My, how time flies! It seems as though just yesterday it was time to "spring ahead" and soon it will be time to "fall back". Now that our young people are back in school and you're back into your fall routine, it's time to do some organizing, both inside and outside.
Start by sorting through spring and summer clothing. As you sort, if there are items you can no longer wear, place them into a separate pile. When you're done sorting, wash them and box them up and take them to your favorite charity. This helps keep your closet clutter free. If you come across items that clearly cannot be worn by you or anyone else, discard them. Wash the items that need to be stored and pack them in storage containers or move them to another closet for the winter. Next, pull out your fall and winter items and as you put them away organize your closet in the process.
After you have your closets all set, change the bedding to get ready for the cool months ahead. Wash and store the light weight bedding and pull out the heavy linens. To continue with your indoor task list, pull out the humidifier to help put moisture back into the dry environment during these colder months. Adding moisture into your environment can make your space more comfortable and can even make the space feel warmer. Also, change the direction of your ceiling fans to move clockwise. Doing so creates an upward draft that actually redistributes the warm air hovering near the ceiling throughout the room so that your home is heated more efficiently.
To round out your indoor tasks, clean radiators and vents before the cold weather gets here. Replace your furnace filter, have the furnace inspected and put up storm doors and windows. If you have a fireplace, don't forget to be sure the fireplace is in proper working order.
Now let's move to your outdoor tasks. Pull up dead annuals and compost what you remove. Cut back the perennials for the next season. Get your leaf blowers and rakes ready to roll before the leaves start to come down. Once they do begin to fall, keep your lawn healthy by raking regularly and use the leaves for your compost pile. If you have the type of gutters that need to be cleaned, do so and start planting your spring bulbs. If you have a fireplace, start stocking up on firewood.
Once you check off the items on these task lists you'll be ready for the cool months ahead and ready to have some fun. Set a day to go apple picking. If you live here in Michigan, I know you're quite familiar with the visit to the cider mill that includes the hay ride, warm cider and all the apples you can pick.
Don't wait! Set the time in your calendar to do your fall organizing, commit to it and carry it out. Once you're done, remember to celebrate your accomplishment, whether its apple picking or some other treat you've been wanting. Celebrating the completion of one project will energize and empower you to move forward with your next.
©2008 Sheila Hawkins
