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Housekeeping

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Original poster

OK - enough of me skulking around feeling sorry myself.........

84 replies

ToccataAndFudge · 18/03/2010 17:32

I'm going to sort this bloody house out once and for all see here for what this is about

There will be before and after photos too (just so you don't think I'm exaggerating about the disaster zone that it currently is)

This moping around feeling sorry myself is doing me no good and I need to get it sorted.

I may end up talking to myself on the thread........don't feel you have to reply.......writing it on here is better than talking to the walls about how I'm doing.

First things first - out for fag and sort something for boys dinner - probably scrambled egg on toast.

OP posts:
Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 15:45

oh and I bought some Ben and Jerry's (was going to get some anyhow, then saw it was £2 off in the shop so even better) as a reward for myself later if I get a decent amount done.........

OP posts:
MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 19/03/2010 15:46

Good thinking

Enjoy the coffee. I am just off to finish my fridge. See you in a minute.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 15:48

it's the coffee I made before I went out (never got to dirnk it as DS3 had filled his nappy) reheated in the microwave .

Might put the coffee maker on later..........it's a bit of an electric guzzler when it's sat keeping it warm so will do it this evening so it's on for a shorter time.

OP posts:
MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 19/03/2010 16:42

That is just why I don't make hot drinks any more, I was fed up of only having a few sips out of a cup before had to deal with some thing or other with the DC's.

DC3 is potty training himself at the moment. He seems to be doing quite well, I have only had 3 solid accidents in the week and no wet ones.

Managed to finish the fridge, with help and I've done 3 draining boards of washing up. Just having a break before doing tea.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 16:58

I've just sat down for a break too.

Got some more of the kids books unpacked from a box that was upstairs, and some of the cookery books put in the kitchen, and emptied a box of my clothes that had been packed since I moved last summer...........now got all my fab dresses hung up in my wardrobe now..........whether I get to wear them anywhere anytime soon is another question

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MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 19/03/2010 17:00

You never know what is around the corner. You are doing a fab job btw.

I'm off to cook tea for 3 ill DC's who probably won't eat it.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 17:02

I need to cook dinner soon as well I think.

DS1 has just spent an hour tidying up 3 shelves of a bookcase with their books on (and I'll still need to finish sorting it later).

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GypsyMoth · 19/03/2010 17:08

Now you're on your own with the boys TAF maybe it's a good time to set them a regular chore each? My lot all have chores. And it helps ALOT as a lone parent.

My ds has just turned 2 marking the start of his learning about house stuff. He makes his little bed every morning.

We have main Saturday chores too. Older girls can iron, clean bathroom etc

boys are 11,7 and 2........ They clean paintwork, doors, kitchen floor, empty small bins etc.
Allmake their own beds..

They seem to enjoy it too and don't get pocket money unless done!

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 17:23

oh the all have their jobs they do and stuff they're expected to do (and they generally do it without too much nagging)........problem is that the current stuff doesn't really fit under any of their normal jobs

And DS3 is at that really awkward age........it's not just his height that makes people think he's already 3 heading towards 4, it's his communication and too brainy for his own good attitude. Problem is he is still only 2 and has that mentality for most things.

DS's just tried to pick up rubbish off the floor..........except that they've had to ask me whether to throw 1/2 of it away - as DS3 has been into things he shouldn't and chucked stuff I need to keep on the floor.

And he's going through a throwing stage........he's just chucked all the cars that DS1 and 2 tidied up all over the room >

Just sitting down with a coffee in here and leaving them all to it for a few minutes before I go and put dinner in the oven.

OP posts:
Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 17:34

and now DS1 has started with his strops and being horrible his brothers

FFS there goes the bribe out of the window........I thought me saying I'd get their Wii fixed (it's been broken for months) would be a pretty decent incentive - obviously not

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MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 19/03/2010 17:34

Yep! I get mine to tidy their bedrooms each night so they don't get in the same mess as they were. DC1 also does little jobs I ask him to. When the dining room is tidy of their crap then they will have to keep that tidy to.

We have just been through the chuck everything about stage with DC3. There is many a post on the flying thread about it. I am a fallen flyer at the moment, will be trying to get back to it next week.

Well the omlettes I cooked are still sat on their plates, that was a waste.

I hate it when people assume things about your DC when they have no idea. Drives me round the bend.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 19:19

not the best 2 hours.

I lost it with all 3 of them and yelled at them, not much done, other than burgers in buns........

Should have been bath night, not going to happen (Again) now as it's too late

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MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 19/03/2010 20:55

Ah! don't worry, mine have also been pushing my buttons (mainly because they are ill and DH is not here) and I started yelling at them, in the end I took my self off to the lounge and counted to 100.

Don't sweat the small stuff, tomorrow is another day.

Try and get some good sleep tonight and I will see you in hte morning.

Sweet dreams.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 22:29

I suppose...................I did try and come and hide in here (dining room/study) but they kept on following me .

Will try again (probably in vain tomorrow

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Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 19/03/2010 23:33

ok - a positive end to the day, just been doing my "end of month accounts"........and as a result logged into my old EON account (from the house I rented last year) and paid extra on top of my regular payment I've been making to clear it.

I also cleared the water from the same place (they screwed up on that one there's no way I used as much water as they said I did...........especially as no-one could find this mystery meter apart from them and apparently they read it 3 days before I did.......which is funny because when I opened where the meter would have been it was an absolute bugger to get off as it obviously hadn't been opened for a VERY long time).

Anyhow - this is a positive post - 2 debts cleared in the last 30 days

OP posts:
BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 20/03/2010 00:04

Hey Toccata, looks like you have had a productive day unlike me. Just to let you know, my previous offer still stands. Hope you have a good day tomorrow.

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 20/03/2010 00:46
OP posts:
Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 20/03/2010 10:14

ok I'm up

well got up about 45 minutes ago, woke up 3hrs ago......but let the DS's run riot for a while.........can't really call it a lie-in as everytime something happened I had to get out of bed to sort it.

I've actually eaten some cereal this morning (this is virtually unheard of me to have anything other than caffeine and nicotine to start my days, unless I'm staying somewhere)

Suppose I really ought to get dressed soon and try and get some more done

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Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 20/03/2010 12:25

have emptied 2 more boxes - mostly with paperwork, books, and "stuff to keep" (that's the only thing storage wise I still need to sort, want to get some boxes (nice ones) of some description that will fit A3 size stuff in so I can store all the boys school/special stuff in

My parents did that with me and my brother (except we had very boring cardboard boxes) and when we left home we were given the boxes and sorted through them ourselves to decide what we wanted to keep and what we didn't.

There was stuff in mine from when I was the DS's age that I still remembered vividly

Start filing all the paperwork as well. Still need to tackle my old filing box and sort that.......but will wait until I've got the other stuff done.

Dining room currently looks worse than when I started as there's papers spread everywhere as Im sortring them.

OP posts:
sb6699 · 20/03/2010 13:13

You're doing grand - and dont worry about the dining room, it always looks worse before it gets better.

I have sorted another bag of clothes that dc's have outgrown.

Have stopped for caffeine hit before I tackle the toys - I will need it!

Original poster
ToccataAndFudge · 20/03/2010 13:19

oh I know once I get all the plastic sheets in the folders and pick up all the rubbish I've just lobbed on the floor next to the table it'll look better. It's just that horrible "looks worse than it did" phase even though I know that I've made progress.

OP posts:
MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 20/03/2010 13:20

Well done Toccata.

I only have the boring brown boxes at the moment until we have some pennies.

Sometimes things do get worse before they get better, but at least you know you are headed in the right direction.

I've managed to get all the clotes on the stairs away, which I am chuffed about. You can actually walk up and down the stairs with out taking your life into your hands.

I've also managed to do 4 draining boards of washing up. I reckon only 2 more and it is all up together.

Done one lot of washing as well, which needs to go out and another lot put in.

Hope you have a good afternoon and manage to get lots done.

sb6699 · 20/03/2010 14:57

Have tackled the toys in DD's room. Have 2 full binbags of toys that are broken/have bits missing - you wouldnt believe there could be so much crap in such a tiny room.

Of the toys that are left, anything that can fit in the plastic tubs are in them so on moving day it will just be a case of lifting each tub.

I feel so much better now, that was one of the jobs I was really not looking forward to.

sb6699 · 20/03/2010 15:17

P.S. They had some lovely storage boxes in Matalan last time I was in.

MrsGokWantsatidyhouse · 20/03/2010 15:30

Thanks for the tip sb6699