People say we have two seasons here in the South – summer and winter. But some days, after the Indian summer has burned out, you can feel a crispness in the air that hints of autumn. That’s when I start getting the cleaning-and-organizing bug. (Not at the brink of spring when most folks gear up for their spring-cleaning.)
Here is what’s on my fall cleaning to-do list:
• Get the HVAC unit serviced. Nothing sucks more than a heater going out when it’s 30 degrees outside!
• Change the batteries in the smoke detectors. Some say to make the change when the time change occurs, …read more

Is it summer yet? Did I still make it under the wire for spring cleaning? I’ll admit that I didn’t really do my spring cleaning until this past weekend. And even then, I didn’t get it all done. But here are a few things I did that might help you get organized as well.

Clean Out Books
Are you a book lover? Every member of our family is and that means we buy a lot of used books. It also means we have a lot of them lying around. Take them to Half Priced …read more

I’d been looking forward to this past weekend for quite a while because it was the time I had set aside to declutter my entire house. And guess what? That goal was completely unreasonable and I didn’t quite make it, however.

In my failure to accomplish the big task, however, I learned something. When it comes to clutter, small steps are equally as effective. For example, while I didn’t organize the entire house, I did organize my bedroom. I got rid of clothes I didn’t wear, and organized drawers so now everything fits very nicely …read more

There’s a Shirley MacLaine movie on today, What a Way To Go.
First, I want to say, wow. I had no idea that she could dance like that.  Previous S-Mac memories began in the 80s, I’m thinking Steel Magnolias… Anyway, the movie……I missed the beginning, but from what I have seen, I get the impression that she falls in love with man after man. Each becomes successful, then everything goes to hell. She just wants the love, not the cash.
I have never wanted to be rich. I’ve always aspired to make do. The idea of buckets of cash scares me, probably because …read more

If the thought of green cleaning is making you groan think of it this way; now is the perfect time to green your home and cleaning routine. It’s not going to make the cleaning part more fun, but at least you’re going in knowing that this year you’re not just cleaning but making positive changes.

Clean without chemicals: Now is the perfect time to go through all your cleaners. Toss anything icky (tip – if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s likely not so swell). Replace your cleaners with healthier greener options or get really motivated and make your own green …read more

Ah, Spring. A time for flowers to bloom and birds to sing. A time for little critters of all sorts to be born. A time to begin spring cleaning. So, it seemed like a great time to start a new feature – Tidy Tuesday.
Each week, I’ll feature something to tidy and, if you are planning to spring clean, you can follow along. If not, you can shake your head in disgust and let me know that you don’t need to tidy your junk drawer/wash your windows/shine your sink because you are perfectly organized and have the cleanest house on earth.
If …read more

Spring cleaning time has been traditional in homes since pioneering days. What better time, also, to check into your arts and crafts supplies and see which ones are out of date, those you no longer use, and others you can reorganize for different projects?  Sometimes cleaning and revamping of your supplies will give you insight and inspiration for new projects.
My daughter is going through her supplies, as well as quilting and arts books, trying to determine which she should keep.  Our multigenerational house (home for six of us plus dog and guinea pig) is overflowing.  So all of us are …read more

My desk is looking a heck of a lot better than before!

I can even see table-top now   I’m slowly working through the layers & trying to find the proper home for everything that’s seemed to find it’s way to my computer desk.
I also have the challenge of trying to organize 10 different USB cords that I use often!  They look like a nest of snakes at the moment… I may have to invest in a cord organizer
HGTV is also helping people with their spring cleaning.  They are hosting a “Get Organized” event here.   Could be …read more