Tip of the Day 3/31/11

Spring Cleaning Week Day 4--Today would be a great day to freshen bed linens. The fastest and most efficient way is to pull all of the comforters, mattress pads, and blankets and head to the Laundry Mat. There are huge machines just for that purpose and you will have clean linens in no time.  To freshen bed skirts use a lint roller to clean edge and sides then spray with Febreeze if desired.  You can pull off and wash, but it usually isn't necessary.

Tip of the Day 3/29/11

Spring Cleaning Day 2--Look Up. The dust from winter likes to collect at the point where the wall meets the ceiling and on light fixtures. Today use a long handle duster to dust those areas along with the fronts and backs of doors and door jambs. Don't forget to dust the ceiling fans you cleaned last month to keep them dust free.

Tip of the Day 3/27/11

"He who sows righteousness will have a sure reward." Proverbs 11:18

Tip of the Day 3/26/11

It may seem impossible to find the time each day to be quiet, but pursue the time. The mother of the famous preachers Charles and John Wesley, Susanna, had many children in a VERY small house but each day she would sit in her rocker, throw her apron over her head, and be "alone". The kids knew this was her quiet time. So, throw an apron over your head and find peace with God. :)

Tip of the Day 3/25/11

Another aspect of a Quiet Time each day is setting priorities. Set goals for your day; what are your must does, what would you like to do, what will you do that is just fun today. Write these goals in your journal to keep you on track. If your quiet time is in the evening apply this to your plans for the following day.

Tip of the Day 3/24/11

Thursday Spring Cleaning-Today let's dust some parts of the furniture you probably don't think about as often, the legs, sides and fronts. Yes, they get dusty also. The edges of the drawers, cabinet doors, and the back of headboards need dusting as well. Hope you feel you are on your way to a fresh Spring cleaned home.

Tip of the Day 3/23/11

A great way to use part of your quiet time each day is by Journaling. Writing the thoughts you have brings a lot of clarity and peace. Write whatever comes to mind. Some people write for a set amount of time or length each day. This isn't about great writing, it's about communication and quietness. You'll be surprised what you learn about your own heart.

Tip of the Day 3/22/11

As part of Dee-cluttering your spirit add to your daily quiet time prayer. Contemplate what you have read, then listen for God's still small voice to speak to your heart. Listening is a powerful privilege.

Tip of the Day 3/21/11

We have worked on Dee-cluttering and organizing our wardrobes, Dee-cluttering our eating habits, now Dee-cluttering our heart, spirit, and mind. Begin to find a time during the day to pursue quietness with God. Use a reading guide to take you into the Bible, add another book by a loved author to the time, read a little each day to bring about peace and quiet in your heart.

Tip of the Day 3/20/11

"If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

Tip of the Day 3/19/11

Our week of the quest for the healthier living concludes today with a tip to get outside and do something productive, rake the leaves from last fall, clean out the flower beds, sweep sidewalks, clean off the lawn furniture, then take a walk, play soccer with the kids, swing on the swings. Enjoy some vitamin D.

Tip of the Day 3/18/11

In our pursuit of a healthier lifestyle with the weekend upon us the temptation to eat unhealthy is strong, pizza, burgers, take-out, etc. You can enjoy these foods while still being healthy-small changes make a big difference-whole wheat pizza crust, turkey pepperoni, add tofu to the Chinese take-out, grill chicken instead of beef burgers. You can do this and have more energy.

Tip of the Day 3/17/11

Thursday Spring Cleaning tip of the week is take items stored under beds, sort into the give away/garage sale box, dust, mop or vacuum and consider carefully before putting items back under there. Do you really need it if you haven't used it for 6 months, a year, longer? Is it something you can use? Be green today and go with Recycle or Reuse, NOT remove from sight under the bed.

Tip of the Day 3/16/11

In our quest to a healthier lifestyle today add a new element to your regular workout routine (I know you have a regular routine, right). Challenge yourself with the new element, a new route on your run/walk, a new yoga position, weights, try Zumba or Pilates. You can do it.

Tip of the Day 3/15/11

On the road to that healthier way of life today begin purposely replacing one unhealthy food item with a healthy choice. Use whole wheat bread instead of white bread, fruit instead of a candy bar, etc. Make a new healthy choice for you and your family. Little changes will lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Tip of the Day 3/14/11

Start the week by adopting a new healthy action. Substitute water for your normal lunch time beverage for this week and by the end of the week it should be a habit.

Tip of the Day 3/12/11

Now that you have the Spring wardrobes organized and closets cleaned, you need to check for loose buttons, or hems needing repair. Also launder or take items to the dry cleaners that need to be. If you have been working on the tips for this week when the first day of Spring arrives next week you should be all set with fresh closets and a fresh Spring wardrobe.

Tip of the Day 3/10/11

It's Spring cleaning Thursday. Since we are working on those Spring wardrobes this week today is a good day to pull out the things in the bottom of closets and dust/vacuum. Don't be surprised if you find what appears to be the furry remains of a small animal if it has been a while since you did this task.

Tip of the Day 3/9/11

In keeping with our theme of a Spring Wardrobe this week, today take a look at your closet and decide how to best organize your clothes. Organize them by color or style, or both. This helps you put together outfits quickly, keeps you from purchasing items you already have, helps kids put together their own outfits, and helps if someone in the house has some color blindness.

Tip of the Day 3/8/11

Hopefully you saved the ads I suggested on Sunday so that you can use them to help you "shop" your spring wardrobe from your own closet. Pick the looks you would like to wear then pick the components you have that would work to build the look. Make a list of items to purchase to complete the look. Saves you big money and you will get more use from your clothing by having a plan.

Tip of the Day 3/6/11

"Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might." Ephesians 6:10

 Hint: be sure to save clothing/dept. store ads from today's paper for an upcoming tip.

Tip of the Day 3/5/11

Today would be a great day to put those clothes that are on the "backward" hangars that you haven't worn this season in the Give Away box. Start thinking Spring Wardrobe. Don't forget your 15 minute family cleanup and moving the Put Aways to the Give Aways.

Tip of the Day 3/4/11

When was the last time you went through your DVD's and got rid of unwanted ones? A great task to undertake today. Put unwanteds in the give away/yard sale box and pick a couple from the keepers to watch this weekend instead of renting.

Tip of the Day 3/3/11

Let's get a jump start on Spring cleaning. Tackle one project a week. Week 1--dust all the ceiling fans top and bottom of blades as well as the lights.

Tip of the Day 3/2/11

To avoid deodorant streaks on clothing fold bottom 6 inches or so of the garment to the outside as you pull the garment over your head then unfold the bottom.

Tip of the Day 3/1/11

Once a week have a "formal" sit down dinner at home. I don't mean black tie, but a meal with cloth or nicer paper napkins, proper silverware and a centerpiece. Use appropriate music to set the mood. Pandora makes it easy to do. Last night I did a beach theme with Fish Tacos, seashells, and candles. Pizza with a red checkered table cloth and candles could be fun.

This is a great way to have a restaurant experience without the expense. I put our dinner together last night in about an hour after our dinner date with friends had to be postponed. This is also a great way to teach children how to handle a restaurant experience.

Tip of the Day 2/28/11

Start the new month with a new habit-Each night choose and set out your clothing for the next day including underwear, shoes, jewelry. If everyone in the household does this each night your mornings will be much calmer, I promise. A key is, no changing your mind in the morning.

Tip of the Day 2/27/11

"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."  Ephesians 6:11