More Cleaning and Purging

The best time to sanitize my washing machine is when it's colder outside.  I actually have a "sanitize" cycle on my washer.  It uses the hottest water and bleach.  

In order to do the remodel in the utility room (adding a bathroom), I will need to purge.  There will be a trip to the antique store and the thrift store this weekend.

My utility room/craft storage is a fairly large but oddly built room. I'll lose my coat rack, so I may talk him into building an room over the side porch for coats and boots etc.  An enclosed area before entering the side door.

Anyway, what's getting purged?

-antique sewing machine

-antique sewing chair (that has a compartment in the seat for storage

-antique table for 2, 2 matching chairs

-2 antique travel cases (from Dad's place)

-antique small TV (from Dad's place)

-egg carton lamp (I will never use it and no one in the family wants it and I can't be the one who saves everything just because)

-two boxes of books, one of odd stuff and clothing

I literally took me almost 3 hours to clean out the drawers of the antique sewing machine.  I haven't been in it since I last used it over 13? years ago.  Mom gave me her portable new one, so the antique Singer has to go. 

Once these items are all out of the house, I'll be purging more storage drawers we had under the counter in the utility room.  The kids had one just for the pets, so that one will go for sure.  We don't store anything in it.  I think we used it for portable watering units for walks etc.  Anyway, I have much to purge yet in there.

No snow here so far.  They predicted some, but nothing yet.  The sun was out yesterday and the chickens loved (and I as well).

January ~ A new beginning

I love January.  A new beginning for the year, a new start and it's the best time for me to deep clean.  I am more excited this year, as we are starting to update the flooring etc.  Most of you are excited to sit and read, relax and whatnot, but I can't do all my deep cleaning over spring, summer and fall.  There is simply too much work with the garden, as I am the only person on weekdays to work it.

We located some flooring on sale, but need to see if other stores have more of it.  My husband is super fired up and motivated now.  I'm so happy for that.

However, my house looks like a hot mess. Boxes of books in three rooms right now, ha ha!  I know it will all piece back together when we are done, but boy oh boy.

My hometown is starting to crack down even more regarding this virus.  It's becoming a less appealing town to visit anymore.  They also have their own mask mandate they continue to update.  It's so frustrating to shop there.  Okay, off my soapbox about that.

Back to my extreme clean.  While waiting on the flooring, I am purging my writing materials.  I have loads of file folders that I have not opened for 10-12 years. I know it's not something that they eye will see first, but doing it as it is much needed.

I also dumped out a drawer in the bathroom.  The kids have destroyed my organizing.  It's the drawer for things like chickweed salve, band-aids, medical tape etc.  Man it was a total mess.  Not really exciting news to post, but maybe I'll motivate someone to dump a drawer and clean it.

Although we recently canceled our out of state trip with biker friends (one has 5 stents), we are concentrating on in state travel for ourselves.  We don't want to be stuck in another state if anyone should get sick.  Anyway, short in state trips, including camping are our escapes.  We will not stop living our lives during all this going on in the world (hopefully it won't get worse).

No one answered my questions about planting mullein and comfrey in the same raised bed, so I guess I'll be doing some research this week.  With the lack of snow this spring, I'd like to get outside work started early on days it's warm enough.  Yesterday was a chilly 21°F in the morning.

On a last note, I weighed myself this morning.  Since we bought our first Harley, I have lost 48.6 lbs. I can't say my exercise was regular in 2020, but I'm back on track.  Just putting laundry on the line, I can rack up 10,000 steps on my fitbit too.

Here is a photo of my embellished Valentine's Day paper clips.  I have also made small flowers as well.  One year I made a set for all the kids for Valentine's day.