A Clean House: It's Not A Top Priority

We as women (and men too, because a lot of men are at home now) wear many hats and have many roles that we have to fill in life. How we do this sets the tone for our lives and that of our children. If you're wondering, “What does this have to do with cleaning?”, we'll gladly tell you.

We have talked to several women over the last month and the one common theme we heard was, “Oh, housecleaning or keeping a clean house is not a priority.” Some of the comments included: “I don't like cleaning and my kids won't do it, so it won't get done”and “I don't clean because I like spending time with my kids or I don't have time.” In these cases, remember our children are watching us--what are we really teaching them? (It's not a top priority).

Two other comments were, “I work all the time and when I get home I'm just too tired” and “I've been so busy, I haven't swept my kitchen floor in a month.” (It's not a top priority). We even heard “Why should I clean up for other people. They are coming to see me, not my house” and “It wasn't until I moved that I realized how dusty my apartment was because it was so dimly lit.” (It's not a top priority).

If we do a little soul searching, we'll find that when we don't have our priorities in order, it leads to other problems. When we have different emotions going on inside, we have to take the time to work through them, get them out, find the root cause(s) and come up with a solution. Coming home to or getting up to a dirty home can cause some of these emotions. What you're feeling on the inside shows on the outside and because of this, you try to keep it in so people won't see who you really are. Who are you? Are you the one that closes the door behind you hoping no one will see the mess you have inside your home. What's on the inside will soon come to the outside and you will have to deal with it. Let's see the real you!

Everything we do reflects who we are and the way we deal with situations is what really counts. If anything is bothering you, even something as simple as housecleaning, we would like to suggest the following:

1. Admit that you have a problem.
2. Write it down.
3. Talk to someone about it.
4. Create an action plan.
5. Put your plan into action.

We think that housecleaning should be a priority and when we begin to do first things first, we'll have time for everything else. It just works out that way. One final comment that we heard is one we do agree with and it is, “Thursday is my cleaning day and I get up early (before work) to start cleaning and do laundry so when I come home on Friday, I have a clean home and I don't have to spend my weekend cleaning.”


R U Looking? has more tried and true tips like this, and if followed you will have a cleaner home and just maybe peace of mind! R U Looking? Are you seeing what's really there?

Wannie and Lillie

Spring Is In The Air

Spring is in the air! If you live in the south, you've already had a glimpse of the warm weather that's in store for us. As the season changes, you smile as you hear the birds singing and enjoy longer days. As you look around your home inside and out, there are so many things you want to do or need to do. Where do you start?

If you start inside your home, R U Looking? recommends that you start by decluttering your home room by room. Having too much stuff in your home makes it difficult to find things and it also makes it harder to clean. It can hinder movement throughout your home and it prevents you from seeing the corners in your home. Spring is the perfect time to go through your home and discard items that may be broken or things you're not using or those things you just don't need anymore. This is also a great time to check and/or change filters especially since pollen and other allergens are in full force.

R U Looking? suggests that if you cleaned the halls before you decked the halls, you may not have much to do.  Some of the "spring cleaning" items include:

1. Cleaning and/or painting baseboards and checking corners for trash accumulation especially in the kitchen and bathrooms.
2. Moving and cleaning underneath large furniture and appliances including the stove and refrigerator.
3. Washing windows and window sills.
4. Having air ducts professionally cleaned including the dryer duct.
5. Stripping the floors and applying a new coat of wax.

R U Looking? has tried and true tips not only for spring cleaning, but for maintaining a clean home at all times. Get your copy today!

Wannie and Lillie

It's A New Year - Check Yourself

Have you heard the words to the song by Jennifer Hudson, “It's a new year and I'm feeling good'? Are you feeling good? Or did you bring the same feelings you had last year into the new year? Are you emotionally and physically tired? Is your mind cluttered? Is your house cluttered? Are you feeling weighed down and just sick and tired of being sicked and tired?

Well it is a new year. In fact, we are well into the first quarter of the new year. It's time to make some changes. In one culture, the natives comb their hair and dress up, put up decorations and clean their homes in preparation for their new year. If you haven't done any of these things you can still do them starting today! Today can be the beginning of your new year as well as the beginning of your new you!

If your mind is cluttered here's a list of things to do:

1. Get a pen and paper and write down what's on your mind. Be honest and get it all out. Talk to someone and don't be afraid to ask for help.
2. Make a list of possible solutions for these problems or issues.
3. Take action and do something about it and clear your mind for the rest of this year and for years to come.

Once your mind is clear, you can get rid of the clutter that is in your home by doing the following:

1. Look around your home with open eyes so you can see what's really there. Be honest with yourself. If you need help ask for it.
2. Make a “to do” list of things that will make your house the type of home you want. Include those things that may not be possible right now.
3. Prioritize your list.
4. Start at the top of your list and put into action what needs to be done. It may be as simple as organizing your closets or drawers and getting rid of stuff you haven't used in a while.
5. Once you get started, it will become easier and before you know it, your home will be all that you want it to be.

Make a decision and do something different if you want something different. Remember, your new year can start today! Get your copy of R U Looking? for more cleaning tips for your home.

Wannie and Lillie