My favorite thing about Mondays is that "fresh-start" feeling a Monday brings. The beginning of a brand new week, perfect for list making and project starting. My least favorite thing about Mondays is the way our home looks after a Sabbath rest. I love the rest, but the Monday mess...not so much!
Here's what I awaken to on a Monday morning. (There is a myth that circulates among my friends that I always keep our house perfectly clean. These pictures will DESTROY that myth once and for all.)
Our kitchen...the heart of our home.
It gets worse...
Here's our bedroom.
Did you catch that? What is that over by the pack-n-play?
The desk...
There's still more...
The laundry! I don't do laundry on Sundays. (That is the only day of the week I don't do laundry.)
Monday mornings in the laundry room are not for the faint of heart.
So, what now?
I get my timer and tackle this messy house in 15 minute increments. You will be really surprised what you can do in 15 minutes. I race the timer in one room working for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off I move to the next room and restart for another 15 minutes. After 45 minutes of working I take a 15 minute break then I start the cycle over again. In no time at all the house is all cleaned up!
Kitchen
In two 15 minutes sessions I loaded the dishwasher, wiped down all the counters and the table, washed some dishes, took out the trash and swept the floor.
Master Bedroom
In a couple of 15 minute sessions I made the bed and put away the pack and play. I did a quick dust and vacuum, folded 2 baskets of laundry and of course, disposed of that diaper!
I also went after the desk. I put away the cleaning supplies and took the coffee cup to the dishwasher. I cleaned out the pencil basket and the other larger basket (which ended up being a good thing because in that basket I found several things I needed to take care of).
It is so calming when everything is put away where it belongs.
Throughout my 15 minute cleaning sessions I worked on the laundry room. It is very rare for me to get the hamper completely empty but I did manage to get it under control. I kept the laundry moving and after several loads I could see the floor again. I wiped off the machines, used a swiffer on the floor and did a little straightening.
Now when my honey gets home the house is tidy and I'm in love with Monday again! You don't have to spend all day on Monday cleaning to rescue your home from the weekend. All it takes is a couple of concentrated hours. Use a timer to keep you on track and work in the main areas.
I'm off to plan dinner..............
HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the before and after. Very inspiring! :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness....I would have never believed that you would put the before pictures on here. You still have that reputation here in C-burg of always having a clean house. Also, a clean refrigerator. I have heard several people talk about your clean refrigerator. I love your kitchen!!! Take care!!!
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Teresa
I was slightly uncomfortable putting the "before" pictures out there for everyone to see but I'm just keeping it real!!!
ReplyDelete