Planning

Spring Home Maintenance Chores

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Each season brings different maintenance chores we need to tackle in our homes. Many are easy and inexpensive to do ourselves. Some require a professional to do it unless you are really handy. I have found several sites that list what should be done and how to do it. Check out these sites and see what applies to you.

Statefarm spring maintenance

Weather.com spring maintenance

Consumerreports.org spring home maintenance

hgtv.com spring maintenance

If you have a suggestion that isn’t on the list of chores to be done then please share it in the comment section. We all can learn from each other.

Janice S.

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Allergy Season Starting

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Spring brings April showers, blooming daffodils, flowering dogwood and cherry trees, and allergies. Most people think that pollen is what causes the sniffles and sneezing but it could also be due to weather changes. Here is another allergy site to look up more information. Different causes require different treatments. If you are not sure of the exact cause it is best to check with your doctor.

IMGP0108_edited-1This picture was taken last year on April 1st at a local park. With all the cold and rainy weather we’ve had here in St. Louis all I’ve seen so far are a few daffodils blooming. It is going to be a late spring, which may make allergy season a little later than usual in the Midwest. As I hear the thunder sounding another impending storm, I hope you are enjoying nice spring-like weather.

Janice

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April 1st Newsletter

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The newsletter is now posted. Click on the April 1st newsletter on the right sidebar to check out the ideas and suggestions of things to do in the next two weeks.

Through my research I have found out that there are all kinds of “holidays” going on during the month of April. There is National Kite Flying Month and Car Care Month and National Library Week. Check out the newsletter for more links on holidays.

I hope to have my website up and running in the next couple of weeks. At that time I will have a place to sign up and have the newsletter sent to your email address twice a month.

If you have any suggestions about what you would like to see in the newsletter, please let me know. I am having fun researching all these different holidays and events that take place during a particular month and would love to learn about any ones you are involved with.

Janice

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April Fools Day Tomorrow

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Tomorrow is April Fools Day. Although a lot of people get into the fun of the day I usually look at April 1st with the idea of warm weather, flowers and sunshine arriving. April Fools Day has some interesting history. Check out Wikipedia or National Geographic if you want to find out more about this unofficial holiday.

“April 1. This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three hundred and sixty four.” ~Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894

When thinking about warm weather, flowers, and sunshine my thoughts turn to gardening. This year has had a slow start due to cool and rainy weather. With the ground so saturated I don’t want to walk in the flower beds to clean out around the perennials. Walking on wet soil will compact it and make it harder for the roots to grow healthy. It is better to wait a few days for the soil to dry out some.

If the weather is still not right for working in the garden where you live you can still work on seed planting and cuttings inside. It is not too late to start many seeds indoors. Check the seed packet to make sure you still have time. You can also repot root bound houseplants at this time. Put them in a pot that is 1″ larger than what they are in now. Most houseplants will start their new growth spurt soon and it is better to let their roots get adjusted to a new pot before that time.

I was reading that from March 29th to April 30th is “National Kite Flying Month” . Go check out this link and find out about flying kites and events taking place all over the country.

After today there are only 15 days left to file your taxes. If you haven’t done it already today would be a good time to start. Remember, you have to file your taxes by April 15, to get your Economic Stimulus Payment if you qualify.

Janice

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Spring Cleaning

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Although it is unseasonably cold outside today I am trying to get myself psyched up for spring cleaning. Spring cleaning doesn’t mean you have to completely clean the entire house. You can pick one area that needs it and work on that.

In my case, my office desk has gotten out of control. Since I started this blog a few weeks ago I have put a lot of time into learning about the technical aspects of setting up a blog and a web site. My goal is to write ebooks on decluttering and organizing and sell them on the web site. I have years of organizing experience but not web site building experience.

It is time to take a step back and spring clean my desk so I can work more efficiently. I will be setting a timer and working for 15 minutes at a time to clear off the papers and file them where they belong. Here is a picture of the mess as of today.

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I will take another picture in a few days when it is cleaned up. Maybe by then it will begin to feel like spring outside and I will be more motivated to tackle other messes that need a “spring cleaning”.

So, what are you spring cleaning this month? Leave a comment and let me know.

Janice

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