My home is a mess

bluebag

I hope you ladies don't mind my asking and at my age I feel a bit of a fool... but as it's the internets an' all. What do you use those 'j' cloth blue cloths for? I can't seem to get them to absorb anything, and they seem too wet to clean with even though I wring them out like a washerwoman.

I see them for sale everywhere, so I know they must have a use, but I can't figure it out. Sorry if this seems the twit question of the year.

Emm-in-a-pickle

Sagaris - hugs from a fellow dog-lover. Every dog I`ve ever had and loved was someone else`s reject, I`ve been thinking of you since your last post - and more concerned for the outcome of the vet visit than the civil unrest in your area. Hoping you`ve just been too busy to post...but thinking of you anyway.

Colleen Pamela - I wouldn`t call my occupation `my dream job` (actually I regularly tell my colleagues on the ward that I`m going to run away and be a kennel-maid!) but I DO love my work however much I moan at times, and I know deep down I`d be gutted if I couldn`t keep doing what I do. Hugs to you CP,
and hope you`ll find something you will like even more. One door closes/another opens -hope it`s true for you.

Messies Who Iron - WHY??? I`ve not ironed for years, honestly. When you STOP doing it you realize how un-neccessary it is. Down-side of not ironing is you need a good breeding stock of coat-hangers, & have to cull a few now & then...seriously folks, Dump the Iron. Wash, shake & hang, it works.

My time since my last post has been hectic - alone in the house again since teatime yesterday when DGD went home because I had work today (out at 7am, home 9.30) & the menfolk still away. I had a lovely giggly `girlie` evening with DGD on Wednesday night, her dad (DS) and my OH not here so we did a real yummy `home-made` (Jus-roll) pizza for tea - it was MASSIVE! -and watched all her favourite daft cat clips on u-tube over & over, and talked a lot, laughed a lot, all the best funny family anecdotes got trotted out again - and we tidied a bit too, had a nice little log fire going, drying more washing,...had leftover pizza for breakfast yesterday, and talked a lot more - real quality time together, mutually enjoyed.
When her mum collected her, I tackled some of the hairiest neglected bits of carpet with a silicone brush and 2 pet-grooming mittens, rather than choke the hoover or raise a lot of dust. Must have the equivalent of a couple of sheep-fleeces now in the bin. Amazed at how bright and un-worn the carpet looks, dog-hair getting the wear rather than the carpet pile...then got Henry Hoover on the remaining dust & grot. Then I had a sort-out in the fridge, some stuff that needed using that I wouldn`t use today(being at work then just me here tonight) took it next door - my lovely neighbour is always glad & not offended. Sound teenage daughter next door wanted to come & keep me company for a bit (Bless `er) but kept that short saying I was getting an early night for work today - came with me taking old dog short walk, sweet caring folks, my next doors, I do love them to bits, despite the noise! Then feeling almost sneaky I scrubbed the kitchen floor after OH phoned to say goodnight. First PROPER scrubbing for what must be months - you could perform surgery on it- well you could have last night, but not now, the dog & cat have been around today when I wasn`t...both messy eaters. Treated myself to a fried egg bap with tomato sauce and white pepper, and asleep by 10.30pm.
Up at 6 today, fed cat x 2, (greedy mare she is) took dog out,replenished her biscuit bowl and water,refilled bird-feeders and marvelled the while at how the kitchen was free of coffee-mugs/cluttery stuff not put away, no sugar grains/coffee granules/Used Spoons!/buttery knives etc.lying around on the worktops (DS worst offender for these not back till Monday!) Off to work just before 7am (so I can park!)with a delicious feeling of going to a job I love, patients I want to get back into dealing with, and the house looking fairly good to come home to tonight, and the final absent phone call from OH.
Busy, busy day, ALL day. Good busy, productive, organised, love my colleagues (mostly..) my patients and their caring families who need our time too, so visiting (times 2 daily) is also hectic, taxing but worth the effort - feel quite drained by my 4pm break, then get `second wind` around 6pm.Especially if you can get the paperwork done by then, and the Physios/OT`s and all the 9-5 folks have gone home - they`re great but it is SO good when it goes quiet... A new burst of energy/ enthusiasm/feeling organised before evening visiting, then get folks settled before night staff come in. A few visitors will still be around for poorly folks, so we have the luxury of looking after them too, when the ward settles down. That last hour & a half we`re thinking `comfortable`, `calm`, `settled` - if we can achieve this before night staff get in, it gives them a head start on their shift, and we can hand over and leave with a good feeling. Not always possible, but tonight was a good one, so I came home happy. & DD phoned me at work to see if I was ok, did I want to call at hers on the way home? (NO!!!)
Got home, fussed & sorted dog & cat(latter fed x 3 and had left a vole on doorstep for me) next door dear heart teenager came in and made me a cuppa and chatted while I changed my VILE shoes & socks, and got into flip-flops - that`s a brave girl! Also so tactful, left when phone rang, OH calling to ask how my day went, report on auntie visit, and he`ll be home tomorrow pm. Has missed me even in the bosom of his family. I`ve missed him too but think I got better end of the deal.
Interesting times, these. I`ve been quite touched at the concern shown by all my nearest & dearest about me being `Home Alone` for a few days - but with work too, and I know it wouldn`t suit me for long, but the sheer Novelty of just a few days change in the household occupancy (which I will admit I HAD been apprehensive about) has allowed me a bit of space that I`ve been able to utilise nicely. And also reassuring - I`m not the best for enjoying my own company, solitude doesn`t suit me for long, but it IS a great spur for getting something constructive DONE to keep myself occupied! I reckon you sit around when there`s folks who want you to sit around with them, you chat or eat or watch stuff when there`s company wanting your company, and when there `s nobody around you Get On with doing stuff.
This takes me back to my first go at housekeeping, when first hubby was on nights was when I got most of the real cleaning, sorting, tidying done, I was pretty nocturnal myself then. No wonder, either, when I think back to childhood, mum was a nurse, had done nights but not since I was around - but when dad was on nights, I`d get up for the loo and wander downstairs to find mum doing her nocturnal cleaning thing..changing & washing curtains, cleaning out cupboards, rearranging furniture - the whole `spring clean` for my mum was nocturnal, when dad wasn`t there requiring her company.
Off to eat my supper now, and feed the cat AGAIN on the way.
Am now treating myself to some fresh chips, frozen battered haddock portion and petit pois - will eat while soaking poor old feet. Shopping briefly tommorrow, taken lovely lump of brisket out of freezer for a `WELCOME HOME` meal.

ExTrolly101

Emm in a pickle you have enjoyed it haven't you! Glad you' ve got lovely neighbours, it makes such a difference. Now you know if you're home alone you'll have no worries about it.
Colleen Pamela I have re read the posts, forgive me, my head is a bit of a shed. I am so sorry to hear about your job. Was in a similar situation a few years ago, it's hard especailly in this financial climate. Sagaris how is the dog? I had to have my beautiful cat pts last summer. Made more traumatic because vet cocked up and took 3 attempts. She's sleeping now in my in laws garden in the shade of a lovely tree, a cat called Emma, who never met my Lucy sat on her grave and kept vigil for 4 mths and still can often be found there! I'm so glad the civil unrest seems to over. Hugs to those who have been affected. The person wh lost the wheels on the car(sorry I've forgotten) people are such pigs I am so sorry, when they do these things they don't realise the cost and inconvenience it is. Welcome to all the newbies and lurkers, you are in great company here.
DS slept a little better or should I say I'm so exhausted I didn't hear him! Need to do heaps of washing but forecast lots of rain here:( must do run to Mr M. DD is collecting Disney cards, they have promotional items and these are more than regular, just to get a pk of cards. DD now knows this is not possible!! Put all DS clothes in his new chest of drawers last night. 98% of his clothes are hand me downs from various people and he has so many trousers it's untrue!! Need to sort out DD clothes today too. Should really start doing name tapes in school uniform if I do 2 a day I won't be in a pickle and should have time to spare!! Have a good day messies will check in later to let you know how i've done!

notatvstar

Hope things work out OK for you ExTrolly101. PND is not nice - I don't have kids btw, but my Mum had it with me - we were lucky that my Dad was a fantastic man so we all got through it in the end.

... right. Grrrrrrrrr <... aggressive-self-motivation-pose>

Right - the stew-dense come back on Oct. I'm off to sort out my teaching materials for the next academic year. Holy Cow.

<... opens cupboard... whimpers>

:eek:

mcculloch29

notatvstar wrote: »

Right - the stew-dense come back on Oct. I'm off to sort out my teaching materials for the next academic year. Holy Cow.

<... opens cupboard... whimpers>

:eek:

Only one cupboard? Wow!

My main job is as an e-tutor, which generates NO paperwork :j x1000 .

However, I've also taught in the community, and because I am a jack of all trades, qualified in numeracy, literacy, LLDD and ICT the house is swamped with paperwork and files from 6 years of community teaching. I also used to teach home-based childcare....

I've enjoyed reading everyone's lovely newsy posts. Massive hugs for those fighting black dogs of depression. My lovely bro was diagnosed many years ago. His Mum in law and wife were/are both nurses and so he was spared being hospitalised, thank goodness. He has had a lifetime of treatment since.

About to do ironing for those items that really require it! Have a good weekend everyone.

helen_jelly

Morning all

ExTrolley - hope things start to sort themselves out for you and that you soon feel better. PND is a b!tch so take care of yourself honey

Emm - WOW, hire yourself out lady and come over here - free bics and tea on offer

Crafty and Rummer - WTG

Bluebag - no idea on the cloths - I think they are useless and I won't use them - sorry not alot of help!!

Sagaris - hope all is ok [hugs]

My plan of action today is to continue with DD's room - she's refusing to sleep in there till its decorated so she keeps sleeping in a tent in the Garden - which means I'm sleeping on the sofa so she's not alone!!!! I'm cracking on with it today as I hate sleeping on the sofa

Have a good day everyone

Helen x

Rummer

The bedroom is now spotless! Yay!

helen_jelly

The glossing is done but as the room is so small I can't carry on painting until the gloss is dry so thats the job for tomorrow. DD is staying at her Dads tonight and tomorrow night so by Monday afternoon I'm hoping to have started on the Papering - decorating always sounds like such a good idea until you have to do it!!!

Going to crack on with some housework now cos I'm cold and I need to warm up [and I want to have a kip and if I do it'll be for hours, so housework it is]

Helen x

ETA
3 loads in the washer
Washed up
Hoovered K floor
Mopped K floor
Cleaned all the cupboard doors
Cleaned WM and TD fronts
Cleaned Fridge and Freezer doors
Hoovered hall
Hoovered stairs

Read my book

gilly1964

helen_jelly wrote: »

The glossing is done but as the room is so small I can't carry on painting until the gloss is dry so thats the job for tomorrow. DD is staying at her Dads tonight and tomorrow night so by Monday afternoon I'm hoping to have started on the Papering - decorating always sounds like such a good idea until you have to do it!!!

Going to crack on with some housework now cos I'm cold and I need to warm up [and I want to have a kip and if I do it'll be for hours, so housework it is]

Helen x

ETA
1 load in the washer
Washed up

We are decorating here also and like you thought it was a good idea at the time.


It is starting to take shape - no wallpapering here - just painting and varnish the skirting - then relay the carpet.


Still got to buy or make new curtains, buy a pole, new bedding to fit with the colours and some furniture but then room will be ready for DS as a grown up room with a study for him in the next room. Mickey Mouse has been evicted to the loft but DS is 18 so suppose it is about time.


Just been to the tip with his old desk - we did not need to dismantle it - it fell to bits when we moved it, loads of old paperwork, magazines, broken laundry basket and other stuff.


I need advice on Freecycle - we have an old TV which still works but is no longer required - does this sort of thing get taken?


Off now to get on with the next leg of the marathon.


Have a good day all

helen_jelly

Gilly - you'll have loads after the TV on Freecycle - go for it

I've got the painting, papering, curtain and duvet making still to do

Cleaning now as we are living in a dump here

Helen x