Spring Cleaning Projects

Okay, so although our weather argues otherwise, it's time to finally start spring cleaning. I allowed myself a weekend of "not muchness" after the show ended (plus I had a battle with a cold/bug and some scary migraine incidents last week, so it took a lot to make dinner let alone consider cleaning), so 'tis time to get motivated.

See, cleaning (kinda like exercise) isn't the hard part. It's the motivation and mental capacity to tackle the huge projects. Heck, I don't know the last time the whole house was really, fully clean.

I was originally going to "chunk" the projects in a more manageable weekly list (like "bedrooms this week, living room and dining room the next week, etc."), but since I started to attack different things in different areas, that may be tough. Sometimes we throw our own plans outta whack, huh?

So, instead, it's kind of an overlap. The only way I can see myself staying motivated and engaged with the process is by checking in with (at least) weekly lists of what I've already done. It may give me a better idea of what I still have to do but it might be a little pat on the back to keep going. I'm just a bit bummed because it may not be super helpful to anyone reading to give them an idea of how to attack their OWN spaces, so I think I'll give a little "assignment" to help motivate each of you weekly. (It's not mandatory by any means...just use it if you're having a hard time knowing where to start.)

Sunday was the first day that I was able to undertake anything, and this is an idea of what I worked on:

- vacuumed, swept and mopped front room; wiped down walls; dusted; went through chest and purged some fabric and blankets; took some stuff (including hardly-used sewing machine) to basement

- vacuumed living room and started wiping walls; (always kept generally picked up; need to go through closet, shoes, coats, etc.)

- washes bed and crib sheets and blankets; switched to slightly lighter comforter (still have one heavy blanket to launder)

- wiped down bathroom sink, etc. (normal maintenance; still need to go gung ho here)

Lots more to do, but I won't bore you with a list of THAT (far longer!). 

So, so you make an effort to clean anything and everything around you for spring? Or are you waiting for me to dole out my assignment for the week? Well, how sweet of you to wait for lil' ol' me! Here's this week's "duty" (hee hee...):

WALLS AND CEILINGS -- Use a Swiffer, a duster, or even just a rag with mild soap to wipe down your walls and ceilings in your main living area. (If you have a "downstairs," your downstairs. If you have only one level, as much as you can -- maybe everything but your bedrooms, or more if you're feeling adventurous.) If you have ceiling fans, wipe them down. If they're REALLY bad, take attack them with hot water and detergent and take out the glass parts to clean in your sink. As Shirley Temple's mother once said, "sparkle!"

(Next week, the floors and storage -- closets, cupboards, etc. Just in case you want to get a head start. ;-))
And for some inspiration, your Clean Quote of the Week: "Let everyone sweep in front of his own door, and the whole world will be clean." - Goethe