30-Day Housecleaning Clannenge: Day 30

Project #30

Today’s project is to clean all your electronics (computer, TV, iPad, iPod, smartphones, etc.)

Now that's more like it! Not a routine cleaning since most of us tend to forget to clean something unless there is a visible smudge on it.  I wish I did have all those "i-somethings" but I'll clean my good ol' vinyl player :) We'll see.

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 29

Project #29

Today’s project is toclean one thing (such as your dresser drawer, the microwave, oven, etc.)
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What did I do? Laundry! :) Yeah... I'm following the challenge :D

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 26-28

Project #26


You get to choose your project from three projects today: you can either surface clean a bedroom or the bathroom(s) or you can vacuum and/or sweep the floors in your home. 

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What did I do? Basically every day routine pick up. This challenge is not a challenge. Just cleaning :D

Another Book

"Remembering Christmas: A Novel" by Dan Walsh - very lovely book and like all Dan Walsh's books - a page turner. It was a sweet story about trusting God with everything and never giving up. And book was filled with love and interesting relationships. A very good read.

30 Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 25

 Project #25

Today’s project is to surface clean or deep clean your kitchen and/or living room.

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What did I do? Glad you asked. I cleaned out my children's sandbox :). 

If you think it was one of those turtle or crab shaped plastic boxes sufficient for one toddler then you'd be wrong. We have a big one right under the swing set and the weeds have started growing through it and the sand is not sand there anymore - it's dirt and in my mind it's disgusting. So, I did what I could today - pulled weeds, raked pine needles, picked up broken toys etc. It was a ton of work and I am not done as far as preparing it for more sand. 

I think a lot more of the old dirt needs to be removed in order to fill it with decent sand so hat when the kids dig with their spades and buckets that they won't hit the dirt very soon. So, there is work to be done but I think it was a nice start. Not very good for your back, though...

I really don't know why I'm following this challenge :D

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 24

Project #24

Today’s project is to clean your linen closet.

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What did I do? Folded half a basket of laundry. Busy, busy day but sheesh... why on earth am I "following" this challenge? :)

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 23

Project #23

Today’s project is to sweep and vacuum all the floors in your house.

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 What did I do?
 
Vacuumed living room and did major tidying up downstairs. I know. I'm right on track :)

Coffee Filter Sunflower

Craft time!

What you need:

- 3 basket coffee filters (white)
- markers, crayons
- glue
- scissors
- pencil
- pipe cleaners
- green construction paper
- tape

What you do:

• Take coffee filters, fold in half and then again in half - it will look like a triangle
• Draw with pencil or cut without it out petals (four peaks)
• Unfold the filters and separate them
• Color it in the shades of yellow and brown (whatever suits your fancy - throw in some orange)
• Cut out a circle for the center and color it brown
• Glue the filters on top of one another but don't match the petals - will look more sunflower-y
• Cut some of the scraps into smaller pieces and glue in the center of your flower
• Now glue your flower center on top of the scraps to make it look 3D
• Glue your pipe cleaner on he back (I used tape, glue didn't work well)
• Cut out some green leaves from the construction paper and glue them to the pipe cleaner.

You are done! :)

And yes, I know that it doesn't look too good in the picture. But my two-year-old and I did it together and I am fairly satisfied with the outcome. And it was fun :)

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 20-22

 Project #20-22

Since we took the weekend off, you get to choose your project today! You can either surface clean living room and kitchen, surface clean bathroom(s), or surface clean bedroom(s).

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What did I do? Nothing! :) Well, not in the main sense. I went through old papers, shredded them, cleaned kitchen a bit, dealt with trash. But as far as a "challenge" I am doing my very own "following" :D. Or am I?

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge: Day 19

Project #19

Your project for today is to clean your entryway, sweep your garage, and/or vacuum out your car.

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And what have I been able to accomplish so far? I cleaned one of our house's worst windows. The window is pretty much from floor to ceiling and all the crevices were incredibly dirty and filled with stuff I'd rather not describe... There was years worth of stuff in it (I doubt the former owners went this deep either). It had to be done. And it took me hour and a half... And then the room's general mopping and vacuuming (which was nothing but I just looked it over a bit more carefully). 

The outcome was great. The room was all sparkly and dust free. For how long? :)

Coffee Filter Craft

So, we decided to do a fun craft today. Markers are very rare in this house because of all the mess it brings with it, so it was a treat :)

Idea came from www.ICanTeachMyChild.com site:

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands (Coffee filter craft)

- Take one coffee filter
- Give your toddler green and blue markers and have him or her color intermittently the entire filter (if you can :) - my toddler left some empty spots :).
 - Put some water in the spray bottle and spray the filter gently until the marker colors start blending
- Wait until it dries (I didn't :)
- Put it in the laminating pouch and send it through the laminator.

And here is our result:

You can't deny it looks cute. And the artist is a two-year-old :)

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 18

Project #18

Your project for today is to clean out your refrigerator and/or organize your pantry.


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What have I done so far? Cleaned our bathroom really well :D I wonder if I should be worried about my skill to follow a challenge that looks nothing like it? But day is young (middle aged actually), so I might actually get around to my pantry and fridge (although, both are quite well organized and taken care of but it doesn't hurt to wipe down the shelves in the fridge).

Update:

I cleaned out one of our major closets... Oh vey... that was a chore! Good result but sheesh... I didn't think it was that bad... But it's done now! Woohoo!

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 17

Project #17

Your project for today is to wipe down your door knobs and light switch plates.


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What did I do? I cleaned our storage room :). I am far from finished but it's a start. And it has nothing to do with the challenge that I am still following. I think.

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 16

Project #16

Order of the day:

Your project for today is to deep clean your bathroom(s).
You can follow this list, if you find it helpful:

• Set the timer for 20 minutes and put toilet cleaner in each of the toilet bowls and let it soak.
• Remove any items that don’t belong in the bathroom, put away items that need to be put away in the bathroom, empty the trash.
• Spray and wipe down the sink and tub.
• Finish swishing and cleaning the toilet.
• Shake the rugs outside (or throw them in the laundry) and mop or vacuum the floors.
• Wipe down the outside of the cupboards and clean the mirror.
• You’re done!

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 What did I do? I cleaned out the garage! :D Yep, following the challenge to the T :).  But I got so much done - a lot of junk got deposited or stored in an appropriate place. Tons and tons of trash (things that were not worth of storing even in a "more appropriate" place). Besides our regular weekly trash I had accumulated 4 more bags of extra from the garage, plus two more bags of recycleable paper and tons of cardboard! 

Boy, that feels awesome to clean out something like that. There is still things to do, but now the main thing that was just bothering me to no end is done/gone/taken care of and it makes everything else so much easier to accomplish.

Books - Kids' Classic

Interestingly enough we hadn't read this book yet:

"The Cat in the Hat Comes Back" by Dr. Seuss

What a wonderful book! Every single person, young or old, should read it and enjoy it. And that's an order. I absolutely love Dr. Seuss's books (as do most of the people) but I think reading those books will enrich everybody's lives. Well, it should :)

Some people seem to be upset about guns that are used to get rid of the spot the Cat created. But this was the author's choice. Sure - killing the spots with guns sounds violent but look at the context! Nothing live is being "killed" but people can be very sensitive. It's a good book and luckily we are all entitled to our own opinions.

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 15

Project #15

Your project for today is to surface clean the living room and kitchen.

• Set the timer for 15 minutes and pick up and put away everything that’s out of place. Bonus project: Find 7 things to get rid of.
• Next, wash the dishes in the kitchen (if there are any), wipe down the countertops and surfaces in the kitchen.
• Finally, vacuum the living room.

--- What did I do? Gotta laugh, because I have my own little beat, posting the tasks and then doing nothing even similar to it :). But it's still fun.

So, what did I do? I cleaned out a garage :D True story. My toddler and I carried out boxes, emptied them, threw away piles of things that we don't use, is seriously deteriorated, or disgusting, or old (so definitely more than 7 items that I got rid of). 

My girl found a big box where she planted herself in and played happily while I was cleaning, coughing and moving things around. Coughing because I was also sweeping the garage floor and there is a winter's worth of sand... I should have worn a mask. Duh!

But the outcome was BEAUTIFUL! We have more space,  it looks so nice and tidy. I have to be honest, though. I didn't get to tackle all the shelves and go through all the items. Two and a half hours was just not enough to get to everything but it was enough to change things drastically and now I can go back to the remaining shelves as I have the time and energy for.  I felt I was very successful even without being able to tackle everything and that's what matters. Life is more and more in order. Woohoo!!

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Days 12-14

Project #12-14

You can choose to either clean out a closet or two, surface clean an extra room, or deep clean a bedroom. 

-- I tackled our master bedroom closet and my husband's two dresser drawers. Got two big bags of clothes that we haven't worn in years or wouldn't wear again and donated them. You know, it's true what they say about feeling better when there is less clutter. And it felt so good to get rid of those things. True, all that clutter I got rid of was hidden in the closets/dressers, so it wasn't a daily stresser that I saw it all day long - like our living room desk...  :) But yay me!

Also, over the weekend we tackled our yard and did what we good. And boy... that felt awesome as well. So, all in all pretty good weekend. I think.

Reading De-cluttering Books Now

"Clutter Be Gone! De-clutter and Simplify Your Home (And Keep It That Way) Starting Today!"

I liked it. It was simple, basic but somehow left a fresh "scent". Even the cover is calm and inspiration provoking and once you read the content you really do want to go and start getting rid of everything that has been cluttering your life and you just had it around you under a different name. Not "clutter" but "memories", "stuff" etc.

"Conquer Clutter: 3 Books in 1 - Declutter Now, Organize Your Home, Simple Storage Systems - Discover the Secrets of a Clutter Free Lifestyle"

 I didn't care for this one. The idea was good and I guess if you have no idea where to start from it's a good read but I did not get anything new from it. Same old basic ideas and even writing was sort of getting boring - so much so that it was a struggle to finish it. Oh, but there was a typo that made me laugh: "adhesive that does not damage or remove pain" - well, if the adhesive doesn't remove pain - why on earth would I use it for then?! :)

Finished Books

"Titanic A to Z: The Story of the World's Most Famous Shipwreck" by Judy Nichols

I liked it. A nice short and simple book about known and little unknown facts. It should get a child interested in exploring more if they feel so inclined. I truly enjoyed it.



"Poetic Puns - Grammar Made Fun. Learning Parts of Speech with Silly Poems That Teach". (English Grammar Books Ages 9 - 12) by Ponn Sabra

It is a nice and simple book about grammar. As it's known children remember things easier when things rhyme or they can sing it, so this should help those kids who benefit from it the most.

Read Children's Books

Yesterday I read several books to my toddler that I thought are worth mentioning:

1) "God Gave Us You" (Rhyming Children's Picture Book) by (no author specified :)

Nicely written with captivating illustrations and sweet rhymes that make a child feel special. A good book.


Then there was this one which was not that good:

2) "God Gave Me You" (A Picture Book For Young Children And Their Parents) by Cindy Bracken

Why wasn't it good? There is hugging happening right on the cover, so it should be good, right? Plus the title is a dead giveaway. Well, the most common phrase there is "I must have done something right, because got gave me you." Really? In a Christian book? The author really believes that through someone's good actions they were blessed with a child? That if you have a miscarriage, stillbirth or won't have any children at all, you'd better change your behavior and start doing "something right".



And next:

3) "Children's book: Candy Andy and the rainbow dinner" (Happy Motivated children's books Collection) by Yonit Werber

This was a cute book about healthy eating - turning it into a game and "tricking" a child but not making it a chore or something they didn't want to do. If it only happened all the time :).

The only criticism? A typo!  A "bowel of pumpkin soup"??? No, thank you :D

More Books

Here we go - another book finished:

"The Heart's Journey": Stitches in Time Series #2

I really enjoyed this book and would have even if I hadn't read the first book :). Sweet story and characters. Real relationships. Two cultures but who can stop love? :)

This book covers domestic abuse that was actually taken care of the "right way" and not just covered up somehow or made excuses (abused people make those enough anyway). Nobody says you shouldn't forgive, however is staying with the person after h has hurt you really wise? Probably not. At least not until they have shown they have turned their lives around.

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 10-11

  

Project #10

• Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)
• Dust the furniture, wall-hangings, and knick-knacks.
• Wipe down the baseboards.
• Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum the furniture.)
• Clean fingerprints on the windows.
• Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.
• You’re done!

 I just picked up most of my living room :). Way to go! :D

Project #11

This is how the challenge of the day was listed:

Your project for today is to clean your bathroom(s).
You can follow this list, if you find it helpful:

• Set the timer for 20 minutes and put toilet cleaner in each of the toilet bowls and let it soak.
• Remove any items that don’t belong in the bathroom, put away items that need to be put away in the bathroom, empty the trash.
• Spray and wipe down the sink and tub.
• Finish swishing and cleaning the toilet.
• Shake the rugs outside (or throw them in the laundry) and mop or vacuum the floors.
• Wipe down the outside of the cupboards and clean the mirror.
• You’re done!

What did I do? Nothing out of the ordinary - just the regular bathroom cleaning. All the shelves and drawers are fine (or could use some organizing but nothing too bad), so it did not feel like a challenge :) Actually it feels like I have my very own drum beat anyway, so I keep myself entertained :)

And Another Book

Today I finished another book (probably one of the reasons I haven't been cleaning a whole lot while my children have been napping/resting :)

"Waiting for Summer's Return" (Heart of the Prairie Book #1)

It's a sweet book and leaves you feeling refreshed and content. 

Summer Steadman had to bury her husband and four children. Peter Ollenburger, also a widow asks her to come and tutor his son, Thomas, who had injured his ribs and couldn't go to school for a while but Peter didn't want him to fall behind. Once that happens, a reader already knows where things are going. And are expecting it :)

However, I must say that if you have read Janette Oke's "Love Comes Softly" series then a lot of the things are the same. Two widows. Child in need. New environment for one of them. Bringing the woman to faith. Man is big, kind, gentle, fair, respected. A lot of similarities, yet there were new things as well that kept me interested (even though I have read "Love Comes Softly" books at least 3-4 times :)

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 9

Project 9

Surface clean your bedrooms.

Here is the copy-paste version from the above link:

• Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)
• Pull out any items under the bed that don’t below under the bed and make the bed (wash sheets/bedding, if needed).
• Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum under the bed.)
• Clean fingerprints on the windows.
• Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.
• You’re done!

Well, so far I have washed and vacuumed my car! Right on track :) Might seem like I can't read instructions. At least I'm amusing myself :)

I am still planning on tackling at least one of my kids' rooms. Master bedroom is awesomely taken care of but the kids' rooms could use help and their rooms are very easy to clean.  

 Update

I finished my son's bedroom and even though it doesn't have many things in his room it took quite a bit of time mostly because of the windows. Again, opening them, washing both sides, washing screens, digging out gunk from the crevices, vacuuming what's vacuum-able, more wiping, dusting, washing, moping. And now I consider his room clean. I think :). His curtains are in the dryer now and then everything is good for another year. Well, ok, maybe less :D

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 8

 Project 8

Sweep and vacuum all floors. 

Simple? Very. Easy? You betcha! Did I do it? Nope :)

Why not? Because I really felt that I should keep going with the windows. It takes a lot of time to do them. The window panes are nothing. But... the gunk you need to get rid of between the screen and the window - all the crevices. Plus the window frames - it all has to be washed. And that takes a ton of time (but is very rewarding). I used q-tips and vinegar to get to the tight spaces and corners. Vinegar does miracles! I was able to wash only 4 windows but I am quite pleased. 

And I swept the kitchen floor :).

Self Help Book This Time

Who knew? I actually read a book about clothes. Come to think of it, I don't think I've managed to get through a book like that before. Good thing it was a short one this time :)

The book:

"Minimalist Wardrobe: How to Streamline, Simplify, and Organize Your Closet" by Kerry Gene 

It was an okay read. A lot of common sense, but also helpful, down to a point with tips and good advice. It was also scary :). Why scary? The idea of emptying your closet can be terrifying to anyone who is not a minimalist. Doesn't have to be a hoarder to have a full closet (there are four seasons and young kids involved!), but all those "what if's" would keep running through your head. What if I get rid of all but one long sleeved T-shirt and it becomes unwearable the day I know I'll have to wear one? :)

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 5-7

Project # 5-7

Directly from the site:

With the weekend coming up tomorrow, today you get to choose your project from the site. You can either surface clean the living room and kitchen, clean a bathroom, or clean your interior windows.

Or, if you have a lot of extra time and energy, you can choose more than one project. Just promise me you won’t aim too high and then end up feeling disappointed with yourself if you don’t get it all done, okay?


 ....

I started with a few or my windows but it is too cold to do both sides. The "list says" interior windows but it's the outside that needs to be done the most. Can't wait for the weather to warm up.

Another Book

Meanwhile I've finished another book: 

Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich - the genre a bit different from the ones I usually read (morals mostly). But a few years back I found the 11th book by accident and then felt I should read them all and well, I've kept it up and every single book has had parts where I laugh out loud. Literally. Not just smirk, but actually laugh. And sometimes until the tears are flowing :)

 

It's another Stephanie Plum novel where Ranger is hiring her to do a bodyguard job for her. Meanwhile she also has skips to catch and, of course, her car gets blown up in the middle of this all. When I write things down so randomly, it makes no sense but... whoever has read even just one novel in this series knows exactly what I mean. A great entertaining book - light and please don't look for very deep CSI type of investigations or details. I loved it!

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 4

 Project 4:

• Your project for today is to surface clean extra rooms (laundry room, office, etc.)

Well, since I don't have any of those rooms then I get a day off. So do speak :). Gotta laugh that attitude because it sounds like I'm not doing it for myself and should only be doing it if someone is looking over my shoulder :).

There are plenty of things to take care of around the house and I will tackle the clutter. Even bought a paper shredder for older papers and things that we simply don't need anymore but what takes up space and, well, who needs all that clutter?

Since the shredder is new then there is a chance that I might shred more than first planned :). New items seem to make one want to play with them more. I guess we'll see ;)

30- Day Housecleaning Challenge Day 3

Project #3

Here is how she listed her plan which I'm summarizing as "Would You Please Finally Clean Your Bedroom??":

• Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)
• Pull out any items under the bed that don’t below under the bed and make the bed (wash sheets/bedding, if needed).
• Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum under the bed.)
• Clean fingerprints on the windows.
• Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.
• You’re done!

Here is how things went down:

- I did not set the timer because I knew that I will do it until I'm finished and the only timer I have is the ticking kind and well... it would have been like someone breathing down my neck this entire time ending with an annoying "ding!"
 
- I started with our master bedroom where I take most everything that shouldn't be downstairs where casual drop-bys can see, so... it was a challenge. Hey! That's the idea here, right?

- Gosh, am I glad I didn't set the timer! It took me two hours (!!!) to clean that room! I Dusted (and coughed), polished (fancy), mopped (goodness, that thing had to be rinsed out so many times!), vacuumed (before mopping, after mopping, in-between dusting, once everything was said and done), used the vacuum tools to get to the crevices, picture frames, curtain rods, fan blades and one fancy brush that finally helped me to clean the lamp shades (what a treat!). 

- I gathered things that didn't belong (sounds like I was hunting and gathering - well it was dirty enough :) and... got one and a half laundry basket full of things that did NOT belong!!! That included children's toys, empty water bottles that had rolled under the bed, pens, random screws on top of the dresser, 3 Allen wrenches (!), recycleable clothes that were "stored" under the bed... I could go on. 

- Once I was done, I sprayed the room with an air refreshener. How I wished I could have also had clean windows to enjoy the full effect but... it was 22F this morning! 

Now I'm done with that room and feel exhausted (that's why the blogging right in the middle of things) while the baskets of not belonging items are sneering at me from the kitchen daring me to sort through them... Imagination?

Gotta go and relieve my lungs from all the dust I just had happily (hm) breathed in. Note to self: get a mask next time!

30-Day Housecleaning Challenge

So, I decided to take part in the 30 Day Housecleaning Challenge to get the house in shape for spring. Idea came from Moneysavingmom.com page:

30 Day Housecleaning Challenge

I haven't rejoiced on her FB page that I did something (yet?) but it's nice to follow along and perhaps blame someone when the task is especially tedious yet it has to be done and there is nobody else who could do it :)


Yesterday's task: Project #1  I sort of did it... and then did some today. Countertops, picking up things and doing dishes is so every day thing that you sort of do it every day anyway :). So that wasn't so much of a challenge as whine-inducing cleaning. Sounds very adult-like :)

Today's task: Project #2 Clean all the bathrooms (she listed a much more detailed list but the general idea is that you clean the bathrooms :). So, I grabbed my cleaning supplies, willpower, held on to the hope that I will come out of this alive and set to work. And what do you know, I finished without "cheating" and nothing was left undone. My vision might be a bit blurred from all the fumes but hey, the rooms are shiny and they smell nice. From now on, we'll be using bathrooms at the gas station...