I know how you feel I have the same issue at times....How I keep it is I have the kids help out....they have to clean up their own rooms as well as help out if I ask for it....but here is a chat that might be able to help you out as well as their forums.... http://www.a-mommys-world.com/chat.php
Edit 11/13/2007: I checked out a bunch of books on organizing, etc from the library. The Martha Stewart Homekeeping Handbook (which is ridiculously large) has a section with routines of things to be done daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally, etc. I surely haven’t even begun to read it, but that was the first thing that jumped out at me.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I tried flylady a long time ago. It was kind of overwhelming. I went on there the other day and found some helpful ideas. I like the 10 minutes/area/day idea, and a few others. Haven’t signed up for emails yet.
I have decided to get better on the mail. I use a small waste basket for recycles in the the kitchen and filled it twice, about two weeks ago, with junk inside of my mail. So, I am hoping to glean out the papers I need to keep and file them. I hate filing, so I got two accordian style file folders that I can keep handy. I’m using one for bills and short term stuff, and the second for long term stuff like insurance, car info, kid info. I might make a third for product instruction, warranties, etc… if they don’t make it to the big file cabinet. I also got some magazine cardboard bins to organize my mags, and put two in my computer area for my hobby info and work info. Beats having papers laying flat/loose in my drawer.
I think one of the next things I want to work on is reworking my laundry room. I am going to try to get things in order by setting up baskets, so I can take the dirties down there vs. letting them sit in piles, or in baskets in my room. This will help me get them sorted at the same time. Maybe I can reclaim my bedroom.
And lastly, get rid of some extra bedding that is taking up valuable space in my tiny closet.
Also going to re-read my organizing book by Julie Morgenstern, and maybe a few from the library. I don’t foresee being able to hire a cleaning service or organizer, though I would like to.
Afterthought: It’s makes me wonder how my friends/family keep up their homes so nice and I can’t seem to do it myself. It’s frustrating. Sometimes I don’t care, I realize that I am the way I am, and they do too. Maybe it’s a creative mind thing.? I can be organized if I want, it just doesn’t seem to stay. So I will work on my ability to keep on top of things vs. letting them go.
Thanks for all the help and suggestions.