Can OS recover my disastrous home?

Eels100

I am a lover of OS philosophies, and relished buying our first home as a chance to start afresh and make some really good habits. We were (and are) quite slothful by nature, and as there is just me and my partner to worry about we tend to do as we please. But in the new house we have something to take pride in and I had such high hopes ...!

We started well - I made his packed lunch every morning, did a little by way of baking, and tried hard to cook properly and freeze spares. We decorated the living room, stored all our belongings properly, and spent time trying to get the garden looking loved.

But recently we've fallen by the wayside for a number of reasons. OH's mum's been ill, I've had to spend time away on training, I've had a run of really long days and busy nights at work, we've had visitors staying on and off for weeks and OH has just found out his branch are all being laid off so he's gutted and money's tight.

I am exhausted and demotivated and dinner tonight will probably be yet again something overpriced and full of additives from the freezer section. But I have some time off coming soon and I intend to get us back on track so that we're equipped to pay the mortgage and stay happy and healthy when OH isn't earning.

I would love some words of advice on where to start (again!), where I went wrong (I have to be able to sustain this), and anything else in the form of kicking me up the bottom or otherwise!

homersimpson_3

I would love some words of advice on...where I went wrong (I have to be able to sustain this), and anything else in the form of kicking me up the bottom or otherwise!

you didn't go wrong, you don't need a kick up bum and should listen to yourself

But recently we've fallen by the wayside for a number of reasons. OH's mum's been ill, I've had to spend time away on training, I've had a run of really long days and busy nights at work, we've had visitors staying on and off for weeks and OH has just found out his branch are all being laid off so he's gutted and money's tight.

there's only so many hours in a day- during which you need to eat, sleep, unwind and have a life other than moneysaving and cleaning. you're expecting too much of yourself.

But I have some time off coming soon and I intend to get us back on track so that we're equipped to pay the mortgage and stay happy and healthy when OH isn't earning.

you've answered your own questions- take one day and have a good tidy of the house. see flylady challenge thread.

mah_jong

Can I first say dont beat your self up about it.

There are no hard fast rules.

Decide what you is most important and work on that area. I found that the others seemed to fall into line.

The closest to convenience foods I buy is probably sausages! I just missed out on the hype and was a mostly SAHM when the chidren were wee. I work full time, so most of my cooking is done in the oven on time delay or in the slow cooker. Planning ahead works for me. I buy from a small local supermarket on a 2 or 3 day basis so nothing is wasted.

By doing this my grocery costs were under 70 quid for the past 2 months.

The garden is a bit of site.... I really dont have much time other than to give it a quick mow, but come my hols I will spend a bit of time there!

So my tips are prioritise and planning with a bit of organization (after all I do have to stick the stuff in the SC first thing in the morning!)

Good luck

Eels100

Thanks for your kind words. I know it's impossible to do everything but I do like to try. I know how lazy I can be and that's why I feel guilty for even taking 10 minutes for a cup of tea when the house is a wreck!

I have just done a basics order with Tesco Online and will set money aside for visiting the butcher and the greengrocer through the week. We've got the grass cut and the laundry underway this afternoon, OH hoovered (but only because he had to - our cat has murdered what looks supiciously like someone's budgie, and by the looks of things it put up quite a fight ... ) and I am planning a storecupboard-tastic dinner of spicy sausage and bean pasta. There may be light at the end of the tunnel, unless work phones again :wall:

sandieb

Check out the monthly menu planner (with recipes!) posted by SeeWeed on this board which may be of help to you.

Smashing

Take a look at the Flylady challenge thread - you might find it useful to take some tips from there, or join in the thread yourself.

One thing you mention is wanting to sustain the changes - all the more reason to start small. Just like starting a new exercise plan, going all out for two weeks is no good if you get bored and give up. Far better to do a bit here and there. The idea of having to do an almight clear-up of your lifestyle can be hugely overwhelming and makes it even harder to get started.

taplady

Eels100 wrote:

OH hoovered (but only because he had to - our cat has murdered what looks supiciously like someone's budgie, and by the looks of things it put up quite a fight ... )

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thanks that made me smile! (shouldn't laugh really if it is a bird! but sounds so funny!);)

SeeWeed

Firstly don't let it get you down because then it will all seem too much and you will feel like you are climbing a mountain!
Give yourself a break, working full time and OS is hard to maintain at the best of times and you sound like you have had a bad enough time recently without beating yourself up about the house not being clean or eating a ready meal!
Break it down into small steps, so first you need to have a good clean of the house so that its easier to keep on top of. When my house gets like this (which is quite often ) I tend to spend a week doing a room each night so that by the weekend it's all done.
Try and spend a weekend afternoon baking or batch cooking for the freezer, so that if things don't go to plan, you have an emergency stockpile.
Take a couple of weeks to get back on track, don't try to do it all at once!!!

SW

dolly_day_dream

Oh boy do I know what you mean first one thing holds you up and then another and before you know where you are the whole thing seems hopeless. :eek: Have to admit that finding the Flylady site was a godsend cos it has helped me to put things in perspective. :j One thing that works for me is making twice as much as I need when I cook - then I have convenience food ready for me when I need it and when my kids bring back an army who need feeding NOW! Get yourself ready the night before with clothes etc and try and follow some of the Flylady routines but no I don't shine my sink each day!

Don't beat yourself up you did what was best for you then and with babysteps you can make small but significant improvements. BTW have to admit that I am terminally lazy myself and so have to persuade myself to work smarter not harder.