We survived the Cincinnati conference! It was busy and our days there were packed, but it was wonderful — and it was so good to meet so many of you in person!
{And for those who are wondering, my workshops went well… and after the first two, I wasn’t really even nervous for the other two! This was a huge victory for me in the public speaking arena. Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to face my fears and step out and do things outside my comfort zone. The more I’m doing this, the easier it’s becoming! And I’m really starting to enjoy it, too!}
My apologies that Friday’s assignment never got posted. I had it planned, but our internet was so poor where we were that, by the time, I was able to get working internet, it was too late in the day to bother posting the assignment. So I just decided everyone could have the day off! 🙂
Day 16 Assignment
::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}
::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and make a list of weekly goals. I’ll post my goals along with a link-up around 1 p.m. ET this afternoon.
::Complete your morning routine {if you don’t have a morning routine, take some time to create one today! Read my How to Develop a Routine That Works–And Stick With It series for step-by-step help.}
::Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick up your house and put things back into order after the weekend.
::Clean your vents. If you have floor vents that can be removed, remove them and wash them in warm soapy water. Vacuum/clean any dirt or grime around the floor vent area and replace the vent. Use a vacuum attachment and/or a wet rag to dust/clean your other vents.
::Find 7 items to get rid of today. Throw them out, stick them in a donate or garage sale box, give them to a friend who can use them, or list them on Craigslist or eBay.
Note: If you work outside the home or have a really busy week with little time for extra projects, just do the bolded project above.
At 9 p.m. ET tonight, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too. Here’s to our productivity today!
Katie H says
Uh oh. I think I busted one of my vents while cleaning it. It won’t fit back into the duct. 🙁
Karen says
Crystal,
Just a quick note to say that I really enjoyed getting to meet you on Saturday and you did seem like a pro talking up there! I had told a friend about you so she attended one of your Friday sessions and immediately bought your book, then joined me on Sat. morning! I’m sure you gained several new readers from this weekend. Again, it was great to meet you and, if you ever do want to come back to see the Creation Museum, I can get you all in for free!
Have a great week!
Crystal says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Donna says
After cleaning….a few of them also could use some paint…hmmm….must go see if there’s some in the basement!
kj says
Since you were over that direction, did your family make it to the creation museum?
Crystal says
No, we didn’t have a vehicle or any extra time (we were doing good to find time to eat and sleep while there!), otherwise, we would have loved to!
Alison S. says
Right now I don’t have the time in my schedule to do these tasks, but I LOVE the idea and would like to work my way through the list soon. Will you have a check list or spreadsheet of the bolded tasks available for download at the end of the series? Thanks!
Crystal says
Yes. 🙂
Melissa says
Ooooh! Fun. I love checklists and spreadsheets. 🙂 Muh-wa-ha-ha!!
Tammy says
I like the swiffer idea.
The Prudent Homemaker says
This job requires an extension ladder at my house and is my husband’s job. He also changes out the filters. I can ask him if he wants to do this one 🙂
I am definitely getting rid of 7 things today, though!
Danielle B says
I’m glad to hear the workshops went well! 🙂 I was praying all weekend and wondering if everything was going well.
We had a great weekend overall, and I’m looking forward to another productive week. I’m still struggling with my lower back and hip, but every day it’s feeling better and better.
On Saturday I had many “things” weighing on me that I’ve been behind on for so long it’s ridiculous. I sat down and just wrote them all down to get them out of my mind. After I did that I just laughed because it looked exactly like a “weekly goals” list! As an added bonus, almost all of it is things I can do while sitting.
I’m amazed because not only is God providing me with the focus to complete these things that weigh on me, but it’s also things that I can do easily and still rest my back and hip! 🙂
Crystal says
Thanks so much for your prayers!
Stephanie says
Ok I have never, in 18 years, cleaned my vents. Never even thought about it!
Kaila says
I’m not sure about this one! A stray cat got under our house and tore a whole in our furnace hose under the house so I put a piece of cardboard and a towel to cover the hole and keep anything from getting in the house. There are so many spiders in there too. I think I’ll make the hubby do this one!
Rachel says
We have high ceilings, any suggestions on how token them?
Nicole says
Have your husband stand on a chair while you sit on his shoulders? 😉
The Prudent Homemaker says
extension ladder
Melissa French says
Hi Crystal,
Great job all weekend!! By the time Saturday workshops started you seemed like a real pro!! I never did get my girls up to meet you , they were disappointed. They are so jealous of their brothers for getting to meet you. You are just like a movie star to them!!! HAHA Now to get started on these assignments I missed! I’m still tired from the weekend though, so baby steps it will be.
Crystal says
You are so kind! And it was SO fun to meet you — and your boys!
Courtney says
WOOHOO! No vents here, just radiators for heat and no central air (yes, it gets a little sweltering in the summer in the midwest!). I guess I’ll clean my radiators–I’m sure they need it!
Melissa says
I chuckled out loud when I saw “set the timer and pick up your house for 15 minute from the weekend.” We had a crazy whirlwind weekend, a wedding until super late last night….by the time we got the 3 year old, 2 year old, and baby in bed, we were exhuasted. The house literally looked like it had gotten hit by some microburst wind or something….stuff EVERYWHERE from leaving in a crazy hurry. =) Maybe if I set the timer for an hour…..?
Feeling.slightly.overwhelmed.and.claustrophobic.right.now. 🙂 Haha!!
Emma K says
That’s our house too! We had an event on Saturday night and by the time we had picked our baby and preschooler kids up from the sitters and lugged all their stuff in the house we went straight to bed.
Nicole S says
To help keep vents clean and make cleaning them easier in the future I stick a dry swiffer cloth over the vent before placing the vent cover back on, adjusting as needed so it doesn’t show once the cover is on. It helps catch dust, dirt and debri from falling down in to the duct work 🙂
Kimberly says
All my vents are in the ceiling…and we have vaulted ceilings. Not about to get on a ladder after I just had a baby 3 weeks ago. My husband would be super mad at me for being risky if I did that!! Better safe than sorry, so I will tackle this task this weekend when he is home to help me.
Shelly@Frugal Family Home says
I already did my main floor vents a week ago. I only have the upstairs ones left then. My downstairs vents are in the ceiling so I will just vacuum them. On Friday the kids and myself spent time planting seeds in the garden after we vacuumed the upstairs. The weather finally warmed up here.
Melissa says
It was so fun to meet you and talk to you at the conference! I attended your first session, and you did great! You are an inspiration, since I hate public speaking as well, and have been known to take a huge number of hours just to prepare for a short shower devotional. :0
heather says
Another reason I love my 112 year old house!! No heating vents to clean!!! Radiators get a nice cleaning in the end of March. I have been having so much fun following along with these activites! Thanks so much for all of the hard work you put into helping us be more organized.
Tabitha Yates says
Lol I hear ya on this. We don’t have any floor vent to clean they are all up towards the ceiling on the wall. One of the things I love about this house no floor vents for kids to stick things in
Susan Kelly says
I missed #15 🙁 I’m a little behind, but since I’m taking a staycation next week I wanted to play catch-up. Can you send me the link to #15 please?
pamela says
I don’t believe that we had an assignment #15. I do not see a link for it.
Rebekah says
Susan, there wasn’t a #15 because Crystal was out of town with internet issues. 🙂 But she posted right above this one that it was about cleaning your computer and computer files.
Angelique says
Good morning!
I was wondering, do you think you would be able to post what assignment #15 would have been? I am keeping a record of each challenge so I can do them later on throughout the year. Thank you so much, you have inspired me beyond desription!
Crystal says
See my comment above. 🙂
Angelique says
Lol, I promise I couldn’t see that when I posted! *blush* 🙂
Katherine says
Can you still post it though? I want to do it!
Crystal says
Katherine: It will be on the final ebook that I’ll be compiling at the end. It was really simple since it was a Friday. In a nutshell, clean your computer and computer files.
Katie H says
That’s not simple!
Last week, NPR did a story on hoarders. Specifically, e-hoarders. I think I’m one of those. 🙁
Kristi says
I have never enjoyed doing the vents but I actually did this about a week ago and felt really good after it was done. They can get so nasty looking.
Victoria @Snail Pace Transformations says
Glad to hear your conference went well. Floor vents. I don’t think I have cleaned those since moving to this home 3 years ago. Might have some interesting discoveries!
Crystal says
I’m SO proud of you for finishing your marathon in spite of all the pain! What an inspiration you are to a budding runner like me! And I hope you rest up and recover this week — and feel back to normal in no time at all!
Victoria @Snail Pace Transformations says
Thanks. My biggest hurdle right now is stairs. I am thinking the kids are going to have to lug the vacuum up and down them today so I can clean the vents.