Mumsnet Makeover (or who would like to give me a swift kick up the..)

[JJ]

Ok, the rest of my house is messy also, but there is one room which is doing my head in. It's a multipurpose room (ironing, our clothes are there, has a freezer...) and has never ever been organised. We moved here over a year and a half ago and just throw our junk in there.

So.. help me please! I've tried FlyLady (it's not for me, but I do like breaking things into 15 minute bursts) and other things, but... it's still a mess.

It'd be a great room, too -- nothing needed except some organisation.

Hello Mummysurfer

I like the idea of this approach BUT I cant just do one room today as Im getting house ready for friend to come round at lunch time so I'll have to do lots of 15 minute bursts!

Ive just put wash on, done dishes, sterilised bottles, put dishcloths to soak in bleach now back here

my downstaris is almost perfect - 23 out-laws arriving for family get-together at noon!
but upstairs ---hmmm well.

it works becca, go now, set the kitchen timer for 15 mins and tidy tidy tidy.

see you back here in 15 mins

The one room is in addition to the normal (or abnormal, in my case) cleaning / straightening. For a day like today, BR, I'd tell myself I'll do 30 minutes tomorrow or just pop into the room and grab 15 things for the bin.

I do my daily straightening in 15 minute increments too! It's such a long time to clean, but such a short time to have for a break online....

Wow, mummysurfer! Hope today goes well.

did 10 mins then -
took oven gloves out of washer into dryer,
put swimming stuff in washer
opened curtains
put away mega wooden train track
tidied away yesterddays papers
plumped up cushions
made cuppa

back on here to drink it

Had to break for breakfast and cuppa

I have

Grabbed all the stuff that doesnt belong in kitchen and relocated to stairs
Put things away from the benches
Done the dishes
Made DS breakfast

Its a bloody nightmare doing this when I have DS (8mths) around - what would take me 15 minutes to do on my own is turning into hours !

how are you doing becca?

Good!

Ds down for a nap and DD up helping me "beat" the sofa cushions as we speak!

Ive finished the kitchen except for floor and almost done in the living room.

Another load of washing in too

Ive got loads done - the 15 min thing definitely works

How you getting on?

just given the downstairs loo the final clean
dh has decided the grass needs cutting - aagghhh
off for a shower now

forgot to add - like this bit too, knowing someone else is doing like wise, comparing notes etc.
what time is your friend coming?

how did you get on becca?

hi!!!!! forgot to check this thread!! I decided to work on one room at a time because my front room is a disgusting messy heap have thrown out tons of stuff--- more than 5 bags full and this from the most hording horder imaginable!! It looks better already!!I was soooo happy to find this thread and the fly laddies cos my house is in distress and It felt so intimidating. I felt like I needed some set pattern type thing and there it was.

I must sound like a right messy so-and-so but having a baby and a kid (and a dh) and breast feeding is so unpredictable that i start something and have to stop.

BTW meant to say I'm joining you all again.

Message withdrawn

Mummysurfer - sorry didnt reply, friend turned up and i went out!

Im really impressed with this system though, got my house looking really good with little effort - I think its motivating me to get off my arse and do something even if I only have 5 minutes spare as I always think "oh havent got time to do whole house so wont bother with anything"

only room left to do today is DD's - more than one 15 minute burst required there though

off to work today so no housework.
last night did 15 mins and managed to get both kids rooms into a better shape.
this thread is certainly motivating me.
champs - sounds like you are actually enjoying it.
becca - our bedroom maybe like your dd's, ours needs 15 days not 15 mins.

fly lady gets some things right, 5 mins is better than 0 mins and cleaning it badly is beter than not cleaning it. whereas that daft cow with the fluffy gloves - maggie/aggie/naggie/baggie - whatever she's called, says you must clean it thoroughly

our bedroom was much the same but I have managed to conquer that the last week or so and even got my wardrobes (previously a total war zone) into good order

i do very little housework on work days so my house ends up warzone by friday night - (i work wed, thurs, fri) i think ill start making myself do 15 mins a night on work nights to keep on top of it

I'm enjoying throwing things out! It's almost alarming...

You guys sound like you're doing great -- very motivating (and guilt inducing )

Off to find some more stuff to bin.

Br I hope its not an effin mess or I will bea roind

It's not!! Its sparkling Mam honestly!! I had just let slip very temporarily

Ive been hoovering round children and wiping on first sign of much which makes a big difference and

DRUM ROLL

I have got on top of my washing for the first time (no kidding) since I moved out of home when I was 18 - I normally have loads sitting round waiting to be done and now I just have what has been worn that day!!

had a slight relapse, christening organising has taken priority, will go off mn in a min and do some more tidying.

i'm afraid i've slipped.
saturday everything was ship-shape downstairs, now downstairs is shit-shape!!
very little washing to do but loads and loads of ironing

afraid i haven't restarted either!!! tomoro without fail.

Wow BR, my laundry room is a pit... I had to spend a chunk of time this morning cleaning laundry detergent out of the dryer. My youngest helpfully loaded it for me.

I've just done some cleaning and have the back of the car full of styrofoam to take to the recycling place.

Does anyone else feel like they spend their days putting out fires (cleaning up messes like the laundry det in dryer or destinkifying the kitchen after son has been playing with the fish sauce) and not getting any "real" cleaning done?

champs and ms, how goes it? When's the christening?

sunday!!!