Missed the first few days’ assignments? You can see all the posts in the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home series here.
Did you enjoy your weekend “off”? I know I did. In fact, I even got in a two-hour nap yesterday afternoon!
And the good news is that the house doesn’t look like a “stuff bomb” went off today! 🙂 Sure, it’s a little messy, but nothing too overwhelming.
Are you ready to have another productive week? Here’s Assignment #6:
Day 6 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 create a list of weekly goals. I’ll be posting my weekly goals around 11 a.m. ET today along with a link-up so you can share yours, as well.
::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 run through your home quickly picking up everything that’s out of place and putting it away.
::Clean out the inside of your vehicle. Remove all trash and clutter. Use a vacuum attachment to vacuum all the seats and floors out.
::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!
Thx for your post. I want to write my opinion that the expense of car insurance varies from one plan to another, mainly because there are so many different issues which bring about the overall cost. One example is, the brand name of the car will have a large bearing on the fee. A reliable ancient family motor vehicle will have a less expensive premium than the usual flashy expensive car.
I try to vacuum my car out about once a week. Yes, it needs it badly that often. I have a shop vac in my garage that is attached to the wall with a long hose so its easy to get to and usually only takes about 10 minutes.
Another thing that I do is…. I like to arrive in the car pool line to pick up my kids about 5-10 minutes early. I grab 2 bags and hop out, I go around to each door and put all the trash I can find in one and pick up all the crayons and other stuff that in another. When I get home I thow out the trash and quickly put away everything else.
We only have one car and my husband drives to work in it daily, and is a bitOCD about keeping it clean, so I’m off the hook today. 😉
Well. I was planning on jumping on the bandwagon this week. BUT I’m taking the baby goats to the kids school tomorrow to “share” so I’m thinking cleaning the car out tonight when I get home would be counterproductive. I might just tag that one on to tomorrows tasks.
I’m feeling I need some inspiration to get into some spring cleaning/ organizing.
I am thrilled to jump on this. A lot of these tips I have seen, but not in such a doable way. I am probably going to try to play catch up since I am home w/a sick little one…then maybe tomorrow I can jump into assignment #7…assuming these are daily? Anyway…thanks for the tips!
I am thrilled to jump on this. A lot of these tips I have seen, but not in such a doable way. I am probably going to try to play catch up since I am home w/a sick little one…then maybe tomorrow I can jump into assignment #7…assuming these are daily? Anyway…thanks for the tips!
My goal for the day/week: get better. I am just now out of bed. I’m very sick today.
I just took a moment and prayed for you. Your website has been such a blessing to my family in the toughest of times. I do hope you are feeling better very soon. Have you had your baby yet?
No baby yet, and right now I’m very thankful for that. I need to get better.
Thank you for the prayers. I haven’t been this sick for years and years.
My car is one place where I easily control the clutter. Any trash goes in a bag or a pile and that’s the first thing removed when we get home. We have a trash can in the garage.
Oh my goodness! I had no idea what your assignment might be today but my husband needed the van this morning and it was trashed! So….I got up and cleaned it all up nice for him! So glad I did and I’m glad that was the assignment! Thanks! ~~Pam
perfect timing! We washed the cars last night and I did empty the trash out but it needs to be vacuumed. Also, this morning my 3 year old said the car smelled…any suggestions for getting the funk out?
Oh, and I am trying to wear spring dresses everyday (we live in SoCal so its pretty easy to dress light)
I put mine out in the full sun with the windows down for a few hours and it really helps. We bought my parents minivan last fall and it reeks of dog some days and the sun treatment is the only thing that helps.
While I didn’t follow the assignments everyday it did motivate me to clean our kids bedroom and our bedroom closet. I even enlisted my kids (8 & 4) to help. They were very excited to show Dad their work when he came home from work 🙂 I have 2 large bags full of clothes to donate. It was a great feeling!
I need to do this as well. Any suggestions on how to accomplish this with a 4 and 2 year old on my heals? Ugh I wish I could be more like my parents were…their car and truck are spotless even with us 7 kids.
Give them some damp cloths and let them wash the insides of the doors, that way they will have a job to do too! When our son’s family washes their cars they get the Little Tykes riding toys out on the driveway for their 2 and 3 year olds to wash.
Have the 4 year old help you, and let the 2 year old pretend to “drive” while you are cleaning.
My car gets so bad sometimes…but I always grab my boys (age 12,7,4,and 1) to help me when I finally get around to cleaning it out.
So much faster that way, and to be honest, most of the mess is from them anyways. They actually have fun doing it, so it’s not too hard to get them to join me.
My husband commutes long hours each week, so he has to eat on the road. His car looks like he could feed a family of four, there is so much over-spill. Maybe I should just open the doors and let the birds enjoy a nice breakfast!
Ahhhh…I did this on Friday:)
Jumping in on your challenge today… My goal for this week (since I have my 9 year old daughter home on Spring break) will be to tackle the current day’s assignments, and a day from last week. Today I’m going to attempt Day 1 & Day 6. I need to get my girlie on board with being more helpful. She is more than capable of plenty of tasks, its up to me now to show and teach her how.
I figure if she can’t help me with a specific task she can be my mother’s helper with the little boys (3yrs & 9months) I found the American Girl book Guide to Babysitting and she’s very excited to be a good helper with her younger brothers.
I’m going to be honest. I was skipping these posts the first few times you posted this series because my house is so cluttered, and I didn’t want to face it LOL. However, I think I am going to face the monsters in my house and just clean. It is so overwhelming with clutter!! It’s honestly the kids toys and just junk they pull out of closets and drawers. Wish me LUCK!
Car cleaning is on my regular chore list and it comes up every other week so I am good on that one. I am sitting around with my 21 year old who is home sick from college. She got bit by a black widow spider and it has not been fun. Dad finally went and brought her home so she can have some Mommy care and get better before finals hopefully.
Aww! Some good home cooked meals, rest, and hugs will set her right in no time I’m sure. I wish my parents had lived near me when I was in college.
I was actually going to submit an “Ask the Organizer” question on this exact topic. Our van is often shamefully filthy! My hubby is a youth pastor, and we are constantly toting teens around. I always cringe at the shock on a new kids face when they climb into my “dumpster on wheels” (as one loving 13-year old put it!) I feel when I get home, if I get all three kids in the house, I’ve accomplished something. The junk can seems to pile up so fast, especially after our insanely busy weekends! Anyone have any great ideas for maintaining a clean vehicle?
The thing that has helped me the most is to have a trash bin of some kind in the car. If I can keep the trash corralled, it feels much less like a dumpster to me 🙂
I know several people who travel a lot on the weekends. They have enlisted a set of rules for weekend trips. They put walmart bags on the back of both front head rests and over the gear shift, when those fill up the person in the passenger seat and the seats behind passenger/driver headrests must change em out. It only takes 2 minutes and even smaller kids can do it. I just can’t seem to force myself to do it haha.
Keeping It Clean:
Keep a trash bag in the car-there are all sorts of clever ideas for cute ways to do this (think plastic cereal container with bag liner). But providing a set place for garbage is the key.
Set a routine for cleaning it- for example every time I pump gas while my tank is filling I gather up all the garbage and throw it in the trash can conveniently placed right next to the pump. If your kids are old enough enlist their help in this activity. Keep baby wipes or clorax wipes in the door pocket when sitting at a red light or waiting in your car take 30 seconds to wipe it down. This is a great job for kids too give everyone a baby wipe and have them wipe their area down.
When doing a major cleaning I do the 2 bag method: 1 bag for garbage and 1 bag for stuff to put away. It makes cleaning up so much faster. When I get back in the house I quickly sort the put away bag and everyone takes their pile to put away. Building this into my weekly routine keeps the clutter from getting to out of control.
If your kids are young- throw an extra item every time you get out in the diaper bag or car seat. It’s one less thing to carry in later. If they are older have them grab something from the car each time.
Build in organization: Use crates or tote bags to keep tissues, first aid, paper towels, blankets, toys, etc. all in a set place in the trunk.
Change your mindset- and your family’s members mindset. Your car should be something you value (because of the opportunities it affords you e.g. a tool for ministry) and part of good stewardship is taking care of things you value. Make a point to express gratitude and appreciation for your car, especially when it is clean. Have your children do the same. As your family reframes their thinking about your family van and begins to value the blessing that owning a vehicle is then taking care of it may become less of a chore and more of an opportunity to give thanks.
I travel between nine different schools a week for my job as a speech-language pathologist, so although I don’t have kids of my own, my car is overflowing with toys and other materials! I keep a small trashcan in the car within easy reach, and empty it everytime I fill up with gas. I also have some plastic crates that I store supplies for different students/schools, and I try to take time weekly to make sure stuff goes back in the right bin (although lately it has been monthly, which is way too long!). You could have the kids put all their stuff within the crate when they get in, and take it with them when they leave. I also carry doubles of some things I use often – one in my bag, and another in a designated spot in the car (kleenex are always in one compartment, lip balm and sunglasses in another, etc.) – having a set spot to store specific things helps!
Thanks again for the inspiration! I totally agree with putting on an outfit that makes you feel good. When I feel like I look alright, I’m always way more productive! Have a great day!
I did this not too long ago, but there’s this funky faint smell in my car. Guess it needs to be done again to see what random nastiness has found its way under a seat.
Perfect timing! We just got back from a road trip this weekend. My van really needs some TLC.
I’m not so excited about this one, Crystal!! But I am going to do it anyway, because I’m really trying to keep up with you on this challenge! My husband will be so excited – he loves a super clean car, and my 2 year old loves to play in the car, so this might just be a good activity right before nap time today. Glad you have this assignment on the list even though it’s one of my least favorite cleaning chores 🙂 Thanks!!
I was just saying to my husband yesterday that I should vacuum out the car today! So funny 🙂 Guess I better do it!!
You must be spying on me! My car is a complete disaster area. I need to do this today…the weather forecast is calling for snow tomorrow.
I am more excited about getting rid of 7 things! It has become my favorite part of these challenges! 🙂
I love how much can be accomplished in just 15 minutes!!
Too funny – my daughter told me this morning (before I read this) that we needed to clean my car out. It must be important that I get this done today 🙂
I cleaned my car on Saturday! I love taking care of my car. It brings me the greatest joy of all the cleaning activities.
We did this about a week ago. My husband was so kind to get me one of those really good car washes from Entec and it came with a 5 minute car wash. So between the two of us we got my truck all cleaned inside from all the kid stuff around. It probably needs to be spot vaccuumed again so me and my son may go out and get that done.
Ok, I will admit the car is a mess. I honestly do not remember the last time I cleaned it out. Usually my girls and I make it a mess then my husband cleans it out when he gets tired of looking at it. I am pretty sure there are clothes, makeup and just about anything else you might need to get ready on the fly out there. Today is my girls last day of spring break so I think I will enlist them to help me. 🙂
I am so jealous! My girls are too little to help…1 & 2! My husband usually picks out the trash but I can’t remember the last time that our van was cleaned out. I must admit I am a little scared of this one.
My girls are 13 and 16 so they are plenty big to help. 😉
But Stephanie I agree with you, I don’t like to clean out the car either and the thought of it doesn’t sound fun at all. Maybe even worse than cleaning out the fridge last week. LOL
Yes, I cleaned and vacuumed the family car this weekend! Maybe I can repeat the 15 min relax assignment from Friday 🙂 Probably not. I need to do a meal plan and go to the grocery.
Haha-repeat the 15 minute relaxation!
oh, but it’s cold outside. 🙁 decisions, decisions…….maybe i will just clean out my computer desk. and save the car for a warmer day.
My car so needs this!! I’m back to work this week…. ahhh… hope I can keep up. I found 7 things to get rid of over the weekend, so that’s good.
My husband has a very shocked look on my face when I said I was going to vacuum out my SUV. He has always done that for the last 16 almost 17 years of our marriage. It can’t be hard! It is just a chore he has always done for me, same as I always do other chores for him.