Fall starts today! September 23, which is also my birthday! As I was doing some chores around the house, I started thinking about how many weekends there were in a fall season, and correlating that to, “how many weekend projects can I accomplish to get ready for winter?” So I marched to the calendar to count up 13 weekends, and started thinking about my project list. Here is what I came up with. Keep in mind, these projects are meant to be completed within a few hours because Saturday mornings are packed with soccer and flag football games around here. Plus, who really wants to spend their weekend working? Not me! However, I’ve also learned working hard now ensures an easier transition into the next season and can benefit me a year from now! So, who else will join me in taking on a small project each weekend? Here they are. In no particular order either.
- Clean out all the gutters. This chore should be done after all the leaves, or most of the leaves have fallen.
- Put up Christmas lights while it’s nice out, so you won’t freeze! You don’t need to turn them on yet. 🙂
- Tend to flower beds and gardens. Pulling up dead or dying plants. Cutting back bushes. This is a great time to fertilize if you have a garden.
- Pick up outside furniture and toys. Store them as needed to preserve them from harsh winter conditions.
- Prepare your front door and entryway for cooler temps. I have flowers in the barrels and learned early on, that if I don’t clean those out and change the front door wreath. My front door can look really tired (and dead) come winter.
- Make sure your kids have properly fitting winter apparel (coats, hats, gloves, snow pants, boots). Don’t have kids? Make sure you’ve got a winter coat and snow boots. Last winter was harsh! I wore my winter boots so often and was glad I had them.
- Cut down on some heating costs by caulking around doors and windows.
- Hire a chimney sweep and order fire wood.
- Disconnect hoses from outside faucets and if your air conditioner has a water shut-off valve, turn it off.
- Buy a snow shovel. We like to have one in the trunk of our car too-just in case! Speaking of the car. We also put in a large blanket and first aid kit. I’d rather be over prepared than underprepared! Something else to consider is buying sidewalk salt before you actually need it. In the case of a winter storm, hardware stores sell out quickly!
- Buy a new board game and stock up on lotion. I’m smiling as I type that, but the Midwesterner in me knows, cabin fever and dry skin are a real thing!
- Tune up the snow blower.
- Invest in a humidifier. Your sinuses, skin and home will thank you!
Honestly, last winter was so long and harsh. I remember there being a handful of chores I’d wished we’d accomplished while it was still nice outside, instead of doing them while freezing our booties off outside. Alas, you live and learn! Here’s to hoping it’s a mild winter and we are prepared for anything! Like true Midwesterners! 🙂
~Michelle Phillips
