Mission Accomplished: Pre-Kindergarten

~September 2008~

~May 2009~

Well done, son! 

Mommy & Daddy are SO proud of you!! 

Life vs. Good Intentions

Have you ever gotten started on something (a good intention) and then have life totally jump in the way of completing that though, idea, intention? 

I'm sure you've (well, you few faithful followers) noticed that I started my Spring Cleaning out with a bang! It felt great. I was getting things done. My home was beginning to sparkle. 

Then life started trickling in. I was scheduled more hours at work unexpectedly. Our youngest has been having sleep issues; leading yours truly to sleep deprivation. Ballet class started. On and on the list goes. 

Some would look at these as excuses. I see them as challanges. While I haven't been able to stay on track with the "cleaning party" mentioned in previous posts, I have been able to get in little things here and there. 

Yesterday for example, I had just come off a very hard day at work the day before and had been up that night with our daughter multiple times. I was exhausted. Add into that a visit to friend's house for dinner. Where do you fit in a massive cleaning?

Here's my little secret: it's in the little things. Okay, so maybe that isn't such a secret, but it helped put things in the perspective for me. 

Last night once I was settled into comfy clothes, ready to unwind, and take in a season finale of my favorite show I realized I was sitting in a mess. Our rec-room was exactly that - a wreck! So, during commercials and slow points of the show I started gather all the miss placed objects (read: toys) and securing all the garbage in it's proper place (a bag - novel idea). By the time the show was over - I had a clean, (mostly) orderly room. The difference? Now it's only in need of a vacuum and dusting; not a complete overhaul. 

Little things (steps) go a long way in keeping a family of four going. 

How are things going for all of you cleaning up your homes for the Spring? 

Cheers, 

Andrea

Spring Cleaning Day 4

The kitchen is an ongoing battle for me. One would think that with its size (being SUPER small) that it would be easy to maintain, nurture, and love. No, in fact, it's the oposite. It seems that since its so small it clutters easily and every mess stand out like a sore thumb. 

I'm thankful that we are doing the kitchen in multiple parts, much like the living room. Today's focus (as suggest because I'm such a good little student) was to go through the food cupboards. For me, this amounts to one main cuboard. Really. My kitchen is THAT small. 

To start I took all the food out and wiped down the surfaces. Can you smell the Lysol now? Yum! Once it was squeaky clean, I started gradually adding things back in. Boxed goods neatly on the top shelf. Baking good on the middle. Finally, cans and misc. on the bottom. Viola! 

Simple Mom asks today: What do you love about your kitchen? What one thing do you most want to change?

I love that my kitchen has a dishwasher. It didn't start out that way. When we bought our house that was one of the things it was lacking. Thankfully, it was also one of the first things dear hubby and I were able to invest in. I HATE doing dishes by hand, so naturally, I LOVE having a dishwasher. 

One thing I most want to change?? Just one? Gust the whole things and build a new one off the back of the house. Does that count as one? 

Okay, realistically? I would either A) install an over the range microwave to make more counter space or B) have new countertops installed. I think to make me truly excited about my current kitchen I would need to do A & B in; that order. 

How about you? What do you think about your kitchen? Do you love it? What would you change? 

Cheers, 

Andrea

The Problem With Spring Cleaning....

...or cleaning in general:

I have two little rottens who follow behind me and un-do everything. Ugh.

Anyone have any motivation out there? Help a sister out! 

Cheers, 

Andrea

Spring Cleaning Day 3

What do you have in your closet? Monsters? Skeletons? Secrets? 

Mine....well, in all honesty, a hot mess! 

Staying in the living room, I tackled the coat closet this morning. Oy! The first task was emptying the said closet. This took my breath away a little bit because my living room floor was now a mess. Yes, the same room/floor that I just got done cleaning up last night. **Gasp!**

There were just too many odds and ends in there. Why do we need multiple phone books or ANY for that matter when I have a computer within a few feet. Out to the recycling bin they went. 

Winter gear, while still a bit chilly here, bagged up and put in storage. 

All sports goods in a rubermaid tote for east access. 

All shoes returned to their rack. 

It felt/feels good to accomplish that task. The closet has been in need of attention for a while now and this week was just the motivation I needed. Now if only it would stay that way....

Oh, and here's the requisite picture:

(sorry no "before" - it was just TOO scary)

Cheers, 

Andrea

Spring Cleaning Day 1 & 2

Lets get this party started!

First things first. A confession. I didn't do a whole lot for day #1. Day #1 in the e-book, from Simple Mom, wanted you to go through each room of the house and toss any garbage; then quickly find things that should be in a sell/give box. Thinking large scale like that - just isn't my thing. So, I promised myself I would look for these items each day vs. all at once. Note: I DID pick up garbage. Yay me! 

Onward to today. Today was a very busy day! By busy I mean running around from here to there without a minute (hardly) to be home tidying my home. There was work at the church - off to Kailey's ballet class - called in to work again. **sigh** The kids and I left the house at 8:45, stopped in briefly to have lunch at about 1:30; zipped out the door again and weren't settled back home until 6PM. 

All that said, I never thought I'd get to this: 

 

However, after dinner - while my dear hubby entertained the children - I got down to business. I can't believe howmuch clutter I allow to invade our lives. It is INSANE! I tossed out a lot. I also simplified a lot of our flat surfaces. There was too much going on. Things are much more calm now. 

What do you think? Much better, huh? 

While I did do a lot of cleaning: wipping, vacuuming, dusting, etc. Tomorrow's focus is going to be really getting down to the nitty gritty of this room. Plus, there is a closet still that I haven't touched. I'm afraid there may be monsters in there....you never know. 

Wish me luck! 

Cheers, 

Andrea

Plates, Cups, Bowls - Oh my!

What kind of dishes do you have? 

When my husband and I got married we registered for a set of dishes that were very hip and modern. They were black with black and charcoal colored squares adorning the edges. The dinner plates were huge and surprisingly deep for a plate.

The thing is, we quickly became a family with different need. Juggling a home, kids, jobs, etc. Urban chic dishes became a thing of the past. We then welcomed cheap Ikea dishes. I should say inexpensive. These dishes has withstood a lot of abuse and we still have them today. They work, they are functional. 

I've always told myself I would get new dishes someday to go with my decor. I would love to have a beautifully decorated table where all our guests felt warm and welcome. People, the day has come - while I may not be able to afford them, a girl can dream (and maybe drool a little, too) - I have found a set that I absolutely ADORE.

Dayspring now has a line called the Life Collection. It's beautiful. Please, go check them out and drool with me. 

Here's the great thing - Kimba, over at a Soft Place to Land, has a give-a-way happening. It's a $50 gift certificate to DaySpring. Now, this would not get me the whole collection, but it would be a start. How about you? You want in? Just go visit Kimba, comment on her post about the give-a-way and your in! 

Cheers, 

Andrea

Isn't Spring wonderful? Don't get me wrong there is beauty in all the seasons He has created. The warmth of Summer. The color of Fall. The crisp white freshness of snow in Winter. However, the beauty of Winter fades a little when the chill stays a little longer than it's welcome and the snow melts, making way for a muddy mess. Eventually, that mud and muck are washed away to reveal the beauty of Spring. Spring's beauty is its newness, a clean fresh start to a new year.

Generations have participated in the tradition of Spring Cleaning. Normally, I don't have a "plan" when it comes to Spring Cleaning. I do a bit here and there, but never had an attack plan. This year I've fallen into the loving hands of Simple Mom. 

Simple Mom has written her own e-book on Spring Cleaning. Not only that, but she is hosting a Spring Cleaning Party on her blog (here).

So, with all that said - this year, I have a plan. My plan is to follow along with her for the next two weeks. I plan to refresh, renew, and reenergize my home - three qualities that I love about Spring. 

Will you join me? 

Cheers, 

Andrea