Living Clean
Louise Lotz's Blog (26)
Review of last few weeks
I have spent a huge amount of time in the last 3 weeks.
I have also launched into the garden.
My biggest achievements have been to make a start on removing the ivy in the garden which has been choking some of the trees and had begun to cover the garage roof with a thick soggy green mass of moss ivy and soil.
I manage to remove all of this yesterday by climbing onto the garage roof, a great feat for an ageing and overweight lady.
The garage is clear and I…
Added by Louise Lotz on August 22, 2011 at 4:07am — No Comments
Getting kitchen and bathroom sorted again
I was very busy with elections up until May, so my spring cleaning was rather delayed. I have now begun to do my proper spring cleaning. I started by drawing up 31 jobs in the bathroom. I was amazed that I actually found so many - usually I just whizz round in about 5 minutes.
But these are deep clean jobs. I started with the windows - they looked so much better once they were cleaned. Today I took down the blind and detached it from the roller. Put it through the washing…
ContinueAdded by Louise Lotz on June 4, 2011 at 10:47am — No Comments
Getting papers sorted
Today I threw out quite a lot of old magazines and papers. We now have a new kerbside bin, where we can throw out paper - it goes into a caddy at the top of the wheelie bin. This is collected every 2 weeks. So my new resolution is to fill that every week. So once a fortnight I can put it out, then the other week I can go to the recycle dump myself to empty it.
On Friday the piano tuner arrived - I had totally forgotten he was coming. The whole area was junked…
ContinueAdded by Louise Lotz on May 30, 2011 at 2:35pm — 1 Comment
Reorganising filing cabinets
I gave away a full sized photocopier and the relief is enormous - such an opening up of empty space.
The house is coming on - but is still a long way off dazzling.
Today I am clearing a wooden filing cabinet - one of those little ones that fits under the desk.
It is in the area by the piano and I am going to bring it out of there and put it where the photocopier was - to sort - but ultimately it can go out. It could go up to Ronaldo's room or could go under my… Continue
The house is coming on - but is still a long way off dazzling.
Today I am clearing a wooden filing cabinet - one of those little ones that fits under the desk.
It is in the area by the piano and I am going to bring it out of there and put it where the photocopier was - to sort - but ultimately it can go out. It could go up to Ronaldo's room or could go under my… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 17, 2010 at 5:00am — No Comments
Memo for myself about future blog posts
My blogging has been quite active for the last couple of days. That's because so many things have been cancelled in the snow that I have had some extra time in the house and as I spent a lot of the holidays working on this and it all started to come together, I have just decided to push it to the next level. On Monday though, I have loads of meetings and functions starting again, so I won't be able to do this. But I hope to keep up the basic method of making a circuit of the house and… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 10, 2010 at 7:30am — 1 Comment
Menu plans - the lazy way
I have been to Sparkpeople and downloaded 2 menu plans. One is for 'this week' and one is for 'next week'. I have also recorded my weight and measurements etc. The good news is, I am losing weight again.
I have been quite tempted by some menu-planning software, but I can't buy anything at the moment because of my deep financial crisis. However, they do have free menu-reading software and free menu-reading books and free menu books. One day when my finances are better I could buy it -… Continue
I have been quite tempted by some menu-planning software, but I can't buy anything at the moment because of my deep financial crisis. However, they do have free menu-reading software and free menu-reading books and free menu books. One day when my finances are better I could buy it -… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 10, 2010 at 5:00am — No Comments
What I found under the sink
Under the sink was not too bad, at least from the organisational point of view. I must have tidied it at some point or maybe someone else did.
It was really quite tidy.
All the shoe shining stuff has disappeared, from under the sink though, and I think this may have gone into the cupboard next door to the sink. This next door cupboard is a totally different matter - it is terribly untidy, crammed to the gills with miscellaneous stuff and spare lightbulbs that I can't find… Continue
It was really quite tidy.
All the shoe shining stuff has disappeared, from under the sink though, and I think this may have gone into the cupboard next door to the sink. This next door cupboard is a totally different matter - it is terribly untidy, crammed to the gills with miscellaneous stuff and spare lightbulbs that I can't find… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 10, 2010 at 4:30am — No Comments
Feeling of real Progress
When I think of my 'cleaning journey' if that is the right word, I am reminded of the saying: 'The darkest hour comes before the dawn'. I have been cleaning away and felt there was no progress for ages. Then I felt really down about it - but now it feels as though there has been a big shift and everything is moving forward again.
It is as if you hit rock bottom before the shift comes.
The biggest thing that is improving this time is that the channel is there for the… Continue
It is as if you hit rock bottom before the shift comes.
The biggest thing that is improving this time is that the channel is there for the… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 9, 2010 at 4:45am — No Comments
Getting a better flow
I am starting to get a better sense of flow - and have made great progress on the bedroom today - a large area of floor has now appeared. Some stuff has gone back there, but it looks a lot neater, at least it is in bags and tucked away.
Last week I cleared and sorted the drawers that hold most of my current clothing.
Today I have revisited these drawers and also the crazy piles of clothing.
I have sorted the coathangers and have hung up those things that need… Continue
Last week I cleared and sorted the drawers that hold most of my current clothing.
Today I have revisited these drawers and also the crazy piles of clothing.
I have sorted the coathangers and have hung up those things that need… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 8, 2010 at 10:25am — No Comments
The NTL man cometh
Today there is a beneficial crisis that may take my housekeeping agenda forward.
The NTL man cometh and the box sitteth in my bedroom area.
This means I have to clear that area so he can reach it to fix the TV.
Yesterday I removed a large printer that was sitting in that area.
There is some linen there and this has gone onto the bed, but must go back in linen cupboard.
The excitement mounts as I have taken some junk out of there - including… Continue
The NTL man cometh and the box sitteth in my bedroom area.
This means I have to clear that area so he can reach it to fix the TV.
Yesterday I removed a large printer that was sitting in that area.
There is some linen there and this has gone onto the bed, but must go back in linen cupboard.
The excitement mounts as I have taken some junk out of there - including… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 8, 2010 at 7:52am — No Comments
Today's big emergency clearing
I am now sorting the stuff that has come from the bedroom floor. Most of it will quickly slot into - washing paper or other category - so just doing a quick sort of this and allocating it all where it goes and then going back to vacuum the floor there. I will keep this ongoing post - recording as I clear. I am quite excited today and have renewed energy for this job.
I've hung the washing out - to make room for more - there is deep snow, but the sun is out and it might dry a bit or… Continue
I've hung the washing out - to make room for more - there is deep snow, but the sun is out and it might dry a bit or… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 8, 2010 at 7:30am — No Comments
Frustration of getting nowhere
Progress is very slow - but I need to take more photos and to keep reminding myself of tangible signs of progress.
Peter brought a load of stuff down from the loft - which was a complication as things were getting a lot tidier.
However, it was good to get some progress on the loft - which is supposed to be cleared by March.
I started to sort out my bedroom - which became badly cluttered again when I chucked a load of stuff in there for Peter's… Continue
Peter brought a load of stuff down from the loft - which was a complication as things were getting a lot tidier.
However, it was good to get some progress on the loft - which is supposed to be cleared by March.
I started to sort out my bedroom - which became badly cluttered again when I chucked a load of stuff in there for Peter's… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on January 2, 2010 at 5:45pm — 1 Comment
Progress on Study / Office
This has been very slow going.
I have mentally divided it all into 'quadrants' or sections, and I am aiming to get right round in one month.
I am working on several levels though, rather than just working logically round.
I am aiming to tidy, clear and sweep or vacuum the floor every day as it gets very piled up with stuff.
I am aiming to organise part of the bookshelf system every day.
Aiming to keep my desk clear every day.
And… Continue
I have mentally divided it all into 'quadrants' or sections, and I am aiming to get right round in one month.
I am working on several levels though, rather than just working logically round.
I am aiming to tidy, clear and sweep or vacuum the floor every day as it gets very piled up with stuff.
I am aiming to organise part of the bookshelf system every day.
Aiming to keep my desk clear every day.
And… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on December 30, 2009 at 6:39am — No Comments
Today I am starting on the study
So far, I have tidied the living room and the bathroom and kitchen.
Now I am onto 'maintain' with those.
I have adapted Jan's programme by identifying a 30 step plan for keeping the room tidy
So I do the room tidying in 2 different ways - one is I do the daily tidying - where you go round picking everything up and putting it where it should be and clean anything that needs to be cleaned.
The second circuit is the deep clean circuit. There is obviously an overlap between the… Continue
Now I am onto 'maintain' with those.
I have adapted Jan's programme by identifying a 30 step plan for keeping the room tidy
So I do the room tidying in 2 different ways - one is I do the daily tidying - where you go round picking everything up and putting it where it should be and clean anything that needs to be cleaned.
The second circuit is the deep clean circuit. There is obviously an overlap between the… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on December 29, 2009 at 2:23pm — No Comments
Christmas
Yesterday I put up the Christmas tree. I have a plastic tree because I think it is more environmentally friendly. So I had to get it down from the attic. While I was up there I got a few more things down as I need to clear the attic for the insulation people who are coming in the spring. They were coming in autumn, but I had to put them off as I had not done the clearance.
I have done quite a number of cleaning jobs and there are big improvements. However, my study area and the… Continue
I have done quite a number of cleaning jobs and there are big improvements. However, my study area and the… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on December 6, 2009 at 5:17am — No Comments
Bathroom cupboard declutter
I took up Jan's suggestsions and did a bit of decluttering in the bathroom. I like to do this and find some treats in there so I build up from the bathroom day to the pamper day.
I have done the bathroom declutter in a couple of sessions. the first thing I found was some hair colouring that I had got on a half price or less sale. They have been sitting there for about 3 years. So I did a quick colour session on my hair - which was really good and it took out the odd wisps of grey and… Continue
I have done the bathroom declutter in a couple of sessions. the first thing I found was some hair colouring that I had got on a half price or less sale. They have been sitting there for about 3 years. So I did a quick colour session on my hair - which was really good and it took out the odd wisps of grey and… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on November 30, 2009 at 8:12am — No Comments
Bedroom Clutter
I started on the bedroom clutter but realized I am just really shifting the stuff around the room. So I have decided to completely re-organise it. At the moment a huge amount of stuff is being stored in the bedroom. This happened as a result of having to open up the house so I could have lodgers here and the downstairs room where I am sleeping at the moment still has the bookshelves and things in it that it had when it was an ordinary downstairs room.
On top of these are boxes of… Continue
On top of these are boxes of… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on November 14, 2009 at 5:35pm — No Comments
Paper clutter is better
I am very encouraged by the big improvement in the paper clutter.
I think tomorrow I need to empty that area and work out what files are current.
Maybe just move the remaining partially sorted stuff to the other side of the room, just to see how I want things to be here.
They work out what files I need in order to do all my current work.
That should be good.
Then work out how to get rid of the remaining piles of stuff that have been… Continue
I think tomorrow I need to empty that area and work out what files are current.
Maybe just move the remaining partially sorted stuff to the other side of the room, just to see how I want things to be here.
They work out what files I need in order to do all my current work.
That should be good.
Then work out how to get rid of the remaining piles of stuff that have been… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on November 14, 2009 at 3:22pm — 2 Comments
Declutter report
I am doing some decluttering in my study. I am not sure this is on the list anywhere - but this is very overdue. I am doing a bit of general declutter everywhere. What I am doing is the give away, put away throw away that is in several books. I am concentrating on things that can actually go out of the front door tomorrow - I might even put them in the car meanwhile - ready to go in the morning.
First of all there are 2 teddies that can go for raffle prizes. I am going to take them… Continue
First of all there are 2 teddies that can go for raffle prizes. I am going to take them… Continue
Added by Louise Lotz on November 14, 2009 at 2:31pm — 1 Comment
Starting Declutter
It is quite late today and I have had a few days of not completely doing the jobs. So I am trying to catch up a few today and catch up a few tomorrow. I think the main thing is to do today's job as far as possible and make the catch-ups optional.
Jan - thanks so much for all the comments - which are really helpful.
I am going to do the jobs now and come back and report.
Regards
Louise
Jan - thanks so much for all the comments - which are really helpful.
I am going to do the jobs now and come back and report.
Regards
Louise
Added by Louise Lotz on November 14, 2009 at 12:14pm — No Comments
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