Saturday 12 May 2018

What are your daily priorities?

Hello. How are you at prioritizing? In some aspects of my life I am really good, like eating the food which is going to go off the quickest, first. That is easy to do, check the fridge daily, check the freezer and cupboards monthly, bring stuff to be eaten first, to the front.

Prioritizing the washing, also easy. Underwear gets changed daily, into the basket, I only wear pants, gave up with bra's ten years ago. Visually check clothes, wash if dirty or smelly. I wear scruffs around the house and change when I go out. Once back into the house, it's on with the scruffs again. Household linens, just guess when they need washing, apply similar principle as with clothes, eyes and nose test.

Window cleaning. When I get fed up of squinting through grubby glass I clean them. Inside is cleaned often, but outside is whenever I get round to it. I look at the houses across the road and think do they look dirty? Nope, can't see any dirt, so maybe they can't see the dust on my less than sparkly clean windows.

Prioritizing housework. I do try with this, I really do. I keep myself clean, the kitchen and bathroom are clean enough for me, but the rest of the house could do with a good going over by someone who really likes housework. I will whip the dyson around, and dusting gets done once a year whether it needs it or not. I am no Hyacinth Bucket, neither am I a contender for Aggy and Kim's extreme measures cleaning service. I do just enough.

So, splitting tasks into categories I can do, but it's integrating the tasks that need doing, with the things I would rather be doing. As an example, The stairs need a good going over, this means getting the dyson out and getting on hands and knees. But I have art projects that need finishing, and ideas for some I want to start.

It's getting near the time when the windows need cleaning on the outside. But I am half way through building a new cat shelter outside and I want to finish that today. I did manage to do a task that I don't particularly like doing last week, I washed the car, it was quite mucky, and needed doing ages ago, so scored a few Brownie points there.

I don't much like deadlines, would rather take each day as it comes, but I have things written on the calendar which I must prepare for. It's six weeks to the Open Gardens, so lots to do outside, and I have to think about the exhibition in August. I know it seems a long way off, but I need more artworks.

Then of course there is the Walking Challenge which I must do, don't want to fall behind on that And I have two WI talks to do in July, not much preparation needed for them.

Some people swear by making lists to help them prioritize, I very rarely do, I am not a list person. I just hope for the best and hope things turn out right. I have tried lists, and very soon get bored with them. I write a few things down, tick them off, then can't be bothered to add more notes on the bottom.

I think a lot of things aren't worth stressing about, like some of the housework tasks I have mentioned above. It doesn't matter that there are a few crumbs on the floor or there are cat hairs on the stair carpet, if I don't look down I won't see them. I have the same solution to cobwebs on the ceiling, don't look up.

Anyway, I have completed one task for today, this blog post, now I am going outside to finish the cat shelter. I am super excited by this, creating something is far better than doing mundane tasks.

It's my birthday soon, for those who sent me a card a year ago, you don't need to send one this year. I still have those cards up, I never got round to taking them down. Another non priority job, ha ha.


Have a nice weekend, I'm off outside. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

PS. A few minutes after I posted this I found out that Sue's husband Col has passed away. Sue from the Cottage at the End of the Lane has been blogging for a long while and I feel I have got to know her. My very best wishes to you Sue, and your family. So sorry. Lots of love xxx

33 comments:

  1. Oh,I hate house work! I wish I could be one of those women that really enjoy doing it...but I dont think that is ever going to happen,lol.I do what needs doing...but I wish that I could get round to doing it...before it needs doing..if you get my drift!.If I had a cleaner, I would feel as though I would have to clean up before they come in!And while the weathers like this,I much prefer to spend my time outdoors..much healthier!!xx

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  2. Happy Birthday to you Ilona and condolences to Sue. xx

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  3. I saw that too Ilona,about Sues husband Col.Your right,you do feel as though you get to know people and my heart goes out to her and her Family.xx

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  4. Not sure when your exact special day is Ilona, but I wish you a lovely birthday and lots of good surprises followed by a year of good health and good things.
    Gail :)

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  5. Have a nice birthday! You are right spending not too much time at house work. Life time is so short.
    Greetings from the Netherlands

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  6. I suffer from arthritis and in order to keep the house up, I set myself up on a weekly cleaning schedule, applying certain tasks to each day of the week. Laundry gets done once the supersized machine is full as I won't waste water and energy on partial loads. I should do some today, but a rainy weekend is in the forecast and I know that I will be able to line dry on both Mon and Tues, so that "daily as needed" chore is postponed. The kitchen gets cleaned daily as I cook. Dishwasher run once full, usually emptied the next morning-another daily task. Bathrooms are washed down on Fridays, the house is pretty picked up before I turn in as I don't care for clutter (fold blankets onto back of couch, put jackets away sort of thing). DS is in charge of weekly vacuuming, I sweep/dry mop and spot clean floors as needed. We take shoes off at the door which helps enormously to keep the floors clean. Beds changed every Sat. Hand towels, kitchen towels, wash cloths daily. Shower towels every other day-we have skin conditions that require such frequency. Once a year, I do engage a window cleaning service, and budget for it, they are reasonable, do an awesome job both in and out, including the inner tracks of the windows-monies well spent for me. I launder curtains and drapes also once a year, wash scatter rugs and door mats as needed-about once a month. Shower curtain liner gets done as needed to keep the funk at bay. Ceiling fan blades cleaned/dusted once a month, dusting is weekly, along with mirrors being cleared. The aforementioned divide and conquer approach has worked well for me physically and most days, very little time is invested into keeping house.

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    1. I feel exhausted just reading that :o) You certainly know where your priorities lie.

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  7. Hi Ilona, was really enjoying your post and thinking she is writing about me and then then the sad sad news of Sue's Husband Col passing made me burst into tears; I will send a message to Sue but have no words at this moment, Love to you and furry ones xx

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  8. Happy birthday Ilona.
    I had a stroke three months ago, that's why I am not able to reply from your messages. I can not read or write very much.

    Hazel c.









    Love,
    Hazel




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    1. So sorry to hear that Hazel. Please look after yourself, only do what you can do, hoping things get better for you. xxx

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    2. Thank you Ilona
      Hazel c uk

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  9. Life is so fragile - sad to hear about Sue's husband. How easy it is to get caught up with things that don't really count in the long run - we all need to prioritise, time is short on this earth.

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    1. Gillian I worry less and less about trivialities.

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  10. Such sad news about Col. We must fill our days with as many things that make us happy which you do very well. Xx

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    1. True Lisa. we are only here the once, we must value the time we have.

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  11. Priorities for the day - get up, have breakfast, shower. Then clean house, I can't get on and do anything else until the house is clean, then I 'reward' myself with some craft work, gardening etc.,
    I do the ironing 'as it comes' I can't let it pile up, it only becomes more of a job if you do that. Windows cleaned when they need it, I can't live surrounded by 'mess' - having said that I'm not a 'neatnick' - always doing housework, but there is a happy medium.
    Untidy enough to be homely, clean enough to be hygenic.

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  12. Happy birthday Ilona. I try to prioritise things but often things conspire against me. Its really sad to hear about Col, he fought long and hard, bless him. RIP.

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  13. We get up, first priority is let out our dog; mop or brush up anything left overnight and feed her breakfast and check her water bowl. The other things can wait: bathing, eating etc. She is our main concern, then it's just the normal things of life. Laundry is usually done every 2 weeks for a full load, grocery shopping about 2 weeks too, housework when needed. Sorry to hear about Col. I think your birthday is the 16th.

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  14. I enjoyed reading your post, it made me smile. I had wondered how you managed to fit so much into your day, especially the hours you spend crafting. Now I know.:-)
    On another note, I too follow Sue and would like to send my condolences in the hope that she may at some point read your blog, as my phone won't let me reply on her blog. Col battled hard against his illness, and my heart goes out to his family.

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    1. I believe that Sue has turned off Comments on her blog for everyone right now.

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    2. Yes Barbara, I know that is true. However, my phone likely needs updating because I cannot get through even when comments are turned on. The method used is different to Ilona's. I can only comment on certain blogs.

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  15. Happy Birthday, Ilona! My first priority is my cat. (She would not have it any other way.) She was recently diagnosed with a thyroid problem and, like Heidi, now has to take tablets. I am trying to walk more regularly so that has moved up on my list. I'm not a great housekeeper but I get the basics done every day. I continue to declutter my clothes and household items.

    I was so, so sorry to read about Sue's loss of Col. I feel like I know them even though I'm in America. Sue is a strong lady and has a close family but it is very sad. If you read this, Sue, I'm sending my love to you.

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  16. Happy upcoming birthday Ilona - I hope you have a lovely day, doing exactly as you wish!
    I have found the change from working full-time to retirement to be a tough adjustment - my weeks tended to be all fun with nothing getting done or a week of "stuff" where I felt as though there hadn't been any fun. I'm trying to get myself into more of a routine for the things that need to be done without them taking over my week completely - and I am a list maker so I intend to sit down after church tomorrow and map things out in my day-timer so that I'm a bit more organized.
    I have enough clothes and linens that I really only need to do a load of sheets, towels, kitchen linens, whites, colours & a dark load each once per month (so they are definitely full loads). I only have a small apt. so a good clean once a week should suffice - it's just that I seem to be doing so many different things every day and not ever feeling as though I'm finished! I have a little part-time job now so I'm hoping that will help me get back on track.
    Thank you for passing along the news about Col. I saw yesterday that he wasn't doing too well but Sue had disabled the comments (understandably) - so sad.

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  17. Ilona, If you're happy with what you're doing -- stick with it! My only suggestions would be to consider specific tasks on certain days -- assign one or two tasks a day, do them like you do your walk, and then go about the other activities of your day. Or, allocate 30 or 60 minutes a day to chores. The rest of the day is yours. I'm working on a combination of an hour a day/certain chores on specific days to create a doable routine for myself once I'm fully retired and not working. I'm really looking forward to having more time to be creative. In my work life I've always been a list maker, planner, and organised. I suspect it will spill over as it's a part of who I am.

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  18. Have a wonderful birthday Ilona. I used to stress and prioritise housework but now I don’t and am more relaxed about untidiness and spend more times doing the things I enjoy.
    I am so sorry to read about Col and would like to wish Sue and her family my heartfelt condolences. Life seems so unfair sometimes and the worst things often seem to happen to the nicest people. It’s very sad when couples don’t get to enjoy a long and happy retirement together and grandchildren don’t get to know their grandparents.

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  19. Have a very happy birthday Ilona. I hope the sun shines for you on the day.
    Thank you for your timely post which reminds me to make the things that are important come first in my life and not to fret about trivia.
    Sue and Colin did just that. They made the most of the finite time they had after Colin's diagnosis, seeing as much as possible of their lovely family and getting their new home organised. I'm sure that much went on that was not commented on but Sue's post is a great example of dealing with what life throws at one.
    Sue

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  20. Morning Ilona.

    Oooo... You've made me feel so much better. In an ideal world, I like a clean, tidy and well organised home. In reality, it isn't :-) If we're having anyone to stay, then I go round the house like a mad woman. The only task I do regularly is the garden. It's quite big, so needs regular attention. We have to pay for our wheelie bins, and I DON'T want them going out empty.

    Read your last comment and was very sad to hear about Sue & Colin. Just sending Sue and family my best wishes during this very difficult time. How can you put all your feelings into a sentence or two. xx

    Best wishes

    Carol x

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  21. Thank you for your interesting posts, Ilona. As regards cleaning, I vac through once a week, sometimes midweek, as I have a long haired dog. Because of hip and back problems we bought a Dyson wand to replace our elderly Dyson upright (over twenty years old). I can't say it makes my pain much easier though, and no way does it clean as well as the upright.

    For the stairs for years and years, I used a stiff handbrush and dustpan, instead of lugging the Dyson down each step.

    I do dust once a week. OH is a joiner (retired, ha, ha), and the place does get dusty, the dog also contributes.

    All the best. Susan, wife of Edward.

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  22. I am still laughing a day later about your ' I dust once a year whether it needs it or not' i love that?

    One of my favourite sayings is I love children but I couldn't eat a whole one
    And me a Nanny to two wonderful kids. Ought to be ashamed of myself.

    Agree (obviously about the housework. Whenever, but living comes first.

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  23. Ilona

    My apologies - stupid ol' bat that I am. I forgot to wish you a Happy - whenever it is - Birthday. Hope the sun shines for you.

    Carol x

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  24. Well then...Happy Birthday. What day in May is it, if I may ask? Mine is May 12...maybe it is the same day, grin.

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  25. Hope you have a great birthday Ilona. I always seem to be trying to juggle priorities, my problem is I have too many priorities! If I'm out walking I'm not getting my art projects done, and if I'm doing art I'm not out walking/exercising/practising my photography. I am forever trying to clear some of the junk out of my home/rearrange the furniture to improve things, I have two voluntary jobs and also fit in a couple of social things each week with friends. I love being busy, I just worry I will die before I achieve everything I want to do ha ha.

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