ok folks, i need a cleaning buddy!

**favesis37** · 12-07-2005, 09:54 AM

i just found out that my sister nad her family will be here the 26th of this month. now my sister and i are real close and she knows i am not much of a neat freak, however she has no idea how bad my house looks right now.

so for the next couple of weeks i need you guys to stay on my fanny and help me get this house decluttered! they live in a millon dollar house, on 1/2 of landscaped yard. it i s so awesome, they will be coming to my little 3 bedroom modular home with the messy yard( maybe the snow will keep it covered!)

so i will be posting daily what i get done.

get out the whips ladies! i need the help!

**canadian gardener** · 12-07-2005, 10:20 AM

Well kim, I'm cheering you on, but I won't probably be on top of your situation, LOL I'm having a time being on top of mine.

I'm going to launch a few cleaning threads (the bathroom that cleans itself, the self cleaning kitchen etc)

One of the things I do to help launch a super duper get ready for company clean out is phone the charity van for a pick up. Salvation Army, downtown mission, you name it, at least one of them will do a pickup.

Phoning gives you a day, a deadline to work towards. The charity will do a massive pickup and you can breathe easy after that, because cleaning will be a snap, so will organizing.

Don't stress over keeping stuff for garage sales, these are desparate times, calling for desparate measures to reclaim your space. Plus the less the bags or boxes lie around, the less people go into them, and pull the junk out all over again.

Then take boxes or a DIFFERENT COLOUR BAG from the usual trash bag coloour that you use and put a giveaway and Throwaway zone in each room. (you don't want to confuse trash with giveaways) I don't suggest clear bags for either giveaway or throwaway. Too easy for family to shriek about it and reclaim clutter.

Go in a circle around the room from the door, and TOSS whatever gets in your way, and isn't in general use.

Most things are out because they are being used, and just don't have a home.

Usually because their "home" is occupied by hidden home clutter hanging out on the shelves, cupboards, counterspace, drawers etc.

And so when you get to the closets or drawers, that is when the fur really flies, because the stuff you don't use is often in there clogging up the system making it impossible to put stuff away.

Along the way you will find stuff you can't decide about. It's ok to put those in Rubbermaid bins or cardboard boxes for storage. (the bins are waterproof on the bottom and sides so you can toss them out into the cold for now in a sheltered dry space, out of the general way till company leaves)

Those are emotional withdrawal boxes, and if you have room in the deep dark hard to get at spaces, put them there inside the house. Otherwise out in a shed is fine for temporary, but not for long after or mice or mildew will get at them.

I've always found when I'm having trouble with my house, that a spate of visitors launches me into a dejunking overdrive, and I'm good for several years of easy cleaning after one of these binges.

HTH and a big hug.

**Mamaw** · 12-07-2005, 03:31 PM

By all means go to it, but remember, they are not coming to see your "house", they are coming to see YOU. Enjoy the visit!
But do try and get some cleaning done so you can rest easier! I know exactly what you mean. This place is a mess right now! And company will get me moving to clean when all else fails! LOL

**favesis37** · 12-07-2005, 05:21 PM

well my 3 month old granddaughter is in the hospital, she has been diagnosed " failure to thrive" so i have her brother here for the rest of week. now i wonder how much i will get donw with kdis here 24/7? i know you guys all do it, but i am old.lol my baby is 22!

**canadian gardener** · 12-07-2005, 06:11 PM

Scale down your expectations, you won't get much done. The babies are far more important than making a good impression on the rest of the guests that show up.

**favesis37** · 12-08-2005, 09:18 AM

margery, you are so right, i was watching my grandson sleeping this morning and thought why do i want to give up the little time i have with him to clean? when we could be baking, or playing games and have him remember those times with mommom. thanks so much

**favesis37** · 12-08-2005, 11:15 AM

wow, what a morning! well i decided that i could spend time with grandson and clean. we did it together! did we have alot of spills? you bet, but we laughed and cleaned them up.will i have to go back and redo alot, you bet , but it was good quality time.

so far here is what i have done:
cleaned the microwave
cleaned the pantry
cleaned the counter tops
cleaned the fridge
wiped down the walls
the litter box
scrubbed the floors on my hands and knees
cleaned under the sink
took out 3 bags of trash
celaned cabinet fronts

things grandson did(LOL)
washed the chair legs
wiped down the front of the stove
spilled the whole bottle of vinegar and water
used about 5 rags
wiped down the high chair
spilled his drink
wiped down the sliding glass door before i could stop him

now we are taking a break, will post more when we rest

**canadian gardener** · 12-08-2005, 12:42 PM

ROFL talk about taking that time and making it stretch for twice the fun, twice the work accomplished.

Way to go! I hope I can be a granny like you!!!!

**favesis37** · 12-09-2005, 06:34 AM

ok not a very frugal afternoon! grandson was looking under the tree and asked what he bought his mommy and daddy. they are divorced and do not get along real well. so to dollar tree we went!
he got:
gifts for his mommy,daddy,step brother,step sister, 1/2 sister,1/2 sister#2,grandma,grandpa, papa,2 cousin's, 3 uncles,1 aunt,and great grandma ( better known as g.g.) thanks goodness everything ws 1.00

today we go to g.g's, so they can open presents there, he won't be here when she is christmas day, then back hometo clean some more

**AmyBoz** · 12-09-2005, 02:01 PM

Sounds like you've got the right attitude! Keep us up-to-date!

**favesis37** · 12-10-2005, 06:16 AM

ok, i got NOTHING done today. by the time we got home from g.g's, went to walmart, unloaded the groceries, cooked dinner and did dishes, i went to bed! lol tomorrow is another day

**Hardy1** · 12-10-2005, 02:05 PM

I'm wishing you well with this. I love the fact that you are getting the little guy to help and yes, it's so much more important to spend time with them than have a tidy house.
What about spending time making some Christmassy piece with him so that every eye will be on that when your folks arrive? When mine were little one of my favourite times was spent with an old cardboard box, sides trimmed down, and we 'made' a sea with tinfoil, stuck on rocks, shells, drew fish etc. they played with this with their lego people for ages. Could you make a winter scene? Takes not long and he can add to it and play with it when you are tidying.
W

**favesis37** · 12-13-2005, 01:40 AM

another day when i got nothing done! granddaughter is still in the hospital, dd started having contractions so i had to take her to the dr, got home at 2:30, tried to take a nap, but grandson called me

go tup ane helped dneice make dinner then off to work i went. maybe some day i can get it done!

**favesis37** · 12-15-2005, 09:08 AM

i am ashamed to admit another day went by with out alot getting done. i made 72 mini loves of bread for gift baskets, and 7 quarts of hot cocoa mix, then i had to go to work for a short time, got home to find out that grandson had a rash and had been sent home from day care, took him to the dr, had to pick up his meds, had to pick up granddaughters formula, and drop it off, home ot cook dinner and off to work, i am off today so maybe i can get something done

**canadian gardener** · 12-15-2005, 10:18 AM

well this cleaning buddy thinks you got a lot done, and the most important is being there for the grandkids, and giving them peace and stability in a very difficult time for them.

HUGS to someone who has her priorities in order. Just take care of your need for rest after the kiddies, so that you don't go pop bang when it's all over.

And who the heck cares if the rest of the family don't see perfection when they come. They better just be really grateful to have the kind of person who steps in and takes care of the important people in her life.

You are tops in my cleaning calendar!