Day 211: List Day

 

Today I decided to update my To-do-lists. Mark off the things I've done... add the new things I plan on doing. I also updated my to buy list. So I know exactly what I need for each job. I want to try and have it all on hand before I actually start the intended project... Here's some examples.

To Do:

1) Fix the bunk bed ladder rungs.

2) Cut two new shelves fort the plate pantry.

3) Sand and refurbish table and chairs.

4) Fix the wire on the fence.

5) Replace the drawer runners in Graceful's chest of drawers.

To Buy:

1) Gurney (power washer)

2) Sander

3) Staple Gun

4) Garden Shed

5) Brush Cutter

Day 210:

 

Hurricane is back at school today. Graceful is still sick, and Monsoon is on the mend. I'm also on the mend... still coughing and everything hurts from coughing... even things that I never thought would.

As I feared, the washing is piling up, and I now have to get it back down to normal. I fear for the poor washing machine.

My daughter went out to do the household groceries, I'm too tired to leave the house. now that I'm starting to get better, I need to try and get my head back into the clean the house game. I still have so much I want to accomplish before the end of the year.

Day 209: Everyone's Sick

 

The whole household is sick to some degree. I did manage to get out of bed and get some washing done. If I didn't it would build up and become unmanageable. between Kids with Gastro and vomiting (thankfully, I haven't had that yet), we are going through sheets, towels, and blankets like you wouldn't believe. The poor washing machine has been running overtime.

Living together is both a blessing and a nightmare, but at least it's easier to look after everyone while we're sick... instead of moving between two houses.

At least with everyone sick, the house is fairly quiet. the kids are all mostly sleeping or just lying there watching TV. the only noise is when they are deciding what to watch.

Day 208: Crappiness Kicked in Again

 

Mum had her Dr appointment; my daughter took her. I stayed home with the rest of the sickies.  Turns out my flu is influenza A, apparently there is a difference. It could have been worse. I could have had covid. I do also have the middle ear infection to go with my influenza A... I'm just lucky like that, I guess.

I hope because all my shots are up to date that I don't have it for too long. or it isn't a really bad bout. the cold part I can handle. It's the coughing that nearly kills me. Hurts worse that a broken rib to cough.

Day 207: Little/Big Jobs

 

Today my neighbour fixed my fence where my ex-son-in-law knocked it down when he got his truck bogged. he also took all the crap out of the yard for me. He's taking it to the tip for me. At least the yard looks a hell of a lot tidier now... I owe the guy and his family a freaking awesomely cooked BBQ.

Today my daughter is sick as well. So, the BBQ will have to wait until we are all better. I don't want to make the neighbours sick as well.

I'm watching some ghost hunting shows on TV. mainly because I don't really have to concentrate on them too much. That and Hurricane really seems to enjoy watching them with me. Better than watching the wrestling she wanted me to watch. she can watch that one with her mother.

Mum also busted her leg open with her own fingernail we bandaided it all up, but will have to take her to the dr tomorrow.

Day 206: Definitely The Flu

 

I have a headache from hell... everything hurts. Think I might also have an inner ear infection happening as well. Monsoon is sick as well. So, she is in bed with me.

My list making has been out on hold until my head can actually hold a thought without feeling like it is going to explode. the next few days will be short and sweet.

If I can handle it; I might even attempt to watch the Hobbit/ The Lord of the Rings while I'm sick.

Day 205: Sick as Hell Again...

 

I feel like I want to stay curled up in bed all day. Sadly, I have a shit-ton to get done and no time to rest. I have the damn flu. If I start seeing crows, I'm gonna hunker down and hide away for the duration. I've seen The Stand and I know how this shit show ends.

I might work on a schedule to try and get the yard work done. and a list of things we'll need to buy to get the job done. 

I'm giving myself until December 31st to get the house organised... We are getting rid of a lot and getting some new stuff to make life easier. Eventually I'll get the rest of the household on board. A lot of the stuff has been donated to family or the op-shop. The rest has gone to the tip, because it was complete and utter trash.

But in saying all that I really do feel like crap, and I just want to crawl back into bed.

Day 204: Rearranging The Pantry

 

Today, Monsoon and I decided to rearrange the kitchen pantry. We only have a small one, and it just wasn't working for me. At least now I can easily find what I need in there. 

I think tomorrow I'll have to add two shelves to the plate pantry as thar's the other kitchen cupboard that isn't working for me. If I add two it will be much better use of the space that's in there. I might even add one to under the kitchen sink, to make better use of that space.

I also washed... but only because I bought some more school uniforms from the op-shop, and I want to wash them in our laundry liquid before the kids wear them. Hurricane has reactions to some other laundry liquids and soaps. Better to be safe than sorry.

I get to go down and pick up my care form the mechanics today.

Day 203: Car Service #2

 

Well, today is my second attempt at getting my car serviced... It needs a few things done... It's going to cost around $1,500 this time around. I have to get a few things replaced... one being the steering rods/arms whatever the hell they are called. I won't be able to pick it up until tomorrow.

I picked up the paint and knobs so that I can paint the ugly chest of drawers to keep the kids uniforms in... this will hopefully get done this weekend (depending on the weather)

Other than that; I tweaked my job list... I now know exactly what we still have to do around the house.

Day 202: 1st Jiu-Jitsu Class

 

Hurricane and Graceful went to their first Jiu-Jitsu lesson today, and they loved it... their stepbrother B went as well... so they all had fun. I looked after Monsoon, because she's too young to join in and do anything.

I also did 3 bouts of whipper snipping and washed 1 load of clothes... I also folded any dry washing so my daughter could put it away.

I'm not feeling the best today, but I still had to get my jobs for today. I know I'll be taking advantage of my pain killers today

Day 201: Today's Job

 

Today I have the daunting job of defrosting and sorting out all the fridges and freezers. Not really a job I relish doing while it's winter... but it has to be done.

My niece on the other hand is happy because she ended up taking home all the meat I wasn't sure on, to feed to her dog. Now that I know what's in them all I will be able to stocktake and shop smarter, not harder on our grocery days.

It took me nearly all day, because I couldn't stand having my hands in the cold for so long. the hardest one was the chest freezer as I had to defrost it and clean it our completely. 

The other job to get done was to re-bag all the cans and bottles to take them for trade in. It's how Graceful pays for her solo lessons at dance.

Day 200: You Guessed It...

 

I'm washing again today (2 loads) ... but now it's just the normal bi-weekly washing. I'm going to make sure I keep on top of it. I also folded up all the dry clothes, so my daughter can sort them out into their proper bedrooms. Washing the clothes and doing the dishes are my chores... My daughter jobs are emptying the bins and mopping the floors. we both do the yard work. (I whipper snip and she mows).

Hurricane is at a birthday party for one of her school friends. my son-in-law dropped the other two girls off on his way to town.

My back is twinging at the moment; I must have twisted the wrong way or have overworked it a bit. I'm going to have to keep an eye on it for now and hope that it doesn't get any worse.

Day 199: Taking It Easy

 

Today everyone has their own things to do. So, mum and I basically have the house to ourselves... The girls have swimming lessons and dance; then they are going to spend the night at dad's house. My daughter is going to a work colleague's birthday party. I'm either going to have a very quiet and early night. or insomnia because there aren't any family noises going on.

I'm going to work on reading through Elsewhere Realms and making notes on where to take the story. Make changes on what's already written.

I'm also making lists for all the jobs that I still have to get done around the house. We all know I work better from a list. I feel like I'm accomplishing something when I mark done jobs off a list.

Day 198: Getting It Done

 

Today I'm just doing some general tidy up while I do some more washing. I'm liking the look of the neater house. I still have to rearrange some stuff because the way I have it now isn't working for me... Mainly the pantry. I'm not like the fact the stuff getting shoved into the garage. That is my next big job. I'm going to sort it out into (1) dump run, (2) op-shop run, (3) stuff to give to my niece, & (4) stuff that we are keeping... once that's done; I'll be able to rearrange the shelving stuff... just so it's easier to grab stuff as we need it.

I'm not feeling the best... I'm always waking up tired no matter how much sleep I get. I think it's because I can't shut my brain off.

I've been watching 7+ a lot lately, there are so many series that I haven't seen that I'll be happily watching when I have the time.

Working on reading through Elsewhere Realms and trying to catch up on where I was going with it all. I forgot how much I liked this story.

Day 197: New Tyres

 

Well Murphy's Law struck yesterday. I just got done and booked my car in for its service. when I get a frantic phone call from my daughter. she had a flat tyre... so I had to postpone my car service so I could go and help her out... Turns out not only was her tyre flat, but she needed to get 4 new ones as hers were bald. Luckily the mechanic is able to squeeze me in next Wednesday.

I'm still in putting up curtains' mode. I think the house looks so much cozier with curtains at the windows.

Also found a chest of drawers (okay they were ugly ones that my daughter was going to throw away) there are 8 drawers in it so I'm repainting them and going to use them for Hurricane, Monsoon & Graceful to put their school clothes in so it's easier for me to find them in the morning... yes Monsoon gets her own drawers as she is a big girl now and just got a place in kindy for next year.

I'm still whipper snipping... I'm trying to get a certain portion done before we get in the slashing guy. It's taking me a while, but I know I'll eventually get it done.

Day 196: Car Service & Groceries

 

Today my car goes in for a service. I'm hoping it's just a general service and there isn't anything majorly wrong with it.

I also have to get the groceries done at some stage. We need to have a restock. Weird how much toilet paper we go through with six females in the house (And one of them is toilet training).

You guessed it I also have to wash a couple of loads of washing to get done. I'm still as tired as hell... but hopefully soon I can find some time to relax.

Every spare moment I'm trying to get a bit of writing done. Though lately, it's been few and far between. I need to seriously get back into it. I bet everyone is sick of hearing about me moving by now. I'll try and get back to talking about my stories and writing related stuff.

Day 195: A Bit Brisk

 

This is the first day that I really felt like it's winter. I'm not sure how easy it will be for today's washing to get dried. It's all overcast and there isn't any wind to help dry anything.

Lately, I feel like all I've done is washing, but I'm starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Don't get me wrong, weirdly I love doing the washing... same with the dishes. The problem is my clothesline is a tad too high and I have to stretch up hang everything out.

Though I did manage to fold up all the dry/clean washing today while everyone was busy elsewhere (school/errands). Sadly, it's getting too hard to tell Monsoon and Hurricanes clothes apart... they wear the same size.

I have had a massive headache all day long. Could be because I've had a shit of a night's sleep last night. I kept lightly dozing and waking up every twenty to thirty minutes. I hope I sleep better tonight.

Day 194: School Is Back

At least one of the little monsters is back at school.  The other is still too sick to attend school.  As predicted, Monsoon was cranky that she didn't get to go to school as well.

You guessed it we have more washing today... all of the stuff that got soiled due to Graceful being sick, at least it's all done now.

Still tired as hell, but at least the house is starting to look like a home now. A comfortable lived in one. Instead of the jumbled mess of squishing in of two houses into one.

Tired but happy.

Day 193: More Washing & Sickness

 

Just having a day of rest where the only job ahead of me today is washing. I'll get at least four loads done. Well, hopefully I will. All depends on how fussy the kids are.

Graceful is coming down sick. Looks like she won't be okay to go to school tomorrow. I feel for the poor little thing. Hurricane is eager to go back to school. She is making sure all of her stuff is ready... Only drama is she can't find her hat... They have about four of them, but suddenly they are all missing. Monsoon is ticked off that she isn't old enough to go to school.

Making spaghetti bol for lunch. At least I know this is something the kids will eat and enjoy, and they will eat all of it. I know there will be no leftovers.  Graceful only ate a little, but at least she ate something.

I'm tired as hell today. Maybe I'll be able to rest tomorrow.

Day 192: Swimming & Stuff

 

Had kids swimming in the morning, then a quick trip to the grocery store, and bunnings for supplies. Coming home we swapped out the washing machine and moved the dryer. It made me able to deep clean the laundry.

For lunch... I made mum and my eldest sister, liver, gravy and vegetables... the rest of us had a BBQ...  It was much easier this time around. I'm still trying to get the BBQing station set up properly.

Then I did some more whipper snipping, because if I don't do it than it won't get done, and I'm tired of waiting for stuff to get done around here.

Not that I'm really complaining... because my daughter has been doing other stuff. I know it all needs to get done, and it will eventually get there. At least the house is 99% clean now.

Day 191: Inspection Day

Well, we passed... as I guessed Monsoon and Hurricane followed the poor guy all over the house and yard. The guy told me he couldn't believe the difference between this inspection and the last one. For starters with all the new furniture in the house looks full and not half empty. That and me and my daughter have different cleaning styles.

Then they tell us the owner is coming by in a few weeks to look at some issues... ones that I asked the real estate about. So, instead of resting. I've just got a couple of more weeks of reorganising to do, and of getting everyone to keep the house clean and tidy.

Now I'm back to catching up on the yardwork. I need to finish all the whipper snipping that I started.  And catching up on all the washing I've been finding all over the house... the truth is most of it was probably clean, but it had been sitting there for so long. It had that stale smell to it. At least by rewashing it all I know it's fresh.

Day 190: One Day To Go

 

One day left to go until our house inspection. There are still a few things that need to get done; but I know they will be. I wish this wasn't happening during school holidays, because I know pounds to peanuts those two youngest ones are going to follow the guy around the house and chat his ear off.

In other news: we are all still under the weather here. Mostly coughing (not a full-on cold) just an annoying cough. Let's just hope the two eldest ones are well enough to go to school on Monday, because I need the break.

As soon as we got all the walls clean... Hurricane (ADHD) decided to draw on them again because she couldn't find paper. Ticked me off to the max... I made her mother rewash the wall.

I'll be glad when we get a new hot water system. I'm sick of luke-warm washing up water and showers. We need hot water in winter... Hell, I need hot water in summer. I'm one of those crazies that like to shower in mega hot water.

Day 189: Playlist Time

 

Day 188: Another Busy Day

 

Today I'm trying my hand at touch up painting. if it goes well, I will be done in a jiffy, if it goes badly, I might be repainting the whole interior of the house. Not that I would mind either way... the only problem is its still school holidays.

I also have to go and book my car in for a service at some stage today. I'll be happier when it's been done.

I also have to work out with the neighbour when he and his dad are coming to collect all of the stuff from the yard and taking it away for us (this will be the last of the major jobs); before I organise the carpets to be cleaned and the paddock to be slashed.

We (and by we, I mean my daughter) have two rooms to go (her room & Hurricane and Monsoon room). Other and that it's just the general tidy every day. I'm getting everyone joining in on the whole cleaning routine (well, everyone except mum). I make a game out of it for the three kids. the 7-year-old complains a bit, but the HDHD one and the youngest one love it... it might take ten times as long, but it gets done eventually... at this stage that's all I can ask for.

Day 187: Woke Up Sick Today

I woke up in the middle of the night as crook as hell. I want to be able to sleep the day away, but alas, I have the girls. In the morning my daughter has an over the phone assessment for her schooling... and then again in the afternoon when she had to go and do a shift at work. even though they were really good. it was still painful because I had a thumping headache. as young as they are they don't understand the concept of being quiet. especially because one of them is ADHD and for her everything is done full tilt. and the youngest one follows her lead. So, two out of three are very loud 99% of the day/night.

The skip bin got picked up today. It's good to see it gone. I'm glad that we no long have to try and stop the wind from blowing out any of the crap back out of the bin.

Out of the 13 rooms (including the back patio) we have two and a half to go. I'm pretty confident we'll get them done. then it's just organising the carpet cleaner, and the slasher for the paddock.

 

Day 186: Tired As Hell!

I feel like I'm worn out and there is still so much to do before the house inspection. Though in five days I hope it will have all been worth it when the inspection guy walks through the house and sees the difference. 

The kids have been trying their best to help but seem to end up making more of a mess. It doesn't help that they are only 3, 5 and 7. I'm trying to look at it as teaching moments. I'm teaching them how to clean and keep it that way. That, and I'm not above bribery... if they are good and clean up their daily mess, they get a treat. Trust me they really want those treats.

I go to be tired and wake up tired... I know it's for a needed cause... but I'm tired of being tired... if that makes sense.

Day 185: Walls

You guessed it... today I taught myself a new trade. how to patch walls. It might not be the prettiest job, but it is better than what was there. I'm proud of what I've accomplished. It was a little hard when I had a Hurricane and a Monsoon trying to help and just getting in my way. At least I got the job done.

We moved the last of the sons-in-law's plants and we broke it. The one thing he told us not to do. Sadly, if he didn't want it broken, he should have come and taken it six months ago when we asked him to. Then he had to cut it down to move it anyway.

I got all the dry washing folded and ready to be put away, in readiness for the next lot of washing to be done... there is a heck of a lot of it to get through. The cats being locked inside that first week and freaking out had a few accidents in baskets of washing, so just to be safe I'm rewashing everything.

 

Day 184: Spider Bite

 

Today while hanging out the washing, I got bitten on the hip by a spider. the little bugger must have crawled up the leg of my pants to do it. I didn't have any reaction except for a bit of tenderness and a headache I've come to realize that this new line is much bigger than the old line. So, I'm going to need to invest in more pegs and a bigger peg bucket.

We are almost halfway through the house. I will be glad when we are finished. Not only because it's school holidays and it's so hard to get anything done while the kids are home and driving each other bonkers... but because it's winter and most of the house is felling poorly to some degree; and sick people are always a pain in the arse. 

I must admit the place is starting to look good. I can't wait to see the end result. I have a list. Sadly, every time I cross two things off of it, I realize I have to add at least three more things. The latest one is I need to replace all the wheels on the BBQ as one is missing and the other two are splitting.

Day 183: Cleaning, Cleaning, & More Cleaning

 

Today I almost finished setting up the laundry. I have a bit more scrubbing down to do of it. I also need to finish cleaning the bathroom. someone's cat. by the name of Robson, decided the bathtub was the best place to go potty in the middle of the night.

Good news is we found mum's missing telephone under the couch. obviously, I didn't put it somewhere safe like I thought. I just left it on the couch, and it fell between the cracks.

I finally managed to sort through all our spices and combine and get them down to one basketful instead of three. We cleaned out the toy boxes, my daughter, and granddaughters picked up all the toys and rubbish in the backyard.

Day 182: Hot Water Systems & Such

We had our hot water system looked at today... it needed topping up, but it did absolutely jack shit for fixing the heat problem so I'm going to have to put in another request for them to come and look at it. I'm afraid hot water is a must.

I love my granddaughter's, but I'll be glad when school is back in, because grocery shopping with all three of them is a nightmare... if they weren't complaining because they weren't getting candy/treats. they were complaining because we were taking too long, and they wanted to go home and play. At least the pantry and fridge are restocked.

It's windy as hell at our place today. I don't think the kids will be playing outside much in this weather seeing as they all have colds to some degree. Though we did manage to move the heavy-arsed bar around so we can use it for the BBQ servery. and my daughter did a hell of a lot of cleaning on the back patio area... I love it when she gets hit with the cleaning vibe... because she really gets stuff done.

 

Day 181: Still Cleaning

 

Today we concentrated on the garage and got most of it done. The skip bin is already two thirds full. I'm happy I have at least gotten the shelving problem solved.  Now it's just the problem of the mess on the dining room table and the kitchen bench. I swear every time I clean them off; I mess them up again. It didn't help that I had to look after the three girls while their mum was at work. the two younger ones tried to help me, but were more of a hinderance than a help. Hurricane wouldn't know what an inside voice was if she tried. Hopefully tomorrow I'll get more done.