demeter clarc » TIDY

6 days to salvage 2011

DC — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 10:00:52 +0000

If the day after Christmas has left you with a holiday hangover, consider using the last precious days of the year to accomplish a few unmet goals. Rather than waiting until NYE to make some phony resolution, begin the new year with the confidence that comes from triumphing over obstacles. First off, your space is filthy, so a good pre-New Year purge wouldn’t hurt, right? Like when is the last time you really mopped? What difference would 3 hours dedicated to tidiness make in your life? What impact could a donation of all your unused crap mean to someone in need? Now is your chance to make up for snubbing that Salvation Army bell ringer this year. It is never too late for generosity.If your goal this year was to cultivate fun, you still have 5 days to plan an execute a bitching NYE party. How about a trade-your-most-hideous-gift exchange party? The fiesta provides another avenue to declutter (see #1) and an opportunity to trade it for something you might actually like, even if only ironically.

Schedule preventative care appointments. Now is as good a time as any to schedule dentist, mammogram, colonoscopy and all those other screenings that can save you from critical malfunctions. Maintenance is everything. I care for you and want you healthy for 2o12 and beyond.

Here’s to rising to the challenge of accomplishing more in the last week of the year than bong hits and Teen Mom 2 marathons.

Let’s Go Swimming

DC — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 09:00:10 +0000

Happy Labor Day. For those of you headed to the pool, just remember…

17% of adults admit to peeing in the pool, including Olympic Swimmer Michael Phelps.

Earlier this summer, a dead woman floated around in a pool in Massachusetts for two days before anybody bothered to fish her out.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention notes the most commonly reported recreational water illness is diarrhea, which can be caused by germs such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli. These bugs contaminate the water through trace amounts of fecal matter that cling to people’s bodies.

Have a great holiday dirty sluts.

Tidy Tip: Clean the Ceiling Fan

DC — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:00:08 +0000

Look up. If you see a ceiling fan, it is probably dirty. Today, consider cleaning it. Typically crud builds up on the rotating side of the blade. Let it go long enough and experience a dust shower every time you flip the switch.Many might be tempted to take a feather duster to this mess. Don’t. That approach spreads dust everywhere, especially on the top of your head. Take the vacuum attachment to the filthy fluff first. After the bulk of the dust is removed, go over each blade and the center with a damp cloth. Don’t forget to give the light bulbs a once over if the fan has lamps.