Getting this House in Order

Ten days ago, on a Sunday, we took a deep breath and as a family hit the following list of things to do and as you can see, we're getting there. About two thirds of the items on the list were accomplished in a matter of days. Keep in mind some of this stuff we've been putting off for months, so doing so much in such a short time feels very satisfying.  Our biggest stumbling block was that all the bookcases in the upstairs hallway meant that there was no room to replace the broken dishwasher or move the sofa bed upstairs to the study. Moving them was (almost) the first item checked off the list and, when the dishwasher finally gets delivered on the 12th of this month we’ll have the grand job of moving them all back. Then we’ll be pretty much done with the big items.

Tidy up ALL the children's toys (it just isn’t possible to do any rearranging when there are toys underfoot)

Move all the book cases and books out of the upstairs hallway (currently all stored in the corner of the living room)

Move the sofa bed from the girls' room to the study

Move the old sofa from the study to our room (until we can get rid of it)

Identify all the items in the house to donate to Caitlin's school (and donate!)

Identify all the items in the house and garage for the thrift store (and donate!)

Identify all of the books Susan will bring to the book exchange (and bring them!)

Track down number for furnace repair and get the furnace fixed

Buy bunk beds for the girls

Buy mattresses for bunk beds (and have them delivered)

Buy much needed and longed for king size mattress for our bed (and have it delivered)

Buy bed linen for new bunk beds

Buy new dishwasher (and have it delivered and installed)

Make a list of items to give away (place out on sidewalk or post on Craig's list?, e.g. purple sofa, TV, printer, car seats, computer desk, toddler bed frame)

Give away our surplus items

As you can imagine it’s all very exciting to be coming to the end of this list. The unease I feel at living in a house that’s quite disrupted at the moment is balanced by the sheer exhilaration of coming to the end of this to-do list. We feel like we’re spring cleaning. It’s fitting that we should be “winter cleaning”. My favorite season, when I’m most energized. Maybe this will be another tradition.

The hallway between the living room and study cleared of bookcases (the kitchen is to the right, where you see the light from the kitchen windows fall on the carpet).

Bookcases stored in the corner of the living room (note: toys don't stay tidied long!)

Ashley and Caitlin loved helping where they could. Here is Caitlin dusting the bookcases. She adores this little duster. When there was nothing they could help with they played games together. At one point we discovered them in the middle of the living room floor playing Uno together and eating a little snack they had rustled up by themselves (and they need us why???)