Cleaning

May
03

Avoiding Crazy

I usually live my life someplace between perfect organization and complete chaos. Probably a few steps closer to chaos than the other end of that spectrum, yet still somewhere in the middle-ish. But lately, I've been slipping toward the crazy-out-of-control-chaotic end of the scale. I don't like that place.

My life and home feel unorganized....messy....unpeaceful (is that a word?). This problem of mine is robbing me of joy, time, and money. After spending a few weeks feeling rather unmotivated (which, of course, compounded the problem), I'm ready to whip my life into shape.

While I might not be writing very much for a few more days, I plan on reading here a lot. I quickly forget the things that have helped me out in the past, so I think a review is in order. I'm mostly going to focus on the topics I tackled during the 31 days to {a better} ordinary series.

I'm planning to look at:

-Following my Morning To Do List (VERY IMPORTANT)
-Updating my calendar
-Making (and following) a weekly calendar
-Scheduling in my weekly to do list
-Finally doing my weekly housecleaning
-Cleaning out the car

This seems like a lot, but for most of them, I just need to climb back up on the wagon. I've got to take care of these things before I go completely crazy (and make everyone else in my house crazy, too).

So, how's the state of your home? Do you have any issues that you need to address? Tell us about it in the comments!

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Mar
20

Spring


It's spring. I think. It looks like spring, feels like spring, and smells like spring. It must be spring. But I live in Ohio, so I can't be certain that we won't get an unexpected blast of snow.......the day after I pack away the winter clothes. Maybe that's why I rarely put away the sweaters and fuzzy jammies until mid-June. Or maybe it's because I'm lazy. I don't know.

Anyway.....

I hear a lot of people talking about "spring cleaning" right now. Many bloggers are doing a month-long series on the topic, and every magazine I pick up seems to have the same spring-clean-theme. It's all round me, but it just hasn't wiggled its way into my thinking or homemaking yet.

I see plenty of things that can (and should) be cleaned, but I simply don't have the "bug". I won't wait forever for some sort of magical motivation to show up, but I am much more productive when I'm in the mood.

Since I don't really feel like scrubbing the windows or dusting the baseboards (even though they could both use immediate attention), I've decided to focus on something a little different. I am going to spring clean my To Do List.

There are a few tasks that get moved from list to list each week. I always intend to do those tasks this week, but after awhile, I don't even see them written there anymore. I learn to overlook them until I'm putting together my next weekly plan. Then I promise myself (again) to finish the jobs once and for all. Except I don't. I just keep writing them on my list each week. Crazy, right?

So for the rest of the month, I want to tackle those craft projects, clean off that closet shelf, and schedule any necessary appointments. By the time April rolls around, I hope to be ready to clean and organize my home without those lingering chores hanging over my head.

But for now, I think I need to go check my To Do List....I'm pretty sure I saw "breathe spring air" penciled in somewhere!

Jan
11

sick of sick

Alright. I really don't like to complain (sort of), but I've been sick since a couple days before Christmas. It began as a cold, started to go away, came back as something much worse, almost went away again, and now is hanging around just enough to annoy me.

Most mornings I feel almost normal, but by the afternoons my ears are plugged up, my head is foggy, and I don't seem to have much sense of taste. Is that bad?

Anyway, this lingering fog is making me feel even more behind than I normally do. There are a few things that I really NEED to get done, but I just can't seem to find the time and energy in the same instant. Those tasks are like heavy weights on my shoulders. They call to me when I'm trying to rest and condemn me if I dare to relax. They make me feel stressed and tired. They rob me of the peace I crave.

These overdue tasks must be done. This week. No excuses.

I'm ready to attack. I may need to get up early or work late. I might have to order take-out for dinner or let the regular housecleaning duties slide. Whatever I need to do, it's time to get back to that ordinary month I was so excited about.

Sick or not, today is the day!

Do you have any unfinished tasks hanging over your head? Have you been fighting off the ick (or plague) around your house? Share in the comments.

Nov
01

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 31 ~ an ordinary purpose



I can't believe this 31 days series is coming to a close. Has it really been a month already? I feel like I've gotten a great jump start toward a better ordinary....but I also feel like I have a long way to go.

I'm not a particularly patient person. I want my problems and difficulties solved and taken care of immediately. Like yesterday. Unfortunately, that's just not how life works for me. Change is a process, not an event.

I'm still working to achieve the changes I desire, but at least I'm working on them. Many of the topics I wrote about take constant effort on my part. I have to be intentional with making my calendar and weekly lists. I have to force myself to do my weekly cleaning (one of my greatest weaknesses). I must continually think about keeping up with the laundry or cleaning out the refrigerator.

And there are several things that I still need to implement, such as making a better master grocery list, writing my meal list, and starting my monthly menu plan. Hmmm......I guess I know what I'm doing with the rest of the week.

But the biggest change over the past few weeks has taken place in my attitude. I look at things differently. Instead of thinking about short-term cleaning or organizing, I find myself figuring out long-term solutions. I'm learning that changes that are backed up with routines become lasting improvements.

Suddenly, there's a greater purpose in tasks like organizing the kids' clothes or cleaning out my purse (two things that desperately need my attention). They are worth doing because I'm going to fix the problems rather than simply straighten them. That ordinary purpose will, hopefully, continue to make a better ordinary for me and my family.

Click to learn more about 31 days to {a better} ordinary and to find links to all the posts in this series.

Oct
30

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 30 ~ do it now



Most of the time, my husband is a master of the do-it-now principle. If something needs cleaned, if a phone call needs made, or if a bill needs paid he likes to get it done right away. No waiting. No planning. No thinking about it (or having to remember it).

I, on the other hand, am not so disciplined with the concept. For example, two days ago I noticed that there's a ridiculous amount of crumbs under the edges of my kitchen cabinets. Instead of quickly grabbing a broom, I thought, I really should sweep this floor later. I'm embarrassed to admit that the crumbs are still there.

Sure, it's good to prioritize what gets done in the day and to work on what's most important. But there are many times that I put off simple little tasks that could be taken care of quickly and easily. If I want my ordinary days to flow more smoothly, I need to do it now. Not later. Why wait?

Click to learn more about 31 days to {a better} ordinary and to find links to all the posts in this series.

Oct
26

31 days to {a better} ordinary :: day 25 ~ the always clean car



For the first time in my adult life, my car has been clean for more than two whole weeks. I can't believe it. You can go ahead and applaud, if you wish. It really is an amazing feat.

And it's been easy. Too easy. It's been so easy to keep it clean that I find myself asking why I didn't make the effort sooner.

We started by cleaning out my mini-van and making a place for everything that needed kept in there. Restaurant coupons go in the glove box (and need regularly sorted through!), CD's are stored in the center compartment, coins are in one of the drink holders. The phone chargers and ice scrapers also found homes. Everything else had to go, including the miscellaneous junk that had found its way into the pouches in the back, the cut-outs in the doors, and that empty space between the driver and passenger seats.

And now, every time I get out of the van I grab whatever doesn't belong in there. Every. Single. Time. It must take all of three seconds. Like I said, it's almost too easy. When I pick up my purse, I quickly glance around for trash or anything that belongs in the house. I remind the kids to do the same thing in the back.

Peace. That's what I feel when I get into my car several times a day. Well, I feel as much peace as is possible when I'm running like a crazy person to get anywhere on time. But I'll take whatever peace I can get. It's a lovely thing.

Click to learn more about 31 days to {a better} ordinary and to find links to all the posts in this series.