The things I do to trick myself into housekeeping

[rikibeth]

A co-worker of Christy's has offered us a large, heavy mahogany bookcase, for free.

I cannot resist an offer like that.

However, the only place in the house it will fit is in the Disaster Area Formerly Known As The Dining Room.

And there, only if I clear a pathway for it.

I;ve been using the 15-minutes-on, 15-minutes-off trick to work on the clutter. I've found a bin for Lego bits, a crate for Star Wars vehicles, and I've gone through three boxes of random stuff from my childhood house.

I also loaded up the 5-disc changer with guilty pleasures -- a 2-disc 80s compilation, the "Threesome" soundtrack, and greatest hits discs for both Steve Miller and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

It's working surprisingly well.

Comments

[djinnthespazz.livejournal.com]

I'm doing dishes to Santana... shoobydowahwah...

[cherrybutterfly.livejournal.com]

OoOOoo. I know the feeling (looks around her room) Ugh. How was FLUX? Will it be worth going in June? :) *hug* Can't wait to see you in May!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

FLUX was odd this past week. Lots of '80s pop mixed in with the goth stuff, which was not BAD, but it made my brain sort of get whiplash. Still, dollar well drinks before 11 are an excellent reason for going, and going anywhere in a suitable posse is fun too.

I'll post a review of it soon. Meanwhile, there is a blank wall for the boockase and a clear path to it, and I've got to go to work!

[ghilledhu.livejournal.com]

The best way for me to trick myself into housework is to invite somebody over. Then I HAVE to clean!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I'd have to invite them two weeks in advance. We're a disaster area.

[glaucos.livejournal.com]

heee, I had that same soundtrack for years

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I bought it for the U2 cover of "Dancing Barefoot," but have come to appreciate the other tracks as well. It was in heavy kitchen rotation at my last job.

[labellerose.livejournal.com]

15on/15off is the only reason many things get done at here the Rose Covered Cottage. Hope you enjoy your new bookcase!

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's spiffy. I'm going to have a post up about it soon.

[daniellec.livejournal.com]

I hate taking breaks when I clean. Once I start, I just want to get it DONE. Ya know. Like going from one room to another and not stopping till it's descent. That's just me though.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

Let me guess -- you're in an apartment. Probably not over 1000 square feet total.

This is a 6-bedroom, 2500-square-foot, three-story 1897 Victorian house.

I'd been using the dining room as a catch-all spot for boxes and bags and who-knows-what that BOTH sets of parents dumped on us when they moved out of our childhood homes, and the fitness equipment's in there, and the stereo system, and the extra barstools, and let's not forget the stuff cleaned out of offices when changing jobs... do you get an idea of why I called it the Disaster Area Formerly Known As The Dining Room?

If I hadn't taken the 15-on, 15-off approach, I would never have had the courage to start. Knowing that I could pick things up for 15 minutes, and after my break I could come back and clean a different junkpile if there didn't seem to be progress on the first, was very empowering.

It's not CLEAN yet. But the bookcase is in, and I tossed out a large black garbage bag full of stuff, and redistributed a lot MORE stuff, and I'll know where to put a lot of things when I re-set the room.

[daniellec.livejournal.com]

HA! That explains it. Just so you know, there really isn't anything wrong with having one room in a house designated for storage. And there are other things you can do to make some more storage. Like getting cabinets or something. I have the same problem accept I'm in a one bedroom apt. Most of the living room is just storage and half the bedroom is as well. We've got everything in big plastic totes that the cats like to perch on. Just a suggestion.

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

The thing is, I've got a perfectly good basement and a small but serviceable attic for storage. So I ought to be able to use the dining room as, you know, a DINING room, or at least a fitness and media room that also contains a dining table.

The big plastic totes are for the SEWING room. :)