Read this: The shrieking of my alarm clock jolted me awake Monday morning, only to be silenced by my hand coming down hard on the snooze button. The second time it buzzed, I reluctantly threw off my covers and rolled out of bed. It was another beautiful winter day on the northern Plains, albeit a little cold — it was 10 below when I last checked. It sure has been a crazy winter. I still haven’t gotten over that 8-inch snowfall in St. George last month and how long it hung around. I know of at least two days in Minnesota this past week, when the entire state reported subzero temperatures. The folks I really feel for are those living in the Deep South who have faced below-freezing temperatures they are ill-equipped to deal with. Still, things are looking up. Reading Rachel Barney’s Having Her Say column last week, I noticed she described the recent weather in Southern Utah as “almost spring-like,” with temperatures climbing into the low 60s. While she acknowledges that Southern Utahns probably haven’t seen the last of winter, the change was enough to trigger Rachel’s spring cleaning switch. Or, as she calls it, her projects list. In case you haven’t noticed, Rachel is a list person. She not only makes lists, she actually completes the projects. I know! What’s with that? I make to-do lists and shopping lists, but then I usually misplace them. People are always trying to give me grocery store coupons, but I tell them to use them for themselves, as I never remember to give mine to the cashier. http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20140128/LIFESTYLE/301280006/Spring-cleaning-not-my-do-list
Check out this article we found: Guys, your side of the closet might be no bigger than your first-grade cubby hole due to your spouse's shopping, uh, hobby. Or, maybe you've got a spacious man cave of a closet that stands as a shrine to your varsity football years. No matter how much space you're working with, a clean and organized closet is a happy closet - which means no blaming the dog for a mysteriously missing shoe and no accidentally wearing a button-up shirt with a stubborn grease stain to an important client meeting. Cleaning out your side (or sliver) of the closet is your responsibility. Let's face it: When you leave the task to your significant other, your lucky football jersey might go missing. Consider it payback for washing the reds with the whites. Here are some expert tips for getting your space in order - without spending big bucks on a whole new closet system. Take an honest assessment of what you have: Have you heard of the 20-80 rule? People tend to wear about 20 percent of the clothes they own 80 percent of the time, says Barry Izsak, an Austin, Texas-based Certified Professional Organizer ( www.arrangingitall.com ). His rule of thumb for guys: If you haven't worn something in two years or keep saying you'll take it to get repaired or fix the zipper, it's time to part with the item. "Saving that stuff that you think will come back into style is never a good idea," he says. "The problem is when paisley comes back in style, the width of the tie is going to be different." If you have some items you're iffy on and not sure whether you want to keep them, turn their hangers backwards and, as you wear the items, turn the hangers back around so they are consistent with the rest of your closet, says Izsak, past president of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2014/01/21/3432169/guy-fashion-911-a-manly-guide.html#storylink=cpy
Read this article we found: Your family can start 2014 the right way with a healthier and happier outlook on life. Having a positive attitude towards the new year will create upbeat energy that the whole family will share and put everyone in a good mood. The beginning of a new year is the time to start off fresh by trying new things and doing your best to raise a healthy, happy family. Sleepingbaby.com founders Brett and Stephanie Parker want to keep spirits high in 2014 while they continue to have fun together as a family. Here are 12 ways your family can stay healthy and happy this ye ar; choose one way each month to gradually introduce change. Advertisement 1. Set New Year’s Resolutions: By setting up a New Year’s resolution — or even a few of them — as a family, you are showing your family how to create goals for themselves and how to achieve those goals. A resolution to get active or to spend more time with each other will bring you closer together as you support and encourage one another to follow through with your resolution. 2. Healthy Sleep: Most families know that healthy sleep is the foundation of any balanced home. When babies and toddlers don’t get enough sleep, they get cranky and put stress on the entire family. Sleepingbaby.com’s Zipadee-Zip sleep garment for babies and toddlers is an ideal sleep solution for babies and toddlers because it keeps them feeling safe, secure, and warm while allowing them to stretch out for comfort. It’s also the perfect solution to transition baby from swaddling which can be a very trying time for parents. For help with sleep training your child, visit the Family Sleep Institute website to find a certified child sleep consultant near you. http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/humble/living/ways-to-a-healthier-and-happier-family-in/article_c332ba0b-9489-53a7-b14c-cf0318615f47.html
Check out this article we found: Wallpapering has come a long way since it was first used, thank goodness! Now we have paper that is easier to put up and take down. Howver, makers haven't yet found a way to prevent peeling, bubbling and a few other issues that us paperhangers have to deal with. Here are a few tips that can help you correct some of these pesky paper problems. ADVERTISEMENT • Loose and peeling edges probably are the most common issue. If you can carefully remove any of the old adhesive from the back side of the paper and the wall, do so. Sometimes a razor can help you do this. Just don't cut or tear the paper. Then, use a small paintbrush to apply more wallpaper paste to both surfaces and press it back into place. Use a seam roller for better contact and adhesion. • An air bubble is easy to fix. Just fill a syringe with wallpaper adhesive and puncture the bubble with the needle and squirt a little adhesive into the space. Then use a seam roller to push it back into place. • Cleaning wallpaper is a little more difficult and depends upon the type of paper it is. Dust it to remove any loose dirt. Use a damp sponge in an inconspicuous place. If it doesn't stain the paper, then use it where the dirt is. A Magic Eraser is a great tool, used carefully, to remove dirt. • Small tears can be glued back into place if the paper is still there. Just use wallpaper adhesive and a seam roller to press it back into place. http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20140103/entlife/701039983/
Check out this article we found: (BPT) - Household chores are a never-ending reality of life. In fact, on average women spend more than two hours a day on household activities, which include housework and cooking, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Time Use Survey. Yet, keeping up with kids, pets and a hectic schedule make it seem like there's still always something to clean. Tackle your home’s dirtiest rooms with these quick tips to make chores easier and more effective so you can have a tidy, sparkling home in no time. Getting started House cleaning is not a pleasant task, so pump yourself up by creating a cleaning playlist to make chores more entertaining. If you lack motivation, a rockin’ soundtrack will get you off the couch. It can also be fun to time yourself during tasks; as you’ll be surprised that most of the chores listed below can be completed in 10 minutes or less. Kitchen cleaning Dishwasher duty Once a week, shake baking soda on a damp sponge and wipe around the machine’s edges to remove stuck-on food or stains. To clean the inside, run an empty cycle with Dishwasher Magic, to kill bacteria like E-coli. During cold and flu season, add a quarter-cup of bleach to the regular dish cycle to kill bacteria. The dishes will be safe and sanitized after the rinse cycle is finished. Zap the sponge We all know that sponges are a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing excess water out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, replace it. Disinfect the kitchen sink A sparkling sink becomes your kitchen's benchmark for hygiene and tidiness. Moen makes cleaning the sink easier with its new Walden pullout kitchen faucet, available exclusively at The Home Depot, featuring the innovative Reflex system. Its self-retracting wand helps fill large pots, reduces splashing and improves rinsing in and around the sink. Additionally, the Walden faucet features Microban antimicrobial protection – built in to the faucet finish – to help inhibit the growth of stain-and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew. Refrigerator refresh It’s important to make sure your refrigerator is always clean and odorless, especially if you are expecting guests. One trick to get rid of smells is to open a canister of oatmeal and place it in the fridge for a few days to absorb any unappealing odors. Maintain beauty in the bath Read more from Journal Sentinel: http://www.jsonline.com/sponsoredarticles/easyliving/coming-clean-tips-to-keep-on-top-of-your-homes-dirtiest-rooms8075244461-235289411.html#ixzz2oR45t1R8
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Do away with everything that you think you are not going to use in the next couple of days. Then, spray liquid cleaner and wipe the counter clean.
Clean your gas stove/hob or oven. Make sure all the grime and the spills are wiped clean.
Next, clean your refrigerator. Check what the leftovers are discard them. Find out which of the bottles are almost empty, or are too old. Remove the shelves and clean them. Clean the outside as well as the inside of the fridge with a soft cloth.
Make sure your sink is free of clutter. Wash and stack away your dishes and utensils. clean the sink once it is clutter-free. Remove stubborn stains. Finish by rubbing it dry.
Clean the floor of your kitchen last. Pick all the debris that you had thrown onto the floor from the counter top and the over and the toaster etc.
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