Spring Cleaning...time for joy, time for cheer

Finals, projects, graduation and end of the year dance recitals signal summer vacation is quickly approaching! Cherished rituals all!! And then summer slips in as a sweet reward for all the hard work.

I LOVE summer, the change in routine and the opportunity to shift focus. My goals for this summer are to have a clean pallet to begin with and to truly embrace the summer months with my family. I won't be bogged down by the clutter this year...having done so much to open the spaces, makes cleaning a quicker process and leaving tables and surfaces available for new experiences...sewing projects, trying new recipes, and exploring our beautiful city and beyond, camera in hand!

So today I am in full cleaning mode, gloves on, buckets and rags ready. Yes, I could hire someone else to do this for me, and have done so when I could not clear my schedule, but there is something to be said for the immediate gratification gained from doing it yourself. Ideas for changes and tweaks in each space occur to me as I move through the house. Not quite a runner's high, but similar.

Stopping to make changes that can be implemented immediately is a choice that I make, so cleaning is not a straight line for me as I interrupt myself often. I accept this and actually enjoy the process more making a game of it all.

For instance, I am sitting here blogging, gloves still on because, I am, honestly, heading into the bathroom that my teenagers use. I am listening to downloads from American Idol and Smash. Aaaahhhhh...lovely ear candy!!

Keeping your favorite tools handy means you can just plunge in when the day opens up. No need to run out to the store which is important for someone like me who is easily sidetracked. : )

Here are a few of my must-haves, beginning with the most important:

music (cranked up loudly)

thin, disposable gloves (saves my hands)

Swiffer dusters

clean rags

sponges

buckets

Mrs. Meyer's lemon cleaning solution (smells like heaven and environmentally          gentle)

Wish me luck! And as always thank you for visiting my blog. Feedback is welcome!

Photographs and Memories...sometimes a change is as good as a rest

You may have noticed that I quote children's literature frequently. One could argue that I have a simple mind, or perhaps, simply, that I read books aloud to my children so many times when they were young that the stories are permanently etched into my memory leaving an easy path to cherished, happy moments in time?! Let's not argue...both answers are correct. And who could not love Winnie The Pooh?!

My son and oldest child will graduate from high school in a few weeks. So it is no surprise that I am pensive and moody, remembering the path that has led to this point in time where I appreciate the mature young man he has become. As I anticipate family arriving in a few weeks to celebrate with us, I am compelled to revisit and to change the photographs on display in our more public rooms.

My usual MO is to frantically clean and menu plan, shove the clutter into drawers or the garage. Not restful and not relaxing to be around me when I am in company is coming mode. But the sense of order that has evolved in the house over the past few months is allowing me to take a different direction which is unexpected, liberating and restful not only for me but for everyone in the house. Even our cat, Gabby has her ears in neutral position. (see Hallways, Entryways and Alleyways)

So I found that I had time to spare and began what I call my photo project. The same photographs have been sitting on display, some for the past 12 years, so I did not remove them without feeling a little angst. Some will be placed into albums, and the few that remain our true favorites will be reframed and displayed in what we refer to as the reading room.

I have grown to truly love and appreciate the calmness of a simple black frame. They tend to look modern and fresh. And, the photographs become the focal point. But although we have an eclectic style, modern doesn't truly suit some of the spaces in our home. Lucky for me,  I discovered a few, old world style black frames on sale at one of my favorite stores. Photos will soon be hanging on the walls in a few chosen spaces. They will be quick and easy to dust.

As the clutter is replaced with open spaces, I feel a growing sense of calm. You have got to love that!

Garages...last night I dreamed my whole house was clean!

As much as I would love to continue working inside the house, the garage needs me more. And, lucky for me, there is a community-wide garage sale on Saturday. So for the next few days, I will clear a path through the garage deciding what to set outside for this timely event. One man's discards are soon to become another's treasures. This will eventually create more space for, dare I say it, my car. Now that would be a feat in southern California given the lack of basements and attic space.

Having a few cupboards in the garage gives me overflow pantry space and emergency supplies. Good to take inventory of expired items and what is missing. Keeping paper, sticky notes and a pen handy will save time in the long run. I don't know about you, but I tend to become easily distracted. Remember the book, "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie?" Well, if you send Jen to the kitchen to make a list, she is going to want a cup of tea, and then remember that she didn't eat lunch and before you know it, the list is long forgotten. So... my rule of thumb is to keep supplies at arm's reach to stay on task! Pockets are also a good idea.

You might be surprised at what you will discover about yourself as you clear the clutter. I have learned or should I say, remembered that photographs are one of my favorite art forms. I have stopped along the way to reframe photographs taken by my family and have created wall collages in my office, in the hallway, and a few other places in the house. My desk and countertops are clear leaving me more space to work. Not only do they bring a smile to my face, but cleaning them is a breeze!

If you aren't using Swiffers yet, try them!!!! Another favorite staple of mine is "earthquake putty." I put a little dab on one back corner of each picture frame. The picture frames are stable which adds to the sense of order and calm.

I am heading back to the garage now and will let you know what else I discover.

Hallways, Entryways, & Alleyways...when the cat has her ears flicking backwards, best you pay attention!

I have a cat named Gabby who prefers that the house be calm and orderly. So you can imagine how disruptive the process of clearing and decluttering is for her.

My office is now a beautiful, organized space and Gabby is lounging near the window...content! Not so yesterday!! What I no longer wanted in my office work space had accumulated in the hallway and down the stairs into the entryway.

My task or should I say, my priority yesterday was to make sense of the piles, and then move them out of those walkways or out of the house if possible. Every time I passed Gabby I knew there was more work to do since her ears are a telltale sign of disapproval.

Today she is happy and I can walk through the house without tripping over anything but my own feet. The entry is as it should be to suit me...shoes, a key basket and a few things to take on my errands. The hallway is open and ready for the next project. Sorry Gabby...I am not finished with the house, but for now, it feels calm and orderly, just the way we like it!

Stuck for ideas on sharing unwanted or no longer needed items? Here are two of my favorites.

   1. AMVETS-will pick up household items that can be lifted by one person               Call-1-877-990-VETS or check out www.teamvets.com

   2. Carmel Mountain Vision Care-collects usable, discarded eyewear for Lions Club Optometrics 9320 Carmel Mountain Rd., Suite E, San Diego, CA 92129  (858) 484-1500 

Office and Workspace...take a break, then finish strong

I have been immersed in my office off and on for a few weeks now so, I took a little break, treated myself to an iced tea and read for awhile. I also, spent 3 days watching my beautiful daughter dance, but more on that later.

Today there are files to sort, and a lovely roll top desk to sort through. Deciding which files to keep and which to shred is clear to me. Keep 7 years for tax purposes, keep business records longer, keep references that are still relevant. Yes, that means the textbooks from 1978 are probably obsolete and unless they bring you joy or amusement as a decoration, are taking up valuable real estate in your office.

I am looking at a stack of books, all pediatric references and still after all these years cannot part with Whaley and Wong's "Nursing Care of Infants and Children," after, dare I admit it, 33 years. Is it relevant? There are fundamentals that do not change, but honestly, my reason for keeping this book in sight is simple. This book makes me smile.

My own pediatric nursing knowledge base and experience began with this book but certainly doesn't end with it...a good thing to remember. As for the remaining books, references and fiction alike, I plan to read them, well at least some of them, then keep or share them in the next year. A book a week to read or review is 52 books in a year.

The less time I spend looking for things and cleaning around clutter, the more time I have for my secret passion for books. I see a win win situation beginning to bloom! I can tell you that Nora Robert's 2nd book in The Inn Boonsboro Trilogy is at the top of my list for May. I have a not so secret love for bed and breakfast inns. So a story describing the transformation of a beautiful old building complete with its own ghost is right up my alley! Is it May yet?!!

Last year, I made room for an old, soft arm chair where I can relax. It is covered with a lovely, washable quilt and ties together the eclectic color palette in this room. Even references and business related reading is more enjoyable when you are sitting in a comfy chair. Parker, my bichon, agrees with me and keeps me company from that very spot while I work.

An oversized desk, a work table and a big chair in a small space may sound a little too cozy for some people, but as the items that have no use in this room are removed space opens up for what I truly need. And, it is becoming a space that is working for me.

Kitchen...leaning in a new direction

Before you ask, I have not finished recreating my office space, because a new need presented itself. So I took a little detour and found myself in the kitchen.

I suspect most of us find this room particularly challenging. I did not intend to work on this room yet. Gadgets alone can be overwhelming. But while making dinner a few weeks ago, I overheard Ellen Degeneres speaking with Kathy Freston about her new book, "The Lean." I admit I was intrigued, stopped what I was doing to look for it on the web and ordered it there and then. It arrived in the mail a few days later...you have got to love internet shopping, and I have been reading a chapter a day ever since.

You may be asking yourself what does this have to do with creating spaces in your home and to uncluttering? Everything! I am learning, at least for myself, my health and happiness are not in a neat and tidy little box either. I needed to take inventory of the food in my kitchen and make some adjustments to follow this eating plan that is really more of a series of adjustments.

So at least for this week, the changes that I made in the kitchen were food related. Checking expiration dates and freshness of ingredients, replacing empty containers with healthy grains and keeping the fruit bowl full have kept me from reaching for the unhealthier choices that have beckoned me in the past.

If you have considered vegetarian or vegan eating, Freston's book is sensible and easy to follow. The pantry is in order, at least for now, and I am "leaning" in a new direction.

Work/Office Space...it might feel worse before it gets better

Remember Thing One and Thing Two from "The Cat In The Hat?" They wreaked absolute havoc. Or was it fun??! All your in your point of view, but in the end, the toys were put away and order was restored to the house.

Order has NOT been restored to my entire office yet, but I am taking a break tonight to relish the progress that I have made so far and to remind myself that it may feel worse before it gets better.

Why tackle this room? I am a Work At Home Mom and need a space dedicated solely to my work, a space that allows me to feel energized, productive, and creative. Lucky me! I have a 10 x 10 ft. room to call almost mine. And, since I really share it with my family, over time it has become stuffed with the overflow of unfinished projects and stuff that needed somewhere to land "for now" and then enjoying the coziness took up permanent residence.

Who knew so much could fit into such a tight little space?! I am discovering long-forgotten projects and am resetting my priorities, making lists and adding plans to my calendar so that I can stay focused on this space for now. Even though I am not half done with this room, I can see a glimmer of order and am encouraged by this. I feel inspired to use the room to full advantage.

Step 1. Remove items one section at a time to begin with a clean slate but not completely overwhelm. I cleared a counter in the hallway knowing that I was soon to be a temporary home to many unrelated things as I create my working office space. The hall that had looked so clean and zen has now morphed into a page from one of Dr. Seuss' stories!

Step 2. Remember to begin with the end in mind...my purpose and direction is to focus on recreating my work space in a way that makes sense to me and makes my work flow smoothly. For example, I want to reach into one place for business materials/projects, another for bills and financial materials, another for office/school supplies, another place for photography related items, and yet another for memorabilia, which I might add, will be sorted at a later date since it is such a huge task in and of itself and not to be rushed. There is more, but you get the idea. A place for everything and everything it its place.

Step 3. Sort working files and keep relevant files at arms reach. Everything else can be labeled and filed away. If you don't have a label maker, let me tell you, a label-maker is worth its weight in gold.

Step 4. Take a break when you become antsy! Yes, you heard me right...step away from the stuff and do something else for awhile. Something I have learned along the way, is that we become less effective and off balance when we don't take a break. Stepping away from work is good for the soul leaving us refreshed and reenergized, and, yes, ready to complete the work and in much less time. What's not to love about that?!

Bathroom Cabinets...Baby steps will still get you there, just ask the tortoise!

Today, I went to the furthest corner of my house, which happens to be a tiny powder room in the master suite. Tiny, yes, but every journey begins with a single step, just ask the tortoise! Decluttering and reorganizing this space is one piece of the larger picture, one part of a greater whole, and much less intimidating.

I pulled out all of the expired over the counter remedies, half empty lotions and potions bottles,  old makeup that I will never use...you get the idea.

It is all gone and what I discovered is that I have enough room for what I truly need and for my favorite guilt-free pleasures, too. Keep it clean...I am talking about my mani/pedi stuff. Yes! I admit it! I have been a BIG fan of nail polish since I was a young girl admiring my Nana with her perfectly painted size 5 feet dash about in high heels.

The sea salt scrub, and my lost-and-now-found favorite lipstick which my kids had given me for Christmas have found a new home where I actually use them.  First aid supplies are all together and in just one space...think about how much time is wasted hunting for one thing that gets put away in a random spot that makes sense at the time until months later when you have no idea why you can't find it!

Labeling clear container boxes is really helpful. Yes, you can see through the boxes but reading a legible label at a glance tells me which box to pull out for OTC's vs. an Ace Wrap. Just gave myself the gift of time!

This little room needs a new coat of paint, and the cabinet needs to be refinished, but for now it is a space that is working for me and I am pleased!