SUMMER HOLIDAYS HOUSE BLITZ!

[fuzzpig]

Excuse me for shouting in the title :o

My house is utterly, completely hideous. As in, can't see the floor in the bedroom, no clear surfaces, can't find anything, falling over stuff hideous.

I've never been house proud but it's spiralled further and further as my mental health got worse, and then in 2011 my physical health followed :(

Apart from when I have flare ups of my condition(s) I have just about got used to keeping on top of the two biggest things, washing up and laundry. I am doing those now since DH started FT work a few months ago (he was unemployed due to being injured for a long time and is really struggling to adjust now). He does this on weekends and does the tidying up stuff but TBH it's like trying to bail out the Titanic with an egg cup. POINTLESS.

I seriously, really and truly can't handle this anymore. The mess is making me more ill and I'm totally disgusted that my DCs have to live with it. I just want to cry. Or burn it all (but then I panic at the thought of throwing stuff away).

Anyway. DCs are on summer holidays as of next Friday. I will hopefully be recovered from current virus as I REALLY need to tackle this. But I need to be careful as doing too much will make me more ill. I keep making the mistake of doing too much and then by the time I've gone to work as well, I've messed up the entire week because I've pushed my physical limit too far. I only work 12 hours but it's a very fine, precarious line.

I need some buddies for mutual support and motivation. HELP.

Right I'm back

My working week is over

To will be cleaning day

Done -

Put on a wash

That's it, sad

Right this is the first proper day of holidays here too, as the DCs were back at school yesterday for sports club.

I am getting there with the laundry - so hot here that a load of t-shirts dried in only a few hours! I am doing loads more today and DCs' put all their stuff away yesterday.

Kitchen is a mess but I'm ignoring that - DH is back in charge while I'm ill as this virus makes it hard to stand up long enough.

So today I'm starting the rest of my phase one plan. Piano music and DVDs/VHS/wii games in their new rightful places, hopefully chucking some stuff that is in those cupboards at the moment.

Don't be sad mumof3 it's a start! It's all I've actually done so far today too. What are you going to do next?

First loAd on the line.
Second load in.
Kitchen surfaces clean
Bin emptied
Recycling out

Great stuff mumof3!

I'm just checking in while I'm taking a breather (literally - dust and next door's smoke coming in the window is making me wheezy).

Got a wash ready to hang out as soon as the current lot is dry, one side of the big unit is cleared out and I'm gradually putting music back in, trying to decide on some stuff to get rid of (soooo hard with sheet music even though there's lots I don't play these days!). Cupboard under telly is now ONLY for the DVD books, those are in there and there's exactly enough space for another one of the biggest books (which we will need at some point in the future - we are big collectors of DVDs!), I've cleaned out the little drawer and once it's dry I'll gather remotes etc to store in it.

I now have the problem of where to put the stuff in the bigger cupboard and big drawer in the TV unit...

Can I join? First day of the holidays today and the first proper day I've spent in my house for ages! Finally realised how messy it all is and needs a whole house declutter.

I'm a horder and a lot of it is the kids baby things etc I don't want to throw out incase or old toys I can't let go of!

I have the whole house to myself for a few days and would like to blitz it.... Any tips for throwing out?

I know the tips for decluttering are if it's not useful, necessary or precious you should get rid but I keep stiff 'incase'.
First room is dd2s

Welcome! :o

Aaaargh I totally understand the keeping 'just in case' - it's so hard not to think of all the possible scenarios isn't it? What stops me is the thought of me needing it at some arbitrary point in the future and kicking myself for having thrown it away.

One popular tip is to box up a load of stuff (say, your DCs' toys that you aren't sure about) and write a future date - anything from 1 to 6 months - and tape it up. If by the date on the box you haven't needed to open it, or the DCs haven't asked for anything inside it, then you can safely get rid.

I've never been organised enough to try it myself though

I love that tip! Thank you, I think I might try that!!

I've done half a room! Filled one bin bag! Wardrobe next!

Yay progress already :o well done!

I am actually feeling motivated today. Bit more tidying to do then I will take the DCs for a scoot/bike ride I think, we could do with some more fresh air!

Oh and the other thing I've done while emptying the shelves for our DVDs etc is designate a large bag for paperwork. Any old bank statements, bills, HMRC stuff etc is going straight in there for DH and I to go through together.

Sounds like you're doing well fuzzpig!

I'm sure I remember chatting to you on MN about 5/6 years ago but I've no idea what about or what my username used to be! It may not have been you, but I'm sure your name is familiar!

I've had a late lunch break and am going under her bed next. She has three big boxes full of crap that I've wanted to Keep but she never plays with so am going to try and be ruthless

Thanks glasto :)

I'm thinking that wasn't me though, since I have only been on MN

Urgh

Dc have been split up here. Constant play fighting.

Headache

And the baby is teething

I still managed to -

Clean out pets
Put away washing
Do pots
Clean sink, toilet & mop bathroom (I forgot the bath don't ask how because I don't know)

Yes, this was my first day of summer holiday duty, hopefully the next six weeks will not be the same!

Kitchen looks half clean and tidy

Most of washing is put away

Dc2 has tidied the living room for me

So not too horrific

Sounds like everyone is doing really well
We were out most of the day, but I still managed to get motivated and clean the bathroom and tidy the living room (my FIL was coming round, and the bathroom was too shameful for even family to see )
Not sure what I'm going to do tomorrow, maybe organise a drawer or two

I have so much to do and feel so demotivated. I haven't got to be accountable to anyone for the next few days, no children to feed and bath and amuse etc and instead of making the most of my time I did 1st dd's room and relaxed rest of the day. I have all day tomorrow and may even get my mum over to help!

Anyone got any good motivators?

I've not done anything today - we've been out in the sunshine, which is good too.

Morning all

Up at 6 with little grumpy dd. she is now fed and dressed. I've just filled the sink and put on the washer. Now need cup of tea number two

I have shopping being delivered this morning
Need to go out to pick up some bits too
Older dc have a play date later

My DCs are early risers too. Even yesterday after a reeeeally late night on Thursday they were up at 7 (still a lie in by their standards )

Glasto it's hard isn't it, it feels impossible to know where to start when it's all a mess!

Not sure how much I'll get done today as have work and the theatre later :)

I think after completing the random mishmash of stuff that is Phase One, I'll need to focus on our bedroom, with DH's help. It's too dusty in there and it makes it hard to sleep :(

(Because it makes me cough I mean. It's an embarrassment, how bad it is :()