Things to Think About 6/11

The get-it-done list for June... straight out of the "gentle reminders" section of my 6 years of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Plus my two cents!

• Open the windows and air out the house. Do this while you can take advantage of breezy days this month, before the hottest summer weather sets in. proper ventilation improves indoor air quality and makes the house more comfortable.
• Rinse swimwear in cold water after each use. This will extend the life of the suit (especially when you're using a swimming pool, as chlorinated water can cause fabric to fade and lose elasticity). Gently squeeze excess water from the rinsed suit - do not wring- and hang to dry.
• Brush up on sun care basics. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, which blocks out 93 percent of the sun's burning ultraviolet rays. Apply generously thirty minutes before going outside; reapply every two hours (if you are swimming or perspiring, every forty to eighty minutes). If possible, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the hours of the day when UV rays are strongest.
• Go from room to room, cleaning ceiling fans and light fixtures. Bring a cup to hold loose hardware if you'll have to remove pieces, such as domes. Turn off light fixtures, and stand on a ladder or sturdy chair. Use a soft cloth to apply surface-appropriate cleaners (household cleaner or oil soap for wood blades, glass cleaner for light bulb covers, and so on); dust cool light bulbs with a soft, dry cloth.
• Organize a tag sale. Clean out your closets, basement, and garage. Sort and price items you no longer need. Choose a weekend to hold the sale, and post signs. (Check local ordinances to see if a permit is required for the sale.) Invite neighbors to join in, as larger inventories attract more customers.
• Purchase passes. Don't wait till the last minute to buy permits for the beach, the pool, parks, and tennis courts, and remember to inquire about parking. If you plan to take instructional classes, sign up now.
• Car Care. Have the air-conditioning, cooling system, tires, and brakes of your automobile inspected before any extended road trips. Then vacuum, wash and wax it. Stash extra coolant in the trunk in case the car overheats. When you hit the highway, prevent engine strain - and save gas - by observing the speed limit.
• Plan your Summer.  Make a top list of things you WANT to get done and things you NEED to get done.  It helps if they are written down and in a high traffic area (like the fridge in my case) so you don't forget to get them done!

Things to Think About 5/11

The get-it-done list for May... straight out of the "gentle reminders" section of my 6 years of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Started late? Check out the other months by clocking on the label below!.

• Give your bathroom a makeover. Bring out light-colored towels, and have a while shower curtain in linen or canvas to give the room a cool look. Was or replace the curtain liner, if necessary. 
• Clean out your medicine cabinet every 6 months. Restock supplies, discard old medications, refill prescriptions, and replace any cosmetics that are aging (eye makeup, for example, lasts only three to six months). Make sure you have basic first aid items, such as bandages and pain relievers, on hand, too.
• Organize the pantry. Dispose of expiring items, replace spices and cooking staples, and stock up on nuts, olives, crackers, and other nibbles for entertaining unexpected guests.
• Clean the filter on your air conditioner once a month when you are using it frequently.This prevents dust and other allergens from accumulating. Turn off the unit, and remove the filter (refer to the manufacturer's instructions if necessary). Wash the filter with warm water and mild detergent. Let it dry completely before replacing. Also, vacuum vents of window units at the same time, to cut down on the dust that can clog its interior. If you have a central-air system, get it serviced professionally.
• Update your emergency phone list. It should include contact information for local police and fire departments, the poison control center, doctors and veterinarians, family and neighbors. Laminate the list, and post it near the phone. You should also program the numbers into your cell phone.
• Clean the refrigerator and freezer. Soak removable pieces in warm, slightly soapy water; loosen hardened spills on fixed parts by covering them with a damp sponge or cloth. Don't use bleach or ammonia, as these can damage some materials. To eliminate odors, wipe down all interior surfaces with a baking soda-warm water solution (one or two tablespoons soda per quart of water). Vacuum the coils of your refrigerator to remove dust and buildup. In older models, the coils are located in the back; in newer ones, look for them at the bottom, behind the front grill.
• Save energy in the kitchen. For the most economical use of electricity, make sure your freezer is fully stocked, but leave some space in the fridge for air to circulate and keep things cold. Check the refrigerator and freezer temperatures, using an appliance thermometer. The refrigerator should be forty degrees; the freezer, zero.

Things to Think About 4/11

The get-it-done list for April... straight out of the "gentle reminders" section of my 6 years of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Started late? Check out the other months here. I have also added my 2 cents. :) Happy Cleaning/Organizing/Planning.

• Clean stubborn spills and splatters that have hardened on the interior of your microwave. Place a wet dish towel inside, and heat it for about thirty seconds. The steam will loosen buildup; use the hot cloth to wipe it away, placing a folded dry cloth over the wet one to protect your hand. Remove any residual odors by heating a bowl of water with a few lemon slices in it for thirty seconds.
• Wipe out garbage cans. Wash the interiors with a solution of one gallon hot water and one-half cup washing soda, such as Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (available in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores).
• Clean dirt and lint from inside your washing machine. Wipe the interior with a clean, damp cloth, then run a short hot wash cycle with detergent; rinse the empty machine with a plain water cycle. If the machine is exceptionally dirty, fill it with a disinfecting solution: 3/4 cup chlorine bleach and 1 tablespoon powdered detergent for every gallon of warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then drain and rinse a few times.
• Get your gas grill ready. Wash the outside with dish soap and water; rinse. Scrub burners with a grill brush; clear clogs with a pipe cleaner or needle. Spray the interior with a grease-cutting solution made of one part distilled white vinegar and one part water. Close lid, and let sit for at least an hour; scrape gently with a putty knife.
• Have your lawn mower tuned up and its blades sharpened. Refill gas containers and buy oil for the mower, as well as for other small-engine equipment, such as a week whacker. (Make sure that you buy the correct formula for each machine.)
• If you don't use them year-round, pack up room humidifiers for the season. Before storing, replace old filters, and remove mineral buildup. Soak interiors with undistilled white vinegar, and scrub with a soft bristle brush; rinse with clean water.
• Clean window screens. Bring screens outside. Stand them against a wall or lay them on the ground. Using warm water and mild dish-washing detergent, clean mesh and frames with a scrub brush. Rinse with a garden hose, and air-dry. During the rest of the year, keep screens clean by wiping them with a soft brush.
• 72 Hour Kit Swap Out.  It's time to rotate through your food.  For us we take out things that melt like granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.  Most of the time we have dinner out of our 72 hour kits and for FHE restock them! Try it its so fun!
• Schedule a tune-up for your car. Request that your tires be changed or rotated, the brakes and fluids checked, the wiper blades replaced, the air conditioning system and four-wheel drive serviced, and the under-body steam cleaned. Drop by the car wash for a detailed cleaning on the way home.
• Road rules. Properly inflated automobile tires ensure better handling on the road as well as optimal gas mileage; keep a tire-pressure gauge in your glove compartment and check the pressure monthly. The right tire pressure for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker on the driver's side door-jamb. Consider filling tires with nitrogen, an option at auto shops; it maintains pressure longer than regular air.
• Pack or restock a car breakdown kit. Fill a canvas bag with such items as a flashlight and batteries, fix-flat spray, jumper cables, flares, motor oil, and a small tool set. Stash the kit in your trunk.http://nvwitteandkids.blogspot.com/search/label/Things%20to%20Think%20About

Things to Think About 3/11

If you haven't caught on yet, I'm posting a list of relevant to-do-this-month things that need to be done sometime, but often get put on the back burner, well... indefinitely. Martha Stewart calls them "gentle reminders" and I love them. Here's your get-it-done list for March (coming from 6 years of March issues of Martha Stewart Living). I have also added my 2 cents. :) Happy Cleaning/Organizing/Planning.

• Now's the time to plan a family vacation. Use the Internet to research destinations and prices. Begin submitting summer camp applications, too. Put those tax returns to good use!
• Clean ceiling fans. Turn off the fan and any attached light fixture at the circuit breaker, and, standing on a sturdy latter, wipe the blades with a soft cloth dampened with household cleaner; then dry with a clean cloth. Use glass cleaner for the light fixture. Dust motor housing with a dry cloth. To keep blades free of dust between cleanings, use a feather duster on an extension pole.
• Take delicate or structured curtains to be professionally cleaned. Hand-wash those that can be laundered at home, then let them line-dry out of direct sunlight. Press and steam before rehanging. Blinds and shades should also be cleaned. Don't forget to wash windows before replacing curtains.
• Clear gutters of debris. Check troughs and downspouts for clogs or a buildup of leaves and bark. Examine the drainage system for damage as you go, and call a professional to schedule any repairs that are required. (Do this in Spring and Fall.)
• Deep-clean carpets and rugs. For synthetic carpeting, rent or buy a shampooer/extractor-a machine that cleans the fibers and removes traces of soap using hot water. Open windows and let air flow to help carpets dry. If you have wool carpets or rugs, or any that are valuable or delicate, contact a professional for cleaning.
• Rotate 72 Hour Kit and Food Storage Food
• For even wear, rotate your mattress twice a year. Alternate between flipping it end-over-end and side-over-side. This is also a good time to launder the mattress cover and, while the cover is removed, vacuum the mattress itself thoroughly. Air out the mattress by taking it outdoors on a sunny day and letting it sit in the sun for at least three hours. It this is not possible, open windows on a breezy day and leave the mattress uncovered for several hours.
• Dress beds in season-appropriate linens. Launder down comforters and woolen blankets before packing them for storage.
• Do a safety check every six months. When you turn the clocks forward for daylight saving time, test household alarms and schedule a fire drill for your family. Also be sure exterior lights are working and no bulbs are burned out.
• Clean the inside of the dishwasher. Wipe down its walls with a soft sponge dampened with warm water and several drops of a liquid automatic-dishwasher detergent. When you're finished, sprinkle the interior with baking soda, and run the light cycle. If this still doesn't work put a packet of Lemonade flavored KoolAid (sugarless) in the soap dispenser and run the dishwasher EMPTY on a pots and pans cycle. Crazy but it works

Things to Think About 2/11

I have a full weekend planned so I am posting this before the 5th.
Here are my favorite (and also applicable) gentle reminders from 5 years of February's, again, via Martha.

• Join a community-supported agriculture (CSA) cooperative. You'll receive farm-fresh produce and support local family farms. To find a CSA, go to localharvest.org/csa or look for postings in community centers and health-food stores.
• Save the date. With Valentine's Day falling on a fill-in-any-day-of-the-week-here this year, restaurants are likely to fill up early. Check out special holiday menus and book a table as soon as possible for you and your sweetheart.
• Dry clothes safely. If the laundry takes longer than normal to dry, the exhaust duct for your machine may be clogged, which can spark a fire. Check the outside cent while the dryer is running to make sure exhaust air is escaping. To clean, disconnect the vent and remove lint with a vacuum or a brush.
• Clean and organize bookshelves. Dust shelves, and sort books by subject, so you can quickly find what you're seeking. Then, while you're at it...
• Take stock of your home library. In honor of Library Lovers Month, donate unwanted books and periodicals to a public library or a school.
• Taxing issue. Gather your W-2 forms and other relevant documents to make sure you have everything you need to file your taxes by the April 15 deadline. There is still time to request copies if anything is missing. For more information, or if you plan to file online, visitirs.gov/efile.
• Mend clothing. Set aside time to perform simple repairs, such as replacing buttons, fixing hems, or patching holes. Use mercerized thread, which glides easily and is more durable than regular thread.

Things to Think About 1/11

Gentle Reminders from Martha Stewart - collected from 5 years of tearing out and putting in my January Box. this year I am going to be more on top of it when it comes to the small stuff I always seem to forget - Thank You Martha for making it so much easier!

• Clean up your computer. Organize your electronic documents by making folders for related files, and transfer photos to CDs, DVDs, or an external hard drive to free up memory in your computer.
• Reduce unnecessary clutter. For example, transfer your collection of compact discs to an MP3 player, and give the music CDs to a library or a nursing home.
• Pare down kitchen supplies. Donate items you never use, such as that wok you received last Christmas, and stash infrequently needed supplies in out-of-the-way cabinets and on less-accessible shelves.
• Conduct a household inventory and catalog all valuables. This will help you file a claim with your insurance company should any of these items be stolen or damaged in a fire or a natural disaster. Photograph jewelry, electronics, and the like; store the pictures, along with any relevant records (such as receipts, appraisals, or certificates) in a fireproof safe or a safe-deposit box.
• Rank and file. Prepare for tax season. Be on the lookout for end-of-year bank statements, W-2 forms, and other important documents arriving in the mail this month, and set them aside in one folder to bring to your accountant.
• Up to date. Check the expiration dates on your driver's license, passport, car registration, gym membership, and insurance policies, and take care of any necessary renewals.
• Update calendars and planners. Take time to make appointments for annual physicals, biannual dental exams, and so on.
• Freshen your garbage disposal. Make white vinegar ice cubes and run them through your disposal. This will deodorize it and sharpen the blades. Another option is to grind citrus peels while pouring boiling water down the drain.
• Keep your insurance up to date. Notify your agent of major purchases, such as electronics, appliances, jewelry, and art, as you may need increased coverage. Ask about discounts; your insurer may offer a reduced premium for a new security system or multiple policies.

Dinner tonight: Light Chicken Orzo
Also here is a fun snack for Toddlers/Kids to try out this winter : Edible Snowmen