Cleaning!!!

M.,

You have a couple of options that would relly make it happen. ONE- ask a friend to set aside a day to come over and help you. When someone sets time aside for you- then you both will get to it in a big way. TWO- Hire help. I use Hollie ###-###-####). If you are Indy- give her a try. I have referred a lot of people to her and everyone has been very happy. Even if its for one time- she will either get it all done for you , or assist you. Whichever you want.

I find it is SOOO worth it. When she takes care of the worst of it, I find I can manage the rest. And other times when I have 'too much on my plate,' so to speak, I just have her do it all. Well worth the money spent, especially with the holidays here. But you had better call quick because everyone is going through what you are and needs desperate quick house cleaning!! She is getting booked quickly (because she rocks!).

Good luck!

A.

I've found hiring a couple highschool girls when I get overwhelmed helps a ton and is not that expensive! I was so bummed when my neighbors girls kept failing to show up. They were all excited at first, then I guess earning money wore off. But, it was a HUGE help while it lasted!

You do have a lot to do in 3 weeks. I would seriously look into a professional house cleaning service. For one, it will give you time to get the cooking, etc. done but not wear you out in the process! Plus, they often see things you might not. It would be well worth the money for the holidays. You don't want to be grumpy for the holidays!!

Also, as far as cooking....try to do make ahead stuff and put them in the freezer. Baked goods will work well this way. Do one or two things every other day or so and you won't be overwhelmed right before the big day!!

Hope this helps! Good luck!!

Sandra gave you some great advice. Make a list, and prioritize it. I would also recommend that you focus on things people will actually notice. You said your house isn't dirty, so it's probably not necessary to wash the walls. And will anyone be looking in your fridge other than you? Maybe a quick wipe-down of the outside (and top!) would be enough.

You're probably hosting family, and they should be aware of how busy you are, so don't stress yourself out. Make sure your house is 'presentable', the guest bathroom is clean, and don't sweat the rest of it.

All 3 of your kids are old enough to help out. Buy some Pledge Multi-Surface wipes (my kids LOVE the wipes!!), and let them go to town on the mirrors, TV screens, countertops, bathroom sinks and furniture. They can also vaccuum the house and straighten their bedrooms. (Speaking of the bedrooms, you can always shut those doors and make them off limits to guests.)

As far as the menu, go SIMPLE. Lasagne and garlic bread or chili and cornbread...something you can make ahead and can easily feed a crowd. If you belong to Sam's or Cosco, buy something that is already prepared. Ask each guest to bring something (a salad, fruit, side dish, dessert, etc.) so you're not absorbing all the work...and expense!

If you need help making a specific list, let me know. I can probably whip one up for you.

I would say that you need to do two things before you start cleaning. Make a list (by priority) of the things you want done. If it helps, put check boxes next to them, so you can visually see on your list what has and hasn't gotten done. Second is only work on one thing from this list at a time. Don't go through the house yelling and being upset, starting one job, not finishing it, and then going to the next. Nothing will get done this way. If you stay calm, prioritize and work one at a time, you will be amazed at how quickly it gets done.

Try doing one a night or a couple a week, then when it is the week of the event, you may just need to go over it a little bit to straighten it back up.

Happy Hollidays :-)
S.

Hi M., I haven't read any of the responses yet, but YOU CAN DO THIS!! You just have to be organized and not try to make things perfect. Here's how:

1. Make a list of all the things you want to get done
2. Assign 1 thing to each day up until company arrives (but don't have anything scheduled for the day right before; you'll need one extra day for last minute things or to just rest). 3. For example--one day, clean out your fridge and wipe it down while it's empty. Another day, wipe down the walls. Another day, mop the floors (maybe you can skip the waxing). Another day, vacuum the house, another day feather dust the house (without being too particular--just take 15 minutes or so).... Assign what jobs you can to other members of your family. Once it's done, cross it off your list and don't redo it (except maybe do the toilets again just before company arrives).
4. One of those days you need to make a master menu of all the food you plan to prepare. Think of all the breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. On another day, make a master shopping list of all the ingredients you'll need (and remember the toilet paper, paper towels, napkins...) Then, on another day, grocery shop for all these things (or take 2 days, if you need to visit 2 stores).

The key is just plan right now, and do a little bit everyday. It will all get done, it will be beautiful, and you'll be so proud of yourself! Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Most people end up congragating near or in the kitchen, so I always make that and the bathroom people will use my priority. You can always throw toys, etc., into a bedroom or two and close the doors. I have a lot of busy friends who do that. Try to plan a meal that is easy - we've done lasagna before - that you can buy a big family size portion from the grocery to toss in the oven, some bread, premixed salad, etc., to make it easy on yourself so you enjoy the party and your company and don't spend the entire time cooking! Best wishes, and have a wonderful family get together!

You can do it. Hire someone to come and do the awful jobs for you, a older teenager would be good and they always need money.Then work on your menu and get things wrote down and ready to shop for them.
Myself I figure if they come to see my house the hell with them as I live in it and it is comfortable to me.If they don't like something they can offer to clean it or leave it just doesn't matter to me.Lately I have been taking 15 minutes to a half hour and doing one job I hate to do. Then it is done and in a couple days I attack another I hate job.

you can try starting with one room at a time. it sounds like when you think of doing the entire house at once, it gets too overwhelming for you. start with a small room, like your bathroom and go from there. if you're a morning person & have most of your energy then, then start in the morning, if you're an evening or night person then start then. good luck, & God be with you.

Well it sounds like you need a master plan. How about getting your kids to help you put it together. Be reasonable about what you want to get cleaned. Begin with the areas you will spend the most time in plus add bathrooms and the kitchen. Use a calendar and break it down into tasks like vacuuming, dusting, washing floors if necessary. Is there anythings you can get help with? Outsource those things. Is there any relatives nearby who can help you where you can reciprocate at a later date. I always break things into parts and on paper so I can feel good about what I have accomplished.

First and foremost, SET PRIORITIES. List all the things you want done and prioritize them.....1 thru......20 or whatever. Then, EVERY day set a goal of attacking ONE of those things off the list. If you have THREE weeks, chip away at it. It will be MUCH more do-able and not so overwhelming if you take it one task one day at a time.

When you get toward the end and some things are not yet done, ask yourself......"if it doesn't get done, is it a matter of life or death and if it doesn't get done, will it really cause that much more stress?" If the answer is "NO" ....then LEAVE IT BE! Enjoy your friends and your party.

As far as the food goes, I do some catering and have tons of ideas. I help party plan all the time, too. Get a list together of what you'd like to serve. Delegate appetizers or something like that, or appetizers & desserts to help you out. Most people don't mind at all!

Matter of fact, when I do my Christmas open houses, I ask people to bring appetizers or salads. I take care of the rest. I have a HUGE variety of things and KNOW I have some nutritous food and not just people bringing junk food and cookies. Everyone says I have the BEST food and the BEST parties. Everyone always looks forward to it.

I would make a task list of everything you want done. Then think about what can wait. What is the family really going to notice when they come over? Is the extra effort on those things going to make you feel that much more comfortable?

Put things in order of how desperately they need to be done. Then order that list in time it takes to complete them.

Some things might be able to be handed off to a cleaning service. There are deep clean services that wash windows, floors, bathrooms, etc for like $150 for a whole house where as a basic clean of 3 rooms might be $40. I suggest looking for local cleaning services. I know I've had flyers for them in the past, but I can't recall who they were.

You might also consider asking a friend to help you out for a couple hours. Everyone has been there and just having that extra set of hands and a listening ear while you clean could help you have the motivation and be able to find time to get some of it done.

I would suggest doing a bit every day, starting with the heavy stuff and ending with the light stuff like dusting. Recruit the family, and maybe their friends and offer to pay them a few bucks for theyr efforts. Or, if you can afford it, hire a cleaning crew to swamp the place from stem to stern so you can enjoy your Christmas!! Good luck to you>

Christmas Eve is just a few hours, so do NOT overburden yourself.
You have enough on your plate.
Just vacuum and straighten, and dust your home.
If I were you I would have your guests bring food to share for a buffet.
Or at least desserts or cookies etc.
We have at least 30 people every Christmas Eve and always have the same foods because everyone always looks forward to things that we have served for years.
We have a buffet dinner, then caroling, the children open gifts, and then we have a "Gift-Go-Round" for the adults.

Wow you do way too much. Keep thing and dinner simple . Look to places like sam's club and GFS. Buy things that need to be heated or better yet host a pot luck or do an appatizer only spread. If the kids are old enough (and you can afford it) pay them to do the extra chores or look to a cleaning service. The holidays are overwhelming as it is. Also re-evaluate your standards. Is your house really in need of that thourough a cleaning or are you trying to live up to someone elses standards.

I have in the past drove myself nuts trying to live up to my mom's insane standards till I realized they were just that. My mom did not have to raise several kids and work. And even when you have serveral kids its hard to keep things that clean.

I would definately make a list of all of the big things that need cleaning, for example washing walls and decide on what really needs to be done. Assign chores to each family member, or maybe decide to try and conquer a few together (washing walls everyone could try and pitch in on the same day). Focus on getting done what really needs to be done and if you don't have time to get it all done, that's ok. What matters is the time you will be spending with your family during the holidays. Most people don't really notice or care that much about how clean the house is (as long as it isn't a pigsty!).

I make a list starting with the biggest and most important and go down from there. I try to make it so that I get the least used room done first that way it will still be clean by party day.
Like I said, List help me cause I can cross it off and feel like I'm accomplishing things even though it may not be visible in the house just yet!

I see someone else has suggested what I was going to offer and that is to go to flylady.com. It's pretty awesome and helps you do this kind of thing without getting overwhelmed. Good luck!

I recommend flylady too

I also experience the same madness..kids, man, chores, work, school....but one difference, they don't do much at all around the house...they'll clean off their beds, the man...washes dishes and cooks, take out garbage. When I come home, when I have to tell them when, how, and do the certain jobs they do get done...but I have to be home to supervise...its crazy. So when I am the only one left to clean the frige, floors, walls, laundry...I start here, laundry gets tossed in the washer, as I am washing dishes, I'll start scrubbing the stove, tables, walls, refrigerator. Than I, vaccum, scrub toilets, sweep floors and mop. All in that order. In between I go check the laundry, put fabric softener in or toss in dryer. Hope this helps...good luck!

Hi M. - Sounds as though you have a full plate and then an extra one on the side. You need to make it manageable. YOU can do this in 3 weeks. I would enlist the help of the kids and husband too - as I am sure that you didn't make the mess entirely on your own. Everyone will help you keep it that way too if they have chipped in to help.

I would first take one room every other day and focus on it. Have everyone focus on a task in that one room for 15 minutes - one wipe down the fridge and clean it out, another the cabinets, load the dishwasher etc. Then you could sing together or make it fun. You could then all have a bowl of ice cream or pop in a movie and watch it while eating popcorn - a reward for working together. You could even have a couple kids go with your husband and work on another room and see who can make their room sparkle better - you or him with the kids - whoever wins gets an extra treat or something.

You can do this - just break it down into manageable tasks. Take care and let us know how you do.

Best wishes!

Hi M.,

I wouldn't bother super cleaning before the party. People are there to socialize not critique your level of cleanliness of your home. I would just vacuum, dust and throw out old or expired food in the fridge. As for doggie smell, open some windows and get a candle or two. They even sell a plug in that is geared towards removing pet smells. Also, you can spread baking soda on your carpets, let it sit, and then vacuum it up. I have 3 labs and host Thanksgiving each year. This year I had a 3 week old and was recovering from an emergency C-section. As long as your house is dusted, vacuumed, and clutter is put away, no one will notice the rest. Besides, you will need to do a good cleaning after the party, so why bother before...

Good luck and I hope it all works out!!

Good luck and hope you find something that works!

First off, relax! Once your house is full of people, no one will notice if your walls and even your floors aren't spotless. The only one looking in your fridge will be you. (Put drinks out on the counter, or in a cooler) As long as things are picked up and not smelly (burn some candles) everyone will be looking at each other, the food and any decorations you have out.

But if you still feel it necessary to spruce up, and assuming you don't want to hire someone to do all the deep cleaning (it's just one time!) I second Kelly's recommendation of Flylady.net. (not dot-com, dot-NET!) For everyday cleaning and keeping up with the clutter, she's a godsend. First, she has guidelines to help you set up daily routines so clutter stops building up. Then, you concentrate on one room of your house every week (a 4-5 week cycle) and she emails you a 15 minute chore in that room every day. You will be amazed at how quickly your house starts to feel calmer!

Whenever I have a seemingly overwhelming task in front of me I make a list, a pretty specific one. I break down everything that I need to get done and just try to tackle one or two a day. You can set a goal for everyone else to tackle one age appropriate task each day or every other day as well. When I see a long list and then get to start marking things off I find that it snowballs and before I know it, I'm ready! Good luck.

I read your "A little about me" and am amazed at all of the things you have going on in your life. God bless you and good luck in that area as well. :)

Dahling, please skip washing the walls, waxing the floor, and cleaning out the fridge. Have a potluck so you don't have to do all the cooking. Get your kids to help you pick things up. They can also help cook. Decide what you what to cook, and then tell your guests what you need them to bring. You can even skip the mopping, as you will only have to do it again after everyone leaves! If your floor is really filthy, just mop it the day before. Forget the wax!! If you have the money, hire a cleaning person and/or cater the meal. DO NOT KILL YOURSELF getting ready for this. Enlist a couple of relatives to help you prepare before and clean up after. Have fun!! Yes, you can do it in 3 weeks, One Day at a Time...

Hi M.,
I haven't read any of your responses yet, but when I saw your post, the first thing that popped into my head was www.flylady.net! She has a very workable plan that can help you get your house clean without killing yourself. It's all about "babysteps" and "you can do anything for 15 minuites".It's really an awesome site, check it out..

2 Things: Make sure you hit the "hot spots" - like make sure the kitchen is clean and the den - where ever everyone is most likely to congretate, and 2) go to flylady.com.

She has a thing of "You can do anything for 15 minutes." Set the timer, give each person a task (like straighten their room, clean off the counters, put the dishes in the sink, put their toys away, whatever). 15 minutes per "area". One of the other "suggestions" is 2 loads of laundry a day. There are lots of good suggestions - yes, it's geared towards a stay at home mom - but there's plenty of things that working mothers can use to control "CHAOS" ("Can't Have Anybody Over Syndrome").

For what it's worth, and good luck!

www.Flylady.net. Seriously! Baby steps... It works!

While DAd and kids help with the routine stuff, you can get the others. For waxing the floor, do it after kids are in bed, lock dog in your bedroom.
On a Sat AM, get kids to do routine cleaning while you wipes hand prints off walls and wipe down fridge.
As for food, make sure everyone is bringing a dish or dessert, that way you only have to fix the turkey or ham or whatever. And anything that can be fixed a week before and frozen, get that out of the way.
Good luck.

<____@____.com >Get your house clean and have fun too ! This is a web site that may help, it gives you special cleaning tips on clutter as well as laundry issues and a dirty kitchen sink. Try to start with the kitchen first followed by the bathroom these are big jobs and require the most time. (I used to work for a cleaning company)leave the vacuuming for last. I use laundry baskets to pick up and sort rooms. I put laundry in the washer as we take it off, that really helps me stay ahead of "mmmmmmmmmmoooommm wheres my green shirt?"Use a fast paced declutter on a room I set my kitchen timer for the 15 minute workout. I also have a tote with all my cleaning supplies in it and carry it from room to room. Lots of luck to you. Also when this is over take a hot bubble bath, thats an order !

sit down calm down even bipolars can do this in 3 weeks.do it in baby steps write down what exactly is important and what isnt important to do.then do what is biggest job to the smallest job.little steps.

Hi M.,

Kudos to you for doing all the stuff that you do--work, school etc!

No one has mentioned the possibility of hiring someone for a day to help you--either from a cleaning service or a friend or neighbor. If you know someone who is out of work this might be a great help to them as well as to you.

you have lots of other good advice, and as someone said, the most important thing is the time you spend with your family! The guests probably won't remember whether or not the walls were washed as much as they'll remember whether they had a good time.

Good luck, and have fun!

K. Z.

First, congrats that everybody helps! lol!! Next, have your helpers sweep and mop ( nobody will care if they aren't waxed) under everything. Then focus on the look and smell clean - don't worry about the unseen. Polish exposed surfaces, light every scented candle you own an hour before guest arrive. That and send out the help call! Your family knows how busy you are, call each member and ask that they bring something. Everyone has a famous dish, and trust me , they will love being able to say "I brought that" . Keep the lights festive ( aka..dimmer the usual) and rock the holiday!! Good luck!

OK M., let's get your place done!

Today is Friday. Clean out your fridge today and wipe it down.
Saturday, do the same for the freezer.
Sunday, do one floor.
Monday, do another floor (one a day til the floors are done).
Once that's done, do your dusting
Then your windexing
3 Days before everyone hits, Scrub the life out of your bathroom
2 Days prior, get the vacuuming done
1 Day prior, spot check everything

I don't know how this goes with ladyfly.com or any of the other sites but this is how I would do it. Have a great Christmas M. & good luck! If you do one thing a day then it's not as hard. There's not so much stuff. Make a list of everything you want to get done then assign it a day on the calander... No excuses. Just do it. You'll feel good about your house when it's done too... Good luck!

flylady.com! I see someone has already mentioned it.

If you don't have time to really clean, throw the junk in laundry baskets and take it upstairs (or a room where they won't go). Once the surfaces are clean, you are most of the way there - don't spend much time on the floors - they will be filthy after everyone leaves. just make sure there aren't any obviously stains on your hard floors and vacuum. Then dust and windex & clean your bathrooms (I clean my bathrooms the "day of" b/c my kids just mess them up anyway).

I follow flylady and it works great - I make my kids help me - we set the timer for 15 minutes and one vacuums while the other dusts, and then I do a "hard job".

Don't forget to empty out your laundry baskets after the event, and then get on flylady.com, so next year you are ready! :)

I heard this great idea on tv last week. Detail cleaning doesn't take as long as it seems it will. So, decide you're going to clean for 15 minutes. Set the timer for that long and then dig into cleaning the fridge. You'll be surprised by just how long 15 minutes is and how much you can get done! It's hard to get motivated to clean because what we see beforehand is how "long" it's going to take. If you break it up though, say 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night, you'll have no problem getting all the little details done. There's still over 2 weeks before Christmas too, you probably don't even need to really start preparing until 7-10 days before even with a really full schedule. Believe me, I flip houses, and am having a major overlap due to a deadline not being met, and so I have two houses going at once, plus all the simple tasks that come along with taking care of the house and dropping off/picking up my 4 and 6 year old to school and activities. Well, my 4 year old just turned 5, and this past Saturday we had a HUGE get together for him. I have been running like a madwoman, and was DREADING getting the detail cleaning done for the party. But, I pulled it off. I had to do most of it Thursday, Friday, and then Saturday morning (in between breakfast with Santa and the party at 1:00), so believe me it can be done, I promise! I almost seriously hired a cleaning service to come in on Friday, but thought I'd give it a shot. It's easy to keep things picked up throughout the week, but the dusting, cleaning out of things, cleaning bathrooms, stuff like that are the hardest ones to keep up on when you have multiple things going on, on top of being a stay at home. You can do it though!!!!