The Laundry Situation: Part 3

Seriously?  Part 3?  Apparently my desire for a household with a Utopian laundry situation is never going to become reality.  I did, however briefly get completely caught up on laundry!  I packed the back of my SUV to the top with every scrap of laundry I could find and marched my butt right on down to the local laundry mat.  I'm still waiting for the thank you letter from the the owner.  I sure I put a good dent in his children's college fund or vacation fund.  I had an entire wall of dryers going at one point.  I was so proud.... but the folding and sorting part, not so fun.  It took me nearly three freaking hours to fold and sort all that stuff.  A massage or a big fat margarita was in order after all that.  I wound up settling for running a bazillion errands and changing linens on everyone bed.  Somehow that turn out to be quite the reward I thought it would be.

Of course this begs to ask... what in the world freaking happened to have a laundry situation, AGAIN so soon after having everything under control.  Snow... lots and lots and lots of snow.  So much snow that we were without power for the better part of a week... and what happens in a weeks time?  Every last towel and sheet in the house manages to find its way to becoming filthy dirty between wiping down floors, drying off freezing cold kids after a romp in the snow or hand washing the dishes.  But no, it doesn't stop there, that would be too easy.  You see I have those typical type of kids who LOVE the snow, but only for short bursts of time.  After all, snow is cold (I was completely shocked when they informed me of this phenomenon).  This means, 5-6 wardrobe changes a day. 

We finally got power on again last night (thank you baby Jesus).  What's the very first thing I did?  LAUNDRY!... and dishes and vacuumed the wood floors and turned the heater on full blast and .... OK, you get the point.  As we speak, load # 6 of the day is currently in the wash.  I would say I safely have another 6 loads to go, maybe more. 

But the fun isn't over yet folks!  An even bigger storm is set to hit us come Thursday and stick around through the weekend.  Fingers crossed that we keep the power on this time.  But because I know better, I plan to keep doing laundry until it inevitably goes out again.

As for Messy Kid's room, *sigh*  I am falling more and more behind.  I am DYING to make her headboard.  I have the fabric and the upholstery buttons are on order.  I just need to get the wood, the foam and the batting... and hope that there's power over the weekend so Messy Dad can do the heavy lifting.

One last thing.. gotta give credit where credit is due.  That uber cute picture at the top can be found at this website here.  I am such a sucker for wall decals.  It's a wonder I don't have any...........yet (insert evil laugh).

Stay warm!

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

Anatomy Of A Do-Over aka: Plan B

I can't exactly call this a fail.  I was well on my way to executing this month's room (Messy Kid's Big Girl Room).  I was quite proud of the progress in fact.... and then, it happened.... $1500 car repair bill. 
Note to self:  Listen to the Dealership in the future when they recommend you use factory parts and a specific oil when you change your oil.  Lesson Learned.

Now, while that was a big hit, especially since we decided to pay cash, it wasn't going to totally put a halt to this months decor budget.  But new carpet was certainly off the negotiating table at this point.  However, little did we know, budget wasn't going to be our only issue for the month, no, not by a long shot.  We got a phone call a little over a week ago.  Messy Dad's Mom has cancer, this we knew.  But what we weren't expecting was to find out that she now has less than 2 months.  She lives about 600 miles away and Messy Dad is planning on bringing her up to our house to live with us for her remaining time.

At the moment, I'm not sure what room she is going to stay in.  Little Miss Messy's room would be be best, but mother-In-Law is quite particular about things and I have a feeling that she is going to insist on being in Messy Kid's room.

I have some awesome (at least I think they are) DIY projects coming up for her room.  I'm going to do an upholstered headboard, I found a cool use for egg cartons, I took a cricut class that will HOPEFULLY result in a painted project for her room, some woodworking cut outs for the wall and who knows what else.

Still with me so far?  Let's recap... Car Repairs = Sucky Checking Account Balance.  Cancer = Just Plain Sucks.

BUT.. I'm still not giving up.  Granted, my coveted kindle that I promised myself this month is kaput.  But I will carry on.  Messy Kid's room is now going to be a 2 month make-over project.  I wanted to start the kitchen next month.  But I need to be realistic with Messy Kid and her room really is key to having a smooth start to the day.

Don't give up on me just yet... this is sure to be a bumpy ride for the next few months.  But we will get through it.  I will have an organized house. I will, I will, I will.

Keep Calm, Carry On.

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

The Laundry Situation, Part 2.

Remember last month when I said I had this brilliant idea about doing 1 load of laundry a day?  I believe I even said something along the lines of "it's only 1 load, anyone can do 1 load."  I was so proud of myself, thought I was the greatest thing since liposuction.  I made a liar out of myself.  It went great for the first week or two.... and then I completely fell behind, followed by kids with the *stomach flu* (you catch my drift here, right?)  I now have more laundry than ever.  Don't believe me?  Take a look for yourself:

I have decided to make the executive decision, exercise my right to utilize my veto powers in the house, gather everything up and head out to the local laundromat.  I figure I can get it all done in one shot and THEN I will do my (as promised) 1 load a day.... and pretend that I am awesome and on the ball with laundry. 

Since we are on the topic of laundry, I found some awesome laundry bags for only $5 each.  I figure I could get 1 for towels and 1 for whites (the loads I have to do most often and need to keep completely under control).  This way they're already sorted for me and as soon as the basket is full, I'll know it's time to do that load.  BRILLIANT!

Wish me "loads" of luck.

Until Next Time,

Messy Mom

Mission #2

I can't believe January is already over.  I thought life was going to slow down a bit after the holidays. 
Right about now, I'm wishing things were a little more like the holidays.  It has been crazy busy around here.  It's already time to start prepping my garden and get my seedlings started, yet I am nowhere ready to even begin thinking about it.

I think this months mission is going to be fun, and well deserved.  I'm redoing Messy Kid's room.  We've lived here for about a year and a half and the poor kid hasn't had her room decorated since we moved in.  At our old house, she had the coolest room.  But alas, age 6 is knocking on the door and it's time for her Big Girl Room.

Big plans are in store this month.  You see, I don't know how to sew.  But I do own a sewing machine.  And I have tasked myself with replacing her window coverings.  Now, this can either go well and I save myself a ton of cash.  Or, (most likely) there will be a lot of swearing involved and I wind up buying something after many hours and lots of agony invested.  Let's be optimistic and shoot for the best.

Now it's time for the ugly truth:

Yup, that's my beloved child's room.  It is by far the messiest room in the house.  I can't blame 

her.  It's 95% my doing.  For whatever reason, her room has become the catch all.  But no more.  

She deserves better than this and I will prove it to her with my actions.

Can't even get to her closet.  Such a shame.

There's that wandering vaccume cleaner.  It really does have

a home.  I'll make sure it gets there this month.

Believe it or not.. this is a picture of her bed.  It's drowning under all the junk.

Messy Dad made that doll house.  It's very beautiful.  And what do I do?  I make it look like it's

ready for a trip to the dump.  It looks like a real heap.

What's on tap for this month?  A complete overhaul of her room.  I'm hoping I can get it all done before the month is up.  She's getting new bedding, window treatments, lighting, rugs, accessories, wall decor, the works!  I am also going to organize and sort all of her toys so she might actually be able to play with some of them.

Until Next Time,

Messy Mom

I Did It!*

Yes, there is an asterisk for my completion.  Remember that flaky friend I told you about?  Yeah, he's still flakey and now the weather is literally flaking on us too.  We were all set to pick up the wood from him so Messy Dad could do the projects I needed to finish up the bathroom, and we woke up to snow, everywhere.  Oh well.  Keep calm, carry on.


Without further adieu, I present to you, my Master Bath and Closet:

Look at that clean and pretty counter top.  That, is a thing of beauty right there.

This is where the asterick starts to come into play.  The plain and barren wall on the right was supposed to have a wood carving on it.  Eh, I'll update it should our flaky friend ever deiced to be such a, well, flake.

Oops, left a brush out on the counter.  At least it's just a brush.  Vast improvement from my before shots.

This a a cool score I found at TJ Maxx  for $16.99.  They were actually decorative bowls that I altered to hang on the wall.

And now, let's go in the closet (hmmm... that didn't sound quite right):

TADA!  Look at all that room to grow!  AND, three of those baskets are empty!  Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

I had no idea what to do with all those piles of clothes I had on the shelves before.  And then I found an awesome deal at Miachels in the clearance area.  These trunks were originally $30 each.  I picked them up for $9.99!  Problem solved.  I added the little chalkboards.  So easy, anyone can do it.  A little spray paint and ribbon is all it takes.

This was previously all piles of clothes and a laundry basket filled with junk.

This was a bonus I found in my closet.  Had no clue there was a painted and assembled hat rack in there.  Now to find those baseball hats of mine.

Alright, January is now in the books.  It's time to break down all the costs for this month.  Really, wasn't too bad.

Bathroom:

$83.71  TJ Maxx-  2 Leaves on the wall, 1 DKNY Towel, 2 vases on vanity, 1 silver vase on window, 1 red bowl on toilet, 1 vase on counter, 1 wicker basket on counter.

$4.00  Goodwill- 6 Frames  (3 still need to be hung), 1 organizing basket for hairbands.

$8.50  Home Depot- Primer, Metallic Spray Paint

Bathroom Total:  $96.21

Master Closet:

$49.76  Walmart-   2 Wicker Baskets, 3 striped fabric totes, 3 orange spice fabric totes.

$59.94  Miachels- 6 Green storage trunks.

Grand Total:  $119.88

I will gladly spend $120 any day to be able to get dressed and showered each day in a nice, clean bathroom.  Now I turn my head and see Messy Kids room right on the other side of the bathroom door.  Ugh, I'm going to start all over again.  But I have big plans for that room.  I'm probably going to spend a lot more money and time in there, but it is badly needed.

I've decided, after I finish Messy Kids room, I am treating myself to a Kindle .  I've always wanted one, and I think it will be a well deserved treat.

The End Is In Sight

At least for January.  I'm dying to post the bathroom pics, but because of a flaky friend, we haven't been able to get the wood promised in order for Messy Dad to make the couple of projects I need.  But I have to say, taking a shower in a clean an organized bathroom each day is WONDERFUL... of course, then there's reality again once I step out of the bathroom and into Messy Kid's room.

I have also found a new love.  I love, love, love, my Cricut.  I got it for Christmas, but had no clue how to use it and no clue what to do with it.  I finally begged Messy Kid's teacher to task me with a project so I could start figuring this thing out.  I tell you, the angels started singing.. it's so much fun.  My Mother says she has created a monster by getting it for me.  I'm pretty sure she is right.  I have now bought the Gypsy, I booked myself to take a class and I have 11 cartridges at home 7 more free with the Gypsy and 3 more in the mail.  Oh the things I plan to do with this thing in the months to come (insert evil laugh).

Oh, and this whole closet thing.. I don't hate it nearly as much as I thought I would.  Who knew a closet organization could be fun?  I was able to score an awesome deal on some storage trunks at Michael's (speaking of, this is the THE PERFECT time of year to get great deals on storage containers.  They've been in the store for almost a month now, so it's time to clear them out and mark them down).

I'm really getting excited to start Messy Kid's room.  I've got all her new bedding, a few decor items, a million ideas and the desire to get it done!

I am pretty sure this is the longest I have stuck it out with a New Years Resolution.

February is going to be awesome!

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

A Whole Lot Of Nothing

Four boxes, four friggin boxes that I have moved to 2 different homes in the past 7 years that I did not need to move.  Remember those boxes from yesterday that were all labeled "Master Bathroom"?  Turns out, they were filled with old, half used and some leaky toiletries.  Both times we moved that was 2 trips to the moving van that didn't have to happen.  Let's face it, the fewer trips to and from the moving van, the better.

Now I'm going to have to make a trip to the dump.. yeah, just what I was looking forward to doing.  I want to puke each time I think about having to endure the smell at the dump.

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

And Now, The Closet.

Finally, I get to the darn closet.  I am feeling so uninspired to do it too.  What's fun about a closet?  You walk in, grab what you need, walk out.  I have more fun plucking gray hairs (of course, there's only 1 that I will admit to, and I blame my children for it).

I've decided to start with the floor.  Figured I can't really get to the stuff on the shelves if I can't even walk in there.  And as promised, here's the Ugly Truth:

All those boxes have been sitting there since we moved in.  They're all labeled "Master Bath".  I don't seem to be missing anything (other than a curling iron).  I fear what I will find in there.  I'm sure Messy Kid will be happy to have her doll rescued from in there as well.

*POOF* Like magic, it's all cleaned out.  WOW, that is one messy carpet.  I'm thinking I'll just pull the carpet out and go with what's underneath.

ACK!  Holy 1968 Batman!  Never mind, I'll stick with the dirty carpet and clean it up.

Overall, the act of cleaning out the floor of the closet wasn't nearly as painful and I thought it was going to be.  Think splinters under your fingernail.  Now to tackle those blasted mystery boxes.  They've been around so long, I'm thinking Jimmy Hoffa might be in one of them.

I am going to have nightmares about that linoleum, tonight.  Man, that was scary.

Until Next Time,

Messy Mom

The Path to Hell....

From what I hear, it's paved with good intentions.  Apparently, I must be well en route.  Nothing but the best of intentions all week long.  What happens?  Absolutely squat, diddly, zip, zero, nada.  Fell behind on my 1 load a day laundry.  I mean really, how hard is it to do ONE FREAKING LOAD A DAY?  Haven't finished the bathroom... and haven't even attempted to start the closet.

Some life changing event this is turning out to be two weeks in.  Oh, wait.... two weeks in?  Hmmmm... I have a feeling I am like the rest of America.  I wonder how many people are smoking again?  Ate a donut for breakfast instead of going for their morning jog? 

In this epic battle of good vs. evil, I shall not let evil win.  Back on the horse, first thing, tomorrow morning.

I did get a few things hung on the wall.. does that count?  The bathroom is still clean, that is an improvement over how I would have been before 2011.  But I did have a rather nice week with the family now that no one is sick any longer.  The weather this weekend was phenomenal.  I think warm weather in January is a very cruel prank.  A tease by Mother Nature.  Next week we will be covered in snow with cabin fever, again.

Here we go again, again.......

Here's to our first epic fail of the year!

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

How To Stay Motivated.

Let me correct the punctuation on the title....  How To Stay Motivated?  Because really, it was a question, not a statement.  Mr. Messy and the kids have been home sick for the better part of the last two weeks.  It's one thing to clean and organize in between running the kids to and from school.  It's another to even attempt to maintain when you have 3 people running you ragged... and lets face it, the past few days, they've been milking this sick thing.

But that does make me wonder, how in the heck am I going to keep this up for an entire year?  Yeah, yeah, baby steps... I know, I'm the one that keeps saying it.  But the past few days, even baby steps feel like mans first steps on the moon.  I'll get my butt in gear again.  Perhaps this pity party needs a few glasses of wine.  I need to get my hands on some Mommy's Time Out, I want the time out chair and all.

At least now, if I feel the need to lock myself in the bathroom, I'll have a clean and pretty bathroom to be locked in. 

Yeah, I think I'll be just fine.  Now, to find that wine......

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

Pretty On The Outside

My bathroom is starting to suffer from stuck up debutant syndrome... it's starting to really look pretty on the outside, but ugly on the inside.  On the surface, it's really coming together and looking great.  I'll be posting pics as soon I can get everything hung on the wall (the weather has been too cold to go outside and paint the picture frames).  But when you open the cabinets and drawers, ugh, reality sets in that my bathroom has not always looked this way.  How quickly I forget that my bathroom should have been condemned, or at least required you sign a release of liability before you enter, as a of a week ago.

Those drawers are so narrow, I'm not even sure how to make that look nice.  I am in need of professional help (in more ways than one).

I know, yeah, they (I would like to know who this mysterious group of *they* are.... and are they at all affiliated with *them*?) all say you have to taper down what you put in your medicine cabinet.  I am all for that.  Heck, I think I should really only be able to fill one shelf in there.  But, when you have 4 out of 4 members of the household decide this is the bathroom (out of 3) that they want to use as their main bathroom, makes it hard to do.  Again, several forms of professional help could be utilized here.  I think the biggest help would be if I could successfully kick 3 other household members out of this bathroom and claim it as mine.  It is clean (on the outside) now.  Perhaps if I lick the door handle, everyone will back off.  Unfortunately, this is not likely.  This brood doesn't scare easily.

I will say, everyone is now doing their part to pitch in on this one little corner of the house.  I am no longer walking in to clothing of various sorts on the floor.  Towels are properly hung up after baths/showers.  Toothbrushes are happy to stay in their new home.  And I can no longer follow my husband and children via things they lefts behind, in the bathroom.

This weeks goal:  Finish the bathroom and begin the organization and cleaning process of the closet.  Also to have official (and more than one) *AFTER* photos of the bathroom posted here by no later than Monday the 17th.

Now, off to go do my 1 load of laundry and check to see if the weather has warmed up enough to start painting.

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

The Jig Is Up Folks

Yup, the jig is up, and I could not be any more relieved.  Mr. Messy now knows all about the Blog and my evil plan to take over the house.

He was getting suspicious a) because I never clean... and when I do clean, I do not clean with purpose and direction.  b) He started questioning my sudden plans to decorate, rearrange and otherwise make life better.  Basically he wanted to know who stole his wife so he could make sure she doesn't come back.  He likes Messy Mom 2.0 much better.  Now that he's on board, I told him about everything I want him to make me <evil grin>.

I have to admit, the bathroom is coming along quite nicely.  I'm 90% done with the general cleaning and straightening up.  I still have to do the dreaded floors  <shoot me now>.  But I found some awesome deals in the clearance section of TJ Maxx for some decor.  That place is so dangerous for my checking account.  When all is said and done, however, I think I am going to be able to decorate the bathroom for under $100.  I don't know about you, but I think that's not too shabby for a bathroom that previously only had trash and all the contents from the drawers on the counter as decor.

I'm wanting to go with a Coastal Redwood Spa Retreat feel for the bathroom.  Hopefully I don't miss that mark by a mile and a half.  I was inspired by a teak wood bathroom mat I saw (check out the link).  But instead of paying over $100 for the thing, I am going to have Messy Dad make it for me out of some Redwood Witness Wood we were able to get our hands on.  If you don't know what witness wood is, I'll give you a very quick description:  Witness Wood is reclaimed wood that is over 100 years old, sometimes old trees at famous landmarks are called Witness Trees (such as the  famous trees at Gettysburg).  They call it witness wood/witness trees because they are so old in age, they have witnessed a lot through local history.  The grain, color and markings of witness wood is generally not found in woods you get today because it has to do with a combination of the age of the tree when it was cut down and the amount of time it has had to age since being cut down.  Enough of the history lesson.  This wood we found is old growth redwood that was used to make a barn dating back to 1901 that was torn down a few weeks ago.  The wood was going to be thrown out!  So, the salvage  aficionado (fine cheap-o, call it whatever you want) that I am, told Messy Dad to make me that wooden bathmat, a waste bin and a small box for the counter.  Oh the things I am going to have him make!  I'm sure more of that wood will pop up in projects in the months to come.

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

Why Fly Lady Doesn't Work For Me

Let me first say, I LOVE Fly Lady.  I wish I was Fly Lady.  I follow her blog, I've read her book, I try to channel her on the rare occasion I think I'm going to tackle the world (my house) in a blaze of glory.  God Bless her, that woman has more energy than a 2 year old on crack and sugar at a carnival trying to win that blasted ten cent goldfish.  But I just can't do it.

I know, I know.. she says you can only do what you can do in a day and if you don't get it all done, that's OK.  But I NEVER get it all done in a day.  By the end of three days I feel like a loser.  

I know why.  I know exactly why.  Because she wasn't expecting someone with a house like mine to come along.  You can't clean and unclutter my disaster and chaos that quickly and easily while keeping your sink spot free.  Something has to give.  She even has baby steps, just like I proclaim, start small.  But I can't wrap my mind around it.  I think it's that all or nothing mentality.  By day 6, I am toast.  You're supposed to declutter your hot spots.  HOT SPOTS???  Have you seen my house?  It is a hot spot!   This is why I basically say screw it to the rest of the house while I work on one area at a time.  Yes, I'm going to keep living in the chaos.  But there's too much crap EVERYWHERE to do her method.  Now, if you are listening Fly Lady.. I would never turn away an opportunity for you to knock on my door one day and clean my house give me some pointers and show me the way.  Really, I would bow at your feet, kiss your ring, dust your wings, whatever you would like :)

Messy Mom's Mantra:  1 room, 1 month, get rid of the chaos and move on.

I love you Fly Lady, but I don't think you were expecting the likes of me!

Until Next Time,
-Messy Mom

He Noticed!

Of course, how can you not notice when you go from this:

To this:

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.  Of course, this was accompanied by the Messy Kids asking me "Why do you keep cleaning the bathroom for evvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrr?"  And hie still left his clothes on the floor this morning.  Still can't get irritated....... yet.

I do believe the hard work is paying off.  But do you notice anything missing in that picture?  In both the before and the after (I HAVE AN AFTER!!)?  Yes, even in the chaos of the before picture, there is something missing.  I never even realized it until I was trying to find a home for a particular object.  We do not own a toothbrush holder.  Never realized it because a) I wouldn't have had room on the counter for it if there was one and b) we probably wouldn't have used it anyways.

Oh, and alert the media... I can't find any of my THREE bottles of Windex.  Again, shocker that I can't find something.

I can affirm that I have been keeping good on my promise to continue to do 1 load of laundry per day and each load is washed, dried and put away in their proper place before bed.  I've been itching to do more per day.  But, I know exactly what will happen.  I will get too busy, leave 1 load in the wash, 1 load in the dryer and another load in the laundry basket waiting to be folded..... then the procrastination will begin... again.  So, 1 load a day it is.

I'm going to go shopping this weekend for a toothbrush holder, new wastebasket and some small containers to keep hair doo-dads in (remember, there are two little girls in this house, we are drowning is pretty hair things).

Well, looks like the cleaning is almost done for the bathroom portion..... time to start planning out and executing the organization portion.

Holy Hannah.... I'm really sticking to this (for five days and counting)!

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

Life As I Know It

Life is continuing as normal, or nearly normal, once again.  Messy Dad is back at work, Little Ms. Messy is back to school and Messy Munchkin is home sick for a few days.  Christmas tree is outside and waiting to be recycled, all Christmas decor is taken down and put away... well, almost all of it.  We've been socked in by cruddy weather since New Years and haven't been able to take down the x-mas lights outside.  I get a pass on that because of weather, right?

I've got my 1 load of laundry going (did 4 loads yesterday, thank you very much).  It's the pink load.. and yes, in our house, pink gets its very own load.  So does yellow and purple.  Hey, with the exception of Messy Dad, it's a house full of girls.

Still haven't told Messy Dad about the blog or my plan.  Of course this would also be why his socks and underwear were on the floor in the bathroom this morning.... and the kids pajamas.  As much as I would love to get irritated, I suppose I can't... yet.

Alright, down to business.  Today's goal:  I am going to clean the outside of the tub (minus the use of caustic chemicals that cause my lungs to burn for several days), clean the toilet and start organizing the counter top in the bathroom.  Remember... baby steps.

Until Next Time,
Messy Mom

The Laundry Situation

It occurs to me, I have this laundry situation (shocking, I know).  OK, so it didn't really occur to me so much as literally trip me on my way to the bathroom.  It's pretty bad (another shocker).  I can never find Little Ms. Messy's socks.  I look everywhere and I finally gave up, went to Old Navy and bought her 20 pairs of plain white socks.  Sure, I could find a pink one with yellow dots, but no mate, or her blue one, but no mate... purple and pink stripe... no make.  You get the picture.  I know the darn socks aren't walking out of here one by one in search of their sole mate.  But now, it won't matter, there are 20 pairs of plain white socks for me to match up as I please.

This laundry situation is not something I can wait to let it remedy itself as I go room to room organizing.  As much as I would love for that to be the case.  Looks like I'm going to have to add on to that New Years Resolution of mine.  I am vowing to do 1 load of laundry per day, 6 days out of the week.  I will promise to not go to bed until said load is washed, dried and put away. 

Of course, once I get all caught up, I'm going to have a who new sock problem for Little Ms. Messy.  Anyone know what to do with too many socks?

Until Next Time,
-Messy Mom

Here's the Proof

First, I have to say, cleaning this beast was no walk in the park.  I think I will be filing this cleanser under *Do Not Try This At Home*.  Phew... when we came home from church a good 4 hours AFTER I finished cleaning the tub, the entire house still wreaked of this stuff.

Here's a lovely photo of my tub drenched in the the blue stuff.  Ugh, my lungs are aching again just looking at the picture.

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See that Red towel on the floor of the tub?  Yeah, it's now stark white.

Look!  The caulking is stark white, again!  Whoo Hoo!

Oh, and lookey there, is that a shiny reflection from my flash coming off my tub?  Why, yes, I do believe it is.

On a positive note, all of those caustic chemicals were able to get all of the stains and mold out of the caulking thus saving me LOADS of time and some money from having to rip it all out and replace it.  I'm all for saving time and money.

Yeah, I know, not much for a first day of this great big plan to take over the world my house.  But this was a great first move.  My husband was quite impressed and actually agreed to help me with a few things for the cupboard under the sink to organize a little better.  Oh, have I mentioned that Messy Dad is BEYOND handy?  Yeah, he is, and I exploit it when at all possible.

Also got my label maker in!  Isn't she pretty?  Oh, she and I are going to become the best of friends, oh yes we will.

Until Next Time and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

-Messy Mom

D-Day

It's zero hour.. the day is finally here!  What do I have to show for it thus far?  A very, VERY clean bathtub and a burnt set of lungs.  I decided to go all out with cleaning the tub and used some pretty harsh stuff.  Apparently, I should have used protective eye wear and a mask.  I'm sure the stinging stench of bleach in my nose will go away, right?

I promise, I will post pictures tonight of my clean tub.  As for right now, back to my New Years Day tradition.... putting all the x-mas decorations away.  Fun.