Touch It Once

Everyone is talking about ways to get organized here at the beginning of the new year. Usually I am ready to get back on track or try something new. So far this month, we have been continuing to pack all non-essentials, books, decor, things that we're not going to miss for a few months. It seems so early when we have a good six months to wait until moving, but it is so great to get things out of here and gain some clear space. In the process, I have been able to organize what's left and hopefully create some new habits to help maintain our stuff.

A few months ago I read something about the "Touch It Once" rule, where its basic principle is the item in your possession goes to the place it belongs. It's supposed to save time and those extra steps of cleaning up. This is a common suggestion from professional organizers, but I know can be a frustrating idea as well! An example in where I've tried to change my habits would be the dishes. Using the touch it once rule, instead of putting my dirty dish or glass in the sink, I decide to actually put it in the dishwasher right then rather than waiting until the end of the evening to unload the sink into the washer. That goes well for a bit, until the dishwasher is ran and full of clean dishes to be put away. Then I either start placing dirty dishes in the sink again, or taking the next step of unloading the dishwasher, even if that wasn't on my agenda at that time. I like that it takes away the dish clutter from the sink and counter, but still isn't completely realistic to follow all the time. Another area that does work for me is putting away my coat into the closet instead of hanging it on the back of the chair when I get home. Really, I think this rule is more about being aware of how you are controlling your space and making decisions at the current time instead of dealing with something later. I'm going to keep trying it out!

Besides organizing our things, I'm striving to begin using my Motivated Moms planner to help me keep a more consistent schedule in cleaning. I found this a few years ago and thought it was the smartest thing.

I have also used Susan's planner, from The Confident Mom (free!), but this year decided to go back to MM. Each is equally helpful and has helped me organize the never-ending chores throughout the house. I have mine printed and binded at the FedEx office near here but have also just printed a week at a time on my home printer and stuck it onto a clipboard. This schedule is different from what I saw my mom do growing up. She does dusting in all rooms one day, floors in all rooms one day, etc. But I have found the MM routine to work great for me and feeling like I am completing the household work. Check out both planners if you haven't seen them yet!

Fruit Fly/Knat Trap

It is that time of year again....fruit flies. I don't know how these things make it into our home. They hang around the sink area. I've put our bananas in the cupboard but they find them, even more disgusting when these nasties come out of there. I have found no super-duper way of getting rid of them. Surely you've seen this idea going around before:

My version is a mason jar, apple cider vinegar, piece of white paper, and masking tape. You have to roll the paper up just right so the hole at the bottom is big enough for them to go through but small enough where they won't find it again to escape. Once they go in, it usually takes a day or so for them to get tired of hanging on the jar and fall in to their, well, sad departure.

Do You?

It's polite to RSVP. No, this is not NEW news. But whyyyyyyyyyyyyy are we not RSVPing, like we should, ladies???? Truly, it is rude to not RSVP in a timely manner. If you wait until the last minute, you're really saying, "I'm going to wait and if nothing better comes along, then I'll go." We cannot do this and think that we are being respectful. Here's the etiquette rule: When we receive an invitation to an event, we should make every effort to respond within three days and let the host know whether we can or cannot attend. This only requires us to look at our calendar and see if we already have an obligation. Once we confirm that we are going, WE MUST KEEP OUR COMMITMENT, unless of course an emergency comes up. If you've ever planned a party, then you know that is takes a lot of planning and usually, a good bit of MONEY. People have to make decisions about food, decorations, activities, etc. based on the number of people who are attending. Please don't make a host wait. Be polite and respond as soon as you can and then make sure you keep your commitment. That's what every lady strives to do!

1. Metal hangers from the dry cleaner

2. Sweaters with too many fuzz balls or snags

3. Shoes that hurt your feet

4. Clothes with stains

5. Plastic stadium cups

6. Dishes you never use

7. Cookbooks you never use

8. Difficult, time-consuming, or expensive recipes

9. Dried-up cans of paint

10. Broken electronics

11. Florist's vases that you don't use

12. Paperback books you'll never reread

13. Greeting cards with no sentimental value

14. Expired coupons

15. Manuals for items you don't own anymore

Fall (and Spring!) Window Cleaning

This is the time of year I like to get the outside of our windows cleaned ~ not too hot and not too cold. I missed all last year due to pregnancy and new baby. We don't really have many trees around our house, but we do get a ton of pollen, and the windows get filmy and cloudy on the outside. My method is simple and quick: newspapers and a water/vinegar mix.

One gallon of warm water plus 1/2 cup of white vinegar is a solution I've used. The newspapers work well with leaving no streaks. Stay away from colored ink, such as the comics section, and note that your hands may get black on them. I also use them for all my glass inside the house. This is the best cleaner I've found.

Don't forget to take the screens off and brush them with a broom or, if you're feeling ambitious, use a rag with soapy water and wash. One more tip: avoid washing windows when the sun is hot and shining. The window cleaner will dry too fast and you will end up with streaking.