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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:
drinkingwineoutofamug · 20/04/2021 09:24

I need to plant 2 gooseberry bushes and re pot my olive tree.
And strip beds. Beautiful weather again.

AlexCabot · 20/04/2021 09:33

Can I join?

Clearing out the kitchen cupboards today.

I'm planning to sort out the wardrobes this week, probably at a rate of one a day!

We've accumulated a lot of stuff over the last year and I'm sick of every drawer and cupboard being full and untidy!

2020nymph · 20/04/2021 09:44

I cleared out and cleaned the fridge.

DS had requested lots of fruit last week. He couldn't find it and DH said he had eaten it all. Nope, it was hidden behind the Easter eggs that DH insists on storing on the fridge. Have thrown out the now mouldy fruit and reorganised it so we can see what's in the fridge.

Blackjackontherocks · 20/04/2021 10:40

Loving getting inspiration from reading everyone’s projects.

Today I’m going to lay a path to my new potting area and prepare a bed for planting up with ferns.

EastofEdna · 20/04/2021 11:02

Today: Bedroom. Finish windows: clear masking tape residue; clean blinds. Tidy all clothes away and everything chucked on the bed this morning so the dog can't get at them. Measure the two alcoves so I can get a couple of low bookcases. Mop all the floors upstairs. Tidy work desk.

Iceisnice · 20/04/2021 11:19

Excellent idea for a thread OP and it is really nice to hear everybody is progressing with their various projects. Mine for today is going to be sorting out the baby bottles that are not needed as DS is needing the bigger bottles for his feeds now.

Pearlington27 · 20/04/2021 11:19

I love this thread! Brilliant idea. A few small jobs for me today. Cleaned the fly screen in the kitchen, dropped off a few items to the opshop and pulled everything out of the cupboard under the kitchen sink to tidy. All long overdue tasks

Insidelaurashead · 20/04/2021 11:57

I ended up with a last minute work call that left me a bit flustered last night so didn't do the bills thing but will do that as today's project. I did repot the Yucca, and a few other plants, took them all outside for a sit in the sun and a mist and misted my windowsill seedlings and watered the (big) garden.

Cushionsnotpillows · 20/04/2021 12:12

Yesterday I didn't manage much as not feeling well but did put both the dishwasher and washing machine on a hot maintenance wash with cleaning stuff. I usually do this monthly but I think the last time may have been in my January blitz Confused

This morning I've cleared a load of shopping receipts off the kitchen table and shredded them. Found 2 vouchers I can use in amongst them, handy.

My aim is to reclaim the table so we can have tea there again - it has become a dumping ground for junk during the holidays.

Catname · 20/04/2021 12:20

Well, yesterday’s plans went awry as I had to stay in during the afternoon so I’ll get my jeans posted back this afternoon but I sorted through boxes of my FIL’s stuff that we have cleared from his house as he’s going into a care home and found homes for it.

This morning, I have hoovered the bedrooms, hall and stairs, and steam-cleaned all of the floor of the living room/kitchen/diner. I am reminded why I don’t do the whole floor very often as the cats all decided to wake up and wander about so I had to redo where they had walked.

ShortSilence · 20/04/2021 12:30

Yesterday’s planned small project (clearing out a shelf in my wardrobe) did not happen so instead I tackled the muddled area of shampoos and body washes in the bathroom, weeded it of empties and scrubbed under everything so it’s pristine.

I also did five loads of laundry (!) and a full day’s work but I’m not really thinking of those unavoidable things as part of this thread ... I’m going to use it for the stuff that feels a tiny bit “extra” and out of the usual routine.

Will try to do the shelf thing today but it might be bumped by the more time-sensitive task of planting some container plants that were finally delivered this morning after a long wait. Without the compost that was part of the order, meaning I need to fit in an extra trip to the supermarket [hard stare at Sarah Raven]

Breathmiller · 20/04/2021 12:55

Inspired by this thread, when I was doing my TOMM today to try to get my house into some semblance of order after the living room being plastered on Monday, I have been meaning to sort out the stray lego bits on my son's drawers. You know the bits? That apparently are really important but they are as many as they are tiny. Found a couple of small boxes and in it all went and on a shelf. Which has meant I could dust that unit properly for the first time in ages. It took me no time at all. Crazy that it has taken me so long to get round to it really.

Original poster
BlueLobelia · 20/04/2021 13:00

@Breathmiller

Inspired by this thread, when I was doing my TOMM today to try to get my house into some semblance of order after the living room being plastered on Monday, I have been meaning to sort out the stray lego bits on my son's drawers. You know the bits? That apparently are really important but they are as many as they are tiny. Found a couple of small boxes and in it all went and on a shelf. Which has meant I could dust that unit properly for the first time in ages. It took me no time at all. Crazy that it has taken me so long to get round to it really.
I know those bits. They are the ones you always step on right?

I window cleaned the glass of the tv and DH had a conniption as apparently you are not supposed to. Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
BlueLobelia · 20/04/2021 13:00

It's lunch so i am about to (finally) pot the seedlings!¬

OP posts:
Breathmiller · 20/04/2021 13:01

They are the ones you always step on right? that's the ones. Little buggers!

Haha. I always clean my telly screen when dh isn't around.

Allthefilmsarecrap · 20/04/2021 13:37

I sanded one of my upcycling chairs yesterday but once I cleaned it off realised it probably needs done again so will try and do that today for my project of the day.

RunningKatie · 20/04/2021 13:44

Bulbs planted.
I am off to blitz bedrooms, dd's is a particular bombsite so I shall no doubt uncover a few odd socks amongst the heaps of books!

Divineswirls · 20/04/2021 15:18

I've cleared and cleaned the veggie drawer in my fridge. I've cleared a couple of large drawers in the kitchen so have bags of items to now throw away.

I started looking at stuff to buy to prep and paint some interior walls and doors but got overwhelmed by it all.

wheresmymojo · 20/04/2021 15:34

Forgot to update yesterday - my project was cleaning the lounge rug with the Vax.

Not feeling well today and off work with it so most likely nothing today and back to it hopefully tomorrow.

Tomorrow's project = hoover and Vax bedroom carpet.

LlamaGiles · 20/04/2021 17:04

Very busy work day today but managed to put some compost around a couple of ailing plants in my garden, and watered the drier bits.

Sparklynewname · 20/04/2021 18:21

My project for tonight is to clean the glass in my oven door. The project for the whole week will be to clean the whole oven. It’s revolting.

AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo · 20/04/2021 18:24

Finally made some marmalade (tin of oranges at BBE date) and replied to the bazillion what’sapp messages I’ve been procrastinating over for the last fortnight. Tomorrow - submit assignment I’m studying and properly tidy away the crap on the kitchen island (instead of just neatening the pile!).

ShortSilence · 20/04/2021 18:42

Went and got compost, planted the plants in the big planter.

I’m not an experienced gardener so this seemed incredibly complicated: bricks and stuff for drainage, newspaper layered round the sides for coolness (as it’s a metal planter), barrier layer over the drainage stuff, compost, potting grit mixed in, rootgrow stuff, then the actual plants, then crushed shells on top to ward off slugs.

How does anyone garden properly? Assembling all the bits for this ONE planter feels like a huge achievement.

They’d better not bloody die Daffodil

WrapUpWarm2021 · 20/04/2021 18:45

I think to make gardening simpler perennials are the best bet. Tough ones!

I think looking at gardens round your area can give you a good idea of plants that suit the soil and climate.

WrapUpWarm2021 · 20/04/2021 18:47

A planter will give you impact quickly which is lovely.