I developed a fever, so I sent DH & DD to the bonfire without me. :( They have my oils with them and the food we were to bring and everything, except me.
I'm sorry you are not feeling well.
I hope you can get some rest.
Well...this was not on my list, and I didn't actually do the work, but I'll claim it anyway 
My son and husband worked on my son's room tonight. My son keeps his room pretty neat and my husband is a clean/organization freak. The two of them moved all the furniture and vacuumed the baseboard trim and cleaned the wood floors. My son has a full-sized bed with drawers underneath. There is a little space under the bed but I cannot vacuum underneath. I cannot believe how much dust, dog hair and stuff accumulated under there - yuck!
My daughter's room is a disaster. I am not even sure where to start.
Thanks for the well wishes! I had a high fever through the night, but it seems to be gone today. I guess I have the flu. I hope it is a short one. I've got a party to host on Wednesday!
For your DD's room, perhaps start with just one topic or one area? Such as starting just with the bed. Wash the sheets and covers and remake it. Or, start with the floor, working in short increments from the door towards the bed or closet or window or whatever direction suits you. Or, cherry-pick all the items that don't belong in her room as fast as possible in ten minutes. Pick a new area or topic each time you go in there. Eventually, it'll be pretty clear and then you can ask DH to work with her on the cleaning part. ;)
For your DD's room, perhaps start with just one topic or one area? Such as starting just with the bed. Wash the sheets and covers and remake it. Or, start with the floor, working in short increments from the door towards the bed or closet or window or whatever direction suits you. Or, cherry-pick all the items that don't belong in her room as fast as possible in ten minutes. Pick a new area or topic each time you go in there. Eventually, it'll be pretty clear and then you can ask DH to work with her on the cleaning part. ;)
Good ideas...I keep her sheets and blankets clean. (She has tons of blankets on her bed - she likes to make a nest to sleep in.) We mostly need to pick up items from the floor, clean (purge) the top of her desk and the drawers that are stuffed with stuff, and organize her closet - which shouldn't be too bad since I did it a few months ago but she has clothing/sensory issues so I never know what she will or will not wear. The room probably looks worse than it is; there is just stuff thrown all over. The room is messy but pretty clean since we had it all picked up a month ago and we deep cleaned...it just gets messy so quickly. She puts nothing back away. (e.g. takes out five outfits, wears one and the other are thrown on a bench or on the floor.) I wish I could change her habits.
I hear ya! My DD will do the same thing with the clothes. It doesn't sound like her room needs a lot of actual work; probably short bursts will work just fine.
I recently gave my DD an over-the-door rack of 8 hooks for her closet door (maybe a month ago?). She quickly tosses all those "tried on, but don't want to wear today and I'm in a hurry" clothes on the hooks. Floor is clear and she didn't have to actually put them all away right away. She goes there first for new clothes each morning now... She also has hooks inside her closet from when she was younger at a lower level (her clothes are starting to drag on the floor in there).
Depending on how old she is, having her work with you (or if old enough, she does the work while you "assist") works out well in the long run. My DD is 11 and for several years now, my "rule" is her bed, floor, and chair need to be clear and neat -- daily or most of the time (I'm not a slave-driver! LOL). These are the things that I can see when casually walking by and it bugs me to no end to have them a complete mess. The rest of the room can be however she wants for the most part (closet, drawers, dresser tops, shelving, etc). Closing the door isn't an option because I like the light from her window shining into the hallway.
We do clean up the entire room together once in awhile. We just did her closet and drawers together not long ago (usually 2-3 times a year). I sat on her bed and "assisted" while she did 90% of the work. (I folded some tricky clothes and hung some things.) She needed moral support and some guidance, but mostly I helped with giving options that work for me (her clothes are getting so much bigger) and encouraged her to try whatever she wanted. I've been doing this in a gradually-training-her-to-do-it-all-on-her-own way since she was very young (2-3 years old). She *could* do it all by herself, but it is way more fun to do the fashion show and girl time way we do it. ;) Turn on the music, grab a glass of water (or whatever), and enjoy being with your growing child in their world for a little while...
P.S. I meant the deep cleaning of the bed and bedding. The type that makes you feel like you are on a date with your washer... ;)
I recently gave my DD an over-the-door rack of 8 hooks for her closet door (maybe a month ago?). She quickly tosses all those "tried on, but don't want to wear today and I'm in a hurry" clothes on the hooks. Floor is clear and she didn't have to actually put them all away right away. She goes there first for new clothes each morning now... She also has hooks inside her closet from when she was younger at a lower level (her clothes are starting to drag on the floor in there).
Depending on how old she is, having her work with you (or if old enough, she does the work while you "assist") works out well in the long run. My DD is 11 and for several years now, my "rule" is her bed, floor, and chair need to be clear and neat -- daily or most of the time (I'm not a slave-driver! LOL). These are the things that I can see when casually walking by and it bugs me to no end to have them a complete mess. The rest of the room can be however she wants for the most part (closet, drawers, dresser tops, shelving, etc). Closing the door isn't an option because I like the light from her window shining into the hallway.
We do clean up the entire room together once in awhile. We just did her closet and drawers together not long ago (usually 2-3 times a year). I sat on her bed and "assisted" while she did 90% of the work. (I folded some tricky clothes and hung some things.) She needed moral support and some guidance, but mostly I helped with giving options that work for me (her clothes are getting so much bigger) and encouraged her to try whatever she wanted. I've been doing this in a gradually-training-her-to-do-it-all-on-her-own way since she was very young (2-3 years old). She *could* do it all by herself, but it is way more fun to do the fashion show and girl time way we do it. ;) Turn on the music, grab a glass of water (or whatever), and enjoy being with your growing child in their world for a little while...
P.S. I meant the deep cleaning of the bed and bedding. The type that makes you feel like you are on a date with your washer... ;)
We have similar hooks on her door...what a good idea to use them for 'rejected clothing'. I bought the hooks hoping she could plan her outfits in advance for school days since it can be time consuming in the morning.
She is 8...and I do have her help me. If I did it all myself, she would get upset about what I get rid of. Plus, she made the mess...I think she needs to help clean it up! We do it similar to you...She does it herself sometimes but is overwhelmed when it gets too messy - and this is the messiest it has ever gotten. And she tends to go off on a tangent (start reading a book, etc.). So I am mostly there to help her stay on task.
Today my husband deep cleaned all the bathrooms. He cleans them regularly but sometimes he 'details' them; like today.
I started on the master bedroom. I didn't do much organizing, more cleaning and eliminating piles that seem to accumulate on the chairs, and dressers. Our bedroom gets dusty so quickly - I should dust or vacuum the walls. The room is painted a dark color and the dust really shows in the sun.
I have lost my momentum. My husband is playing with the kids so I am going to make dinner and then work on the room until it is presentable. Another day I will delve into the drawers and organize.
Some of the piles have simply been moved - like the kids artwork. I need to go through their artwork and have some framed and find a way to store the rest. I also have photos I want to blow up and frame and a large painted canvas that needs to be stretched. I keep moving them from room to room but I need to have it done and get them on the wall.
I think my son will be similar to my husband. This afternoon I complemented him on his clean room. He said "It is clean but not organized...I need to work on it."
Slowly but surely I am making progress!
I installed hooks over our hall closet door to help with the closet clutter last week, but realized that was not enough. I have now added two rows of hooks to our laundry room, and that has really helped!
My 30 day plan might turn out to be a 90 day plan, but I guess some progress is better than nothing!
My 30 day plan might turn out to be a 90 day plan, but I guess some progress is better than nothing!
I was thinking the same thing! My goal might be to have the entire house organized by year end...just in time for a spring deep cleaning - ugh!
LOL! I agree that something is better than nothing!
I totally lost steam on the office when I got sick. The fever is definitely gone and I am on track to being well enough for tomorrow's pool party. I am purposely hanging out and resting all day today so I don't overdo it. I feel a little restless this afternoon, so I think it is a good sign. I hope I get back to the craft re-org project in the office by Thursday or Friday...
Our common denominator here seems to be back-of-the-door hooks! We have a bunch because we have little space for clothes. The girls use the ones in their room for hoodies - we have a lot of those because they are good for layering, particularly when they are in school. They don't wear sweaters in the winter. Another over-the-door hanging shelf in their closet is for school t-shirts, uniforms, pajamas.
I haven't even been keeping up with my regular cleaning, let alone doing extra organizing lately. I keep getting job after job, so I'm making hay while the sun shines and hopefully socking away some extra money for back to school.
Can we keep this thread running even after July? It's great to keep these ideas at the forefront of my mind so that I can implement when I have the time.
Can we keep this thread running even after July? It's great to keep these ideas at the forefront of my mind so that I can implement when I have the time.
I'd like to also...I have much more I would like to do.
Me, too! I would like to actually FINISH my craft re-org in the office.
Meanwhile, I actually cleaned the top of my vanity yesterday and the top of the cabinet where I store many creations. They were already decluttered from earlier, but I took the step of grabbing a rag and the spray bottle of vinegar & water... ;)
Last night, I strained my double-infused arnica oil and my experimental plumeria coconut oil. I moved my double-infused rose oil outside yesterday and pulled it in this morning to strain, but it hasn't made it into the strainer yet... LOL There is a bit of a mess in the kitchen to clean up from these endeavors and others. My DD and I made hair detangler last night, which necessitated pulling down some things from an upper shelf in the pantry, which started a different project, which led to another project, which didn't all get cleaned up..... ;)
I know how that is!
I did a huge cleaning/organization of our master BR and playroom today. So happy with myself. 
Me, too! I would like to actually FINISH my craft re-org in the office.
Another thing I need to do!
I am doing no organization today. It is a beautiful day here - instead of horribly hot like it has been all summer.
I am cutting grass - and s/b pulling weeds in the veggie garden and the landscape but I am not going to.
I am washing all the bedding and hanging it outside (which I guess falls under organization/cleaning)
The kids and I are going for a bike ride - to the library, bakery, etc.
Then we are going blueberry picking - at a blueberry farm.
Then blackberry picking - at my uncle's house.
I plan to spend the entire day outside.
When my husband gets home, the kids want to set up a 'restaurant' outside for dinner. We are hoping for clear skies this evening so we can pull out the telescope.
So...organization is delayed for at least a day.
Enjoy your day!!
Well, my day did not go as planned yesterday. My daughter had a horrible day - so no bike riding or blueberry picking. I got the beds stripped, the grass cut and the blackberries picked but none of that was fun for the kids. So my husband took them out last night.
We have made progress on my daughter's room. One evening last night we went through her closet. It didn't take long and it looks much better. Today we got everything of the floor and she went through two big baskets of 'little stuff' deciding what to keep and where to keep it. (feathers, rocks, party invites, valentines, etc.) She is done for the day, so another day we will go through her desk (inside and the top) and organize and dust her shelves - which should be easy.
I am disappointed that the previously organized playroom already looks a mess, but I need to remember we have to live in the house and that our organizing/decluttering should result in quicker clean-ups.
These are 'before' photos of my daughter's room (I cannot believe we let it get this messy. I am trying to find be balance between honoring her personal space and keeping the room from looking like it belongs on an episode of 'Horders'.)...
eta...My daughter is the one who wanted to post the photos (otherwise I would not post the kids rooms). She is aware of this thread and wants to show you the results when she is finished with her room.
Looking forward to seeing the "after" pics! :)
I cleaned out the concoction cabinet in our master bedroom over a couple days. Wasn't on my list, but needed to be done and I am so happy! I tossed out a few old store-bought toiletry items that I doubt I have ever used and clearly never will. And.... now I have room for more homemade potions! LOL (I'm not actually making more, but rather moving raw materials from another area in order to keep them all in "cool, dark areas"...)
I have taken so long to get back to the craft re-org that the cat has made a bigger mess for me. Sigh. At least someone is enjoying it. ;)
Looking forward to seeing the "after" pics! :)
We may never get to the 'after' photo!
It was looking pretty good. But yesterday my son and daughter built tents and forts all around the house. Tonight my daughter, son and niece decided to 'decorate' for a disco party. It's amazing how quickly they can mess up a room. They've cleaned it up, but their idea of picked up and organized is not mine.
We may never get to the 'after' photo!
It was looking pretty good. But yesterday my son and daughter built tents and forts all around the house. Tonight my daughter, son and niece decided to 'decorate' for a disco party. It's amazing how quickly they can mess up a room. They've cleaned it up, but their idea of picked up and organized is not mine.
The same thing happened in my house the last few days! My DD was preparing for a "dance show" in my house, and well...I let it get a little out of hand. The last few days have been very stressful, so I've let it go until tomorrow. I always feel like I take one step forward, and two steps back.
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