I was scared of using my self-cleaning oven. But I was even more scared of someone seeing the inside of it. When I created the Kitchen Cleaning Checklist last week, I knew it was time to take the leap and figure out how to use a self-cleaning oven. It was easy. Not magic, but easy. First of all, I would advise that you read over your … [Read more...]
Cleaning
Tips, tricks, my own hard-learned lessons about cleaning.
Watching Normal People Clean – Part Two
Yesterday, I shared about my normal friend who felt pity for me and asked if she could come over to help me clean. She phrased it as "helping me get caught up after summer." However she wanted to see it, I was grateful for the help. Since it was her. I can count on one hand the number of people whom I would "let" help me clean my master … [Read more...]
Watching Normal People Clean
On Friday I mentioned over on my Facebook page that my normal friend had come over to help me clean my master bedroom. You know on cartoons where there's one character who moves slowly while the Tasmanian Devil is a blur all around? That's pretty much what it felt like. Honestly, watching her was fascinating. When I could get my eyes to … [Read more...]
I Cleaned the Playroom . . . and That’s It
Meaning, I cleaned it without having to first de-clutter for hours. Such a weird feeling. I hate to say it (because of the dread that it will immediately fall victim to my kids playing "Hoarders"), but I think . . .maybe . . . that last decluttering/organization worked. Can I just say that this whole "cleaning like normal people do" thing … [Read more...]
When I Said I Cleaned My Bathrooms . . . What I Really Meant Was . . .
I promise complete honesty here. Sometimes that complete honesty means telling you that I purposely didn't show the still-cluttered area just outside the photo of the newly-decluttered one. Sometimes it means posts like this one. I've made it clear that I didn't do very well over the summer at consistently doing my weekly cleaning … [Read more...]
One More Delusion Bites the Dust
It's no secret that I don't love dusting. It drops to the bottom of the to do list whenever anything more exciting comes along. So, with the craziness and general checklist-failure of the summer, I ignored it and didn't even feel guilty. I convinced myself that a swipe here and there before guests came over was enough. I told myself that … [Read more...]
Disinfecting Doorknobs
The stomach bug from You-Know-Where hit our family this weekend. My kindergartener brought it home and by Monday morning, all three kids had blessed the floors, various tables, the Suburban, puke buckets, and occasionally . . . . a toilet with all sorts of loveliness. My kids are generally pretty good at making it to the bathroom, which means … [Read more...]
How to Open Your Home to Unexpected Guests
"Hey, it's me . . . Debbie/Sheila/Rebecca/Whomever! We're on our way to Colorado/California/Massachusetts/Wherever and I just realized we're passing through your town. We'd love to stop by!" "Uhhh, ummmm, that's WONderful! Why don't we just meet you somewhere, y'know, so it's easier for you . . . " "Oh, but we want to sit and … [Read more...]
What Flat Surfaces are Really For
Flat surfaces look so pretty in furniture stores. Accent tables. Bookshelves. Desks. I see them, and only see the positive possibilities. I see beautifully arranged photos. I see candles and tastefully placed sentimental items. But I forget one feature that sabotages these visions as soon as I bring the item into my … [Read more...]
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