Friday 18 May 2012

Just not enough......

Well its been so long since I last posted on my Blog.. Its been so busy around here.
I must let you into a couple of secrets ....
Firstly, I have been following my Daily Weekly Fortnightly household chores list and its been amazing the difference..
As I said in my last post, I thought I was organised, but writing it down and following the list, gives immense freedom..I say to myself when I am about to clean an area not on todays list "thats not on todays list". I then move onto what is on the list. The only thing that is still not under control is the Office. I am working on it though.

Secondly, Brid has increased her hours for Ballet, so with her Jazz and Itish Dancing it keeps us pretty busy in the afternoons. Her teachers Miss Kristy & Mr Rider are very happy with her progress, and are learning her aspirations.

Last week I did some research into shelving for our laundry.It clearly needed organisation, but what will what to do? After careful consideration I asked Dermot to come with me to investigate my research. We purchased the rails, the bands and all that was necessary for giving our laundry more storage and effieciency. I purchased a drying rack and several shelves, just enough to get my baskets and washing up off the appliances. We have our resident cat, Bailey, using the laundry, so we are unable to put anything at floor level. He needs room for his bedding and food etc. He doesn't climb so high shelving and washing baskets are safe from cat fur.

We helped a dear friend move into her new  home. Her first ever home that she will own.. We are so pleased for her. It was exhausting, but lots of fun, and having moved just in the last few years we knew a few tricks to help out on moving day..such as strip one room at a time once the all the furniture is gone, so it can then be placed in the similar room at the next house. Hanging clothes can be put straight into the wardrobes saving on sorting later.
So thats been our happenings and Its been  very busy time of late.

 

Wednesday 2 May 2012

encouragement night


Our Last encouragement night saw some 9 or so women listening to a very organised homeschool mum discussing,  organising your household chores whilst homeschooling.
Wow, I was pretty impressed.
I thought I was organised.! I just hadn’t written it all down.
It took me a few days to take in all the information and process it all. I wasn’t sure how to go about this but I knew I could use this information.
I began drawing up my chores list. My zoned areas. How will I break it down. Hmmm.
You see I use Enjo and its pretty easy cleaning a home with it. No chemicals just a cloth and water...after 20  years of nursing in intensive areas my hands could do with a break...
So where did I start. I worked out the zones- mine are kitchen, laundry, lounge, family, bedrooms, bathrooms, office, outdoor. I am not going to be able to break these all up into individual days because for us Sundays are not work days.
Firstly, I looked at the jobs required daily for each zone. Then worked out the extras I wanted to achieve each week, fortnight, month, 3 months, 6 months and yearly.
Once I had it all on paper, it seemed really easy. I have drawn up my lists and placed them n my pantry. I used Saturday to do a complete houseclean and with enjo, it was pretty easy. The longest task was vacuuming.
Monday saw me enjo mop. Tuesday was my ironing day. I was meant to dust the lounge area but it was just attended to, so I began on some long term projects- wash main bedroom window and wash the curtains. Looking sparkling.
It has been quite freeing, as I had in the past kept all my records in my head- now they are laid out on paper and I can tick them off as I they are completed. I liked that Tuesday is my ironing day. No other extra job and it got done.
I have Brid do a job or two for me outside instead of sitting reading for her break. It has made a difference to her concentration level.  Dermot is helping out as well.
I have set myself a task do all my jobs before I sit down for a morning tea break with Brid. It certainly has given our home order.
So thanks Mel for your great tips and ideas. I was totally overwhelmed on the evening, but we have embraced a new order in our home.