Spring Cleaning: Day 3, The Purpose: Hospitality

Special princess friends!

Spring Cleaning, Day 3. Not much was accomplished task-oriented wise. Because...

We had friends over for lunch! And, our little friend stayed to play with my little ones. And, I totally meant to take pictures of it all, and completely forgot....it gets a little wild around here with all eight of us and I was struggling just making a pb and j sandwich let alone take pictures. Next time, because it is memorable! Between my friend and I, we have six kiddos ages 6,5,4,3,2, and 1. And, all the effort is totally worth it!

Anyway, like I said I didn't really further my spring cleaning plans yesterday, but, I was reminded of the blessing of living in fellowship with one another (beyond the one hour of Sunday morning worship). When you live in community with one another, others know your needs (like Murphy's Oil), your wants (like pretty Geraniums), and your likes (Coke, chocolate!!!)(....my friend surprised me with all these gifts yesterday!...thank you!) And, you know their needs, wants, likes, and you begin to minister and love each other like true sisters in Christ.

And, this is exactly why I am putting forth the effort to spring clean, simplify, organize, create a stuff-down-people-up-hospitality-oriented home. I don't want to spend my life maintaing my stuff. And, even though I have to work through some of my shyness and awkwardness with meeting new people, I want to spend my time cultivating relationships. Relationships are what matters for eternity...beginning with God, then family, and then others.

Spring Cleaning: Day Two, Dining Room Area

Yesterday, Day Two, was my Dining Room area. Besides the table and chairs, I also have a work desk in this area. It is my Home Management Planning Area!!! This is where it all happens!!! You can see what happens during the day. Everyday I organize it, but yesterday I also cleaned it.

And, these are my reminders...

oops....I guess I need to dust those corners a little more...
And, in the dining area, I deep cleaned all the parts except the wood! Which, as you can see, is a large chunk of the work. I realized after cleaning the windows that I did not have anymore Murphy's Oil, which I personally like to use for the wood areas. So, after my desk, the window area, and wall hangings were cleaned, I had to stop. Thus endeth Day Two. hee hee...

SC Day 1: Family Room

The stuff under my cushions...good grief!!!

Today was Day 1 of my Spring Cleaning Extravaganza.

The deep cleaning aspect:

-cobwebs
-windows
-blinds
-curtains
-throw blanket
-air filter
-dusting
-vaccuum
-organizing DVDs
-organizing side table area

Side Table Before: slightly out of control with books and Rudolph

Side Table After: repurposed magazine rack for books, added lamp and flower

Incidentally, this is the spot where I blog!

Before

After

Summer mantle: You can see I like things symmetrical and simple!
I have some projects like painting the room, having some pillow covers made, a pinterest inspired family tree wall decoration, and some more plants, but for now, it is clean. I am happy that I have finished the first room. I love that fresh feeling. I hope the motivation keeps up!!!! Tomorrow is my dining area and my work desk. The fun doesn't end here at the Murrell household. Are you doing any spring cleaning??

Spring Cleaning

I am hoping to have a yard sale the first weekend in May, so I am getting in my ruthless purge mode. Plus, I am having strong urges to deep clean the house. I am one of those weird ones. So, for the next three weeks, before my (Lord willing) yard sale, I am hoping to put some time into decluttering, cleaning, organizing, and decorating. Organized Simplicity has been a huge help in doing this process.

Realistically, I am going to spend only one day on each room. During the afternoon quiet time for my kiddos, I am going to try to tackle the designated area as quickly and as thoroughly as I can manage. Also, I have one special project in mind. We have a sun room in the house we are currently renting, and it definitely needs some sprucing up. I have some ideas in mind, so hopefully, I will have a before and after picture of this particular room especially as summertime quickly approaches.

But, for now, tomorrow is my living room cleaning day...