If I didn’t know any better, I’d say I’m going into labor in about two weeks.
I have been on an organization, clean-up-this-house-if-it-kills-me kick for the past few days, probably spurred by the fact that the month of August was spent out gallivanting or hosting guests. In other words: The house was neglected.
As of this week, my dining room table was still piled high with last year’s homeschool curriculum and papers. The girls’ bedroom was a disaster, the kitchen table (aka “my office”) was littered with bills, papers, and CD’s to review.
And so, after the kids went to bed, instead of working, watching TV or talking to my husband, I started to organize. First was the dining room/school room. Then it was my kitchen table. This morning, the girls and I cleaned their bedroom. This weekend, the basement will feel my wrath. (Note to my husband: If there is anything you want to stay, you may want to bolt it down).
Also on my to do list: organize the hall closet which I’m afraid to open for all the blankets, comforters, towels and sheets stuffed in there; go through the clothes in the attic to see what fall clothes I can find; mail/drop off donations of clothes, toys, CD’s, books, etc.
Oh, and try to do something with these two monstrosities (they look so much worse in person):
They are the tops of the girls’ dressers, and they are awful. If anyone here has a good storage solution for all the minutiae my girls collect, please speak up. I’d like to sweep it all into a giant garbage bag (save for my original “Dusty” doll!), but I think my girls would smother me in my sleep if I did.
Once this is done, I should give birth to a (fairly) organized house by about October.
Can’t wait to meet the critter.
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My oldest is destined to be on Hoarders. He wants to keep every last scrap of paper that crosses his path and almost everything else, too.
We've solved this problem by giving him a collection box. It stays under his bed and he decides what he keeps. If he doesn't have room, he has to figure out what can go.
We also stay on him like white on rice to keep the rest of his room clean, offering to 'help' by putting everything in a trash bag if he doesn't do it himself. He has to do a quick clean-up almost daily and more in-depth organizing and cleaning about once a week.
Also, I'm all for natural labor but if I were you I'd get an epidural when birthing a house. I'm just sayin'…
My oldest is destined to be on Hoarders. He wants to keep every last scrap of paper that crosses his path and almost everything else, too.
We've solved this problem by giving him a collection box. It stays under his bed and he decides what he keeps. If he doesn't have room, he has to figure out what can go.
We also stay on him like white on rice to keep the rest of his room clean, offering to 'help' by putting everything in a trash bag if he doesn't do it himself. He has to do a quick clean-up almost daily and more in-depth organizing and cleaning about once a week.
Also, I'm all for natural labor but if I were you I'd get an epidural when birthing a house. I'm just sayin'…
You could try little bins to keep stuff in. So at least it isn't falling off all over the place.
M is just now old enough to really be forced in to cleaning up her room. It is hard, especially when I am not the best when it comes to clutter, and our room is a mess too.
You could try little bins to keep stuff in. So at least it isn't falling off all over the place.
M is just now old enough to really be forced in to cleaning up her room. It is hard, especially when I am not the best when it comes to clutter, and our room is a mess too.
Glad to see the top of the dressers! My kids are like that and no matter what I do, they always end up like that. I have pretty much given up on their rooms but it still drives me CRAZY! I wish I was in an organizing mood…I need to be!
Glad to see the top of the dressers! My kids are like that and no matter what I do, they always end up like that. I have pretty much given up on their rooms but it still drives me CRAZY! I wish I was in an organizing mood…I need to be!
My son is a hoarder. He will get TRASH out of the can and stuff it away, protesting that "this is SPECIAL mom!"
After he goes to bed, I get out a trash bag and pick out the most offensive bits.
My son is a hoarder. He will get TRASH out of the can and stuff it away, protesting that "this is SPECIAL mom!"
After he goes to bed, I get out a trash bag and pick out the most offensive bits.
My kids have a cloth covered box (its fairly large and on the shelf in their closet) to keep special items. I let them display their goods on their dresser for a while and when its time to clean up they have to either put it away or throw it away.
One way I have helped my children part with "special" papers, art projects etc is to take a picture of it and/or send it to a family member as a gift.
My kids have a cloth covered box (its fairly large and on the shelf in their closet) to keep special items. I let them display their goods on their dresser for a while and when its time to clean up they have to either put it away or throw it away.
One way I have helped my children part with "special" papers, art projects etc is to take a picture of it and/or send it to a family member as a gift.
Must have been in the water (or air since we don't share water with you) because we have purged, purged, purged this past week – organized til we couldn't stand it – and I still walk around the house thinking "Really? This is the best we can come up with?" Oh well.
Enjoy your time attacking the dressers. I have no solution for you other than wait until they move out. That's what I'm doing 🙂
Must have been in the water (or air since we don't share water with you) because we have purged, purged, purged this past week – organized til we couldn't stand it – and I still walk around the house thinking "Really? This is the best we can come up with?" Oh well.
Enjoy your time attacking the dressers. I have no solution for you other than wait until they move out. That's what I'm doing 🙂
I'm doing the same thing, only I'm doing it one week at a time for a year, or until I get to 52 weeks. For my daughter's dresser, I got two fabric bins and a basket, and we stow her trinkets in there. Every month or so I go in when she's not home and clean them out. She never misses the crap!
I'm doing the same thing, only I'm doing it one week at a time for a year, or until I get to 52 weeks. For my daughter's dresser, I got two fabric bins and a basket, and we stow her trinkets in there. Every month or so I go in when she's not home and clean them out. She never misses the crap!