Thursday, December 31, 2009

Start Fresh


i don't do Spring cleaning; i do January cleaning.  It just seems right to thoroughly clean the house while taking down the holiday mess decorations.  At the end of year i throw away or repurpose frayed and hole-ridden towels. I say "goodbye" to the cracked dinnerware and get rid of the thirteen Cool Whip bowls that have  piled up for the last 11 months and 29 days.  i chuck the chipped Teflon pans and generally get rid of everything broken, stained and completely worn out.
With the new year a day away, i want to start fresh. I'll finally toss out the old, dusty potpourri in that covered dish by the tub and replace it with potpourri that actually has a SCENT.   i will buy a new, fresh white Egyptian cotton nightgown with the money i got from taking back that horrid, unique jacket.  i have begun a fresh List:  Replace water filter in 'fridge.  Give myself a mini-pedicure because those callouses are taking on a life of their own. Remember to breathe, etc.  You get the idea.  Does anyone else to January Cleaning?  What fresh thing do you look forward to in 2010?

34 comments:

  1. MichelaDecember 31, 2009 at 2:24 AM

    Hello! The January cleaning sounds like a wonderful idea! I especially need to take more care of my feet and hands!
    Wishing you a fabulous New Year!

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  2. CinziaDecember 31, 2009 at 3:16 AM

    Hello Janean, thank you for your visit!
    Have a happy new year!
    CInzia

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  3. PropellerHeadMomDecember 31, 2009 at 4:07 AM

    Since we are usually trapped inside for January, February and March, I usually try to start cleaning and organizing. I never seem to be able to get to the bottom of the piles though :-)

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  4. KTWDecember 31, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    I do!!! :) I think it is a great time to freshen-up! Just taking away the Christmas clutter makes a huge difference and always seems to spark that desire to do a little more. :)

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  5. queenbuffnessDecember 31, 2009 at 4:46 AM

    Me too! ME too! I love getting "in control" of the don't need it, don't want it kind of stuff I've gathered throughout the year. I really struggle with ODD (obsessive disorder disorder) so I try extra hard in January. Besides, who want to be inside when spring shows up?? I've started with my Christmas junk this year. Winnowed out two whole tubs! Hmmm, Goodwill? Garage Sale? Ebay? Dumpster? If ya need some Snowmen stuff or permanently dusty candles, lemme know!!!

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  6. SylviaDecember 31, 2009 at 4:55 AM

    Thanks for your comment, how nice to write it also in my language !
    Our tradition is to take down the decoration on Epiphany (6 January).

    I wish you all the best for 2010 !
    Sylvia

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  7. ~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~December 31, 2009 at 5:19 AM

    Hi Janean~ ~I just posted about organizing my kitchen so I'm on the same page as you. Along with changes comes cleaning. .automatically, for me anyway. Love your blog I can see we have lots in common. Oh, and if you decide not to use the white cabinet Please send it my way I love it.
    It's so nice to meet you.
    ~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

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  8. RitaDecember 31, 2009 at 5:24 AM

    What a wonderful time to do the cleaning! Never thought about it that way! Thanks!

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  9. LeeDecember 31, 2009 at 5:55 AM

    I will do some changes and tweeking to my decor... because in the spring I'm out of here.

    Happy New Year!
    Lee

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  10. DonnaDecember 31, 2009 at 6:03 AM

    Hahahaha, I love the comment about tosing out 13 plastic coolwhip bowls! I had to have tossed at least that many when we were packing up for our move into temporary rental quarters! Since we did so much fresh start cleaning in October and November, there's not much for us to tackle now. But I have been going through my tall file cabinet and having shredding parties! Ha, I FINALLY shredded my college loan papers from the early 70s! Now that I am retired, I think they were safe to toss!!! I crack me up!

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  11. AnonymousDecember 31, 2009 at 6:26 AM

    Ooh my, we are kindered spirits.. the odd plastic containers from goodness knows where.. to the odds and ends that I've collected through the year.

    It feels good to have a pantry that's in order, see see the crystal sparkle (an not with glitter) and now I can welcome in the New Year..

    I wish you many blessings for a grand New Year filled with adventures!

    with love,
    ~Olivia

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  12. Keetha BroylesDecember 31, 2009 at 6:44 AM

    And I just don't do cleaning.

    Did I just admit that right out loud????

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  13. Stephanie @ La Dolce VitaDecember 31, 2009 at 7:26 AM

    I do January cleaning - I get the itch on the 1st, but do it after the decorations come down on the 6th ... I get the itch in September too ... must be something about those fresh starts! So glad you found me so that I could find you! Have a Healthy, Happy, Inspiring New Year!

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  14. CoraDecember 31, 2009 at 7:43 AM

    Your January plan is a great idea. I think I will jump into one like this myself. Thanks for sharing.
    Have a blessed new year!

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  15. DawnDecember 31, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    Happy New Year Janean! I get the itch to declutter in January also. By the end of the year the piles of "things I couldn't pass up or live without" are out of control and I have to make room to actually function here! I think it's univeral, that's why the stores will have all those storage bins on "sale" next week!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  16. Oklahoma GrannyDecember 31, 2009 at 8:10 AM

    What a good idea to start now instead of in the spring when the weather is so nice! I have some towels that need a new life in my husband's garage. I'm sure there are a few other things that need to be recycled too. I see a new project coming my way.

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  17. Cheryl LageDecember 31, 2009 at 8:54 AM

    Janean, I LOVE the idea of January cleaning...sounds like the ideal "resolution" for folks like me that rarely "resolve" to do much!

    Wishing you a blessed and joyous 2010!

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  18. Beverly @ MY Sew Sweet StudioDecember 31, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    Yes, because my decorations take up most of my house, when I pack them away, I take that chance to clean and replace and rearrange. I enjoy the process and feel my house is renewed. The towels in your picture sure look cozy. Love the texture.

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  19. The Old ParsonageDecember 31, 2009 at 9:34 AM

    You January purge sounds wonderful. I start out strong, but soon peter out. Oh well good intentions.

    Happy New Year!
    Leann

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  20. Debra@CommonGroundDecember 31, 2009 at 10:12 AM

    I'm with you, I try to do my cleaning when all the Christmas decor is down and put away. It's the best time for me, because I love to have a whole new "theme" going by mid January. OK, now I just need to crawl in the lower cabinet and find all those cool whip bowls!
    Hugs and blessings for a wonderful New Year!
    Debra

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  21. AnonymousDecember 31, 2009 at 10:57 AM

    I'm in the throws of cleaning myself...more out of necessity than ritual. I know that I will not be able to do too much after Wednesday foot surgery...I just hate to vacumn with a bum foot!

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  22. Debby@Just BreatheDecember 31, 2009 at 12:02 PM

    Sounds perfect to me....

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  23. TannaDecember 31, 2009 at 12:10 PM

    YES! To January cleaning! I have to admit a difficulty in parting with some of those Cool Whip bowls though. LOL! Did just get back from having a manicure and pedicure to start the year out groomed!

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  24. Angie @ thejunkranch December 31, 2009 at 12:22 PM

    I do a through cleaning of closets...especially the one under the stairs where I throw things to hide them when I have guests. I have actually found purses with money in there when I've changed out in a hurry and tossed them there. It's always good to find money in January!

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  25. Kathleen GraceDecember 31, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    I will be cleaning and organizing, it always seems so urgent after all the frou frou of December to clean and simplify. I crave white and cream in my home and the less "stuff" I can see the better!

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  26. I Purr-Furr to CraftDecember 31, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    What a lovely post, I adore that tradition of renewal. think i will try and adopt it myself, (hubby WILL be pleased!) Here's to a great 2010 to you all.

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  27. vintage girl at heartDecember 31, 2009 at 3:07 PM

    Yes I love to clean anytime of the year but always purge at the end of the past year and the beginning of the new!!! Just feels like I am off to a right start!!!
    Have a wonderful and fabulous NEW YEAR!!!

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  28. Twice as NiceDecember 31, 2009 at 5:15 PM

    I do a lot of January deep cleaning. One of the things I do is go through all my medicines. Whether it's vitamins or sinus medicines, I check the dates for experation. Happy New Year and happy cleaning!

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  29. LucyDecember 31, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    I think because of all the clutter and extra stuff in our lives during Christmas, I also have the need to de-clutter everything and have it clean and tidy!

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  30. Marina MottJanuary 1, 2010 at 4:28 AM

    I always chance things at home...love it!
    Beautiful pics!!

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  31. Becky ShanderJanuary 1, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Love your idea of starting off fresh. Unfortunately, after the Christmas holiday I'm usually too pooped to attempt such admirable chores. Just getting our tree ornaments, holiday decor, gifts, etc. put away within the first week of January is the best I can manage. I've accepted that it's okay for me to let the small stuff go.

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  32. Sweet Tea/lagirlJanuary 1, 2010 at 5:53 PM

    Yes Ma'am, I clean in January also. I don't like Winter so I figure if I do my cleaning now then when Spring comes I'm "good to go". Who wants to clean when the weather's nice??!

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  33. Jayme Goffin, The Coop KeeperJanuary 1, 2010 at 5:59 PM

    I've always been a January cleaner too! In the spring there is too much outside work to do. Nothing like a good fresh clean house!

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  34. AnonymousJanuary 3, 2010 at 3:32 AM

    Hi Janean,

    I like to start writing in the crisp pages of a new diary. I think that the January cleaning is a great start to a new year ~ I always like to spruce up the living room when the decorations come down.

    Thanks for visiting and Happy New Year.

    Marie

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I am so excited you are leaving a sweet comment! Thank you. ~Janean~