Work on it Wednesday

I'm under the weather so I'm working on feeling better.

Work on it Wednesday

It's a dirty job, but somebody has got to do it and that somebody is me. Those pesky baseboards. Mine are looking a little tired lately so I think today I will mix up some all purpose cleaner and get to scrubbing. Luckily my house isn't huge so it should just take a few hours. Not fun or glamorous to say the least, but I'm sure I'll be happy when they are all done. If I have some extra time I might start cleaning the wall too so I can do the touch up painting in the next few weeks. There are several places that are going to need some spackle and sanding. Anyway, that's what I'm working on today.

Oh and here's a recipe for a cheap cleaner. It cleans as well as any commercial cleaner I've ever purchased.

1 gallon of water
1/2 cup of ammonia
1/3 white vinegar
2 tbsp baking soda

And I'm sure I don't have to remind you never to mix ammonia and bleach.

Small house blues

We've lived in our home for 8 years. We never thought we'd be here this long, we thought this was our starter home...or more accurately my dh thought it would be. Something always told me we should have gotten a home w/4 bedroom and a bit bigger. Anyways, the house is 1700 sf, which is not teeny tiny, but small by the standards of where I live and certainly spatially challenging for a family of six. Most of the times I feel okay living here. I've tried to make it a warm and welcoming home, we've painted and have beautiful hardwoods throughout the downstairs. But, today is one of those days when I have the small house blues. Everything seems too small and cluttered. I admit we have way way way too much stuff. I try, I really do, but even as much as I purge it doesn't seem to make that much of a difference. I've gotten rid of gads of stuff, but I still feel like we need to get rid of 50% more of it. I can't seem to find the time to do it either, and then there's the "what if I need that syndrome". It's my frugality, I can't imagine getting rid of something and then having to buy it all over again when I need it. I just can't wrap my brain around that and I know it's an issue. I'm working hard on that though. I make a point to get rid of something(s) every week or so on freecycle. I try and not think of the end use...just that the stuff is keeping me from achieving my bliss and therefore needs to go.
The constant cleaning is a drag too. I don't mean I don't want to clean my house. I actually don't mind that...what bothers me is that I'm the only soul doing it most of the time. I have to be honest and admit it, my kids are slobs. I've tried every trick to engage and encourage them to pick up after themselves and take pride in their environment. It hasn't worked...I think I must be talking to myself. I find it so odd that someone can be drinking from a cup, finish and just drop it on the floor. UGH! Why would you do that? Anyway...I better stop now, because this is turning into a self pitying rant. I'm just feeling a little small home blues today...I guess I better go clean something.