My dd has to be at work at 4. She works at a fast food place and has to open up, the baby is still asleep when he gets here so most mornings I do go back to bed with him. He spends some nights with him but I like him to be home with his mother so they can spend time together. I never know what time to look for him to be picked up. When I am cooking he will either play or I will sit him on the counter top and he will "talk" to me. I am trying to set my cleaning and quilting schedule for after he leaves which most of the time is either 10 or 11 some times a little later

Hi, Lola!

I know it's hard, but we're here to help you!

You said that you never know when your daughter is going to pick up the baby. I think your daughter should call you every day an hour before she normally comes to pick up her child, and let you know if she will be late, and if so, what time she will be there. I realize this will be a daily guessing game, but if her hours are not regular, at least you should know each day what time she will be coming.

Also, I totally agree with the suggestions about working first in the area of your home that you want cleaned up the most. Then work in small steps to get the way you want it. Making a plan is an excellent way to reach your goals. Of course, some days will go better than other days, but really, we're all "works in progress".

Come on back every time you make any progress, or have any questions. This is the most supportive group I've ever seen, any where!

Elaine

Got part of my front porch cleaned off this afternoon. Hoping to try and have a yard sale Saturday. That will help clean out the house some and make a little money to.

Good on you lola for working on your front porch and getting part of it done. It helps to make a plan to do the next section of the porch tomorrow to keep up momentum. Good idea to plan a yard sale on Saturday [weather permitting] What do you wish to sell?

Lola, you did well, getting part of your porch cleaned! Don't forget to make an Accomplishment List: write down all the things you accomplish (or it can be your "to do" lists, with the done items highlighted) and keep the list in a binder. When you feel you haven't got anything done, take a look at the list and see all what you have accomplished. It can be quite a motivation booster.

My accomplishment list is actually a very very detailed to do list. When I get something done on it, I cross off the DONE items with red ink so it stands out. It's a great feeling to see all that red ink and it motivates me to keep going.

If I am having a non productive time, the list is more detailed to get me more motivated. For example, I have 12 pieces of ironing to do, 7 blouses and 5 jackets, in addition to the drapes. So I write on my list "ironing", then next to it I write the numbers 1 to 12. As an item is done, I cross off a number. Then I have more pluses than minuses. I don't go "oh bad me the ironing isn't done" I can then say...well the ironing isn't done, but I did get 'x' number of items done.

maybe that will help you do more things .....think of it as a game. The best part is that its a game you can only win with, never lose, because any progress is progress, no matter how small!!

Bless and Beagle Lady, I think the accomplishment list is very valuable advice. I find that on days when not too much seems to be accomplished, I can still actually find things to put down.

You are so right, it is win, win all the time when you can see on paper that you have achieved something after all.

Lola, look what you've got done - your porch is in process and you're already thinking about having a yard sale to clear out some items. (Did you have your yardsale? If so, hope it went well.)

I agree with others -- pick the room/area/project that is going to make you feel good and babystep your way through it before moving on to the next one. I also tend towards a detailed to do list (individual items for that day or need to be done in a room or numbered) as it is "gratifying" at the end of the day/week/project to visually see that I really have accomplished something. Love my highlighter!

Yes, more often than not there is something "left over" each day, but you can look back (even just the past few days or week) and say "I did accomplish XYZ -- yippee! -- on to the next item."

As you move forward, keep posting ... as Elaine said "This is the most supportive group I've ever seen, any where!

Joanne

Had the yard sale did not do to good. not much traffic on my road. may go in with another lady and have one on the main road.

Found out that my oldest daughter is going to be off for 4 days this weekend (she lives with me). She is going to help start cleaning in the kitchen. That will be great. With her help we should be able to get it done in a hurry. Then we can move on to other rooms