20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Day 2

Day 2: Master Bedroom - Organised Housewife

Today was another day off in the uni world... and by day off I mean I am supposed to be studying at home... while my house is getting cleaner (and I am loving it!), it is exhausting and I am struggling to study... which is not good considering I am already behind on my uni work.  I have to admit, it's going to be interesting to see how all of this works on days that I am working!!

Is it sad that it's only day 2 and I am already exhausted?? haha!

Anyway, today was all about the master bedroom, and we had a list of tasks to do there.  I didn't think it would take as long as it did, but that's because I really got into it and dusted, wiped down and vacuumed every surface you could think of!  The list for today was:

Clean: Main Bedroom

Basically, the job was to get this room cleaned and sorted out... and we had a lot of clothes... everywhere!!  We had so much rubbish and junk everywhere... it was nuts!! And the dust! Oh the dust!!! The list was:

Strip the bed sheets off the bed

Wash all bedding

Place decorative cushions on line in sunshine for a few hours to help remove dustmites

Vacuum mattress

Flip mattress if you have not done in the past 3 months

Pick up and put away all clothing

Pick up and put/throw away all paper clutter

Pick up and put/throw away all other clutter

Dust all surfaces, bedside tables, dressing tables, mirrors, picture frames

Dust ornaments

Vacuum ceiling fan to remove dust that has settled during winter

Vacuum the floor, including under the bed

Place clean bedding on your bed

Of these, I didn't do some as we don't have cushions or a ceiling fan and I didn't flip the mattress as we got one that doesn't need to be flipped.

I also have to say, I have never vacuumed a mattress before!  Is that something that everyone does??  It's a good idea though!!

Declutter: Bedroom Surfaces

For this task, I did get rid of a few things.  I bought all the dvds back downstairs, I got rid of all of the rubbish around the tables, and there were a few other bits and pieces that I could either throw away or combine with other stuff.

Organise: Top Drawer Bedside Table

Now, I didn't actually do this... mostly because I don't use it.  I did however get rid of the rubbish inside it (chocolate wrappers... *blush*)

New Habit: Make Bed Every Morning

Done! Mostly because I stripped the bed, but I did also make the bed yesterday too! Winning!!

5 Minutes Only: Wipe Over Dining Chairs

Another one I didn't do... but this is because we don't have dining chairs.

One thing that I do want to do though, is add a few more pictures to our room.  Photos or artwork, whatever.  When I was out earlier running errands I did actually have a look for some in the hopes of surprising B when he got home... but I didn't find any that I liked.

On a side note, I meant to write last night that when Miss 4 got home and seen the clean kitchen she seemed quite concerned "But where did all our stuff go?!". Haha!!  Speaking of Miss 4, she has also embraced her new chores, in fact when B went in to get her up this morning I heard "Daddy, I made my bed!!"

 

As you can see, I did before and after pictures again, and... I am more than a little embarrassed... however, our room looks so nice and airy now!!

 

 

 

 

 

20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Day 1

Day 1: Kitchen - Organised Housewife

 

COMPLETED!

 

Well, the only thing I haven't done is the new habit, as that is supposed to be done before I go to bed tonight - and I will be clearing the benches and doing the dishes as told... cos I just spend 2 hours cleaning scrubbing the damn kitchen!!

 

I can tell you how long it took me to clean the kitchen, as I put a movie on to clean to, as I like having the background noise, and I spend most of my day in the study with music going, so a movie I have watched over and over again works well for me when cleaning.

 

Now, I decided that I would take a before photo, but that I would do it before I started each task, that way I can see what I have accomplished each day.  Admittedly, I wasn't overly sure that I would want to let anyone actually see them, but I have decided to put it out there anyway.  I have seen other peoples kitchens on twitter, and it's good to know that my kitchen wasn't the only one to look that way!! haha!!

 

Scary isn't it!!  I didn't actually think it was all that bad... until I took the photo... then I was more than a little horrified!!

Basically, the list today was:

Clean: Kitchen

Load dishwasher

Wipe over sink

Clean the benches

Wipe down the cupboard doors

Dust on top of the overhead cupboards

Clean the microwave

Wipe over walls

Clean window and window sills

Dust light fittings

 

I did all of these except for the light fittings and window/sills (we don't have any in the kitchen).

 

Declutter: Kitchen Bench

For this task I had to get rid of everything on the bench that didn't need to be there... and as you can see from the before photo... I had my work cut out for me!!

 

Organise: Under the Kitchen Sink

The kitchen sink wasn't too bad actually... there was a bit of stuff under there that we didn't use, or didn't use often, but the hardest part of this was trying to feel motivated to get it done after the previous 2 tasks! 

 

 

Today, I also quickly ducked down to one of those $2 shops, and I bought some of those little containers.  I decided to get some coloured ones to differentiate and to be a little colourful I suppose.  For $17.50 I got 10 different 'baskets'.  The 2 white ones are of better quality (they were $5 each), and I had intended to use them for the toaster and stuff, but... I used one while decluttering to be able to put stuff back in it's rightful place... so I may end up using them as my prechallenge task 5 tubs. 

 

New Habit

Clear the benches and wash the dishes before relaxing for the evening - although in my case it will be before I continue to study! lol

 

5 Minutes Only: Bookshelf

Spend 5 minutes tidying a bookshelf

 

 

Now, the big reveal... are you all excited to see how my kitchen sparkles?!

 

 

What I realised today while I was cleaning, was that our kitchen bench has not been that clear since our party on Christmas Eve... now that's pretty bad!!

I am really loving it though!! It's so nice to come down and see shine like that... it does also make me not want to cook in it though...

20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Prechallenge Task 5

Task 5: Goals & Sorting Tubs - Organised Housewife

Ok, so for this task, I need to set myself some goals... now right now, I have to say that I am unsure if I will achieve some of them, but I am going to put them out there in the hopes that I can and it will be something that I can aim towards.

1. I want to feel RELAXED while I’m at home.
2. I want to spend more time KNITTING.
3. I want an area of the home where I can STUDY EFFECTIVELY.
4. I want to organise MY CRAFT STUFF.
5. I always lose STATIONERY.
6. Something that I don’t need anymore , but am having trouble parting with MISS 4's TOYS. (not sure if this counts, but it's been something I have been trying to get to.)

Additionally, this task also asks for 4 sorting tubs... I have to say that right now... I don't have any... but I do have 4 washing baskets that can be used!  And if not, then I have plenty of bags!  The role of these tubs is to help sort out items to be kept, donated, sold or are rubbish.

This is the final pre-challenge task, so now we are ready to start the actual challenge tomorrow!!

20 Day Cleaning Organising Challenge: Prechallenge Task 4

Task 4: Evening Routine - Organised Housewife

Ok, so the morning routine is now done... but I think the evening routine is the one that may cause a little grief... mostly because it is currently so varied!  It really depends on if I am working that day, but this is basically what it currently is (based on a non work day):

1. Come down from the study and start tidying the kitchen (usually around the 5-5.30pm mark)
2. Start preparing dinner
3. B and Miss 4 get home & watch tv/B works
4. Eat dinner
5. Bathe Miss 4
6. Put to Miss 4 to bed
7. Read to Miss 4
8. Continue studying until about 9.30pm
9. Have a bath/shower when I need a study break

Once again... this really could be a little better! Mostly on my part. 

 

These are the things I would like to include for myself:

• Do a load of washing and hang it out
• Tidy kitchen and wipe down benches
• Get my lunch ready for the next day
• Fold previous nights washing and put away

There are only a couple of things that I want to put into Miss 4's routine:

• To wipe down her table and clean up her 'mess' under the table
• Tidy the lounge room
• Miss 4 to put away her own clothes

So, the way I see our future routine is:

Come down from the study and put a load of washing on
Fold clothes from previous night
Get meat out of freezer for next night's meal
Start preparing dinner
B and Miss 4 get home
Miss 4 to put away folded clothes
Eat dinner
Miss 4 to:
• Wipe down table and clean up 'mess'
• Tidy her toys in the lounge room
Bathe Miss 4
Put to Miss 4 to bed
Read to Miss 4
Get my lunch ready for the next day
Tidy kitchen and wipe down benches
Continue studying until about 9.30pm
Have a bath/shower when I need a study break

20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Prechallenge Task 3

Task 3: Morning Routine - Organised Housewife

 

I have been away thinking about this and the next task (Evening Routine), not because we don't have one, but because I have been thinking about what we can add to it.

 

And because I am a big meanie, it was mostly what kind of tasks can I get Miss 4 to help us out with?  It's not even that it will necessarily help us out with a lot, but more to get her into a routine and to help her have a little more responsibility and to be able to build onto this as time goes on.

 

B and I are pretty big on reward systems (at least we are when I think about it), and as we are in the final stages of toilet training, we do already have one reward system in place with the use of stickers and rewards that she has chosen herself (a balloon, a cookie, a goldfish, a dress).  So, we have been thinking that if we give her this daily routine and reward, that it would actually need to be different to what we currently have in place... and it looks like we may be implementing the pocket money system! haha!!  Although at this stage it is for her to put into her money box.

 

To start with, I guess I should put down what our current routine is.  We don't really run it by times as such, but we do have an order in which things are done (this is from my POV, B has a slightly different routine):

1. Wake up and get Miss 4
2. Make coffee for me and breakfast for Miss 4
3. Get clothes ready for Miss 4
4. Get dressed
5. Miss 4 puts her bowl on the bench, nappy in the bin and pyjamas on her lounge
6. Maybe make another coffee and possibly breakfast (really need to work on this one!)
7. Head out to work or uni or to the study

Now that's all out there and on 'paper', the really can be some improvements... I have to admit... I really am not a morning person... and will quite often run a little late out the door to work/uni... and I don't particularly want to get up earlier.

 

However, there are a few things that I think that could be implemented:

 

Add the following in for myself/B:

• Make bed & open blinds
• Unpack the dishwasher
• Repack dishwasher with morning dishes
• Wipe down kitchen benches

Add the following in for Miss 4:

• Make bed
• Put pyjamas on bed
• Tidy room & lounge room (toys away and clothes in hamper)
• Wipe down her table after meals
• Pick up 'mess' under her table after meals (hopefully this will teach her not to be such a grub! haha!)

Today when I was out shopping I managed to find a reward chart for her that looks different to the one we currently have (that I have drawn up lol)

I think when adding these new things it, it will be a bit of a trial and error, but this is how I see it so far:

1. Wake up, make bed & open blinds
2. Get Miss 4 up
3. Make coffee for me and breakfast for Miss 4
4. Unpack dishwasher
5. Get clothes ready for Miss 4
6. Get dressed
7. Miss 4 puts her bowl on the bench, nappy in the bin
8. Miss 4 to:
1. Take pyjamas to her room
2. Make bed
3. Tidy room
4. Tidy loungeroom
5. Wipe down her table and 'mess'
9. Maybe make another coffee and have breakfast
10. Repack dishwasher and wipe down benches
11. Head out to work or uni or to the study

I may have forgotten something, but for now, I think this could be doable...

 

 

Just a little update... well... maybe a long one!

Well, I thought I would pop in with a bit of an update... as even though I will be doing the cleaning/organising challenge and will be blogging about it on here, the  weight loss aspect of my life hasn't stopped.

Don't get me wrong, I actually think that having the house tidy and organised will be beneficial for weight loss as hopefully I won't feel so cluttered and enclosed and will feel a little more 'free' in myself, but I am hoping to also find time to continue blogging about my wins/losses and everything in between.

Now, I do have to tell you all that for the last week, I have been... 'off'... with my eating and exercise habits.  I know I was getting better at it, so what happened?! I hear you say... well... in truth... it was the fact that I was being 'good' and watching what I was eating and everything via the Weight Watchers plan... and I wasn't losing weight... I basically maintained for 3 weeks!  Now, I know it seems silly, but at the beginning of changing to eating healthy foods and cutting down portion sizes and bad foods, you would think there would be some kind of a loss right?!

Nope.

So, while I didn't necessarily throw a tanty, I did just kind of go 'meh' to it all and haven't tracked, counted or exercised... in fact, I will admit to losing momentum.

On the plus side, we haven't really had any take away (except for birthday/father's day celebrations) and I have been aiming to cook every night, so I am actually really happy with this, as I am still pretty determined to live a healthier lifestyle. Looks like something stuck!!  YAY!

Two steps forward, one step back.

With the exercise side of things... I have decided that I will definitely be cancelling my gym membership, so I will be emailing them tomorrow.  I do enjoy going to the gym, but I am really just not in that frame of mind at the moment.  We now have both the Xbox and the Wii set up and as I am at home most of the time I am hoping to get a routine in place for using the games we have for exercise (as I have done in the past)... right now I think that simplicity is key.

Also, when I decided to do WW again, I popped down to a local meeting to pick up a pedometer.  I have actually found it really interesting to see how many steps I do when I am around uni, but mostly when I am at work.  Even on a half day at work I can work up 10,000-12,000 steps!!! CRAZY!!  Definitely means I was right when I initially said that I get a workout at work so would just exercise on days when I wasn't working!! No wonder work is so tiring!!

Uni at the moment is about to start week 4... and somehow I have managed to fall behind... it seems that my 'great plan' has failed as I have been out and about and haven't actually done the pre-study that I wanted to do.  However, I have found that this method really does work well for me... I just need to bloody do it!!  I think the key right now (after I actually catch up!!) is to mark out sections that I want to do each night in preparation and tick those off as a task for each day.  One benefit of uni is that each semester I am learning about how I study best, and then learning to fine tune it.

I have also been meaning to tell you all that I have received the blue dress to the right of the screen for the wedding.  As soon as I finish the shrug I am currently working on I may post a sneak preview of the outfit (I will have to find the shoes first!) The shrug is a mauve colour, and I think it will suit the dress well.  I did make a shrug in a teal/silver, but I really didn't like the look or texture of it.  Maybe I will need to do a photo of each to show you all??

I am feeling a lot better since my emotional outpouring the other day, some of those things are still on my mind, but I am hoping that I can fix them or at least work with/around them.

I have just celebrated my 28th birthday, and I had an absolute blast when I went out last night (there will probably be a gain this week though!!) I was able to celebrate it with friends and family and just being able to get out and relax/have fun/get out of the house was some really good medicine.

There has also been a bit of talk in my family of my mother (who passed when I was 8) and a recent death of a great uncle who was a wonderful man, does bring home the realisation that there are worse things out there, and to try not to stress, to live life, love and have fun.  I am not good at living by this, I wish I was, but at least for now I am trying not to stress and to put some routines in place so that things won't be so overwhelming in the future.

 

20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Prechallenge Task 2

Task 2: Cleaning Kit - Organised Housewife

Ok, this was a biggie... and a fun task!  Have I mentioned how much I love planning and organising??

Well, today I got to go shopping for cleaning supplies and putting together a cleaning kit.  Admittedly, a lot of the stuff I already had at home, and rather than spending money on stuff that we already had that was similar, I decided to make that work in my kit and then as that runs out I can see if I want to make the switch. 

 

Now, I have included a couple of things in my kit that aren't on the list.  One being garbage bags for the multitude of bins we have around, another is some wipes for the tv, and the other being toilet cleaner! lol

 

I already had the blue carry tub, and before that I had a grey one... forgetting that I now have a blue one, I bought a grey bucket... I do have to admit how much I love things to match, so there is a little tinge of annoyance... but I am trying hard to ignore it... hahaha!!

 

 

The list did also say 'toilet discs' but in truth... I don't like them!  I prefer the toilet bloo.  I am also curious as to how the mirror wipes work.

 

I do love all of the wipes that have come out - I think that they make life a lot simpler, but... I can't help thinking about the environmental impact... I feel the same way about ziploc bags! lol!!

 

Rather than a mop and bucket (which the list recommends), we have a steam mop, so I will be using that instead.  We also have a little dyson hand held mini vaccuum cleaner (kinda like a dust buster), I think this could be used like the 'stick mop' she talks about.

 

 

 

20 Day Cleaning/Organising Challenge: Prechallenge Task 1

Preseason Task 1: Organised Folder - Organised Housewife

Ok, so I have finally been to the shops and started my preseason tasks for this challenge... You know, I never thought I would ever be 'excited' or 'looking forward' to cleaning... crazy stuff!!

 

I have been considering the possibility of doing before and after photos... but in truth, our house is in such a state at the moment, I think I would just be too embarrassed!  That's awkward isn't it?

 

Anyway, the first preseason task is to get a folder and set it up with some dividers so that when we need to print out lists/routines/notes/etc it will be all ready to go and pre-organised.

 

Lucky for me, I just happened to have a spare small A4 folder left over from uni preparation early this year, so it has now been converted.

 

 

Losing Myself

I haven't actually written a post on here for almost 2 weeks now, don't get me wrong, I have written quite a few in my head, but I just haven't actually sat down to get it all out there.

 

My life right now is filled with all of the typical kinds of stuff; uni, work, cooking, cleaning finding time to study, exercising, meal planning, running around after a 4 year old and sorting out general life stuff...

 

It doesn't seem that unusual to other posts about where I have been, except this time I think that every aspect has been kicked up a notch or two... and I am exhausted.  In truth I kind of feel like an empty shell, or a zombie... just getting on with it all and trying to keep everything all in check...

 

Admittedly... I have to admit... I don't think I am coping really well... at least not according to all of the inner dialogue of crap that I have running around in my head.

 

It's not any one aspect in particular, in fact, it's nothing, and it's everything...

 

My eating has improved considerably over the last few weeks and I do actually feel better, not sure if it's physically, but I know at least mentally I feel better just knowing that I am taking control of that situation.  The last couple of days though, I will admit, haven't been that crash hot, and have included a bit of comfort eating. Exercise wise, I have been to the gym at least twice a week over the last month or so, but I am just not 'feeling it' so to speak (at least mentally/committedness) so as I have mentioned previously, I have now decided to forgo the gym membership and focus on exercising 3 times a week at home.

 

I always have a warning sign of when I am upset/not coping/struggling/whatever and that is cleaning... I am in no way a tidy person.  I can admit it... I don't like to admit it, but it's true, it's the one virgo trait that I just didn't seem to inherit.  However, the last week or so, I am just feeling anxious and I feel as though I can't relax or clear my mind while the house is untidy or out of order.

 

Luckily for me, the universe has provided, with the "20 Days to Clean and Organise Your Home Challenge" that I came across on Facebook... and right now... I need some kind of order lol.  And the idea of having an organised house is exciting (see... virgo! lol)

 

Anyway, just thought I would get this out of my system and let you all know that I am still here... I'm just not quite sure where 'here' is! lol

Mmmmmmmm Banana & Passionfruit Smoothie

This has been a favourite snack of mine for a long time.  I find it's an easy way to get the fruit intake in, it's delicious and filling! and I'm pretty sure it's also low GI (don't quote me on that though!)

So, really quick and easy recipe!  Ready??

1 banana, chopped

1/2 cup skim milk

1 tub Nestle Soleil Passionfruit Yoghurt

Combine all incredients and blend (I use a stick blender)

For those on Weight Watchers, this is equal to 2 ProPoints

For those counting calories, this is equal to 180 calories

Pretty good hey!!  There are so many different combinations that you can try.  These are some of mine:

• Skim milk and Nestle Soleil Strawberry Yoghurt with frozen mixed berries and a banana
• Skim milk and Nestle Soleil Cherry Yoghurt with fozen mixed berries
• Skim milk and Nestle Soleil Strawberry Yoghurt with passionfruit and mixed berries