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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Pre-Christmas House Princessing

138 replies

RoseyPeas · 31/10/2019 10:36

Is there a thread about sorting out house for Christmas?

We had been planning a quiet Christmas and now have relatives coming and while I'm excited to be hosting, the house needs a lot of TLC.

So I want somewhere to record my house and garden princessing achievements. It may be some decluttering, some cleaning, bits of DIY, and eventually doing Xmas decs. Anyone else need motivating?

Yesterday I finished curtain repairs and rehung curtains.
Today I'm aiming to put bark chips mulch on beds in front garden.

OP posts:
cikecaka · 31/10/2019 16:02

How did you get on Rosey? I like the sound of this, have 3 I'll DC so very little getting done.

Original poster
RoseyPeas · 31/10/2019 16:51

Hi cike
Well I procrastinated on putting the bark down (bought it a while ago) but I've done it!! Took me about 25 mins and worth doing to keep garden looking nice.

Need to get another couple of bags and do the same again. Won't be tomorrow as I have visitors coming, but I will definitely do it!

Need to think of a bit of house princessing that I can do in the dark (when visitors gone)!

Hope your DC are on the mend - it's so hard when they are I'll

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Llamallamadingdong · 01/11/2019 01:43

Ooh I’m definitely interested, we live in a state of constant chaos and if I don’t get my shit together there will be no room to put up a tree. I also have a garden which is a tip and various little DIY jobs that would be nice to finish before Christmas guests arrive.

Onthebrink67 · 01/11/2019 08:29

I’m in though working full time at the moment so in the week it will have to be things I can do inside. On today’s list is clearing the bookcase in the dining room of the piles of stuff that accumulate there and making a list of all the different lightbulbs in the house and checking we have spares.

cikecaka · 01/11/2019 10:57

Meeting a friend for lunch today but before I go, will tidy sitting room. Will start on kitchen where I get back

Original poster
RoseyPeas · 01/11/2019 17:05

Sitting room AND kitchen in one day cike? That's above and beyond Grin

Hello Llama, I can completely relate to "constant chaos". I had been a bit too relaxed about housekeeping, thinking that we weren't hosting, so now I'm aiming for organised chaos.

Hi Brink - re lightbulbs - every light in our house seems to take a different bulb!! I have delegated lightbulb buying to DP Smile

So today I managed to cut one side of a hedge before the daylight faded, quite pleased with myself as I didn't expect to get an outdoor job done.

I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying tidying up the garden!

Well done to everyone who makes an effort to princess the house and garden - it's only for a few weeks, but every little helps!

OP posts:
Llamallamadingdong · 01/11/2019 17:42

Checking in to report that some princessing has been achieved today- DD wanted more room to play in her bedroom. She had the bright idea of taking all of her toys to the spare room so she could have use it as a “toy store”.

I said no. And she subsequently went through her books and got rid of several which she no longer reads. She also parted with some barbies. It’s a win!

Of course I do have to get the bag downstairs and into my car then take it to a charity shop...

Chottie · 01/11/2019 18:25

Hello and I would love to join you.

I will have a full house at Christmas Xmas Smile and a good sort out now would mean a relaxing countdown to Christmas.

Elenorrigbywoes · 01/11/2019 20:14

I have started my preparation today. I booked a painter and got my bedroom done. It feels great - I cleared everything out and gave it a good clean before he started. I have put everything back in its place bar the curtains as I have to iron them. Our room has been neglected recently and it feels great to have that sorted.
I also got the upstairs landing painted and it is lovely and fresh. I feel I have made a good start but I have a lot more to do so I'll join and follow this thread.

Original poster
RoseyPeas · 02/11/2019 08:23

Result Llama!!

Hello to Chottie and Elenor!

Chottie - that's my motivation too - I dream of a relaxing Christmas Grin, but feeling pride in my house, rather than hating it.

Elenor - I bet it feels lovely and fresh.

It's pouring with rain here so my garden.princessing is not going to happen. But I have decided to tackle...

My bedroom. I keep trying to declutter it. Time to take a black bag up and be ruthless.

OP posts:
Llamallamadingdong · 02/11/2019 09:34

No hands on princessing for me this weekend as I’m travelling to attend a funeral but I’ve made a list of my house/garden goals pre-Christmas:

  1. Find a painter to paint bathroom and all ceilings
  2. Fix the broken handle of the downstairs loo
  3. Make some Christmas decs.
  4. Tidy the garden (move the pile of scrap wood, plant some nice winter flowers to stop the planters looking depressing)
  5. Continue the epic declutter, the loft in particular needs to be blitzed.

Anyone else have a goals list yet?

DanceMonkeyDanceMonkey · 02/11/2019 09:50

Now I like this idea. My house is in chaos due to various projects at the moment, but I am itching to get it sorted and princessed Grin

Would like to get the bathroom painted.
Declutter kitchen cupboards.
Check lightbulbs.
Buy candles.
Decide on colour scheme for decorations - I had the living room redecorated earlier this year.

chilledteacher · 02/11/2019 09:50

Ooh can I join. My list of fix me ups/repairs is long and will be way in to the new year before we even feel the impact so we are focussing in decluttering/little fixes etc.
Between work and 2 big kids and the baby, my to do list for the next week is:

  1. Get WiFi fixed (which will make Christmas visitors happy)
  2. Replace smoke alarm which is still chirping even with a new battery
  3. Declutter baby's wardrobe and get outgrown clothes moved on.
user1483387154 · 02/11/2019 09:53

what is princessing? cleaning and decorating or something else?

Elenorrigbywoes · 02/11/2019 12:00

The painter rang me yesterday evening to say that his job for today was cancelling and would I like to get two more rooms done today. In a moment of madness I agreed! Busy night putting things back and then sorting out the two rooms for today. I'll be tired this evening but hopefully it will be worth it.
I'm considering doing a carboot sale as I have a lot of items in a pile. Has anyone done one - what sells well? Is it worth the effort? I have a lot of baby clothes.

ChicCroissant · 02/11/2019 12:10

I'm in!

IVEgotthePUMPKINS · 02/11/2019 12:33

29 days til 1st December

riotlady · 02/11/2019 12:39

I’m in! I’ve been on placement and the house has gotten into a proper state. We are halfway through doing up our bedroom so have gotten rid of the old drawers and not assembled the new ones and it’s a total tip, you can barely see the floor Blush

ChicCroissant · 02/11/2019 14:17

Some bedrooms have a floordrobe all the time riotlady, luckily it doesn't show up in selfies your children may put on instagram. I'd imagine. Not that I'd know this myself, of course ...

actionpacked · 02/11/2019 15:16

Oh I definitely need this thread!

I will be back later with my list to remind myself

shreddednips · 02/11/2019 17:07

Please can I join? We have a houseful for Christmas and it's going to be a squish. Desperately need to declutter the sitting room, dining room and main bedroom. And clear out wardrobes which are overflowing with stuff we never wear Halloween Blush

Original poster
RoseyPeas · 02/11/2019 17:16

Sorry to hear about the funeral Llama. Well done for any house princessing.
I haven't got a goals list as I often make lists and feel overwhelmed by how much I have to do. So I'm taking it one day at a time and deciding in the morning what I'll be doing.

But I do like reading other people's lists! And I'm sure I'll have to make one nearer the big day!

Wow Elenor! At this rate you'll be done by mid November!!

Welcome to all - looking forward to reading about all your victories!

OP posts:
Original poster
RoseyPeas · 02/11/2019 17:17

Forgot to say that the weather wasn't too bad after all, so I finished cutting front hedge, so at least it gives the impression that the house is cared forGrin

OP posts:
Lunafortheloveogod · 02/11/2019 17:18

There’s a name for this madness!

Last year we put new flooring down in the living room and repainted.. everywhere over the ghastly wallpaper.. and built up ds1’s nursery.
(The year before was a reno job so it wasn’t going to be round two)

This year I’m baby proofing.. ds1 is at the almost crawling stage, turning the spare room into dc2’s nursery.. we didn’t hang about/maybe were gluttons for punishment, dp’s now removing the ghastly wall paper and replastering the house.. I mean besides 3 rooms loo kitchen n nursery 2 as they’re done. We’ve just finished with a new fence and roof.. and he’s already eyeballing the kitchen for more cupboards

I think I live with a Winchester..

Mumista · 02/11/2019 18:32

I'm in! No time or money for painting but I've cleared and cleaned a cluttered hallway shelf and cleaned out a kitchen cupboard that smells of firelighters thanks DH for storing them there.