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Virtuous Living OnLine
"Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31: 29 -31
FALL DONE VIRTUOUSLY!
This month, Virtuous Living is all about hunkering down for Fall . . . you, your family, and your home! This month's digital edition is chock-full of everything you'll need to get all of your fall prep done, virtuously.
HOUSEHOLD ORGANIZATION CHECKLIST
In the Summer, it's easier, you take everything down, open everything up; there's likely to be some laundry before stashing all of those blankets and comforters, roll back the rugs, clean those floors, set out a bowl of fresh fruit, and voila! Unfortunately, Fall Preparation is a bit more extensive, and you always want to make the house feel 'newer', cozier (I do!), fresher - because, you're going to be spending a lot of time in that space over the next 4 - 6 months.
The truly virtuous, have spent all Summer handling these seemingly miniscule tasks, which add up to major progress, when the temperatures dip. No worries, get a notebook, make your list, and let's get'er done!
Room-by-room, let's get started. Here, I have listed the most important items that absolutely must be done before the temps take a nose dive.
GENERAL HOUSEHOLD
1. Furnace/Hot water heater - At the very least, change the filter in the furnace. However, virtuousness demands more. Now is the time to get a furnace guy out to give it a check-up. The same guy can likely give your hot water heater the once-over. Believe me, after this brief meeting you can be a little more confident nestling into Fall.
2. General Maintenance Stock-Up
Tool Box
Duct Tape/Elec. tape/Masking Tape
Caulk/Caulking Gun
Plastic Drop cloth/Tarp
Emergency Candles/Flashlights
Additional Batteries
Glue gun/glue sticks
Plumber's tape
To list only a few items to keep tucked away in a cabinet, which would come in handy during most non-major emergencies. Tuck in anything else your household might require.
3. WINDOWS/DOORS - Check the seal on both, as these areas tend to be major energy zappers. If windows are drafty, you'll need to insulate. I use weather stripping over the frame, and sill. On doors, the weather stripping rests inside the frame. For assistance with widths and install, consult your local hardware store.
4. BATHROOM & KITCHEN PIPES
Check for leaks at the faucet base, and below the sink; around the tub base, as well as the base of the toilet, and beneath the tank - weak seals, and damaged pipes are no way to go into winter.
I've included some plumbing supplies in the Maintenance Stock-up list, and let's hope you'll never need to use them, because these items would only provide a quick, temporary fix (in the right hands, that is), and you will likely need a pro, which will be costly in the winter months.
CLEAN & ORGANIZED
"God is not the author of confusion, but peace..."
1 Cor 14:38
Therefore, go through each bedroom dresser, cleaning the inside and folding the contents (remove anything that hasn't been worn in more than 6 months, anything damaged, or too small). Repeat for the closets. Wipe the entire room clean, and add fresh linens.
**ORGANIZING TIP : Add an empty, plastic bin to the bottom of each closet, and insist on miscellaneous items being placed there - you'll love what they catch!
HOUSEKEEPING QUIZ
