Monday, 18 August 2014

… It’s That Time Of Year …

Don’t ask me why … I don’t know … but I suddenly seem to have bursts of energy … maybe it’s the cooler weather … maybe it’s making the most of the last of the summer wine … but Cleaning Fever has taken over … these last few days have been a frenzy of feather dusters, bowls of soapy water, miracle cleaners and vacuums sweepers.

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Curtains taken down and washed … Roman blinds washed by hand in the bath … a bit like using rocks  down by the stream.  Walls washed down to remove the smokiness caused by an open fire … paintwork scrubbed … dustwebs and spiders removed … pictures taken from the walls and cleaned.  Exhausting work this ‘spring cleaning’ in August … it takes tremendous effort for one who dislikes housework intensely.  But boy do I like the end result – still more to do though … mustn’t rest on my laurels just yet. 

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Getting down and dirty is a ‘once in a blue moon’ thing for me … not that I am lazy or anything – well, I am a bit – it’s just that there are other things I prefer to do with my time … and I am sure no-one else will notice the difference except me.  I am definitely not in danger of becoming a Domestic Goddess that’s for sure.

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‘Til next time … remember

“When you’re on your deathbed, you won’t regret not having spent more time cleaning. Buy brown carpet, to camouflage the coffee stains.”  ~ Jarod Kintz

50 comments:

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    1. I'm just glad I don't have to do it for a living - it is such an endless round - by the time you've finished everything it all needs doing again - aargh.

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  2. Although I'm not a fan of housework I do enjoy those moods, those bursts of energy in which I get loads of things done and can enjoy the satisfaction afterwards. It's lovely to have a clean and uncluttered house, isn't it. xxx

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    1. I agree - bring back the days of servants, that's what I say!

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  3. I clean when someone's coming round. Or when I need a photo for a blog post!

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    1. Ah, but what happens if no one ever comes round?

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  4. HaHa! Love that quote....and sooooo true!
    Don't overdo it :)

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    1. I seem to have one day of frantic activity followed by a day of rest - I couldn't keep this pace up everyday that's for sure.

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  5. It is true, now it´s cooler I have much more energy too. I am a bit like Rusty Duck, always cleaning before visitors come around. But today I was just thinking to give the bathroom a boost with some fresh paint.

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  6. Since you have cleaning fever...do you care to clean my apartment??

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    1. No siree - I'll leave that to the lovely Beate.

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  7. Oh, I cannot even imagine having that kind of energy. My answer to spring (or summer) cleaning is to move to a new apartment once a year. :)

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  8. I get in to mood to clean, too. And then it passes. But doesn't it feel nice to have the nest clean and fluffed. Makes you feel like you have accomplished something. I do like Rubye Jack's solution, but I hate moving.

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    1. Trouble is Ann it is never finished is it - as soon as you've finished it needs doing again.

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  9. I've given up; and so it seems has Lady Magnon. Ever had dog hair and spider web soup?

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    1. Sounds delicious - not. I've never known so many spiders in the house as there are at the moment - not big far hairy ones, but skinny alien types in every nook and cranny - bloomin' things.

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  10. Ha! I can so relate to your post today friend as I have been going through a bit of a fever around here as well!!! I am thinking I do more fall cleaning than spring cleaning as I know that we will be indoors more as the cold weather comes. You cracked me up with this one!!! Loved the bouquet up there lady!!! It is STUNNING!!! Wishing you a wonderful week full of all things good!!! Nicole xoxo

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    1. I think it is like that for me too - in winter I can hardly rouse myself to do anything - so this feels like the last opportunity to get everything done before the weather turns.

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  11. Ha :) So good to know I have a kindred spirit out there.
    I loathe housework, but make myself do it on a daily basis.
    I felt quite guilty reading all that you have done....I NEARLY rushed to the cleaning products to start an autumn clean. Then I looked at the garden, oh well, perhaps I will do it in the Spring.
    Anyway can't get rid of the cobwebs yet, I have the Grand-children's Halloween party to think about :)

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    1. Ha! Nothing like genuine cobwebs to make the party go with a swing. The garden needs a good sort out too - one step at a time I guess.

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  12. I bought a brown carpet years ago and hate the beastly thing but it's too good to tear out.

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    1. I remember brown being the in colour when we moved here - thankfully all of it has been gradually replaced.

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  13. I am working in the garden right now but when the weather is iffy I have plenty to get on with inside. We have a Rayburn - solid fuel, so can empathise with the wall washing. We use Acrylic Eggshell and wow what a delight it is - simple to wipe down - unlike the matt emulsion we used before. Nice to meet you, via Jessica at Rusty Duck. x

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    1. It is only when you have washed a bit of wall do you realise just how dirty they are with all the smoke and the soot - open fires are lovely but they have their downside.

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  14. Lovely pictures, especially the first one. Now it's cooler I've been plotting again, and any housework is very secondary. Flighty xx

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    1. My preference is to be outside - but sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do - unfortunately.

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  15. What a gorgeous bouquet. I like things to look fairly neat, but cleaning is a thankless job (that has to be repeated and repeated). My husband is actually a better cleaner than I am - I'm glad to give him this accolade.

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  16. Thanks Barb - I wish I could say the same about my husband.

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  17. I've been having a big cleaning time too recently! Perhaps it is the time of year for some reason. xx

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    1. I'm not sure what it is Amy - I try to get as much done as I can whilst I have the energy - because in winter I slow right down.

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  18. Lol, I love that quote Elaine. Can I hire you to do my cleaning? It gets forgotten about when the weather is good enough to garden in.

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    1. That's the trouble I hate wasting good weather doing housework but don't feel so bad when it's not quite so inviting outside.

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  19. Dear Elaine - great minds must think alike...not that I do my spring cleaning in August but I usually wash down kitchen cupboards and the pantry shelves this month. I think it is because I am putting food away for winter that makes me want everything neat and tidy...I know I have been working at it a bit each day this week. Hope to finish the project soon. In the meantime though I think I will rest a bit on my laurels and enjoy the last blooms of the season!

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    1. I try and do a bit at a time but just lately one thing has led to another and I have just kept going - I must say that it is catching up with me now and I am sleeping really well after all the exertion.

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  20. Like you I have a frenzy of cleaning every so often and like Jessica if anyone is going to visit. I have to clean quite often because of the cats but it's not an occupation I really enjoy and can think of far more interesting things to do:)

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    1. Every so often is enough for me Rosie - I'm not a cleaning freak by any means but sometimes you just need to do a bit more than a quick whip round with the hoover.

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  21. I have the exact same energy at the moment :D I just want to declutter and clean everything inside and out....I think it's because I want to make space for Keith's arrival :) :) But this will have to wait till November, till my finals are done. Good thing the weather is probably cooperating then for indoor activities ;) The end result is the best thing about cleaning, right? If only it wouldn't get dirty again so fast ;) Have fun cleaning some more and don't forget to enjoy the rest of summer :)

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    1. I'm almost done thank goodness - the garden is suffering whilst I'm doing indoor work it needs some attention too. It just seems to be a never -ending round of jobs that need to be done.

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  22. I wish you' pop around here, I could put all that energy to good use! I don't know where to start....isn't it marvelous when it's all spanking clean, it's horrible doing it but so nice to sit in an uncluttered spotless room. You go girl!xxx

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    1. You are right it does feel good when it is all done - definitely not my favourite job though. I'm running out of steam now so whatever I haven't done will stay undone till my next energy spurt.

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  23. I'm like you, there are many more important things to do in life then have a spotlessly clean house. Clean enough to be comfortable....

    Your image reminds me that I need to buy a Annemone for my garden.

    Can't believe I gave mine away when we moved up here.

    Jen

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    1. My thoughts exactly Jen. I love the anemone's at this time of year - I know they can be invasive but mine is a fairly new plant so isn't starting to give me trouble yet - the colour is fading fast from the garden so I am appreciative of anything that is flowering at the moment.

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  24. You're welcome to come scrub my house, if you'd like. I use the 'clean enough' philosophy. There are too many other things I'd rather do than scrub a house that will just get messy again. Your photos are beautiful. My anemones are about to bloom, too.

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    1. Like I said I detest housework, but occasionally, just occasionally I get the urge to 'bottom' it - it won't last I can assure you.

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  25. Just came over from Debbies at A view from Harmony Hills......I am your newest follower! Love your flowers....I too, love to garden! Cleaning? It's a must but not a favorite!! Your blog is very pretty~~~Blessings~~~Roxie

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    1. Thanks for following and leaving a comment - nice to meet you.

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  26. What in the world has got into you? You are putting us all to shame! Stop it at once! I now feel obliged to empty the dishwasher. On the upside, my failure to put up curtains has saved me the job of cleaning my window dressings. Now who is efficient? ;-)

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    1. I don't know what came over me Sarah - sorry, it won't happen again. Ha!

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