Finally Clean Carpets

 

I used to have a carpet shampooer that I used once or twice a year as well as anytime the dogs had an accident. At some point, it stopped sucking up the shampoo/water. Rather than take apart this old machine to figure out if I could clear the clog or fix whatever was broken, I decided to throw it out. Then, we used a small spot cleaner for any spots left by the dogs until the hose broke on it rendering it useless. That means that we have had to spot clean with all-purpose cleaner and towels/rags. I haven't been happy with this solution but it worked for the most part. I have been saying for about a year that I would just rent a Rug Doctor from the grocery store and maybe buy a new shampooer at some point. 

This week, we rented the Rug Doctor. The living room carpet was the worst it has ever been after one of my kids and their cats lived in there for a little over a month while looking for a new place. (I never knew cats could be so dirty. I will never trust another person who says dogs are messier than cats.) We pulled the couches out of the living room, and I vacuumed and shampooed them. I was so happy with the results! It was easier than the cleaner I had acquired from Chad's mom, and it cleaned a lot better than it ever had. It also took a lot less time! Later that night, Noel cleaned the carpet in her room, and the following morning, Chad cleaned the dining room and hallway. My house smells so much better, now! 

I'm sure there are carpet shampooers that work better than the old one I had been using, but until I can bring myself to put some real money into it to make sure I get a quality machine, I will be renting a Rug Doctor when it's needed. 

Food Organization

A couple days ago, I went through my pantry and other food cabinet to purge expired food as well as organize them. It took about an hour to pull everything out as I looked for expiration dates, wipe the shelves down, and organize it all. I do this about once a year and am always excited about the results. 

My Weekend

This weekend ended up going not totally as expected. Noel had a friend over and was originally planning for her to stay until she went to school tomorrow, but Noel ended up getting very sick Saturday, so her friend went home. I was still light headed but knew I needed to get things done as I took care of my daughter. I got the kitchen completely clean and worked on my baking projects (sandwich bread , English muffins, and sourdough bread). 

Sunday, I woke up so overwhelmed with everything that needed to be done (both bathrooms, laundry, cinnamon rolls, etc.) that I was constantly in tears. Chad helped get a few things done and reminded me that we could relax as we watched General Conference. Thanks to his help, I was able to clam down and take the time to do things properly. I even made near perfect cinnamon rolls that we could eat during the first session of the day. 

I still need to redo the kids’ bathroom (Chad and I cleaned it Friday), clean the sinks in my bathroom, and do another load of dishes, but I feel I put in an honest effort yesterday especially for a day in which my head was still spinning. I even got a lot done on my latest sweater as I watched conference. 

Back to Doing Lists

 Years ago, I would do to do lists to prove my worth. I would even add stuff just to prove to someone who didn’t believe I did much of anything that I was doing something with my day. (It was more necessary than it should have been.) It became a habit to make these lists, but I didn’t feel the need to complete it all everyday once that person was gone. After Chad and I got married, he would tease me about how specific my lists were and how they weren’t completed fully. (I would move the unfinished items to the following day.) I eventually learned that my worth didn’t depend on how many small tasks I completed around the house. I also learned that all I had to do was ask, and I could get help around the house. 

Here I am many years later trying to get organized and re-establish good habits. I have tried bullet journaling, but found it hard to keep up with for too long. I have done day planners, but the one I bought for this year had an awkward layout. I stopped using it halfway through the year. (I’ll get one that works better for me next year.) I have a notebook that my work sent me that I don’t have much use for and can use for my lists. 

This morning, I sat down with my notebook and made a realistic to-do list. The hardest thing in my list was reading my psychology chapter for an hour. (It is a lot of information, and I am not done.) Of course, cleaning eh stove is never easy, but I was able to get it done. The only thing I have left to do today is wiping the table which I will do when the family cleans for 10 minutes before going to bed. Overall, I would say it was a successful day. 

Where to Start?

I have been feeling the pull to be more organized. This has always been a weakness for me, but it has gotten out of control lately. Last week, I was set apart for a new calling which includes a blessing that helps with the calling and life. I was told that I would be able to organize be more organized along with other things. On my way to church this morning, they talked about the mood enhancing effects of cleaning and organizing. Then, one of the speakers talked about a blessing she was given when she received a calling that helped her months later, and I got the distinct impression that I needed to dig deep into the blessing I was given to help me with my life. This means that three times within a week that I have received a message about organization.

I’m not sure where to start. Noel is having friends over for her birthday next week, so the obvious answer would be to start with cleaning. I feel this is getting better as we do 10 minutes of cleaning each night as a family. I can add to that personally, and I will. Another area I need to work harder on is our finances. I used to be good at this, but that was back when I wasn’t allowed to have a job and had to figure out how to feed my family on very little money. This hasn’t been my problem for a while. I am at a point that I feel like my husband and I work way to had to feel this broke. Working on these two areas should help a lot. I don’t know totally how to get a handle on them, but I have to figure it out.