My job for today!!!!!!

I left Dad's study for him to keep clean.

After two months I could not stand it any longer.  He is just too busy to have time to clean the room now. 

Only took me three hours but it is finally finished.  Now I can relax.

Reorganizing the pantry

Today I reorganize the pantry. I think I'm going to try to use up what we have and see how long I can go without grocery shopping. Some of our food is going to expire in the next month or two and I don't want it to go to waste. 

I used a diaper box to contain all of the noodles so they are all in one place. I want to cover the box in fabric later so it looks a little better.

Here is the after pictures. 

Boy Bathroom Smell

I have 2 boys who are crazy nasty in the bathroom. They cannot aim to save their lives. It is especially bad when they get up to go potty in the middle of the night. Anyway, try as I may to clean my bathroom it always had a lingering urine smell. That is, until I discovered the miracle cure for Boy Bathroom Smell. Make a paste with baking soda and lemon juice. There aren't exact measurements, just mix it until it is a good pasty consistency. Spread this around the base of your toilet and the floors and baseboards, etc. After you've rubbed it in, let it sit for 15 minutes. Then spray it with vinegar. Once the vinegar quits fizzing, wipe it all up! It smells fantastic in there and my floors look great. I plan to do this every 2 weeks to keep it up. We'll see how it goes!

Bathroom Cabinet

The only place to store things in our bathroom is in a cabinet that sits right over our toilet. A few months ago we had something fall from into the toilet because there is stuff overflowing from the shelves. I finally decided to organize things a little better so we don't have it happen again.

Before

I would like to put labels on each of the bins but I cant find my label maker any where. I put all of the hair care stuff together in one bin, the medicine in another, make up and my soaps in the last two bins. 

I found 4 bottles of Tylenol that I didn't know I had so its a good thing I cleaned.  

After

Game closet- CHECK!

I'm so excited to report that I have completed my first fall cleaning project! This was not the worst area of the house, but it seemed the easiest to tackle as a warm-up. I'm so happy with the results!

This closet is in the "loft", and has all our games as well as the kids puzzles, coloring, and craft supplies. 95% of the time, they are responsible for pick-up in that area, and it is so easy for them to find misc. pieces and just toss it in the closet. 

Before

 After

I've been wanting to try the shoe holder idea ever since I saw it on Pinterest. I was pleasantly surprised to find it only cost $6 at Walmart. A cheap and easy fix to our otherwise complete disaster of a closet! I am hoping this system will not only help the kids find what they're looking for, but also help the kids at clean up time. Addie has requested we label the different compartments--- is she my girl or what??

Welcome New School Year

I have found that the beginning and end of the school year are the best times to tweak schedules, make goals, and set routines. So with the school year beginning (for us anyway) next week, I've been starting to make my plans.

One thing I've done that I want to share is my cleaning/project to-do list. I'm always thinking of things that need done Some Day, but I rarely make it to this paradisaical Some Day. So I've started making a list.

 I created a word file and changed the fonts & zoom so I can easily read/type it in one view. As I think of things, I add them to the list (prioritizing the list as I go) and save the document again. I then added a shortcut of the file to my desktop. I even downloaded an icon to use with a picture of cleaning supplies.

Now I can easily get to and change that file. I can even cross off the items as I complete them so I get that to-do list high I crave. When I make my fall schedule, I intend to add a "project time" at least once a week (maybe even a small amount daily).


Another thing I added to my desktop shortcuts? Links to my Pinterest recipes. I split them into 4 categories: dinner, bread, breakfast, and desserts. Then I split each of those groups into "to try" and already made and liked. That way I can link to them easily, too. I hope to experiment with one new recipe a week, but that is ambitious for me. Anyway, it will be easier to get to now! (I learned how to change pins to different boards without repinning. I'd be happy to let you know how I did it).

If you need help doing any of these things, too, let me know. I can post a pictorial. Especially since I've learned how to take screen shots.

Anyone else making plans and tweaking schedules? Ready to revamp our blog for motivation?

Day One Update

I must admit that my house was not in a good place yesterday. I set the older boys at the table with one of their favorite activities (measuring cups/spoons, bowls, and a mixture of rice, dry beans, macaroni noodles, and uncooked popcorn...they will seriously play for HOURS) and spent Rex's entire napping time cleaning up. I was able to get my entire upstairs done except for the master bath and get the playroom done. I am really proud of myself. I did forget to read my scriptures though (I read with the kids just not on my own), so I'm hoping today to achieve a 100% score. I did get a 5 minute challenge completed as well. How are you doing???

October Week One

I guess I'll start this since no one else has yet!!

Weekly Challenge: Bathtubs / Showers

Five Minute Challenge:

-Clean all the hair and threads out of the roller of your vacuum.

-Post Menu to Recipe Blog

-Clean your toothbrush holders (I just read that they are one of the worst germ breeding grounds in your home)

-Wash 5 minutes worth of windows

-Dust TV and computer screens

I spent all morning cleaning my house so that I'd have a clean slate. I got the upstairs done, but still have a lot of work to do in the basement. I'm ready to win this month though!!

We can keep points for this week on this post.

Lets Go?

I am going to start this again and see how it goes. I am feeling on top of my housework enough (I feel like I am just recovering from having a baby and it has been 1.5 years already!) But I am not getting the little projects done like cleaning window sills or closets. I can make my own charts and keep track of myself if no one else is ready to start this blog up again. If you want to participate again please leave a comment! If no one comments I will just do my own thing and leave well enough alone.

My vote is to go back to the first basic system that we had, with the exception of being able to pick our own daily cleans. I think the same person should choose the weekly challenge and the 5 minute challenges though because then they could coordinate? Or we could have different people choose each. I think a monthly reward would be fun but not necessary, I could offer a bracelet for the first month. I also think a yearly or bi-yearly reward would be fun too, that way we still want to get the most points possible even if we won't win that month.

Anyway....what do you think?

All Things Kitchen!

I am going to declare June to be.......

Kitchen Restoration Month!

I worked on my kitchen all month last month and found that when my kitchen was super clean, the rest of the house just kind of followed. It felt good to get it a little more clean each week when I did my big clean. My kitchen could use another months focus so I thought I would put it on here and share my ideas with everyone.

Last month I focused on:

Computer Desk

Counter tops (de-clutter and deep clean)

Sweeping and moping more often

the first tasks I will take on this month include:

Cleaning out pantry

Cleaning out cupboards

Cleaning oven and stove top

Cleaning out the fridge

Fixing up Cedar chest

Fixing apron hanging station

Good Luck!

Pictures coming soon.......

And let all things be done in cleanliness before me.

Here is a statement issued by the first presidency of the church in 1974:

“We earnestly call upon members of the Church everywhere to clean up and beautify their homes, surroundings, farms, and places of business.

“Our homes and our buildings are showcases of what we believe. They should be attractive and give every indication of cleanliness, orderliness, and self-esteem.

“‘Let all things be done in order,’ the Lord has counseled us. (D&C 58:55.) His words spoken in the Sermon on the Mount have important meaning today:

“‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.’ (Matt. 5:16.)

“We suggest that priesthood quorums, Young Adult, and other Church groups organize themselves to assist the elderly, the fatherless, and the needy in improving the appearance of their homes and surroundings and in properly maintaining them.

“Parents and Sunday School and Primary teachers are asked to instruct class members in orderliness, in respecting buildings and property generally, in taking care of their belongings, and in keeping them in their proper places.

“We urge that this improvement begin immediately and that procedures be established for maintaining our homes, buildings, and surroundings so that they always bespeak the high standards of the Church which we embrace.”

I thought this was very true today and for myself. I have noticed that when my yard is clean and well maintained I am more likely to talk with my neighbors and have more missionary opportunities. I have also noticed that I am much more patient when the house is clean and the children are much more likely to play nicely without the aid of computers or electronics. They use their imaginations, build, create and build each others self esteem.

Weekly Stuff

Sorry I missed a day getting these up.  Yesterday I spent trying to get the whole house cleaned. I did my mopping and bathrooms and everything. Anyway here are the challenges for the week:

5 minutes

1. Scrub bathtub or shower stall
2. Dust shelves/picture frames
3. Laundry room/area
4. Under couches
5. Fridge

Weekly Challenge:
Craft Room/Stuff (This is the room I still haven't unpacked, so time to get to it)

Bonus
Get done one craft/project that's been sitting on your to-do list for a while.

WEEK ONE!!!

OK everyone we have arrived at our first full month cycle. We will have 4 weeks in this cycle and we are just starting week one TODAY!!

It is Charlotte's turn to assign the Challenges. For the most part I think we are going back to the basics except maybe the following changes. I think the same person should come up with all the challenges in a week, less to keep track of. I also think that the person in charge of challenges can offer 10 bonus points in their week, for example 10 points for posting tips on how to keep under kids beds clean, or bonus points if you watch conference, or write in your journal. What do you think?

Good luck. I am going to try to remember to vacuum. (the daily cleanings can also be adjusted to your person needs. I like the original ones for my house, but if you don't have a lot to vacuum, for instance you could replace it with something else...it is meant to all be personal for your own needs)

Weekly Challenge = Computer Desk and To Be Filled Papers

I figure it is tax return time and I really need to get my taxes filed, but my stack of papers to go through is mounting pretty high and I know I have some important tax documents hiding in there. My to be filed stack sits on my computer so I figured I would throw the computer desk part in for good measure. Not sure how we are doing this but Kim posted weekly challenge and 5 minute challenges last week, so I will post them both this week.

5 Minute Challenges:

TV/Computer Screens

5 Minutes of wall washing

Vacuum under couch cushions

Top of Washer and Dryer

Front Door

I too am alive

I too have been working on closets. I had to empty the one in the mother-in-law room because it is being used for its purpose. I have cleaned two and have four more to go. I am not doing the kitchen closets because it will take too much work. I will be cleaning Grandma Jo's house next week so my has to be done this week. Good luck on your goals.