Friday, August 17, 2012

15 Minute Pick Up

Organizing in 15 minutes time segments.
I have been working hard to get the kitchen organized and deep cleaned for the back to school rush that has hit our home. Surfaces cleaned and sparkly don't stay that way long in my home. In my continuing pursuit of my word of the year, I have been implementing some additional daily habits to try and keep the house as picked up and organized as I can.

This week I have started a 15 minute pick up in the evenings. After I tuck in the chickens and give Q a bath, and before I allow myself to flop down and give up on the day, I am forcing myself to take 15 minutes and do a quick pick up. Tonight the pick up yielded some laundry that was folded but still sitting on the table, some scattered dishes that made it into the dishwasher and items left on kitchen counters from after dinner snacks. I put those all in their respective places and hung a fresh kitchen towel for tomorrow.



Counters are now clear for the busy morning rush of breakfast and lunch making.


Items left on the dining table were picked up and tidied. We used to use the table as an unloading zone as in everyone unloaded whatever they came in the door with onto my table. Myself included. In my move towards trying to teach myself to be more organized, I have stopped this practice. I try to keep the kids from  setting things down at all on the table and when my husband comes in after a long day and empties his pockets, I just quietly move his things to a tray I have for him in the bedroom. He is actually starting to use the tray first thing so as they say, a habit over time can become a reality if you keep it up.


Having the house just that much more picked up before bed makes rising and starting my day so much more pleasant.

31 comments:

  1. Spotless! It looks great! I remember a tip that said never leave a room without leaving it in the order it should be and house will stay clean.

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  2. Good morning Elaine,

    I'm the same way...if I can have things "picked up" before going to bed, I'm much happier in the morning! It's my zone that has to be picked up and organized for my sanity. I can't say it always happens but it's what I strive for. I love your 15 minute rule! That's good!

    Have a great weekend, girl!
    Tammy

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  3. A place for everything and everything in its place. I love the cute yellow Keurig so shiny, too.
    blessings to you.

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  4. You are the master at keeping a home running smoothly!
    Brenda

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  5. Your house is beautiful - I just love your kitchen, ah white cabinets (I wish ;) and the tidiness and organization just makes things feel so much calmer and more beautiful. Question: Where do you homeschool? We've tried everywhere in the house but this year we're moving into the dining room. Even though it's the right room you see when you enter our house, it has the space to spread out, the storage to hide things. So we'll see if I can handle seeing my dining room that way daily. Mary

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  6. I've let some bad habits creep into our home since The Honey has retired. Not blaming him, it is me.
    When he used to work...I was diligent, so that he would come home to a clean house, and wake up to 'order' in the morning before he left. While he was gone during the day is when it would get wrecked.
    On his vacation weeks...I took vacation too, and was as diligent. Not that he is retired. It is like he is on permanent vacation. So...I let things go more.
    Bad.
    I'm seeing that now, and trying to turn things around.

    You 'OH SO TIDY KITCHEN AND DINING'...reminds me of this and I want it back. ::ORDER::

    Pat

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  7. It's a lovely little kitchen that you have, so cute, and bright.

    We do that 15 minute clean up each night, it's amazing how much clutter you can disturb by doing that every night.

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

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  8. What a great habit to get into. I think you have convinced me to give it a try. I like to leave the kitchen all clean and wiped down because I hate to wake up to dishes in the sink but I thing I will include the rest of the downstairs as well.

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  9. I am forever picking up things left on the table too! Everything has a place....how many times do I say that a day?? ha..

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  10. Oh and I'll bet you wake up with a much sunnier smile :) Those quick pick ups really help keep things in check. Great "training" with the tray :) Like that idea!

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  11. The house looks amazing!! We are so very alike!!
    XO Kris

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  12. What a sweet kitchen you have!! Love the red accents and, my, it is so sparklingly clean! You got me motivated with your pretty kitchen so I am scrubbing my 70's avacado green stove this morning! I think I don't keep it so sparklilng because of the color- maybe somehow it will blend in- yea right!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  13. Your kitchen is so sparkly, Elaine!

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  14. I had a job years ago that required occasional Saturday work. Coming home to a clean kitchen and made bed always put me in a better mood for the rest of the day.

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  15. I've been trying to do all of those things for years now, the problem is no one else gets it....at all! Good for you that you have a well behaved family! Nice ideas!

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  16. Do I see chickens on your window topper? Your home is so tidy and welcoming, Elaine.
    I hope your girls first week of school was pleasant.
    Have a restful weekend,
    Carolynn

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  17. Yep, Elaine- I learned that from a girlfriend years ago- that last night sweep before settling down for the night- you get up to a place that is neat and organized and ready to welcome you to your first cuppa coffee! xo Diana

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  18. What a pretty kitchen!! And I always make sure the dishes are done and the counters all clean before going to bed. I can't stand to wake up to a messy kitchen! It would be depressing.

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  19. Much nicer to start your day with a clean and neat house, isn't it? I'm like you where I like things picked up and put in their proper place. It's just me, my husband, and our 21-year old son (who's rarely home, anyway) ~ but this weekend I have my two teenage nieces, and my house is showing it! :-)

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  20. Your kitchen is very pretty, I like the white counters. I try to tidy everything up before I go to bed and remind myself to put away whatever I take out when I'm done with it. It does make our load lighter.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  21. Your kitchen looks so welcoming! Just the type of kitchen that children will always remember when they are grownups. I like leaving everything neat before I go to bed too, even though my daughter is grown and has her own home. It just makes for a better morning, like you said.

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  22. Great post and great tip! Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Nifty Thrifty. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/08/make-it-pretty-monday-week-10.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

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  23. I like this idea of 15 minutes in the evening. I tend to have to do things perfectly so if I know I just have to do a little but, it's all for the good of the house. Have a great week!

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  24. I am trying that too, since I went back to school this week. I do 15 min. of pickup every night. I also have certain chores for each night, so that I have more time on the weekend. One night is clean bird cages, another is a load of laundry, etc. So I have been in school 1 week, we will see if I keep it up. The 15 minute pick up is easy, especially if I talk on the phone while I work.

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  25. Hi Elaine! Hop on a plane and come see me. At the moment 15 minute pick-ups are not going to do it for me. I think I need a full time coach. Are you up for the task? Since I know this is out of the question, I am going to be practicing your 15 minute technique all week because that's really all the time I have to spare these days. Thanks for the tip and enjoy your Sunday.

    Big Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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  26. Your house looks very tidy and cozy too! I find that since I started blogging I have a less tidy house.

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  27. It's party time over at Debt Free Mommy Blog and you're invited! Please come by and link up any post(s) related to making your home a better space. I hope you'll join us for Making Space Mondays. Hope to see you there! -Tabitha

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  28. Such a simple little habit that we all should acquire...me included!!

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  29. I have a similar rule, although not always obeyed, but I agree that if you can keep things tidy, esp those dishes tucked into the dishwasher, and have a place for each person's items, it makes things better all around. Thanks for sharing your photos and ideas!
    JoAnn

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