Even the most well-maintained home has several small, annoying things that need to get done. If we let all of these pile up, we soon are left with a disorganized home, a disappointing day or two of annoying errands, and maybe even a sense of dread. Today I’m working on a few “little things” that need doing. It will feel so good to have them checked off my list.
QUICK THINGS TO DO TODAY:
- When’s the last time you sanitized your phones, keyboards and remote controls? Take a couple quick minutes to grab a Clorox wipe and wipe down your landline, cell phones, Blackberries, keyboards, video game controllers, and keyboards.
- Check over your kitchen gloves, bathroom gloves, sponges and scrubbers. Anything getting worn out or holey? Need to toss any and buy new supplies?
- Take just two minutes to grab a sponge, a cloth and your stainless steel cleaning spray and really make your kitchen sink shine (if it needs it).
- Baking any treats for your family and friends for Valentine’s Day? If so, do you have all the supplies you’ll need? Can you find your heart-shaped molds and baking pans, cupcake liners, and decorating supplies? Need to make a trip to the store for any baking related groceries?
- Mail out any last leftover Valentines you haven’t sent yet.
- What are you doing for fun this weekend? Make plans with your friends and family before the weekend begins.
TODAY’S PROJECT: Taking Care of the Little Things
What’s on your list of little (yet necessary) things that you need to do around the house or get done for yourself? Take some time today to either get these things done, or make a concrete plan to get them done over the weekend. Some of your things might require taking time off work (ie, waiting for an electrician or plumber), so plan far ahead. If you have a child home sick from school anytime this winter, use that day at home with them to schedule last-minute appointments, if possible, with carpet cleaners, plumbers, home maintenance professionals, etc.
What’s on my list:
- Fix a broken shelf on my biggest bookshelf. I already have the parts, ordered last week off Amazon.
- Get my tabs renewed – a quick 45 minute round trip to a vehicle licensing bureau. Which happens to be next to a pet food store, so I can cross off two errands at the same time. And on the way home, I can stop to pick up my dry cleaning.
- Replace two extremely ugly forced air heating vents with new brass ones. This is a bit difficult as they’re not a standard size. I’ll have to take them personally to Home Depot and see if they can help me. Not a completely necessary errand, but my home will look better with two brand new shiny brass heating vents instead of the old dirty ugly beige ones.
- The electrician is on his way over to fix some non-working bathroom outlets that I’ve ignored and gone without for too long. (6 months).
- Tonight we’re hooking up my Tivo to the Internet, so I won’t need to drag a phone cord across the house every time I want to download an updated guide.
- I’m replacing the cracked, rotted rubber stopper on one of my spring loaded curtain rods. Not a major priority, but it will make changing out the curtains so much easier this spring.
- This weekend we’re replacing two old, cracked, filthy, uncleanable sink fixtures in two bathrooms. It will require a trip to Home Depot and two inexpensive replacement fixtures. I’m looking forward to turning the taps on in my bathrooms without cringing at the cruddy old knobs!
What’s on your list of annoying little things that need to be done so your house isn’t slowly crumbling down around you?
LOVELY ART: Frank Cadogan Cowper
I love browsing art by this artist, described often as “The last Pre-Raphaelite.” His ladies wear beautiful, flowing, colorful gowns, and have beautiful feminine long hair and glowing translucent skin. One of my favorites by him is La Belle Dame Sans Merci.
Frank Cadogan Cowper, at ArtMagick
Frank Cadogan Cowper, at Wikipedia
LOVELY BATH & BODY: Plum Blossom
I was so excited to try L’Occitane’s new spring line. I didn’t really care for last year’s Cherry Blossom scent, so I did without. I want to try the polishing shower gel and I definitely need the skin moisture gel. I’m going to control myself and not get the eau de toilette, since I already have more than enough perfumes.
LOVELY BLOGS: My Own Sweet Thyme
A nice baking and cooking blog from Lisa in Portland. Join her as she discovers the art of cooking. Recent interesting posts include Borderland cornbread, A Cozy Crown for Epiphany and some lovely peppermint meringues with chocolate ganache.
http://www.myownsweetthyme.com/
LOVELY DISHES: Kate Spade’s “Illustrated” China
I normally like Kate’s more elegant dishes, but there’s something whimsical that calls to me about these illustrated plates and mugs. These would be so fabulous at a cocktail party or dessert buffet.
LOVELY LINKS FOR TODAY:
How Do You Make Snow More Fun? Turn It Into Art! (Inspiring Pretty)