Spring Cleaning!

The entire time I've been planning this post I've been imagining what my mother is going to do when she reads this post. Probably fall out of her chair laughing. Mom, please don't hurt yourself! 

I am not known for my love of cleaning, that's for sure. But last weekend as T and I were sitting in the kitchen watching little dust bunnies amble across our kitchen floor, I suddenly had this great big urge to clean everything. I asked him if he wanted to do a big spring cleaning day with me the next weekend and the silly husband agreed! So, off I went to plan. 

If there's one thing I've noticed after a year of working in the position I'm in it's this: I have turned into a list monster. Dude, I love lists. I have never really used lists to their full potential before this but oh my goodness, let me tell you. I love my lists now. My lists have lists. Wonderful. 

So, I bring you Ordinary Fairy Tale's Spring Cleaning Check List of 2013!

Living Room

         Wipe down bookshelves

         Wipe down Tables

         Wipe down Lamp

         Wipe down TV & TV stand

         Clean windows

         Vacuum

Kitchen

         Organize pantry

         Wipe down pantry shelves

         Clean out fridge

         Deep clean dishwasher

         Deep clean oven (this method works amazingly. Seriously. My oven is spotless)

         Wipe down stove top (Works wonderfully but I had to do it twice to get the baked on grossness off)

         Deep clean microwave (I had to do this twice, but the microwave was pretty gross)

         Wipe down fridge outside

         Dust Fridge top

         Organize and wipe down pans

         Sweep floors

         Mop floors

         Clean Windows (inside and out)

         Wash counters

         Dust light fixtures

         Vacuum fridge coils

         Clean sink

         Wipe kitchen table

         Clean cutting boards

         Organize kitchen clutter (papers, bills, etc)

         Wash dog bowls

Bedroom

         Wash sheets

         Wash pillow cases

         Clean out makeup

         Wash makeup brushes

         Organize closets

         Wash windows

         Vacuum

         Dust ceiling fan

         Clean box fan

         Flip mattress

         Clean mattress

Bathroom

      Replace plastic shower curtain

      Clean toilet

         Clean sink
Clean tub (sprinkle baking soda, spritz vinegar on and let it sit for a little while. Scrub and voila! Sparkling! Seriously, sparkling.) 

         Wash mirror

         Organize drawers

         Wash window

Entrance

         Shake out and wash rug

         Sweep floor

         Mop floor

         Rotate out winter shoes from shoe bin

Laundry Room

         Sweep floor

         Mop floor

         Deep clean washing machine

         Clean dryer lint trap

Miscellaneous

         Change fire alarm batteries

         Change air filter

         Wipe down doors and knobs

         Clean vents

         New bathroom rug

         Replace fridge light (this one is only if your husband has smashed the light out of it on Christmas morning and you've been living without a top light since then. Not that this is us or anything. . .)

         Replace fridge water filter 

Supplies

         Vinegar

         Sponges

         All purpose cleaner (this works and is spectacular. I made it the night before and let the lemon peel sit in the bottles over night. It smelled fantastic)

         Rags

         Gloves

         Baking soda

         Lemon

         Window cleaner

         Toilet bowl cleaner

         Clorox wipes

         Spray bottles (2-3)

         Scouring pad

Some of the miscellaneous and supplies will change from time to time, so feel free to adjust those! Also, if you'd like this in a word doc or PDF form, please email me (jacquelyn(dot)smith13(at)gmail(dot)com) and I'll be glad to email them to you. I tried to figure out how to upload it on the blog, but I was unsuccessful. I may work for an IT company, but I am completely hopeless when it comes to technology.

Happy Spring Cleaning! 

State of the Union

One year ago today I had the privilege of going into the Temple of the Lord and got sealed for time and all eternity to the most amazing man I have ever met. When I woke up this morning (thanks to Charlie jumping up on the bed. I guess he thought it was time to wake up at 7am!) and I first looked at my husband sleeping beside me all I could think about was 'wow. It's been a year. I've been his wife for a year.'

I don't remember much from the morning of our wedding. It was all kind of a blur. I remember the girl doing my hair had forgotten that the wedding was that day and was at her other job. I remember freaking out that I was going to be late to my own wedding (I wasn't) and I remember leaving my Temple dress at the apartment. I remember my mom keeping me calm. My best friend Amanda talking sense into me as I rushed to the Temple, 'Jacky. Calm down! It'll be okay!'

I remember seeing T in the parking lot as I got out of my car. I remember the sense of joy and happiness I felt when I saw him knowing that when we came out of the Temple we'd be husband and wife. 

That day was perfect. 

The year that has passed since hasn't been easy, but it has been fun. We've learned so much from each other and from Heavenly Father. Honestly, I was worried the transition from being single and living on my own to living with someone else 24/7 would have been difficult. It wasn't though. It seemed completely natural. Like this was the way it was supposed to be forever. We just...fit. 

Marriage hasn't been easy, but it hasn't been hard either. Which is a weird thing, I know. I can't really describe it. I've learned more about myself by being with T than I ever had by being alone. We just work so well together that the transition period was so fluid, so natural, that I find it difficult to remember a time that I was without him. 

In the year we've been married:

I've started a new 'big girl' job for a company I adore

We've bought our first house

We adopted a second dog

We had a flood in our basement

We found the most perfect Ward family 

We both received wonderful callings working with the youth in the Church

We've attended the Temple regularly

We've fought

We've fallen deeper in love. 

I know it sounds cliche, but I love this man more than I ever thought possible. And I love him more today than I did in that Temple getting sealed to him. I know that a year from today, I will love him even more. He's shown me what it means to truly love and accept someone for exactly who they are. His pure spirit and loving personality has made me a better person simply by being near him. 

T is out running errands right now (I think he's doing some last minute shopping!) so I decided now would be a good time to write this. We went out to breakfast this morning and are going to go to the Temple where we got married this afternoon and do sealings. Tonight we're going to The Melting Pot to celebrate. 

Since we really didn't get a honeymoon last year, we're treating ourselves to a trip in May as a belated honeymoon and first anniversary present. Where are we going? We're flying into Seattle and driving down the coast to San Francisco! 8 days just the two of us. I am so excited. 

I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man in my life. I am truly lucky to count myself his wife. Marrying him was the best decision I have ever made. T - I love you. You make me whole. I am so happy that we're together. Happy first anniversary my love. And here's to many more wonderful years to come! :)