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Original poster

'One project a day' thread

975 replies

BlueLobelia · 18/04/2021 12:51

... many years ago when i was first on MN I started (or maybe just actively participated in, cannot quite recall) a one (house) project a day. It made the most profound difference to my home. The project could be time consuming or not. It could take seconds, minutes or hours. I recall things like changing the lightbulb and lampshade in a hallway table lamp for example as a single day project. One day i also threw away holey and raggedy cushion covers and bought news ones. Little things, that really mattered.

If anyone is interested I wish to start another thread.

Today, as my one project a day, I cleared out my dehydrated and weed-ridden window boxes (2 of them). I put new compost in them and planted them with lobelia (obviously!); red geraniums and some dianthus. I am happy looking out (and in!) my front windows now. :)

OP posts:
TenCornMaidens · 17/05/2021 11:39

Well done everyone. You are all inspirational. I have also watched a load of Ted Talks on procrastination :)

Have picked up a second hand desk for my dd to use as a craft table.

Have got some meat out to defrost for dinner.

Need to check my to do list again.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 17/05/2021 13:27

I am keeping an eye on the thread poised and waiting to start thread 2. :)

I have been super active today (for me anyway). I directed DH where to mow and now mow so I have a section ready for wildflowers. I bought masses of mixed wildflowers in those large shaker boxes (a mix of annuals and perennials). I then cleaned downstairs for 2 full-on hours and decluttered. I bagged up outgrown shoes for the charity shop.

Now I am going to carry on tidying for another 90 minutes until it is time for the school run.

I'm exhausted!

OP posts:
Divineswirls · 17/05/2021 13:34

I've cleared the dining room table. Baked bread, cleared up after DD baking and cooking in the middle of the night, shifted a few things in the dumping corner of the dining area.

Need to hoover - hate hoovering - always put it off. No pets and no shoe rule in house so I convince myself I can keep putting it off

2020nymph · 17/05/2021 13:43

Feel so overwhelmed. We are looking at moving next year. Had a flyer from a local estate agent for a free evaluation. Said ok to DH but it needs to be next week at the earliest as so much to sort out. He booked it on for this Friday lunch time. 😔 I don't know where to start. He doesn't see a problem because they are only evaluating but I don't want anyone to see our house like this.

Fnib · 17/05/2021 13:47

@2020nymph take a look and Flylady crisis cleaning. I've used it on occasion when things have got too much for me. Just Google it - it might help.

Divineswirls · 17/05/2021 14:20

@2020nymph

Feel so overwhelmed. We are looking at moving next year. Had a flyer from a local estate agent for a free evaluation. Said ok to DH but it needs to be next week at the earliest as so much to sort out. He booked it on for this Friday lunch time. 😔 I don't know where to start. He doesn't see a problem because they are only evaluating but I don't want anyone to see our house like this.
Don't worry about the viewing. They'll look at the house give their advice and you can then box up items and / or put in storage till you sell. If necessary hire a skip to get rid of clutter quickly.
LlamaGiles · 17/05/2021 15:27

@2020nymph I've just been through something similar, we're having to put our house on the market in a rush after we unexpectedly found an ideal house come up for sale. Don't worry about the state of the house. In fact our agents told us that it matters even less these days as with all the property programmes people are savvy and have trained themselves to see beyond clutter/mess! Just do a general tidy up.

I've had about 10 days from valuation to the estate agent photographers coming (later this week) and I've tried to do a room a day. I've taken loads to the charity shop/tip/freecycle sites so I've now got cupboard space where I can stash clutter temporarily for photos/viewings. It's been a stressful week and the house is not going to be all I'd have liked it to be but it's okay.

Today's (related) job for me was bringing loads of toddler dd's toys from the living room to the upstairs cupboards so the living room looks a little less cluttered, at least temporarily. We also have professional carpet cleaner coming tomorrow and I paid someone to build our garden furniture.

SydneyCarton · 17/05/2021 19:13

I’ve done my little bit in the bathroom (sink) plus cleared out my handbag instead of doing the nappy/spare clothes bag. I’ll save that for tomorrow.

Sparklynewname · 17/05/2021 19:33

Lawn has been mowed.
This morning before I went to work I sprayed some heavy duty cleaner into the bath as it had got quite gunned up despite regular cleaning. Happy to report that it had worked it’s magic by the time I got home this evening.
Cat has had an accident (wee) in the laundry basket so I have put that in to wash and am a sounding folding up the mountain of washing which is currently in the futility room.
Maybe after tea.

AlohaMolly · 17/05/2021 19:54

I have done none of those things as I couldn’t do anything but go to bed after the school run, until it was time to pick DS up again - I’m so frustrated with myself!

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 17/05/2021 20:38

You must have needed the rest though, @AlohaMolly so a good thing. :)

OP posts:
mamakoukla · 17/05/2021 22:42

I just got back from a walk! Not what I had planned to achieve today but I will take it! Still a few hours to go so might do some more work on patching up the bathroom wall. Once it’s ready, I am permitted to begin choice of paint colour

2020nymph · 17/05/2021 23:08

Thanks @Fnib, @Divineswirls & @LlamaGiles I'm feeling a bit more positive now. I've blitzed the spare room, just need to clean it. Also cleared the kitchen window sill and ironed a shirt for Wednesday.

DH has been given a pile of paperwork to sort during his lunch break tomorrow and five things to sell on Facebook.

I've abandoned plans for the week and focussing on visible areas.

Not sure how much I'll be able to do tomorrow as it's a full on day at work and DH is going out straight after he finishes work so it will be close to 9 by the time I've done dinner, homework and bedtime.

Divineswirls · 17/05/2021 23:40

Yup DD has nicked the bath mats as rugs so I'll just have to buy more conventional rectangular ones.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 18/05/2021 06:28

I have to dump a bag into the charity bins. Will do that either on the way too or from work.

OP posts:
DownUdderer · 18/05/2021 08:00

I got my ladder! Tomorrow I'd like to tackle a large drawer full of junk.

CharityDingle · 18/05/2021 10:19

Tidy food press in kitchen.

Fnib · 18/05/2021 10:44

Is it just me who has taken to doing a 'thing' at work as well?!

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 18/05/2021 11:06

@Fnib

Is it just me who has taken to doing a 'thing' at work as well?!
I antibacced my keyboard. :)
OP posts:
TenCornMaidens · 18/05/2021 11:08

I seem to be on a go slow for no good reason today. But I am waiting in a customer service chat queue to sort out a membership at the local leisure centre for my son. and I have put a wash on.

My stepdad has Parkinsons and can't get out so I am shoppi g for him for my mum's birthday soon. I was going to potter round the shops but am doing it online instead.

Divineswirls · 18/05/2021 14:13

I have so much to do looking around but just cant bring myself to do it. I have managed to find curtain hooks that because I've tidied things away into neat boxes took me forever to find. I think I just like organised chaos because then at least I can find things quickly.

Devlesko · 18/05/2021 14:55

Helped dh sort his wardrobe yesterday, it was quite emotional as none of his clothes fit anymore. His abdomen isn't going to change shape much, and he's wearing a girdle support thing.
We both had a few tears.
Today, I tidied the kitchen, a load of washing on line and dh has just had to go shopping as something happened with food order. Either they or I made a mistake and we hardly had anything. Another source of a good weep this morning.
I'm so overwhelmed with everything I want/need to do, had enough today.
I'm hating the term baby steps even more atm, a good philosophy but it gets nothing done.
Sorry for moaning. Thanks

Fnib · 18/05/2021 15:36

In our house, esp when children were younger, a good day was when a wash had been done and everyone was fed. But even now, some days only a very basic routine happens (but it does happen) I can't recommend minimising possessions enough!
If I had my kids all over again I'd be way more ruthless about what came into the house. We had way too much stuff because we were perpetually broke and never turned down hand me downs of any description. I know it's not for everyone but minimalism (not in the sexy Instagrammable way, but just not having much stuff) has saved my sanity. You just can't spend much time cleaning and organising if you have very little to clean and organise!
Best wishes @Devlesco I'm really sorry times are tough Flowers

Devlesko · 18/05/2021 15:53

Thank you Fnib, I've decided to do something about it after reading my last post.
I think it's my dh sudden illness and major Op, so unexpected and changed our lives. Thanks

Fnib · 18/05/2021 16:36

Bless you @Devlesco these things come at us out of the blue sometimes. Had similar in my family so I feel for you.

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