Monthly Organizing Checklist May, 2019 A spring day in May is lovely indeed…especially when it’s an organized one! Follow our NEW May Organizing Checklist…with an organizing task for you to complete each day! Join our newsletter to be notified when the newest checklist is available. For a PRINTABLE VERSION, click here ____ May 1 May Day. Celebrate by buying some fresh flowers or planting a flowering plant. ____ May 2 Many washing machines suggest/require them to be cleaned about once a month. Is it time? ____ May 3 Clean the dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner or cup of vinegar on the top rack as you run a cycle without dishes. ____ May 4 Kentucky Derby Day. Invite friends over to watch the races. Wear a great hat. ____ May 5 Cinco de Mayo. A great excuse to make or go out for Mexican style food. Tacos, anyone? ____ May 6 Termites tend to swarm in the spring. Inspect your home or have it inspected. ____ May 7 Check your roof, especially if it has been a hard winter. Using binoculars, look for things like missing shingles. ____ May 8 Schedule a day to wash windows, getting off the dirt of winter. If you really hate this job, plan a reward for yourself for doing it. If you get someone else to do the work, make the appointment soon. ____ May 9 Learn something new. Watch or listen to a TED talk or podcast on something you don’t know anything about. ____ May 10 Spend a little time sharpening your kitchen knives. You may be surprised at the difference it makes. ____ May 11 Letter Carriers ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive is today. Donate some non-perishable items. ____ May 12 Mother’s Day. If you are taking your mom out, or if your family is taking you out on Mother’s Day, make reservations. ____ May 13 Get the A/C serviced before it gets hot and the demand gets high. ____ May 14 Take everything off your kitchen counters and clean the counters thoroughly. Do you really want to put all of that stuff back? Clean things. Then put only the items you need or really love back out on the counters. ____ May 15 If your kids have birthdays coming up this summer and there will be a party, start planning now, especially if you need to reserve a space. ____ May 16 Now that warm weather is here for a while, it’s a good time to clean your fireplace. ____ May 17 Empty any standing water from those April showers to avoid mosquito breeding grounds. ____ May 18 Reseal outside woodwork if needed. ____ May 19 If your church does coffee events, bake some goodies to share. ____ May 20 Clean the oven; ick, even with self-cleaning, it is not a pleasant job. Just bite the bullet and do it. Feel virtuous. (Open your windows first!) ____ May 21 Schedule check-ups and dental appointments (including the periodontist if needed) for you and family members. ____ May 22 Now that winter is gone, what winter clothes did you not wear? Is there a reason? Maybe they need to stop taking up space in your closet. ____ May 23 Cats and dogs (and bunnies…we have one!) may be starting to shed more as the weather warms. Be sure and keep them brushed so you get less hair on your clothes or furniture, and so you can avoid cat hairballs. ____ May 24 Does your dog need to go to the pet groomer for a trim before the weather gets hotter? ____ May 25 If the weather is nice, go for a picnic this weekend. ____ May 26 Spend some time outside. Do some yard work. Sweep the porch. Go for a leisurely walk afterwards. ____ May 27 Memorial Day. The day we honor those who fought in wars. Also a sort of unofficial kick-off of summer, and a good sale weekend. If you are needing furniture or a major appliance, this might be a good time. Gadgets and small kitchen appliances may be on sale as well. ____ May 28 Pick a time to really clean the bathroom well. Aside from the tub, toilet, sink, etc., go after the dust that settles on molding or under the kickspace. ____ May 29 After cleaning your shower well, put a bottle of spray cleaner to be used after every shower where everyone can see it and use it. ____ May 30 Have you changed many computer passwords in the last few months? If you keep a list in a safe or safe deposit box, put an updated copy in it. Or switch to a service like 1Password. ____ May 31 What's under your bed and the other furniture in your bedroom? Take time to remove dust bunnies, pet toys, shoes, socks, and other miscellany that has found its way under furniture.