Dropped the Ball

This week I really dropped the ball. It was a stressful week with Annie home after her dental surgery and then I had one or both boys home over three days with a vomiting virus. My second Uni assignment was due on Friday. So despite my plan to relax a little more I was really stressed.

But what I did get done was a cart that has been used for homework items for years. It's gone! It had become more of a junk holder and it only took me 20 minutes, a job I was certain would take a few hours. So bit by bit as I look around the house all those little annoying jobs are getting done. I also handed in my second Uni assignment, which I have to say would never have happened if it wasn't for my wonderful daughter who helped me and pushed me kicking and screaming.

This weekend I made a list of all the jobs I want to get done before Ian's birthday at the end of August. It's a very long list and includes lots of little jobs and some really big ones i.e. washing down all the railings on the back deck. I have 52 jobs to do in 32 days! As well as that I have my regular housework and four Uni assignments due in that time. But, Uni has to come first, that and my regular housework of course. So my goal is to get my jobs done, my assignments handed in on time and not get stressed. A big challenge but I can do it, if I speak nicely to myself and tell myself 'I can do it' rather than the nagging voice that says 'what were you thinking'. Doing a prep course for Uni is challenging. I actually started it two years ago and then Dad died a few weeks in and I pulled out of the course. It really is a hard course but it does prepare you well for the challenges of university. So here I am again! Wish me luck!

What a Week!

I have to say that last week was very stressful! Planning out my schedule last Sunday and then realising on Tuesday that I had to do five days work in four as my daughter was having surgery on Friday, add to that Kylie and her husband stayed over on Wednesday night and my mum came and stayed a night as well, to say that I was stressed is an understatement.

Having said all that, gosh I got a lot done! I got both my bathrooms and laundry scrubbed from top to bottom, including walls and I got two kitchen draws cleaned out as well as all the regular housework. I also planted up some herbs and a few veges and flowers. So I'm proud of myself, I did well. I do however know myself and I pushed myself a little to hard and my body paid for it. So my goal for this coming week is to get everything done on my lists but to TRY and relax a little more and not push myself quite so hard.

A few weeks ago I enrolled in a University Preparation course for 13 weeks. It's full time so it's adding quite a bit of stress with assignments due almost every week. So lots of study this week as well.

Annie (my daughter) came through her surgery (four wisdom teeth removed) with no problems and the first 24 hours she was fine. However, by this morning her face had swelled up like a bruised balloon and she's calling herself Mrs Potato Head, she has used up almost all of her pain killers but fortunately I've got some left over from my back injury a few weeks ago to get her through the night tonight until we can get another script from the surgeon tomorrow. So she is in a lot of pain and feeling pretty miserable, still she is a great patient and hasn't complained at all. She has the week off work to recover which it looks like she's going to need. She starts her semester of Uni on Thursday night so we're hoping she is recovered enough to not miss her first lecture.

On the last note I'm happy to say that my 'clean up after yourself' nagging is paying off and the house that often looks like a bomb on the weekend and takes me forever to put back in order Sunday night or Monday morning looks great! My husband kept the kitchen tidy all weekend (he cooks on weekends) and the boys have been putting their stuff away after using it. So tomorrows work load is significantly reduced compared to a 'normal' Monday morning. Should be able to fly through the house in the morning and get some study done as I'm very nervous about a big assignment due Friday!

Hope you all have a great week!

Starting to Fly

I've been working really hard over the last two weeks and it is really starting to pay off. The first thing I did was set up my control journal as recommended on Fly Lady, now I've been working it for a week I'm starting to adapt it a little better to suit my needs and lifestyle. Whilst I'm a long way from where I want to end up with the decluttering, I still haven't touched the cupboard that got me started on this whole challenge but I know I'll get to it. My house is looking great and is visitor ready every day of the week and I've managed to do a number of little things that have been bugging me for months. I'm working to lists, because I'm a person who works best that way and I don't have to try and think about what else I need to do, I just pick something from the list, depending on how much energy I have or how much time I want to spend.

One of the things that constantly amazes me is how much you can get done in a short period of time. In 15 minutes every morning, I make my bed, have a shower, clean my shower, vanity and toilet, get dressed and do all my girly things. By the time I get back from school drop off (takes me 30 minutes) I've made all the beds, cleaned the kitchen, done a load of washing, cleaned main bathroom and toilet and tidied up the living area and I don't feel rushed, even though reading it, it sounds that way.

I feel more in control of not only of my house but my life and especially my emotions. I've been very emotional and teary this past week as it's coming up to my Dad's birthday and the anniversary of his death, it will have been 2 years. But because I have kept myself busy and my mind challenged it has really helped me to not become overwhelmed with these emotions and end up really depressed.

I've also begun working on a full time university prep course, which I have to be honest and say is really hard and challenging. I managed to get in 4 hours of study today and I'm starting to get my study plan organised but that is a challenge in itself. But I guess the upshot of this whole challenge is that I feel productive and I have a sense of accomplishment, I can honestly say that I never would have been able to cope with even the idea of studying if it's wasn't for this challenge and Fly Lady.

15 Minute Challenge Update

Yes it's been a while since I've put up a post. Firstly I can tell you that the our first Grandchild is due on February 7th, 2010.

Now for an update on the challenge! I had an injury that has put my off my feet for about 10 days now. Initially I was on pretty strong pain meds and didn't do a thing but sleep, don't really remember much about the first 5 days. But this weekend I've been up and about just a little and I decided to really get organised! Last night I read a friends blog and she reminded me to be grateful for what I can do instead of worrying about what I can't and also to stop being so negative, which I think I've become lately.

So I've spent my time studying the FlyLady.net and I've made my control journal. It has taken me hours to do up new phone lists, address lists, daily plans, weekly plans and monthly plans. My printer has been running hot for most of the day! I've been printing off calendars for the next 12 months (very easy to do in Outlook) and all the things I need to keep myself nice and organised. I've always preferred to work to a routine but as I'm getting a little older and have some minor back issues it is harder to do a big clean in one day. I find I'm exhausted by the end and just don't enjoy it like I used to. With this new routine the work is spread out over the whole week so hopefully this will work better for me. I've still got lots more to do but I'm taking baby steps, I've got to back up my computer and photos and music and organise all my recipes to make weekly menu planning easier and I still need to do the all important birthday list. But with the kids on holidays I should get most of it finished this week.

I've also noticed that my Google Reader has gotten a little out of control with it reaching 1000+ in a matter of days, in fact twice last week I had to do mass deletes because I just couldn't get through the posts. I'm not sure why, I haven't started following lots more blogs or anything, maybe it's just everyone has been posting more frequently. The problem is when you spend a few hours a day reading your Google Reader and emails and generally surfing the net, that is a couple of hours I could be reading. So I've decided to seriously reduce my Internet time so that I can get lots more reading done. I have so many great books that I'm just dying to read at the moment.

Well that's all for me today. I'm just watching the first episode of Australian Dancing with the Stars 2009, it's one of my favourite shows! Hope all our US friends had a happy 4th of July! So how are you going with your 15 Minute Challenge?

This month on Queen of Happy Endings you could win Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran or Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. Check this blog post for all the details. International entrants welcome.

MIA

Whilst I have been 'Missing In Action', I haven't been idle. In fact, I've been working really hard on the challenge and organising everything in my life, from the house and my daily routine to my reading schedule.

I realised last week that I was really sick of cooking, then I started thinking about why because I've always loved cooking for my family. Then I figured out that I was bored, so time to get online and look at my favourite recipe site and find some new recipes. Not only have I been cooking new dinners but I've been baking 3 times a week as well, which the family is loving.

I've managed to stay on top of the housework and the washing and my blogging and have read 5 or so books in the last 2 weeks. Plus I've had my Mum stay over for a few days. So I'm feeling very organised and on top of everything! I'm also going to take the plunge and try online grocery shopping next week. I've done a lot of research and comparing prices etc, I've organised my menu in advanced and chosen the company I'm gong to use. So this will also be something new and if it works out will make life a little bit easier.

So how are you all going with your personal challenge?

Cleaning Tip

Shannon Lush suggests in her book Speed Cleaning that you should have a cleaning bucket containing everything you need for cleaning in any room of the house. Now I could never possibly fit everything into one bucket as I'm one of those people that has lots of cleaning products in every room of the house. For the last couple of weeks since the challenge started I have been trying to use the greener options i.e. bicarbonate soda and vinegar. We are all different and have our preferences so here is what I put in my bucket.

• Roll of paper towel. I use paper towels to clean my toilets so that I can dispose of them easily.
• A special glass cloth, that requires no chemicals. You just put a little water on one section of the cloth. I've been using one of these for a few years and love it, it works on all glass surfaces including TV's etc. You just wash it in the machine every now and again.
• A bottle of vinegar and bicarb. That I will use cleaning drains, dishwasher etc.
• A spray bottle of bleach and water. Now I tried using vinegar and bicarb to clean the toilets but I hated the toilet smelling of vinegar. For me my toilets don't smell clean unless they smell like bleach. So that's what I use it for.
• Wooden furniture polish and cloth.
• Rubber gloves, which should help prevent chemical damage to my hands that keep peeling.
• Cleaning cloth.
• My enjo heavy duty cleaning cloth.

With this bucket I can pick it up and take it to every room in the house and do quick or heavy cleans. It's easy to see what I need when I'm doing the shopping list and it's not heavy or hard to carry. Now I can get rid of all the products I have sitting around the house in cupboards, which will also give me some more space and I will have de-cluttered some more cupboards.

How's Your 15 minutes Going this Week?

This week more than any other I have been surprised by how much you can do in 15 minutes. This week the task I set myself was to do the ironing, which I had almost 3 baskets. Now I have to mention that I have one of those Clothes Steamers that is used to iron clothes while they are hanging, so it is a lot faster than traditional iron (which means I have no excuse for 3 baskets).

Yesterday I decided I would do the basket of denim clothing i.e. jeans and denim shorts because I had to use my normal iron for that. So I got everything ready, made sure the iron was full of water and fully heated when I started the timer. Well I got 8 pairs of jeans done in 15 minutes, I couldn't believe it and since I only had 3 or 4 items left, I finished it. I was genuinely shocked! I just couldn't believe I could get that much done in 15 minutes. Today I used the steamer and ironed 12 shirts in 15 minutes. I should have it finished tomorrow. Then I may have a couple of things to do on Friday morning from this weeks washing. But I will have done it easily, even though when I set myself the task I didn't think I'd get it finished. Yesterday I also got the boys cupboards done, so all the clothes have been packed up and ready for goodwill.

All this and it's only Tuesday! So what can you do in 15 minutes? It really is such a small amount of time and therefore easy to commit to. Everyone can do 15 minutes a day!

It was a Good Week

I surprised myself with the amount I got done this week. I filled three big bags with clothes to go to charity, I still have the linen closet to do and my youngest son has grown out of a couple of things so I'll do his draws this coming week. I forced myself to be ruthless and it was hard but I feel much better now it's done.

As well as get my room done I packed everything I need for scrapbook camp next weekend. Sheree and I had decided we needed to take much less stuff than we normally do. So I went and bought a smaller container and I packed and I'm quite sure that I have everything I will need. I've also put photos onto a memory stick to go and get printed and I've printed out all the sketches I want to use. All I have left to do is pack my clothes and toiletries.

This week I really need to get the ironing done and get the house cleaned. I did most of the washing today and folded it late this afternoon so it was done and out of the way. Tomorrow that will just leave the house cleaning, although my 23 year old daughter is still sick with a flu virus (might have to take her to Doctors), she went out with me today to do a couple of things and kept getting dizzy and was exhausted and she had to keep sitting down. She is very upset about it because she wants to go back to work. Now my teenage son is getting it so I'm hoping he will be alright tomorrow because the boys have Tuesday off due to the teacher's strike. But I'm not holding out much hope, I think he may need a trip to the doctors and antibiotics as well, the coughing is terrible and sounds awful. My youngest son had it a two weeks ago but so far Ian and I haven't had it!

So back to the challenge for this coming week. I'm thinking I'm going to try ironing, sounds crazy doesn't it? I have 2 full baskets of ironing, can I possibly get it done in 15 minutes a day? I'm going to give it a go. I've also continued to use the washing formula and when I folded all the clothes tonight, again, everything was clean. I've also put bay leaves on all the shelves in the pantry, so hopefully I wont see moths again. Well that's my update.

Pantry Tip

About six weeks ago I discovered that I had moths in my pantry and they had gotten into everything. I had to throw out hundreds of dollars worth of food. I cleaned the whole pantry (that wasn't every untidy or dirty) and I sprayed the cupboard. Now every now and then I find a moth in the pantry so I check everything and spray again. So here's the pest free answer!

Pantry Tip: If you want to keep moths out of your pantry place a bay leaf (fresh or dry) every 60cm around your shelves. The lauric acid in bay leaves both repels moths and stops them breeding.

Washing Tip

I don't know about you but I spend a fortune on washing powders and soakers. I have a front loader and that has reduced my costs and I was told by my repairman to never ever use fabric softener. So I've recently begun using the following products and reduced amounts of washing powders. Now before I started doing this I was have to soak all of my husbands work clothes and half my boys clothes every day. I no longer do any soaking at all and I have had every item come out spotless.

Washing Tip: Cut the recommended dose (according to the box) in half. So if it recommends one full scoop, use no more than a half, less if the load isn't a full one, it doesn't matter if you have a top loader or front loader. In every wash add half a scoop of an oxygen bleach that is colourfast, in Australia we have a product called Vanish NapiSan In Wash & Soaker OxyAction Intelligence Stain Remover, it's in a big bright pink container and it is what I use. Also add a scoop (1/2 cup) of bicarb of soda, all three products go in together. Then lastly add 1/2 cup of vinegar as your fabric softener, must go into the same place that your fabric softener would (check your manual). I was really nervous about adding the vinegar because I hate the smell but I can assure you nothing comes out smelling like vinegar, it comes out clean and soft. The benefit of using the bicarb and vinegar is that they help clean the pipes in your washing machine, which will also prolong it's life.

Washing Tip: For tough stains, including grease or body odour mix up a paste with the Napysan Oxy wash and water to the consistency of peanut butter and apply to stain and leave for 15 minutes then add to a heavy wash load.

So try it and let me know how you go. I have been using this system for 2 weeks and I think it's great. I'd also recommend washing all your clothes in separate colours i.e. whites, coloureds, red, brown and blacks and sheets and towels. I also do a heavy wash and a light wash.

Speed Cleaning by Shannon Lush

The book Speed Cleaning by Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming is the reason that I decided to start this challenge. Shannon has a new show that's started on cable TV in Australia called Lush House and in it she teaches people to de-clutter and how to speed clean. I'm going to put up tips from this book to help those of you that are de-cluttering like me.

Tip: Assemble all you need before you get started on your 15 minutes. Use a timer that has an alarm that goes off at the end of your 15 minutes. If you are doing cupboards in a room, make sure the room is tidy before you start, this will make it easier. Have a clear goal before you get started i.e. 2 draws or 1 shelf in cupboard etc. If possible try and do it every day around the same time, as this helps to develop the habit.

15 Minute Challenge Update

Have you started the challenge? How did you go this week? I have to be honest and admit that I didn't do the cupboard that I planned on doing. I did do other things that needed to be done, such as organising my laundry to use the Speed Cleaning system in the book. I also made my bed everyday just so that I could set the tone. Yes, I'm admitting that I don't always make my bed, shock and horror, my mother would be horrified! But I made it every day this week, I also got some big bags that I can use when I do my wardrobe and I have already put a few things in them that don't fit the kids as I was folding washing this week. I have two boys who will just wear whatever they grab out of the cupboard and if it's a little on the small side, oh well! So I started removing things from the washing. Getting prepared this week was a good exercise because I'm actually excited about doing my wardrobe.

Okay, here is a little catch up on how everyone is doing so far:

Kjirsten has put up her first challenge post. Check it out here. Kjirsten is exercising for her challenge.

Wendy has also put up her challenge post and she is going to read to her kids which I think is wonderful. Check it out here.

Sheree has done a fantastic job this week and made huge progress in her challenge. Check out her post here. Sheree is de-cluttering for her challenge.

Scrap Girl has put up her first post here is and also de-cluttering her cupboards and draws, just like me.

Deanna is spring cleaning for her challenge, check it out here and she is also following Simple Mom which has some great ideas if you are cleaning or de-cluttering so go and have a look at that one as well.

Debi has created a blog especially for this challenge, which I think is fantastic and commitment, check it out here. Debi is also de-cluttering.

Well I think that is everyone who's put up there first post. I have visited all of your blogs to see how you're going and I will do that every week and I'll put up a weekly progress post. Don't forget to leave a comment when you've put up a post about the challenge. This week I will start posting tips from Speed Cleaning and I will put up a give-away that will be drawn half way through the challenge. Good luck and let us know what you're plan for this week. Go check out everyone's blogs and cheer them on, become a follower so it's easy to support each other.

Blog Tip: Did you know that if you are logged into blogger there is a new button at the top between 'flag blog' and 'next blog' that says 'follow blog' it automatically makes you a follower and add the blog to your google reader.

My Action Plan

It's a public holiday today and since I'm not going to do my 15 minute a day challenge on weekends I haven't done it today because technically it's a weekend. So as you already know from previous posts my challenge is going to be to tackle the clutter in my cupboards. It amazes me that when my children were little I had no clutter and I've been thinking about how it got away from me, and it's one word, 'Mackenzie', my forth child, a son! When he was born I really became time poor and then when he was one I started a business which I had for around 6 years. He is now 10, so it's time to get my act together.

Now since the whole idea of doing this challenge is to get on top of something that bothers you, I have been thinking about where I should start. I could start in my room because I really need to go through all my clothes but I'm happy to put that off for at least another week or two and I also know which job I'll do last because I don't even like the idea of facing it (a cupboard full of scrap stuff). So I'm going to go with the hall cupboard, not the linen closet (I have two hall cupboards) the large cupboard in the hall that's full of 'stuff'. It doesn't have a lot of junk in it, just stuff that needs to be sorted and organised and I've been wanting to do it for a while. If I do 15 minutes a day I think I should have it finished by the end of the week. Then next week I'll do the kitchen, I have a few cupboards that I want to move around, they have been annoying me for 6 months.

So I've got my timer ready and I know where I'm going to start. I will post every few days and let you know how I'm going and I will put up tips. Also each time I put up a post for this challenge I will use the small button on this post. Each time you put up a post on your blog about the challenge leave a comment on my latest post and we can all go and read it as well. What are you doing for your first 15 minutes and when are you starting?

Recession Busters

Meaning: recession is a general slowdown in economic activity in a country over a sustained period of time.

In my house we've been having a 'housework' recession, it's not the general housework, I get that done just fine. For me, it's mostly the clutter that has slowly built around the place. It's hiding in cupboards, drawers, on top of cupboards. Now some people would look around my house and think it's not that bad, but if I showed them inside a couple of large cupboards they might be shocked.

Yes I have my reasons, I had 2 quarters in an emotional down turn and I just haven't been able to recover. The point is, the clutter has been bothering me for a while now, but I just didn't know where to start and the job seem overwhelming so I've just put it off.

Last night I watched a new show on Foxtel (cable TV) called Lush House, it's on the Lifestyle channel. Australian author Shannon Lush teaches families to clean their house in 15 minutes a day! Easy? Well not exactly, before you can use Sharon's techniques you have to declutter. My problem is not keeping the house tidy or cleaning, which I do once a week on a Monday, it's that the clutter in my cupboards, that is hiding prevents me from enjoying the clean house feeling because I know that I need to do the places you can't see.

So what to do?

Run a challenge of course!

Feel free to check it out here. Sign up with me to beat your own recession (whatever that may be).

The 15 Minute Challenge

On my reading blog I have had great success in accomplishing my goals by participating in reading challenges. So, inspired by Shannon Lush and her book Speed Cleaning, I'm going to publicy challenge myself to declutter my home in 15 minute sessions per day over the next 3 months and you can join me!

The idea is quite simple. What one thing could you do for 15 minutes each day that would have the biggest impact on how you feel about yourself and your life? I will use this challenge to motivate myself to declutter however as an example, you could exercise, catch up on ironing, work on a life goal (such as writing or researching a topic), have dinner together with your family, read to your child, read the bible, pray, practise visualisations or meditate. It really can be anything. You just need to find something that you are currently not doing that bothers you.

To join this challenge follow these instructions:

• Sign up with Mr Linky below.
• Put the challenge button on your blog. If you don't have a blog then just join us by adding comments to this post.
• Put a post on your blog (or comment here) telling us what your personal 15 minute challenge is and why you are doing it.
• At least once a week, do a blog post or comment here, to tell us how you are going.
• I also encourage you to put up tips on your blog that might help others, whatever your personal challenge is.
• Please go and support other who are participating in the challenge and cheer them on.