Focussing on the positives-

[Shaz51]

ok no worries , but i must worn you thet Mr shaz is a perfectionist ( if i can spell it) @Former-Member, @Determined

[Former-Member]

Then you will be at our place for quite some time @Shaz51

[Determined]

I would die from embarrassment if a stranger walked into our house at the moment @Former-Member
I cant believe the carnage that has been generated in the space of a week when I havn't kept on top of it.

[Former-Member]

Lol @Determined Nothing motivates like having a cleaner come to get things cleared up.

[Determined]

It would be nice @Former-Member if little people would help out.
Bring the bin in and start loading may elict some positive action perhaps.

[Former-Member]

Yep @Determined
Even with youngsters, boundary settings in expectations of cleaning up after themselves. i.e. no computer time (or tv or other enjoyable activity) until toys packed away, having fixed time for chores, but remember to put in cuddle time - even say to boys, we'll set the timer for 2 mins, let's see how much we can tidy up in that time, when done reward them with high fives, group hugs etc.
In one tidying up manual book I had the author gave each of her kids a colour (kids may have picked their own). If they wanted a drink they picked their own cup and were expected to wash and put it away. From memory, towels, sleeping bags, lunch boxes etc were all this colour, made it easier to tell whose stuff was missing too.

[Former-Member]

The 2 mins needs to be a specific job, have bin or toy boxes ready, if you do this once a day you will be amazed how much can be done.

If you remind them that everyone contributes to the mess so everyone needs to help clean up.

[Former-Member]

A one minute time for bringing dirty clothes put for washing - short bursts necessary - otherwise too daunting.

Theme rather than colour works to ie star wars, footy team etc

[Determined]

Something positive:

Managed to fit in some self care today. Went for a remedial massage today. Masseur could not believe how knotted up I was. Tonight I had a soak in an eps n salts bath. Dr mum been nagging me to do that for a while now lol 😊

Something to be grateful for:

Have had a couple of discussions with my darling around my concdrns about her coming home early. She has been most receptive to my concerns and even indicated she would discuss the possibility of staying a little longer. I have sent her an email detailing my concerns that she has promised to show her nurse and dr to discuss it. I am hopefull someone may call me.  Most grateful for this development. 

Something that made me laugh:

Still all out of laughs at the moment. Confident for better days ahead. ☺

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed - My new mantra.   

[soul]

Good on you for getting a massage @Determined. I had the same reaction a little while ago about knots. I think she gave up eventually. The last massage I got put me to sleep but it was more of a relaxation one rather than remedial. 

Great also that communication has improved. As for laughs, yeah, that can be tough.