It's time to Spring Clean!

It's time to Spring Clean! I started making out a list (yes, I usually have a list for everything!) and jotting down notes room by room of what I wanted to accomplish, I kept thinking to myself, "I've only allowed three weeks for this? I'll never be able to get all of this done."

Well, I may not, but I sure am going to give it a try. If I could do nothing but deep cleaning all day long, I would be able to finish it. But life does not always allow for that. I still have a business to run, classes to teach, meals to fix, meetings to attend and whatever else is in my planner for the day.

I know I'm the greatest believer in lists and planning, but don't you know that making a list is in the spring cleaning code? But mainly because I am a fan of lists and I never, ever do a large project (or many times even a small one!) without a list to check-off, here's my list for cleaning/organizing/sewing/decorating the house in the order I'm planning to do it. Yes, I know, I set Mt. Everest goals; but hey, I can plan it that way just keeping in mind that I *might* not get it all accomplished.

Disclaimer: I may, can and will at any time have the option of changing my mind on any aspect, idea or plan I have right within this master list of cleaning chores.

Btw, if you are/were a permanent part of this household (or maybe even if you aren't; I think I've made lists like this for others outside my family), this is the type of list you receive when I'm out of town for a few days. It comes complete with notes, details, explanations and step-by-step what to-dos. ;)

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Spring Cleaning 2009

My room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
hang up wall decorations
stitch quilt/bedskirt/pillows for bed
move camp supplies to schoolroom

Krissa's room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
take out blue closet
move in elliptical/tv/fan
move in metal & wooden bookcase
store temp. boxes & totes there

Jena's room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
rearrange furniture
move in blue closet
move in Jena's boxes & totes

Sewing room/office:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
rearrange if needed

Family room downstairs:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
get ready to sell elliptical & furniture

Dad's den:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
sort bookcase, shelves & cabinets

Freezer room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
straighten shelves
reorganize holiday decorations
defrost freezer

Fruit room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
go through cabinets

Dad's room & bathroom:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
new quilt for larger mattress
change lamp & shade

Main bathroom:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
stitch new curtains
wall decorations

Schoolroom:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
rearrange furniture
sort SS & Kid's Klub material
move Krissa's stuff downstairs
new clock

Guest room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
decide on quilt/stitch pillows
stitch curtains/hang up blinds
decorations/stand/lamp
move Jena's stuff downstairs

Hall & closets:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
sort blankets/sheets/towels
put candles & scents on closet shelf
family photos for walls

Family room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
rearrange furniture
bookcase decorations
tabletop decorations
picture window curtains
burgundy lampshades
change decor above fireplace
sort DVDs/videos
prune potted plants
change water in piano

Dinning room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
resort china cabinet & drawers
sort tablecloths
wall decorations

Kitchen:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
wash & sort cabinets
clean fridge
defrost freezer
clean oven
clean microwave
clean dishwasher
dust/Windex skylight
find home for new crockpot
organize cookbook shelf
sort recipes

Utility room:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
organize closets
wash & sort cabinets
sort & label cleaning supplies
stitch curtains
wall decorations

Dad's bathroom:
basic cleaning (see below)
organize it (see below)
sort closet
check wall decorations

Odds & Ins:
clean back porch
clean garage
hose off front porch

Basic cleaning consists of:
wash windows inside and out
dust all woodwork (baseboards, doors, frames, etc.)
dust walls, corners, ceilings
dust furniture and decorations
liquid gold and polish all woodwork
dust & wash ceiling lights and fixtures
wash counters/bathroom fixtures
Windex windows and mirrors
wash/vacuum curtains
wash air vents & registers
spot clean carpet as needed
vacuum carpet and room edges
sweep & mop floors

Organizing it consists of:
sort through drawers & shelves & closets
toss out the junk
pass on the stuff no longer used
label items/drawers/shelves as needed
move items to correct location

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Ok, now that I've outlined this big, long list and you feel sorry for me having to do ALL this by myself (I think my sisters planned to moved out before May just for this reason!), yes, I'll be glad to accept your offer of help! ;)

In true reality, I listed things that I know will not happen this month and I know that. Items such as re-decorating, stitching a new bedroom set for my room, a new quilt for Dad's room, curtains in various rooms and defrosting the freezer will come sometime later.

My main focus is to get the cleaning and organizing done in each room in addition to some of the notes I jotted down. But I wanted to list everything I want to get done, so I have a master list to work from in the months ahead. My eventual goal is to start cleaning/organizing one room a month, so in one year's time, I have each room on a rotating cycle. Then there won't be a need for a massive cleaning job every May.

Every couple of days I'll post my progress, check-off the finished items on my list and try to stay on schedule. I've already started with my room a couple weeks ago and plan to be finished by the 20th. If I can be done by the 16th, that would be even better, but seeing the length of my list, I think I'll widen my goal to the 20th.

Now I'm ready to get started!!!! Grab something to drink, click on some music or a movie let's (me, myself & I) get started.