I don’t know about you, but during the holidays my house is a complete wreck. Having more visitors and activity is awesome, but the extra dishes, laundry, and dirt is not. Since I don’t want to live in chaos, I’m putting myself on a cleaning challenge. Anyone who is in a similar situation is more than welcome to join in.

In the past, I’ve done marathon cleaning sessions in one day, but I find it hard to block off that much time, plus it really exhausts me. This week, I’m breaking it down into mini sessions and I hope that will give me more motivation because it should be easier.

Here is my to-do list. I don’t expect to cross everything single item off, but it’s a general game plan and I need it written out for structure:

Monday – Kitchen

Clean stovetop

Clean microwave

Clean refrigerator

Clean cabinets

Run 2 loads of dishes

Mop floor

 
Tuesday – Bathrooms

Clean sinks

Clean bathtub & shower, using grapefruit/salt method

Clean toilets

Wipe mirrors

Mop floors
 

Wednesday – Laundry

Wash & change sheets

Wash 3 loads of clothes, possibly more

Wash towels

Fold/put away all laundry once finished

Thursday – Miscellaneous

Dust/clean furniture

Wipe down computers/TVs/Phones

Wash windows & sills

Friday – Foyer

Sweep foyer & shake mats

Straighten coat closet (shoes/hats/gloves/umbrellas, etc.)

Wipe down walls & doorway

Does this seem like a loooooong list? Yes, but it has to be done. And while it’s a great start, not everything is covered like the bedrooms. Basically, I want to restore order and make things look nice—for my family and guests who are coming to a party.

Let me know if—and what—you’re cleaning and we’ll commiserate!

Thanks to On Demand, I love to binge-watch good TV shows. Here’s what I’ve been enjoying lately, plus one that was truly rotten:

American Scandals

Barbara Walters + high profile case = awesome! Get a behind-the-scenes look at some of her most famous interviews plus current updates on where those folks are now. I was especially interested to see Kimberly Mays (Switched at Birth baby) and amazed to learn Barbara’s long-term pen pal is parent murderer Erik Menendez. Truly fascinating.

Indian Summers

I’m obsessed with Masterpiece Theatre and all of their period pieces. This 9-episode series is set in colonial India during the 1930’s and is told from both the British and Indian perspectives. Expect plenty of intrigue, gossip/backstabbing, and politics. While no where near as good as the beloved Jewel in the Crown, it’s still entertaining. 

The Widower

Another great PBS show, based on a true story. Malcom Webster is a Scottish nurse who’s unlucky in love—due to trying to kill his wives! Motivated by greed and tons of debt, he lies, steals, and poisons, hoping to get life insurance money. It works the first time but suspicions grow with each marriage. Truly scary to think about one spouse doing this to another.

One show I would not recommend is Flesh & Bone. Thanks to a free preview weekend, I was able to see the Starz limited series. Focusing on a NYC ballet company, I was expecting something edgy but this was downright depressing—suicide attempts, incest, eating disorders, violence, murder, etc. Not for the faint of heart and definitely not for children.

Do you have a favorite show? Any recommendations are welcome.