20 minutes or less Daily Speed Cleaning

As summer time passes and life stays as busy as ever. I have found these time-saving tips and techniques to help keep the house tidy helpful. You might too. I have this little card I got from a Real Simple magazine a couple of years ago. Most of it is stuff our mother taught us to do anyway, but it might be a useful tool to help our kids see that keeping a clean house doesn't have to take hours everyday!

Bedroom-This is where I always start :-)

6 1/2 minutes

Make your bed right after you get out (or if the other half is still sleeping do it right before or after your morning shower.) A neat bed will inspire you.

Make the bed (2 minutes)

Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (4 minutes)

Striaghten out the night table surface (30 seconds)

Bathroom-2 minutes daily

Clean the bathroom each day should take no more time than flossing your teeth.

Wipe outh the sink (30 seconds)

Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds)

Wipe the mirror and faucet (15 seconds)

Squeegee the shower door/or shower if you have no doors (30 seconds)

Spray entire shower and curtain liner with shower mist (15 seconds) *I don't have it! Don't use it!

Living Room-6 minutes daily

Let graveity work for you Dust from top to bottom and save the vacuuming for last.

Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with vacuume (1 minute)

Fluff cushions and fold throws after use (2 minutes)

Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (1 minute)

Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Put away CDs and DVDs (2 minutes)

Kitchen-4 1/2 minutes daily

In the time it takes to make a pot of oatmeal, you can get through your everyday list.

Always start with the sink. Wipe down after doing dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds)

Wipe down the stove top (1 minute)

Wipe down the counters (1 minute)

Sweep, swiffer, or vacuum the floor (2 minutes)

Obviously this isn't your deep cleaning process, but the speed cleaning method that can help those bigger cleaning jobs not seem so daunting!

Fun Hair Tips

I read that if you have highlights you can brighten them with the following formulas:

Blonde Highlights:

Add 4 teaspoons white vinegar

2 Tablespoons shampoo

Mix together then lather on your hair and wash out. (I let mine sit for a minute or two before I rinse it out.)

Brown Highlights

Add 4 teaspoon cider vinegar

2 Tablespoons Shampoo.

Mix together, lather hair, and rinse.

Just a fun FYI for those who might enjoy it.

Happy New Year 2010

My Dear Family,

I am writing my thoughts to you after taking a few minutes to reflect on the e-mail Tyler sent us. I invite you to read Elder Holland's Talk(-The Best is Yet to BE!) as a family and as individuals and allow yourself some quiet time with the spirit. As I read this article and tried to review 2009 and Look FORWARD to 2010. I realized I have much to do, with the Lords help!

The year 2009 has been challenging for each of us and our families in so many different ways. Often times we have no idea what each other is truly experiencing as we go through life day to day. I find great comfort in the Saviors atoning sacrifice and love for each of us. May we find the strength to forgive and forget the hurtful things of the past, LIVE for the FUTURE as it CAN BE and exercise FAITH in the LORD's custom plan for each of us, so that we can experience true and lasting HAPPINESS. I loved how Elder Holland stated, "Let People grow. Believe that people can change and improve." May we let and encourage each other to grow. I ask you now as a sister and a friend to believe in me that I can make the necessary changes and improve myself to become whom the Lord needs me to be. If I have hurt or offended any of you in 2009, I pray that you will find the strength to forgive me and even harder for all of us is the forgetting part. I need this gift from you. I loved Elder Holland's sand pale analogy. I am recommitting myself for 2010 to bury my bucket and shovel and strive to never speak guile.

I Love you all and my hearts desires for 2010 is to be a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. May we pull together and strive for more JOY in OUR FAMILY--for the BEST IS YET TO BE--only IF YOU ARE ALL WITH ME when the end arrives! May we have NO EMPTY CHAIRS IN OUR HEAVENLY PARADISE. May this goal give us Faith, Hope, and Challenge to strive for in 2010.

With Hope, Warmth and Love

Jill