My house stresses me OUT.If you came over unannounced, this is what you'd see...

[NayneeNoo]

:sigh I live in CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). Seriously, there have been SO many times our friends want to come over that we've said no b/c my house looks like this. I'm so stressed. I can't keep on top of things. This stupid computer sucks up all my time. I try so hard to stay off of it. No willpower. At all. I'm half tempted to have DH cancel it until we move. Seriously. I cannot get anything done. I refresh my page over and over again, visit in a cycle the 4 boards I am a member of (one of which I only read usually), and check my e-mail obsessively. My husband doesn't really think anything of it. Nor does he know exactly what I do all day long. I feel like such a failure much of the time as my mother was an attentive mom, worked out of the house, attended every extracurricular function my brother and I were in, and also was involved at church....and her house was always clean. How did she do it? Seriously? I can't get my act together. And, as you can see, instead of cleaning, I am on here. Posting this. :rolleyes So, here are pictures of what you would see at my house if you came over unannounced. :blush Maybe if someone sees it other than me, DH and Hope, I can....yeah, right. I dunno why I'm showing these. It probably won't help. :sigh After I post this, I'm turning off the computer and I'm going to clean. Really. I solemnly swear not to check this board 1400 times to see how many replies this thread gets. :no :blush
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS002.jpg
(the bags in this picture are for Goodwill...they have been sitting in my room for nearly a month)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS007.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS008.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS010.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS012.jpg
(This is actually *clean* for the living room, but I just cleaned it last night...so that's why.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS013.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS014.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/CHAOS015.jpg

:blush This ranks right up there with my mom seeing it like this. :(

[SouthPaw]

go clean 1 room and report back with pictures! :grin toute suite!!

[MrsHutch]

This stupid computer sucks up all my time. I try so hard to stay off of it. No willpower. At all. I'm half tempted to have DH cancel it until we move. Seriously. I cannot get anything done. I refresh my page over and over again, visit in a cycle the 4 boards I am a member of (one of which I only read usually), and check my e-mail obsessively. My husband doesn't really think anything of it. Nor does he know exactly what I do all day long. I feel like such a failure ...... And, as you can see, instead of cleaning, I am on here. Posting this. :rolleyes

Are you describing me????? :giggle ;) :O

Seriously, I feel you on the internet addiction/get nothing done at home all day thing.... :hug2 I wish I knew what to tell you to do about that, but I have the EXACT same problem. :sigh

BUT... I agree with Kathrine, go clean a room and report back with pictures! It'll be fun! :sillygrin

[Oliveshoots]

Hey is that a Dickey's BBQ cup on your kitchen cabinet? It looks JUST like one that we have. And ours is usually in that exact same spot, with dried juice or milk in the bottom. :giggle

Sorry I just wanted to lighten your mood a little. ;)

Here's a new motto I learned from Rene Russo (okay, well, her *character*) on "Yours, Mine, Ours":
"Home is for free expression, not to make good impressions" or something like that. I try to remember that when things aren't exactly the way I would like them.

So now that you've shown us, have some people over and don't sweat it. :yes :hug2

[AmyDoll]

((Amy)) it looks like we could still sit on the couch and gossip over a cup of coffee. :hug
Hope looks happy as a lark too.

It's hard to clean when you're thinking about your new house too ;)

[celestial princess]

you know what, I've seen worse. no lie. on another thread, someone just posted, "you're doing the best you can right now." other days will be better. i know you've already had worse :hug

[joyful mama]

:hug2

[Dana Joy]

ok- how cute is hope in that middle picture- she looks well cared for and adorable and inmho that is all that matters!!!

[Mamatoto]

It doesn't really look that bad...it looks like some decluttering and finding a spot for things is all that you need. Can your dh take the kiddos out for a couple of hours while you work? It helps me to be alone if I want to get things really done. :hug2

[Chris3jam]

Looks like our house. . . . . :shifty And the problem is. . . .. . .. ? :shifty

People live there. Whaddya gonna do? :shrug

[mamaKristin]

I'd come over :shrug

On a practical level, turn the computer off until a set time. I am currently limited on computer time because of a crashed laptop. I can only hop on DH's computer every now and then...I'm getting a LOT more housework done. :giggle :blush

Another thought - want to know why so many of us grew up in homes where mom worked outside the home and it was tidier? They weren't IN the house all day. When I'm home, we are HOME. Can't keep the rooms as clean as I like when we're always IN them! :giggle

[Heather Micaela]

Mine looks exactly the same - only mutiply the amount of laundry and subtract some square footage.
And the minute I get one room cleaned (as one suggested) they have succeeded in messing up another.

My only soulion is ruthless decluttering - (throwing away till it huts) But even that doesn't prevent hurricane Christina , hurrcane Joshua, and tropical storm Amalia Linda from destroying everything in their wak.

All that to say. BTDT :hug

[Teacher Mom]

ok- how cute is hope in that middle picture- she looks well cared for and adorable and inmho that is all that matters!!!


:yes

[joyful mama]

I understand how much stress a messy house can be. Really, it doesn't look bad. I've seen a lot worse. For me, a messy cluttered home is very hard for me emotionally. Those pics could have been me a few months ago. I decided I *had* to change things (and I still have a ways to go) b/c it was causing me to take it out on the kids and raise my voice, etc. I would really have physical symptoms that bothered me.

Things that help me that I've implemented from flylady, and on my own...

1. setting the timer for 15 minutes increments- its amazing what15 minutes in each room can do! and when its bad, 15 minute increments on the computer, too.
2. decluttering and having a few routines. For example, I clean the sink before going to bed. All dishes get washed and I make it shine. Usually I put out a new dish towel. I clean the bathroom when the kids are in the bath. I clean the tub before filling it for their bath. I scrub the toilet, clean the mirror and countertops while they play. I declutter it daily. We only keep essentials out, the rest get put away in the linen closet, vanity, etc. I put the kids' clothes away and their toys while they play in their room. I put it all in a basket or two and get to it while they play. I organized their toys and decluttered so it only takes 10 minutes tops to put them all away.


Another thought - want to know why so many of us grew up in homes where mom worked outside the home and it was tidier? They weren't IN the house all day. When I'm home, we are HOME. Can't keep the rooms as clean as I like when we're always IN them YES. my house was nearly perfect until the kids woke up this morning :lol

[MamaJayne]

Would it help to hear that I think you could easily get it into shape (at least so it doesn't stress you out anymore) in an hour or two? Break it up over the afternoon/evening -- just do 8 rounds of 15 minutes on a timer, going as fast as you can to get things into place. Fill your sink with dishwater, and all the dirty dishes have a spot to soak while you clean. Grab a laundry basket and put everything that goes in another room in there, so you aren't distracted going room to room. Just go hard for fifteen minutes at a time -- I think it isn't nearly as bad as you think. I hope that came out in the encouraging way I meant it to.

[Rabbit]

It really does look like you only need to de-clutter and create spaces as permanent homes for some of your stuff. Just organize. My home, on the other hand, needs some serious work with trash bags, the vacuum cleaner, and some disinfectant.

[klpmommy]

It looks so much like mine, esp the stairs. Wanna come visit & comisserate with me (rather than cleaning, of course!)

[Havilah]

Boy, oh boy. I can relate. I'm decluttering like I've lost my mind and things are shaping up around here. I'm also spending a LOT more time outside, and a LOT less time on this darn computer. It's helping... but I'm so sympathetic to the way you are feeling because I spent about two years there. I don't think I'm over the hump yet.

:hug2

[NayneeNoo]

Well, seems it's not as messy as I think. I needed to be reminded that my family was not home during the day growing up. :yes My house still stresses me out though. ;) I can't relax with it like this. So, after I posted, I cleaned the bathroom (except for mopping--I have to wait for Hope to be asleep to do that) and Hope's room. I weeded out some of her stuffed animals and put them on Freecycle. I also folded towels, one load of darks, moved some lights to the dryer, then folded those, and started another load of lights, moved the darks to the dryer. Now I'm waiting for the darks to finish and for dinner to finish cooking. :phew I'm surprised with myself b/c I'm not feeling all that well. Tree pollen is killing me. SO. Anyway, here are some "afters".
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/AFTERS001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/AFTERS002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/AFTERS003.jpg

Tomorrow is DH's day off, so I'm thinking of asking him to take Hope out of the house for me.Maybe I can get some packing done, too.

[celestial princess]

:woohoo Go Amy!

[klpmommy]

:woohoo Looks great!!! (hmmmm, maybe I need to do something like this for some accountability :think )

[joyful mama]

:woohoo!

[SouthPaw]

woohoo!!!

ps are you flying or levitating for those hope's room pics? sprinkle some fairy dust my way! ;)

[NayneeNoo]

LOL. I'm standing on her bed. :P~

[ProudMommaof2]

:woohoo :tu :hug Wow...what a huge difference! You go girl!!! :rockon

[canadiyank]

Those look awesome, way to go! :rockon ITTTTTU understand about a messy house feeling paralyzing. Dh did the kitchen yesterday and it totally got me going (along with the small, ok, GIANT, motivator of my parents coming this weekend!). Now I have my living room mess confined to 6 piles. :blush But they're organized piles. Tomorrow, to find the piles' homes. :shifty

[arwen_tiw]

I want those storage boxes on Hope's changing unit. :mrgreen

OK so my house is rarely as tidy as those after pictures, and even the before pictures would be seriously pushing it right now as our hoover is broken. :blush I agree with Chris :giggle people live here. :shifty

[crunchymum]

This stupid computer sucks up all my time. I try so hard to stay off of it. No willpower. At all. I'm half tempted to have DH cancel it until we move. Seriously. I cannot get anything done. I refresh my page over and over again, visit in a cycle the 4 boards I am a member of (one of which I only read usually), and check my e-mail obsessively. My husband doesn't really think anything of it. Nor does he know exactly what I do all day long. I feel like such a failure ...... And, as you can see, instead of cleaning, I am on here. Posting this. :rolleyes

Are you describing me????? :giggle ;) :O

Seriously, I feel you on the internet addiction/get nothing done at home all day thing.... :hug2 I wish I knew what to tell you to do about that, but I have the EXACT same problem. :sigh





:yes2

and amy, you should come see *my* house. i'm not even brave enough to post how bad it is right now. :blush even the 'before' pictures in my organizing thread are not as bad is it is most days.... :hug2

[mom2threegirls]

I needed to be reminded that my family was not home during the day growing up


:yes :yes I am always reminding myself of this. I too had a working mom and our house was kept clean even with 3 kids, but it helps a LOT to remember that because we were out of the house all day the house didn't get nearly as messy. ;)

I'm 100% with you on the house stressing you out, BTW! I feel like the state of my house determines my mood (messy, bad mood; clean, good mood) but often I just feel SOOOOO unmotivated to do much about it. :doh

What a difference in the afters! Great job! :clap

[crunchymum]

whooops, missed the after pictures! looks GREAT! :rockon :heart

[LadybugSam]

I'd come over :hug

I understant, my house looks like that a lot too.

I just tell people to "pretend like my house is clean" and that usually keeps them quiet ;)

[Chris3jam]

I have plaques; "My house was clean last week. Sorry you missed it." and "If you came to see the house, please make an appointment. If you came to see me, have a seat!"

[Maggie]

ITU! :hug I'll post my pics soon. It's so stressful to have clutter, isn't it? :hug2

[tempus vernum]

Wow! Great after pictures. You've motivated me to log off and do some decluttering. :rockon

[allisonintx]

Up until about three weeks ago, my house was like yours X4. There was not an inch of free carpet or floor space in any room! ITA with the 15 minute jags. That is a GREAT way to get it going.

[The Tickle Momster]

Looks like you've made some progress. Good for you! Your after pics look great!

FWIW, my house looks almost exactly like yours, minus the cat and the hair care items. ;)

[daffodil]

See??????????You CAN do it!!

Great job! and I love love love the rug!!

[cindergretta]

I didn't read the replies b/c I am a twerp! (No excuses- just a twerp!) Anyway, as I perused your pictures, I saw the *cutest* little face peering out of one! Wow! Adorable! Frankly, if I came to your house and she met me at the door, I don't think I'd see anything else! :heart

(I'm gonna go back through the thread now...... :shifty )

[LadybugSam]

off to find the cute little face....

AWWWWWWWWW! I saw her before but AWWWWWWWWW...

[AdrienneQW]

1) I'd come over. :yes
2) I'd feel right at home because my place looks the same. :giggle
3) Your DD is precious!
4) Your "after" photos are inspiring - good for you! Kudos and keep it up! :clap
5) Where did you get the rug in Hope's room??? It's adorable and it would match my DD's room perfectly!

[NayneeNoo]

5) Where did you get the rug in Hope's room??? It's adorable and it would match my DD's room perfectly!

I'm not sure, my mom got it for her, but I'll ask next time I talk to her!

[Lantern Light Mama]

My dirty living room:) Anyone want to help clean? A tornado hit it today!


http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb310/baggettsnotbread/2007_0130trees0037.jpg

[Lantern Light Mama]

well my table is clean

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb310/baggettsnotbread/2007_0130trees0032.jpg


Im cooking dinner

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb310/baggettsnotbread/2007_0130trees0033.jpg

[Lantern Light Mama]

we can be messies together just wait till you see my laundry and the kids rooms :O

[NayneeNoo]

Got another room done!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/LilMamaShutterbug/lots016.jpg

[WanderingJuniper]

Aww. My house only looks clean after 8:30pm. :P~ My grandma, who was/is a momma to 5 born in 7 years, said fondly, "Oh hon, your house looks like mine did when my children were little. A place where happy children live." :heart It made my day, especially since there were still big signs in the kitchen announcing our sharpie incident.

[kiloyd]

I try and keep our living room and kitchen de-cluttered, it makes me feel happier. But there are days when it falls apart.

I didn't read all the other posts, did someone already mention Flylady? I remind myself that it is amazing what can be cleaned up in just 5-15 minutes.

I'm currently trying to do my dishes that need to be done by hand every morning. They get done so much faster if I don't let them get piled up.

maybe start with just one room and work on that for awhile?

[NayneeNoo]

I tried FlyLady. She stressed me out even more.

[This Busy Mom]

Ever watched that show "Little People"? I figure if she can be brave enough to show her house full of busy kids clutter on tv, then I should just chill out... life happens.