Okay ladies… brace yourselves cuz the new year’s almost here, and I’m determined to get my house in order (including the tree down and all those gifts from the grandparents put away)!  I mean it!  We’re officially going “light” on school, doing just Math (Math-U-See) and Language Arts (Language Arts Through Literature) until the new year.  The rest will be "Maintaining Your Home Together in Love... Fast! - 101 Class".

Now, as much as I'd like to "deep clean" while we're at it (and no, deep cleaning isn't refering to how far your arm goes into the clothes pile in the laundry room or the dishes pile in the sink!... I'm referring to dusting, washing, waxing, painting... ect.!)  There's really not that much time (only FIVE DAYS), so getting things organized first will be the key here.  We can deep clean when the new year begins (I heard the excitement ladies!), and having things picked up and organized will make that SO much easier (not to mention... possible!)

1. Decide what room you want to begin in.  You might want to consider things such as the "little helpers" that are involved.  There are things they can do to help, so use them when you can!  Save other things (like sorting) for when little ones are in bed, or when older ones could be doing school or having time together. 
   
2. Now, go into the room you've decided to bless, and take a picture (seriously... TAKE A PICTURE!  This will be evidence... um, I mean, this will be an encouragement when you're done and you see what you've accomplished!).
3. Grab a couple of boxes or garbage bags... One is for garbage, one is for give-away or garage sale, and one is for keeping (but dealing with LATER... a box really is best for this one). 
   
4. Have a notebook or something to write on and a pen or pencil to make two lists... one for a "To Do" list of things you think of to do in other rooms while cleaning and the other one for any items that room you're working in is in "need" of (this may include a shopping list of reminder items and a "wish list" of things that would be nice to get when the money is available).
5. Make sure you have water, the phone (but only answer if you need to!... you don't want to stop!), music to get 'ya going, and anything else you might need so you don't need to stop.  (Making sandwhiches for the kids now, so you don't have to stop later to feed them is a good idea too... speaking of kids... I like to have mine help me for a 30 minutes, and then have them take a "break" for 30 minutes (computer time, a movie, outside time...).
   
6. Start in the furthest corner.  Begin the "bulldozing" process. (The bulldozing process is simply moving through the room like a bulldozer... not stopping to take something out of the room (therefore increasing your chances of being side-tracked), and continuing until you reach the doorway.
   
7. Depending on the room you're in, there may be some things that need to be taken care of first (in the laundry room... be doing the laundry while you're cleaning, in the kitchen... the dishwasher or self-cleaning oven can be on while you're cleaning, in the bedrooms... throw the sheets in the wash while you're cleaning).
   
8. Continue "bulldozing" through the room.  Start at the ceiling (does that fan need dusting?... we're not "deep cleaning... but you can hit the real obvious things!) and work your way to the floor as you move through (sweep as you go... leave washing it for last).
   
9. REMINDER for each room:  If you haven't needed it, worn it, looked at it, or used it in a year (6 months if you really want to be ruthless) than GET RID OF IT!  Quit keeping them INCASE... Jesus may come back before you use them, so bless someone else and give them away!
   
10. Once you make it to the door way, (after stopping for diaper changes and everything that motherhood entails!) take your boxes or bags out... put the garbage one in the garbage... put the give away one in the car and take it immediately or put the garage sale one in the garage, and put the keep box in a place where you will go through soon (like that night).
11. Now, finish by wiping down anything that needs it, and any other cleaning that needs to take place (if you weren't doing that while bulldozing)...call in the recruits for this if you have to!  Getting my kids involved in this part is great, especially in the kitchen for wiping down the appliances, table and chairs, etc and gives them a way to make a little money for themselves (we don't pay them for chores so this is a special "treat").  Lastly, wash or vacuum that floor.
    
12. Step back, pat yourself on the back, and TAKE A PICTURE!
13. Now... go into the next room and start all over!  Remember, we only have a few days, so really try to manage your time as best as you can!  Don't get overwhelmed and if things are really behind in some rooms, then put things in boxes to go through for the new year (a box a day).  YOU CAN DO THIS!  You'll feel so good about bringing in the new year in a clean house!  REMEMBER: The enemy loves chaos, and will do what he can to prevent you getting this done!  Don't get discouraged!  Call on the Lord to give you strength!  He will sustain you!
14. When you get the chance, be sure to stop back and "SHARE and Tell" how things are going each day!
    

And, even though this really has more to do with getting organized and cleaning... this will bless your hubbies as well.  Check out S.H.M.I.L.Y. Time: #12 to see how you can use this to SHMILY your hubby as well!

(To read how T.R.A.C.K. started, read "Calling All Side-Trackers".)

In Him,
Amy