A little revision.

I think it's safe to say that 10 Minutes a Day *every* day is unrealistic. After all day in the ER on a clinical, I am in no shape to clean. So we'll revise that a bit - my goal will be three times per week. That sounds reasonable.

And silly me bought yarn for Hubby's afghan. I've got so many projects that I have everything I need for - what am I thinking buying stuff for another one? Well, it's done, and honestly I'm excited about it. So oh well.

Today's grade: C-

Love to you all!
Petunia

Daily recap

Well, I didn't get all the way through my 10 Minutes a Day project, but I did make a big dent. I'm pleased with that. I'm sure it will take a little time to get into the swing of things.

Tomorrow is going to be tough - a clinical in the morning, then I promised my step-dad that we'd grill a good dinner.

Well, I'll do what I can and be satisfied.

Love to you all,
Petunia

10 Minutes a Day

The very first project in a couple of different ways.

This project is based on FlyLady.net's method of cleaning and organizing. I followed the program several years ago - they were still pretty new - so I'm not sure how the system has evolved. I do know the basics, and I know it's effective.

As a project person, as well as a full time employee and full time student, my house is a wreck. It's usually the last thing I want to worry about even though I know it should be the first. I hate "living in chaos" as flylady puts it, but I never feel like I have the time to do otherwise.

The point of the system is to break the chore of housekeeping in small, managable bites. Very gradually you get things in order, gradually you see improvements. It's not a huge undertaking and you aren't expected to DO IT ALL RIGHT NOW which is how I usually feel.

So I'm going to apply this concept to everything. And I'm starting with my house.

Here's how it works:

1. You are only allowed to spend 10 minutes cleaning each room EVERY DAY.

2. One cleaning component per day does not fit into that 10 minutes, but it shouldn't take longer than an additional 5-10 per room, if that.

I'm starting in the kitchen. I set the timer for 10 minutes and did everything I could do within that time. I did not rush, I did not expect to get it all done. And I didn't. Though I seem to have made a greater dent than I expected to.

Today, my major job is mopping. We have tile floors everywhere except the bedrooms. For these floors I have to soak them, then come back later to mop it up.

So I do need to get a lot of school work done today before class. So here's the plan:

- 10 minute cleaning of a room
- 5-10 minute soaking of the floor
- 50 minutes studying
- 5-10 minute mopping up the floor
- repeat

Done for today:
- done: Kitchen
- done: Dining
- Living
- Hall
- done: Bathroom
- done: Office
- done: Bedroom
- Stairs

Love to you all,
Petunia

The Rules

I've spent the last week thinking of some rules for The Project List. The following should be adequate:

1. One project must be completed per week.
If the project is a major undertaking, such as The Costume, then one definable portion must be competed per week, such as The Corset for the above said costume.

2. A minimum of one hour must be spent on a project every day.

3. 10 Minutes a Day does not count into rule #2. That one is above and beyond.

4. The point of this is to have fun and to improve my life. That's a worthy goal.

That should cover it! If I think of more, I'll add it. But rules aren't the point of this game.

Love to you all,
Petunia

A List of Projects

I recently came to the conclusion that without some deadlines, nothing is going to get accomplished.

And I also realized that most of my accomplishments I never acknowledge, so I feel that I've accomplished nothing. I suppose that I need a creative outlet. As a generally non-social person, I need a little bit of show-off time.

Our culture says that it is okay to deride yourself, but heaven forbid you pat yourself on the back.

I'm done with that.

Love to you all,
Petunia