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Angie Mc
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| Posted: March 11 2011 at 11:44am | IP Logged
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Here is a link to spring clean in 40 days - DOABLE, which explains how those wanting to spring clean this Lent can support and encourage each other.
Is anyone in an ambitious season or state in life for spring cleaning? I'm going to give it a try!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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When I think of an ambitious approach, I think that one needs to have...
A desire for a big project.
Time to devote to big and little sub-projects.
A cleaning crew.
A detailed plan.
*******
I definitely have a strong desire to tend to my home. I have had some time-consuming hopes/projects removed from my life. I think that a hands-on big project is a great way to keep me focused and out of trouble  .
I am technically very busy right now YET I am willing to carve out time daily, often and as well as big chunks of time when possible.
I do have a cleaning crew - 15yo ds, 12yo ds, and dh (very part-time). 5yo will need to be considered but is pretty eager to help.
I have NO detailed plan and I am detail-impaired  . Help! I need to come up with some broad principles to help...
My goal is to purge AND clean.
Thanks!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Kristie 4
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I want to paint my hallways, wash walls and light fixtures and to purge the basement (again!).
I am part of a homeschool mom's cleaning co-op with 6 moms. We take one day every month or month and a half and work on a big project together at one of the member's homes. It is super fun! I am up next and the first three things from my above list are on our attack plan!
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Angie Mc
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What a great idea, Kristie! I'm going to run this by my friends...and I'm wondering if I can use the general idea to help each other more intensely to meet hopes for Easter day?
How do you manage the needs of young children while you all work?
I also need to paint my hallway...
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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I'm also seriously considering delegating some tasks and hiring someone for specific tasks. I need to figure out which tasks would be most cost/time effective...perhaps the tasks that I least enjoy and/or are least experienced at doing.
Does anyone hire help for spring cleaning?
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Mackfam
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We're re-painting the entire house (indoor painting) starting this Lent which calls for a good thorough deep cleaning now. That puts me in the ambitious category.  I may have to re-evaluate this plan and delegate/streamline more, but for now, we're going for it. 
*********************************************************
My approach:
ONE ROOM AT A TIME
EMPTY ROOM
SPRING CLEAN/DEEP CLEAN *THAT ROOM ONLY* WHILE IT IS EMPTY
PAINT - not my favorite task  I may start this task during Lent with a reasonable finish goal of mid July.
ADD ITEMS BACK TO THE ROOM --> only those items that function simply and work for the family go back in the room. The rest goes out to the garage to await further consideration --> purge or store.
MOVE TO THE NEXT ROOM
*********************************************************
My own plan is a week-by-week action plan that involves considering the simplicity and functioning of individual rooms and envisioning simple do-at-home or have-at-home strategies to work those rooms.
** My goal for each room is: purpose, function, simplicity, order, beauty, inviting, welcoming. Each room has a small token that invites lifting the heart and mind to God.
** I need to do a thorough winter gut - clothes, outdoor supplies.
** The garage needs a quick tidy, and a good sweep out since it will become a drop zone.
** The garden goes in soon. (I hope to plant {read: throw wildflower seeds willy-nilly} a wildflower garden out back in a naturalized area...doesn't that sound promising?!)
** Spring farm chores: to be done on one devoted evening a week by older kids and dh.
I'm fortunate in that my troops keep a reasonably clean home, so the cleaning involved and the purging involved, though it looks quite ambitious on paper, will not be too time consuming. My biggest stumbling block? Choosing the paint colors.
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My Little People Strategy:
** Involve them in as much of the Room Emptying as possible.
** Involve them in low cleaning - baby wipes and --> baseboards, walls, low frills furniture, new-found-long-lost-in-the-couch-under-the-cabinet toys, etc.
** Little people like cleaning windows (windows which the cleaning fairy may re-clean later that night  )
** Make little-people-tents with big sheets in the hallway with furniture from emptied room --> all big kid hands on deck and paint like MAD!
** Employ favorite movies/cartoons with DVDs during other times of work when little people need help being occupied.
** Involve little people in the restoring of the room.
*********************************************************
Managing the day
** Start with prayer
** Identify the day's goals - be reasonable
** Complete the routine chores and duties of the day
** Lesson/school time
** Lunch
** Long block of spring cleaning work time during afternoon quiet time
** Daily duties
** Simple evening meal
** More spring cleaning work
** Evening prayers
** Relax and re-focus time
****Make lists for dh to address in evening/weekend time. Keep lists simple and straightforward to help make good use of his valuable time. Review lists during relax and re-focus time. Sneaky of me, I know!
WEEKEND time may be for larger projects that benefit from dh being involved...or it may involve a blitzkrieg finish to projects begun during the week. Same process...
** start with a reasonable identification of things we'd like to accomplish
** delegate tasks with instruction given
** buddy little person with patient older person
** GO!
*********************************************************
Here are a few spring cleaning links I enjoy:
Martha Stewart - Spring Cleaning Index
Organized Home Spring Cleaning Chore Checklist
I'm enjoying ListPro, an app on my iphone that lets me build, organize, and keep track of some lists and projects. I know you have a smartphone, Angie...maybe there's an app for your phone that could be an assistant in organizing your lists and projects. My, but I love those handy apps!!
Here's a nice spring cleaning checklist. It's a good jumping off point for making your own customized list that fits the needs of your home.
Here's another spring cleaning checklist from The Simple Mom that might be another source of inspiration for building your own checklist.
I really like this Love to Know Spring cleaning checklist because it includes an estimate of time that might be spent in each area.
AND....I love the spring cleaning action plan at Domestic Bliss
Now is the time of year I enjoy splurging on new Mrs. Meyers. I'm thinking of Lemon Verbena this year.
*********************************************************
GOAL --> CLEAN, PURGE and re-ORDER our home by the end of Lent....finish painting by mid-July.
Hey, thanks for the inspiration and invitation to share and work together, Angie! No clue if all of this will get done, but we're going to give it a good try and let God direct our path and the outcome.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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Mackfam
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Adding that there is a Mrs. Meyers $5 off promo good through March 13. 
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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Angie Mc
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I knew that my friend Jen would cheer me on to cleaning victory  .
OK...I'm going to combine what I learned at pretty little ways and will, for the first time ever, invest in pretty cleaning products  . They will act as a motivation and reward .
Great timing...I need to put in an order at vitacost.com and they carry Meyer's products. I'm torn. The Lemon Verbena looks perfect...yet I'm a big fan of geranium scent. What a lovely dilemma.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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kristinannie
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My plan is doable, but VERY ambitious. We moved into this house in Nov and unpacked a lot over the first few weeks. In Dec, we were all really sick and have been sick off and on ever since. I lost my motivation to unpack and have an entire garage and spare room filled with boxes (as well as much of the master bedroom). SO...I am going to unpack all of these boxes by Easter. God help me, I think I can do it. I will need prayers though!!! 
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Betsy
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Angie Mc wrote:
I'm also seriously considering delegating some tasks and hiring someone for specific tasks. I need to figure out which tasks would be most cost/time effective...perhaps the tasks that I least enjoy and/or are least experienced at doing.
Does anyone hire help for spring cleaning?
Love, |
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I did an ambitious lenten spring cleaning a few years ago and I hired out some help. It was worth it! The person I had help me was fellow HSing mother who did cleaning on the side. She was wonderful and very motivating. We worked together and got a TON of cleaning done. I wish I could do this again. I haven't had the physical capacity to clean my home for three years, but maybe I could try this lent?????
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JodieLyn
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The only time I've hired help.. I was getting ready for a lot of company for a daughter's baptism (she was several months old so not still very post partum) but dh was out of town for work until the day people were showing up. So I hired someone to do the yard work.. they mowed and weed eated and raked.. and to top it off.. I had all young kids.. and watching them through the windows kept the kids occupied too.. almost as good as hiring a babysitter as well But it was a small group of people.. they came in and in one hour did stuff that would have taken me most of one day.
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ABAng
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I Love this thread, it is giving me such inspiration!
I have never heard of Mrs. Meyers products...are they all wonderful? I'd love a different dish soap to try!
Ang
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Kristie 4
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Angie- we actually meet at the designated house without kids. All of us have children 6 and upwards (with most of us more like 10 and upwards) and we leave them with the Dads! We especially like to have the house we are going to empty except the 'cleaning ladies'- makes it easier in a number of ways.
On a daily basis my kids pitch in in the house and there is never a shortage of projects to work together on so that for the group clean I don't worry too much about including the kids.
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Servant2theKing
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Kristie, I love your idea of tackling big projects with other moms...what an incredible blessing!!! Doing such things with others sounds so uplifting and enjoyable!
For those with painting on your list this Spring...we found a few tips helpful as we painted most of the rooms in our house last Summer.
~Taking a few steps to clean and organize as you strip a room helps simplify placing things back in order as you finish a room.
~As you prepare things to paint a room deep clean furniture, pictures and mirrors, curtains, etc. When you are ready to replace them, all that's needed is a quick wipe down before placing items in their freshly dressed home.
~As much as possible try to place all furnishings from the area being painted into one specific zone, minimizing the clutter that such projects always seem to generate. Larger, heavy furniture can be placed in the center of a room and covered with dropcloths.
~A rolling bin cart, with openings in front, serves as great storage for paint supplies...brushes, roller covers and handles, nails & screws in labeled containers, outlet & switchplate covers, tools, etc.
~Keeping all paint supplies and cans of paint in a designated area is extremely helpful. We stored paint cans and the rolling "Paint Supply Cart" in a cubby in our kitchen, where our DW used to reside, with a nice curtain in front, to hide the tools of our progress...this makes things feel a little more livable while parts of the house are in varying states of disarray. (The rolling cart now resides in the same cubby where it stores various food items that used to clutter our pantry...I just love dual-purpose finds like that)
~A suggestion from a friend...skip taping any trim and simply use baby wipes...wrap the wipe around the fingernail of your index finger or the back of a small pointed knife, held on the bevel, then swipe away any paint from trim or cupboard edges as you go along...it is amazingly simple to do, very effective and greatly lessens prep work!
~Have dc assist in the painting or odd jobs...this makes an incredible difference. (We were amazed at how capable and helpful dc were during our Summer of painting projects!) Of course, if you have dear friends like Kristie's, all the better! But, I agree with Kristie, mixing family and a crew of friends could be just too much of a good thing and actually impede progress!
~Find new ways to use or display various belongings. (Placing family heirlooms in meaningful places, where we would see them daily and be reminded to pray for the loved ones who once used them, has been one of the most significant blessings of our entire painting project!)
~Try to keep meals simple and rely on paper plates to lighten regular daily chores.
~Save time in the day for prayer and recreation, to sustain yourselves throughout the process.
Good luck to all you ambitious souls tackling bigger projects this Spring and Lent! May St. Joseph assist you and may our Lord crown your efforts with success! I pray your projects go as well as ours did...it was truly a grace from God that we were able to accomplish such endeavors...during a rare window of time He blessed us with, after many, many years when we were far too overwhelmed to even imagine attempting such things! A reminder for those who might be too overwhelmed to even contemplate Spring cleaning or big projects such as painting...life isn't always hectic and chaotic...God often sends relief when we least expect it or especially when we need it most!
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Mackfam
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ABAng wrote:
| I have never heard of Mrs. Meyers products...are they all wonderful? |
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I think they are! I enjoy the scent. Over the years, I've enjoyed honeysuckle (a favorite!), basil (light, and very pleasant), geranium (heavier and more floral scented, very pretty), and now I'm excited to try lemon verbena!
Here's my spring cleaning tip. --> I don't usually use scented dryer sheets throughout the year (I prefer scent-free on most things here: lotion, laundry soap, dryer sheets), but I always order one small box of scented Mrs. Meyers dryer sheets for spring cleaning - I place a half sheet in drawers, and I tuck them in cupboards and under sinks. I even glued a clothespin to the back of my pantry door and hang one there - every time the door opens it leaves a pleasant scent in the pantry! It is very pleasant to have a fresh, light scent when windows are open in the spring! I do use them in the dryer as well when I do big seasonal washing - like spring blankets, curtains, etc. It's a simple way to add a little freshness to the home.
I placed my order yesterday so next week I'll build our spring cleaning tool kit. That gives me a few days to work out a detailed list of duties that can be easily delegated!!
You might check stores like Whole Foods, Fresh Market, or any other natural/health food type store to see if you can find a dish soap to try, or at least see what you think of the scent.
Happy spring cleaning everyone!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Mackfam
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Servant,
Your tips are so helpful!!!! LOVE the rolling cart of painting tools idea! Perfect!!! I'll start carving out a home for a rolling cart to live in my pantry this weekend! And the baby wipes idea - brilliant!! I loathe taping! 
I'll add one more tip we found the last time we painted --> when you must stop painting, but you know you'd like to pick up again in an hour or so...or even just later that day...no need to wash brushes completely out! Just wrap with saran wrap or store in a ziploc bag and place IN THE FRIDGE. The brush will be ready to go when you pull it out. I would only do this once a day, and thoroughly wash brushes at the end of the day.
This tip sharing is FUN and invigorating!! I'm more willing and eager to get started because I feel like I have more tools to make this an efficient and workable job! Thank you all!!!
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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Kristie 4
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Such good tips Servant- especially the simple meals and paper plates (we have eaten alot of cold cereal during those all day painting binges!!). The food seems the hardest to keep up with!
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Kristie in Canada
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leanne maree
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this is a great thread, even though it is autumn here its still a good time to clean out
We have already begun.
my dd has sorted her drawers in her room- huge effort.
I finally pressure cleaned the drive way and outdoor patio areas.
Dh cleaned out this car- He hurt his back, and was not willing to do the yards incase it aggrevated it. It was still a win.
I need to empty out linen cupboard and reorganise it.
clear out and reorganise our walk in robes.
re pack pantry cupboard.
( we movd here 18 months ago ans my dd and my dad, seeing me exhausted from the move placed everything in the pantry. Bless them for doing it, but its time to sort it)
This is really motivating
Cleaning windows outside is also a chore I need on my list.
Leanne
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Leanne
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guitarnan
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Not to hijack this thread, but - Leanne,it is always lovely to be reminded that life in the Southern Hemisphere moves according to your seasons, which are in opposition to ours. What a great way to help our children think through seasonal holidays and stereotypes - when our Aussie and NZ friends are celebrating Christmas, it is summer!
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leanne maree
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I moved my response to Tea & conversation -Inspiration
Thanks Nancy
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Leanne
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Topic: spring clean in 40 days - AMBITIOUS
