Have 10 Minutes? Disinfect with Bleach

Maybe everyone else thinks of this more often than I do, but I rarely think to do this.

Today take 10 minutes to fill up the sink or a wash tub with hot water and a splash of bleach to disinfect.

Things to disinfect:

• sponges
• scrub pads and brushes
• plastic cutting boards
• bath toys
• plastic reusable straws
• hard to clean cooking untensils

Toss the items in the sink/tub and let them soak for 5-10 minutes.

(This renews stinky sponges!)

Have 10 Minutes? Clean Up Your Feed Reader

I use FeedDemon to manage my RSS feeds for the blogs I follow. I used to use Google Reader online, but it would often mark my feeds read for no reason, not showing me what was new. I don't have this issue with FeedDemon luckily.

I currently subscribe to 121 feeds. A few days my number was 153. Missing even one day of reading my feeds with 153 subscriptions can be time consuming. I only want to subscribe to those blogs that I'm truly interested in. I don't want to waste my time reading content I could careless about. It was time to unsubscribe to a handful of blogs.

I still think 121 is a bit much, but there are quite a few blogs that I subscribe to that don't update frequently, but when they do, I don't want to miss out. It takes me about 30-45 minutes a day to go through my feed. That's a lot of time now that I actually think about it. Perhaps I need to clear out more.

Have 10 Minutes? Declutter Your Junk Drawer

I don't have a junk drawer. I honestly don't believe in them. But I know a lot of people do have them, so today's quick task is to clean it out.

Here are the steps you can take:

1. Dump out/clear out the drawer.
2. Vacuum the drawer, if needed. Wipe it out with all purpose cleaner. 
3. Take the drawer out and spray the track down with WD-40 if it sticks when pulled out.
4. Categorize what you're going to put back into the drawer. Throw anything that is broken/missing pieces/that you'll never use again.
5. Organize what will go back into the drawer.

Some ideas for organization for you.

iHeart Organizing

a bowl full of lemons.

BHG

BHG

BHG

Imperfect Homemaking

If you're a blogger, I'd love to see pictures of your junk drawers if you've written a post! If you're not a blogger, I'd love to hear any tips you have for junk drawer organization!

Have 10 Minutes? Declutter Your Cups & Food Containers

Sometimes clutter can overtake kitchen cabinets just as easily as a desktop. Pieces to sets of cups or food storage containers can get broken or become worn out, causing us to toss one piece and not the other half. Now's the time to get rid of the extras.

Now some of you may think, "but what if I can use the 10 extra lids I have laying around eventually, like if one breaks or gets lost". Then just keep one extra if that's your argument. Many of us have way more food storage containers then we'll ever use anyways. I'm guilty.

Today's challenge is to take 10 minutes to go through your cups and food storage containers, looking for the following, and then donating, recycling, or throwing away the culprits:

• cracked or chipped cups
• orphaned pieces to sippy cups and cups with straws or lids
• storage containers without lids...
• ...or lids without storage containers
• storage containers that you've never used...and never will
• cups you no longer use
• anything that's mismatched that you won't use because it "doesn't belong" (I know some people who have this problem...if it doesn't match, it won't be used)

Teachers may be able to use storage containers that are in good condition, even without the lid. I use these in my classroom to organize my supply cupboards and for art supplies when doing projects. Many donation centers will take anything that's not broken. Don't feel like you have to throw everything you come across away. =]

Good luck!

Have 10 Minutes? Clean Your Coffeemaker

Last weekend I deep cleaned my coffeemaker...for the first time. So gross.

Here are the steps I took to deep clean my coffeemaker. Now, keep in mind that the total, overall length of time to do this will be 10 minutes, but it will only take about 10 minutes of your time to actually set it up for the cleaning.

#1 - Empty/clean out the filter basket and coffeepot.
#2 - Fill your coffeepot with 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts water and pour it into the coffeemaker. Put a new paper filter into the filter basket to catch all of the loosened junk.
#3 - Brew the water and let the coffeemaker run through the full brewing cycle.
#4 - When the cycle finishes, unplug the coffeemaker and let it sit to cool down (about 15 minutes).
#5 - Dump out the water/vinegar mixture from the coffeepot. Throw away the paper filter.
#6 - If the inside of your coffeemaker has brown coffee stains all over, now would be a good time to clean these (if you want). The water vapor inside the machine has vinegar in it, making it a good cleaning solution for the stains. I used a Q-tip to clean the hard to reach places, dipping the Q-tip in the hot water/vinegar mixture that was in the coffeepot.
#7 - Repeat the cycle with water only two more times to clean out any vinegar that was left behind. You may continue to see more crud come out into your filter, so you can put in a new one if you want. I don't use paper filters, so I only have the 3 that came with the machine. I didn't want to waste it, so I just cleaned out the filter basket after the two water-only cycles.
#8 - Run your coffeepot and filter basket(s) through the dishwasher.

Okay...so it may take you longer than 10 minutes...but it's worth it. =]

How I... Edit My Photos

I often receive comments/emails asking how I edit my photos or how I add my blog name to each photo. I used to use Picnik. I absolutely loved Picnik. I even paid for their premium service. But then Google closed them down. I found a replacement which is slowly getting better and better. It's called Pixlr Express. It doesn't take as long to load/edit the photos as Picnik did.

Here's an example of the process I go through to edit one photo. It takes me about 2-3 minutes to complete per picture.

#1 Open a photo. Pixlr gives you the option to open from your PC, a URL, or webcam.

#2 Under Adjustment, I resize my photos to make them the perfect size for my blog posts. I always set the width to 525 - it doesn't matter if the photo is landscape or portrait. When you change the width, it will automatically change the height for you. Changing the file size makes the pictures load a lot faster on a blog as well. After resizing, there's a button you can click that will automatically zoom your photo back in to the perfect viewing size. Then I use the Auto Fix option to change the color.

#3 I change the color effects next. I always use Sanna, found under Subtle.

#4 Next, I add a border. I use Normal under Rounded Corner.

#5 I add my blog name manually to each photo. I haven't found an easier way to do it yet, but it doesn't really bother me since I'm editing the photos anyways.

#6 After adding the text to the photo, I'm all done. I save the photo and then close it to start editing the next one.

Pixlr also has a full version online that is free to use. It appears to be like Photoshop and has more options for editing. I haven't used the full version yet, so I don't know how it all works or if it's any good. I'd imagine it probably is since their Express version is good.

How do you edit your photos?

Have 10 Minutes? Clean Your Refrigerator

Isn't it amazing how a refrigerator can collect so much nasty hair, dust, and other grossness, considering it's "closed off" from everything? I'll admit...I'm a clean freak. Not as much as I used to be, but, for example, I always make sure that food products don't get nasty around their lids/openings. If they do, I promptly clean whatever it is up. I don't like stickiness or grime.

But anyways...my refrigerator was looking a bit grungy. Spilled food hidden under containers, hair/dust under the crisper drawers, stickiness all around. It was time to take 10 minutes to wipe everything down and throw out the old food (which surprisingly there wasn't much of this time around).

Now, before you say/think, "that doesn't look that bad", I'm not going to take pictures of all of the grossness going on in there. Those aren't pictures I want on my blog. The one before picture below is not the worst of it, it was the least-gross example I could show.

So I literally just took 10 minutes to clear off the shelves on the door and wipe them down. I didn't see any gunk on the wire racks, so I didn't clean them. I wiped down the bottom shelf and took out the drawers to clean underneath. I also wiped the rubber seal (around the door frame) to clean out the crumbs that had collected in the fold. Super quick and easy.

Since it can be easily forgotten about, take 10 minutes to go and clean your fridge today. =]

Have 10 Minutes? Plan Ahead for Special Events

I forgot my camera at school on Friday, so I don't have any "real life" pictures to share for this post.

Ever forget to send a birthday card? I recently did. I thought about it each week for about a month prior to the big day. And then when the time came to send the card...I forgot.

I have some ideas to share about conquering the forgetfulness we sometime encounter.

Set Up E-Reminders for Birthdays

I added family and friends' birthdays to my Google Calendar and set up reminders to be emailed to me a week in advance.

Write Out Birthday Cards Ahead of Time

Okay, so this might be lame, but I'm saying it. Have cards ready to go at the beginning of each month. Get everyone to sign the card, write a note inside, and address/stamp the envelope ahead of time. I'm more likely to remember to do this on the first of each month and have them all ready to go than to remember to do it a week before, even with a reminder.

Write in Birthdays/Events in Your Planner ... Right Now

At the beginning of each year, I'm going to go through my planner and write in all of the birthdays and events right off the bat. But for now, I can at least fill in the rest of the year.

Add Reminder Pages to Your Home Management Binder

Keep track of everyone in your HMB with this free printable. This document will only be free until Wednesday night, so download it now! {EXPIRED!}

How do you remember birthdays and special events? If you have any tips or tricks, please share!

Have 10 Minutes? Uninstall Junk From Your PC

This post is for PC users. (Sorry Apple lovers.) I am addicted to technology - more specifically, PCs. I'm not an Apple fan at all - not even for an iPod. I own a PC, a Microsoft Zune (MP3 player), a Motorola Droid Razr, a Kindle, and a Kindle Fire. No Apples allowed in this house (so glad my husband agrees). But this post is not to talk about my dislike for Apple. This post is for a quick 10 minute cleaning of your PC if you have one.

I bought my HP Pavilion dm4 laptop in October 2010. I absolutely love it. I was a Dell girl for a really long time - until the last one I had. Then I bought my HP printer, loved it, and decided to go for an HP laptop. I bought it at Staples on an awesome sale. No regrets.

One thing that is totally lame about getting a new computer is all of the extra junk they preinstall for you. Yeah, thanks for the 30-day free trial of AOL and other crap I don't need or want. If it were up to me, I'd get a new computer naked...nothing on it except the basics for the hardware drivers that I need (for sound, wireless, etc.).

Now since my computer is about 1.5 years old, most of my preinstalled crap is gone. But I'm secretly a software/lame game junkie. I like to try out all sorts of software, even though I rarely keep/use it. And I play some of the lamest games for adults to play (according to my husband, who is really one to talk...playing Batman now I as I type...haha). Anyways... Luckily, my computer is still running like a dream, but I know it's time to just take a sweep through (like I did under my bathroom sink the other day) and start uninstalling.

Start >> Control Panel >> Programs >> Uninstall -- I have 129 programs installed. Funny since I only use about 4 of them.

Now, if you're looking at your list of installed programs and you're completely clueless as to what something is, don't just uninstall it. It could be something important. Google the software name to see what it is. Chances are, if it has your computer brand (such as HP) in the name, it could be something important - but most of the time even that stuff is junk. Anything with Intel in the name is important, so don't uninstall it. Java is needed for the internet. Microsoft and/or Windows could be important - unless it's a free trial that you're not going to use or that is expired. (When your computer runs Windows Updates, most of what it installs is made by Microsoft and/or Windows.) When in doubt, leave it alone.

While some of my software is uninstalling, I'm running Disk Cleanup. This comes on PCs and safely cleans up junk. (Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools) I can free 120 MB by running this. If you've never run this program before, or it's been awhile, you'll free a lot more space! I run this a few times a month, so that's why my number is relatively low. If you're unsure about getting rid of any of these things, simply uncheck the box. )I always check all of the boxes.) If you click on each file name, you'll get a description below that tells you what the file includes.

When completed, check to see if your computer has any Windows Updates. (Start >> Programs >> Windows Update) I have one important update and one optional update. The optional update is for my laptop's touchpad software. Of course I'll update that as well.

Overall it took me 10 minutes to uninstall, use the Disk Cleaner, and run Windows Update. I uninstalled 5 programs, which were actually pretty hefty in size.

If you take the time to quickly do these things today - and then once a month - your computer will run a lot smoother. Good luck! =]

Have 5 Minutes? Deep Clean Your Sink Faucet

It is truly amazing, the difference that you can make by thoroughly cleaning a sink faucet. Water can easily collect under the faucet handles/knobs and if the water is at all "dirty" then it can make the faucet look gross. Faucets can easily be wiped down each day to keep up appearances, but if you take the faucet knob off and clean underneath, you can make a world of difference.

I use an old toothbrush to clean around the edges of the faucet first with some Shaklee All-Purpose Cleaner. This gets all of the nasty grime and any hair that collects around the faucet.

Next, I take off the knobs with a screwdriver and clean around underneath and inside the knob. It seriously makes the knob all sparkly and clean, making my faucet look like it's maybe 5 years old instead of 15.

Now, with that said...you should see this bathroom sink/counter combo from the 80's...or 70's...who knows. It's so lovely. A marbley looking tan color with GOLD glitter sprinkled here and there. #1 I can't stand glitter. #2 it's probably the thing that bugs me most about my apartment because it's just so hideous. And do you see the lovely caulk job along the backside of the counter...it's SO bad. Haha. I might peel it off this summer and redo it myself. It's just so terrible.

And finally, for the grand finale...rub the faucet with wax paper to keep it shiny a little bit longer than usual. It will resist water spots!

The bathroom is my least favorite place to clean, what about you? Do you have any tips to share for making bathroom cleaning less of a chore?

Have 10 Minutes? Declutter Your Entryway

Have 10 minutes today? Declutter your entryway or mudroom.

I decided it was time to go through the coats and sweatshirts we had out and hang some in the closet and donate some. I put away shoes (I keep my work flats in my closet and everything else goes on the shoe tree - which I must say I strongly dislike, but Chris demands we keep). I put away the big bag of dog treats. I even gave it a quick vacuum. Much better.

Take 10 minutes today to declutter this area of your home and feel better each time you leave or come in your home.

Have 10 Minutes? Organize a Kitchen Cupboard

On Saturday morning I decided to clean out two of my kitchen cupboards. They were a mess - full of food that was overdue to be disposed of and needing some organizational direction. My process took more than 10 minutes because I took inventory of everything with my new Out of Milk app on my phone. It was so nice to be able to scan the bar code of everything, rather than typing it all in. Now I'll have my list on the go when I need it at the store. Chris and I are working really hard at getting organized with meal planning to save some money. More on that in a different post to come.

Here are my before and after pictures from the two cupboards I cleaned out.

I threw out two grocery bags full of expired food. It makes me sad that it's wasted, because some of it was unopened. We'll get better at this, I promise. =]

So take 10 minutes today to organize a kitchen cupboard that's driving you nuts. Clear everything out. Organize things in a way that makes sense. All of my unopened "extras" went up top (I'm 5'2", so anything on the top shelf is hard for me to reach), along with the occasionally used baking supplies. Everything on the bottom shelf are all things that I use often and need to access easily. The quick meals basket includes packets/seasonings for meals such as tacos, Shake & Bake, Pasta Sides, fajitas, beef stew, etc.

If you have more time and/or feeling adventurous, clean and organize all of your cupboards or pantry, too. Good luck!

I'd love to hear what you've accomplished with this quick task. If you have any tips, please be sure to share! And if you have a blog and have posted pictures of your kitchen/pantry organization, I'd love for you to share the link. Everyone loves a little inspiration.

Have 10 Minutes? Clean Your Ceiling Fan

Over the weekend I received an email from reader Jenny, asking if I had any tips for cleaning a ceiling fan. I don't have a ceiling fan, so I had to research this topic.

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Due to copyright restrictions, I cannot republish the content I found on Real Simple's website about cleaning a ceiling fan. I can, however, give you the link to the information. The directions for cleaning a ceiling fan include a pillow case and spray bottle with distilled white vinegar and water. It seems like an excellent idea. I know when I used to clean the ceiling fan at my parent's home, it was disgusting and dust ended up everywhere.

If you have a ceiling fan, take 10 minutes today to clean it. Let me know how this method works!

We have a small tabletop fan that we use every night to drown out the apartment living noises while we sleep. Unfortunately it does not come apart for easy cleaning. If you have any wonderful ideas on how to clean a fan like this, please share!

How I... Give Homework Each Week

I believe in routine and predictability for my students, as most teachers do. I give the same homework routine each week, and just tweak some of the activities to go with the spelling words and change the math homework to match our daily lessons. Here's what our homework looks like each week.

I change the spelling activities when I notice that they're becoming too easy for my students. I leave some easy ones so they have a break on one night a week and can do a quick spelling activity. I have separate homework for my students who need extra support and have only 10 spelling words a week. I've seen such a difference in their confidence and achievement since I've change their homework (and class work). They're finally feeling success.

I have my students on a number system. I alphabetized them by first name when I became their teacher in November. Then I assigned them each a number. This helps me (and my volunteers) see who is missing assignments, and allows me to put grades in my grade book a lot faster. The kids love having numbers. Who knew something so simple could make them so happy? Ha!

On Friday, I rearranged my classroom and got rid of my "teacher's desk". There's so much more room now! I really needed to move my small group instruction table to another location in my classroom. Some of my students were distracted by what's going on outside the window - which is nothing since we're on the 2nd floor and you can't see anything but a bare tree. Now we're in a better spot. I'll share pictures later this week or next Monday. I'm still in the process of rearranging and tweaking. LOVING my classroom now! =]