The Simple Way to Wash Your Walls

I admit that I can not claim to be much of a role model when it comes to housekeeping.  One of the chores I only tackle when I feel I just absolutely have to it is cleaning the walls.  Because... ugh!  In a busy house with light gray walls - this isn't a good thing.  They start looking pretty dingy before I get around to washing them.  Unfortunately for me - it was time. 

Scrubbing down walls didn't really fit into the image I had of my "Simplified" year.  I mean, it's not exactly a quick and easy job.  It was time to hit up my favorite source for tips and tricks (Pinterest) to see if I can find an simpler way to get it done.  Pinterest didn't let me down!  I saw a few ideas I liked, set my mind to the task ahead and It. Was. On!

The first thing I did was to take the broom and sweep down any cobwebs and dust. 

Next, I fit my Swiffer mop with an old dishcloth that I use for cleaning.  I sprayed a section of wall with my favorite all purpose cleaner.

Then I "mopped" the wall using the Swiffer mop using firm pressure.   I worked in small sections, working from top to bottom. 

After I finished a wall, I took the cleaning cloth and wiped down the bsseboards and light switch. 

And... VOILA!!  Clean walls.  Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! 

Do you clean your walls on a regular basis?   Share your best tips for making the task easier!

October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 3

Here we are in week three!  Yes, the post is a few days late.  Such is life, as it is.  We all know things happen.

As far as the challenge - I've had good days.  I've had a few off days.  I wish I could extol you all with tales of how this has made such a huge difference and my hope is sparkling and tidy.  But I'm not going to lie to you like that.  It's maybe not as bad as usual though.  I hope. (?)  And I'm sticking with it.

Here's a list of cleaning ideas for Week 3:

• Dust /clean light fixtures
• Wipe light switches
• Sweep/Vacuum
• Clean under the kitchen sink
• Clean off the top of the fridge
• Wipe down the legs of your dining table and chairs

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference 10 minutes can make.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 2

An entire week of October has already come and gone! At this rate it is going to be a quick month!

How's everyone been doing with the daily cleaning?

I have a confession - I skipped a day or two.  Although I have tried to do a little something each day, even if I don't get the full 15 to 30 minutes in pet day.

Here's the list of suggested tasks for Week 2.

• Clean the kitchen/dining room chairs
• Wash the walls in the hallway or one room
• Clean out the junk drawer
• Clean out from under the couch and chair cushions
• Clean the front door (and any other doors leading to the outside)
• Tidy up the front porch area
• Dust tops of door frames
• Sweep/Vacuum

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference 10 minutes can make.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

October Daily Cleaning Challenge Update

Hello fellow cleaning challengers!  How's everyone been doing this week?

I've had some long neglected tasks get marked off the To Do list this week.  Including finally switching out the mantel decor from summer to autumn, straightening up the foyer and cleaning and decluttering under the bathroom sink.  Yay me!!

I wish I could tell you that I feel as if it has made a huge difference and my house is shiny and spotless.  But that's just not true.  There's still a long day to go.  But every day is a little step closer, so I stick with it.

I'll be posting the list of task ideas and such tomorrow or Saturday.  So, be prepared for that.  In the meantime, tell us a little about how your week has been!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

October Daily Cleaning Challenge: Week 1

Welcome to October!  And thanks for joining us in the October Daily Cleaning Challenge!

If you're new around here, you might be asking yourself what this whole challenge is all about.  So, here's a quick recap!

Each day in October do 15 to 30 minutes of cleaning. Yes - EVERY day.

That's it.  No cleaning schedule or assigned tasks.  Just clean SOMETHING in your home each day.  There is only one "rule":  your 15 to 30 minutes has to be something other than washing dishes or laundry.  Those need done regardless.  And in my case, if anything is getting done its typically going to be one of these two things.  So, I have to pick something I would normally be more likely to avoid.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started this first week of the challenge.  Do a few.  Do them all.  Do something you decide all on your own.  Just Do Something!!

• Clean foyer/entrance area
• Clean out the fridge
• Clean under the bathroom sink
• Vacuum and/or sweep
• Clean off surfaces in bedroom
• Sweep and mop bathroom
• Tidy up living room

And don't forget the two optional challenges:

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference just ten minutes can make!

Ready?  Set your timers!  We can do this!

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

The Reality of Housekeeping (and a challenge)

I have a confession to make.  I hope you won't judge me too much.  And maybe you'll even be able to relate.  Anyway, here goes:

 I am a terrible housekeeper.

It's true.  Just ask my poor husband.  I am not great about keeping things super tidy around the house.  We're no where near being featured in an episode of Hoarders or anything of that sort.  It's not that bad.  (Which is often how I justify and excuse my laziness)  It's just more that I seem to have a special talent for ignoring the clutter and dust bunnies until it gets to a critical peak where I just can't take it any more.  Then I go on a mad frenzy of cleaning and organizing.

To help improve (and hopefully correct) this reality, I have created a challenge for myself during the month of October. And I am hoping some of you will join me!

During October I am challenging myself - and you! - to do 15 to 30 minutes of cleaning.
Every.  Single.  Day.

That's it.  No cleaning schedule or assigned tasks.  Just clean SOMETHING in your home each day.  There is only one "rule":  your 15 to 30 minutes has to be something other than washing dishes or laundry.  Those need done regardless.  And in my case, if anything is getting done its typically going to be one of these two things.  So, I have to pick something I would normally be more likely to avoid.

Each week I will be posting a list of suggested chores to get done based on what I am going to try to accomplish that week.  You are welcome to follow the list, or just follow your heart based on the needs in your own home.  This post will also be a chance to comment and let us know how you are doing and what you accomplished over the past week.   Yep  - Accountability!

I'm also including two bonus challenges for those of us who are really feeling up to it.

Bonus Challenge #1:  Complete at least one load of laundry per day.  By "complete" I mean washing, folding and putting away.  Because if you are anything like me, that basket of clean cloth clothes may sit around for days before something finally gets done with it.

Bonus Challenge #2:  Get the family involved!  Ask them to help tidy up for 10 minutes.  Set a timer and see how much y'all can get done.  You might be surprised what a difference just ten minutes can make!

So, what do you say?  Are you in?

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

The Reality of Work

Everyone in our home has chores to do.  From doing dishes, to cleaning bathrooms, to vacuuming, mowing the grass or helping in the garden.  Everyone is expected to do something.

It helps keep things running smoothly.  Keeps things nice and tidy and moving along smoothly.

Why should I expect my life as a daughter of God to be any different?

photi: www.gwensmith.net

He gives me daily tasks.  He makes me a part of His plans.  Not because I have to earn His love, acceptance or approval by doing things for Him.  But because as part of the church family I should work to help keep things in order. To keep His kingdom running smoothly.  To care for this home He has given me.
 

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

When Things Get Messy

My house is a mess, y'all.   Not "kind of messy".  A big ol' embarrassing mess.  Pretty much a disaster area.

Ok - no, it's not that bad!!

Nothing much is getting done around here.  I am neglecting the housework while I try to push through to complete a few big orders facing deadlines.  (And not making the kind of progress I would like to see).  Meanwhile,  things are piling up around me.

I keep nagging at the offspring to help with keeping the kitchen clean.  They do the bare minimum to be able to say they did what was asked.

I'm dangerously close to running out of clean laundry.  And the Man of the House may or may not be rewearing socks.

Something is going to have to give soon.  I feel stretched too thin and on the edge of that place where I just might snap soon.

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Yes, But...

I recently delegated the chore of cleaning up the dishes and kitchen after dinner to the offspring.  (off springs?)  Seemed like a great idea at the time. They have more responsibility.  The kitchen gets straightened up.  The dishes get washed.  I get to mark one thing of my forever long To Do list.  In theory it seems almost perfect.

photo- publicdomainpictures.net

Yes, But...

Nothing is perfect.  Certainly not my wonderful - yet flawed - offspring.  It is a rare night indeed that they don't have to be TOLD that the chore needs doing.  Or else I face a pile of dirty dishes and counter tops when I wake the next morning.  As if they somehow suffer some sort of selective amnesia once they have finished consuming the meal which was made for them.  

OK.  So, they need reminding.  But once they are told reminded to take care of the after dinner cleanup - it gets done.  By someone other than myself.  And that's what I need to focus on.  Whatever method it takes, the chore is getting done. 

Yes, But... 

Sometimes it still annoys me that the mindset seems to be that it doesn't matter where the clean dishes go as long as they are put away somewhere.  Anywhere.  Or that my idea of a clean counter top and their idea of a clean counter are miles apart.  I'm talking like 'Earth and the end of the universe' miles apart. 

photo- publicdomainpictures.net

You can find me connecting at these Blog Hops and Link Ups

Jumping Into July

July is here.  And baby, it's HOT outside!  Which leaves plenty of time for inside activities and making lists of things I want to get accomplished.  Along that line of thought, let me share with you my

Goals for July:

1. Get out on to the back deck in the mornings to enjoy some coffee, reading, and fresh air - before the day gets too hot.
2. Take at least one hour of time for myself each week.  Give myself a pedi, take a bubble bath, etc.
3. Continue feeding the family healthier, less processed foods.
4. Start creating a list of back to school/autumn type items for Queen B's Busy Work
5. Complete "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
6. Do some writing. Not blog stuff - fiction or poetry.
7. Make time for a Date Night with the man of the house.  (or even better - an entire date day!)
8. Start some canning and/or freezing!
9. Take at least one photograph per day.
10. Get back on track with household chores.