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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 15, 2021 9:56:13 GMT -5
Day 7 Built in Catch up Day
Step 1. Do the Dishes
Step 2. Sweep the Kitchen floor
Step 3. Set timer for 5 min, Do 5 min quick pick up/tidy
Step 4. Go back and do any planning you didn't do the week before A. Meal planning checklist B. Finish/Do Master Check list - walk through each room and write it down C. Do the work, the things skipped on the previous days D. With the remaining time, divide time by rooms, Starting with the first priority room, Work each room for that amount of time
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 15, 2021 10:00:03 GMT -5
so, ya I have much catching to do
I still need to meal plan not just vague ideas
I still need to do the checklist for rooms 2-8
I missed many 5 min tidy and some dishes
Today I work, and work hard
To Do 1. Breakfast 2. Dishes 3. Teeth 4. room list 5. food plan
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 17, 2021 9:31:48 GMT -5
Day 8 Deep Clean the Bathrooms
Step 1 Do the Dishes
Step 2 Sweep the kitchen floor
Step 3 5 min pickup/tidy
Step 4. Deep Clean the Bathroom
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 17, 2021 9:36:04 GMT -5
Day 9 Deep clean the Kitchen
Step 1. Do the Dishes
Step 2. Sweep the Kitchen floor
Step 3. Set timer for 5 minutes. Do 5 min quick pickup/tidy
Step 4. wipe bathroom surfaces, swish the toilet
Step 5. Deep clean the Kitchen
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Post by goldenthreads on Nov 17, 2021 18:49:36 GMT -5
Other life stuff has been getting in my way. I'm almost finished cleaning the refrigerator. The toilet has been cleaned, although I'll probably hit it again Wednesday. I'm still doing the dishes every day. I've now recycled old cables, chargers, and CFL bulbs that had been sitting on my kitchen counter for perhaps two years, and then got moved to a bin on the floor for several months, so the kitchen is looking better. The only dirty dishes are where they should be, next to the sink (none on the stove!).
I'll be back later tonight or tomorrow.
Good job, Puzzle! Your 14-day project sounds much more extensive than mine, so kudos for doing what you've already done.
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 18, 2021 10:08:20 GMT -5
goldenthreads,
Great work on the fridge, bathroom, dishes and things that have sat for far too long. Getting those things finally recycled must be a load off the mind.
I'm not getting nearly as much done as I'd hoped, or probably that you imagine. I am doing more than if I hadn't started this thread. Plus a lot of the mental prep work is getting done and won't be wasted, since it is written down.
I am involving the children more in maintenance jobs than previously. I did get the kitchen floor swept. I am still glad we have 6 days till Thanksgiving. I will be restarting this project again after thanksgiving.
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 18, 2021 10:47:05 GMT -5
Day 10 Finish the Detailed Checklist
Step 1. Do the Dishes (go get em)
Step 2. Sweep the Kitchen floor
Step 3. Wipe the Bathroom surfaces
Step 4. Set timer for 5 minutes, quick pickup/tidy
Step 5. Finish Adjusted Room priority checklist A. Count how many tasks are left on the list B. Look at the planning pages, look at the reality of today, how much time do I really have to spend on this list TODAY C. Divide the number of minutes by the number of tasks. Keep that number in mind. Some tasks will take less time, some will take more. Do the math, even if it seems there is plenty of time. If there are more tasks than minutes and most tasks take 5 minutes or more, accept the reality that many of the tasks won't get done or will only partially get done.
Starting in the room that will be used the least, start taking things off the list. Re-Evaluate and quickly prioritize most important tasks or non negotiable items. At this point, just because I really really really want it done, might not mean that it must be done for functionality. Choices are, 1. Not Done at all, 2. Partially done, 3. Delegate - someone else does it, 4. throw money at it - hire it done/buy convenience ie.. buy sliced cheese instead of slicing it personally - Buy new hot pads instead of sewing them
Super thorough attention to detail may be a luxury of time I don't have. Deal and move on, good enough is good enough is better
Do NOT Spend OODLES (or most) of the time dithering/agonizing/wondering the best way. Make quick decisions and get working! Systematically with focus and determination, do the list. persevere . Bravely go forth and DO!
"Time is Finite, and it doesn't Expand just because I want it to!"
Step 6. If there is time after completing the list, go to the first room (the one where people spend the most time) and straighten/tidy make things look nice. Do all the rooms in order of priority.
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 22, 2021 13:42:41 GMT -5
Day 11 Cooking Prep
Step 1. Do the Dishes Step 2. Sweep the kitchen floor Step 3. 5 minute tidy Step 4. Wipe bathroom surfaces
Step 5. Cooking prep A. Make sure you have all of your groceries. Shop if needed. B. Do any prep work possible. Chop vegetables, precook meats, make sauces, wash food that needs washing (fruits/vegetables), divide things that need dividing, make the breakfast muffins. Any cooking ahead that can be done, do it!
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 22, 2021 14:18:53 GMT -5
Day 12 They're Coming Soon!
Step 1. Do the Dishes (seriously get them done) Step 2. Sweep the Kitchen Step 3. 5 minute tidy Step 4. Wipe the bathroom surfaces
Step 5. Deep Clean the Bathrooms guests will use. Top to floor. Remove portables from Bathroom A. Dust, light fixtures, tops of doorways, the doors, any ledges, shower curtain rod, mirrors, tub, toilet tank top, toilet paper holder, sink and backsplash, vanity doors, vents. showerhead B. Sweep/vacuum floor C. Clean/disinfect sink, faucets, tub, toilet, toilet brush and holder (is it time for a new one) D. Wipe and place portables that belong in shower and sink E. Make sure soap is full, extra rolls of toilet paper F. Mop/disinfect floor G. Empty Garbage/ wipe down and place floor portables
Step 6. Deep Clean the Kitchen A. Dust B. Wipe Surfaces, appliances, microwave, check the walls, doors, doorways, stove hood, top of fridge, fridge handle, oven outside C. sweep/vacuum D. Mop, spend a little more time on stubborn spots
Step 7. Dust rooms in priority order, according to how much time people spend in each room. Bathrooms and Kitchen are already done. Start at the top/ceiling to floor. Curtains, curtain rods, doors and doorframes, light fixtures, picture frames, behind computers, surfaces, knickknacks, screens, keyboards, baseboards, vents
Step 8. Sweep/Vacuum all the rooms in priority
As I go through the rooms, if I see things I want done, that didn't make it on the Master list, quickly jot it down, start a new list. Do not get distracted, this is not time for new projects, I am dusting and vacuuming, not sorting that big pile of papers, or starting a scrapbook, or anything else. If there is time after vacuuming, then start working on new list. Do NOT start projects that will make a mess in the cleaned areas and can't be completed quickly.
How much time available determines how detailed the dusting and vacuuming can be. Good LUCK! This is DOABLE! So go forth and DO!
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 22, 2021 14:54:13 GMT -5
Day 13 Guests come TOMORROW! or Tomorrow is the DAY to ENJOY!
Step 1. Do the Dishes Step 2. Sweep the kitchen Floor Step 3. 5 minute tidy Step 4. wipe the bathroom surfaces
Step 5. 10% of the time available today can be worked on the new list made yesterday. Stay focused on what is important to get done today, not the random things that suddenly seem like a good idea. Quickly go through the rooms and complete the last minute things that can be done in the short time allotted
Step 6. Bedding and towels A. Change the Bedding, fresh sheets on beds that won't be slept on tonight, gather fresh sheets for beds that are slept on tonight and will need changing in the morning. Vacuum beds and pillows, before replacing sheets and pillow cases. B. Fresh towels. Gather fresh towels for guests. Wash towels, fresh towels for everyone. Replace bathroom and kitchen towels with clean.
Sheets, Towels, blankets gathered, washed as needed
Step 7. New checklist Stand outside the front door. Make a very short list of what to do before guests come, what do they see, Does the door need cleaning, the doorknob, the porch swept. Double check that I have the food I need for the next day, get any forgotten items
Step 8. Find Last Minute Hospitality Checklist, read it and have it ready for tomorrow
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 22, 2021 14:58:46 GMT -5
I'm glad to have that all written out. Time to take more action. Yes, I have NOT done many things. I have done some things. I cooked a big pork roast last Sunday, and finally made delicious stew, so yay! The kitchen and bathrooms are cleaner. A few less piles, a few things finished and done.
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Post by goldenthreads on Nov 23, 2021 15:33:40 GMT -5
Well, I've been a lousy partner here. You're keeping on moving, puzzleqt. Good job! My situation has changed and eased a little. The landlord will be gone, and we get to use his kitchen and dining room in his part of the house. That means we can use both kitchens if that works better. We haven't worked out all the timing completely. The menu, assignment of responsibilities, and shopping are finished (except onions (not on list! ) and maybe something simple and ready-made). I stopped watching her videos. They're great, but I'm just going to keep going on my list. Those two planning/cleaning pages are something I will keep as a practice forever until that amazing day that I have dependable good habits. Back later...
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Post by puzzleqt on Nov 26, 2021 16:16:32 GMT -5
Hey Goldenthreads, I'm just happy you got something useful out of it all. so yea rah rah to you as well I didn't write down the menu, so Thanksgiving late lunch, became dinner. Mostly because, I totally forgot that the fresh bread needed 3hrs to cook in the bread machine, and we didn't remember because I didn't WRITE it down to refer to. sigh, oh well, it was a lovely meal with my immediate family that lives at home. The extra time allowed for more leisurely movements and a few more things finished (mopping the Kitchen floor). Mostly, even though I didn't do lots of the program, it helped me be less frantic and overwhelmed, not ending in a crying jag of misery. Next is to write out the last day. Then I'm Starting Over with Day 1
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Post by goldenthreads on Nov 26, 2021 17:15:00 GMT -5
Oh, thanks. I was feeling kind of guilty. Mine went very well also. I am going to need to pause to take care of personal business, but I expect to be back in a few weeks.
About your bread... you know, it would have been nice, but usually there's so much other food it wouldn't matter. An analogy might be that old recommendation to get fully dressed for a special occasion, look in the mirror, and then remove one piece of jewelry. A little simpler can be beautiful.
Very glad it went well, and congratulations on your no-cry feasting day.
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Post by joyinvirginia on Nov 27, 2021 20:26:06 GMT -5
Puzzleqt, thanks for posting the steps you followed. Great list! So glad you did not end up crying in misery, and instead had a good day!
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