How DO people keep an organized and clean home????

Hi! I went for a search through yahoo last night and somehow found this site. My search was for housecleaning tips and organization. I found some interesting places, including those that cost money! I'm not sure what to say from here, other than I am seeking a direct path to organization (among other things I'm sure)! LOL

I have a horrible cycle in my daily life, where my intentions are good but rarely do my actions match. I make to-do lists galore. Inevitably, I end up on the phone or at the computer instead of following that to-do list! I have an almost 3 year old dd and a 4 month old ds. So between my bad habits and the kids, my house gets turned upside down. I'd like to blame the kids, but I'm my own worst problem! When I finally decide enough is enough and try to tackle the entire house I get SO overwhelmed. Laundry is stacked to the rafters (either folded in baskets, stacked on dresser tops, or 12 loads of dirty clothes). I've actually had issues as a renter because of my housekeeping *or lack of*. On one side of the coin, I have to say it's not 'dirty' as in filth. It's just clutter and disorganization. I keep the kitchen and bathrooms reasonably clean.
For example: my bills and paper work go in two or three places, my desk, a bookshelf, or an end table by the sofa. I know better than to put themt there cuz when it's time to pay bills I can't find ANYTHING. Or when I need a piece of paper or other information, I search and search.
So far, I've listed laundry and paperwork. Those two are probably my worst. But otherwise, the list goes on. I told my mom one time "I'm a lazy perfectionist!" I want it perfect, but I don't have the energy to keep it that way. Everytime I go to clean, it has to be perfect. But then within a week I'm buried again.....
My husband is a long haul truck driver (owner/operator)for a moving co. He's gone sometimes for a couple weeks. We miss him SOOOOO much. He's really the neat freak of the family. So when he's headed home, say a day or two before he's expected, I do what's called a "Ron clean" LOL And I'm here to say, it's a whole different house when he walks in! I figure he works his tail off to provide for us and makes a huge sacrifice in being gone so much, he deserves a clean house to come home to.
So where am I going with all this? I need a new method or plan. My dh says if I spend an hour a day and do at least one load of laundry a day I would stay on top of it. My bf says she spends four hours on her house most days. FOUR HOURS??? I love her house and would LOVE to keep house like her. But FOUR HOURS most days of the week? I'd be at the nearest bar I'm sure! LOL
We are in the process of finding a place to move, and my objective has been the last week to organize and 'purge'. The last week I have set out each day to do just that and I haven't gotten very far. So today I will try again. I've went through the kids room and my own, sorting clothes and toys.
This is my quest and the first step is admitting I have a problem, I guess. I love a clean house, I do. But how can I stay on top of it??
Hmmmm. And the search is on. LOL
Anyone reading this, thanks for listening. I plan to use the diary feature here to keep track of my daily activities, in hopes of identifying my weak points......
TTFN Vanessa