Where did that motivation come from?!

I've made it a goal of mine to try to keep the front end of the house habitable and as such the bedrooms etc have gone to poo.

Well, today I decided it was time to get into them. its not really that long since I did a big tidy in the girls' room but it was a disgrace once again. Amazing how simple things like a messy bed can make it look so much worse than it really is.

I managed to get the bits and pieces all picked up off the floor and did a proper vacuum including skirtings and the tracks for the BIR, window sill etc. Amazing hwo many things were stashed under Ashleigh's bed! She's such a hoarder - gets it from her father! I also found about 6 dummies under Gabi's bed so have stashed those away for when I need them for her rather than her having access to them all!

I packed away stuff in the spare room so that now its usable for mum next weekend. I just need to strip the bed, wash the sheets and put them back on and its good to go. The floor in there also got a good vacuum today.

Our bedroom had so much stuff on the floor, mostly in laundry baskets - washing to put away, clothes I had sorted from Gabi's cupboard etc. I also had a huge pile of nappies to sort through and I now have 2 piles - those that have tears etc and those that are still usable. I managed to do a big tidy up in there and then a major vacuum and also a half hearted attempt at cleaning the mirror on the BIR (its enormous and takes me ages to do the whole thing properly)

My biggest project of the day was the bathroom. Totally disgusting, I know, but I honestly can't remember the last time I gave it a proper clean. The orange grout was probably a good indicator that it was well overdue. The paint on the ceiling in the actual shower recess is peeling but also has mold on it so that got a good brushing over to get rid of the loose paint and hopefully remove some of the mold. Then it was onto the tiles - another reason I hate our bathroom. The bath recess is roman bath style with an arched entry. Its truly hideous and the shower doesn't get much light into it at night because of the arch being so far below ceiling level and blocking the light

Anyway, I used my new Nutrimetics all purpose cleaner and it was great. The tiles are now white and shiny and the grout so much cleaner. I did use a scourer and a toothbrush but it didn't really take as much effort as I had thought it would. That said, i did loose motivation and energy towards the end and stopped scrubbing the grout with a toothbrush but it still looks great. I finished off by bleaching the base of the bath to clean that grout up and also did the hand basin at the same time. Seeing as I had the ladder in there to reach the top of the shower recess I took off the exhaust fan cover and gave that a clean. I'm yet to get it back up but Gabi, in particular, took great delight in watching it go "round and round" while they were all in the bath.

I also managed a quick sweep through the lounge just to keep it under control and will try to get it vacuumed tomorrow. I also want to vacuum under the couch cushions etc to be right on top of cleaning.

In the midst of everything else I've put through a few loads of washing and had it all go through the dryer (final load nearly finished now). We've had a rough day with wind, rain and hail so nothing was going out on the line and we have no under cover clothesline.

Another thing we've done that I had almost forgotten was to start making some of the craft things we need for Gabi's party. This was a messy production as it involved cardboard, felt, glue, paper, pencils, scissors, rulers etc etc. Lots of things to be spread around so thankfully the dining table was clear when we began and the floor WAS clear as well. Now is a totally different story..... I did sweep it all under the table though!

My biggest job tomorrow will be catching up on dishes. Yet again they've slipped beyond control and it will take a major effort to get back on top. I have also promised Ashleigh we will make some cupcakes and try to catch up with her cousin who she is desperate to see. Its been quite some time since they last had a chance to play together and she is obviously missing her

So I must get myself up and moving in the morning to clean up before making more mess once again! Tomorrow's cupcakes will be plain vanilla with caramel top n fill in them and milk choc ganache (seeing as there is some left over from Friday's cupcakes!)

And, speaking of Friday's cupcakes, I was good and put half a dozen in the freezer for hubby so that I don't snarf them all!

Dinner tonight was just pizza and garlic bread... from the freezer. So pleased when I looked in the freezer to see what we should have and found something so quick and simple and liked by the girls.