FlyLady Fail / Bag Packing score!

OK, I admit it. I've completely fallen off the FlyLady wagon. I haven't even LOOKED at my Babysteps pages. I don't even know what day I'm supposed to be on.

One thing I did do over this weekend though was to pre-pack the kids bags for the whole week ahead. I put the stuff into plastic bags - orange Sainsbury's bags for my daughter and white and blue Tesco bags for my son. I work Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays so I just needed 3 bags for each child. I used the HomeRoutines app to track what each bag had in it. I would put a screen shot up but my on/off button on my iPhone is not working.

So in the morning (or the night before if I get round to it) I can just get the bags and fill them up from the plastic bags (which I labelled with post it note stapled to the bags so I can use them again).

I've always wanted to be more organised when it comes to getting the kids ready in the morning. And this feels like a much better way than repacking the bags (running round the house 3 times a week packing spare pants, nappies, etc). Now I only have to do it once per week. Much more manageable. I guess that's what organising is all about. Finding a system that works for you. Now if I can just STAY on top of the laundry.....

Fly Lady Babysteps Day 3

Today's Fly Lady babystep instruction is:

I didn't do the first one first thing this morning. I didn't have time for a shower so just threw on yesterday's tracky bottoms and the first vest I could get my hands on before I had to get the kids dressed and head to drop my son at nursery. When I got back after I had a friend come round to visit, I managed to steal 15 minutes to have a shower. I did a proper clean up job - shaved legs, washed and conditioned hair.... brushed teeth and got dressed - in jeans and a top. I felt SO much better.

Number two I've just made a start on. My kitchen had become a tip again so I've cleared surfaces, filled dishwasher up (after emptying it), washed up. I have yet to put washing up away and empty and clean and shine my sink. But I'll get to it.

Fly Lady Babysteps Day 2

Today's FlyLady babystep was "get up and get dressed to lace-up shoes".

I was a bit confused because a) it was a work day so I had to get dressed up and b) I don't have any lace up shoes. Not that I wear for work anyway.

I understand the point of it. Its so that you feel ready for the day. I often feel rather sluggish (at the moment) because I need to lose at least half a stone (a stone if I'm being optimistic) and so when I'm not at work I am living out of tracky bottoms and baggy t-shirts. I don't feel like I can get dressed up in nice (if practical) clothes because I'd be uncomfortable and I HATE being uncomfortable.

I need to shine my sink before I go to bed. My dinner isn't ready and I'm shattered after driving to Heathrow to pick up my in-laws. I'm not 100% sure that that sink is going to be shined before I go to bed.

This is last night's shined sink - I was so pleased with it I put a picture up on my Facebook page:

Here is the FlyLady's instructions on How to Shine Your Sink.

Really its not JUST to shine your sink. You have to empty it of dirty dishes first. So you have to do the washing up and then dry up the washed dishes. And then clean the sink and then dry it with a tea towel.

It really does leave you feeling like you achieved something good once its done. Having said that, its 10.07pm and the worksurfaces are covered with clutter (only yesterday they were clear - this still amazes me: that I can spend so much time and effort tidying up and so quickly it all becomes messy again). Honestly, I don't think I'm going to get to it today. I'll do it in the morning (I'm thinking maybe this is my problem...). 

Help arrived

Since we returned from holiday (and indeed before we went) I had been feeling increasingly overwhelmed by all the clutter and mess and housework that needs doing in my house. It felt like everywhere I went I had to step over something in order to get to where I needed to go. OK, it didn't just FEEL that way, it WAS that way. It wasn't quite like one of those houses you see on Hoarder programmes but to me it felt that way because I just didn't know where to start and the feeling has been growing and growing and making me feel more and more overwhelmed - particularly since we got back from holiday (because of the unpacked suitcases and the pile of laundry that just keeps growing.

But today I was visited by 3 angels. OK, I haven't fallen over and hit my head. A friend and her 2 daughters came to visit me and help me clean and tidy my entire house. They arrived around 11am and didn't leave until nearly 3pm I think. They were like a 3 person hurricane (the kind that cleans up mess, instead of making it). They started with the kitchen, then the sitting room and dining room, then the hall and outside the front of the house and the downstairs loo, then upstairs to the hall, kids bathroom, spare room, kids room (after Lala woke up from her nap), then finally our bedroom, ensuite bathroom and Ben's office. Oh and my office. I'm so impressed. I helped too obviously. I didn't just sit and drink coffee while they did it all. I'm absolutely stunned, incredibly grateful. Speechless really. Well, not really speechless as I'm still talking/typing.

The thing that is wonderful is that now, all I need to do is try to keep up with it. I'm having a look at a site called FlyLady which is a site aimed at people (like me) struggling to keep on top of the chaos. She has a page called BabySteps which is a set of 31 instructions that you follow each day (a different one each day). I'm only just looking at it right now myself so I'll write more if and when I get to grips with it. There is also an iphone/ipad app that I have called HomeRoutines which has an instruction on its website for integrating the Flylady Babysteps into its app.

My friend has also texted me with a routine that will help me keep on top of it:

Monday - clean and tidy downstairs (put clutter away and clean kitchen)
Tuesday - vacuum and mop downstairs
Wednesday - clean and tidy upstairs (put clutter away, wipe surfaces and clean bathrooms)
Thursday - vac and mop upstairs
Friday - laundry (wash, dry & put all away)
Saturday - outside jobs
Sunday - chill out day

I may have to change things around to fit in with the days I'm at home. But I think this is a good structure to work around.

Sarah if you are reading this, I love you and I want to marry you and your kids!!!

Laundry

What is on my mind at the moment is laundry. 

My entire laundry system is in a total mess at the moment. Having just got back from two week's holiday in turkey we're not yet back in the swing of things (if we ever were). This is our current situation with regards to laundry:

As we are a family of four (two small children, one of which is only just toilet trained and the other who has just about (ish) got the hang of using a fork/spoon. So suffice to say that we get through quite a lot of laundry. 

Our washing machine is in the utility room/dog room downstairs just off the kitchen. We have a large laundry basket upstairs in the hall, but for convenience I also have a small basket in the kids room so that dirty clothes can be immediately separated from possible clean clothes that might have been got out of the drawers by the smallest child or just left on the floor by one of the boys (my son or hubby). I also DID have a cheap ikea laundry basket in the kitchen (sometimes it lived in the sitting room) and a basket in our ensuite bathroom, but the one in the kitchen got sat on by the dog (don't know how she managed that) and the one that I had in the bathroom was moved downstairs for something else - I think its now our shoe basket. Another challenge I have is that our plastic laundry baskets have both been chewed by the dog. 

I am dying to put in place a new shiny system to help me keep on top of the laundry which always seems to get me down. This is my plan:

1. Replace ensuite bathroom laundry basket with a nice wicker type one
2. Replace broken kitchen laundry basket
3. By replacement plastic laundry baskets (3 or even 4) - if they stack they would not get in the way
4. Convert area of spare room into laundry processing area
   • This would involve some kind of unit with spaces for drawers or baskets
   • The unit would also preferably have a flat surface where I can fold clothes

Here are some things I found on the internet that caught my eye and got my inspiration juices flowing! 

Source: houzz.com via Casey on Pinterest

Source: thebestpictureontheinternet.blogspot.com via Lilly on Pinterest

Source: nestegg.typepad.com via Antonietta on Pinterest

Why do I want to become a professional organiser?

I recently ran into an old acquaintance who, when I mentioned that I was starting up my own business as a professional organiser, basically laughed in my face. I came away from this chance meeting feeling quite hurt and wondering if I have what it takes.

I have to say its well known among my family and friends that my house is often messy. However, I really feel that those who know me that mostly its not because I don't care about the state of my house but more that I'm often in the middle of some creative endeavors or me and the kids are having fun with paints and pens. Some days I will tidy up the sitting room of toys and then 10 minutes later its as bad as it was before I started. I JUST don't see the point. Not when the kids are constantly getting things out again, unless its so messy that its actually hazardous to walk through... then I pick things up! Or make Joshua do it. I'm getting better and better at trying to teach Joshua about being organised and tidying up. Its a learning experience for him as much as me.

So why the obsession with organising if you're actually inherently messy, I hear you asking.... Well, good question, I say (notice how I'm talking to myself now... first sign of madness, isn't it?). I think the issue is that my creative streak doesn't like to be nailed down by habits like putting things away after you've used them and HAVING to make the bed first thing in the morning. No matter how I would LOVE to be the kind of person who does that. But I DO LOVE the effect of my surroundings being tidy all the time. OK, for as long as it takes to UNtidy it again. So my only solution over the years has been to make it EASIER for myself, as I can't afford the live-in cleaner that I sooooo desire and DESERVE!!! The only way to make tidying and putting away easier if you are inherently messy, is to have a place for everything. I also always envied other people that had beautiful (and tidy, I have to say) homes. They always seemed to manage to have nice flowers on a windowsill or a little chinese sand/water thing... the little touches that make it look like an interior designer may have passed through. I envy that. Its only now that I'm really foraging into my organising capacities that I've been considering stuff like that for my OWN surroundings. I have to say its becoming a bit of an obsession, but I'm loving every minute of it!

Why do I want to do this professionally? I actually have some really great ideas. I've been doing masses of research (other blogs, websites, tv shows) and getting some great inspiration (from pintrest as well) and I have always loved the feeling of being able to help other people. I get such a buzz from organising a messy space. What better way to make a living?

So in conclusion, I'm mentally sticking two fingers up at people who (whether they know me or not) laugh at my ideas, goals and dreams.

I'm going to make it happen!

What to do when its all on top of you and you don't know where to start

I was looking at my blog last night and trying to work out what I was going to write about when my brain and house was in a huge funk. I was in a bit of a depression yesterday. I felt like I had a hangover. I didn't but exhaustion got the better of me and I was in a seriously bad mood and I couldn't bring myself to lift a finger.After a nice long sleep last night and a lie in the morning I've decided that I'm going to be more productive today and I can write about how I'm going to kick myself into shape.

What to do when you're overwhelmed?

Step 1 - Have a shower
It might sound obvious but I always feel fresher after a shower, brushing teeth and getting dressed.

Step 2 - Decide not to make anymore mess
It can seem like a vicous circle when you are trying to tidy up mess that has been hanging around for a while if you are making more mess as you go along. So this morning, I've vowed that I will put away anything I use and if I see something that needs putting away (cups that need to be brought down to the kitchen etc), if I have free hands, I'll deal with them.

Step 3 - Do what you can
If you are like me, you will get stumped by the fact that you can't start with the washing up because there is no hot water cos you had a bath and forgot to put the water back on to heat. So what? Start emptying the dishwasher and filling it back up again. Heat enough water in the kettle so you can wipe a few surfaces.

Step 4 - DON'T PANIC! Do one thing at a time
Don't be put off by the fact that there is so much to do. Decide what area you're going to start on. Either a particular area of the worksurface (this is what works for me) and bit by bit, clear the clutter. Then move onto the next bit.

This is what I've done:

1. Cleared one surface so I could put my laptop in kitchen and write as I tidied
2. Emptied dishwasher
3. Filled dishwasher back up
4. Took all stuff off sink drainer (a lot of it had been there so long it had got dirty again so put it to right of sink)
5. Emptied sink (I can't start until I have an empty and clean sink). 
6. Still not got enough hot water to do a full sink of washing up so filled a little bit with some water from the kettle and wiped down some of the crumb-ladened surfaces down, then sprayed them with cleaning spray, wiped them clean and buffed them with a dry towel (I moved any obstacles out of the way - like the toaster and kettle etc so I could clean under and behind them)
7. Washed a load of bottles (I like to do them before anything else so the water is nice and clean and hot)
8. Put them together and put them away
9. Done another load of washing up

Its not finished yet. I've still not done ALL of the washing up that needs doing. The sitting room is still a mess (even though twice I've tidied it up - not much you can do while the kids are up unless you refuse to allow them to play!). The point is that now the kitchen looks much better than it did and I feel a bit better and I feel like I'm not living in a dump! And I've also had some time to relax.

OK, I've not managed to tidy up my entire house today. Some areas are still pretty messy but I've made a start and I actually (kind of) enjoyed doing it. 

Decluttering box

Settled the baby again so here comes another one.....

As I said in my last post, I had a little bit of time to myself on Saturday and I was really enjoying decluttering and generally tidying up. But I often feel that I get easily distracted going from room to room achieving very little. So I had an idea to put together a "decluttering box". Basically, I thought I would set up a box that would contain a few things that I needed to carry around with me, including a notepad and pen so that as I think of other things that I need to do or buy, I can write them down, but also separate boxes inside it (compartments if you like) where I can put things that need to be moved to other parts of the house. I USED to just have ONE box that I would put everything in that didn't belong in that room but I then found that I would end up with just a box of stuff that I didn't know where to put. I felt that if I had just a smaller amount of things for the bedroom, I might actually put those things away in the bedroom next time I was there. And the same for other rooms. So, this is what I started with:

I put all my chalkboard label clips that I wasn't already using for something in there:

Then I added a couple of bags as they fitted the space as the end best. I wrote on the labels as and when something occurred to me as I wandered around tidying. I found a broken necklace and a toy phone that needed a new battery so I added them to the "NEEDS FIXING" bag. The bigger basket is "Ben to put away": 

Then there are boxes for "Our Bedroom" and "Abi's Office":

And the bag on the right, I haven't got around to labelling yet. I've just been putting stuff in there that needs putting away that doesn't fit into any of the categories above. 

I love how my labels look too. I bought a new chalk pen to use with them and it looks much better than the dress makers chalk pencil that I used before. 

Some people will probably say that the amount of time it took you to set up this box, you could have finished all your tidying and sat down and had a cup of tea. Maybe, maybe not. I just feel a lot more ready to tidy and organise when I have a system. And this box is something that can be put away in my office when I'm not using it. I wouldn't necessarily use it all the time but when there are things strewn everywhere and the house has got in an utter state due to us both working and maybe one of us studying or him being away so I'm coping on my own with the kids. It helps me to do stuff like this. 

Ending here as am in danger of rambling. 

Confession time

I feel like a bit of a fraud sometimes. I mean, I do DO the things I write about in this blog but if I have an off day (or week - like this last week when I've been spending every spare moment working on a piece of paperwork for my Java course). 


So its confession time and I have pictorial evidence. I don't like that it gets this bad and actually after a visit from our cleaner its looking a lot better already but the last few days this is how my mind has felt and it was reflected in the house: