Day 70 Day of Rest

Well, I may not have completed the challenge in 100 consecutive days, but I am not giving up. School is over, we had a vacation last week and it's time to begin again. I am going to start in the kitchen and out pantry tomorrow.

Day 58 ~ 69 Clutter Challenge

I have over committed for the month of May so something had to give and it was the 100 Day Challenge, but it's not over yet. My children were in a play, they started playing softball and I started working a seasonal job. I was also quite overwhelmed with where to start in my daughters room. This was my husband's solution carry everything out and put it in the living room to sort. Happy Sorting!

Day 57 ~ Sorting Kids Bath and Daughter's Room

Today's Assignment Daughters /Room~ Clean out from under the Bed

Today's Assignment Bathroom ~ Clean out closet

Day 56 ~ Daughters Bedroom and Upstairs Bath

I see problems already, a broken towel bar and water damage on the vinyl. There is one sink that doesn't work.

This has been a catch-all closet for blankets, sleeping bags, winter boots and gloves.

A tween lives here. I can't blame her, I didn't lead by example. She is my packrat. She doesn't like to get rid of anything and if she wants to play with a toy someone else has, you can probably find it under her bed.

It is a small room, 9x10. We are going to do our best to get it back to where she can manage it.

She has sliding glass doors in her room. My husband wanted to remove the glass doors because they spill cold and heat into the house. The partition you see in the picture above is the bay window my husband built 2 years ago. It has been in her room because there is never a good time to remove sliding glass doors and put in a bay window. We have some decisions to make.

Day 55 ~ Day of Rest

Today, We went to church and spent time with the family. 23 members of our church went on a Mission Trip to Nicaragua. They hosted a Crusade in Victoria Field for about 10,000 people. They had many people give their lives to the Lord.

Our church is also building an orphanage and radio tower. They have 16 orphans they are helping. When the building is finished they will be able to help more. The radio tower is up, but they need to build a building to house the equipment and a room for someone to always stay there and guard. Our vision is to have messages from the US translated and broadcasted over the airways to the Miskito Indians along the Rio Coco River. They have their own language and don't speak Spanish. While there, they came in contact with a young Miskito Indian that went to the University and can translate all messages for them. Isn't God good.

Day 53 & 54 ~ Back To Work

I have a seasonal job at a Berry Farm that started this week. Yay! Strawberries are in. Day 53 and 54 I did nothing but work on my feet. It is nice to be outside working with the public, but boy do my feet hurt :)

Day 52 ~ Clutter Challenge

All Shined Up!
Shine is giving your area a deep cleaning. When you deep clean, you find things that may be improved upon or need to be fixed. I thing this bathroom is in good working order.

• I started at the top and cleaned all the corners for webs.

• Cleaned the mirror

• Cleaned the sink

• Cleaned the drawers and under the cabinets

• Wiped the cabinets down

• Wiped the door and window frames 

• Wiped the light switch and door knob

• Cleaned the toilet and tank

• Wiped the baseboards

• Mopped the Floor

To clean, I use Green Works when I can or Vinegar and Baking Soda. For tougher stains I'll use 409 or Comet. I love the micro-fiber clothes. For the mirror, I spray with Windex and use a dry wash cloth to clean it. I found it leaves fewer streaks than a wet cloth or paper towel.

I have a shelf I am going to hang, but need to get the matching hardware. I will post complete pictures as soon as I get my curtain hung. I am not going to label anything in this bathroom. Under the cabinet is for toilet paper and beach/swim towels and pool bag. Everything should be there and ready to go when the pools open up.

Day 51 ~ Clutter Challenge

We have Oganization

Day 50 Half Way To Our 100 Day Clutter Challenge

I can't believe I am half-way through with the 100 Day Clutter Challenge. I feel good with what I've done with the Master Bedroom, Bath and Closet. The useable space we've created in my Laundry Room is just what I was looking to do.

Cabinet and drawers "Sorted", now for the Shine.

This is all I got done today. We were able to help my mother-in-law this week, while she wasn't feeling well, so I did just a little on my project today.

Day 49 Clutter Challenge ~ Half-Bath

Half-Bath before

Other Side

Under cabinet

This is not a big room with any major problems. I am going to sort out the drawers and under cabinet. I'll make this room shine and call it finished.

Day 45 - 48 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Spring Break

I am taking a Spring Break. We all need a break from everyday life. I will come back refreshed and renewed with a brand new outlook for my home. I am going to work on making my Laundry Room pretty, instead of so blah, then I'll post my complete pictures.

After my break, I am going to work on our half-bath at the front door. Then, I am going to start upstairs in the kids rooms, with their help, of course. It's time for the seasonal clothes change and I need to get hand-me-downs from the attic. I will pass on my tips for organizing a seasonal clothes change with ease.

If your break is over, continue with the 5s System; Sort, Standardize, Shine, Systemize and Sustain!

Day 44 ~ Laundry Room Systemized

My label maker at work. I sorted my bottles by the room they clean and labeled the shelf where they sit. My children help out with chores and now there is no question about what to use or where it goes.

Day 43 ~ Laundry Room Shined

My Laundry Room is all "Shined Up"

My brooms are hanging and not just piled up behind the doors

    Like I said before, this one was all on my husband. I just stayed out of his way. I shared my vision and he realized it. Now I need to move onto the next "S ~ Systemize" I need to label the shelves and group all of my cleaning products. My husband just put everything in the cabinets, to make sure they would fit, and closed the doors. Labeling will help everyone know where everything goes after they use it.
    I had 2 laundry baskets in the floor to catch all the extra's we find around the house; socks, shirts, shorts, etc. I only want dish towels and tablecloths to be held in the laundry room until they get washed. In the bottom of the large cabinet are black baskets that I'll be able to label for the dish towels. Everything else has it's own place to go. If the kids socks are found on the floor, they need to make it into the kids laundry basket. It should help keep my Laundry Room look more organized and be a more usable space. 

Day 42 ~ Happy Easter

Have a Wonderful day of rest. Spend time with your family, you deserve it.

Day 41 Clutter Challenge Laundry Room

Now, things are getting done

The counter top is down

The sock box and shelf are down.

Homemade shelving is sturdier and can meet your needs without breaking the bank.

My husband did it all today. He is so handy to have around. He took everything out, built the shelves, "Shined" the room and put it all back together. I ran my children here and there. I'll put some finishing touches and "Systemize" by labeling my shelves and the new cabinets he made and post pics on Mon. I love my man!

Day 39 & 40 Clutter Challenge

I was able to clear out a little more, Saturday I'll get my husband to help with the big transformation.

Day 38 ~ Clutter Challenge

This the area I am working today. Under the sock box was our make shift office area. Today is office moving day. 

Day 37 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Laundry Room ~ Sorting

Day 37, I am sorting the Laundry room. I removed all the bottles and stuff off the shelf. I would like to see cabinets above the washer and dryer.

Day 36 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Laundry Room 1st S "Sort"

Laundry Room ~ Before

Organized School Supplies

     Beside the Master Bedroom is the Laundry Room. My laundry room is a catch-all room, also. When we first moved into this house, I had a vision for this Laundry room. It was the first house we lived in that had a Laundry room. I saw a wall of shelves to the left and a broom closet for the broom, mop and large enough for a vacuum. There was a hanging area for clothes already, then I got pregnant. My first trimester plus a few weeks, consists of me sitting in a chair, laying in bed or in the bathroom. I realize some of you ladies have a worse time and I do feel for you, but I am so thankful God helps us to forget when that little bundle comes along. Anyway, while I wasn't feeling good, my husband and older children had to run things. We had 4 children under 10 and laundry was an everyday event. My husband made my laundry work for him. He added a basket system, sock boxes on the wall and a counter top he found in the attic. Everyone lived out of the laundry room, not their dressers.

     When I felt better, I wasn't happy with what he did, because it wasn't my vision, but I worked with it. I did like the countertop, but it was another flat surface "hotspot" that I was happy to lay stuff on. I treated it like an office/school room. As my children grew and there clothes got bigger and heavier, the little baskets were collapsing under the weight. We put their clothes back in the dressers in their rooms and they started putting their socks in their dresser. I now have some wasted space in my Laundry room. So, I am realizing my vision this next week or two. I'm creating the Laundry room with shelving and a broom closet, I have always wanted.

     Where do I start?, with the first s "Sorting".

    I started organizing my school supplies today. The supplies were in my Master Bedroom Closet, but I knew that was one thing I didn't want to go back into my closet. I set them in the Laundry room for the time being, knowing I would get to them soon enough. I organized all the school and art supplies into 2 totes, labeled them and slid them under my bed.

     Tomorrow, I am going to tackle all of the bottles over the washer/dryer.  We have turtle food and haven't had a turtle for a few years. There are probably empty bottles and out of date bottles, so that's a great place to start.

Day 35 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Day of Rest

Master Bedroom 5s System COMPLETE ~ Day 34

These are before pictures to remind you where I came from

Before ~ Corner

Before ~ Dresser

Before ~ Night Stand

It is Clean and I am finished! I even made an attempt  to decorate. There are a few family pictures and shelves on the wall

After ~ TV corner

After ~ Other Side of the Room. I still have my preschoolers dresser, but it's easier on me for the time being.

  THREE WEEKS and it's finished.
Here is the 5s System at work.

1st S ~ Sort : I pulled everything out from under the bed, 

2nd S ~ Straighten or Visualize : I want to move the bookcase out, maybe move around some furniture and put some pictures on the wall.

3rd S ~ Shine : I cleaned by the ceiling with a covered broom, cleaned the ceiling fan, the large glass door, polished the furniture, cleaned the baseboards and vacuumed the floors. 

4th S ~ Systemize : I labeled the under bed totes for easy access.

5th S ~ Sustain : I have a picture in my 5S Housekeeping Binder that will hold me accountable to how the Master Bedroom should look and a schedule for regular cleaning

  The worst, packed room in the house in order. My hotspots are staying clean because I am continuing with my 5th S ~ Sustain. Wow, It feels so good to walk in my clean room. You know how it feels when you conquer a goal you've set. I had to attack in little bites, sometimes only 15 -20 minutes a day. You can do anything for 15 min.
  Do you have an organizational goal that you just haven't been able to get to? Start today by just doing it for 15 minutes. Before you know it, you will be finished. Small steps, goal completed.
  How are you coming with the 100 Day Clutter Challenge? Link up. I'd love to see it.

Day 32 and 33 ~ Enjoying Springtime

I have been spending too much time inside. I am taking a break. I'll be enjoying my family and the great outdoors. This challenge is a huge undertaking, but I think I am working at a great pace to take a couple of days to do nothing.

Day 31 ~ Last Day of Shining Master Bedroom

Well, it's clean from ceiling to floor.

My vacuum, that was a 17 yrs. old, died. It is convenient to be bagless but I am not sure I like it as much.  I am taking a few days off until Sat. I need my husband's vision for our room and he hasn't been available. I'll show you "The Notebook" soon. 

Day 30 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Shine Glass Door

Today, I "Shined" the sliding glass doors in my Master Bedroom.

• First, I start at the top, so the dirt can fall to the floor. I wipe across the top with a micro-fiber cloth and down the sides of the door frame.
•  Next, I spray the window with window cleaner from top to bottom. I use a dry towel to wipe it clean. You can use a squeegee to dry off any leftover wetness. 
• If you have any tough places to clean, you made need to use a razor blade to scrape it off.
•  I wipe the cleaner off the bottom of the door. I have a little deck through this door so I repeat the process on the outside.
• Now for the track the door slides in. I had some gunk in my track, so I started with the vacuum and the skinny attachment.
•  Next, I used a micro-fiber cloth to attract the little stuff.
•  Finally, I used a Q-tip to get in the tight corners.
•  I read if you use a waterproof sliding door sealant or WD40, the door will slide smooth.
•  If your door doesn't slide smooth, you may need to replace the track wheels, they may be worn out. 

Tomorrow, I am going to polish the furniture and vacuum the floors. I will probably have to wait until this weekend to move furniture with my husband. Then, the grand complete picture.

Day 29 of the 100 Day Clutter Challenge ~ Shine My Room

   Remember this little, micro-fiber covered guy. Yes, I started "Shining" from the top. I swirled around the ceiling and corners with this little broom number. I used a micro-fiber cloth to clean the tops of the door frames and my ceiling fan. I found a site that keeps all the dust to a minimum at Family Balance Sheet.by using a pillow case. Before I found her site, I used a cleaner and a soft cloth. I just climbed on my bed to reach it, but be careful if you need to use a step ladder or chair.
Ceiling Fan Tips:
* Never spray anything directly on the blades. It could float into the motor and ruin your ceiling fan. Your ceiling fan will run better if you have a weekly/bi-weekly cleaning.

*Thick dust can put a strain on your motor.

*Don't forget your light fixtures. You can even remove your motor casing and vacuum around the gears.

*You can vacuum the blades with an attachment if your hose is long enough. Please don't carry your vacuum up a step ladder.

*To protect your blades from dust, you can apply a hard car wax.

Tomorrow, I am moving on down the walls and attacking the large glass doors. 

Day 28 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Day Of Rest

If I take my daughter to a "See what college life is like" weekend, then I'm going to have to pick her up :) After church this morning, we drove a couple hours to pick her up. She had a great time and says she has motivation to finish school now. I hope this spark lasts and I don't have to stay on her to finish her homework :)

Day 27 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ Master Bedroom - 2 Weeks Later

This is my before picture

And this is how it looks now.

Everything that isn't supposed to be in this room, has been removed.

Hotspots are clear and will stay that way.

Two Weeks...Two Weeks but "Sorting" is finally done. It has been a "Labor of Love". My room feels huge. I never got a chance to Shine (3rd S) this weekend and I am still talking to my husband about "Standardizing or Visualizing"(2nd S) how we want our room to look. We will pinpoint where we want everything moved to but I am going to start shining tomorrow. I start cleaning from top to bottom. I have sliding glass doors in the room so I will give you tips on cleaning large glass doors and the yucky tray it slides on. I still need to figure out what to do with my preschoolers dresser, he still has a habit of just throwing his things on the floor, so it may need to stay in my room a little longer. I also have a rebounder that I am not sure what to do with. It may fit in the closet. I'll check and see.
Let's see how far you are on your 100 Day Clutter Challenge.

Day 26 ~ Clutter Challenge ~ My Husband has Power Tools

I came home to find power tool on my floor.

A new, homemade cabinet at the foot of my bed

and the cabinet from the back of my closet, in my bathroom.

Now, I could get upset about this, but hopefully at the end of his project, he is adding to the vision for our room that we came up with, Hopefully. I have a few more piles to "Sort" through and then start "Shining" if my husband is out of my way :)