Cleaning and Organizing

It seems this time of year brings about two things.  The first one cutting down on the clutter (putting the Christmas away) and the realization that you need to deep clean after the holidays.  I know most people wait until Spring to do that deep cleaning but I find my home needs a little extra after the holiday messes.  I have talked before about the FlyLady system.  I recommend starting there if you're looking to change the way you do things.  I have modified it slightly to meet my schedule and house needs.  I've also been watching the new shows on the OWN network.  I really like Enough Already with Peter Walsh.  He talks about the negative aspect of clutter and how to see the vision for your home.

The kitchen is the first room that usually needs a little extra attention.  One thing I've learned from Flylady is don't try to do too much at once.  She says only pull out what you can clean and put back in a short time.  It never fails we get started and someone needs a ride home from school, the dog gets sick, or something else needs your immediate attention.  Recently I cleaned my pantry out.  It seems to get out of control easily.  Maybe you can relate.  The kids come in and rummage through things not putting things back correctly or closing things.  Ugh...Then you get a little lazy with something as you are hurrying up trying to get dinner on the table when you only have 20-30 minutes to get ready to eat. 

I saw this blog that inspired me to get rid of the packaging.  We were lugging 90 % of our groceries to our basement because there just wasn't room in our little closet.  Now with less space that the packaging isn't taking up you can fit more on your shelves.  I plan on visiting The Container store soon to see if I can get those can holders and some height adjusters for the backs.   I put labels on all my Ball jars using my Dyno label maker.  My husband said if the kids stood still long enough I would put it on the kids.  LOL;)  I like that the jars are clear.  I used baskets that I already had to hold the bags of snacks, spices, etc. 

1.  Clean off one shelf at a time.  Sweep and give it a wipe down.  Get rid of expired things and packaging.

2.  Group like items together.  Snacks, pasta, cereal etc.

3.  Arrange each shelf with taller items in the back.

4.  Label items.

Should have taken the before shot, would have been even more impressive!

It's not perfect but much better that's for sure.  I think it's all about maintenance too.  That's something that really helps if you take 5-10 min. to straighten every other week or right before your visit to the store.  Another rule of thumb that doesn't pertain to the kitchen is when something new comes into the house something must go out.  (Peter Walsh) I don't follow this one too well but I do try to weed out things a few times a year.  I think when you're used to the military way of life this comes a little easier.  You're pretty used to moving every few years anyway. 



Don't forget about the give away!  There's still time to enter.

See you soon,
Carey

Sweet Bloggin' friends

Won't you come sit for a spell and chat with me?? 

I love sittin' at my table in the morning especially when I'm enjoying the candlelight and quiet of the house. On this mornin' we had a storm brewin' and it was darker than normal so before I tacked my day and breakfast f I took time to pray, read my bible and devotional. This is something I try to do everyday. I don't always get it done but I feel it really helps me throughout the day.  Do you have some quiet time everyday?  I think it's very important to our health. 

I wanted to tell you about two ladies today that I really enjoy reading their blogs daily.  The first one is such a hoot! She is starting a new blog all about vintage dresses, right up my alley.  My closet is becoming more and more dresses since I started getting some deals at thrift stores last summer.  Dresses are so easy, especially in the summer.  They're cool and breezy if you catch my drift!  I think they are more figure flattering too.  Her name is Cat and she's known as the Vintage Housewife.  She is giving away a vintage dress on her new blog.  The best part is she has several to choose from to fit any gal.  If you're not into dresses she has a fabulous cute purse too! 

Another bloggin' sister I wanted to share with you is Aunt Ruthie from Sugar Pie Farmhouse.  She is such an inspiration for homemakers.  From her inspirational scriptures, household tips, decorating and pies what more could you ask for!  She is truly letting her light shine.  On her blog she is sharing a book she has written titled "Watermelon and Fireflies!"  It's a summer themed book with all kinds of summer activities and ideas.  I have purchased my copy and if you would like to get yours hurry, you only one day left! Sale price ends tomorrow.  Ladies, this is an e book (computer)  not a hard back copy.  I plan on putting mine in a cute red gingham binder when I get a chance.  I think if you like Gooseberry Patch books you'll love hers too.

Until next time sweet friends,

Carey

Housekeeping Checklist

Ladies, I just created this little checklist in word and put it inside a three ring binder.  You can use any little journal or binder you have though. I have been doing this routine with a few new modifications for the past 6 years.  I've been at home either part or full time since 2004.  This is what works for me.  First off, when I worked as a teacher full time I hated coming home and cleaning all day Saturday.  So my hubby and I worked out a system we each had a set of chores we did throughout the week and he did most of the shopping because it was more convenient.  He went to work before me so he threw in a load of laundry in the am and I put it away before work.  I took the kids to daycare and then came home and cooked dinner and he cleaned up.  We each did our chores.  Come Saturday we were able to finish a few things and head out the door if we wanted to.  It wasn't perfect and sometimes things didn't get done but flylady did help.  I love her no nonsense approach, she says to just get off your franny and get it done. LOL!

Now I do all of the housework, meals and shopping.  He takes care of the yard and maintaining our vehicles.  He's also great at fixing most anything.  Generally, I keep things picked up as I go if you read any kind of home organization books you'll see the same things over and over.  "A place for everything and everything in its place." Another words if you have a great system you'll just need to maintain it.  I try to multi task and clean up messes as I go.  For example after getting up I make my bed, when I do my makeup, I do a quick wipedown of the sink and then the toilet as needed. 

I have a Daily List, here is just a few examples from my daily list:

Empty dishwasher while kids eat breakfast
Start a load of laundry, (I don't like it to pile up and I have found that if I wait until day 7, I have 7 loads which is just daunting for me.)  This is one trick I picked up from flylady.
Pick up house generally twice a day once before bedtime, once having the kids help with toys, homework etc.
I put all dirty dishes immediately into the dishwasher

Weekly List
Monday 
Weekly house blessing (flylady.net)  I dust all horizontal surfaces on my main level, purge and recycle of throw out magazines and newspapers from the week, vacuum entire main floor, and stairs, vaccuum downstairs media room * (I find we usually have some popcorn from our movie night on Fridays.)  I wipe down any smudges around doors and use windex on the most used doors.  Take out trash, trash day is Tuesday.

Tuesday 
Clean bathrooms, scour sinks, scrub toilets, clean mirrors,  spot clean showers and tubs. (they get a good scrub down once a month for zone cleaning)  The kids do their own bathrooms.  We have 4.
Change sheets and wash towels and put out all fresh linens, sweep and mop floors in bathrooms, zone cleaning

Wednesday: 
Kitchen     
Sweep and mop, spot clean appliances, clean microwave weekly, clean coffee pot, wipe down counters and scour sink, zone cleaning

Thursday: 
Dust and sweep bedrooms, and kids do their rooms and playroom.  *I also clean library and guest room. I try to do errands on this day.

Friday 
I vacuum and dust family room again, sweep kitchen as needed, vacuum all entrance rugs, finish zone cleaning

Saturday: 
I just keep up with daily chores and do a load of laundry.  This allows me to spend time with my family.

Sunday: 
A day of rest, not even laundry

* indicates new to my routine because we didn't have these rooms before

Each week I deep clean a zone, parts of my home.  So in addition to all my daily chores I spend about 15 minutes cleaning in the zone.  Check out more about that here. 

Another idea that I have found extremely helpful is to do these things with a candle burning and your favorite music going in the background.  I think it just helps to improve your mood and makes it go faster.  I learned this from my fellow sugar pie sister, Aunt Ruthie.  I really think the key to keeping your house a home is two things keeping it neat and tidy and then the decorating is the icing on the cake.  If you have a system you never find yourself fretting when someone drops by or comes to visit.  I have had friends or people comment about how neat my house always is when they come over.  That always makes me feel good and my husband always tells me what a good job I do taking care of our home and decorating it. 

Thank you all for sharing your system.  I read each and every comment and you had some very interesting things to say. 

Have a great day!

Carey

Weekly Housekeeping

Do you have a weekly housekeeping routine?? Are there certain things you do each day or just do it when you see it needs done.  If you work I'd love to know how you balance the housework as a family, do you cook and your husband cleans up?  How is the division of labor?  Do the kids pitch in?  I have been inspired by others addressing this topic on their blogs and truly I have seen a lot of winter cleaning and purging going on in others homes lately. 

I have been doing some research into the past and have discovered some of the old ideals aren't such bad ideas.  I'm sure you've heard the expression "if it works why change it"  I find myself especially in the doldrums of winter wanting to spruce up my routine.  A few years ago while wondering the same thing I wondered over to flylady.net.  It's an amazing resource for both new homemakers and veteran ones.  Recently, I discovered a few interesting blogs both of which look to vintage books about homemaking.  If you have a chance check them out... I think they are both very interesting. 

Destination 1940, My 50's year, 50's housewife



For example in the 40's you air your bedroom at least a few times a week.  In the 50's you also had a day of the week devoted to sewing.  What about an errand day?  I usually have one day a week devoted to this but it's not always the same one each week. Not everyone can strive for all of these things but I think most of you out there are pretty creative.  I read about everyone's great recipes, furniture or decorating redos and wonderful sewing creations.  Sometimes I think we sell ourselves short and the women of the past were such great role models.  For example my mom who was a true depression era 40's gal taught herself to sew and went from factory work to raising me in just a short period of time.  Before then while she worked without the help of welfare or food stamps she budgeted, cooked meals and kept a neat house raising my four sisters.  Whether or not we work outside the home I think something can be gained from a schedule and list making.  These thing were something that people used to do all the time and not as much anymore as our modern life has made us so busy. 

Tomorrow, I will share my weekly routine and what works for me, I'd love to know more about you and your family whether you work inside or outside of the home.  Here's a book that I recently purchased that has been a great reference for me too.
 
Have a great day!

Carey