Getting Started

I always need to feel like I accomplished something when I start a new project, so lets start out with 2 quick and easy things to do.  First make a list, then clean or organize something.

Lets get started with that list, find yourself a pen and paper.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy, or nice, just whatever you can find.  Remember we haven't even started to talk about organizing that paper mess that is on top, around, in, and under that thing we call a desk, so don't worry about that, just grab a paper and pen. Now write down somethings around the house that bug you, like the bathroom sink where no one puts anything away, the books on the floor next to the book case because it is so hard for kids to remember to place the books ON the shelves, the overflowing garbage cans in the bathrooms, toys under the dining room table, sweeping the front porch and putting the chairs in a way they look nice.... You get the idea?  I'm not talking about "clean out the garage" type projects, just the little things that irritate you when you are walking through the house, things that can be cleaned/organized in 5 minutes or less, but not so small that you won't be able to notice it when it is done.  I also try and stay away from repetitive things for this list, like dishes.  You know as soon as you get it done someone will eat or you will have to cook dinner and then you will have to start over, find things that once you clean have a good chance at staying that way for a while.  Now make your list, if you have to walk around the house while doing it. 

Now pick something on the list, if you feel really ambitious pick 2 things.  For me it was cleaning up the front porch.  For some reason when I say take out the trash the kids translate that into "set the bag on the front porch so the cats will tear the bag apart and spread garbage everywhere".  And that's not my only front porch problem, I also have a couple nice rocking chairs that the kids LOVE to rearrange along with some other furniture.  So I swept it and nicely arranged the furniture. 

Now notice, I also stated the problem. Part of getting a clean and organizing your house is figuring out why it got that way to begin with.  Where is the problem?  What isn't working?  Once you figure that out you need to ask yourself, How can I fix it?  My problem, basically my kids were slacking in the chore department (ok, I admit, I have also placed a bag or two out there while feeling way to lazy to walk it all the way to the can).  So, I took my kids on a "field trip" of the front porch, showed them where the furniture belongs, answered all the "why" questions until I finally said "because mom said so! that's why!", then showed them where the garbage cans are at and how to place garbage in the cans (ok, maybe that sounded like a sarcastic overkill, but when I showed them the garbage cans there was a bag laying on the ground NEXT to the can! "like really, seriously?", as my 16 year old daughter would say).  So far, I have only had one bag placed on the porch, and as they were warned a few days earlier, I made sure that the child that placed it there completely cleaned up mess.

Good Luck!

And don't forget the best parts, first stand back and look at what you did, then cross it off your list!