Feel better about walking into your house now? I do!!
I said in a previous post that my two "it" rooms are the kitchen and the bathroom. Well, because of an ant problem (I'm fairly certain there's a fire ant nest underneath my building) the kitchen stays pretty clean. (Not spotless by any means, but clean enough I don't lose my stuff when I walk in!) Can you see where I'm going?
Task of the day: Beautify Your Bathroom
These are the Housekeeping Channel's Bathroom Basics to get you started. Basically, clean until it shines!
Be sure and reward yourself with a hot soak this evening!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 9th
I got the idea because it's something I just did! (I'll do photos eventually. My camera is giving me trouble)
Today your task is Enhance Your Entryway!
Think about it: What is the first area of your house that guests see? The front door and the area just inside the front door. This can color their perception of your entire home! If they walk in and see a cluttered and/or dirty entryway they may end up seeing even the smallest bits of clutter throughout the rest of the house. AND some people (delivery people or people picking you up) only see the entryway! The added bonus is you'll actually know where things are when you're leaving the house. How many times have you been unable to find your second glove or your umbrella because of the clutter and mess?
Today your task is Enhance Your Entryway!
Think about it: What is the first area of your house that guests see? The front door and the area just inside the front door. This can color their perception of your entire home! If they walk in and see a cluttered and/or dirty entryway they may end up seeing even the smallest bits of clutter throughout the rest of the house. AND some people (delivery people or people picking you up) only see the entryway! The added bonus is you'll actually know where things are when you're leaving the house. How many times have you been unable to find your second glove or your umbrella because of the clutter and mess?
Monday, February 8, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 8th
Okay, I only have a quick second because I really have to clean my house. (one of these days I'm going to post pictures so you know I'm not kidding)
Today your goal is to Freshen Your Fridge
I actually love doing this. It's quite liberating.
When was the last time your fridge had a thorough cleaning? Go through and look inside each and every container. I can hear you now, "But I know what's in X container!" Look anyway! Just to be on the safe side and to remind yourself of what's in there. Label things if you feel the need. Throw out anything that is remotely icky. Reorganize things. Scrub down the surfaces. Give the outside a good wipe. Reassess all of the items on the outside. Throw away things that are trash. Store the important stuff. Frame a child's drawing or two.
Now, don't you feel better about using the food out of there?
If you're just tuning in go to the LOVE Your House Label and catch up!
Today your goal is to Freshen Your Fridge
I actually love doing this. It's quite liberating.
When was the last time your fridge had a thorough cleaning? Go through and look inside each and every container. I can hear you now, "But I know what's in X container!" Look anyway! Just to be on the safe side and to remind yourself of what's in there. Label things if you feel the need. Throw out anything that is remotely icky. Reorganize things. Scrub down the surfaces. Give the outside a good wipe. Reassess all of the items on the outside. Throw away things that are trash. Store the important stuff. Frame a child's drawing or two.
Now, don't you feel better about using the food out of there?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 7th
Today I want you to rest! Yep, I'm serious. Take some time and do something for YOU. Eat a favorite food (or dessert!), take a hot bath, do a face mask, or watch a TV show without worrying about chores!
If I had you working all the time you'd get frustrated with me!
If I had you working all the time you'd get frustrated with me!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 6th
Because it's Saturday, and most people have more time/help on Saturday, we're doing something a big bigger!
I want you to Get Rid of Clutter in an Hour or Less today. Set aside one hour (break it up if you want) and go for it!
It's a bunch of really simple, quick things. Basically, you're going to go through your house and get rid of trash and JUNK! This is a great task to have kids help. Play "What doesn't belong?" and get them to help find things the proper home!
I want you to Get Rid of Clutter in an Hour or Less today. Set aside one hour (break it up if you want) and go for it!
It's a bunch of really simple, quick things. Basically, you're going to go through your house and get rid of trash and JUNK! This is a great task to have kids help. Play "What doesn't belong?" and get them to help find things the proper home!
(Again, not my house)
Friday, February 5, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 5th
We've almost made it an entire week! Wow, right? Let's trudge on, shall we?
Today I want you to clean something until it shines. FlyLady recommends shining your sink every single night so you wake up to a clean sink. Personally, that doesn't always work for me. Sometimes I have the dishwasher loaded to the max and there's still a pot or two left. Besides, waking up to a shining sink while the rest of the kitchen is wrecked doesn't really do it for me. Now, if I clean the ENTIRE kitchen and wake up to a shining KITCHEN I feel great. Maybe your thing is the bathroom (that runs a close second for me). Maybe you love it when your dining table is gleaming and decorated. Is it a clean mirror? Or watching the sun shine through clean windows?
Take the day to think about it. Walk around your house and see what FEELS like it needs a good shining.
Today I want you to clean something until it shines. FlyLady recommends shining your sink every single night so you wake up to a clean sink. Personally, that doesn't always work for me. Sometimes I have the dishwasher loaded to the max and there's still a pot or two left. Besides, waking up to a shining sink while the rest of the kitchen is wrecked doesn't really do it for me. Now, if I clean the ENTIRE kitchen and wake up to a shining KITCHEN I feel great. Maybe your thing is the bathroom (that runs a close second for me). Maybe you love it when your dining table is gleaming and decorated. Is it a clean mirror? Or watching the sun shine through clean windows?
Take the day to think about it. Walk around your house and see what FEELS like it needs a good shining.
No, that's not my house! I wish it were, that's a gorgeous window!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
LOVE Your House Feb 4th
Wow, I'm impressed that I've kept this up this long. 4 days is a good run! Still going strong out there? Let's get to it!
Today we're Dealing With THAT Stuff
You know the stuff I'm talking about. Whatever flashed in your mind when I said "That Stuff" is exactly what I want you to use as your focus. Maybe it's that area of the house that gets stuff tossed in it (closet anyone?), maybe it's that drawer in your kitchen you don't know what's there (we all have one), maybe it's that gift (or gifts) that you've held on to just because it's a gift. I could go on and on.
Well, you have officially been given permission to deal with THAT stuff! I encourage you to get it out of your house! Sure, you might feel a bit guilty at first, but in the end you'll feel better! Clean out a drawer. Don't give me that "No one sees inside a drawer" stuff. Some people will tell you it's the negative energy you have to worry about. I'm not sure I buy that...but I know that the way things in your house make you feel affects your day.
Go for it!
By the way, I'm looking for any and all suggestions to add to LOVING your house!
Today we're Dealing With THAT Stuff
You know the stuff I'm talking about. Whatever flashed in your mind when I said "That Stuff" is exactly what I want you to use as your focus. Maybe it's that area of the house that gets stuff tossed in it (closet anyone?), maybe it's that drawer in your kitchen you don't know what's there (we all have one), maybe it's that gift (or gifts) that you've held on to just because it's a gift. I could go on and on.
Well, you have officially been given permission to deal with THAT stuff! I encourage you to get it out of your house! Sure, you might feel a bit guilty at first, but in the end you'll feel better! Clean out a drawer. Don't give me that "No one sees inside a drawer" stuff. Some people will tell you it's the negative energy you have to worry about. I'm not sure I buy that...but I know that the way things in your house make you feel affects your day.
Go for it!
By the way, I'm looking for any and all suggestions to add to LOVING your house!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
LOVE Your House Day 3
We're on Day 3 of Letting Ourselves Value Everything! (It's growing on me)
Feeling better yet? It's only Day 3 so if you feel the same don't worry about it!
Today's task: Add some color! Pick a room, any room, and add some color to it. This may involve moving something from another room, purchasing/finding a cheap item, trading with a friend, or having one of your children color you a great picture!
Get creative! Frame a brightly colored picture (extra points if your child made it!). Paint that plain pot your plant lives in. Make a quilt of baby clothes and display it. Buy some brightly colored flowers and display them.
Where are you adding color?
Feeling better yet? It's only Day 3 so if you feel the same don't worry about it!
Today's task: Add some color! Pick a room, any room, and add some color to it. This may involve moving something from another room, purchasing/finding a cheap item, trading with a friend, or having one of your children color you a great picture!
Get creative! Frame a brightly colored picture (extra points if your child made it!). Paint that plain pot your plant lives in. Make a quilt of baby clothes and display it. Buy some brightly colored flowers and display them.
Where are you adding color?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
LOVE your house Day Two
So, here we are on day two of learning to love our homes! Did you apply step one yesterday? I'll be the first to admit that I did not! However, we're sick so I'll probably catch up this weekend.
What's in store for Day Two? Another easy one: Give something away. This needs to be a big ticket item. A lamp, a chair, an end table, etc... Just last week I gave away this horrid corner TV stand. I held on to it because it was free and sort of useful. However, when the baby became mobile I cleaned it out and it just SAT in the corner like that lonely kid at recess. So, I gave it a new home. The woman that took it was VERY grateful and I felt good that I didn't just throw it away.
What are you giving away this week?
What's in store for Day Two? Another easy one: Give something away. This needs to be a big ticket item. A lamp, a chair, an end table, etc... Just last week I gave away this horrid corner TV stand. I held on to it because it was free and sort of useful. However, when the baby became mobile I cleaned it out and it just SAT in the corner like that lonely kid at recess. So, I gave it a new home. The woman that took it was VERY grateful and I felt good that I didn't just throw it away.
What are you giving away this week?
Monday, February 1, 2010
LOVE your house this February!
Okay, here's my idea. One step at a time, one day at a time, I'll use this blog to help myself, and my readers, to LOVE our homes. Together, we can Let Ourselves Value Everything. (I'm working on my acronym...ideas are welcome)
Don't balk at the idea of having a "task" each day! It will be something easy. (Psh, like I could do something complicated with MY son? HA)
Let's get started!
Feb 1st and Step One: Move Something (see, I told you it was easy)
Seriously, right now, get up and go move SOMETHING. That candle that just sits on that table in your living room? Wouldn't it look great on the dining room table during dinner? (If you're feeling especially productive maybe move several candles) That poster/photo that never looked quite right on that wall? Try another spot. Move the couch to a different spot in the room. Take those bolster pillows out of the bedroom (do you really use those?) and put them on the couch.
Try it!
Don't balk at the idea of having a "task" each day! It will be something easy. (Psh, like I could do something complicated with MY son? HA)
Let's get started!
Feb 1st and Step One: Move Something (see, I told you it was easy)
Seriously, right now, get up and go move SOMETHING. That candle that just sits on that table in your living room? Wouldn't it look great on the dining room table during dinner? (If you're feeling especially productive maybe move several candles) That poster/photo that never looked quite right on that wall? Try another spot. Move the couch to a different spot in the room. Take those bolster pillows out of the bedroom (do you really use those?) and put them on the couch.
Try it!
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