One project a day- 2nd thread!

[BlueLobelia]

Welcome to everyone, old hats, lurkers and newbies.

This is a thread where we try and achieve something, no matter how small, a day.

This was the preamble to the previous thread ;

''......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. :) ''

everyone welcome!

All enjoyed the beach. :)

Today is a day where after tidying I am starting to go (with DH) through the dining room with a notebook. We have SO much stuff clutter shit and I am categorising it into 'keep' 'store' 'throw' or 'sell'.

Items include at least 7 paintings stacked on top of the cupboard that I have literally never even looked at in the 18 years I have lived with DH.

Items include at least 7 paintings stacked on top of the cupboard that I have literally never even looked at in the 18 years I have lived with DH.

That is scarily familiar. We have one box labelled ‘paintings’ that hasn’t been unpacked despite four moves in the last four years. I can’t remember what is in it but I do remember they were things I didn’t like or want on the walls but I didn’t feel I could actually get rid of because they belonged to parents or in-laws or were gifts.

I have sorted out my closet today and have a big pile for the charity shop and a small pile of ‘not being worn but not willing to donate’.

@Peridot1

I’m back in Dublin earlier than planned as my Dad sadly passed away last night. Much quicker than we thought.

I'm so sorry to hear that. May he rest in peace. Take care.

I haven’t done any house jobs this week as it’s been a struggle to just survive the heat here.
DH has promised me that he will sort his pyjamas out tomorrow. We shall see.
I have done all the washing yesterday and today so I can clean the bathroom tomorrow and maybe get the door handles back on. And hoover upstairs!

I’ve been very bad in the last two days and not done any little projects; work was manic and since I have a storage unit arriving on Mon, in my head I didn’t need to do anything til then...! Today I’ve got one toy box I want to go through- seems doable.

Thank you @CharityDingle.

Nothing much achieved here yesterday as we were shattered after a late night with the neighbours the night before. I did the clearing up and a load of washing and that was about it.

We have a village BBQ today if it’s not rained off so won’t get much done but want to tidy the utility room and maybe put up a picture and mirror in the downstairs cloakroom.

On countdown now to my sister and family arriving for two weeks on Saturday so need to get a lot done this week.

Morning all.

I have just discovered that DH's friend (who is coming to stay) is also bringing his wife which was not the original plan. She has stayed with us before and she has very very strong opinions about how I am doing everything wrong, from parenting to how the dogs are trained (they sit on the sofas with us), to how I prune my roses and most of all what I cook and eat and how the house is.

So today's project is to practice what to say which will put her back in her box very politely but firmly. (Last time she stayed she told me that it was clear she was going to have to teach me how to eat properly because I had put weight on, and then tried to make me go through my wardrobe so she could assess which clothes were unflattering. )

The advantage to her coming is that I always have a large store of (anonymous) anecdotes on MN threads titled 'Guests from hell'.

Went to IKEA yesterday as I couldn’t stand the thought of spending one more night on the uncomfortable mattress. Got DS a new one too. Mine is on, his is not as operation decorate bedroom started 😱
He and DH went to B&q to look at paint after his CAMHS today. They ended up buying flooring as it was less than half price. But now it’s in the lounge 😱
This evening we have sugar soaped and bleached and filled his walls. Sold a chest of drawers and put it in my car to be dropped off tomorrow after work. Listed a hard guitar case to be sold. Washed an IKEA trofast wall unit and it’s drawers to list tomorrow.
Dismantled his bed to be washed and sold tomorrow.
Reassembled the dining room table after varnishing the legs (2 coats!) and brought all the dining chairs back downstairs.
Swept the stairs.
And eaten tea!
We’re exhausted 😴

@BlueLobelia - she sounds a nightmare! Hope you have lots of gin. I think I’d be tempted to cancel the visit tbh. Especially as she wasn’t invited. Couldn’t be doing with hosting someone so rude.

@Sparklynewname - lots achieved in your house!

On Sunday morning DH and I tackled the utility room. We found the worktop! It had been hidden under crap for so long! Just need to keep it tidy now.

Yesterday was a bit bitty but we put up some pictures so main bathroom and downstairs cloakroom are now finished. ✔️

Landing is a disaster as I’ve propped up loads of other pictures to decide where they will go. That’s today’s job.

We also sorted spare room out - moved trundle bed into position for my nephew so that room is almost ready. Need a mirror up and vacuum and dust and make up beds.

I also did some ironing. More to do today including the bedding for the spare room. Just washed the duvet cover and I’ll damp iron it later.

Still got lots to do though!

Morning. I have taken some leave Thursday and Friday to try and get the house in order before the visit.

Today's project is to (while watching Downton Abbey) work out what uniform I need to buy for September.

I have lots of gin. :)

A rude house guest, I can't even imagine! We never have house guests. I think anyone rude enough to say awful things should expect rudeness back or certainly shouldn't expect generosity. "I'm amazed you could be so rude to me whilst under my roof" would be hard not to say. Sorry, my blood is boiling for you!!

I'm getting almost nothing done apart from homeschooling.

@BlueLobelia, I’d be doing the thousand mile stare in your shoes. Stare off into the distance whilst thinking about how I really must not poke her eye out with a stick.

This evening: Delivered chest of drawers. Came home and have done 3 loads of washing and folded 3 baskets of washing.
DS, DH and I have painted the room white, done coving, walls and cutting in. Filling done, more to do tomorrow. DS will do another coat of white tomorrow and then when we get home we will load my car up. We are off to the tip EARLY on Thursday morning and then off to get the paint for his room. Hopefully will get that painted at least one coat. We also all need to pack.
Next week we will try to get the flooring done but tbh, we might just leave it til the weekend as we can bash it down in one day, maybe 2.

I am practicing non-committal inanities such as ; 'Isnt it interesting how people like different things'; 'isn't it interesting how people do things in different ways;' and 'would you like to shove your opinion up your arse?'

Truth is, i find her an interesting study- that anyone can be so certain of themselves, and so keen to share how right they are with things. I am not that way at all! But if she tells me that I need a lesson in portion sizes as she hands back half her bacon sandwich (this actually happened) I might have trouble holding my tongue.

Today's project is to call try and pin down an oven cleaner (again) and to get a boiler installation quote.

“Did you mean to sound so rude?” is a good phrase to have ready @BlueLobelia. Sending you strength.

So our landing is still a mess but we did put pictures up.

Decided to switch furniture around in the spare room which involved moving a wardrobe so did that and then DH had a nightmare putting up a mirror. Hit a batten in the wall. Tried to fix it. Drilled the holes and one was a millimetre out so mirror wouldn’t go up. Ended up putting picture wire on and did it that way. Attached screws to back of mirror and one has come through slightly on the front. It’s only an IKEA mirror but nightmare to put up!

Beds almost made up in that room - just need to put duvet cover on. Have ordered new lampshades and a throw and vase too so they will hopefully arrive tomorrow.

Small spare room needs a bit more tidying - it was used as a dumping ground for months. So tidying, dusting, vacuuming and make bed up. That’s this morning’s job.

This afternoon I’m getting my hair done. And oven cleaner is currently working his magic on our stove @BlueLobelia.

Everyone sounds so industrious!

I have been very busy this week (9-2) with work. So I had a wonderful afternoon nap today and now I am sitting on the couch with the cat.

I’m feeling like a total sloth and slightly ashamed considering how productive everyone else has been. Maybe if I have an early night, that feeling will go away?

I was on the first thread for a few days then got busy at work and forgot all about it.

I need a kick up the backside again as it was really useful. Not even sure where to start as my house is in the middle of a major refurb but we've come to a standstill due to money, time and energy.

Off to re read back this thread to get some inspiration. I feel the need to do one tiny thing. It always kick starts me when I feel a bit overwhelmed

Ooh. Starting ^ridiculously* small, I remember that the little divider that I store my rolled up knickers in is messy. So, I am going to take it out and roll up all my pants, Marie Kondo style and put it back neat and tidy. It's a start.

I did it. In fact I did 2 of the box dividers. Coming back on here to keep me accountable. Next stop is my socks section.

I am feeling a tad guilty as I didn’t organise the toy box, and the shelving unit arrived on Monday, but I’ve not built it yet so I’ve sort of stalled... I’m going to try and build it today quickly and then I can organise the messiest cupboard quickly this evening. Urgh. Need to get my motivation back! Have not been sleeping enough and everything feels like a big effort.

This evening I have cleaned the kitchen and done a load of washing which I will dry shortly. Sold the guitar case and it’s gone. Trofast is being collected tomorrow evening. DS and I have to do a tip run tomorrow and then paint second coat in his bedroom. Walls are currently patchy mustard colour. Hoping tomorrow brings an even mustard colour lol
Also need to take the dogs out for a walk as we are going away Friday morning til Sunday evening and mil is dog sitting but won’t walk them- she takes them out to play in the garden so they won’t die of boredom but DH likes to take them for crazy long walks at the weekend so he is worrying about that.
We also have DS’s new light fitting to put up at some point when it’s light enough to see.

I done some laundry today, I'll hang it up to dry this afternoon.

I'm keeping on top of homeschooling. Our lockdown has been extended.

sorry about yuor lockdown @DownUdderer

I am tidying the spare room. half way through.

AMAZINGLY DH (he of hoarder fame) has suggested we sell one of our sofas. It;'s long, uncomfortable and takes up too much space. I have enthusiastically agreed. Even better- we agreed to split the proceeds 50/50. half will go to him buying something for his hobby and half will go into our holiday account as I am determined to squirrel lots away for us to have a really brilliant trip away when we feel comfortable about travel. :)

I utilised my physical laziness today and opened my laptop.

I have...
Set up a monthly spreadsheet for my finances and filled in what I could up to November.

Applied for a Junior ISA for my son. I had one for my older son started by the govt and he is now 18. My youngest is 10 and I've been meaning to set one up for him for 10 years!! Well, that's it done. Quite chuffed as things like that usually terrify me for some reason (hence the 10 year wait to get it done)

That is fantastic @Breathmiller :) You have also reminded me I need to sort out an everyday account for my older DS. I have been putting that off!!

I have finished the spare room for our guests. It may be that alot of the spare room junk is now in my study. DH will not notice though provided he does not open the door........

DH is taking the Dcs scooting this afternoon then doing the grocery shopping. I am going to sit in the garden and have a glass of prosecco. That;s my reward for doing all the work for the guests while he faffled around on ebay . (TBH I am now getting the much better deal).

I’ve been busy today!
Did the tip run and the painted coats 2&3 in DS’s room. So much to do in the morning before Mil comes up to dog sit.