{before and afters}

Before:

After:

Before:

After:


I hope these pictures will inspire you.

{the big spring clean day 6}

Todays Task: The Refrigerator

Remember:

~take everything out!

~take out drawers, egg holders, shelves, etc.

~wash the entire inside with warm soapy water.

~check for expiration dates.

~when putting things back wipe them down.

~put similar things together. For example the salad dressings on one shelf, cheeses and lunch meats together, etc.

~wipe down the top of the fridge.

~clean the bottom vent.

~give the outside a good clean too.

~if you have stuff on the outside of your fridge go through it and get rid of old papers and things you don't need anymore. If the outside of your fridge is cluttered it makes your kitchen feel cluttered.

{the big spring clean day 5}

Todays Task: the pantry

Remember:

~Take everything out so you can start with a clean slate.

~Clean the shelves with a warm soapy wash cloth.

~When you put things back put them in similar groups. For example, baking items, pasta, lunch items, spices, etc.

~Make sure and check the dates, don't put anything back that is expired.

~Use baskets, plastic bins, or Tupperware to store things like kool aid packets, pasta, seasoning packets, etc.

{the big spring clean day 4}

Today's task:

Guest Bathroom

Remember:

~Take the mats, rugs and shower curtain out and throw them in the shower (read washing instructions on them to make sure you don't ruin them.)

~Take everything out of the drawers and cupboards.

~Wipe out the drawers and under the sink.

~Be careful what you put back.

~Do you really need it?

~Is it expired? Lotions, and cremes have expiration dates.

~Makeup expires too.

~Use a wash cloth to clean your toilet. It might sound gross but you get it so much cleaner and you will love it. Use rubber gloves if you want. (thanks Jill)

~ Empty the trash can and wash it out with soapy hot water.

~Clean mirror.

~ Get bins and put like things together in the drawers and cupboards. For example, hair products, nail products, makeup, etc.

~Scrub the shower and tub. (Make sure to clean out the shelves in the shower too.

~Wipe down door, walls and knobs.

~If you have windows clean the insides and vacuum window treatments.

~Sweep and mop the floor.

Step back and enjoy your beautiful bathroom!

{the big spring clean day 3}

Todays task:

computer desk

{the big spring clean day 2}

Today's job:
Clean and organize one closet

tips~
~get rid of anything that doesn't fit, has stains, or anything you have not warn in the last year.
~an easy way to see if you haven't worn something in the last year is to turn all of your hangers backwards. As you wear things you will hang them back up the right way. In a year get rid of all the backwards hangers.
~if your vacuum doesn't get into your closet use a broom.
~if your shoes are smelly stick a dryer sheet into them and they will smell better in no time.
~color code your clothes, it not only looks better but saves you time when you are looking for a certain color.
~try and use all of the same color and kind of hangers. I use white plastic hangers that I buy at Walmart. It makes your closet look so much neater.


I will be back with pictures.

{The Big Spring Clean}

The next few weeks I am going to be Spring cleaning and organizing here at my home. Many people know that I love this time of year and I love to clean and organize. It's easier for me to clean and organize with a plan. I am going to be cleaning Monday-Thursday. Fridays and weekends are our days off. So get your rags ready because we are starting today! Here are some tips that work for me:

• Clean out one drawer at a time. It can be overwhelming to do it all at once.


• Set your timer for 20 minutes and clean away. You will be surprised how much you can do in this little amount of time.


• Take a basket with you as you clean a room. If something belongs in another room put it in the basket. That way you aren't wasting time going from room to room


• Start at one end of the house and move to the other.


• Stay in the one room until it is finished.


• If you have stuff that you aren't sure if you need or not. Find a cardboard box or something that you can't see in. Label it with todays date. Put everything in it and seal it shut. Put it up and in one year from the date if you haven't had to open it then get rid of it. DO NOT OPEN IT! If you do you will see something and think you need it.


• Clutter makes things look messy!


• Keep your sink empty you will be amazed how nice it feels.


• Go through your kids clothes and toys every 3 months.


• When you buy something new get rid of something old.

Today's Room:

Family Room

• quick pick up


• remove cobwebs with a broom


• clean ceiling fans and light fixtures


• windows inside only


• dust window seals


• take a broom along your base boards


• vacuum under your cushions


• dust furniture


• get rid of anything thats broken


• vacuum (make sure to vacuum under your furniture)


• clean TV

{update}

When I clean I usually start in our family room and work my way back towards the bedrooms. Which means by the time I get to the bedrooms I am pooped out. So today I did the opposite. I started in my bedroom where I deep cleaned the entire room, got rid of unwanted clothes, washed the sheets and bedspreads, dusted walls and ceiling fans, then vacuumed under everything. I then did this to both the kids bedrooms. I was able to pick up the other rooms but thats it. With Darian out of town playing with trains then homework, dinner, soccer practices and baths falls on my shoulders so that means not much else can get done. I am happy with what I have done so far and tomorrow I will tackle the other rooms before it all becomes a mess again this weekend :)

Day #2 Before & After

I forgot to take before pictures of the boys room until I was almost done so I just waited to take them until after. Here is a picture of their closet, Garrett's clothes are on top, Chase's clothes are on the bottom, and Cole's are on the left.

Here are the boys beds. Cole sleeps in our room in the pack n play and then on the days that Garrett is at his Mom's he sleeps in Garrett's bed. I had the boys help me with their room since they are off track. I threatened them that their room better stay this clean or else.

Before:
Now onto the girls room. Here is a picture of their dresser before.

After:
I got rid of one large trash bag full of clothes and a few other things that would not fit into a bag.

Before:
The girls closet. I didn't have to do too much in here except go through and get rid of the shirts and dresses that they no longer wear.

After:
Not a big difference, just less clothes and shoes, and I hung that cork board on the wall for their pictures. I also went through all of their tubs in the top of the closet and made sure everything was in the right tub, characters, food, lincoln logs, and dress up clothes.

Now that their rooms are spotless I am hoping that they can stay that way for at least a week....lol Wishful thinking right? This project took a lot longer than I thought it would. I am thankful that Darian is home because he was able to watch the kids and keep up with the rest of the house. I don't think I would have been able to get as much done if he was working. I still need to do my bedroom but I am going to wait until Friday when I don't have as much to do. It still feels really good to have gotten so much accomplished. Thanks Chantri for the motivation.

Spring Cleaning Week 1

My friend Chantri has come up with an exciting plan to get all of us started on our spring cleaning. I am so excited to get started, you are probably thinking that I am crazy but I love doing this sort of thing. I love any sort of challenge and when you can break it up into several small projects I feel like you can get more accomplished. So for the first week she has us decluttering. She breaks it down into 4 easy steps and has assigned us different rooms to do each day. If you would like to visit her blog to check it out you can look here at http://thekeelefamily.blogspot.com/ Happy Cleaning now lets get started.

4 Container Method:

#1: Trash

#2: Give Away, DI, or Sell

#3: Storage

#4: Put Away

At each location that I am de-cluttering

I will have four containers, one for each of the above solutions to de-clutter.

Spring Cleaning week 1 PLANNER: De-Cluttering

Monday: Hall closets & laundry room

Tuesday: Bedrooms

Wednesday: Bathrooms

Thursday: Kitchen

Friday: Living Room, Family Room, and all other rooms

now this you don't see very often

This week their job was to weed the terrace in our backyard. Don't they look so happy to be doing this on their day off.

After

Here are the after pictures from the other day. I enjoy working in the yard but sometimes the weeds get so out of control so I have to work outside at least one day a week. It sure is nice when the job is done. The weather has sure been nice too, you can't beat southern California weather. It allows me and the kids to not be cooped up inside all winter long.