ERGH,
the last year and especially since March have been so difficult. I have so much to do an no way to get caught up.But if I hire help I better, clean first.

Where do we find te energy from? What is the trick for motovation? I woek in small patches, or task. Katie has really made a huge catastrophe by dumping and routing out all toy bins and books, Barbie, even Halloween costumes.
I think I have a kitchen table, it was there before school shopping. THe extra cats took the toll on the downstairs family room carpet and where the liter is has to be replaced...

Makes so sad to go to homes that everything is so nice and I have sooooo much to do,

I guess getting organized with the bins, and box of hefty bags is a start. The get rid of all broken stuff, and get the clothes off the bed and hung back up.
I don;t know maybe there are cleaning sites to help one get started.
di

Hi, Di,

Do you know fly lady? She works well for some people.
Day one of her program is to shine the kitchen sink.
Mari

http://www.flylady.net/

http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp
clutter:
http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingL...luttertips.asp

di,

i know the feeling.

Hi Mari and Barbara,
Gee Barbara, I whine to you enough, even make plans and fail to do a dip into it. If only I had a better sleep patter, chronic fatigue is overwhelming, and the aches and pains.

Mari that sounds like good mental advice for me. I look at the total picture and see how overwhelming it is and what do I start with first...I am going to read the links.
I know I always have to have at least the dishes out of the sink and in the dishwasher and wash larger pans and wipe the counters before the husband gets home.

I feel better too going to bed when the sink is empty, I am going to try the shine and 15 minutes.
If I spend 15 minutes, each day on a task....and have 4 bedrooms, three baths, kitchen, living room, family room, the laundry room stacked with consignment clouthes.....That should be ummmm, 3 hrs each room 33 hours X;s 15 minutes,.,, I could be done in only 44 days...that is only a month and half....I could have been done over the summer! LOL

When I look at the big picture It feels like I could work 44 years and never get done....
THe sad part is, I have the 25 yr old here, the 13 year old I constantly have to pick up after, but she does her chores no problem....She has become a horder since the panic attacks have gotten worse. She does not like change, wants comfort things around her.

Yesterday for all the books and stuffed animals I had not a spot on the couch to sit.
Enough whining....I should stop fighting sleep and fretting and work on a good pattern, and then always take the time to challange one thing.

Maybe I should start with a closet a day, 15 minutes, Then at least I have storage area freed up!
Thanks for the support and tips..

Oh, I am not a type A personality. I can go to sleep with all this to do and not loose sleep. But I love when the holidays come and the dil does pitch in to sort clutter for me. feels nice. If only it stayed that way,

Di
Edited to add. I wonder when life is filled with legal matters, health concerns of not only yourself but family, stress, worry, just contribute? But, why can I sit down and produce a model for various programs and research. I am avoiding what I need to do....but it is not physical labor either.
I have a super busy life with kids appointments, grandson sitting, dd school phobic and not socializing.
I could go on and on......oh, and sadness is always just under the first concious thoughts.

saw this in new posts...so thought of idea...
there are in some areas...people you can hire..that specialize in organizing a home....they work with you..but really do the work..maybe something to look into....before the housecleaner....good luck, sarah

OMG I sit here amongst the clutter, dust, toys, dirty dishes, floors that need to be mopped, well, swept first, and think wow, I am not alone.

I try to do one or two things a day to at least keep it where if company came I wouldn't be too embarrassed but gee I hope no one comes today. I will have to check out that site also. Seems as soon as I get an empty spot it magically gets filled again.

Took me three days to recover from the gymnastics it took to clean around my toilet and the rest of my dinky bathroom, plus I had to get on the floor under the sink and take that apart because the water wasn't draining right.

I am with you, HELP!!

Some tell me to ignore it. Do it when we feel better. Ahhh when????

When you finish with your cleaning lady can you send her on over?

Okay I went to the site and am bookmarking it. Looks too good to be true (she says grumpily).

lol

Mari

I had not swept the floor in months, it was so dirty, cat hair dust bunnies...made a big pot of chicken chilli and called a friends family to see if they wanted to come over for chilli she said yes so I went to work on the floor a bit....looks so much better!
bizi

OMG, Now I have messed sleep patterns, total exhaustion. I just got up at 6 PM.
Smae thing as soon as a spot gets clear, it must be an invatation to new "stuff" to sit there. I have 4 bedrooms, three baths, kitchen, living room and family room. BUT seems no storage space. No energy.
I saaw this ad for footies, lol, they had the rag mops threads on the to sweep with.
I am so totally with the gymnastics on the bathroom cleamnig. I went out and bought this Mr clean triangle thingy, has an extending rod for shower.

Now I am going to buy those big bags that promise to fit 4 tubs of clothes into one cube!
If I at least get the kitchen and main bath done this week, and start on my dd room to upgrade for teen look, I can hope to have things dented by CHRISTMAS!
When I look it is the clutter, no storage, and the 13 yr old and I must be horders, or else we love to collect but have no display areas organized or stroage.

We particapated in a Photo exhibit last week and her picture of Niagara Falls was sold. she had a blow up and an older couple went to Niagara Falls for their Honeymoon many years ago adn have no pictures. We both have several of the area from our recent trip so I am going to prints some 4 X 6" into a small book for them too.

See that is what happens. I am so excited to make someone happy, that all the work waits????????
I think the only way to make a dent is to get the tag along trailer off the deck and start to bag and dump.
Then the big stuff, tear the carpet out of the family room in the lower level family room, put in tiles...When I took in my De's cats, the younger boy and my older boy decided to compete in marking their territories........
Whole other problem.......
But, I can prioritize, and then take that list and make one from easy to challanging.
I HATE folding and putting away laundry. But that is what I will do tonight two loads. If I fold it let each of them oput it away, NOT put on top of the dresser or use it from the basket!!!!
I am going to that web site too....I have been afraid !
di