO PUT HUBBY AND MINE TOGETHER.

We ended up postponing the Halloween party a day due to terrible weather and the power flickering. (Many local friends were without power, luckily we never lost ours completely) So I got an extra morning to do stuff for it, made it less stressful. And Ellie had a fever the night before the actual party so it was nice that we already had most of the set- up done before deciding to postpone.
The party was still a great success, lots of lots of kids and families had great fun.
WE CANCELED THE HALLOWEEN PARTY THIS YEAR BECAUSE OUR SHOP IS NO WHERE NEAR READY.

The daily goal going forward:
Finish cleaning up after the party (it was in the shop so not our regular living space), catch up on laundry (must wash Halloween costume clothes by Friday!), wash dishes daily, keep the floor swept (TMI but there was a sequin, from Ellie's crafts stuff, in Penny's poop the other day, clearly she found it on the floor, and ate it.) and spend 15-30 minutes decluttering and cleaning the craft room/office until it is tidy enough to actually work in. (It is still a wreck from moving rooms and then making costumes).
CLEAN HOUSE UP AGAIN

To end on a high note:
I did get a lot picked up in the craft room/ office when I was in training at work Monday (as much as I could tethered to the phone headset listening to the training conference call).
CRAFT ROOM IS PRETTY CLEAN ACTUALLY, I WORKED ON IT A LOT A FEW WEEKS AGO AND TIDY'D IT FOR A PARTY (THEN IT DIDNT ACTUALLY GET USED FOR THE PARTY)
I took back some merchandise returns finally so our trip to walmart for tooth brushes, dish brush, rain poncho, deli food for dinner and soda stream syrup only cost like $3 (also thanks to Savings Catcher gift card).
I COULD TELL THAT I WAS STRUGGLING WITH MONEY THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE ARE STRUGGLING AGAIN NOW.

I'm almost caught up on dishes (washed a mountain of them and actually put them away today!)
I put away a basket of laundry and picked up laundry today.
DISHWASHER IS GOING NOW!
Made a hot breakfast for the family last couple days.
The fruit flies are nearly gone! Thanks to not buying any fresh fruit, acv+ dawn traps, funnel-on-cup traps and a few fly strips and commercial fruit fly traps. (and cleaning/washing dishes)
YES THEY ARE NOW TOO, I FOUND A FEW WHEN I WAS WASHING DISHES THIS MORNING BUT BASICALLY GONE.

Tomorrow we go to the Pumpkin Patch (didn't get to go earlier in the month.) Made hubby cancel his regular Wednesday night plans so he can be home with the kids because I swapped my shift at work to get the first few hours of my shift off, and I'm working late instead. Hoping it doesn't rain too bad- prepared if it does.
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GO YESTERDAY BUT GOT THERE AND REALIZED WE DIDNT PLAN FOR THE ENTRANCE FEE, AND IT IS FREE WEEKDAYS SO WE ARE GOING TO GO TODAY, AND IT WAS BEAUTIFULLY CLEAR YESTERDAY, RAINING TODAY (OF COURSE)
We plan to carve pumpkins Thursday night.
SAME ACTUALLY

I realize I have found myself in this place many times, struggling or recently struggling and I have committed so many times to do better at everything, it is a constant focus to improve, and needed because I always slip slide backwards.
I'm not giving up though.
THE HILARITY OF THIS STATEMENT, I COULDNT COUNT HOW MANY TIMES I RECOMMITTED TO FLYING.
I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING I WILL ALWAYS STRUGGLE WITH, BUT AS LONG AS I GET UP MORE TIMES THAT I FALL, I WILL STILL BE UP!