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| The Yellow Rose Bush in Flower |
Two weeks. That's how long I was able to keep to my new cleaning schedule, with one or two adjustments during the second week. Things got a bit off schedule on Tuesday, however, when I didn't dust my bedroom as scheduled! Or, do the dishes! I put them both on Wednesday's To Do List.
On Wednesday, I went grocery shopping (regularly scheduled for Tuesday and Fridays), but I wanted to take advantage of the sale on butter, which went into effect on Wednesday, and I wasn't sure if I'd have to do jury duty on Friday or if I'd feel up to grocery shopping afterwards, etc. After I came home from grocery shopping, I worked on the baby blanket.
Later, in the evening, I went for a walk. I walked for 15 minutes in one direction and walked back home. This time, I managed to get home just 12 seconds after the 15 minutes timer went off, which meant that I managed to maintain my pace, more or less. I checked the distance I walked during the first 15 minutes; according to Google maps, I walked .7 miles and they estimated that it should take 14 minutes to walk that distance. I was happy to see that I wasn't that off the pace! So, .7 miles out and .7 miles back; I walked 1.4 miles, in 30 minutes, which isn't bad, I think. Eventually, I'd like to be able to walk 1 mile out and back.
What I didn't do on Wednesday is the cleaning! I didn't do a single thing on my cleaning schedule or to do list, other than calling to see if I needed to report for jury duty (I didn't, which was good because the road in front of my house was being resurfaced today and the road was being closed to traffic from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with no access to the driveways - if I had to report for jury duty, I'd have had to park the car on one of the other side streets, overnight, and I was worried about how safe it would be to do so after my cousin had said her husband's car had been broken into and the battery stolen).
But, I didn't do any of the items I carried forward from Tuesday's schedule and I didn't do any of the items from Wednesday's cleaning schedule, either! Sigh. I just didn't feel motivated to do any cleaning, yesterday!
Which meant that, today, I had a very long To Do List, with Tuesday's dusting, Wednesday's vacuuming and bathroom cleaning, and Thursday's kitchen cleaning, paperwork, etc. Plus a mountain of dishes to be washed! My cleaning schedule might have come to a halt, but I am not ready to give up on it!
So, after I had my morning tea, replied to blog comments, etc., I dusted my bedroom (even washed a lamp shade!). And did the dishes - I handwashed some items including the pots and pans, rinsed the rest and did them in the dishwasher.
Lunch was fried rice - leftover rice, leftover broccoli, one of the kielbasa sausage links, and an egg:
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| Lunch: Fried Rice |
In the afternoon, I cleaned the bathrooms, including the cabinet under the sink in daughter's bathroom (pulled everything out, sorted through and tossed a couple of items, wiped the bottom of the cabinet, etc.); a deep cleaning task I had been wanting to do for a long time. I also cleaned the litter box.
At 7:00 p.m., I called to see if I needed to report for jury duty, tomorrow. But, I don't have to and I was informed that I had completed my service! This is the first time that has happened, that I didn't have to go actually go in! I am glad it worked out this way! I really wasn't looking forward to having to wake up early to go serve on a jury!
After that, I watered the garden. Our day time high was around 87F, today, and the poor tomato plants were drooping! I also did a spot of weeding - not enough to make much of a difference, but, it made me feel better!
After I came inside from watering and weeding, I rested a bit and then, cooked the ground beef (just browned it with some onion; kept half in the fridge and froze the other half) and the salmon steaks (sauteed them with onions and tomatoes). I had half of one salmon steak with green peas for dinner:
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| Dinner: Salmon, Green Peas, Tomato Chutney |
Then, I had more dishes to do - the saute pans, my dinner plate, etc.! I washed them and wiped the kitchen counters and stove top. I need to clean under the burners on the stove, but that will be for another day!
I didn't go for a walk today, as I was tired.
In between bouts of cleaning, I watched news and worked on the baby blanket. I am in the process of joining the squares. Cousin P called and asked if our cousin who is visiting had called me. I said no. Apparently, she called cousin P and told her that she wants to have a dinner on Monday. Well, I shall wait until I am invited! LOL!
My joyful activity for today was working on the baby blanket.
Today, I am grateful for:
- I didn't have to go in for jury duty, at all!
- All what I was able to accomplish today
- My daughter received the promotion she interviewed for
- A sunny, warm day
- Answered prayers
Thursday's To Do List:
- Dust my bedroom - DONE
- Do the dishes - DONE
- Cook the green beans
- Vacuum
- Clean the bathrooms - DONE
- Clean the kitchen - STARTED
- Paperwork/filing
- Water the garden, front and back - DONE
- Water the house plants - DONE
- Call re. jury duty - DONE
Friday's To Do List:
- Pharmacy to pick up refills
- Grocery store for more weekly specials
- Cook the green beans (if they are still good!)
- Vacuum
- Paperwork/filing
- Kitchen cleaning - Clean the stove (under the burners); mop the floor
I am hoping I'll be able to catch up on all the cleaning, tomorrow. If not, this is why I designated Saturday as a catch-up day when I made the schedule!
What do you do if or when your cleaning schedule goes awry? Do you try to fit in the tasks you didn't get to or do you wait until the next time around?
- Call re. jury duty - DONE
Friday's To Do List:
- Pharmacy to pick up refills
- Grocery store for more weekly specials
- Cook the green beans (if they are still good!)
- Vacuum
- Paperwork/filing
- Kitchen cleaning - Clean the stove (under the burners); mop the floor
I am hoping I'll be able to catch up on all the cleaning, tomorrow. If not, this is why I designated Saturday as a catch-up day when I made the schedule!
What do you do if or when your cleaning schedule goes awry? Do you try to fit in the tasks you didn't get to or do you wait until the next time around?
You've done well to catch up but don't be too hard on yourself. My cleaning attempts always fall by the wayside and when that happens, I just miss a day or two or three and carry on. My schedule, such as it is' in on a six week cycle so the in-depth cleaning only has to wait that long if I don't do it for any reason. Obviously things are much easier now that I have a cleaner coming in once a fortnight to vacuum, wash floors and clean bathrooms, which is more than enough to keep the house looking clean and tidy.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I think, the next time this happens (yes, I know it will happen again!), I will just carry on with that particular day's cleaning and not worry too much about catching up, unless it is something that really needs to be done. The house is looking a lot better than it did before I started on this schedule and I am trying to keep it maintained, but, it's OK if I skip a day or two, now and again.
DeleteI don't really have a set cleaning schedule. I vacuum every day, and wash the clothes, sheets, and towels once a week. I do the dishes right after I eat, and mop the floors once a week. I don't have a set day for dusting or cleaning the bathroom. I just do something each day. I sweep the kitchen floor daily, too. Having a small place makes it easier.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you do have a schedule when it comes to maintaining the floors and laundry. I can't imagine vacuuming every day, but, I suppose, it is essential if one has a dog. Probably needed if one has a cat, too, as cats drop fur, too, but it's not quite as noticeable!
DeleteThe great thing is if you do your cleaning schedule at least some of the time, nothing goes too long without getting attention. I think you're doing great and from what you said, your house shows it.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are right. It's not that big of a deal if I skip one week. But, I don't want to lose momentum, either! :)
DeleteSometimes cleaning isn't the most important item on the to do list. I have little arrows in my booklet of lists, pointing to the next page where the item goes on again. I try not to send my cleaning chores over too many pages! Well, you did a great job of catching up.
ReplyDeleteThat's true; sometimes, other tasks take priority. I have a "catch up" day built into the schedule (Saturdays) and will get the schedule back on track on Monday! :)
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