Monthly Organizing Checklist April, 2019 Our April Organizing Checklist provides an organizing TO DO for every day of the month… Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest checklist is available. For a PRINTABLE VERSION, click here ____ Apr 1 April Fools’ Day. I’m not a fan of pranks on April Fools’ Day that end up in folks getting frightened or embarrassed. I’d rather go for a smile. Here are 3 ideas: o Stick Googly eyes on a few items, like the tube of toothpaste or shampoo container at home…or your spouse’s stapler in your home office. (Only do this if your children are old enough and the decorative eyes won't present a choking hazard.) o Make Jello, allowing it to set in your everyday water glasses. As it begins to set, add a straw to each glass and continue allowing it to set. Serve these glasses of “juice” for breakfast. o Carefully unroll the toilet paper and, using a marker, write a funny message every few sheets, like “You’re on a roll,” “You’re going to wash your hands, right?”, and “Everyone wants to change the world. Nobody wants to change the toilet paper roll.” Then, roll the toilet paper back up and wait for family to get your messages. ____ Apr 2 Begin your taxes so you have time to get all the required documentation together and accessible before taxes are due. This year for Americans, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the tax deadline has been extended to July 15th. However, if you’re due a refund, you may want to get them done now. ____ Apr 3 Begin getting your lawn ready for the season. You may need to fertilize, apply post emergent weed control, or seed bare spots. ____ Apr 4 Change your home’s air filters to ensure you won't be breathing in all the pollen from outside. ____ Apr 5 Organize your silverware drawer. Remove everything from your silverware drawer and sort it all. Clean the drawer out before returning silverware.  ____ Apr 6 Work on any garden beds, especially if you want to build any raised gardens.  Now is a great time to plan any flower and vegetable gardens and look at the planting calendars in your region. .____ Apr 7 Clean the insides of your kitchen cabinets. Choose a cabinet, remove everything, clean it out well, weed anything out as necessary, and return items back in an organized fashion. Do one today…and consider doing one a day after that until they’re all done. ____  Apr 8 Passover begins at Sundown. If you’re Jewish, you may have been preparing for Passover for a few weeks now. It is tradition before Passover to remove every trace of unleavened bread from one’s home. Whether you’re Jewish or not, vacuum under sofas and under sofa cushions…it’s amazing how many cracker/pretzel/pop corn “crumbs” will be found there if you and your family snack in the living room. ____  Apr 9 Remove all trash from your car. Be sure you have a small trash-bin or trash bag in your vehicle…and empty it out every time you fuel up. ____ Apr 10 Good Friday. Is there someone in your life who you’re mad at or holding a grudge against? Perhaps today is the day to offer forgiveness…and give yourself a peaceful heart. ____ Apr 11 Remove leaves, branches, and weeds from your yard.  Begin pruning any plants as needed. ____ Apr 12 Easter Sunday. Enjoy this day of rebirth and renewal. ____ Apr 13 Organize your vehicle’s trunk. Empty it out and only put back what needs to stay. ____ Apr 14 Compliment 3 people today.  It makes others…and you…feel good. ____ Apr 15 Vacuum. Vacuum a room or two, or all your throw rugs. ____ Apr 16 Inspect your home’s walkway and driveway. If you find cracks, schedule time for repairs as needed, or call a professional to get this service call on the schedule. ____ Apr 17 Clean out trash and recycling bins. Now that the weather is warmer in many areas, it’s a great time to clean them out with a hose, a tiny bit of dishwashing liquid, and a scrub brush. ____ Apr 18 Dry-dust baseboards in your home. Use a microfiber cloth or vacuum attachment to do so. If it has been awhile since you’ve done this task and dry dusting isn’t doing the trick, you may need to add a few drops of dish soap to two- quarts of water. Using a clean microfiber cloth (ring it out first), wipe them down to hand. ____ Apr 19 Clean behind the refrigerator and stove. Yes, this means you have to pull them out first. Get help from someone, so you don’t get hurt doing so. ____ Apr 20 Make a list of at-home summer activities for the kids. Kids get bored very easily so it’s a great idea to have activities at-the- ready for them. Some ideas: paint by numbers, building bird houses, or making a scrapbook.. ____ Apr 21 Inspect window screens. Do any need repair? Handle this task now before summer’s bees, hornets, mosquitos and other insects find their way in. ____ Apr 22 Earth Day. Make an effort to stop buying plastic water bottles. Instead, be sure every member of your family has a reusable one in a style and design they like. ____ Apr 23 Ramadan begins at Sundown. Send a letter to someone you care about just to say hi, or with words of comfort if needed. ____ Apr 24 Have your air conditioner maintenanced. Summer will be here before you know it. ____ Apr 25 Put your best foot forward.  Try walking outside (or inside if necessary) for 15 to 20 minutes each day. ____ Apr 26 Weed out your pens/pencils. Sort your pens and pencils, whether you keep them in a pencil cup, pencil pouch, or kitchen/desk drawer. Only keep pens that work. Sharpen pencils as needed. Get rid of pencil “nubs” too small to comfortably use. ____ Apr 27 Consider teacher gifts. The end of the school year is approaching for many schools. Many teachers have gone above and beyond teaching online this year. It’s time to think up something thoughtful for the lovely teachers in your child’s life and your life. Include a heartfelt message with your gift. Most teachers love gift cards! ____ Apr 28 Clean out your dryer vent hose to prevent build up. ____ Apr 29 Buy (or make) graduation cards for anyone you know that’s graduating from school. It has been an incredibly rough school year for kids this year. ____ Apr 30 Inventory your summer wardrobe. What fits from last season? What doesn’t? Have each family member try on last season’s attire to determine what will work and what won’t. Fill a donation box or a rummage sale box as applicable and make a shopping list of needed items.