Day 58: Still Cleaning

Today I'm tackling the horrid task of going through my drawers and wardrobe. I was looking for something yesterday and for some strange reason, I noticed I have more than just my clothes in there. So now I have to go through and sort everything out and put other people's belongings back into their rooms. 

I'm just going to put some good music on and potter away. This is what happens when I get the three girls to help me put the clean washing away. No wonder we can never find anything...

I also want to see what's in the boxes and baskets under my bed, I have 3 and for the life of me I can't remember what's in them. One of them probably holds all the missing story notes I have been looking for ~ at least I hope it does.

The bad part about doing this is as soon as I empty out a drawer, one of the cats gets in and lays down like it has found the best home ever and has no intentions of moving ever. Makes the job go twice as long

Until tomorrow, remember: To do the job right ~ do it yourself

Day 57: Chore Day

 

Today while all the girls are at school/kindy I'm going to pick one chore that needs doing and get it done while I don't have little ones here to get in my way... today I think it is going to be to rearrange the pantry and knock down the cobwebs. for something I go into every damn day; it stumps me how there can be cobwebs; and yet they are there.

I also want to try and come up with some type of cover solution for the appliances that are stored on the garage shelving because they are getting full of dust which can't be good for them. I'm going to have to buy some dust covers for them as the plastic tubs take up too much room and don't fit enough appliances in them.

This is what I have decided to do while the girls are all at school I will clean something that I don't want help with... mainly because it is just easier ~ less of a headache if you will. I'm actually hoping they both Monsoon and Hurricane come home worn out; or at least want to watch the same thing on TV ~ which rarely happens... Graceful has dance this arvo so she'll be home later than the other two.

Until tomorrow, remember: The roses are dead. The violets are dying... You say it's over; but I know you're lying.

Day 52: Catch Up Day

 

Today I'm trying to catch up on all the chores that I have let slip over the last week. I also want to try and move the ride on mower into the garage to get it out of the rain... I might need help with that part. I might have to wait until tomorrow when I have people here to help me.

I have some washing to do after the three kiddos get home from swimming lessons. I also want to walk around the perimeter of the house and spray for wasps again. those suckers just keep popping up.

I also need to clean out (tidy) my drawers etc in my room. I haven't been the best at putting my clothes away properly of late and I've noticed there are clothes in the wrong drawers. even worse when the kids try and help me.

The weather doesn't know whether it wants to be hot or overcast. I wish it would bloody make up its mind already. I just hope the washing has a chance to dry. At least I can move them to an airer if I have to.

Until tomorrow, remember: No matter how hard your past is ~ you can always begin again.

Day 51: Weather Permitting

 

I'm going to try and get a bit of the yardwork done again today. I've had a long enough rest, and it needs to be done. Not per say in the bouse yard. but I have some whipper snipping that definitely needs doing.

I'm still tired and have a massive headache... but what else is new. same shit - different day. If I don't do the chores then they'll never get done. Luckily, I actually like the yard work. I just wish it was a tad bit cooler some days.

At least with the kids at school and my daughter at work, I will have a peaceful day to work at my own pace. the only one I have to worry about checking on is my mum. Which I do every 20 minutes when I have to recharge the batteries on said tools. Also, on days like this I make sure that I prepare our lunch early, so I only have to do the basic cook when I stop (we like our main meal at lunch time so that we're not going to bed on full heavy stomachs).

Until tomorrow, remember: No one ever injured their eyesight by looking on the bright side of things.

Day 47: Finally Dry

 

I made the mistake of doing a load of bedding (washed) when it was raining. I hung them out on the clothes airers, but it took nearly three days for them to dry properly. I think I'll leave the rest of the washing until it stops raining. At least I could finally make my bed properly.

I looked after Monsoon while her mum took her big sisters to school and doctors. I also weighed in 104.8kg. I seriously feel like I'm filled up with gas (bloated).

Today I'm just having an easy day, and I started going through some old notebooks to see if I had any story synopsis or ideas in them. I have another whole pile that I will leave until later in the week. I'll get to them eventually.

I'm tired today, and my lower back is hurting. I have a mad headache because I still haven't given myself the haircut (shaved) that I desperately need. I just seem to keep running out of time. 

Still having infrequent showers, so I haven't gotten to mow as yet. Thankfully the grass isn't very long... I'll try and get to it this upcoming weekend.

Until tomorrow, remember: Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind... instead, be led by the dreams in your heart.

Day 45: Hopefully New Mower Day

 

I'm hoping that my lawnmower actually comes into the store today. I'm lost without my mower.

I suppose I should say Happy Valentine's Day to all the love birds out there. Not me... but out there, there are people who have that special someone in their lives. the one person who completes them. I wish you all a wonderful day.

Today Graceful has her solo dance lesson and then the three girls have swimming lessons today. which means I will have at least two loads of washing to get done this afternoon.

I still have my crazy-arsed headache. So I'm also kind of trying to take it easy, because I don't really have the energy to do anything to heavy or that is going to need me to remain focussed on it for too long.

Until tomorrow, remember: Believe you can and you're halfway there.

Day 42: Grocery Day

Have I told you how much I hate going grocery shopping. I thought all living in the one house was going to cut down on the grocery costs but then realised my daughter and kids don't eat the same food as me and my mum. It seems some people think it's okay just to buy a heap of crap that goes rotten in the fridge and gets thrown out each week. I'm tired of throwing away food. It really annoys the hell out of me.

I've decided I'm just going to be strict on what I buy this week. and make sure the people in this house only cook what they can eat so there are no leftovers. I also want to stop buying crap that sits in the pantry until it is well past its expiry date.

I'm going to keep a running tab of what I have in the freezers and pantries so that we don't end up with a heap of shit we don't need, which is something that usually happens in our household. Though today I have to chop up and make more chilli onions for mum. Well, I cut the onions and she does the chilli part.

Until tomorrow, remember: One day we'll make the onions cry.

Day 41: Can You Believe It

 

Dang it... my favourite lawn mower died. I was halfway through the footpath, and it just stopped. At first, I thought it was the batteries were flat, but no, they were still half full; and brand knew as I had only just bought two new ones. The silver lining in all of this is my favourite mower is coming back on sale in Aldi this Saturday, So I am definitely going to replace it as we are in snake season, and I don't want the grass getting too high. I like to be able to see the snakes coming into the yard... I'm also going to get another battery because I think one of my older ones is about to bite the dust. I always like to have the two in the mower and two on the charger ready to be used

I'm looking after Monsoon today while her mum is at work and the other two are at school. at least it will be a day of tv, drawing and in her case eating, which lately she does non-stop. Hence the reason I think she's having a growth spurt. She'll also pull out her little computer and work right alongside of me and that should occupy her for a while.

Today I also want to go around and spray for wasps I did it a couple of weeks ago; but I saw yesterday there are a few new ones, or I missed them last time. seeing as most of react badly to any sort of wasp/bee bites they have to go.

Until tomorrow, remember: The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Day 38: First Of The Decluttering

 

Today I'm going to attempt to go through the plastic storage tubs in our garage. We have about twenty of them, and I'm hoping to get them down by half. to make the garage look and feel less cluttered.

I'm determined that 2026 is going to be the year of embetterment for all of us, I just have to work on getting the others on board with it all. they find it hard sometimes to see that things will be good for them. good for us all as a family.

Though honestly, most of the crap in the tubs is mine, so I have to be the one that has the tough love on myself. I have to be the one who throws the shit away that I'm holding onto for no reason. My new mantra has to be: that it's okay to let go.

Until tomorrow, remember: today is a good day to try.

Day 37: Inspection Day

 

Today is the day. Thank the heavens there are no kids at home today while everything is happening. Also, I'm glad we got everything done. I knew we would. I'm not so sure about my daughter's bedroom; but that's her problem not mine. She is a work in progress. though basically she has her closet to go... She has way too many clothes. It's just not something I can help her sort through for her.

While I have been cleaning the house this past few weeks, I have been thinking of ways I can better set it out. a better layout if you will. A way to make it appear larger than it really is. Which will start with another round of decluttering. If we haven't used it in the past year, then we don't obviously need it.

I was going to have a day of rest, but the paddock was calling my name. So, it looks like I will be doing a couple of sessions out there today. Just so I can get another section completed.

Until tomorrow, remember: Whatever you do, give it 100% unless you're donating blood.

Day 36: Cleaning Mode

 

Making sure the last of the big-ticket items are done for our house inspection tomorrow. I want tomorrow to be just get up, make beds, sweep out, do the dishes and change the kitty litter.

Not that there is much to do today, it's mainly just cleaning up anything the kids played with last night, and make sure there isn't any crap blown into the yard again.

I'll also mop the floors once the kids are all at school because it's a hell of a lot easier than they are at home. I must remember to get the crap off the front door. I have been meaning to do it for days and keep forgetting.

Until tomorrow, remember: Stay positive, work hard & make it happen.

Day 31: Back Outside

 

Today I'm getting back into the yard/paddock I want to try and get another chunk of it done... 20 minutes at a time. That way I feel like I'm getting somewhere with it all. I just wish the brush cutter wasn't longer than I am tall. It makes it a little hard to manoeuvre.

In between times I'm going to deep clean the laundry. not that it's dirty I just want to clean the filters on the washing machine and wipe over all the clothes airers. Other than that, the laundry is already clean as I usually tidy and wipe stuff over every time I do the washing.

Still as hot as hell... All I can say is thank God for air conditioning. I get to cool off between outside work; so that's a bonus. Even though the kids are home for the arvo I still managed to get my work done.

Until tomorrow, remember: The worst thing you can do... is nothing.

Day 20: Start Of The Cleaning Plan

 

Today is the start of the cleaning schedule before our house inspection... I have 18 days in which to get everything done. It's doable... Most of the heavy lifting will be done when the girls are back at school; that way, they aren't going behind me and pulling everything back out. I love them to death, but in some situations, they can drive me bloody bonkers.

Each day until the time rolls around. on top of my normal daily chores, I will pick one room to deep clean. Not that our house is really messy. This just lets me clean everything from top to bottom> walls, floors, windows, and change all the bedding. A couple of hours a day and I will be done.

There are a couple of big-ticket items that need to be done. Mainly things like take my daughters old broken bed to the dump. and there is one paint stain on the floor of the garage that I'm figuring out how to get rid of. It annoys the crap out of me each and every time I see it.

I burnt my finger the other day on the BBQ, you should see the freaking blister I have now. I can't remember if we're supposed to pop them or leave them go down on their own. So far, I have left mine alone and the blister is the size of a pea... hurts like the dickens.

Until tomorrow, remember: If you have to go somewhere; it's okay to make it as weird as hell.

Day 270: Last Day (The Holiday is Over)

 

Today I have to have the last room finished, as my reprieve is going to be over. My daughter and the girls are coming home today. I still have to organise a dump run, but at least everything is all neatly bagged and waiting to be taken away.

Then all that is left to do is the pressure washing and I still want to rearrange the garage storage.

I might even find time today to give myself a haircut. It is starting to get on my nerves. 

Today I'm also going to try and start on my hooping again. my back and shoulder are feeling okay. So, I'll give it a go and see how long I last for. Best to do it when there are no kids around to get in the way of the weighted ball. That's an injury that none of us want.

Day 269: Still Slogging

 

I'm making real progress. I just put my music on, and I get to work sorting stuff out. I'm not doing it all at once. I decided on the tactic of doing two baskets/boxes and then doing something else in the house so that I don't get frustrated and throw in the towel. I want to have it done before the kids get home.

The funny thing is while doing the rest of the house. I finally found all the missing grocery shopping bags. when my daughter would tell me "I don't know what happened to them. I don't have them." And yet here they all are in every room of the house. I just smiled to myself and folded them all up neatly so they could be put back in the care for shopping day.

Now if I could just find all the kids missing undies, socks, and uniforms I would be happy as a pig in mud. I don't know why they always disappear. Now the number of odd socks that I have is astronomical. I'm still holding out hope that I'll come across their missing brethren.

Day 268: Start Last Room Declutter

 

Today I plan on starting the last room while I have the house to just mum and myself. I work faster by myself. and considering I'm just sorting out a whole heap of laundry that needs to be taken to the correct rooms. It will be an easy job. Well, hopefully it will. I have all my empty tubs waiting and ready to go for when the others leave on their mini holiday.

This morning though I'm washing bedding and getting that out of the way. I have three beds to wash; it's something that can happen in the background. only needing my attention when I have to go out and hang it out on the line. I refuse to waste power by using the dryer when I have a perfectly good clothesline. I didn't spend a week clearing out that part of the yard not to use the damn thing. I must admit washing is one of my favourite chores to do.

If I get time this afternoon, I'm going to start mowing the house yard. it won't take long to get done. but seeing as I have a battery-operated mower it will probably take two batteries to get the job done.

Day 267: Today...

 

1> Grocery shopping, there were too many people out and not enough checkouts open. Between groceries and the chemist (pharmacy) I spent nearly $800 for the fortnight. Swear to God prices are going up and the packaging Ing sizes are getting smaller. Though I had to make sure I bought the magic Band-Aids that make all their boo-boos better.

2> The kids have been fighting nonstop. Driving us all bonkers, but it's only because there is no school and they are around each other 24/7.

3> I'm tired of not being able to find something when I need it, and no one is ever the blame for it being moved... (Bloody Mox the friendly ghost has been at it again.) I had to buy new screw drivers because ours all disappeared. I think I'll have to replace the spanners as well.

4> Can't eat at the dining room table as it is covered in linen. I have to find somewhere to store it all now that it has been washed. I'm hoping to get it all put away this weekend while my daughter and the three girls go to the beach for the weekend. I'll enjoy the peace and quiet.

5> Got home from shopping and realised I forgot the most important things... Garbage bags. But at least I remembered to put the bins out this week to be emptied... so that's a win for me.

Day 265: Tired as hell

 

Lately I have been tired as hell; and yet at the same time I'm suffering with insomnia... Could my life get anymore fucked up? Apparently yes, I still have a mad ear infection going on, that has now thrown my sense of direction out of whack. the number of walls and other inanimate objects I have walked into is unbelievable. I've stopped trying to figure out where the bruises are all coming from.

We are down to the last two rooms in the house to be decluttered, and one wall of the garage to rearrange; then it will only be a dump run, and everything will finally be done. I still have to pressure wash the outside of the house to do and the patio, but that shouldn't take too long.

Mind you it's hard to get anything done when it's both school holidays and the kids are all underfoot, and when I'm not feeling the best.

Day 263: Back At It

 

Today we're back to the grindstone of the whole house declutter/spring clean. Hell, we've even started a scrap bin for the family across the road because they have a pig and chickens... though mainly because that way the scraps didn't have to go in our bin.

Well anyway, it rained yesterday so I didn't do any washing... (just so you know babysitting turned out okay = the three kids were all well behaved... the dog on the other hand was a pain in the ass). Today we only have the dog, as Flit has gone to the craft market with his mum and nana.

I'm hoping today is better with the weather as I really want to finish the bedding. and possibly give Hurricane's and Graceful's lunchboxes a good scrub out so they can air out over the two-week break.

Hopefully we'll also come across the missing library book from school. Once we have everything sorted out. everyone will come to see that there is a place for everything, and everything needs to be put back into it place... just so it can be found when needed.

Wish us luck.

Day 261: Last Day of Term

 

As of after awards ceremony, Hurricane and Graceful will officially be on school holidays. Two weeks of having all three kids home 24/7... Hopefully, they can take that time to help clean up... No. I wouldn't wish that on myself, their helping is going behind us and pulling out everything we've just put away.

At least during these school holidays my niece's stuff will be going from our garage; then it's a matter of rearranging the shelves ang that will be another room done.

I need to write a smaller list of chores that have to be done before my daughter and the girls go for their weekend at the beach... Plus, Graceful also has an eisteddfod in the at some stage. Actually, I think that one is tomorrow.

The mozzies are bad again tonight. the kids were covered in red dots. At first, I had a mini panic attack that they had chicken pox or the measles... took me about ten minutes to realize they were mozzie bites. I felt like a right royal goober then.