Originally I wanted to write about my very organized cleaning schedule I used to clean my house from top to bottom, but I think a butterfly distracted me, because before I knew it, the time I had allotted to complete/write about my accomplishment was gone and I did not achieve my goals at all!
I am guessing others have gone through this themselves. I mean, seriously, how often do we make New Year Resolutions that have failed in less than two days? I gave myself two weeks to organize my life while also taking care of children, cleaning my classroom, and reading new curriculum materials for the summer work I needed to do. No wonder it was unobtainable!
Instead, I have written about my attempts to be more organized, even when it was more like two steps forward and three steps back. Below are my journal entries (written in parts):
Day One: Dropped children off at daycare, went to school to finish cleaning my classroom, planned on finishing by noon and use the rest of my child-free time on the house, but worked until 6pm. Had to have Andy pick up the children and make dinner. Washed dishes, cleaned up kitchen, and then picked up toys in the living room.
Day Two: Dropped children off at daycare, washed two loads of laundry to hang on the clothes-line, went grocery shopping (saved $45 using coupons and bonus buys, plus got Andy 60 cents per gallon off gas which is another $18 savings) with hubby who also wanted to go work-shoe shopping (hit an end of season sale for 70% off), and put away groceries. Went to BB's Grocery Outlet just south of me in Quarryville to see what bargains they had, and all I can say is wow! It is run by an Amish family but it is in a small warehouse- complete with a cooler and freezer section. Spent $53 for items that would have been three to four times the cost even with coupons. For example I was able to get Resolve High Traffic Carpet Cleaner for $1.99 a can (normally costs $5.99 at Kmart). I know, I am sure there are other ways to clean the carpet, but seriously, why kill myself when all I have to do is spray this stuff on the carpet and then use the shampooer with plain, hot water to get the stains out of my carpet? I mostly bought cleaning supplies, but will have to go back again to see what else there is, should have gone there first!Folded laundry, put clothes away and picked up more toys (I think they are the same ones!), and then got the children. Convinced Andy to make cheeseburgers on the grill and I made macaroni salad and green beans. Dined alfresco; have five mosquito bites now.
Day Three: Dropped children off at daycare and went to an all day training. Andy got a chance to catch up on sleeping without the children or me making noise. Got children from daycare and then made lasagna with turkey burger and chopped broccoli. Cleaned the kitchen and picked up more toys. Have resolved to go through all the toys to donate/ throw out because the house has become a toy warehouse!
Day Four: Dropped children off for the last day of daycare and then went over to my oldest "daughter's" house to help her clean. Kate is pregnant and suffers from morning/ all day sickness and could not do the cleaning that their new apartment needed. I have a Rainbow vacuum cleaner with a shampooer attachment, enabling me to thoroughly clean the carpets (used two cans of my $1.99 carpet cleaner too). Kate and Marco could not believe the difference when I was done. In fact, we discovered that the carpet patch at the front door was actually a different colored carpet but we previously could not tell! I have decided that cleaning a one-bedroom apartment is way easier than cleaning my own place. Hubby had to pick up children from daycare because I ran out of time, but did pick MM up from ballet. After dinner, laid on sofa, too tired to worry about own house, but got children to pick up toys in the living room!
Day Five: Can't move, back is killing me! Ouch, ouch, ouch! Went to chiropractor and then had massage, not much better. Can't take stronger than Motrin, poop! Children have undone any picking up completed yesterday. Cereal for dinner. Did I clean at all this week?
Day Six: Andy took children to visit his mother and brother to give me time to work on the house; however, woke up with a Migraine and did not get out of bed until almost 11 am. Did manage to get two loads of laundry out on the line, and then spent the rest of the time in MM's
room: went through MM's clothes and got rid of the ruined and too small
clothing, dusted, cleaned windows, and organized toys. Managed to pick up toys in living room and playroom. My back is still not happy with me either, but better. (Forgot the laundry on the line over night!)
Day Seven: Took MM to day camp and BJ to daycare (decided to pay for one week for him) so could get something done! Vacuumed the living room and playroom. Shampooed the carpets (back felt better for it!) and cleaned the dining room (AKA: the dumping ground), clearing out junk mail, art projects, a half eaten sandwich, something sticky, and discovered that there really was a dining room table! Picked up MM from her half day day camp and hung out another load of laundry after overnight load had finally dried. Washed the French door glass and polished the grateful, antique sideboard with Endust (love the almond smell!) and scrubbed the kitchen floor. After picking up BJ from daycare, made roasted chicken, potatoes and broccoli. Watched Tangled for the millionth time.
Total accomplishments: laundry, vacuumed and shampooed carpet in living room and playroom, found dining room and MM's room, scrubbed kitchen floor, and cleaned someone else's house. There goes a butterfly...
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