tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34188090496311382852012-02-16T03:06:49.417-06:00Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.comBlogger841100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-14372677559793208272009-09-04T08:03:00.003-05:002009-09-05T01:09:58.447-05:00

So, speaking of pictures, what do you do with all of the pictures of family and friends that come in Christmas cards? I know many people use their fridge, but does anyone have creative uses for their Christmas Card Pictures? I put my cards above the utility sink in my laundry room, so I get to glance at some of my favorite people quite frequently. What do you do?

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-72448777452261169862009-09-03T09:36:00.010-05:002009-09-03T11:11:13.476-05:00

The fact that I have a degree in computer science is shocking to many that know me, because in many ways I don't consider myself a typical computer scientist. I am not into computer games - I'd much rather sit around the kitchen table at a board game with friends. Though I have tried various versions of electronic calendars, I still prefer the small $4 spiral bound paper calendar I carry in my

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-22934833446699585912009-09-03T09:31:00.002-05:002009-09-03T09:31:00.266-05:00

I have been a major fan of Snapfish.com for years, but recently they raised their prices, so I went seeking a better deal. I found the answer at Samsclub.com. Their prices are even better than Snapfish before Snapfish prices went up. To have the pictures mailed to me, it costs $0.08 per picture and a minimal shipping and handling fee. By far this is the best price I’ve found and the picture

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-37046530757037289642009-09-02T15:45:00.011-05:002009-09-03T08:03:00.773-05:00

As a mother, I have learned that my family needs me to be at my best when they are at their worst. It is easy to feel like a great mom when everyone is smiling and things are easy. It is so much harder when the children have been cranky all afternoon, my husband is late home from work, I just cleaned up my millionth spill of the day, and not to mention I haven't had a chance to shower yet - well,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-56205486380618018112009-09-01T22:00:00.003-05:002009-09-02T11:09:35.816-05:00

Less is more! Though it sounds cliche, when it comes to storing our digital pictures, fewer pictures are easier to manage and enjoy. For an easier flow from real life to your digital life, your organization and storage on your hard drive should mirror how you like to live. You wouldn't leave stacks of garbage all over your house, limiting your view of everything that isn't garbage. (If you would,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-65808445568585410332009-08-29T00:16:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:19:22.661-05:00

Please contact me if you have any prizes you would like to donate for upcoming challenges. Thanks!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-45916062455298618692009-08-28T22:54:00.000-05:002009-09-02T00:39:42.525-05:00

The digital age of pictures is a blessing and a curse. Camera cards with huge storage potentials allow us to go on family vacations and snap pictures to our hearts content without worrying about running out of film. The flip side of that is we are left with quantities of pictures that, left mismanaged over time, become difficult to organize and enjoy. During the Picture This series of articles, I

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-49373982931370282752009-08-28T22:42:00.002-05:002009-09-02T20:35:31.179-05:00

I'm back! Thanks for understanding the need for a break. I love the freedom of summer, but my love of routine is getting me so excited fall is on the way. So, I hope you enjoy my tips and tricks to keeping real life a little more organized.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-15951704349076198522009-07-16T00:25:00.002-05:002009-09-02T21:41:21.544-05:00

-How would you use vinyl? Challenge-35% off coupon-Vinyl Challenge Winners Decided

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-57791665067353585092009-07-09T00:02:00.002-05:002009-09-02T20:39:09.912-05:00

-Conquering Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning Challenge -Tip: Fridge List -Menu Planning Strategies-How to Make a Grocery Shopping List-Why I think it is best to shop once a week-Re-visiting shopping once a week-Tip: Buy staple items in bulk and build a reserve-Shopping from your own Pantry-Towel a day makes bacteria go away-Save the Planet, Re-use Menus-Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-33210208975849755972009-07-05T22:05:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:37:42.616-05:00

Summer is about sun, fun, and lots of extra family time. I am giving myself a summer break and I hope you will take one too! It is so hard to stay on a consistent maintenance cleaning schedule with unplanned play-dates and trips to the pool, but that is why this blog is called Organization for REAL Life. A full, rich life can not always be so neatly planned. Like I've said before, our life focus

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-77167259041049852242009-07-05T21:49:00.002-05:002009-09-02T20:51:35.201-05:00

Congratulations, Ashley! You won the Rubbermaid set of Easy Find Lid containers!! The winner was selected randomly. Thanks for everyone who participated! Ashley, if you could send me your home address and email address (just comment to this - I won't publish the comment), then I will give your info to Rubbermaid and they will send you the prize. I know you will love it!!!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-65933391165463064312009-06-25T22:51:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:27:21.068-05:00

Please let me know if you finished the challenge so I can find out the winner!!! So ... how did it go???

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-30031865681520109132009-06-10T22:16:00.002-05:002009-09-02T20:32:31.437-05:00

Rubbermaid has been so awesome to donate a whole box set of Easy Find Lid containers for our cause on this blog. I've decided to use this as the prize for the Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning Challenge. If you go on to complete this challenge, I will put your name in a drawing and the winner will receive this set in the mail. How awesome is that?!?! I've been using this set of containers for a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-34448262039055794362009-06-10T15:04:00.002-05:002009-09-02T20:52:56.555-05:00

The winners have been decided and emails sent to those who have won. I am waiting until I can post pictures before I announce the winning ideas here. If you did not receive an email from me earlier this afternoon, then I am sorry to say your idea didn't win. (Though I liked so many of them!) Janae from Thoughts in Vinyl (http://www.thoughtsinvinyl.com/) has kindly decided to extend the coupon

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-52286152183620240222009-06-08T17:08:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:26:39.907-05:00

So, I am excited by how many people are taking on the Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning Challenge. How is it going for everyone? Is it making life easier? Are you excited to know about what you might win?

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-90935001447034409792009-06-08T16:44:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:25:43.840-05:00

Okay, we got lots of great ideas for our vinyl challenge and now we are waiting for the judges (not me ... because it won't be anonymous that way). So, thank you to everyone who submitted. We will be posting the winning ideas and some of the runner-ups! Keep posted! -Mary

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-22646066553191576242009-06-04T17:42:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:46:43.843-05:00

As household managers, one of our greatest responsibilities to the family members we serve is to do our part to cultivate peace in our homes. When our homes are peaceful, family members speak lovingly to each other, creativity flourishes, gratitude increases, good choices are easier to make, and frankly, everyone has a lot more fun. Besides doing our part to bring in the peace that arrives from

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-80497767229452757612009-06-03T23:51:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:47:49.538-05:00

A whole week in between blog posts ... craziness. The only excuse I'll share now is that I have really been enjoying the start of summer! I hope you all have too! I've enjoyed reading all the vinly contest submissions so far. Submit your ideas until midnight Thursday ... (or until I check my email Friday morning). Please be as detailed as possible with your ideas. You may want to resubmit if you

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-69980836258010922452009-05-27T14:49:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:48:49.725-05:00

If you haven't started the Conquering Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning Challenge, it is not too late! Start now and improve the efficiency of how you feed your family! ps) In a few days I will reveal the prize for this challenge (donated by Rubbermaid), which is super cool!

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-71421047421647349532009-05-27T14:07:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:49:43.208-05:00

I meant to post this picture yesterday with the vinyl challenge post, but I forgot ... so I figure now the anticipation must be just killing you. So here it is, the big reveal ... the vinyl creation Janae from Thoughts in Vinyl made just for me. Those little faces are my family. I love it! (made by Janae from http://www.thoughtsinvinyl.com/) And in celebration of you, my readers, Janae is

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-28371085175174738772009-05-26T08:45:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:53:47.375-05:00

Using vinyl lettering and accents is a pretty popular way of decorating your home. In addition to beautifying your home, vinyl lettering can also be used in a number of ways to organize and/or label things in your home. My new challenge is going to be such a fun one. The challenge is to come up with an idea for how you would like to use vinyl in your home. The challenge entries will be judged

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-71151464775969463112009-05-22T09:30:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:54:42.648-05:00

How is everything going with the Grocery Shopping and Menu Planning challenge? If you haven't started yet, you still have plenty of time to get on board! Soon I am going to give you a sneak peek at the very cool prize for the winner ... Also, soon we will be starting another challenge that will be going on simultaneously as the GS and MP challenge. Don't worry, though, if conquering GS and MP is

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-26508503373857078142009-05-21T23:04:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:56:02.101-05:00

Amy's comment was the first I ever heard of the phrase "Shop from your own pantry", but the concept is one which is very familiar to me. What it means: when you are making your menu, look at the foods which are already available to you try to use them in your menu. This results in using foods before they are expired, using foods you might stockpile if you are into coupons, and it also helps you

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-27153073840129882262009-05-18T12:14:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:56:40.638-05:00

I've received many comments about how people have different takes on how often to go shopping and many others who make out their menus for a month at a time. I am a big believer in people finding a system that works for them, so if you have found something that works - stick with it! I would suggest also that you not be afraid to try new things to work out any flaws in your current strategy. My

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-68866304133363960592009-05-18T11:41:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:57:26.978-05:00

While we are sprucing up our food-related processes, I thought it would be a good time to mention how I tackle my dish-cloths. I keep a bucket hung up in the top of my pantry. Each morning I get out a new dish-cloth for wiping counters, little faces, etc. At the end of the day, or after I wipe up after raw meat, the dish-cloth goes up in the bucket. Once a week, I run the dish-cloths on a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-74471179112771240332009-05-18T11:25:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:57:50.218-05:00

At the end of the week, don't throw away your menus. Save them up and re-use them in the coming weeks. You'll save time, and maybe the planet too. [The clear, magnetic document holder was $3 at Wal-Mart, in the picture frame section.]

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-16288953612651945132009-05-15T15:31:00.001-05:002009-09-02T20:59:03.685-05:00

Well, besides getting your menu planning and grocery shopping in order - what has everyone been up to? The organization that makes our lives run smoother is a framework, not a focus. In the past week, we have planted a garden. This is my first real attempt at gardening as an adult, and I am quickly figuring out that gardening could become one of the great loves of my life. It is so much fun! Plus

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-68774181131652326722009-05-09T12:47:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:00:01.271-05:00

No matter who you are, you have to eat. As household managers, preparing meals is part of our daily ritual. Throughout the years of our lives there will be countless breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and snack-times. The vastness of our mealtime responsibilities can sometimes overwhelm us and we live in survival mode. With some organizing and preparation, we have a great opportunity to do this job

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-78322223438722570432009-05-09T12:27:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:17.940-05:00

Leave it to the professionals-Air Duct Cleaning-Window Washing-How to: Clean your windows like a professional-Carpet Cleaning-Window BlindsProfessionals I trust:Celestial Carpet CleaningFayetteville Window WashingPro Mold Solutions (Air Duct Cleaning)Squeegee Squad*Links to contact info located in cleaning articles.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-10022724966537162112009-05-09T11:57:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:17.953-05:00

Spring Cleaning ChallengeMake it happen!SC is a lot of work ...The junk is piling up!SC Zone #1 - Kid BathroomSC Zone #2 - Linen ClosetSC Zone #3 - Kid BedroomSC Zone #4 - Kitchen PantrySC Zone #5 - Dining AreaSC Zone #6 - KitchenSC Zone #7 - Master BathroomSC Zone #8 - Coat ClosetSC Zone #9 - Master ClosetSC Zone #10 - Storage ClosetSC Zone #11 - OfficeSC Zone #12 - Master BedroomSC Zone #13 -

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-79940361948038190072009-05-08T23:59:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:01:29.334-05:00

I wrote the 6 finalists names on post-its and rolled each one up. I had my hubby draw a rolled up post-it like someone would draw a straw. And the winner is ... Amy! I will be getting your prize to you ASAP. Want to know what you won? You won a fancy pair of cleaning gloves. Enjoy! The girl's night tonight was fabulous. I was glad so many of my friends could come. Now, let's see what's next ...

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-65485178569886478872009-05-08T11:44:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:02:18.308-05:00

Just like I recommend cleaning a zone from the top to the bottom - the same philosophy also applies to a household. I prefer to end my Spring Cleaning regime with carpet cleaning. This year I got my tiles professionally cleaned for the first time. Honestly, I didn't know the tile grout in my kitchen was brown (not black!). I tried some 'before' and 'after' pictures with some of the dirtier carpet

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-86381839933003687782009-05-07T23:04:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:02:50.026-05:00

I started this blog after I had a terrible case of bronchitis. After being in bed for a week, watching my house grow in chaos around me, I felt an incredible itch to get out of bed and give my house the deepest clean EVER. I laid in bed for hours and got such an adrenalin rush dreaming up the idea of starting this blog. The idea of cleaning "simultaneously" with other people out there gave me a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-41965791400309115932009-05-07T22:28:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:03:41.113-05:00

Click on this picture of my "grocery store helper" to see a larger view. (If there was a way of linking to a file on this blog, I would give away the excel file. You go to different stores, and would possibly want different headings.) I have used this grocery store helper list for a while. This has helped my in-store efficiency greatly. Before I made this shopping help sheet, I just used the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-3640618098719911582009-05-07T09:43:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:04:16.345-05:00

I’m not going to try to tell you what to eat, but I do have some ideas on strategies for creating a menu. -Make your menu for 1 week at a time. Correlate your week with your usual shopping day. For example: For a menu Monday thru Sunday, Monday night might be a leftover buffet or breakfast for dinner and Tuesday would be the day to grocery shop. -Make your menu (and grocery list) the day before

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-60603570558996630382009-05-06T15:46:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:05:05.261-05:00

Make a habit of cleaning out your fridge before you prepare you weekly menu and shopping list. For me, I prepare my weekly menu and shopping list every Monday. Every Monday night is leftover night (or Breakfast for dinner if there isn't enough leftovers). It is quite efficient for me to clean out my fridge on Mondays, because I see first-hand what food needs to be used up during Monday night

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-73345571961459016442009-05-06T12:44:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:18.075-05:00

Please comment here if you finished the Spring Cleaning Challenge. If you've already commented, then I probably already have your name written down. I totally understand if you tend towards paranoia and want to say it again here. {Actually, it would be convenient for me to have all the results nicely under the comments for this one blog.}

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-19962671758727502522009-05-06T11:03:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:05:37.326-05:00

You are done Spring Cleaning! You did it!!! Good job! There were moments that were tough, but you stuck with it and now you have a sparkling house to show for it. I think you deserve to take a break and roll around in the grass a little while. Okay, unless you are 3 years old, rolling in the grass may not actually sound too fun, so how about we have a Girl's Night to celebrate! (Whether you did

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-65237902659656749202009-05-06T09:02:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:06:30.106-05:00

Each household is going to have a unique set of staple pantry items, entirely dependent on typical meals for that household. Examples of staple pantry items might include flour, sugar, canned vegetables, canned fruits, condensed soups, etc. Usually, it is cost effective to buy your staple foods in bulk. When space permits, it makes sense for each household to build up a reserve of staples. If

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-20474240161594321292009-05-05T09:36:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:08:09.090-05:00

When you have small children you are carting around with you, grocery shopping can be an especially overwhelming prospect. I know some people dread it so much that they try to go as infrequently as possible. If I went grocery shopping once every few weeks or even less often, I would dread it too! The less frequently you shop, the more you have to buy each time, which means the longer you have to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-47903398209967542922009-05-05T00:14:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:08:52.821-05:00

When it comes to preparing my weekly grocery list, there is one thing I can’t live without: the ongoing list on the side of my fridge. I know, I know … some of you are thinking “how tacky” or “we’d forget to use it”, but don’t pre-judge until you give it a fair chance. I keep my list, as well as a pencil hanging on twine, on the side of my fridge. [The front happens to be dedicated to children’s

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-7565285269881460022009-05-04T22:47:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:09:42.486-05:00

I am officially back home and settling in from the unplanned 12 day, 60+ hours driving, 2 funerals, and 1 wedding adventure. Though there were lots of happy moments amidst our grief, I am not sure I've ever been so happy to be home! The Spring Cleaning Challenge is almost over - you have 2 days to complete your Spring Cleaning to be entered to win the prize. Everyone who finishes the Spring

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-88272387854213986342009-04-30T01:11:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:18.147-05:00

I hope everyone has been enjoying their freshly clean houses or have been working hard to finish Spring Cleaning! Be sure to let me know when you finish, so that you can be entered into the drawing. I think the prize is pretty sweet - I found it at a cute little boutique specialty store the other day. I decided I would have such a hard time parting with it, that I went ahead and bought one for

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-5832493222466008622009-04-28T00:06:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:10:46.674-05:00

In my usual comparison shopping style, I tried hard to hunt down the right professional to clean my windows. I consider quality, price, and level of customer service (you know, like timeliness, speed to call me back, etc.). In my experience with Fayetteville Window Washing, they definitely scored high marks in all of those areas, but unfortunately I don't live in Fayetteville. I was lucky,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-20358112771011048542009-04-22T17:12:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:11:40.211-05:00

A few weeks ago when I started to plan ahead for professional Spring Cleaning Services, a friend recommended Fayetteville Window Washing. Of their own goodwill, they drove out to my house (a long trek for them, because I don't live in Fayetteville) and very kindly shared lots of their professional 'secrets' with me. They were enthusiastic about the mission of my blog and even though it is their

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-86635092134538797122009-04-22T14:32:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:12:36.657-05:00

I am a big supporter of having a professional clean out my air ducts. This is by far the most expensive service I pay for as a part of my Spring Cleaning finale, but it is worth every penny to me. In our last home, I was suffering from terrible migraines. The previous owners had owned cats and I am pretty allergic. Even though we cleaned the carpets and painted all the walls, I was still

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-3401829046372622222009-04-22T14:08:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:18.214-05:00

As household managers and capable women, sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the idea that we must do it all ... by ourselves. Though I am a strong supporter of being self-sufficient, there are some things that I think should be left to the professionals. We must carefully examine our priorities, our budgets, and our available time to determine just what things can or should be delegated. After

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-77013368553469106012009-04-21T23:08:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:13:35.444-05:00

One thing I am truly appreciating about my Spring Cleaning efforts is the fun of a clean home. I feel like I have taken years off of the life of my house. My house feels newer and lots of those little pet peeves about my house are forgotten. I have fallen in love with my house again and I am remembering why we wanted to buy it in the first place. A clean house can do wonders for mental sanity.

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-68872119611933373522009-04-21T22:28:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:14:12.769-05:00

One reason I changed the name of this blog to "Organization for Real Life" is because it is an extension of my real life. I am not a professional. I am not a business, so I don't have substitutes or little elves doing the tough work for me behind the scenes. I am a wife, mother, and homemaker. I just happen to be a person with a passion for the work that makes my house a home, and it just gives

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-31454421234243525622009-04-21T20:38:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:14:40.712-05:00

Can you believe that I am already describing the LAST ZONE of Spring Cleaning? I couldn't be happier to be doing so. I had to give myself a rest over the weekend, because it seems my rib doesn't want to stay in place. It is getting better, though, and my husband was home for part of this and he actually did everything that involved reaching up high. He has seen my progress over the last few weeks

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-37989699057266341642009-04-17T20:29:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:15:39.746-05:00

The last 3 weeks have seemed to fly by for me. There is only one zone left for me to describe for the Spring Cleaning Challenge. [I would have finished the laundry room today, but one of my ribs got pushed out of place yesterday and the doctor laughed at me when I asked him if I could still clean today. Not to worry, though, the rib is back in place now and I'll be fine.] The SC challenge ends

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-73547223329615325202009-04-16T22:51:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:16:12.222-05:00

This zone consists of all the hallways and walkways that aren't part of other zones. There might be a shelf, table, or dresser in the hallway, so make sure you use this zone to clean those and all the miscellaneous walls, floors, and what nots. This is also when I cleaned the door to the backyard. The walls were pretty dirty, because of all the little ones who just can't help but rub their sticky

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-62755230382484234082009-04-16T21:56:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:16:43.444-05:00

I have good news - the foyer and front door will probably be the easiest zone you clean. Yeah! My Princess Aurora loved dragging the vacuum around sucking up any lint or piece of grass she could find. [Brooke brought up a good point, if you have super high ceilings, you may need to pull out the ladder for this, but you shouldn't have to do any wiping so high, just dusting.] Steps to clean the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-67355997338704575882009-04-16T14:27:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:17:11.552-05:00

After doing the playroom, the living room was a refreshing place to clean. I don't keep many things that need sorting in my living room. Even our DVD's are in the hall closet, so it really was a matter of just cleaning and not de-junking, which is a very pleasant difference. Cleaning the living room yesterday, even though it was less work than other zones, has made the entire house feel so much

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-75469138350272043722009-04-15T16:07:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:18:42.573-05:00

Spring Cleaning the playroom - yikes. I had totally underestimated the magnitude of this endeavor. I actually finished this last night, but it was too late to post about it. There were just so many little toys!! Also, I over-complicated the process by simultaneously cleaning and implementing a new organizational system. I started by dragging every toy besides the furniture-type toys to the living

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-89130432292001251262009-04-15T14:33:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:19:21.752-05:00

There are lots of right ways to clean a toy and so if you have a way that works, go with it. I just want to present a tactic for those that don't know where to start. When I go to disinfect my children's toys, the thought of using something harsh or toxic does not appeal to me. After all, it is inevitable that toys go into children's mouths, no matter the age or the toy. Tactic #1: Soap and

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-48393926918699572662009-04-13T12:41:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:20:05.935-05:00

After a low-key and wonderful Easter Sunday yesterday, I was ready to jump into Spring Cleaning this morning. I decided to clean my baby bunny's room, the nursery. The steps to cleaning a nursery are almost identical to a normal kid bedroom, with the addition of the crib. I used the soapy sponge to clean the entire crib, including each individual bar. As for getting rid of that yucky diaper

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-81506122763458787042009-04-11T23:40:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:21:55.055-05:00

I ended up making major headway on 2 zones while my husband was camping last night. I just posted about the office, but here are the steps to the master bedroom. I can't explain how good it feels to have this zone so clean. The grossest part was the hair and dust bunnies under the bed. Steps to cleaning the master bedroom:1) Remove curtains and wash. Also wash all the bedding during the rest of

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-29690386111165612062009-04-11T23:18:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:22:32.193-05:00

My biggest office hurdle is my dear husband's desk. Well, while he was camping last night, I put on some chick-flicks and dug right in. Most of the stuff I could instantly tell if it was trash or not, but for the things I needed to ask him about, I just made a small pile to go over with him. This works for us. He hates organizing/cleaning and I love it, so it doesn't work for me to 'nag' him to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-12252381303706074932009-04-10T15:42:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:23:24.698-05:00

How is everyone doing with their spring cleaning? How does it feel to have some of these rooms deep cleaned? I think Spring Cleaning is the hardest cleaning work we will do all year ... and we're already half-way done! I've already got some fun challenges with PRIZES! (donated by some awesome contributers) lined up for after the Spring Cleaning challenge is over. Be sure to keep checking back

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-9000339443011512112009-04-10T15:17:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:24:22.985-05:00

Though this zone is partly labeled as a playroom closet, it is off-limits to the kids. I have a child lock on the top of the door to keep the kids out. We keep toys not currently in use, technical manuals and equipment, and 'antique' computer equipment (what started as a room and a half's worth of antique equipment when I married my husband is now down to a small portion of a storage closet ...

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-90435058809745998052009-04-10T00:35:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:25:10.929-05:00

If you are like me, you are starting to develop quite a stash of outgoing items. Though many rooms in your house are glowing from being freshly cleaned, other rooms where you are piling up that stash are looking worse and worse! I relate. First of all, get the junk out of the house. Normally we park both our cars in the garage, but during Spring Cleaning, half of the garage is designated as the

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-25685316744959367782009-04-09T23:36:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:26:49.503-05:00

Wow, now that this zone is done - we are done with HALF of the Spring Cleaning. Um, am I the only one with a bomb-site for a bedroom? Since I haven't done our bedroom yet, it is the easy landing place for the junk I am finding throughout the rest of the house. I am going to post separately about what I am doing to work through this issue. The worst part of the master closet was taking everything

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-64978620237641742332009-04-08T21:23:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:27:23.551-05:00

The steps to cleaning the 'coat' closet (aka. the game/activity/puzzles + coat + camping + folding chairs + seasonal decor bin + DVDs closet) is virtually the same as the linen closet, though the items are much different. And since this particular closet of mine is so much bigger than the linen closet, there is so much more stuff. Have you noticed that more stuff equals more work?! It is hard to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-47915884428736713892009-04-07T15:04:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:39:37.010-05:00

So, many of you participating in the Spring Cleaning challenge are running into challenges when it comes to actually cleaning every day. Things come up, life throws us a curve ball, and for most of us with small children, it just isn't possible to plan our days exactly. And then there are those days when our children are sick or WE are sick or something else unexpected comes up ... what do we do

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-76981177596503610762009-04-06T20:09:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:38:58.772-05:00

For me, my master bathroom is my personal sanctuary. I am a "hot bath to relax" kind of person and it is hard to find the peace I seek trying to bathe in a dump. This process is very similar to doing the kid/guest bathroom, with the addition of a jacuzzi tub and a stand-up shower with glass doors. Here is the low-down on giving the master bathroom a deep clean: 1) Launder mats (according to

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-35520834492328408392009-04-05T20:47:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:38:28.794-05:00

I hope you've all enjoyed your day off from Spring Cleaning. Sundays are about worship, family, friends, peace ... not cleaning! I had a great day with my family, which is just the refresher I need to head into a another week of hard work. I have some thoughts on my mind I wanted to share with everyone as we're looking ahead. First of all, I'm sure I'm not the only one who is thinking that this

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-26025674665952605632009-04-04T21:33:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:37:58.971-05:00

This zone is a big job, but the fruits of your labors will make it one of your most worthwhile days of this whole process. I believe that the kitchen is the heart of a home, and to keep your heart healthy, you need to clear out all the junk building up. To avoid your kitchen ever having a heart attack, we'll need to take lots of preventive measures and give it a super-duper cleaning out. Even

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-66645911958288328282009-04-04T21:20:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:37:12.572-05:00

For a long time I struggled to find something that would clean the water and ice station on my fridge. I felt funny using a harsh chemical where I got the water to make my baby's formula. So I searched and searched ... and then my mom visited. She was determined to help me win this battle and so she dumped some Baking Soda and scrubbed with a cloth ... and, lo and behold, it was miraculously

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-37242449689498977012009-04-03T23:26:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:36:32.906-05:00

After cleaning my pantry yesterday, I feel like going ahead and finishing my whole kitchen suite, so today I chose my dining area. I never really knew how dirty my dining area was until today when I was cleaning it. The walls around where my children sit were nasty! I get the heeby-jeebies thinking about the grossness baby-cakes had spread under the edge of the table at her place ... how long had

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-81184800827151448632009-04-02T15:44:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:36:09.874-05:00

Pantry sizes can vary widely, but pantries are basically a closet, no matter how big or small. The issue that complicates pantries versus a basic linen closet are the amount of cans and other little items. In the future, kitchen organization will be a much talked about issue on this blog, but for our purposes today, we are just going to give the pantry a good scrubbing and de-junking. I did this

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-81232974656561077452009-04-01T17:17:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:35:41.640-05:00

So, many of you are mentally preparing yourselves to get started Spring Cleaning tomorrow. I've got a few tips to share that will help you make it really happen. 1) Keep the end goal in mind. When you feel overwhelmed, find a moment to close your eyes and visualize what your life will be like when your house is totally clean. I've got a lot of organizational thoughts to share after the Spring

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-17171087847996338302009-04-01T16:17:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:35:08.228-05:00

Since there aren't any harsh chemicals involved and it is their bedroom anyways, I felt very comfortable having my kids play around me and 'help' me with this zone. I bought a sponge for each of my 3 year olds and they enjoyed scrubbing surfaces ... and climbing around the shelves in the empty closet. As for speed, I definitely worked faster when the kids were playing elsewhere, but of course I

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-25293663798271146442009-04-01T15:52:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:34:21.108-05:00

For spots where the stains are thick or have lots of crud stuck on the surface, shaving cream is a great cleaner. Shaving cream (can use the plain old cheap stuff) is really concentrated soap. [Test in an inconspicuous area of your wall first.]1) Wet stain.2) Apply Shaving cream on surface of stain.3) Use a wet rag and some elbow grease to work the stain off. Before ------------After, with only a

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-67367116070453781392009-03-31T22:56:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:32:39.891-05:00

I had a crazy busy day today, so I needed to choose a quick Spring Cleaning chore. The Linen Closet is a basic zone, so don't over complicate it. This zone comprises of where you keep spare towels, sheets, blankets, pillows, possibly your vacuum and maybe a few storage items. A rule of thumb for storage: "Birds of a feather flock together!" In other words, throughout your house, keep all like

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-84165558077320782042009-03-31T15:52:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:31:36.998-05:00

I have already begun to work on my Spring Cleaning and am working on posting explanations for each zone as I go. To do just one zone per day and finish in time to be entered to win our drawing, you will need to start cleaning this Thursday, April 2nd. If you start later and can catch up, feel free to participate. I am working to get a little ahead so that you all have options each day about

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-68106777144236252962009-03-30T15:30:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:30:54.372-05:00

I chose the kid's bathroom first because I think the probability for success is very high for even the most beginner of beginners, yet it feels like a big accomplishment. You may want to trade babysitting to work on this or do it while your children are sleeping. It makes me nervous to have my precious ones too close to the bathroom cleaning chemicals, however mild. Here are the steps: 1) Remove

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-88020821758848837612009-03-30T15:08:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:29:59.630-05:00

Warning: During this process, you will probably think of organizational devices that you need to buy. It would be kind of weird if you didn't think of anything, or maybe it would show that you are already super organized and just do Spring cleaning to give all the surfaces a scrub ... though that last scenario isn't really that likely. Certainly, you can make do with what you have, but if you

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-64975894138460062692009-03-30T12:18:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:29:32.123-05:00

To fit in Spring Cleaning into a busy family life, we have to look for creative ways of finding time. When in the midst of Spring Cleaning, I consider myself free to make use of convenience items I normally go without. I buy bread at the store, use my quickest recipes and some pre-prepared foods, as well as other things. I even give myself permission to put a lot of my maintenance cleaning on

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-15550107369052751362009-03-30T12:10:00.000-05:002009-09-01T21:27:18.672-05:00

Just to specify, Spring cleaning is cleaning the entire house, but there are some things I prefer to leave to the professionals and there are some things I like to do at other times of the year. Later this year, I will be talking about cleaning through file cabinets, medicine cabinets, emergency/72 hour kits, garages, sheds/attics, changing filters, recipes, maintenance cleaning and lots of other

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-1967963502970796892009-03-30T11:36:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:28:41.164-05:00

I love to Spring Clean. I love the feeling at the end of the process that my house is in order. It feels like the weight of winter being lifted from my shoulders - the warm and wonderful possibilities of Spring seem endless. Springtime should be about getting outside, planting flowers and gardens, watching our little ones chase each other around the yard. So, let's get busy getting the insides

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-61100462398827953772009-03-28T22:34:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:28:00.207-05:00

I am going to kickoff this new blog with a Spring Cleaning Challenge! Get ready to do some work and give your house a good ol' fashioned cleaning out! We are going to target the ENTIRE house, but don't worry if you might already feel overwhelmed just thinking about it, because I am going to guide you through the process. Spring Cleaning involves gutting drawers and closets, removing the clutter,

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3418809049631138285.post-11432692984848703252009-03-28T21:30:00.001-05:002009-09-02T21:26:17.680-05:00

Hello, my name is Mary ... and I am an organization-aholic. Personally, I could get lost all day reading organizational articles, not to mention watching some of my favorite cleaning shows on TV. Over the years, I've soaked a lot of information and advice into my brain and developed my own way of keeping life organized. That is not to say that I am always organized or that my house is always

Maryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03352590731942422258noreply@blogger.com8