30 minutes is relative. It can feel like forever on a treadmill. Or like you literally just sat down if you’re scrolling through social media with a cup of coffee in hand. 30 minutes doesn’t seem like much of your day. Everybody can find half an hour right? What can you get done in 30 minutes? A decent workout? Meal prep? Knock some things off your to-do list? Clean the house? Clean the house? Clean the house? See where this is going?
It’s time to sit down with Deborah and Coco and YOU to catch up over a beverage. I’m going with the very last of my Starbucks winter blend stash. Because winter is finally GONE!
Over coffee I’d tell you it’s been 6 months since I let my house cleaning crew go. It was supposed to be temporary and we’d have them (or a different crew) back once our home renovations were complete. Those reno’s have been done for….oh about 3 months now….and I can’t bring myself to hire new cleaners. Why?
They break stuff, scratch and bang up the furniture
They’re inconsistent with when they show up
They don’t do as good of a job as I’d like
Oh and they help themselves to food in my pantry. That was the last straw
Let’s say I’ve taken the proverbial bull (or vacuum) by the horns and have been doing the cleaning myself.
After reading a spring-cleaning article written by an organic housekeeping blogger who said she devotes 30 minutes a day to keeping her house clean and in order, I decided to give that a try. It’s been a little spotty so far, because I’ve got more time on some days and nada on others. It’s all about establishing routine right? I’ll check back and let you know how I did on this goal at the end of the month.
I still do not own a Boston Starbucks mug. What is wrong with me?
Over coffee I’d tell you I have all the respect in the world for NYCRunningMama’s recent decision to turn down a free trip/entry to The Boston Marathon in exchange for sharing on social media. According to her Insta post, she was only 2 months postpartum when she got the offer and hadn’t covered 26.2 in almost 2 years. Even though she is someone who I suspect is able to qualify for Boston anytime she desires, and I’d also lay money on the fact that this is not the last sponsored offer she’ll ever get to run it, I can still imagine how tempting that would be. Mad props Michelle for living according to your priorities!
Over coffee I’d tell you spring break officially ended here on Wednesday. Now it’s time to register Thing 2 for 8th grade and plan Thing 1’s high school graduation party. I’m agonizing over potentially having a tented outdoor celebration because Chicago weather can never be trusted. It could be freezing, pouring, snowing, whathaveyou and I’d for sure need a plan B. The bottom line is I really don’t want to have 50+ people indoors if Mom Nature acts up. Ugh the decisions.
Over coffee I’d tell you there is free shipping at Spandits until April 7. That’s a great savings plus SPANDITSLOVE saves you 10% more. They have all kinds of fresh, fun patterns for spring so check it out.
What would you tell me over coffee? Would you wing it and throw a party outside at the end of May? Do you have a cleaning routine?
I’m linking up with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday Five.
OMG on your cleaning people??? What the…? I have one housekeeper that has been with me for about 6 years now and is basically a part of our family. I seriously do not know what I would do without her. She has never broken a THING and would probably prefer death to taking anything from my panty. I know it’s SUPER hard to find (like a unicorn) but once you have someone who cleans well and you can trust, you never look back!!
And kudos to Michele indeed. She is amazing.
There’s no way I’d give up my cleaning lady. She’s the same age as me, which makes me feel so guilty, but she has been coming here for years. I went to her daughter’s wedding. I don’t know what I’ll do when she retires.
What is the deal with all these runners getting offers to go to Boston? Earned, never given, right? Glad Michelle made the right decision. It had to be a tough one.
We haven’t had a cleaning service in years, mostly because my husb doesn’t like people touching his things, and they did break nick-nacks, and then we had dogs …. Still, I don’t spend 30 minutes a week cleaning unless you count the daily kitchen stuff and weekly laundry. My husband does vacuum and clean the toilets. 😉
I’ve never really had to plan a big party, thank goodness. Thanksgiving is about as close as I’ve ever gotten. Knowing you, I’ll bet it’s going to be a great party (but definitely get a tent if outside — maybe some heaters, too?).
30 minutes a day to cleaning. Ugh. I hate to clean. And someone just broke something of mine, then yelled at me when I told him about it. Something I’ve had since before we were married. It’s just a thing, I get it, but an “I’m Sorry” would go a long ways. I told him that, too. I’m still waiting. 🙁
In fact, I think I need an hour a day right now, since I didn’t feel great for much of March the house really needs a deep cleaning.
Your cleaning people sound horrible! I could never hire a cleaning crew, I actually like to clean and like it done my way. LOL (Says the control freak)
I like the idea of dedicating 30 mins a day to keeping things tidy. I always make my bed every morning and a few other small things but I usually keep the bigger things, like laundry, for the weekend.
I have a cleaning lady but not a service. I tend to think that goes better. So we threw our grad party for my son last May and it was a torrential downpour day. Ugh you just never know. I would go for it though! Thanks for linking up for coffee always great to have you
We did all three of our kids’ grad parties in our garage (it’s a 3-car stall set-up). We lucked out with the weather all three times…no rain, but some heat/humidity. I do my own cleaning, which is why it’s very sporadic LOL
I feel very overwhelmed with cleaning our house. Between my 6 year old, my hubby, and three long haired dogs I just feel very lost and have trouble even starting. The best thing to get me in gear is to have company planning on coming over though! I have asked for a deep cleaning of our house as a mother’s day gift this year so fingers crossed I will get what I want!
I got spoiled and had a house cleaner but she moved & I planned to find a new one. They all now charge so much more than my old one charged so I’ve been doing on my own…but not very well. It’s only me and the hubby and he is a slob.
So usually I clean (minimally) on the weekend. I do need to hire someone to do a deep cleaning _ I just wash the floors, dust and vacuum. Who know what lurks over the furniture…ugh!
I say go for it. Bring on May sunshine.
I lucked out with great house cleaners although I still do the 30 minute quick clean before they come too LOL. YEs, I respect Michelle’s decision too, it would be hard to jump into 26.2 like that. So exciting that London is so close!
I might have to think hard about turning down the Boston offer, but if I wasn’t prepared, I’d say no as well.
oh goodness I will cross my fingers that it certainly does not snow in May for your party! I would probably rent a tent and wing it. Can you rent some of those space heaters that look like lamps (in case it is colder)?
As I was reading the post I was thinking about the renovations that you were doing, so it’s funny that you mentioned that. Will we see pics? -M
Hmmm…what can I get done in 30 minutes? A lot, that’s all I have to say. I haven’t had cleaning help for years, but the cleaning for 30 minutes/day sounds pretty much like what I do now that I have retired. Hubby and I clean together these days and neither one of us loves it, but we can’t bring ourselves to hire anyone else to do it. They don’t clean the way I like my house to be cleaned, and as you say, there are sometimes issues.
I can see why you canceled your service! I haven’t had a cleaning person in years…not since we got our first dog and now I can’t bring myself to hire someone again. I have been toying with the idea of paying for a periodic “deep clean” … maybe this spring.